The night before had been amazing. It was the first time that they had been out together and Rory really enjoyed it. She definitely felt a little more at ease when Kole reassured her that he wasn't rejecting her, which he confirmed by showing her that he was making a spot for her in his life. What he saw to be a little gesture, meant a lot to her- and caused her to have a little breakdown.

Rory was glad when they pulled into the garage, she was exhausted and ready for bed. She made her way to the trunk of the car going to grab a few of the shopping bags, but Kole beat her to it.

"Are you sure you don't want me to grab some?" She asked as she followed him into the house and up to their room.

"I got it." He responded.

Together they walked in silence, but this time it was a comfortable silence.

"I made room for you in the closet and the bathroom for your things." Kole said as he walked into the closet where sure enough there was three empty shelves and a wall for hanging space.

Kole set the bags down and turned to his quiet mate. He was alarmed to see tears in her eyes as she took in the sight.

"What's wrong?" He asked worried he had done something wrong.

"It's nothing, it's silly." She said pushing a tray tear from her cheek.

"If something is upsetting you, its not silly." He said pulling her to him.

Rory wasn't good at sharing her feelings, in fact she was kicking herself for crying in front of him. She knew that unlike being in Darren's pack, she wouldn't get punished for saying or doing the wrong thing. She knew that-she really did- having only been free for nearly two weeks, she was trying to open up, but old habits were hard to break.

"I've just never had anyone make room for me." She whispered. "Thank you."

"Always."

She tilted her head up and kissed his cheek, too quickly for him to move his head to catch her lips, but all the same she was blushing.

Waking up had been different. She wiped her face her eyes slowly adjusting to the light that was coming in. She felt peaceful and it was only when she tried to get up that she panicked. She was pinned in place by something with a tight grip. Her first instinct was worried that it was Alec, or one of his goonies. Her head snapped to the right relieved to see Kole laying beside her. Instantly relieved she could help but relish in the moment. He was here when she woke up, for the first time. She shifted slightly to face him better, not knowing how long she would have to see him so peaceful before had to get up and deal with the pack. The moment didn't last long before he started to stir.

"Morning," he yawned slowly blinking away the light.

"Morning." She whispered back.

"Did you sleep ok?" Kole asked pulling her close.

"Yeah."

"Good." He nodded his eyes slowly falling shut. "The full moon is in two days, are you ready?"

She blinked not sure what to say, she never had a good experience during the full moon.

"You have nothing to worry about, I'm going to introduce you to the pack so you feel more comfortable."

"Ok." She said but before she could say any more there attention was turned to the side as they heard a loud howl.

"Fuck." Kole sighed looking down at her regret filling his face.

"Go." She smiled, knowingly.

"I'm sorry. I want to lay here longer but-," He apologized but she cut him off in the middle of it.

"Your pack needs you, I will be here when you get back." Rory said.

"Thanks." He said pulling himself out of bed but not before kissing her forehead.

She was smiling until he left the room, almost immediately after she started to frown, doubt filling her. As much as she wanted to stay curled in the warm bed she knew she should get around, and maybe look around the packs territory.

With a sigh she dragged herself out of bed and went to get dressed in her new clothes.

~*~*~

"Well look who dragged herself out of bed," Georgia spoke with a smile on her face.

"Morning." Rory said glancing at the clock, surprised to see that it was only eight in the morning. "You make it sound like it was two in the afternoon."

"Might as well be, you're burning daylight." Georgia turned her attention to the stove. "Take a seat while I fix you a plate."

Rory went to protest but was immediately cut off by a stern glare from Georgia, so instead Rory smiled and accepted the plate.

"Do you know what the howl was about?" Rory asked, scooping some eggs off the plate.

"Um, yeah," Georgia paused looking uncertain, "Just some rouges getting to close too our liking."

"Rouges." Rory paled.

"It's nothing to worry about, Kole and Alex will handle it."

"If you say so."

"I do." Georgia smiled trying to look positive but something in her eyes was giving her away.

Rory finished her meal in light chatter with Georgia, enjoying hearing things about Kole.

"Do you want to go around and meet some of the pack? Maybe that will help calm your nerves for the full moon." Georgia suggested, filling the dishwasher.

"Do you have time?"

"All the time in the world."

"Isn't it horrible that I'm nervous about meeting the pack?" Rory asked as she loaded her dishes into the dishwasher. "I know you guys seem friendly, but I'm still worried about others liking me." Rory frowned before whispering, "especially when they find it that their Luna is a Runt and a fox."

"Rory," Georgia spoke her voice firm "you are not a Runt."

"But I'm-"

"No, you are not a Runt. You are a completely different species. It's not a bad thing - no not at all. You're special."

Rory rolled her eyes after hearing that she was special, another word for a Runt.

"I can tell you don't believe me, but I think I know someone who can help you understand. Let me finish this and then we will get going." With that, Rory watched Georgia pour the soap in the dishwasher and starting it before leaving the room.

~*~*~

Rory was traumatized. Meeting Georgia in the garage she was immediately alarmed to see a golf cart, which they were going to use to travel around the packs land . Georgia insisted that they we be fine; that she was a good driver. Well she lied.

Golf carts didn't go that fast but fast enough that Rory cringed with every turn, sure that the thing was going to tip over.

--

After what seemed like forever to Rory, they pulled to a stop in front of a small house. The house was white and simple, which was good because Rory could tell an interesting character lived inside. The curtains were all fun colors and none of them were matching. Few were a tie-dyed into a pattern of a target, some stripes, and some had no pattern. But what really called her attention was all of the little knickknacks taking over the women's yard. Gnomes, bird baths, animal statues and many more things. Never before had Rory seen anything like it, it was a unique home.

Georgia was knocking on the door by the time Rory caught up to her, having been trying to take in ever inch of the filled yard.

"Hello Miss Edna," Georgia smiled as the front door opened bring Rory's attention to the women that answered the door. She knew she was staring but she couldn't help it, standing before her was a women, mid 50's early sixties, wearing jeans with little color patches, and a light pink tee shirt. Her hair was white as snow, not the grey color some elders get, but truly white. Little pink flowers were weaved into the braids on the side of her head.

"Morning Georgia." The women, Edna spoke with a smile before landing her bright blue eyes on Rory. "You've brought a guest with you, I love guest but for some reason I just don't get many." Edna spoke freely, before opening her door wider. "Come on in," she gestured inside.

"Please take a seat," Edna spoke gesturing to the rose colored sofa. "I'm going to make some tea."

"Oh that's ok, we just stopped for a quick visit." Georgia said trying to stop the older women from going out of her way for them.

"Nonsense." Edna waved her off busing herself with the tea kettle. "It will just take a minute, dear."

Rory looked around the home in amusement. Like the outside, the inside was very much covered with knickknacks, but not tacky. Every little object was on display. Rory couldn't help but smile, this women she could tell was very cheerful, very unique. There was no one with this much personality in Darren's pack, and Rory found it refreshing. Despite only wanting to have a quick trip, Georgia was very happy to see that Rory was comfortable around Edna, which made meeting more of the pack easier.

~*~

"Over here is all of our farming, where the elders and children work to plant and harvest." Georgia spoke from their spot in the golf cart. "Kole came up with this idea, to help the younger ones learn responsibility and it gives them an opportunity to spend time with the elders."

"That's pretty smart." Rory nodded.

"It is, and it helps the pack." Georgia nodded. It took her another hour to take her around the territory and by the time they were back to the house it was nearly lunch time.

"Do you want some help with lunch?" Rory asked Georgia as she climbed off the death machine.

"No that's alright, why don't you relax a little. Kole should be home soon." Georgia said with a smile.

"Ok if you're sure." After getting another nod, Rory left the room unsure of what she should do. Finding herself up stairs she laid back in bed just thinking and then drifting off.

~~~

"Rouges are around us, we are doing our best to push them back but it will take some time. I don't want to scare you, but they are unpredictable so please stay close to the pack at all times." Darren announced to the pack. But not all of the pack was there. No-there was a lone fox in the woods hiding from her pack mates.

Rory looked around at the trees, looking for a good place to sleep, unaware of the eyes that followed her. It wasn't until it was almost too late that the hair on the back of her neck started to stick up, giving her a warning.

Hearing a crunch of branches, her head snapped to the right. She was praying that it wasn't Alec or any of his friends. Stepping out of the shadows, a large sickly looking wolf was staring at her licking its lips. It was no one from the pack, as soon as she realized that she started to run.

Her heart beat against her chest, threatening to escape. She was trying to keep her mind clear hoping to outrun the rouge but she didn't make it far.

Pain shot through her body as the wolf's teeth tore into her flesh.

Screaming she struggled to get away but it was useless....

"Rory?" A voice spoke.

With a sharp gasp Rory sat up, clutching her leg where the bite had been moments before.

"Rory? You're ok, it was just a dream." Kole's warm and soft voice filled her ears, his hands running up and down her back in comfort.

"Kole?"

"Yeah, its me. Are you ok, you seemed to have a nightmare?"

"I'm fine." She shrugged, her body still shaking slightly.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Rory shook her head. Her eyes were fixed on her leg staring at the spot that the rouge had bit into when she was eleven, the skin was blemish free, but she could still remember the bloody wound. She could still remember the pain that she felt and the strong feeling of helplessness.

Knowing that there were rouges around, made her even more nervous about the full moon.