The park in La Push was a beautiful open place, centered with trees clustered around it in a jagged circle. There was a row of swings for adults and children, a big play area, and a bridge nearby that led across a creek. This time of year though all the leaves had turned bright orange and yellow. Not a spot of green was visible either on the growing sparse branches, or the loud crunchy ground. The skies were cloudy, but it was a nice enough day. Breezy and chilly, but pleasant enough for western Washington.

It had been about three days since the scare with Feng and Stormy. Three days of everyone gradually calming down, and Paul and I watching those two at every glance. Three days of my being grateful to the Cullen's.

At least to Carlisle and Esme. As still unpleasant as their scent of old blood was, I had come to terms there were things they couldn't control. That if they didn't feed on animals at least, it could be a lot worse. It was a quality of appreciation the pack didn't have. I was still far from liking most of the Cullen's, but the point remained I still felt the couple weren't bad people. It was a more rational quality, as I put it, that made me different from the wolves.

Sometimes I found it odd to think of this balance I had managed. Between my human rationality and instincts. The instincts that could include the rare fit of hunger and the desire to hunt, and a human mind that could tighten my leash. I found that if I shifted at least twice a week, my instincts and those animal urges lessened. It was a good balance, and one that if I kept up long enough, would keep me from aging. It was only recently Paul and I decided on this. That in order to have an extended time together, or at least until we got too tired, we would shift on schedule. Though considering how young we were, we didn't have to keep track. Paul being naturally short tempered, and myself training my kids (which involved shifting), we were good.

I snapped out of it when Jaio screamed from inside a bright blue crawlspace. Chi had climbed up the side and shoved a dead snake through the various window shapes. At his cheeky grin I wasn't even mad. I couldn't be. Somehow in the midst of his mischievousness, his eyes would turn all kitten sweet and his dimples would quirk. Revenge was quick though. Yan-mei came to her sister's defense and jumped him from atop the blue crawlspace. Then they went down into the brown mulch and leaves.

"Bwah! Ross help me out!" he pleaded, wrestling the girl away from him. Yan-mei was tough though. I had to give her that. I settled deeper into my jacket and scarf, shaking my head. Obviously I wasn't leaving my warm swing seat.

"You're on your own cub."

"Oh come on!"

Paul chuckled next to me. He was too cool to swing on the swings, but he did busy with pushing Feng in his little safety seat next to mine, and occasionally giving a push on the small of my back. I still marveled at the simple t-shirt and shorts he wore. The cold temperatures today did little to nothing to him. Whereas I was freezing getting out of bed this morning. I was a summer cat, as were my kids. They all wore varying types of thick jackets, and I made sure Feng was as snug as could be.

The little cutie just watched the others wrestle and fool around like they were nuts. Paul gave me a light push, swinging me forward. "Harsh."

I turned my head to look at him. "He had it coming though."

"For a dead reptile? It's not hurting anybody." He teased, raising his brows and glancing at me. That silly little smirk…

I shook my head. Wolves…

Chi ran by, hoping to use the momentum of his run in the empty swing next to me. Unfortunately all of us saw his shoelace getting caught in the chains when he swung off it and jumped. Midair the chain jerked him back a little before taking his shoe. Clumsy as always he fell on his side, rolling down the slight slope. Yan-mei purposely walked for him, eyes never leaving her target.

We all had energy to get out of our systems now and then.

Feng's hearty baby laugh echoed as he watched the two fight. Paul and I couldn't resist smiling. Now that Feng was back with us, we had both grown considerably closer to him. At night I wanted him to sleep in my arms, just in case I woke from a bad dream he would be there when I woke up. Paul assured me everything was fine. I could relax. But it was a struggle. I trusted Paul to take care of us, but it was myself I had trouble trusting. My doubts over being a good mother despite his reassurances. It was a nasty cycle of doubt and anxiety I tried to avoid.

Maybe I'd just need time to get over the recent incident.

"Hey Paul! Can you give me a spin?" Jaio called nearby. She had moved on from the crawling tubes and sat on a tall spinning pole. It was difficult to get started without someone else.

"Don't say I didn't warn you." As he went over and got her spinning, Feng reached out his small little arms and grunted at me. I raised a brow at him, unmoving. Sometimes I had to prompt him to speak. Feng was used to getting his point across without baby babble. He was smart. Just lazy. If he was hungry he'd point to his mouth, sometimes more fiercely than others depending how fussy he was. Then when he wanted to cry he'd grab a tissue and run to me, waving it up at me so I could baby him before he started his fit.

"What do you want?" I pressed lightly, over the sounds of Jaio's mad laughter nearby. She was a spinning blur. In my peripherals Chi stumbled over and sought refuge to lay in a slide. He was safe from Yan-mei as she went back to her perch- the tallest play area of the park. She liked to relax up there and keep an eye on things. Mostly Chi. Paul stood near the support rails to the swing seat, arms crossed and watching amused.

Feng stared at me, like it was obvious what he wanted. He slapped his hands on the plastic chair around him and grunted. Expectant again.

"What do you want, Feng? Tell me."

"Mah!" he whined. I could almost imagine him saying 'come on already!'. Then he looked at Paul and stretched out his arms. "Dah!" He pouted, furrowing his little brow. His demand was unmet as Paul knew what I was doing. My fiancé was biting back a grin. "Come on, speak." He coaxed.

Feng's lower lip went out as far as it could go.

"UP!"

I nearly fell out of my chair laughing. Paul fell back on the ground breathlessly, and it sounded like Yan-mei was laughing in her hand. There we go. Smart, just lazy. With giggles stuck in my throat, I pushed to my feet and rescued him from his chair. Feng's hazel eyes were glued up on me like I had gravely insulted him. At least until I kissed his head. He gave up his pout enough to cross his little arms and rest against me. Paul pushed up to his feet, smile etched across his face.

"Okay, that was hilarious."

"What was?" We turned, watching Sam Uley come walking up the dirt path from the road with Emily. Since it wasn't raining today, Emily planned we get out a little and have a chance to talk. I suggested the park, and that was that. But I figured it wouldn't be good for the kids to spend the day at home, and considering how much they tried helping find Feng and Stormy recently, the least I could do was treat them to some fun. Sam was dressed like it was a summer day, though Emily and her little Harry were more covered up. I sat Feng down so I could greet her. Still he followed at my side. We hugged as we greeted another, and she pulled down her blanket to show off her sleeping baby. I invited her to the swings with me while Sam and Paul were busy talking.

She sat next to me, smiling at the sight of the trio messing around. "I'm surprised there's no one else here." She blinked, smiling. I shrugged, pulling Feng up onto my lap. One minute he was glaring at me, now he wanted to snuggle. Strange cub…

"Too cold, I guess. I don't know how these men go around like that."

Emily smirked. "Body heat of a hundred and five upwards, guess they don't need much. But it saves on the heating bill in the winter." She winked at me. I was left laughing. "Anyway, where's Stormy?"

"Oh, he's at home. Not feeling too good. I think not eating much on his latest adventure has made him think he has to eat all he can at once, like he's never gonna get it again. So…he's sleeping off a few pounds of meat and a bellyache."

"Poor thing." She shook her head. Harry fussed in her arms, apparently disliking the soft breeze. As she shushed him, Feng looked over, as curious as a kitten. Emily noticed and smiled. "I wonder if these two will be friends."

"I'm sure they will." I figured, seeing as how big-eyed and wondering Feng already was. Emily swung a little in her chair to calm the baby down. It worked somewhat. "Are you going to the bonfire tomorrow night? It's on the cliffs."

"Oh really? I didn't know there was one. Paul usually springs these things on me last second. I could be watching a movie marathon in my pajamas and he'd throw a jacket at me like, what, you aren't ready?" I faked a man's dumb voice, causing Emily to laugh. Her pigtails curled on her chest as she looked at me. "I guess since you're part of the pack, they might forget you don't have that mind link with them. Sam tells me once something's in their head, it gets in everybody's."

I groaned. "Makes me glad I only have those two right now." My attention shifted back over. Chi had traded places with Jaio on the spinning seat. While she got him going, Yan-mei watched from her perch still. She was probably still too cool to play with them. Emily glanced over. "Will you be bringing them? I heard that Billy and Old Quil Ateara will be telling their stories."

"Probably. I'll have to leave Feng with a babysitter though. I doubt he can always be a little angel."

"Oh, well I've got one for Harry. Do you just wanna drop him and Stormy off?"

I smiled. "Thanks Em."

We watched the park for a few minutes, enjoying the breeze and talking about the cooler temperatures. Paul and Sam were discussing something nearby, though I couldn't tell what. I looked back over when Emily spoke.

"Have you heard from Leah lately…?"

I paused. "Not really… I figured she wants some time to herself. Paul says based on the thoughts he's heard from her, she doesn't want to deal with anybody right now."

Emily looked upset. "I want to take her out to cheer her up, but I don't want to push it… Being there at my wedding was already pretty big." Then she lit up. "How about you take her out Ross?"

I was hesitant. "Don't think it's too soon?"

Emily adjusted Harry in her arms to get comfortable. Luckily he didn't wake up. "No. I figure she'd have to be lonely by now." As she spoke, Feng wriggled down from my lap and ran off to the spinning play area. Figures he'd get bored of us rambling. All the more reason to have a babysitter tomorrow.

I shrugged. "Maybe we could do something later today. Heck, she'll probably like the plans I have already for the kids."

Emily didn't get a chance to ask as Paul jogged over. I lifted my head as he stopped next to me. "I'll be going on patrol with the others for today. Since we're all going to that bonfire tomorrow we have to take precautions now."

"Will you need me too?" I offered.

He crinkled his nose, giving me a teasing look. "I think we got it kitten. No need for you felines to do anything."

"Hey, you know that lazy stereotype doesn't apply to us."

He raised a brow. "You've been sitting here the whole time and," He turned his head. Yan-mei was now sleeping on her perch. "-and that speaks for itself."

I was giving him a squint and my lips were tight together when he quickly dove to kiss me goodbye. He was unable to avoid my tickling, annoyed fingers in his middle. Paul just laughed and jumped away. Then he and Sam were gone with some jokes and shoves. I shook my head as Emily laughed.

"You guys are adorable together."

I snorted and bundled up warmly at another breeze. Emily followed suit, but mostly covered up Harry. "By the way, what were you planning with the kids?" She blinked.

A smile tugged at my lips and I unfolded a paper from my pocket. Emily furrowed her brows before gasping.

"Are you serious?"

"I've done my research." I smiled. "Old Quil and Billy aren't the only ones with their stories now."

.

.

.

By lunch time I had taken myself, Feng, Jaio, Chi and Yan-mei to lunch at the River's Edge restaurant here in La Push. It was a fairly nice restaurant, nothing too extravagant. Just a nice sized wooden building that was warm and cozy. Only a few people were here enjoying lunch. The waitress was sweet and brought us to a nice window booth. We had a good view of the creek that went all around La Push.

Yan-mei sat next to me, with Feng in a high chair on my other side, and Chi and Jaio across from me. As we got settled in Chi flashed up a smile. "You know, I think you're spoiling us Ross. Me at least."

I shrugged. "I like being with you guys."

Yan-mei skimmed through the menu, but did glance over. "Is that all…?"

"Yep." I flipped through my menu. "No ulterior motive, Yan-mei. I consider you guys my own and, well, I like to have fun."

Jaio giggled at her sister's naturally questioning behavior. The waitress returned and we all placed our orders in. Afterwards I tried to not look at them. When they saw something on my mind, they started staring at me. And with them all staring at me like nosey kittens I would start laughing. When I dared to glance over and sip my drink, Chi was leaning halfway over the table, arms at his side, with his chin sitting on the table and hopelessly staring up at me.

I gave in to laughter. "Alright alright, I do have something planned soon, but let's just enjoy lunch first?"

Jaio flashed a smile over as Chi groaned and sank back in his seat. Well, their staring worked. While they felt more accomplished Yan-mei was still trying to figure it out. But I didn't give anything else away. Nevertheless it didn't make hiding my thoughts any less difficult. Once we had finished eating and had left the restaurant, I kept Feng in my arms and started down the road. The kids looked confused to varying degrees as we weren't heading home. Instead I continued on down the sidewalk.

They whispered to another as if I didn't already hear their thoughts. Chi jogged up to me. "Are we going back to the park?"

"No."

He bit his lip. "Are we…" He trailed off, looking up at the small building I had stopped in front of. But assuming I was thinking of something else, he joked. "Are we getting tattoos?" he snorted.

I glanced over, smirking.

"Yep."

That minute of silence was hilarious. Especially their stunned expressions. "Well, come on. We've only got an hour or so." That said I led the way inside. The shop was small and cozy. A t.v played in the corner, mostly bookshelves were in front of us, and it had a front counter with a few knickknacks hanging around. There was the faint scent of incense burning somewhere. Chi was wide-eyed and murmured. "Okay, this looks like a place to get some serious drugs-"

I elbowed his side as a middle aged Native-American man came out. His arms were covered in tattooed sleeves.

"Ross?" he questioned. I nodded.

He jerked his head over. "Everything's all set up." As he went back, the kids finally stopped me. They obviously were torn between thinking it was a joke and their shock. I raised a brow at them. "Don't worry, I'll be getting mine first. During then I can explain a few things."

I handed Feng over to Jaio and led the way back. Behind all the bookshelves was a corner filled with tables of ink and little needles. My kids stopped and stared nearby as I slid into the chair there and rolled up my pant sleeve. I handed the man my folded paper and he went off to get a stencil ready. While I pulled my right shoe and sock off, Chi was the first to finally find his voice.

"Wait, what's going on?"

I was pretty calm considering I had planned this a while now. "Well, how many of you noticed the tattoo the pack have on their arms?"

Recognition flashed through their eyes. "I learned from Billy it's what unites them together, not just in blood and history. Without getting too mushy, I wanted to make this commitment to you guys. To show, I guess in a wolf manner, that I'm here for you. That we're all here for each other. Plus, when you think about it, it really does make us unique for a pack, doesn't it?" I smiled, nervously when the man returned and showed me his stencil. I was ready.

Chi was the first to snap out of it and get excited. He jumped and nearly got his head stuck in a cobweb. "I'm next!"

Yan-mei looked nervous. "Where…where are we getting them?"

I focused on her as the man aligned the stencil on my leg, a little above my ankle. "Well, for starters, I figured I could give you guys a story while we're doing this. Billy's doing his tomorrow, and I did enough research to figure you guys need to know our own too. The pack have theirs on their arm, and I read the bicep area signifies strength. Makes sense knowing them. But, I finally found our history guys. Granted I did have to go through a few foreign sites and dig around, but… I hope you guys want to know."

They all glanced at another before looking back at me. I was stunned when Yan-mei spoke, quietly. "We're with you, Ross."

Pride, relief, and joy surged through my heart. As the man charged his needle up a confused Leah appeared between the bookshelves. "Ross? Why did you call me he-"

Then her eyes widened. Chi laughed. "We're getting tattoos!"

Again I had to explain things, and by then the man started working. It was startling at first, but soon I didn't even feel it. Maybe for such a light pin-prick of an injury, my body healed up immediately afterwards.

Leah eased up from her shock to smile. "I'm honored you wanted me here."

"Of course. I need my bestie to hold my hand." I dramatically reached out to her, leaving her to smile and take my hand. "It's sweet you're doing this. It really makes a statement." Leah looked at all of us, and it seemed to kill any nerves they had. "But why the leg?"

Oh right.

I went on to explain that among our tribe, long ago, it signified agility and grace. The wisdom to be quick and sharp as a whip, both literally and figuratively. Of course, by how curious they all now were, it was a chance to tell my story and it served as a good distraction.

"As it's pretty obvious we originated in China." I winced as the needle skimmed over some areas repeatedly to fill it in. "The history legends date us mostly as being from the Tibet region centuries ago. There's no telling exactly what triggered their ability to shift, but I found tiny bits and pieces that indicate it might've been a werewolf responsible."

"In China?" Leah asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, but this was a long time ago. It makes me wonder if was an ancestor to the wolf pack in Alaska before they settled there. The story is the monks up in the mountains had been having problems lately. A giant beast, a wolf they said, was causing the region problems. Destroying cattle, leaving the corpses of people in the woods, horrible things. Everyone was terrified of this monster. So they sent out travelers to every country they could, looking for help. Eventually they got someone from Egypt to come back with them. His name was Gamal. Meaning handsome, that sorta thing in their language. They didn't really know if he could help or not, but they had nothing else. Gamal was so different looking from the natives, that when he came into the village, it was rumored every woman fell in love with him. I read that he was built like one of those Greek deities. The local travelers that had gone with him wanted him to eat and rest with them, but he refused. It said Gamal was overtaken by an intense desire to hunt, it almost made him inhuman. For a full week he vanished into the region, only appearing now and then if someone spotted him. The thing is, they never saw the handsome Egyptian. It was only a massive tiger. The legend says he stood over six foot, and weighed as much as a dozen men. The people feared him more than the wolf, not just because of his size, but because how human he was inside when the others saw him. He would look at them with such human intellect that wasn't like an animal. Sometimes it was getting people to safety or warding them off from an area. During that week he fell in love with one of the women. Gamal grew so distracted by her, and trying to protect her, he left himself open. The wolf knew he was being hunted, and when he could, it attacked Gamal. Unfortunately…during their fight, the woman tried to save him when he got pinned down. She underestimated their fight, figuring he needed help. All it took was one hit for the wolf to kill her. Overtaken by rage, Gamal found the strength to kill him. It turns out though, the only reason the wolf was there in the first place being a vampire had killed his family. He was so overcome with rage and insanity, he figured creating a bloodshed would attract the vampire. It did…only after his death. Gamal surprised the vampire by killing him too. When the village was safe again, Gamal decided to live there as the local hero. He…as a cat obviously had an ego, and with his good looks, he figured he might as well stay and enjoy himself. The rumor is he took about five wives, the most beautiful women in the village." I took a breath, cracking a smile.

"The thing is, he insisted every daughter he had was to be named after his first love. The reason he wanted to stay in Tibet. Her name was Lei."

My kids were silent, stunned. I had barely noticed the man was finished, but he had already wrapped my leg up before I could see it. I got up, leaving Chi to take a seat, but their eyes never left me. I cracked a smile and went on.

"Gamal lived to see four generations after his children were born. Since he had no reason to shift, with the village being safe, he grew old like everyone else. But his children lived on in the village, and eventually they had children with the locals till the bloodlines were all mixed together. At one point there was no distinction between the locals and the Egyptian descent. As the centuries went on, his bloodline obviously got more diluted, but much like here in Washington, a small group stuck together to preserve the legend. Turns out, you kids' grandfather Yin was the head organizer. There wasn't much I could find on him personally, but he did great community efforts to keep the stories alive."

I took Feng into my arms when Jaio grew tired, letting her relax. Chi was so zoned in he didn't even notice the tattoo being done on him. He just raised a brow, like he was surprised not to feel anything. I let out a relieved breath. So far, I think I got it all right. Yan-mei of course was the first to ask for more.

"But what about Egypt? We're there any more like him?"

"Probably, but I couldn't find any information about it. I doubt it but…if there's any more like us out there, they're probably still in the Middle Eastern region. But… then again, they wouldn't have any reason to trigger their instincts. Vampires stay away from mostly sunny, hot areas. And I know the werewolves were mostly centered in North America. It's probably died out there."

"That was amazing." Jaio breathed, stunned. But when she saw Chi actually get his tattoo done, she looked nervous. "Ross, I…I'm not sure I should have mine yet. I think it would mean more to me if I could when I can shift, later. Is…is that ok?"

"Of course. Besides, you're not thirteen yet."

The tattoo artist wiped away some blood on Chi's leg with a gloved hand. "I don't mind you young shifters comin' in here, but I can't do any work for someone younger than a teenager."

"Seth had to wait a few years ago too." Leah smiled at me. "He counted the days till then… I haven't been in here since." She looked around. My leg was aching a little since the numbing cream wore off, so I adjusted feet and my grip on Feng. Luckily he was put to sleep by the tattoo needle's buzzing. Chi sat perfectly still in the chair, yet excited with his big smile. "Is it done?"

"Almost kid."

I was sure his smile would cover his entire face. Yan-mei cleared her throat. "But why all this now?"

I glanced at her. "Well, we've been here long enough. For one you guys deserve to know the history. Billy got me thinking about it… Two, we are our own pack."

"Yeah man, we're a gang." Chi grinned, crossing his arms. "…of mostly girls."

We all laughed.

In minutes his tattoo was finished, but this time we could see before it got wrapped up. It was a beautiful design, and the fresh ink was pure black and shining. Though Chi did wince when the man applied numbing cream that wouldn't last too long. Then he got wrapped up in white gauze like me. Since Chi was stiff, Leah and I took his hands and helped him up. He favored his other leg, but still smiled. "Thank you, Ross. This is like…more than awesome. Crazy awesome." He laughed, dorkily.

Eventually we turned our attention. Yan-mei was biting her thumb, lost in thoughts. Maybe this whole thing was sudden, I thought. Before I could voice myself she took a seat. Her gaze set across from her. She was ready now.

"I'm doing this for grandpa too."

Just briefly she met my eyes. My steady smile left her looking down. So the room filled with buzzing again. For a split second Yan-mei's lips twitched before her usual stoicism took place. Not even a tiny smidge of discomfort. So until she was finished we talked again. Leah was ready to go to the bonfire tomorrow night. She told me more about it, to which I was glad in general that she was talking. Leah seemed a lot better than how I'd last seen her. Apparently her time alone had done some good. I only knew bits and pieces of the werewolves' heritage and stories from Billy and the others. But I never specifically talked to anyone about it. Jacob was too vague, and Paul was sloppy about the order. And it was probably a lot so I didn't pester Billy about it. For just a minute it made me think of my relationships with everyone. Brady was so busy these days with Jaio, it was still sweet, but I was never really good friends with him before. He and Collin were practically brothers and more of Chi's friends. In fact it seemed like the rest of the pack were busy with their own lives since most of them imprinted. Jared, Quil, Embry, Seth for the most part were always occupied with their imprints and patrolling. And considering I was expected to maintain my own pack, I hadn't been on patrol as much. Tomorrow night would be a good chance to catch up with everyone.

Yan-mei was surprisingly proud looking when she was through. Even when we were all done and wrapped up, we were excited to share our surprise with our friends.

Chi grinned as three of us hobbled out. "Y'know, we should totally have our own language."

Yan-mei looked at him blankly. "We do. It's called Chinese."

Leah and I snickered together. As we walked home, I turned my head. "Paul told me earlier everyone is patrolling to cover for tomorrow. Did I pull you away from anything?"

"No. Sam figures I'm still depressed. But I'll take any break I can from being a muddy dog for a few days."

Whether it was true or not I didn't know. I was just happy Leah was back to herself again. The kids broke off to go to their home, where I made them promise me to take it easy. Yan-mei shrugged it off as nothing. Chi promised he'd take any excuse to be lazy, and Jaio assured she would look after them. Leah followed me home the rest of the way. She'd taken to holding Feng for me till we got there. He immediately started for the fridge, jumping.

"Yummy!"

"Well you're talking a lot more now." I smiled. Leah raised a brow and sat nearby. "That was a problem before?"

"Kinda. You hungry?"

"Nah."

We froze at the sound of gagging nearby. Right, Stormy knew key words. And apparently he was still full enough that the word hungry made him gag. Leah stared at him as he groaned under the couch nearby, half his fat belly and backside sticking out from under it.

"He OK?"

"Yeah… just ate too much. He'll be better after another potty break."

Apparently I gave another key word away. Stormy dragged himself to the front door, sitting twenty pounds overweight and sluggish looking. I opened the door and gave him plenty of time. Leah got to her feet. "I wish you luck then. I should head out." She smiled, giving me a brief squeeze. I returned the gesture. As she started for the door she paused. "Ever thought of getting a wolf tattoo next?"

"Only if you get a cat one." I grinned.

She furrowed her brows. "But that's different. What species of cat?"

"You gotta get Puss in Boots."

Leah barked out a laugh and left me to my giggles. I wasn't sure when Paul would be returning, so I kept dinner for Feng and I small tonight. I was good with a quick ramen, and he was out like a light after a gooey grilled cheese. I took my time changing him in his pajamas, combing his hair, and getting him tucked in. Being motherish really wasn't that bad. I liked it enough to think, surely, I could handle more than Feng. I hadn't realized I was smiling as I went around the house, picking up on chores. Doing the dishes and setting them to dry, then sweeping the bits of mud Stormy had tracked in. I had picked up all the dirty laundry and set them in the wash when I heard the faint sound of the front door closing. I rushed out of the back room, jumping over the couch and into the waiting Paul's arms. He didn't even stumble as he caught me in his muscular arms, grinning.

"Somebodies' needy."

"I haven't seen you in hours. I missed you." I defended, offering no further excuses. I silenced his tease with a head bump, earning breathy laughter in my ear. "Okay, you got into the catnip." He figured, dropping down on the couch still holding onto me. But then he fell on his side, keeping me in his arms. I slapped at him.

"Hey, I don't do that… Chi does."

Paul was grinning down at me. "And what happens?"

"No different from usual. Still a playful kitty."

Paul kissed my nose before he let his forehead fall onto mine. Then, his dark eyes stared at mine for a minute. All I could do was furrow my brows and stare back. "What."

"Just admiring the scenery."

"You're cheesy."

Paul chuckled and went back to his endearing staring. It must have been a wolf thing. That, or I really just didn't understand the depth to the whole 'becoming the center of his world' thing. Even a hothead like him was a completely different person if I was there. I didn't get it. But I liked it.

"You know," I began, breaking the silence, "you were so busy having a staring contest you missed something."

He barely raised a brow. "Oh? Guess I should be more thorough then." He kissed my lips, and then my cheek, inching back. "Nothing here."

I arched away and laughed when he kissed my neck, afterwards pausing dramatically and shaking his head. "No, not here either."

I sat up quickly, shaking off some laughter. "As much as I like this, I don't want to get carried away."

Paul gave me a squint, leaning over me till I was pushed back into the cushion. That little smirk of his always made my heart race. "For now." He agreed, yet held that…that look in his eyes as he backed away...We would have to get married soon. Paul sat back, about to speak till he did a double glance at my wrapped leg. His words died and he sniffed alertly. No blood, but his eyes flashed back to mine. Questioning and a touch fearful.

"What happened?"

I hummed. "It should be healed up enough for you to look." Unintentionally this worried him more. Quickly, but carefully, he went about ripping the bandage off, mostly fearful of hurting me somehow. Then, when it dropped, I saw his eyes widen. I turned my leg, letting it face outward.

"Looks pretty official, huh?"

Paul's fingers hovered above it, curious to touch my skin, but didn't for fear of causing me pain. But his eyes took in every detail, amazed. I felt proud how he admired it so greatly, like a new piece of me he was discovering for the first time and falling in love with. Finally his eyes lifted.

"Did it hurt kitten?"

"Not really… Chi, Yan-mei and I healed so fast there wasn't much to feel."

"They got it done too?"

I nodded. "Ever since Billy started talking about you guys' history lately, it made me consider my own. I figured if you guys appreciate it so much, the least I could do is the same for my own… And since I'm the oldest I guess it's my job to teach them these things."

Paul smiled at me. I could see it plainly. He was proud of me. I sat up a little, stretching out my leg. "So am I totally tribal looking like you guys now?"

My wolf laughed and fell over my side, curling his arms over my stomach and pulling me flush to his burning chest. "Definitely." He agreed, chuckles ringing in my ear. "Now you just need some feathers and deerskin."

"I wouldn't mind seeing you in something like that." I teased. Paul bit my ear. Nothing hard, but it left me squealing in regret and shying away. "I was thinking." He murmured against my neck. "How about we get married next week?"

"Are you just saying that because you're tired of using restraint, or because you really love me?"

"Both." He trailed off, pausing. "But mostly the latter. Not that there's anything wrong with that first one."

I sighed. "I still have so much preparing to do…"

Paul made a sound in his throat and held me comfortably. There wasn't an inch of my body not touching his. It was warm and cozy. I always felt so safe wrapped up in him. "Like what."

"Invitations. Arrangements. Calling people. Figuring out a theme. Ordering decorations-"

He shuddered. "Point made. Still I can't wait to see you come down that aisle."

Briefly my smile faltered. "Yeah… I just never thought I'd have to walk it alone."

Paul's arms tightened across my body. His voice was a comforting whisper in my ear. "If it's any consolation, kitten, I'm not going to have much family there either."

It suddenly occurred to me I never knew about his family. I knew his parents had split when he was little, when he moved here. His mother was a mystery, but his father tended to mind his own business around here, a loner. Unfortunately I doubted he would be at the wedding. I knew he didn't have any brothers or sisters, but there was plenty extended family around here.

I turned my body and pressed against the burning frame I was used to. Paul rest his head over mine as I spoke up. "My mother will be there, and trust me, she has more than enough love for you too."

Paul chuckled once. "She only met me once. How could she love me?"

"Because when we were in Seattle I talked to her when you weren't looking. She noticed how you were around me. In fact she even gave us her blessing. Lei told me a man doesn't look at someone like that unless they want to spend forever together."

"She's got a sharp eye."

"Literally too. Did I ever tell you she was a skeet shooting champion in the seventies?"

Paul moved away to look at me. "Seriously?"

I nodded.

Paul was stunned. "But she's built like an eighty pound ten-year-old." This left me slapping his arm. "Yeah, well, being tiny never stopped her. When she was a teen she had some serious feline rage. Never acted on it, but she was worse than me I think. But it all calmed down when she met my dad. She fell so hard, she practically became another person." I smiled. "It's sweet. How much people change when they're in love."

Paul puffed out a strand of my hair from his mouth. "That has to be it. No other wolf would put up with this much cat."

"You know," I began, stretching out and resting my head on his arm, like the warm pillow it was, "I think I'm the one who loves you more."

He scoffed. "What makes you think that?"

"Because I can't imprint." I reminded. "I had no magical force pulling me to you. I did it the long, normal way. And you're no walk in the park so I'm pretty legit about loving you-"

"I'll give you a walk." He murmured, suddenly going for my sides. With his arms like chains there was no escaping from his merciless tickles. He didn't stop till I was red-faced and gasping for air from laughing so hard. "Y-You-"

He poked my middle challengingly. "You wanna keep that up kitten?" Poke. "Huh?" Poke.

It was a good thing we didn't have neighbors. My wheezing cries were enough to make dogs howl. The only thing I could do was hold my aching sides, tears steadily coming from my eyes. Before Paul could be satisfied of himself, I managed a short breath.

"Bite me."

Before our play fight could get any worse, and before my lungs could give out from laughing so much, we noticed Feng standing at the end of the couch. He had a hand rubbing his eyes, and the look on his face was pricelessly done. He was so done with our antics.

I managed a red-faced grin. "Oh…hi baby."

"Sleep." He mumbled.

Paul moved to get up. "You want us to-"

"GO TO SLEEEEP!" Suddenly he was flinging his stuffed toy at us, about as mad as an old woman with a cane to some kids partying way too loud at night. We had no choice but to retreat to the bedroom as he toddled on after us, half screaming and groaning with how tired he was. Much like how the morning began, Feng brought us to tears. Paul fell back on the bed.

"We- We just got bullied by a three-year-old." Then he lifted his head, stuck in a breathless smile. "Hey, you wanted him to start talking."

"I didn't know he'd be that bossy."

A toy was thrown against the door for good measure, and I guess that was our final warning. I dove into bed beside Paul. "Behave yourself, puppy. Or I'll stick the warden on you." I whispered.

All he did was chuckle and settle down, as always pulling me into his arms.

"Whatever you say, Mrs. Lahote."