~Tristan~

I sat down in a chair, pulling Alyce into my lap as I scanned the crowd looking for Kami. I saw her dancing with one of the Dark Forest pack, seemingly enjoying herself now that the drama was over for the night. Titus was chatting with their Beta, keeping an eye on Kami.

“Mat, now that I have found Alyce, I will be taking over my pack from my father soon. I would like you to consider taking the Beta position. Our current Beta has twin girls, and neither wants to take the role when they know they will leave upon finding their mates.”

Mat’s jaw dropped at my offer, “I would be honored, but I would not want to step on anyone's toes, especially as an outsider coming to the pack.”

“I promise, you would be stepping on no one’s toes.”

“We’re going to have to share him… I was planning to make him my Beta when I get my pack back,” Alyce murmured so that only Mat and I would hear her.

“Now, now you two. There’s plenty of me to go around, although I don’t think Tristan swings my way Aly.” He laughed and I couldn’t help but laugh when Alyce managed to both pout and scowl at him at the same time.

Kami walked over and sat down in another chair at the table bringing with her a change of subject, “Welcome to the family Alyce. I’m so excited to have a sister!”

“Looks like you are the one who will have to share, Mat.” I chuckled.

Kami looked at us confused for a moment and then looked at Mat, “Sorry, she gets to be my sister now too.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

Alyce laughed and Mat grinned, “Looks like I have an older sister and a younger sister. Lord help you if my mother adopts you too.”

“Faith wouldn’t step on Kami’s mother’s toes like that. She only adopted me because I had no one, and I’m kind of hard to get rid of.” Alyce said as she laid her head on my shoulder, yawning a little.

“Ain’t that the truest statement ever.” Mat snickered, “You’re like gum on the bottom of a shoe.”

“I will stab you in your sleep Mattie…”

“Hey I never said I wanted to get rid of you, just agreeing with you! Besides, you said it, not me! You look like you’re the one ready to sleep though.”

“Do you want to call it a night?” I asked, “My father or Titus can keep an eye on Kami if you want to leave the party.”

“You don’t want to stay?” She asked.

“No, I was only here for you.”

“I don’t wanna ditch, Mattie either.”

“Oh nonsense. I’ll be fine. I’ll get to know my new little sister.” Mat laughed.

Alyce giggled and stood up, “Ok, then let’s get out of here. I’m peopled out.”

I stood and took her hand, “Let’s go get your stuff and get you settled in then.”

“Don’t have too much fun you two!” Kami teased us, which made Mat laugh even more.

“Oh I like her,” Mat grinned.

Alyce rolled her eyes and I led her away from the party and out of the pack house, heading for the pack manor. She hesitated as we reached the stairs, “I can get my stuff, I’ll meet you upstairs.”

“Nonsense, I want to help you.”

“Ok…” She reluctantly led me down into the basement and to what sufficed as her room, “I don’t really have much. Most of it is in the bag Faith gave your father.”

I was appalled at the space she lived in, and the fact that she didn’t even have privacy in her ‘bathroom’, if you could even call it that. She gathered the clothing she had that was worth taking, I saw most of it was threadbare and barely could be called clothing. Then she gathered up the few books and knick-knacks she had, trinkets she had likely gotten from Mat and his family. I was glad she had them and hadn’t had to endure everything alone.

“We will go shopping when we get back to our territory. We don’t have anything high end, but we can order online if you want something we don’t have available.”

“Oh, no I’m ok with what I have. No need to get me anything.” She smiled back at me.

“Love, you will freeze in the mountains come deep winter if we don’t get you some proper clothing.” I could hear her heart rate increase any time I called her love. It made me smile, “Besides, you deserve anything and everything your heart desires, and I will spend my life making sure you are happy and have everything you need and want.” Her cheeks flushed red and I leaned down to kiss her lips softly.

She was a little hesitant, unsure of herself, but she slowly kissed me back and I pulled away with a smile. I took her things from her, and led her out of the basement and upstairs to my room. I swung the door open and let her go in first, closing the door behind me as I followed her in.

“Your bag is on the couch. Do you want to shower first?” I asked as I set her stuff on the king size bed.

“I would love a shower. I can’t remember the last time I got a hot one.”

“What? Why wouldn’t you take a hot shower?”

“The basement gets lukewarm water at best, but it’s usually just cold.”

“That’s unacceptable. You go take a hot shower. Use all the hot water if you want. There’s clean towels in there and you’re welcome to use anything of mine you want. What’s mine is yours now.”

She smiled sheepishly at me and got some clothes from her things and headed into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I would kill Andrew if I ever got a just reason to do so. The way she had been treated was despicable. I clenched my fist, digging my nails into my palms to keep from going to hunt him down right now. I vowed right then and there that she would never have to live like that again. I would shower her in love and affection.

~Alyce/Faelyn~

Once in the bathroom, I hesitated a moment before deciding against locking it. I trusted Tristan not to barge in without good reason and to keep others out. I turned on the shower, letting it come to a decent temperature before I stepped in and adjusted it further. Turns out I prefer water temperatures that would boil a lobster.

The water beating on my muscles made me groan a little as the heat worked some of the tension out of my body. I was pretty sure I could stay in here for hours. I let myself enjoy the water while my thoughts wandered.

This could be a good thing right? Finding a mate that protects his people? They hadn’t hesitated to accept me, any of them, even once they knew the full story. The only thing I hadn’t told anyone was who was responsible for the loss of my pack. I would tell them when we got back to their territory. I didn’t want to risk anyone in Red Moon hearing and being able to tip off Silver Moon. Maybe I wouldn’t have to do everything alone, but I wouldn’t ask them to get themselves involved in my troubles. If they wanted to help, I would accept it, but it had to be their choice, not my influence.

I pulled myself out of my thoughts when I heard a knock on the door. I heard Tristan on the other side, “Are you ok? You’ve been in there awhile now.”

“Oh, yes I’m fine. I’ll be out shortly, sorry.”

“Take all the time you want, I just wanted to check on you. I’ll be out here when you’re done.”

“Thank you.” I smiled at his concern and caring. He truly was amazing. I looked at the bottles in the shower, finding his shampoo and surprisingly conditioner as well. I washed and conditioned my hair and then used his shower gel to scrub up. It smelled a bit like evergreen and fresh, wet soil. It reminded me of the forest and I loved it.

I stepped out, wrapping my hair in a towel so that it would dry while I used a second one to dry off. I slipped on fresh undergarments and a pair of leggings and a lavender sweater that I had grabbed from my bag. I realized I’d left my brush in my bag so I unwrapped my hair and hung the towels to dry before slipping out of the bathroom.