I stared at Zaryn lying in the hospital bed, wounds covered in bandages that were stained with crimson..

His wounds were healing slowly but they would heal.

I stared wide eyed filled with fear as his raspy voice echoed through my mind..

"I have something to tell you..."

My lips parted as I tried to keep my bottom lip from trembling.. Sorrow in his eyes told me this wouldn't be good..

Walking in silently, I closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. I could smell anxiety rolling off of him in waves..

My own body giving off the same scent

Sitting on the chair beside his bed, I looked into those eyes blue as the purest ocean.. Sorrowful .

"Nova. " his hoarse voice whispered. .

"You don't want me around you anymore do you." I stifled the sob as I looked away from him. I wouldn't cry. I couldn't.

"Nova... No. Its just... I can't have you around Deacon anymore. Its causing problems with my wolf ."

Anger rose into me like a phoenix ready to burst into flames.. I felt a low growl through my chest as my head whipped to face him.

"You what?" I growled out. My wolf didn't like his command when she saw Deacon as family... As her pack member. Her mate got another pregnant. He lost all authority in telling me what to do...

Zaryn's eyes narrowed at the obvious ruffling of my fur, fire in my eyes.

I glared down with my own green eyes. "Zaryn I don't think you have any authority to tell me what I can do. You lost that privilege.. I am not mated to you. You are having a pup with another female." My words were low and deathly as I felt the anger pulsating inside me.

His nose flared, taking in the scent of anger I gave off. He smirked.

"Nova .. My father has approved it. You being around Deacon sets off My wolf. Its unhealthy for the pack to witness as well..... as for... Grace." His smirk turned down into an uncomfortable sadness. A frown crossed my features at the mention of her name.

"Why would it matter to you if Grace is upset. I thought you didn't care about her?" I was getting irritated.. He said he didn't care .

His eyes found mine, apologetic. "I don't... But.. My pup. If she's going to miscarry I don't want to be the cause of it. Its something .. A feeling I can't control. My wolf wants you but he knows we are going to be a father and he has an urge to protect the pup. My wolfing out isn't going to do that. I can't explain it without hurting you..." His voice cracked at the end.

I inhaled, taking a deep breath, smelling the sadness that came from his wolf side..

I understood. An expecting parent wanted their pup safe no matter who the other parent was. Its instinct but it hurt

Tears formed in my eyes.. I can't seem to stop them anymore despite my promises. I am too emotional for this.

"Zaryn. He's all I have. You have someone else and he's all that keeps me together." I felt the warm liquid run down my cheeks , my sinuses clogging in that familiar way I've become so used to.

Zaryn glared, eyes darkening. "You have me."

Standing, my mouth fell open as I gawked at him.

"I have you!?!? No I don't! She has you! She's carrying your pup, demanding your Mark!"

"I won't give her that." His eyes blurred as well.

I felt my shattered heart cut deeper in my chest, the pieces lodging themselves into my lungs. "Maybe not.. But you're asking me to watch you two together.. To be alone and watch. To stay away from my only real friend. All because you can't stand it!?!? Well do what everyone else does to me With Grace! Keep away !!! They look at me, fearful I will shift and rip her limb to limb because I'm a new shifter and think I can't control My wolf.."

His eyes softened. "Most newly shifting wolves can't Nova. Not even when we get older and experience something like jealousy..." He had enough empathy to look sheepish at his own mistake .

I paced the room, feeling cagey all of a sudden. My mind was a wave of scenarios that could play out in my head... Finally I looked up, wiping the tears from my face.

"Is this really the alpha's request or yours?" My lips pursed, thinking he had no real say in this.

He looked down, "I asked him to order you."

Fire.

I was pumping fire through my veins. Stalking toward him with purpose, I felt my canines descend as I rose my hand and slapped him across the face. He let me. He could have easily stopped me.

"How dare you!!!!" The anger turned to agony.. I cry when I'm angry. Its something I can't control... My hands shook..

He pleaded at me with those blue eyes to understand as I stood there shaking in rage and sorrow. "Nova it breaks Me. I know there's nothing there but my wolf is threatened by it..."

I turn on my heel, too disgusted to say another word to him, I reached for the door ready to go see Deacon when Zaryn's words stopped me.

"Nova.. Remember when we were kids? And you and Deacon were always running around.. Chasing each other, tackling each other like little wolves .. Playfully barking because you wanted to be a wolf already?"

His words has me smiling as I remembered back to those days.. Days when Zaryn would babysit us .. We were 8.. He was 12. He would always make fun of us...

"I remember." I whispered loud enough for him to hear, my hand backing away from the door handle as I turned.. Feeling that exquisite feeling of his eyes over my skin. It sent me into a state of lust. Always. Feeling his eyes rake down my body. I was well developed for my age. I knew he liked what he saw.