July 22nd-

We fell into a routine, Sam and me. We stayed at Nana’s house while I recovered from the pain. We talked about our childhoods, schooling, and everything in between. Sam was even kind enough to answer every question I had about his culture to try and satisfy my growing curiosity.

“I have a question,” I declare as Sam gave me a piggyback ride into the dining room for dinner. Sam gave me a smile.

“What is it, love?”

“Can you change whenever you want or only during a full moon like in the stories?”

Sam opened the cabinet and got out two plates. “Whenever we want. We’re more like shapeshifters than like the werewolves in your human stories.”

“Interesting…” I stroked my chin as I tried to think of another question. “What’s your official role in your pack?”

“I’m the Alpha.”

“Since I’m your mate, or will be once we’re married, what will my title be?”

Sam set the dishes on the table and stood between my legs. He placed a gentle kiss on my mark and then on my lips. “In my culture, we’re as good as married. Regarding your title, I guess you’d be my Luna.”

“Luna? That’s kind of dumb. Why wouldn’t I be like the Alpha Female or Queen or something like that?”

Sam laughed and kissed me again. I leaned into the kiss. “I don’t care what title you decide to use, my darling,” he said. “You can be the Alpha Female or Queen or Pack President,” he punctuated each title with a soft kiss, “as long as you’re by my side.”

August 1st-

I was nervous to go back to the pack house. It was like I was walking headlong into a pack of wolves, LITERALY! I had pretty much rejected this society’s cultural norms and was supposed to waltz back in and say, “Hey everybody, some Cosmic Yenta decided that I am now your queen.” What???

Sam gave my hand a squeeze, sensing my anxiety. “You’ll be fine, Katie. Please try to relax.”

“What if they hate me for what I did to you?”

Sam guided the car off the side of the road and pulled me into his lap. “Katie, they won’t hate you.” He said with finality. “I don’t hate you and neither with they.”

“But…”

“No buts.” He gave me a quick kiss. My tummy did flip flops. “Trust me.”

___

The only person who wasn’t thrilled about my arrival back at the pack house was Fiona. She greeted us with a tight lipped, sour-grape kind of smile when Sam carried me to the residential level of the pack house. I was fully capable of walking at this point, Sam just didn’t want me out of his arms. I was also fine about not having to climb all those steps. It was a win-win.

“Hello Fiona,” said Sam. I tensed as we approached my old room. I was having flashbacks to those early, panic-filled days. “Please have Lady Katherine’s things brought to my quarters.” He walked past the evil room to my great relief.

“Yes master.”

“I hope you don’t mind staying in my quarters, I don’t want you too far away from me,” he said, setting me down in front of a large set of doors.

“I’m okay with that,” I look down the hall to what had once been my old room. “I have too many bad memories associated with that room.”

Sam held me. “Here’s to good memories going forward.”