"What do you want me to do?" He whispered in my hair so no one else would hear.

I turned my face to his neck, inhaling that comforting scent. "Leave it alone. Its not his fault. He didn't know her heat was coming. Couldn't sense it. I don't know what will happen... But don't do anything yet okay?" My voice was weak... I felt weak.. Drained..

"Okay Nova. Just say the words and its over. I'll fight for you " he rasped. It seemed I had two males willing to fight for my honor. Two highly respected males. Any she wolf would feel puffed up over this, I just felt .. Emotional.

A warm hand covered my shoulder and I turned my head , seeing dad's somber face. He glanced over at Nic. "Just let it go Nicolas. I'll talk with you about it later."

Nic nodded, turning to look at Zaryn who just stood there with misery written all over him. His words came out loud enough for the whole pack to hear.

"Zaryn as of right now, I won't fight you. But we aren't friends. Not until this whole mess is over and you do the right thing by my sister." He bellowed.

Zaryn nodded twice before pulling himself off the brick wall and pushing his way through the throng of wolves who made an opening for him to pass. Judgmental eyes assessing him as he moved through them. Their future leader had made a mistake.. A dire one.

Dad snapped his eyes up at Alpha Blake who looked on at us, standing tall, head held high. Dad walked over to him slowly.. Hands clenched in fists by his sides. I could barely hear what he said . "we need to have a talk." Alpha nodded and turned, walking toward the pack house with dad in tow.

Luna Penelope scanned the crowd before clapping. "Alright show is over. Can we start the celebration now? All of you back to what you were doing. We don't want this food to go to waste!" She gave a tight smile to the wolves, ordering them to enjoy themselves.

Everyone shuffled, moving around and Nic grabbed my hand, sending me a strained smile. His eyes were glassy as if there were tears he wanted to shed for me but couldn't. He didn't want this for me.. To see me in pain. He was my protector. As we walked toward the bonfire, mated females came up to me.. Most older than I. I stared at them with confusion before a cheek was pressed to mine, hands touching my shoulders and arms. As one female left, another would come, mixing their scent with mine in acceptance... They felt awful.

"We are so sorry you are having to go through this Nova. We didn't know what was happening. We didn't know the pain you've been in... I'm sorry ." Another female said to me before pressing her cheek to mine. My throat became thick, a lump forming inside. All the emotions I was feeling right now were undescribable.. I felt accepted.. Understood. As each female came to me, my heart felt a little less painful... Still broken.. But a little less hurt. The support these females were giving me made me feel like I had a chance.. Like I had people on my side.

"Thank you." I whispered to them. As the last female passed me, I was feeling a feeling I've never felt.. Having all those females give their support to me. I choked on the emotions, tears spilling from my eyes. Nic stood by, a smile ghosting over his lips. I walked over to him, grasping his hand in mine once again as I wiped the tears away with the other.

"Thank you Nic." I leaned my head against his arm.

He publicly made Zaryn tell him the truth for my benefit. He knows how cruel wolves can be. Especially females. He ensured I didn't look at fault.. He helped me.. Like he always does.

"Its nothing. Let's go enjoy this party now.. Well try to anyway. I just have one more question... "

I glanced up into his emerald eyes.

"Where is Deacon and how is he handling this?"

I frowned, "actually he was very upset... Zaryn attacked him the other day when he saw me holding his hand.. Deacon fought his brother for me.. Both of them wound up at Doc's with injuries.. I'm forbidden to see Deacon now because its making Zaryn's wolf unstable and it could be harmful to the pack... And Grace." I whispered the last, head going down in shame.

"Alpha Blake ordered you not to have contact with him??" His voice was a little loud and appalled. My eyes skated around the scene to make sure no one was watching, I nodded my head. "Zaryn asked him to."

His jaw clenched, teeth scraping against each other. Fists by his side a low rumble came from his chest, rumbling my insides as well. "I'll handle that. How dare he ban you from seeing your best friend while Zaryn parades his pregnant whore around." He spat. My eyes grew large as I shook my head. "Please. Just let it be. I'll be fine."

"No!" He snapped at me making me flinch. "Its not okay. He has no rights to you at the moment. Alpha Blake knows that .. I will challenge Zaryn if he doesn't remove that ban." He growled.

I cringed inwardly. "Okay okay but can we just ... Enjoy your party first?" I pleaded up at him with big eyes.. Begging him to let it be for now.

After a moment of studying my face he gave me a short nod, not too happy about it. But at least for now we can pretend like everything is normal.

Nic led me over to the bonfire, unmated females around us sending smiles and posturing themselves to Nic. He didn't even glance at them twice. One female had the courage to come up to us, batting her eyes lashes as her hand rested on Nic's shoulder.