He loosened his arms, allowing me to move back and wipe the tears from my eyes. His eyes were rimmed red but there were no tears to be found. My dad didn't cry. He just didn't.

But the emotions he was feeling was getting to him. He stopped it before it came.

"What am I supposed to do?" I begged him with my eyes to give me some kind of answer... Anything that could give me a way out of this entrapment my heart felt.

He shook his head sadly. "I don't know baby. I wish I could tell you. When Blake and I were juveniles, we used to think what it would be like when we found our mates.. We'd have pups and we always hoped one of our pups would be mates. We were always best friends Nova.. I just always thought you and Deacon might have a chance. You were always joined at the hip from a young age. But I would see how you and Zaryn would look at each other.. Steal glances. No one can tell who their mate will be before both have shifted but I've always understood you find yourself liking that person far before you really know. I just was never sure. Neither was Blake. And now.. With all this that's happened.. He feels awful.. Bitter that this she wolf is carrying his bloodline and isn't his sons mate.. Bitter that you are having to go through this when you are like a child to him as well... He doesn't want this as much as I don't, but Zaryn is tied to do the right thing and wait it out. Grace's father demanded it. He may not have a pack as strong as ours but he's still an alpha and we have to abide by the laws of wolves." He soothed my arms, rubbing them as he spoke. I just nodded, dismissing the tear that fell from my eye.

"Just try to remember that it's a good chance all this will go away and disappear.. We all just have to wait. The mate bond between you two wont be ignored by the moon. We just have to wait and see." His words fell upon deaf ears as I imagined what life would have been like if she hadn't come.. Or if I was mated to Deacon.. Usually though, in the mated pair.. The male was always a few years older. Only occasionally would they ever be the same age.

I gave a small reassuring smile. I would get through this with my family. I wouldn't hide anymore...

"Its ok dad. Ill be ok" I reached up, kissing his cheek.

His smile still didn't reach his eyes. "Ok princess. In going back home to check on your mom. Your brother is coming home tomorrow."

My ears perked at this. I could feel my wolf jumping for joy at the thought of her brother coming back. Nic has been away at a southern pack learning skill sets for the future beta position. They will all have to compete for it though... Our family has a long standing line of Betas... He wouldn't be beat but they'd try.

Nic is also best friends with Zaryn....which is going to make this complicated..

I watched my dad walk around the bend of the dirt road, daylight barely there to illuminate the path. Turning on my heel, I went for the front door but it swung open in time to reveal a puffy eyed Grace. Her brown eyes narrowed when they landed on me and I couldn't control the rumble that left my chest as we locked onto each other.

I felt my hair raise at the back of my neck as I bristled at her pointed glare. Her eyes were so swollen from crying all day.. Her slim tall figure slightly shaking with anger as she took me in.

"You. You stay out of my way and away from Zaryn!" Her threat was low, begging me to lash out at her. A growl erupted, my wolf wanting to take this female out. I wouldn't let it happen.. I stayed in control. A smirk played at the corner of my mouth and I felt the urge to put this older she wolf in her place.

I was the designed future Luna. Not her.

"What are you smirking at?! Zaryn got hurt because of you!!" Her raspy voice barked.

I nodded. "Yes. He got hurt because the mate bond is so hard to deny that every bone in his body, every nerve in his mind screamed out to claim me. His jealousy runs deep now that we feel the bond. Lets get something straight." I narrowed my eyes at her, anger rolling off me as I struggled to reel it in. "You are just a visitor. Not a member. You were a mistake. He said so himself. I grew up with these two.. I was hand picked by the moon to be his mate... The future Luna of this pack. Your child won't make it ... The mate bond is too strong." With every small step I took, she took a step back.

"Every time he is around me, that will mean more of a pull toward me. No illegitimate unborn pup could withstand that. Its only a matter of time. And after it happens you'll be sent home with shame and I will be with Zaryn.. My destined mate." I growled low, daring her to say something.

I didn't make up my mind yet on if I would be with him so quickly if the miscarriage happened or not... But a mate bond is sacred.

She was angry.

I couldn't control my mouth.. It was my wolf's mind speaking. Id never show how much doubt I actually felt.. How it killed me to think I may be jilted out of having my rightful place.

Her nostrils flared as she pursed her thin lips.."I have alpha blood. Our pup is strong. I can feel him. He will make it and what then? He will have no choice to mark me." She wasn't being mean.. Her words were truth meant to hurt.

I shook my head. "He won't. And you have a mate out there somewhere that you deceived with you're easy open legs. You should have known better. I dont know what your game is but I'll find out soon enough." My green eyes narrowed on her as I brushed past her into the doctor's office. I could make out her parting statement.

We shall see. Dont even think of visiting Zaryn. I'll know.

"Oh well" I retorted, slamming.the door.

Making my way towards the rooms, I decided on seeing Zaryn first since she was gone and I could hug my best friend before I left without worry.. My wolf pulled me to him.

I opened the door slowly, the image of him all cut up and bandaged broke me... My wolf whimpered inside my head at the sight of her mate...

"Zaryn?" My voice was small

Those blue skies met mine and the word that left his lips, agony in his eyes, had me trembling with fear.

"I need to tell you something...."