"I feel the same way D. I don't know what's going on but.. Something isn't right. Poor Nic is crushed. I told him he should talk to your dad, bring some of these things up."

He turned to face me. "I already have. He's working on it.. He cant really point fingers because of a mate bond, the moon may very well be involved because of her choices.. We don't know." He stared at me a moment, taking in my scent.

"Where were you last night Nova?" Eyes assessing me for lies.. I couldn't lie.

I closed my eyes, letting out a breath. "I passed out last night after everything happened. When I woke up it was already morning so I took a shower and went to see my brother. I don't know what happened the rest of the night aside from what Nic said. He said he tried to talk to Grace but she ran away from him crying." I prayed he didn't ask anything else... I let my eyes slowly open, gazing down my legs at the clear water as I let my feet splash around in the stream. He was quiet.

"Yeah. I came to the party right as everyone was being broken up by my dad. They went back to the celebration and Grace ran off, Nic behind her. She turned toward him and he said something .. She said something.. Then she ran away. I'm not sure what's going to happen but I don't like what's going on.."

I didn't say anything else. He laid back in the grass beside me, taking my hand and we just were.

We just let the tranquil sound of the stream and the rushing sounds from the water fall soothe our souls. I knew he was hurting.. In pain over not being able to see me. I was too. But his pain seemed more..

"Nova" he spoke after an hour of just lying there.

"Yeah?" I kept my eyes closed, afraid my eyes would give too much emotion away.

"Do you want Zaryn?"

I had to think about this.. Did I want him?

"Under normal circumstances, yes. I do. Now? I'm not so sure. My wolf wants him but I, I can't live with that pain. I can't get to know him better because its just more painful in the end.. If I just know him as the annoying older brother I've always known him to be, its not so bad. As just my mate I've never gotten to know. This is hard Deacon. These emotions... They are running inside me at full speed.. The attraction around him is so much. I just can't be around him.. I'm afraid my wolf will take over and I won't be able to stop her." I spoke truthfully.

His hand squeezed mine as he sat up. I followed his lead, sitting up and pulling my legs under me, looking into his pained expression.

"I'm sorry Nova. I know its hard for you. Just know I'm always here for you. Always. No matter what. You can tell me anything. OK?" He stared pointedly into my eyes, gazing into my soul. I swallowed at the intensity. Did he know something?

I nodded. "I know. Thanks D."

"Nova.. You know if you wanted to get out of here for a while, we could go visit my uncles pack .. Together.. It would be good to be away from everything..." He seemed hopeful.

I gave him a tight sad smile. "I can't. I need to be here for Nic. He's in just as much pain.. "

"He could come too.."

A smile crept up on my face. "I'll think about it.. I'll run it by him and see what he thinks. Thanks Deacon."

I didn't really want to go because I wanted to see how the moon let this play out.. See if Zaryn really did have any emotions for Grace.. Find out why she is mated to my brother..

With a sigh, Deacon got up, brushing himself off. "Well. I have to go train. I'll see you later?"

I nod my head, giving him a closed mouth smile. "Yeah. See you later."

Thirty minutes passed quickly as I just sat behind the shade of the trees, my feet in the cool water , staring down across the lake to the pack house. It was busy with wolves by the lake, parents chasing their pups around, females laying out in the sun, catching a tan in their bikinis.. While I sat here, hiding from the world, delving in my sorrows. The moment Deacon left was the moment my slightly calm interior broke and the wall of comfort shattered, leaving me with frayed nerve endings surging through my body. Those shards of my broken heart that were once still, were now moving slowly in my body, wanting to break free.

I was confused.. Hurt.. Heart broken.. My wolf whimpered inside me, wanting me to set her free but I refused. Its unsafe for her to come out while I'm feeling like this. The last thing I need is for her to seek out Grace, ripping her throat out then search for Zaryn and mark him...

I knew where Zaryn was coming from not wanting me around Deacon because of his unstable wolf.. But having me suffer twice made the hatred for him seep through my veins. The wolf didn't like these feelings coming from me..

I felt like I just didn't matter to anyone. .

The sky was turning a deep pink with orange hues as the sun began setting on the horizon, above the trees the sky was dark blue with streaks of purple connecting the warm and cool hues. I could see a few stars begin to glitter in the darkened sky, the moon looming through the trees, peeking down at me. I wonder if she is sensing my pain.. Perhaps working in my favor..

The breeze picked up and I smelled that familiar scent that caused me to unleash myself this very morning. The sunset's blinding rays had me shielding my eyes as i leaned my head up to sniff. A crunch behind me had me turning around so quickly to see a pair of bright blue eyes watching me.. Staring.

"Zaryn? What are you doing here?" I began to panic, remembering I had Deacons scent on me. His wolf won't like that too much.

Zaryn came closer, away from the deep shadows of the wooded forrest, his jaw clenched, nostrils flaring as he smelled the air.

"You smell like him." It was gritted out through clenched teeth followed by a rumble of his chest.

I huffed, rolling my eyes as he came closer , sitting down beside me with a hardened gaze. I took in his scent of fresh cedar with a hint of vanilla. There was another layer on top of his.. One that smelled like earth and cinnamon.. a low growl came out of my chest, the wolf surfacing to see out of my eyes as I saw out of hers.

"You smell like her."

We glared at each other for a few moments of uncomfortable silence, our wolves ascending only to descend as we reigned them in.

This would be a battle that I wasn't trying to win. Our furs vs. Our skin.

Grace's scent on his skin lingered, my canines erupting from my gums.

She was going to take over and make him hers...