Word Count: 3451

"Hey Alpha Reese, got a second?" Porter asked just as Reese, Callum, and Adam were about to walk out the door.

Reese felt a slight irritation and part of him wanted to snap at Porter, but he recognized that as laid back and funny as Porter was, he was still the future alpha of the Everglades pack, and he had addressed Reese formally, so it must be pack business.

"Sure, Porter, what's up?" Reese answered, turning around.

"I wanted to talk to you for a second about the transfer of pack members that Harper mentioned," Porter said.

Reese tensed, he was still pissed at Harper, but reminded himself this was pack business.

"Did you talk to them about coming to our pack?" Reese asked.

"Yeah, I was able to catch up with Finn and he jumped at the chance to leave. Of course, as Harper mentioned, the moment Tosha heard about it she asked to go too. She's very protective of Finn, he's like family to her, she's been taking care of him since his parents disowned him for being gay when he came out at fourteen. He and Tosh have been sharing a room at the pack house for years so they would be ok with sharing a room or apartment or however you house unmated pack members."

"I was thinking of offering them rooms in the alpha's residence, I live there with Adam and Callum, but we stay on the second floor and the whole first floor is open, so they'd have their own space and I'll be there to ensure there's no trouble. The alpha's house is right next to the pack house, so they'd be close enough to hang out and socialize, but far enough away to have privacy if they need to get away from everyone while they adjust," Reese answered. "It's up to them though, both are nice, they'll pretty much have the run of the place if they stay at the alpha residence, our offices are at the pack house, so we spend most of our time there. The main advantage of living at the alpha residence is having a large full kitchen that isn't overrun with kitchen staff. If they like to cook or have their own food then the pack house is probably not the best place, since there are about ten staff that work there pretty much constantly and they're a little territorial. I can't even make my own sandwich when I'm there."

"We have three kitchens in our pack house for that reason," Porter laughed. "One for everyone to make and keep their own food, one for kitchen staff to cook the pack meals, and one for the pack leadership A.K.A my mom. Most of us live in the pack houses here, there are some private residences on our pack lands, most are around the pack village or in neighborhoods closer to the borders where the pack warriors live so they don't have to travel so far to do their patrols."

"We're not like that, only the unmated wolves live in the pack house, everyone gets their own house once they mate so they can have privacy. We have a construction company that builds or remodals all the houses and works contract in the human towns around our pack lands." Reese said, that was something he had put together while he was in college, and he was proud of it. "I don't think I have any houses available at the moment, but I can check that when I get back, if they'd rather live completely alone. But I'd like to have them in the alpha residence for at least a few weeks right after they get there just so I can make sure they have everything they need, and they are adjusting well."

"I appreciate that, Finn has been through a lot, I don't want him to have any more trauma for a while, or forever if I can help it," Porter said, relieved.

"We became the 'go to' pack for runners after Mom and Dad spearheaded the runner laws," Reese said, his temper was dying down remembering the reason the laws had been created and why Harper was so hostile to him. "We've learned a lot about what they need and how to help them heal from rejection and abuse. Devon is the only breeder, but we have a lot of runners, so he should feel at home pretty quickly."

"That's good," Porter said. "I appreciate you taking them, I have to warn you though, Tosha can be..."

"A handful, I heard," Reese chuckled.

"Two handfuls," Porter said wryly.

**

Harper was gathering the dirty dishes and cups from the dining room when she was suddenly hit with a wave of nausea and dizziness. She sat down at the dining table and leaned on her elbows with her face in her hands. She was exhausted and frustrated and just tired of all the shit that had been happening. They never seemed to get a break and if this kept up when she had to start work again, she didn't think she'd be able to keep up.

"What's wrong, Honey?" Luna Penny said, she'd been on her way to the kitchen to put away her glass before leaving to head back to the pack.

"I'm tired," Harper said, trying to smile but only managing a pathetic turn up of her lips. Then she looked up at Luna Penny and said, "I need help Luna; I don't think I can keep this up. I'm not a Luna, I don't know how to organize meetings, feed everyone, run errands, take care of Levi, clean up the house, train, and just figure everything out and still find time with my husband. I'm just overwhelmed. Matt tries but he's out patrolling the waters, then he's putting up cameras, training, working with the sirens, and still trying to keep up his business. Celie helps as much as she can, she cleans, she takes care of Levi, does all of the never-ending laundry, entertains everyone, and gets the food, and she's still trying to find time to paint and run her business. But she can't keep up either, she needs to rest and heal, and she hasn't had the chance. She just found her mate and she hasn't even been able to go out on a single date with him or have one night alone. I don't know what to do, I just feel like if I was stronger or worked harder, I'd be able to get my hands around it but I'm just failing at everything and letting everyone down."

"You've never let anyone down in your whole life, Harper," Luna Sophia said. "One person can only do so much; I think that's the only lesson you haven't learned yet."

"Don't you worry about all this, Sweetie," Luna Penny said. "I'm here to help, I'll take over some of this planning, and I'll send a few people out to help with the household chores and food prep. We have plenty of wolves who would be happy to come over, Honey, that's what packs do, we help each other."

"That's right, Harper," Luna Sophia sat down next to her. "I'll send Lucas back to the pack and stay here and help you. You're right, this is Luna work, and we'll be right here."

"You don't have to do that, Luna," Harper said, she sniffled and tried to fight back the tears that had been threatening for the last half an hour. "The pack needs you; you don't have to stay here."

"Lucas can handle the pack, trust me," Luna Sophia put her arm around Harper's shoulder and pulled her into a gentle hug. Harper leaned against Luna Sophia for a second, then heard Sophia sniff her and she sat up quickly.

"I'm sorry, I know I need a shower," Harper chuckled. "Celie told me earlier I smelled funny, I should have jumped in then."

"You're fine," Luna Sophia assured her, but gave Luna Penny a look. "Why don't you go rest now, we'll clean up the rest of the table."

"Are you sure you don't mind?" Harper asked.

"Of course not, Honey," Luna Penny said with a smile. "We've got this."

**

"What is your problem?" Celie asked, as she watched Eden moving around the room getting ready for bed. He'd been silent and broody all evening.

"I have no problems," Eden replied.

"Huh, really? Because you seem really pissy and it's starting to get on my nerves," Celie said. "You might as well tell me because we can't go to bed mad at each other, that's a rule us land dwellers have for our mates."

"I am not mad," Eden said.

"Uuuuh huh..." Celie narrowed her eyes at him, then gave him a sunny smile. "Good! Then I'm gonna link Port and see if he wants to play some xbox for a while. I'm kinda in the mood to shoot some zombies and have a snack. I'll be back later, you go ahead and get some rest, you have to patrol early. Goodnight!" Then gave him a peck and started toward the door.

"I have something to say," Eden said just as Celie reached the door and grasped the handle. She smirked before turning around with a slight smile and a clueless expression.

"Oh yeah? What's up?" Celie asked.

"I did not like the way you were with the triton today," Eden said, his lips pursed in irritation.

"I told you he wasn't going to hurt me," Celie said with an impatient sigh.

"Not that," Eden said.

"Then I'm not sure what you're referring to," Celie said, confused.

"You called him 'Sweetie'," Eden said.

Celie raised one perfectly plucked eyebrow and looked at him like he was crazy for a second.

"Are you serious?" Celie asked.

"I am very serious," Eden replied.

"Oh my god! You're jealous!" Celie gasped, pointing at him. "Of a TRITON!"

"I am not jealous!" Eden scowled.

"Oh, really?" Celie snickered. "Then why do you mind that I called him sweetie?"

Eden just stared at her with narrowed eyes.

"Baby," Celie said, grinning like an idiot as she went to him, put her arms around his waist and rested her chin on his crossed arms to gaze up at him. "I'm so happy you're jealous! It's so sweet! Oh my god, today is the best day!"

"Why does that make you happy?" Eden said, unable to stop himself from uncrossing his arms and putting them around her when she was being so adorable and confusing.

"Because it shows you care! Duh!" Celie said, as she smiled happily up at him.

"I have been saying I care all along," Eden frowned.

"Yeah, but you didn't act like anything bothered you," Celie tried to explain. "You never acted like Adam being around bothered you, even though he was my fated mate, and he actually was trying to get me to accept him instead of you. You never acted like Porter or any of the siren warriors or wolf warriors bothered you when they were around me, even though a few flirted with me. You were just like, 'meh, guys flirting with Cel, big deal'. But every time Sana glanced at you it pissed me off and everyone knew it."

"One of the siren warriors flirted with you?" Eden demanded.

"Noooo," Celie answered slowly in confusion.

"You just said a few siren warriors flirted with you," Eden reminded her.

"I didn't mean them specifically, I was just naming off males who have been around me and saying that I've been flirted with while you were here," Celie rolled her eyes.

"Those were wolves, not sirens," Eden said. "They cannot compete with me."

"Oh ho ho," Celie chortled. "Really now?"

"What?" Eden huffed. "They can't."

"But a triton can?" Celie asked, eyebrows raised mockingly.

"No," Eden said, frowning down at her.

"You're jealous!" Celie laughed.

"I am not," Eden argued.

"Are too," Celie said.

"I am not going to argue with you over how I do not feel," Eden said.

"Yes, you are," Celie said, grinning.

"No, I'm..." Eden stopped, then pressed his lips together trying not to smile.

"See, you did," Celie snickered. "I was totally right."

"You are impossible," Eden sighed.

"Impossible to have an argument with? Impossible to win an argument with? Impossible to stay mad at?" Celie listed. "Impossible not to love?"

"All of those," Eden finally smiled, then squeezed her tight and kissed her. "Especially the last one."

**

Harper blinked when she came into the kitchen and found Celie and Jenny sitting at the kitchen island drinking juice and peering into the screen of Celie's laptop.

"Is you being up before me a new thing we're doing?" Harper asked.

"Maybe!" Celie said cheerfully. "But probably not once I start working again, you know I keep odd hours when I paint. Gotta work when inspiration hits, which is usually late at night."

"Morning Harper," Jenny said smiling. "Celie and I are finalizing my dorm and school registration!"

"That is so amazing, Jenny!" Harper congratulated her. "When will you be heading out to Colorado? Made any plans yet?"

Celie linked Harper.

"We were thinking she'd leave in a few days," Celie said. "We're searching flights now. I might actually fly out with Jenny for a day or so, maybe see if Eden wants to go see the mountains, help get her settled in and if she needs anything. She might need a little car to get around in, depending on how close the grocery store and things are to campus."

"That sounds amazing! You definitely should take Eden, I bet he'd love it. A car is a good idea, or a Jeep like mine, it snows like crazy out there," Harper said, thinking out loud. "You can't really be trudging to the store in two feet of snow, and we can't have you starving or going without because you can't get anywhere without a car."

"You don't have to do that!" Jenny said, eyes wide. "You're already doing so much for me; I couldn't ask that."

"I didn't say we'd get you a brand-new range rover or anything," Harper winked at her. "But a used one just to get you around town so you don't freeze to death getting food."

"Why don't you go jump in the tank with Levi and I'll watch for the confirmation email. I'll keep checking flights and after I talk to Eden, I'll let you know what options we have for flying out, how does that sound?" Celie asked, glancing at Harper, who quirked an eyebrow at her.

"This is going to be awesome!" Jenny exclaimed with a wide smile as she headed back to the tank room.

"I'm going to ask Luna Penny for the jet," Celie said, prompting Harper to burst out laughing. "No, hear me out! I want to take Eden, who has no government ID, not only because I'd like to spend a couple of days with him, but also because I want him to speak to her about how important it is for her not to talk to anyone about Levi."

"Aaahh," Harper said, understanding dawning in her eyes. "Yeah, that's a good idea, I hadn't even thought about that, we do need to make sure she understands how dangerous it could be to speak to anyone but us about him. There may also be a pack out there we can contact about keeping an eye on her for us, so Luna Penny might be more inclined to allow it, especially if Porter and Lorelai tagged along to go speak to them about the importance of the situation."

"Ooh, good one Harp!" Celie broke into a big smile. "That would give Porter and Lorelai an opportunity to step up and do a test run as Alpha and Luna. What a fabulous idea! I'm sure those two would love to have a couple of days in a mountain cabin alone too."

"It could even be a group flight, Alpha Lucas, Tosha, and Finn could fly with you guys out to Colorado, then take a connection to Washington from there, or the jet could continue on to Washington, then pick you guys back up on the way back. Two birds, one stone," Harper suggested.

"I love how we are just making plans with the Everglade's jet now," Celie giggled.

"Well in this case, I think we've made some compelling arguments in our favor, or your favor, since I won't be going, unfortunately," Harper said. "We really do need at least one siren to go and suggest she keep all this to herself and speak to no one outside of this house about it, and none of the sirens have acceptable travel identification. I mean, I guess we could do that before she leaves, but other stuff might pop up that needs to be mentioned after you get there, so it'd be a good idea to be prepared. We could always see if it would be possible for them to siren voice their way through the airport."

"That would be the most fun ever, if Guantanamo Bay incarceration was not on the table for getting caught," Celie laughed even louder, then tried mimicking a lilting voice. "'I command you to let us through security with our shoes on!'"

"'I command you to allow us to bring my big tube of toothpaste without a plastic baggy!'" Harper said.

"'I command you to let us ride the baggage carrousel while singing 'You Spin Me Round' at the top of our lungs!'" Celie cackled, her arm spinning about her head like she was twirling a lasso.

"'I command you not to do a body cavity search!'" Harper giggled.

They spent the next five minutes laughing until they couldn't breathe, when Lorelai came into the room, they were both still giggling while holding their ribs and leaning against the kitchen island.

"You are always having too much fun when I walk in," Lorelai said. "What's the joke this time?"

"We were thinking up cool siren commands we could use to get through airport security," Celie said, still chuckling.

"Ookay...You two talk about the weirdest shit," Lorelai said with a confused look on her face.

"Well, we're weirdos, so that makes sense," Harper said, finally sobering up. "Have a seat Cel, let me look at that shoulder, I think I can take the stitches out."

Celie perked up immediately with a brilliant smile and hopped onto one of the bar stools while Harper got out her kit and washed her hands.

"It looks really good, Cel," Harper told her as she inspected the wound. "Raise your arm straight up, and to the side, how does that feel?"

"Feels fine," Celie said, moving her arm in the full range of motion. "I feel a twinge between my collar bone and shoulder when it pulls, but it doesn't hurt, just feels a little stiff but not painful."

"Well, let me pull these out and I think we'll be done," Harper said, pulling out her forceps and scissors. "You're still going to be scarred, I'm afraid, but I honestly can't say how bad it will be. I'm used to working on human children, so the healing time and scar tissue formation are not something I'm very familiar with in wolves."

Lorelai came over and watched over Harper's shoulder and after Harper had pulled out the last stitch and cleaned Celie up, Lorelai bent and took a close look at the area.

"You'll definitely have scars," Lorelai confirmed, running a finger over a few of the marks to feel the depth of the tissue. "It should be nothing more than white lines except the deepest spots in eight or nine months probably, but it won't heal without a mark."

"Eight or nine months?!" Celie gasped.

"Those are really deep," Lorelai said.

"Are you sure?" Celie asked, frowning.

"I know scars," Lorelai said, holding up her arm. "That will leave scars, I have a few that weren't as deep as those, and I probably heal faster than you."

"Great," Celie said glumly.

"At least you lived," Lorelai said with a shrug.

"Oh, aren't you just a big ole flaming ray of sunshine?" Celie rolled her eyes at Lorelai with a grin. "But that's ok, because I'm out of the sling and I can move my arms and do the Saturday Night Fever dance."

And with that, Celie proceeded to start singing 'Stayin' Alive' in a high falsetto while doing the John Travolta point across the kitchen.

That's what Eden, Matt, and Porter walked into the kitchen to see. Porter immediately joined Celie doing the dance and singing the song.

"Oh my goddess," Lorelai said, when the song ended and she managed to stop laughing. "Have you guys practiced that dance? Because you perfectly choreographed it."

"Yeah," Celie answered seriously. "We learned the dance together when Porter was like twelve or thirteen."

"You're kidding," Lorelai looked between them to see if they were teasing her.