The sunlight shines on my face through the curtains that Reed must have opened. He loves to make sure that I actually get up in the morning instead of sleeping in. One day a week, is that too much to ask for?

I don't think so. Rose grumbles, annoyed with our mate as well.

I get out of bed, wrapping my robe around myself before walking towards the smell coming from the kitchen.

I was worried about building a house for us, I'm not going to lie. I've never actually had to build anything before and the idea was daunting. So much could go wrong with the build and the blueprints alone that Reed drew up with what input I had wanted in a house, were confusing to even look at.

But I know better than to underestimate my mate. Between him, my dad, and men from both packs, our little compound was born. And a compound it is. At first, the idea was not received well, but the more I defended it, the more the others started to come around to the ideas.

We sit an equal distance from both Moonstone and Shadow wolves, in the mountains as I suggested. The sunrises are breathtaking and when the snow falls, it's as magical as a winter wonderland.

A solid twelve-foot wall completely surrounds the entire perimeter of the land that we have claimed. The house Reed had built is a modest one story, with three bedrooms, a wrap-around porch, and floor-to-ceiling windows in the living room that you can see out of but not into.

As Alphas, Gage and Ian had asked for volunteers to live here for our protection. The response was overwhelming but I was firm on no families. I was adamant that only unmated wolves (male or female) and when the first one had found their mate a few weeks later by a rogue who sought our help, Reed and I gave them our blessings and sent them back to their home pack.

To our surprise, Unmated wolves from all over started to arrive to offer their protection. It seemed word had started to spread about what we were and what we could do and they felt it an honor to serve us.

We had to build a few other buildings, all one story that can house up to ten people in each scattered around. As more wolves come, we would build more, but lately, there has been a balance. It seems for every few that come, there is a few that leave with their newly found mates.

The best part - Reed got to be an Alpha after all. There was a certain light to his face as our numbers started to grow, looking to Reed for leadership. Of course, he stepped up instantly, ready with plans for routes, secret codes, a name for the compound - even traditions. Every full moon, we set up a bonfire in the center of the compound.

They also built a meeting hall of sorts away from the house, closer to the one and only gate into the compound. I was against this idea because it seemed to Royal. As if peasants were coming to see the reigning monarch for help or money. I never felt that we were any type of royalty.

"I agree with you, love," Reed said as we stood in the middle of the unfurnished room, "but we have to think of our safety. We can't exactly invite them into the house for brunch while we help them,"

He was right and I knew it so I stopped fighting it.

"Well isn't this a surprise," I say, wrapping my arms around a shirtless Reed who is flipping pancakes on the stove, "To what do I owe this special treat, Alpha?"

Reed growls, holding my wrist and turning in my arms to press a firm kiss to my lips. It's always like the first kiss; Butterflies erupt in my belly and every touch of his fingertips leaves goosebumps along my skin.

I pull away, my head snapping towards the left as if I had been called. A prickling sense of awareness that I have begun to get used to the last few years, filling my body. Like when you know someone is watching you or you just feel something is off in the air.

"Someone is coming," Reed groans at my words, whether from the interruption or the fact that this gift that I've developed, he hasn't and he's jealous, I'm not sure, "Something is wrong,"

I rush out of the kitchen back to the bedroom to get dressed. I had just finished pulling my shirt on when there is a knock on the front door. I hear Reed answer it, but I'm already running slipping my shoes on as best I can.

"Female approaching the gate now," Eric, Reed's appointed head warrior says, with a slight bow of his head.

But I'm already pushing past him and Reed, racing towards the gate myself. Reed calls after me and I hear him in pursuit.

He always gets so mad when I do this, and I wonder if part of that is feelings leftover from how many times I had run away from him in the beginning. Not that any of that should be held against me.

Honestly though, If he had it his way, I would wait in a heavily guarded tower while he and his men scope out the newcomer to make sure they're safe. No matter how many times I have tried to explain to him that normal visitors I can feel coming he can 'scope' out all he wants. Most of them are looking for their mates, seeking the information needed to find them.

But there are a few who need instants attention. And in situations like this, I can feel it as if it's my own. The heartbreak and devastation moving over me until it's hard to tell the difference between my feelings and theirs.

By the time I reach the gate, she is already there surrounded by guards. I can hear the sobs coming from her, my own heart aching, as I push my way through the crowds. Only to stop short at the sight in front of me.

She's young, not even twelve by my best guess. Her skin is covered in bruises and cuts, blood drips from somewhere in her hairline. One of her eyes is completely swollen shut, colored an unnatural dark color. Another woman in the compound tried to wrap her in a blanket but when she came to close the girl recoiled as if she were about to be hit.

"It's alright," my voice is calm, collected even if my mind is reeling and my heart is sad at what I see, "Thank you all, please continue about your work," I say dismissing the crowd while holding my hand out for the blanket.

Sarah hands it over to me easily, shooting me a soft smile and I can see her fighting a bow. I have told them all many times, that even though Reed is the leader they look up to, I am not a Luna.

"It's alright. You're safe," the tone came on its own after a few months. A soothing voice that most respond well to, and I'm always reminded of the dark-haired woman and how calm she always sounded.

The girl shoots a glance at Reed behind me but as I step forward with the blanket, she looks back at me with one blue eye the color of sapphire.

"Welcome to the Benedictus," my voice is soft as a whisper as I get close enough to wrap the blanket around her. I gently run a hand over her hair, taking in the color of her aura.

My eyes meet Reed's somber gaze as he takes in the fading, cracked aura around the girl. A tear runs down my cheek at the thought of what has happened to this girl. Before I can move or say anything, another sob sounds from the girl and her good eye closes as she goes lip in my arms.

"We need to get her inside the house," I say quickly, but Reed moves forward to stop me.

"Not the house, we agreed that was what the meeting hall was for," He bends down and scoops the girl in his arms as if she weighed nothing.

I stand quickly and block his way. Yes, I agreed that the meeting hall was for people coming to visit so that they didn't need access to the compound or our home. but this is different. This isn't a wolf looking for a mate or guidance. This is a child, a beaten and bloodied child, who came to us for help.

Reed's eyes widen and his jaw slackens as he stares at me in horror. Guilt slams into me.

I shouldn't have commanded him like that, I had promised I wouldn't. But it just came out. There is a protectiveness about this girl that I wasn't expecting. Something inside me telling me that she needs us more than anyone else does, especially right now. Does he not feel it?

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have commanded you," I step forward, but with the girl in his arms still, I can't get too close to him, "Look at her, Reed. She's beaten and she needs our help. She's a child,"

His gaze softens at my tone but I can tell he will definitely be talking to me later about the command. And I will take whatever he will give me because he has the right to be angry. But right now, we need to get her inside.

He nods and Eric appears out of nowhere.

"Eric, ring Alpha Gage at Shadow Wolves and ask him to send a doctor immediately," Eric nods and rushes off as we continue to the house.

Reed lays the girl on the couch while I grab a wash cloth and a bowl of water. Neither of is speaks as we move about the room. Once I'm settled on the ottoman next to the couch, carefully moving the washcloth over the girls skin I can feel his eyes on me.

"She's not Shadow Wolves and she's not Moonstone," He says watching me intently, "I'm going to run with some wolves around the outside perimeter to see if we can catch a trail or if anyone followed her,"

I stand and move into his arms and he accepts me willingly.

"Be careful, my love," I murmur into his shoulder as I cling to him.

"For you, Always," he kisses the top of my head gently and with one last squeeze, he leaves.

I watch after him for a minute, like I always do when he leaves, trying to calm myself enough to remind me that he will be back. I stare until I hear the door click and with one more deep breath, I turn back to the task at hand.

❤️❤️