A Runt Luna
Chapter 28

It took no time at all for Lily to enter the room, her face emotionless, but nerves clear in her eyes.

"You think you can handle this?" Kole questioned, knowing the young woman had only a year of training under her belt.

"Yes, sir." She nodded. "Hi, Luna. I am going to take a look at your ribs and then I am going to need for you to shift back." Lily spoke calmly to her, before running her finger over her ribs.

"She's got at least two broken, one cracked." Lily spoke, "Here is a blanket, so you are not so exposed when you shift." She laid the blanket over her and waited as she shift.

Cold metal caused her to shiver as her bare skin came in contact with the metal table. Her side ached, but most of all she was embarrassed and ashamed to have been taken down by a rouge.

"Why is she not healing on her own?" Peter asked looking down at Rory as she shifted uncomfortably.

"She's still a little weak from her...uh- time in the other pack." Lily spoke.

"I will be fine in a little bit." Rory nodded in agreement, she knew that was exactly why she was not healing as quick as other canine shifters would.

"Do you want anything?" Kole questioned.

"Can you just take me to our room?" She asked, not comfortable with the healers office.

"Yes, what ever you want." Kole nodded.

"I wouldn't recommend moving her-" Lily protested, cut off by Kole's snarl.

"She can have what ever she wants." He repeated his eyes flashing.

"Of course Alpha." Lily bowed her head in defeat.

Kole picked her up with such gentleness she would never expect a man of his size to have. Rory was learning many things about the man she was to call mate. He cradled her in his arms he carried her to the pack house, and to their room. Peter following behind them steering off any nosy pack mates from getting into their way.

"Where do you want to lay?" Kole questioned as they entered the bedroom, glancing between the couch or the bed.

"How about the recliner?"

"Sure, you want to grab anything?"

"Maybe one of the books Edna gave me." Rory shrugged, squeaking in surprise as she was shifted to be held in one arm, while he snatched one of the books and sat down in the recliner.

Rory couldn't help but smile, as she leaned against his chest, shifting to get comfortable in the space between his legs. It felt right, being in his arms.

Kole grabbed a blanket and tossed it over them before, reclining the chair, watching as she opened her book ready to read. Kole couldn't help but smile as he ran his fingers through her hair, smelling her sweet natural scent. Never before has he be so content; with his mate in his lap and comfortable with his touch, he was happy. Besides the attack, this had been the perfect day with her. He shut his eyes, a smile on his face.

'Many have fallen from the Old Kingdom, hunted for their uniqueness but there was a time when there were more than 20 types of canine and feline shifters. Even rarer were the shifters who descended from the amphibian line. If Shifters are continued to be hunted, they will fall extinct in less than a hundred years...'

Rory scowled at the paragraph that she just read, she hadn't known that there are others like her. It didn't make sense, people were surprised by her ability to shift into something that wasn't a wolf. This was something that she would have to talk to Edna about, but she couldn't help but continue reading.

'... there used to be meetings which all of the Animal Houses were invited to attend. The location was changed, so we can't be sure of where they're being held but we know they are. How else would they keep track of the members of the House?...'

"Are you feeling better?" Kole asked running his fingers down her injured side, drawing a purr of content from her.

"Much better," she nodded.

"Good." He said his hand falling to rest on the curve of her side slipping to her stomach.

"Have you read this book before?" She asked playing with the edge of the book.

"I have not, Edna doesn't typically share her library with others."

"Really, why would she share with me then?" Rory frowned.

"This may be a shock, but she probably likes you." Kole teased causing her to chuckle.

"Do you know a lot about the Old Kingdom?"

"Not as much as I should, why?"

"I'm just replaceing this interesting. There are other's like me...or there were others

like me." Rory corrected herself. "They are.. uh... were being hunted."

Kole let out a little growl, at a thought of his mate being hunted.

"Do you think there are any others left?"

"I don't know," He sighed, "I've never came across anyone else, only you."

"What if there are others like me? How would I replace out?" Rory asked out loud, knowing neither of them had the answers.

"Maybe Edna knows?" Kole suggested, "She probably has connections to other packs."

"That's a good idea."

They sat there for a moment of silence before Rory asked the question weighing on her mind, "Do you think there are other rouges around?"