Chapter 65

Makena found Krey by the back door with Pip in his arms. The boys sat together on the steps, hugging and speaking softly about the bond.

"It is weird to go from having nobody around, to suddenly wanting to be with you all the time," Pip said with his head on Krey's shoulder. "I keep thinking I'd want space because I'm so used to it, but I don't."

"I used to love being on my own. Now I'm the same, I just want to be with you all the time too."

Pip lifted his head from Krey's shoulder and showed him a warm smile. "I want to blame everything on the bond thing, but I do really like your company." Pip looked around Krey's face. His dark eyes were so intense, they often overshadowed his other features. Krey was attractive, especially to Pip. The way Krey ground his jaw with thought, the way his muscles popped in his cheeks when he was angry, the way his nose was a little crooked from years of fighting, and the way his eyes stalked everything around him were all things that tugged on Pip's attraction. The way Krey's hair shaped his forehead, the way he could make his dark hair better when he ruffled it, and the way his muscles in his neck surfaced with each calm and collected inhale were insignificant to others, but things that Pip liked. "I'm guessing that I won't be going to college tomorrow?" Pip asked, noting how the cuts on Krey's face were already starting to scab over.

"I don't know if you'll even be able to go back to college." Krey slipped a hand to the back of Pip's neck and embedded his fingers into his hair.

Krey's deep voice never failed to make Pip's heartbeat faster. "That's okay. It's the least of my worries right now."

It shouldn't be, Krey thought. But at least he's with me.

Pip moved his face closer and Krey filled the gap between them with a kiss. They had to take any opportunity to connect so personally before the chaos of the fighting began.

Pip liked how Krey emitted such an aggressive persona yet handled him with such care. Krey never rushed Pip and cherished every kiss like the memory of their lips together would last forever in his thoughts.

"I'm so lucky to have you as a mate," Krey whispered. Pip constantly kept his head above water when all Krey wanted to do was sink. Krey would forever be grateful.

Makena smiled and straightened up against the door frame. She didn't want to interrupt them, but she didn't want to spend more time than needed in the Sea Claw Packhouse, especially when their home was currently invaded. Though she had never seen Krey so- peaceful. She cleared her throat and Krey turned sharply to see who dared interrupt him.

"Why are you sneaking up on me?" Krey demanded as Pip quickly climbed off his lap.

"I'm not sneaking up on you. You just didn't hear me because you were so focused on kissing."

Krey scowled and Pip blushed.

An icy gust pushed through them and Pip leapt through the door and away from the cold. They walked behind Makena and Pip quietly asked what Krey was going to do about Francis. Krey walked the rest of the way with a thoughtful frown.

"Mum." Krey stopped at the end of the hallway, far from the room full of werewolves so their conversation wouldn't be heard. "I need to talk to you about something." Pip left them to it, not wanting to intrude. Krey watched him leave, immediately missing his company.

"What is it?" Makena asked.

"I'm going to make Francis my Beta. I know you don't like her, so don't bother talking me out of it. I don't care what you think of her. She has shown great potential." Krey stared hard. "So I'm not sure whether to announce it now, or later when we settle back into our home."

Makena wasn't good at hiding her dislike for Krey's decision. She stared down to her boots with her tongue smoothing over her top teeth. "I don't think others will like that."

"Why?"

"She's your Omega. What makes her so different from the rest? They'll think it's favouritism."

"It is." Krey sighed when his mother stared blankly with eyes that were like looking into his own. "Well I didn't see any of the other Omega's following me to Crescent Town to make sure I was guarded. If it wasn't For Francis, I would've killed Mark in the middle of his college. If it wasn't for Francis, I would still be following Pip round like a sad wolf, wondering how to approach him."

Makena tightened her face. "She likes getting involved where it doesn't concern her. She overstepped the mark as an Omega. Why not promote Sid to Beta and Francis to Delta?"

"She'll be my Beta," Krey growled. "Just tell me whether I should tell the Pack now or later."

"Does Francis know you're making her your Beta?"

"No."

"Well talk to her first. Hopefully she'll reject the offer." Makena turned to leave, but Krey grabbed her shoulder.

"Why do you hate her so much?"

"I don't hate her, I just hate the idea of an Omega taking a Beta position. I'm a Beta. I could've taken the position."

"I mean every offence here; you would've driven me insane. And you don't have a wolf. I'd rather you just be my mother."

Makena shook his hand from her shoulder and continued down the corridor. As soon as she entered the room, Francis stepped into the corridor looking left and right for her Alpha.

Krey suddenly felt anxious and needed Pip's fingers between his for courage. "Get me Pippor," he demanded, and Francis hurried back into the room, only to return with his human following closely behind.

Even though they had just been together, the sight of Pip made Krey a little breathless, especially when Pip smiled and practically skipped to his side. How is it possible to radiate that much positivity? Krey latched onto Pip like his life depended on it. Francis turned to leave, but Krey quickly said, "Hold on, we have something to discuss with you."

Pip smiled at Krey's choice to include him. Pip used to be the last person to know everything.

"Is this about the plan?" Francis asked, wrapping a purple band around her dreadlocks. Her green eyes were dimmed with tiredness after a night of no sleep and tending to the injured.

"No, it's about my Beta position. I want you to take it."

As Francis sharply inhaled, shock rippled through her face. "B-But I'm only your Omega."

"Why are you only my Omega?"

"I'm-" Francis looked to Pip who watched her with big blue eyes. "I'm no Beta wolf."

"Why not?"

Francis pulled one of her dreadlocks over her shoulder and fiddled with the blunted end. "I'm a transgender woman, that's why." Francis watched how Pip's face didn't change and how Krey arched a brow. "I'm transgender and got kicked out of my last pack because of it, which is why I came to Crescent pack. No Alpha wants a transgender Beta, especially a woman." Francis sighed. "I know this shocks you. You'll probably take back-"

"No," Krey interjected, "You think you're only my Omega because you're a woman?"

"I- I guess."

"Well you're wrong. I don't look for wolves based on their gender. You fight well, you're loyal, kind to Pip, and a friend to both of us. So, will you be my Beta or not?"

"Uh, well, yes! I would be honoured Alpha." Francis was bursting with joy. She couldn't do anything but grin.

Pip could tell that she wanted to hug Krey but didn't dare touch him.

"Were you a Beta in your old pack?" Krey asked.

"Yes. My mother and father were Omega's, but they both came from Beta blood, so I was born a mix, but always followed my Beta head."

"That would explain why you're good at having the responsibility. What pack did you come from? Please don't say the South."

"I was in a pack in Scotland for two years, and I was only Beta for two weeks before I was kicked out for being who I am. My parents were too embarrassed and cut ties with me, so I wandered for months until I came to England. By the time I had been through the packs in the north and gotten rejected from almost all of them, I crashed outside Crescent Packhouse. Your father let me in, gave me food and water, and let me rest until I was strong enough to tell him my situation. Instead of shunning me away to be another packs problem, he sympathised with me. I was only eighteen and had no idea what to do. I didn't want to be rogue, so your father let me join Crescent pack as an Omega because they already had a Beta and a Delta. I didn't mind, I was just so grateful to be accepted. He made a speech the same day stating that if anyone was cruel to me because of my past, they would be out of the pack looking for somewhere else to live. They respected your father enough to see that if he accepted me, so could they. And they did with open arms. I'm thankful for your father every day." Francis smiled. "I'm surprised you don't remember that. You were just a young boy. I think only ten years old when I joined."

"I was probably being a prick to my mother. I hated listening to my dad's speeches.

"You used to make her chase you through the building until they were over."

Krey regretted not being more involved with his father. He took him for granted. "Well I'm glad my father was so kind to you. Now you can be back in the position you deserve." Krey looked down to Pip, who seemed content because he was a part of their conversation. "I guess we should go in there and start planning."

"I can try to get in touch with the Shadow Pack to find out what they plan to do now that they've got the Bedlam Packhouse," Francis said.

"Good." Krey nodded curtly. "And when you get them on the phone, be sure to introduce yourself as my Beta wolf." Krey pulled Pip down the corridor, leaving Francis grinning from ear to ear, and a warm heart overflowing with pride.