Page 52 of Luna: Posy 2

The three of us chatted about everything and nothing, and watching luna bunny and Ty giggle together was so cute. Whether he knew it or not, she'd claimed him as her little brother, which was proven when she began to gently tease him about finding his mate.

His cheeks flushed cherry red, and how could I resist joining in? Within seconds, even the tips of his ears were burning, and I laughed.

She and I were both very careful not to say Peri's name. Whileeveryonebelieved it, and the attraction between the two was undeniable, no one wanted to jinx it. I couldn't believe the Moon Goddess would be so cruel, but why risk it?

I myself wouldn't have a mate. I'd known and accepted it years ago. While shifters in general were open-minded about homosexuality, many packs' priorities changed after the sickness. Alphas wanted to replenish their numbers; since gay male couples didn't make babies, they weren't welcome. A few alphas even went to the extreme of executing gays, although they called it 'weeding out the weak' or 'purifying the bloodline.'

Fortunately for me, my own parents weren't such Nazis.

Alpha Bellamy Jones only banished me from the Gray Shadows pack. Mom, also known as Luna Ivana Jones, hadn't argued. Like always, she followed everything her husband said like the good little puppet she was.

To be fair, they'd given me a choice before they'd kicked me out.

"Be as gay as you want to be, but youwillproduce pups," dear old Dad had demanded.

"How can I do that with a male mate?" I'd challenged him.

"You will reject him, of course, and take a female as a chosen mate!"

When I'd refused, he'd told me how worthless I was to him, taken me to my room, and made me pack my things. As he marched me through the house to his car, Mom hadn't even looked at me as I tried to talk to her. Then my father drove me to the border of the territory, stopped, tossed my duffel bags and my sixteen-year-old ass out of his car, got back in, and drove away - and that was the last contact I had with my birth family.

Thankfully, I eventually found my way to Five Fangs, where the alphas accepted and supported me from the very beginning. I could never repay their kindness and generosity when I stumbled into their lives. They gave me a pack, a family, a home, and, later, a purpose when they made me Alpha Cole's beta.

And now they'd given me a luna to love and protect.

A thought struck me and I glanced down at her. She had a hot chocolate mustache, but was unaware of it and couldn't figure out why Ty giggled every time he looked at her.

Both so sweet and pure,I mused with fondness. I know Ty understands what gay is, but I doubt she does.

To be frank, I quailed at the thought of explaining it to her.

Job for the alphas, Cove muttered.

I heartily agree. Let them tell our innocent little sister what it means.

Sister?he asked hopefully.She can be our little sister now?

That's right. We're claiming her as our little bunny sister,I told him with a smile.Just like Ty is our little baby brother.

Good.He paused, then unexpectedly added,I am happy with this family we have built, Emerson. I love them all.

My eyes suddenly stung, making me blink. Cove was rarely sentimental, and I'd trained myself not to be for my own emotional protection.

At least, IthoughtI'd trained myself. Yet, there I sat with wet eyelashes and a knot in my throat.

Me, too, Cove,I whispered.Me, too.

14: A Long Day

Cole

After we met Angelo, Mase and Jay took Leo Halder over to the prison, where Jay would stay to guard him until we came up with a better arrangement. The rest of us followed Ash back into the kitchen and he showed us the door he thought led to the basement.

"I got sidetracked when I saw the bird cage and realized Beatrix was probably in it," Ash said.

"How much of the house did you search?" I asked.

"Thoroughly? This ground floor and most of the second floor. There's one more floor and an attic to go."

---