As we looked for Luna in the weeks after my visit to Sterlina, I'd asked old man Waters about wolves who might have left the pack before I became Alpha, and he mentioned a murder and the disappearance of the man's wife. In itself, death isn't any more rare among werewolves than it is humans. We live rough lives, have hot tempers, and can turn into vicious
animals at the drop of a hat. What's rare is a woman choosing to leave the pack bond and set out as a lone wolf instead of grieving with the pack.
But once the pack bond is severed, a lone wolf is just that—alone. She chose to cut ties with the pack, and they respected her decision. No one knew she was carrying a child… Until now.
"We can discuss this later," I say to Luna at last. "Tonight, I'd like to introduce you to the pack."
Her eyes go wide, and she crosses her arms over her chest, her lip jutting out in defiance. "I don't want to."
"Why wouldn't you want to meet the pack?" I ask, confused.
"They're not my pack," she says, her chin rising. "Mama and me are lone wolves. We don't need a pack. We got each other."
"Okay," I say. "I understand that's how you lived up until now. But that way of life leads to this—your mother's in critical condition, and you have no one to protect you. That's what the pack is for. They'll protect you."
"She said you'd say that." "She did?"
"She said wolves are liars and tricksters, and you'll tell me what I want to hear. And here you are. I don't know you, and I'm not about to believe you!" She turns and bolts toward the back of the house.
In a few quick strides, I catch up to her, my arms wrapping around her. "Where do you think you're going?"
"Home," she says, and her voice quavers. "I don't like it here, and I don't like you."
Her words slice through my anger. This is not the kind of happy introduction I anticipated. How can anyone not care that they have a True Mate? It's like walking away after finding out you won the fucking lottery
—and that the ticket is held by the love of your life.
"You'll feel differently once you're bonded with me and the pack." "No, I won't," she hollers, kicking to free herself. "I will never be
bonded to anyone but my mama. Never never never!"
That's about enough of her tantrum for me. I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder, amazed at how light she is. She's just a whisp of a girl, but she's also eighteen, which is way too old for this shit. "You're just going to have to learn to accept it," I growl, stalking out the door.
I carry her down the front steps and toward my truck. She shrieks like a banshee the entire way. No doubt the neighbors are getting an eyeful of my new mate and me, if they're not already at the cookout, preparing for the meeting.
I place Luna on the passenger seat and flatten a hand against her torso, pinning her there. I stare her down, my wolf rising to the surface to
show his dominance. "Stay," I grit out.
She stiffens but drops her gaze, her submissive nature unable to stand up to mine for long. I rarely use my dominance against a submissive —I rarely have to. Submissive wolves usually don't challenge dominant ones this way. It's something I've had to do with other dominant wolves more than I'd like lately, though. I thought taking a mate would fix that problem, but if she's the mate, I'm not so sure. I expected a woman, not a headstrong little brat.
I crush the urge to bend her over the seat and fuck her hard and deep, forcing her submission until she's bonded with me and has no choice but to bend to my will. But that's only fun when the woman is being a brat on purpose because she wants that treatment. So I slam the door in Luna's face and circle the truck, grinding my teeth in irritation and frustration. It's one thing to be new to a pack and not know our customs, but Luna's doesn't seem to understand how to be a werewolf at all.
I hate to admit it, but I'm relieved to be joining the pack for dinner, so I don't have to deal with the crazy on my own for the rest of the night. Luna is… A lot. I thought I was getting a partner to help me, not a child to raise. She turns to the window, crossing her arms and sulking as we zoom along at an ungodly speed like the devil's on our tail. We sail past boarded-
up buildings, decrepit, decaying parts of town, and head for the place we all gather—the Creebay Preserve at the edge of town.
All the wolves in Jacksonville hunt in the Creebay Preserve, though we all live in town, most of the pack making homes in the same neighborhood as mine. The preserve is our hunting ground, and though we could get there in a few minutes of brisk running, I don't trust Luna not to take off.
The preserve is seventy-five acres of old-growth oaks, magnolia, and water oaks, with creeks and saltwater marshes throughout. It's teeming with life, and it belongs to our pack. I'm hoping Luna will feel at home here, too. As I drive, I calm my temper and try to see things from her point of view. She must be rattled at her departure from the swamp into the God- awful city Jacksonville has become after decades of storms.
When we arrive at the picnic area, the scent of cooking meat tickles my nose and stimulates my growing hunger. I park the truck at the edge of the clearing, hop down, and circle the hood to open Luna's door. Before assisting her down from the truck, I hiss in her ear, "Behave."
"Why should I?" she snarls. "You don't listen to what I want."
"Just behave," I repeat. "You're here to meet the pack. They're not enemies, Luna. They're here to protect and welcome you as my mate. They'll be your new family."
"I don't need a new family," Luna says, her lip quivering. "I've got Mama."
"And now you'll have so much more," I assure her, taking her hand in a firm but gentle grip and leading her away from the truck.
Members of the pack have already started a fire in the fire pit. A deer is roasting on a spit over the flames. Several wolves lift their hands in greeting as we approach.
"Greetings, Alpha," Hati calls to me from across the fire pit.
"Jacksonville pack," I say with a nod. "I've got someone I want you
to meet."
Luna yanks her hand away from me with a low snarl.