Ch. 511..520

Chapter 0511

We collect samples of each plant very carefully, take pictures and measurements of the crop that is growing and the area surrounding it. I don't know what information Elena will need and I don't want to be delayed because we missed anything.

The twins and I decided to take the wolfsbane plant. I don't want anyone else to have to come into contact with it and I know that I can heal from it quickly. I can't willingly put them in harm's way. And I know all of these plants are poisonous, but wolfsbane is the worst.

As we move to the area Nathaniel directed us to, I notice magic traces in the air and slow down. We had shifted to get out here quickly, but I forced my wolf to shift back to protect her from anything still lingering in the air that might harm her.

"What is that?" Cam shifts and asks me. I look at him and then slam my eyes shut, he is completely naked and I don't know how I feel about the sight of him right now.

"You still afraid of a naked man, Tiny?" Dakota is right behind me.

"Afraid? No. Do I go around checking out naked people? Also, no. Most of us have learned to shift and keep our clothes in tact, so it's not something I'm used to." My eyes are still squeezed tight. It's been a really long time since I have been in the middle of a twin sandwich like this. I don't count sleeping, because I could lay next to any of them and sleep like the dead.

"Why does that thought actually make me happy?" Cam rumbles way too close.

"Nope, we are not doing this. You do not get to flirt with me like this, like one of your rando girls to give you your s*x fix." I step away from them, eyes still slammed shut. I am so grateful For my enhanced senses. I don't need to see to move away from them.

"Our s*x fix? Is that what you think you are, Smalls?"

"I don't know? All I know is that you all had a hard time keeping it in your pants before I left for training. I can't imagine it has gotten any better since then. You even slept with Kaley, the one person who hates me the most and has done the most to hurt me."

"We haven't been with anyone since you left. Don't believe all of the rumors you hear."

"That's hard to believe when I could smell her on you. Not on your clothes, on you, your skin. Your scents were mixed with hers."

"Just because she tried, often, doesn't mean we slept with her. Why won't you believe that?"

I whipped around, my temper flaring. I don't care that they are absolutely gorgeous specimens and completely naked showing off every cut line and curve of muscle that they have earned from serious training. They both take a step back from my glare. Good they should be afraid right now. My wolf is going feral in my head, trying to break free to teach them a lesson.

"Falsely accuse anyone of betraying their pack recently? Why would I trust the people who would CHOOSE my enemy over me? Who were so blinded that they couldn't see the truth staring them in the face. YOU CHOSE HER! According to everyone else, including both your parents, should be your everything, your only choice, but they are all wrong, The people who should choose me, like my dad and my brother, always put the job first. Unless the choice is between Sierra and I, Sam chooses me. Oliver chooses me every time, no question. Even knowing I was the enemy that Mike wanted, Robbie chose to save me, risking his own life." They both are breathing heavily, jealousy and anger radiating heavily off of both of them. I have never really talked about how my placement in my friends priorities

makes me feel

I can feel the tears starting to fall and I turn quickly to hide them. They don't get to see the pain they caused. I can't let them see my weakness. Because they are my weakness, they always have been. I love

them and not even my warrior brand can stop the feeling like I wish it could right now. I take a shuddering breath and move forward, distracting my thoughts by looking for magic and heading straight for the wolfsbane. We have a job to do and I think that was enough emotional dumping for one day.

The twins shifted into their wolves

and came up to walk beside me. Their wolves are an interesting combination of mirror images and inverted colors. Cameron is dark gray with a light gray triangular patch on his chest and at the tip of his tail and ears. Dakota is light gray with the dark gray triangle and tips. of his ears and tail. They are both so massive that their shoulders are almost the same height as mine on all fours. They walk so close to me that I am brushing their sides with my whole arm as we walk. I hate that it is calming. I don't want them to comfort me when I just want to be mad at them. They don't talk to me through the mindlink though. There isn't anything that they can say to me. It's a point they can't fight.

It is late afternoon by the time we get all that we need and talk to the other groups, making notes of what we found that is similar and different from each site. We all meet in the backyard of the packhouse and just stare at the fire pit that is still

burning. The flame is small and ne

inconspicuous so no one would really notice or question it if they walked by the kitchen and looked out the window. And no one really sits out here during the day. The idea was brilliant. Place the heart of the spell right under their noses and keep everyone busy with other tasks and projects and the Omegas who would normally handle it, were probably Alpha commanded to leave it alone and let it burn.

"Now that I'm standing here and really paying attention, I can feel the power flow off of it in waves, like a heartbeat. Can anyone else feel it?" I ask the group. The twins have still not shifted back or talked to me since I told them off. They are just sitting next to me, their wolf's faces showing no expression.

"I can feel the magic, but not the pulse." Oliver says and Dakota's chest rumbles.

***"Jealous?"*** I ask and get no response from him.

"Hey! Ava!" Sierra says looking over my shoulder. I spin around to see the former Luna. She seems so small and frail, but there is color in her cheeks. She's trying to hold on.

She looks at me, tilts her head and tries for a weak smile. I walk into her embrace, letting the tears fall again. "My sweet girl. I'm so sorry I left you alone with this. I didn't think it would be this hard. We talked and planned and did everything we could to make the pain as minimal as possible. How are you doing? That was far too much to ask, but there was no other way." She whispers into my hair.

 

 

Chapter 0512

She wraps her arm around my shoulder and leads me in, not giving anyone else attention. I can feel the stares and I don't know how much of what she said was heard by them, but it was enough to know that was involved with his death.

We head to the formal dining room where the head seat has been left empty, but a single red rose is placed where his plate would have been. My dad, Brett and Kyle are all here waiting by the far wall. Alpha Reggie, Luna Anne, Xander, Oscar, Mina, Nickolas, Gentry, Elena and Osiston are all standing behind their respective chairs. She sits me in the seat next to hers wordlessly, takes her seat to the right of the Alpha's chair, then everyone else files in and sits.

The one major difference is that my dad, Brett and Kyle take their boys and move them up the table into their former places. Opting to sit towards the middle of the table where the boys used to be. Mateo doesn't let go of Jena's hand and sits her next to him as he takes his place next to the twins across from me and Ava. Sam does the same with Sierra, sitting next to Jena. And even Oliver moves Lil up with him, sitting between her and I. They have been talking in low voices and animatedly, well as animated as my broody Gamma can get, since they got back. I wonder what they found?

Just as everyone gets settled, food platters are placed and Ava takes a deep breath to speak, thundering footsteps proceed from the front door after it is banged open. All of us jump to our feet ready for a fight, and then a blonde tornado flies into the room.

"I am so sorry for being late." She moves around towards the twins. "I didn't realize how early you would be having dinner tonight, thank you so much for waiting for me." Lil scoffs and Kaley glares at her as she moves towards the empty seat at the head of the table. The only empty seat at the table.

The growl that comes from Ava as Kaley reaches for the chair is one I have never heard her use before and Kaley stops in her tracks, looking terrified.

"We weren't waiting for you Kaley..." Dakota starts.

"This dinner is for family and close friends of our father." Cam finishes, gesturing around the fully occupied table. "Everyone who should be here has a seat already. You can see yourself out."

"But, I want to be here to support you. It's what a good Luna would do." She simpers and reaches for Cameron's arm. He pulls away before she can touch him.

"Any Lunas that should be here are already present." He and Dakota shot me a sideways glance that was so quick I might have imagined it. "Good evening."

"But... I..."

"Your Alphas asked you to leave. Do you need your Betas to show you out? Or can you follow simple instructions and find the front door on your own?" Jena growls darkly at her. With her head turned like that l can see the mark at the base of her neck that was so not there before we went on our plant assignments today. My brother has the biggest sh*t eating grin on his face at her comment and I can't help but smile at his happiness. Even being mated to a Beta, her Alpha aura is strong.

We all just stare at her until she gets the hint or just can't think of any other excuse to stay. No one moves until we hear the front door close behind her.

The rest of dinner was bittersweet.

Ava started by saying a few words

about Lucas as an Alpha, a mate and a father. She hinted at things he went through and what brought him to this point. She even thanked me for helping make his journey back the Moon Goddess as painless as possible. Many tears were shed until Alpha Reggie started to fill his plate and tell us when he first met Lucas which involved them getting stuck in a human town, naked, because they couldn't shift back and trying not to get caught by human police. We all laughed hard and then followed suit and ate and drank and heard and told our favorite stories about him. The night got lighter and happier as we talked about him. We all called it a night around ten since his celebration was going to start at dawn. All of the pack warriors were working until midnight and then Elite and Royal pack warriors were going to take over patrols so they could attend the celebration.

I hug Mina, Oscar and Xander who have been staying in their room. None of them are going to risk Mina getting hurt if an attack comes while they are here. She is carrying the future of the Royal pack and if Mike and the Rogue King and this witch are coming after me because I have Royal powers, what would they do to her putting another layer between them and the throne?

Brett wraps an arm around Ava after she hugs everyone and leads her to the elevator to go to the Alpha floor. From what she said they have been packing and plan on moving her out after the celebration tomorrow. I'm not sure where she plans on going, but I think I understand. That was her place with Lucas. I don't know if I could live where I made a home with my mate after they passed either.

I stop Elena and Gentry and tell them what we found. "We don't have to do anything with it until after the celebration tomorrow. I just wanted you both to know what we discovered and get your input on how to either use it to our advantage or destroy it."

"What made you think to try and change the spell to something productive?" Gentry asks. She is still a little gray looking but she sounds strong and determined.

"That was actually Lil, she's our resident pitbull, always on guard duty."

"Hey now, I'm not sure if you are trying to insult me or compliment me, but I have seen what magic does to Midge and I wasn't sure if there was something we could use the current spell for without draining her of energy right before a fight." She shrugs like it's nothing.

"You have a good mind. Much like the Gamma here, you seem to understand the way magic works." Elena says, appraising my friend. "Let us do some digging and we will let you know."

Gentry grabs my wrist firm, but

gentle. "Stick close together tomorrow. The full transfer will

render the Alphas weak for the

eli

briefest amount of time. Maintain contact with them during the whole transfer." Gentry looks right at me "They will need your added strength." I close my eyes and breathe deep. It's like the universe is conspiring to put me in their

constant orbit now that I don't want

to be near them all the time. Like she's reading my mind, she says, "Trust your Goddess, she has a plan and I know that you have had the worst of things to deal with, but you are better for everything that you have dealt with." I just nod, no matter how frustrated that simple thought makes me.

 

 

Chapter 0513

Nickolas wraps Gentry up in his arms and guides her away, I'm sure to rest more. I also watch Elena walk over to my dad and start a conversation. I don't feel bad at all for the twinge of happiness at how uncomfortable he looks too. The rest of my friends disperse and I make my way to the staircase alone. It's almost weird to be walking without the usual entourage, but I don't mind the space to breathe, no matter how brief.

I get all the way to my room, knowing I am being watched, but no one is interrupting or forcing their presence on me. I take a shower and climb into bed, not waiting for Lil, her and Oliver were in a deep conversation when I left, or at least appeared to be.

My dreams were all over the place. I started back in Jena's and my cell, but this time I was alone. She got out safe and found my brother. I strained against the cuffs like always, and for some reason this time I was able to free myself with my own strength. I traversed down a hallway I have never seen before and out a giant metal door. I saw Tyler fighting through a sea of tall grass that kept whipping at him and he just fought and fought, shouting something to me, but I couldn't hear. Then Robbie was throwing some kind of stone at me, but not hitting me. They sparkled as they flew through the air, but I couldn't see what they were and they disappeared as they hit the ground. Then Luna Ava was trapped behind a wall of fire and screaming for Lucas, but Brett was holding her back. My dad and Kyle were laying on the ground dead. All my friends were fighting for their lives, bloody and bruised. Kaley and Kevin were on the top of a white tower, eyes glowing red, waving hands around, conducting the wind, but still I heard no sound. There was a shadow behind them, dark and ominous, who pointed straight down. As I tracked where it was pointing, I gasped. Suspended from the ground were my guys hung by their wrists, heads lolling. I can't tell if they are conscious or breathing. I run towards them, but I don't seem to go anywhere. Then a soft lispy voice is in my ear, coiling around me like a snake.

"Choose. You cannot save them all. Look at the ones who claim to love you, sacrificing themselves. But these five have always undervalued you, always thought of you last, if they even thought of you at all. Who will you try to save? The brother who loved you only slightly better than your father. The boy who only sought you out to gain your friend's attention. The boy who thinks you are not strong enough, always needing protection. Or the twins who never seem to want you enough. You are a novelty, a tool to be used and nothing more. Choose who lives and who dies. Take their lives to spare them pain, just like your Alpha. Or come with me, away from all of this heartache. You will be better off without this neverending turmoil they cause you."

A hand flies at my face and I jump up and out of bed, spinning around to try and find my attacker. When I'm sure no one is there, I run my fingers through my hair and head to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I head back out to the room and for the first time I realize that Lil isn't here with me and Oliver didn't come for me. He's never not come for me when I am scared or lost in my thoughts. The tightness grips my heart. What was that dream about?

I am never going to get back to sleep now so I throw on some sweats and decide to go see who's in the office monitoring. As soon as I step out of the door I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

The door to the third floor opens wildly.

"What's up Bitty?"

"Why does it feel like you're having a panic attack?"

"Have you been crying?"

"I...I...had a nightmare and I woke up alone and confused. I don't know." I rub my face again. "I think Lucas' death is getting to me more than I thought."

The twins get to me first. Cam picks

me up and I don't even think or hesitate to wrap my legs around his waist, my arms around his neck and bury my face into his neck, breathing

deeply. Kota is rubbing my backg

After a couple minutes I look

Cam's eyes and then turn to Dakota, shifting so he can take me in his arms. I need to feel them both. Know that they are here and alive. Once I take several breaths of his cinnamon scent, I climb down and move to Oliver, placing my forehead on his chest like I always do and he wraps me up in his arms.

"That must have been a serious dream if you came to us before Oliver." Kota tries to joke and I huff out a teary laugh into Oliver's shirt.

"I have a feeling Mike and the Rogue King are going to be puppies compared to this witch."

"Do you want to tell us about it?" Cam asks softly, tucking my hair behind my ear.

"Not really, but I think I need to. There was a lot going on, but I think I might need Elena to listen too. She might understand what the dream meant for me and all of us."

"Come on, you are going to stay with us the rest of the night." Kota grabs my hand and leads me to the door.

"Wait, you said you had a crazy bad dream, but we didn't even feel it until you were already out of it and leaving the room. What happened, Bitty? I should have felt your dream scaring you." Oliver looked just as panicked as I felt when I thought the same thing. I just shrugged.

"What were you doing, just a little while ago?" I ask, not really sure if I should.

"I was sleeping in your... my... room.

Lil had an idea and wanted to run a few scenaries by Wyatt and Nathaniel. We talked about things that might happen when the twins hit that weak time Gentry was talking about. If they are weak and you are sharing energy with them, that means you will be weakened too. It would be an ideal time for Mike to attack."

"If you were just sleeping then you should have felt it. It was awful." He cocks an eyebrow and moves to the bedroom door, gives it a solid once over, then starts running his hand over the frame. When he yelps a 'motherf*cker' we all rush to him. It's a bundle of the different plants we found today and the spefPthat is on it singed Oliver's fingers.

 

 

Chapter 0514

"That's it! I have had it with this magic being used against us bullsh*t!" Kota is pissed. "I know that you all but hate us right now, but you are staying with us until we figure this out. Someone is now attacking you directly from inside this house. Don't argue or my wolf is going to go ballistic and do something very dangerous." My sweet, fun loving twin is at the end of his rope. And I can't help myself, I walk over and place my hand on his cheek so he looks at me.

"Okay." I whisper and he looks down at me breathing heavily for a moment, then his whole body calms down. He scoops me up and wraps my legs around his waist again. I reach over his shoulder to hold Cam's hand as the four of us ascend the stairs like a wonky train to try and get a couple more hours of sleep. I was surprised when Dakota put me down in order to hug Oliver goodnight. It lasted about ten seconds though, then Cam scooped me right back up and took me to their room.

Like everytime I stay with them, I get the best sleep ever. The twin sandwich is the one place where I don't seem to dream at all. My mind and my wolf completely shuts down, because I know I am safe. We have been on a mission almost since Jena and I got back from being imprisoned and I seem to just always sleep with one eye open, suspecting everyone but my team.

We get up only a few hours later, groggy, but ready to celebrate Lucas with the warriors of the pack. The ceremony was beautiful. He was laid out on a pyre and so well cared for that he could have just been sleeping. Our eldest warriors performed the ceremony in place of our pack elders invoking the Moon Goddess to take care of his spirit and his wolf until they can rejoin us here on earth. Gentry and Elena both said an incantation over him that is used in their own burial rituals and a soft blue hue floated over him, swirling and dancing in the sunlight that is now cresting over the small mountain that sits just east of the center of the pack. The blue light flickers remind me of the pups running and dancing around and him playing with them when he would join Kyle and I for training. A tear runs down my cheek at the thought.

Each of Lucas' team stood and said something about him, then finished with Luna Ava. Alpha Reggie came up and said a few words about Lucas and the twins and the importance of this transfer of power and what it means to be chosen by the Moon Goddess to be the next Alphas.

When it was time to light the pyre Ava stood as well as the twins, but per Gentry's instructions, they didn't let my hands go and pulled me up with them. I felt very out of place and don't want to be part of the center of attention, but there was no getting out of this without causing a scene. The four of us stepped up next to him, each elder warrior offering a torch to light the pyre. I shook my head when one was offered to me. Not only did I think I didn't deserve the honor. But I refuse to break contact with either Cam or Kota. They both move in closer to me, pressing their whole sides into me. They all lay their torch on the kindling and it quickly engulfs the former Alpha. The blue mist from Gentry and Elena turns indigo and then a deep maroon red as the fire burns.

I feel the second the transfer of the Alpha starts to take hold, it's a squeeze in my chest. Both twins clench their hands around mine, but don't move anything else. Cam has his other arm around his mother and Kota moves closer to me, switching to hold my hand with his opposite so he can wrap one around my waist. It only takes about five minutes for the deep red mist to swirl around the four of us and into the twins They both take a deep breath in and as they let it out I can feel the power of their aura radiate off of them. Ava sags against Cam and Brett moves forward to help him hold her up. She has been so brave and strong through all of this. We watch the flames rage and all silently let our former Alpha go and welcome in the reign of our new ones.

The celebration took most of the morning, even starting at dawn. We all sat in silence as the pyre burned, watching the former Alpha being returned to the earth and the Moon Goddess.

I'm not sure how long the twins were supposed to remain 'in contact' with me, but they did not release my hand until we were back at the packhouse and headed to the firepit that now burns forever, until we can figure out how to make it not or make it work in our favor. They did move their chairs to basically touch mine though. We all sat and let the warriors have the first crack at the spread Lenny, and Elena set up. Several people milled about, some talked to us a little, but most gave their condolences to Ava and went about their day. We are all here to do a job and keep these pack lands safe for the families to come back to. This war isn't done yet, I don't think it has even really started.

Eventually we took our turns to eat, no one is really hungry, but we do know that we need the strength. We all just stare into the fire that now means so much more to us. Elena and Gentry stop by our circle; Nickolas, Osiston, Kyle and my Dad in tow. I'm not sure what the angle is or if he is just lost because my dad literally has no other thing to do without the Alpha. As I looked around while they all pulled up chairs I noticed the sun already starting to set.

Sure he's training Mateo to help the twins, but this situation is not a typical transition. Most of the pack isn't even here. We are basically running it as if we were back at Elite training camp. There's not a lot of general pack business to attend to. And to my surprise he has now spent more time in my presence in the last couple days than he has in living memory. I'm pulled from my negative thoughts by Gentry. "So we have discussed your idea about altering the pentagram." She starts.

"It will be difficult and draining at first, since we do not have the original caster to alter it for us. But I think that we can use it to our advantage." Elena says

They talk in tandem, almost like the twins do sometimes.

"For now, I believe that everyone here is safe, due to your quick thinking and added protections, Skylar. It will take us time to come up with the right incantations to counter everything that we know is affecting the pack, and then cover our bases for anything we suspect could be working against you, but it will take a few days." Gentry smiles at me.

 

 

Chapter 0515

"We believe what allowed you to be minimally affected was that you were already on the pack lands when the incantation was set and complete. Your friend Robbie said something about needing to cross into the pentagram for it to take effect. That might be a literal need for the spell to work. None of you have left the barrier since you have been here and you have your protection bracelets. When you finally came for me, the spell had been tainted due to the passing of the Alpha, who's life force was maintaining the spell. That was a mistake on the caster's part." Elena explains.

"Or the whole point."

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"If the spell was tied to and using the Alpha, the plan was probably to eliminate him no matter what. Now whether that was to elevate Cameron and Dakota to the Alpha position or to make an attempt to weaken the pack. We don't know. But, what it did is make everyone suspicious which puts a strain on the pack." Gentry finishes, just adding to the many questions we don't have answers to.

We all talk a little while longer. Osiston has been sticking close to the whole Royal family while Nickolas has been tending to Gentry, but Reggie is with them now to give him a break. It sounds like Gentry is actually considering going through with the full mating. Especially after just having Nickolas close sped up her healing from all of the poisons and abuse she took while in Mike's camp. I wonder what her elders will say since they were the ones with all the objections in the first place. And, I wonder if she will move her whole coven to the Royal pack or just herself and travel back and forth since she is their leader. Witches are not like wolves. They are close but don't need the closeness of being with each other all of the time like we do. They tend to travel and move around as their lives and training need them to. Someone clears their throat to get everyones' attention.

"We will be leaving in the morning, we need to get Mina to safety as soon as possible. We are all on edge right now having her here. And she is about as happy as Skylar is when confined, and ready to kill all of us." Osiston says, and I can almost see him vibrating while everyone is laughing at me. I wonder if he has slept at all since being here. "Once she is safe I plan on coming back and helping out Little One, but before we go we wanted to celebrate all of you coming of age." He looks at the guys and then stands up to go grab a cooler I didn't even notice was sitting behind his chair. "I know Oliver and Mateo had birthdays recently and Sam's is almost upon us. I don't know if we will be back before Cameron and Dakota have theirs and Mina actually threatened me within an inch of my life if I did not bring you all a beer to celebrate before we go since Xander just about shifted in their room when she fought him to come down herself. For obvious reasons she's not allowed anywhere near this damn fire." He chuckles, handing a bottle to everyone. "So cheers to you all from your future Luna Queen and Alpha King." He raises his beer and we all follow suit.

After finishing their drinks the adults all filed out and we were left sitting together in a comfortable silence.

"Finally! It is about time. I thought they would never leave. We have traditions to uphold and I for one am not missing another one." Sierra jumps up.

"What are you talking about?" Lil asks, concerned and rightly so. Typically when Sierra is excited late at night it means many of us are getting pushed out of our comfort zones.

"I mean there is a tradition of swimming in the pool until midnight and celebrating birthdays here at the packhouse. The last time we all did that together was for Sky's fifteenth birthday. So chop chop, it's time to strip and swim."

"YES! I'm so in!" Sam jumps up, ripping his shirt off. "Let's go."

"And Sky, tell Wyatt and Nathaniel to get their asses out here too, put another warrior on surveillance for a couple hours. They both need a break and your whole team deserves to be here." "There's no getting out of this is there?" Lil asks, but she is smiling.

"Nope, she will hunt you down and force you to have fun." I laugh. "Trust me, I tried and I got thrown in fully dressed."

"I forgot about that." Kota mumbled.

"Let's go, woman." Mateo looks at Jena and pulls her up from her seat.

"I am not stripping for any of you idiots." She tries pulling away from him.

"You asked for it." He picks her up, squealing and runs for the pool.

"Don't you even think about it." Cam says sternly and I look over at him as he pulls his dress shirt and pants off. You got your turn last time. He's looking over my head at Kota.

"Wha..." I am swept up, roughly and

wrap my arms, and legs around Cam as he runs and goes flying before we hit the bathwarm pool. My black dress floats around me. We come up and wipe the water out of my eyes. "You do know that you can just ask me to jump in right? The manhandling isn't always

necessary."

"There's no fun in that though, and you definitely hold on tighter this way." He winks.

"You know that I'm still mad at you right?"

"Yes, but I figure we should take advantage of when you are in a good mood every time we can."

More splashing lets me know that more of my friends have joined us.

"WHOA SH*T!" Lil yells before hitting the water. She comes up and is flailing a bit before Oliver grabs her. She scrambles onto his back. "Don't you let me go! I hate swimming. I'm like a brick and just sink." "Well, it's nice to finally find a weakness. I was starting to feel inadequate around all of you ladies." Oliver laughs.

We swam around joking and

laughing for a long time, then Sierra

and I got another volleyball game going. Lil was more than happy to watch from the side of the pool and play ref. Somehow it ended up my warriors ve versus my guys which became a very playful but intense round of sh*t talking more than

actual play. My guys have always been like a well oiled machine the way that they work together, but my team and I are no different. None of us actually have to talk to each other while we play, it just happens naturally. We anticipate the moves that are coming next. So of course that would make the game boring if no one reverted to cheating.

I set Jena up for a spike and Mateo grabbed her by the legs under the net to pull her into the water. Sierra was able to save it though and we kept playing, then someone grabbed my leg, but the guys were splashing so much I couldn't see who it was.

 

 

Chapter 0516

After that the game turned into an all out war of dunking and splashing. Wyatt and Nathaniel ended up siding with the guys and Jena, Sierra and I were outnumbered being tossed around between all of them. There was so much noise and laughter. It's been so long since I have laughed like this with these guys.

Then the most murderous growl erupts from one end of the pool and all play stops.

"HANDS. OFF. MY. MATE." Sam demands through clenched teeth. His pupils blown wide, his wolf is close to the surface. None of us move except for Cam who is holding Sierra.

"You mean this mate?" He says, a look crossing his eyes that I don't quite understand. But he hugs Sierra tighter and she giggles. Oh man, Cam is playing with fire.

Sam lunges towards him, but Dakota moves in to snatch her up first, moving behind his brother. Now all the guys are in on it, but Sierra doesn't seem to mind, she is either okay with the teasing or doesn't feel it yet. Either way Sam is getting more and more pissed as time goes, but all the guys are laughing.

"How does it feel when someone else messes with your things asshole?" Mateo asks.

Now I get it. This is payback for all the flirting Sam has probably ever done in his whole life. They are making him earn his mate and Sierra is all about it, eating up every second of attention from all of them. "What are you laughing at?" Mateo asks Jena, swimming up to us.

"I was just thinking, none of you would have caught me to play keep away."

"Is that so?"

"Yep."

He lunges for her, but she dives and swims to the other side jumping out before he can grab her. He jumps out to chase her into the house. They are not coming back tonight. Another squeal pulls my attention to my most flamboyant friends. Sam finally caught her.

"It is about damn time." He kisses her hard on the mouth and I look away, not wanting to intrude on their moment. Who knows what they'll do with the mate bond officially intact. I am outta here. I climbed out of the pool only now realizing I am in my dress from today and it isn't light now that it's soaked. I don't even think twice about just ripping it off and draping it over a chair nearby.

"Oh f*ck no, absolutely not! What happened to you being shy?" Cam asks, throwing his button down shirt over my shoulders.

"Uh, I have lived in a communal co-ed living space and been on missions where sometimes we all have to share a single hotel room or worse. You kind of lose modesty after a while. And my scars aren't an issue anymore. They aren't the worst thing that has happened to me." I turn to look at him, sliding my arms through the sleeves, but not buttoning the shirt. "Besides, I wear warrior issued underwear. This is more sturdy and covers more than Sierra's average swimsuit."

"Hey! I heard that!"

"Nope, they are not here, you cannot talk to any of them right now." Sam pulls her attention back and I just laugh again.

"And Cam, your shirt is white, this is not actually helping any." I look down at my back undergarments soaking into his shirt.

"Yep, she's still hot. You guys are all screwed!" Lil laughs, heading inside with Wyatt and Nathaniel.

"Who's side are you on Lillian?" Cam shouts at her back.

"Mine. I appreciate all forms and, like all the leadership here, she is a fine specimen." She cackles and heads down the hall towards the stairs.

I'm laughing as I follow her in, knowing Cmaeron, Dakota and Oliver are all following.

"Oh sh*t! Lil wait." Oliver shouts running after her. I'm confused so I start running too.

"Oliver what's up?" I ask as we catch up.

He's searching the door frame again and just like last night he yelps as he pulls out another bundle.

"Someone is trying to give you guys

bad dreams, or make you

hallucinate or just disorient you so you can't fight." He shows Lil. I

forgot she was on duty last night

when we found the other but

"We know Jena and Sierra

upstairs tonight. I think will be

you

should be too. Bitty, will you link Nathaniel and ask him to look at the footage from today in this hallway when he's on shift next?" I only trust him, but it's not urgent since we will keep you guys close."

"All of our stuff is in there though." Lil protests.

"It's not worth it after what we saw last night. I don't know if it was only in effect if you were sleeping or if it's another one of those 'cross the barrier' things. You can borrow clothes tonight. Let's go." There is no question or room for argument from Lil or I. Oliver steers her towards the door to the third floor and I am pushed forward with each of the twins having a hand on my back. I took a deep breath and tried not to sound angry when I spoke next.

"Oliver, will you check Nathaniel and Wyatt's door please." He looks at me like I am crazy. "You won't let me do it and I need to know if the target is my whole team or just the girls."

He rolls his eyes at me. "I think we all know what the actual answer to that really is."

"Just do it. No more guessing or assuming. We need to check all possibilities. There are too many 'maybes' and possibly' in this whole situation. It's like there's a multifront attack on us and we just can't keep up enough to even think about getting ahead of this."

"Fine." He walks over, searches the

door frame and as predicted he yelps. "Someone remind me next time not to volunteer for this part of the job. Tell your whole team to look for this bundle. We should probably warn the rest of the warriors too. Who knows if this is just in the pack house or all over. Clearly whatever this is, our bracelets don't

completely protect us from it."

I nod and mindlink all of my warriors, Nickolas and Osiston. The twins do the same for the pack warriors as we all head upstairs.

"Well, if your blonde b*tch is up to this to separate you guys from us or, let's be honest, Midge. She sucks at her job, because it's making all of us closer." Lil laughs.

We all divide. Oliver ushers Lil towards his room. The twins push me towards theirs. "Oh! I want to go to the training grounds when we get up. I need to move and get back to some kind of normal." "Got it boss." Lil is in the same boat as me.

The other three just stare at me. "Is that really a good idea right now? Maybe..." Kota asks.

"I dare you to keep talking right now.

I was not asking permission or for opinions. I want to workout. Either join me or don't. It was information so you know where I'll be." I walk past them and into the room. I don't wait for them to grab me anything. I find a t-shirt and shorts, which I have to roll down three times and crawl

into the center of the bed, wet hair and all.

 

 

Chapter 0517

As if my body knew I needed to get up and away from the guys for a bit. I woke up before dawn and slipped out of bed. I turned to look at them before I left and like always when they are sleeping, they actually look young and at peace. Each tangled up under their own sheet, chest bare, leaving the big fluffy comforter for me. They are both so handsome, it's kind of ridiculous. And they have been giving me my space while staying close. It's a start I guess.

I should talk to them about that night and figure out what they were actually thinking, but it still hurts too bad knowing they took her side over listening to reason and having the evidence shoved up their nose. I'm not ready, I'm still angry, no matter how much they draw me in, I am just still angry and for the first time in my life I am making sure people know when they hurt me. I'm not just going to brush it under the rug and take it. They need to realize that they can't shield me from a fight literally coming for me. They can't force me to do anything and there is something very powerful in that knowledge. So I strode down the stairs and into the room I share with Lil to find her already dressed and waiting.

"I wasn't sure how early you wanted to train and I figured with the other half of our girls band occupied with their mates you would go alone, and I couldn't have that. That is the one thing I agree on with these guys." She laughs at me.

"Did you check the door before you came in?" I ask gathering things to change.

"Of course I did. I'm done being cursed, but that seems to be an occupational hazard being teamed up with you. Did you check it?"

"No actually. I could smell your scent all over the door so I knew I didn't have to." I winked at her. She stuck her tongue out at me and I just rolled my eyes and changed. There's no use taking a shower, we are just going to get disgusting.

We ran downstairs and grabbed quick protein bars from the kitchen. I don't know why I just really wanted to get out of the house before any of the guys figured out we left. There is something so satisfying about that thought. We jogged over to the training grounds. There is a small group of warriors training. A few waved, but most just let us pass and do our thing. The wreckage of the obstacle course is still there There's no need to waste energy on it right now with the pups and teens gone. The pack is actually so quiet right now without all the hustle and bustle of life everywhere. I hope they're all okay, I miss the pups the most. That was a huge motivation for getting back home eventually and now they aren't even here.

Lil and I get started not wanting to waste any time. It only took about a half hour for them to join us at the training grounds, but they didn't interrupt us. In fact they didn't talk to us at all, just got to their own training. Mateo, Jena, Sierra and Sam are still notably absent this morning, but I don't blame them. We are about to be attacked and they just found their mates. I would probably do the same knowing the possibility of losing them is very high right now.

It felt so good to really train for once and after getting actual sleep. My body feels good, my mind is clear. I really want to work with Gentry and Elena to figure out this pentagram thing. As we were walking back to the packhouse, the guys actually didn't bring the truck for once, we were stopped by Ava and Brett. I haven't seen her since the ceremony yesterday. I know she was mingling with some of the warriors at the packhouse after, but I lost sight of her about an hour in.

"Hey boys." She hugs each of the twins and then Oliver. Then she hugs me. "My sweet girl, Lil. How are you all?" She gives Lil a side squeeze.

"We're good mom, how are you doing?" Cam asks.

"I'm actually better now that the ceremony is done and your father is back with the Moon Goddess. I feel like a weight is lifted, but it still hurts." She absently rubs her mark on her neck, which I'm just now noticing is faded.

Is that what happens when your mate dies? You start to lose all traces of their connection to you. That sounds awful. I lean in to hug her again. I wish I could take her pain away.

"I actually wanted to find you boys, I

iel

have something to show you." She links her arms with Cam and Kota and starts to lead them to the packhouse Brett, Oliver, Lil and I all follow. We head in the front door and she leads them to the elevator. She hasn't looked back at us once, so know this is something she wants to share with just her and the boys. I head on towards the kitchen with Lil. Brett and Oliver are following. I think this is the first time Brett has left her side since Lucas passed. I wonder if it's hard for him to give up his position as her

Gamma, or if this is exactly what his

position was designed for?

"Hey! It's all the mated saps." Lil shouts. "Sierra, how you doing? Walking alright today?" Lil laughs at her own joke.

"I'm actually good. Lots of practice

before the real deal." Sierra winks

back. I can't say if I will ever join into

their s*xual innuendo banter, but at

least don't feel like my face is on

fire out of embarrassment. The rest

of my friends laugh.

"You good Bitty? You're a little red there." Oliver traces a finger on one of my cheeks, which of course makes it worse. I stand corrected, it still makes me so uncomfortable I turn into a tomato. "Yup." I walk over to make a plate for lunch with the rest of my friends laughing at me.

"So, Sam, did you even make it all the way upstairs before you marked your girl?" Lil asks, taking the attention away from me, thank the Goddess.

"Of course I did!" He is so dramatic, acting offended. "Marking your mate is special and once in a lifetime for most of us. We got to the top of the stairs and made it to the couch in the common area of our floor, don't suggest anyone sit on that couch anytime soon." We are all rolling with laughter. Of course they would mark and mate in a semi-public place not caring if anyone caught them.

"Well, I'm glad we were all safely tucked into bed when that happened." Lil finally came back with after calming down a bit. "You two were bad enough before the bond kicked in, you need to be quarantined to another part of the pack for a bit."

"Oh shut up, it wasn't that bad. Besides everyone knew it was coming"

"Those of us with extra good hearing did anyway."

The whole room went silent and Oliver dropped his fork halfway to his mouth. My eyes went wide.

 

 

Chapter 0518

I did NOT mean for that to fall out of my face.

Sierra starts laughing, "The rooms are sound proof, but I'm glad to know you can play along."

I shot up from my seat walking my half finished breakfast to the sink, took a deep breath then I turned around, "Just make sure you clean the arm of the couch and the back of the couch too." I winked at her and then took off. I can't believe I just said that out loud. I head to the office to check on Nathaniel before anyone can stop me.

They were terribly loud though. I wondered why neither of the twins said anything. None of them could hear it. Just another freak thing about me.

I knock on the door as I walk in. "Hey! Have you found anything about our hallway intruder yet?"

"Nothing, but there is a glitch in the feed around the time when we all would have been getting back from the celebration. Watch."

He pulls up the feed and plays it for me and if I didn't know to look for it, I never would have seen it. In the bottom right corner is a small flash of what looks like static, but with a shimmer. No interference I have everseen has ever shown as a shimmer.

"Someone used magic to cloak themselves?"

"Yep, and obviously doesn't care about having to reset the little dream bundle as often as needed because of their cloak. I did talk to Gentry this morning while you were training..." "How did you know I was training?"

"One, I run surveillance, that's my job. Two, you are a slippery sneaky one that likes to get lost, so I put a tracker in your weapons belt. I know when you are more than a hundred feet away from me. And don't give me any privacy bullsh*t. Losing you to Mike was scary for all of us. We just handled it in different ways. Wyatt trails you like your Gamma, Lil sticks to your ass almost as close as your Alphas and I track every move you make from here. Just like your guys here, you mean a lot to this team. And whoever is trying to harm you knows that, which is why they're doing minor things to everyone."

"I wish we could figure out this spell sh*t too. I mean We showed the guys videos of Kaley actively framing me and they didn't see it, couldn't see it, I don't know. I can't believe they would ignore it or disregard it. But maybe under whatever spell that's exactly what they would do?" I rub my face. That day has been bugging me since it happened. "Ava heard what Kaley said to Jena and I but she said nothing, didn't defend me or back me up or even just confirm that Kaley was being a b*tch to the pups. Or even that Gwen took her to the cells. She just looked at me like she was disappointed."

"Yeah, I thought about that too. I was watching you mostly and messing with the videos, so I didn't see much, but with the new 'cloak' theory I might have something." He pulls up the video feed from the four different angles. "You didn't notice anything from the room and I didn't see anything live on the feeds, but magic generally doesn't show up on the electronics, but look at this..." He pulls up the feed where Lucas shows me the fake camera.

"Yep, I remember that. Everyone seemed really angry at the sight of a camera. Especially since we had been placing them everywhere...with their permission. I thought it was weird then too."

"Yeah, but watch this..." He backs the

video up about thirty seconds. It's when I am asking why I am being treated like a traitor and giving off my Alpha aura. I was so irritated never noticed. I had them all

submitted, even Lucas. I demanded

on

an answer and from the look their faces, I was going to get one. Until the shimmer on the screen. Then the twins' faces morph and they come out of the submission, like it didn't affect them anymore. "Did you see the shift?"

"Yeah. My aura came out, I had them submitted, and then it just broke. How did that happen?"

"Look at the floor. You all were divided, but not until this moment."

"Huh?"

"Up until then, Cameron, Dakota and Lucas were all behind the desk, but Ava was leaning against the side,

halfway to you, and halfway to them. She didn't shift until she stood up and stepped back after you

submitted them. I bet there is some kind of spell or maybe even one of those little bundles like we keep finding on the doors hidden near or, more likely, in the desk. But it didn't seem to be activated until the whole Alpha family was completely behind the desk. We need to check the office, because your twins have been using it without any problems that I have noticed, but if there is something there, it needs to go."

"Great! So it's probably my fault they turned on me by activating the asshole spell." I rub my face again. "I'll go find Elena and hopefully Gentry. I wish there was a way to do a sweep for magic like we do for heat signatures. I'm kind of over finding things randomly, this is taking up so much time." I roll my eyes.

"We also need to figure out if that shimmer means there's magic in the room or if there is an actual person in the room hidden."

"Uh huh huh." I whine. "You are supposed to be helping me solve problems, not give me more questions."

"I am helping, just the long, highly

detailed way around." He laughs. "Also, no sign of Kevin, so I don't know if that is a good or a bad thing. Kaley has been around, but really out of place think. She goes to the training grounds, but sits in the stands. She doesn't talk to anyone and I can't tell who or what she's watching, but we can all probably guess. She's been by the packhouse too, but I really only see her in the kitchen and dining room for meals. Her behavior is off for sure."

"I wouldn't even know what to do with her anyway."

"What are you talking about? She abused you for your whole life. Tried to kill you or seriously injure you enough to leave the pack. She clearly pegged you as her competition for some reason and really early. I would beat her all the ways she beat me, if I was you."

"But, there's something so wrong with her though. Don't get me wrong I know she deserves to be punished, but what if she was put up to all of this by her dad playing some really long game? What if she's possessed like the twins and their parents were? All her screeching and yelling and demanding was just for show. That I'm sure of and what in the world would make her think I was any kind of competition?"

 

 

Chapter 0519

"Are you seriously asking me that right now? Like a real question?" "Sure, what do you think?"

"That you're insane. From what everyone says, you have been beast moding it out of necessity since forever. You didn't have to get stronger, that's what you chose. Many people in that situation would have caved into the depression and wasted away. Not you, Midge. You just keep blowing everyone out of the water. That's the kind of competition you are to Kaley. You are hot and strong and can defend yourself. You aren't waiting to be saved. But, you are also a good leader, you listen and try your best to help. All things I don't think she is even capable of."

I think that is the most words I have heard out of his mouth, ever, that didn't have to do with programming or surveillance. And I am speechless.

"That's new. I don't think you've ever not had a come back or answer to something. It's all true though. You walked into this pack, covered in blood, fresh from a fight, after disappearing.." He gives me a look. "I do want that whole story, by the way. And just started giving orders like you weren't gone for two years and you own the place. Even your Alpha and Luna just took direction from you. That's impressive."

I rolled my eyes again, and then deflected. "When are you done? I want to show this to Elena and Gentry and see what they think about this and the pentagram, cause I have a feeling we don't stand a chance against Mike, let alone the Rogue King, with that thing actively working against us."

"Lil is on next, then Jena. I don't trust anyone but us in here right now. So it's just the four of us running overwatch." I nod my head in agreement.

"Did you check this office for secret little bundles of herbs?" I smiled at him.

"Of course I did. There wasn't anything here and that makes me think that whoever is setting them is very limited in their thinking. They didn't target the Luna, only the Alpha, probably assuming that he would control everyone. All these little things are to try and control you, but no one is coming after you directly, not yet anyway."

"I guess I never really thought of that. But why would they want to control me? I'm nobody to most people here."

"I really want to hit you right now, but I like having all of my teeth."

"Why are we hitting Midge?" Lil asks, walking into the room.

"Because she thinks she's 'nobody to most people in this pack."" He air quotes at her.

"Yep, smack her."

"Not a chance, I like living and having the use of all my fingers. Do you remember the guy in Arizona who tried to touch her ass? His hand will never be right again." He looks terrified and Lil is openly laughing. "That guy had it coming. Nasty p*dophile deserved it thinking he could take her on 'cause of her size."

"Still in the room, assholes. Let's go find Gentry and Elena and ask about the shimmers on your screen."

"Is there something I need to know Nathaniel? I mean it's okay if you're into glitter and rhinestones. I just need to rethink what I'm going to get you for your birthday." She laughs.

"Possibly, but we have more important things to do right now than discuss your nonexistent birthday shopping habits."

She keeps laughing for a second, then scooches him out of the chair. "Alright, tell me what you really found? A way to end this whole sh*tshow maybe?"

"Not quite, but hopefully to even out the battlefield." I start telling her what we have noticed, letting Nathaniel answer her questions.

"Yeah, let's bring in the big guns... Big casters... They need a nickname. And you're right we need to be able to do a magic sweep, this sh*t is getting old. Go see what Gentry has found after your revelations this morning. I'll be here spying on Kaley, because at this point I really don't give a sh*t about anyone else."

Nathaniel and I walk out laughing at her, saying we'll be back soon.

"Ah, good. I was hoping to find you together. Elena is waiting for us." Gentry walks down the hallway, through the kitchen and onto the patio, then turns towards the ever burning fire pit. What I don't expect is Nikolas and my dad sitting there too. What is he doing here? He's never around, at least not when I am. My confusion must show on my face.

"Don't look like that. I hate it when you look at me like that." He says and I all but combust.

"Umm...I try not to look at you at all. It used to get me smacked and sent to my room or yelled at. It for sure would have cost me a meal. What are you doing here? Are you lost?" Yep, my filter has been inhabited by Sierra, Jena and Lill all at the same time today. Like all three have possessed my vocal chords.

Elena whips her head towards him, while Nathaniel moves to my side, standing shoulder to shoulder. "You never said you laid a hand on her! How could you do that?! You starved her?" Why does it sound like she is taking this personally?

"It's...hard to explain."

"Oh for f*ck's sake. It's not." I

grumble. "My mom died giving birth.

to me since no one thought to

explain the whole 'having a girl might

kill you' family trait. You hated me for killing your mate. I knew it, the

whole pack knew it. You foraged

people to ignore me and for

training and discipline to be more intense for that very reason. I was not important enough to be spoken to unless it was to criticize. I only attended functions where it was general knowledge that you had two children, and I wasn't allowed to

speak or interact. Should I go on?"

Elena stood up and came to hug me. I was a little frozen at the gesture, her fiery locks swarming me. "Well that is something we will have to work out. And I plan on revisiting this abuse." She turns her head, I assume looking at my dad.

"Why does this matter at all? I really don't want to talk about any of that. We're supposed to work out this pentagram thing."

"It does matter since we will all be a part of it. All of the mates will."

I think my brain short-circuited. "What do you mean 'all of the mates will?' And what does that have to do with the Beta?" I don't know if I have ever called him 'dad' or any variation of that out loud. "Because Daniel is my mate." She says calmly, not letting go of me.

I can feel the color drain from my face along with the rest of the feeling in my body. Then I hear a bang and loud thumping then two arms are wrapped around me, pressing me up against a hard chest and keeping me up right.

"What the hell did you do to her?" Oliver snarls. It's the only thing I can clearly hear, every other voice sounds like it's underwater.

More stomping and then I feel warmth in both of my hands.

"Tiny what happened?"

"Breathe, Smalls. We need you to breathe."

 

 

Chapter 0520

I hear them too, but still no one else. Elena is my dad's second chance mate? What the f*ck is the Moon Goddess Playing at? She's helping me, he hates me. She's a witch and he's a werewolf, just like Nikolas and Gentry. Oh! That explains why I keep seeing the four of them together. When did this happen? Will she stay here, in the pack? Will he go with her now that he is free of his Beta duties? Will she want to keep training me now that she is with him? My stomach plummets at the thought. We have been doing so well and I love training with her, I don't want to lose that because she chooses her mate over

me.

My heart actually hurts at the thought of the loss.

"No! You are not spiraling, get out of that head Bitty." Oliver picks me up and I can tell we are moving by the flexion in the muscles in his torso.

I don't know where we are going, but I can smell Cam and Kota with us too. I bury my head in Oliver's neck. I know he says we aren't mates, but his scent is the thing keeping me sane right now. I can feel Cam and Kota close too. One is touching my ponytail as it swings and the other brushes my shoe as his arm swings. I'm trying to stay out of my head like Oliver said. I'm thinking about what I did with Jena when she was having full blown panic attacks. Five things I can see. I see Oliver's shirt below me, behind him I see trees and a path. We're in the forest. To his right I see Cam's legs walking a step ahead. Looking down I see Kota's arm swinging behind me. Four things I can feel. Oliver's breath on my head. My hand fisted into his shirt. His firm grip on my ribs and legs. The temperature change as we move further down the path. Three things I can smell. Them. I can smell all three of them separate but together. Crisp citrus, sharp cinnamon and warm honey. It's like my personal dessert. Two things I can hear. All of them breathing, deep controlled breaths. I can hear the crunch of twigs and rustle of the damp earth under their feet. What can I taste? Salt. Was I crying? I don't even remember.

"Giver her here, and start a fire, she's shivering."

"Cam..." I can only whisper his name. He sits on the ground leaning against one of the large logs with me across his lap. I tuck my head into his neck and breathe in, letting his scent add a wave of calm to my nerves.

"We've got you Tiny."

"What happened? We were talking with mom and my knees almost gave out then we were running out the back door. I didn't even realize we were running to you until I grabbed your hand. It's like my wolf took over." Kota says over the pile of wood he made inside the rough stone clad circle.

"I felt your fear. This was probably just as bad as the locker room Bitty, what did they tell you?"

I let them get the fire started and just stare for a minute while I gather my thoughts. They sit on either side of Cam but facing towards me. I shift so I am sitting in Cam's lap, my back to his broad chest. Kota plays with my fingers and Oliver brushes the exposed skin between the hem of my leggings and my sock. Cam has his arms loosely belted around my waist.

"Elena and Gentry think that we can override the pentagram magic. She said all of us have to be a part of it, including mates, and my dad will be there because she is his second chance mate." I take a deep breath in and let it out slowly. I can feel tears slowly rolling down my cheeks.

"Oh damn!" Kota squeezes my hand.

"Sh*t, Tiny, I'm sorry." Cam's arms tighten.

"How can we help?" Oliver holds tight to my leg.

"I don't know. I love working with her and now that she's his mate, I might lose her." I pull my hand from Kota's and wriggle out of Cam's lap to stand. They just watch me like a cornered animal that might lunge at them. Not a completely wrong thought though. "She might choose him over me, just like Ava, just like Lucas, just like you guys." I start pacing around the fire, trying to keep myself under control. "What do you mean like us?" Cameron stands when he asks, but doesn't come close. The other two follow suit.

"I've had to let you guys go more than once because it was what was best for the pack. And now all of you are old enough to find mates and so far they happen to be my friends. And I am so, so glad that everyone's finding people that are amazing, but I'm afraid that now everyone is pairing off, it's going to be like my dad after losing my mom or Luna Ava the night you all called me a traitor." I really need to let that go, I've thrown it in their faces so many times with no real response. "They both chose their mates over me when I didn't do anything wrong and I'm the one who ended up hurt in the end. You guys are all going to end up choosing your mates, because that is what's supposed to happen. You two will have your Luna, who will want nothing to do with our friendship. Oliver will have his mate and he will stop being my shadow. As much as I complain, it makes me not feel alone and I will lose that. Elena will choose him and he won't let her be around me, let alone train me because he hates me and the thought just makes me feel hollow. And that sounds so selfish when I say it out loud. But being everyone's go-to, reliable person, but no one's top priority, it still hurts so much." I grasp at my chest, tears are still falling slowly, like I'm running out of them.

I can't look at any of them after that tantrum. I feel like a brat, but I can't hide the feeling or stuff it in the back of my head. I think the situation in the office with Lucas and Ava and then replaying it with Nathaniel brought it all bubbling to the surface again and now I am overflowing with that insecure voice that sounds so much like a mixture of my dad and Kaley telling me I'm not important enough to be a priority to anyone, I am just a tool to be used and then forgotten. It's why I wanted to leave in the first place. I wanted the warrior bond to not feel those emotions for just a little while and then to find a mate who would choose me no matter what and sail off into the distance.

"Hey, Bitty. I think we need to set some things straight." Oliver has his hands up in a surrender gesture.