"My darling boys! Are you okay? I tried my hardest to get back in time for the funerals. I am so sorry for the losses and that I didn’t make it," Gabriella's sobs echo in the quiet room, and her arms snake around Dylan and Marco's trim waists while the rest of us wait at the dinner table. I decide to stand and walk over, reminding myself to play nice with Marco's mother, no matter how much she irritates. Stop it. You only met her once, just be yourself.

"Hi Gabriella, I’m glad you’re safe," I say, coming to stop beside Mac as she releases my two mates.

"Ava, Darling, thank you. I'm just sorry I wasn’t here for the Pack. I felt the loss through our bonds and scrambled to come home. You look a bit strung out, dear, is everything okay?" She questions, her head tilting to the side in appraisal, even as her hands come up to wipe her tears away. Geez, thanks for pointing that out.

"Yeah, I’m sure I do. I’m just focused on trying to do as much as I can for the Pack. Their well-being more important than my grooming habits, I suppose," I bite back, trying to rein in my frustration.

She’s his mom. She’s his mom. She’s his mom.

"So, what are we going to do to the assholes that caused this? We must demand justice. This is our Pack, well, I suppose Packs now," Gabriella surveys the room, her gaze flitting across all our faces when no-one rushes to tell her the plan.

"Mom, we trust you, but we can’t go around telling people plans that may or may not come to fruition," Marco tries to explain to his mother.

"That's bullshit, and you know it, Marco. I've already overheard the plan. Make me swear an oath or whatever, but do not shut me out of this. I loved those people just as much as any of you, and I will not be left out of gaining retribution for them," she grinds out, her wolf moving the forefront as her eyes start to change shades. Dylan and Wade glance around the room, and everyone nods their assent before Dylan guides Gabriella to the table, with Marco and I following close behind them. Gabriella looks around the table and settles into my previous seat with a pointed smirk in my direction. I walk around to Mac on the other side of the table and brush his shoulder. His response is immediate, pushing his chair back far enough for me to perch on his lap. His hands grip my waist and pull me further back until my back rests against his chest and his head snuggles against mine. I feel amusement pulse down my bonds from all my Mates and smile at Gabriella's frown, enjoying the small victory. Ava: One, Gabriella: Zero.

"So far, our plan involves expanding our investigation as far as we can. We need to know how high this goes and who’s behind it. We also want enough wolves here in case of another attack. For some reason, these rogues have it out for our Packs. We are trying to figure out the responsible party and their motives, then we will act as we see fit.

"Well, that's a good start, but I’d suggest you go see Darius. I've heard he has had some difficulty with rogues and lone wolves in recent months," Gabriella's hands come up and to lie flat on the table as she drops that bomb, radiating the calm of a seasoned shit stirrer.

"What?! Why hasn’t he called and told us anything?" Wade explodes, the worry rippling down our bond from three out of four of my mates is instant. Who would have thought, three Alpha wolves friends with one of the Vampire Lord of America?

"We'll call him and set up a meeting over the next few days. Wade’s siblings should arrive sometime over the next few days, so we need time to prepare for all of this," Marco says, his fingers drawing circles over my legs.

“Mom, this is Leo and Sarah, Wade’s parents.” He introduces my in-laws who nod their heads in her direction, a gesture Gabriella returns.

"How many wolves will they bring with them?" Zane speaks for the first time since sitting at the table, his eyes trained on Leo and Sarah.

"Only 6 of them will bring other wolves as they represent either Alphas or Betas. Each of them should arrive with about 20-30 wolves, give or take. Their Packs aren’t as big as ours or Wade's. Our family doesn’t hold the Council in high regard due to unpleasant history, and they remain eager to rebel against the Council for putting their own agendas ahead of the wolves in this country. Wade’s other siblings will join us too, but it will only be them and their mates. They won’t arrive for another week or so, though, " Leo responds, his wolf rising when he mentions his family’s history.

"You’re going to have to fill me in on this family history Wade, I don’t like the idea of putting wolves at stake for an old vendetta," I remark through our bond.

"They killed my sister and four other wolves from our Pack. The Council said they exposed themselves to humans on a hiking trip. They said it didn’t matter that the humans only saw a bunch of wolves, but that it was the principle of the matter. Without even a fucking trial, they murdered my fucking teenage sister and her friends," he recounts, eyes trained on mine as his heart rips open for the second time today. My breath expels audibly as his pain registers with me. Wade keeps so much locked down that when it does release it’s like a fucking tsunami of feeling. Mac tightens his hands around my hips and pull me closer, his head burying deeper to my neck as I attempt to breathe through the onslaught of emotion. Dylan claps Wade on the shoulder, lending him the only strength he can. He must have been sharing his pain with everyone, not just me.

"Okay, well now that we know what is happening with that, what are we doing for Dylan's birthday tomorrow?" Gabriella pipes up, not understanding the change in mood.

"Honestly? I wasn’t planning on anything," Dylan huffs from his seat, his posture slumping down like he can’t think of anything worse than celebrating his birthday, which given the last few days, I can understand.

"We'll do whatever you want, Dyl," I tell him, not wanting to push him into anything.

"About that. I kind of organised a celebration at Enigma. A lot of the pack said they needed to get out and forget about their grief, even if it’s just for a night. So, Mac, Zane and I hired out Enigma for tonight. We invited all the Pack and wanted to surprise you and Ava," Wade discloses, a little sheepish with a cute blush spreading over his cheeks. I sit up straighter and turn around to give Marco a kiss on his soft lips.

"That actually doesn’t sound too bad. Thank you, guys, for thinking of everyone," Dylan replies, a small, tired smile lifting his mouth.

I sway with every pulse of the beat of Tinashe's Party Favours, the vibration of the bass thrumming through me, and my body totally out of my control. Zane wraps his hands around my waist, pulling me against his chest, and he presses his hips so hard against my ass that I can feel every delicious inch of his hardening cock. We stay there floating along with the song, our bodies grinding up against each other as we move in time with the beat. Lips brush mine, and I don’t even have to open my eyes to know that it's Dylan, his hard chest and six pack push up against my front. His lips increase their pressure gradually, until my tongue searches out his, needing to kiss him deeper. All three of our bodies rocking together with the heavy bass line of the song. We'd all had a bit to drink, but the vodka I’d had earlier was starting to have an effect, my inhibitions leaving the building. I wrap one arm around Zane’s neck behind me, encouraging him to pepper kisses along my neck, and my other hand pulls Dylan closer, my body grinding up against his as his teeth clamp down on my tongue. Zane's hands move to my waist and begin climbing higher towards my breasts before Dylan backs away.

"Beautiful, if we don’t stop now, I’m going to end up fucking you in the middle of the dance floor," Dylan groans as his kisses move from my lips and up my neck on the opposite side of Zane.

"It's not like you’re against a bit of exhibitionism Dyl," I tease, still arching into him with need, chasing the sensation of their soft lips over the sensitive skin on my neck.

"True. But not here," he whispers before stepping back and heading over to the bar.

"I'm going to get another drink too, Angel, you okay dancing here alone?" Zane asks, his strong hands turning me around until I’m wrapped up in his arms, and my head in line with his. Running my hands through his shaggy blond hair, I kiss him with slow abandon.

"Absolutely. Make sure you keep watching though," I giggle, winking as he sets me back to the ground.

"Always," he promises before walking across to the bar and standing with Marco and Dylan. All three lounge with their elbows on the bar, their hungry gazes watching me dance.

"Dance for me, sweetheart. Dance for me, and I’ll show you those toys I told you about," Marco coaxes down our bond, the promise of those toys, and of his dominance on full display making me wet.

"Promise?" I smirk, as I spin around and circle my hips to the song. Looking over my shoulder at all of them, I run my hands along my arms, and then make a slow progression across my chest and down my hips, relishing in the ravenous look they all have in their eyes.

I've never particularly enjoyed the feeling of being drunk, in large part because I lose that precious control I’ve come to depend on. But here, with all my Mates, able to have fun in a safe environment and see where my lack of inhibitions take me? Yeah, I’m enjoying myself. The pack seems to appreciate it too. Everyone is drinking, and I’ve seen the first smiles and laughter in a few days. It's nice to witness them healing, taking pleasure from the moment.

I close my eyes and just dance to the songs playing so loud that I can’t think of or feel anything but the beat. Unfamiliar hands grab my arms and pull me into a chest that smells alcohol and stale cigarettes, the scent so strong that I almost gag. I look up into the face of the idiot who grabbed me, and eyes a little too far apart stare back at me. I’m sure other woman may find him attractive, but not to me, and the creepy smile he aims at me doesn’t help his case.

"Well hello, pretty little thing. I saw you out here dancing for me and thought I’d come over and see if you want to get out of here?" the slime ball asks me, the cigarette stench getting worse when he opens his mouth.

"Look, if you’re here, that means you’re a part of our Pack or associated with us in some way. That should also mean that you can smell the mating mark of four Alphas on me. Now, back the fuck off," I jerk back, trying to dislodge his hands from my arms.

"Matings don’t require monogamy, you know," he slurs, his rough hands pulling me even closer before moving down to cup my ass.

Before I can even lift an arm to hit this fuckstick in the face, his face whips to the side by a violent punch. Marco's taunt body jumps overtop of the stranger, his feet landing on either side of the stranger’s prone form. His fist flies into the guy’s nose numerous times and I hear the crunch of bone and cartilage. Wade comes to stand behind me, rubbing his hands up and down my arms, while Dylan and Zane frame the now panting Marco and semi-conscious wolf underneath him. A circle of concerned wolves surrounding all of us, tension rising throughout the club as all eyes find their way in our direction.

"You okay, baby?" Wade asks, a severe frown marring his face and glaring down at the intruder that put a damper on everyone's night.

"Yeah, just disappointed that I didn’t get a punch in, too. Who is he?" I pose the question to no one in particular.

"Guest of the pack, one who won’t be welcome on our lands, ever," Dylan replies, his arms crossing as he searches the club for something. He eyes Zane for a moment, who soon nods his agreement and moves towards the guy who groped me. He bends down to whisper in the stranger’s ear, the pungent smell of his fear instant and spreads through the club quickly. I wonder what he said. Zane picks him up by the scruff of his shirt and drags him towards the exit, the stranger’s feet stumbling underneath him in the effort to keep up with my large mate.

Wade looks up to the DJ on the decks and points towards the roof. The music instantly gets louder, and the crowd once again starts moving with the music, filling in the space around us like nothing happened. Wade's places a firm hand in the centre of my back and guides us towards the seated VIP section where Marco already lounges on a black leather couch, his eyes glued to mine.

"Sit down, and I’ll get you a drink, baby. Just try and relax," Wade whispers in my ear, before licking up my neck and depositing me on the couch.

I snuggle up to Marco, his strong chocolate mint scent filling my senses the closer I get to him. His arm moves over my shoulders, pulling me in closer until he can kiss the top of my head. I grab the hand that lies draped over my shoulder and inspect it for any injury.

"Did I scare you, sweetheart?" He asks straight into my ear, the sensation of his breath fanning across my face sending shivers down my spine.

"Hell no. As if you defending me would ever be a bad thing. We are wolves, Mac, not humans. We follow a different set of rules than they do. So, no, it didn’t scare me in the least," I assure him, taking his hand, bringing it to my lips, and kissing over each knuckle.

"Good. And I was serious about those toys. You dancing for us like that was unbelievable." Tugging my face towards his, his lips trail over my cheeks, towards my lips but not quite touching.

"Why didn’t you tell me you were into more BDSM stuff when we first met? We could have been playing this whole time," I pose the question that had been burning inside me for a while. He doesn’t respond at first, his gaze seems to search me for something, but I’m not sure what.

"That dominant side of me, and the things I do when I am like that, they require a great deal of trust, on both sides. Just because we were mated didn’t automatically mean you trusted me, nor me you. We needed to build our relationship before I could bring in that aspect. Plus, we don’t always get a lot of alone time together, and this isn’t exactly a group activity. We all have our own proclivities, and I’m pretty sure I’m the only one into this level of dominance," He explains, his eyes never leaving mine for a second. Mac has a way of explaining things so well that you have no choice but to agree with him. I supposed that’s why he’s always the mediator, the centre of the group. He keeps them all together.

"Yeah, I can understand all that. I just wish that we hadn’t faced all these other problems so soon after finding each other. Honestly though, I cannot wait to explore this more with you, it turns me on so much. I’d never thought I’d like it, but with you, I do," I murmur to him, raising up to press my lips to his. He curls his hands around my waist and pull me over until I’m straddling his hips on the bench. Teeth bite into my bottom lip, milliseconds before his tongue plunges into my mouth, our kiss getting deeper. His hands move from my waist to dig one in my hair and the other lands on my ass. His hands burn away the foreign feel of the stranger’s, as he draws me firmer onto his hardening length.

"Sorry to break up this little love fest, but I’m back. Which by the way, I thought Dyl's kink was exhibition, not yours, Marco? But anyway, who’s up for shots?!" Wade laughs as he plops down on the seat next to me, dragging me over so I’m seated between the two and right in front of a bottle of vodka and a bottle of Peach schnapps.

"Wet Pussy shots?" I chuckle, looking at Wade. Of course this is the type of shot he'd have us doing. His light, fun side really showing with the alcohol consumption.

"Is there anything better than a wet pussy? Shot, I mean. Get your head out of the gutter, Ava." His grin lighting up his face at his own joke.

"So, you two in?" He questions, mixing up a shot and putting it in front of me.

"Why the fuck not," I mutter, saluting my two mates and tossing the shot down my throat.

I wake up spreadeagled, naked, and alone on an empty bed, my mouth dry and the distinct smell of vomit radiating from somewhere in close proximity. My head feels like it’s still in the club; I can feel it pulsing to music that is no longer playing. Werewolf healing and metabolism make it harder for us to get drunk, much less have hangovers, so why the fuck do I feel like death? How much did I fucking drink last night? My head thumps back onto the bed after my first attempt at getting up. Dammit, I need to get out of this bed. I’m in desperate need of a fucking shower!

I drag myself out of bed, one limb at a time, and try to tip toe over to the huge bathroom. Anything other than a light step feels like a jack hammer.

Finally making it to the shower, I realise the vomit smell is emanating from my mouth. Urgh, so gross. I scrub every inch of my body and try to figure out how I got in this position.

"Fucking wet pussy shots," I laugh out loud, my head resting on the shower wall as the water drips over me.

Feeling normal again, I trudge down the stairs of my home and catch a glimpse of a familiar face that makes me walk just a little bit faster. I throw myself at the man in front of me, surprising him enough that he almost doesn’t catch me.

"David! You’re here! Where are your parents? How are you? Are you all moved in?" I squeal, throwing question after question at him while detangling my arms from around him, just happy to have one of my best friends back with me.

"Ava, why do you smell like ass and sound like you smoke a pack a day? I'm good, and my parents are here but getting their own house set up. I am not at all moved in, but I do have boxes in a cabin, so that’s something," He quips, answering each of my questions with a smile and walking towards the kitchen with me. The smell of something amazing drags me closer.

"Ah, that would be Wade and his brilliant idea of a bottle of vodka and a bottle of peach schnapps," I explain, wondering how the hell the stench is still sticking around. It must be coming through my skin. I must have drunk a lot more than I thought.

"Good morning, Angel, David," Zane calls as I walk into the kitchen, his shirtless chest distracting me from the food in his hands for a moment. Zane leans down, kisses my head, and moves towards the dining room table around the corner which is housing my other Mates. Marco and Wade look as bad as I felt when I woke up this morning.

"Good morning my loves, looks like I’m not the only one who feels like ass," I sing somewhat cheerily, my gaze darting around, searching for my pot of gold.

"Morning, beautiful, here is your coffee," Dylan says from behind me, the cup of steaming nectar of the Gods passing from his hand to mine as he kisses me on the cheek.

"At least you got some sleep. We had to stay up all night and listen to you three puke up the wet pussy shots all night. Which, by the way, Marco and Wade you’re on bathroom duty. I will clean up her puke, not yours," Dylan orders as he and Zane sit down at the table full of food. Wade and Marco both grunt in response and then go back to staring at the food like it has the answers to life. I invite David to join us at the table, and we both sit down and start eating without too many words exchanged.

Once all the plates have been cleared, David begins to fidget, his fingers tapping on the table and his eyes shifting from Dylan to Wade and back.

"For fucks sake, Dave, just spit it out," I huff, still not entirely over the hang over and feeling grouchy.

"Well, I was wondering what the plan was?" He asks, but then, before any of us can reply, he opens his mouth again and continues talking.

"Because from what I can tell you’re preparing for a lot more wolves than you have here, which means you’ve got other Alphas coming in with their wolves. I don’t think any Alpha would bring their entire pack, so you’ve got a large force coming here to make an alliance and enough connections that you have access to every major Pack across the country. I'm thinking that you are trying to investigate just how high up this goes, and also preparing yourselves to take on the Council," He spews his conjecture out, before pausing to take a breath. None of us respond, waiting to hear what else he has to say, because that sure as fuck didn’t sound like the end of his speech.

"I also heard you’re having a meeting with a Vampire lord, and that sounds like you’re looking into more than just the wolves’ deaths, also delving into whatever the hell is going on with the rogue vampires. That means you’ll be the first Alphas to create a positive alliance with Vamps. Which is good, because I think you’ll need every bit of advantage you can get. With that, I want to offer myself up for position of Beta, if you’ll consider me?" David steamrolls ahead with a confidence I’m not used to when it comes to him. Then again, I did disappear for a year when our Alpha went crazy, so he has probably changed.

The silence is deafening, my mates all stunned at not only David's powers of deduction, but also his self-assurance. In any pack, it isn’t tenure that gains a wolf a position of leadership, it’s their skillset and dominance.

"David, thank you for your offer, and I think you'd be an amazing wolf for the position. But I also need to see if anyone in my Pack wants to put their name forth as well, then we have the challenge. Do you have an issue with that?" Dylan counters, his interested gaze centred on David.

"I’d expect nothing less."

"I would like you to serve as an advisor to the pack, regardless of position. You have your shit together, and we could use someone who can give us some different perspectives" Dylan follows up with the offer. I hadn’t realised how similar Dylan and David were at times until now. When there is something to be done, they analytically work their way through each issue.

"I'd be honoured. But you should know I’d do that anyway. I lost my best friend once, and I’m not willing to do that again. So, I’d be here offering my help either way." David declares, his wolf coming out just a little. Dangerous move in front of a bunch of Alpha's.

"As long as you know where to keep your hands at all times, I don’t have a problem with you, man," Wade chimes in, his comment making me and David snicker.

"Trust me, I’m not interested in Ava like that. She is my sister, that's all," David breaking out into a full laugh by the end of his statement.

"Well, now that we have all that cleared up, when are we meeting Darius?" I ask, wanting to know what the plan is, and if I’m honest, curious about the Vampire lord.

"Tonight, and he is very excited to meet the woman who stole all our hearts," Marco says softly, his grin growing as if he is in on a joke the rest of us aren’t.

This is going to be fun.