Klepto POV

I frantically search around the kitchen for a rag while an endless stream of giggles echoes off the walls. Trying hard not to roll my eyes, I discover a roll of paper towels and tear off a few squares before slamming shut a cabinet.

Shaking my head, I give my little brother's an exasperated look.

"Now, I really don't know what you find so funny about this." I grumble while I mop up the mess of apple juice that they spilled all over the counter.

Felix stifles a laugh while Daniel lets his giggles out unabashedly, almost falling to the ground.

My baby siblings decided it would be a hilarious prank to pull on me to dump their glasses of juice on the counter. They reacted like it's some sort of amazing, practical joke.

They thought themselves genius pranksters, when in reality they are just two silly pups.

I had to bite my tongue to keep from lashing out. This is, in fact, what I signed up for when I made the choice to bring them along with me. I am basically their mother now.

Also, I had to remind myself that so far their childhood was strained with my mother taking care of them. Well... as much "care" as she can give, which wasn't much. They did have many moments to be goofy and let loose.

This is the childhood they deserve. A childhood I didn't get to have.

So, I wordlessly wipe the counters clean and take a deep breath while they run up stairs, their little voices still boisterous with insane amounts of energy.

We had our own house now. It's just Ezra, Daniel, Felix, and I under one roof. The simple home is a dream come true. It's quaint and tranquil, perfect for relaxation. That is as long as the boys behaved themselves.

The house we called home is like all the houses on the pack land, secluded.

It had only been a few days since we'd officially been inducted into the Slate Penumbra Pack. Everything was smooth sailing from there.

Ezra is a Gamma now. He's often busy with something, running around the pack to take care of things. I see him every morning and every night. Sometimes he comes home in the afternoon as well, which is always a welcome surprise.

My mate has his own office in a building with Alpha Veiler and Savannah. It felt funny being in his office and knowing that he is a male in charge now.

The job fit Ezra very well. I knew without a doubt that he would be amazing at it, but seeing it in action is a whole other story.

Authority just looks good on him. Of course, being a lycan he always had an aura of authority, but when he's giving orders and being all large and in charge it sent electricity through me.

He's, dare I say, sexy.

I clang around in the kitchen, trying to find where everything is. We are still getting supplies to stock everything. At the moment we only have the absolute necessities. It would be nice to have some pots and pans though.

My mind goes fuzzy as I remember Ezra again and I sigh dreamily. Oh, how I loved that guy. When I think back on everything we've gone through to get where we are now, I cringe.

He'd been awful to me. If you'd asked me back then if we would ever be together, I'd say no way.

Now, I'm thankful for him in my life.

He's thoughtful and kind, always smart and cautious. I love the way he teases me and gets under my skin.

Having a mate has its ups and down, one of them being the amount of worry I hold for him at every turn.

On the trip over Ezra was lost in his own thoughts. I know that they trouble him, that something is up. I can't see into his head, obviously, but a girl knows when their man is stressed or worried.

I have to keep telling myself that he will open up in time. I know he will, he trusts me.

I just have to let him trust himself.

My thoughts are interrupted when the front door opens. The scent of my sister relieves me and I sigh out a big breath. Tressandra is visiting again and I couldn't wait to see her.

I slam shut a cabinet and make my way to the entryway to greet my sister when I see her enormous mate holding her hand in his.

And then there's Ryk. I hadn't seen him much since we got here. He's very silent, and intense. The few times I did see him he was playing happily with the pups of the pack. He is great with kids.

It is sort of bizarre to watch, though.

He clutches his mate's fingers in his as his nostrils flare and his grip tightens until his knuckles are completely white. Well, it's not that much of a difference to the rest of his skin.

Ryk is paler than a ghost.

"You're sure you'll be alright?" He asks Tressandra in a soft voice, his jaw clenching and unclenching with a vengeance. I stand there nervously watching the exchange.

My sister glances shyly at me and then her mate with a little giggle.

"I'm fine, honey. You go hang out with the boys." She insists, letting go of his hand to walk to me. But he reaches out for her and wraps an arm around her torso to pull her back towards him so he can place a kiss on her lips.

Tressandra leans into him and gives a small moan.

I'm suddenly uncomfortable.

When she pulls away Ryk reluctantly heads up the stairs to go play with our brothers. I guess he knows when he isn't needed. He's definitely not needed now.

It's time for some girl talk

We go to the living room and crash on the couch together. The both of us remain silent for a while, just thinking to ourselves. It's not necessarily an awkward silence, but a thoughtful quiet.

I am extremely sleep deprived. It's a wonder that I'm still holding my eyes open. Tressandra just has a big, sated grin on her face.

She looks genuinely happy.

The mark on her neck is a big beacon, that's for sure. She's clearly satisfied with her mate. I am full to the brim with joy for her. She's finally found her happily ever after.

"So, how are things with Ryk?" I ask her, already knowing the answer to the question.

Tressandra sighs dreamily and I stifle a laugh.

"Great. He's still getting use to being a good guy, but I'm helping him out. He's... he's the best person I've ever met, Klepto, really. I know he seems all scary. He's got a rough exterior, but in the inside he's made of gold." The glint of life is in her eyes and I grin. She is so passionate about him already.

"I believe you." I tell her, and my older sister appears relieved. "The Moon Goddess sent him to you just in the nick of time, eh?"

Tressandra nods her blonde head enthusiastically, a big old smile covering her face from ear to ear.

"What about Ezra? Are you two going to mark each other?" She questions me and I lean back, shrugging my shoulders coyly.

"Yeah, maybe. He's pretty busy, but Stacey already has her mind made up to throw me another mating ceremony."

My old enemy raises her eyebrow at me with a smirk.

"Yeah, good luck with that one. She seems like a real wild card." I couldn't agree more.

"The last one she planned was amazing, believe me, let's just hope it doesn't get interrupted like the last one." The image of the horror show that was supposed to be the best night of my life flashed through my head and I cringe.

My dad wouldn't be able to walk me down the aisle a second time, but once was enough because I would savor that memory for the rest of my life.

"Yeah. Let's hope." She shoots me a reassuring smile at me and I return it.

It is hard to believe that just months ago I hated Tressandra. I had thought she was a bitch, a stereotypical, prissy brat that you could find in any book you read or movie you watch, but it isn't like that.

There's never a one dimensional Barbie doll with a mean streak, people aren't that simple. Everyone lashes out for a reason. Everyone has their own story, and they're the hero in their own world.

It was wrong of me to assume that Tressandra didn't have feelings. In fact, the way she acted was just a sign that she was feeling something.

She was in pain. Just like me.

And now we are friends. Real, authentic friends that actually hung out. I feel like I'm in some kind of strange dream world.

As I watch Tressandra now, a gnawing question fills my gut and I spout it out without much thought.

"Tress, if I do have another mating ceremony. Would you be my maid of honor?" The words hang around in the air, drifting and floating around us until she finally reacts.

Her mouth hangs open, eyes going wide as tears start to fill them.

"You.. you really mean it? Even after all I've done to you, everything I've said to you? Klepto, I've been such a bitch. You can't be serious." The tears run over her flushed cheeks and she shakes her head frantically.

I reach a hand out and place it on her shoulder.

"Of course I'm serious. And don't worry about it, I've already forgiven you. Everyone deserves a second chance." I shrug, trying to display some form of casualness to diffuse the tension. It doesn't seem to work.

Tressandra leaps towards me and wraps her thin arms around me in a tight squeeze as a light sob grips her body. I hug her back after a moments hesitation.

It's soon followed by thunder echoing through the wood walls of the house. Ryk runs into the room, Daniel sitting on his hip and Felix not far behind.

The small pups are dressed in full pirate garb, eyepatches and all.

"What happened? Why are you crying?" Ryk growls as he stomps towards the couch with anger dripping from his presence. His face is desperate.

Tressandra pulls away from me to calm her mate with a serene smile.

"I'm alright, honey, really. They're happy tears. Honest!" She wipes at her wet cheek and chin, dabbing at her leaky nose with her long sleeve.

Even though Ryk is seemingly appeased by her explanation, he's still looking like a helpless child who doesn't know what to do.

He glances at our young brothers and a light of an idea flashes in his eyes.

"Go give your sister a hug." He says, putting Daniel down. The two pups stare at the ground as if their feet are suddenly very intriguing.

Ryk growls, white eyebrows scrunching up.

"Go give Tressandra a hug, or I'm telling Alpha Veiler you're misbehaving." That threat is enough to get them racing to get into Tressandra's arms. They practically tackle her in their haste.

My sister and I burst out laughing at the scene and I have to clutch my stomach. Once I'm done rolling around on the couch from my giggling I turn to Ryk as I try to catch my breath.

"How did you do that?" I ask him. It isn't the easiest thing in the world to get those rascals to do what you want. He opens his mouth to answer when a small voice interrupts.

"Alpha Veiler is scary." Felix whispers like it's a hushed secret. I shake my head, smirking at the fear instilled in the both of them.

They are completely serious. They're terrified of their new leader.

I can't blame them really, he is a frightening dude.

"Oh, he won't hurt you. You're big, strong pirates! I'm sure he'll be shaking in his boots once he catches sight of you." Tressandra assures them, tipping back Daniel's black pirate hat and adjusting the large feather sticking out of the brim.

The boys get a shared look of excitement on their faces and I feel my heart burn in my chest.

They're so damn cute.

"Now, where are your swords? How is a pirate supposed to scare anyone without his weapon?" She ponders, tapping a manicured finger to her chin.

Daniel and Felix run down the hall and up the stairs, leaving behind a trail of giggles and whispered words filled with thrill.

Once their gone, Ryk turns to his mate. He stares at her like she's the only thing in the world.

"You will be the best mother to our pups." He informs her with a kiss to the cheek. Tressandra blushes deep scarlet before she leans in for more kisses from her albino lycan.

I sit back on the couch and sigh. My eyes flutter close from the insetting exhaustion and I allow myself to dose a bit, just to rest for a minute or two.

All the while, a happy grin remains on my lips.

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If you're reading this, I love you:)

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