CHAPTER ELEVEN

Hawke kissed the top of Sienna's head before sitting down next to her, placing his hand on her thigh. He looked across the table at Kathryn, who was sat next to Judd and Laura. Kathryn was listening to Brenna, who was leant across Judd. She caught his gaze and gave him a smile, before returning her attention back to the talkative blonde.

"That was quick." Her eyes flicked to Kathryn. "She seems at home." His mate kissed the stubble on his cheek. "Do you think she'll stay longer than a year?"

He turned to Sienna, looking into her unique cardinal eyes that blazed with stars. "Maybe. From what Riley said she's being stalked by Bastian Smith, and you know what those leopards are like." Sienna laughed a sound he would never tire of hearing.

Walker stood at the end of the table, and everyone went silent. "I think it would be appropriate to thank our guest for coming tonight."

"She was incredible brave facing you lot." Hawke's comment got a chuckle from the children, Toby and Marlee. Walker just gave him a look before continuing. "Kathryn, I hope you feel like joining us again whilst you stay in San Francisco."

They raised they glasses in a cheer. Dinner time at the Laurens was very different from eating with the rest of the pack. Judd always seemed to materialise food in front of everyone, and Marlee was forever hovering drinks just out of reach. The pup like nature of her prank made Hawke's heart swell with pride. This was his family.

Kathryn watched the Laurens interact, and started to feel homesick. She missed her mum and dad, and her alpha. Christian was her best friend, despite his rank and the age gap. He seemed to understand her like no one else.

She caught Hawke's eye. "Can I make a quick video call?"

If Hawke was surprised he didn't show it. "Of course, there's a private room you can use at the bottom of the corridor." She nodded her thanks, and left the table.

The room was easy enough to find. Inside she slipped into a chair and turned on the TV that was connected to the phone. Dialling the familiar number, she felt a cold shiver go down her spine. She checked the time. It was 7pm, which meant it was around 2am London time. Let's hope he's in a good mood.

"I swear to bloody God, if someone isn't bleeding I don't want to fucking know." The bad temper of her alpha made her giggle.

"I thought you'd be getting laid, not sleeping with a teddy bear." More cursing than a familiar crop of black hair appeared on-screen. Blinking eyes looked at her, his lips curled into a smile,

"Seen as you're in new territory, I thought you would have bagged a kitten by now." He ran his hands through his hair, before studying her carefully. She tried to keep a cool, but she was well aware of his all-seeing eyes. "I do declare Miss Hill; I hint a subtle glow about you." He pretended to sniff her, even though they were a whole ocean apart. "My, my, do I smell a kitten on thee?"

She gave him the look. The one she reserved for dealing with her most tiresome students. He gave her the same look back.

She cracked first. "I had sex with a leopard I'm staying with. He's gorgeous, strong and very smart. My God Christian we had sex in his car, and then we slept in his bed and cuddled! He smells like bonfires and sex! The sex was fucking fantastic - fast and hard, and tender all at the same time." She paused for breath, her chest heaving with the emotional out pour.

Christian stood there and blinked at her, a look of shock upon his face. "Christ Kathryn! I was joking you know"

She put her head in her hands, tears starting to form in the corners of her eyes. "I don't know what to do, I've been here two days and I've already jumped into bed with a leopard." She looked up at the screen. "I think I really like him."

Christian sighed, shaking his head. "You were supposed to be the sensible one - the one who never did anything stupid or crazy or out of routine." He shook his head again. "If I could I would come drag you home in a heartbeat, you know I would, Cakes. But we made an arrangement; I could try to swing by in a couple of months though." The use of the nickname that he used made her smile. "That's my Cakes. Now tell me more about this leopard and let me see if I can help."

An hour later she immerged from the room to see Sienna stood outside. "Hawke asked me to see if you were ok." The girl's concern was clear, and Kathryn had guessed her eyes were still red and slightly swollen.

"I'm Ok, just a bit homesick." She tried to smile, but she knew it didn't quite meet her eyes.

Sienna nodded and smiled back. "A couple of us are going to a bar next week, Jose's? Fancy coming with us?"

Kathryn narrowed her eyes just a bit. She didn't like pity. "Are you asking me because you want me to come, or because Hawke's making you?"

Sienna snorted and tossed her hair over her shoulder. "Hawke may be my mate, but I'm not on a leash. We invited the leopards as well. You can hang out with us instead of the seniors."

Kathryn thought it over. At her age most changelings were novice soldiers or soldiers, but because of her being a maternal she had chosen a teaching course at the age of 16 and excelled. Her thesis was unique.

"Sounds fun. I could do with letting off some steam."

Sienna smiled and they walked back to the Laurens room, giggling like school children.

Bas stood by the front door, listening for the sound of a car. The second he heard it he was out on the porch. Hawke got out with Kathryn, and brought her up the steps. Her eyes were shinning. "Thanks for today."

Hawke smiled, and kissed her cheek. Bas frowned. Skin privileges weren't given easily, but Kathryn seemed to radiate warmth that touched everyone.

Hawke nodded at Bas, and ignoring the car, shifted into a silver gold wolf and ran off into the night.

Kathryn turned to look at him, the smile slipping from her face. "What?"

He decided not to answer straight away, and walked into the kitchen to grab a beer. She followed him and took a seat on one of the high bar stools.

"What's your problem? I left you a note telling you where I was" Her tone was sharp, a complete contrast to the warm softness of her features.

"I'm pissed you spent the night with wolves." His tone was soft. He didn't want to scare her with the depth of emotion he felt when had read the note that she'd left him stating that she was staying for dinner with Hawke and the Laurens.

She played with her hair, running it through her lips. "Christ Bas, it was dinner – with the Laurens, who are all mated! And in case you forgot, I'm a wolf too." She jumped out of her seat and stomped away up the stairs. He heard a door slam.

Sat on the bed, Kathryn felt the tears fall over her cheeks. She had never been with a dominant male before. He intimidated her with his possessive nature, and she wasn't used to it. She swiped at her face with the back of her hand. Her wolf paced, pissed off and agitated. She began to strip, needing to shift. A knock at her door stopped her. She yanked it open, dressed only in her jeans and bra, and found herself looking into the eyes of a leopard wearing a human's skin.