Lying in bed she couldn't wait for Kole to get home, to discuss Blue's visit and the idea that she could finally get some answers. Rory was reading How to Kill a Mockingbird, when Kole walked in filthy.

"What happened to you?" She asked laying her book open on her chest.

"Training just got a little rough. I am going to hop in the shower, if you want to join me." Kole asked with a sly smirk.

"I'm good." She smiled, "but if you get all clean, then maybe..." She trailed off laughing as he started to the shower with a skip in his step. She couldn't help but lean to her left, looking into the bathroom as he stripped of his clothes. He left the door open, hoping to entice her into joining him, little did he know that she was happy just enjoying the view.

With a smile on her face she returned back to her book. She was only able to read a few pages before Kole finished his shower, exiting the room while clearing his throat. A towel laying wrapped around his waist he dropped it before pulling on a pair of boxers. She rolled her eyes at his flirtation, having no doubt that he was hoping to have sex that night, but she was more occupied about the happenings of the morning. Rory was just glad that she had gotten more comfortable with his nudity and being nude herself that she wasn't blushing like a tomato.

"I think I was to meet the Council." She said, placing her bookmark in-between the pages before sitting up.

"OK." Kole said nodding.

"Are you ok with that?" She questioned, surprised that he wasn't putting up more of a fight.

"I'm not going to lie, it makes me nervous. Who knows what they want, or who could be looking for Shifters. I read that book Edna gave you too, and I'm worried about the Hunters catching wind of you and making you a target." Kole said sitting beside her on the bed, "But I want you to have your answers- if that's what you want you to do."

"But what if the Hunters come after me. It would put the whole pack in danger."

"The pack has its strength in numbers, and as much as I am the Alpha of this pack, being a Mate too you comes first; always.

Rory frowned not sure how to respond to that dedication on love, she was touched but the thought of being the reason why her pack was in danger didn't sit well with her. How could she be a good Luna, if she knew she was going to do something that could hurt her pack?

"Hey don't worry, we will figure something out." Kole said pulling her close to his chest, running his hands threw her hair, hoping that he was calming her worries.

"OK." She said tired of the stressful thoughts, and leaned back just far enough to kiss him and pulling away before he could deepen the kiss. She giggle as he growled playfully and pulled her back to him. Rory squeal as Kole flipped their positions all while continuing to kiss her running his fingers all over her body. She felt him slowly strip off her pajamas, nipping at her skin.

Rory gasped, not noticing that his eyes flashed silver as he bit with more pressure than before and couldn't help her eyes rolling back in bliss.

-----

She knew something was wrong the moment she woke up. Unlike usual nights, Kole was sitting at the edge of the bed, his head in his hands.

"Kole?" She asked unsure as to why he wasn't still laying with her. Glancing as the clock she noticed that it was only five thirty in the morning and following his normal routine he would still be lying in bed until seven.

"Are you ok?" He questioned his voice harsh.

"What are you talking about?" She frowned pulling the sheets to her as she moved to rest on her elbow.

"Last night."

"What about it? I thought it was pretty great."

"Great! Don't you realize what happened? Look at yourself!" He demanded, his voice rising to a level he had never used with her before. He thrust a hand hold mirror at her before starting to pace. Rory frowned growing uneasy, unsure what to expect to find. But at first glance she noticed nothing that would upset him. Seeing that she wasn't understanding, he physically tilt it more, causing her to gasp as she looked at her neck. She hadn't even noticed the pain that was coming at her neck, but seeing the large red and deep bite, the wound started to pulse.

"Don't you see, I fucking hurt you!" He cursed before turning on his heel and making his way out of the room, slamming the door as he went.

Rory jumped at the harsh noise, her fingers running over the bite. It looked like an ugly wound, but it didn't hurt; it pulsed. Having been snapped out of her post sex bliss, she noticed the same feeling coming from her leg. Hesitantly she pulled back the sheet, swallowing that the similar mark on her inner right thigh. He hadn't said anything about it and a sickening feeling trickled into her mind, he acted like he didn't even know there was a second mark, having been so upset about the mark on her neck. Regardless she wasn't going to say anything about it.

She wasn't sure how long she sat there but hearing Georgia's familiar steps coming towards the house and Kole moving around in the kitchen she decided to get up. Glancing at the clock she noticed that he had been sitting there for an hour, wrapped up in her own thoughts, worry and self-shame building.

Rory pulled on the first clothes she found, making sure to find a cardigan with a high enough collar that he wouldn't see it again.

"Good morning, my lovely brother, where is my Luna?" Georgia's voice was full of happiness and excitement.

The moment Rory made it into the kitchen, Kole caught her eye and immediately stood from his spot at the table.

"I've got duties to do." With that he was gone.

Georgia watched her brother go in confusion before asking that was on both hers and Rory's mind, "What's his problem?"

Rory hesitated not sure what was going on and not wanting to have such an intimate conversation, but she decided that she'd rather have it with Georgia than anyone else.

Rory watched as Georgia sat at Kole's vacant spot and began to finish the breakfast that he had left sitting there.

"Georgia, can I ask you something?" Rory paused, but seeing her nod she continued, "Has Alex ever bit you?"

"Wow, that's a personal conversation for over breakfast." She laughed once, but seeing the nervous expression on Rory's face and watching as she closed in on herself physically she knew that it was serious.

"He has, once." Georgia nodded, "Is this have to do with why my brother was so crabby?"

"Yes..."

"Why don't you tell me what happened?"

"Well... last night we had sex," She whispered, "and when I woke up this morning he was really upset that he hurt me. I was confused because I wasn't in any pain and then he pointed out the bite, and I don't understand why he's so mad."

"Well usually a bite makes it so others know that you are- for lack of better words- married, in the eyes of other canines. Alex bit me on our six-month anniversary. The wolf knows who the perfect person is to be their mate, which is what hints to us that we have met our other half. However, usually it is the humans that decide on the right time to mark each other. Does that make any sense?"

"Kind of," Rory shrugged still at a loss. "So he's mad that he marked me?"

"Knowing my brother, he's not made that he marked you but mad that your guys didn't talk about it, especially since you don't understand what it means. It sounds like the wolf made the decision all on its own. But obviously your fox wasn't too bothered or you'd be rejecting the bite."

"How'd I reject it?" She asked not fully convinced that the reason why Kole was mad wasn't because he didn't ask first, but because now he was married to her.

"Well... you'd be growing weaker and dying. Elders believe it is the wolfs' way to protect itself if someone marks them against their will."

"Oh ok." Rory nodded. "I don't see a mark on your neck like mine..."

"Mine is right above my heart. Typically a bite on the neck or on the heart is where a wolf would be marked." Georgia smiled as she gently pulled the cloth away from Rory's bite. "It's healing so nicely. Give it a day or two and you'll be good as new."

"So you've only been bitten once?" Rory asked, unsure what the mark on her thigh meant if Georgia didn't mention it to be a spot that means marriage. She regretted asking the question when Georgia paled and became nervous. "What? What is it?"

"Aurora, did my brother bite you somewhere else?" Georgia asked not breaking eye contact. The use of her full name, told Rory just how serious the situation was.

"Yeah."

Georgia dragged her slowly to the bathroom, "Will you show me?"

Rory nodded and slowly pulled her sweatpants down and showed her the inside of her leg. "What does it mean?"

Georgia was quiet for what seemed like forever, before she said. "Rory I love you, but I think this is a conversation you need to have with my brother."

"No, no. Please." Rory begged growing nervous that she was avoiding answering her and didn't want to have to tell Kole about the second bite when he was so upset by the one on her neck.

"Most mates don't bite the thigh. Many feel like it is too barbaric and cruel so it has sort of faded out of being a tradition in a canine relationship. My brother's wolf had to have taken over." She said whispering the last portion.

"You are making me nervous, please just say it."

"That bite makes it so you will never be able to have children with someone other than my brother. So heaven forbid you and my brother split, you won't have children with anyone else not even full humans. And chances are... you're already pregnant." Georgia explained, happy that she going to be an aunt, but saddened about Rory's choices been taken away. Not that she thought anything would happen to their relationship, but she knew her brother was going to be furious with himself at what he's done.

----

Rory sat on the window seat in their bedroom growing worried. It had been hours and Kole still wasn't home. She was worried that he was going to avoid her. Rory shuddered at the thought, she didn't blame him for anything. She wasn't bothered being bitten, she only wished that they had talked about it first but she also knew that the wolf was in control the night before. He was the one that did this, not Kole.

"Rory, I'm home." She heard Ian call out before hearing him close the door to his bedroom. Rubbing the sleep out of her eyes she got up, knowing better than sitting around letting these thoughts consume her. She decided to pass the time by doing housework, starting with laundry. After having collected all the dirties, and sorting it out she moved on to the kitchen, thinking about what dinner she could make. Kole loved Steaks and Potatoes; it was one of his favorite meals.

Rory had started to peal the potatoes, and got the watering boiling when she noticed the pink sticky note that Blue left her. She picked up her phone, trying to decide what she wanted to do about the situation. She wasn't able to come to a decision, once she heard the front door shut and smelt Kole enter the house her mind went else where.

"Rory." Kole called out, coming to stand before her.

The stood in silence, Kole's eyes kept flickering to her now bandaged neck causing her to shift with nerves.

"I am so sorry." Whispered, his eyes watering at the pain he caused his mate.

"Kole, it's ok." She responded. "Do I wish that we talked about it? Yes, but I also know how easy it is for the canine inside to take over." She reached to him putting her hands on his waist, and pulling him in for a hug.

"I don't know if I can accept your forgiveness, I don't deserve it." He shook his head, not allowing her to hug him.

"Do you see us splitting up?"

"What? NO! Of course not." Kole said perplexed at her question.

"Good. So what's the difference of being marked and committed now than in a few years?"

"Your consent."

"OK, well I am so happy to be marked at yours. Please don't make me feel bad about being blessed with this mark. All I wanted growing up was my mate. I had to watch others be marked and only could dream that someone would love a runt like myself. This mark, whether we talked about it or not, fills the hole in my heart. It makes both my fox and myself feel like we belong here. We belong to you just like you belong to me. So please, let me have this feeling."

Kole didn't say anything but nodded and let her pull him in for a hug. He kissed the top of her head but stop the guilt.

Rory bit her lip, deciding that it wasn't the best time to bring up the second mark. Not when she finally got understand why it was important for her to have the mark.