“I mean, it’s your house, right? You really can do whatever you want.”
“Perfect! I’m going to help you after breakfast then and you are going to call me Kennedy. Got it?” I look at her with a smile on my face.
She takes a deep breath and puffs out her cheeks letting the air out slowly. “You can help me Luna Kennedy, if you really want to.”
“Yes!” I do a little excited jump. “Thank you Cindy. You are a lifesaver. Okay, what can I snack on, I am starving.” She just laughs at me and shows me the pantry with a whole stash of hidden snacks. Another hidden treasure.
Once I am fed, I take a chance and head out the back patio door with a blanket and a book. The back of the packhouse is very simple. There aren’t any big ostentatious seating spaces or elaborate outdoor visual design things. It’s one simple level deck on the main level that runs the length of the wall behind the dining room with sturdy wooden rocking chairs, two porch swings and a few outdoor couches that are nice and comfy. The design. allows the forest to shine in its own natural beauty.
The other benefit is the cute little planters that are out here growing different flowers and vining vegetables. Someone spends a lot of time out here caring for them. They are thriving and beautiful even in the colder weather. Someone must put a cover or something over them so they don’t freeze at night. We haven’t gotten snow yet, but I’m sure it’s not too far off.
It has become my favorite space. Everything is bright and inviting. The deck is a light teak wood and all of the furniture is a similar wood color with cushions in shades of gray. I don’t know if technically I am supposed to be out here, since it is outside, but I figure if I don’t leave the safety of the porch I’m fine. No one has yelled at me yet.
I haven’t seen Bennet much. But I know he’s around. It’s like I can feel him watching me. I figure if he didn’t want me out here he would tell me to go back inside or more likely have Robin tell me. But, he also might be mad at me for getting him in trouble with Ryker. I was hoping to have him as a friend, but that doesn’t seem to be in my plans now. I’m lost in my thoughts, staring out at the forest, before deciding on which couch is the most comfy.
“I was wondering when I would see you.”
I jumped “OH SH*T!”
Then I stumbled back, getting caught in the blanket and landing on my butt. The book I had in my hand went flying to who knows where in the yard. A low feminine giggle caught my attention while I flail to get myself free and back to a standing position. “I’m not used to anyone being out here, sorry.” I don’t know how I continue to embarrass myself, but it’s becoming a real problem.
“It’s alright dear. I haven’t been out here in weeks and my babies needed some loving.” She fluffs the plants and looks through all the leaves as she goes. The woman is a little older than Aunt Beth, but it’s hard to tell age with werewolves because they age so much slower than humans. Her dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail, the only sign that she was a little older was the two small streaks of gray hair just over her ears. Her lean body is toned like she uses it regularly. “You must be the new Luna. It’s good to meet you.’
“Uh, thank you. But, I’m not much of a Luna. This is the farthest out of the packhouse that I have been in a month. A Luna should really be more involved with the pack. Don’t you think?” I huff out rolling my eyes. I know I sound bitter, but I am. This is so stupid. I know that I can be doing more, but no one is going to go against Ryker and teach me anything. I finally get myself out of the blanket and stand up walking down to her. “I’m Kennedy.”
Something about her warm smile makes me feel safe. “Hi Kennedy, Sarah.” She shakes my hand firm, but gentle. She isn’t simpering or angry with me. I am just a person she is meeting for the first time. Maybe I can have a friend here.
Ryker
I have been tracking all of Kennedy’s calls and text messages. She seems to be telling the truth. She has only messaged my sister and Jeremiah from her old pack and Robin and Bennet here. All the messages have been short and to the point. She calls Jeremiah more than she texts, which makes sense based on what I know of their relationship. The calls never last more than ten minutes though, which I do think is odd. Bennet doesn’t respond to her unless necessary and most of the time it’s ‘T’ll check with the Alpha.’ He knows I’m monitoring, so maybe he just converses with her face to face. He hasn’t said much to me either since her attack. Until last night. Last night I got a front row seat to his opinion of my treatment of her. Which is why I’m on my current Kennedy rabbit? hole.
“ALPHA!”
“What?!” I yell back at Josh. He’s been more crabby recently too.
“Will you stop stalking your mate and help me with this?”
“I am not stalking her and you seem to be just fine on your own.” I walk up to him, stowing my phone before he sees it, as he’s finishing the last flower box next to the entrance to the new school we put up. He likes this woodworking stuff. His attention to detail is amazing.
We were hoping that Claude and his guys would have attacked us while we were building. Josh and I even joined the crew halfway through the build pretending to want to get first hand knowledge. In reality, I was hoping to be the bait to draw him out, especially when I put the location in a position to be more controlled by Don, Nathan and Rory. This is the best place and it will be well loved by the pups here. There is a wide flat area for outdoor play and a lake big enough to be a safety feature and to be used by the pups in warmer months. The hospital is almost done and the crews are working hard to complete the external structure before the first snowfall hits. We have been lucky so far this season and the bad weather has held off, but some of our specialists are human so we have to play along with their sensitivities to the weather.
We were able to confirm that Claude is trying to overthrow me. The two rogues we caught from Kennedy’s attack didn’t even take two hits and they were vomiting up details. They weren’t after her, just scouting, trying to gain a pattern of our patrol schedule. They happened to see an opportunity to attack a border patrol. I don’t know if I fully believe that, but neither mentioned wanting to take my Luna or harming her. I haven’t told Kennedy that, though the rest of the guys know. Bennet took it personally that she was in harm’s way. I still can’t gauge how he feels about her. I’ve never seen a gamma act the way he does when it comes to her. It’s like he’s agitated all the time because of her.
“Earth to Ryker.” Josh sings, waving a hand in front of my face. I blink and slap him away. “Why don’t you try talking to her. This is out of hand man.”
“We don’t talk, we yell at each other. Or did you not notice? She hates me for bringing her here and whatever happily ever after she thought she was going to get with her beta.” My wolf grumbles at the thought, but it’s the truth. We are not what she wants and she can’t handle what we need from her.
“What are you talking about? I’m her beta and she only likes me slightly more than you. I don’t get full on death glares the way you do.”
“I meant Ben. They were pretty cozy before she came to Dark Moon and I couldn’t even feel if they were sleeping together. She doesn’t have a wolf, she can’t mark me, I don’t know if I can mark her. What’s going to stop her from cheating? We can’t even have a full mate bond. She can pick whoever she wants…”
“You’re worried she won’t pick you? That’s your big hang up? You are stupid.” He grunts. “Greta! You win, I’m?out. This is not my wheelhouse.”
“Huh? What the f*ck are you two on about?” I look over my shoulder confused as hell, watching my best female warrior saunter up like she knows a secret.
Greta has a smile on her face while Josh moves back to his planter. “You think she doesn’t want you alpha? After everything you have put her through?” Greta has her hands on her hips and that stance makes me nervous. I stand my ground, but every nerve is trembling inside. I’m about to get my ass handed to me and she isn’t one for being gentle.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.