Azalea

Amy and I chatted while Liam got ready. When he emerged from the bathroom, I couldn't help but let my eyes rake down his body. Amy just laughed and made a joke about pregnancy hormones—if she only knew. Soon, Felix arrived, and I was to go to the inn and speak with Maddox. I was curious about what he had to say.

Felix and I went to the inn, entering through the back door into the kitchen. Breakfast was over, and Maddox was waiting for me in the dining room. I carefully navigated the busy kitchen, where the staff were preparing for lunch. The inn now had a sizable staff; we were no longer the small bed and breakfast the old man had started with his wife. We felt less like a B&B and more like a fully functioning inn. Felix had to squeeze sideways through the kitchen to avoid disturbing anyone.

When I entered the dining room, I saw Maddox sitting at a table with his back to me. Even from a distance, I could tell he'd cleaned up since last night. His dirty blonde hair was much lighter, and he wore a clean shirt. I noticed the sling on his shoulder and gave Felix a questioning look.

"You almost got him completely. He'll only need it for a few days," Felix muttered. I nodded. As Maddox turned, I approached him. He nodded respectfully.

"Good morning, Maddox," I said.

"Good morning, Luna," he replied.

"I understand you wanted to speak with me?" I asked, sitting down. He nodded, and I waited. Felix stood behind me, and Maddox looked nervously between us.

Turning to Felix, I said, "Would you mind giving us a moment? You can still perform your duties from the doorway," I said, gesturing to the doorway leading to the sitting area and reception desk with a sly smile. He narrowed his eyes and moved away. I turned back to Maddox.

"I apologize. My mate can be… overprotective. He's really a softy," I said, smiling.

Maddox slowly nodded. "For some reason, I don't believe that…" he muttered. I stifled a laugh.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" I asked.

"First, I wanted to thank you for…" He trailed off, looking down at his arm before looking back up. He cleared his throat. "I also wanted to ask something of you," he said more boldly.

I raised an eyebrow. "Okay. And what is that?"

"I want to be trained as a warrior," he said, sitting up straighter.

"A warrior?" I clarified.

"Yes, Luna," he said. I nodded, thinking.

"May I ask why?" I said after a moment.

"I watched the Luna of my former pack get killed. That creature ripped my pack apart, and I could do nothing," he said, his teeth gritted. "My entire family is gone. I couldn't protect them. I don't want that to happen again. If I'm lucky enough to find my mate, I want to protect them and my pack." He finished in a whisper. I glanced at Felix, who was clearly listening but gave no reaction.

I reached across the table and clasped Maddox's hand. "Maddox, that's noble, and I understand. But warriors risk their lives daily and may not return to their mates. The pain of losing a mate often kills the mate left behind. That's the choice you're considering," I said. This was all too real for me; it's how we adopted Missy.

He nodded. "There's a chance my mate died before I even knew her; I'm not seventeen yet. What are the chances my mate is in your pack? I may not be so lucky, Luna. But if I find her, I want to protect her," he said confidently.

"Hmmm," I said, admiring his confidence. He was a good-sized kid—broad-shouldered but thin, and quite tall, if I remembered correctly from last night. He'd likely had no combat training in his old pack. I bit my lip, thinking of our warriors. They begin training around the time they get their wolves, so they're strong and capable by adulthood.

"Our warriors start training much younger than you, and the Alpha would need to give permission," I said finally. His shoulders slumped for a moment.

"I'll train harder than anyone, and I'm a fast learner. I won't let you down," he quickly recovered.

I chuckled. "Alright. I'll speak to my mate after we verify your group's identity," I said, smiling.

"Thank you, Luna," he said, bowing his head. He glanced at Felix. I stood, saving him from further awkwardness.

"I need to go. You'll all be moving to the main pack territory today, I believe," I told him. His eyes widened.

"This isn't your pack land?" he asked.

"It is, but this is a human town on the edge of our territory. We support the town with some pack members, but most live elsewhere," I said, smiling.

"Wow," he said.

"We'll talk soon," I said, moving towards Felix. He followed me to the front of the inn. "Shall we get Liam?" I asked. Felix nodded. It wasn't until we were in the parking lot that Felix spoke.

"The kid has promise. A good heart," he said in his low, monotonous voice.

"I agree," I said. "I think he'd make a great protégé for you." I smirked as he opened the car door. He stiffened slightly but didn't respond.

Liam

"What did she do?" I nearly yelled at my mother on the phone. We were returning to the pack house, and I wanted to check on the kids.

"She snuck out, Liam," my mother said. "Your father noticed and was waiting for her. I finally got it out of her this morning that she went on a date with Vlad."

I growled. "She snuck out to go on a date with Vlad?"

"Yes. She said she was tired and going to bed early. I didn't think anything of it—you always trained or slept, especially your last few months of high school," my mother said.

"Where is she now?" I asked.

"In her bedroom upstairs. Robert added a lock to the balcony door, and we took her phone," she said.

"Good. When I get back, I'm going to strangle that good-for-nothing—" Azalea took the phone.

"Lyssa," she said. "Could Robert drop her off in an hour? Could you keep Liam and Leo another night? Liam and I need to deal with Missy immediately."

Oh, I was going to deal with Missy after Vlad. I almost called Abraham to meet me in my office with his son.

"Thank you," she said. "Talk soon." Azalea hung up and handed me the phone—then pulled it out of reach.

"You're not calling Abraham," she warned.

"His son is turning my daughter into a delinquent! Sneaking out of her grandparents' house? She's grounded!" I boomed.

"I'll speak with Abraham; I seem to be the only calm one," she said. "You need to control yourself, Alpha," she said accusingly.

"I will not calm down!" I argued.

"Liam, did you never sneak out of the pack house or disobey your parents?" she retorted, giving me a look suggesting I was being ridiculous.

"That's different. I didn't have a girlfriend!" I said.

"Let's not go there," she sighed. "Screaming at her will only make things worse. Isn't it punishment enough that your father was waiting for her in her room?" she asked. I rolled my eyes. "From a young girl's perspective, your father is terrifying when angry."

"So am I," I growled.

Azalea sighed and cupped my cheek. "You're her father. Your disappointment will reach her more than your anger," she said softly.

She was right, but I didn't want to admit it. I pulled her hand away and kissed her palm gently. "Fine," I said. "But I'm still going to kill the boy."

I stood outside Missy's room, waiting for Azalea to speak to her. I hadn't calmed down, especially after my father's comments on my parenting. He had no room to talk; he wasn't a parent to me. He only trained me to be Alpha. He was oblivious to everything my friends and I did growing up.

Azalea said she'd speak to Missy first. I impatiently waited, cursing the soundproof doors. Finally, Azalea emerged, softly closing the door. I gave her an expectant look.

"Don't you have things to attend to?" she said nonchalantly. I did, but I was fuming.

"What did she say?" I asked. Azalea walked calmly down the hall.

"She wanted to go out with Vlad, so she snuck out. She was tired of only seeing him at the pack house," Azalea said, shrugging.

"That's it?" I asked incredulously.

"Yes, Liam. I told her to stay in her room until we decide what to do," she said, sighing. She gave me a scrutinizing look. "Liam, go for a run. Let Gavin out. Clear your head. Take Damien if you have to. Send Felix to babysit me. We can discuss Missy tonight. I need to finish Gwen's arrangements." I held her gaze before relenting. I was cooped up, and the stress was worsening my anger. Gavin needed to run.

"Fine," I said. "I'll go out. You stay in your office. I'm not convinced you're fully recovered from last night."

She smiled softly. "I'm perfectly fine," she said. "Deep sleep does wonders for pregnancy." So, she had jokes now? I gave her an unimpressed look. "Really, I have enough to do. Marci can send up lunch. Go clear your head. You have plenty to deal with too." She grabbed my shoulders, trying to turn me. I gave in, letting her push me down the hall.

I let her push me about twenty feet before turning around, surprising her. I scooped her up and carried her to her office, sending Felix a mental message on the way. By the time I deposited her on the couch and kissed her, Felix was waiting in the doorway. I left Azalea in her office and headed towards the woods. I was barely undressed when Gavin surfaced and shifted.