Calix hadn't seen Kegan's wolf before, but he knew Kegan had seen his. His wolf, Zakai, was pitch black with golden eyes and was as big as a  lion.

Most Alpha wolves were naturally bigger, and the Alphas of the pack usually ended up being even taller and bulkier than the other common Alphas in their pack.

Kegan shifted to his own wolf, the white fur covering his body and purple eyes coming out to show the control that Jade now had. He was much smaller than Calix, closer to the size of a big lynx. His nose reached Calix's shoulder where he pressed the side of his face once he had shifted.

Calix's eyes were a mix of gold and blue, showing the control they shared. On the contrary, Jade wasn't allowing Kegan any control or shared power, scared that Kegan would take over and shift back to human.

The bigger wolf guided Kegan deeper into the woods, jogging and sticking his tongue out like an overgrown puppy.

"He's so elegant!" Jade purred as they ran deeper into the wooded area until they reached a sunny clearing where tall grass grew with small flowering plants throughout the field.

Kegan laughed at his wolf's praise of their mate. "He's such a pup."

"He's our Alpha!"

"His tongue is hanging out of his mouth like a two month old pup!"

Jade just growled and fell silent, seeming intent on trailing the Alpha to the field. As soon as they met the sunny clearing, Calix dove into the tall grass, flipping onto his stomach and peeking at the Omega through the blades.

Kegan edged close to the grass, sitting at the edge and tilting his head in confusion. He didn't know why Calix was acting like such a pup, but he didn't want to correct an Alpha or do something wrong.

Suddenly, Calix let out a bark, making Kegan jump back fearfully. The bigger wolf jumped out of the grass, his front paws and front half of his body lowered to the ground, tongue hanging out of his mouth.

"What's he doing?" Kegan asked, not sure what to think of the Alpha. He felt Jade lower himself to mimic the position, wagging his tail like a common dogs

"He wants to play. I personally wouldn't mind something more sexual, but I don't think that's his motive," Jade grumbled, making Kegan scold him.

Calix barked again, rolling into his back and revealing his stomach. That was a big deal for both Jade and Kegan, since having a mate show their stomach in their wolf form was showing full trust and vulnerability.

Kegan didn't stop his wolf as he walked over to their mate and pushed his nose into his mate's open stomach, showing their respect and acceptance of their mate's trust.

As soon as he did that, Kegan shrunk to his stomach completely, resting his head on the ground beside Calix, showing his submission to the Alpha.

Calix flipped onto his stomach beside the Omega and grabbed his ear in his mouth, playfully pulling on it.

Kegan growled at the Alpha, hating how the saliva was matting the longer fur on his ears. He pulled away and shook his head, only to be pinned down by Calix.

The Alpha hung out his tongue playfully, and his scent didn't show any anger or aggression. He lowered his nose to Kegan's neck, nuzzling the fur and pulling at his ear seconds later.

Kegan pushed past Jade's control and whimpered, not liking the feeling of being powerless. He didn't mind being in human form and walking side by side with Calix, holding his hand and even allowing the Alpha to hold around his waist.

However, he did not enjoy being pinned down by a three hundred pound wolf that was two times his size. Especially when he was on his back, belly exposed and vulnerable.

As soon as he heard the whimper, Calix climbed off of his mate, crouching beside him and licking his muzzle in an attempt to soothe Kegan.

The action calmed Kegan down as he rolled back onto his stomach so he felt safer. Thankfully, Calix didn't seem to mind at all, laying on his side and letting Kegan rest on his side.

The two lazed in the sun, the heat warming their bodies and allowing their wolves to feel safer and bond together.

Kegan drifted into a light sleep, feeling at ease and completely safe in Calix's presence for the first time since he showed up in the Blood Moon pack.

He woke up to an aggressive growl, eyes flying open in fear. Above him stood Calix, body positioned protectively over his mate.

Kegan began to panic, fearing the worst.

Had the Red Claw pack come for him? Had Leon found him? Where was the rest of the pack? Would they be able to help them or were he and Calix outnumbered?

"Calm down!" Jade ordered, sounding less panicked but still wary. "I don't smell any members of the Red Claw pack or the North River pack! Use your nose, idiot!"

Kegan forced himself to relax and ignore the growling and heavy, dominant scent of Calix so he could figure out who or what Calix was snarling at.

There was no scent that raised any red flags for him. Instead, it was a scent that felt somewhat familiar, but not dangerous.

"Oh calm down, you idiot!" a snappy voice hissed, making Calix growl louder. "Your parents want to see you and your mate and since you seem too damn preoccupied they sent me to find you!"

Calix snarled again, so dangerously and threateningly that it made Kegan whimper softly in fear, burying his face into his paws. The growling instantly ceased and the dark shadow of Calix disappeared from above him and was replaced by his nose pressing into Kegan's.

"Calix!"

Kegan looked up and saw Kai, looking extremely annoyed and clutching a bag. He winced when Calix snarled once again at her.

"Just get dressed!" Kai snapped, throwing the bag at Calix. "Your parents want to see you and Kegan!"

Calix grumbled and shifted back into his human form, throwing on a T-shirt and a pair of sweats from the bag.

"What do they want?" Calix asked irritably, not pleased that his parents had interrupted his quiet afternoon with his mate.

Kai raised an eyebrow. "You've missed every meeting for the last week because you've been cooped up in the pack house. And they'd like to meet your mate, seeing as how he's going to be our future Luna!" she said, angrily spitting out the words. "Would you please move your ass so I can go home to my pregnant mate?!"

Calix seemed like he wanted to put Kai in her place, but his face softened when she mentioned Astra. "Is she doing alright?" he asked hesitantly, shielding Kegan from Kai's view while he shifted back and pulled on some of Calix's clothes.

"She's fine right now. Are you good or do I need to hold your damn hand and walk you to your parent's house?"

Calix shook his head, taking Kegan's hand in his own. "We’ll be alright," he said, leading Kegan out of the field and woods and toward the main pack town.

"Calix?" Kegan asked after they parted ways from Kai and headed in a new direction.

"Yes, love?" Calix asked, looking down at his mate.

Kegan glanced up and blushed when they made eye contact. "Where are we going?"

"My parents have a cottage to retire in even though they're still leading the pack," Calix explained, leading Kegan up a cobblestone pack. "I don't take over for a while, since I don't want to until you're prepared to be my Luna and we're mated."

"But... I thought you were already the Alpha?"

Calix hummed. "I do Alpha-type tasks to learn and I lead the warriors in any battles or raids... like when we got you," he explained, arriving at a door to a small cottage type house. "But I don't retain the title yet, but everyone calls me Alpha anyway."

He knocked on the door while Kegan stayed close to his side, not completely prepared to meet Calix's parents. The Alphas in his past had never meant good news, and he was terrified they'd hurt him or try to kick him out of the pack for not having mated Calix already.

"Relax, pup," Calix murmured, noticing Kegan's clinginess and nervousness.

Kegan inhaled sharply. "Don't call me that," he mumbled as the door in front of him opened.