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Unwrapping the gift from his parents, I place the paper aside and open the lid of the box. The second I lay eyes on the gift itself, I realise what it is. Bound is soft tan leather, sits a chunky photo album. Figuring his parents wouldn't hand him a empty photo book, I decide not to open it.

"Maybe we should wait until later? It's kind of personal." I say softly, giving him a small smile as I gently close the box back up.

Hardin makes no attempt to argue with that, more relieved than anything judging by the look on his face. I set the box aside, winding my arms around his torso and cuddling into his chest. Despite my head being almost two inches shorter than his shoulder, it doesn't stop us.

Something about him being far larger than me...it's exciting, and comforting.

Hardin exhales softly, broad arms circling my smaller frame, like a blanket of warmth. I loved his gentleness, that someone so strong, so powerful could show such tenderness.

"How long is dinner going to be?" I whisper to him, purposely changing his entire thought pattern.

Hardin's silver eyes darken like a storm brewing within, it makes me grin, knowing how easily I can get his attention.

"Eager are we?" Hardin teases, despite the way his hands grip my waist, drawing me closer possessively.

"Yes, I'm starving." I whisper back, a small teasing grin on my face as he growls lowly.

We quickly get back into the Christmas spirit, heading off to play with the pups and socialise like actual people, like this is all the family we need. It feels amazing, to be apart of something so pure and loving. For the first time in my life, I felt utterly content with our lives right now, even with the problems and dangers of rogues.

"Your mommy is going to be here any minute, let's get your shoes on." I tell the little girl, placing her bag aside.

Grabbing the Doc Martins from the bottom of the steps, I help Lottie into her shoes despite her whole 'independence' thing she has going on.

Phoebe arrives exactly thirty seconds later, thanking us in a rush as she hurries back to her mate. The issue with rogues on the borders is never ending, last night her mate was ambushed and he's in pretty bad shape, hence why Lottie stayed with us.

"Do you think he's going to make it?" I ask Hardin softly, knowing how severe the damage to Phoebes mates chest is.

"I have to, for that little girls sake." Are the words Hardin responds with, solemnly.

"I should have been out there." I sigh.

"There were too many, you kept the pups safe and that's more important that anything else during war." Hardin says, gently grabbing my hand.

Knowing how I feel about this, I suppose he's trying to comfort me. But I just look up at him, not comforted, or even slightly happy with his words.

"If you wanted a Luna, you should have married one." I tell him, yanking my hand away and briskly stomping away from him.

So now it's my job to take the duties of a mere Luna?

Why did he order Beck and Zed to defend the pack, and have me stay back?

I know in my heart it wasn't about the pups, many other wolves could have done the job. Hardin has been isolating me from anything that draws blood ever since I got back. Tip-toeing around me like I'm going to snap at the sight of violence.

It's beyond irritating.

"Want any help?" I straight up offer the group of teenage girls outside.

Immediately they spin around in surprise. "Luna."

"Not Luna, Kali is fine." I force a small smile, hating that even the pack see me as a mere Luna. What happened to being Alpha?

"Right, sorry. Um...we're actually training for graduation, I guess we could use some tips on how to pass?" One fo the teens say with a hopeful look.

"Technically I'm not allowed to tell you anything, but...I suppose the ability to withstand hell and maintain control would be of great use." I tell them with a slight smile, knowing I need not to say more.

The girls don't look so certain about that though, which tells me that perhaps they don't have much control. Knowing how nerve wracking it is to have no idea what awaits you at the arena, I couldn't help myself.

"Look, if you graduate then that's great, and if you don't...negotiate with Elder Luka, he tends to be more lenient with younger wolves." I tell the girls quietly.

Immediately they seem to feel some relief, hearing it from someone who the Elders didn't particularly like at first, gives them hope.

"Thanks, lun-Kalli." One of the girls smile as she corrects herself.

"No problem." I shake my head, giving the girls a small wave as I head off into the woods.

As I enter the tree line, one of the girls rush to catch up with me as she parts from her friends.

"Uh, can I ask you something?" She asks timidly, as I turn to face her.

"Are you sure you don't want to ask Hardin?" I ask, sensing that it's something personal, and we all know how this pack love to go to Hardin first.

"No offence, but Alpha isn't exactly known for his tolerance of rogues, as merciful as he can be." The girl says, eyes cast on the ground as to not offend me.

She's not wrong. Hardin has never liked rogues, just every other Alpha across the world. However, ever since the war he's been more protective, more merciless towards anyone that crosses the border. I understand his reasons, even if I don't always like his methods.

"You have a rogue problem?" I ask, frowning, I couldn't stop myself from naturally disapproving.

"No, I mean...kind of, but it's not about me. I just...there's this girl at school." The teen says nervously, finally meeting my eyes. I could see the concern, the fear that something awful has happened.

"Tell me." I softly say, giving the girl my full attention.

Even if the natural instinct to ignore her worry about a rogue sits inside of me, I feel it in my gut that if she's this worried, perhaps I should be.

"Um...well, she's started a couple of weeks ago, she's younger than me and she isn't exactly...social, anyways, we saw this guy dragging her into the woods and the next day...she was kind of limping, and skittish, zoning out a lot." She explains to me.

"I didn't want to upset her or anything, so I didn't say anything. But then we had gym, and I could smell blood so I offered her a sanitary towel...but she wasn't on her monthly." The girl gulps, and my stomach wrenches slightly.

It doesn't take a genius to figure out what the teen is getting at here. But surely female rogues fight off predators?

"Did you tell the teachers?" I exhale, leaning against a nearby tree as I soak in the information.

Wolves have very keen sense of smell and instinct, I trust this she-wolfs words completely.

"I did, even though she's a student...she's still a rogue." She tells me quietly.

"What do you expect me to do?" I frown.

"I just...I figured that out of everyone in this pack, you might consider looking into it? I know she's not a pack member, but she's still a kid...and she needs help." The girl says.

"Look...I know that it seems harsh, but rogues don't like people in their business. Just because she's a teenager, doesn't mean she's fragile, alright?" I tell the girl, feeling a little bad because I know she's worried.

But rogues aren't like pack wolves.

"She needs help, and it shouldn't matter what status she has...I thought you of all people would understand that." The girl seems disappointed.

I find myself a little taken back by her, even as she turns and walks away from me. I mean, I get where she's coming from in a way, but I also know rogues. Get in the middle of their business and limbs will be torn off, they revenge against anyone that interferes.

Helping one rogue, could lead to annihilation for this pack.

More troubled than before, I release a heavy sigh and head off further into the woods. As I walk, I sort through my emotions and thoughts, releasing my pent up irritations into the wind. Almost half of my stresses right now involve Hardin, and his stubborn reasons for keeping me sidelined like some child.

***

It wasn't long before I turn back and head home, a little over an hour. I'll admit, being alone in the woods with just the sounds of nature around me, it's soothing. But it also makes me realise how much I miss Hardin's voice, I suppose having spent so much time on my own my whole life, It's hard for me to adjust to silence again.

The sound of footsteps echo through my ears, considering that I'm not too far from the border, it really doesn't surprise me.

"Want some company?" A familiar voice asks.

Turning my head in slight surprise, I eye the large man curiously.

"What are you doing here?" I ask, a tad confused.

Dom smiles that boyish grin, falling into step at my side as we walk. The guy is known for randomly turning up out of the blue, but he hasn't visited since Christmas.

"Gotta' run something by Hardin, figured I'd say hello." He shrugs lazily, hands buried into the pockets of his hoodie.

"Yeah? Anything I can help with?" I offer, a little hopeful.

"Uh, well a couple of my younger wolves have mentioned rogues enrolled in their schools. Since the Elders and I don't get along, I figured Hardin might speak to them about it." Dom admits, the slight furrow between his eyebrows tells me that he's displeased.

"I'm sure a couple of teen rogues wouldn't stand a chance against one of your wolves." I comment, giving him a shoulder nudge.

"I'm not worried, more curious actually. What kind of rogue wants to learn math?" Dom muses.

I remain silent as we head to the pack house, mulling over his words as I realise he might be right. Then again, what does he care about a rogues life choices? I'll admit that it's not often rogues show up in schools, but it's not unheard of.