The Pack's Luna: The Pack Series Book 4 novel Chapter 12

Piper

“You’ve still got a slight bruise where Meghan clocked you yesterday,” Zach says walking me to my car.

“Yeah, it’s a testament to how distracted l am right now.

But she does have a nasty right hook.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to come with you, Hellfire?”

“Nah, between Vivienne, Alpha Quirin, and his little hellions, I’ll be fine.”

“Yeah, I’m more worried about you sparring against those girls than Alpha Quirin,” he says, making me laugh.”

“They’re awesome. I love that he encourages them to be • little badasses.”

Zach laughs. “They’ll adore your girls when you have them one day,” he says and my smile falls. “Damn, Hellfire. I’m sorry. That was callous.”

“No, you’re right. Someday, if I ever have pups, they will love them,” I say, tossing my bag into the back of my car.” Have a good weekend, Zach.”

“You too, Hellfire. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he says, hugging me before stepping back. I get in the car and wave as | pull

away.I’m about thirty minutes into my drive when my phone rings. I sigh when I see the caller ID, but I answer through the Bluetooth.

“Hello, Dad.”

“Piper, what’s this I hear about Vivenne joining a pack?”

I raise an eyebrow. I didn’t think that my father cared about Vivienne, definitely not enough to keep tabs on her.

“Yes, she’s joining Alpha Quirin’s pack. Have you heard of him?” I ask, knowing he must have.

“Everyone has heard of him, Piper. That’s no place for Vivienne. You need to convince her to come home.”

“Home?” I ask. He’s got to be kidding me.

“Yes. This pack is her home.”

“Dad, she renounced you as her Alpha. She hasn’t lived there in almost a year.”

“And you think this is a better choice for her, Piper?

Women like her get eaten alive by men like Alpha Quirin.”

“You don’t even know him, Dad.”

“Oh and you do?”

“As a matter of fact, I do. Who do you think got her to go visit Alpha Quirin in the first place? She’s accepting him as her Alpha tonight and I’m on my way to watch her. So,no, Dad. I won’t be talking her out of this. She’s happier than I’ve ever seen her.”

It’s quiet and I wait for the explosion that’s coming.

“I see the Academy hasn’t made you into any less of a disappointment, Piper,” he growls.

“Oh Dad, you’ve been disappointed in me since the moment I was born without a dick. I’ll give Vivienne your regards,” I say, hitting the button to disconnect the call.

That conversation would only have gone downhill from there.

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel as I drive. I wonder where my father’s concern is actually coming from. Is it concern for Vivienne, or is this about Alpha Quirin? Maybe he’s afraid Viv will spill pack secrets and Alpha Quirin will come to the pack, challenge my brother, and take his pack like he did with Alpha Christer. The thought makes me smile, not because I think Alpha Quirin will do it, but because I know my father wouldn’t stand a chance against Quirin. Honestly, he wouldn’t stand a chance against me either.

My brother, Grady, the current Alpha, wouldn’t stand a chance against me anymore either, not with all the training I’ve had this year. Though he’d never acknowledge it, we were pretty equally matched before I left. But, he has the same misogynistic beliefs about women that my father does. In his mind, women are the weaker sex, so how could I possibly ever defeat him? That apple didn’t fall far from the tree. And goddess knows that my father is SO proud of Grady.

Thoughts of my family linger for the rest of the drive.

When I arrive at Alpha Quirin’s pack, the gate guard greets me warmly. It’s the same guy from last weekend when I brought Vivienne here.

“Alpha Piper, welcome back. Our Vivenne is excited to see you. I’ll let Alpha Quirin know you’ve arrived.”

OUR Vivienne? Interesting. I guess she has assimilated to this pack.

“Thank you,” I say, making my way to the packhouse.

When I arrive, Alpha Quirin and Luna Kennedy are waiting for me.

I step out of the car and wave.

“Welcome back, Piper,” Alpha Quirin says. I grab my bag and walk up to them saying hello. As expected, Luna Kennedy pulls me into a hug.

“Vivienne is so excited to have you here for this. It’s very important to her and so are you,” she says.

“Thank you, Luna. She’s very important to me too.”

I’ve just stepped back when I hear the excited squeals of two little hellions.

PIPER

“Who hit you?” he asks softly, staring at the fading bruise on my cheek.”I’m training to be an elite fighter at a warrior Academy, Alpha. A lot of people hit me,” I say, forcing myself to keep my voice civil. This is Vivienne’s weekend. I won’t ruin it for her.

He reaches out, gently brushing his knuckles over my cheekbone. Then those intense eyes meet mine.

“I don’t like seeing you bruised,” he says.

“Then you should probably stay away from the Academy.

It’s pretty standard there,” I say, gritting my teeth against the snarky words I want to say.

Fallon, the traitor, has fallen over in my head and rolled onto her back in submission because our ‘mate’ cares enough to ask about my bruise.

‘Get a grip, Fallon.’

Td like to get a grip on him, she purrs.

I roll my eyes and begin walking inside with Vivienne.

“And call me Henry, Piper,” he calls out.

“Sure thing, Alpha,” I say before we cross the threshold into the packhouse.

The moment we’re inside, Viv pulls me into an empty hallway.

“What the fuck was that, Piper?” she whisper yells.”It’s nothing,” I say, but she narrows her eyes at me.

“It sure as fuck is something,” she growls.

I sigh, looking over my shoulder where I can see Henry talking to Alpha Quirin

“He’s my mate, Vivienne. I met him a few days ago at the Academy, WITH his chosen mate.”

“Well fuck me sideways and call me happy. That’s a bunch of shit, girl,” she says, making me snort at her colorful imagery.

“Yeah, it is, but I won’t let that interfere with your night, Viv, I promise.”

“Of course you won’t. And for what it’s worth, he’s here alone. Well, he came with his father and step-mother, but no chosen mate.”

I turn and look at him again. Well now, isn’t that interesting.