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“Yeah, yeah, you just want Luna all to yourself,” Chase teases as he walks backward towards the stairs.

The doorbell rings, making me jump in my spot in the living room.

“You can head upstairs and get ready if you’d like,” Archer says, looking down at me, his tone significantly softer than it was with Chase.

I shake my head. “I—I’m not leaving you.”

I can sense this meeting likely has to do with me, considering how abrupt my exit from the ball last night was. And I don’t want Archer to get in trouble for something that wasn’t his or the pack’s fault.

“Alright.”

Archer’s steps are confident as he makes his way through the foyer and to the front door. I follow behind him, fighting the urge to hold onto the back of his shirt.

Archer opens the front door, letting in the winter chill. It makes me shiver, behind him.

“What the fuck was last night?” The director grunts, stepping into the pack house.

“Good morning to you, too, Dad.”

“This isn’t a laughing matter. I just spent all night arguing with some very angry alphas asking about the legitimacy of the situation.” The director scrubs a hand down his face before shutting the door behind him.

The air still feels far too cold. I try to convince myself that’s why I’m trembling and not because I’m afraid I’m going to be taken away again.

“Stop—stop it,” I whisper, taking an unsteady step forward. I force my body to move forward until I’m in front of Archer.

The director raises an eyebrow as he looks down at me. “Good morning to you, Luna. Stop what?”

His friendly tone towards me doesn’t cool the anger that’s bubbling in my gut.

“Stop yelling at Archer,” I hiss, my hands clenched into fists at my side.

The director’s amusement makes me even angrier.

“He didn’t do anything wrong,” I say, my voice growing louder. “They’re mine and I refuse to leave them!”

Archer’s large hands find their way to my hips, resting there. His touch only serves as fuel for the fire I have burning inside of me.

“You have no right to take me away from my scent matches. I’ve been going to the classes at the Omega Center. I know they’re my scent matches now.”

The director’s brows raise in surprise as he nods slowly. “Your scent doesn’t indicate you’re lying,” he murmurs.

“I’m not lying!”

“I know you aren’t,” The director sighs. “This just complicates things.”

“Well, isn’t it your job to deal with complicated things?” I huff, stepping back into Archer’s hold, soaking in his quiet strength.

The director lets out a bark of laughter.

“Ha! Yes, it is.” He looks up and over my head to Archer. “I’ll make the announcement, but people won’t be happy. There are quite a few alphas and alpha packs who were very interested in Luna last night.”

“And they have no claim to her. Not now, not ever,” Archer growls from above me.

“Yeah! Luna is ours!” Chase says, appearing from behind us with the pair of soft sweatpants he first bought me when I arrived. Unfortunately, he’s put on another shirt again.

“Is that all, Dad?” Archer asks, lowering his head. It almost seems like he’s getting distracted with my scent.

The Director’s gaze darts between the three of us, fixating onme before he sighs.