The Alpha Wants Everything Book 1 The King's Queen

Kane was now standing on the second floor, trying to keep his control. If he walked in that room enraged, he would rip Lacey apart, and he wouldn’t get his answers. He hoped, Brighton was lying, he hoped Johnny’s 21st birthday was the only time she was stupid enough to cheat. But in the back of his mind a little nagging voice told him what he just heard was the truth. How could she be so stupid? Came Ky’s voice, he couldn’t believe it either. Johnny gave her everything! Told you, you like Johnny! Fuck you, do not! You’re just lying to yourself! Fuck you, am not! Now you’re lying to me! Fuck you, stupid human! Kane laughed, with some of his anger subsiding he moved down the hallway towards the guarded door. They stood straight and bowed towards him as they moved aside to let him in. Upon entering the room the other guards bowed and exited.

“It cries….a lot” one of them commented on the way out. A wicked smirk played on his face when he heard his guards refer to her as it. Lacey was asleep in the bed and he had to resist the urge to pull her from it. Throwing the covers off of her,

“GET UP!” He bellowed, startling her awake, she let out a scream.

“Wh...what are you doing here?” She cried out,

“This is my fucking house. I can go wherever I damn well choose.” Kane replied,

“Wh….what do you want?” She asked,

“Answers! I am going to ask you questions, and you’re going to answer them truthfully, you can try to lie to me if you want, it won’t end well for you though” he answered, dragging a chair closer to where she was now sitting up in the bed.

Lacey swallowed hard, her mind racing, trying to think of all the questions he could possibly ask. This had to be something to do with Dax. He wouldn’t come visit her if it wasn’t, something happened to that stupid little bitch and he was going to blame her for it.

“Where did you go the night Johnny passed out in his bed on his 21st birthday?” The question threw her off.

“What?” She asked,

“You heard me, don’t make me repeat my question” he said,

“I….I don’t remember I think I slept on the couch” she answered,

“Lie! Where. Were. YOU?” Kane asked again, his voice raising and his tone turning dark,

“I don’t remember, that was four years ago. Where were you?” She said back to him.

“I woke up on Edward and Martina’s couch. You woke up in bed with someone else. Someone who is not your mate, someone you slept with, who you continued to sleep with” his body tensing with his rage. Doing everything in his power to stay seated in that chair. Lacey’s eyes went wide. How could he know? Her breathing hitched and her heart pounded wildly.

“I dare you to lie to me!” Kane growled,

“I….I….I” she stammered, she couldn’t form any more words, couldn’t think what to say, what to tell him, the last person Kane caught cheating on their mate, he made an example of.

“Is that baby even Johnny’s? Do you even know? How did you do it, Lacey? Did you drug him? He would know the second you touched someone else. What did you do to him that he wouldn’t know?” The more questions he asked the angrier he became the more his voice rose.

“I….I….I” was all she could say

“HOW STUPID ARE YOU?” Enraged, the chair he was sitting in hit the wall beside the bed, shattering to pieces as it hit the ground, he moved to the other side of the room to stay away from her. Tears started to form in her eyes and slip down her cheeks.

“Stop your fucking crying. You are not the victim here. You brought this on yourself.” Kane snarled, her tears fueling his anger even more.

“HE GAVE YOU EVERYTHING!” He raged at her, Ky surfacing. Giant sobs raked through her body as she flinched with every word he said to her.

“You stupid little bitch, he gave you everything and you threw it all away” he growled through clenched teeth.

Lacey pushed herself as far away from him as possible, he was going to kill her.

“Who’s baby is it?” He seethed,

“I….I….I don’t know” she cried,

“I want a NAME!” He bellowed,

“M-M-Max-ill-ion” she stuttered out. He started laughing.

“LIAR! Maxillion wouldn’t fucking touch you, if you paid him too. He is deathly devoted to his wife and their five children” He was across the room and had her pinned to the wall by her neck. She was trying to push against him.

“You weak, pathetic little bitch. When I think of all the times I protected you, it makes my blood boil. Brighton would have been a much better match for you.” Lacey’s eyes widened as soon as the name came out of his mouth. He threw her back to the bed, she had given him what he wanted. He was about to walk out of the room, when he was struck by an idea. Why should he be the one to tell Johnny? Why should he take the brunt of Johnny’s anger?

“Get up!” He said,

“Wh-what?” She stared at him,

“GET THE FUCK UP NOW!” Kane crossed the room again and grabbed her by the back of her neck pulling her from the bed to her feet, pushing her towards the door.

“I….I….I’m not d...dre...dressed” she stammered.

“I didn’t know cheating whores worried about their dignity” he snarled, pushing her out the door.

“We’re moving!” He barked, the four guards flanked around them and they proceeded to walk outside.

“Where are you?” Kane asked Damon through the link

“Brighton’s cottage is by the south treeline” came Damon’s reply,

“Is it dead?” Kane asked,

“Not yet, not sure how much rib he has left though” Damon said,

“Keep it alive, we’re heading towards you” Kane said,

“We? You’re bringing it here?” Damon asked,

“Why should we be the ones to take the brunt of Johnny’s anger?” Kane inquired,

“We’ll be waiting!” Damon said.

The night was giving way to day as light streaked across the sky. Johnny and Kenneth were rather confused as to why they had to stop and wait for Kane to show up.

“He didn’t say we had to stop, just don’t kill him yet” Damon said,

“Fuck why?” Johnny asked.

“Carter, where do you hit again to paralyze someone?” Damon asked instead of answering Johnny’s question.

“Wait what? You can paralyze someone by hitting them?” Johnny asked, moving to stand by Damon behind Brighton. His head hung down, blood dripping from his face onto his battered body. He was taking raspy breaths and could barely speak.

“Stop, pl...ple...please stop!” His quiet pleas fell on deaf ears.

“Do you want to paralyze him from the neck or waist down” Carter asked,

“Waist down!” Damon said,

“Neck down” Johnny countered,

“Waist down” Damon shot back,

“Waist down then neck down” Kenneth was there too, he wanted to know as well.

“Here for the neck, here for the waist,” Carter said, pointing to two different locations.

“What kind of criminal shows does Brandon watch?” Johnny asked,

“True crime mostly, but he likes Criminal Minds and I watched an episode where the killer was paralyzing people by hitting them in the neck with a hammer.” Carter explained,

“So you tested it?” Johnny asked,

“The last rogue battle we went through, I figured the waist down out myself” Carter answered.

“How do you think he went through so many?” Damon asked Johnny.

“No idea, Kane and I couldn’t figure it out” Johnny replied,

“How hard do I have to hit him?” Johnny asked,

“Hard enough to sever the spinal cord” Carter replied,

“I get to hit him first” Damon said,

“Why do you get to hit him first?” Johnny asked,

“Cause if you paralyze him from the neck down before I can paralyze him from the waist down, then I didn’t get to paralyze him, I’m just hitting him” Damon replied.

Kane stood there for a minute watching them argue over who was hitting him wrong. He watched them wind up and strike him and then get mad when they didn’t do something right.

“You’re hitting his kidneys” Johnny said laughing,

“You have to hit him right on the spine,” Carter said, again pointing to the spine.

“You fucking do it then” Damon said to Carter

“I can’t, I know where to hit and if I do it I will paralyze him and you won’t get to” Carter said,

“He’s right!” Kenneth said. He drew back his arm and swung, hitting him in the other kidney.

“Fanculo!” Kenneth cursed.

“Do you want me to draw a target on him, like you did when you trained me?” Carter asked,

“No, I don’t want you to draw a target on him. Just show me again” Damon huffed.

“Maybe a small one, it might help with aim,” Johnny said as Damon glared at him.

“What the fuck are you four idiots doing?” Kane asked, as he approached the four men. They all snapped their heads in his direction, Carter couldn’t help the slight one sided grin that hit his face. Kane never called him an idiot, he called the others idiots all the time and he considered them family.

“Carter’s teaching us how to paralyze someone” Johnny replied, with a grin

“Paralyze, why?” Kane arched his eyebrow,

“Remember that battle five years ago, and we couldn’t figure out how Carter went through so many. It’s because he paralyzed them first and then went back and killed them” Johnny explained,

“Really?” Kane looked at Carter,

“Yes, sir” Carter answered,

“Show me” Kane approached Brighton’s hanging body and took in his appearance, they did not go easy on him at all.

“He looks….squishy” Kane said,

“Told you we don’t know how many ribs he has left,” Damon said. Kane was now standing behind Brighton, he could see the horrified look on Lacey’s face as she saw the man she was having an affair with for the last 4 years a hanging bloody mess.

Kane linked the guards telling them to not let her turn away, he wanted her to see this. He wanted her to understand just how bad she fucked up.

“Where do I hit him?” Kane asked Carter,

“From the neck down here, but you have to be careful if you hit too high you could break his neck, from the waist down here.” Carter pointed to two separate locations on his back.

“I haven’t hit him yet” Johnny said, Kane looked at him with amusement in his eyes.

“How hard do I have to hit him?” Kane asked,

“Hard enough to sever his spine, but not….put it through his chest” Carter replied, causing Kane to laugh.

“Alright, waist down it is” Kane said, he drew his arm back and threw the punch directly at the small of Brighton’s back, they heard a sickening crack and Brighton’s legs stopped moving. A scream pierced the early morning and four heads snapped in the direction of the sound. Lacey was still screaming as she watched Brighton’s body swing from the force of Kane’s hit. Tears ran down her face as she covered her mouth, shaking her head back and forth.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” Johnny asked, his voice dripping with disdain for his exmate.

“She has something to tell you,” Kane replied, the fear and horror they all saw on her face as she looked towards Kane. A wicked smile played on his lips, she couldn’t take her eyes off him.

“What the fuck could she possibly have to say to me?” Johnny said,

“When was the last time your skin felt itchy?” Damon asked, Kenneth looked between the men trying to piece together what was going on, Johnny was equally confused.

“I don’t know, a couple weeks ago, why?” Johnny said shrugging

“Kimberly banged everything, I drank alot to dull the pain, one night I drank too much and passed out. I woke up the next morning with my skin itching like crazy and a pissed off Titan in my head, and neither of us could figure out why. It happened a few times and I put it together.” Damon said. Johnny was still confused about what this had to do with him. He looked at Damon, who looked at the ground, then at Kane.

“I’m sorry brother!” Kane said, Johnny looked at Lacey, then back at Kane, and realization crossed his face as to what they were telling him.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Johnny said to him,

“Johnny I….” Lacey started to say,

“Shut your fucking mouth, before I come over there and shut it for you” Johnny said to her.

“It’s a lie, it’s a fucking lie. Tell me it’s a fucking lie, tell me that bitch didn’t cheat on me. TELL ME!” Johnny was enraged, Damon, Carter and Kenneth backed off.

“Is it my baby?” Johnny asked her, when she remained silent

“IS IT MY BABY?” He yelled louder,

“I...I....I don’t know” she cried out. Johnny stared at her wide eyed and bewildered.

“You don’t know! You don’t know! You don’t fucking know! How do you not fucking know who the father is? You stupid fucking bitch, how? Why? Why the fuck did you do this? Was I not good enough?” He yelled at her. When she didn’t answer he released a deep growl that had her screaming again.

“Who? Who did you fuck? Who did you throw everything away for?” He snarled at her, she just shook her head. Johnny ran his hands through his hair, his low growls piercing the night. Kane spun Brighton around and with another hit where Carter told him to, Brighton’s body limply hung from the tree.

“Still want to fuck him, I don’t think any part works now” Kane sneered at her. If she won’t answer then he’ll do it for her.

“HIM? Him? You were fucking him? You stupid fucking whore, I gave you everything” Johnny shook with rage then he exploded, he took one swing at Brighton, but one was all it took. His head detaching from his body flew through the air and hit the ground rolling till it stopped at her feet. The dead eyes of Brighton stared up at her and Lacey screamed, her legs buckling under her, she fell to the ground and pushed herself away from it. Her hands flew to her mouth as she stared at it, her skin paling, body shaking, her fear pouring out of her.

“We’re going to the medical ward. I want a paternity test” Johnny demanded and he walked off. Kane nodded for the guards to take her and follow Johnny.

“Next prisoner we get, you got to show me again how to paralyze them” Damon said to Carter. Kane turned to look at him and shook his head.

“What? You did it in two hits, I wanna paralyze somebody” Damon said defending himself.

“I kind of want to as well,” Kenneth said, raising his hand.

“You really are a bad influence,” Kane remarked to Damon.

“What?” Damon said,

“Cut it down and burn it” Kane pointed to the body still hanging from the tree, turned on his heel and walked back towards the house.

“Sure leave us with the body” Damon huffed, but he moved to cut the rope. It hit the ground with a thump.

“Get the legs Carter!” Damon said as he grabbed the arms,

“I got the head” Kenneth commented as he walked over and picked it up.

Kane made it back to their room and saw her still in the bed. He watched her for a bit, her chest rising and falling in steady movements with each gentle breath she took. He never understood the urge to cheat. Mates are precious, they are a gift given to you, why would you destroy that? The task of finding yours was gruelling enough, why would you throw it all away? For what? What did you get out of it in the end? Maybe because it took him 14 years to find his, he held mates to a higher standard than most. He moved quickly to the bathroom to get cleaned up, when Johnny took Brighton’s head, he got caught in the splash back. He wanted to hold his mate, he wanted her in his arms, and be there when she came to. He was also tired and maybe he would be able to catch some sleep as well. Or this was going to be a really long day. He wanted to go back to the storage locker and have another look around it, maybe talk to the owner, see who rents that space. He could be persuasive. Then there was also family dinner today, which should be interesting. Exiting the bathroom he crawled into bed wrapping her in his arms and tucking her against his body, he kissed her forehead, letting the darkness surround him and pull him into oblivion.

When Damon, Carter and Kenneth walked into the medical ward, Johnny took one look at Damon and howled out with laughter.

“The fuck happened to you?” He asked, holding his sides,

“It spurted me, when Carter dropped the legs” Damon replied, his face and the front of his shirt covered in blood.

“I’m sorry Damon, I didn’t mean to drop them, I tripped on a rock and they slipped out of my hands” Carter defended himself,

“It was pretty funny, Carter went down and blood shot out. I don’t know who was more shocked.” Kenneth added, trying to hold back his laughter.

“Yeah real fucking funny! You know what you come carry the arms and I’ll carry the fucking head, when Carter drops the legs it can spurt you” Damon growled,

“I’m sorry Damon, I didn’t mean to,” Carter repeated, it was clear he was upset by what happened.

“Easy Damon, he didn’t mean to” Kenneth said,

“Yeah, I would have done it on purpose” Johnny said agreeing with Kenneth,

“Let’s just get this fucking thing to the morgue” Damon said, Carter kept his head down and a death grip on the legs so he wouldn’t drop them again. Heading down the hallway towards the morgue, as quick as they could they placed the body on one of the cold tables with the head on the chest telling the coroner to burn it with no last rites. He was guilty of breaking pack law.

“Damon…” Carter began,

“I know. I was a dick, I’m sorry Carter” Damon cut him off, wiping what blood he could off his face.

“It’s ok!” Carter said, looking at the floor

“No, it’s not. I shouldn’t have lost my shit, you didn’t deserve it. It was an accident, if it was the other way around it would have been you, and I probably would have laughed because….well I’m an asshole.” Damon responded,

“You kinda are!” Carter agreed,

“Hey! I’m not that bad. I think you’ve been spending too much time with feisty pants” Damon said, looking at him.

“That’s what Luna says all the time, but I overheard Beta Johnny and Lt. Kenneth laughing about putting a bell on her to keep her ass outta trouble for a change. I’m kinda surprised it didn’t happen sooner, like after the bar incident” Carter said,

“Me too!” Damon agreed, then added “I have to get cleaned up and pray Lydia doesn’t see me, she’ll shit a brick”

“Brandon would just hose me off on the front lawn, I might mess up the house” Carter said,

“He’s an odd guy,” Damon replied, as they walked out of the morgue.

“Sometimes!” Carter agreed, following Damon back down the hallway.

“Carter is an interesting one” Kenneth commented as Johnny and him walked towards the house.

“We all have a thing, you have rats, I have decay, Damon has dead eyed dolls. Carter has failure, it comes from his dad. When he found out Carter was gay, he called him a failure, and told him that’s what he’ll always be. So the kid works his ass off to prove that he’s not, gives everything he has to whatever he’s doing, and if it goes sideways and his best isn’t enough….” Johnny was saying,

“He thinks it further enforces what his father said” Kenneth finished, Johnny nodded,

“There’s no room for failure, he strives to be the best. It’s what he knows, and to respect the rank.” Johnny added,

“That boy should be a rank” Kenneth commented,

“Yup!” Johnny agreed.

“You seem to be in a much better mood, then when we last saw you” Kenneth said,

“The baby’s mine” Johnny replied,

“What would you have done if it wasn’t?” Kenneth asked,

“It’s a Howler and an innocent, I would have taken it anyway.” Johnny replied,

“Did you say anything to her?” Kenneth asked,

“I hope Kane releases Ky and he rips her to pieces while she’s still breathing” Kenneth couldn’t suppress the laugh that escaped.

“I’m fucking starving, maybe Margie’s making breakfast” Johnny announced, Kenneth nodded and they headed into the kitchen.

“You’re going to get cleaned up first….right?” Kenneth asked, Johnny just shrugged.

Kane woke a few hours later with his little mouse sleeping on his chest, well most of her. Her bottom half tucked into his hip with her legs wrapped around one of his, while her top half was draped across his chest. He couldn’t suppress the deep chuckle that rumbled from him when he saw her sleeping position. How this was comfortable he didn’t know, but she was sleeping soundly. Gently running his one hand over her back while his other traced her fingers he thought about the events of this morning so far. The scan showed she processed everything with fear first, but the doctor said that was common in severe abuse cases. Would she ever not fear first? Thinking back to the first time he met her, wondering how scared she actually was, every encounter after that. She wore her anger to mask her fear, but when he broke that wall all she had was fear. What would she be like if she didn’t have fear? Do you mean how much more trouble would she cause? Kane could only laugh at Ky’s question, even more so when no one questioned the bell, they all seemed to understand it. He’d break this wall too and set her free. She deserved to be free. Libero ut musca parum papilio! (Free to fly a little butterfly!) Ky said in his head, and he couldn’t agree more.

He felt her starting to stir on his chest, a grin spreading across his face at the little mousey squeaks she was making. Dax snuggled in closer to his chest while her left hand searched for the covers to pull over herself.

“You kicked them off again!” Kane said, still grinning, she mumbled something into his chest.

“What are you mumbling?” He asked, trying not to laugh when her head popped up.

“Why didn’t you put them back on?” She asked, her hair hanging in her face,

“I did….twice, but you were pretty insistent you didn’t want them and then used me to keep your sub zero feet warm” He stated, looking at her, brushing the hair from her face.

“Oh!” Was all she could say and she cuddled back into him. He wrapped his arms more around her to keep her warm. He could pull the covers over them but he liked having her cuddled in his arms.

“How are you feeling?” He asked, running his fingers through her hair.

“Tired and like I drank a helluva lot” she replied,

“I’m sorry baby, if I knew that was in there I would have removed it. I would never do that to you” he held her tighter to him.

“Who did it? Why did they?” She asked, snuggling in close to the security she felt in his arms.

“A very, very stupid man, for a very, very, stupid reason” Kane answered,

“That’s not an answer,” she replied. No it isn’t he just wasn’t sure how to tell her, without upsetting her too much.

“Just tell me! It was someone from the pack, that much I know. All the nutter butters wouldn’t get past the treeline so it couldn’t have been them” she said,

“Clever little mouse, we were betrayed by one of our own. He didn’t think you were fit to be Luna, because you’re not a wolf. We have been keeping it a secret, or at least trying to, but someone has to stop growling” he said, with a smile,

“It slips out” she defended herself,

“I know, Ky gushes every time” What? It’s adorable! He snickered in his head.

“Who should be Luna then?” She asked. This is where it gets complicated!

“He felt Lacey should be” He answered, hoping she wouldn’t ask anymore questions,

“Why?” So much for that hope!

“He was….they….were…” he couldn’t figure out how to say it without getting angry again. Dax sat up immediately and looked at him.

“Was she fucking him?” She asked wide eyed, he could see the amethyst in her eyes starting to glow, it was faint but he saw it. Her body was stiff and rigid, he could feel her anger beginning to grow.

“Ok baby, breathe, I don’t need a ball of fury in bed with me” he said, trying to get her to calm down.

“Was she fucking him?” Dax repeated her question, the glow in her eyes intensifying. He couldn’t help but stare at her, she was truly beautiful.

“She was!” He answered, he was now curious to see what would happen,

“How long?” She asked sitting up straighter,

“Since his 21st birthday” her body started to shake, and he could see the edges of flames starting to burn in her eyes. Dax was putting it together, her face getting redder, the tips of her ears darkening.

“Is….is the baby his?” She asked, he could feel her white hot rage burn through him.

“I don’t know, I haven’t spoken to Johnny since this morning” he was starting to get up, this wasn’t going to end well. This might have been a mistake! Maybe a small one! He couldn’t help but agree with Ky on this. She’s magnificent though! Truly remarkable! Her wolf on the surface at the same time she was with the white hot flames of rage burning in her eyes. Before he could move anymore or say anything Dax bolted from the bed and the room. Fuck! He was scrambling from the bed right behind her, but fuck was she quick. Dax was halfway down the second floor hallway before he even stepped foot on it. He could see the guards stiffen at the far end as she approached them. Does she look bigger? Yes she does! He linked the guards to open the door and stay out of her way. She had one working arm at the moment, what could she possibly do? He ran down the hall and stopped dead in the doorway, she never said a word and before Lacey could even speak she drew her arm back and swung connecting with Lacey’s throat. That’s what she can do! Ky howled in his head. Only when Lacey hit the floor clutching her throat did she say anything.

“You stupid, stupid bitch, what the fuck is wrong with you?” She seethed,

“He gave you everything, he adored you, worshipped you and that’s how you treat him? That’s what you do? Throw it all away?” She yelled,

“That’s how you treat my family? You selfish, self-centered, egotistical, succubus. You go through this world just sucking the life right out of every one” Dax was enraged, Kane stood in the door watching her. The guards stood there watching her, there were wolves in the hallway, the ones that were close enough were watching while others were listening to what was being said. Lacey gurgled out something about her family, the sound the smack made across Lacey’s face could be heard down the hallway, there was no denying what it was, a dark red welt formed immediately.

“Family! Family! You shouldn’t use words you clearly don’t know the meaning of. Last I checked, family didn’t mean something you fuck away” She snarled at her,

“I was going to ask Kane to let you go, let you walk and live your life, but now, now I think he should do the world a huge fucking favour and just take your fucking head.” Kane moved into the room grabbing Dax gently around the shoulders, her body still shook with rage, but he could feel her starting to relax into his touch.

“That baby better be Johnny’s or I’ll come back here and finish my conversation with you.” Turning on her heel she walked out of the room, Kane took one look at Lacey and a smile slid onto his face,

“Think she’s still weak. She has one arm and barely touched you and you’re on the floor” he smirked and walked out of the room into the hallway.

They had drawn quite the crowd as other wolves bowed their heads in her direction as she walked down the hall to the stairs. Word would spread quickly around the pack house about this. He could hear whispers already, by lunch everyone would know what their Luna did.

“Fucking impressive!” He heard one of the guards mutter under his breath.

“That’s why she’s Luna and not gutter trash” muttered another one. Kane kept the smile on his face as he walked after her down the hall. Who’s proud? Ky cheered. Super fucking proud! Kane agreed. Family dinner just got more interesting. You do know you’re in your underwear right? Ky asked howling. Yup! That will go around the house as well.

Kane made it back to their room, Dax was still fuming pacing back and forth muttering and cursing under her breath. She would stifle her tiny screams and stomp her little foot muttering and cursing some more. The tips of her beautiful ears were still red, but her wolf had receded and the flames had fanned out in her eyes. He will never forget how she looked in all her beautiful enraged glory. He crossed the room spinning her to face him, his mouth crashed down on hers. Untying the gown and pulling it from her body before he lifted her to his waist and pressed her into the wall. His hands roamed over her body with demand and greed. Turning her anger into passion she matched him want for want. She bit his lip demanding he open his mouth before he could do the same to her. He rocked hard against her eliciting a moan, she pushed into him inducing one in return. He would rock she would push, their moans in unison, when neither could take any more the ripping of fabric could be heard, her panties to one side his briefs to the other and he plunged deep inside taking her up against the wall. It was rough, greedy, full of demand and want. Their moans are the only sound filling the room. Each taking from the other till they had nothing left, she cried out clenching around him as an explosion of pleasure tore through her body. He groaned into her neck as an overpowering surge of ecstasy ripped through him. His body shook with his release as hers shivered against him.

Neither able to speak, he stayed pressed against her while she was pressed into the wall. Breathing hard, hearts beating wildly, they clung to each other. This was what he wanted to do the night of the carnival, after he watched her deal with the blonde tramp. He wanted to take her hard and demanding. He was so proud of her, more so when he felt not one ounce of guilt from her over what she just did. He kissed her forehead, down the right side of her face, along her jaw and back to her lips. Love and devotion poured into that kiss and it was reciprocated. Her mouth moved with his, he moved them into the bathroom, kicking the door closed behind them.

Freshly showered, they made their way to the office after they stopped in the kitchen for some breakfast. Lunch might have been a bit too generous on the amount of time given for it to hit the pack house. As they passed others they could hear the whispering, feel the pride coming off them as they looked upon their Luna. Though some had questioning looks, as to why she was wearing bunny ears and a tail, no one questioned the jingling they heard. He waited for her outside the closet with them and the string of curses that left her mouth when he held them up had him grinning. As they approached the office they could hear laughter coming from it.

“Oh she lost her mind when she saw me!” Damon was saying,

“I did not!” They heard Lydia fire back.

“You told me not to touch anything and shoved me into the shower telling me to strip.” Damon replied.

“At least you got a warm shower, I could have marched you back outside and shot you with the hose” She countered, he couldn’t argue with that, she could have.

“Kenneth wouldn’t let me have breakfast till I cleaned up.” Johnny said,

“Are you serious?” Damon asked,

“I wasn’t sitting next to that” Kenneth replied,

“I just took a man’s damn head off in one hit and he’s momming me about a little blood” Johnny countered,

“A little blood, you were covered. Margie wouldn’t even let you in the kitchen when she saw you” Kenneth fired back,

“Margie controls the food, the only one that would get away with that is Kane, in fact he has” Johnny replied,

She looked up at him questioning the conversation they were overhearing.

“He broke pack law. Being a mate is sacred, and it is held in the highest regard. It’s an honour and a blessing to have one.” She nodded her head.

“I thought Kane was going to put his spine through his back when he hit him the first time. I think Carter did too.” Kenneth commented,

“Yeah, he swung pretty good” Johnny agreed,

“I didn’t get to paralyze anybody!” Damon huffed,

“What are you bitching about? I didn’t even get to try” Johnny huffed back. Her eyes just widened at him.

“Carter taught us how to paralyze someone,” Kane defended himself. They walked into the office and all the conversation just stopped, as they looked at her smiles spreading across all their faces.

“Your ears are crooked!” Damon was the first to break as he started laughing.

“Oh sweetie you look adorable, turn around I want to see the tail” Lydia exclaimed, she could see the merriment in her eyes. Dax stood tall and turned around, jingling the whole way. Johnny was fighting to control himself, Kenneth couldn’t look at her anymore, his shoulders were starting to shake.

“You think that’s adorable, wait till he calls her bunny” Damon said howling,

“What happens when he calls her bunny?” Seraphine asked. Her eyes widened and she looked at him shaking her head. A mischievous smile spread across his face, her eyes begging him not to say it.

“I think I’ll feed her first,” he replied, moving them towards the desk. They could hear the laughter starting up again as she jingled across the office.

“I don’t want to deal with a grumpy….bunny” Kane said when they sat down and she was facing everyone sitting in his lap at the desk. Her eyes went wide as soon as the word exited his mouth. She saw the grins across their faces spread wider as they knew what would come next. She straightened her shoulders and started wiggling her nose. Lydia and Seraphine giggled when they saw her.

“That is the cutest thing ever and as much as I would love to see you do it repeatedly, I have put off inventory at the store for long enough. Ready to go?” Lydia asked Seraphine. She could see Seraphine huff and Lydia giggled again.

“I know inventory sucks, but you promised to help me and the dance studio is just down the block.” Lydia reminded her. Seraphine begrudgingly got up, gave Kenneth a kiss and moved towards the door

“Do you need candles?” Dax asked,

“I’m pretty sure I do, but I’ll have to check the back and let you know at dinner tonight.” Lydia answered, she kissed Damon goodbye and her and Seraphine walked out the door.

“What’s the plan today?” Johnny asked, looking at Kane

“We’re heading back to the storage unit, I want another look around and to see if the manager will tell us who rents it, and jingles here is coming as well. I also want Marco there, I noticed cameras maybe they caught something” Kane replied,

“Me? Why?” She asked, swallowing a bite of food.

“Because that locker was full of art that you created, something might spark in that brain of yours” Kane replied, he didn’t miss the concerned looks that crossed everyone’s face.

“Ok!” She said and went back to eating.

“It will get Marco out of having to go shopping, he’ll be thrilled” Kenneth replied, they all had questions about her going with them. What if she had an incident while they were there.

“I also want to talk to Carter,” Kane said, a grin played on Johnny’s face. He didn’t even need to ask what that was about, he knew.

“I think he’s in the training field” Johnny replied,

“Get him in here!” Kane said,

“He’s on his way!” Damon replied,

“Marco will be here in 10 minutes” Kenneth commented,

“Good!” Kane said.

When Dax was finished eating she got off his lap and was about to exit the office when she opened the door and came face to chest with Carter. He looked down at her,

“Why are you wearing bunny ears?” He asked, confusion crossing his face, she could hear Kane and the others laughing in the office behind her. She moved out of the way to let him in.

“She lost a poker game” Damon answered,

“What, you’re not going to question the bell?” She asked,

“No, I understand the bell, I’m surprised you weren’t wearing one sooner” Carter said, causing the others to laugh again.

“I’m not that bad, Carter!” She huffed, walking past him down the hall.

“Have a seat Carter,” Kane said, still laughing. He hesitated a little, they could sense his anxiety spiking but he did as he was told.

“Did I do something wrong?” Carter asked him as he took a seat across from the desk, nervously looking at the others in the room.

“What’s the job of a Delta?” Johnny asked,

“Protect Luna, protect the pack” Carter answered,

“What has been your job the last little bit?” Kenneth asked,

“Protect Luna….I haven’t done a very good job, I’m sorry” Carter bowed his head, now he knew what this was about. He’s failed at his task to keep her safe.

“You broke the door off of radiology, to prevent them from triggering another incident, you stood guard outside her medical room door, because she was left unprotected, you refused to let the doctor touch her until I was present, you took me down in the hallway, because she was scared. Even at your worst and uncooperative, you did your best to keep her protected. Whatever trouble she did find herself in, you didn’t let her get into alone, you were by her side the entire time. Doesn’t sound like failure to me. Sounds like a Delta!” Kane said, Carter’s head snapped up and he looked at him eyes wide.

“Stand up!” Kane stood behind his desk holding an ornate dagger and moved around to stand in front of it. Carter slowly rose to his feet standing in front of him. He looked at the dagger in Kane’s hand then at the others in the room.

“Carter Williams, do you accept the rank of Delta, promise to uphold it to the best of your ability, pledging your life to your Alpha, Luna and to your pack, now and forever?” Kane asked,

“Yes!” Carter answered, he watched as Damon extended his hand palm up.

“Give me your hand Carter” Kane said, he did as he was told.

“I, Kane McKenna, Alpha of the Blood Howlers, revoke the rank of Delta from Damon Benson and entrust it to Carter Williams. From this day he will be known as Delta Carter Williams.” Carter watched as Kane cut Damon’s palm, Damon then cut Carter’s palm and they shook hands. Feeling the surge of power flow into him, his eyes flashed ice blue then returned to normal.

“I, Beta Johnny Masters, bear witness to this occasion” Johnny said,

“I, Lt. Kenneth Rossi, bear witness to this occasion” Kenneth repeated.

“Welcome to the ranks Carter, your ass better be at family dinner tonight, cause I’m not explaining it to mama if you’re not” Johnny said.

“Damon Benson, do you accept the rank of Gamma, promise to uphold it to the best of your ability, pledging your life to your Alpha, Luna and to your pack now and forever.’ Kane asked, turning to Damon.

“Fuck, yeah I do” Damon replied,

“A simple yes would have worked Damon” Johnny laughed,

“Not my nature” Damon replied, turning his palm up

“I, Kane McKenna, Alpha of the Blood Howlers, revoke the rank of Gamma from Charles Monroe and entrust it to Damon Benson. From this day he will take his rightful place and be known as Gamma Damon Benson.” Kane cut his palm, cut Damon’s palm again and they shook hands. The surge of power caused his eyes to flash green then return to normal.

“I, Beta Johnny Masters, bear witness to this occasion” Johnny said,

“I, Lt. Kenneth Rossi, bear witness to this occasion” Kenneth repeated. Johnny looked at Carter who was looking at the palm of his hand and arched his eyebrow at him, Kenneth nudged him with his elbow.

“What?” He asked looking at them,

“You have to bear witness to the occasion, state your full name and your rank” Johnny whispered, trying to hide his amusement,

“What? Oh, uh. I, Carter Wil….I, Delta Carter Williams, bear witness to this occasion?” Kenneth was trying not to laugh beside him.

“You’ll get the hang of it” He said to him. Get the hang of it? Carter was still trying to process what the fuck just happened.

Watching from the doorway as Carter and Damon got their ranks rightfully, Dax couldn’t help the smile that crossed her face. Everything was as it should be. That was nice! Yes it was! Glad we witnessed it! Me too, they deserve it! I wonder what other ceremonies they have! I don’t know, there’s no instruction manual remember! That’s dumb, everything should come with an instruction manual! We sure could use one some days! You’re telling me! She stood there a little longer watching the men in the room.

“Tesoro, perché hai le orecchie da coniglio e la coda? (why do you have bunny ears and a tail?)” Marco asked, laughing coming down the hall behind her. Dax looked at Marco then pulled her phone to see what he said.

“I lost a poker game” she replied looking at him,

“Cosa sta succedendo in ufficio, che sei in piedi nell’ingresso? (What’s going on in the office, that you’re standing in the hall?)” He inquired standing in the hall with her.

“Damon and Carter got their ranks and I didn’t want to interrupt anything” She replied,

“Carter ha un grado? Cosa ha ottenuto? (Carter got a rank? What’d he get?)” Marco now stood in the doorway watching the others in the office.

“Delta?” She answered,

“Buon per lui! Ha le mani occupate, ma fa bene a lui (Good for him! He got his hands full, but good for him)” Marco said,

“What do you mean?” She asked,

“Delta protegge Luna, lui il suo ufficiale guardia (Delta protect Luna, he her official guard)” Marco answered,

“Oh! Hey, I’m not that bad, Marco” she huffed,

“Tesoro, ti hanno messo un campanello addosso, e c’è una storia in giro che tu schiaffeggi Lacey (They put a bell on you, and there a story going around that you bitch slap Lacey)” Marco said laughing.

“You heard about that?” She asked looking at him,

“Tutti ne hanno sentito parlare. Si sentiva lo schiaffo dal fondo delle scale (Everybody heard about that. Could hear the slap from the bottom of the stairs)” Marco replied,

“Bitch had it coming” she mumbled, causing Marco to laugh.