| KALEB

The walk to the packed house had been mostly uneventful aside from a few curious glances. My pack mates made sure to give our little group a wide berth. Although I think they were mostly trying to stay out of the way of the giant, lumbering tiger shifter. It didn't bother me until I noticed that most of the stares were coming from unmated females. This, of course, agitated my wolf and Zev being Zev caught on immediately and pulled me closer into his side. It helped a little but I couldn't help but wish they'd given him a shirt. His bare chest was not only distracting for me but also drawing unwanted attention. I stifled a jealous growl as the corners of my lips pulled down. Zev hummed lowly, catching my attention.

I belong to you, little one, no one else he rumbled gently as his hand squeezed my waist comfortingly.

I belong to you too, Zev, I responded, the words coming like second nature. I could practically feel his smirk as he replied

I already knew that, little one, didn't we establish that last night? I blushed furiously and quickly buried my face in his side hoping no one noticed.

Yes, but it wouldn't hurt to be reminded. My wolf thought lasciviously.

I stayed there until we came to a short stop in front of the immense pack house. I finally peaked once we moved across the threshold. The four wolves branched off to return to their posts. We were left with the Alpha family and the beta. I could practically feel the stares as the door closed behind us with a thud.

Darren excused himself, saying he had something he needed to do, his father gave him a firm nod before continuing to walk. The Luna, who was still at Alpha Drake's side holding his arm, would turn her head occasionally to look back at me and Zev as if to reaffirm with herself that we were real. In no time we had reached a large mahogany door, one that I was very familiar with. As pups, we were told that only had pups went behind this door because they were in trouble and would be scolded by the Alpha as a result. I felt like a pup again, getting in trouble and winding up behind the mahogany door to get a scolding.

Once inside, Alpha Drake offered his large seat behind the impressive desk to his mate who accepted with a girly giggle. Then he motioned to the seats in front of it as his beta stood by the door. I made a move to sit in one but apparently, Zev had other ideas as he pulled me into his lap setting my small frame on one tree trunk thigh. My cheeks blazed while Zev sat there completely unperturbed as if his lap was the only logical spot to sit in the room in the first place. Luna squealed whispering to herself about how cute we were. Alpha stood behind his mate resting his hands on the top of the back of the chair.

"Now-" My Alpha began only to be cut off by his mate.

"Wait! I almost forgot!" she exclaimed, quickly standing up and slamming her hands down on the desk. "You," she pointed an accusatory finger aimed at my chest "You had me worried sick! I understand you wanted some quality with your mate but a quick message through the mind link wouldn't have killed you!" I winced, ashamed and unable to meet her stern gaze.

"I apologize, Luna," I said softly. She humphed plopping back down into the chair.

"Your mother would have cursed me out in the afterlife if anything happened to you, pup," she said with her arms crossed.

"Alright, dove, you've given him enough grief for now," Alpha said sternly, gently resting a large paw on her slender shoulder. He then addressed me and Zev once again. "I understand that it is your intention to take Kaleb away, from what you said earlier. I must admit, I don't completely agree with this decision-"

"Then it's a good thing it isn't your decision to make," Zev growled lowly.

"No," Alpha Drake's face hardened " it's not, it's Kaleb's. I want to know how he feels about all of this." Zev nodded stiffly and suddenly three sets of eyes were focused solely on me. I swallowed thickly.

"Zev is my mate, I want to stay with him," I looked at my Luna regretfully even though her eyes were full of understanding. "I know that it means I'll have to leave, but I'll come back to visit, besides our pups and cubs will have to know who their Godmother is," a huge smile broke across Luna Eden's face as tears welled in her eyes.

"Oh, pup, you honor me." I blushed.

"Please, Luna, I'm not a pup anymore." I tried my best to make sure it didn't come out a whinny and I'm not sure I was successful. She giggled wiping her eyes.

"Sorry, Kaleb, you'll always be a pup to me. It's my job as Luna to make sure all the pups in the pack are loved and taken care of, especially the orphaned ones."

"No need to worry ma'am, I plan on loving, protecting and cherishing Kaleb for as long as he lets me," Luna's answering smile lit up the room causing even the Alpha's lips to curve upward.

"You better mister, but I know that you will." She said with a playful wink.

"So this is your final decision, Kaleb?" Alpha asked. I nodded happily. The whole situation had turned out better than I'd thought it would. It was like a weight had lifted off of my shoulders. I could feel that Zev was also pleased with this outcome as well.

"But you won't be leaving, today? Will you?" Luna inquired. Zev shook his head.

"I'll give Kaleb all the time he needs." I turned my head to meet Zev's hazel eyes. The memory of his promise decided to resurface right then, I fought against the flush wanting to stain my cheeks.

Whenever you are ready, little one. I looked up at him gratefully.

"Well that's good," the Luna said happily "You two will be staying in the pack house, yes?" you could hear the hope dripping from her voice.

"Is my room still available?"

Luna laughed. "Always, pup, always."

" I believe that concludes this meeting of ours, I have other things that need immediate attention now, you are free to walk the pack grounds if you wish." The Alpha said speaking directly to Zev who gave a short nod.

"Do you mean the rogues?" I spoke up curiously, remembering that Darren had mentioned them in the clearing. The Alpha simply nodded.

"They've never been a real problem before, they won't be hard to handle." the Alpha's beta, Peirce finally said from his position by the door.

I looked at the red-headed wall of muscle who had his arms crossed as he leaned against the wall next to the door.

"No need to worry Kaleb, it's not as urgent as you're thinking." he finished with a reassuring smile. I wasn't completely convinced, however.

"But-"

"No buts, pup, we'll be fine," Alpha said firmly. Luna nodded in agreement. "We have always taken care of ourselves and we always will. What I want you to worry about Kaleb are my future grand pups." She said humor lacing her tone with a playful wink.

Again I flushed red and resisted the urge to hide my face in Zev's large chest.

I'd have to agree with your Luna on this one. In fact, I believe I could be of some help with this endeavor. Zev said suggestively through our link. I blushed, cuddling into his chest as he wrapped an arm around me, pulling me closer and kissing my forehead affectionately.

"We'll set the two of you free to do as you wish," Alpha Drake dismissed us, motioning towards the door. I blushed to feel the Luna's elated gaze watching us.

"How about we start with your room, huh, puppy?" I nodded unable to make a sound because as usual Zev made cognitive functions damn near impossible. I pecked him sweetly on the cheek and he grinned at me, standing up placing me securely on my feet. Beta Peirce opened the door for us with a nod to Zev.

"Let us know when you decide to leave this time, Kaleb," The alpha said humorously just as we crossed the threshold. Luna waved, a smile nearly splitting her face.

"Have fun," she said wiggling her eyebrows. The door closed and I was too mortified to do anything other than stare straight ahead and avoid Zev's amused gaze at all costs. He pulled me into his bare side once again.

"I don't see what you were so worried about, that went better than expected." he pointed out as we made our way down the hallway. "Now, where is your room? I need another taste of my mate," he said, growling the last part into my ear.

I swallowed thickly as my legs turned to the consistency of jello. A trail of heat shot down my spine and tingles along my awakening length.

"Come on, little one, lead the way." my face was a blazing red as I went up the stairs with Zev close behind.

| AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hello, lovelies!

I read the answers to the questions from the last chapter and it seems that most of you are in favor of a sequel which I am really excited about. Now as for the ship names here are some that were entered:

Kalev

-J.T.