When I reached the side, Damien ran past me to check Kol's body. "What happened?" I asked, panicked.

"We don't know. She felt it when you were stabbed, and then she just passed out," Lily said, handing me shorts, which I quickly pulled on.

I cupped Azalea's face in my hands. "Baby, baby, wake up. It's over," I said softly, trying to keep the worry out of my voice. Tears threatened to spill. I couldn't lose her again. Gavin whined in my head. Austin shifted her from his arms into mine. I pulled her close.

"Austin, go get Dr. Blackfur," Lily instructed. He immediately ran toward the pack house. Damien approached.

"Baby, wake up. It's all over. Please, Azalea," I whispered, cradling her. She stirred slightly. "Baby, open your eyes, please," I said, kissing her lips gently.

"Liam," she whispered.

"I'm right here. Baby, open your eyes. Everything is okay; it's all over, you're safe," I begged. I needed to see those perfect green eyes.

Her eyes fluttered open, and relief washed over me. A little color returned to her cheeks, and a small smile graced her lips as she looked at me. "Liam," she whispered again.

"Azalea," I breathed, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her scent. My nerves calmed as her hand found its way into my hair. We remained like that for a few minutes before I pulled away.

"Baby, are you okay? What happened?" I asked, brushing her hair back.

"I'm okay, I think," she said softly.

"What happened?"

"I don't know. I felt it when Kol stabbed you. Someone mentioned wolfsbane, and I was terrified. I just kept praying you were okay. Then the pain slowly subsided. I thought you were okay at first. Then I felt really strange. Everything went dizzy, and I must have passed out," she explained slowly.

"We should let your uncle examine her, Liam," Lily said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I nodded, never taking my eyes off Azalea.

"Have him meet us in our room," I said, heading for the pack house, carrying Azalea. Damien and Lily followed closely.

"Kol's being dealt with," Damien muttered.

"What does he mean 'being dealt with'?" Azalea asked.

"It's over, baby. He can't hurt you anymore," I reassured her softly. Her hand stroked my cheek.

"Oh, Liam," she whispered.

We were soon back in the pack house. My uncle waited outside our room. I carried Azalea inside and gently sat her on the bed. As I moved away, she grasped my hand. "Don't leave," she whispered.

"Never," I said. My uncle rolled his eyes but didn't make me move.

My uncle had no explanation for what happened. He suspected she was simply overwhelmed. He advised rest for the night. I left her with Lily to change while I showered quickly. When I emerged, she was sitting on the bed in my shirt and leggings, her curls loosely piled on her head, lost in thought. No matter how many times I saw her, she took my breath away.

"What are you thinking about, baby?" I asked, joining her on the bed.

"My wolf," she said softly.

"What about her?"

"Well, she said she gave me a second gift, right?"

"That's what you said…"

"Well, she never told me what it was. She just said it would help me as Luna. What if it had something to do with how you healed today?"

I considered her words. Could her gift be related to healing? "I don't know, baby. I've only heard rumors about White Moon. I never knew anyone from the pack until you…"

"Yeah," she sighed. I pulled her close, and she settled into my embrace.

"We need to find out, mate," Gavin said in my head.

"But how? If we believe Kol, he killed Isaac. Who else could tell us anything?"

"What about a White Moon elder? Surely Kol didn't kill the whole pack?" Gavin had a point.

"What if we could find out?" I asked Azalea.

"What do you mean?" she said, pulling away.

"What if we went to White Moon? Maybe we could find an elder with information. Maybe someone there can help us understand," I suggested.

Her eyes widened. I cupped her face, searching her expression. "Baby, if you don't want to…" I trailed off.

"Can we really do that?" she finally asked.

"Baby, I'd do anything for you. If you want to go to White Moon for answers, we will go," I said earnestly. Her lips curved into a loving smile. I kissed her. "I'll talk to Damien and Austin; we'll arrange everything."

The next few days were tense. Liam dealt with the aftermath of Kol's appearance at our mate announcement. That was the pack's primary concern, but it raised questions about earlier events. Liam sent wolves to check Kol's pack house; they found nothing.

He also sent wolves to White Moon with a message about our visit. He wasn't sure if Kol's claims about White Moon were true or to what extent. There was no news. Liam assured me we would go, but he wanted to use diplomacy, considering things with Alpha Isaac. I sensed his anxiety about more than just Isaac being on the "Azalea's the next leader" bandwagon.

Austin acted as my personal guard. Lily mentioned Liam and Damien were seeking a permanent replacement. I didn't complain to Liam; I knew he was scared. I felt his anxiety each morning when he woke before me. He wouldn't move until I was awake. I hoped his anxiety would fade.

Austin was nice and fun. We didn't have much in common but got along easily. We even had lunch with his mate. She was sweet, from another pack, and it was her first time meeting me. It was refreshing to interact with a pack member without animosity. I hoped the next guard would be as nice.

I tried to stay hidden. Austin suggested outings, but I thought it best to lie low. The reception at our announcement hadn't been warm, and I didn't want to create more problems for Liam. I spent time with Missy, a wonderful girl who shared my love of baking.

We were in the kitchen icing cupcakes when Liam found us. Austin, having taste-tested about six, sat nursing an upset stomach.

"Well, look at this," Liam said, entering. "What are my little Luna and best helper doing?"

Missy giggled. "Making cupcakes! Luna Azalea showed me how to put filling inside!" she exclaimed. I smiled. She'd been chatting for hours.

"Did she now?" he said, approaching me. I smiled, and he kissed me. "Missy, are you almost finished with my Luna? I was hoping to steal her before dinner," he said.

"Yep! All finished! I can put these away for dinner. Everyone will be excited," she said, bouncing. She looked at me. "Thank you for baking with me, Luna."

I smiled brightly. "No thank you for the company, Missy. I had a wonderful time," I said. Bending down, I continued, "Next time, I'll show you how to make apple crumble. Miss Abigail told me it's Delta Austin's favorite." Her eyes lit up. I think she had a crush on Austin, but he was gentle with her. He'd make a wonderful father.

Liam pulled me from the kitchen toward the front door. Our fingers intertwined, my other hand on his arm. With my life no longer under constant threat, Liam and I felt our bond flourishing. Liam had refrained from promiscuous adventures since the hotel, but I felt his growing desire nightly.

"So, My Alpha, what did you come to get me for?" I said, smiling up at him. He liked hearing those words.

He smirked mischievously. "Mmmm. Well, Little Luna, you're making me rethink my plan," he said huskily. I giggled. "Tonight, I thought it was time you and I got some fresh air. I hoped you'd accompany me on a date?" he said, stopping at the door.

"A date?" I said excitedly. He nodded, looking down at me. "Of course!" I exclaimed. His face lit up. He produced a coat and helped me on. "Where are we going?" he led me to the car.

"That, my Little Luna, is my secret," he said, lifting me into the car.

We didn't drive far before Liam pulled over in the woods. I gave him a questioning look. He smiled. "Just wait, baby," he said, getting out. He opened my door. I took his hand and climbed out. He opened the back seat and pulled out a bag.

"Liam, what's going on?" I asked.

Handing me his shirt, he said, "Put this in the bag, please?" with a smile. I placed his shirt in the bag while he removed his shoes and pants. I momentarily admired his mostly naked form. Since he'd marked me, he'd bulked up; larger arms, more defined abs, wider shoulders.

I put his clothes in the bag and asked again, "Liam, why are you getting naked? What is going on?" He closed the distance, placing his hands on my hips. I looked into his sparkling blue eyes. He was excited.

"I realized my beautiful mate never shifted into her wolf. She never experienced running through the forest. So, my Little Luna, I'm taking you for a ride," he said excitedly.

Before I could process, he kissed me and dropped his boxers in my hand. He shifted into his wolf. I'd never seen his wolf before. It was breathtaking. As an Alpha, he was taller than most wolves. His fur was blacker than night, with white tips on his ears, nose, and one paw. His fur looked soft and shone in the sun.

He bowed his head. I ran my fingers through his thick fur. He growled appreciatively, locking eyes with me.

"Climb on, baby," Liam's voice echoed in my head. I gasped.

"Liam, did you just…" I trailed off. He nodded.

"I've suspected for a while. A few times I heard you in my head when you weren't talking," his voice flooded me. Tears welled. "Don't cry, sweetheart. I thought you'd be happy," he said, nuzzling my face.

"I am. I'm so happy," I said, wiping away tears. I could link with my mate.

Liam laid down. "Go ahead, baby. Climb on," he said. I secured the bag and climbed onto his back. "Hold on tight, okay? I'm faster than most wolves," he advised.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, clutching his fur. I cuddled into his back. "Ready?" he asked. I nodded, and he took off. At first, I was scared. It was strange as the wind whipped past us. Liam bounded through the forest seamlessly. I felt his joy and relief.

Once I adjusted, I sat up slightly. My hair whipped behind me as I watched the trees. It was beautiful. Liam weaved playfully through the trees.

"That sound is beautiful," he said in my head. My cheeks flushed. Would he always have this effect?

We ran for ages. Liam never tired. I felt his and Gavin's excitement and amusement. We reached a clearing with a pond and waterfall. It was familiar; we'd been there before.

Liam stopped, sitting down. I slid off his back. He shifted back. I removed the bag, looking away from his naked body.

"Don't be so shy, kitten," he said huskily. "I'm your Alpha, after all." I felt my cheeks burn. He grabbed the bag. I desperately avoided looking at him. Soon, he'd redressed. He embraced me. I looked up at his handsome face and smiled, enjoying his warm arms.

"How was that?" he asked.

"Amazing. Thank you," I said.

"Anytime, baby," he said, kissing me sweetly. "I'm glad you had fun."

"I've never experienced anything like that," I said, awestruck. He rubbed his nose against mine.

"I want you to experience everything wonderful, sweetheart," he said softly. "Are you cold, Little Luna?" he asked, pulling me closer.

"Not in your arms," I said softly, burying my face in his neck. I inhaled his scent. He'd been tense; being here with him, relaxed, was refreshing. "Where are we?" I asked.

"You don't recognize it?" he said, grinning. I looked around.

"We've been here before. That night after your uncle came. You brought me here after you got jealous of…" I trailed off, remembering John.

"Yeah," he said, swallowing. He'd forgotten John was dead. "I thought it might be nice to have dinner alone here tonight," he said, stroking my cheeks.

"That sounds perfect," I said.

We were heading back to the pack house. Liam and I had a wonderful time in the clearing, eating, talking, and laughing until after sunset. He held my hand as we drove. It had been perfect.

As our bond grew, I felt Liam more clearly. He could feel me, and he seemed better at understanding my thoughts. Mates can feel and know each other's thoughts. We didn't know what our bond would be like without my wolf. Knowing we could link filled me with hope. I'd worried I was too broken to be a good Luna.

We pulled up to the pack house as Liam's phone rang. He'd left it in the car. He answered.

"Yeah?" he said. "I was busy… They claim to be from where?… Yeah… we'll be there in a minute… Don't tell them… Good…" I listened as he shot me a worried glance. He hung up, sighing.

"What's wrong?" I asked, saddened that our perfect night was over.

"Apparently, someone from White Moon is here, and they're looking for you…"