The rest of the evening was interesting to say the least.

It consisted of Chinese take out and heated looks from Kieran. He swore that I'd be the one to give in and make the first move.

Kieran had his fingers in my hair as we laid on the couch with me against his chest, when my mother and father walked in, both laughing.

I smiled at the sight.

My father noticed my position with Kieran as we laid on the couch under a blanket and he cleared his throat, Kieran sighing quietly at the unspoken hint.

I chuckled and sat up, Kieran growling in protest as I moved away from him, putting a slight distance between us.

"Tomorrow is your birthday. There is something I must do. Please come here Charlotte." My father spoke strongly.

I stood up slowly, Kieran nodding with encouragement, obviously knowing what was about to occur.

I watched as everyone else flowed into the room. My brothers, Kieran's parents and sister, Beta Daniel, everyone watching me with excitement and curiosity evident on their faces.

I walked over until I stood in front of him.

He closed the distance between us and placed his forehead against mine and his palm over my heart.

"I, Alpha Eric Saxon, relinquish my title to my first born and heir, Charlotte Saxon, and give her full reign over the Dark Moon Pack." He whispered.

I gasped as I felt a shift within me and power suddenly coursed through me, and I breathed in quickly.

I could feel them. My pack, the connection to my people. The only thing I could compare it to was a tree. Together we were a strong and firm oak, branches reaching new heights, roots reaching depths unknown. I was the roots, buried in the ground, the foundation. They were the branches, moving freely in the wind, knowing they would always be up straight and able to flow freely because they were protected and well rooted.

I opened my eyes slowly as the feeling subsided into a low constant hum.

"Woah." I said and opened my eyes slowly as I breathed out.

"Alpha Charlotte." My father said with a smile, bowing his head in respect to my newly acquired title.

I smile and wrapped my arms around him, hugging him firmly.

I felt him smooth down my hair before pulling away.

Kieran stood next to him and shook his hand firmly.

I grinned at Kieran who smirked at me.

"Congratulations darling." Kieran said and laced his fingers with mine.

I smiled down at our joined hands.

"Giving up?" I asked smirking.

"Not completely. I have yet to kiss your lips, but I can almost guarantee you'll initiate our first." ,Kieran said.

"Oh Kieran darling, I've gone twenty one years without a boyfriend, I'm sure I'll be just fine." I said.

"You've never kissed anyone?!" Yelled Alina in disbelief.

I smirked.

"I didn't say that." I said.

Kieran growled lowly at my answer.

"Oh darling, we all know you're anything but innocent." I said to him.

"And I cannot wait to corrupt you." Kieran said, causing heat to rise to my cheeks at the meaning of his words.

He chuckled lowly and gripped my hand, pulling me along with him to the kitchen.

He lifted me with ease, setting me on the counter with a grin.

He turned around, pulling a small tub of ice cream from the freezer.

He grabbed a spoon and placed the tub in my hands.

I smiled seeing it was mint and chip. My favorite.

I peeled the lid off and watched as Kieran dug his spoon in into the ice cream and then held it up near my mouth.

I tried to grip the spoon and he growled quietly in protest.

I sighed and placed my lips over the spoon, sighing contentedly as I drew back, swiping my tongue over my lips to catch any stray dessert.

I looked up to see Kieran looking down at me, his eyes dropping to my lips.

I could see it in his eyes, what he wanted to do.

What I wanted him to do. Give in.

I looked up at him quietly.

Well if he wasn't. I was.

I didn't care that everyone was probably watching with anticipation, or if it was the mate bond pressuring me to feel this way so fast, but there's no point in fighting something I can't change.

I let my hand find the collar of his shirt, gripping it lightly as I drew him closer.

With a low growl he closed the distance between us and just as he was about to kiss me a scream rang out, making me jump and Kieran curse at the interruption.

I watched as Daniel and Alina bolted out the door, Kieran sighing before taking off out the door.

I jumped off the counter, bolting after them.

I was an Alpha too. It was time I acted as one.

As soon as I was out the door I saw why a scream had echoed throughout the territory. Crimson red stained the grass, next to it lay the naked corpse of a gutted man.

Rogues. Most were often rapist or murderers and stole to survive, some even resorted to cannibalism if the blood lust was strong enough.

I looked up when I heard another scream and I saw a woman as she used her body to shield young girls of the pack as two large men circled them. I knew what they'd do to those girls if they managed to get their hands on them.

I growled and surged forward, letting my claws extend without second thought,

I leapt off the porch, tackling the first man to the ground, bringing my arm down in a quick motion as I slit his throat.

The other man had a wild look in his eyes, his age and psychosis showing as he laughed and lunged toward me.

I winced in pain as we fell back,the impact causing my head to ache.

I felt my head whip to the side as the man gripped my head roughly by my hair, examining my mark.

He chuckled and ran his tongue along my neck. I growled and managed to bring my hands up, and clawed his face.

He growled, shifting above me and snarled in my face. I dove between his legs and stood up, and jumped on the wolves back, managing to wrap my arms around his neck, but my fingers struggling to meet.

I reared back on his hind legs, the momentum throwing me back against the base of a tree.

I gasped as the impact stole my breath.

I stood up shakily to see the wolf running at me full speed. I braced myself against the tree, arms out and ready to intercept the wolf.

I growled and lunged as he jumped, sending us back into the ground as our bodies connected with a loud a thud. I struggle against the huge snapping jaws of the beast, trying to desperately find an opening.

An idea formed itself in my head quickly and I closed my fist, letting my claws sink into my palm, blood trickling down my hand slowly.

I heard the beast inhale, stilling momentarily at the sudden smell of my blood.

I used the opportunity to swipe across his jugular quickly, his loud whelp echoing in my ears and then suddenly it was quiet.

I stood up slowly, turning to see everyone watching me quietly and an infuriated Kieran striding toward me, his hazel eyes smoldering.

In a second his lips were on mine as he held my face between his hands, kissing me with everything he had.