Chapter 223
Kara
As we climbed the stairs, I felt them talking through the bond, having one of their private conversations.
I poked at the link experimentally. Their attention immediately swung to me, warm and welcoming.
What are you three plotting?
The response was overwhelming—affection, protectiveness, mischief.
Just discussing how brave you were, Asher sent. And how perfect you are.
And how cute you look when you're trying to be all Luna-like, Blake added, his mental voice carrying heat that made my cheeks flush.
And arguing about who loves you most, Cole finished. For the record, it's me.
The hell it is, Blake shot back. I literally killed for her.
We all did, Asher reminded them. And we all love her equally. She's ours, and we're hers. That's all that matters.
You know I can hear all of this, right?
The sudden silence was almost comical, followed by sheepish affection from all three.
We know, Cole admitted. We just like making you smile.
And damn them, it was working.
---
The study had been transformed. Heavy drapes pulled back, the massive desk pushed aside, books stacked everywhere—legal texts, pack histories, territorial maps. A laptop sat open on a side table.
And standing in the center was a man I assumed must be Nicholas Everett.
Early thirties, neatly trimmed brown hair, kind hazel eyes behind wire-rimmed glasses. Average build—maybe five-ten—wearing a deep blue sweater over khaki slacks. His scent was pleasant: old parchment and cedar.
When he saw us, his face lit up. "Luna Kara!" He started forward, arms opening. "It's such an honor to finally—"
He didn't finish.
Blake moved faster than I'd ever seen him move outside combat, inserting himself between Nicholas and me. One finger pressed against Nicholas's forehead, stopping him cold.
"Hold on there, professor," Blake said, voice deceptively casual despite the gunpowder scent that flooded the room. "Before we get all friendly, we need to establish a few ground rules."
Through the bond, I felt Asher's exasperation mixed with amusement, and Cole's barely suppressed laughter. Nicholas had gone very still, his scent spiking with anxiety.
"Blake—" I started.
"Rule one," Blake continued, ticking items off on his fingers while keeping that one finger pressed to Nicholas's forehead. "No touching. Not a handshake, not a pat on the shoulder, definitely not a hug. You keep your hands to yourself unless you're handing her a book."
"Blake, he was just being friendly—"
"Rule two. You maintain a minimum distance of three feet at all times. I'll know if you get closer. I'll smell it."
"I understand, Alpha Blake," Nicholas said quickly, voice slightly higher than before. "I'll absolutely respect Luna Kara's personal space—"
"Rule three. You don't look at her for more than three seconds at a time. I'll be counting."
"Blake, for God's sake—" Asher started, but there was affection in his exasperation.
"And rule four. Every single lesson, I'm going to be right here. Watching. Listening. Making sure you remember rules one through three."
The poor man looked like he might faint. "Of course, Alpha. Whatever makes you comfortable—"
"Good." Blake finally stepped aside but positioned himself between Nicholas and me. "As long as we understand each other."
Through the bond, I felt Cole's amusement bubbling into actual laughter. I was caught between mortification and fondness.
"Blake," I said, placing my hand on his arm. His attention immediately shifted to me, golden eyes softening. "He's here to teach me pack law, not assault me. You can't threaten every person I'm going to interact with as Luna."
"Watch me," Blake muttered, but his arm came around my waist, pulling me against his side. Through the bond, I felt his wolf practically preening.
"I apologize for my brother's... enthusiasm," Asher said smoothly, offering Nicholas his hand. "But his concern isn't entirely misplaced. Our mate has been through significant trauma recently."
"A bit?" Cole stage-whispered, earning himself a glare from Blake.
"I completely understand," Nicholas said quickly, adjusting his glasses with trembling hands. "I promise I will maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times."
Before Blake could respond, the study door opened.
Victoria swept in without knocking. "Boys," she said, green eyes flashing. "We need to talk. Now. About Dmitri, about this ridiculous situation—"
"Mother," Blake interrupted, not even turning. "We're settling Kara in with her tutor. Whatever you need can wait."
"It most certainly cannot—"
"It can," Asher said, his voice carrying Alpha command. "And it will. We'll speak with you later. Right now, Kara needs to begin her education as Luna."
Victoria's fury spiked through her scent, but she was smart enough not to push back against three united Alphas. Her gaze landed on me, and for a moment, I saw something that might have been pain or regret.
"Fine," she said tightly. "But this conversation is not over." She left, the door closing with just slightly more force than necessary.
Nicholas cleared his throat nervously. "Perhaps we should begin with some basic pack structure? I've prepared an overview—"
"Wait," Cole interrupted. "Mom's right that we need to talk. Just not about Dmitri." He looked at Asher and Blake through the bond. "We should tell Kara about—"
"Later," Asher said firmly, though his eyes were troubled. "Let her have this first. The rest can wait."
Through the bond, I felt their agreement, but also their worry. They were hiding something from me again.
The old Kara would have let it go. Would have pretended not to notice.
But I wasn't that Kara anymore.
The silence stretched, taut with tension. Nicholas had wisely retreated to a corner, pretending to reorganize books.
Cole broke first. "Okay," he said quietly. "But not today. Not until you've rested, not until you've had your first lesson, not until you've had dinner with your grandfather."
"And not alone," Blake added immediately. "We'll be there. All of us. And if he says one thing that upsets you, the conversation is over."
I wanted to argue. But looking at their faces—at the genuine fear and love and desperation—I couldn't. They'd nearly lost me. They'd spent days not knowing if I was alive or dead. They'd torn apart half of Alaska looking for me.
They'd earned the right to be a little overprotective.
"Okay," I agreed. "Tomorrow. After I've rested and learned some Luna basics and figured out how to feel about having a grandfather. Deal?"
The relief that flooded through our bond was overwhelming. Blake pulled me back against his side, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. Cole's hand found mine. Asher's eyes warmed with something that looked like pride.
"Deal," he agreed. Then, turning to Nicholas, "I believe you had an overview prepared?"
Nicholas practically jumped. "Yes! I've prepared a comprehensive introduction to pack structure, Luna responsibilities, and the legal framework." He hesitated. "Though perhaps we should start with something less formal? Just to ease into things?"
"Good idea," Cole said, gently steering me toward one of the comfortable chairs. "Kara's been through a lot."
As I settled into the chair—Blake immediately claiming the seat to my left, Asher taking up position behind me, Cole perching on the arm—I felt something settle in my chest. Something that felt almost like normalcy.
Nicholas pulled up a chair, careful to maintain the three-foot distance, and spread out a large map.
"Let's start with the basics," he said, earlier nervousness fading as he slipped into teacher mode. "Silver Frost Pack territory. Do you know how large our lands are?"