Rory took the opportunity of having his back to her to observe his tone body. There was no denying his handsomeness. His back was toned and defined, perfect line of muscles drew her attention to his firm backside. It was so tight, she probably could bounce a quarter off of it. The thought cause her to chuckle.

"What's so funny?" He called out.

"Nothing, nothing." She said a smile on her face. "Ok, its safe for you to turn around."

Quickly shifting into her fox she was ready for what ever he had planned. His brown wolf stood tall in front of her, his fierce eyes watching her. She couldn't help but lower her eyes at the Alpha before her. She knew he didn't require her to submit but she couldn't help her instincts.

A nudge to her face caused her to look up, Kole towering over her before starting to nuzzle up to her. Returning the affection, she could feel the comfort and love fill her up. It was a strange feeling for her because for the first time she felt accepted.

"Of course you're accepted, Rory." Kole's voice came across her mind, causing her to jump in shock.

"Kole! I can hear you."

" I can hear you too, it means you've accepted the pack and accepted me." She could hear the happiness in his voice as he spoke.

"Of course I do." She nibbled on his neck. They stood together before going for a run. Kole led her to a clearing in the woods, right next to the stream, such a peaceful environment.

Rory took a drink from the stream, the cool water refreshing, before she felt a shift in the air.

"Kole?" She said nervously shifting slightly so she was beside him. "Something's changed."

"I know, I feel it too." Kole admitted his eyes scanning the edge of the woods. Kole could feel Rory cowering into him, fear of what they couldn't see. A rustle of the leaves was the only warning they had before three rogues launched into the clearing. Kole couldn't help but curse.

He sent out a howl before snarling at the closest rogue.

"Stay close." Kole said, unwilling to let Rory out of his sight in fear that a rogue would go after her. Kole stood his ground against the rogues but even being as strong and trained as he was; he couldn't fight all three at once and help was too far away. He had been able to get jaws around the smallest rogues neck, and with a sickening crunch he was able to eliminate one.

Rory tried to stay as close to Kole as she could, but she feared about getting in the way. Terror quickly filled her body as she watched Kole get swiped at by one of the rouges claws. His stumbled caused the rogue to get the upper hand. Unable to watch the two wolves gang up on him, she leapt into the battle with little thought. She latched onto the rouges leg, her mouth filling with blood as her jaw locked in place. Sooner than she hoped, the rouge was able to toss her off, sending her rolling across the clearing landing on her side with a yelp.

The rouge who's leg she bite, turned on her in rage, its yellow eyes staring into hers with victory. Just past the approaching rouge she could see Kole was still in a battle with the other, leaving her an open target.

"We're almost there, hold on Rory." She heard Peter say through the pack link but her mind was blank with worry. She had no one to help her and it scared her. She would be no match for this mongrel. Rory tried to push herself up, but her body was in protest, her side sending shooting pain into her arm and back. Something had to have been broken in her fall, she couldn't move at all. Closing her eyes she waited for the bite that would end her, but it never came.

A shift in the wind caused her to open her eyes, and she was surprised to see black fur standing in front of her, two other wolves attacking the rouge.

"Peter?"

"Yeah, stay still. You're injured."

"No really? I didn't notice." She snarled.

"Where does it hurt? Don't shift, we have to get you to the healer. " Peter asked turning back to her; shifting his skin and picked her up with gentle hands.

"Give her to me." Kole growled, unhappy that his injured mate was laying in someone else's hands.

"Easy, man. Here she is." Peter spoke softly, sensing the anger the Alpha was projecting. He carefully switched her over to Kole's hands.

Kole cradled her in his arms as he ran to the pack healer, Peter following close behind. He was furious that their wonderful day was ruined by rouges. Worst of all, he allowed her to be injured. If he had been more on guard he could have prevented their ambush, but he hadn't. In less than two minutes he had her to the healer and on the table.

"Fix her." Kole growled, his eyes flashing in anger.

"Alpha please, I want to but you need to tell me what happened." The healer spoke gently, not flinching when he was snarled at by the Alpha.

"I understand, but how was she injured? Was she bit, scratched-." Their Healer, Flint continued.

"She was thrown and landed on her side, why is she still in her form?"

"It could be that she just needs a minute, Aurora, can you shift back?" Flint questioned, frowning when the Luna shook her head. He reached out to run his fingers over her bones looking for fractures or breaks, when his wrist was snatched by the Alpha before he even made contact.

"Don't touch her."

"If I don't touch her, I wont be able to fix her." Flint challenged, a bushy eyebrow rising in disbelief.

"Why don't you go find Lily, she can do the tests." Peter spoke stepping up to the table, worried about how things were going to turn out. Kole was defentally not in the mood for anyone to mess with him or Rory, and he certainly didn't want a man to be the one touching her; that would just make things worse for his wolf.

"Sure." Flint bristled irritated that he was getting kicked out of his own office. Peter watched as old man left before turning his attention to Kole, who looked to be one push away from slaughtering someone. He was paler than normal, his eyes fixated on Rory, running his fingers over her face in a gentleness Peter had never seen before.

It took no time at all for Lily to enter the room, her face emotionless, but nerves clear in her eyes.

"You think you can handle this?" Kole questioned, knowing the young woman had only a year of training under her belt.

"Yes, sir." She nodded. "Hi, Luna. I am going to take a look at your ribs and then I am going to need for you to shift back." Lily spoke calmly to her, before running her finger over her ribs.

"She's got at least two broken, one cracked." Lily spoke, "Here is a blanket, so you are not so exposed when you shift." She laid the blanket over her and waited as she shift.

Cold metal caused her to shiver as her bare skin came in contact with the metal table. Her side ached, but most of all she was embarrassed and ashamed to have been taken down by a rouge.

"Why is she not healing on her own?" Peter asked looking down at Rory as she shifted uncomfortably.

"She's still a little weak from her...uh- time in the other pack." Lily spoke.

"I will be fine in a little bit." Rory nodded in agreement, she knew that was exactly why she was not healing as quick as other canine shifters would.

"Do you want anything?" Kole questioned.

"Can you just take me to our room?" She asked, not comfortable with the healers office.

"Yes, what ever you want." Kole nodded.

"I wouldn't recommend moving her-" Lily protested, cut off by Kole's snarl.

"She can have what ever she wants." He repeated his eyes flashing.

"Of course Alpha." Lily bowed her head in defeat.

Kole picked her up with such gentleness she would never expect a man of his size to have. Rory was learning many things about the man she was to call mate. He cradled her in his arms he carried her to the pack house, and to their room. Peter following behind them steering off any nosy pack mates from getting into their way.

"Where do you want to lay?" Kole questioned as they entered the bedroom, glancing between the couch or the bed.

"How about the recliner?"

"Sure, you want to grab anything?"

"Maybe one of the books Edna gave me." Rory shrugged, squeaking in surprise as she was shifted to be held in one arm, while he snatched one of the books and sat down in the recliner.

Rory couldn't help but smile, as she leaned against his chest, shifting to get comfortable in the space between his legs. It felt right, being in his arms.

Kole grabbed a blanket and tossed it over them before, reclining the chair, watching as she opened her book ready to read. Kole couldn't help but smile as he ran his fingers through her hair, smelling her sweet natural scent. Never before has he be so content; with his mate in his lap and comfortable with his touch, he was happy. Besides the attack, this had been the perfect day with her. He shut his eyes, a smile on his face.