Casmir woke up and, without thinking, sought out Emily’s mind. It felt like second nature to him even though he’d just met her.

Well, more like found her. He spoke into her mind effortlessly, “Good morning, my Luna,” and instantly felt her panic and confusion.

He listened to Emily tell her friends that she had heard the voice.

And she wanted to know what

‘Luna’ meant.

He also caught the passing thought that she was on her way over here now.

He quickly jumped in the shower and was out in five minutes.

He was standing in front of the bathroom mirror, brushing his teeth, when he noticed something different on his chest and shoulder.

Casmir, like every male Canis lupus, had markings that looked like tattoos. They appeared of their own accord once puberty hit.

These markings revealed where in the pack order a wolf belonged, and the more elaborate the marking, the higher the rank.

The tattoos varied in size, shape, and on what side of the body they were on.

The marks were blue black, with curves and points at the ends of the lines.

Casmir’s were on his right side,which indicated he was dominant.

It started on his right shoulder blade and came over the top of his shoulder, going down onto his bicep and across the right side of his chest.

The fact that it came around to the front of his body indicated he was an Alpha.

Only Alphas had markings on the front and back of their bodies.

That way, no matter what direction he was facing, all could see his markings and know the identity of the pack’s leader.

Sometime between the night before and that morning, the markings had climbed up the right side of his neck .They looked like black flames.

He decided on a dark grey short sleeve t-shirt and jeans.

He pulled on his biker boots and grabbed his wallet, which had a chain attached to it.

Although motorcycles weren’t very popular in Poland because of the temperature , Casmir loved them and owned a Honda.

As Casmir came to the bottom of the stairs, the doorbell rang. He heard Mrs. Conrad coming from the right side of the house.

As she came around the corner, she saw that he was there and smiled at him warmly.

“Good morning, Casmir. Did you sleep well?”

“Dzien dobry,”Casmir said gracefully. “I slept very well, thank you. I take it that “Dzien dobry,” means good morning?” Mrs. Conrad asked.

That was a very good pronunciation. And yes, it means good morning,” Casmir explained.

“Oh, I guess I better get the door,” she said just as the doorbell rang again.

As Mrs. Conrad opened the door, Casmir felt his stomach tighten in anticipation. What am I going to say to her? he wondered.

Well, naturally he couldn’t very well declare her his mate in front of all these humans .They would think he was mad.

So he settled with a simple, Hello! my name is Casmir.Yes, he thought.

That’s a very normal thing to say.

The four ladies were standing at the entrance of the door. Elena, how sweet of you to come over to meet our guest Mrs. Conrad announced kindly.

We came bearing a homemade southern meal for the newcomer, Elena responded.

“Come in Let me introduce you to Casmir. He’s from…well, here. I’ll let him tell you.

He can speak for himself, after all,

Mrs. Conrad said as they all filed into the entryway. “Julia, why don’t we set this food in the kitchen?

Then we can sit in the living room to make our introductions. That suits you okay? Elena asked. “Oh, of course,

You all can’t stand here in the front door holding all that food.

You would think I’ve never had company before.

Come on, girls, and let’s set it on the counter in the kitchen,” Mrs. Conrad said, sounding a little flustered with herself.

Once the food was left in the kitchen, they all met in the living room.

Casmir noticed Emily’s gaze linger on the markings on his neck.

His wolf liked that she noticed even though she didn’t know what they meant. He cleared his throat and started speaking.

“Good morning, damski (ladies). My name is Casmir Ryszard and I am from Poland. I am eighteen and I will be a senior this year.

Casmir looked at each of the ladies, pausing briefly on Emily.

Elena throws him a quizzical look. What does damski mean exactly? It means ‘ladies’.

I was saying good morning. I have a bad habit of mixing my native language with my English. I beg your pardon, Casmir said to Elena. I don’t mind.

It’s actually cool to hear you speak Polish. It’s not a language one hears very often, if ever, Elena assured him.

There was an awkward pause for a moment, and then the blond haired friend of Emily’s looked at him poignantly and asked

“So why Cypressville, Texas?” Casmir cocked his head to the side, just like he would do in his wolf form. “przepraszam” (excuse me)?” he asked.

I do not understand the question.

Why did you choose to come to our little town?

Aria asked, speaking slowly, as if to a child. Emily elbowed her, which made Casmir smile.

Oh, I see. Well, honestly, I’m not sure. When I applied for the exchange program they sent me several candidates for my host family.

I read about them and something about the Conrads felt right.

I don’t know if I explained it right, but that is only how I know to say it, Casmir answered.

“Your English is very good,” Emily’s other friend, the brunette, stated.

“Tak “(yes), my parents have always spoken both Polish and English to me.

“Okay,” Elena said firmly. Enough of the interrogation. Girls, let’s briefly introduce ourselves and be on our way so Casmir can get settled in.

Elena simply introduced herself from where she sat. “Casmir, my name is Elena Lawrence and I’m Emily’s mom.

I own a bookstore on the square downtown to which you are most welcome anytime to study or chat. Please call me Elena.

“, Damski, to zaszczyt” Casmir said, bowing ever so slightly.

“In your language I said,’ my lady, it is an honor’, Casmir translated.

Aria stood up and held out her hand.

“I’m Aria Malculay, I am seventeen and a senior. Glad to know you. she said as he took her hand.

To her surprise, he did not shake it.

He simply brought her hand to his lips, just barely laying them on the top of it. Casmir looked up at Aria after lightly kissing her hand and said,

Milo cie poznac” Aria looked slightly dazed and confused. “It is a pleasure to meet you,” Casmir translated.

Xena stood up, gently pushing the hazy-looking Aria back down to the couch and then held out her hand.

“I’m Xena Louis, seventeen, senior, and it’s nice to meet you,” she said with natural cheer.

Again, Casmir took her hand and lifted it to his lips, placing a feather soft kiss on the top of it.

Then he repeated what he’d said to Jen. “Milo cie poznac.”Xena sat down next to Aria and, when Emily made no move to stand up, Aria reached over and pinched the back of her arm.

Oww! Emily yelped.

Good grief, Emily thought to herself, spit it out already. I’m Emily, seventeen, and a senior as well. Elena is my mom.

She made no move to give Fane her hand.

The surprise on her face was obvious when he reached out and took her hand anyway.

Casmir bowed over as he brought it to his lips, and this time they lingered there.

As he held her hand to his mouth he took in her scent and found to his pleasure she smelled of cotton candy and fresh snow.

He tried not to growl possessively, but couldn’t quite suppress the urge completely.

Casmir knew Emily had heard him because she tensed even more. He lifted his eyes to hers and just as he had said to Aria and Xena , he told her, “Milo cie poznac”.

The only difference was as he spoke to her with his mouth he also mindlink her.

I am so honored to finally meet you, my Luna, he told her.

“We have much to learn about each other.”