Leah

I was positively giddy with my new pack bond. It felt so good to belong somewhere, to be a part of something. I was amazed at the way I was welcomed so easily. No one seemed to think it was weird that a human was joining their pack. At least, no one made me feel that way. I was a little worried that some people would have the same bias as Silas' pack, but it seems the mentality is completely different depending on the pack. Or maybe it's about leadership, I'm not sure. I was pulled from my thoughts by Alex, who had been driving in silence for awhile.

"What are you thinking so hard about, little one? I can practically see your brain whirring." He asks curiously with a hint of amusement in his voice.

"How well everyone took me in. I feel almost like a stray dog that dad said they could keep." I admit and he chuckles at my comparison.

"You're no ones pet. They all like you and it's not normal to have humans in the real world who know about our kind, anyway. It's safer to keep you with us. And you fit in so well I think sometimes they forget you're human." He says and I nod.

"Sure. Until I get a cold or something. Then you'll all be reminded how fragile I am." I say a little jealousy painting my words. Alex only gives me a warm smile before turning his eyes back to the road.

"Well, think of how many people there will be to bring you soup and take your temperature." I hum a little in thought before I nod in agreement.

"You almost make me want to get sick. I've never been taken care of." I say with a playful smile, but Alex looks sad.

"What's wrong?" I ask and he sighs a little.

"It upsets me that you've basically been alone your whole life. Especially when you were supposed to have found your soul mate and he treated you so horribly. It's not fair." He states firmly, but I just shrug.

"If that had never happened, you never would have found me and I wouldn't be a pack member." I state, then let out my best wolfy howl. Alex laughs at me and shakes his head.

"You are something else, little one." He says quietly and we lapse into a comfortable silence until I think of something else I wanted to ask.

"When do I get to see a wolf?" I ask and he looks at me surprised.

"What do you mean?"

"I've never seen a wolf. At least not properly. I've seen someone shift, but that was more to freak me out and then I got stuffed in a cell. I want to touch one." I say excitedly and Alex smiles.

"I'll show you my wolf, if you'd like." He says and I nod. "We can do a pack run to celebrate you joining the pack. You can ride on either Jon or I." He adds and my eyes light up.

"You just made all my dreams come true." I say and Alex chuckles. I love his laugh, it's deep, smooth and calming in a way.

"Oh, I forgot. You can mind link now." He says and I gasp in surprise.

"Shut up! No way!" I exclaim excitedly.

'Yes, little one. You can.' I hear his melodic voice in my head and it makes me shiver.

"How do I do that?" I ask and he shrugs.

"Just imagine flinging your thoughts into my head." He says. I close my eyes and focus hard

'Like this?' I ask in his mind.

'Yes.' I hear him respond and I squeal with joy.

'Jon! Stop watching porn!' I yell at him.

'Ah, Fuck! You scared me Leah! I was just about to come and now I'm instantly soft. Thanks a lot!' He responds and I can't stop my cackling laugh.

"What's so funny?" Alex asks with a smile.

"I told Jon to stop watching porn and he lost his boner." I admit and we both descend into giggles.

"Only you would use your second ever mind link to tell someone to stop watching porn." He muses with a wide smile. I blush in response and look out the window.

"Are we almost there?" I ask cheekily and Alex laughs again.

"Yes, little one. We're almost there."

"Good." I say. "Because I have to pee."

We finish up our errands. I only had to keep Alex from growling once and that was at the real estate office. They made him sign a bunch of papers and he got annoyed.

"What are all the permits for?" I ask as we walk down the street. I shiver a little in the cool weather and Alex wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me closer to him and sharing his warmth.

"A couple of pack members want to open a bakery. We need to fill out the proper forms to build and I had to buy some more land, but it will be worth it. Alyssa's cupcakes are tiny little gifts from Heaven." He says making me smile.

"Ooh, I hope they make macaroons! Those were always my favorite." I exclaim, wrapping my arm around his waist and melting into his side.

"I'm sure they'll take requests." He says as he steers me around a few corners.

"Oh! We need to stop in here." I say pointing to the little drugstore. Alex looks at me confused and I pull him with me. He follows me to the feminine aisle as I grab a box of tampons and he looks at me confused.

"What are those?" He asks, pointing to the box.

"You're joking. Right?" I ask looking at him in disbelief.

"Is this a human thing?" He asks and I go to say no, that it's a woman thing, but now I have questions.

"Do she wolves not get a period?" I ask and he shakes his head.

"No. What's a period?" He asks and I balk at him.

"I so do not have the patience to explain this right now. Let's just go." I say pulling him with me and out of the store. I start to shiver and he wraps his arm around me again.

"You're so warm. It must be nice to never get cold." I say and he nods.

"It is nice. We can stop and get you a sweater or something." He offers and I shrug.

"I like making you keep me warm. It's what a good Alpha would do." I respond playfully and he smiles down at me.

"Well, I do want to be a good alpha." He responds quietly as we pass a few people on the street. "Here we are!" He says as he pulls me into a store.

"What are we doing here?" I ask as I look around.

"I thought you might want a laptop or tablet or something. Our resident techie has nothing for herself. Think of it as a... welcome gift." He says and I look at him, disbelief all over my face. He smiles shyly and I swear there's a bit of blush on his face.

"Really?" I ask amazed and he nods.

"Whatever you want." He says and my heart skips a beat.

"I would never normally accept an extravagant gift, but good lord do I miss Youtube." I admit and he chuckles.

"I don't know what that is, but you can show me on your new... whatever you pick." He says and I squeal before dashing around the store.

I find a laptop that has a detachable keyboard so it can be used as a tablet and look at Alex for permission. He thinks it's so cool he buys a few for the school and one for Penny as well and I can't wait to set them all up. I can't stop bouncing and going on and on about how cool the device is and how much use the school kids will get out of it as we stop for lunch. I make him order fried oreos for desert because he's never had them and laugh at the look on his face.

"These are the most amazing things I've ever eaten." He says through a mouthful as I dip mine in the chocolate sauce and take another bite.

"Have another one." He says pushing the plate towards me, but I shake my head and wipe my hands on a napkin.

"No can do. Some of us still have a human life span and those puppies are sure to shorten it if I have too many." I say jokingly, but his face instantly drops and I eye him curiously.

"What's the matter?" I ask and he pulls out of his melancholy state.

"Nothing." He says pulling out his wallet to pay. "Just remembered I need to get back for something." He says and I nod, but I don't really believe him.

He tucks me back into his side to keep me from shivering as we walk back to the car and he listens to me chat about what I've been filling my days with. He seems genuinely interested and it warms my heart. Once we get to the car, I pull out my new toy and decide to start setting it up in the car on the way back. I can't help but squeal in excitement again and Alex chuckles while giving me an affectionate smile.

"Thank you so much for this again, Alex. It's amazing." I gush and lean over to peck his cheek.

"You're welc-" He starts to say, turning to look at me.

But is cut off by my lips accidentally crashing into his.