T H I R T Y - O N E

PHOENIX

Their heads snapped up at my words.

"She's not Human" They said simultaneously "She's a Lupine."

"According to these results, she has the same genetic make-up of a human." I told them candidly.

"We all did at one point" Atlas said, his body relaxing fractionally "That's what makes it so easy for us to blend in the Human world, as kids, if we needed too. Our DNA doesn't really change until we shift for the first time."

"That doesn't explain the bruises" Kass shook his head "Even though we start out with Human DNA, we still have the healing properties of Wolves intertwined within our cells."

Atlas' eye widened "Then that means..."

"She shouldn't have any bruises" I finished for him "She shouldn't even be in pain or sleeping as much as she does after Defense class."

"It should go away after she shifts right?" Atlas asked, anxiously looking between the both of us "Right?"

"She doesn't have a Wolf-" I started but was rudely interrupted.

"We don't know that" Kassian said sharply "Just like we don't know what the effects are for a Shifter who's been away from her Pack for nineteen years."

"She doesn't have a Wolf Kass" I said softly "And that's okay, she has three of them, Alphas no less, at her beck and call whenever she needs them. However, there is the little fact that if she gets hurt, then there's a chance that she could get seriously hurt...or worse."

"FUCK THAT!" Atlas jumped up from his seat "Pull her out of that class. NOW."

"She needs it" Kassian shook his head "It helps her build muscle and learn technique, something the other students are starting to notice that she is seriously lacking."

Atlas growled "If they think-"

"They won't do anything to her unless their a hundred percent sure she can't defend herself" I cut him off "And they'll only strike if they know they have at least some kind of consent from at least one Alpha."

"My Pack would never" Atlas barked "I'd kill them before they'd even tried."

"Neither would mine" Kass sent him a pointed look "But there is more than the three Alphas sitting in this room."

Their eyes shifted to mine and I raised a brow.

"If you think that..."

"We know you wouldn't hurt Nova" Atlas said, rolling his eyes "But we also know that you don't have one hundred percent control over your Pack yet."

"I have enough control to keep my Pack in line" I snapped "Tÿr only thinks he's in control. Which is exactly what I want him to think."

"You haven't swayed your elders yet Nix" Kass said softly, pity swimming in his eyes "They still favor Tÿr, as much as an ass he is, because they claim that he has something you don't."

"I don't know why they have any input" Atlas added in "It's obvious why they side with Tÿr."

I cocked my head to the side in a 'Go on' gesture.

"The Fenrir clan was once considered the most ruthless Wolves in history" he said "They killed and pillaged first and asked questions later. That the generation the Elders come from. They like Tÿr so much because he is a ruthless motherfucker who doesn't give two shits about anyone but himself. He'll kill anyone who stands in his way, which is exactly what the Elders want."

I raised a brow "And you don't think I could be like him?"

They both shot me sad looks.

"Nah Nixy" Atlas punched my shoulder in a brotherly type gesture "You're too much like your Ma."

"Which isn't a bad thing" Kass said quickly, seeing the emotion change quickly on my face "That's what makes you different from your father. That's the one thing that has all the other Alphas and Pack members respecting you."

I cleared my throat, avoiding their eyes and cursing myself for having my mother's soft heart.

"Anyways..."Atlas, redirected (thankfully) the topic back at hand "You think Fowl would give them the go ahead?"

"She hates the Lupines" I reminded him, my thoughts elsewhere "Especially Nova for some reason. While she wouldn't outright agree to her Pack members going after Nova, I wouldn't put it past her to turn a blind eye if her pack was planning on doing something."

"Kyoto wouldn't allow it" Atlas said, shaking his head "He might be a giant douche with a stick up his ass but at least he's a honorable one."

"Kyoto isn't the real Fowl Heir" Kass reminded him "Saoirse on the other hand..."

"Don't even say it out loud" I sent him a sharp look "If she ever found out that she was the real Fowl Heir, the only Fowl Heir, our entire lives would be ruined."

~~~~~~~

NOVA

I swear to God something was up with the three stooges I lived with because they were treating me differently.

Not so different that it was completely out of character for them but enough of a difference that I noticed their change right away.

The little things like Atlas piling more food onto my plate than usual or Kassian pulling out my chair and asking me if I needed anything every five minutes.

Even Phoenix was joining us at breakfast for once, his eyes lingering on me every few seconds.

After the tenth round of Atlas piling even more food onto my plate, and Kassian's checks, I sighed.

"Okay, out with it" I placed my utensils down gently on the table, looking at each of them in the eyes "What's wrong?"

All three of them blinked at me a few times before simultaneous saying "Nothings wrong."

"Then why are you treating me like glass?"

Phoenix rolled his eyes "Just because we're nice to you for one day doesn't mean something's wrong."

I narrowed my eyes at him as they slid to the other two "Is that right?"

Atlas avoided my eyes while Kassian winced, his eyes subconsciously flickering down to my bruised arms.

I shifted in my seat, pulling down the blazer to cover my black and blue arms.

"Is that what this is about?" I huffed, not liking this vulnerable feeling in my chest "They're just bruises. They'll heal."

"You're right" Phoenix said, his voice serious and...kind? "They will heal but we need to make sure you don't suffer from anymore until they do."

"How are you planning on that happening?" I raised a brow "Considering I have Coach's class this afternoon."

"Actually..." Atlas started but then winced when my head snapped over to where he was sitting.

"What did you three do?"

"We pulled you from class."

"What?!" My eyes widened "Why?"

"Because you need to heal" Phoenix answered seriously "And we can't have the other Packs noticing those bruises."

"I can't miss his class."

"You hate that class" Atlas wrinkled his nose "Why would you want to voluntarily attend a class you hate if we're giving you an out?"

"Because I need those skills."

"Why?"

I blinked at Phoenix "What do you mean why?"

"You're the last living Lupine Heir" he said "You could have thousands of warriors fight any battle you want them to with the snap of your fingers."

"I don't want anyone fighting my battles" I said honestly, wincing at the thought of someone getting hurt...or worse.. dying because of me "I'm not worth it."

"You're worth ten thousand soldiers" Phoenix snorted "All of which who would gladly lay their lives down for yours."

"I need the skills" I shook my head "I need to be able to defend myself.

Atlas cocked his head to the side "Why are you so adamant about Coach's class? I thought you hated it."

"I hate the exercise part" I grumbled "I don't hate the self-defense portion."

"I think there's been some miscommunication somewhere" Phoenix shook his head "We're pulling you from Coach's class..."

"I got that part Einstein" I interrupted him

He continued on, ignoring my little quip "But what we're not doing is taking away his lessons."

"What do you mean?" I paused "I'm so confused right now?"

"You're still going to be able to learn the self defense portion of Calhoun's class."

"How?"

"A tutor."

"A tutor?" I said slowly "And who would that be?"

Kass sucked in a sharp breath as Atlas let out a slow exhale.

"The best tutor out there" Phoenix smirked "The only one who got a perfect score in his class?"

My eyes slid to Atlas but he only shook his head.

"I passed the class but wasn't even near the top."

My eyes slid to Kassian next but he too shook his head.

"If you two weren't..." My eyes widened as the realization set in "Shit."

"Don't be like that Princess" Phoenix cooed, the biggest grin I've ever seen gracing his face "You and I are going to have so much fun with each other."

I gaped at him

"They're going to kill each other" Kass muttered to himself.

"But oh what fun it'll be to watch" Atlas said, a teasing light entering his eyes "And I can't wait to see who ends up winning in the end."