A fox.

He wasn't sure what he was supposed to feel. It didn't bother him-well not really, but he was curious to know why she was a fox. It was rare, it was thought that all of the Old Kingdom were extinct but obviously that was not the case.

Green eyes stared at him as he looked her over, she was thin, her ribs were noticeable from her side, and she had blood soaking her paw. Kole couldn't help but growl at the sight. She was hurt, that bastard had taken a bite out of her and tore some of her flesh.

She whimpered as he growled; thinking that he was growling at her. Aurora wanted to disappear. She shied away hoping the ground would swallow her. Her mate was mad, as she expected him to be after discovering that she was not a normal mate, but it still hurt her feelings.

Aurora tried to get up, but the pain in her arm made it so she couldn't walk very well. She turned her head looking to see what became of Alec, only to wish that she hadn't. Two wolves; one black and one brown, circled him attacking him in turns. Alec was a bloody mess, his blond fur hidden by red. Closing her eyes, not wanting to see the wolves end him, like she knew they would. She pushed herself up on wobbly legs and could feel the warmth of her mates fur against her back; him covering her she slowly tried to escape him. She didn't make it far before she was scooped up into human arms.

"Stop struggling." A deep voice commanded freezing her wiggling. "Will you shift back, Mate?" He asked in a softer tone.

Green eyes starred at him, as she listened to what he asked but she made no movement to respond or shift back to her human form. He should have known that she wasn't going to listen to him. She probably was scared out of her mind. The thought of her scared of him, made Kole sick to his stomach. That was the last thing he wanted.

With a huff, he pulled her close to his chest and began walking to Darren's pack home. His thoughts lost in what he was going to do with his little mate, unconsciously petting her in hopes to calm her.

"Do you want me to hold her?" Georgia questioned her soft blue eyes fixed on Aurora's form.

"No." Kole snapped ignoring the growl that came from Alex. He wasn't going to hand his mate over to anyone; not even his little sister.

"Ok." Georgia nodded, knowing better to push her brother when he was in a mood. Together they all walked to Darren's pack home, and when they reached the home, it was in shambles. They were trying to get their Alpha back on his feet and others in positions of power were trying to calm the rest of the pack.

Not that he wanted to, but Kole let Darren live. He was ready to end him when the panic his mate was radiating reached him and he lost all focus. He spared his life; something only few were able to say that after losing a fight with Kole.

Reaching their Black SUV, Kole pulled open the truck looking for clothing. They always kept spares with them, especially for some of the short tempered wolves. Setting his mate in the truck he quickly pulled on pants, tossing clothing to his sister. His eyes focused on his mate who cowered in her fox form into the side of the car looking for an escape.

"Let me see your paw." Kole demanded frowning as she moved away from his reach.

"Aurora," Georgia spoke softly coming to stand next to her brother. "It's ok. Can you shift back so we can look at your arm?"

Aurora looked at Georgia and glanced at the three men that were staring at her. Did Georgia really expect her to change in front of them? She would be naked!

As if knowing what she was thinking about, Georgia smiled. "I have clothes for you to change into." Georgia laid the pile in front of her. "Turn around guys; have some respect." She barked out. The two men instantly spinning around, Kole reluctantly took his eyes off of her and turned around.

It took her a few minutes to get changed, and when she was dressed in the sweatpants and tee shirt she said, "Ok, I'm done."

Kole immediately turned to look at her scanning over her for injury. From the attack, he could see a new bruise forming on the side of her head. Alec was lucky that Josh and Alex had taken care of him because if it was Kole that got a hold of him, his death would have be prolonged.

Aurora looked up at the silent male next to her. Her mate hasn't said anything to her, all he's done is stare at her. An uneasy feeling set in the pit of her stomach. She wasn't able to read his blank expressionless face and had no idea how he felt about his mate being a runt and worse - being a fox.

She sat on the edge of the car in front of him, and took note that he was tall, like easily 6 feet tall. He glanced down at her right arm and sighed before reaching out for it. It took everything inside her to not flinch at his touch. He grabbed a cloth from the trunk and started to wipe away the blood that ran down her arm and hand.

As his skin touched hers, she felt the jolt of their connection flood her body, sending tingles all the way to her spine.

"It should heal soon." Kole spoke cleaning her of the remaining blood. She knew it would, but due to her weak health it always took her a little longer than normal. Not that she was going to tell him that, he didn't need another reason to reject her.

"Kole, we should be moving out soon." Alex spoke, glancing from Georgia to her brother. He was so relieved to have his mate back in his arms again, it had been a dangerously long month and a half. He couldn't imagine how his Alpha was feeling, having just found his mate, and to find her in such a horrible condition probably made things a little tense.

"Yes. I have to make a call, go grab your things." Kole spoke to both Georgia and Aurora. "Alex, go with them."

Together the three of them walked into the home, ignoring the tense environment. Darren's pack was really disoriented, but Aurora could practically feel their hatred.

Aurora really didn't have anything to grab, a few pairs of clothes and that was about it. Stuffing her meager belongings into a bag, she made her way to Georgia's room to see if she needed help.

Although the door was open, Aurora still knocked on the door announcing her presence and walked inside.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I can come back." She apologized, she could feel her cheeks getting warm and knew there was a prominent blush on her face after seeing Georgia straddling her mate Alex, their lips locked.

"It's ok, sorry," Georgia said moving to stand up, "We got a little distracted."

Aurora nodded, she could understand why. They were mates, who had been separated for nearly two months. Such thing was extremely dangerous, and they were lucky that they had strong wolves, or the distance would be unbearable.

"Did you get all of your things?" Georgia asked glancing down at the small bag in her arms.

"Yup." Aurora nodded.

"Alright, let's go." Georgia said grabbing her hand with a friendly smile on her face. Together they walked down the hall, Alex following behind them. They had nearly made it to the door when one of the she-wolves, knocked into Aurora, pushing her into Georgia.

Alex growled at the she-wolf. He went to detain her for Kole, knowing he would want to know about someone disrespecting his mate, but Georgia stopped him with a shake of her head.

"Whoops sorry, Runt." Angel smirked before making her way down the hallway, sashaying her hips as she went.

"Are you ok?" Alex questioned. Aurora didn't respond at first, thinking that he was talking to Georgia, but when he continued to stare at her in growing concern she nodded.

"Let's get out of here. I'm so ready to go home." Georgia said breaking the silence. This time as they made their way down the hall they were undisturbed and made it to the SUV with ease.

Aurora glanced at the massive car, noticing that the other man that came with them was in the driver's seat. Opening up the door, Georgia and Alex made their way to the furthest seats to the back, leaving her no choice but to sit next to her new mate.

It wasn't that she minded sitting next to him, it was just that she wasn't sure what he wanted. The fact that he hadn't really talked to her at all, didn't help her nerves.

Once they were all situated, the car started to move. Aurora couldn't help but feel slightly relieved that she was actually leaving the pack. All this time it had just seemed like a wish that was ever going to happen and each day that her mate was late, sent more doubt into her mind. Watching as the pack house got smaller, and smaller in the distance she couldn't help but smile. Now all she had to do was survive in the new pack.

~*~*~*~*~

"I think you will like our pack, and I know that they will like you." Georgia spoke once they had a moment alone. They had to stop for gas, the driver-who she found out was named Josh, was inside paying. Alex was using the restroom, and her mate was on a phone call on the other side of the parking lot. Georgia and herself stood outside of the car enjoying the fresh air, when Georgia started talking.

"Ok." Aurora nodded not sure if she should believe it. It seemed too surreal to her. She was finally free from Darren, but at the same time she was tied to a new pack. A pack that she only knew one person from and that she was supposed to be the Luna of a pack, which just was crazy. How was she supposed to be a Luna when she wasn't even the correct canine.

"Are you ok, Rory?" Georgia asked, concerned about her quietness.

"Mhm." Aurora nodded in response.

"I know you're probably worried. But please just give him a chance. He's never had to have a soft side of him, please just given him time and a true shot before you push him away."

"Why would I push him away?" Aurora asked, "If anything its going to be him that doesn't want me. I'm a nobody, I'm not supposed to be a Luna, I'm a runt." She whispered, hating herself a little more at the thought.

"Don't talk about yourself like that." A deep voice spoke, causing her to jump. She turned and looked to see that Kole was watching her with a deep frown.

"Ok," she automatically agreed; she never disagreed with a male before, she knew better.

As if he didn't like her agreeing with him, his frown deepened.

"Don't just agree with me, only agree if you mean it."

"Sorry."

"You have nothing to apologies for, Rory. You're your own person. You need to have your own thoughts without living in fear." Kole growled out frustrated by the treatment she had received to turn her into a submissive mess.

"Kole." Georgia spoke a clear warning in her voice. "You can't talk to her like that." She spoke through their mind connection. "She will automatically think she's upset you. Stop growling or she will think you are growling at her. She's a delicate flower." Georgia looked to the girl they were talking about, and immediately noticed the slight change in her. Her head was down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone.

"You think I don't know that. Fuck, I'm trying not to. I cant help it."

"You know that, I know that, but she doesn't." Georgia warned.

"Alright, you guys ready to go? Only two more hours." Josh spoke with a smile, unknowingly breaking the tension between the new mates.

~*~*~*~*~

The two hours went by painfully slow, no one was really talking. Aurora had been drifting to sleep when there was a change to a smooth terrain. Opening her eyes, she was surprised to see that they were sitting in front of a white two story house, that was smaller than the Darren's pack house, but also big enough that Aurora could guess that there were at least four or five bedrooms inside.

"Welcome to our home." Georgia cheered popping her head in-between Kole and Aurora's seats.

Aurora stepped out of the SUV, taking in every detail of the home. Even in the night light she could see that it obviously had a lot of care and love put into it. It was a nice house, however it confused Aurora because there was not enough room for everyone in the pack. Unless Kole just had a small pack, but she found that unlikely.

"What's wrong?" Georgia asked noticing the confusion on her face.

"Where does everyone sleep?" Aurora asked.

"In their own homes. We don't have a pack house like Darren does. This is our house; Kole, Alex and I's, and everyone is welcome at anytime, but they don't sleep here. Each wolf has their own house. Of course, all within a certain radius." Georgia explained seeing as Kole wasn't going to.

"Oh, where do I sleep then?" Aurora questioned.

"You will share with me." Kole spoke. She could tell he wasn't going to allow her to argue out of it, not that she would to an Alpha, but that didn't stop her from being nervous. Mate or not, she hadn't ever shared with a male.

"Ok." Aurora finally nodded.

That was how she found herself staring at a king sized bed. She hadn't paid attention to Kole's bedroom, she was too nervous just by seeing the bed. Was he going to expect her to fulfill the mating bond with him? There was no way that she was ready for that.

Kole glanced at his mate watching as she gulped, going pale.

"Do you have pajamas to change into?" Kole asked. He watched as she silent nodded and couldn't help but bite his tongue. Why wouldn't she talk to him? Did she think he was like Darren? The thought made him ill.

"Ok, why don't you change in the bathroom and get cleaned up, I will change in here."

Again with a nod.

He watched as she made her way into the bathroom and immediately got changed into some sweats and thin t-shirt. Usually he slept in boxers or naked, but he knew she wouldn't be comfortable with him like that.

Against his wolf's wishes he laid on his side of the bed, the one closest to the door, and tried to fall asleep. He was almost asleep when he heard the bathroom door creak, before fully opening. He listened to her light footsteps as she made her way to the bed, slowly pulling down the covers beside him. His wolf was excited to finally have his mate close by. He had been searching for nearly eight years, starting that day he turned sixteen. When he didn't find her at the age males normally did, he hadn't been nervous the , but as the years went on, he started to give up hope.

The bed moved slightly as she got comfortable, making sure to leave enough space between them. He didn't have to look over at her to know that she was near the edge of the bed.

Together they laid in silence, neither wanting to talk. Kole was just waiting for her to fall asleep, his wolf not allowing him to fall asleep before she did.

They had laid their for probably an hour, and just when he thought she was asleep; he listened to her moving.

Glancing over at him, she was relieved to see that he was asleep. She slowly sat up, she was hesitant but she needed to switch forms. She couldn't sleep like this, it was too much of a habit. Even though she was out of Darren's clutches, she couldn't make herself stay in human form. Once her fox was out, she curled into a ball and fell asleep.

Peeking an eye open he glanced at her making sure she was alright, when he noticed that she had shifted and was curled into a little ball. He knew she wasn't comfortable around him, but he was going to do everything in his power to make her feel safe enough not that have to sleep in her canine form.

He had a lot of work to do to earn her trust. In the morning he was going to start. Not knowing how long it was going to take to wash away nineteen years of both mental and physical abuse, he needed to try as soon as possible. With a sigh, he finally let himself fall asleep.