We somehow manage to survive the night without marking or mating but there are numerous moments of awkwardness which result in both of us deciding by mutual agreement to not look even remotely in the other's direction. Isaac accidentally releases me while moving and raises his hand as if to slap me, causing me to flinch.

I instantly shift in defence, trying to block out both the pain from the heat and the memories. I realise we should have done this earlier as this way we can't see anything. He copies me and gives me a gentle lick on the ears, soothing the heat. We lie next to each other contentedly, my head on my paws. Isaac sighs and cuddles up to me, echoing my position.

The night passes quickly as I fall asleep, the effects of heat wearing off as it draws to an end, and immense sense of relief settles over me; it's over. The nightmare, it's over.

By the time morning comes, the heat has gone completely and I can move away from Isaac without pain. We stay in our wolf forms however, as we still have no clothes. He gives me a gentle nudge to make me get up and gestures with his head for me to follow him. He scampers through the forest until he gets to a small hill and gives an ear splitting howl. He suddenly shifts and I slam my eyes shut in horror: I don't want to see him naked, especially as his 'parts' are exactly at my eye level. Isaac laughs and tilts my chin up towards him.

"You can open your eyes Iz." Hesitantly, I open them and am rewarded to see his green ones staring back, piercing my soul. I lick his face and he jerks his head away laughing.

"Seriously?" I nod and give him the wolf equivalent of a grin, baring my teeth in a manner that (I hope) is on threatening.

"Anyway, what I was going to say before you interrupted me;" I have enough guilt to look ashamed of myself; "Is we're heading back to the pack if that's okay with you."

I nod my assent and he shifts again and we race off into the distance, the miles nothing under our swift paws, our claws carving furrows into the soft earth, the trees blur in our peripheral vision, my mind fixated on beating Isaac to his own pack borders, beyond caring about any border patrols that will execute me the moment they catch sight of Jack.

The sky above us is cloudless, the sun streaming down through cracks in the forest canopy, the birdsong preceding us a joy to hear, constant alarm calls echoing through the air as me and Isaac pass by. The smell of the pack grows stronger as the distance between us and the territory decreases. Isaac and me mess around like eager young pups, play fighting and fake threatening snaps at each other. Jack and Nate, on contrary, growl constantly in an argument that neither me nor Isaac understand.

At last we come in view of the pack borders and we slow down, Isaac's eyes glazing over as he communicates with, presumably, the border guards, telling them to let us pass.

That's a relief. I don't want to hurt more packwolves.

I mean I wouldn't mind -

They're our pack now Jack. We're supposed to protect them, that's our job as Luna.

We continue to race across the large stretch of grass to the pack house, releasing all our pent up energy. I only focus on beating him to the front door, going at a flat out sprint. He jumps at us and seizes us by the scruff of the neck, running the rest of the length with me in his jaws. We attempt to snap at him in complaint but we're too busy laughing.

He drags us upstairs and dumps me on the bed. I immediately trot to the closet and borrow some of his clothing, a casual shirt and trousers along with some clean underwear (at least I hope they are) and trainers, shifting to my human form. I step out fully clothed only to see Isaac has shifted but not bothered to put on anything, meaning I am staring at his naked back. I squeak in surprise, covering my eyes with my hands before I see anything. He laughs and I feel him walk past me into the closet to dress.

Carefully, I inch over to the bed, trying not to bump into anything, but I somehow manage to trip over my own feet and begin to fall. However, someone catches me before I hit the floor. Hesitantly, I open my eyes; it's Isaac, who has finally discovered walking around nude is not acceptable if he's with me. I freeze when I see our proximity: we're so close that our lips are only a few centimetres apart, our eyes staring intently at each other.

The door slams wide open and we jerk away from each other. We both look expectantly at the person standing in the frame: it's Matthew. He gives a fake childish squeal and covers his eyes.

"Really Matthew? We weren't doing anything," Isaac says, rolling his eyes.

"Tell that to the blush on Isobel's face."

"Ignore him. I'm not blushing." I reply.

"Yes you are, sweetheart."

Isaac snarls at Matthew's use of sweetheart.

"Keep your endearments to yourself. What did you want Matthew?"

"The pack wants to see you. Since you found your mate, they've barely seen you. And her. You need to introduce them to her," Matthew replies calmly, despite Isaac's aggression. "Especially as she's a rogue, so she needs to make a good impression."

I twitch nervously; I'm not ready to meet the pack. Literally the first thing I did was kill three members of the pack and there are probably more in the past. And how am I supposed to make a good impression when I struggle to make even basic conversation?

"Okay, now go. We'll be down in a minute."

Matthew is about to close the door when he sticks his head back round.

"Oh, and Xander says he's counting down. You have 57 seconds left." He then abruptly closes the door shut and we give a sigh as if we've both been holding our breathes.

"Iz?"

"Yes?"

"Are you ready to go down?" I begin to panic, my breathing ragged. I can't face them. Not after what I did to some of their members. 

Let me have control. You don't have to talk.

Thanks for the offer Jack. But you have even less social skills than I do, no offence.

None taken. I'll make up for lack of skill with lack of fear. Just warn me if I'm about to offend someone.

Okay.

I can't help smiling at her and she takes control.

"We're ready Isaac."

He notices I'm no longer in command but he says nothing, discerning that when it comes to some things, Jack is better suited for control. Taking my hand, he leads me out of the room and we make our way through the pack house until we reach a large door. Isaac turns to me.

"Everyone's behind that door. Jack, you have to be on your best behaviour. No killing." She gives him a wry smile and he pulls open the door.

Behind the door is a large crowd of people, clearly waiting for us. Isaac leads us down a large, sweeping staircase, to the front of the crowd. They applaud as we descend to the bottom and a man steps out of the crowd, a casual smirk on his face, eyebrow raised. Isaac begins to speak, rolling his eyes at the nameless man, but the he means it in good humour.

"You're all probably wondering who this wonderful young lady beside me is. This is Isobel, my mate. Isobel, this is my pack." He gestures with his hand at the wolves assembled, some of which give me a somewhat comforting smile, easing my mind a little.

I think these people are quite forgiving. We don't need to worry about making a bad impression I believe.

Hopefully your right.

"The other reason we are gathered today is to celebrate the lives of three of our pack members: Lucy Gillian, Graham Field and Bruce Eil. They were killed by a rogue warrior while we were searching for my mate. We must not forget the sacrifice they gave of their lives so that Isobel could be standing here beside me." The crowd cheers and I can sense them relax and there is a quiet hum of noise as they begin to talk to one another.

Isaac stands beside me as we descend the last few steps, entering the crowd. He introduces the man who is so friendly with him.

"Iz, this is my Beta, Xander. Xander, this is Isobel."

"Good to meet you Isobel. Or rather, your wolf."

I approve. He's a good Beta for Isaac.

"My name is Jack."

She shakes his hand solemnly and we both quickly retract our hands, both of us unsettled by the sensation of the other's skin our own. Jack only wants to feel Isaac's hand.

Get used to it. If we're going to greet more people, you're going to have start accepting that shaking hands is part of social etiquette.

Fine. From now on you have control.

Wait Jack! I can't do this without -

Yes you can Isobel. Believe in yourself.

I stumble slightly as she grant me command but I quickly recover. Xander smiles slightly and offers his hand again.

"Pleasure to meet you Isobel, soon to be Luna or Alpha I believe."

That's a good point Jack. Should my title be Alpha or Luna?

You would be better as a Luna. You're too ... peaceful to be an Alpha. I don't mind personally; a title does not change who you are.

"Good to actually meet you Xander. It's Luna." I say mirroring his initial words and shake his hand. Isaac gives a low growl at the close proximity of Xander and we hastily let go.

"Matthew was right. Good luck talking to any male for an extended period of time who isn't Isaac." He grins and then walks away before Isaac can murder him, his face carved in a snarl. I laugh.

"Lighten up."

"How, when so many men are going to be staring at you?" He trails off into a growl at the end. I just smirk.

"Guess you're going to have to get used to it. That's no different to all the females constantly staring at you and I don't act crazy possessive."

"Sorry. I know I'm being a bit immature about this."

"Correction: very immature." I reply, wanting to see his reaction.

"Shut up."

He refuses to partake in any conversations that stray towards similar topic branches after that, growling every time we bring them up. Suddenly his face lights up as he thinks of something and he takes my hand, dragging me through the crowd until he spots the people he wants me to meet and hauls me towards them.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Double update!
Who do you think Isaac wants Iz to meet?
a) An ex
b) His parents
c) His siblings
d) Someone else?

They nearly kissed! I'm not sorry for getting your hopes up. 😄
As always, hope the chapter was worth it.
WORxxx

30