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“I'm just here to make sure that you're through with your change and take you somewhere so you can change through your wolf. I'm surprised your mate hasn't already done so. Tyne just needs some confirmation of a couple things, and then I'll bring you back. It will be a week or two before he brings you to a new location and has someone else in charge here. It'll be alright, especially if Xantos can fight as well as I remember.”

“Are you telling me he's going to have to challenge someone like the others did?”

“You've been paying attention. We have ways to make sure the fight is fair, and he's an excellent fighter, so try not to worry.” Harry suggested.

“Now that we are mated, I consider him mine, and I don't want to lose him, especially not to a fight like that.”

“They wouldn't have chosen him if they thought there was any chance that he would lose. Having you as a mate will add to his strength. You may not understand that now, but you will in time.”

“I wish I understood more because I don't understand any of this," Sally admitted.

“When you leave here, everything will be explained to you in detail, and then you will understand it all. Let's go and find a forest that you can run in.”

Harry flashed them away somewhere, and it was beautiful. There was a mountain above and a river below and a perfect path to run on. “You'll need to try to change, and I'm not going to kiss you. That's what mates usually do to help you relax so you can change.”

“How will I shift?”

“It's been enough time that I think your wolf will help you.” Harry offered. "Close your eyes and visualize your wolf. Tell her she can come out." Harry looked happy when Sally shifted. "You are a silver wolf. That's good. Your wolf is so pretty. She needs a run. Go, and I'll keep a magical eye on her."

Sally's wolf yipped, then took off running. She could feel that magical eye with her every step of the way. There was a snowshoe hare in front of her, and she needed the hunt. Her wolf took off running after it. It ran fast, but in the open area they were in, there was no way it could outrun her. When she got close, she leaped at it, taking it down. She had just eaten, and she didn't really feel hungry, so she let it go. That wasn't the way her prey would always be treated, but this one had been lucky.

It was time to head back to Harry because they had been gone from the office long enough. When she got back, Harry seemed happy to see her. It was probably because Harry needed to get back to her office, too. Sally changed back into her human form, and they vanished in a flash. She went to the refrigerator, where she pulled out some leftovers and made sure Harry would have enough energy to get back without being drained. Anyone who knew Harry and was around her for a long time would understand how important it is that she has the energy to deal with the kind of situations she did. As much as she enjoyed seeing Harry, it was a relief when she left, and Sally was able to sit down and think about the upcoming issues and offers.

She had been lost in her thoughts because it wasn't long before Xantos arrived. Sally had thrown some food together, so he immediately ate his supper. The others trailed in one at a time or in pairs until they were all there. Since she now possessed paranormal senses, she was able to discern who was a wolf and who was another paranormal being. Her senses were excellent because she could smell other paranormals and she could seea far distance. Sally couldn't wait to test her strength and her speed now that she was an entirely changed wolf. Since it was already done, there was no point in fighting against it. Maybe she had never thought that this was what she would be, but she was, and there was no way to change it. Sally had to admit the sex was amazing. There was also the feeling of belonging in a way that she had never felt before. Being part of her family had always been wonderful, but this was different. This was like being half of a whole.

Sally could remember her parents and grandparents and how close she had always felt to them; now she understood. She and Xantos might even be closer than they had been because she wasn't sure that they were fated mates, but she knew that she and her mate were. It was also clear that Tyne had known and expected this. How could anyone know? When they all gathered to find out what this all meant, would he tell them? She had a feeling that he would leave out a lot of the information, and they would never know everything. There was also this feeling she had that this had been something they had been planning for years. Not just for her and Xantos but for all the couples that they had set plans into motion for. There were probably more couples for whom they had plans.

It was something that the future would reveal. Their future would be filled with change and risk. The main risk would be squarely on Xantos' shoulders if he had to fight for his life. She knew he was strong and a good fighter, but what if he lost? What would she do if that happened? It was hard to imagine life without him, even though they'd been together for such a short time. Sally noticed most people had finished eating, and Xantos was washing the dishes. That was not something she would expect a typical alpha to do. Once he was done, he came to her and took her hand to lead her to their room.

It was amazing how much her opinion of him had changed. That had gone from an arrogant alpha who thought too much of himself to a sexy lover who was willing to help her even with what most would consider female work. She was falling in love with him, and there was no way to deny it. At the rate things were going, by the time they moved to the next step in their future, she would be so in love with him that losing him would destroy her. They were in their bedroom, and they began to undress. His body was remarkable, with broad shoulders, a strong chest, and narrow hips. Usually, she would jump on him, but they had had so much sex recently that all she wanted to do was be held in his arms and go to sleep. He seemed to feel the same way as they settled into bed, his arms around her, her back pressed against his chest, and they fell asleep.

When she woke up, she felt much better, having had a good night's sleep behind her. She still felt him holding her, so she slowly wiggled her way out of his arms and got off the bed, dressing and slipping down the stairs to fix breakfast for everyone. It was no surprise that he was the first one down the stairs, and he fixed his own plate and sat at the table. Sally finished breakfast and fixed her own plate before sitting down with him. Others joined them until everyone was there, and half of them had already eaten their breakfast. Xantos picked up his list first and headed out. The others followed suit. Now, she was in the office by herself.

The office had not been attacked the whole time that Xantos had been managing it. Sally was sure that it was because they saw a man was there, and they didn't want to take on a man in an office where there were probably weapons spread throughout. The knock on the door told her that someone was visiting and that there was a chance that this was an attack. She retrieved both of her Tasers and moved to the door, looking outto see who it was. Sally knew it wouldn't be anyone that she knew because they would just come on in. The person looked innocent enough, but she had learned through challenging experience that that didn't mean anything.

“Did you need something?” Sally called out.

“I wanted to make an appointment to install a security system," the older gentleman said.

“We only make appointments online or over the phone. No one is allowed in the office that doesn't work here.”

“That's too bad and probably loses you some customers.” The old man turned and walked away.

For some reason, Sally didn't think that was the end of it. She moved back to the counter and resumed her work. When she took her break, she got some food cooking for supper and sat down to finish her break with a cup of coffee. Because of what had happened this morning and because it was just a smart idea, she kept the Tasers within easy reach. It was fortunate because the front door blew open. Two guys rushed in, and she nailed them, but she heard the back door blow as well.

“Harry, Harry, Harry!” Sally yelled.

Harry arrived looking flustered just as the inside door coming in from the back exploded. “Whoa!” She immediately began to change the four guys coming in from the back into frogs. “Wait a minute.” She cautioned Sally.

Moments later, a horde of haters came rushing in, and Harry got them all. Now, the office smelled fishy because there were so many frogs hopping around. Most of them were hopping around in circles, but a couple of them were trying to escape. Harry moved her hands, and a cage appeared; then, all the frogs ended up in it. It was a tight fit but no more than they deserved.Setting off explosions like that could have killed someone, maybe even several people. The terrorists had just stepped up their game. The protections usually would stop anyone from physically hurting the building, but the explosion was too much for the magic to neutralize.

“What the hell happened here? They weren't doing anything that serious before. They are out to get you guys.” Harry observed.

“Tell me about it. I just got back to work, and suddenly, it's World War III. They tried to get easily, and when that didn't work, they waited a little while so I would let my guard down, and then they blew open the door. I was able to take care of the two guys that came in, but then I could hear the back door exploding. That's when I decided I had to call you. I thought you would like a little excitement anyway.”

“A little, but that was a whole lot and very unexpected. Now, we will have to take extra measures to safeguard this office. It takes a lot of magic to cancel out a bomb. I'm starving now. Do you have any food?”

“I can always find food for you, Harry. Why don't you sit down, and I'll get you a plate.” Sally offered.