By the time I snuck back into the apartment, I was hit by an unknown scent. Just as I headed towards Ziva's room, I paused. There were wine glasses and a bottle of wine on the table. A man's jacket, which looked a lot like the one Eyal had, was draped over the back of the couch. Hearing a low moan, I slowly back up towards the window. I really didn't want to interrupt their moment, so I opted to sleep out on the fire escape. The pure black of the night is my comfort, the blanket of generous velvet that keeps me safe. It is the pure black that makes the moon so beautiful, that makes a stage for her to stand upon. It is the pure black of the night that gives the stars their beauty, and in it my heart is safe, my soul serene.

I felt a raindrop fall against my skin, followed by several others, but I didn't have the heart to go back inside. I climbed up the stairs over and sat on the edge of the roof, raising my eyes to observe the remaining constellations uncovered from the clouds. The moon hung full and hazy beneath an eclipse of blazing stars, allowing me to see the rooftops of the identically bleak buildings surrounding my own. My body was a fountain for the incoming rain, the water making my eyelids heavy. I closed my bright yellow eyes, a rattled sigh passing through my parted lips as I did so, causing my breath to fog up in front of me, obscuring my vision, as I took in the feeling of wet, bruised skin.

As the rain sunk into my fur, I felt as if everything was washed away. Everything bad from my past was pushed off my back. I could finally breathe. At that moment, I tossed my head back, took in a deep breath, and howled. Everything I was feeling and wishing was poured into that howl. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear multiple howls respond. Together we howled in harmony. One song, no words, just pure joy.

"Found her." I broke from my trance to find Eyal standing on the fire escape.

Ziva poked her head out the window, giving me a disapproving look. "Luna get in here! It's raining, you're going to get sick."

'I don't get sick.' Casting one last look at the sky, I headed back inside. 'You two done with your nightly activities?'

"Eyal, could you grab me a towel from the cabinet in the hallway please." Ziva wrapped her arms around my neck, stopping me from stepping foot on her carpet. "Hold it. I actually like that rug."

'Yeah, white rugs and I don't get along.' Eyal walked back in with two towels. Handing one to Ziva, he kneeled down and helped. He massaged my neck, moving towards my ears once more. 'You just became my new best friend.'

Ziva chuckled, tossing the towel to the side. "I am sure pulling a wolf in from the rain and drying her was not in your plans."

"Don't worry. I had a really great time." Leaning across my back, he pulled her in for a kiss. "Doing this was just a bonus time with you."

'Gee, thanks.'

Glancing at his watch, he sighed. "Unfortunately I do have to head home. Have to work tomorrow."

"So do we."

'You mean you. Gibbs wants nothing to do with me.' Simply thinking those words hurt. 'Come on Alex get a grip!'

"Luna!" Ziva yelled. With a slight growl, I turned to her. "Sorry, but you weren't hearing me. Come on, bed."

The next morning, I was so lost in thought of what I was going to do, that I hadn't realized we had arrived at the office. Jumping out of the car, I tossed one look at the kennel and growled. 'If he so dares to try and throw me in there, I quit.' The moment we stepped foot out of the elevator, I froze at the familiar scent. Rushing past Ziva, up the stairs, and towards the conference. The closed-door being the only thing stopping me from barging into the room. Clawing frantically at the door, I whimpered and howled. 'Open the fucken door!'

'What would mother say if she'd hear you speak that way.'

I knew that voice. 'Let me in!' After what seemed like hours, the door was pulled open. Not expecting it, I tumbled forward, stopping just before my brother. 'Matt?' He was actually here. Standing inches from me. 'It's you, but how?' I lunge towards him, nuzzling into his chest. His scent returning all those memories I thought lost.

'Agent Hotchner kept his word.' He said.

It was then I realized the agents standing beside Gibbs and the others. Locking eyes with him, I gave him a small bow. 'Thank you.'

'None is needed. I said I would bring him back, and I always keep my word.' Hotchner replied, before turning back to Gibbs. "I am not sure if you have the space for him."

Gibbs sighed. "He would have to be placed in the kennel downstairs."

Hotch flashed his eyes, a small growl slipping. "I will be taking him then. We have enough room for him." Hotch couldn't really be angry at the agent. The man had no clue Matt was like him, to Gibbs he was just a normal wolf.

'What?!' I snapped. 'You brought him back, just to take him away?'

'I am not taking him away from you. I am offering him a place in my pack. He will always be free to come and go.' Hotch growled.

Sometimes I forget I'm talking to an alpha. 'Is that what you want Matt?'

He shrugged. 'It's been so long since I-we have been with our own kind. I am starting to think and act like a human. I want to be a part of a pack once more. Who knows I might even find my mate.'

I knew he was right. He deserved to live and build his own life. 'Okay, but we have a lot to talk about.'

'We can talk tonight. We aren't leaving until tomorrow.'

'Okay, meet me at the woods behind Gibbs place.'

Matt stopped half nod. 'I don't know where he lives.'

I swear my brother could be clueless sometimes. 'Just go to the woods and follow my scent.' Bidding him goodbye, I watched him disappear with Hotchner in the elevator. 'I got my brother back.'

"Don't you all have reports to finish?" Gibbs called from his desk. "Standing around isn't going to get them down." His eyes fell on me, his mouth open to say something, but he decided against it. "Let's go people."

I stayed by Ziva's side the majority of the day. I would occasionally wander around the office. Leave with Tim for lunch and come back to my spot beneath her desk. Gibbs refused to acknowledge I was even there. When the team was called in for a case, I was ordered to be left behind. If he was really affected my emotions, he was taking it to a whole new level. Still, I obeyed, nothing else to do.

By the time they got back, it was time to head out. Ziva never got bothered by wandering off. Especially not now, that Eyal was in her life. Jumping out the window and down the fire escape, I took off towards the woods. After a few minutes of searching for Matt, I found him and some.

'Uh, Matt?'

'Hey! I thought you had bailed on me.' He trotted over to me, greeting me with a nuzzle. Matt may be older, but I outranked him.

'Of course not, but who are they?' There were at least six wolves. Their scent was not familiar, therefore I have never met any of them. 'I did say meet me in the woods, but I actually meant just you.'

Matt chuckled. 'They are part of Hotchner's pack.'

'What are they doing here?'

'They wanted to meet you.' Matt grinned.

Against my will, I met all six wolves. They were nice and respectful of my boundaries. Although we think and have the mentality of a human, our wolves sometimes get the better of us. A lot of time it happens in excitement. Like for example, in meeting someone new, we get excited. Our wolf side would come out and overtake. Causing us to act like animals, to the point of showing dominance and fight between each other. I know it's confusing, but the good part is that these wolves kept themselves in check.

Matt and I walked deeper into the woods. Coming to a stop on a cliff overseeing the city. It was beautiful. The city lights appearing like stars shining over.

'Ihave come here so many times and never stopped to see the view.' I whispered. Life really was overtaking me to the point I couldn't enjoy the smallest things. 'What happened to you?'

Matt sighed. 'Nothing too bad. The man just wanted a fighting animal and what better than me. I mean I fight like an animal think like a man.'

'Why did it have to be you?'

'You of all should know the feeling of loss and pain when losing an alpha.' Matt whispered.

He wasn't wrong. When a pack loses their alpha, they become lost and unstable. Many have gotten to the point of no longer having any humanity. All animal. Animals that needed to be put down. In fact, it's one of the only times you will see wolves and hunters working alongside each other. But it was never a joyful moment when you have to kill one of your own.

Losing an alpha is seconds away from what it feels to lose a mate. The pain is embedded into your bones. Your mind becomes a world of mazes and hurt. Many give in to the insanity, some ending their lives, others pushing through. Alpha is what holds the pack together. Gives protection and the sense of security many of us need. We are bounded to them on a different level. Just like we are bonded to our mates in a loving way.

'What had you so sure Hotchner would keep his word and find you?' I asked.

'I don't know, my gut maybe.' Matt shrugged. 'I just did.' Taking in a deep breath, he suddenly began coughing. 'Damnit Alex, are you in heat?!'

'What no!' I couldn't be. Not for a few more hours at least. 'I don't start until tomorrow.'

Matt moved a few feet away, keeping me downwind. 'Well, you're announcing it.' Matt rubbed his nose into the forest floor. His reason was to attempt and block the smell with the dirt. 'You know it's dangerous for you to be out smelling like that.' Matt growled.

'I didn't know I was announcing it yet.' I sat up, making sure to keep my back against a tree. Like I said before, females going into heat become the main attraction to many unmated males. Me running around like this could become a danger. Sometimes although it's been years since it has happened, a male will mate with a female by force. Especially if you haven't been marked by a male. I was at an even bigger risk, considering I am markless, pack less, mateless, and in heat. 'Just my fucken luck. Are they?' I turned my attention to the males a few feet away.

'They are all mated.' Matt assured me. 'What do you plan on doing?'

'What do you mean?' I really wasn't looking forward to having this conversation with my brother.

Matt rolled his eyes. 'May I remind you, you are a red moon pup. You will shift back tonight.' His eyes suddenly widen and his jaw dropped. 'Do you plan on breeding with Gibbs?!'

'No!' Although I have thought about it, I knew it wasn't going to work. I would have slept with him, yes, but I wouldn't get pregnant. In order for me to have pups during a heat, the male needs to be a werewolf.

For two reasons, one I was going to turn back after the heat. Which meant that if by some miracle I had a child from Gibbs, he might not be a wolf. There was a 50/50 chance it would be normal. Which meant I wouldn't be able to give birth as a wolf. And then how do I explain me giving birth to a human child. Reason number two, human males are less fertile than male wolves. So there was a high chance I wouldn't even get pregnant.

'Then what do you plan on doing?' Matt asked again, this time with fear in his voice.

I took a deep breath, best he hears it from me. 'Elijah and I have decided to mate, unite the packs and continue the line.'

'Elijah?!' Matt growled, his claws digging into the forest floor. 'When the fuck did he reappeared?!' Hotchner's wolves jumped up, watching my brother with concern.

'A few days ago.' What the hell was wrong with him. 'What's wrong with you? I thought you'd be happy. I'm mating another wolf.'

'Not when it's Elijah!' Matt paced from side to side, his fur bristled. 'Anyone, but him Alex. Hell even Gibbs over him!'

'Matt calm down and talk to me!' I lunged forward, grabbing him by the tail and sitting his ass down. 'Why the sudden hate? You two used to be friends, hell you were the one to suggest our matting in the first place. Remember at the pack run.'

'Have my reason, but I refuse to accept him as your mate.' Matt snapped. 'He is not worthy of even laying eyes on you!'

I was shocked by his behavior. In all the years we have known Elijah, Matt has never expressed himself like that. 'You know only my alpha can do that.' I kept my voice low, trying to calm him. While also calming the rest of the wolves.

Matt laughed humorlessly. 'No trouble there. When Derek hears about this, all hell will break loose.'

'Matt, what is going on?' I locked eyes with my bother, seeing the struggle in them. He wanted to tell me, but in the end, refused to.

'It's up to Derek when he wants to explain things, but I want you to promise me something.' Matt sat in front of me, resting his forehead on mine.

'Anything.'

'Hold off your mating until the last day. Enjoy the chance of turning back first. Talk to people, walk around the city, try new things. Do not mate until the last day. Please.'

Had I not seen the plea in his eyes, I would have denied it. Damn him and his puppy eyes. 'Promise, I will not mate anyone until the last day of my heat.'

'Thank you.' He jumped to his feet, wagging his tail side by side. 'Now, how about...' He pushed me playfully onto the ground as he took off running. 'First one tired is a lap dog!'

'You asshole! You cheated!' Taking off after him, I caught up easily. Sharing a look, we tossed our heads back and howled. No long before the other wolves joined our run. It felt great running in a pack once again. No more sadness, anger, or lonesome. Just the unity of a pack. One no one can ever break.