SEPTEMBER

Jayce was interrupted by loud pounding at his door. He stormed out of the hot water, and opened the door ready to rip into who ever decided it would be a good idea to interrupt them.

He didn't even bother with a towel, and steam rose off his skin. Sike stood there already giving him a bow. " What is it?" He growled.

" Intruders on the southern boarder. " Sike said softly trying not to peer into the room. He knew something had indeed happened, and he was curious, but now was not the time to pick on Jayce. The last thing he needed was a fight between himself and his friend with intruders on their lands.

The scent that came from Jayce alone said they had indeed mated. That was good, but the intruders would ruin his mood. " I wouldn't have come otherwise. " He added hastily.

Jaycee nodded. " Understood. Give me a minute. " he closed the door, and grabbed extra clothes in case he needed them. Mika was sitting up watching him questioningly.

" Don't leave the house. I have to handle something. " he walked over to her, and kissed her forehead before shifting. His large wolf stood next to her. He reached over, nuzzling her gently before walking towards the door. He glanced at her with a look asking her to listen. Then he was gone.

She sighed a little, and sat back. Mika decided to go get dressed, but realized he'd left her clothes in his room. Her hands wouldn't work on the apha door would they? She wasn't sure.

It should, but she didn't know if he would know if she tried to leave their room. She grumble softly and decided to grab something of his. Better than nothing, and probably more comfortable right now as well.

She walked by the opened window when a yip caught her attention. " Oh no. No please don't tell me you came all the way here.. " she listened, praying she was wrong. Everything was silent.

"Listen closer!" Her wolf demanded.

" I'm trying you pushy mutt!" She snapped back.

" I know what we heard! That's all..."

" Sorry.. I know.. I heard it to.. I just hope we're wrong! Jayce doesn't know who they are. He'd accidentally hurt them, and I can't mind link him! "

" Because you haven't accepted everything.. "

" What does that mean??"

" Another time. It isn't my place to tell you."

Frustrated she closed her eyes, and listening harder. Yip, yip, bark, howl. " Daddy." Her eyes teared a little. She missed him.. " Shit. Jayce won't know who that is." She was desperate in a heartbeat. She knew how this pack was. They would tear him apart before he backed down. She had gotten her stubbornness from him after all. "Sorry babe. " she whimpered.

She looked for a way, any way out of the room. There was really only one way... the window. She didn't have an option. The window it was!

Mika crawled through the window, and jumped down. Much to her dislike she noted to confused pack members outside on the porch. No doubt her security detail.

They were all pretty built in human form. Tan from the days outside training in the sun. Warriors no doubt. Of course he would have them stay behind with her. With the possibility of rouges in his territory she understood that he would have her protected.

Mika didn't care right now though. She gave an apologetic smile before shifting. They wouldn't be able to catch her, and she knew it. Her shift was slower than normal, and they would have almost caught a glimpse of her body. Almost. She snatched the clothes she'd shedded. Thankfully, his clothes were large enough on her that they hadn't ripped.

She was fast. Much faster than most wolves. She hoped she was fast enough to catch up to Sike and Jayce. It had been at least five minutes or more since they'd left.

Mika took off, evading capture again, and again. She flew past houses toward the south. She forgot the collar he told her to wear. Did she still need it? To late to turn back now.. She had to get to her father before Jayce.

She went towards his amazing scent, fresh rainfall and stary air, and towards a very homey scent. She had at least four wolves on her heels, but none were able to actually catch up to her. They did good to keep up with her. She was impressed.

Her mother had trained her to never give in though, and she wasn't about to start now! She ached. The night before drained her, and his mark wanted to finish her off. She wanted sleep right now. Still even as her body ached and begged for her to stop she continued on faster still. " I won't stop... Almost there!" Adrenaline kicked, and gave her the extra boost she needed.

She tried, but couldn't link her mind with Jayce yet. She growled frustrated. Why couldn't she mind link him?! His scent was strong, and she heard growls bursting from up ahead now. Damn she almost made it before Jayce.

Sike turned, "What the hell?" A small ball of creamy fur was barreling straight at him! On its heels were four warriors?! Was it a roug- His face met the ground before the rest of his body.

Then her scent hit him. He layed there, stunned on the ground as his Luna used him like a damn trampoline. As a wolf no less. "Ow.. she...girl has moves..." he huffed pulling himself up, and out of the way before the guard caught up.

She took advantage of Sike, using him to bound off of. He'd stopped to turn and look at her, but she didn't have time to spare right now. It knocked him over, and she leaped forward over Jayce. He was already in a defensive position fangs barred at her father. Her father was the same though until he saw her.

She skidded, ultimately to trying to land right. Mika stopped in front of him clumsily. The pain was beginning to catch up to her.

Panting she looked at a very pissed Jayce. She had gone against him. Her scent was all over another wolf, and that wolf was technically invading his territory.

" Oh, well. This is our family Mika. Once we figure this shit out he'll understand."

" I hope so. He looks ready to kill"

" Trust your judgement stupid. Focus on You're father. And find you're mother. "

She scanned the forest for her mother. Mika caught her scent. Good. Her mother was near, and so were the rest of the hunters of the Crystalleaf pack. But, why? She had an increasingly bad feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She worried about them, but not so much she wanted them to show up unexpected and be torn to pieces. From what Jayce told her about the rouges in this area, it could happen. They could be caught and tortured by rouges or worse still.. Jayce and his pack. No telling what Jayce would do if he actually got his input. He'd insist on torture first and questions later according to stories.

Jayce snarled, as if acting betrayed. She scoffed at it. Really? Was he dumb? She was annoyed to hell and back. Mika was still hurt from the rouge, hurting from being marked and mating, and among other things having to sort out a fight right now too?

Gee, this Luna business was annoying sometimes. She shook her head and huffed.

She gave her father a look, and pointed over towards the trees with her head. He growled and she yiped at him. His eyes softened, and he sulked off behind a tree before coming back and waiting on her.

She huffed again before hurrying behind a tree to change herself. She was just glad the confusion allowed her to grab the clothes she'd shifted out of before the people he'd placed at the house started chasing her. She noticed that the warrior wolves had also just arrived. Great.

Jayce, however, didn't give two shits. He changed where he was, watching her with narrowed eyes. His mate was betraying him? After months...

Months... maybe it was his fault.

Still, really? " What the hell? You went against me. Again. Already?" He snapped. He grew rather annoyed when she responded by rolling her beautiful eyes at him. He gritted his teeth, damn he wanted to forgive her automatically. Why was she so fucking alluring? This was a serious thing!

" Why the hell is your scent all over him?!" He howled trying not to forget the intruders. Jayce also found himself trying hard not to notice she was wearing his clothes when she came back. She wore them better than he did.. he shook his head, " Well?"

She glared over her should at him. If looks could kill he might just be dead right now. " Shut the hell up. " Mika snapped. Her eyes were dark, and tired. She looked visibly annoyed and concerned. So he for the moment just let the shock set in. Just like his troops behind him.

No one talked back like that. Not to him. Not even other Alphas or enemies. Sike was the only amused one, though he hid it semi well. A small amused chuckle escaped him as he sauntered back over still wolfy. He brought Jayce shorts. He snatched them, and pulled them on.

Seeing a look of surprise assured her she had a few minutes. She turned to her father. " What are you doing? Do you know how crazy it is coming here? No call? No message of any kind? I have a phone. " she semi snapped.

" Where is mom? " she asked crossing her arms. He looked tired and hurt. He was always tired...but never hurt. " What's going on? " she asked concerned. His features looked defeated and weak. Thoughts of her mother being hurt crossed her mind.

Her father was many things, but never weak. The last time he looked so defeated he lost a hunter in training. Killed by a stray rouge. " Did you lose a member of the hunters? " she whispered quietly. Her mom.. where was she. Mika felt very antsy.

He hung his head a little, " I'm sorry for just showing up Sugarplum. Your mother is fine. She is with the other hunters. No, we didn't lose any hunters.. " he paused and exhaled as if he'd been holding his breath forever.

" Crystalleaf has fallen. We had just came back from our detail, dragging some food back, some clothing, and some money.. But, when we got there everything was burned down. People are dead, homes are gone.. The alpha is dead. " he cleared his throat, but the emotion betrayed him. A tear slid down his eye.

She gasped hard. It was like a hit in the stomach. " Alpha Trip is gone? " He was a family friend. Her mother and father were the best hunters in the pack. Her dad was almost like a beta.. honestly it was an honorary title. Second beta. He was important, but more than that, Alpha Trip was like his best friend, a brother.

She considered him family as did her mother and father. " Oh Daddy.. I'm so sorry! " She hugged him, and wrapped her arms around his neck tightly. He picked her up holding her close, and they both ignored the rage filled growl from behind them.

He nodded resting his head on the side of hers. He gladly took in his daughter's scent. He needed this, " We were able to find his entire family. All dead and easily recognizable. Someone was sending a message to the tribes around us. We think. " He ran a hand through his aging brown hair.

" We had hoped that we might be able to take refuge with you? We knew it was risky.. but all our things were gone. Except what were carrying now. We brought the food, and money. Left the clothes and other things behind. Just brought what we had to so we could get here. We had no way to get in touch though. We never carry our phones on a hunt. They dont last long, and we stay on pack grounds. Normaly... we can get un touch by mindlink. We recieved nothing this time. Absolutely nothing. We are weary of other packs.. We know you Sugarplum. The young huntress' are tired and the young hunters are beyond.. I've been making them do the hauling. We've been in no man's land for days.  No one can sleep right.. I didn't even feel the power transfer from the alpha, but Minny has the air of a Luna. Says I should be the Alpha until we figure out what to do. Honestly, they treat me like it. Its exhausting. I'm to old for this with zero training. Your mother needs rest.. some of the girls are.." He cleared his throat, and blushed, " Umm.. well mother nature..."

He glanced up at Jayce as if acknowledging his growls for the first time, " You landed an asshole didn't you?" His eyes narrowed.

Mika punched her dad pretty hard on the arm, though she knew it didn't hurt him. " Maybe, but he's still my mate. Calling him an ass isn't going to get him to let you in either. " she said softly.

She was honestly afraid to look back at him. She could feel the anger coming off of him. She had no clue why though, but it probably had a lot to do with her. Okay, so she knew it probably had a lot if not most to do with her. That and the mention of rouges.

Her wolf whimpered now. "He is really mad... I swear if it was raining this forest would look like a sauna. We need to talk to him. "

" Hey, it was your idea to snap so much. I mean he deserved it, but still. "

" We still owe it to him to explain. I'm sure he's over heard, but it would mean the world to him. He's insecure about us as it is. "

" I know. He thought I betrayed him. I would never. I couldn't do that to him. "

Jayce cleared his throat, and snapped her out of her conversation. " Having nice family reunion?" He asked quietly. He was pissed still, but he slightly understood.

Sure he didn't like what she said or that she had disobeyed. He was also pissed his security couldn't keep up with her. His Star was apparently a speed demon as well. " I think we would be better off at the pack house.. Its never a good thing to hear about attacks like this. The council might have to be called. " he muttered.

He looked suddenly childish and nervous. A rare sight. " Uhh. You should probably also be filled in on.. her... I haven't introduced her to my pack yet as Luna." He blinked, and her father was at his throat in a flash. Jayce was shocked once more. " I can tell you now Sir. You do have an alpha title. That speed is a clue, but you would do well to back down. "

He just growled softly, "I don't care about that. Why is that she isn't the Luna yet? Have a problem with my little girl?"

Jayce growled trying to tolerate him for Mika's sake. She was standing next to Sike. Both of the jerks looked amused. " Back down hunter. " he snarled his alpha coming out strong. " Its a long story. I don't have to explain it if I don't want to, and you are earning an ass kicking. "

" You would earn a dog house. " Mika said speaking up. " S-sorry.. I know I've broken rules. I just also know how you guys are. You said yourself the rouges here are bad. You would fight first and ask later. You were about to fight..." she said softly holding her arms.

Jayce couldn't help but sigh, " I'll work on it, promise. And, yes you did go agaisnt me. I understand why, but like I told you before it's for your protection. "

His wolf was speaking for sure, but they both felt the same. He glared for a moment at her father, " I am Alpha Jayce Mia. Your daughter's mate. He is my beta Sike. " He gestured to Sike.

Sike was keeping her safe just in case. Jayce was proud of him for it.  Then the idiot had changed in front of Mika and Jayce growled before pulling her into him and turning. " Stupid move Sike. Stupid. " He growled.

Sike chuckled at him before he took over. " Get them in the boarders. The rouges might try to retaliate against Mika this close to their land. Get the hunter group to the pack house. The Alpha will call a meeting of the pack in a while. " Sike said before shaking her father's hand and running out to help with the security detail after dressing again.

" Sean. " he said, giving a small nod. He knew better than to go against reputations with weres. Rumors tended to be true around these parts.

He observed how this guy acted towards his daughter. He could smell them together all over each other. At least he seemed to be with her often. The scent wasn't tied together strongly yet, but it was a sturdy scent. Not to mention he saw the fresh raw red mark of this clan on her neck. At least he accepted her.

He would trust this alpha. It wasn't like he had a choice. The rouges around here were rough, and the hunters and himself couldn't hold them off for to long. Sean was happy to have help. " Sorry to be snippy. She is my daughter after all. Our pack has been traveling for days. What's left of it that is. We have had to go fairly slow on way. "

" When did this happen?" Jayce asked, keeping Mika close as they waited.

" A few weeks ago. Two I think. Fresh food ran out in the last five days. We've ran a lot, fought a lot, so we're getting thin. Tired as well, but no one can sleep in these woods. " Sean answered softly.

He nodded, " I can understand why. It's not easy to get North Dakota from South Carolina. Especially without being seen or caught. You have talent. "

A group of sad thin looking wolves came cowering in together. A proud looking creamy brown wolf trotting at their head. She was the pride of what they had left.

Jayce knew her instantly. The little Luna, Mika's mother. He actually did a double take to make sure she hadn't run off to help. Sure enough Mika was standing there in his arms looking nervous. Creamy brown.. now that he noticed, Mika was whitish and cream. She had a lot of the creamy brown in her fur. Just like her mother.

He rubbed her back gently, and leaned in, " I'm not to mad anymore. Relax. " he nuzzled her neck earning a small growl from her father. He chuckled, " I can see how your fiery temper came to be. Is that your mother? " he asked softly.

He had a certain longing about him. An itch he couldn't really ever get. He wished his parents were still around. At least his mother. He'd be different. Much different. Things were complicated though. He needed to explain that to Mika soon. So she understood why he was so protective and weary.

She nodded, and looked up at him. She had dark circles under her eyes and her legs felt like jelly. " Please don't be mad at all. " she whispered. " At least not at them. " She expected him to be mad with her.

He shook his head, " I'm not. Its rouges. Rouges are getting bold. I don't like it. This pack is going to have to change a bit. It's as simple as that. If not I'd lose my Luna, and I don't intend to. " he answered seriously.

" Things might be complicated for a while. " he sighed and rested his head on hers. " You are shaking like a leaf Mika. " Jayce picked her up holding her firmly to him. " I have to admit.. wearing my clothes pretty much chased off any anger I had at you or them. I couldn't keep it together. What an alpha I am. " he rolled his eyes a little.

" Sorry.. you had me locked in your room.. And, you are an excellent alpha. " she frowned.

He smiled softly,  and nodded, " And you still found a way to escape and were faster than my strongest solider wolves. I may have you training them if that's the case." He really thought it would be a good idea. She would gain respect, get to know the pack, help the pack...

Again when he thought about it...

"Oh.. she's been trying to help.. and again I've been trying to keep her locked away. Oh God, I'm an ass."

"Yes you are" his wolf agreed. "Ehh but so am I. "

He felt like hitting himself. He turned his attention to the group of wolves. Many of them were female. Well, in a way that was good. His pack tended to scare females off. He glanced down to Mika.

" That's right. She wasn't afraid. She hasn't been, not even from the start. Startled, but never afraid." His wolf reassured. He sighed a little. It was like this heart melted.

Sike came padding out after all of the other wolves. Jayce shot him a look before seeing why he was so far behind. Sike had a girl with him. He met his eyes and kind of guessed he had found something special. Sike was beaming, and his eyes twinkling.

Jayce guessed it was time to step up and take control again completely. Not temporarily this time either. Sike seemed to have found a mate now. " You are making a proper alpha out of me Mika. " he griped before nuzzling her again with a small rumble. He knew it wasn't the time or place for that, but it refused to stay inside.

Mika blushed a little. She was thankful he seemed to not act on his impulses. " Later." She said with a smile. She yawned. " I don't know how long I can really stay awake. Let's try to get what we can done. Get them somewhere to rest. They deserve it.."

"You know you don't have to help me do this. " He said softly. He didn't plan on letting her either. Jayce and his wolf both had other plans. His Luna needed her rest. She'd done some amazing and stupid things all in the last few days. She looked exhausted. When she accepted Luna, he wanted their pack to see her at her beautiful best.

She shushed him, " Being Luna means helping you, and supporting you. I will be there to help settle what remains of my parents pack. "

He shushed her. " I intend on having them join our pack. " he said quietly. " I want the blessing of my pack, but I do intend on sheltering them and caring for them. I know for a fact that most of the guys here are big old softies putting on brave faces. The only ones that really love the way my father ran the pack are the ones who still hold the gauntlet.

Its dying off as well. People started staying inside because they didn't like things here. Maybe you can help me turn it around. New faces will be an invited change. We need mates, as well as children in this pack. Eventually I hope to see it thrive."

He hung his head as he headed back to the pack house. " God knows I need help. " he sighed. " And, I owe you an explanation of my past. You'll understand things a little better. "

She ran a hand through his black hair, " When you are ready my alpha. I haven't rushed you yet. " she whispered laying her head on his chest.

He nodded. She hadn't. " Given the circumstances we'll hold the ceremonies tomorrow sometime. We have a lot of talking to do tonight. I know it seems rushed, but the sooner the better for this. By the way, are all the females as stubborn as you?"

Mika giggled softly. " You have no idea."

" Oh God. My pack has its word cut out.. they are going to have difficult time keeping up. " He chuckled.