"Has your back healed yet?" Kat asked once Zach got out of the bathroom with a clean shirt on. He had been in there for at least fifteen minutes, each minute making her feel worse than the last.

Zach made his way to her with a sweet smile and wrapped his arms around her lovingly. "Working on it, love. A little slower than usual but I'll be fine, don't worry."

He pecked her lips before giving her a reassuring smile, a mask of calmness and control on his face in order not to freak her out; when in reality he was truly worried. He still didn't get why he couldn't heal normally, but whatever the reason was he now understood one thing clearly. He needed to be extremely careful with her, because if he couldn't heal from a wound she inflected that meant she probably wouldn't heal if he ever did the same. And he would sooner perish. So he had to be careful and he had to learn how to be in full control when it came to her.

"I'm sorry, Zach." Kat sighed again as she nuzzled his neck, ashamed of her poor control. Hurting Zach was the one thing she never imagined she'd do. "I really am."

"Hey, look at me." With two finger under her chin, Zach lifted her head up to meet her eyes. "You have nothing to apologize for. I'd do it again in a heart beat, daily too, only to have you panting in pleasure, moaning my name like it's the only thing you can still remember."

Kat's cheeks instantly heated at his words and her heart skipped a beat. Nodding her head softly, she swallowed her guilt. She'd learn how to control it better, just like he did.

Zach grinned at her. Making her blush is one of the rare things he would never get bored of. Kissing her too. "Are you ready for dinner? We're going to meet a lot of people."

Kat sucked in a deep breath and let it out. That was the reason behind this trip after all, even if she dreaded it. "Yeah. I'm just a little nervous."

"It'll be fine, baby." He leaned down and kissed her cheek sweetly before trailing soft kisses along her jaw. "Just be yourself and you'll see how they'll fall at your feet."

God, that man was insatiable. And she absolutely loved how he could no longer keep his hands off her. "Okay."

Zach loved how out of breath she instantly got, how one touch and she would melt before him. They were the perfect match, he believed so, everyday a little bit more surely. Holding her hand in his, Zach pulled her out the door and down to the dinning room.

Kat admired how huge this mansion was. Everything in it spoke class and sophistication. Moving her eyes around the crowd, Kat let out a breath. "There must be at least a hundred people here."

Zach smiled down at the beautiful woman next to him. "At least." Squeezing her hand gently, he nodded his head in the direction of Alpha Steven and his Luna who were currently rushing to them.

Kat scanned the woman before her and smiled. She was extraordinarily beautiful for a woman in her forties. Her hair was a pale blond, down the length of her back. She had gray eyes that reminded Kat of Jessica and Jared, and fair skin that was glowing with health and fancy skincare products.

"Hello." Her smile, however, was small and laced with nervousness as she nodded her head to Zach and Kat. "I'm Luna Sharon."

"Katie." She shook her hand before her eyes trailed to Alpha Steven who was just as nervous. Kat understood that they must have been feeling threatened after what had happened earlier with their son. Zach had the right to start a war if he deemed fit.

Zach paid closer attention to Alpha Steven as he smiled apologetically at Kat. He was a good friend of his father's, but after the previous incident with Peter Zach's senses were still alert and defensive.

"I wanted to personally apologize for what my son did, Luna Katie. He crossed the line." Kat wondered how powerful Zach truly was for them to be this afraid, this worried.

Kat nodded her head with a small smile. "Your apology is accepted." She kept her voice steady and firm, yet kind enough for the woman to slightly relax. Kat wasn't here to stir up trouble. She was here to help her pack stand strong and her Alpha to keep his head high.

"Thank you so much." Luna Sharon smiled before she moved her eyes to Zach. "Alpha Zach, I hope you liked your room. I personally chose the finest for you and your Luna."

Zach gave her a small smile before turning to Kat. "Did you like it, love?" He saw her eyes widen breifly before she grinned.

"I did." Kat moved her gaze from Zach to the couple with a proud smile on her face. "I must say your house is quite breathtaking. The decorations too are spectacular." She loved how Zach had turned the question to her, not only giving her a chance to make an impression, but to also show everyone how to him her opinion was what matered most.

"Oh, I'm so glad someone finally noticed the decorations. I've been trying to perfect them for at least a week." Luna Sharon giggled, her heart finally at ease as her hand clenched onto her mate's arm in excitement.

Kat's eyes moved to Alpha Steven who still seemed to have his guards up, before smiling back at the Luna. "You did a great job indeed."

"Thank you so much, dear." Luna Sharon cleared her throat before nodding her head at Zach and Kat. "We better not give you two a headache then. After what happened earlier everyone is dying to meet you, Luna Katie. I'm sure you'll have little time alone this evening."

Kat only smiled as she moved her eyes to Zach who gave a simple nod. Somehow he seemed so different than the Zach she had been making out with a few minutes ago. Right now he was Alpha Zach, the poweful, intimidating Alpha everyone feared and respected. And she couldn't be more proud of him. He gained that power and respect by working hard and proving himself to his pack and every other pack there was.

"Enjoy your evening." Alpha Steven nodded with a tight smile before turning around, only to have Kat stop him.

"Alpha Steven," She moved her eyes between him and his Luna who had turned to her with attention, and offered them both a warm smile. "Happy anniversary."

Alpha Steven seemed to finally relax at that and once he saw his Luna grinning he couldn't help but smile widely. "Thank you."

Kat felt Zach pull her closer to his chest and she met his eyes once the couple had left. "They're nice people."

Zach gave her a wide grin, his eyes shining with pride. "You are wonderful." He leaned down enough to whisper softly in her ear. "I could just eat you."

Kat couldn't help the little moan that escaped her throat when she felt his breath tickle her neck and his lips brush softly on her skin, her core instantly clenching in need. Damn, she was frustrated. Deciding to challenge him further and torture him like he was doing her, she fisted her hands on his shirt and pulled him closer for her lips to touch his earlobe. "Don't do that, Zach, or every other male in this room would smell how much I want you. That's not something we want, now is it?"

Zach groaned deeply, his hands tightening on her waist. God, the patience the man was practicing. "You're gonna be the death of me, Kat. How about I take you back to our room and see for myself exactly how much, huh?" He whispered as he moved his hand a little further down he back.

Kat sucked in a loud breath when she felt his hands trail down to her ass and pulled away quickly. "Zach!" She blushed madly as she moved her eyes around the crowd, hoping that no one saw his inappropriate touch.

"I love it when I make you blush." Pulling her to his chest again by her waist, Zach crashed his lips on hers, right in the middle of the dining room, without a single care in the world. Kat's hand found their way to his hair and her fingers ran through his soft locks.

"Get a room." Lucy appeared before them with a disgusted expression on her face. "Actually you do have one. Why don't you save all that lip locking for later?"

Kat's eyebrows shot up at Lucy's childish behavior before she heard Zach groan in annoyance and hold her hand tightly. "For God's sake, fuck off, Lucy."

With a huff, Lucy turned on her high heels and walked away. Kat couldn't help but giggle. "You are aware that she still wants you, correct?"

Pulling her towards another couple that Zach wanted her to meet, he shrugged. "She just wants me for sex. Believe me, she doesn't give a shit about anything else. Now forget about that and come. I want to introduce you to someone."

****

Kat could no longer remember why she was nervous in the first place. She was having fun and enjoying her time as she met Alpha's and Luna's from all over the world, none of whom had even asked about the bite. Her favorite couple, however, was Luna Caroline and Alpha Ryan of the GoldenCresent pack. Kat felt an instant friendship building between her and Caroline as they were both of the same age and seemed to have a lot in common.

"I mean, that punch, woman. Damn." Caroline laughed along with Katie as she sipped her champagne, her rainbow dyed hair moving along with her shoulders.

"Honestly, he deserved it." Alpha Ryan added, his smile wide as he pulled Caroline closer to his chest. "I've always hated his guts."

Zach nodded in agreement. He was busy admiring how Kat seemed so naturally fit to be his Luna as he watched her smile and laugh gracefully at everyone who greeted her. Watching how she effortlessly made her way into the hearts of every Alpha and Luna he introduced her to, Zach couldn't feel prouder. No, he wasn't proud that the moon goddes had chosen Kat to be his luna. In fact, he was proud of himself being her Alpha.

"One more thing we have in common then." He nodded his head at Alpha Ryan who didn't only have the potential to be a good ally of theirs but also a good friend.

"Listen, Alpha Zach." Ryan started but Zach only shook his head before he could continue.

"Just call me Zach." He smiled genuinely and Kat couldn't help but beam in happiness. He too was feeling the connection they were having with the nice couple before them.

Ryan nodded with a smile before taking a deep breath. "We've heard about the rogues. Word is there might be a war coming your way. We just want you to know that if you ever need any assistance, my pack would be honored to stand next to yours."

Kat felt her heart heating with warmth as she looked between both Alphas then to Caroline who gave her a playful wink.

"Thank you. I appreciate that." Zach shook Ryan's hand firmly and the four of them decided to keep enjoying their night with no more business talk.

"Hey, baby?" Kat nudged Zach's side as his eyes scanned the crowd again. Any sign of Peter and he would flip, she knew.

Zach couldn't deny the beat his heart skipped as he heard her call him 'baby' so sweetly. Wrapping both arms around her, he pulled her to his chest, filling his lungs with her scent. "Yes, love?"

Kat stepped on her toes and pulled Zach down a little to whisper in his ear. "How's your back?"

Zach tried to hide the frown that flashed through his features with a sweet smile. "Much better." He replied, trying his hardest not to make Kat worry, for he still hadn't fully healed.

She could tell he was lying. It was too obvious to her, because out of all people Kat knew how exactly to read Zach's eyes. And they spoke a different answer. "You're lying to me. Don't lie to me, Zach."

With a deep sigh, Zach gave her forehead a kiss. "Stop worrying, then. I'm okay, I promise. It's still healing." He knew he needed to call his beta as soon as possible and have him investigate the problem at hand. But not tonight. Tonight he wanted to focus on Kat and enjoy how brightly she shined.

"It shouldn't take this long. We both have Alpha blood; we heal faster than normal werewolves. And it's been at least two hours since it happened; that's way longer than it should take for a common werewolf to heal, Zach. Something isn't right." She shook her head with a deep frown between her brows. For some reason Zach wasn't healing from the wound she had caused him, and to her that made absolutely no sense. Why couldn't he heal? And why had she lost control to begin with?

"Everything will be fine, Kat. I still don't know why it's taking that long, but we'll figure it out. Quit worrying, okay?" The last thing he needed was for her to decide to push him away again. Healing or not, he meant what he said earlier. He would definitely go through it all again just to have her in his arms.

"Alright." Kat nodded her head, yet she wasn't going to let this go. She needed to get to the bottom of this as much as she needed to concentrate on controlling her wolf too. Pushing herself on her toes once more she met Zach's lips in a kiss.

He moved his lips slowly against hers, enjoying the softness of her in his arms. He had never felt so successful, so complete, as he did now. Pulling her even closer, Zach let his tongue brush against hers, wondering if he should take her back to their room already, when a voice suddenly squeaked beside them. "Katie? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

Kat froze, her eyes snapping open and widening so much that it almost hurt. Oh, no, this was not good.

"Mom." Kat blinked at her beautiful mother who stood with a frown, then moved her eyes behind her to meet with her father's angry pair. "Dad."