I had one rule.

Just one.

However it astounds me that even Riley is going against my one wish. I'm sure you're curious as to what I'm referring. Well this morning I was informed by Luna Amy, or just Amy as she'd prefer me to call her-that she'd be sending a few dresses over for the Luna induction on Saturday. My one rule was it needed to cover my back.

That's all.

So now I'm standing in our room -after my mate had to settle a dispute-with Amy, Riley, Rachel and a skyping Morgan. Smackle was invited however she's very skeptical so with a polite decline she practically sprinted the opposite direction. I wonder what happened to her, she seems very wary of people and flinches at just about everything. The Moon Goddess did well with Farkle as her mate, he's not remotely scary but will defend his female which is always made evident by their public displays of affection. She needs approachable so I need to work on that. As for Vanessa, well she's Vanessa and scoffed when I invited her.

"It's tradition for the Luna to wear white Maya." Amy tries to reason, thinking I had issue with the color of the dress-but all I can think about are the scars on my back from before I had my wolf. Each hill on my skin leaving an everlasting memory, leaving a story on my back that I won't ever escape. Riley sighs and all their eyes glaze over, great now I'm out of whatever private conversation they're having. A knowing look flashes across Amy's face, a sense of understanding. "Your scars Maya?"

I normally don't care too terribly much what I look like. I mean, my clothes are torn when shifting more often than not. I don't wear perfume, it covers my scent, and hardly ever do I wear makeup it's a waste of money and covers up your natural beauty. Mascara and some powder is my extent the rest is like Latin to me. However, I want to look pretty on Saturday- whether or not this induction goes smoothly or not has been pushed to the back of my mind.

I want to look pretty for my mate.

Amy grasps my hands and lifts my chin before resting her cheek against mine. "Scars are stories, simply a sign of healing. Signs of survival against those who tried to harm you. That you are stronger than anything that was thrown at you Maya."

Tears threaten to fall but I compose myself, "My scars are my nightmares Amy."

Riley sighs and wraps her arm around me, "Scars are a sign of your past. Don't let them dictate where you are going peaches."

Rachel stands up, knowing the full story now things are beginning to make sense for her. "Your father will be attending, correct?"

I growl and nod my head, "Then wear your scars proudly." I cock my head to the side like a confused pup. "Don't be afraid of them because you are indirectly saying you are afraid of him. The pack will embrace you as their Luna, scars or not. They will love you because you're a fighter."

Amber is stirring within me, Rachel's words of 'fearing him' struck a chord. 'I do not fear him.'

'She knows that.' I reason, 'She's trying to find ways to show Kermit that. Calm down Amber, she's on our side.'

I block out my wolf after that sensing her fur relaxing, "Try on the dresses Maya." Riley's doe eyes are all the more convincing and with reluctance I agree. Scurrying into the bathroom I put on the first one and immediately toss it… abundance of ruffles in my face will never be okay with me. The next dress is covered in glitter and that's also a no-no. That crap gets everywhere, third one is the charm and also the most revealing.

A complete open back, with a deep v and several thigh high slits. It reminds me of a Greek mythology dress with gold metallic strap detail across my chest. I slide it on and enjoy the way it makes me look in the front, but I don't dare turn around. Even when my hair is down I'm sure you can see every bump on my ivory skin. I open the door before I look at my back and whenever Riley drops her phone, I'm thinking it's a good choice. "No offense Amy but the other 2 didn't really make the visual cut for me." I force out a laugh as to not sound offensive.

She waves me off and puts her hand back on her mouth, "Spin dear." I did as instructed and wish someone would say something.

Wanting to know how terrible it looks in the back begins to evade my mind as they analyze me, "Why are we waiting?" Morgan asks through the iPad, "It's so beautiful Maya!"

"Agreed." Rachel says, "Josh will drool and more importantly you will wear those scars proud. Don't shy away, they're apart of you now whether you like it or not. Show Ker-that bastard, show him that you are no longer haunted by your past but that you're taking control of your future, with your mate."

She's definitely born an Alpha with an engaging speech like that.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

After spending another hour or so with the leadership women, I decide to take a walk. Josh is still out but no harm has come to him or else I'd feel it. Perks of a mate bond. It's dark outside now and one very cloudy evening with heavy humidity. Inhaling the air deeply, I know it's supposed to rain soon. Mother Nature cleaning our slate clean yet again. Not wanting to miss the first water droplet from the sky I continue my trek around pack land. Children are all tucked into bed at this hour and I pray to the Moon Goddess they have nothing but sweet dreams.

Being haunted by nightmares is nothing I'd wish on anyone and something I still fear. Luckily, Josh keeps them away. Yet another perk of having a mate, it's like my body, mind and soul all respond to him. He controls every part of me. Which I'm not sure if I like someone having that much control over me, but eh it's Josh. 'Someone's watching us.'

Fur stands back up, ears twitching for an attack we're very aware is coming. No new scents, no rogues nearby. 'Calm down Amber. Concentrate for me.'

Still pacing within her cage I casually make my way back to the pack house. 'Josh' I link for him, thanking Goddess he didn't pull his wall up.

'What's up baby girl? Where are you?'

'Walking back to the pack house. Something is-'A blow to the head sends me to the ground seeing spots. Senses are a blur as I try to regain some sort of reality of what just happened.

Remaining on the ground pretending to be unconscious until I can pull myself completely out of the darkness that's wanting me to succumb to it. I can feel Josh prying at my wall that automatically went up as I struggle to not fall into an unconscious state. "Some Alpha Female."

'Katie' Amber growls but I stifle it by biting my lip. No wonder I didn't smell her scent, she's a pack member I was searching for an intruder.

"You hit her on the head with an effing baseball bat. What the bloody hell did you expect?!" If he wasn't a friend of Katie's I'd compliment his accent. My senses slowly coming back to me, I listen for their hushed whispers to try and get an idea of their location. Katie needs to go first, clearly she has the weapon.

"Shut up Kris."

"Eff you Katie." He growls, "I don't know why I put up with your shit."

I don't care if I get in trouble again, she needs to be put in her effing place. However, this is her second offense she could be punished for this, but if I attack all reprimand for her would be gone and inflicted upon me. 'Josh find me now!'

"How the hell are we going to get her fat ass in the truck?" If I didn't like food so much I'd probably care more. But I'm healthy, not fat. I have curves and that's more than a great thing for wolves. Wide hips are good for having pups. I know that's silly, but having children is a huge thing for wolves. It is seriously a turn on for them.

'I'm coming baby girl.'

No questions asked. Good boy. A tug on my arm, I begin to get dragged away. I assume the forest or close to it at least as the scent of pine becomes stronger. Dragging my heels nonchalantly I make it more difficult for them. "This little bitch is awake." That's my cue. Without flipping my head up I kick the area behind Katie's knee. The grip on my right arm loosens but it doesn't give me enough time to block another blow from a bat in my stomach, and that cracks a rib or breaks it one of the two.

Damn it.

That's going to take hours to heal.

I wince and fall to my knees when a ferocious growl rings in my ears and warms my core. I know now isn't the time but damn my mate is hot. I don't turn around, I can smell Lucas and Zay flanking him. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

"J-Josh." Katie breathes. Voice shaking, fear emitting through a simple one syllable.

"WERE YOU ATTACKING MY MATE?!"

Don't answer that shit. The grip on me completely disappears and I fall to the ground, of course on the side that I hurt. I bit my lip to stifle the yelp of pain, drawing blood all at the same time. 'My hero.' I quip through our mind link but Josh doesn't find this funny. A warning growl sent my direction, I wave him off because he's acting ridiculous.

"Who the hell are you?!"

Josh stalks towards the unknown male who was an accomplice to Katie who is shaking and whimpering next to me. "Her brother." He groans. Almost like he despises it as much as I would. Through our link I can tell he remembers accepting his entrance for a visit.

'He didn't want to.'

'WELL HE DID!'

'Easy Alpha'

I'm blocked out again and hastily rise to my feet now that the throbbing and stabbing pain in my side is not gone but lessened. "Lucas mind calling over Riley to set this rib right."

Josh growls again and stalks towards Katie. Her throat in his grasp within a snap, "I should kill you right now." His grip tightening every second, "You claim me as yours. You provoke my mate. Go above my head to get my mate in trouble. My mate gets sent to the whipping post. And now this. THIS IS THE LAST FUCKING STRAW KATIE!" Her face turning shades of purple while slowly setting her back on the ground, good boy. It's uncouth for an Alpha to kill a pack member. A female nonetheless. "Attacking her knowing she can't do shit. How fucking dare you, sneaky bitch."

Kris, I think is his name grunts clearly agreeing with the assessment. I'm liking this guy more and more, aside from the whole sneak attack and trying to kidnap me thing. But who am I to judge?

A hand on my arm and lovely scent of lavender alerts me to Riley's presence. I lift up my shirt, bruises forming that should heal within a few hours. Fingertips graze over the rib I know to be broken, all too familiar with this feeling. "I need to set it Maya." I nod, again this is routine for me. Granted it hasn't been done to me in years. It's slightly protruding outward, not piercing the skin but showing it won't heal properly unless placed back.

Breathing is difficult so when she says deep breath I tell her no. "1… 2…" Before getting to three a powerful thrust to my rib cage sends me to antagonizing heights of pain. "Perfect." Raising my shirt higher she wraps up my side to keep it in place, the wrap getting tighter with each tug.

'I'm making her a rogue'

'No Josh! She won't survive.'

'That's the point.' Wow. Grumpy.

'Don't make her a rogue. The pack won't like the idea of sending a female, who obviously isn't that trained being sent out to be a rogue. Besides I don't want people to die for me.'

'Acting like a Luna already.'

Lucas now has Katie in his grasp and Zay is of course carrying on a conversation with Kris as if nothing truly happened. Katie crying, begging for forgiveness. False guilt evident on her face, she isn't sorry. "My beautiful Luna."

"Yes?" I grunt again when she tightens the wrap.

"I say we lock her up till Sunday and you two have a good old fashioned fight." Both Amber and I grin from ear to ear. Our mate knows what we want and he's happily going to give it to us. I know my grin- it's almost evil looking and the flash of terror in Katie's blue orbs informs me exactly what she's thinking. "What's wrong Katie? You can only attack when she isn't allowed to fight back?" Josh snaps.

"She could've fought back tonight!" She snaps, frustration turning to fury it's slowly seeping to the surface. "She didn't because she's a weak fucking wolf."

"Tsk. Tsk." I bitterly laugh as the last bit of wrapping is done. I let my shirt drop to my side and face her completely, "Such a dirty mouth. In my old pack we would have cut your tongue out for speaking that way towards the Alpha's." Lies. But it doesn't hurt scaring the shit out of her. "For attacking a Luna? Usually death. Or 20 plus lashes plus dungeon time with no pack doctor." Truth. That was minimum offense. "I'd say you're getting off easy Katie." I squat down to the ground beside my mate and at eye level with her. Lucas tightens his hold in case she does something stupid.

I'm happy Josh is letting me handle this as much as possible. "It'll be a good fight." She whispers.

"Indeed." I arch my brow menacingly, "We'll make sure you're fed and watered well, like the good little pup you are. Because come Sunday, I'll make sure you are eating through a straw." I rise off the ground and take Josh's hand who kisses my temple.

And before we walk away Riley appears out of nowhere and punches Missy in the face. "I AM APART OF THIS PACK NOW SO I CAN'T GET IN TROUBLE! YOU DESERVED THAT!" Okay so her smack talk really sucks but ignoring the pain in my ribs I give her a hug. The scent of Missy's blood invading my senses I hug her tighter.

"I'm so proud of you peaches. Thank you so much!"

Lucas unknowingly releases a proud filled howl, his female protecting their Alpha female. I'm sure that's a turn on for him. I know what you're thinking us werewolves are weird. But in all honesty, a woman defending herself and those she cares about is an attractive quality no matter what. Zay and Kris are laughing their asses off at my best friend who is still shaking out her hand. I'm glad I taught her how to punch all those years ago. "Come." Josh wraps a protective arm around my waist, his wolf feeling the urge to be close to me. "I've asked for the previous Beta to join us in our office." 'Us' and 'our', simple terms meaning the world to me. "Informing him of his children."

"Kris didn't want to be there."

He growled, "Do NOT defend him. He knew what he was doing and he could have not gone, stopped it or told me even though he isn't part of this pack. HE did nothing of the sort, he will be punished." As soon as we're in the light Josh clutches my face, inspecting for any other injuries besides my rib and the giant knot forming on the back of my head I'm as well as I can be. He whimpers when feeling it and places small kisses on my cheeks. A few minutes goes by of trying to convince him to take it easy on Kris, his accent proves he isn't from this pack and clearly he didn't want to do it in the first place. Which tells me Missy probably has something hanging over his head. I glance at the stairs and grimace, it's going to hurt. But my mate being gentlemanly and all lifted me into his embrace. Legs wrapping around his torso, arms around his neck. He passes me a Capri-Sun and though I don't know when he got this I take it with a wide smile. I love these things.

"I know you do baby girl." A kiss to the cheek so soft it has me blushing.

A minute later we're in his office chair. Fingertips gently grazing against my wrapped rib, honestly I can't feel him touching me at all but it's comforting Amber who wants me to milk this attention for all it's worth. "WHERE IS SHE!?" Josh growls and I instantly get out of his lap as he flies out of his seat.

"You will do well to lower your tone, John. You and your family are in no position to test me at the moment." My mate growls and steps towards the older man, he looks no older than 30 but that's wolf genes for you. Jealous? Light brown hair and light blue eyes, he's an older version of his son. "Your son and daughter were taken to the cells."

"WHAT?"

Josh growls and steps forward, "Interrupt me or raise your voice at me again you will be in solitary for a week." Ouch. As previously stated, wolves are social creatures. We love other wolves, so being taken away from communication will, and I'm sure has driven someone mad. Not to mention he's mated, that's got to be harder. "Your daughter knocked my mate out with a baseball bat, and then hit her again in the ribs. Breaking one in the process." Seconds pass, giving John time to process the information, "She will be challenged by Maya on Sunday. Kris has kitchen duty for the next month so he won't be going back to the pack where he came from for a good while." I prevent myself from smiling happily hearing he won't be punished severely, "And a long educational talk from me regarding pack obligations to their Alpha's. Learn how to raise your children, attempted kidnapping of a Luna is worth more than just death. Dismissed."

"YOUR FATHER WILL HEAR-"

"MY FATHER IS NO LONGER ALPHA! YOU ARE NO LONGER BETA AND YOU WILL SPEND TONIGHT IN THE CELLS FOR DISRESPECTING YOUR ALPHA!" John goes completely silent, no torture is done in Josh's cells unless warranted. There's just silver everywhere, so that's a huge downfall. "NO food, no water and you will learn your place. You have never and will never be above an Alpha." Josh spat angrily, striking a chord in John.

"You're just a damned pup."

"Chains." Josh retorts and crosses his arms knowing him being silver chained to the wall will be painful yet tolerable, "One more word and I will accept your challenge to the death John. I'm being very lenient only because you were my father's Beta. But you know as well as I that a pack doesn't function properly without rules and respect. You and one of your children in particular have blatantly disrespected them several times over." He makes a great Alpha, calm and collected. Punishing for mistakes, not severely but enough to make a point. Remaining as calm as possible, and only reacting when his wolf feels his title is being threatened.

Silence.

"To clarify, Katie will be in the cells for the rest of the week. Unchained and fed well considering my mate wants a good fight. She is not being disciplined for the events that occurred two weeks ago but for the assault and kidnapping of my mate and future Luna." I smirk and arch my brow towards John who is stifling a glare. "You will spend tonight chained in the cells for disrespecting me and your son will have kitchen duty for the next month."

Josh threateningly steps closer and crosses his arms, "Look up." John does so without hesitation, not able to defy the Alpha command he unknowingly used. "Next time you challenge me John I will not hesitate. Learn your place." He nods and glances back at the ground, "Dismissed."

As soon as John disappears with Farkle leading him to the dungeon Josh collapses on the couch. "You should let me handle Katie. She deserves much more than a fight on Sunday." Regret laced in his words for offering her to me on a platter.

I shrug and saunter towards him, one leg on either side of my mate and my head resting against his chest. "Think of it as time-out for her, she has to sit in her spot thinking about what she has done for days before a punishment. And trust me, I need this."

"If she so much as-"

I cut him off. "This is my fight Josh. Prepare for a punch, maybe two but she won't get far." I inform him and peck his lips. "I love you very much."

Running my hands through his hair he begins to purr in response, "I love you baby girl."

Our lips touch lovingly, and sweet. Lips made for me brush against the skin of my neck igniting sparks. A kiss to the mark, my jaw, then my mouth again. His tongue brushing against my mouth, I part them and feel his tongue dance with mine. Still sweet, and not at all demanding though he does take control. "We need to stop."

Pouting my lip, I sigh. "Why?"

"Because you have a broken rib baby girl." Oh yeah. Forgot about that. He chuckles and pecks my lips again. "Let's go to bed my beautiful Luna." Rising off the couch, he doesn't set me down but carries me to our room. Amber's images she's sending through our link of our mate above us is driving me insane, to the point where I drop my walls. Josh growls and holds me tighter obviously seeing what is going through my mind, "Very soon."

A mischievous smile dances across my lips, "Very."

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

Let me know what you think lovelies!