Reece got to work in the kitchen, while his guest talked and laughed at the table. He was used to company- every werewolf was, being pack animals- but he was not accustom to having non-pack wolves and humans hanging out in his house.

  He was surprised that having them in his den didn't bother him more. Usually having strange people in his space would have him on edge.

  They belong to our mate and so they belong to us. That explained it then.

  Speaking of his mate... he could feel Maddison's eyes on him, watching, following. He didn't let on that he knew she was looking, just basked in her attention and did all he could to show off. He wasn't even sure she was aware that she was watching him. Kalie noticed though. He thought the young wolf would be upset or jealous given her obvious affection for Maddison. But she just smiled, a sense of extreme amusement written all over her face.

  He was just about to put the first steaks on the heat when there was a knock at the front door. Everyone grew silent at once and Maddison's eyes shot to the door. She was on high alert, the last attack too fresh in her mind.

  She didn't have to worry though. He could hear the voices outside the door, and they were in no danger. Reece sighed and went to the fridge to get out more steaks. He'd have to go grocery shopping sooner than expected.

  "The door is open!" he shouted. "Its just Ryan and a couple other pack members." He said to the others as the front door opened. "They probably want to check up on me."

  The people at the table relaxed with his reassurances but Maddison's eyes were locked on the door.

  "Hello, hello!" came the sing song voice of John, pack goofball and all round nice guy. All of five feet tall with wispy blonde hair and fawn brown eyes. He also sported a large scar down his chest, curtesy of his last alpha who caught him kissing his daughter. Apparently he did not want his daughter dating a sixteen year old art enthusiast who also happened to be a submissive. Ryan scooped him up just before Reece also joined the pack.

  "Good evening John." Reece chuckled, as meat began to sizzle.

  As John stored his coat in the closet, Ryan and Andrew strolled in. Ryan looked serious while Andrew looked at ease. Both men hung up their coats and removed their shoes.

  "You have guests, fantastic! I love new people to destroy on Mario Go Kart." Said John, rubbing his hands together in anticipation while eyeing Kalie and the Nixons.

  "Guys," Reece addressed the group seated at the table. "This is John, the youngest of the pack and a video game nut." John smirked and tipped an imaginary hat. "The tall surly guy that looks like me, but without my endearing charm, is my brother and Alpha, Ryan. Next to him is our pack second, Andrew. Don't let the hippy look fool you though, he is nearly as serious as Ryan."

  Andrew smiled politely and Ryan nodded his head, examining the strangers in the room. His eyes passed over Greg and Chase without much pause and lingered on Kalie a moment. When she looked away and tried to look as small as possible he seem satisfied and moved on.

  When his eyes met Maddison's, beautifully different, eyes a trace of surprise crossed his face.

  "You didn't take the cure?" he asked her in no small amount of amazement. "I thought they got you to the hospital with plenty of time to spare."

  "I'm not nearly prejudice enough to take a fifty percent chance at dying." She said with a raised eyebrow and all the sass he was coming to love. "Between a fluffy tail and flees, or being six feet under, I'd take the tail."

  John positively roared with laughter, throwing himself in the chair next to Chase. "You are one awesome lady."

  "Thank you." She said, looking properly pleased. It never hurt to complement a she-wolf.

  "You wanted to stay a werewolf?" asked Andrew, looking confused as he leaned against the center island.

  Reece knew it was going to happen before she did it, and couldn't prevent the smile crossing his face when Maddison rolled her eyes. "Didn't I just say it wasn't a matter of wanting? I didn't want to die. I don't care if I'm a werewolf. Though it is taking some getting used to..." she winced when she accidentally moved her injured shoulder.

  "Are you able to shift yet?" asked Ryan before Andrew could comment on Maddison's perceived rudeness.

  "No. According to the doctor I have about another half hour before the virus takes complete hold." She said. He could tell she was sensing his status and did not put up a fuss. She lowered her eyes slightly, and looked respectful at least. Good, he didn't want to see Ryan have to put Maddison in her place. She might be able to get away with being snippy with Andrew, but she could not insult an Alpha and not be punished.

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  "I see. I'm glad you are alright then. How are you handling the change?"

  "I'm okay, thank you. The lights hurt at first, and the sounds and smells were annoying, but I'm getting used to it now. It's the other stuff that's hard to get a handle on..."

  "What things?" Asked Greg, concerned for his daughter.

  "Its hard to say..." she said with a scrunched brow, looking for a way to describe what she was talking about. "I guess the world seems different some how. I'm different now."

  "Its common to need time to adjust." Agreed Ryan. "I take it Reece has been informing you on werewolf things, and not just flipping steaks?"

  "Hey!" exclaimed Reece in good humor, flipping a steak. "Watch it or you won't get one."

  "He's been more than helpful. Most people wouldn't do so much for their renters whom they just met." She laughed. "I'm lucky he was here. I'm more than sure I'd be dead now, and Kalie would be too, if he hadn't been here." She said, indicating her friend who was still doing her best to look small and insignificant.

  "I thought you smelled familiar." Said Andrew with a kind smile. "I suppose the pink hair should have been a clue though. How are you?"

  "I'm better now..." she said meekly, half hidden behind Maddison.

  "And why are you here and not with your own pack?" asked Ryan with a half growl.

  Kalie flinched and lowered her head further. She looked like she was going to cry. She had a reason to be afraid. She was a strange, submissive wolf, in a foreign pack's territory.

  "Ryan..." Reece warned. Alpha or not, he would not let his brother attack Kalie. As his wolf said, she was Maddison's and he would defend her.

  "I-I'll go..." Kalie breathed fearfully, getting up from her chair.

  In an instant Maddison was on her feet and glaring at Ryan. Reece's stomach hit his feet.

  "She has no pack and she isn't a threat." Explained Maddison, waving her hand at her father who was about to interfere. "But if she is unwelcome, than so am I. I'll take her to my apartment. If that is still a problem then I ask that you let her stay just for tonight. Tomorrow I will contact a moving company and have my things put into storage and begin looking for a new place." She looked at Reece and he felt like he was about to fly into a panic. "I would need my rent back but you could keep the damage deposit for the inconvenience."

  "There is no need for that!" he managed to get out when his wolf wanted claim her before she could get away. A sentiment that he could sympathize with, but knew would make things unimaginably worse. He looked to his brother, desperate and unsure what to do. He loved his brother, and had no problem with him being his Alpha, but his connection to Maddison, though new and unsure, meant too much to him to risk.

  Ryan shook his head, irritated but also amused. It wasn't everyday he got to see Reece in full blown panic-mode. "Reece is correct miss-?"

  "Nixon, Maddison Nixon."

  "Miss Nixon. I'm sure you can understand my unease having a strange wolf around one of my own, who had just last night, been trying to kill you as well as him. But if she is without a pack then I have to know why. If I'm satisfied that the reason is one that doesn't put my wolves in danger then she is free to stay as a guest in my territory."

  Maddison did not out her friend. Instead, she looked at Kalie and allowed her to decide whether or not to give up her own secret.

  "M-my pack... they banished me b-because-" she looked away in obvious pain. Maddison wrapped a slender arm around Kalie and winced, because it was her injured arm. Despite that, she did not let go. " I'm not welcome in my pack anymore because I am a lesbian."

  John whistled his surprise and Andrew winced – whether in disgust or sympathy Reece wasn't sure. Ryan, however, did not react at all. He watched Kalie for another long moment and the young women shook, but held her ground.

  "And they deemed it necessary to bind and torture you, then set you loose in another pack's territory? Because you like women?" Ryan said finally. Everyone in the room was tense and unsure where this was going.

  "The Alpha took offense that she would rather spend time with a friend who just happened to be a woman, then with his abusive ass!" Maddison snapped, feeling protective of her friend. Despite being afraid for Maddison, Reece also couldn't help but be proud of her too. Our mate is strong. Yes, she was.

  Ryan raised an eyebrow and looked at Reece expectantly.

  "She is Alpha..." was all he could say. The smell of burning brought his attention back to the food with a curse.

  "Clearly." Ryan said with and actual smirk. He turned back to the two women with interest. "are you two-?"

  "No!" said Kalie right away. She knew what an accusation like that could mean for Maddison. "Maddison is not my girlfriend. Just my friend."

  "I see... no matter your relationship, clearly miss Nixon has staked a claim on you. I would assume she would not join any pack unless you were allowed to go with her. Isn't that right miss Nixon?"

  "No!" Kalie cried. "Maddie, you can't. I already messed up your life, don't let me mess it up more!"

  Maddison ignored Kalie's cries and, instead, answered Ryan's question. "Yes, that's right. I won't abandon Kalie to a life alone, or worse. She is my friend."

  "In a few minutes you will feel the the full brunt of being a werewolf without a pack. It is a kind of pain that humans cannot understand, or imagine. Humans think they know what loneliness is but they have no idea. I'm sure your friend here is in a great deal of pain without her pack."

  Reece could see the alarm cross Maddison's face as she turned to Kalie. Her friend looked at the ground and said "I'm fine. I've been through this a lot of times. I can handle it."

  "I have a proposition for you." Said Ryan. He shot Reece a conspiratorial smile that made him hope for the best.

  "And what would that be?" she asked with suspicion.

  "Join my pack. Our females could do with an Alpha like you. We have a couple dominates you will have to contend with, but I doubt you will have much trouble, over all. My pack is small and, as an Alpha, you could easily get into just about any pack; but you would be hard pressed to find one that will accept your Kalie. You join us and she can as well."

  "Are you serious?" asked John in amazement.

  "Why?" Maddison suddenly snaped at the young man, not much older than her own brother, who watched the whole scene with rapt attention. "Do you have a problem with her too? What's wrong? All you werewolves think she is so amazing as to be able to snatch away your women? Like she can just turn people lesbian like her?!"

  John seemed to wilt where he sat. He reeled back and nearly fell off his chair in an attempt to lower himself in submission. Not satisfied, Maddison growled and started to advance on him. Her uninjured hand rose up to grab her head, and she winced.

  "Maddie, no! He's submissive!" Kalie cried. "If you can make a dominate male back down- Maddie? Are you okay?"