After a while of relaxing in our wolf forms, we shifted back to skin. Shifting back to human from wolf is a little less painful than shifting to wolf, so I didn't let out any screams this time. Wolves don't notice one another when they are naked, bare from any coverings because it is something we are used to..only your mate would react and Deacon wasn't that..

We dressed, slipping on our shoes as well before he took my hand, guiding me back down the hill top of the Forrest towards the pack house.

His soft voice filled the air, the only other noise being the Forrest floor crunching under our steps.

"I heard you had a talk with Zaryn..... That he came to see you?"

I only nodded in response.

He flashed me a look that said 'continue'.

Signing in irritation, I relented. He'd never stop. "He told me he wouldn't mark her."

"What?" He was surprised. Didn't he know this?

Nodding as we kept on our path. "He told me how it happened... How she didn't know her heat was coming and he couldn't sense it. He couldn't resist, being an unmated wolf... And this is the result....... She over heard him saying he wouldn't mark her and would leave that option open for me no matter the outcome of the pregnancy." I felt the familiar constricting of my heart, our play time long forgotten. The contempt I felt for that female was beyond anything I could imagine..

His hand squeezed mine softly, flesh molding to flesh in a friendly manner. "Oh Nova... I'm so sorry.... Are you gonna.. Wait for him?" He was very curious.

I shrugged. "I can't... I can't put myself through that.. Waiting like a desperate mate ... In hopes she miscarries .. He said himself that the first ten years he would raise his pup with her still around.. Taking up residence here so he could be near his pup. Once he would be 10, he would allow the pup to go with Grace back to her pack to begin training since that's their way.. The pup coming to spend summers here with him.. How could I live like that? Its a constant internal battle Deacon. Everything in my wolf says to mark him.. But I won't allow her. Everything in him wants to mark me but I won't allow it.. Not while this mess is going on. I just don't know what to do anymore." I kept my eyes to the ground. The broken pieces of my heart shaking inside me.. Wanting to feel our mates touch to soothe us... My wolf wanted her mate no matter the consequences but I was on a different page. I don't act on instinct. She does.

The slight anger towards the she wolf was the only thing keeping me from falling apart... This was her fault..

"I'm sorry Nova but I don't think my brother is worthy of you. He can't ask you to wait.. Watching .. Hoping something happens because If it doesn't, you'll only think about that. The resentment of not being his first pup's mother would eat at your wolf... " he was right. The wolf side would never forget that.. And neither would I. She would look at that pup as a menace..

Shaking me head, I kept the battle between my heart and my head at a minimum..

I am not going to think about the what ifs... I need to live in the now.

As we made our way out of the clearing toward the pack house, I felt a warming sensation over my entire form. Finding his eyes instantly, Zaryn was near the lake with a crying Grace. He seemed agitated with her but once his eyes found mine, they softened. My heart sped up as we couldn't take our eyes off each other..

That is, until he noticed Deacon's hand still intertwined with mine.. His face contorted to one of fury as he stood, back straight, hands closing into tight fists at his side.

"Deacon let go." I whispered.

Deacon frowned at me before looking up, seeing his brother .. Glaring at him as his nostrils flared, veins popping out of his flawless tan flesh. Anger radiated from him and a growl could be heard yards away from where he stood.

i let go of Deacon, walking toward the pack house. Alone. He stood there, glaring at Zaryn with just as much intensity... Two brothers.. Fighting with each other over me. Deacon trying to protect me and Zaryn being insanely territorial...

I managed a peek at Grace who looked on at Zaryn with narrowed eyes before I looked away, not wanting to imagine her with my mate...

Walking inside, I decided to let it go. This wasn't my fight. I felt awful coming between two brothers but they both felt a sense of belonging towards me just in different ways. They needed to hash this out .. The two of them alone.

You don't come between two male wolves with something to prove..

Regardless of age.

Before the door even could close all the way, I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of crackling and shifting, followed by feral growls.. The ones that come from fighting wolves. ...

They were going to tear each other apart.

Turning, I bolted back outside into the sunlight, the sight before me sending me into a panic...

I screamed.