Lulu rolled her eyes at Sandy's comment about seducing Keith. "Why would I change clothes? Is something wrong with this? I'm not going to exercise, and these are comfortable enough for the night. Not everyone is like you."
"What's wrong with prioritizing garments that don't restrict movements? Can you even run in that skirt?"
Keith looked away from them. He didn't care about Sandy's sweatpants and a sporty t-shirt, nor about Lulu's tight tank top and miniskirt. He wanted them gone. Or at least quiet.
Keith's ears perked up when he heard Lulu talking.
"When I left Shifters, Alpha Damon and Talia were dancing. They clung to each other and kissed like no one was watching. I was not needed, so I thought of coming here before I get too drunk and forget about spending the night with Keith."
Keith's irritation rose. Did she need to bring up the point of how Talia and Damon were lovey-dovey?
"How much I know, we are off duty.", Keith said dryly. "Did you go to Shifters to have fun, or to watch Alpha and Luna? Please, don't skip an evening of fun on my account. Both of you can leave. I plan to sleep."
Sandy was on her feet, packing her things into a small backpack, and Lulu plopped on the sofa that Sandy vacated.
"Why are you sending me away? Is it a problem if I crash here for the night?", Lulu asked Keith with a pout while arranging the pillows for her to rest her head on. There was a blanket as well.
Keith didn't want to talk about it. "Do whatever you want."
On her way out, Sandy asked, "Should I turn off the light?"
"Yes.", Keith responded.
"Let me know what happened after your meeting tomorrow.", Sandy said, turned off the lights, and left.
"What meeting?", Lulu asked.
"Alpha Damon called me to the packhouse in the morning."
"Just you?", Lulu continued probing.
Keith was not sure. "I assume that Talia, Caden, and Maya will be there."
"Does that mean you are our leader? Or are you in trouble?"
"From today, I am the head guard for Luna Talia.", Keith said with pride in his voice. It was not announced, but it was not a secret. Soon, everyone will know.
"Who made you the boss?", Lulu asked.
"Alpha Damon."
"Does he know about your feelings…?"
"Lulu!", Keith exclaimed, not allowing her to finish that question. "My feelings have nothing to do with my ability to protect Luna."
Lulu felt that she stepped on the invisible line, so she didn't press this further. "If you say so."
Keith placed his forearm over his eyes as an indication that he wanted to sleep. The room was dark, but he was confident that Lulu can see him.
Seconds trickled in silence, and Keith relaxed with the thought that Lulu gave up on chatter. When she came into Keith's room, he picked up perfume and alcohol, so he assumed that she fell asleep on the sofa. He didn't mind her presence.
Lulu was a hardworking warrior, but her mouth had no filter. She would say whatever was on her mind and sometimes it would come out crude. Lulu's mother passed when Lulu was young, and she was living with her father who doted on her, hence she didn't get much disciplining as a child. It was not that Lulu's way of talking deviated from other werewolves, but she had a problem holding back when it came to interacting with superiors.
In a pack, talking smack about Alpha and Luna can be considered treason, similarly to how talking back to superiors in the army is considered insubordination.
Keith wondered if Lulu was jealous of Talia. Well, any she-wolf would want to be in Talia's shoes and become Luna of the Dark Howlers pack. That position came with affection from Alpha Damon, and Talia being Damon's mate meant that she was a queen. Would Lulu do something about it? Keith didn't think so.
Keith's thoughts wandered to the upcoming meeting. Damon said how Keith will find out about the dangers Talia was facing, and Keith tried to think what they might be.
Was Talia in danger because she was the Alpha of the Midnight Guardians pack? Keith had difficulty wrapping his head around that information, but… don't those guys have mystical powers? If that's the case, wouldn't they be better equipped to guard Talia? Suddenly, Keith felt inadequate. He will train harder to assure he can keep Talia safe.
Keith didn't understand why Talia's well-being became his obsession, but his choices were to go with it and see where it will lead or to fight back against the urge to stick close to Talia. He reminded himself many times to keep his distance and not act too friendly, knowing that Talia won't approve, and Alpha Damon will skin him alive, but staying away was creating painful knots in his stomach.
He decided to use this inexplicable urge as a motivation to keep Talia safe.
Keith didn't get it. What kind of dangers could Talia face that Alpha Damon thought she wouldn't be able to handle herself or with him? Why would she need guards?
She was the Alpha of the mysterious Midnight Guardians pack!
It was common knowledge that Alpha females were coveted, but once mated, others would step back.
Everyone respected the mate bond because it came from the Moon Goddess, but the truth was that no one understood what it actually does to a person until they experience it. Love stricken is a mild expression for what a werewolf goes through when he (or she) meets his mate.
Keith remembered Damon hovering around Talia in the gym, and how he chased away Keith during the Summer Solstice festival, and many things fell into place. Damon was always indifferent or rude toward females, just as he was acting with Talia on that clearing before they dispelled the dark magic, but Keith couldn't deny that when Talia and Damon visited him in the hospital, Damon was caring and gentle with Talia.
Another thing bugged Keith. He was confident that Damon was aware of Keith's affection toward Talia. Why did he appoint Keith as Talia's head guard?
The more Keith thought about these, the more questions popped up, and he was not getting any answers.
Keith jolted when he felt a warm palm on his hand. He was so consumed with his thoughts that he didn't notice Lulu approaching him.
Keith removed his arm that was covering his eyes so that he can see her, and he paused when he realized that she was topless.
Nudity was not a big deal among werewolves, but that usually applied when they were shifting into their wolf form, or out in the forest, and not in a setting like a pack hospital. And the way the tips of her fingers traced the grooves between muscles on his arm was a clear indication of what she wanted.
"What are you doing?", Keith asked Lulu.
"Do you need to ask?"
She took his hand into his and lifted it toward her breast.
Keith could feel the heat of Lulu's body against his palm, but before he could touch her flesh he pulled his hand away. "Don't."
"It's just the two of us. It's obvious that you are not sleeping."
