Reece looked up at Maddison's father. Greg had a right to know and he had already promised himself that he would not lie to Maddison, and that extended to her family too. At least to an extent.

  "The Bonding Call." He said. "There is something in werewolf magic that ties the pack together, makes them aware of each other. Like, if I was wounded badly enough Ryan would be able to tell, as my Alpha. If I was hurting even worse, the rest of the pack would become aware of it too. That magic can spin off in strange ways sometimes..."

  "In rare occasions a person's wolf can pick a mate, even before the man half is aware that that person would be a good match." Ryan continued for him. "Humanity would want to label it as 'soul mates', but its nothing quite so romantic. It is possible to be Call Bonded to more then one person."

  "But what does that mean for Maddison?" Greg persisted. Reece felt for the bespectacled man but, being human, he would never fully grasp this.

  "Its alright Greg." Reassured Kalie. "Other than getting a little possessive if another woman gets too close to Reece she really won't be affected too much. From what I've been told, its the males get the real shi- er, bum- end of things."

  Andrew laughed. "No kidding. Tabatha and I are Call Bonded and before she agreed to be my mate I had to suffer through several boyfriends and two years of total frustration before I could convince her that I was worth the time of day." He grinned maliciously at Reece. "You are so screwed. At least it isn't summer. Having her live above you then would be plain torture if she decides that she isn't interested."

  Reece only grumbled and glared at the man. If he didn't watch his tongue, Reece might get it in his head that he wanted to challenge him for the position of second after all.

  "What's the big deal about summer?" asked Chase.

  There was a moments awkward silence before John grabbed Chase by the arm and pulled him toward the kitchen. "Come on Chase. We should get some food before its all gone." He hedged, tossing Reece a wink.

  "Well, what does summer have to do with anything?" Asked Greg once John had lead Chase away.

  "High summer is when werewolves go into heat." Explained Reece. "It is an intense time."

  "Are you telling me that once summer hits I have to worry about random, aggressive, hormone driven werewolves pouncing on my daughter?!"

  "Take it easy Greg." Soothed Ryan. "Anyone wanting to get at your daughter would have to go through our pack. And even if they could get through us, they would then have her to contend with. Your daughter is no submissive to give into the heat. She would fight back. Most males actually avoid Alpha females during the weeks of the heat."

  Reece saw Greg relax somewhat, but then he tensed again, and his eyes switched to Kalie. "What about Kalie-" she would not look at him, and Reece saw he eyes mist over. Damn...

  "Th-that's rape!" Greg snarled, just barely able to keep his voice lowered so Chase would not come to investigate.

  "Its alright Greg. Its true that I did not want to mate with those men, but they weren't totally at fault either." Said Kalie sadly. "You don't understand the heat. I was just as desperate as the males to relive it... finding a woman to spend my heat with is kind of impossible. I've never met another lesbian werewolf, and a human partner wouldn't work. Its hard to control your strength during the heat. I would accidentally hurt a human partner, maybe even change them by mistake."

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  Greg looked like he was going to protest, but Ryan stopped him. "Kalie is right. I am sorry for what she has to go through, but a heat is impossible to resist. The pain and need is unbelievable until it is satisfied."

  "Will your pack protect Kalie too?" Asked Greg angerly.

  "Greg... I will just be happy to be in a pack at all. I don't mind being on the fringes."

  From Reece's lap came a savage and demanding growl. Everyone's attention whipped to Maddison. She was clinging to Reece tightly and only her pretty little blue eye was visible, the other green one pressed to his chest. She was glaring at nobody in particular, but the source of her irritation was plain. In no uncertain terms was any man going to lay a hand on Kalie again so long as Maddison was around to prevent it.

  Reece couldn't help but smile when that blue eye shot up to him and she growled again. Her fist tightened into his shirt and her legs twitched on his lap. He had to admit that he was very much enjoying the position. But when he made no response she growled again.

  "Okay, okay!" he laughed. "me too. Not a single one will get past. Scouts honor!"

  She made a huffing noise and settled back against him, trying to get some sleep. Good. Appease the female and she will put up less of a fight. Not helping wolf...

  "Your bad luck getting an Alpha..." laughed Andrew. "My Tabatha is no submissive, but at least she doesn't try to boss me around either."

  "Maddison is a handful." Smiled Kalie, fondly "But she is worth every moment of it. You'll never find a more loyal friend, or a more caring person. She works at an animal shelter you know? Taking care of hurt and abused pets." The steadying of Maddison's breathing, and the loosening of her grip, signaled her gentle fall into unconsciousness. Her blonde hair was a curly mess, her cloths crumpled, and there were bags under her eyes. Reece had never seen anyone so beautiful.

  "I always knew Maddie and I would never be together. I did have a crush on her at first, but even though she's never had a serious boyfriend, she was clearly not like me. I just hope that one day I can find a mate like her..."

  Kalie looked at the surrounding males with tears in her eyes. "I know most of our kind don't think that its possible for me to get a female mate. But I believe there are more people like me out there then you would think. Maybe, when I find that girl, I won't be allowed in your pack anymore, but hopefully by then ill be strong enough not to need Maddie to protect me all the time..."

  "I'm sure you will Kalie. In fact, knowing Maddison, she'll be trying to set you up with everyone she can get her hands on" chuckled Greg. "She tends to put other people's happiness far above her own. She is like her mom in that way."

  "She died?" Reece asked gently, curious but not wanting to pry open any wounds.

  "Cancer. About the same time Maddison met Kalie. Trust me," he said to Kalie, wiping away a tear from her cheek. "You've saved her as much as she saved you. Sometimes I think the only thing that kept her from depression was you and Chase."

  Some hours later Maddison was still asleep in Reece's arms. Greg was reluctant to go, but he needed to get to his teaching job tomorrow, and Chase had to get back to his classes; so they left after being assured by Reece that he would keep her safe.

  Given the last time he made that promise he failed epically, he was surprised- and a little touched- they still trusted him.

  Ryan took Andrew and John away around midnight. He had spent the majority of the night making calls to different pack members, setting up a run for the next night. With any luck, in less than 24 hours, Maddison and Kalie would officially be part of the pack.

  Reece was beyond relived. He hated seeing Maddison in pain. Though he was not above taking advantage of the situation. With Kalie upstairs, sleeping in Maddison's bed, Reece had laid Maddison out on the couch and stretched out next to her. He was dangerously close to falling off, but he didn't care.

  For a little while longer he watched her sleep. Appreciating the gentle rise and fall of her chest and the way her lips twitched every few minutes. He longed to touch her, but didn't. He figured staring at her the way he was was perverted enough.

  It didn't take long, listening to her even breaths, to lull him into sleep as well. It had been a long time since he fell asleep next to a woman.