Chapter 1

I’m alone.. in a pack full of wolves. I live here, with my grandfather… the Alpha of White Moon Pack. My mother’s pack. My father sent me here, four months ago.. He is the Beta to Alpha John Taylor of River Run Pack.. in Missouri….and he knew I couldn’t stay. The Alpha’s son, Jacob, is my true mate. He mated me.. but never marked me.. even though he promised forever.

His father forced him to mate the daughter of the Alpha of a neighboring pack for an alliance.. with the largest pack in the southeast. So, he did. Then, I found out I was pregnant. And every night Jacob fucked his daddy’s whore.. the pain was so bad I nearly lost my baby.

I have an appointment with the Luna Queen in an hour…I am going to ask her if they will break my mate bond. I am worried for Angel.. my wolf. She is heartbroken and me.. well.. I’m past the heartbreak. Now, I’m just pissed.

Pulling up to the gates of the kingdom, I tell the guard my name is Jolene Garrett… here for an audience with the Luna Queen. And after a few moments, he smiled and let me through. I drove up to the castle and got out of my jeep. A lovely woman and a man the size of a Redwood Tree was standing on the steps to greet me. She stepped forward and said “Please call me Lynette.. this is my mate, Damien, the King. It requires both of us to break your bond. Follow us.. and you can tell us your story.”

We arrive in a beautiful garden and she offers me a seat. Taking it, she tells me to begin. I try to smile.. “My name is Jolene Garett. I am originally from River Run Pack in Missouri. My father is the Beta.. August Garrett. My mate is the Alpha’s son, Jacob Taylor. He mated with me.. but he didn’t mark me. After two weeks of being together, he told me he couldn’t see me anymore. His father had arranged a forced mating with an Alpha’s daughter from a neighboring pack that his father needed an alliance with. I didn’t ask what pack..because frankly.. I didn’t care. All I was told is it’s the largest pack in the southeast. Every night, Jacob fucked his daddy’s whore.. and every night, I screamed in agonizing pain. I found out I was pregnant by nearly miscarrying. I am a white wolf. A healer. My wolf, Angel, wore herself out healing my child every night. So, my father decided to send me to my mother’s old pack. White Moon in Montana. My grandfather is still the Alpha there. I am nearly five months along now. And Angel is struggling. I don’t want my wolf to continue suffering. Had he rejected me, I don’t think we would be this bad”

The queen jumped to ger feet.. “That fucker didn’t reject you before he mated, marked and fucked that whore?” I shook my head and she grabbed my hand while the King took my other one. They chanted something for a few minutes.. and I felt an immense pain in my chest.. then a sharp snap like a huge rubber band broke in my chest.. I heard Angel whimper then she curled up to sleep.

Then, the pain was gone. The longing.. the grief.. and sadness.. just gone! And before I could stop myself, I hugged the Queen. I hugged the Queen! The fuck is wrong with me!? She just laughed and hugged me back. Not too many people can say that! She asked if I would stay for dinner, but I told her I promised I would be back by dark. My grandpa worries. She did tell me I am welcome anytime.

Back on the road, and headed home, my phone rang and I hit the answer button on my steering wheel.. “Hey dad!” Are you doing okay? “Fine, dad. As fine as I can be… why?” Something is wrong with Jacob. And I got worried it might be happening to you. “Hunh! Nope! I’m fine! And I prefer not hearing that fucker’s name. I don’t care that something’s wrong with him. His pain only makes me feel joy, if I’m honest. We can talk about anything else, Dad… just not him!” I understand, peanut. I’m sorry. I will let you go.. FaceTime me tomorrow. Love you! And he hung up.. While my face split in a huge grin!

I got back to the pack a few hours later, deciding to forego questions from my grandfather, I just went to my cottage. Fixed me a sandwich and caught up on my schoolwork. I enrolled in an online course for culinary school. I hadn’t thought this would be my life at eighteen.. but here I am. My eighteenth birthday, Jacob and I realized we were mates. I thought he was happy.. I know he was. We spent two weeks together. I didn’t want to have sex without marking.. it didn’t feel right. Eventually, I’m not sure if he convinced me.. or if Angel just wanted her mate that much. Either way.. he was gone the next day.

I kept asking my brother, Tyler, where he was. Why I hadn’t seen him.. every time, I tried to go to the pack house, I was stopped. On the third day, I got a text.. explaining why he hadn’t been around. You heard right.. a text message from this stellar, upstanding leader of men!

Next morning, I knocked on Grandpa’s office door and he told me come in. “Hey, Grandpa.. I was wondering.. can I join the pack here? I hadn’t asked before..because I think I was holding out hope against hope, I would have a home to go back to. But there’s nothing there for me” He stood up and pulled me into his arms. “Tell me about yesterday “

“There’s nothing to tell, really. I met with the Royal pair and they asked for my story, before making a decision. Once I told them everything, the Queen let me hug her, and they broke the bond” He sat behind his desk, never interrupting.. no facial expression. He listened.. then he nodded. “So, what are your plans?” I looked at him with a question on my face.. and he said “About that baby? You are eighteen. It’s an Alpha pup. On both sides… but the heir to River Run. You should consider allowing it to be raised within its’ bloodline”

I nodded.. then I stood.. “I will be gone by nightfall, Grandpa! I would say I appreciate your hospitality and all that shit.. but I would be lying! You no longer exist in my world! I know my mother would be so proud of her daddy right now!” And I spun on my heel.. marching back to the cottage. It took me exactly 37 minutes to pack my shit and leave!

“On the road again..”

My phone rang.. “Hey Dad! What’s up?” The other end of the line crackles.. always makes me laugh, but my being so high in the mountains it’s understandable. Are you coming to attend your brother’s ascension ceremony? I sigh.. this is the same conversation we have had for a month now. “I don’t have a brother. I have a son! And I have a father! I have a three star Michelin restaurant. I have a four year old Jeep and I have a three bedroom cottage. But, I don’t have a brother.” My poor dad. I love him.. and I understand his position. But Tyler should have had my back. Family! I hear Dad sigh “All right peanut! I understand.. I do! I love you! More than you know. Give Matthew a kiss from his old Grandpa, yeah?” I love you, too, Daddy!

The last nineteen months have been hard. Becoming a lone wolf fourteen months ago. Thank Goddess the King and Queen were empathetic and granted me that status wherever I live. The only catch.. I have to live close to a pack and have permission from the Alpha. So, I settled on Smoky Moon Pack here in Tennessee. The Alpha and Luna are kind enough.. Thomas and Edith Bronson..and while they know part of my story… they don’t know all. Learned my lesson with that!

I bought my cabin just outside pack borders so Angel can run. And finished culinary school. I was lucky.. there is a three star Michelin restaurant here in Mountain Pine.. and the owners had fallen on hard times, so they allowed me to buy in. They have no children, and Mike is talking about retiring..signing the restaurant over to me when his wife passes. She has brain cancer and it’s terminal.

My beautiful bundle of joy popped into my life fifteen months ago tomorrow.. straight up 19 seconds after midnight on the night of the first blue moon in five years. My special Matthew August Garrett! He is my everything! And he is a tyrant! A holy terror ripping through my entire world every ten minutes. A bundle of energy that seems to explode into life every morning no later than six a.m. and goes Mach5 until nine every night. Sometimes, we’re lucky… and he takes a fifteen minute nap around one in the afternoon. Sometimes…

I help out at the pack hospital a few days a week. More.. if necessary.. because injuries happen. Several months back, about a dozen warriors were ambushed by a band of rogues passing through. So.. that was an all-nighter. But, it’s the least I can do, since Matthew goes to daycare at the pack. He needs to be around wolves his age.

I have an elderly she-wolf living with me.. as a live-in nanny. Her name is Alice and a pure joy to be around. Her mate died ten years ago, and when we met.. she was floundering.. trying to find direction. She tells me she’s found that with us. She treats me like she’s my mother and Matthew her grandson. And I love it! I think the Moon Goddess saw the need in each of us.. and led us to find each other. I will be forever grateful!

We have just finished breakfast and Alice immediately jumps up to clean the kitchen. I ask her “Ma, you want to ride to the pack with the monkeybutt and me, today?” She hmmms and seems to think on it.. she isn’t really.. she just thinks it makes me feel better “No, love.. I have that wedding quilt to finish for the beta’s daughter.. then, I have some laundry to do and I want to mop the kitchen.. My book club is at 4… so maybe next time” and I laugh! This is our routine. Four days a week, I head to the pack to train with the warriors.. Matthew goes to daycare, and Alice makes excuses. She only goes to the pack now, for mandatory attendance. I kiss her cheek and tell her not to overdo.

Loading Matthew up in the jeep, we head out. The radio is turned up and the wind is rushing past us.. while my son is animatedly singing his version of the song playing. Driving past the border gate, I wave at Paul, as we pass and he tosses a lollipop through my window for Matthew. This kid! Everyone is wrapped around his finger and he knows it!

After dropping the baby off at daycare, I saunter into the training center and over to where Eddie and Trish are practicing sword fighting. I watch them for awhile.. then turn back.. looking for Brandon. Today is my katana training, and it’s my favorite. We went at it hard and heavy for nearly an hour.. and I was able to pin him.. twice! Really proud of that!

I was sparring with Tricia for fifteen minutes, when she asked “Want to go out with us Saturday night? Please don’t say no! It’s my 21st birthday and it would be nice to have another she-wolf there.. who isn’t a bitch!” I start laughing.. hard.. “She-wolf.. Bitch..? In the same sentence.. Andddd you kept a straight face! Neat talent!” She flipped me off! She’s classy! I just told her I would think about it.

I made it back home by 4.. and noticed Alice must be at her book club. It’s my night to close the Mountain Den.. and I have to be there by 5 to prep the dinner dishes. It’s Wednesday, so the specialty is beef wellington. But I like to offer a variety of sides.. a truffle risotto.. potatoes au gratin.. Mike does a signature polenta that I just can’t get on board with.. but he’s teaching it to me. It just takes like soupy cornmeal to me. I don’t say that anymore though. He whacked me with a spatula.. so okayyy.. lesson learned!

Amber comes to the kitchen “Jo, someone is requesting the chef in the front of the house.. table 34.” I grab my dress chef’s jacket and hat.. because cooking is messy and I never enter the front of the house anything less than immaculate. It reflects on the restaurant. Walking up to table 34, I extend my hand “Hello! I’m Jolene Garrett.. your chef this evening.” A middle aged couple sat there.. with a younger male, most likely their son, judging by the resemblance and a debutant looking snoot with her lip curled. Hmmm. The gentleman complimented the beef.. the lady said she had had the truffle risotto and it was delightful. The younger man asked how long I had been cooking and he thoroughly enjoyed the wellington and it was cooked to perfection. I thanked them all for their very kind words and turned to walk away.. and the snoot felt the need to throw her two cents on the table. “My beef was quite underdone. I ordered the risotto but had to send it back three times before I simply gave up. Entirely too starchy. And my artichoke was too chewy and fibrous.. leaving a horrible taste in my mouth.. even rinsing it with this swill you call wine couldn’t cut the taste. The rest of the table looked embarrassed as I laughed out loud.

I looked then realized “Oh, you’re serious! If your wellington was undercooked, possibly you shouldn’t have ordered it rare. Risotto, of course, is starchy.. it’s rice.. after all.. as far as your artichoke… well, might I suggest, next time, don’t try to actually eat the ‘choke’ of the heart? It most definitely is tough, and fibrous and completely inedible. Everyone knows that... I am sorry the $300 bottle of eight year old Cabernet Sauvignon was not up to your discerning palate. I am sure the seventeen world awards would dispute your claim.. but in this business.. we generally choose the best. If your plan was for me to comp your meal, I fear you will be sorely disappointed. However, the kind people whom you have embarrassed…out of hand, for no other reason but to impress this poor red-faced young man.. will have their meals comped. On your behalf! And, please (speaking to the older gentleman) accept MY apologies for your guest’s uneducated and poorly executed critique of the food in my restaurant.” I shook his hand and walked away.. laughing my ass off!

There’s one in every crowd! I truly hope that little shit is not that man’s mate! Imagine! A life trapped with such a pretentious, uninformed parvenu like that! I shudder to think! Amber ran to the back and handed me a handwritten note.

I must apologize for the horrible rudeness of my mate. When we asked for your presence at out table it was to only compliment our dinner. My parents and I were caught completely off-guard by her words.. and now I find the need to reevaluate my entire life and whether accepting her as my mate is in the best interest of my pack and myself. But way to take it on the chin!

Sincerely

Alpha Blake Landon

I dressed in ripped skinny jeans and boots.. a cute graphic tee stating ‘my life is mine, but I’d consider a trade’.. I got Matthew in bed and kissed Alice’s cheek.. I grabbed my leather jacket and headed to The Lair to meet Trish and the guys for her birthday.

I was actually having a good time. I don’t go out. Being a single mother I have focused only on being successful.. building a life for my son. Trish and I were on the dance floor and I was trying to teach her to twerk.. Girl got no bootie! It was hysterical already downing my third drink had me thinking it was hilarious!

I took a bathroom break and swung past the bar to order a round for the table.. And sitting on a stool next to the drink station was that same young Alpha from my restaurant. I smiled and my drunk ass decided I should speak “Thank you for your note! I appreciated it, but know I am used to dealing with silly little debutant asses like your mate on a regular basis” FUCK! “I am so sorry… alcohol lips! And I would apologize for insulting your mate.. but I’m not really sorry and I’m not a hypocrite.” He burst into laughter and said “Well fuck! Tell me how you really feel!” And we laughed together.

I invited him to join the party and he told me he would love to.. as soon as his Beta, Dalton arrived. And I skipped back over, letting the guys know an alpha and beta would be joining us soon… explaining how I met him. Eddie raised an eyebrow and I said “Fuck off! You know I’m not a dick chaser so don’t look at me like that!” And we all laughed as Trish said “I’m a dick chasing champion.. and I’ll chase dick ‘til the cows come home!” Because Blake and Dalton chose that very moment to sit down at our table.. with Dalton grinning at Trish saying “Well, hello there darlin’!” I lost it at her face! I laughed so hard I nearly fell off my stool, had Blake not caught me!

Blake asked what prompted that whole conversation and Eddie filled him in. We found out Blake’s pack was Bear Creek Pack.. and this town was part of his territory, as well as the Lair being owned by the pack. His mate’s name is Crystalline. Not Crystal.. and certainly not Crys. And I mumbled “Because ‘Bitchface’ isn’t allowed on a birth certificate and Brandon said “Out loud thoughts again, Jo!” Fuck! I jump up and grab Trish “Let’s dance!” As the table cracks up!

We got back to the table to another round of drinks and we decided to play ‘never have I ever’ Trish started with never have I ever stole a car and I was the only one who drank. Eddie said “you stole a car?’ I muttered “On accident! It wasn’t my fault! It looked just like mine! And I brought it back as soon as a little girl in the back seat informed me I was not her mommy!” The table cracked up! When it was my turn I said never have I ever had sex in a bathroom. And everyone at the table drank. I laughed “You bunch a whores!” And Trish said “aww honey.. you’ve barely had missionary sex.. so it’s best you don’t play those questions” and I flipped her off! Bitch! Hang my dirty panties out there for the world to see! And Brandon said “Laundry, sweetie, not panties..and again.. Out Loud thoughts”

I said “ I seriously need to see somebody about that!” And Eddie said “a therapist can’t fix it!” And they laughed. Blake asked what we all do and Trish told him she is a coach at the primary school.. and the guys are warrior trainers. Dalton asked if none of us have mates and drunk Trish, apparently, is not my friend says “Jolene had one.. the rest of us.. not yet!” And the thirty second delay on her brain kicked in and her eyes got huge “I Am So Fucking Sorry, Honey! Please forgive me!!?” I shrugged.. because, not for nothing.. I was drunk enough to not care “Hey! No harm, no foul! We’re all friends, right!?”

A little later, I was saying my goodbyes and gathering my things, when Blake asked to walk me out. I said sure and turned to walk out the door. The air hit me smack in the face.. then realized I may have had one too many. I laughed “I’mma walk over there and have a few cups of coffee until I’m sober!” pointing to a diner across the street. And he asked if I minded if he joined me. I shrugged mumbling a sexy as fuck man asking to have coffee and he’s mated. The Goddess hates me.

He started laughing and said “That’s a real issue for you, isn’t it?” I looked at him, asking “What!? Fuck me! I said it out loud. Yeah.. but believe it or not.. it’s better than it used to be! I can mostly control it around Matthew” Sitting down, he asks “Matthew?” And I nod.. because talking about my monkeybutt is my favorite thing to do “My 15 month old toddler. He already repeats ‘Fuck’ at random intervals and Alice smacks me with wooden spoons and shit for it!” He laughs and says “So you have a Matthew AND an Alice? You are becoming more and more interesting!” I just shrug and order pancakes and a pot of coffee.

He smiles and says “Tell me about your used-to-be mate and how you ended up here.. if it’s not too personal” and I think.. why the hell not!? I’m not ashamed of my past, and it’s not like I’ll ever see him again, right!? So, I tell him everything.. ending with “After the king and queen broke the mate bond, I felt alive again.. and moved to Mountain Pine to start over. And here we are!” He sat there just looking at me for so long, I asked if there was something on my face. He laughed and said “I have never met anyone like you! Life gave you a shit ton of lemons and you make lemonade for the neighborhood.” I cracked up “Fuck that! I made limoncello mojitos and threw a party!” And he laughed again!

We said our good nights and I went home. It was a good night and I had had a good time! Which was really nice for a change and I realized.. I can still have fun.. I’m not even twenty yet! My whole life awaits

Sitting in the office this morning, my mind keeps going over everything Jolene told me last night. She really is an amazing, resilient woman. And smart.. resourceful.. and funny as fuck! Dalton comes walking in, with a shit eating grin on his face.. I narrowed my eyes at him “Did you hook up with that girl last night?” And he laughed “She wasn’t lying when she said she could chase dick until the cows come home! Just sayin’..” and we both cracked up. I was just like him.. back in the day!

He asked “What about you? That cute little blonde seemed to catch your eye! Did you check out that girl’s ass! Dayummm! Bet you could bounce quarters off that thing!” I snapped “No! She’s just a funny decent girl! I have a mate and would never cheat on her!” Dalton smirked “Yeah.. brother! Too bad your mate don’t live by that philosophy! Word is she ain’t a nobody.. she’s an ANYbody’s! But.. you aren’t ready to hear that story!”

I sat up in my chair.. “What are you talking about? If you know something, you need to tell me! I’m already struggling with even thinking she would be our Luna.. and my wolf.. Odin.. hates her and Nancy. Her wolf’s name is Nancy for the love of our Goddess! But how can Odin hate her? It makes no sense!”

He pulls his phone out of his pocket.. going to his messages says “Okay.. I didn’t take any of these.. I don’t even know who did.. so don’t shoot the messenger, dude! My body is too pristine to sport holes in it!” And hands me his phone.

I scroll through the photos.. about twenty of them. And there she is.. My mate. Crystalline. In flagrant states of undress. Riding wolves like a rodeo cowgirl. Sucking dick like she’s paying her way through college. I link my dad to come to my office.. laying his phone down. Dalton says “Let me bring up her IG.. this will probably piss you off.” And he scrolls a bit, then clicks on ‘The Queen of Bear Creek ’ There are thousands of pics.. her in pasties and g-strings.. in sheer lingerie.. demi-bras and crotchless panties. Her private parts are strategically covered or blurred.. but Goddess damnit!

Dad walks in and I just hand him the phone. He scrolls a few minutes.. then lays the phone face down. He says “Well” then clears his throat. “I don’t know what to say. I could suggest you make her close all her social media accounts. But, the pictures are out there now! And.. because of that.. the entire reputation of our pack is on the line.” I picked the phone up and go back to the text messages of pictures.. showing him those. And he growls. “She’s your mate. And rejecting your mate is harmful for all concerned.. But I can only advise you. Not tell you what to do!”

I agreed saying “ This goes beyond being the icing on the cake.. that privilege went to her behavior at the restaurant last week. This is the whole fucking cake topper. Odin hates her, Dad. He says she stinks! And not stink in a generic sense.. stinks as in week old socks in your gym locker stinks! I am seriously considering asking the monarchy to break the bond. I haven’t been able to even mate her.. much less think about marking her! Odin wouldn’t allow my dick to get hard ever again, if I even tried!”

Dalton cracked up and I snapped “Sure.. it’s funny for you! Your dick is standing at attention if the wind blows across it!” He smirks “Don’t be hatin’ dude! I’m not going to join you on BrokeDick Mountain!” And that had my dad laughing. “Sooo happy my pain brings you both joy!” Which made my dad laugh harder!

He stands saying “Mom and I have a reservation at Mountain Den tonight.. why don’t you boys join us and you run this debacle past your mother? She may have insight from a different perspective! It’s worth a shot!” And I nod.. thinking it’s another chance to see the gorgeous Jolene! And she is occupying entirely too much of my headspace. I should start charging rent!

I downloaded the photos to my laptop.. thinking.. after I send that email, I was going to have to scrub my hard drive with ajax and a choreboy! I drafted the email. Attaching the photos and the link to her Instagram. Explaining the dilemma I was facing.. but feeling it would be detrimental to Odin to outright reject the whore.

Dalton and I went out for a run. Odin needing to stretch. And I needed to work out frustrations. ? Odin, I’m sorry. We didn’t get the crème de la crème of mates ? Dude.. we don’t get to see a lineup of hotties and pick the one we want. Let’s just go with the Goddess got this one wrong. ? But.. I can’t even think of one redeeming quality..there’s nothing to work with! ? Quit worrying. Whining about it.. won’t change it and only we have that power!

Realizing he is right.. we head back to shower and get ready to go to dinner. I’m actually looking forward to something.. for the first time in a long time. I take my time deciding what to wear. I settled on black dress pants with black leather boots. An emerald green dress shirt that I knew made my eyes look good. I pulled my hair high into a topknot and trimmed my ‘five o’clock shadow’ beard. And I know I look good! I feel good! Then, I laugh at my own silliness!

I can’t get Jo out of my head. Odin has told me he talks to Angel… and that shouldn’t be possible without being members of the same pack. I find myself wondering if it’s because she is a healer. They’re so rare. And sought after by many packs.. since Damien and Lynette have been in charge…wolves are safer. But there is still so many nefarious things that go on. And holding special wolves captive is one of them. Still corrupt Alphas….and still many packs not following the doctrines of the Moon Goddess!

Walking down to the landing, Dalton looks at me and gives a slow whistle “If I was a chick.. I’d do you! Will you be my date for the prom??” And I punched him! “What the fuck is wrong with you, dude!?”

I have just walked in from training at the pack. I yelled “Alice! Matthew learned a new word today. Maybe you can help me unteach it to him? Damn four year olds have an unbelievable vocabulary that they seem to want to teach ev-er-ybody!” She laughs and says “What word?” I smirk and try to say it low enough so he doesn’t repeat it.. again… since he sang it allll the way home! Whispering “fucker” was apparently loud enough for him to start his little ditty again “fuckerfuckerfuckerfucker… me like fuckerfuckerfuc..” You get the picture. She scoops him up and rushes him to take a bath telling him Sucker is another word for lollipop! And I thank the Goddess for her again!

I shower and throw on black dress pants with a silver lame’ halter top and matching black blazer. Toss my hair up in a messy bun pulling tendrils loose to frame my face.. doing my makeup and slip into my heels.

Heading out the door, I kiss my little family and race out the door. Mike’s cooking tonight and I’m front of the house , tending bar! I love working the bar! Everyone thinks you’re their own personal psychotherapist!

Parking my jeep, I notice we are slammed! Praying our servers aren’t in the weeds, I rush inside to find things running fairly well.. so I step into the back and give Mike a hug.. asking how Margie is and he just shakes his head. Being a healer, had I met them a few years earlier, I could have helped her. Unfortunately, it’s too late now.

I clip my bottle opener to my belt loop and tuck a bar towel in my back pocket, looking at the clock. Fifteen minutes to showtime! The bar reopens at 7.. after happy hour is done.. and that’s my shift!

An hour into shift and we are busy! And I’m dealing with a handsy prick who decided my tits are handles to hold himself on a stool. I already cut off his alcohol supply and am waiting for a free minute to toss his ass out. Ten minutes later he grabbed my tit again and I slammed his head on the bar.. grabbing the scruff of his neck I forced him into a bent over position.. walking him to the door, I shoved him out, kicking him in the ass. Strolled back in.. washing my hands. I take a deep breath, paste a smile on my face and ask a man what’s his pleasure before looking up. “I’ll have a limoncello mojito without the bloody nose, maybe?” When my eyes met the forest green ones looking back at me, I cracked up! “Yeah.. not one of my shining moments,right?” Fucking drunks! Thinking my tits are the way to hold himself up! And I realized.. saying “Sorry… out loud thoughts..”

Blake laughed. “When you catch a break, would you join us at our table? I would like you to formally meet my parents?” I laugh “Whoa buddy! We shared pancakes and a pot of coffee.. I’m not ready to meet the parents yet!” He laughed again “Fuck off! That’s not what I meant and you know it!” I chuckle telling him “Yeah.. but it’s fun seeing you get flustered!”

The dinner rush had waned.. the bar was deserted and I stepped to the back to let Mike know I was asked to join a customer’s table for a bit. Approaching the table, I heard the woman say “Put those disgusting things away. No decent girl would act that way!” And Blake notices me “Ahh.. well.. let’s ask a decent girl.. just be aware, she has no filter and cusses like a sailor!” I smirk “way to hype me up to the folks. Asswipe!” And he says see? He asks me to sit.. then hands me a phone. I glance at it and gasp! “Dude! Why you showing me a pic of your dick deep throating your mate? Ewww!” He laughs “Look closer.. that’s not me.. scroll through and let us know your opinion” I looked back down.. and see it isn’t Blake “Well, be thankful.. this guy looks like he’s a member of the small angler’s club” Looking up, everyone has a puzzled look on their faces “Little worm?” And they laugh.. I scroll through.. counting at least eight different guys. “She knows it’s not a competition, right? Dick sucking isn’t an Olympic sport.. there IS no gold medal! Holy shit! If she had as many sticking out as have stuck in.. she’d look like a porcupine!” Dalton guffawed loudly “Fuck me! I love this girl! Can I keep her?” And I giggled “Oh hey Dalton! How’s Trish? Good as she says she is?” He laughed again.

“So, what was the question?” Blake responds “My mom was curious what kind of girl would do things like that.. knowing she has a mate..” I nod.. “Well.. the pics are date and time stamped.. so she can’t claim these were from before she found you. But in my expert, unbiased opinion I would have to say the type of girl pictures of this nature would require is a slut..a skank…hooker..hussy.. take your pick!” Dalton smirks “I was leaning towards floozy.. but yours are good, too!”

I look at his parents and say “In all seriousness, I can tell you.. as an Alpha And Beta’s daughter.. a woman of her nature is not a good fit for Luna.. she would eventually bring shame and embarrassment to your pack. And while I don’t presume to know the reputation of your pack.. I do know it’s never a good thing to have it tainted with that brush”.. and his mother says “and I suppose you believe you would be a better fit for my son! More suited to Luna?” Blake gasps “MOTHER!” And I shake my head sadly.

“Luna.. I apologize if that is your takeaway from my offering of my opinion. But you may rest assured… being anyone’s Luna is the farthest fucking thing from my aspirations. You couldn’t fucking pay me enough money to even entertain the notion! I was a fated mate to an Alpha and dodged that huge fucking bullet! So.. if you’ll excuse me. I would say it’s been a pleasure.. but masturbating in a phone booth full of bobcats would have been more enjoyable”…

I walk away… hearing Blake and even his father yelling at the woman and for some reason, for the first time in a very long time, I cried. It confused me because I am seldom bothered by others’ opinions. But that one hurt! I walked to the back and told Mike I was going home..and walked out.

Mike’s POV~.

I looked up as she left. Our Jo never cries. Life just doesn’t get her down. It’s not sitting right with me.. and I look out the front. I see a four top.. arguing, and realize that’s where Jo had been. I storm up to the table and say “ I don’t know which one of you made our Jo cry! And I don’t give a fuck! That girl has been through hell! Stuck with a piece of shit mate who wanted to fuck her but not mark her! An alpha who took a chosen the night after he stole Jo’s virginity.. without rejecting his true mate he fucked that whore night after night.. nearly killing that sweet girl! Almost causing her to lose her precious baby! Yet.. she smiles. She laughs. She brings joy to anyone even lucky enough to be in her presence! To be considered a part of her circle feels like being blessed by the Goddess herself! She is the bringer of light in every dark existence! In all the time I have known her.. the only time I saw a tear in her eye was the day her Matthew was born! And they were tears of joy! But that! Those tears I just saw streaming down her face!? That was pain! That was shame! How fucking dare you come into HER restaurant… a place she has worked hard to make her own… and cause her anything of the sort! The shame is yours! I hope you drown in it!