- Auggie's POV -

The drive back to Grace's apartment was thick with tension...all I wanted to do was comfort my mate, and yet I knew I was one of the causes of her distress.

When we pulled up to her apartments I killed the engine and we sat in silence a moment longer.

"I should take off." I offered, figuring she'd want to be alone to really absorb everything and think things through undisturbed.

She looked at me, her beautiful eyes filled with sadness and worry, "What...you'd just leave me?"

My wolf whined and my heart broke...to see Grace as anything but Happy really did tear me up inside.

"Well I don't want to ever leave you Gracie...but there's a lot of info you should probably sort through."

"B-but...I was kind of hoping you'd stay with me." She admitted, "I really need you right now."

That was all I needed to hear, "Then I'll stay with you until you grow sick of me."

She smiled a small sad smile, and I sighed, "Should we go in?" I suggested. She nodded and I got out of the car and watched as she slowly made her way out too.

When we got in she took a seat on the sofa and I locked up behind us before joining her.

"What's going on Gracie?"

She sighed, "You know, as far back as I can remember I was trained to become a Luna, I learned all the protocols, memorized the histories and customs, I was elegant, and poised, I was the perfect pack member as I was asked to lead by example."

I nodded, although it was a common thing for Alpha's daughters to be all these things...this wasn't the Grace I'd known.

The Grace I know isn't stiff and boring, weighed down by responsibilities...she's wild and free and her own independent person.

"But all of that was taken away from me when somebody read the small print on the Inherent laws...something my Father seems to have all but forgotten."

"What're you talking about?" I asked.

She gave me a look that silently asked, 'are you serious?'

"Sorry...My parents are marked mates and had 4 sons, obviously the pack goes to the next oldest...so we've never really had to look at the new laws."

She nodded, "Well basically the offspring of the Alpha and Luna will automatically be the next in line to inherit their familial pack titles...for example, my sister Hope and I...yes I am older than her...but as you know I am not Luna Wylde's real daughter...-"

"You are...just not biologically." I tried to amend, "Anyone can see how much your mother loves you Gracie."

She took my hand and smiled, and this time it was a more genuine smile, "I know, and I'm beyond thankful for my mom...but the sad reality is she didn't give birth to me, however she did give birth to Hope...and as my Mom is my Dad's marked Luna any children they have together will be held in a higher regard to those they may have each had out of wedlock...which comes back to me..."

I nodded and she continued.

"Now had my Mom and Dad never had any kids together then yeah, I'd of become the next Luna...but as it stands they did, so I can't ever be the rightful Inherent of the pack's Luna title."

"B-But your birth Mother...-"

"She isn't my Mother!" she growled.

"My apologies Gracie...Heather isn't the Luna yet so couldn't there be some loop hole in that?"

She shook her head.

"But you said only an Alpha and Luna's child could outrank a first born."

She shook her head again and sighed, "I never said that's the ONLY way Auggie...Children born of an Alpha or Luna with their Mates also take precedence over first borns ...so had my Dad and Heather been mates then Yeah I'd be Luna to either of their packs...but that's not the case, my Dad said he was rejected and that's how he met Heather in the first place."

I sighed, "This shit is so damn confusing."

She nodded, "It is...but basically the pecking order so to speak, from most likely to inherit to least likely would be: Kids of Mates, Kids of married Alpha and Lunas, and bastards."

"Gracie." I shook my head, I didn't want her referring to herself as a bastard.

She rolled her eyes and took my hand into hers as if to sort of comfort her, "this is all confusing, but what isn't confusing is that I'd do anything to be with you Augustine...even challenge someone for their pack if it means getting to be with you."

I moved in and kissed her.

Her lovely full lips made kissing her, pure perfection.

"I wish I could help you more..." I growled in frustration. "As it stands I've never had any Alpha training." I confessed a little shamefully. "As the fourth born male the Alpha title wasn't even a thought to me...no, I've always known my place."

She looked at me and smirked. "You've never told me about our family."

I shook my head, "Despite everything I can't help but still have love for them." I sighed, "The Andolini family have a very long lineage...and we've always sort of run the banks area...But honestly one of the main reasons we're so well known or 'respected' is because my grandfather is one of the council members."

"Wait...really?" She asked.

I nodded, "Southern council member Vincent Andolini...then of course you have his first born son, My Dad, Antonio Andolini and my mom's his mate and Luna, Margret but everyone use to call her Maggie...she passed a few years back, that's when Dad stepped down as Alpha and my oldest brother, Tony or Junior is what he usually prefers to be called...anyways Junior inherited the title of Alpha and when he did he appointed my second oldest brother Marco as his Beta."

She kicked off her shoes and curled up next to me, "Do they have mates?"

I kissed her hair and held her, "They do...Junior's Mate is our pack's Luna, Jacqueline...and Marco's mate is Gabbie...both brothers also have daughters." I smiled as I thought of my nieces.

"I bet you're a good uncle."

I smiled further, "I do love them...uh and then there's my brother Alfredo...he hates his name so we call him Alfie, he has a mate as well, Rosie, she's pregnant right now, and Dad and Junior are praying to the moon Goddess that it's a boy but it's still too early to tell."

"So then your pack has always been run by men?"

"Yeah...and that's the thing...My older brothers were always meant to be the next Alpha and Beta, and my brother Alfie was given the role of Pack general...they've always had roles to fill." I said with a small shake of my head, "And then there's me, the fourth Andolini, no title, no role...all I do is talk to the pack...reassure people everything is fine, get the consensus of everyone overall well-being, I do small things here and there but all in all I'm...I'm just the people pleasure...the ...-"

"Son of an Alpha, who's role is just as important as his brothers." She cut me off, "Trust me when I say Alpha and Luna training isn't anything special...anyone can learn the technicalities, but it takes a true leader to have the people's full trust and backing."

It was something no one has ever done...make me actually feel useful, and not just a hanger-on due to my family name.

We talked on, she told me about her family and we talked about adventures we'd had with our friends...and as time passed we got more comfortable, we'd both kicked our shoes off, I  had removed my jacket and before I knew it Grace was getting up to get into her pajamas and I figured I'd make my way down to the car.

I'd picked up some overnight essentials while out earlier, on the off chance she'd ask me to stay again.

So while she was busy changing into her sleepwear I put my shoes back on and ducked out really quick.

"We know you." A familiar girl sounded in a friendly fashion.

I recognized the two ladies as Grace's close friends.

"Walk of shame?" The asked in a humored fashion.

"Not exactly." I replied as I motioned for my car, "Just grabbing some things really quick."

I opened the trunk and they watched me pull out my duffle bag (that I keep in the trunk for when I hit the gym) filled with my new purchases.

"Someone came prepared." The second girl sounded with a smile.

"An overnight bag," The bolder girl sounded, "Why not bring it up sooner?"

"Didn't want to presume she'd ask me to stay the night with her."

"Why wouldn't she...you're both mates right?" She pressed.

I nodded, "We are...but I also know she has school in the morning an the last ting I want to do is become a bad influence on her as I don't have classes tomorrow."

"Mhmm...so whatcha got in there Ace?"

"Just an overnight bag..."

"Leave him alone Kels..." The other friend finally spoke up shaking her head, "Come on Augustine, I'm sure Gracie's wondering where you are by now."

I followed the two girls back into Grace's apartment and found her with her cellphone in hand,   and as we entered she seemed to overlook the girls.

"I thought you'd left."

I shook my head, "Nah, but I did find your friends out there."

She hugged them both before she properly introduced them to me.

Kelly (walk of shame commenter/interrogator) was the taller of the two, while Gigi was clearly the kinder of them both.

I excused myself to put my bag in Grace's bedroom and also took a moment to check my phone.

I looked down at the missed calls, all from Marco, and Alfie

Of course I figured Junior was trying to get ahold of me, more than likely trying to order me back to the pack...funnily enough, even though he's the Alpha, he still hasn't mastered how to single out one individual pack member from the others through mind-link.

Something he'd of easily picked up if he took his Alpha training seriously...which of course he didn't as he knew he'd get the title regardless of his training.

I rolled my eyes, no doubt he wanted me to come home and be with Corrine or something...but fuck him, I'm with my mate right now, and there isn't anything he can do to take me away from her right now short of him coming over here himself...and I wouldn't leave without a fight.

So in short, I turned off my phone...let him try and get me now.

"Auggie?"

I turned and left the room, back to my mate.

"Hey, the girls are heading out to the diner...wanna join them?"

I shrugged, "You go ahead, enjoy your time with your friends." I offered not wanting to intrude on what would obviously be their girl time.

Kelly shook her head, "Come with, my mate's meeting us there too."

"Which means I get to be the fifth wheel." Gigi added less than enthusiastically.

I nodded my agreement, opting to stay in the suit but leaving the jacket off and rolling my sleeves up."We'll meet you guys there." Kelly sounded excitedly.

Grace and I watched them go and then Grace groaned when they were gone.

I snaked my arms around her waist and pulled her close to me, "Tell me what's wrong?"

"After the bombshell at dinner I kinda just wanted to have a chill night in with you...I definitely wasn't prepared to share you with anyone tonight."

"I'm all yours, and when we get back after hanging out with your friends...I'll just have to remind you of that."

She smiled beautifully and I couldn't help but kiss her.