An elbow found its way into my ribs and i growled, turning to see Eden glaring at me.

"Oh. Now you pay attention."

Jazz looked at me with a broken expression.. hurt in her eyes at how i was treating her. "Im sorry Nic."

Rolling my eyes, i took Edens hand, "whatever. Come on, Eden... before you bust an ovary. Lets go find our spot." I ushered her away from the fire, leaving Jazz standing alone by the fire. I would forgive her eventually.

But not today.

I walked Eden toward a picnic table where my parents were sitting.. she was berating me the way there on how i treated Jazz and how im 'such a meanie.'

Every now and then, as i was ignoring her, I would pick up on a conversation as we passed through the pack.. wolves wanting to know where Zaryn has been hiding.. when they can challenge him.. how weak he must be now to hide..

I tried to hold in my laughter as i helped Eden into the bench seat next to my mom before filing in behind her. Everyones eyes were on our guest of honor tonight.

"Eden, you look beautiful." Mom smiled at Eden lovingly.

She blushed. "Thanks Dahlia."

Eden has always been my sisters friend.. it was a little weird telling my parents i got her pregnant but... they were happy it was her and not Grace, although, my parents did express to me Grace is my moon given mate.. that she could be saved.. given better training.. make her into a worthy wolf.

I agreed with that.

"Good thing Blake isnt here for this." Dad laughed under his breath, his eyes trained on the Alpha who was now joking and laughing with his General, Gabriel.. the one who had come here to train Zaryn.

Mom turned to dad, confusion written all over her petite features, "What do you mean?"

Dad smirked, his eyes glinting as he leaned in to whisper, "Penelope is Alpha Maxims second cousin. Maxim hates Blake. He thinks its hilariois he cant be at his own pack barbecue because of the issues with the pack.."

This reminded me. My turn to play gossip girl, "And did you know that Gabriel is Penelopes true mate? Hes the one she rejected once finding out Nyra died. So she could be a Luna."

Everyones eyes went wide at what I had just said.

"What!?" Mom stood up from her seat, her face contorting into shock.. appalled at this . Dad pulled her back in her seat, his glare turning hard.

"Dahlia! " he whisper-yelled, "dont cause a scene. Not here. You dont know this wolf." He growled out, eyes darting over to Alpha Maxim.

As if on cue, a male brushed past Maxim and Gabriel, slightly knocking into Maxim.. clearly on accident.

A loud rumble came from his chest as he turned, grabbing the male up by the collar, his wolf coming out.. snarling at him before throwing him across the yard, feet away. Gasps were heard all around and the space around Maxim became even bigger.

I just stared, bewildered.

Now that's one crazy ass Alpha.

My wolf was communicating to me that he wanted nothing to do with the monster. I could agree on that.

Mom and dad began whispering harshly to one another.. mom angry from the gossip i let them in on.. his eyes narrowing at me saying 'look what you've done now.' Mom and Nyra were best friends. Blake too.

I hadn't been paying attention but i suddenly felt a presence of power looming over me. Glancing over at Eden, her head was craned up.. eyes in wonder.

I turned, eyes moving upward to see Alpha Maxim standing directly behind me with Gabriel at his side.. the two beefy wolves enjoying the meat table a little ways away.

His eyes glinted mischievously .. crystal eyes so clear as if they were tropical oceans.. tattoos running completely up his entire exposed arms.. a smile playing on his lips as he scanned Eden's form.

"Hello. Dont think I've had the pleasure of meeting you." His eyes were on her.... playful.. his tone deep yet soft for the female sitting below him. Maxim made a quick glance at me, smirking before turning back to Eden to sat there with red lips parted.. her eyes dialating from sensing the power he secreted. She was becoming drunk on it.

Does that happen around Zaryn?

I was feeling agitated...this male was getting on my nerves.

She stood, and suddenly i felt her own power.. the power the moon gifted her. She was releasing it and it was drawing me in.. like mystic tentacles wrapping around me. her eyes becoming more focused.. narrowing up at him. Eden wasn't going to fall for his charms afterall.

A dark chuckle left the Alpha's throat.. "Ah. I see we have an Alpha female here. My mistake. And which family do you belong to? Are you Blakes too?" He spared me another glance, my dad rumbling out his disapproval.

Eden let her wolf peer out.. growling low. angry. "im an oracle you dipshìt."

Now that i think about it.. i dont think ive ever even seen Eden's wolf

Maxim's eyes went wide.. a sudden interest sparked inside them. "An oracle?"

He didnt even linger on the dipshìt comment. My wolf didnt like him taking interest in her.. she was carrying my pup. I was responsible for her.

Eden crossed her arms. "Yes. Is that a problem? Are you going to throw me across the backyard too?" Her brow rose.

He laughed lightly, a brilliant grin spreading ear to ear as he shook his head, taking her hand which made me feel uneasy.

"I would never do that to a female." He brought her hand up to his lips, placing a kiss gently on her knuckles. "I apologise about my previous comment. I have never met an oracle so young. I was beginning to think they were all born old ladies." He laughed.

And what do you know.. Eden laughed too.. a blush spreading across her cheeks.

Thats it.

A let out a warning growl, my wolf nor i very happy at the moment as i stood. Maxim let Edens hand go.. his eyes meeting mine... challenging me. "Does this female belong to you? I dont see a mark." He cocked his head.

Eden piped up before i could say anything, "Oracles dont have mates."

Maxim grinned.

My hackles raised.. fur puffing outward, "no. Im not her mate. But i knocked her up. We got a sonogram picture of the little guy today. Would you like to see?" My turn to raise a brow.

Eden's jaw visibly clenched as Maxim's eyes went wide.. dropping his gaze to her abdomen. "Well then." He cleared his throat. "I guess i dont have to ask permission to ask if you'd like to accompany me to my table?" His eyes roved up her body, smiling at her. He was playing with me.

I didnt like this male. Letting the wolf peer out, i growled loudly.. my teeth coming out. I'd fight this Alpha over my pup.. and i didnt care if i lost. He would respect my pup..

Maxim chuckled as everyone went quiet.. stepping over to face me.. a darkness in his eyes. Devious. Feral.

Before he could say a word, the entire pack barbecue began gasping.. but not at us. Everyone stood like a wave... bodies turned away from us. Maxim and I both frowned at each other.. turning to see what everyone had gotten so surprised over.

You may play the song now XD

Right next to the bonfire, by the edge of the forrest, out walked Zaryn. His large body, shirtless.. wearing only sweatpants. Muscles tensing as he moved . His tattoos curling around his body and one new one sitting fresh on his skin. His frame was outlined by the background of the fire.. seeming as if he was walking right out of hell.. a slow pace. Each step so condifent.. head turned down but those eyes..

His blue eyes were menacing.. scanning the crowd.

I could only imagine what these wolves were thinking...they havent seen his progress like i have.

Hundreds of wolves standing, staring as he walked right up to the buffet table and began making him a plate as if nothing had happened these past months... every muscle tense.. jaw ticking. Ready for a fight. I could smell the testosterone he was putting out.

"Well well well." Maxim smirked, crossing his arms. Watching. None of us could take our eyes off of him.

It was extremely quiet.

Zaryn's eyes flashed, looking up from where he was making his plate as if it were any regular pack barbecue. He peered into the eyes of every wolf he could see, pausing.. tonges in the air as he rose a brow.

"Doooooes anyone have a problem?" His deep voice bellowed out for the entire pack to hear.

Gabriel shook his head, "Ah shīt." He walked off toward Zaryn.. whispering in his ear once he reached him. Zaryn smirked, whispering something back to him before eyeing the shocked crowd, setting his plate down. He stepped away from Gabriel who shrugged his shoulders and reached for his cell phone from his pocket.