6. Damage

I screamed at the sight before me.

Both Zaryn and Deacon were in wolf form, shredded clothing shrouded the ground in tattered pieces. Zaryn, a large adult male wolf, was currently being bested by his younger juvenile brother, a smaller wolf than he, but still large for his age.

Deacon had Zaryn by the back of his scruff, sharp teeth digging deep, blood oozing everywhere. Rabid snarls came from his throat as he shook his head, tearing fur and flesh in the process. Zaryn was fighting with all his might, throwing his weight back onto the large juvenile as the two landed with a thud. A low whine coming from Deacon's wolf who took the landing on his back, a cracking sound echoing through the air.. They were both covered in blood.

Zaryn's wolf took the initiative as he scrambled up, towering over his brother who was currently attempting to get off the ground, claws digging into flesh as spittle dripped down his muzzle, teeth snapping at the adult male with fierce growls of determination but he was no match for the first born alpha son. If any rabid wolf fight existed with witnesses, this would be the top ten.

Zaryn had his right front claw digging into the juveniles chest, keeping his weight on him as his long sharp teeth bit into his shoulder, earning a piercing yelp from Deacon. Zaryns teeth latched onto Deacons throat with a mission.. To eliminate his threat.

Blood oozed as pressure was applied but Deacon would never submit and show his weakness even though he could never outdo his own brother.

Zaryn was going to kill him.

Both their wolves were fully ascended... No human logic was present in this fight. They didn't recognize the brotherly bond right now... This was over me. Instinct vs instinct

I screamed as the other pack members ran forward, the Alpha and my Dad shifting simultaneously from far off, to stop the fight. I found Grace, her worried eyes streaming tears as she screamed for Zaryn to stop.

Before Alpha Blake and my Dad could get to them, something Inside me snapped...  try anything.

My wolf was fully ascending, taking over , pushing me out of our mind.

Running toward the crowd, I shifted , shredding my clothes as my wolf pushed herself through the circle of males and females surrounding the brothers, watching but not intervening.

As blood splattered with another round of the two wolves biting into each others flesh, A fierce growl erupted from my wolf's chest, ears slicked back on her head as my crouched her chest to the ground.. snarling as she used her hind legs, leaping into the air between the fighting wolves, landing on the two of them. They broke apart immediately, recognizing the she wolf that each male care for.. In different ways.

My wolf gave a commanding bark to each one of them, growling in a warning, low to the ground with  lip pulled back showing teeth as the brothers both stayed low to the ground, growling and barking at each other from either side of me.

My wolf didn't like to see her male hurting her best friend and visa versa. She didn't like seeing her mate hurt. She wanted to comfort the both of them but the pull to our mate was stronger.

I wasn't present in her decision making process right now. She had pushed me to the back of our mind, letting animal Instincts overcome the human side. The scene of them fighting was too much. Two males she cared for.. She was in control right now.

My wolf took a stance in between the male wolves, my head snapping toward each male, giving them a warning growl. My wolf was a no nonsense juvenile female.. She wouldn't tolerate this..

Zaryn backed up, giving a snarl at me.. One that meant he was unhappy about our interference... But he acknowledged the fact it was my wolf. Not me.

Neither brother was present in this fight. It was their wolves as well.

Three wolves moving purely on instinct.

Deacon's head bowed slight, ashamed , as his human side slowly ascended his wolf's mind, taking lead. But his gleaming silver eyes caught Zaryn's, giving him a show of teeth as his lip snarled revealing his sharp blood stained teeth. Both wolves had blood staining their muzzles.

By the time the Alpha and my father reached them, the battle was already broken. It would have been different if they weren't out to kill each other.. We would have let them settle it, allowing them to fight till the other submitted. A female breaking up the fight was an embarrassment to them.... Showing how juvenile the both of them were acting over this entire issue.

My wolf was calm now that the males were safe, so I was able to push through, taking control over our mind... Being in the forefront.. Using my human instinct.

Alpha stood tall, barking at both his males, unhappy with their behavior. Each of the brothers were injured, blood oozing the shredded flesh.

I backed away, a bit embarrassed that my wolf took over for a moment but I shouldn't be because it happens when we feel an emotion too strong for our wolves.

I felt my dad behind me, a rumble sent out in waves, his head nudging me, licking my muzzle in a show of affection, telling me to calm down. Once my wolf realized there would be no other altercations in this moment, I backed slowly, softening my growls as I came to sit on my rump beside my dad.

The Alpha shifted, I looked away out of courtesy. Its normal to see skin... But my father was standing right beside me. I didn't want to be embarrassed.

"Both of you! Shift! Now!!!" Alpha Blake roared at his two sons. His Alpha command could not be ignored... Even I felt an overwhelming feeling to shift even though his command was not for me.

Keeping my head lowered, I could distinctly hear the snapping and shifting of Bones, grunts being rumbled through the air by the brothers as they struggled to take control over themselves. I felt my dad nudge me with his nose, silently telling me to go home.

Retreating slowly, I followed his order and took off around the pack house, away from their eyes and shifted back to my skin. Dipping into the door of the mud room, I donned a robe left out for the females who come home from a run without clothing so there aren't she wolves walking around naked in the pack house.

I ran up to my room, shock still preventing me from feeling any sort of strong emotion right now..

I needed to go to them..

Both of them. It was my only instinct.

What even just happened back there? My mate being overly jealous of me and his brother? My only real friend?? He knows better. We've been this way since childhood... Holding hands when we're upset.. Hugging each other.. Being there for each other..

Zaryn has become something more than just my best friends brother.. He's my mate now. His wolf automatically sees any male touching me that isn't family and on instinct, is ready to take them out. Its competition in his wolf's eyes..

I feel the same way.. But circumstances have me resenting him more than I want to fight for him. Its in my right but not with a pregnant she wolf. It wouldn't be a fair fight since she's unable to shift for nine months.

It would be double manslaughter.

Punishable by banishment or death depending on the pups father... Zaryn.

Zaryn would never agree to my death, regardless if I accidentally wolfed out and killed his unborn..

That's why it's so important to keep our emotions in check.. Its the other reason why I have stayed to myself, locked away in my room. Its why she's been kept away from me for the most part.

I took a quick shower, dressing in jeans and a simple black shirt, letting my hair fall in damp loose waves as I made my way downstairs once more and out the door. The sun was starting to set, allowing the purple and pink hues to grace the horizon, but the spot where the fight had taken place was littered with blood splattered all over the grass, turning a dark shade as it dried..

No one was around.. Not even wandering pack members who aimlessly meandered on the property..

I took off, sprinting toward the doctor's quarters down the dirt road on the other side of the pack house from whence I came earlier.. This road housed other members homes, such as the doctor. The pack house was for mainly single or just mated wolves without pups.. We protect the Alpha and the Luna. Families with pups resided along this neck of the woods for privacy.. My own family had their own home. They got it when they had pups but they still have a large room in the pack house as well since my dad is the beta. They just mainly stay at their home.. The pack house was huge.  The Alpha and Beta families occupy the third floor.

Even the Alpha had his own family home with the Luna but they mainly stayed at the Pack house now that Zaryn and Deacon are grown. Deacon stayed at the packhouse with me .. We liked it there. You get a choice of either staying in your family home or moving to the pack house after your first shift. Obviously I chose the pack house.. It was so recent which is why my parents still have their own home. Zaryn lived at the pack house before... But I guess now he was in one of the empty cabins on the other side of the lake.. I wondered why I never smelled his scent ...

Running along through the woods along the road, id pick up the scent of blood here and there. A mix of both brothers. I knew where they would be.

As I rounded the curve, cutting away from the lake, I saw Doc Benton's office and quickly raced inside the door. Letting the door shut behind me, I rested my hands on my knees as I caught my breath. The familiar smell of wolves entering my nose..

I smelled Zaryn the most, Deacon, the Alpha, my dad, the doctor...

And Grace..

A low rumble left my chest as I thought the last, raising straight I scanned the empty lobby.. All white. Sterile. Doc's desk left unattended and tidy..

I rolled my shoulders as I made my way to the hospital rooms, entering the waiting area to see my father and Alpha Blake sitting there , eyes shooting up as I entered. I've been so heart broken and shut in for two weeks that its difficult to even meet eyes anymore.. My frame slightly malnourished..

"How are they?" I panted, still out of breath from the quarter mile run I just sprinted. My dad looked up at me with a soft tight smile, noticing my sagging clothing, eyes understanding but Alpha Blake was the one who answered for me.

"They are both fine. Just a little roughed up. Doc wants them to spend the night because both of them aren't healing properly so he wants to take assessment as to the cause." His low voice rumbled, a look of Pity crossing his features as he glanced at me.

I nodded. "Can I see them?"

Alpha Blake and my dad looked at each other for a moment, silently communicating.. What ranked pack members are able to do,  before they both found my pleading green eyes with resolve.

"Grace is with Zaryn right now. Her wolf is feeling unsteady. You can see Deacon. After Grace leaves you may see Zaryn but dont let Deacon's scent be on you. Just in case." Alpha allotted.

I felt my brows crease but nodded, my heart aching ...

I couldn't touch my best friend and I couldn't see my mate until his pregnant she wolf left...

I felt like the leftovers no one wanted. It broke my heart at both ends.. Cracking the shattered pieces that lie inside my chest.

Holding my head high, I walked toward Deacons scent only to be halted by my dad's hand. A gentle warmth on my shoulder.

"Wait Nova. We need to speak first." His voice broke as he whispered to me. I could feel his pain for me... The sadness could be scented from me a mile away. Nodding solemnly, I turned and walked out into the lobby and out the front door, waiting for him.

I knew this time was coming... I just didn't know if I wanted to hear what he had to say about it.

The embarrassment over Zaryn's actions shamed him.. But I knew he wasn't mad at me.. He felt awful for me. This is something no male would wish for, for any she wolf.

I stood by Doc's practice, huddling my arms around me as the evening breeze blew past me sending a slight shiver over my skin as the sun sunk lower into the evening sky behind the tree line. His smell came to me before I saw him... The familiar smell that comforted me as a child.. One that's been replaced by my mates scent.

"Nova" he rasped and I slowly lifted my head, gazing into familiar green eyes filled with sadness.

He didn't say anything else, he just brought me into a hug.. Taking me by surprise. His large arms wrapped around my small frame, my head reaching his chest. I was a good 5'6 but dad was 6'3, towering over most everyone in the pack aside from Alpha Blake.

The tears that have been dried out today came spilling back out as I broke the promise I made to myself earlier on not crying the rest of today. My fathers sadness and aching heart for his only female pup, pouring into me at the loss of my mate over a mistake.

I sobbed Into his shirt as he held me tight, not letting me go.

"Nova I'm so sorry about all of this. This isn't fair to you... It shouldn't be like this and I feel powerless at the fact I cant protect you over it. But don't hide from us. This isn't your fault. No one blames you.. Its Zaryns. But we cant really blame him either although I want to rip him limb from limb, I cant. He made a mistake. No one is at fault on this. I know the story.. He didn't know. Not about Grace's heat or your being his mate. Its just a tough situation ..we will all have to adjust to but I know you are hurting." He kissed the top of my head.. Jaw clenching as he tried to contain his wolf that wanted to come out and comfort me.

I was a daddy's pup.

He loosened his arms, allowing me to move back and wipe the tears from my eyes. His eyes were rimmed red but there were no tears to be found. My dad didn't cry. He just didn't.

But the emotions he was feeling was getting to him. He stopped it before it came.

"What am I supposed to do?" I begged him with my eyes to give me some kind of answer... Anything that could give me a way out of this entrapment my heart felt.

He shook his head sadly. "I don't know baby. I wish I could tell you. When Blake and I were juveniles, we used to think what it would be like when we found our mates.. We'd have pups and we always hoped one of our pups would be mates. We were always best friends Nova.. I just always thought you and Deacon might have a chance. You were always joined at the hip from a young age. But I would see how you and Zaryn would look at each other.. Steal glances. No one can tell who their mate will be before both have shifted but I've always understood you find yourself liking that person far before you really know. I just was never sure. Neither was Blake. And now.. With all this that's happened.. He feels awful.. Bitter that this she wolf is carrying his bloodline and isn't his sons mate.. Bitter that you are having to go through this when you are like a child to him as well... He doesn't want this as much as I don't, but Zaryn is tied to do the right thing and wait it out. Grace's father demanded it. He may not have a pack as strong as ours but he's still an alpha and we have to abide by the laws of wolves." He soothed my arms, rubbing them as he spoke. I just nodded, dismissing the tear that fell from my eye.

"Just try to remember that it's a good chance all this will go away and disappear.. We all just have to wait. The mate bond between you two wont be ignored by the moon. We just have to wait and see." His words fell upon deaf ears as I imagined what life would have been like if she hadn't come.. Or if I was mated to Deacon.. Usually though, in the mated pair.. The male was always a few years older. Only occasionally would they ever be the same age.

I gave a small reassuring smile. I would get through this with my family. I wouldn't hide anymore...

"Its ok dad. Ill be ok" I reached up, kissing his cheek.

His smile still didn't reach his eyes. "Ok princess. In going back home to check on your mom. Your brother is coming home tomorrow."

My ears perked at this. I could feel my wolf jumping for joy at the thought of her brother coming back. Nic has been away at a southern pack learning skill sets for the future beta position. They will all have to compete for it though... Our family has  a long standing line of Betas... He wouldn't be beat but they'd try.

Nic is also best friends with Zaryn....which is going to make this complicated..

I watched my dad walk around the bend of the dirt road, daylight barely there to illuminate the path. Turning on my heel, I went for the front door but it swung open in time to reveal a puffy eyed Grace. Her brown eyes narrowed when they landed on me and I couldn't control the rumble that left my chest as we locked onto each other.

I felt my hair raise at the back of my neck as I bristled at her pointed glare. Her eyes were so swollen from crying all day.. Her slim tall figure slightly shaking with anger as she took me in.

"You. You stay out of my way and away from Zaryn!" Her threat was low, begging me to lash out at her.

A growl erupted, my wolf wanting to take this female out. I wouldn't let it happen.. I stayed in control. A smirk played at the corner of my mouth and I felt the urge to put this older she wolf in her place.

I was the designed future Luna. Not her.

"What are you smirking at?! Zaryn got hurt because of you!!" Her raspy voice barked.

I nodded. "Yes. He got hurt because the mate bond is so hard to deny that every bone in his body, every nerve in his mind screamed out to claim me. His jealousy runs deep now that we feel the bond. Lets get something straight." I narrowed my eyes at her, anger rolling off me as I struggled to reel it in. "You are just a visitor. Not a member. You were a mistake. He said so himself. I grew up with these two.. I was hand picked by the moon to be his mate... The future Luna of this pack. Your child won't make it ... The mate bond is too strong." With every small step I took, she took a step back.

"Every time he is around me, that will mean more of a pull toward me. No illegitimate unborn pup could withstand that. Its only a matter of time. And after it happens you'll be sent home with shame and I will be with Zaryn.. My destined mate." I growled low, daring her to say something.

I didn't make up my mind yet on if I would be with him so quickly if the miscarriage happened or not... But a mate bond is sacred.

She was angry.

I couldn't control my mouth.. It was my wolf's mind speaking. Id never show how much doubt I actually felt.. How it killed me to think I may be jilted out of having my rightful place.

Her nostrils flared as she pursed her thin lips.."I have alpha blood. Our pup is strong. I can feel him. He will make it and what then? He will have no choice to mark me." She wasn't being mean.. Her words were truth meant to hurt.

I shook my head. "He won't. And you have a mate out there somewhere that you deceived with you're easy open legs. You should have known better. I dont know what your game is but I'll find out soon enough." My green eyes narrowed on her as I brushed past her into the doctor's office. I could make out her parting statement.

We shall see. Dont even think of visiting Zaryn. I'll know.

"Oh well" I retorted, slamming.the door.

Making my way towards the rooms, I decided on seeing Zaryn first since she was gone and I could hug my best friend before I left without worry.. My wolf pulled me to him.

I opened the door slowly, the image of him all cut up and bandaged broke me... My wolf whimpered inside my head at the sight of her mate...

"Zaryn?" My voice was small

Those blue skies met mine and the word that left his lips, agony in his eyes, had me trembling with fear.

"I need to tell you something...."