The second the front door opened I rushed over and wrapped my arms around her.

"Sophia! Oh my god, you're okay!"

"You humans are weird. Of course I'm okay! There were only around fifty or so, child's play by our standards."

She shrugged her shoulders before giving me a wink, Gunner following closely behind.

"Umm okay?" I replied.

"I heard you were fucking awesome Edie! I fucking knew you had it in you!"

Gunner playfully held his fists up in a mock fighting stance, jabbing at the air as he stepped around me, Sophia going to greet her brother instead of humor the antics of her mate.

"Fuck yeah girllll... why take the city when you can crumple the nation? Can I get your autograph? Right here, on my bicep, legit though."

I watched as he curled up his shirt, flexing his bicep as he shoved it in my face.

"Dude. No. Are you okay?!"

He cleared his throat before pressing down his shirt as if the action would grant him some semblance of composure.

"Sorry Edie. You just have no idea what you've done. Like seriously... we owe you everything."

I cocked my eyebrow suspiciously before walking into the living room, Gunner following closely behind before I sat beside Phelan, and he Sophia.

I attempted to fill the awkward silence, twirling my hair as I did so.

"So.... I just wanted to say thank you for risking yourselves to save my sorry ass... I don't know how I could ever make it up to you."

"Also, I haven't seen Harlow yet, is she okay?"

Sophia answered, giggling slightly as she did so. "She is perfect, eager to get you back to training though. She said it's time to ramp it up a bit, no rest for the wicked as they say..."

"Ugh. I should have known I couldn't get out of it so easily," I laughed. "But I guess if it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been able to go all Amanda Nunes out there..."

I watched as the three of them exchanged perplexed looks as if I had three heads.

"It's a human thing, never mind..." I reassured.

"So... what now? Are there broader implications I should know about?"

I was curious as to what would happen now that The Guild had dissolved. What did werewolves think of a hybrid killing their own, and fracturing the laws that governed them? Did they see me as one of them, or as a kind of imposter?

I leaned into the crook of Phelan's shoulder, nestling in and pulling his arm to wrap it around myself. He did not object to my manhandling of him, and I swore I felt his chest rumble appreciatively as I did so.

Sophia spoke first.

"Word is that by and large, everyone is over the moon. Most of us had suspicions for a long time over The Guild, but since you basically took off the head of the snake so to speak, the truth has come to light."

"Being that they were a law unto themselves, you mean?"

"Not just that. We've since found out that as well as trying to patent hybridity, they had other scientists trying to find an immunity to Wolfsbane and silver," she explained before grabbing a cube of cheese from the platter.

"Why?"

"Well I guess it was to instil fear, use coercive control to seize territories, resources and so on..."

"Holy shit..."

I was gobsmacked. They had been on the verge of a takeover, it was like a human version of a communist government.

"So what now?"

Phelan spoke this time, "Each Alpha and their Luna is going to meet shortly and try to come to a mutual agreement. I personally think each pack should have their own governance, for the pack, by the pack. It has always been the way long before The Guild."

"Meaning?"

"We are werewolves, not humans. There will always be rogues, others fighting for dominance and take over... An Alpha and Luna are chosen by the Moon to provide stability and keep instincts at bay. We respect our roles, and we earn them by gifting back to the pack, nurturing and respecting the land, the people, the Moon."

"Well that sounds good in theory, but what if an Alpha or Luna abuses their power? People will suffer. What if they try to expand their own territories by preying on smaller packs with weaker leadership?"

"That has always happened. I don't believe it will stop, but it is something to discuss when we meet. Building and maintaining alliances with other strong packs is a necessary strategy, and one we have relied on in the past..." he trailed before continuing. "Each Alpha and Luna have to work those things out themselves. We can't be responsible for everyone."

"I guess that makes sense. It's no different to humans really. There's a mayor or a governor, then roles in public service to provide for the people of that town or city. Deterrents for crime, punishments if required... it's not a perfect system. We get it wrong all the time."

"You're right. It isn't perfect, and some leaders are better than others. Some may not be well intentioned, but you are. And you, will be perfect for ruling this pack, our pack, beside me."

"Is there some kind of process for this? Do I sign like, a contract or something?" I posed curiously.

Gunner just about choked on his cracker. "Is that what humans do?! Seriously? Oh boy..."

"Care to explain?!"

He cleared his throat while Sophia rolled her eyes, jabbing him in the ribs before getting the words in first.

"You finish the mating process. Mark him," he gestured to Phelan. "And fuck each other's brains out."

Her expression was deadpan, as I looked on in absolute horror.

Removing Phelan's arm from over my shoulder, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat.

"And what, use a megaphone to let everyone know his magic wand has given me Luna powers?! You're joking right?"

The room erupted into hysterics, "I guess when you put it that way, that pretty much sums it up. You won't need a megaphone though, it's a werewolf thing, we just know..." she playfully explained before crossing her arms and glaring at me with indignation.

"And truth be told Edie. We are all getting a little impatient, the people want their Luna."

I held my hands up in mock surrender. "Okay, okay, I'll service your brother soon, I promise."

"You better. Also, I brought a laptop for you. It's on the kitchen bench..."

I immediately perked at the thought, and also felt relieved at the change in conversation.

I felt my smile widen like it had never before. "Really?! Thank you... again."

"It was nothing. I'm sorry for your loss Edie. We all are. Hopefully whatever is on that USB gives you some closure."

Her eyes softened, her words sincere. I hoped that she was right too. There was no closure with how things currently stood.

I hoped beyond anything that there was a letter goodbye. Maybe some tales of memories between him and my mom... something I could imagine and replay in my mind, something to frame an outline of who they were together and who she was on her own.

It was hard conjuring your idea of a person who you never got to meet. I found that out the hard way when I met him for the first time. He was nothing like the image I had created in my mind. He was so much more.

Maybe, just maybe if I was lucky, I'd be able to have something real to hold to my perception of who and how she was.

But I wasn't quite ready yet. I knew whatever was on it would serve as our final goodbye, and I wasn't ready to let him go yet.

The thought made the question tumble out, and even saying it shocked me as I didn't expect to want to know.

"Phelan... what happened to my father's body?"

I felt his arm weave back around me as he pulled me in.

"We buried him on The Hill, our sacred place to honor those who have made the greatest sacrifice for our pack. It is our custom," he said solemnly.

"I understand. Thank you for taking care of him..."

"Whenever you are ready, I will take you there. Just let me know." He grasped my shoulder reassuringly.

"Thank you." I pursed my lips in a tight smile.

There were more than one uncomfortable topics of conversation between the four of us, but I felt surprisingly good about them.

After idle chit chat and banter, Sophia and Gunner left to head to the pack house. Apparently there was going to be a match between two young females that Sophia wanted to oversee should it get out of control.

"Should I go?" I asked.

"It's fine, everyone just wants to give you space to focus on other duties.." she chided sarcastically before looking Phelan up and down.

"Good grief, get outta here!" I scoffed, literally shoving her out the door.

After closing the door behind her and Gunner, I let out a sigh of relief.

"That was awkward..."

I felt Phelan's sympathy as he looked down at me softly.

"She can be... a little much sometimes," he stated as he moved his thumb and index finger together but for a millimetre apart.

"She means well, and let's be real, I'd be exactly the same." I brushed off.

Just as he turned to walk away, I leaned forward and pulled his shirt, forcing him to slam against me.

I held the silence between us and decided to let my hands do the talking as they inched down his torso, settling at the button to his jeans.

I felt his breath hitch at my unexpected move. "What are you doing?"

"Are you going to tie me up this time and leave me hanging? I haven't quite forgiven you for that, you know..."

He grabbed my wrists, before pinning them above my head. Pushing me back against the door, his breath was hot as he whispered lowly in my ear, "that depends... do you want me to tie you up?"

Never short on sass, I didn't hold back, "I thought you'd never ask."

"Be careful what you wish for Princess..."

I giggled in surprise as I became airborne, my hair tossing over my face as he threw me over his shoulder.

I struggled to keep still. He was kneading my curves that were bent over beside his face as he carried me up the stairs.

Lord have mercy...

"You have one last chance to back out Edie because I don't think I can hold back anymore..."

"That's exactly what I'm counting on," I replied as he slammed the bedroom door behind us, throwing me on the bed in impatience.

I turned to face him, my jaw dropping as he stalked towards the bed. Stalked towards me.

I was hanging by a moment. I couldn't tear my eyes away, couldn't resist the urge to watch him undress in the light.

I didn't even care that the curtains were open before he asked me one last time,

"Are you ready?"