"Iris?" I asked.

Is she really up? She smiled and rubbed her thumb across my knuckles.

"Yes Max," she said.

That's all it took for me to attack Iris in a tight hug and nuzzled into her neck. She giggled and I growled.

"Max, what's gotten into you?" Iris asked.

What has gotten into me? I didn't have enough time to register and control myself before I responded.

"Mine," I said huskily.

Then it all clicked in, Iris is my second mate. Thank the Moon G.o.ddess.

"Max?" Iris said trying to push me off her.

"Mine!" I growled and nuzzled myself into her neck more, inhaling her heavenly scent.

She tried again and I growled again. She froze and whimpered. I heard sniffling and Iris started to cry.

"Iris, what's wrong?" I asked.

"I-it's nothing Max. I just wanted to go back to sleep. Come lay down with me," Iris said while sniffling away her tears.

"Iris, I can feel your emotions. Its not really strong as being fully mated, but our bond is strong enough to where I know something is wrong. So, please tell me what's bothering you," I said as I climbed into the bed next to Iris.

"I spoke to the moon G.o.ddess, and she told me that you're true mate died. I just don't want to push myself into your life and be rejected again because you like someone else," she said.

This broke my heart.

"Iris, love, I'm not going to reject you. In fact, I was going to ask you out once we had everything situated. So the moon G.o.ddess did us a favor," I told her.

"Really?" Iris said staring up at me with tears in her eyes.

"Yes. Now lets go back to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up," I said.

"Okay," Iris said curling up into my arms.

I held her close to me and let sleep consume us both.

***

My phone started to ring, waking me up from my peaceful sleeping state. I reached over and grabbed it off the table. Who could be calling me? Looking at the phone, it read 'Viola'. Dear G.o.d, what does she want now?

"h.e.l.lo?" I said sleepily as I answered the phone.

"Oh my G.o.d, Maxwell! Is she awake yet? Please tell me that my best friend is awake. And don't lie to me, young man. I'll neuter you so you can't have kids," Viola said.

"Well good morning to you too," I said.

"Morning. But tell me!!!!" she yelled.

G.o.d, I would like my ears to work. I was going to answer her when my phone gets taken out my hand. I looked down to see Iris responding to Viola. Of course, my sister squeals high pitched enough to make a wolf go deaf.

"Viola, I'm saying this as nicely as possible. Good bye. I'll talk to you later," she said and hanged up to not hear my sister's protest.

I chuckled and received death glare.

"Aww. My poor baby girl. Don't be grouchy," I said pulling her close to me.

She scrunched her face up and growled, which sounded like a purr.

"You're cute when you're mad," I said cooing at her.

She growled again and pushed me off the bed.

"I'm not much of a morning person," she grumbled.

"I can see that. Want me to mind-link the doc?" I asked hoping to get her to brighten up.

"Sure," she said dully.

M: 'Doc. Iris is up.'

Doc: 'Great. On my way now.'

M: 'Okay. Just warning you now, she's in a grouchy mood.'

Doc: 'Warning taken.'

I looked over at Iris.

"Doc is on his way," I said.

"Alright," she said.

I sighed and sat on the chair that's next to the bed, waiting for the pack doctor to come. It's going to be a long day.