"Tomorrow." I sniffle and I can feel my wolf purr at having this connection back.


    "So what happened there? Right at the end, something happened." Lil finally speaks as the housees into view.


    "I''m getting my guys back." I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. "Something about the bracelet and the tattoo that showed up allowed Oliver to talk to me. I don''t know if that is a ''me and him'' thing or if it is part of the magic in the protection spell, but I can hear him again."


    We head in and try to get some sleep before patrols and training tomorrow. I skipped my nap time to make all of the bracelets, but if that is the result it is totally worth every ounce of pain.


    I am actually groggy when Wyatt wakes me up.All content is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    "What time is it?" I ask, sounding like I swallowed a mouthful of cotton balls.


    "Time to get up, princess, your patrol shift awaits and Lenny said to make sure you eat a full meal. Apparently you are looking ''too skinny."" He air quotes at me. “If I had been under as much stress as you, I would have died by now. You are actually looking more zombie than death, so I think you''re good for a bit." Heughs running out the door as I throw a pillow at him.


    I get up and carefully take off Cam and Kota''s shirts. Oliver was right and the scents have been helping us both. I need to ask him for new ones today, they are starting to fade.


    I showered quickly and went down to see Lenny and Sam in my kitchen. I jumped into his arms, with no words. I know I did the same thing yesterday, but it still feels like years.


    "All right Little Bit, magic me. I want my fancy bracelet and club tattoo." I smile at his childish antics, then dig in my pocket.


    I almost always wear a piece of thebat gear the guys got me for my birthday, but since my talk with Oliver and getting back to practicing magic, I have started wearing it all. I just feel like I need to have all of my weapons on me at all times. I have also started carrying herbs and things for healing minor injuries considering how many times I have been stabbed and poisoned in thest couple years.


    I pull out the red woven bracelet. It has his piece of red thread from the bracelet he gave me and the two stones with runes drawn into them. I slide it onto his wrist and then say the incantation and he repeats it back to me.


    Another whoosh of warm air surrounds us and the now familiar pain of the tattoo marking my arm, singes.


    Sam cries out. "Oh sh*t! Little Bit! What the f*ck was that?"


    When I look down he has a ring of quarter moons going around his wrist. On my arm two rings of quarter moons sit just inside the bands that mark Oliver''s tie to me.


    "I guess you belong to me now too." I shrug. "Not actually sure and something that is on my list to talk to Elena about when she finally can get here. But, I do know that I can mindlink you now, no matter what the Alphamand is."


    "Yes! Stick it to that b*tch!" He jumps around like he won the lottery. "But you really do need to eat and we really do need to go, because we have to figure out how we are going to ambush your brother and tha is going to take some nning. Like with the twins, your rotation doesn''t even ovep with his a tiny bit."


    With that Jena shoves a te in my hand and I smash my food as quickly as possible. Then the three of us head out and Lil finishes her shift at theputers.


    When Sam, Jena and I walk up to the patrol house to check in, Oliver and Kota are there waiting as well. Sam being the sh*tstarter that he is, leans in and give me a kiss on the temple in ''his'' spot. Thenughs and starts to run off.


    He turns around to jog backwards "I''ll see you at training Little Bit." Then winks and runs offughing louder.


    I just smile, until I make eye contact with Kota. His scowl could freeze a volcano.


    "What, Dakota? Not everyone here thinks I am a traitor." I shove past him with my shoulder to check in and make sure our route hasn''t changed. "Let''s go Jena. Bye, Oliver." I don''t even give Kota a final nce.


    "That was harsh, Bitty."


    "Bullsh*t. He deserves it just as


    much as Cam, They didn''t back me when they were forced to make a decision That has always been our hold up. They both, well and Alpha Lucas too, They all try to stay neutral, but in the end not choosing caused more problems. Problems the rest of us are stuck fixing."


    "I know, but it doesn''t make it suck any less to watch."


    "Then don''t watch, they deserve everything I have to throw at them."


    "You got it, boss."


    "Not you too."


    "What else should I say? Yes Luna?"


    "Ugh!"


    "Have a good patrol Bitty." Heughs as I feel the connection weaken with the distance, but never totally go away. That''s new.


    I tell Jena what Oliver said while we


    run. I find it weird that we got here following a massive rogue pack, then they disappear. Then we have a two front attack, then they disappear again Now for weeks it''s been crickets. I guess if you want to wear your enemy down, just make them paranoid and burn themselves out looking over their shoulders. But, this is starting to really suck.


    We make it to the training grounds and I trade out Jena for Lil and this time Delta Kyle and Sam aren''t alone. Mateo is with them and he looks awful. Like he drinks all night and doesn''t shower or take care of himself.


    His blonde hair is long and a mess, not his usual style. He looks like he has two ck eyes, but they are just sunk and deep purple fromck of sleep. He''s looking at the ground, hands tucked into his pockets.


    I walk right into him, just mming into his chest wrapping my arms around his waist. He clearly can''t reciprocate based on the tension his muscles and then he just whimpers and starts to shake. Then I feel it, a warm drop on my cheek. I look up and his eyes arm mped shut, tears streaming and he is shaking from the sobbing, but none of that can escape him because of his gag order.


    I lean back in and press my cheek to his hard chest. "I''m here, I''m still fighting." I whisper to him and he takes a rattling deep breath in. "We will figure this out, okay. Just give me a little more time. Eat and sleep. I''m going to need you in top shape when sh*t really hits the fan."


    I let go of him and walked away with Lil and Sam. That was harder than I thought.


    Weplete training and as we are walking out I link Sam.