"Did you find your mate? Are you embarrassed to tell?" That smirk broadened and I had to control my wolf from bristling at him.

"No." I looked down, hoping he would take that as my answer to both.. Which I really only meant no I wasn't embarrassed to tell him.. I was embarrassed about the situation. Angry.

He needed to enjoy himself first.

He sighed, kicking at a rock in our path as we made our way down the hill toward the party. "Don't worry. You'll find him one day. And I'll find mine too." A soft smile found its way to his mouth and I just smiled back. I wanted him to be happy.

I felt guilty for not checking on the brothers today but since I wasn't allowed around Deacon anymore and Zaryn had pissed me off , it was better to just stay away. Zaryn would know once I entered the doc's office.

I watched the backyard of the packhouse bloom to life as we made our way down to the clusters of wolves .. There was a bonfire, a large table filled with tons of food. A welcome home sign and many unmated she wolves prancing around in bikinis, playing in the water at the shore of the lake. Music blared around the clearing and wolves were swimming up to the shore to greet Nic. Young pups ran around on two legs, chasing after one another laughing as their parents tried to reign them in.

"Nic!!!" Jasmine screamed, bounding her way over to Nic as we approached the party, her long ebony hair flowing behind her.. light brown skin glowing. She was beautiful.. exotic with her green eyes.

He caught her as she jumped up in his arms, giving him a huge hug. Jasmine was Nic's best friend. Jasmine,.. or better known as Jazz, grew up with us as well. She had always been around Nic and they were always best friends.. No romantic views on each other at all whatsoever.

"Hey jazzy" he chuckled, spinning her around. I looked on, noticing some she wolves looking at their actions with narrowed eyes. Nic had a fan club for sure. I just hope no one would notice me...

Jazz hopped off, giving me a sad smile. "Hey Nova. How are you doing?"

I hoped she wouldn't say a word. "Great! I have my brother back!" I plastered a fake smile to my face, her brow arching, understanding.

"Yeah. I think were all glad he's home. You've developed some sort of a fan club Nic. The females have been getting ready all day for your arrival." She snorted.

Alpha Blake and Luna Penelope came to greet Nic with big hugs and the pressing of cheeks. "Hey big man. How have you been?" Alpha slapped him on the back a few times as they greeted each other.

"I'm Good old man. Ready to take down all my competition after next year. I'm just waiting on that challenge." His eyes glowed , his smile broad, no teeth.

"That a boy." Alpha ruffled his hair.

Nic went on to greet the females waiting for him before greeting his friends.. I watched on as they acted like juveniles, eyes on the females as they postured themselves to the males.

I rolled my eyes. Jasmine was still standing beside me.

"Are you going to tell him?" She glanced at me.

"Yeah. We just want him to have a good time first before the drama starts." I admitted, watching how my brother worked the crowd. He looked around, as if searching for someone. Too bad that someone wouldn't be here tonight.

"Good idea." Jasmine whispered.

She walked off, leaving me to myself. I wasn't prepared for what would happen if I was left alone. I didn't want everyone staring at me.. Feeling sorry for me.. Laughing at me.

I had no friends here... I had wolves who were friendly to me because of my brother but no actual friends. Deacon was my friend. And Eden... But Eden wasn't our pack anymore.

A circuit of tingles ran through my body, making my skin come to life. I felt goosebumps on my flesh from the back of my legs all the way up my body to my head. I knew that feeling.

I cringed inwardly despite the pleasure that his watching me gave me..

Nic was going to know..

I turned slowly, seeing Zaryn standing there, his wounds fully healed now.

When did that happen?

He kept his focus on me, slowly walking toward me. I glanced back, seeing Nic busy talking with his friends so I immediately jogged up the path towards the pack house, closing the distance between Zaryn and myself. I grabbed his wrist, pulling him to the side of the house in the mudroom. His skin set mine on fire.. Tingles everywhere. I quickly let him go once we were obscured from the curious eyes of wolves.

"Zaryn what are you doing here?" I searched his eyes which were glued to my form.. Scanning me. His fists were clenched so tight, jaw clenched as well.. He would break his teeth if he wasn't careful.

"We just got released. Our healing sped up. I needed to explain to your brother before he found out.. And I wanted to see you."

The nerve..

"No Zaryn. Let him enjoy his party. This will start a war." I pleaded up at him. Being around him had my wolf surging, wanting to be present to meet him.. To claim him. He was hers.

His eyes closed, inhaling the air. He pressed his body to mine, nose dipping into My neck, touching my skin causing me to gasp. It was like fire on ice... His touch was magnetic and I was the magnent. I could feel my insides turn to liquid, becoming excited from his close proximity. He inhaled my scent, a shiver quaking through his body.

"You have no idea what your scent does to me." His hot breath warmed my neck, lips pressing into the skin, a moan escaping my lips. My knees wobbled as I fought my wolf, needing to take control of this.

He needed to stop this.

"Zaryn. No." My voice broke, letting him know my body didnt really want this to stop. But my mind did.

Large hands melded into the flesh at my hips, pressing into them as he brought me closer to his body, our forms fitting each other perfectly.

His tongue came out, tasting my skin, the place he would have marked had he not have done what he did. My body trembled, relishing his touch. His scent was pleasing... He was giving off pheromones, his wolf eager to mark me.

"Stop." I took a step back from him, pulling my wolf back , trying to ignore the pull I felt toward him... I reminded myself he has someone else right now. Someone who is carrying his pup.

He looked at me with sad yet lustful blue eyes. "Nova-"

"No Zaryn. You need to stop. We can't be like this. It hurts me.. My heart. Do you know what Nic will do when-"

I was cut off by commotion coming from outside.

Quickly, I ducked past Zaryn and rushed outside , looking to see what was happening.

Zaryn followed and as we rounded the house in view of the party, I saw Nic yelling at someone before his eyes locked on zaryn's with a fire in them like I've never seen.

"Shit. Shit shit shit."