Claimed by the Alpha - Lia Davis Page 0,3
with interest and curiosity. “Mama says it’s rude to be nosy.”
“Well, I think what your mom means is that questions can make some people uncomfortable. But I’m okay with your questions.” Luna watched as Kathy’s features brightened.
She sat up straight and opened her mouth, then closed it again. Luna waited, giving the little girl time to choose what to ask first. After a few seconds, Kathy asked, “What is it like to have a wolf inside you?”
Luna frowned. For her, the relationship between animal and human was unbalanced. Some would say she was unstable. That wasn’t the case. Luna’s wolf helped her live through the breaking of the mating bond while absorbing the Alpha power at the same time.
“Did you ask Rafe? You know he’s a wolf too.”
Kathy ducked her head. “Rafe is…I can’t ask him. He’s the Alpha.”
Luna found it interesting that the human child would refer to him as Alpha. Maybe it was time Luna learned more about the structure of the base Rafe was running. Would he not want to leave?
Shaking off that last thought, she focused back on Kathy. “I’m an Alpha, too, you know.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
Laughing, Luna tapped the tip of Kathy’s nose. “Yep, really. To answer your question, my wolf is very much a part of me. I can feel her inside me and hear her thoughts.”
“I bet it gets confusing.” Kathy bunched her brows together then added, “And annoying. I think having a wolf inside me would be hard.”
Luna laughed. “It is hard. But I was born with my wolf like all shifters are born with their animals. It takes us a while to find a balance.”
“Kathy.” Stacy entered the playroom and locked her gaze onto Kathy. “I hope you’re not bothering Luna.”
“No, Mama. We’re just talking.” Kathy scrunched up her nose before wiggling out of Luna’s lap.
Luna stood and crossed the room to Stacy. “She wasn’t bothering me. I miss my Pack, so spending time with the kids helps a little.”
Stacy nodded, but Luna could tell that something was bothering her. “I can’t imagine. Rafe educated us a little on the general knowledge of shifters. I think it was to gain the trust of the whole group.”
“Mama, Luna can hear her wolf’s thoughts. I want to meet her wolf.” Kathy jumped up and down in front of them.
Luna laughed and ruffled Kathy’s hair. “One day, you will. Why don’t you go play with the other kids for a bit?”
Kathy rolled her eyes. “You two just want to talk without me here.”
Luna lifted a brow, making Kathy sigh and walk off. After Kathy was distracted with the other kids, Luna motioned Stacy to the door. “What’s bothering you?”
Stacy offered a weak smile. “Is it that obvious?”
“To me, because I’m an Alpha. It’s in the job description.”
“Yeah, I guess so.” Stacy glanced at the kids, then to the floor. “The last time I saw Colt, he was human.”
Ah. Was Stacy finding it hard to accept him? “But you recognized him when we arrived.”
“We talked on the phone and video chatted a few times, so I knew what he was or is now.” She dropped her shoulders. “I feel bad for even talking about him or feeling like…”
Luna looped her arm with Stacy and walked with her down the hall. The whole place reminded her of an old tunnel system under the city. “Until I met a mutant named Gina, I thought they were all vile, soulless, bloodthirsty monsters. Hell, I gave the order to track them down and kill them just like a rogue.”
“Gina?”
A smile tugged at Luna’s lips as she told Stacy the short story about who Gina was. “She and a wolf Healer from another Pack are working on an antidote to reverse the effects of the mutant serum.”
Stacy stopped, and her features changed to hopeful. “Then Colt could be human again.”
“We’re hopeful, but I don’t know a lot about the genetics and biology of it all. Gina and Sven both have a vast knowledge that will help them. Plus, Sven’s IQ is off the charts according to human testing anyway.” Luna sensed Rafe nearby, so she directed Stacy to turn down another tunnel. “It could be years before they find a cure.”
They came to the common area and Rafe walked out and locked gazes with Luna. Damn, she was sure she was moving away from him. Then again, she was a little distracted. Ignoring Rafe, she asked Stacy, “Is there anything that concerns you?”
“No. Colt is as caring as he