My shorts scratch against my skin, the humid air making the jean material go tight. Ares walks behind with a weary expression, his wolf is being more there than normal and it's already annoying. The cheese dip I had sits well in my stomach, but the beers that people carry around are calling my name.

"You will not jeopardize our pup over a beer." He scowls leading me further into the group.

"I wasn't going to, I was just envious. Now back off, let me meet the pack. They are the least likely to harm me." I whisper up to his ear. He removes himself and finds his friends talking to them with a close eye on me.

Jessica walks up to me pulling me into a big hug. I return it gladly allowing myself to wrap up in her arms. Her soft touch is so welcomed after the longest two weeks I've ever had. She pulls away moments later with a shit eating grin, "Ready to party?"

"Actually..." Ares goes in to interrupt but I stop him with an upheld hand.

"Yes. I need something like this."

She pulls me into the group everyone flocking to me. I wave at all the unfamiliar faces attempting to listen to their names, however so many surround me that I fight to stay standing, "Luna!" "Your the Alpha's mate?" "Luna! Over here!"

Jessica takes the stand for me, a much appreciated gesture, "Hey! She's here to have some fun. She's had a long week, as we all know. You can meet her officially at the ball. For now, let's enjoy the night together."

Their screams of joy could've been heard back to the city. Each of them raise their hands shaking their fists violently. Jessica pulls me up to a rock, maybe hundreds stand below us, and grabs my hand shaking it with hers. The energy of the pack is wild. I never expected such a blinding amount of people to stand together with us. Life is unexpected, Veronica.

Tusk and Gerald are welcome faces. They break through the crowd reaching up to help me down. Ares' growl breaks through, but we all ignore it, "Luna! You look healthy." Tusk gives me a big smile, one I return.

"Thanks. Feeling it. How are you?"

"Good, Gerald and I were wondering if you were joining the pack run tonight?" Tusk throws his arm around Gerald pulling him in. Gerald turns red at the gesture. I cover my mouth finally catching sight of the marks that adorn their necks.

"Wait..."

Gerald snorts shoving off of Tusk, "Yeah, yeah. You guessed it." They're mates.

Jessica coughs herself into the conversation, "Finally decided to tell her huh?"

"We had to feel her out ya know, make sure she wouldn't beat me with the sin stick." Tusk laughs. I laugh with them pulling them both into a hug.

"If fate put you together how could anyone oppose? You guys are awesome." The step back and we all move over as the bonfire starts sending smoke over us. The pack members have dispersed, most enjoying a drink and dancing.

"Back to the main conversation!" Gerald rotates his hands in the air looking between Jess and I, "So yes or no to the run?"

"I haven't marked Ares yet. So it'll most likely be a no." I grumble crossing my arms. This isn't a conversation I meant to broach, but now that we're here it seems somewhat appropriate. Jessica pretends punch my shoulder right as Josh walks up. He grabs her hips and flips her around laying a deep loving kiss against him lips. She responds appropriately curling into him with a smile forming over her lips.

"Oh, hey Josh." I awkwardly wave my hand at him catching his attention, "Thanks for helping."

"Anything for the pack, Luna. May I steal her for a dance?" He seems... cheerier than usual. The drinks must be helping him losen up, a nice experience for the night.

"All yours!" Tusk sends her off, Josh not waiting a moment to whisk her away.

The couple turns their attention back to me, "And why haven't you?" Tusk is the first to speak.

"Haven't I what?"

"Marked him?" Gerald finishes. Weird.

"Still working through some things. Ya know, typical human reserves. It's a weird concept. However it'll happen soon. I just need to work my head through it."

"It will now?" Ares moves in behind me. He doesn't touch me or greet like Josh did for Jessica. I can't tell if I like or if I'm jealous. I've set up serious boundaries between us and working through them is going to be difficult, especially when I'm a touch person. In the bedroom we have hands all over the other, nothing personal about ourselves, but in public we couldn't be more distance. And it's your fault.

"Hey Alpha!" Tusk raises his hand out. Ares grabs it and does the weird man hand and chest bump. Gerald follows right after, "Congrats on the land. Hows Tyson handling them?"

"Tyson is being his normal asshole self, but the wolves that remained have submitted to him and our pack."

"What's Tyson doing?" I turn my head up to Ares. He gives me a tender smile.

"As the Gamma he handles pack relations and trains wolves." I scrunch my face. I can't believe that idiot is reliable, "He's with James' old pack members helping them transition into our pay dynamics."

"And who are you two?" I point to the couple who give a large grin.

"We're delta's. As delta's we are swore to protect the ranked wolves. The following group is omegas. They are regular pack wolves that support in smaller ways, like gardens and working on 12th."

My eyes go wide, I can't believe it. The system is wild, but also well thought through, "And how are the women of the old pack?"

"Free as can be. The first thing Tyson handled was the removal of collars for all." Thank you, Tyson. I might be okay with you.

Ares holds out his hand. I lay mine in his with a questioning glance, "May I have this dance?" A slower song gets all the mates together. Tusk and Gerald walk off holding each other. I laugh to myself.

"Of course, Ares. But I might warn you, I can't dance."