The next day I had Sam and Marlene bring my truck over. Sam looked more worried then usual, and the Alpha hadn’t returned. I was still in my clothes from the day before, and had dark circles under my eyes from lack of sleep and crying. Making me some coffee and sitting outside with me, I didn’t say much.
    “You want me to call your..” Sam started.
    “No, he’ll hunt the Alpha down.” Sipping at the coffee.
    “You can’t stay locked up in your house, Luna come stay with us for a while.” Sam begged, but I shook my head.
    “I’m going to quit my job, and take some time off.” Marlene looked concerned for me, but didn’t say anything.
    “Luna!” Sam lowered his eyes.
    “Its okay Sam, I’ll be alright. If I stay away from my boss, then it wont happen again.” Faking a smile and drinking more. He nodded but wasn’t buying it. They left, but asked me to come by as much as I wanted. I agreed and sat on the deck a while longer. Later that day I called my job and told them I was sorry, but could no longer work there. I was informed that the camera at the back of the building was recording my boss, sexually harassing me, and that he was fired that day. Talking to the head boss was easy, he made things seem less real then they really were.

    “He has been officially fired as of today, so there is no need for you to quit.” He had sorrow in his voice.
    “No, I need some time off, but thank you.”
    “Yes I can understand, if you ever need a job, please come back to us. Please give my regards to the man who helped you.”
    “Man?”
    “Yes, the large gentleman who carried you away from Mr. Eric”
    “Ohh, yes I will do that.” Trailing my words off.
    “He seemed very kind to you.”
    “Ohh?” That was a shocker.
    “Yes the video showed him, soften when he picked you up. He looked very worried for your health.”
    “Ohh thank you.” Still in shock
    “Have a good day Miss Luna”
    “You too.”
Hanging the phone up, and wondering why my stomach got tight. I stayed home for the next week, before getting cleaned up and heading to Sam’s house. He was delighted to see me, and bear hugged me longer then usual. The male wolf had changed into his human form and also greeted me.
    “I was worried about you.” He shied away from my eyes, as we sat under a large oak.
    “Sorry, I was having personal problems”
    “I understand.” Smiling while playing with an autumn leaf. It was getting colder, and the leaves were turning to red and oranges. Some turned a bright yellow color, reminding me of the Alphas eyes.
    “Marlene says you’ve been doing really well Tony” Pulling my legs to my chest.
    “Yes, I have gotten much better.” smiling at me.
    “Have you contacted you pack yet?”
    “Umm no, I don’t think I want to go back there.”

    “Ohh, well that’s okay, you could join a different one. Or travel around.” Trying to uplift the conversation.
    “Yes.” He paused “Has your Alpha returned?”
    “He’s not my anything.” Sounding a little harsh.
    “Sorry, I didn’t..”
    “Its fine, lets just not talk about him.” Patting Tony on the head.
    “Okay” Giving me an okay smile.

I ate lunch and dinner at Sam’s place, and ignored all the female wolfs and their constant chatter about me. They did like Tony and spoiled him, relentlessly. But he sat close to me and seemed a little to close at times. After dinner I returned home, and would sit by the window looking out at nothing. My house was lonely and quiet, it was a sad sound. The tv brought little relief and I caught myself sighing more and more every day.

    Winter came faster this year, and the snow piled up. Digging myself out so I could put the plow on my truck, I cleared a path to and from my house, then started on the dirt road and finally finishing off Mr. Johns driveway. He was old and had a hard time moving like he use to. Although he never thanked me personally I always saw him smiling out a window at me, then nodding his head. As if he was happy the younger generation hadn’t totally been a waist of time.
    The snow let up for two days and lightly started again, a black car slowly made its way to my house. It only caught my attention cause it looked somewhat familiar. The man that stepped out was none other then my old boss. Years had been added to his creepy face. I panicked and closed the front door, locking it fast.

    “Come out here you bitch!” Screaming at me, while banging on the door. I hid in my room with the door closed, locking it. Huddled in a corner with my arms wrapped around my head. I could still hear him screaming for me.
    “You ruined my life, come out here”  He tossed a rock threw a window, and the glass shattered all over my living room. Another rock broke a small window on the door, and he reached threw unlocking it. The sound of the door being kicked open made me cry. Rocking myself back and forth, I felt the blood rise faster then ever before.
    “Stupid, bitch come out here. The things I’m going to do to you.” He laughed a blood curling sound and banged on my door repeatedly.
    “Come out!” banging harder. My vision started to go, reaching for my cell I hit a few buttons.
“Luna: dad helllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll………………..

The door was kicked in and he stood over me, that was the last thing I remember.

A few hours later a shiny new yellow Camaro came down the same road. Pulling up beside the black car, the Alpha stepping out.
    “Huh?” He sniffed the car. “Human male” Growling and heading to the house, as four men in black suits stepped out.
    “Halt” One yelled with glowing yellow eyes.
    “What’s going on, who are you?” Snapping at them, fists clenched at his sides.
    “Stop shouting Alpha” A man walked out of the house, he was dressed in a long black robe with gold trim, a large wolf face was stitched on the back. His hair was cared for well, and his dark skin color made it known he was of Indian blood.
    “Monarch” Alpha dropped to one knee and bowed his head. The Monarch stepped forward, so that he was even with two of the men, having the last two standing on a step. “Tell me, when did you last see the woman who lives here?” fixing his black leather gloves.
    “The…woman?”
    “Don’t be coy with me boy, you are the Alpha she was helping were you not?” Getting a little irritated.

“Yes sir, weeks…mouths ago” Lowering his head again.
    “As I suspected, I suppose you are the reason this is empty as well.” Tossing him the empty bottle which contained my pills. Watching as the bottle hit the ground and twisted twice around, before coming to a stand still. The Alpha looked up, taking a step forward towards the Monarch. The men put up there hands to protect the Monarch.
    “At easy” Waving them to stand down, the Alpha ran up the stairs only to have the Monarch slip his arm in front of him.
    “I wouldn’t go in there boy” looking out at the cars. Pushing past him and into the house, Alpha ran down the hall and into my bedroom. Out one of the windows was a black helicopter, its runners now buried in snow.

    His hands grabbed the top of his head and pulled, looking around at the bloody carnage. Body parts lay around the room, dripping in blood. Slice marks with blood still dripping off of them stained the once clean white walls. Turning around to the other side of the bed, was the head of my old boss, his mouth still open as blood dripped out and onto the clean carpet. A man in black came in and tapped the Alpha on the back. Looking around the man motioned for him to come out.
    They stood on the deck looking at a sea of white covered trees.
    “Call Sam, he’ll find her” The Monarch said as one of the men picked up the phone and started dialing. Still in shook the Alpha looked out at the cars.
    “I told you not to go in there.” Smiling the Monarch sighed.
    “Sir, I can find her.” snapping his head to the Monarch.

“Ohh, is that so?” Grinning he stretched out his neck and snapped his teeth. “Then find her.” Growling. Nodding the Alpha sniffed the air and noticed a blood trail. Following it towards the woods he looked back at the Monarch. He nodded and the Alpha took off. “Follow him” Monarch yelled pointing at the Alpha. His men trailed behind, in the two feet of snow, as the Monarch followed. The blood trail died off and the Alpha stopped, letting the men and Monarch catch up.

    “Don’t tell me you lost the trail boy” Monarch snapped glaring at him.
    “Never sir” Grinning and heading deeper into the woods. Smiling the Monarch nodded to his men and they followed. Two hours later Alpha ran faster up a hill and onto a flat top, where a few boulders had fallen from a ridge and made a cave. He started in the cave.
    “Stop boy, don’t enter.” the Monarch screamed.
    “Huh what’s a woman going to do to me.” Grinning like a fool.
    “Stop, she’s not herself” Climbing faster to get to him.
Ignoring the Monarch he stepped into the cave and yelled for me.
    “Woman, I know your in here, I can smelled you” Grinning, with glowing eyes. A low growl muffled threw the cave, my eyes opened glowing a bright orange.

    “Woman?” A look of worry passed his once hard features. I growled again, snapping my jaws. Before I took a step forward the Monarch grabbed the Alpha by the shirt and pulled him out.
    “Foolish boy, you trying to get yourself killed?” Pushing him against the boulder outside. Hearing me growl, the Monarch swallowed and looked into the cave. Moving away from the Alpha and handing him his robe.
    “Hold this” as he stepped into the cave slowly. Only his back regained the light.
    “My child, you are safe now. Calm yourself.” Speaking in soft tones and waiting for me to respond. I sent a growl back and kicked dirt out the entrance.
    “Sir?” Alpha took a step forward.
    “Stay put boy, She’s not like a normal wolf. She is far greater then you could even imagine.” Glaring at him.

“Sir? What is this woman to you? If I maybe so bold.” Holding the robe tighter.
    “She is …..my daughter” The Monarch looked back at the darkness. Alpha’s eyes widened as he recalled my last words. “I am the royal family” A hand slid up his face and into his hair.
    “She is far greater then anything you will ever see, she is faster, more powerful and even more graceful as a wolf. However she is only a half breed.” I snarled at the last part and roared louder, making the cave echo. “She has endured much pain, and I have been protecting her. Boy you will do well to stay put when she comes out, don’t let her size fool you.” Glaring at the Alpha he turning back towards me.

    “Luna, my child your father is here, come out.” Keeping his body straight and calm. I growled at him and shook the cave.
    “I will handle the man in your house, I will take care of it, please come out. No one will hurt you.” Pleading a little more. My front paw hit the light only to retract.
    “Luna” Yelling more forcefully. “Do not make me order you, to do so” I whined from deep within and slowly started for the light, silver paws slowly grew longer as my chest entered the light. As my body grew closer to my father, the Alpha noticed I was no bigger then the young male he disliked so much. My sliver coat shimmered of the suns rays, black eye liner framed my eyes giving them more definition. Black tips graced my ears and muzzle, which were stained with the man’s blood, weighing no more the 150 if that.

    Stopping a few feet away from my father and tucking my tail under myself, along with lowering my ears. His looking eyes shadowed down on me, before speaking.
    “My dearest daughter, please raise your head. You are not at fault.” Sadness filled his voice. Lowering his body to mine and wrapping his arms around my neck, before burring his face in my coat and crying softly, I closed my eyes and slowly shifted back into my human form. My bare body shivered in the cold.

    “Hurry boy, my robe.” waving the Alpha to put it over me. He carefully covered my body, and I shied away from his touch. Burring my face into my fathers shirt. Looking around my father waved for his men to come in, Sam was right behind them.
“We need to get her some place warm.” Looking at Sam.
    “Yes Sir.” Sam went to retrieve me from my father, but was blocked by the Alpha. Sam glared at him, but the Alpha ignored him and looked to the Monarch.
    “Sir” Bowing his head.

    “Very well boy, you do best to be careful with her. She’s not to weak to change back and ripe your face off.” Handing me to the Alpha he careful picked me up, careful to keep the robe covering my whole body. Sam groaned and stepped to the side to let him pass.
    “Easy Sam, he’s much more protective of her then I thought he would be.” Patting him on the shoulder before leaving the cave. Walking threw the snow was easier now that so many have stamped it down. He carried me without any hesitation and kept quiet till half way home.
    “Golden pagoda” catching me off guard, so that I peeking my head out from under the robe.
    “Huh?” quietly.
    “You smell like golden pagoda” His face was red, and flustered. I figured he was just cold from the wind hitting his face. He went on.
    “Their rare…..and stunning to look at.” looking away from me. It took me by surprise, cause that almost sounded like a complement.

“Thank you” lowering my voice past a whisper. He huffed and redden while walking to the house. Keeping me off to the side so I couldn’t see inside my own house, made me think he was protecting me. The group caught up and my father gave some orders.
“Alright my dear.” coming close to us.
“She can stay with me and Marlene, till things are clear.” Sam spoke up and watched as the Alpha thinned his eyes out.
“Not necessary sir, I have a place where she can rest without being disturbed.” holding me tighter as if he wasn’t going to put me down without winning.

“Well now this is awkward.” Laughing lightly looking from Sam to Alpha. “Sam you have a full house with all your females, not really an ideal place for her right now. Boy treat her with care, or I’ll hunt you myself.” Grinning but completely serious. Kissing my forehead he smiled at me.
    “Umm father?” blushing.   
    “Yes Luna”

“I need clothes!” Whispering even thought everyone who was a wolf could hear me.
    “I’ll get you some.” He answered heading for my house.
    “Aww no…umm” The last thing I needed was my father trifling threw my underwear draw or picking out my bras.
    “Is there a problem?” He didn’t get it.
    “I’ll just get some myself” I went to jump out of Alpha’s arms when he held me tighter.
    “You’ll do no such thing.” My father pulling my attention off the male.
    “But, why I’ve seen blood before.”
    “This is different my dear.” Holding my face in his hands. I looked towards Sam, and then at his red dodge where Marlene was sitting inside looking at me. I felt bad to ask her to go inside the house when my father didn’t even want me to go in. Looking away from her and sighing, realizing I was going to have to let my father go threw my things. It was a surprise when Marlene got out of the truck and walked over to me.

    “You need me don’t you?” heating up her fingers with warmer breath.
    “I can’t ask you to go in there, I don’t know how bad it really is.” Feeling ashamed.
    “Its okay Luna, I’ve seen my far share of wolf attacks in the woods, I’ll just think of it like that...okay” Looking to my father I begged him.
    “Get a few sheets out and cover what you can.” turning to his men, who ran in side and did what they were told.
    “You can put me down now” Looking at the Alpha, he frowned not pleased with letting me go. Moving over to his car, and carefully opening the door he placed me inside. Leaning over me and turning the car on, he blasted the heat on me.
    “Your going to waste your gas” Reaching to shut it off, but he took my hand.
    “Its fine” my fingers were ice cold.
    “But..”

“Its fine” quietly saying it again. I nodded and left it alone. I got Marlene to fine me a pen and paper, and I jotted down what I wanted, I let her know there was a duffle bag in the hall closet. Sam went with her for support and stayed just outside my bedroom door, every once in a while Marlene would call for something that was in the bathroom and he would retrieve it. Luckily she had grabbed the larger duffle bag, it was almost full when she came out to give it to me.
    “We got everything” the bag was taken by the Alpha and he put it in the trunk.
    “Thank you Marlene, I’m sorry for asking you.”

    “Its fine, wasn’t bad with all the sheets.” She was serious which made me feel better. My father came over and kissed me once more on the forehead before saying good bye. Then closed the door and had a talk with the Alpha.
    “Call me when you get to your place.” Handing him a card.
    “Yes Sir”
    “Don’t stress her out, she’s still at a red level, here are more pills just incase. You’ll have to force feed her one if she reacts, her change is faster then ours, so you need to catch it before she starts changing.” He was worried about leaving me with him and would look in the car every so many words.
    “Yes sir, I will take care of her.” Turning his back to me, he held something out for the Alpha.
    “Here, if she wants anything use this, I don’t care what she wants get it for her.” Winking and slipping him a credit card.

    “Sir?”
    “Don’t worry she probable wont ask for anything, she’s stubborn like that….gets it from her mother.” Huffing. Alpha looked bewildered and turned to look at me.
    “Yea I can see that, sir” turning back.
Heading for the helicopter the Monarch turned around, with one last word.
    “If you can handle her, you have my blessing.” Smiling and leaving as the chopped started to come alive. The wind picked up as the blades moved faster.

Returning to the car he got in and started down my driveway. The drive was quiet and seemingly thick with tension, he hadn’t a clue what to say to me. I decided to break the ice, since he was clearly not going to.   
    “Sorry!” looking down at me legs. His head turned to me.
    “What for?”
    “ For making you carry me, and look after me.” I fidgeted in the robe. Looking back in front of him, he didn’t say anything, at least not for a while.
    “Its not a problem. I’m…honored to help the Princess of wolves.” I really hated being called that.
   
“Please don’t call me that.” Looking out the passenger window.
“But that’s what you are.”
“Don’t care” sighing with all the thoughts running threw my head.
“How can you not care, you’re the Monarch’s daughter?” Are conversation was more normal in the sense we were acutely talking and not screaming at one another.
I didn’t answer right away, wanted to get everything just right.

“Because I am neither a wolf nor a human, I am a half breed and not worth the title you so calm me to be.” facing him. He frowned not pleased with my answer, but didn’t ague over it. He lived in the city, closer to the busy part of town. Pulling into a gated drive he rolled his window down, flashing a card threw a scanner. The gate flipped upward and slowly opened. The place had a brick wall and a sigh that read “Willow Park”