Alex

It had been nearly a week since Leah arrived in the pack and I hadn't heard much of anything from her. I wasn't sure if I should be concerned about that or not. I had seen her a few times, at meals and around the pack. She was usually with Penny or another female pack member, but the appreciative stares the unmated males gave her did not go unnoticed by me. It didn't seem any of them had caused her any problems though and I was grateful for that.

She had been through enough.

The only male she seemed to spend any time with was Jon. He assured me they were just friends and he only enjoyed spending time with her. I didn't sense any dishonesty from him, so I let it go.

She always gave me a wide smile and a cheerful wave when I saw her, so she seemed to be settling in well to pack life. I had decided to give her a few weeks before meeting with her again to decide on a long term plan.

Until my computer stopped working.

'Jon? Can you find Leah and bring her to my office? This computer is being stupid.' I link him as I tap furiously on my keyboard.

'Oh. We're pretending the computer is fucked up and not that you don't know how to use it? Ok sounds good.' He quips back and I sigh.

'Can you just get her here, please?' I ask exasperated and I can feel his amusement through our link.

'Yes, Alpha.'

A few minutes later there's a timid knock on the door and I yell for her to enter. She slips in quietly, looking at me curiously.

"Well come in. I won't bite." I tell her and she huffs out a laugh.

"Funny. Because you're a wolf." She says smiling and I can't help but chuckle. Then her smile drops and her face is filled with concern.

"What's wrong?" I ask her and she shuffles her feet worriedly.

"Well, Jon told me you wanted to see me. I feel a little like I was sent to the principals office." She says quietly, avoiding my gaze. I huff in response and stand from my chair making her eyes dart to me.

"I'm sorry. Jon should have told you, my computer isn't working. I only wanted you to look at it." I explain and she breathes out a sigh of relief. I cock an inquisitive brow at her before crossing my arms across my chest. Her eyes follow the movement and she bites her bottom lip. The sweet smell of her arousal hits my nose and I'm shocked, but choose to ignore it.

"Have you done something you thought you'd be in trouble for?" I ask her sternly and her eyes refocus on me.

"What? No, I just was um... nervous." She says and I chuckle as she rubs her thighs together.

I'm used to my alpha aura having an effect on she wolves, but I didn't expect a human to react so strongly to me. She's never done or said anything inappropriate, so I let it go.

"Will you look at my computer, please? It's being stupid." I tell her urging her towards my desk.

"Are you sure it's not user error?" She quips back cheekily and I grunt in response.

"No. I'm not sure." I say and that earns me a melodic giggle as she sits in my seat.

"Now, when I fire this up I won't find anything unbecoming of an alpha will I?" She asks and I furrow my brows in confusion.

"What are you talking about?" I ask and she raises her eyebrows at me.

"I found so much porn on Jon's computer I'm still blushing." She says seriously and a hearty laugh escapes me until I have to wipe tears from my eyes. I look back at her and she is clearly unamused.

"I'm glad you find that funny. I've been having nightmares about it all week." She says and I chuckle again before shaking my head.

"No. You will find nothing of the sort on my computer, little one." I tell her honestly and she nods before fiddling with the buttons.

As she messes with the contraption I take the time to study her. She seems to have gained a little weight, her color is better and her hair looks soft and shiny. She still has bags under her eyes though and I wonder if she's not sleeping well.

"Ah. Here's the problem. You somehow managed to unplug the cable that connects it to the internet." She says pushing a cable back into place with an audible click. She looks up at me with a proud smile and then my phone rings. I answer it and, to my astonishment, it's for Leah.

"Here." I say handing her the phone. She takes it with an adorably confused look on her face.

"Hello?... Yes... I'll be there soon. I had to fix the Alpha's computer... Ok.... Bye." She hangs up the phone and I look at her, obviously expecting an explanation.

"I'm usually at the daycare by now. I read the kids a story before nap time and they were wondering if I was coming. And since I can't mind link and I don't have a phone...." she trails off and I nod.

"You seem to be settling in well." I observe and she nods before giving me another breathtaking smile.

"I love it here." She says enthusiastically and I can't help but smile.

"What other things do you do with your time?" I ask her, sitting in the arm chair as she is still in my chair.

I'm surprised that that doesn't annoy me.

"Let's see..." she says her eyes staring off into space as she taps her chin in thought.

"Most of my time is spent salvaging Jon's computer from porn viruses, but otherwise I help out in the kitchen and the daycare, the high school asked me to teach an internet safety course and the older pack members ask me to help them with their devices as well. They've started a little cell phone support group where we all get together and they ask me how to take pictures and things. It's cute." She says with a little giggle. "Penny is taking me to the hospital tomorrow to visit new moms as well. I'm pretty excited about that." She says as I smile at her in awe. It's amazing how quickly everyone has taken to her.

"That's quite impressive, little one. I'm proud of you." I say honestly and she blushes a little under my praise. "How have you been dealing with the loss of your mate and harrowing journey in captivity? Any more nightmares?" I ask and the smile slips from her face. She shrugs and looks away from me.

"Sometimes. I'm still processing. Staying busy helps. I have fewer nightmares when I'm tired." I nod and reach across the desk to hold her hand.

"If you ever need to talk, I'm here." I say and she nods while giving me a shy smile.

"Thank you, Alex. I appreciate it." She says before standing. I stand as well and open the door for her to leave.

"Thanks for fixing that computer." I say giving the thing a glare. She smiles and pats my cheek affectionately with her little hand.

"Anytime old man." She giggles at her own quip and I growl at her a little making her laugh even harder. I enjoy the sound. It makes me feel a little lighter.

"Go read those kids a story, I wouldn't want a rebellion during snack time." I say and she nods waving goodbye.

"Later, Alpha!" She calls with the same sarcasm my sister uses. I roll my eyes at her as Jon walks up to me, smiling at her antics.

"We on for that movie later, Princess?" He calls after her and she doesn't even turn around.

"Yes you needy wolf!" She calls and it's my turn to chuckle.

"You're watching a movie together?" I ask with raised brows and he shrugs.

"In the living room. On separate couches. She's the only chick in the pack that likes football movies." He shrugs and I'm relieved. Not only because their movie watching is platonic, but also because he'll stop asking me to watch those boring movies with him.

"Thank the Moon Goddess for small miracles." I murmur to him and he huffs back at me. "She's settling in well." I say trying to change the subject. Jon nods in response before pushing passed me into my office carrying some folders. I shut the door behind us and he sits in a chair, seemingly getting comfortable. I hope this visit isn't long.

"She is. The pack is becoming attached to her. Almost like..." He trails off and looks like he doesn't want to finish his thought. I sigh in annoyance, not wanting to indulge in his dramatics today.

"Almost like what?" I ask, obviously exasperated.

"Almost like a Luna." He says and I instantly growl at him. He holds his hands up in defeat and I take a few deep breaths trying to control my anger. I'm surprised my wolf isn't more annoyed at the thought of another woman taking over Julie's place.

"Just look at it logically." Jon implores and I glare at him.

"What are you talking about?" I snarl at him and he rolls his eyes at my anger.

"She was mated to an alpha. She was born to be a luna." He says simply, shrugging as if my reaction was silly.

"So what?" I ask and he sighs heavily.

"All I'm saying is, you've been doing both jobs for a long time. It wouldn't be so bad to have someone to help carry the load. And if you ended up having feelings for her in the process... well... there's nothing wrong with that."

For the first time ever, I'm stunned into silence.