André looked up from another report as his door opened and smiled. Phoenix smiled back at him. A mug of steaming tea, smelling strongly of ginger, in one hand and a water bottle in the other. She was in a giant blue knitted sweater that stopped mid-thigh and black leggings. Her feet were bare. Her thick brown hair pulled into wet French braid pigtails. Her face held a fresh scrubbed look. Over her intoxicating natural sent was the smell of herbs and salt.
"How's the paperwork going?" she asked, her smile growing. Making a funny face at Lorenzo when he babbled a greeting. Only to shake her head at Celeste who held him out to her. "I can't have physical contact with any Belcourt until Eevi comes and we do the spell for Yvonne." She nodded solemnly at Celeste shocked look and Theo's smothered laugh. "It's terrible, I know. But I've taken my detox bath. I'm drinking this awful tea. And I've meditated. So now I'm here to help. That is a tall stack of paper, André. Give me half." She held out a small hand. He looked from Theo to the pile to her hand.
"Why?" Theo asked.
Her eyes narrowed then widened so quickly André wasn't sure what emotion he'd seen there.
"I plan to read them and put them in piles. Urgent, read then sign, sign but don't bother reading, Luna's – me, and say no."
"No offence Luna, but how would you know which pile they belong in?" Theo asked.
She leaned against the desk. "I find if funny," at their confused looks, she continued, "when someone says no offence. You know why they say it? Because they would be offended if someone asked them that. Otherwise, no one would say it. They'd just asked the question. And what I find funny is now you think you have the moral high ground if I am offended." Theo looked away from her. "Also very nice tag team effort there. I'm sure it works really well in most aspects of your dealings." She shook her head at André. "Don't do it again to me. If you have doubts, you speak them. I don't do well with middle men."
André and Theo stared at her in shock. No one they'd ever dealt with had dissected their moves as fast and accurately. Her glare dissolved into a giggle at their faces. "Lucky for you two I am supposed to be completely Zen today. Which means you picked the perfect time to play that on me. Now I can go read or you can let me do for you what I do for The Alpha Rogue."
André growled and stood so fast his chair crashed over. He started to walk around the desk.
"Stop," there was such strength behind the word he blinked. "You can't touch me, André. Not today. I'm not risking Yvonne because you're jealous. Sit back down." She glared when he didn't move. "You're going to make me have to meditate again," she muttered.
"You were his Luna?" He couldn't move, he was fighting his wolf.
"Yep, I'm going to have to mediate again. Damn it." Phoenix's sigh shook her whole body. She took a sip of her tea, wrinkled her nose, and closing her eyes began to breath deep.
"Phoenix? I need an answer."
Her eyes glowed gold when she looked up at him. "Rephrase your question."
"What were you to The Alpha Rogue?"
Those golden eyes narrowed and her face took on a thoughtful cast. She blinked and he was again looking into her beautiful brown ones. "I am his sister in everything but blood." She smiled slightly as André muscles unclenched. "I saved his life. He saved mine. We became rouges together. And used each other to build the other's reputation. The Phoenix and The Alpha Rogue. We weren't rogues a month before our names were whispered everywhere. I doubt most of what you've heard about me or him is true. I can't even remember all I've made up or that others have embellished. However I have been his Luna since I was fourteen. So may I have half of that stack?"
He nodded. She took the top half, settled on the floor next to the coffee table, and began to read. Forcing herself to drink out of her mug or water bottle often. He just stood there feeling like someone had hit him over the head. She looked up at him from under her long lashes. "I won't mind if you read over every pile until you're sure I know what I'm doing. André? Shouldn't you get back to work?" she asked softly.
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it. Just don't do it again?"
"I'll try not to."
"That's all anyone can do. If I could I'd give you the biggest hug right now."
"I'll consider myself hugged. You should consider yourself kissed." He watched with satisfaction as she turned red.
The annoying sound of 'Do you believe in magic' blared through the room again. He growled. Her eyes lit up with laughter and she made an adorable little squeak trying to hold it in. That sound soothed his irritation. She pulled her phone out and answered it.
"Stop flirting. No imaginary touching and kissing either."
"You're no fun." Phoenix pouted.
"You need to meditate again and drink your tea faster. Stop taking tiny sips." Eevi's voice was stern. "You should be on the next brew by now."
"No fun at all."
"Phoenix!"
"Fine! But I can read reports, right?"
"Once you've meditated. Stop being difficult."
"Okay. Sorry. See you soon."
"Bye Little One."
"Bye." She click the phone closed and stood. "I'll be back. When I'm again centered." She place the papers back on his desk and left with her tea and water.
Theo laughed softly. "That's one hell of a Luna the Moon Goddess gave you."
André smiled. Slowly it faded as he remembered the strength behind the 'stop'. She still didn't give off a powerful aura. Yet had killed or injured three of his ex-warriors and caused him to pause with a word. Some of the rumors must be true.
***
Phoenix pulled out her phone and pressed speed dial two. He answered on the third ring.
"What's wrong?"
She smiled as a thought entered her head that now she could call loved ones and not have them assumed death, destruction, or both.
"Hey, Warren."
She could picture his dark eyes closing in relief. "Hello, Brat. So not urgent. I can scold, then. I thought you were with friends, resting. Only to hear you are gathering information. What part of take a break did you not understand?"
Phoenix fought the need to roll her eyes. This is why she called him before she meditated. "You are such a nag and I love you, too." She teased before telling him of finding a baby at her friends. "I wasn't trying to gather information about you, though I did get some juicy bits. I've emailed them. I was trying to find where he belonged without admitting I had him."
"So?"
"He's Lorenzo Belcourt."
"Are the Lunar Crater's crazy?"
"You don't know all of it yet."
"Tell me."
She sighed, "you're not going to like it."
And here is where his dark eyebrows crashed together, "Tell me anyway."
She told him of the bar-b-que and the nine sleepers. He let out a whistle as shocked as she had been.
"The bastard's doomed his whole pack."
"Hopefully not."
There was a long beat of silence. "Why have you called, Brat?"
"Yvonne was the only one around when they took the baby. She alive. But in a coma. Eevi's coming to help me do the spell."
"Damn it, Phoenix!"
"I know. But I wouldn't leave you in there and I won't leave her. It's only sort of dangerous. And Eevi will be there."
"When are you doing it?"
"Tonight. You know the longer she's under the harder it will be."
"I can't get there by tonight. Who are you going to have hold you?" he growled.
"About that..."
"Phoenix?"
"I found my mate?" She didn't know why she ended it as a question. Swallowing she tried again. "I have a mate."
"That's wonderful." Warren finally said after a lengthy silence. "Who?"
"Let's just say all the practice I've had as your Luna is very handy now."
"André Belcourt?"
"Yes."
"I'll miss you."
"See? That's why I didn't want to tell you. Don't be ridiculous. You're not getting rid of me that easily."
"He might not..."
She interrupted him. "If that's true, he's going to miss me when I leave. Because no one tells me who I love. And no one tells me who I help. Including you. So don't be stupid. If I'm a Belcourt, Bell Moon. You're an in-law, practically one yourself."
"Phoenix."
"I'm not arguing about this. I have spent years leaving people I really like behind to keep them safe. I can count on one hand those I could keep. And still have fingers left over. If you think..." She sighed and squeezed her eyes closed. "I have to meditate. I have to be Zen today. So the conversation is on pause. Though you're going to lose, when we do have it. I know that you'll get no information from this pack until I wake to give it. So don't worry until..."
"I know how long." He sighed. "I love you, Brat. Go save your friend."
"Love you too."