"Are ye sure it's Beta Medoro's sister? He's such a wee prick."

Aiyana pulled up a smile despite the pain that was nearly making her cross-eyed as he turned to face her.

"It's only a guess. I've never been to Italy, but it reminded me of pictures I've seen and she felt like she was in that direction."

"Sit here," Doc said, indicating the chair next to the X-ray.

"Ah never would have thought tae look there, it's so warm," Colum said as he sat.

"Okay, let's take a look," Doc said. Aiyana stepped to the side and out of Colum's line of sight supposedly to give Doc more room, but truly she was moving closer to the wolf-strength pain medication in the cabinet just beyond the X-ray machine.

"Aiyana, sorry, Bhanrigh Aiyana," Salma said, entering the room with Nate right behind. "I like that better than Queen. This is so exciting, but there's so much to do. First, you have to choose an Alpha to be directly under you - it's like a Beta, but they're called an Alpha because your position is higher. Nate would be a good choice since it would be odd to have a male Luna."

If she didn't know what Salma had done to Nate, she would still want to scream, but perhaps not so badly.

"Aiyana, what happened?" Cliff asked from his bed.

Aiyana turned to answer him but before she could, Salma continued as if he hadn't said a word. "You'll need advisers, especially at first. I'd be happy to help. You'll probably want to redecorate the pack castle too. I know several excellent interior designers."

She tried to catch Nate's eye so he'd get his mother out of there before she informed the woman that all her plans had failed but he was busy frowning down at his mother.

"Mom, she hasn't even seen the castle yet."

Salma dismissed her son's comment with a wave of her hand. "Did you see the way the Scots are dressed? I bet the castle is worse - all dismal and dreary. They haven't had a Luna in years. It's no wonder they're virtually rogues."

Was Salma crazy? She was talking about redecorating the place where Colum had grown up right in front of his face and calling him a rogue - possibly one of the worst insults you could give to a werewolf. Her wolf bristled. Despite what Colum and his Beta had done, her wolf liked him and she did too. He didn't look like he was going to attack - which actually said a lot about his character - but she put a hand on his shoulder just in case.

"Luna Salma, you are talking about my pack. I'm sure..."

It was as if she'd abruptly dropped into a crowded auditorium. She somehow knew her body was still where it had been, but if felt like her head was somewhere else - somewhere she could gaze out over the whole world and almost see the wolves that made up her pack - and it was her pack. She sensed that they felt her too, that they knew they had a new leader. Surprise, fear, and cautious optimism came through the connections. Should she introduce herself? How should she introduce herself?

"Leave!"

Colum's loud command pulled her back into the room. His power was strong. Her wolf nudged her. General. He'd make the perfect General. Was it wise to trust him? He had been one of the first to recognize her as queen. He hadn't fought it like his father and he had taken a dagger for her. Could that have been planned to gain her trust? It wouldn't be easy to gain the support and trust of his pack without him. Trust - it went both ways. There was so much they needed to discuss.

"Tell them Aiyana."

She missed the first part of what Salma said so she had no idea what she was supposed to say. Maybe it had been something about Salma being her mother-in-law. Thank goodness she wasn't.

"I need some time to think. Everything is happening too fast."

Salma gaped at her for a moment, then her expression turned stony as Colum's coercion propelled her past her son and out the door. Nate watched her leave with a blank face then turned back to her with a wry look. "Sorry about that."

She accepted his apology with a nod, then regretted it as the pain spiked again. They both knew his ambitious mother would not take it well that her plan to install Nate as alpha of the Scottish pack had failed. Nate didn't think his mother would resort to murder like Penelope Henderson, but they'd agreed it was better she didn't know that Nate knew the truth about his fake bond to Aiyana until he was long gone.

Salma was probably right outside the door, but she couldn't see her which meant Salma couldn't see her either.

"Go," she mouthed.

He moved the short distance across the room to take her hands and asked softly, "Are you sure?"

She nodded and stepped into his arms one more time. It felt good to rest her head against his shoulder. She was going to miss his hugs. "Don't forget to text."

He kissed the top of her head, then released her gently.

Her eyes caught sight of Cliff as Nate disappeared through the door. Something in her chest or perhaps her wolf's chest pulsed when his warm eyes met hers.

"Aiyana are you okay?" Cliff asked.

His concerned look elicited such a strong feeling of tenderness on top of the pain in her head that it brought tears to her eyes. "I'm fine." Lie. She did trust Colum, but only so far. It wouldn't be wise to let him know how much using coercion pained her. He might find a way to use it against her in the future.

"No you're not. I know that look."

The look of hope and caution on Cliff's wan face as he opened his arms to her tugged at her chest. She wanted nothing more than to run into those arms and lean on his sturdy shoulder, but was it wise? Colum had already tried to kidnap her mate once. What if he figured out her true mate was Cliff? Her true mate. Could a bond be reestablished once it had been broken? What if Salma peaked around the door frame and saw her go to Cliff. Would she figure out that Nate knew what she'd done?

Cliff retracted his arm and turned away from her toward the door. Her wolf whimpered. She wanted Cliff. She wanted to try again. He may have rejected her once, but he was here now and he was different. He said he wanted her. He'd even taken a bullet for her.

She made herself walk past Doc, who was still examining the X-ray for any bits of silver, and to the door. There was no one in the hallway, but she shut the door anyway. Both Cliff and Colum were watching her as she turned around. She should probably say something.

"Colum, my wolf tells me you are my General. I think that is something like a Beta but higher. Do you accept?"

His smile was a little lopsided, she noticed. It was kind of adorable. "Gladly, my Bhanrigh."

Bad things were going to happen if she had to hold her head up anymore. "I need to speak to Cliff for a moment."

She lunged at the opaque sheet that hung between the beds and jerked it partially closed so Colum wouldn't be able to see her lay her head down. Cliff raised his eyebrows at her, silently asking what she wanted to say. She just gave a tiny nod and went for the chair next to the bed, then put her head down on her arms. Better, but not by much.

"What's wrong Aiyana?"

She rubbed her forehead instead of telling Cliff she was in pain so Colum couldn't hear her answer.

"What happened?"

She told him about Tamhas and the knife and putting the alphas to sleep, keeping it as brief as possible. Sometime in the middle of her story, Cliff started rubbing her head and the back of her neck. Her head still hurt, but it was slowly fading, one stroke at a time.

"Is that helping?" he asked a couple of minutes after she'd stopped talking.

"Yes."

"If you sit beside me and turn toward me, I can use both hands."

That would mean she'd have to raise her head, but it might be worth it. She did as he asked, leaning slightly forward so he wouldn't strain himself reaching for her. He started running his thumbs up the middle of her forehead, then his fingertips through her hair. It was both relaxing and rather stimulating. In fact the more he rubbed, the more she noticed him. His scent and the warmth from his body swirled around her, igniting a slow burn deep in her belly.

"Where did Nate go?" he asked softly.

"He went in search of his real mate. You were right, it was a spell of sorts."

"Are you all right?"

She nodded against his fingers. "We are friends."

"Just friends?"

"Yes," she whispered as his fingers moved from her temples back into her hair again. He was totally messing up her braid but she didn't care.

"Turn around and sit in front of me between my legs so I can rub your shoulders."

She opened her eyes. "You don't need to do that."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yes."

"All the way?" he asked, pressing his thumb gently against her forehead.

"No."

"Then let me try."

She did as he asked, then scooted a little closer as he adjusted the back of his bed to reach her. She'd never had a massage before, had never really wanted one because the thought of strangers rubbing on her was disturbing, but Cliff must be a master because it felt amazing and her headache was back down to a manageable irritation. He worked his way down her spine, then back up her neck. She'd never been so relaxed and aware of someone at the same time.

She could hear Colum and Doc talking quietly on the other side of the curtain. She should probably move.

"Here, Aiyana, sit back and lean on me before you fall over."

"I don't want to smoosh you."

"I'll be fine," he said in her ear as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, then started to gently tug her back. "Besides, death by smooshing wouldn't be a bad way to go, especially if you're the one doing the smooshing."

She shrugged off his arms and turned to glare at him. "Don't say stuff like that."

He leaned back against the bed, hands up in defense. "Sorry, I was only joking."

He looked sincere — too sincere, and pale. He needed to smile. She wanted him to smile, to feel what she was starting to feel deep in her chest. She pushed herself over his leg so she could lay across his lap with her rear on one side of his legs and her feet on the other, then leaned against his shoulder.

"My way is better. There's no danger of smooshing and I can do this." She nuzzled the underside of his jaw with her nose. His scent banished the languor his massage had brought on, leaving her very aware of their nearness. Tentatively, she placed a kiss where her nose had brushed. His skin was so soft. She kept going, placing a trail of kisses from his jaw to his neck. He liked it if the way his arms were gently squeezing her closer and the way his breathing had changed were any indication.

Her lips stopped at his collarbone, but her fingers continued to the other side, tracing the bones from one side to the other, then over his shoulder and up the other side of his neck, through the stubble along his jaw, then up into his hair. Her goal was to return the favor - to massage him the way he had done her - at least as far as she could reach, but then he opened his eyes and looked at her with a hunger in his eyes that made the smoking tinder inside of her burst into flames. As if they were oppositely polarized magnets, their lips snapped together.

Kissing Nate had been nice, but she felt Cliff's kiss in every cell in her body, energizing her, healing her. He pulled away and, to her embarrassment, she whimpered. He didn't give any sign that he noticed as he looked down at her, his heated gaze reflecting her own feelings.

"Aiyana, I..."He closed his eyes, then his lips were on her again, but only briefly. He pulled away again with a little shake of his head, then trapped her with his dark eyes and his forehead against hers.

"Aiyana, I want to be your mate. I want to be by your side no matter where you go or what happens. I want to have cubs together and long runs and barbecues. I want stand in the spray from the waterfalls and tease buffalo with you. I don't want a chance, I want to be, but if a chance is all you're willing to give, I'll take it."

There were probably reasons she should say no but she couldn't think of a single one. Could she endure having Cliff around for the rest of her life?

"Yes," she whispered.

She gasped as something snapped into place inside her. The link was back. She was suddenly at school behind the bus shed, excited about finding her mate, but knowing now what was going to happen. She looked up at Cliff with trepidation, waiting for the words that would pummel her heart into nothing but a blood-pumping organ, but they didn't come. He reached for her like he had before, but this time he didn't push when he touched her. He pulled.

"I claim you as my mate," he whispered, back in the hospital bed, his hand raised.

She intertwined her fingers with his. "And I claim you."

The outline of their hands faded as they began to phase, but unlike what they normally did, their hands didn't go all the way to wolf form. A strange tingling sensation spread from her hand, down her arm, and throughout the rest of her body as his hand merged with hers. Could a stomach sing, or a heart? It felt like her whole body was vibrating with joy. He was her mate, had always been. She could feel him and his love and his pain. She sent love back and worked on the pain, pulling the things his body didn't like away and encouraging the rest to heal.

Her hand reformed in the same position it had started, but it was no longer just her hand. He had become a part of her just like she was a part of him. There was that smile that had the power to make her melt to her knees. He kissed her again, making her body burn for more than just kisses. His lips moved toward her ear as his arm urged her to shift her body even closer.

"I love you, Aiyana."

Was she reading his thoughts or was he sending them? Was this something all mates could do?

"I love you too," she thought back, and meant it with every fiber of her being.

"Ah-hem," Doc said from the other side of the curtain. "Are you done in there yet? I need to do my rounds at the hospital at some point today."

She pulled away from Cliff's lips. She'd forgotten Doc and Colum were only a thin curtain away.

"Um, hold on." She felt her hair. Instead of being smoothly anchored by a braid, it felt like it was sticking up all over her head.

Cliff, to her irritation, chuckled. When she frowned at him and punched him in the shoulder, he grinned, then tugged her long braid over her shoulder and started undoing the end himself. Watching his fingers brush through her hair closer and closer to her head as he unraveled her braid was strangely erotic. She tore her eyes away to glance up at his face. He was still wearing his teasing grin, but it vanished when his eyes met hers. Their lips met again, this time with a passion that ignited parts of her that had only been warmed before.

"Mah Bhanrigh!"She pulled away with a gasp as the curtain rasped open.

"Colum!" He glanced at her, then dropped his eyes and his head, but she could see the smile teasing his lips.

"Sorry, yer highness. I'm guessing ye didn't realize that ye are transmitting to all' the wolves in the pack," Colum said, tapping his head.

"What?!"

"Daenae worry, it wasn't thoughts so much as feelings...verae romantic feelings." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"On no." She hid her face in her hands. Her face was so hot it felt like it was going to catch on fire.

"Ye couldnae have introduced yourself better. We Scots do love a good love story."

She shook her head. How would she be able to speak to any of her new pack members knowing the were probably thinking about the X-rated feelings she'd had while Cliff was kissing her.

"How do I turn it off?"

"Just imagine you're flipping a switch off in yer head."

She pictured a large switch as tall as she was and slammed it down. "Did that work?"

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe."

"Great," she said with a strong helping of sarcasm. "Is Colum all right?" she asked Doc.

His face looked as calm as it always did, but his eyes were still twinkling with amusement. "It appears so. I couldn't see anything on the X-ray and if he's having a reaction to the silver, it's very mild. He should be right as rain in a couple of days."

"Good. I guess we should..." She didn't know what she was supposed to do next: go out and face the angry alphas, punish her new pack members, hide from Nate's mom, resign from vet school, or buy a ticket to Scotland. Make that two. She had a mate now. How did this happen? Wasn't it just this morning that things were still kind of on-track? She had an apartment, she had a job, she had a plan, and it was just her and maybe Nate. Now she was in charge of hundreds of people she didn't know in a land she'd never been to. Maybe she should just give the blade to Colum and tell him he was in charge. Would that work since somehow whatever magic held a pack together had already recognized her as the leader?

"Aiyana," Cliff said, "It will be okay. Whatever happens we'll do it together."

"Indeed," Doc said, talking over Cliff's mental message. "Don't let the whole picture overwhelm you. One thing at a time, just like when you're treating an injury. What's bleeding the most?"

"The people in prison I suppose."

He nodded. "Okay, anything else?"

"I have a new pack and I'm in charge."

"Ah, yes, but packs don't have just one leader. Colum, I assume your father left his pack in good hands. How dire is it that Aiyana go to Scotland and take control?"

"Dire. They are nae good hands."

"His Beta?" Aiyana asked.

Colum nodded.

She'd seen Tamhas' Beta when she'd looked in Tamhas' mind. If anything, he was more of a brute than Tamhas. "I need to go to Scotland ASAP. How much is a ticket to Scotland?" Probably a thousand dollars at least.

"Daenae worry about the tickets. Ah will lease us a plane with the pack funds big enough for everyone," Colum said.

"Make sure it can hold a few extras," Doc said. "I'll be going. I'm sure Aiyana's Aunt will want to go. You should probably plan on at least ten other wolves as well. I'm sure Alpha Wayne and Alpha Miguel will want to send some support."

"I guess I should also withdraw from school." Saying it out loud nearly made her break down."

There's no rush. You've got time. Let's assess the situation first," Doc said calmly.

Her mind reversed to something Doc had said. "Wait, you'll be going with me?"

"I think it would be prudent given the injuries you and your friends have incurred as of late, actually, mostly Cliff."

"Ha, ha, very funny," Cliff said behind her. He'd started working on her hair again while she talked to Colum and Doc so she'd turned her back to him so he could reach it. Even though he had it completely down now, he was still combing through it with his fingers and occasionally caressing the back of her neck. Her head fell forward on its own accord as he ran his thumb up the back of her neck to the base of her skull.

"Ah thought the yellow-haired one was yer Jo," Colum said.

"No. It's always been Cliff."

"Always?" Doc interjected, aiming a sharp glance at Cliff.