As i past Alpha Blakes home, I could hear harsh whispering in the distance. Curiously, i sniffed the air as it brisked past me.. it was Deacon.. and a sickening sweet gardenia scent i have come to loathe.

Grace.

I walked as far as i could without rounding the bend where they would have noticed me. They wouldn't pick my scent up since the wind us blowing north today. My direction. The harsh words became louder which peaked my curiosity even more. My wolf however, was feeling cagey.. wanting another go at her.. pacing in my mind.

I crouched down and hid behind the trees along the side of the path as i got closer, peering between the limbs as they swayed gently.

There Deacon stood, Grace in front of him with her arms crossed over her chest and an angry scowl as she whisper-shouted something else. I noticed her bandaged neck and felt a pang of guilt but my wolf gloated at this. She was proud of another accomplishment.. that female would never willingly fight us.

Deacon finally sighed at whatever she said, seeming defeated. Grace stomped her foot like a child, her long blonde locks tangling around her face from the breeze as she flailed around wildly to get them out. She pointed her finger at him, mouth moving before turning on her heel and marching back the opposite way, towards the dead end. The oracles home where she was staying was close to the end.

I grew suspicious as Deacon groaned, rubbing his face. He seemed weary.. tired even. Watching his every move, calculating it, he trudged back towards my direction. I bit my lip in hesitation.. he was going to see and smell me soon.. i couldnt hide.

But i can question him..

Getting close to the space on the path even with the tree i hid behind, i stepped out causing him to jump back. His eyes widened, heart picking up .. swallowing hard. Nervous.

"Nova!? What are you doing here!? You scared me to death!" He put a hand over his heart. He was nervous .. not scared.

I rose a brow, crossing my arms. "So.. what was that about?. Why are you whispering and socializing with Grace now?" My voice held accusations that i couldnt back up, but i stood by them, tucking my hair behind my ear.

His blue eyes shifted around, rolling to the heavens with an exasperated sigh. "She wants information about you and Zaryn. Dont worry. I didnt tell her anything. Especially about you being near him or him giving you a necklace." A sly smirk appeared.. eyes playful.

The little son of a... i knew he probably knew where the necklace came from but he was taunting me again.. like last night.

I wouldn't have this. I stepped up to him with two strides, looking up into his blue eyes just shades darker with determination.. He smelled bitter. My wolf surged wanting out to nip at him, but shes done enough of that. I showed my teeth at him causing him to back up in shock.

"Deacon you keep your smart ass comments to yourself. I know what you're doing ... taking jabs at me? You have stooped to a low i never thought possible. My business is my business. If i wanted you to know i would tell you. Stay the hell out of my life if you are against me. Got it?" A rumble left my chest and his eyes widened in surprise as did mine. I turned, leaving him standing there, walking back toward the pack house. Rubbing the place the growl emitted from, i stared down at my chest, confused. I've growled before, but nothing like what i jusy experienced in my chest..

What was that?

Before I could reach the point where dirt road ended and grass began, Deacon had ran up behind me. "Wait Nova!"

Turning, i watched him come to a slow jog before stopping.. taking more careful steps toward me, eyes darting around my face. "Look.. im sorry. I didn't mean to do that... its just.. i feel protective over you.. and ever since Zaryn has ruined your life and they forced us not to be friends.. you've shut me out. I dont want that. I just want to go back to how we were. I just... i just want to see you happy.. without my brother." He gazed down at me with saddened eyes.

The pile of pieces of glass heart in my chest sunk and i did the one thing i always do in these situations.. I felt sympathy. He noticed the change in my reaction and proceeded to put his arms around me, drawing me into a hug. "I cant bear to see you hurt like you were before Nova. I dont want to walk into that again..." His breath fanned my neck and i felt a momentary shiver of pleasure.

My eyes widened in realisation as he held me in his embrace.

My heat was going to come soon.

The mood swings.. the emotional feelings.. the wanting to be around Zaryn.. it was my heat.

I patted Deacon's back carefully as i pulled away, eyes not meeting his. "It... its fine. We can just forget it." I finally looked up at his triumphant smile. "But dont do it again." My glare had his smile deflating like a balloon. He nodded, releasing me. I needed to get out of there fast.

Stepping away, before I could say or do anything else, I ran all the way toward the packhouse without stopping. The clouds overhead seemed to grow more condensed.. darker .. just like my mood. Despite what Deacon said, I didnt feel comfortable with him talking to Grace. I dont like her asking questions. She wont sink her claws into another member of my people.

The wind whipping my hair across my face felt wonderful. I reached the packhouse just in time to spot Nic leaving from his meeting with Alpha Blake. Brows furrowed, his hands clenched in fists. The veins in his forearms bulged along the the muscles that surrounded them.

The need to comfort him grew strong, along with my curiosity.

"Nic! Wait !" My words were carried on a gust of air as I ran toward him. Eyes flashing my way, he didnt stop to wait for me. He only slowed to a walk.

"Nic what's wrong? What happened?" My voice was ragged as I tried to catch my breath. Glancing around, we saw three boats coming up to the dock with pack members inside. That's where everyone had gone. Fishing.

"Not here Nova. Wait until we are home." He grabbed my hand, pulling me with him as we walked home together briskly. I felt a cool drop of water hit my face, then another as we kept on up the dirt road toward our house. The sky above was a swirling mass. Dark clouds hanging low with rain drops in its belly, ready to fall.

He was silent the whole way until we arrived at our home, his agression being taken out on that beloved turquoise front door when it got stuck. He growled, kicking it as he turned the knob making it fly open. If mom was home she would have flew off the hinges over it.