Luca finally appeared in the doorway, “The council are setting up in the dining room, they'll call when ready. Kristen could you make them some tea?” she nodded leaving the room. Alissa stood up moving towards Luca, “What happened?” she whispered.“He was arrogant, the council seemed displeased with him, but they need your story. He claimed no knowledge.” Luca leaned a little closer to her, “I was a little surprised they didn't speak to you first.” Alissa turned from him, her hands wringing again, her body quivered. Luca wrapped his arms around her in comfort. “Don't worry, you know what to say; the truth” he gave her a small squeeze before releasing her. Alissa pulled her hair over her shoulder, starting to play with it, twirling it in her fingers. A noise made her look up, the dark blonde haired man, Wade stood in front of them, “We are ready now.” Alissa looked to Luca, wanting advice, wanting permission wanting him to say she didn’t need to… anything. “You can come alone, or

The room instantly relaxed, Luca fell onto the sofa. “I like the bloke, but he makes me tense!” Michael voiced what everyone thought. Alissa slapped her knees as she got up. “I'm going to get changed then make that cake.” “You know what? Great idea.” Luca also stood and followed her up the stairs. Alissa splashed her face with water, letting the coolness wash away all her feelings of the day. Another splash and she started feeling a little more normal. She changed into elasticated black jeans and a loose fitted t-shirt. The top had just gone over her head when Luca's voice came from the other side of her door, “You ready?” “Yeah,” she called back, the door opened.“Thought I'd help with that cake if you want?” Luca was now dressed in dark jeans and a navy v-neck. Alissa smiled and nodded, “If you want to help.”Alissa pulled the old cookbook down from the shelf. She knew the recipe by heart but she thought it would be useful for Luca to be helpful, instead of a hindrance. Flippi

She slowly got to her feet, and dragged the mattress off the broken bed, laying it next to him. As gently as Alissa could she rolled him onto the mattress stretching his legs out. Covering him with the red blanket she picked up the bottles from the floor putting them in the bin. She knelt down next to the sleeping Luca and stroked his cheek, his face had relaxed again. At least he looked peaceful. Refraining from kissing his forehead, she quietly starting to tidy around him, picking up books and fragments of wood. She tidied what she could silently, and took the lighter fragments of wood from the room.She found Blake in the kitchen, “Blake, could you do me a favour?” Alissa asked.“Depends.” He looked around to her. “Well, it's for Luca actually. Could you look in storage for a desk, chair, bookcase, bedside table and bed frame?” she listed the items off her fingers. “Please?” she added. Blake huffed but got up from his seat, “Any particular type his lordship wants?”“Anything we h

Luca took another shuddering breath, “My dad called me back to the pack to become Alpha, I never wanted it, my dad was a cruel Alpha, and I just knew I couldn't rule as he wanted. I'm twenty-five, too young to run a pack and I was enjoying travelling around. Learning more about our kind, our history. I was learning so much and quite frankly, I loved the lack of responsibility. I trained when and how I wanted, I slept whenever and with whoever. There was never anyone breathing down my neck or expecting anything of me. No-one asking my opinion or my advice, I was just a visiting wolf. “Dad demanded I came back, I managed to push him back for three years, the council even got involved at one point, but he persuaded them he needed to take his place in the council and that it was time for me to come home. I hated him for it and debated just… well… not coming.” Luca paused almost waiting for Alissa to interrupt, she dutifully stayed quiet. “But, I decided to come. Thinking I could encourag

The trio were still sitting around Alissa’s room, pondering what they had just found out. Michael sat quietly, he appeared to be thinking hard, “Michael do you know anything?” Jack prompted. “No,” he said abruptly and started chewing his lip. Jack and Alissa looked at each other“You know something,” Alissa said suspiciously. Michael avoided her gaze, he pretended to be interested in the list that was still lying on the bed. “What is it Michael?” Jack stood and moved to be in front of Michael. “Nothing,” he shifted uncomfortably.“Spit it out!” Jack gave him a push to the shoulder. “It's not like there's anyone available here, and humans are drawn to us,” he muttered under his breath. “Michael!” Jack and Alissa exclaimed together. “Who?” Alissa cried.“How?” Jack panicked.“When?” The questions came to Michael thick and fast. “OK, enough.” He held his hands up. “There's no-one in particular I just… when I'm on missions I kinda… go to what they call nightclubs and, the ladies l