Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

10 years old.

I have to get away from the boring lecture my mother is trying to jam into my siblings and I’s heads. I lock eyes with Frost, silently pleading for him to distract our mother so I can escape. He’s five years older than I am, with silver hair and far more patient with our mother than I am. I’m bored and don’t want to be inside, there’s two feet of snow outside and it’s still snowing. I need to be outside, I hate being inside. Frost stares at me, annoyance on his pale face. His bright blue eyes slide to the door behind Buz. Buz has deep blue eyes and choppy silver hair, he’s seven years older than me and is also giving me an annoyed look. Frost asks a question that I miss but our mother Khione, turns towards him with her ‘see all’ light grey eyes.

I move quickly and I’m out the door in seconds, shifting into my Wolf skin. I duck low and move through the snow carefully but quickly. I have to get as far away as possible before she notices I’m gone or else she’ll catch me. That’s the last thing that I want. I turn towards the Fall border, Sparrow should be running his border around this time. I hope I didn’t miss him, he understands my hate for learning to be a leader. Not that it’s confirmed that I will be the Alpha, (I highly doubt I will be) mother just likes all of us to be prepared just in case. So all of my siblings and I have to learn the proper way of leading the pack. The snow is thicker and deeper the closer I get to the Fall border, I shouldn’t be surprised but I am. I always forget that they are tucked in between two mountains so the snow kind of piles on top of them. I belong to the Winter pack, one of the strongest packs in the world.

Our Winter pack is super social, they throw parties and hold big events. I’m the opposite, I hate everything social, I’d much rather be alone than around others. Ilgar, who is only three years older than me, says that I have a lone Wolf energy and I need to change it. I don’t want to change it, but I have to learn because my pack is never going to change. There are four other packs near my pack. The Fall pack, our closest neighbors and our strongest allies, they’re super social and thrive in chaos. It’s probably why my pack is so close to them. The Bloodhound pack, I’ve never met one of them before, their land is right behind the Fall pack. They stay on their land and don’t interact with other packs often, they’re very antisocial.

The Spring pack, we have a kind of tentative alliance with them, they don’t bother us, we don’t bother them. Mother says that we don’t have issues with them but we won’t ever be close to them because they are allied with the Summer pack. The Summer pack, is our enemy, they have been for decades. It started long before my mother was born, it just got worse after she and the Summer Alpha got into it. I know nothing about them, mother refuses to talk about them to me, my brothers won’t talk about them either so I don’t even know what color their Wolves are or their names. I come to a sudden stop, this isn’t the Fall border, where the hell am I?

A deep golden Wolf pops his head out of a pile of snow, I jump backwards. Hell! I didn’t even notice he was there! He tilts his head and watches me, oh I don’t even know what to do. Maybe running out on my mother wasn’t the best idea. “I think you’re in the wrong place little white Wolf.” His tone is soft, not lining up with his words.

My heart pounds in my chest, what the fuck am I supposed to do now? “I may have gotten lost in the snow.” I respond and take a step back, I don’t want him to think I’m a threat and attack me. My defense training is going well but I’m not yet ready for an actual fight and I don’t want my first with someone who is three times my size.

“It is easy to get lost in it, my older brother got lost yesterday and my sister had to go and find him.” The golden Wolf shakes off the snow piled on him and moves towards me, I take another step back and he stops moving towards me. “I’m not going to hurt you little white Wolf.”

“Forgive me for not trusting a stranger.” My tone is stiff, I know that. But I can’t help it, all of my instincts are telling me to run far, far away and I don’t know why.

“Fair enough. My name is Silas, I’m thirteen. There, I’m no longer a stranger.” The golden Wolf sits back on his hunches and waits. If he expects me to give him my name he’s out of his mind.

“You are still a stranger, your age and name mean nothing.”

“Ouch. Fine, where are you supposed to be heading?” Silas asks, his Wolf face scrunched up and annoyed.

“The Fall border.” It takes me a lot longer than it should to realize I’m crouched down, tail tucked between legs and ears pinned back against my head. Fuck! He’s going to think I’m a submissive baby.

Silas slowly lays down and rests his head on the snow, a nonthreatening position. “You’ve passed it, actually crossed it twice.”

I wince, that means I’m either in the Spring pack or the Summer pack. “My name is Dawn.” Lie, my name is Snow but I can’t tell him that. Most know Khione’s kids names and I don’t want him to attack me because of who my mother is, if he is from the Summer pack.

“Okay Dawn, do you want me to take you back to the Fall border?” His tail is wagging slightly, he’s happy that I gave him something.

I’m not sure how I feel about that. “You’d take me to the Fall border?” Okay maybe I should’ve taken the surprise out of my voice before speaking.

“Yes. You’re lost and shouldn’t be out here alone.” Silas’s ears are twitching, I’m not sure why and it’s kind of making me nervous.

“You’re not going to trick me or try to attack me?” I gotta know before I agree to go anywhere with this strange male. I mean he could still lie but I’ve gotten pretty good at telling when people lie.

“I promise I won’t, I just need to make sure you get home safe.” He thinks I’m from Fall? Well it’s better than from Winter. Fall has a semi good relationship with both Summer and Spring so this is fine, it’s all fine. And it doesn’t seem like he’s lying but fuck I’m nervous as hell.

“I would like that very much.” I force myself to relax my body, Silas stands and moves towards me.

“Okay Dawn, follow me.” I hesitate and then follow Silas. He’s bigger than I thought he was up close, he’s only thirteen and already massive. “How old are you?”

“Ten.” Silas stops walking and turns towards me in surprise.

“You’re ten?” The shock is in his voice is kind of offending.

“Yes, I know I’m small for my age but I’m ten I promise.” I’m the runt of the litter, I know it, doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“Oh. Sorry I’ve just never seen a Wolf your size at your age.” Silas starts walking again. “I haven’t seen a white Wolf from any pack either.”

“White Wolves are rare, I’m the odd ball all around.” Don’t ask me more about it, please don’t. Silas flicks his eyes back to me but doesn’t respond. It’s probably for the best that he doesn’t say anything, my feelings are easily hurt. White wolves are common in regular wolves but for Shifters, it’s extremally rare. No one knows why white Wolves aren’t born in Shifters. There has only been four recorded in the world, I’m the fifth one and no one outside of the Winter and Fall pack know I exist. Not even the Elven clan behind the Winter pack know about me. Now some strange Wolf from the Spring or Summer pack knows about me and I’m trying really hard not to freak the fuck out. Suddenly a dark purple Wolf bounds over to us, I crouch down and snarl softly.

The dark purple Wolf freezes, Silas eyes me and then goes over to the other Wolf. They look like they’re speaking to one another, so I stay low on the snow. Slightly terrified that Silas called this Wolf to help kill me. “Dawn?” Silas calls to me, right told him my name was Dawn.

“This is Cedar, he’s a friend of mine.” He’s a Spring Wolf, Cedar is the son of the Spring Alpha. Does that mean Silas is from the Spring pack?

“Oh.” I rise from my crouched stance. “I’m trying to get back to the Fall border.”

“It’s not far from here. I guess I’ll walk with you guys.” Cedar bounces over to me, he’s only four years older than me and stupid massive. I step away from him and eye him wearily.

Cedar might be a friendly face but that doesn’t mean I trust him to be that close to me. “Okay but please don’t get that close to me.”

“Oh. Sorry. I forget that females are always weary of males. Though no one has explained why, Amaryllis just says ‘leave strange females alone, don’t jump out at them or I’ll claw your face off.’ I didn’t mean to unsettle you.” And Cedar talks a lot.

“Well better not tell her about meeting me or you’ll get your face clawed off.” I snark as we start walking, Cedar snorts and Silas trips over his paws.

“I like you. Do you know why females are weary of males?” Cedar is bouncing while he walks, is he always like this?

“Because you’re bigger than us, half the time you’re stronger than us, most of the time you don’t listen to what we say, most of the time you all have tempers and don’t handle them well. So to us, males are dangerous and it’s better to be safe rather than sorry.” I inform him, it’s better that he knows that sooner than later.

“Oh. I suppose that makes sense.” Cedar stops bouncing, I don’t know what that means but I feel like it’s similar to when birds stops singing, it usually means danger or something like that, I don’t remember but I don’t like it.

“And now we’re done talking about that.” Silas cuts in, thank god. I did not want to talk about it anymore. “We’re almost at the Fall border.” I duck my head, I’m tired of being around these two, they are a lot. And it hasn’t even been that long with both of them.

I’m not good at talking to people and they talk a lot. I spot the Fall border and Sparrow running it, thank god! I stop walking and turn to the males, who also stop. “Thank you for bringing me here, I see my friend and I’m safe now.”

“Do you want us to walk you over there?” Silas asks, he looks like he wants to follow me to the border. Which is just a no.

“No. I think my friend would freak out seeing me with two strange males.” I put some forced humor into my tone.

“Ah right okay. Well, hopefully you don’t get lost again but I do hope to see you again.” Silas bumps his nose into my hip, I flick my tail over his face. Cedar crouches down next to me and pushes his nose into my chest, I drop my chin onto his head before backing away. That was way to strange, I know most Wolves are very touchy-feely but not to strangers and that was overly familiar treatment and we are not that. “Bye Dawn.” Both Cedar and Silas say.

“Goodbye males.” I dart away from them and head in the direction I saw Sparrow running in, glad to be away from them. I feel their eyes on me as I run, I ignore them and cross into the Fall border. I only look back when I know I’m hidden and see them finally leaving. I run faster and spot Sparrow plowing through the snow, I jump on his back and take him down.

“SNOW!” Sparrow snarls and throws me off of him. “What the fuck? Aren’t you supposed to be with your mother?” Sparrow is two years older than me, with light brown eyes and bright red fur. But like me, he’s the runt so he’s not that much bigger than I am. which we’ve bonded over.

“I snuck out of that, then got lost.” Sparrow shifts to his human skin and grabs my Wolf head.

“YOU GOT LOST?!” I let my Wolf skin fall away, the cold sinking into my body as my fur leaves.

“Yes. But I’m fine, I met two Spring Wolves and they helped me get back to your border. I sure as fuck wasn’t telling them I was from the Winter pack.” I grab Sparrow’s arms and try to pull his hands from my face but he doesn’t let go, I sigh.

“You’re not supposed to be seen by anyone Snow.” Sparrow narrows his light brown eyes at me.

“I know. Also I told them my name was Dawn. I lied. I lied to strangers. I spoke to strangers. It was weird.” Word vomit it is. Sparrow chuckles and hugs me to his body.

“You’ll be okay. We are not going to mention this to your mother or my parents. Ever.” Sparrow hugs me a little tighter before letting me go. “Want to run the border with me?” I nod and he shifts, I allow my body to change and run right behind him.

...

“Where have you been?!” My mother shouts as I walk into the house, I flinch and clutch my chest. “There was a white Wolf spotted in the Summer pack! The Spring, Summer and even the fucking Bloodhound pack are all asking questions I can’t answer! So tell me where you have been!” And I’m in trouble.

“I went to see Sparrow and got lost in the snow. Some Spring Wolves found me and brought me to the Fall border, they don’t know my name. I told them it was Dawn. I’m sorry mom, I just needed to see Sparrow.” I rush all of the words out, I watch as her anger turns into relief.

“Good. I will speak to the Fall pack. Now go see your brothers they are sparing. Viola is pouting because she is too small to spare with them.” Mother waves me away, I sigh and head to the back of the house. Buz, Frost, Ilgar and Viola are in the mat room, where we spare. Viola is in the corner, her storm blue eyes annoyed and locked onto our brothers as they spare. Her pixie cut silver hair is a mess, a complete opposite of mine own hair, that reaches my shoulder blades and braided neatly back to stay out of my way. Viola’s only eight and about my height even though she’s younger than me.

She’ll get used to being pushed to the sidelines, I have. All of my siblings have silver hair and some shade of blue eyes, me on the other hand have white hair and green eyes. I figured out when I was six that my father was different than the rest of my siblings. Even Viola has the same father as our brothers. They don’t know that my father is different than there’s, I asked our mom and told her that I didn’t think I was related to them. So she told me that they are my half siblings and to never tell them that. It would cause unneeded drama, so I haven’t told them or even hinted at it. I’m truly the odd ball of our entire family and pack. Sometimes I wonder why she doesn’t allow us to know our fathers. They’ve never met their father and I haven’t met mine, we don’t even know their names. “Are you just going to stand there watching us or are you going to come join us?” Ilgar asks, raising his brow at me.

“I’ll join, come on Viola. You can spare with me.” I push off the wall and Viola jumps to her feet.

Chapter Text

14 years old.
After rumors about the white Wolf went around, I was put under lock in key. I wasn’t allowed to leave the Winter pack lands, I’ve barely seen Sparrow in four years, I think I’ve seen him six times. And I’m done, I’ve been hidden, no one has seen me again so today, I’m breaking out of the box I’ve been put in. Viola is helping me, which if she’s not back in five minutes I’m going to think our planning has gone down the drain.
Thankfully her silver Wolf form rounds the corner and nods to me, I shift and follow behind her as we sneak out of the house. My heart pounds in my chest as we leave the house and head to the thickest part of the woods, I stop in a bush and Viola leaves. I have to wait till she gives me the signal that our mother and brothers are distracted. 
Minutes pass slowly but then I feel Viola nudge my mind, good they’re busy and I can leave. I slip out of the bush and start running, thankfully most of the pack is training right now so I don’t have to worry about any of them spotting me running away.

I find the Fall border and cross it, I know Sparrow’s running time has changed but what I don’t know is, when his new time is. I slow down, I don’t see him but I need to find him. I walk through the spring grass, looking around for any sign of Sparrow. A dark red Wolf jumps out at me, teeth flashing and a snarl ripping out of his throat. I crouch down low and give a low whine. Aspen stops moving and his dark brown eyes glares down at me. “What are you doing here Snow?” His deep rumbly voice vibrates through my head, he’s five years older than I am and Sparrow’s older brother.
“I need to see Sparrow.” I push out of my crouched stance and lift my head to meet Aspen’s dark brown eyes.

“You are supposed to be under lock and key, not here.” Aspen sits down, still glaring down at me. 

“I know that but I’m going out of my mind here and Sparrow is my sanity. So I need to see him.” I know I sound whiny but I can’t be hidden forever.

“The Spring pack Alpha is here. Along with his kids, you can’t be here Snow.” Aspen breathes, I stiffen. “I know it’s hard to be locked in, we’re not meant to be caged. But you are a rarity among Wolves, which means you are in danger. So you can’t be here Snow.”

“I just need to see Sparrow, for five minutes. Please Aspen.” I’m losing my mind, I came here for Sparrow and I need to see him. I’ll expose myself to all of the Spring pack if I need to, just to see my best friend. 

Aspen stares at me for a moment before he sighs. “Fine, but you need to hide and I’ll bring him to you. Come on.” An excited whine leaves me as I bounce over to Aspen and rub my body against his. Aspen snaps at my hip and I bounce away from him.

He leads me to a small underground cave and nudges me inside of it. “Thank you Aspen.”

“If I get in trouble for this, I’m blaming you.” Is his reply. I snort and lay down, I watch him hesitate before he turns back to me. “Do you ever think think that you and Sparrow are mates?”

“Excuse me?” Sparrow is not my fucking mate. I would know if he was.

“You both are weirdly attached to each other and struggle when you’re not with each other, it was just a question Snow.” Aspen eyes me, I glare at him.

“Sparrow is not my mate. He’s my best friend and he’s like a litter mate to me, not a bonded mate.” I explain calmly, even though he just needs to get Sparrow so I can leave before my mother notices I’m gone.

“Okay. I’ll go get him, stay here.” Aspen leaves and I roll onto my side and wait. I’m bored and it’s only been five minutes since Aspen left, I sigh and roll onto my stomach just as I hear a branch break. My head snaps up and I see a bright purple Wolf with bright pink eyes coming towards my little cave.

His eyes find me and he freezes, this is bad. “Hello.” His voice is soft, hesitant.

“Hi.” What else am I supposed to say?

“I didn’t think the rumors about a white Wolf were real.” He doesn’t come closer and I don’t leave my cave.

“Well no one is supposed to know I’m real.” Why did I say that?

“Oh. Well I won’t tell anyone about seeing you if you don’t tell anyone I’m hiding from the arguments going on between my father and the Fall Alpha.” I blink at the purple Wolf.

“Deal. You’re the Spring Alpha’s kid?” I rest my head on my paws.

“Yeah, Juniper. The rumors say yours is Dawn?” Third born kid of Rose and Osiris, the Alpha and Luna of the Spring pack.

“Yeah it is, I’m waiting for my friend and I’m not supposed to be out here. I don’t want to sound rude-“

“Oh no it’s fine. You’re not supposed to be seen and you’re waiting for someone, um do you know where another good place to hide would be?” Juniper cuts me off and shuffles his feet nervously. 

“Uh there’s another cave east of here, about ten minutes away.” If I wasn’t in Wolf skin I would smile at him. 

“Thank you Dawn. It was nice to meet you.” Juniper bows his head and trots away, I sigh and let my eyes fall closed.

“You know sneaking out, gets you into trouble. Did you learn nothing from last time you did this?” Sparrow’s voice makes my eyes snap open, I instantly shift and jump on top of him. “I missed you too.” His arms wrap around my body.

Fuck I missed him. “You have to find a way to spend more time in the Winter pack.” I grumble into his neck. 

“Not his mate, my ass.” Aspen speaks into my mind, I lift my eyes and find Aspen’s Wolf staring at me.

“Shut your mouth Aspen.” I snarl back into Aspen’s mind.

“I will. I promise.” Sparrow breathes into my neck, I know I have to go. I know I have to but I don’t want to. 

I pull away from Sparrow, kiss his cheek and let go of him. “Thank you. But I have to go before my mother notices I’m gone.” I pat Sparrow’s cheek, he sighs and leans into my touch. I move towards Aspen and kiss his nose, he startles slightly. “Thank for bringing Sparrow to me. It means a lot to me.” 

I shift and leave before Aspen can respond, I have to hurry, Viola has been sending signals to my mind for three minutes that she’s losing our mother’s and brothers attention. I race through the Fall pack lands, I need to move faster. I cross the Winter border and duck into a hallowed out tree. I lay down and roll onto my back, seconds I have seconds. I curl my tail around my leg and close my eyes, forcing my breathing to be even and calm, slowing my heart rate. 

I feel warm breath on my neck, I stiffen and open my eyes to see Ilgar’s silver Wolf standing over me. “You have been missing.” 

“I’ve been here. Not missing.” I grumble and roll onto my side, pulling my legs underneath my body.

“Sure you have. But that’s what we’re going to tell our mother, you’ve been hiding in a tree. So she doesn’t murder both of us.” Ilgar starts walking, I scramble to my paws and follow behind him. 

“You’re an ass but thank you.” I bump into his side. 

“You’re my sister, if I have to protect you from yourself or our mother, I’ll do it. But you do need to start thinking with your head, not your heart.” I sigh at his words and lean against Ilgar as we walk back to the house. 

“I know but I hate being kept locked up and a secret. I don’t know what else to do Ilgar. Am I just supposed to stay hidden forever? Live a life that’s just a different kind of prison?” No one else has to live like I do. 

“I don’t know Snow. But you can’t just keep trying to sneak off.” Ilgar nips at my ear, I growl softly and move away from him.

“I wouldn’t try to sneak away if I wasn’t hidden.” I grumble and enter the house, Buz is laying in the middle of the hall without a shirt and he stinks. “What the fuck are you doing on the floor and why have you not showered yet you dumbass?” 

Buz looks over at me, his face kind of dazed. “I think I’m in love.” Oh I don’t want to know. 

“Good for you. Go shower, you stink.” I walk away and head into my room, thankfully Ilgar stays to deal with Buz.

...

16 years old.
Why must I always find myself in trouble?

I’m still in lock down but Sparrow has been able to come see me once a week for two years. Some times Aspen comes with him, he still thinks that Sparrow and I are mates. Which just makes me want to punch him in the face, Sparrow is also starting to get annoyed with Aspen about it as well. The Spring pack is coming to the Winter pack today so I’m being shipped off to the Fall pack for the day and I can’t say I’m mad about it. I’ll get to see Sparrow, though the only sibling of his that I have met is Aspen. Which is going to change today, I get to meet them. 

“Snow! Time to go! Now!” Buz shouts from outside the house, I sigh and grab my bag. I sling it over my shoulders and head outside where Buz is waiting for me. He’s taking me to the Fall land, I don’t know why. I’ve been there before by myself. 

Buz has his arms crossed over his chest and a grumpy look on his face, his girlfriend just broke up with him like three days ago. So he’s been in a bad mood since then. “Will you calm down? We have like an hour till the Spring pack gets here.” 

“Well I need to be back by then so shift and lets go.” Buz grumbles and shifts, I allow my Wolf to come forward and change my body. I follow behind him as we head to the Fall border. 

“You’ll get over her, you know that right?” I ask, I know I’m poking a bear but I love him so I will poke it, even if it means I get bit. 

“Shut the fuck up. You know nothing.” Buz snarls and starts running. If he wasn’t having a hard time, I would punch him in the face for talking to me like that. 

“I know you’re hurting but that doesn’t mean you can take it out on me.” We cross over the Fall border, Buz slows down. 

“Sorry.” Buz mumbles, I dip my chin. I’ll accept it. Aspen is waiting inside his land, I don’t see Sparrow. Why isn’t he here? “I’ll leave you with him. When the Spring pack leaves, I will come get you.”

I nod and he leaves, Aspen comes up to me and nudges my side. I follow him deeper into the Fall land but I still don’t see Sparrow, other Wolves stop and stare at Aspen and I. They know about me so I don’t know why they’re staring. “Why am I being stared at?” I ask Aspen, his eyes go to the Wolves around us then back to me.

“Because you’re with me, I don’t walk with females other than my sister. So it’s strange to them.” Aspen answers, seeming unbothered by the stares.

“Why don’t you walk with females?” That seems a bit weird, I walk with the males of my pack all of the time. Hell Joe walks me from the class room to my house almost every damn day, why wouldn’t Aspen walk with females?

“Because if I did, everyone would think that I was considering that female to be my Luna.” I trip over my own feet at his words.

“What? Why?” He’s like twenty-one, why the hell is he already trying to be paired up?

“Because Snow,” Aspen’s Wolf eyes stare into my fucking soul. “I’m the future Alpha. Which means I need a Luna. And if you weren’t Sparrow’s best friend, I would not be walking with you.” 

I’m not sure if I should be offended by that or not. “Okay then. If someone tells me I’d make a good Luna for you, I will punch them in the face.” 

Aspen trips and almost face plants, I ignore him and keep walking. “I don’t want to be mated to you! Why the fuck would you even say that to me?” 

“You’re the one who started it! I don’t even know my rank yet, so we’re going to pretend we didn’t have this conversation because it has been disturbing.” I snap back at him, god I feel gross now. Evening just thinking about Aspen that way makes my skin crawl.

“Your mind is a strange place.” Aspen states, I glare at him till he sighs. “Sparrow is on border patrol so he couldn’t meet with you. So I get the honor of introducing you to the rest of my siblings.“

“Great.” More time with Aspen. Someone kill me now.

“Don’t sound so excited.” Aspen grumbles as we come up to a very fancy looking house. “We are here.” He shifts out of his Wolf skin, I also shift my bones ache a little. I’ve been shifting back in forth a lot this week and my body is not agreeing with it. 

I follow him into his house, okay I have to admit this is a little weird. “Ah young Snow! It’s so good to see you again!” I’m grabbed into a tight bone crushing hug by Xanthe, Sparrow’s mother and the Luna of the Fall pack. She has brown eyes and very long red hair and dark skin, she’s also still crushing me.

“Mom, she needs air to breathe.” Aspen breathes, sounding annoyed but thankfully it makes Xanthe let me go. 

“Oh you sweet girl, I’m so sorry you have to be shuffled around to keep you hidden but you are always welcome here.” Xanthe kisses my brow and pats my cheek. “I have to go deal with my mate, he’s on a mission to get our warriors in perfect shape and I’m afraid he’s going to scare them to death. Including Sparrow but I will be sending Sparrow your way soon. Flint and Aluma are in the living room, so go meet them and get to know them. I can’t believe you haven’t met them yet. Have a good afternoon, I will see you around super time.” Xanthe leaves as quick as she came, I always forget how much she talks.

“Come on, I’ll interduce you to them.” Aspen grabs my arm and pulls me into the living room, Flint is spread out on the couch, arm over his face and Aluma is on the floor in her Wolf skin. Flint has rust red eyes and brown hair, he’s only twenty years old. 

Aluma’s right eye is brown and her left eye is red, her fur is a rich brown. She looks up at Aspen and I, but Flint does not. “Is this the famous Snow?”

Aluma is only a year younger than I am, Flint is four years older than I am. He is either sleeping or ignoring us, I can’t tell. “Yes this is the famous Snow, be nice to her or Sparrow and our mother will kick your asses.” Aspen states, raising a brow at Aluma who shifts out of her Wolf skin. 

“I’ll be nice, I wasn’t planning to attack her which is nice enough.” Aluma shrugs, unbothered by her older brother’s threat. 

“That is not nice Aluma, that is the bare minimum.” Flint grumbles, sitting up to glare at his sister. 

“Whatever.” Aluma waves Flint off and turns those odd pretty eyes towards me. “Do you want to walk around and see if we can’t find Sparrow?” 

Surprise flickers through me but I cover it quickly with a smile. “I’d like that, as long as you’re still not planning on attacking me.” 

“Great!” Aluma stands up but Aspen stops her with a growl.

“Snow is under lock down. She’s not supposed to be seen. So she will stay here.” Aspen glares daggers at Aluma.

“She’s safe enough here and it’s not like everyone here doesn’t know she exists. We all know about her. So it’s fine and you’re not my Alpha yet.” Aluma grabs my arm and yanks me out of the house, I hear Aspen swear as the door slams behind us. Aluma shifts to her Wolf, I follow her lead shifting as well and we take off running, losing Aspen quickly because of course he tried to follow us. 

We race through the woods, slamming into each other and laughing at the joy of running in our true forms. “I think I like you!” Aluma slams into my flank, throwing me to the ground.

I bounce back up and headbutt her stomach, her legs give out from under her. “I think I like you as well!”

“We’re friends now-watch out!” Aluma cries just as something hits me over the head, hard. Darkness swallows me. 
...
Chains holding my wrists and ankles. . Water dripping somewhere near my head. . Cloth over my eyes. . Blind, can’t see. . Choked gasps echo around me. . I think it’s me. . Pain in my head. . Pain in my chest and side. . Hands sliding over my hip, I snarl and try to move away, can’t. . Touching my skin. . Claws going up my leg. . Naked, bare to whoever is touching me. . Soft touches against my stomach. . Flinching away, curling around into a ball. . Soft male moans reach my ears. . something hard moving on my leg, twitching. . Crying, think it’s Aluma. . What happened. ? Where are we. . ? What is. . Going on. . ? Legs pulled apart. . Fight. Have to fight. 
My brain finally understands what is happening just as the person slams his dick into me. Claws sinking into my hips. . Blood in my mouth. . Pain everywhere. . Darkness, please take me. . Skin tearing. . Blood flowing down my body. . Jarring movement . . Head spinning. . Help. . Need. . Help please. . .
...
Weeks later.
I have been blind folded since I got here, I don’t know how long that it has been. I don’t even know if it’s night or day. I’m in pain, I can barely breathe, I think they’ve damaged my lungs. Aluma has stopped crying, she barely makes a sound anymore. I know it her, I can smell her along with the blood, piss, shit and the emotions we’re both giving off. Terror, agony, rage and hopelessness. My limbs have been numb for a while now, I can’t feel them anymore. I think it’s because I haven’t been able to move them in a long time, my legs are spread out and chained to the ground. My arms are bound behind my back, I’m face down on my stomach and chained there. Unable to move even an inch. The ground is cold and damp, I think it’s with my blood.

They have starved us, I don’t know the last time I ate was. I turn my head to where I think Aluma is, I can’t hear her over the sound of someone screaming and it’s not Aluma’s scream. I can’t tell if she’s breathing, she’s not making sounds anymore. “Aluma?” I rasp, my throat dry, lips chapped and bleeding. I can taste my own blood, it’s not a great thing. 

“Still alive.” She rasps back, fuck she sounds like trash. “I want to die.” She whispers, I feel tears sliding down my face.

“I know.” I want to die, I don’t want to live one more day of this. I hear the lock on the door click open. Here we go again, I stopped fighting a while ago, it takes up too much energy that I can’t waste. 

Chapter Text

17 years old.
I lay in bed, refusing to get out of it. It’s been six months since Aluma and I were recused from being kidnapped. We were held for two months, no one could find us. I also don’t know who found us or how, I was unconscious when we were found.  “Snow? Will you please get out of bed?” Viola is at the foot of my bed, she’s been begging me to get out of bed for the past ten minutes. I’ve been ignoring her, I can’t make myself respond to her. 
I know she’s worried, I just can’t bring myself to assure her that I’m okay when I’m not okay and I don’t know if I ever will be. I haven’t seen Aluma since we were recused, I haven’t left this bed other than to shower. I feel like I need to shower every hour, to burn away their touch. I can’t eat, I barely drink water. I know I’m slipping away, know my body will start failing me soon. I can’t stand the sight of males, they’re not allowed to come near me. I start shaking and despite myself, I also start screaming and throwing things.  I can’t stand the sight of my brothers, I know it hurts them but I can’t stop it. 
I’m a shattered shell and there’s nothing left inside of me. “Please you have to get out of bed.” Viola is sobbing now, her warm hands touching my cold feet. I can’t leave my bed, I can’t move. Viola finally leaves, still crying. I will stay here, fully healed but damaged beyond repair.
The bruising has faded, the wounds have closed turning to scars. So many scars across my body, I can’t stand to look at them. I’ve covered all of the mirrors so I don’t see them. I always have long sleeves with turtle necks on, sweat pants, gloves and socks so I’m fully covered all of the time. I let my eyes close, my body shaking with unrelenting cold but I don’t pull my blanket over my body. I don’t want to be warm, I want to give up. 
...
I slowly wake to voices outside of my door. “She has been unresponsive, sometimes she won’t even open her eyes. She doesn’t eat, Viola and mom bring her food but she doesn’t touch it doesn’t even look at it. She won’t get out of bed other than to shower, we’re at a loss on what to do to help her.” Frost is telling someone about me. 
“Aluma hasn’t left her bed either, she’s willing to eat though but only a little. She doesn’t sleep, just stares off into space. She talks but it’s not the same. She’ll only answer questions, she doesn’t start talking anymore. Hopefully this will help both of them heal, at least a little bit.” That’s Sparrow’s voice, why is he here again? Hasn’t he learned his lesson by now? I don’t want him here. 
I sigh and press my nose into my pillow, I just want them to go away now. “They’re here, come on.” Frost speaks softly, I almost miss his words. Come on what? 
I’m confused, I don’t want them to come in here, I hope they won’t try. I hear my door open, oh fucking shit! “Snow?” My mother calls to me, I open my eyes but don’t respond. “You have some visitors.” I don’t care as long as the males don’t come in here.
“Snow?” Everything inside of me stiffens at the sound of Aluma’s voice, I turn my head to see Aspen holding Aluma’s small frame in his giant arms. I don’t see Sparrow or Frost, thank fuck they’re not here. I see mother retreating, she’s leaving me alone with them. A part of me wants to start screaming for Aspen to get out but the other part wants Aluma near me. I roll over towards the door, Aspen carefully steps into my room. 
My body starts shaking, Aspen eyes me before he sets Aluma on the bed with me. His eyes meet mine, sorrow in his dark brown eyes. Aspen carefully backs out of the room, still holding my gaze. I track his movements as Aluma curls her body around mine, Aspen closes the door softly. I never realized how loud everyone was till they started being quiet around me. Aluma’s head lays on my chest, my chin against her forehead. 
I wrap my arms around her neck, my legs around her stomach. She’s a good six inches taller than me which makes holding her a little difficult but I won’t let her go. “I don’t know how to move on.” Aluma breathes into my neck, a shudder goes through my body. I tighten my grip on her, she is safety.
“I’m drowning. I don’t want to be saved.” First words I have spoken that haven’t been screamed in months. I can still feel what they did to me, even though the bruising is gone. Even though the cuts, lashes and marks have scarred.
“So Sparrow said.” I flinch at her words, he tried to see me three days after we got back. I think I threw a lamp at his head. I know I screamed, I don’t even remember what I said. I was panicking, I could barely breath when he was in the same room with me.  “You haven’t seen your brothers either.”
“I can’t stand the sight of males.” I don’t think I’ll ever be able to look at one again. “How could you let Aspen touch you?” I don’t know how she could allow that. I know I couldn’t allow it, not now maybe not ever. 
“He is my brother. He is safe. He is not the men who hurt us. He is not a monster. He is not the monsters who hurt us.” I blink down at Aluma, she smiles softly at me. “I have to repeat it over and over in my head when I’m around them.” I don’t think I’ll ever get over this. Aluma might, she’s doing better than I am. 
...
Aluma has stayed in my bed with me for three weeks, she made me eat and stay warm. Her mom has come and talked, Aluma responded but I just couldn’t. Aluma is the only one I can talk to without feeling like I’m going to lose my mind at any second. Her scent of thyme and white fir has coated my room, it’s woven into the very walls now. She also has made me look at my scars, taken off the blankets covering the mirrors and made me take off most of my clothes. The first time she made me do it, I broke down crying and she had to cover me up because looking at the scars caused me to relive how I got them. The five times after that, it was the same, I relived what they did to me, every time I looked at my wreck of a body. After that, the memories weren’t so strong, they didn’t send me into a panic attack every time I looked at my body. And now I can stand in front of a mirror with out breaking down or having a panic attack.

I still relive it every time I close my eyes but it is slowly, very slowly getting easier to live with. Not better but not as painful. Aluma slides out of bed and pulls on some clothes, I watch her with narrowed eyes as she turns to me holding a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt. “It’s your turn. Today is the day.” 
“Let’s not.” I pull the blanket over my head, I don’t know if I can leave this room. It’s my safe space.

I have improved but not that much, I don’t know if I can leave this room. “Aluma?” Aspen’s voice, outside of my door. I sit up and pull the blanket off of my head. Why is he here? 
Aluma’s wide eyes meet mine. “I think I have to go home today.” She whispers into my mind. She can’t leave! I’m not ready! I don’t know if she’s ready either!
“Fuck!” I whisper back into her mind. Just as the door opens, Aspen’s face is full of sadness and pain. He’s gotten taller, he was around 6’5 when I was taken. Now I think he’s around 6’8, that’s kind of nerve racking. 
“Aluma has to come home.” Aspen looks at me and not his sister when he speaks. His dark brown eyes fall to my chest and widen. There are deep scared gashes going along my chest and since I’m only wearing a bra and underwear everything is exposed. The claw marks over my hips and stomach, the ones around my neck. 
Thankfully he can’t see under the blanket, where the damaged is worse. “Are you going to continue to stare or get out so I can get dressed?” My voice is husky since I’ve rarely used it. 
Aspen frowns at me before glancing at Aluma then shuts the door softly. “That was a lot better. You did good.” Aluma breathes and tosses the clothes on the bed. “You’re getting up?”
I slide out of bed and grab the pants. “You’re leaving me.” I pull them on and the shirt. “I need to pull myself together so I can come see you.” I can’t go six months without seeing her again. 
“You’ll come see me?” Aluma’s voice breaks, I slide my eyes back to her. Her shoulders are curled in, her head bowed. A submissive stance, fucking shit! She’s not ready but she’s going to go home anyway. 
“You’re now stuck with me till we both die. I ain’t doing this shit without you.” Aluma’s lip trembles, I cross the room to her and hug her, my head resting on her chest. I don’t want to let her go, I can’t keep her here but I don’t want her to leave. How the fuck am I supposed to do this without her? I couldn’t do anything without her, am I going to go back to that when she leaves?
“I’m glad to be stuck with you forever.” Her mouth is against my hair. “You ready to leave this room?” 
“No. But let’s do it anyway.” I grumble into her chest before pulling away. “I might give my mom a heart attack by walking out of this room though.” Aluma laughs and opens my door, my Wolf whines in my head as we step out of my room for the first time in months. Aluma grabs my hand and we walk towards the living room, my heart beating like a drum in my chest, fast and hard. 
All of my brothers, Viola, mom, Aspen and Sparrow are in the living room. They all freeze at the sight of us or more likely at the sight of me. “Snow?” Buz and Ilgar whisper, staring at my face. I downcast my eyes, I can’t look at them just yet. I let go of Aluma’s hand and lean against the wall, deep breathes. 
“Sorry for throwing shit at y’all. I know you were just trying to help but I needed space and time. Thank you for giving it to me.” Do not start to panic, panic gets you nowhere. Breathe, I’m safe. These people are my family. They love me. They would never hurt me on purpose. They are not monsters. They are not the monster who hurt me.
“It’s okay Snow. We know you are hurting. It’s okay.” Frost breathes, I still can’t lock at them. I’ll get there but not right now. Not yet, a shuddering breath leaves me.
“I’m ready to go home now.” Aluma states, her voice shaking slightly. I look over at Aluma, her voice isn’t the only thing shaking, her hands are as well. 
Sparrow eyes me then his sister. “Are you sure you’re ready?” 
“Yes.” Aluma holds her chin high, Aspen nods and moves towards her, my shoulders curl into themselves. Aspen stops moving half way to Aluma, his eyes on me. Fuck this is so fucking unconfutable! Aluma moves towards him so he doesn’t have to get any closer to me. “Bye Snow.” Aluma smiles at me and turns toward my family. “Thank you for having me.”
“Of course. We were glad to have you Aluma.” My mother smiles at Aluma, my siblings nod their heads to Aluma. Aspen and Aluma leave but Sparrow remains, I keep my eyes down and my body still. 
“Can we talk?” Sparrow asks softly, my shoulders shake but I nod and walk back towards my room. I feel him following me just a few feet behind me, deep breaths. I step into my room and hop back on my bed, eyes down as he steps into the room and closes the door. “What did you want to talk about?” I ask, my voice soft and super quiet. 
“You’re my best friend Snow.” I can hear the pain in his voice, I close my eyes as he falls to the floor. 
“I know.” My lips tremble, he’s been my best friend for years and I can’t stand the sight of him. Even on his knees.
“I can’t live without you Snow. I don’t know how. You were gone and I couldn’t find you, I looked everywhere for you. I couldn’t reach your mind. I’ve always been able to reach your mind but I couldn’t. I was going out of mind looking for you, trying to reach you. Then they bring you back unconscious, covered in blood, half starved and severely injured. And refusing to see me.” Sparrow is crying, fuck I made him cry. “You were hurt and I tried to understand it and give you time. But you still wouldn’t see me. I know you can’t help it but I need you like I need air.” 
I let my eyes slide open, tears are sliding down his face, his knees to his chest, head bowed and shoulders curled in. “I’m sorry that I hurt you Sparrow. You’re my best friend, I love you and know you would never hurt me. I know that in my heart. But my head? It keeps screaming, that if I let you near me, you will break me. I’m already falling apart. I can’t break anymore. I won’t survive it Sparrow.”
“Snow. . .” Sparrow breathes, I bow my head and put my arms over my head. 
“I know you need me, I need me but I don’t know how to be me anymore.” I suck in air, why is this so hard? I know everything about Sparrow. “Come here before I change my mind.” Sparrow slowly stands and makes his way to the bed, I hold up one hand, breathe. He is safe. He is my friend. I’m safe, he’s not going to hurt me. 
Sparrow is not a monster. He takes my offered hand, I can’t stop shaking but I grip his hand tightly. “You’ll get through this Snow. I promise. I would never hurt you, I could never ever hurt you.” Sparrow whispers, I nod taking another deep breath.
“One day I might get over this but it’s not today. I love you Sparrow, I truly do but I can’t have you here right now. Please go.” I slide my hand out from his, closing my eyes. My chest is tight, knowing that I’ve hurt him and there’s nothing I can do to change that.
“Okay Snow. But I want you to know that I love you too. And you will get through this, you may never get over it but you will learn to at least live with it. I will always be here for you, you’re my best friend and that won’t ever change.” I feel him get up, hear him leave, I don’t open my eyes again till I hear the front door open and close. 
Viola pokes her head into my room. “Are you still willing to talk?” 
“Yes Viola, you can come in.” I’ve already started this, I might as well do a little more. I’m not ready to do it with my brothers but with Viola I can. 
She steps into my room and sits on my bed, her face full of hurt. “Why her? Why did it have to be her? Why couldn’t I help you?” 
A shocked breath escapes me, what did she just say to me? “Why did I let the female that was taken with me, help? Is that what you’re asking me?” I hiss, my Wolf snarling inside my head.
“Wait I didn’t mean it like that-“ Viola starts but I cut her off.
“Yes you did. So stop. I let her in, because she’s the only one who understands what I went through. Because she was right there with me. You weren’t. Honestly, I’m glad you weren’t because you’d be just as broken as I am. You’d be falling apart like I am.” Tears spring up in Viola’s eyes but there is too much anger welling up inside me to care. 
“Snow I really didn’t mean it like that please-“ I cut her off again, not in any mood to deal with her pleading. 
“I’m broken and I don’t see a way out but I’m trying to force the pieces back together. I needed Aluma’s help to do that. You can’t help me. Because you don’t understand, you didn’t live through what I did. You may know some of what happened but you don’t know everything. You don’t know what all they did to us, you don’t how much they fucked with our heads nor our bodies. You don’t get to ask me why she was able to help me and why you couldn’t. So get the fuck out of my room. Right now before I throw you out.” 
Viola runs out of my room, still crying. I wrap my arms around my head and let the tears fall down my face.

Chapter Text

19 years old.

This is the first time in three years that I’ve gone anywhere by myself, but my family finally agreed that I could handle myself to not get killed or kidnapped. I move through the thick snow, I still love it. It was hard to leave my room for the two years after I was brought home. But too see Aluma, I would work my way up to leaving my room everyday, till I could leave it a couple times a day. It was hard and I had so many panic attacks, but those have lessened. Viola and I didn’t speak for an entire year, part of that was because I was pissed off at her, the other part was because she was hurt and pissed off at me. We worked it out eventually, with lots of tears and some screaming. I was able to be around my brothers about a month after Aluma went back to her family. 
It took five more months after that before I could be around the males in my pack. I still can’t be in large groups but I can be around my pack. Joe, who used to walk me to and from class has been a really big help in getting me used to being around males. Sparrow and I are also almost back to where we used to be, I don’t believe we’ll ever be fully back but we’re still best friends. Thankfully Aspen has stopped joking about Sparrow and I being mates because I could not handle that and I think Aspen knows that. I still can’t let males hug me and sometimes if I’m not expecting it they can’t touch me either. That will send me into a spiral. 
But today? Everyone has left me alone, so I can walk the woods on my own. It has been so long since I’ve done this and my nerves are fried. I blow out a breath and shake my Wolf head, I’ve got this. I’m alright, no one is coming for me, I am safe. I know how to defend myself, with weapons and claws, pretty brutally. Buz, Ilgar and Frost have ramped up my training and a lot of the older males and females of our pack have also stepped in and taught me a lot.
But none more than Arcticus, my mothers Beta. He’s in his mid 60’s but to Wolves he’s still considered young. His son Zephyron has also been a big help, I had never met him before because he’s six years older than I am and it’s a big pack. They made sure I could always defend myself, no matter the situation. That caused a shit ton of panic attacks but I’m a lot better for it. I stop moving when I smell other wolves, I crouch down in the snow and remain very, very still, slowing my breathing. I look around and spot six giant Wolves, all male. 
Two Spring Wolves, Cedar and Juniper, they’re massive now. I think Silas is with them but if so he also got fucking massive, though I still don’t know if he’s a Spring Wolf or not. The three other male Wolves I don’t know, a dark orange Wolf with soft orange eyes. There are two black Wolves, one with dark orange eyes, the other with deep brown eyes that are almost black. The black Wolf with dark orange eyes stops moving and is staring in my direction. Fuck! I should not have gone towards the Spring border! The other five Wolves stop attacking each other and face towards me. I keep my breathing even and slow as Cedar approaches me. 
My body trembles, I try to stop it, try to move but I’m frozen in place. I can’t move. Fear is coursing through my veins. “Dawn?” Cedar’s mind brushes against mine as he crouches down to my level. “What the hell happened to you?” 
Right the scaring can be seen in my Wolf skin. I know he’s not going to hurt me but the freeze response is strong. Fuck! Cedar’s head turns towards the other Wolves, they must be speaking to him. Okay this is fine. I’m okay, I kind of know three of the males. They didn’t hurt me last time, they won’t hurt me this time. I’m safe, I can defend myself. I know how to take down males three times my size, five shifters at once. I can handle this.
“Dawn? Are you alright? Are you lost again?” Cedar questions me, slowly inching towards me on his stomach. 
I sigh and stand, shaking out my fur, Cedar slowly stands, watching me carefully. “I’m fine Cedar.” 
“You didn’t seem fine.” He slowly approaches me, his nose pressing against my neck. I tense but allow him to take in my scent, adult Wolves do this all of the time. It’s normal, he’s not asking me to submit to him. I inhale his scent, oak and peach, odd mix but it suits him. 
“Yes well getting kidnapped makes you a little tense around strangers you’ve only met once.” I shouldn’t have said that. Arcticus told me not to blurt stuff like out around people, it makes them unconfutable. 
“What?” Six male voices ask at the same time, I wince at how loud they are. 
“Sorry, I’ve been told not to say shit like that but it’s my way of healing.” I still don’t know who the three strange Wolves are and I shouldn’t share shit like that with complete strangers, they might try to kidnap me. Oh no. Bad thoughts. Bad thoughts go away! Fuck all the way off! I can handle these males if they come after me. I’m safe. I’m strong. I can handle all of this. 
“That- that’s why you’re covered in scars now?” Juniper breathes coming closer.
“Yeah. It wasn’t fun.” I let Juniper sniff my neck, shoulders and back. Holding very still as the other males move closer, they stay behind Cedar thankfully. 
They make me feel more like a runt. All of them towering over me. “I didn’t hear anything about someone being kidnapped recently.” The Wolf with dark brown eyes steps closer to me, his voice a deep rasp in my mind. 
“Why would you when it was years ago?” I snark back, I do not want to talk about this. Not to my family, not to strangers.
“There were eight kidnappings three years ago. Were you one of them?” The Wolf with dark orange eyes asks me, I stiffen. 
I haven’t thought about the other females there with us. I’ve tried not to, I didn’t want to know if they were alive or not, if they made it home or died in there. I never saw them, but I know their scents and names and what the sound like when they’re screaming in pain. “Yes I was one of the eight taken.” Is all I say, hoping he doesn’t tell me anything about the females that were taken.
“I was one of the people that found the kidnapped kids. I don’t remember seeing a white Wolf there.” Deep brown eyes states, staring into my soul. 
I blink slowly at him, he was there? “Well, I was painted red. By my blood. So I’m not really surprised.” 
“I’m Noir. That’s my brother Onyx. And that’s Lucius.” Dark orange eyes tells me, nodding to the other black Wolf first then to the dark orange Wolf.  The black Wolves are from Bloodhound. Which means Sparrow knows them. “Figured you should know our names before we continue talking.” 
“Well I would say it’s nice to meet y’all but talking about my kidnapping isn’t nice and this hasn’t been pleasant.” I know I should watch my mouth but I really don’t feel like it. 
“Which Wolf were you in with?” Noir asks ignoring my snark. 
“Does it really matter?” I’m not telling them I was in with Aluma. I think that would be a dead give away to whose kid I am. 
“Yes.” Noir, Silas and Juniper state, too bad for them cause I’m not saying.
“Well then be prepared to be disappointed. I’m not telling you. I rather not relive it, if it’s all the same to you. I don’t talk about. I don’t want to talk about it. So please for the love of fuck, drop it.” I snap, my body tucking in a defensive position. 
“Let her be.” Cedar moves in front of me, blocking me from their view. My ears twitch as the sound of approaching Wolves reaches me, I snap my head to the side, startling Cedar. Aspen is trotting towards us with Sparrow a step behind him, I know the moment they see me, crouched on the ground, body tucked defensively and ready to be attacked. Aspen slows for a split second, Sparrow stumbles slightly before they both lunge towards us. Fuck! My brain shifts out of freeze mode, I spring towards them, Aspen almost slams into me. 
He snarls and goes around me but I step in front of him, not allowing him to move closer to the other males. Sparrow circles me, sniffing me and checking me for injures, his body brushing mine as Aspen continues to growl at the six Wolves. “Calm down. I’m fine.” 
“You sure as hell did not look fine!” Aspen snaps back at me. I lay my side against Aspen’s chest, his heart is hammering away. Fuck, I haven’t been this close to him in years. I have to fight off the urge to cringe away from him.
“But I am. I was just startled. I’m fine.” I keep my tone soothing but I’m seething on the inside. I can take care of myself, I’ve worked damn hard to make sure no one could ever hurt me again and I really don’t want to be touching him right now. Yet I know if I stop, he will attack them. 
“Why are there Fall Wolves on Summer land?” Lucius asks deeply, my spine stiffens. Summer land? I crossed over the border into Summer land?! 
Sparrow flops down on top of me, I grunt in annoyance and pain. “We thought you were attacking one of ours.” Aspen snarls at Lucius as Sparrow rubs his scent back onto my fur. 
“One of yours?” Noir asks, suspicion lining his eyes. 
“Yes.” Aspen’s fur stands up, his tail low but not tucked and ears back. He’s uncertain and threatened. Fuck!
“Really? I’ve never seen her before. I run your border everyday. I’ve been in your land countless time. Never once seeing this little white Wolf.” Onyx takes a step closer, I roll Sparrow off of me and step in front of Aspen, pressing my shoulder into his chest. I don’t want him to start a fight, I lower my body, tucking my tail and pinning my ears back against my head and dipping my head slightly, submissive. 
Fucking fuck how I hate being submissive. “I’m a rare White Wolf as you said, I’m very well hidden. It doesn’t surprise me that you haven’t seen me.” Why is Aspen so warm? He is radiating heat. 
“Well Dawn, it’s my job to know every secret, in every single pack.” Onyx takes another step forward, Sparrow comes to stand beside Aspen. 
My fur stands up, I lift my head and ears, locking eyes with Onyx. “Really? Tell me Onyx, who is the Silent Assassin then?” Aspen and Sparrow snap their heads towards me in surprise. Lucius, Silas, Noir, Juniper and Cedar suck in shocked breathes. Onyx stops moving and stares at me, his deep brown eyes studying me. “Since you said you know every secret, in every pack.” The Silent Assassin has been killing corrupt people for seven years, all that’s known about the Silent Assassin is that it’s a male and a Wolf. I saw him once when I was twelve, when he was just starting out. 
He didn’t see me but I saw him, I never told anyone what I saw. I just kept it to myself, I didn’t want him stopped. I feel Onyx push the others out our minds. “So you know my secret and I know yours Snow.” 
“It would seem so. I hope you’ve learned to be more aware of your surroundings.” Glad I finally have a name to the face. Though it’s a little unnerving that he knows who I am.
“I have, one day I might ask you how you learned about it. You keep my secret, I keep yours. Deal?” Oh I’ve pissed him off but I’m not going to say no, I don’t need more people knowing about me.
“Deal.” I agree, if he doesn’t keep it to himself, he’s going to wish he never met me.
Onyx dips his head and turns away, his mind brushing mine one last time. “Next year is going to be so interesting Snow. I’m looking forward to seeing you again.”
I have no idea what that means. I don’t I think want to know either. “Do I want to know what you two were talking about?” Sparrow asks, but it’s to the open link and not privet. 
“Nope.” I answer watching the two Black Wolves retreat. 
“Are we good?” Aspen asks, looking at Silas, who was watching the retreating Wolves.
Silas looks at Aspen before looking at me, why is he looking at me? “Are you going to leave my lands?” Silas finally asks, looking back at Aspen.
“Yes we are.” Aspen answers, his body is still tense.
“Then we are good.” Lucius answers, flicking his eyes to me then back to Aspen.
Aspen nods his head and nudges Sparrow and I along, out of Summer land. I can’t believe I crossed their border! None of us speak as we cross back to the Fall border, Aspen keeps herding us along till we’re far enough away from the Summer border, so the other Wolves can no longer see or hear us. I start heading towards my border, I just want to go home now. But Aspen cuts me off by jumping in front of me, I stop for a second then try to go around him but he doesn’t let me. Aspen lets his Wolf skin fall away, he crosses his arms and glares down at me. 
Oh I don’t like that one bit. I let my Wolf skin fall away and glare back at him. “What the fuck Aspen? I’m just trying to go home! Why are you stopping me?” 
“Why the hell were you on Summer land?! Talking to Summer Wolves?!” Aspen glowers at me, the veins on his forehead budging. 
“First off, I didn’t know it was Summer land! Second, I didn’t know they were Summer Wolves! Did you forget I know nothing about them? Mother refuses to tell Viola and I about them! How was I supposed to know?” I snap back at him, Aspen lets a frustrated snarl and spins away from me.
“I still don’t understand why she won’t tell you guys.” Sparrow muses from beside me, no longer in his Wolf skin. 
“Because she thinks we’ll go looking for trouble? Because that’s what all young female Wolves do?” I answer him, I don’t understand where mom got that from but it’s a pain in my ass. Maybe she went looking for Summer Wolves when she was younger but I don’t know. She won’t say shit about the Summer Wolves, other than to stay away from them. But how I am supposed to stay away from them if I don’t know what they look like or any of their names? 
“Well tough shit for her!” Aspen snaps, turning back to me. “You’re about to get a lesson on Summer Wolves because that shit can’t happen again!” I blink at him, is he allowed to tell me about them? I pretty sure mother would kill him for telling me. “Their Luna is dead. But her name was Enya. The Alpha is Helios, he’s got yellow eyes and orange hair, he’s about 6’7. He’s mean as fuck and he and your mom used to get into fights daily from what our mom tells us.” Oh. “Aurelia is the oldest at 27, she’s a Beta, unlikely to become the leader of the Summer pack. She has short golden hair, resting bitch face with bright yellow eyes, she’s about 5’5. Clara is the second oldest at 25, she’s a Delta, also unlikely to be the leader. She has deep yellow eyes and bright golden hair, she’s about 5’10 ish. She’s been mostly nice the times I met her but I still don’t trust her.” 
Okay so Aspen is gonna go for it, got it. I lock eyes with Sparrow and he winces at me, great he doesn’t think this is a good idea either. “Then there’s Lucius-“ Fucking fuck! “You’ve met him. He’s 23 and an Alpha, he is being considered as the next Alpha. You’ve also met Silas-“ Oh someone just shoot me now! Fuck! Why did I have to meet them?! “He’s 22 and an Alpha, he is also being considered for the next Alpha. The youngest is Sylvie at 19, she’s a Beta. She has dark orange eyes and bright orange hair, she’s about 6’1. I’ve only met her twice because she is constantly training. She is in the running to be second to the next Alpha.” 
“Fuck.” Is all I can say.
“All Summer Wolves have either Gold, Orange or Yellow coloring, see any of those colored Wolves, run away. Do you understand me? If they find out you’re a Winter Wolf, they will kill you. Without hesitating.” Aspen steps into my space, trying to get me to understand his point but all I can think about is how short I am compared to this massive male. I’m pretty sure he could pick me up with one arm, without even struggling. 
Sparrow pokes my hip. Right Aspen was talking, I should probably respond but no one has a right to be that fucking tall for no fucking reason. “I understand. Got it. Won’t do it again.” I hope that was believable. Sparrow looks at me funny and Aspen narrows his eyes at me. Okay moving on. “I should get home. I’m pretty sure I’ve been out longer than I said I would be. I don’t want my pack to panic.” 
“Fine. Sparrow will walk you back.” I go to protest but Aspen cuts me off. “To make sure you don’t get lost again. Because if I have to tell your mother that we just let you walk off after dealing with Summer Wolves, she will kill me. So Sparrow is going with you.” 
Why does he have to put it like that? Now I can’t say no! Stupid male. “Fine. Come on Sparrow.” I shift back into my Wolf skin, Sparrow follows my lead and shifts as well and we start heading back to the Winter border. I’m never telling anyone that I met Summer Wolves. 

Chapter Text

20 years old, June 6th. 

I hate pack meetings. They took forever and we just go over stuff that we all know, but mother says it’s to refresh everyone on the rules and laws. Which we don’t need but does anyone listen to me? No. Why would they? Mother and Arcticus continue on while I stand between Zephyron and Buz, in the back of our pack. Frost and Ilgar are up there with mom and Arcticus, while Viola is somewhere in the middle, pretty sure she’s flirting with Venus. Her best friend, even though Venus is six years older then Viola and Venus has a boyfriend but that doesn’t seem to stop Viola at all. 
“Dad said that they were making an important announcement. If this is the important announcement, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.” Zephyron whispers to me, Buz snorts out a laugh but tries to hide it with a cough. 
I elbow him hard, Buz shoots me a glare but I ignore him and look at Zep. “I haven’t heard mother say anything about an important announcement. Are you sure he wasn’t just fucking with you again?” I raise a brow at my friend. 
“Maybe he was because this is the same shit they always do. Can’t they make this thing every three years instead of every six fucking months?” Zep grumbles. When a 6’5 giant of a man pouts, it looks amusing and stupid at the same time.
“And finally, my children have earned their ranks.” Oh boy, mother’s going to tell everyone what rank we got. I’m still unsure of mine, I got it two days ago and I can’t tell if I’m pissed off or glad for my rank.
“You got your rank?” Zep whisper hisses at me, I shrug, I didn’t tell anyone. Not even Sparrow or Aluma. 
“Ilgar was ranked Delta, Viola was ranked Omega,” Zep sucks in a sharp breath and turns to me with wide eyes. It is rare for any Alpha’s kid to be ranked an Omega. Whispers break out among our pack.
“Don’t you dare Zep.” I snarl softly at him, I don’t want to hear it.
“I wasn’t going to say a damn thing.” Zep whispers back, the fucking liar. 
“Buz was ranked Beta, he and Zephyron will have to fight for the second in command position.” Mother continues like she didn’t just shock our pack.
“Hang on, why am I being thrown into that?” Zep grumbles under his breath.
“Because you are Arcticus’s son, mother’s Beta and an Alpha. You don’t get a choice.” Buz snaps at Zep quietly. I hush both of them, they talk away to much. I know Buz still hates that he has to be fight for Beta, he doesn’t want it, I get it. I do but he might not even win against Zep, so it’s not a sure thing yet. 
“Frost was ranked Alpha. He will be the next Alpha to the Winter pack.” 
“Why hasn’t mother said yours yet?” Buz narrows his eyes at me, he also doesn’t know my rank either. I knew everyone else's but refused to share my own. 
“Just wait and you’ll find out.” I bite out, I can’t believe she’s doing this. I thought I’d get more time to get used to this before she announced our ranks. 
“And finally Snow, we have our very first natural born Luna.” Dead silence meets mother’s words. Both Buz and Zep turn to stare at me in utter shock.

Natural born Luna’s are also rare, in any pack. You can get a Luna title when you mate the head Alpha but you still have your own natural rank. The Winter pack has never had a natural born Luna, the only pack that has, in our area is the Bloodhound pack but that was the current Alpha’s mother but she passed away before I was born.
Whispers start up again, fuck the rumors are going to be bad tomorrow. An Omega and a Luna in the Alpha’s family is big news and the rumors are going to be fucking insane. Buz shakes off his shock. “Do you think that was the important announcement that they had planned?” 
“I don’t think so.” Zep answers carefully, I can feel him looking at me but I ignore it.
“Neither do I but I’m pissed she decided to do that without warning us.” I cross my arms over my chest, I can feel people looking at me and it makes me so unconfutable.
“Alright now that that’s out of the way, we have an important announcement to make.” Arcticus raises his voice, making the low whispers around us come to a halt. 
“Well shit. You were right.” Buz breathes, both Zep and I look at him before each other. What the fuck are they going to announce? I look ahead, does Frost look pissed off? What pissed him off?
“This year, the Bloodhound pack is hosting a ball, in their land and all of our packs have been invited. Including the Winter pack and the Summer.” Mother states calmly, gasps of shock and surprise go through our pack, while I remain stock still. Do what now? “Because this is their first time ever hosting any event, we are required to attend. Now not everyone will be going. We have to make sure our land is protected. My family and the a few others will be going and there is no discussion about it. Arcticus and his training unit will be staying here to make sure there is no plan to attack our land while we are at the ball. The ball is in two weeks, Frost and Ilgar will give notice to those of you that will be attending. I will not take any questions at this time. Have a good evening.” Mother drops her bomb on us and then walks away, Arcticus, Frost and Ilgar following after her.
No one else moves, I think we’re all a little stunned. “Well at least I don’t have to go to a stupid party.” I breathe, never have I been more glad to be hidden then right now. 
...
“Why the fuck am I going? I thought you wanted me to stay hidden?!” I shout, I don’t want to go to some ball! Not if Onyx is going to be there! I haven’t seen him in over a year and I’d prefer it stay that way!
“Because Snow, you are our first Luna. You will attend. There is no more hiding. It’s time for you to be introduced to the rest of the world. We are not going to argue about this.” Mother states calmly, even as anger creeps into her scent.
“Well I want to argue about this! I don’t want to go! You have always told Viola and I to stay away from the Summer Wolves and now you just want to throw us in a room with them?! Why? Why would you want to do that?!” I know I’m being loud and shouldn’t be yelling at my mother but I’m freaking the fuck out and I can feel a panic attack coming on but yelling is keeping the panic from taking over.
“That’s enough Snow! You are going. We are done talking about this.” Mother stands up and walks away, I scuff.
“Yes walk away, that’s what you’re good at.” I see her spine stiffen, I know I fucked up. Even before she turns to face me. Fuck. 

June, 9th. 

Everything hurts, I don’t want to move. I want to stay curled in a ball forever. But it’s my own damn fault for crossing a line I shouldn’t have. Mother would never lay her hands on any of us, but she does get Arcticus involved. He is well trained on many things and when we need to be punished for something, he is the one to duel it out. In the ring, as training and it’s the only time he doesn’t hold everything back. So now I’m sore and hating everyone. “Come on Snow! We have to go meet with the Fall Wolves! Hurry up!” Frost yells through my door, it’s closed and locked so he can’t come in but that doesn’t stop him from yelling. I groan and roll over, I’m already dressed but I really don’t want to run to the Fall border. “I will break down this door!” 
A week before he got his rank he started to be a hot head, now we know why. I get out of bed and open my door, to see Frost glaring down at me. “Do you really need me to go with you? You know them, plus you’re the next Alpha. I think you can go by yourself.”
“No. I can’t because if I show up without you, both Aspen and Sparrow are pains in the ass to deal with. Plus Aluma wants to see you, because she has to go to the ball as well and I’m pretty sure she’s as freaking out like you.” Why does every male here, know how to make me do things? 
“Fine.” I shove past him and outside, moving pisses off my injures. They’re almost healed but I’ll be sore for the next two days. 
“You’re still moving slow.” Frost states carefully as I shift into my Wolf skin.
“Yes Frost, because Luna’s take longer to heal. Almost as slow as Omegas.” I answer as he shifts as well, his silver Wolf is twice my size and bulk. 
“Are you all right?” His tone is gentle. He’s never been okay with how our mother chooses to punish us, but it could be worse. 
“I’m fine Frost. I promise, it will heal. Arcticus didn’t go as hard as he could have. You know his stance on hurting females.” I keep my tone soothing, leaning a little into the calmness effect all Luna’s have. Arcticus has always been kinder and softer towards females, believing we are the weaker sex, even with a female Alpha. There are some rumors that he willing gave up the Alpha title because he didn’t want to hurt our mother in the fight, I don’t know if I believe those rumors. 
“Still, he is not a weak male, not even when he holds back.” Frost brushes his body lightly against mine, a comfort move. 
I knock my head lightly into his shoulder, reassuring him I’m fine. “I promise I’m okay Frost.” Thankfully he drops it and we walk the rest of the way to the Fall border in silence. Sparrow is the first to spot us, he bounces over the border and comes straight towards me. Frost stops Sparrow by stepping in front of me before Sparrow can pounce on me. Sparrow whines and looks at me in confusion as his siblings make it over to us.
“She had a rough training session and she’s a little sore. No jumping on her.” Frost informs- commands? Sparrow, Aluma and Aspen. 
The Fall siblings shift out of their Wolf skins, Frost and I do as well. “How rough?” Sparrow and Aluma ask at the same time.
“Bruising, nothing broken.” I shrug and try not to wince in pain.
“Are you okay?” Aspen asks me carefully, I stare at him for a moment.
“If another person asks if I’m okay, I’m going to show them how okay I am. By beating the shit out of them.” I state, holding Aspen’s gaze, daring him to ask me that again. He blinks at me in surprise but he doesn’t move his gaze away from me. 
“And with that note, moving on.” Sparrow cuts in, I blink away from Aspen. Shocked at myself for forgetting that the others were with us, I think I lost my head for a second. 
“We heard you guys got your ranks a couple days ago but no one has said what they are.” Aluma meets my gaze. They got their ranks last year, Aspen and Flint are Alphas, Sparrow and Aluma are Betas, which doesn’t surprise me at all.
“Buz is a Beta, Ilgar is a Delta, I’m an Alpha, Viola is an Omega.” Frost answers, the Fall siblings stare at Frost in surprise. 
“She’s an Omega? Really?” Sparrow turns to me with wide eyes. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Cause it wasn’t my place to share that with anyone?” I wasn’t going to say it, plus Viola also isn’t sure of her rank and doesn’t want to talk about it. 
“You didn’t say Snow’s rank.” Aspen narrows his eyes at Frost, who looks at me with a raised brow. 
Of course he wants me to say it. Cause he knows I haven’t said it out loud. Fucking dick of a brother. “Well I’m a Luna. Natural born.” I force the words out of my mouth.
“No shit! That’s so cool!” Aluma pulls me into a hug, I try not to cringe in pain fuck!
“That’s why you have to go to the stupid ball.” Sparrow grumbles, Aluma pulls back and looks at me with wide eyes.
“Is that why you’re going?” She asks worriedly.
“Yeah, that’s why I’m going and no longer going to be hidden.” I take a step away from her, my skin feels like it’s crawling. Aluma narrows her eyes at me but doesn’t call me out for stepping away from her. 
“I would like to know how you, of all people became a Luna.” Aspen states, I would also like to know how I became a Luna but I don’t have any answers to that.
“Fuck off Aspen!” I snap and turn towards my brother. “Aluma and I are going to go talk over there,” I point to an old oak tree. “While you three go over whatever you needed to talk about.” I grab Aluma’s arm and pull her towards the oak tree, she follows willingly. 
“Are you also freaking out about going to this ball?” Aluma asks quietly as we start climbing the oak tree.
“Yeah, I even yelled at my mother for dragging me out of hiding. I’m not really handing it well.” I inform her, as I find a thick enough branch to hold both of us. I lean my back against the base of the tree, while Aluma dangles her legs off the branch we’re sitting on.
“Well I scream cried at my father for making me go. I think I hurt his feelings when I did that.” Aluma sighs and looks up, her shoulders bunched and worry lines her face. “What if we’re taken again?”
I let my eyes fall closed. “Then we fight like hell to get home again.” My voice sounds confident but I don’t feel it. I don’t think either of us would survive being taken again.
“I’m scared.” 
“So I am. But we’ll be okay. We’ll stay close together and not let anyone get between us and never let someone get us alone. We’ll be fine.” Wow that actually sounded believable, I open my eyes to see Aluma looking at the ground.
“Do you really think so?” My shoulders drop at her question.
“I hope so.” I answer truthfully.
“I guess that’s all we can do, is hope it all goes well because mom says we don’t have choice, we have to go.” Aluma sighs and turns her head to look at me. “Have you gotten a dress yet?” 
“No. Viola got hers yesterday, I was supposed to go with her but I opted out of going.” I shrug, I hate shopping. 
“Well I haven’t gotten one yet either, do you want to go with me?” Ah those hopeful mismatched eyes are a guilt trip.
“When are you going?” I hedge, I’m not going today. I can’t with the bruises lining my body. 
“In four days.” Fuck! Now I have to go with her, it’s fine. It’s all fine.
“Sure.” So much for staying hidden till the ball happens.
“Come on, it looks like they’re done talking.” Aluma nudges my leg before jumping down, I sigh and jump off the tree as well. Frost frowns at us as we join them.
“What’s that look for?” I ask going to his side, which I’m going to have to get used because till I’m mated or he is, I will have to be his reason and calm. 
“You’re the only one from our pack that doesn’t have what you’re wearing to the ball.” Frost informs me, if I didn’t know better I would say he was listening in our conversation. But I’m pretty sure it was Sparrow who asked him if I got my dress already.
“I know, Aluma asked me to go with her so that’s what we’re going to do.” I shrug, fuck I gotta stop doing that.
“Oh, you mean you’re coming with us.” Sparrow smirks at me, I narrow my eyes at him before sending a questioning look at Aluma who smiles sheepishly at me.
“It’s going to be all of us Fall kids.” Aluma lifts her shoulders in a half hearted apology.
I sigh and look at Frost. “It seems I’m going with the Fall sibling to go dress shopping.”
“Shit. Now it’s going to take twice as long.” Aspen grumbles, I frown at him, why would it take twice as long?
“You do realize that if Snow is going, it’s going to take less time because I’d have another female for opinions that I actually trust? Cause she’s going to tell me if I look like shit, while you three would say I look fine?” Aluma raises a brow at her brother who glare at her.
“I’d tell you if you looked like shit.” Sparrow grumbles, I shake my head. 
“Sure you would.” Aluma snorts, I know they wouldn’t because they’re too worried about hurting her.
“We need to be getting back now. I’ll drop Snow off in four days to go shopping with you guys.” Frost nudges me with his elbow to get moving, I wave to my friends before shifting to my Wolf.
“Be careful getting home!” Sparrow calls out to us.
“We will!” I answer through our mind link as Frost nudges me to go faster, I snap my jaws at him to quit. 
“Aspen used to joke that you and Sparrow were mates, didn’t he?” Frost asks randomly, I turn my head to look at him but he’s not looking at me.
“He did. Why?” I’m not sure if I want to know why he’s asking. 
“I hope you know that, because you are a Luna you can’t be with anyone who isn’t an Alpha. You know that, right?” Is he seriously talking about this? Right now?
“Yes Frost, I know that. Sparrow and I have only ever been friends, nothing more.” Even if I liked Sparrow that way, which I don’t because he’s not my type. I’m not the Winter Wolf Sparrow is in love with, but that’s not my truth to tell anyone but I can say a little. “Sparrow has been in love with the same person since he was 10 so don’t worry about it Frost.”
Frost stops walking and turns to me so, fast I almost slam into him. “He’s in love with someone? Who?”
“That is not for me to share.” I couldn’t tell him even I wanted to. I know who it is but telling Frost would out Sparrow and he’s not ready for anyone to know that he likes guys.
“It’s not like I’m going to tell anyone Snow.”
“No. Drop it Frost. I’m not telling you.” I take off away from Frost, done talking about Sparrow’s love life.

Chapter Text

June, 11th.

For whatever reason the guys wanted us to get our dresses before going to get their suits, we’re going to take longer so I don’t understand why. Aluma is over looking at the red dresses with Aspen and Sparrow, while Flint and I are staring at a the silver and blue dresses. Flint refused to help Aluma look at dresses which means he has to help me. Which is fine, cause we don’t know each other that well and hopefully he’ll tell me the truth.
“This dresses are all going to show a shit ton of skin.” Flint informs me as he thumbs through the silver dresses.
“Yeah well you should see Viola’s, it barely covers anything.” Which we’re Wolves, skin is skin but I don’t want everyone to see my scars yet it’s looking like they are going to be on display no matter what dress I chose.
“Viola wasn’t kidnapped and probably doesn’t care who sees her naked.” Flint grumbles under his breath, I almost don’t catch his words. I turn towards him slowly, Flint stills, I don’t think he meant to say that out loud. 
Because his face is turning bright red. “Oh? Is that so? You think I don’t want people to see me half naked?” I’m fucking with him when I probably shouldn’t. “Do you think I should hide my body because of my scars?”
“N-no. I-I just t-thought-“ Flint sputters taking a step back.
“I’m messing with you Flint.” He deflates like a balloon. “I’m not looking forward to wearing something this revealing.”
“Sorry I didn’t mean-“
“Flint. It’s fine. I promise. Let’s go check on Aluma because Aspen looks like he’s going to rip out his hair.” I pat Flint’s shoulder before walking over to the other Fall siblings. “How’s it going over here?” 
“All of these dresses are low cut, either in the front or the back and she refuses the brown dresses. The black ones are worse than the red.” Aspen snarls while going through the dresses. 
“It’s fine if they show skin Aspen. I’m not going to die if people see the scars on me.” Aluma hisses, and I’m pretty sure it’s not the first time she’s told him that.
“What about this one? Just to try on.” Sparrow holds up a sparkling bright red dress, it’s got a v neck front and an open back but it’s floor length and fluffy. 
“I like that one. I think it would show off your hips and chest nicely.” I inform Aluma who eyes the dress.
“I’ll try it. That makes two dresses that I can try on.” Aluma takes it from Sparrow and puts it over her arm with another dresses. 
“I don’t like it.” Aspen states, glaring at the dress. Brothers. 
“Well it doesn’t matter if you like it, it matters if Aluma likes it.” I smack Aspen’s shoulder, making him glare at me. 
“It does matter because every male will be looking at her like-“ Aspen cuts himself off, I raise a brow at him.
“Like she’s hot as fuck? Like they want to eat her?” I suggest, Aspen’s face burns red with anger. 
“Please stop talking before I get the urge to punch you in the face.” Aspen bites out.
“Relax Aspen, think of this as a practice run. For when she decides she wants to be mated.” He had started to relax but now he is covering his ears.
“Over my fucking dead body!” Aspen snarls at me. 
“Looks like we’re not the only ones dress shopping.” A female states, I turn my head and see a beautiful female with bright orange eyes and dark orange hair, she’s thin with sharp cheek bones and about 5’5. Omega. 
Behind and beside her are Bloodhound Wolves and Summer. Fuck. Noir, Onyx, Silas and Lucius are with her. The Fall Wolves stiffen around me, right Flint and Aluma don’t know that I’ve met four of them before. 
I guess the females are their sisters, Emery must be the Omega of the Bloodhound pack, Edana is the oldest female of the Bloodhound pack kids. She has dull orange eyes and brown, she’s about 5’8 and if looks could kill I’m pretty sure hers would. 
Ozul is the oldest out of all of the Bloodhound kids, he’s got brown eyes and black hair. He’s about 6’2 and apparently he’s the quiet one of the family. 
Then there’s the Summer Wolves, Clara has deep yellow eyes and bright golden hair, she’s about 5’10 and eyeing us with suspicion. Aurelia has bright yellow eyes and golden hair, she’s about 5’5 and not even looking at us. Sylvie on the other hand, has dark orange eyes and bright orange hair. She looks like there are a million thoughts going through her head, all at once and none of them are good for us.
Aluma presses against me, worry and a little bit of fear creeping into her scent. “Well you guys are throwing a ball, we need dresses.” I state calmly, even as I avoid Onyx’s eyes.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a White Wolf.” Sylvie muses stepping closer, Flint, Sparrow and Aspen step in front of Aluma and I. Fucking, fuck shit!
“That’s Dawn. She’s fine.” Lucius pulls Sylvie back, Flint and Aluma turn to look at me with matching looks of disbelief on their faces.
“You’re not allowed to be mad at me for knowing some of them.” I point a finger at Aluma.
“Some? More than one?” Flint glares at me, I shrug. This is so not how I wanted this day to go.
“Aspen and Sparrow knew.” Am I throwing them under the bus? 
Yes and I don’t regret it. “Dawn is it?” Clara croons, I nod even as my skin starts to prickle in warning. “You’re a Fall Wolf?”
“She’s one of ours.” Flint and Aspen growl, I blink in surprise, I didn’t expect Flint to claim me as well. “So back off.” 
Emery bounces over to us, seeming unbothered by the tension in the shop, she wiggles past the Fall brothers who are staring at her in shock. “I need more opinions on dresses. These males know nothing.” She tells us, ah she also doesn’t want the stupid opinions of brothers. “Do you guys want to look together?”
“Sure. As long as the males don’t start fighting it should be fine.” I answer and smile at the Omega female.
“You were supposed to be helping me.” Edana states.
“You can join us!” Emery sounds so existed about us helping her. Aluma gives me wide eyes but I just shrug, what are they going to do? Start a fight in a dress shop? Unlikely.
“I guess we’re joining you.” Sylvie smirks at me, as the females step over to us. I’m so not getting a dress while these people are around us. Aspen pulls me to his body while Sparrow does the same to Aluma. 
“I will kill all of you if any of you so much as touch these two females. Is that clear?” Aspen snaps at the Bloodhound and Summer Wolves.
“We’ll play nice.” Silas smirks at Aspen, dear fuck.
I step out of Aspen’s grasp and move to stand beside Emery. “What color are you going for?” I ask her, Aluma has not moved away from Sparrow. 
“Black. Maybe it’ll make me look scary.” Emery shrugs, I don’t think she can look scary but she can try. 
“Well if you do your makeup correctly, anyone can look scary. Even with soft features.” I answer and start going through the black dresses, the other females start going through the dresses as well.
“I’m not very good with makeup. Neither is Edana or mom.” Emery looks like a kicked puppy. “Mom doesn’t believe in wearing makeup so she never learned. We can wear it but it’s mostly us teaching ourselves.” 
“Oh.” I don’t really know what to say to that. A part of me wants to offer to do her makeup but then mother wouldn’t get her grand entrance with me. 
“I can do your makeup if you want.” Aluma offers, surprising me, and Emery it seems.
“Really?” Emery breathes, staring at Aluma as she comes to stand beside me.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing my makeup since I was six. I’ve gotten really good at it. Maybe I can teach you how after the ball?” Aluma is hesitant but she’s trying. They continue chatting and my mind wonders, as I help them pick dresses. Clara, Edana and Aurelia seem nice but Sylvie keeps staring at me.
 Onyx, is also staring but I’m pretty sure he’s reasoning is different from Sylvie’s stare. Noir, Ozul, Sparrow and Aspen are talking to each other, Lucius, Silas and Flint are glaring at each other, silently. I’m going to ignore them, because I don’t want to deal with their Alpha male bullshit. “Okay lets go try these on!” Clara has her arms full of dresses. 
The other females follow her to the dressing rooms, while I remain by the dresses. “Are you not going to try on dresses?” Silas asks coming towards me, Flint moving closer to me trying to shield me from Silas. 
Sparrow and Aspen stop talking and watch us carefully. “I already have mine. I’m just here to help Aluma pick one and make sure the males clean up nicely.” I lie smoothly, my tone doesn’t even change.
“What kind of dress did you pick?” Silas continues to move closer, Flint puts an arm around my waist pulling me closer to him, I try not to let it bother me.
“Do you really care what kind of dress I picked? Or are you wondering if I’m going to be half naked?” I tilt my head up to look at him.
Silas smirks at me. “Maybe I want to know what to look forward to, darling.” 
Flint growls deeply, I snort out a laugh. “Calm down Flint.” I pat his arm and look at Silas, amusement coursing through me. “You’ll just have to wait and see like everybody else.” 
“Snow! Come tell me what you think of my dress!” Aluma calls down through our mind link, I side step out of Flint’s hold.
“Aluma wants me to see her dress. Play nice males.” I move away from them, a shuddered breath leaving me as I step into Aluma’s dressing room. “Fucking shit! Aluma you look hot. Definitely that one!”
“I thought so as well but I wanted to be sure.” Aluma grins back at me. 
“Okay ladies, come check our dresses!” Edana calls to us, we walk through the dressing room and see the females. 
“Holy fuck!” I breathe, hot. They are hot. 
“Damn. Now I’m nervous about my dress. Does it look as good on me as theirs looks on them?” Aluma whispers to me.
“Yeah. It does. “ I tell her before looking over the females closely. “Those ones are it. I wouldn’t try anymore on. Those are perfect.” I am also now nervous if whatever dress I pick will look okay compared to theirs.
The female are giddy as they take their dresses off and ring them up. I’m going to have to come back later to pick out a dress. But the guys can get their suits before I do that. We head out to meet the males, Lucius, Silas and Flint are still glaring at each other but now Onyx, Noir and Ozul are in between them. Aspen and Sparrow are flanked on Flint. “Of course they’re in a pissing match.” Aurelia huffs, I snort. 
“They’re males. They don’t know how to do anything else.” I respond, as we reach them.
“Don’t be rude.” Sparrow cuffs the back of my head. 
“Are you guys ready to go get your suits?” Aluma asks her brothers, they nod.
“To bad we already got our suits or we would join you.” Silas smiles at me, heat rushes through me but I shove it down. I don’t want to know what the fuck that means.
“Not on your-“ I cover Flint’s mouth with my hand.
“I think these males have had enough interacting for the day so I think it’s best if we leave separately.” I can’t handle anymore of their bullshit. 
“It was good to see your actual face Dawn.” Silas nods his head to me and the Summer Wolves leave, along with most of the Bloodhound Wolves, expect for Onyx. Of course he didn’t leave.
“I’ll meet you guys at the suit store.” I push Flint away from me, all of the Fall Wolves stare at me. “Go. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Aluma pulls me towards her. “Be careful Snow, Onyx is the one who likes secrets.”
I nod and she steps away. “Come on guys. Lets go get y’all some suits!” Aluma quiet literally shoves her brothers out of the shop. 
“I heard the Winter Wolves got their ranks.” Onyx steps closer to me, I hum and turn away from. Heading towards the silver and blue dresses. “I thought you already got your dress.”
“I lied. I can’t very well buy a Winter dress when Summer Wolves are near, now can I?” I muse and thumb through the dresses. All of these are going to show my scars. Onyx comes to stand beside me.
“I suppose that’s true. What rank did you get?” If he knows all secrets, how come he doesn’t know that?
“Aren’t you the guy who knows everything?” I ask and pick three dresses, fuck this is not going to be fun.
“I am but your pack is very tight lipped when it comes to you. I know the rest of your siblings ranks but not yours.” Onyx follows me back towards the dressing rooms.
“Yes well, I’m a secret for a reason.” I call back to him as I close the dressing room door. 
“What is your rank?” He asks again from outside the room. I slip on the first dress, oh fuck no. This one makes me look like a child, on to the next. I slip off the first and pull on the second, this one is better but fuck half of my scars are able to be seen. I sigh and pull it off and grab the third, oh this one is worse than the second. Everything is showing.
Nope. Second it is. I take off the third and put my clothes back on and grab the second dress, this one is what I’m going with. I open the door and raise a brow at Onyx. “I’m a Luna. Natural born.” 
Onyx blinks in surprise but that’s the only sign that he wasn’t expecting it. “How do you feel about that?”
“Like I got kicked in the stomach.” I answer and go to check out with lady, she rings me up but she can’t seem to tear her eyes off of Onyx, I don’t blame her. He’s a tall, well built handsome male. I thank her for time and head outside, shoving the dress in the back of Aspen’s car. 
“Being a natural born Luna is not easy.” Onyx is standing way to close to me. “My grandmother kept a book, she wrote all about her time as a natural born Luna. The ups and downs, the magic she was able to use and the kind she wasn’t.” 
I blink at him, I don’t understand. “She wrote it all down? That’s a lot.”
“Yes, she did. There aren’t too many books about them so she wanted to write it down so if our family had anymore natural born Lunas, they would know what to expect.” Onyx explains, wow his grandmother was prepared and that’s actually really sweat of her.
My eyes drift to the suit shop, I hope they stay in there a little longer. “That was really cool of her to do. But I don’t understand. Why are you telling me about it?”
“Do you want me to lend it to you for a little while?” I stare at him, in utter shock. Why would he offer me that? “I would want it back so it would just be you borrowing it.” 
“Do not take this the wrong way Onyx, why are you offering me something so important to your family?” I’m so confused.
Onyx watches me, staying silent for a moment. “Being a natural born Luna, is hard enough but not knowing anything about it makes it even harder.” 
My shoulders tense. “I know it’s hard but that doesn’t explain why you want to help me.”
“Because I’ve read the book Snow. I know some of what your rank goes through. So I’m offering you the book, to help you be prepared for what’s to come. The months after you get your rank our going to be rough. If the book can help you even a little bit, I want that for you.” Onyx informs me, I blow out a breath.
“Okay, thank you Onyx. I appreciate it.” 
“I can give it to you at the ball. I don’t know if I’ll have time to run it to you sooner than that.” I nod in understanding, it’s going to look weird when he gives me the book but so be it. Onyx lays his giant hand on my shoulder. “I’ll see you next week.” 
I watch him walk away, my shoulder tingling from where he touched me. I shake it off and turn towards the suit shop but the Fall siblings are walking out of it so I lean against the car and wait for them to reach me. “Did you find a dress?” Aluma asks bouncing over to me, all of her brothers look pissed off but they each have suit bags.
“Yes I did.” We each get in the car, Flint and Aspen slam their doors, making both Aluma and I flinch. 
“Never again. We are never doing that again.” Flint snarls at his siblings.
Aluma ignores him and turns to me. “Can I see it?” 
“Nope. You’ll have to wait to see it like everyone else.” I smirk at her, Aluma sighs. 
“What did you and Onyx talk about?” Sparrow asks me, he’s squeezed into the back with Aluma and I. I’m in the middle because I’m the smallest which is annoying because both Aluma and Sparrow’s thighs are touching me.
“He heard I was a Luna and wanted to see how I dealing with that.” Half truth, half lie. 
“Why would he care?” Flint asks sharply. “Aspen told us how you guys met but that doesn’t explain why he cares.”
“His grandmother was also a natural born Luna. He said he knows some of what it was like for us.” I shrug and look out the window, Sparrow is staring at me but I just stare past him out the window.
“You need to be careful around him Snow.” Aspen informs me, I’ve heard it all before. I don’t need them to keep repeating it.
“I know.” I grumble and lay my head on Sparrow’s shoulder, I let my eyes fall closed as Sparrow kisses my head. The rest of the car ride back to the Fall land is filled with them talking about the ball. I stay silent, not wanting to talk about it. When we get to the Fall land, Sparrow tells the others he’s going to walk me back to my border, I frown at him but don’t say anything. I grab my dress and we start walking in silence.
We’re half way there and he still hasn’t said anything. “What did you want to talk about Sparrow? Because both you and I know, I can walk myself back. So spill it.”
Sparrow sighs. “I’m thinking of telling my family I like guys. Tonight.” I stop walking and turn towards him. 
“Really?” Sparrow shrugs and looks away from me. “Sparrow, are you really worried on how they would react?”
“Yes. I’m worried. I’m scared shitless.” Sparrow breathes, his shoulders curling into themselves, I grab his hand and hold it tightly. “I was wondering if tonight, after I tell them if I could come stay here?”
I don’t even hesitate to answer. “Yes. You’re more than welcome to come here after, I’ll make sure we have ice cream.” 
Sparrow chuckles but it’s sad. “Thanks Snow. I really didn’t want to stay the night at home after I tell them.”
“You’re always welcome to come running over here.” 
...
It’s been three hours since Sparrow left. The only person I told that he was spending the night was mother so she wasn’t surprised when he showed up. Thankfully Sparrow gave me permission to tell her about him otherwise I wouldn’t have known what to tell her about him showing up. But now I’m starting to get a little worried about him. 
My door opens and I sit up so fast I get dizzy, but Sparrow’s here. “How’d it go?” 
Sparrow walks into my room, closing the door then falls face first onto my bed. “I’m not really sure. I kinda told them, then bolted out of the house so fast. I don’t think they knew what was happening.” 
“Oh honey.” I curl my body around his and start playing with his hair. Oh gross. “You ran all the way here?”
Sparrow frowns at me in confusion. “Yeah? Why?” 
“You stink and you’re not sleeping my bed smelling like that.” I haul him off the bed and push him towards my bathroom. “Go shower, I’ll go steal some of Buz’s clothes for you to change into.” Sparrow heads to the bathroom and I go to Buz’s room, I knock on his door.
“Come in.” Buz’s gruff voice calls out, I open his door and step into his room. “What’s up Snow?”
“I need to borrow some clothes for Sparrow.” I answer and move to his dresser.
“My clothes? Wouldn’t Frost’s clothes be better than mine?” Buz sounds confused, how do I explain why using Frost’s clothes would be a bad idea?
“Well he’s sad so very baggy clothes are kind of like a comfort.” Hopefully that works.
“Why is he here? And why is he sad?” Does he have to ask so many questions. 
“He’s here because he’s sad. Why he’s sad is not for me to share. If he wants to share it, he can but I won’t. Plus mother knows he’s here so it’s fine.” I grab some of his clothes and head out of his room. “Thanks for the clothes!” 
I almost run smack into Frost. “Why did you take some of Buz’s clothes?” He’s looking at me like I have two heads.
“Because Sparrow is here. Goodbye.” I duck away from him and slip into my room, closing the door behind me. I lean my back against the door and sigh, this is harder than I expected it to be, keeping this kind of secret from my siblings. 
Sparrow steps out of the bathroom, with a towel around his waist. I push off the door just as it swing open, both Sparrow and I slowly turn towards the door. I’m still holding the clothes to my chest and Sparrow is clutching his towel for dear life as Frost stares at us in surprise. Frost grabs the door and slams it closed. “Can I have those clothes please?” I hand them to Sparrow without even looking at him, I hear the bathroom door close. I feel like I’m going to be in trouble. 
My door opens again and Frost steps in. “Why was Sparrow in a towel in your room?” 
“Cause he took a shower, cause he smelled bad.” I shrug and sit on my bed, I definitely feel like I’m in trouble.
“But why is he even here?” Frost growls at me, I press my lips together. “We talked about this! You said you were just friends! That did not look like just friends!” 
“Maybe because you walked in here without knocking! At the worst timing!” I snarl back at him.
Sparrow opens the door, dressed in Buz’s way too big clothes. “We are just friends Frost.” Sparrow walks over to the bed and sits down beside me as Frost glares down at us with his arms crossed over his chest. “I just told my family I was gay. I asked Snow if I could stay here tonight to avoid my problems.”
Frost takes three steps back in surprise, I know Frost has had sex with his guys so I know he’s not trying to be a dick about it but Sparrow doesn’t know that. “What?”
“He’s gay Frost. I told you, I wasn’t his type.” I cross my legs and lean back on my hands. “Do you believe me now?”
Sparrow refuses to look at Frost, which breaks my fucking heart. “Alright then. Goodnight.” Frost leaves my room quickly. That was it? He didn’t feel the need to say anything else to Sparrow? What the fuck is wrong with my brother?
“Just for the record, Frost is bi and out. I think he was just surprised.” I inform Sparrow who just sighs and pulls me so we’re laying down together. 
“It doesn’t matter.” It matters. It so matters but I let it go and snuggle up to Sparrow.

Chapter Text

June, 20th.

So as it turns out, Sparrow had nothing to fear, both of his parents knew he was gay since he was 6. Flint and Aluma suspected he was gay when he was 18, Aspen was the only one who was surprised. All of them were supportive and accepting of him. Frost has been avoiding Sparrow since he found out, which pisses me off and makes Sparrow sad but he keeps brushing it off like it doesn’t matter. 
The rest of my sibling finally understood why I was never worried about Sparrow falling in love with me, so I suppose that’s a good thing. But today, is not a good day. Today is the day we’re going to the Bloodhound Ball. Viola and I are getting ready together because we both need help getting into our dresses. Her dress is a light blue, her breast are covered but the stomach is see through with silver bleeds and flowers, then it moves into a flowing split skirt, her left leg is showing outside of her dress, but there are like five layers of skirt. 
The back is mid cut, so part of her back is exposed but at least the cut isn’t lower because then our brothers might lose their minds. It looks amazing on her, hugging her body in all of the right place. Her silver hair is up in a crown braid with some money pieces hanging down. Her make up is light but highlighting her features perfectly, her storm blue eyes are popping with the white eye liner and light blue eyeshadow. 
Me on the other hand, I feel exposed in all of the wrong ways. My dress is low cut in the front, stopping just under my tits. Thankfully no amount of bouncing is going to make me flash someone, because it’s basically a corset and I can barely breath. The back of my dress is about the same as Viola’s maybe a little lower, the skirt of my dress has three layers of see through lace. With splits at my upper thighs, you can’t seem them if I’m standing but when I move, you know they are there. My long waist length hair is mostly down with a few Viking braids on the left side of my head. 
My makeup is almost the same as Viola’s but instead of light blue eyeshadow, I have dark grey eyeshadow and winged black eyeliner. My dress is silver with one layer of deep blue lace on the skirt of it and some blue stitching along my chest and stomach. I blow out a breathe as Viola and I stand in front of the mirror. “I think you look really beautiful.” I tell Viola.
Viola laughs and hooks her arm through mine, her eyes lit with joy. “We look beautiful. Now come on, we have to get in the car before Frost starts yelling for us to hurry up again.” I let her drag me out of her room, the house and into the car. Ilgar is leaning against the car as we walk out.
“You ladies clean up nicely.” Ilgar smiles at us and opens the back door for us, I take a moment to study him.
He’s got some very, very light makeup along his face to highlight his features. His suit is a deep blue, and fits him like a glove. “We’re not the only ones who clean up nicely.” I croon at him and he hip checks me into the car, I chuckle and slide in beside Buz. 
Both Frost and Buz also have some highlighting makeup on, Frost and Ilgar’s suits match but Buz’s is a dark grey. Mom’s dress is a simple grey dress that, hugs her tightly with a bit of flare around her hips and down, her makeup matches Viola’s almost perfectly. The only difference is the silver eyeshadow. Her hair is down and slightly curled. 
Zep and Venus are here as well. Zep has a neutral grey suit on and no makeup, his also fits him really well and it’s making me realize I’ve never seen him out of work out clothes. Venus on the other hand has a full face of makeup, dark blue eyeshadow and eyeliner, dark blue puffy dress that looks snug around her chest and her hair is pulled half up, half down, she looks hot. 
“Anyone else kinda nervous about going to this thing?” Venus asks, her striking blue eyes are worried. 
“It will be fine Venus.” Mother comments while looking out the window.
“I’m a little nervous but only because I’ve never been to one of these before.” Viola pips in, Venus smiles hesitantly at her.
“Everything is going to be fine. Nothing to worry about or be nervous for.” Mother states again, my jaw locks and the girls fall silent. The rest of the ride to Bloodhound is silent. 
I pick at my fingers, I feel like this is going to be a shit show. I blow out a breath as we pull up to the Bloodhound packhouse, I spot the Fall car ahead of us. Oh good, we can walk in with them. Ilgar parks the car and steps out of it, mother is the first he helps out, Buz and Frost slide out next, then Zep and Venus are out. It’s fine, we’re fine. Viola and I lock eyes before she steps out of the car. I take the hand that’s offered to me and step out of the car, only to see Sparrow grinning at me and holding my hand.
“Looks like I’m your date for the evening.” He informs me, oh thank fuck!
“And what a handsome date you make.” I press a kiss to his cheek. He’s dressed in a dark brown suit and he looks damn good in it, his bright red hair has small Viking braids in it which makes us match a bit. 
I hook my arm through his and look at the other Fall Wolves. Aluma wears a long floor length red off the shoulder with a beaded bodice and lace up back, it hugs her chest and waist perfectly and flows down her hips. Her dark brown hair is off to the right side of her and mostly down with some small braids holding it in place. Her makeup is light and neutral coloring, making her face look soft and inviting. Xanthe has the same dress as Aluma but a deep brown, her red hair is woven into a crown braid but most of it is still down. Her makeup is slightly dark and more bold than Aluma’s, she looks a little intimidating which I didn’t think was possible.
Elwood’s suit matches Xanthe’s dress, and yeah he definitely looks a intimidating and I’m going to avoid meeting his gaze for a while. Aspen and Flint both wear black suits that hug them very nicely and holy fuck I’m going to be avoiding looking at them as well. Mother greets Aluma’s parents and they speak softly to one another, my eyes sweep around us. 
Many people are still arriving, other Fall Wolves, a few Bloodhound Wolves are walking into the packhouse, a couple Spring Wolves but I don’t see their Alpha family. I also don’t see any Summer Wolves, but the Light bringer clan is here. They are Elves and old as shit, I didn’t know they would be coming. Keah, the Light Bringer Clan’s leader comes towards us, going to speak with my mother and Sparrow’s parents. 
Keah’s eyes are blue, her eyeshadow is green with some brown eyeliner, making her eyes pop. Her long brown hair is swept up in a tight bun. Her dress is a deep green, slim and floor length simple dress with light purple flowering along her chest and the tips of her skirt. Ayla, Keah’s oldest daughter at 26, has deep purple eyes, her eyeshadow and eyeliner are a deep brown. Ayla’s long brown hair is braided to the left side and goes well past her waist. Her dress is a dark brown, with green leaves woven into it, her dress has translucent sleeves and it’s floor length. 
Elena, the third child of Keah, at 24, she has dark blue eyes, she has light purple eyeshadow and dark purple eyeliner. Her long dark red hair is braided to the right, going down to her waist. Her dress is the same as Keah’s dress, only the color is different, a dark purple with blue flowering along her chest and the tips of the skirt. 
Arjun, the oldest of Keah’s children, at 29, his eyes are a light blue, his shoulder length red hair has small Viking braids in some of it. His suit is a deep brown, almost black and it hugs his body in all of the right places. I will also be avoiding looking at him for too long. Oran, the youngest of Keah’s children, at 21, he has light purple eyes and shoulder length brown hair, also with some Viking braids. His suit is a deep green, with what looks like vines stitched into it. It looks like I’m going to be avoiding looking at all of the males just so my face doesn’t set on fire.
The Light Bringer Clan turns their gazes to me, I have never met them in person. Fuck. I pull Sparrow’s arm in front of my chest as they look me over. “Ah we finally get to meet the lovely Snow.” Keah smiles kindly at me, I press my lips together and nod my head at her.
“We should be getting inside now, Snow will be introduced around soon and you all can meet her officially then.” Mother cuts in, the Light Bringers nod and we follow them in. Sparrow, Aluma, Viola, Venus and I are in the middle of the group. Aluma has my arm left arm, Sparrow has my right, Viola is on my heel and Venus is on Aluma’s.

My eyes sweep around the room landing on the Spring pack first. Rose, the Luna of the Spring pack, has pink eyes, with purple eyeshadow and liner, her short light purple hair is curled loosely at her shoulders. Her dress is a deep purple, with hints of pink along the lace, it has a long train in the back but the front is shorter, resting at her knees. The chest is dipped low, cutting down to her stomach, showing a lot of her breast. I blink away from her and towards her mate, Osiris. The Alpha of the Spring pack, he has green eyes and deep purple hair, his suit is the same shade as Rose’s dress. And nope, my eyes slide to Amaryllis, the oldest of the Rose’s children at 26, Alpha possibly the future Alpha but the Spring pack hasn’t declared one yet. Her eyes are a deep pink with light purple eyeshadow and white eyeliner, her violet hair down and curled tightly. Her dress is similar to Viola’s, the only differences are the color, Amaryllis’s is a light purple and hers has no split in the leg and light purple flowers stitched along the skirt. 
Cedar is a Beta and dressed in a dark purple suit, slightly lighter than Osiris’s suit, his dark purple hair is slicked back and styled. Juniper, the other possible future Alpha, wears a deep green suit-fucking shit- some of his buttons are not together, showing some of his chest. His bright purple hair is styled to look like he just rolled out of bed. 
Iris, the youngest of Rose’s children, at 20, a Delta, has light green eyes with deep green eyeshadow and eyeliner, her short light purple hair, is curled loosely at her cheek bones. Her dress is a deep green floor length, see through lace but darker lace covers her chest, making it look like vines of a bush going up her chest. It has a lace up back and four thin straps going up her back and over her shoulders and chest, making her breast look bigger than they are.

None of them have noticed us yet, I move my eyes to the Bloodhound Alpha family. Soleil, the Alpha of Bloodhound, has orange eyes, her face bare of makeup, her brown hair is straight and going down to her chest. Her dress is a soft brown and simple, no designs or flare, it hugs her entire body, I’m not sure how she’s supposed to move in that. Nuriel, the Luna of Bloodhound,  has brown eyes and black hair with orange tips, why does his face look so serious? His suit matches Soleil’s dress, simple and soft brown. 
Ozul is wearing a dark brown suit, that is hugging his body-why?- his black hair is slicked back. Edana went with the dress I told her to! A black dress, kind of see through flowered chest piece with a dip going to her belly button, black flowers going from her chest down to her hips then stopping and turning to long flowing lace with a mostly open back but with two thin crossed straps. Her brown hair is in a low, pony tail with a braid holding it in place, the only makeup she wears is black winged eyeliner. 
Both Onyx and Noir wear black suits- I’m done looking at handsome males that don’t know how to button their shirts! Emery also went with the dress Aluma and I loved the most. A black floor length dress, with a high waist cut for her right leg, it’s a fluffy dress. With a chest cut similar to Edana’s but just a little bit wider, the stomach part of the dress is slightly see through. Her makeup is a dark smoky look, her dark orange hair is down and off to the left side of her neck. She’s looks like a fucking badass.

My eyes slide away from them and to the Summer family, Helios, the Summer Alpha, he has yellow eyes and deep orange hair. His suit is a deep burnt orange, his face is set in a pissed off expression that makes my insides quiver. I well be staying well away from him. Aurelia went with Aluma and Emery’s favorite dress. A sun colored yellow, simple dress, a slight v cut chest, floor length with a laced up back. It suits her well. Aurelia has neutral soft makeup on, her golden hair is swept up in a braided bun. Clara went with Edana’s and my favorite dress. A floor length rose gold dress with golden flowers stitched into the chest and all the way down the skirt, it has a shallow cut to the chest but the back is open. Clara’s makeup is also neutral and soft, her bright golden hair is curled over her shoulders. Sylvie went with Clara’s and Edana’s favorite dress. A floor length sunset orange dress, flowers cover her chest with a slight v neck, the flowers go down to her hips and stopping there turning into lace and fluffing out. It has a mostly open back with flower straps. Her makeup is mostly neutral but her eyeshadow is sunset orange, her short bright orange hair down.
As we move through the main room, heads turn towards us, I keep my head down and clued to Aluma’s and Sparrow’s sides. I can hear the whispers starting but I don’t think I’ve haven't been spotted yet. Mother leads us to the Bloodhound family, I stay in the middle of the group as mother speaks to Soleil and Nuriel. Keah, interduces her children to the Bloodhound family. Then Xanthe interduces her children to them, even though most of the Fall family knows the Bloodhound family. “My children, Buz is the oldest and likely next Beta. My second Frost is my heir, Ilgar is my third and a Delta, Viola is my fifth child and Omega.” Dear fuck, each of my siblings have stepped forward and nodded to the Bloodhound family. 
“Where is your fourth? Did she not want to come?” Nuriel asks gently, his voice soft and kinda quiet. 
“Ah yes, Snow, our very first natural Luna.” Frost grabs my arm and hauls me forward, in front of him. I can feel everyone looking at me, my heart is pounding hard in my chest. 
I dip my head to the Bloodhound family. “It is nice to meet you finally.” I keep my tone light and my eyes down.
“A white Wolf.” Soleil eyes me, while most of her kids look shell shocked. All but Onyx who is watching me with something like amusement in his eyes.
“Yes, she is rare gem.” Mother smiles, her eyes going over the crowed watching us, her smile gets wider as she looks over them. Fuck! Aluma grabs my hand again, Sparrow comes and stands by my shoulder.
“I’ve heard the rumors about the white Wolf, most said she was a Fall Wolf.” Soleil continues, her eyes boring into me.
“Well I had to keep her hidden or else, who knows what would have happened to her?” Mother brushes it off.
“From the scars on her skin, I would say something did happen.” Soleil raises a brow at my mother, but I answer before she can.
“As you know, many were kidnapped four years ago. I was with Aluma when she was kidnapped so they took me as well.” I answer, meeting her gaze and tightening my hold on Aluma’s hand.
“Ah, Onyx and Noir were a part of your recuse,” Her eyes flick to her sons, Onyx doesn’t look at her just keeps watching me while Noir presses his lips together but doesn’t say anything. “They did not mention a white Wolf.”
“She was covered in blood, her fur was stained red.” Aluma is actually the one to speak up, I try not to think about that. 
“Fair enough.” Soleil seems to let that bit go but her eyes turn to me again. “I heard the white Wolf’s name, was Dawn.”
“Because I was told not to tell anyone my real name till I was introduced to the packs formally, so fake name.” I shrug, my dress swaying with the movement. 
“I suppose that makes sense, well enjoy the party and do come chat with me later Snow, I would love to pick your brain about being a natural born Luna.” Soleil and Nuriel walk away, as do the Fall and Light Bringer parents, Keah pulling our mother away. 
I blow out a breath, not ready to deal with the questions that are about to come my way.

Chapter Text

June, 20th.

“This is going to be a shitshow.” Ayla states, her purples eyes meeting mine. “At least it will be interesting.” 
“I think your definition of interesting and mine are very different.” I roll my shoulders back and try not to let my fear show.
Ayla laughs, a soft musical sound. “I like the chaos.”
“She will also create it when she can.” Arjun winks at me, a startled laugh escapes me and his smile gets wider.
“You lied to us!” Edana snarls quietly at me.
I knew that was coming. “I did, yes.” No need to lie anymore.
“They helped you lie!” Edana hisses, this time towards the Fall Wolves as well.
“They did, yes.” Calm, cool, collected. I can do this. 
“I understand why you would lie. I can’t image how hard it must of been to have been hidden your entire life.” Onyx cuts in, surprising the fuck out of me. 
Edana and Noir lock eyes and seem to weigh Onyx’s words. Emery on the other hand is looking at me weird. “Oh shit.” She breathes, her eyes going wide. “That’s why the Fall brothers reacted like they did when the Summer Wolves came in! They were trying to keep you hidden from them!” 
Ah it finally clicked in her brain. “Yep, that about sums it up.” 
“Hold up. You met Summer Wolves and lied to them as well?” Elena raises a brow at me.
“Yep. It’s why I’m not turning around or looking around because I also met Spring Wolves and lied to them.” I shrug, my voice getting slightly higher, the Lighter Bringers stare at me in utter shock. 
“Girl, you fucked up.” Ayla informs me. “I kinda love it.” 
I don’t know how I feel about this female. “You kinda make me nervous.” I state truthfully, Aluma snorts out a laugh.
“Not as nervous as you’re about to be.” Oran informs me and nods his head to someone behind me. 
I steady my nerves and look over my shoulder, Cedar and Lucius are coming over here. “Oh this is going to suck.” Sparrow breathes and grabs my waist, Aluma lets go of my hand and goes to Flint’s side. 
“You lied to us!” Lucius snaps at me, kinda loudly. 
I slowly turn my body towards his, Sparrow moving with me. “I did. For good reason. I didn’t feel like having my head removed from my body.” 
Lucius’s upper lip curls in a snarl but Cedar cuts him off. “I should have known you weren’t a Fall Wolf.”
“Probably but I was always around the Fall Wolves.” I shrug, not bothered by his anger towards me. 
“You’re too soft to be a Fall Wolf.” Cedar snaps, okay that hurt a little.
“Are you saying all Winter Wolves are soft?” Frost asks his voice calm but I know the very carefully blank look on his face means violence and death. 
“I think he is saying that the female are. Which we can be, but not all of the time.” I cut in, meeting Cedar’s eyes, he does not want to mess with Frost. 
Cedar eyes me for a minute before looking at Frost. “I meant no offence to your pack, I’m angry that I was lied to.” Thank fuck he heeded my silent warning. Blood shed is not going to happen tonight! I notice the rest of the Spring and Summer kids heading towards us, all but Clara, Amaryllis and Iris look pissed. 
Sparrow pulls me tighter to his side. My brothers tense, as do the Fall Wolves. “If they make a move-“ Buz starts but I cut him off.
“No. This is Bloodhound land, we will not start anything.” I hiss at my brothers, who all give me the stink eye as the rest of Summer and Spring kids reach us. 
“I knew you weren’t a Fall Wolf!” Iris grins at me, I blink at her. “But I can’t believe you’re a Luna!”
“Neither can the rest of us.” Aspen informs her, as his eyes flick to the Summer Wolves, Sylvie looks like she wants to kill me. 
Silas comes up to me, his eyes blazing with anger. He holds out a hand to me, I stare at it blankly. “Dance with me.” Fuck! Mother told me not to refuse a dance to anyone. My eyes flick to Frost who knows I can’t refuse but all of my siblings were told to let me dance with whoever asks me. I take a deep breath and take his hand, Sparrow tightens his grip on me not letting Silas take me. 
“Let go of her Sparrow.” Ilgar bites out to Sparrow, I know Ilgar really didn’t want to tell him that. Sparrow hesitates before slowly letting me go, Silas pulls me towards the dancefloor. My heart hammers in my chest as Silas pulls me close to his body and we start moving with the music. 
His right hand holds my left, his left my hip with his fingers brushing my spine, I feel tiny compared to this male. “Why did you ask me to dance Silas?” I ask, tipping my chin up to meet his orange furious eyes. He doesn’t answer and spins me around to the music, my breath catching as he pulls my body against his again, with slightly more force then needed. Those eyes searching my face.
“You lied. Many times. To my face.” His grip on my hand and waist tighten.
“I did.” How many times am I going to have to say that? Silas lowers his head to stare into my eyes as the music picks up slightly in speed. His body keeps shifting against mine as we move to the music.
“You are going to regret lying to me, darling.” His words are quiet, but the threat is clear.
I pull my head back and move my body slightly away from his, I’m not afraid of him. Even though he is threatening me, there is no fear which is slightly concerning. “How do you know I don’t already regret it?”His brow bunches in confusion but he spins me out again and then back to his body. 
I catch sight of my siblings, Viola is dancing with Aluma. Good, that’s good that they are together and neither of them are alone. Frost is standing between Aspen and Buz, all three have their arms crossed over their chest, glaring at the back of Silas’s head. Flint and Ilgar are standing by the bar, watching us but they seem a bit more relaxed than the other three. Sparrow is standing with Onyx and Emery, those three are also watching us but Sparrow looks worried while Onyx and Emery look curious. 
“Afraid of getting your pretty neck snapped already darling?” Silas raises a brow at me, I chuckle and that seems to piss him off and confuse him more. “You’re laughing?”
“I am. Because there is nothing you could do to me that I haven’t been through. Killing me would be a mercy.” I smile at him, Silas looks lost. “I was kidnapped Silas, you know this. What do you think they did to me? Treated me nicely and never laid a hand on me?” 
His eyes harden. “I’ll make what they did to you look like child’s play.” He growls, but still I have no fear. I should but I don’t, for whatever reason, I’m not worried about him actually hurting me, despite his threats.
“May I cut in?” A deep strange male voice asks, I turn my head and my heart stops in my chest, now I feel fear. Silas lets go of me and Helios takes his place, I eye him wearily as he grabs my body. 
“Helios.” I dip my chin to him as he starts dancing with me to a slower song, my body lined with tension.
“Snow, Luna of the Winter pack.” My jaw clenches, his voice scraps my nerves like sandpaper. “You were very well hidden. I’m surprised your mother was willing to let you out tonight. To dangle you in front of us like bait on a hook.”
I tip my head back to see his hard face. “Maybe she wanted to piss you off.” I smirk at him, even as my insides feel like they’re dying.
Helios flares his nostrils, the only sign of his anger. “Maybe so but you should know Snow, your days are now numbered.”
“They have been numbered since I was born a White Wolf. More so now that I was declared a Luna.” I answer, my tone soothing and calm, I feel neither of those things.
“Don’t use that tone with me girl.” Helios snaps, his hand crushing mine. I think I just used my Luna tone on him, ops.
I tilt my head and look over him carefully, easing my face into confusion. “Was it a specific tone you didn’t like, or just my voice?” I ask making sure my tone is soothing and calm again, on purpose this time.
The hand on my waist tightens, if he’s not careful he’ll leave a bruise. “You know damn well what tone I’m talking about!” 
“I’m sorry I don’t know what tone, you’re talking about. I don’t think it’s changed at all.” I answer making my voice softer and lighter, he bares his fangs at me.
“You’re a stupid girl. You don’t even know your own powers.” I raise a brow at him but he’s not done. “That will make it so much easier to kill you.” 
I press my lips together, force air into my lungs because I’m going to need it. I yank my hand and body away from him. “I do not have to dance with anyone who threatens my life. You will leave me alone if you do not want to disrupt the ball more than you already have.” I raise my voice, so everyone can hear me and take a step away from him. 
Thankfully Onyx steps up to myside, not looking at me but looking at Helios. “You know the rules Helios. This is not your land.” 
“I did not harm her.” Helios states as Sparrow reaches my side, wrapping his arm around me.
“You do not have to harm to be a threat.” Onyx states calmly, Soleil comes and stands by her son.
“No more of this. Helios, please stay away from Snow. I hate cleaning up blood, it stains everything.” Soleil informs him, Helios nods and walks away, not saying anything more. Soleil turns towards me and winks before she floats off to somewhere else, that female is strange but I’m thankful for her. 
Sparrow pulls me against him and we start dancing together, I sigh. “Are you alright?” He asks quietly, I nod, I’m already over this party and would like to leave.
“How much longer do we have to stay for?” I ask just as quietly. 
“Snow, we’ve barely been her fifteen minutes.” I frown at Sparrow, it feels like it’s been a lot longer than that. “I don’t think we’re going to get to dance together as much as I thought we would.” 
What does he mean by- “May I cut in?” Juniper asks, at my shoulder. Now I know what he meant by that.
“To dance with me? Or Sparrow?” I ask tilting my head towards him.
Juniper snorts. “For you.” I flick my eyes to Sparrow, he heaves a loud sigh, clearly unhappy about it.
“Fine.” Sparrow lets go me and Juniper takes his place in front of me.
“Did you need to speak to me Juniper?” I ask softly, I haven’t ever seen him as an enemy and I’d hate to start now.
“Yeah, are we still friends? Even though you’re a Winter and I’m a Spring?” He questions, seeming a little nervous about my answer.
“I haven’t ever seen you as a threat Juniper. Unless you change that, I’d you like to stay my friend.” I reply truthfully, he’s a sweet person and hasn’t ever made me think otherwise. 
“Okay good, just checking.” He spins me around and pulls me back in, I clutch his shoulder because I was not prepared.
“Warning would be nice.”
Juniper laughs. “You weren’t paying any attention to the song, you had plenty of warning.” 
“I’m sorry I was more concerned about assuring you, I’d like to stay friends rather than paying attention to the song.” I snark back, a smile playing at my lips. 
Juniper grins back at me. “Fair enough.” His grin fades a little and he looks at me seriously. “What did Helios say to you?”
I frown at him as he dips me and drawls me back up. “He was just telling me, my days are numbered but I knew that long before I was a Luna.”
“I’m sorry about him.” Juniper breathes, sadness filling his eyes.
“Nothing for you to be sorry about Juniper. He hates my pack, my mother hates his. It’s a never ending cycle.” I shrug, there’s nothing to be done about it.
“Every cycle can come to an end Snow. Seasons change for a reason, even the moon and stars change.” Juniper speaks so softly I barely can hear him. But his point is clear. “I think I need to go save Iris from one of your Winter Wolves.” Juniper suddenly states, his body stops moving. I turn my head and see Zep flirting with Iris, whose entire face has turned red. 
“Ah, I’ll help because that’s Zep and he’ll stop if I tell him to.” I let go of Juniper and start walking towards them, Juniper at my side. Zep sees me coming and narrows his eyes at me, I raise a brow at him and come to a stop in front of him. “Is he bothering you?” I ask Iris, she just looks at me. 
“Iris, your entire face is red. Are you alright?” Juniper asks her, his hand touching her shoulder, she nods but still doesn’t say anything. 
Fuck. Zep has a dirty mouth. What the fuck did he say to her? I grab Zep’s arm and pull him away from the Spring siblings. “What the fuck did you say to her?” I hiss at him, and find a corner to shove him into.
“Nothing bad! I said her dress suited her very nicely. And asked if she picked it herself! That was it! I swear!” Zep holds his hands up, as if that would stop me.
“And what she just turned bright red because of that?” I highly doubt it.
“He’s telling you the truth.” I flinch slightly at Onyx’s voice at my ear, I sidestep away from him and glare. “I heard them talking and saw you shove him this way.”
“See? I’m telling the truth!” Zep still looks nervous but that might be because he knows I can kick his ass now. 
I sigh and pinch my nose, males give me a fucking headache. “Fine Zep. But seriously, leave Iris alone. Juniper looked like he was going to kill you.” 
“I won’t go near her again, unless she approaches me.” Zep nods and then hightails it away, I sigh again and turn to Onyx. 
“You are getting a lot of attention tonight.” Onyx musses, his eyes roaming my body, I glare at him.
“I noticed.” My tone is clipped, annoyance flaring through me. 
“You don’t seem glad for the attention.” Onyx looks slightly puzzled by this.
“Being in the spotlight is not my thing.” Is my only answer, because I’m not telling him I’m terrified I’m going to be kidnapped again.
Onyx stares at me for a moment before shaking his head. “I don’t see where you could hide a book in or on your dress.” 
I stare at him blankly, that was a switch and a weird one at that. “Well I wouldn’t hide it with my dress. I’d take it out to the car and hide it.” There is nowhere I could hide a book on my body with this dress, plus too many people want to dance with me and could possible touch it. So no.
“Ah. Do you want me to give it to you now or later?” His eyes turn back to the party and I follow his gaze, no one seems to have noticed I’ve not returned yet so now could work?
“Now if you have it with you.” Onyx pulls a black book from his suit jacket and hands it to me, I carefully accept it and hold it to my chest. “I still don’t understand you Onyx, but thank you.” 
Onyx steps into my space, his finger grazing my chin and tipping it up so my eyes can meet his deep brown ones. “You don’t have to understand me, to accept my help.”
“It would make it easier if I understood you.” I reply, why is his face so close to mine? 
“Maybe it would, yet I really don’t want you to understand me.” Onyx steps away from me, only then do I realize I was holding my breath the entire time he was touching me. “Go hide it before they notice you’re gone.”
I duck my head and leave out a side door, cool air brushing my bare skin as I step into the dark yard. I rush to find my car and hide the book under one of the seats, I hurry back towards the packhouse when I spot a shadow up high, near one of the windows. The person seems to be looking in, not out to the yard. I move towards a tree that’s closer to the packhouse, to get a better look at the person. 
Definitely a Wolf, definitely a female but I can’t make out more than that. I let out a low whistle, the female startles and crouches down on the ledge, her head sweeping over the yard but I’m hidden behind the tree. From what I can see, she is in guard gear with weapons at her sides and a hood over her head. I watch her jump down and take off, not shifting to her Wolf skin. That’s so fucking weird but I need to get back in there before anyone notices I’m no longer inside.

Chapter Text

June, 20th.

I step back inside, the noise instantly slamming into my ears, fuck. I forgot how loud it was in here, didn’t realize how quiet it was outside. I find a spot by the wall to people watch, Sylvie and Oran are dancing together. Oran looks like he wants to be anywhere else, while Sylvie looks like he hung the fucking moon. Clara and Amaryllis are dancing and laughing together, they seem like good friends. Ayla is standing next to Buz, she keeps grinning at him and Buz is blushing? I think that’s a blush on his face! Frost is standing with Edana and he seems to be flirting with her, she seems to be entertaining him but she doesn’t look all that interested in him. I notice Sparrow off to the side, watching Edana and Frost, damnit, he looks sad. Ozul is talking to Sparrow but Sparrow looks like he’s only half listening to Ozul. Sparrow breaks my fucking heart, if he could have fallen in love with any of my other brothers, he might have had a chance but he fell in love with Frost. Who can’t tell when someone likes him, or doesn’t even like him. 
I sigh and drag my eyes away from them, there’s nothing I can do about it. Cedar, Silas and Aurelia are standing with each other talking. Noir and Viola are dancing, I don’t know how I feel about that but his hands are high on her back, well away from her ass so I suppose it’s fine. For now. Ilgar, Aluma and Elena are dancing together, it looks complicated but they’re making it work for them. Flint is dancing with Iris and their heads are bent close together. 
Juniper is dancing with Emery, her face is bright red but Juniper doesn’t really seem to notice because he keeps sneaking glances at Aluma, I also don’t know how I feel about that. Aluma has been through to much for a Spring Wolf to come in and ruin it, I like Juniper but I’m not sure I like him for her. My eyes sweep the room, ah there’s Aspen, he’s dancing with Venus. I’m kinda surprised by that but it’s a party, he has to interact with people, it really shouldn’t surprise me. 
Helios, Keah and Osiris are speaking off to the side of the room. I swing my gaze away from them, if I never have to look at Helios again, I won’t. Nuriel and mother are dancing, oh that’s fucking weird. Soleil is speaking to Xanthe, Elwood and Rose. Where the fuck is Zep? I don’t see Onyx either, his whereabouts don’t really concern me but it’s weird that I can’t see Zep anywhere. There are many others here but none that I know, most of the females are in floor length dresses, with the colors of their packs. 
Outside of my family, Zep and Venus are the only other Winter Wolves that came here with us. I feel someone stand beside me, warm breath near my neck. I try not to flinch or cringe when Onyx asks, “Why are you hiding in shadows little Wolf?” against my skin. Little Wolf? Why the fuck would he call me that? Is he trying to be an asshole? 
I can be an ass back. “Why are your lips so close to my skin dark one?” I ask tilting my head to the side, to see his face. It is still way to close to mine. 
“I asked you first.” He doesn’t move away, I turn my head away from him. Just because he’s close to me, doesn’t mean I have to look at him, I could move away but that feels like admitting he makes me unconfutable.
“So I can watch without being seen.” I answer and catch Silas’s eye, shit. His expression hardens, I shift my eyes away from him. I don’t want him coming over here, I can deal with only one Alpha at a time. While Onyx is, kinda okay ish, I don’t trust him. Something about him just makes me a little jumpy, not in a supper bad way but not in anyway I’m used to. Silas on the other hand, I don’t know. I’m way to calm around him, I should feel something other than calm, he is my enemy but it oddly doesn’t feel like he is.
“He doesn’t seem happy with you.” Onyx states the fucking obvious. 
“Why would he? I lied, I think only some of the Spring Wolves aren’t mad about that.” Normally I would shrug but again, Onyx is way to fucking close and if I move, my body will touch his. No fucking thank you. 
“True. I don’t think he’ll get over that any time soon.” Onyx replies, his breath ruffling my hair.
“He’s a Summer Wolf, they never let anything go, not when it comes to Winter.” I catch Sparrow’s eye, he looks slightly nervous. I don’t know if he’s nervous for me or himself because he’s been talking to Ozul for a while now. “You didn’t answer my question.”
I feel his eyes on my face but I ignore it, I have no desire to engage with him further. I’m not here for his amusement. “I wanted to see if you were scared of me.”
That stops me, I blink at the ground and then slowly turn my body towards his, my dress brushing his legs with my movement. “If I was scared of you?” Is he serious? “Why would I be afraid of you?”
Onyx raises a brow at me but still doesn’t move away, he actually leans down, searching my eyes. “I’m the Silent Assassin.”
“And?” He only kills those that are corrupted, what do I have to fear of him? “Is that supposed to scare me?”

SPARROW!
I drag my eyes away from Frost and Edana, my chest painfully tight with emotion I can’t deal with right now. Ozul is watching me, he stopped speaking a minute ago but for the life of me, I don’t know what we were talking about. I know I responded some but I was to distracted watching them. “I’m sorry Ozul, my mind is a bit of a mess at the moment. I don’t know what we were talking about.” 
“It’s all right. I’m not too thrilled about Frost flirting with Edana either.” Ozul states casually. My eyes snap to his, what? “Have you told your family that you prefer males?”
I stare blankly at Ozul, am I that obvious? He shouldn’t know that I like males, the only one who knew was Snow and they’ve barely met and I don’t think my family would out me like that. “What?”
Ozul stares at me, silently. I shuffle my feet nervously, we’re the same rank but he’s like a foot taller than I am and packed with more muscle then I could dream of getting. “You have been staring after Frost for a while now, even before that. Whenever our parents got us together, you stared at males, not the females. It is easy to see.”
“Oh.” I really don’t know what to say to that, I don’t know how to react to that either. I slide my eyes away from him and spot Snow hiding in the shadows. Onyx gliding up to her, he leans down and says something to her. I watch Snow’s body tense and then slowly lose the tension. 
“You do like males? Or was I wrong?” Ozul asks, why does he want to know? I don’t take my eyes off of Snow and Onyx.
“I do, I’m not really telling anyone that though, my family knows and so does Snow’s.” I answer, Snow keeps moving her eyes, not looking at Onyx. Is he making her nervous? Should I go over to her? 
“Onyx seems to keep finding Snow.” Ozul muses, I frown but don’t take my eyes off of them.
“What do you mean?” I think I should go over there. Snow’s eyes lock with mine, concern grows in her eyes when she see my face.
“He defended her from Helios, then found her and gave her a book. Now he’s gone up to her yet again.” Ozul informs me, I knew Onyx defended her from Helios because I was about to do the same thing but he beat me too it. But why would he give her a book? What book did he give her?
“Do you want to go over there with me?” I actually look at him when I ask, Ozul seems slightly surprised. I’m not sure if he’s surprised because of my question or because I was able to drag my eyes away from Snow for five seconds. 
“Sure.” We head towards them and half way to them when Snow slowly turns her body towards Onyx, her face screaming ‘how stupid can you be?’ shit. I quicken my steps and reach them just as Snow speaks.
“And? Is that supposed to scare me?” Her tone is calm, too calm. I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her body flush against mine. “Hi Sparrow.” I’m glad she can always tell it’s me, that I no longer scare her when I touch her or get close. 
“Are you threatening her?” I raise a brow at Onyx who looks at me in amusement, making my skin bristle. 
Ozul stands beside me, silent and watching. “No threats were made Sparrow.” Snow pats my arm, that’s across her stomach. 
Onyx eyes my grip on Snow, his eyes dark pools of emotions I can’t read. “You do realize Sparrow, that you could never be her mate?” I blink at him, Snow sucks in a small breath. “A Luna could never be with a Beta.” His eyes fall to my arm and then back to my eyes. “You might want to learn to let her go, before you get hurt.” 
Onyx walks away without another word, all three of us remain silent for a moment before Snow laughs and moves out of my grip, I let her go easily. I look at Ozul, he seems amused. “I don’t think I like Onyx. You and your other siblings are nice but I don’t think I like him.”
Ozul snorts and shakes his head, his lips tilting up slightly. I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen him smile before. “He’s supposed to be the smart one out of all of us, but sometimes he misses small things.”
I’m not entirely sure what that means. “Is that supposed to be a dig?” Snow sounds defensive, ah shit.
“Ozul knows that I like men.” I inform her quickly, Snow’s face relaxes instantly. Ozul raises a brow at her.
“It was not a dig at Sparrow. I assure you Snow. I’ve know him a long time, I would never try to hurt him.” Ozul speaks to Snow but for some reason I feel like it was also directed at me, Snow’s eyes light up.
Oh shit. What the fuck is she thinking? “You know, Ozul. Sparrow hasn’t gotten to dance much tonight.”
I frown, that’s a weird way to change the subject and why do I have to be it? “Oh? Is it because you keep getting stolen away from him?” Ozul asks, meeting Snow’s vibrant green eyes.
“Yes it is, I would try dancing with him again but I think someone else will just cut in again. Are you the dancing type Ozul?” Snow asks so sweetly my teeth ache. How dare she-
“I can be.” Ozul nods his head to Snow, like he’s agreeing to something-fuck! Ozul turns to me and holds his hand out to me. “Would you like to dance Sparrow?” I’m going to kill her. She’ll be dead by morning. I take his hand and let him lead me towards the dancefloor, I shoot a glare over my shoulder at Snow. She just winks at me and gives me a thumbs up. 
Ozul pulls me close to him and starts moving to the song. My heart pounds in my chest, so loud I’m worried Ozul can hear it. “Snow seems like a good kid.”
I flick my eyes up towards his then away. “She can be.” But right now I want to kill her, I know why she did this but it’s not going to make my feelings change.
“Sparrow.” The commanding tone makes my head snap up, Ozul’s deep brown eyes are staring intensely at me. “I was going to ask you to dance earlier but you seemed distracted by Frost and Edana, it also seemed to make you sad so I decided to wait. If you do not want to dance with me. Say so, you will not hurt my feelings.”
I- he-what? “You wanted to dance with me? I thought you just asked because Snow basically begged you too.”
“I wouldn’t say begged, more like she hinted I should ask you to dance. But yes, I wanted to ask you to dance when I walked over to you earlier this evening.” But I was staring at Frost and Edana.
“Why did you want to dance with me?” Oh I don’t think I should have been so blunt about that.
Ozul’s eyes flick over my head, his jaw going tight, I tense. “Silas has asked Snow to dance again.” Ozul spins me around, holding my back to his front. My breath catches, I can feel him everywhere. He continues dancing with my back pressed against his front, I let my body follow his movements. I forcefully drag my eyes up, fuck! 
Why did Silas ask her to dance again? “That can’t be a good thing, can it?” My tone is quiet, I know he heard me because his hand on my hip tightens.
“No. It can’t.” Ozul spins me around so I’m facing him again. His eyes stay locked on them, is he as worried about them as I am?
“I think I should go and cut in.” I don’t know why I said it, I really don’t want to go head to head with the next Alpha of Summer. Nor do I want Ozul to take his hands off of me. Wait- where the fuck did that thought come from?
“You do not have to, Oran has broken free of Sylvie and is cutting in.” Ozul spins my back to his front of again, Oran is cutting in. Silas looks pissed but backs off, I let out a shuddering breath. 
“Thank fuck. I really didn’t want to piss off the next Summer Alpha.” Ozul chuckles against my neck before turning me back towards him, our faces dangerously close together.
“You are tiny compared to him. While you are strong, I do not believe you would survive going toe to toe with him.” Fair enough, I don’t think I’d survive either. 
I tip my chin up, holding Ozul’s dark gaze. “I’d do it for her.”
Ozul’s gaze sweeps over my face. “You would die for her?”
“Without hesitation.” Snow is my best friend. I could not live this life without her in it.
“Mind if I cut in?” Frost’s deep voice beside my head, startles me, my leg bumping between Ozul’s legs. Ozul’s eyes go wide, as do mine because I’m touching his third leg. I quickly move my leg and turn towards Frost. 
“You want to dance with Ozul?” I ask, my face burning. 
Frost frowns down at me. “No.” 
Ozul still has a hand on my side. “I believe he was asking to dance with you.” Ozul states, his voice pitched different, I want to look at his face to see his expression. 
But I don’t think I’m ever going to be able to look him in the eyes again, then his words sink in and my eyes snap to Frost. “You want to dance with me?” The disbelief in my voice is noticeable to my ears, fuck.
“Yes Sparrow.” Frost takes my hand pulls me away from Ozul, I am so confused. Frost pulls my body close to his, not as close as Ozul was holding me but still. “Was he bothering you? Are you okay?”
My mind is spinning. “I’m fine. He wasn’t bothering me. We were talking.” 
Frost’s nostrils flare in annoyance, I don’t understand what is happening. “He was spinning you around like you were female, I don’t like how he was treating you.”
Anger curls inside of me, he’s been avoiding me since he found out I was gay. Now he’s bothered that a male was dancing with me? I was the one who took the stance of the shorter partner which is usually female but can be either because it made sense, Ozul is taller than I am.  “So? I’m shorter than he is. Plus aren’t we doing the same damn thing? You’re taller than I am, you’re leading the dance.”
Frost’s jaw tightens and he glares down at me. “He kept flipping you around so your ass was to his dick. Did that not bother you?”
Is he fucking serious right now? “You do realize I’m a Beta, right? If I want to say no. I will. And right now I am. Let go of me Frost, right now.” I’m seething in anger.
“Sparrow that’s not what-“
“Let go before I lose my shit.” I’m not doing this. Not right now. Frost slides his hands off my body and I take a step away from him.
“Sparrow I didn’t-“ I cut him off again, not wanting to hear whatever bullshit he’s about to say.
“You did.” He meant it, whether he wanted it to sound the way the way it did or not, I don’t care. “I’m gay Frost, that doesn’t make me weak or fragile, I don’t need you trying to save me from something I didn’t need saving from.” I turn and walk away from him, my eyes sweeping the room. I have no idea where Ozul went, I think it’s probably a good thing that I don’t see him. Even if I wanted to piss Frost off by dancing with Ozul again, I don’t think I could because just thinking about it sets my face on fire.
I spot Snow dancing with Aluma, I go to them. I’m done with this fucking party. I’m ready to get the fuck out of here.

Chapter Text

June, 20th.
Snow.
I watch Ozul lead Sparrow onto the dancefloor, if he could fall in love with Ozul that would be fucking perfect. Though Onyx was really weird with Sparrow though, so that would be a very interesting family dinner if it were to work out with Ozul and Sparrow.
“Snow.” Silas, why is he walking towards me? I hope he’s not going to start something but at least he waited till Onyx walked away. Silas stops in front of me, offering me his hand, yet again. 
“You want to dance with me again?” I don’t take his hand right away, even though calm has washed through my body just at him being near me.
“Want is the wrong word to use.” Silas answers, holding my gaze, I take his hand and let him lead me to the dancefloor. My eyes flickering to Sparrow, he and Ozul dance beautifully together. “What did my father say to you?”
I bring my eyes back to Silas. “He was just telling me that my days are numbered and I’ll tell you what I told him. My days have been numbered the day I was born a White Wolf and they got shorted when I was named a Luna. So if you’re going to threaten me again Silas, save your breath.”
“No threats this time. Just a warning.” Silas holds my gaze, a cruel smile curling on his lips. “When you step foot off this land, the peace treaty no longer applies.”
Nerves spark but they don’t stay long before calm washes through me again, Silas’s orange eyes glaze over for a second before clearing and going back to glaring down at me. The peace treaty for the party is, if someone is attacked here, the person’s pack has a right to kill the attacker. The pack that had the attacker, would be punished by the Bloodhound pack. “That’s good to know. Thanks for informing me.” My tone is bland to my ears.
This weird calmness is making my head slightly fuzzy. “Mind if I cut it?” My head snaps towards Oran, he gives me a shy smile. 
“Of course.” I let my hands fall away from Silas and try to step back but Silas grips my hips tighter. “Let go.”
“You better watch yourself Snow.” Silas states before letting go of me, Oran grabs my hand and pulls me to him.
“He seems fun.” Oran musses and starts dancing with me.
“If threatening me is what you consider fun, sure.” I respond dryly, eyeing his flushed cheeks. “Sylvie seems to like you a great deal.” 
“She’s-“ He cuts himself off, eyes flicking away from me. 
“Not your type? Is your type?” I offer and his light purple eyes slide over my face then away, okay it’s not that. “Kinda pushy?”
“That one. I don’t know how to tell her politely that I’m not interested.” Oran breathes, still not meeting my gaze.
“Fair enough. I have no advice to give you, so that sucks.” I pat his shoulder, Oran’s eyes flick over my face again.
“I don’t know if I believe you. With all of the males that have been staring at you, I figured you’d be the one to ask.” I raise a brow at him, that is so not the reason the males are staring at me.
“Oran.” I wait till his eyes are on me before I grab his chin and tilt it down so he’s looking at me with his wide eyes. “I am the first natural born Luna, in over sixty years. The first from the Winter pack, I am also a White Wolf. That is why they stare.” I let go of his chin but this time, he keeps his eyes on me. “Now you don’t really have to be polite to Sylvie, you can just say no. Nothing else, just walk away.”
“I think you underestimate your looks. Plus I did say no and I tried to walk away but she just followed me.” I blink at Oran, not really sure how to respond to that. Oran blows out a breath, his eyes falling away from me again. “It’s actually why I came over to you, to uh get away from her.”
Shit. I flick my eyes around and spot Sylvie glaring daggers through me. “Fucker!” I hiss, snapping my gaze back to Oran. “You made me her target now!” Fuck!
“Sorry. I really didn’t know what else to do.” He whispers, I blow out a breath, I can’t really be mad at him. Sylvie is a fucking bitch.
“Aluma can you come over here please? And bring Emery with you.” I link Aluma’s mind, I feel her eyes on me. “It’s fine Oran but I am not the person for that. You want to make sure she leaves you alone without threatening someone else’s life? Always go towards the host family.” Oran frowns at me and goes to say something but Aluma and Emery walk over to us, both looking at me in confusion. 
“What’s going on?” Aluma asks, her arm linked through Emery’s. I pull Oran to a stop and turn to face them.
“Sylvie has set her sights on Oran, which he really doesn’t want.” I inform them, both their eyes widen.
“Shit. I’ve heard a lot of things about her. None of them good.” Emery whispers to us, I nod, she gets it. Hopefully.
“Yes, Emery, I’m kinda hoping you’re willing to help.” 
“Help how? She’s a Beta, there’s not much I can do.” Emery frowns at me, her eyes flicking to Oran and then away. 
“Yeah I know. But you are the youngest of your family. You are also an Omega-“
“Oh!” Emery cuts me off. “I get it. You want me to stay close to Oran so she doesn’t try anything because my brothers would kill her.” 
“Something like that yeah.” I knew I liked her for a reason.
Emery turns to Oran. “Would you like to dance with me and stay by my side for the rest of the ball?”
“If it will keep Sylvie away from me, gladly.” Oran breathes, taking her hand and moving away from Aluma and I.
“Why does trouble follow you everywhere?” Aluma asks me, I shrug and hold my hand up to her. She takes my hand and we start dancing together. “But that was really nice of you to do for Oran.”
“Well I didn’t want a bigger target on my back and Emery is way to nice for anyone to hate.” I shrug, my eye catching Sparrow and Frost dancing together. “Holy shit!” 
“What?” Aluma follows my gaze, her mouth falling open before her eyes snap towards me. “Holy shit!”
“Frost has been avoiding Sparrow.”
“I know! Now their dancing?! Do you think Frost got jealous that Sparrow was dancing with Ozul?”
“I don’t know but I kinda liked Sparrow and Ozul as a pair. Plus Frost can barely look at Sparrow for longer than a second without getting weird lately.” 
“Hmm. Maybe seeing Sparrow with Ozul made Frost snap out of whatever weirdness he was in?” Aluma muses and I shrug, I have no fucking idea. Wait. Does Aluma know that Sparrow- “Do you know that Sparrow has a thing for Frost?”
Okay I think we spend to much time together, our thoughts are the same. “Yes I knew, I didn’t know you knew as well.” 
Aluma snorts. “Well when he ran to you after coming out and came home the next day and after we got everything sorted. He still seemed upset so I wouldn’t stop asking till he told me, Frost kinda bailed after hearing that Sparrow was into men.”
“Yeah he was really weird and I don’t know why.” I know Frost is fine with same sex relationships because he’s bi but it’s weird.
“Um, I think it might have gone badly.” Aluma informs me, looking over my shoulder, I turn my head. Sparrow is walking towards us, looking pissed as fuck.
“Do either of you two, want to run away from this fucking party with me?” Sparrow asks stopping before us, yeah it went badly.
“I go where you go.” I answer without hesitating me, I will follow this male off a cliff if I have to.
“I’m down.” Aluma gives her brother a small, sad smile.
“I would also like to leave.” I flinch at Noir’s voice next to my ear, both Aluma and Sparrow slowly look beside me. Fuck!
“Hi Noir.” All three of us greet nervously. 
Noir raises a brow at us. “There’s a side exit, on the right wall. Please take me with you. I’m about to stab Helios in the eye.” 
“Can you get us out of here without anyone seeing?” I ask him, he nods. “You can come. I’m not sure where we’re running to but if you’re okay with that, we don’t have a problem with you running with us.” 
“Follow me.” Noir walks us to the left wall, opening a door that I did not know was a door and gesturing for us to go in. Could be a trap, do I care right now? No. I step in first, Aluma and Sparrow at my heels, I hear the door closing then Noir is beside me. He grabs my arm and leads us through the dark halls before we reach another door, he opens it and we step outside by the cars. 
“Are we taking a car or running?” Aluma asks, I don’t think any of us have a key set. 
“I also need to know that because if we’re running, I need to grab something from our car.” I add in, looking at Sparrow.
“Running, I need to burn off some of this anger.” Sparrow answers, I will question that later.
“Same, running usually helps calm me down.” Noir agrees.
“Okay, give me like a minute to grab it then we can go.” I rush to our car, I grab the book and shove it down the chest of my dress and let my body shift to my Wolf skin. I trot back to them, they’re waiting in their Wolf skins. “Did you guys decide where we’re going?”
“Fall. I can hide you both there.” Sparrow responds and we take off. 
...
We’re all sitting in an old tree house that I’m still convinced is going to fall out from under us and Sparrow just explained everything. What happened with Ozul and then Frost. None of us have said anything yet, because I’m pretty sure if I open my mouth right now, it’s going to hurt Sparrow’s feelings. Which I don’t want to do so I’m going to let Aluma and Noir handled it, hopefully.
“Okay we’ll go back to talking about Ozul in a minute but first Frost. Was he annoyed at you or Ozul?” Aluma asks, her dress is bunched up her thighs so she can actually sit.
“I don’t know. I don’t really care right now, I’m so fucking mad.” Sparrow runs his hands through his hair roughly.
“It kinda sounds like Frost was jealous.” Noir muses, I agree but Frost handled it wrong and I’m staying silent.
Sparrow scuffs. “He wasn’t jealous. Trust me on that.” 
“How do you know that?” Noir asks, softening his tone.
“Because he’s been fucking avoiding me since he found out I was gay!” Sparrow snarls, drawing his knees to his chest. Fucking shit he breaks my fucking heart. I scout closer to Sparrow and link my arm through his.
“Ah.” Noir looks Sparrow over, then me and then he locks eyes with Aluma. “Have they always acted this close together?”
“Yeah expect for right after we were kidnapped but after a while they went back to this.” Aluma shrugs.
“Hmm, I see.” Noir rubs his chin, Sparrow stiffens.
“You see what?” Sparrow’s eyes are lined with suspicion.
“Well if I didn’t you know you were gay, I wouldn’t have known if you two were dating or not.” Noir answers, both Sparrow and I stare at him, what is he getting at? Noir stares back at us then sighs. “The way you touch each other, the way you act towards each other, I thought you two were together before Sparrow explained why he wanted to leave.”
“What?” Sparrow gasps, okay I thought it was only Aspen who thought I was mates with Sparrow. No one else has ever even hinted at that, but Frost did mention it when he found out my rank. Did Frost think Sparrow and I were together?
Noir shrugs. “You two are a pair, I just thought it was a different kind.”
“Okay but what does that have to do with anything?” Sparrow questions, Noir stares at him.
“Is it possible, Frost thought you and Snow had a thing that you were keeping secret?”
“No.” Aluma and Sparrow state at the same time I say. “Yes.”
Both the Fall siblings turn to me. “Frost told me the night you came out to your family, that I wouldn’t ever be able to be with you because of my rank. He said he wanted to make sure I knew that.”
“So what you guys think he’s had secret feelings for me all this time?” Sparrow scuffs, fuck. “No way. He’s always been distant with me, just now he’s nowhere to be found.”
“Okay, let’s drop the Frost talk for now, because it’s not getting resolved tonight.” Aluma cuts in, I shoot her a glare which she ignores. “You felt up Ozul?”
Sparrow face burns red and Noir laughs. “I did not! I was startled and bumped into him!” Sparrow whisper hisses at his sister, I cover my mouth with my hand to keep from laughing at him.
“Bumped into his hard dick.” Aluma raises a brow at her brother.
“I do not want to talk about that with you.” Sparrow informs his sister. 
“Well to bad. I want to hear it.” Aluma responds, crossing her arms over her chest. 
“Mind if I cut in here?” Noir butts in, Aluma nods while Sparrow covers his face. “I should not be telling you this, but he’ll forgive me, I think.” I frown at Noir, who will forgive him and for what? “Ozul has had a major crush on you for four years.”
Dead. I’m dead. Sparrow’s head snaps up and his mouth drops open while Aluma squeals, loudly. “No he hasn’t.” Sparrow shakes his head, closing his mouth.
“I’m his brother, he tells me shit. So yes, he has but he wouldn’t tell me why, he never asked you out. I think I’ve figured out the reason now.” Noir shrugs. “It’s because you’re in love with Frost and haven’t been giving him the time of day.”
“I love this. So much.” Aluma claps her hands, I narrow my eyes at her. 
“You have to be wrong.” Sparrow breathes, that’s his freaking out face and trying to hide it face.
“I’m not.” Noir holds Sparrow’s gaze. “I’m bias but I think if you gave him a chance, you’d find out how great he is.”
“You are bias.” Aluma confirms and then turns to her brother. “But I also like that idea.”
“Okay, lets give poor Sparrow’s mind a break because he’s freaking out.” I cut in and tighten my arm around his. 
“Sure. Mind telling me, why Onyx gave you that book?” Noir nods to my chest, where the Luna book is. 
“Because he thought it would help me. I’m going to read it, then give it back to him. He did not give it to me, to keep just borrow.” I explain, I think he knows that it’s his grandmother’s book.
“Just don’t ruin it, alright?” 
“I won’t. I’ll return it how I got it. Promise.” Noir nods and lets it go but now I have the Fall siblings attention.
“Ozul said Onyx gave you a book. What book and why?” Sparrow asks, narrowing his eyes at me.
“It’s a book about Lunas. Since our grandmother was one, she wrote it all down. I believe Onyx gave it to Snow because he doesn’t want her to have the same fate as our grandmother. Am I wrong Snow?”
I blink at Noir, I don’t know what happened to their grandmother. “Yes it’s that book, but I have no idea what happened to your grandmother. Onyx just told me that, the book was meant to help Lunas and your pack doesn’t have one right now.”
Noir looks me over. “I don’t know what happened to her either.” Aluma muses, her eyes locked onto Noir. 
“I don’t either.” Sparrow adds in.
“She was killed by another pack, they didn’t like the effect Lunas had on everyone around them.” Noir answers slowly, his eyes sliding away from us. “From what mom tells us, it was brutal and there wasn’t much left of our grandmother to be found after what they did to her.” 
Oh. “What pack?” Sparrow breathes, horror in his eyes. 
“I don’t know. Neither mom or father will tell us which pack. I don’t even know if they got justice for her death.” Noir slides his hand through his hair, still not looking at any of us.
“No more running off on your own.” Sparrow states firmly, locking eyes with me. 
“I’m not going to stayed locked up forever Sparrow. That’s not a life.” Not one I’m willing to live.
“He’s not wrong Snow.” Noir states, finally looking at me. “You are target now and it’s not only because of your Luna rank. You’re also a White Wolf and a Winter Wolf. Your mother just put your life in danger by bringing you to that ball.”
I know. I know this. I don’t need everyone to keep telling me that. “I’m well aware. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to hide forever.” 
Aluma sighs. “Okay no more of this. Are you two spending the night?”
“I’m not going home. Because that’s the first place mother will look for me.” I shrug, I don’t want to go home and hear how I shouldn’t have left the ball.
“Am I even allowed to do that?” Noir frowns at Aluma who frowns back at him.
“Why wouldn’t you be?” Aluma raises a brow at him.
“Because I’ve never done it before? Plus two females?” Noir throws his hands up.
Sparrow snorts. “You can stay if you want but we’re sleeping out here so we don’t have to deal with Aspen.” 
“Oh I forgot. He’s going to be mad as well, isn’t he?” I ask, everyone is going to be mad.
“Probably.” Aluma answers me then looks at Noir. “Staying or going?”
“Staying.”

Chapter Text

Sparrow.
June, 21st.
I wake with a foot to the face, I snarl softly and roll away from the black paw only to bump into a white body. I lift my head in confusion, Snow is asleep beside me, Noir’s paw is on the back of my head, Aluma is curled around Noir. Right, we’re in the treehouse, I push myself to my feet and shake out my fur. Snow’s green eyes slide open and look at me. 
“Why are you awake before the sun is up?” She grumbles into my mind.
“A foot hit me in the face.” I respond, I’m not going back to sleep. I’m wide awake and pissed, I don’t think I’m going to get over what Frost said anytime soon. 
“Mhm.” Snow rolls back over and closes her eyes, she’s not ready to be up yet. Noir’s head lifts, he’s looking at Aluma curled up beside him.
“You need to watch where you swing your feet.” I tell Noir, his head snaps to me.
“Sorry?”
“It’s fine. Are you awake enough?” 
Noir stares at me for a moment before he stands and shakes out his fur. “Yes, I should be getting back home.”
“I’ll walk you. I need to burn off some of this energy.” I step over Aluma and poke my head out of the small door of the treehouse. There’s no one in sight, good. I jump out of the little door and land on a branch, letting my Wolf skin fall away, I climb down carefully. This tree is old as fuck and I don’t want to break any of the branches. 
Noir follows me, he’s also being careful as he gets down from the tree. I hit the ground and shift back into my Wolf skin, Noir does the same. “Are you still mad at Frost?”
“Yes. Are you still mad at Helios?” I start trotting, Noir snorts and catches up to me.
“Yes. He was an ass most of the night. I’m not letting that go.” I nod in understanding, Noir bumps his shoulder into mine. “Your sister seems nice, I don’t think I’ve actually seen her since she was taken.”
He hasn’t. She’s mostly kept to her self, not wanting to draw attention to herself. “She didn’t want to be seen. But our mother wanted all of us to go.” 
Noir eyes me carefully, I keep my eyes forward. “They seem to have adjusted to being back. I know it’s been years but some of the others that were taken aren’t doing as well as Snow and Aluma.”
He’s probing. “Well for six months, Snow wouldn’t let me near her. Or her brothers, for that matter. It took her an entire year before she spoke to Viola again. Aluma, she was fine with our siblings, but other males? That was a no for a year and a half. Everyone heals differently.” 
“That they do.” Noir agrees but I can still feel his eyes on me. “Have either of them talked about what they went through?”
I stiffen, I know Onyx and Noir were some of the males to recuse them which means Noir probably knows more about what went down then I do. Aspen was also there, but he refused to talk about what he saw. “I don’t know. Neither Snow nor Aluma talk about it, Aspen was there when they were recused but he also doesn't talk about it.”
Noir nods, his gaze finally leaving me. “Onyx talked about it but only because mother made him tell her what he saw.” 
“You were also there.” I flick my ear towards him, his heart has sped up slightly and his breathing is slightly uneven. “I can guess what they went through but I won’t push them to talk about it.” 
“What do you think happened to them?” Noir asks, his eyes flicking to me then away.
“They are both covered in scars, they were tortured, most likely raped. I don’t want to guess how they got their scars.” Some of the scars on them are jagged and large. Some look like they were whipped- I shut those thoughts down. I don’t want to think about it.
“You’re not wrong. From what I saw-“
“No offence Noir, I don’t want to know. Not from you, if I’m going to know I’d want either Aluma or Snow to tell me.” I don’t want to find out from someone else, Aluma has made it clear she doesn’t want me to know. Snow has said it’s better that I don’t know what went on while they were gone.
“Fair enough.” Noir drops it, just as we make it to the Bloodhound border. A massive black Wolf stops moving and stares at us, I can’t tell if it’s Onyx or Ozul. “Brother.” Noir greets as he crosses his border, I don’t follow him. 
“Where have you been?” Ozul’s deep voice brushes against my mind. If I was in my other skin, my face would be burning.
“I went home with Sparrow.” Noir muses, looking back at me and winking. What the actual fuck?
Ozul bares his fangs at Noir. “Mother has been looking for you. Go to her now.” Ozul snaps, I take a step back as Noir trots away. Ozul turns his dark eyes to me, I feel like I’m in trouble. “You left early last night.” 
“Yes.” I’m so glad I’m in my Wolf skin. 
The tip of Ozul’s tail flicks in annoyance. “With Noir.”
“I did leave with him, but also Snow and Aluma as well.” I don’t need to add that but I do.
I watch his shoulders relax and his ears perk forward, he moves closer to the border and I have to fight the urge to back up. “Why did you leave early?”
“Well Aluma and Snow where tired of being around so many people and Noir wanted to kill Helios.” I answer as Ozul crosses his border, still coming closer to me.
“You were dancing with Frost, I thought you’d want to stay.” Ozul is now right in front of me. 
“He decided to piss me off so I didn’t stay dancing with him long.” Those dark eyes bore into me, why is he so close? Noir can’t be right, can he?
“What did he say, to piss you off?” Ozul sits down, still staring at me.
“Um.” How do I say this? I actually don’t want to say it. “It doesn’t really matter.”
Ozul tilts his head, studying me. “I think it matters.”
I take a step back. “It doesn’t. I have to get back before my sister wakes and wonders where I’ve run off to.” I turn away from him and those damn eyes.
“Sparrow.” I stop, fuck. “I hope what ever he said to piss you off, you don’t take to heart. Some times things are said in anger, that the person doesn’t really mean.”
Fuck. Why is he so nice? I turn my head back to Ozul. “He meant it. Whether or not he meant to say it. Have a good day Ozul.” I push into a run before he can respond, my heart hammering in my chest. Stupid Noir, putting stupid thoughts into my head.
SNOW!!

Someone shoves my neck, I growl and roll away. “Wake up. I’m pretty sure everyone is waking up!” Aluma’s voice brushes my mind, I snap my eyes open.
Her dark brown wolf is standing over me, Noir and Sparrow nowhere to be seen. Sparrow must have walked Noir home. Which means I need to leave before Aspen finds us. “Fuck I gotta go before your brothers wake up!”
“Yep or you’re getting yelled at twice.” Aluma hops out of the treehouse before I can respond, I snarl and stand. 
I hop out of the treehouse and crash into Aluma, both of us falling from the tree and slamming into the ground. I let my Wolf skin fall away and suck in a pained breath. “Fucking shit! Why did you stop? You knew I was right behind you!”
“Because Aspen.” Aluma responds, she also shifted out of her Wolf skin. 
Wait. I turn my head, Aspen has his arms crossed over his chest and he’s glaring down at us. Fuck! “Where is Sparrow?”
Aluma and I lock eyes, we are so not getting in trouble for bringing Noir back here. “Probably running off some energy.” I shrug and try to sit up but I realize I can’t. Shit. I’m still wearing the stupid corset dress. 
“You can’t get up, can you?” Aspen asks on a sigh before offering me his hand, I take his hand and he hauls me to my feet. 
“I can’t get up either.” Aluma grumbles, Aspen grabs her under her arms and picks her up and sets her on her feet. “Thank you.” Aluma mouths ‘sorry’ to me before looking back at Aspen. “I need to go change, this dress is getting on my nerves.”
She shifts and takes off, I press my lips together, bitch. She left me alone with Aspen, he turns his very annoyed gaze to me. “Your mother is pissed.”
“I figured she would be.” I’ll deal with it. It’ll be fine. 
“Iris said that she saw you leave, with Noir. Mind telling me about that?” Fuck!
“He wanted to kill Helios, so he came back with us to cool off. He’s not here Aspen.” I will not tell him that Noir stayed the night, because Aspen might kill him.
“How long did he stay?” Aspen growls, my nerves try to make me bolt but I hold still and meet his gaze.
“I don’t know. It was late when he left and I fall asleep seconds after he was gone.” I fell back asleep but he doesn’t need to know that. 
“Fine. Do you want me to walk you home?” Not on his life. 
“I think I can mange to go on my own. I don’t need a babysitter.” I respond and take a step away from him before remembering he danced with Venus. “Why did you dance with Venus?”
Aspen is silent for a moment, his gaze on me but I don’t turn to look at him. “Am I not allowed to dance with females?” 
I snort and look at him. “You told me, you didn’t like to be seen with females. So I was wondering if that has changed.”
Aspen stares at me, his dark brown eyes filled with an emotion I can’t place. “It’s time for me to start looking for my Luna. So yes, it has changed.” I stiffen slightly, it’s already time for that?
“Okay, you are aware that Venus has a boyfriend and can’t be your Luna, right?” I don’t want to be that person but I feel like it should be said. 
Aspen chuckles and shakes his head. “Yes Snow, she made it very clear she had a boyfriend. I was just dancing with her to let others know that the search has started. I haven’t danced with anyone at any of the parties that have been thrown.” 
Ah, I didn’t know that. “Good luck with that. I hope you don’t drown in females just wanting to be the Luna of Fall pack.” He probably will.
“Yeah, I’m not looking forward to it. It would just be easier to find someone I could trust not to be doing it just for the power that comes with the title.” Aspen shrugs, his gaze leaving me. 
“That’s really hard to find.” I breathe, I don’t even want to think of the matches he’s already being set up with.
“Know anyone like that?” Aspen jokes, but I’m not entirely sure he is joking. 
“I don’t. I’m sorry.” I’m almost positive all of the females of the Winter pack would throw themselves at the chance to be a Luna. Aspen waves off my words. “I’m not looking forward to when my mother starts trying to mate me off either.” 
Aspen snorts. “You mean she hasn’t started yet? I figured as soon as she found out you’re a Luna, she would have started looking.” 
“I don’t want to even think about that.” I grumble and run a hand through my hair, the Viking braids held up. I don’t want to know if she’s started looking or not.
“It might be time to start.” Aspen tells me softly, my eyes flick up to his. Why does he seem sad? 
“Maybe.” I mumble, I don’t want to think about it. “So no good prospects yet?” 
“Not yet, I don’t really know what I’m looking for either.” Aspen shrugs, I frown.
“What do you mean?” Doesn’t he just need to find the person attractive or at the very least not annoying?
Aspen stares at me blankly. “I don’t know what type of female, I’d want by my side for the rest of my life.” 
Oh. OH! “You don’t know who you’re attracted to?”
“Don’t say it like that!” Aspen rubs his face, red tinting his cheeks, ops. I made him blush. 
“Haven’t you had sex?” I freeze, why did I ask him that?! Aspen’s mouth falls open at my very blunt question. Oh no. 
“Have you?” Aspen throws the question back at me. Fucking fuck!
I take a step back. I have had sex but that was before I was raped. I haven’t even thought about having sex again after that. I haven’t wanted to be touched like that again and I don’t trust anyone enough to get close enough to even try. “Lets just forget I asked because I really don’t want to know if you have or haven’t. I spoke before I thought.” Aspen raises a brow at me, his face is still red, I can feel my face burning as well. I can’t stand here for one more moment. “I have to go. Bye Aspen.” I let my body shift back into my Wolf form, I take off at a run.
Oh I am never ever going to open my big mouth without thinking again! I can’t believe I asked him that! Ugh! Who does that? Who just asks their best friends brother if they’ve had sex? Dumb people. That’s who! I shake my head, I need to get that out of my head. Aspen is going to be mated. Probably really soon, if he can find someone he trusts. Nope okay that’s also fucking weird to think about. What if I don’t get along with his mate? 
I’m over here all of the time, Sparrow is my best friend. Will I have to stop coming over because Aspen’s mate doesn’t like me? Is that a thing? I don’t think it should be but it might be. My steps slow as I realize something terrible. What if my mate doesn’t like how close I am with Sparrow? Will I have to stop being friends with him? Will I even be allowed to see him? What if my mate decides that I am too much of a flight risk and never lets me leave his land? I would go fucking insane. I can’t be trapped. I won’t be trapped. How the fuck am I going to find someone that will understand that I need to be free?
Oh shit! I would have to have sex to be mated! I don’t want to do that again. Fuck! I really need to stop thinking about this because it’s giving me a shit tone of anxiety. I don’t need anymore anxiety, I have enough of it. I stop moving, there’s a blonde Wolf on the Spring land. I crouch down, it’s female and small. Her movements unhurried and calm, I think with her size, she’s an Omega. 
Spring Wolves are never that color. I hesitate for just a second before I jump up and into her path, a snarl leaves the Wolf as she jumps away from me. “What is wrong with you?!” She snarls at me, her teeth bared.
“I could ask you the same damn thing. Why is a Summer Wolf this far into Spring land?” I snap back, the fur on my back standing up. 
Her fur bristles. “I am a Spring Wolf!” 
“Your coat says otherwise.” I growl, my body bracing for a fight. 
“You’re a Winter Wolf on Fall land. You’re judging me for the same thing you’re doing!” The blonde Wolf snaps her jaws at me.
“Yes, because I’m best friends with the Fall children. I have reason to be over here, you on the other hand, don’t.”
“I do, you’re just not listening to what I’m saying.” She snarls back, the fur on her back standing up.
“Fine, explain it to me, before I rip out your throat.” I don’t relax my stance but I’ll her try to explain.
“I was adopted by Spring Wolves.” She informs me, I narrow my eyes at her. “My name is Leto, I’m twenty years old.”
I stiffen slightly, Leto means ‘forgotten’ or ‘hidden’. “A Summer Wolf, gave you to a Spring Wolf?” I doubt it but I’m going to ask to just be sure.
“No. I’m an Omega. I was not allowed. A Spring Wolf found me and took me in.” Leto pins her ears to her head.
Fuck! “Does your bio family know you’re alive?” I relax my stance, I’m not going to attack her.
“I don’t know. Probably not.” Leto eyes me carefully. “Are we good now?”
I cross back into the Fall land and sit down. “So you are being hidden.”
“Yes. I’ve been hidden since I got here.” Leto is still watching me.
I nod, got it. “As someone who is used to being hidden, it’s not fun. I hope you’re not yanked out of the shadows like I was.”
“You were hidden because you’re a White Wolf?” She asks carefully.
“Yes. But because I’m a Luna, hiding is no longer an option.” I shrug, her eyes widen.
“That wasn’t mentioned.” She states, her eyes are bright orange. “That’s what you meant when you said, yanked out of the shadows.” I nod, her head dips slightly. “I’m sorry.”
“It is what it is.” I need to get going. “I have to get home. Be careful Leto.”
“Wait.” I stop and turn my head towards her. “I don’t know your name.”
“It’s Snow.” She nods and I leave quickly. Another hidden Wolf, why am I surprised? I really shouldn’t be, everyone has secrets and everyone wants to keep them hidden. I make it back to Winter land, Arcticus is waiting by the border. Fuck! It’s fine, everything’s going to be just fine.

Chapter Text

June, 25th.
Snow.

It was not fine. Arcticus handed me my ass and I’m still fucking sore four days later. But it did give me a chance to go through the book Onyx gave me. There’s a shit ton of information in here about ranks, magic and packs. This lady- Artemis- wrote everything down. 

The big pack Alphas each of a set of powers specific to their pack. Bloodhound(my pack): controls Shadows. Spring Alphas: controls plant magic. Summer Alphas: controls flames. Fall Alphas: Controls water. Winter Alphas: controls Lightning. Mountain Alphas: controls raw Earth magic. Storm Alphas: controls Winds. Knight Alphas: control land mammals. Dusk Alphas: controls Light. Sea Alphas: controls all Sea creatures. Ridge Alphas: controls ice.
They think they are the strongest, I suppose to most they are. But not against Lunas. We are far stronger than they are, it’s why they hate us so much. I have only been a Luna for two years and yet I’ve learned so much, more than I thought I would. My magic has grown so much. 
Before I was a Luna, I could not touch any magic, trust me, I tried. Within the first month of being a Luna, I was able to control Shadows, like my Alpha, within two months, I was able to control them better than my Alpha. At six months, I was able to control Shadows, Light and Winds. At a year I was able to control Water and Ice.  I thought my power was done. I was wrong.  At a year and a half, I was able to control Plant magic.  Now at two years I am able to control Raw Earth magic as well. 
I think my magic will continue to grow, as time goes on.  I don’t know how much it will grow but I think I might get all of the big packs Alpha’s magic. If so, the target on my back will get bigger. 

At two years she had seven out of eleven packs magic. I haven’t read further but, she was 22 when she was ranked a Luna. Artemis was 25 when she died, but this book contains so much of her thoughts and feeling about being a Luna. My heart hurts for her, some of the things she went through. . . I wouldn’t wish it on anyone not even my worst enemy. 
Ilgar pops his head into my room. “Someone is here to see you. Buz is not happy about who it is.” He informs me then ducks out of my room before I can respond. 
What the fuck? I close the book and shove it under my pillow, I rush out of my room and into the living room where Buz is standing by the door, not letting the person in. “What is going on?” I ask, not moving further into the room, I cross my arms over my chest. 
I’m not really dressed to see people but whatever. Shorts and a tank top aren’t going to kill me if someone sees. “This fucker says he’s your friend.” Buz snarls, I blink at him because he still hasn’t moved from the door or let me see whose at the door.
“Yeah well I can’t see through you Buz.” I snap, already done with his bullshit. 
Buz growls and opens the door wider, I raise a brow at Onyx who is just standing there looking bored as fuck. “Hello Snow.” Onyx tips his head at me. 
You’ve got to be kidding me. “Let him in Buz. He is a friend.” Buz shoots me a dark look but lets Onyx into the house. I turn and walk out of the living room, I feel Onyx following me back to my room. “Close the door.” I tell him as I hop on my bed. 
Onyx hesitates before stepping into my room and closing the door behind him and leaning against it. “How’s the Luna thing going?”
“Really? That’s what you want to ask me?” I respond, covering my legs with a blanket. I really don’t want him to be looking at my scars, even if he has seen them.
“Yes. That is what I want to ask.” Onyx crosses his arms, staring me down. 
“It’s fine. Nothing has really happened since I’ve been ranked. Which I’m not mad about.” I shrug, what else am I supposed to say? I haven’t felt any magic show up. 
“Hmm.” Onyx is staring, I don’t like it. “You met Leto.”
How the fuck does he- “Are you stalking me?” I ask, annoyance flicking through me.
“No. But I do have eyes everywhere.” I kinda want to punch him in the face. “Is there somewhere else we could talk? Where your brothers aren’t listening at the door?”
I flick my eyes to the door behind Onyx, fucking brothers. I can hear at least two of them breathing outside my door. I stand and pull on some jeans, I nod for Onyx to follow me as I open my window. I slide out of it and let my body shift to my Wolf skin. I take off, not waiting for Onyx to get his massive ass out of the window. 
I head towards my favorite quiet place, my sibling hate going near it because it’s creepy which is one of the many reasons I love it. I stop in front of the cave, watching as Onyx skids to a stop. “Why are you so fucking fast?” Onyx grumbles, I snort and step into the cave, letting my Wolf skin fall away. 
“I’m small, I don’t have as much weight to chart around.” I shrug and lean my back against the cave wall. Onyx frowns at me as he lets his Wolf skin fall away. “What does Leto have to do with anything?”
“How much do you know about her?” Onyx asks, can he not just answer my question without asking anything?
“Not much. I met her once. Again, what does Leto have to do with anything?” I’m really not in the mood to play games. 
“Let’s just say, she’s an important person, you might want to get to know.” Onyx shrugs, I stare at him blankly. 
“Is that it?” I really want to punch him in the face.
“How far into the book did you get?” 
“Two years, I skimmed most of her life because it felt rude to read her thoughts and feelings about her pack life.” I answer, leaning my head back against the wall of the cave.
“It’s fine if you want to read those Snow. She wrote it all down for a reason.” Onyx tells me gently, I let my eyes fall closed.
“Yes well, you’ll understand if I don’t want to read her thoughts and feelings about her rapes and beating.” I try to calm my breathing, those parts- they were so detailed and I could practically feel what they did to her. How she was able to write it all down- to think of all of those details- I will never know. 
“Right. I’m sorry. I forgot how detailed she got about those.” I can feel Onyx move closer to me, I don’t open my eyes. 
“It’s fine. I’m just not going to think about it or read those parts. There’s plenty of other information that’s helpful to me.” I open my eyes and stare at the ground.
“Can I ask you something?” Hasn’t he been doing that this entire time?
“You’ve already been asking questions, Onyx. So just ask.” I don’t give a damn, I don’t want to play games.
“Where did you get the bruises?” I tense, at his question.
Arcticus left bruises on my stomach, legs, chest and arms. Most of which Onyx saw before I pulled on jeans. Fuck! “Training.”
“From who?” Onyx’s voice deepens, I roll my eyes.
“I’m being trained by five different people, not including my brothers. Forgive me for not remembering which bruise was given to me by which person.” I’m done now, I push off the wall and turn towards Onyx. “Now. Anymore questions? Because I’ve had enough of people today.”
Onyx stares at me. “Did I hit a nerve?” 
“I’m about to hit your face. Anything else you want to say to me before I walk away from you?”
Onyx steps into my space, I don’t move as Onyx pushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. “I did hit a nerve. What don’t you want me to see hmm?” His hand slides down to cup my cheek, I keep very still. He seems to think that if he touches me, I’ll crumble and give away all of my secrets. 
“Oh Onyx, I have many things I don’t want people to see. But bruises? I don’t care who sees those, if I did, I wouldn’t have walked out in a tank top.” I lean towards him, his dark eyes widening. “Please do keep trying to see into my head. It’s fun to watch you struggle.” 
Onyx lets me go and steps back, I’ve unsettled him. Good. “You are more than you seem.” 
“I know.” I shift to my Wolf skin. “We’re done now. Goodbye Onyx.” 
SPARROW!!

I might be avoiding the Winter pack. Including Snow. I also might be avoiding the Bloodhound pack. To be fair, I just don’t want to run into either Frost or Ozul. “Why have you been hiding in your room for four fucking days? That’s supposed to be my thing.” Aluma calls from my doorway, I remain face down on my bed. 
“Because my thoughts are not nice and my feelings are confusing. Let me be.” I grumble into my pillow. 
“Well to bad. Aspen wants you to run the border with him.” I turn my face to glare at my little sister. “To be honest I think interviewing potential mates is getting to him.” Fine. I will get up. I sigh and haul my ass out of bed, Aluma grins at me. “He lives.”
“Go away so I can change.” I close my door in her face, I love her, I do but she needs to stay out of my room. I change quickly and head out to Aspen. Who is in his Wolf skin, waiting for me. I shift into my Wolf skin and we start walking. “How many females have you interviewed?” 
Aspen scuffs. “Way to fucking many to count.” 
“None were to your standards?” I ask carefully, I know at least twenty females that were hoping to catch his eye. Aspen eyes me, he’s hesitating about something. “What are you not wanting to say to me?”
He blows out a breath. “Is it bad that I’m looking for females that have similar qualities to Snow?” 
Oh. How do I want to respond to that? “Um I wouldn’t say bad. But why are you looking for similar qualities? And is it her looks that you’re going for or-“
“Sparrow! No!” Aspen cuts me off and shakes his head. “Not her looks, personality wise, the calm but willing to fight. Kindness but not soft or weak. Things like that.”
Ah. Okay that’s better, I can help with that. I think. “Well some of that is from her being an actual Luna. But I get it, she does have really good qualities. It’s not bad to base some of what you’re looking for on Snow.” Just as long as he doesn’t try to pick her, it’ll be fine.
“So far no one is sticking out to me.” Aspen mutters, he sounds done with it. I can’t really blame him for that.
“It’s only been a couple days, it can’t be that bad.” I bump my hip into his, Aspen glares back at me.
“You try it and tell me it’s not that bad.” Aspen snaps and runs faster.
Okay no more jokes. “Well what does mom say about the females?”
“She dislikes them for me, as much as I do, if not more.” Aspen slows back down, I notice some Bloodhound Wolves also running their border. 
“That uh sucks.” I think that’s Noir and Ozul, fuck! I swing my gaze towards the Winter border that meets with the Bloodhound and fucking shit! There’s Frost and Zep. This is why I’ve stayed in bed for four days.
“What is wrong with you?” Aspen asks me, his eyes falling on the approaching Wolves. “We know them, it’s fine.”
Yeah knowing them is the problem. The Bloodhound Wolves slow and stop at their border, watching us. Aspen heads towards them as the Winter Wolves stop near the Bloodhound Wolves. Fuck! This is not going to be fine. Aspen stops in from them, I’m walking slower. “How goes the hunt for a Luna?” Noir asks as I reach them, I really don’t want to do this.
“It sucks.” Aspen answers.
“Yeah I’m not ready for the match making either.” Frost adds in, I refuse to look at him, or think about the fact he’s also going to be mated soon. 
“Sparrow.” Ozul dips his head to me, I dip my head back at him. Aspen flicks his ear to me as Ozul looks at my brother. “I’m just glad I don’t have to go through that, perks of being born a Beta.”
“Yeah Sparrow will miss out on it, Flint might not.” Aspen sits down, fuck. That means we’re going to be here for a minute.
“I am also glad I don’t have deal with any of that mating bullshit. I’d rather be single forever then tied to one person forever.” Zep chimes in, he and I have not been around each other very much. 
“You don’t want to be mated? Like ever?” I ask him, I can’t keep the surprise out of my tone.
“Nope. Female tend to be very needed, I’m not sure about how male partners are but I’m not sure I want to be tied to one for the rest of my life either.” Zep shrugs, I stare at him blankly, I didn’t know he liked males.
“You like males?” Oh I should not have asked that question, both Ozul and Frost’s heads snap towards me.
“They’re fun to taste every now and then.” Zep shrugs, stops, looks me in the eye. “Do you like males? Is that why you’re asking?” 
Nope shouldn’t have asked. “Oh he does. He’s also single.” Aspen leans against me, I inhale sharply. I’m going to kill him.
“Well Sparrow-“ Zep starts but is cut off by Frost. 
“No. Do not even think about going there.” He snarls, I stiffen as does Aspen. 
“Who are you to tell Sparrow he can’t do something? Or in this case, someone?” Aspen snarls, standing up. Shit! 
Frost eyes Aspen carefully, dear fuck! “How about we all let this go and pretend none of this happened because I for one want to forget we even had this stupid conversation.” I cut in and  block Aspen with my body. 
“Move Sparrow.” Aspen growls, his eyes locked on Frost. 
“Nope. We are so not starting a fight with the next Alpha of the Winter pack.” I snap back, fighting his Alpha command, he’s not a full Alpha yet but it’s still causing my body to shake.
Noir steps in, getting in front of me, blocking Aspen’s sight of Frost. “I agree with Sparrow, don’t do something stupid. I’m pretty sure Frost was telling Zep no because it might make things weird between Snow and Sparrow.”
Well he’s not wrong, Aspen thinks about it for a moment before he backs up a step. “Fine. But Frost, Sparrow is my brother, you don’t get a say over what he does. Only I do.” 
For fucks sake! I step away from Aspen and flick my tail over his face. “Let it go Aspen.” I grumble and sit back down.
“I am just wanted him to be aware of that little fact.” Aspen answers, everyone falls silent. It’s an awkward silence. 
Zep unfortunately is the one to break it. “So are Sparrow and Frost fucking? Is that it?” 
“Fuck no!” Frost responds instantly, and ouch okay that hurt. 
“No, Zep. Frost and I are not fucking. Snow is just my best friend and it definitely would be weird if you and I started fucking.” I answer, thankfully keeping the hurt from my tone. 
“Hmm. Okay sure.” Zep lets it go.
“Now it’s weird.” Noir states, I shake my head, this is why I stayed in bed.
“Yep, I’m walking away before my brother can try to set me up again.” I stand and walk away, I feel someone trot to my side it is not Aspen it’s Ozul.
“Can we talk for a moment?” He asks I stop and look back at the others. Aspen is still sitting down, Noir and Zep seem to be speaking while Frost is staring at Ozul and I.
“Sure. What’s up?” I really, really want to run away.
“I’m guessing you’re still mad at Frost?” Ozul asks carefully.
“Yep. I don’t think I’m letting it go any time soon.” I answer, not looking at him, just staring at a tree.
“I’m sorry. If he was acting like he was today, that night, I understand why you’d be pissed.” I let my eyes fall closed at his words.
“Yeah well he doesn’t seem to think I can handle myself so, it is what it is.” I mumble, I don’t want to talk about this.
“Sparrow.” Ozul says my name like a command, I slowly drag my eyes to his. “I would like to get to know you better. I would like us to be friends. Is-is that something that you would be okay with?” 
Okay that was not what I was expecting. “Sure. I would like that.” 
“Great. I’ll let you go but um, do you want hang out soon?” Ozul seems really nervous, that’s a bit strange.
“Yeah, I uh I’m not doing anything tomorrow night?” Shit, now I’m nervous. 
The tip of Ozul’s tail wags slightly. “Yeah, yeah that works for me.” Ozul takes a step back, his ears perked forward. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.” I nod and he trots back to his brother, Aspen makes his way back over to me.
“What was that about?” Aspen asks, eyeing me curiously. 
“He just wanted to check on me.” I lie, I’m not telling him shit.

Chapter Text

June, 26th.
Snow.
I watch Frost basically beat the shit out of Ilgar, neither of them stopping. I blow out a sharp annoyed breath, they are taking this training thing too far. “Don’t do it.” Buz grabs my arm, stopping me from going into the ring. “Frost has been in a bad mood since yesterday morning. Do not put his sights on you.”
“Well he’s beating the shit out of Ilgar, he doesn’t get to take his bad mood out on everyone else.” I snap as Zep comes over to me, what now?
“I have a question.” Zep announces to me, I narrow my gaze at him.
“Can it wait?” I respond, Zep shakes his head, I sigh. “Fine. Go ahead.”
“Why is Frost so against people having sex with Sparrow?” Zep asks bluntly, Buz chokes on air and my left eye twitches. 
“Thank you Zep. I now know why Frost is in a bad mood, I will answer your questions in a moment.” I turn away from him and march into the ring, rage running through me. “Out Ilgar, it’s my turn.” 
“I’m good Snow, get out of the ring.” Ilgar gasps out, I roll my shoulders back and step between my brothers. 
“I don’t care. Get out Ilgar.” I say again, holding Frost furious gaze. Buz jumps in the ring and grabs Ilgar, leading him out. Magic sparks at my fingers, oh. OH! Artemis was right! I let the lightning dance off of my body and around the ring, holding it in place so no one can hear what we’re going to be talking about. 
“You have magic.” Frost breathes staring at my lightning barrier. 
“Yep.” I lunge towards him, Frost is to busy staring at my magic to notice me. My foot slams into his knee, Frost snarls and swings his claws at my face. I grab his hand and snap it, bring my knee up to his face. Breaking his nose, my fist slams down on his ear. Frost hits the ground, groaning, I sit on his chest. 
“What the fuck Snow?” Frost groans, I went hard and fast.
“I could ask you the same fucking thing! You’ve been in a bad mood since yesterday morning. What gives?” I know kind of what it is but I want to hear him say it. 
“Nothing, get off.” Frost tries to push me off but I pin his arms down with my knees and hook my ankles underneath his knees, holding him in place.
“Lair. Tell me what it is, or I’m going to start punching you in the face, like you did to Ilgar. Because this? Is bullshit and I want a fucking answer.” I snarl, curling my left hand into a fist, ready to punch him.
“Fucking fine! Zep tried to sleep with Sparrow and Sparrow didn’t seem to mind.” I blink down at my idiot brother.
“Seriously? That’s why you’re in a bad mood? Because Sparrow is hot and people want to sleep with him?” I still kinda want to punch him in the face for that.
“No! Because Zep is the wrong fucking person for Sparrow. Zep just fucks to fuck. Sparrow deserves better than that.” Frost grumbles, his eyes sliding away from me. 
I sigh, this fucking idiot. “Did you ever think that maybe, just maybe that is what Sparrow is looking for?” 
Frost drags his eyes back to my face and blinks dumbly at me. “He doesn’t want that. He wants the happy mate life.”
Yeah he does, but the person he’s in love with is an idiot and Sparrow needs to try to move on, if it’s with Zep- oh. “You’re mad because you’ve slept with Zep and don’t want Sparrow to sleep with him.” 
“It’s crossing a line, okay?” 
“You’re a fucking idiot. Sparrow can fuck whoever he wants to! You don’t get a say! He doesn’t want the happy mate life, not right now. He’s only 22 and way to young to start settling down! So put you’re fucking big boy pants on and let that shit go!” I snarl and get off of him. The lightning barrier is still holding so I spin towards Frost who is getting up. “Sparrow is not a child, he can make is own decisions. He doesn’t need you to protect him.”
“So what? He just wants to fuck around?” Frost spats at me.
“YES! It’s normal for young people! You did the same damn thing! Hell you’re still doing it! So let him be! And don’t go beating the shit out Ilgar or anyone else for that matter!” I’m shouting now, he’s pissing me off.
“That’s different and you know it!” Frost snaps back, blood running out of his nose.
“How? Explain how it’s fucking different!” 
“Because I can take care of myself and he-“ Frost cuts himself off, my jaw locks.
He did not. “Say it Frost. I dare you to finish that fucking sentence.” My voice is low and deathly calm. 
Frost stiffens, his eyes turning cautious. “I didn’t mean it like that Snow.”
“Oh I’m pretty sure you did.” He basically said the same thing to Sparrow the night of the stupid ball. “He is not a child. He is a fucking Beta. Same as Buz and Zep, you think they can’t handle themselves? You think they shouldn’t sleep around?”
“No, they can do whatever they want but Sparrow is-“ He stops again and shakes his head. “Never mind, anything I say is just going to piss you off.”
“You’re right. It is going to piss me off because you’re acting like an ass for no fucking reason. I am going to give you this one warning. Because next time, I won’t hold back. If you can’t trust that Sparrow knows what he’s doing, you don’t get to speak to him.” Lightning dancing along my skin. “You don’t get to speak to him anymore, if you do, you’re going to find out what Arcticus has been drilling into me for years. And trust me, when I say this. It won’t be pretty, it will hurt and I won’t hold back. Do you understand?” 
Frost stares at me in shock and surprise. “Yeah, I got it.” 
I let go of the magic, a shudder running through me. I sway slightly, okay that might have taken more out of me then I though it would. “Nice control. I didn’t know you had magic.” Aspen calls out, I lock eyes with Frost who looks just as surprised as I am that Aspen is here. Good thing he couldn’t hear us.
I turn to face Aspen, he and Zep are walking towards us. Buz and Ilgar nowhere in sight, guess Buz went to get Ilgar patched up. “I didn’t know till a couple days ago either.” I shrug and smile slightly at him. I notice Frost wave to them but leave the ring. 
“Is it a Luna thing?” Zep asks me, stopping near me. 
“Yes, it’s a Luna thing.” I answer before turning to look at Aspen. “What are you doing here?”
“Your mother asked my father to come by here, he asked Flint and I to come along as well.” Aspen smiles down at me. 
“Hmm. Where did they head off to?” 
“Khione asked me to grab you.” Aspen answers, I stiffen, why do I have a sense of dread?
“Lead the way then.” I follow Aspen back to my house, I’m not sure I want to know what my mother wants to see me for.
We make it into the house quickly, mother, Elwood, Flint and Viola are sitting in the living room, oh this dread feeling just got ten times worse. Aspen’s steps slow, I guess he doesn’t like how this looks either. “What’s going on?” I ask stepping up behind Viola’s seat.
“Sit.” Mother commands, my back tenses but I sit on the armrest of Viola’s seat, mother shoots me a dark look but doesn’t comment on it. 
Aspen takes a seat in between his father and Flint, Elwood nods his head to me in greeting, I return the gesture. “I’m sure my sons have told you that they have started their search for mates.” Elwood holds my gaze as he speaks.
“They have.” I confirm, refusing to meet Flint’s gaze.
“Khione and I have been speaking about this for a while now, we would like our future Alphas to choose mates from each others packs.” Elwood informs me, Viola is stiff beside me. I think they already told her this.
“That makes sense. But I don’t understand what this has to do with Viola or myself.” I keep my tone calm and respectful.
“Well it seems, both Flint and Aspen cannot view the females they have known since childhood as potential mates.” Elwood flicks annoyed eyes to his children, both who ignore it. Elwood sighs and looks back at me. “So I am hoping at least one of you would know potential females for them to view.”
Oh thank fuck! Viola’s shoulders relax, guess they didn’t go into too much detail when talking to her. “Okay, what kind of age range?” I ask, we don’t have to many young females, most of our younger pack is made up of males. 
“27 to 19.” Mother answers before Elwood can, he nods in agreement.
“Lucy?” Viola raises a brow at me, I hold back my wince. She’s a spit fire and would probably scream as loud as she could about an arranged mating. I haven’t spent much time with her but Ilgar has and I get the stories from him. 
“What is this Lucy like?” Elwood asks before I can say hell the fuck no.
“Um well, she’s a Beta, 19. She’s kinda loud and doesn’t allow anyone to walk all over her, so I’d say strong willed. Stubborn, is also a good word for her. But she really is a sweet person, very pretty and smart.” Viola stumbles a bit at explaining the spit fire that is Lucy.
“Uh huh. Sure.” Aspen turns to face me. “Now you try explaining Lucy.” 
Fucking shit Aspen. “Viola is right, Lucy is very smart, pretty and stubborn.” I shrug, mother snorts out a soft laugh. “She’s also a spit fire that takes no shit from anyone and will punch you in the face if you’re an ass to her.” 
“Ah.” Elwood is nodding, I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not. “Maybe she could keep Flint in line.” Flint snaps his head towards his father in utter shock. 
I force my expression to remain blank while biting my tongue. I will not laugh. “I’m sure she could.” She would eat him alive. 
“Any others that might work?” Mother asks, I don’t know why she’s asking us. She could answers these questions herself.
“I mean if either of them are looking for a Submissive mate, Connie is great.” Viola states, oh no. 
“Oh? What do you mean by that?” Elwood questions.
“She’s an Omega like me, she’s 26. She very kind and pays attention to everything around her. Also very pretty but her looks are softer than most Winter Wolves.” Viola shrugs, I will not weigh in on this one. 
“Snow? What do you think about her?” Elwood moves his gaze back to me.
“I will not comment on this one.” I refuse. I think Connie is wonderful, she helped me a lot after I was kidnapped. She herself was kidnapped but she was much younger than I was when it happened. Connie has healed a great deal but I don’t think she’s ready to start looking for her forever. 
“Snow cannot comment on Connie. Snow is bias when it comes to Connie.” Mother cuts in, for once giving me an out. 
“Is there a reason for that?” Flint directs the question to my mother.
“Yes. Snow and Connie bonded after Snow was kidnapped.” The distaste over the word kidnapped is probably only noticeable to me, I force my body to remain relaxed. This is not the time or the place.
“Hmm. Fair enough. Moving on to the next.” Elwood nods for Viola to continue. 
“You have to remember that most of our younger pack is male. Their are few females within your age range.” Viola informs them before she spits out a name I wish she had kept to herself. “Leah, 21, she’s another Beta. She’s also strong willed, pretty but not as smart as she could be.”
Well that’s one way to describe the bitch from hell. “Pass.” Aspen says so fast that his father and my mother snap their heads to him. 
“Why?” Both ask at the same time.
“I don’t like her personality.” Aspen shrugs, not even looking at me. I narrow my gaze at him, did Sparrow tattle?
“I will also pass on that one.” Flint adds in, also not looking at me. Fucking Sparrow!
“Okay then. Sarah, 23, she’s a Delta. She takes everyone under her wing, even if they don’t need it. Very caring and kind, pretty and smart.” Viola moves away from the talk of fucking Leah, but then she has to add on to it. “She’s the last one of your age range, unless you want to throw in Snow but I guess you guys already know enough about her.” 
“Fuck you for saying that.” I hiss quietly to her, but mother catches it.
“I have not yet decided Snow’s mating choice so it is a possibility but not right now. Sarah is a good one to end on for now.” Mother smiles at the Fall Wolves while I work very hard to keep my face very blank. 
“As much as I loved for one of my children to mate with Snow, I have feeling you will be setting up new treaties with her mating, am I wrong Khione?” Elwood raises a brow at my mother, while my stomach flips and bile threatens to force it’s way out of me. 
My mother smiles tightly at Elwood. “It has yet to be decided and that is all I will say on the matter.”
“Hmm. Viola, would you be a dear and grab the females that you have listed?” Elwood asks her, Viola nods and stands. “Including Leah? I would like to see her for myself.”
“Of course.” Viola dips her head and leaves. 
“A word, Elwood?” Mother stands, he nods and they leave the room. 
I blow out a breath and fall into the seat Viola left. “I shouldn’t be surprised they did this, but I am.” Flint grumbles, I let my eyes fall closed. I will not get sick, it’s not happening right now. I am not being mated right this minute, everything is fine. No one is going to touch me, everything is fine. 
“Snow? Are you alright?” Aspen asks, I force my eyes open and sit up. He looks worried about me, eh so does Flint.
“Yep. Just wasn’t expecting this to be my fucking day.” I shrug and cross my legs, it won’t take long for Viola to grab the females. “Did Sparrow tell you about Leah?” Both of them avoid my gaze, I nod. He did, I’m going to kill him. But damage control first. “She’s really not that bad.”
Aspen slowly looks at me. “She called you names for having scars at 16.” 
“She was a bitch to you up until last year when you finally put her in her place.” Flint adds on, I press my lips together. Stupid Sparrow, going and telling them shit that they had no business knowing.
“Well for the record, she’s never liked me. It wasn’t because I was kidnapped. It was because she was the center of attention until I came along. So don’t hold that shit against her. If either of you like her, go for it. Do not hold out on my account.” I can’t believe the words coming out of my mouth. 
Aspen looks like he’s going to argue but our parents walk back in, a moment later Viola comes in with the females, Viola squeezes in beside me on the one seater. Sarah stands beside the chair at Viola shoulder, Sarah has long dark grey hair and bright blue eyes, she’s about 5’6. Connie stands beside the chair on my side, Connie has light grey eyes and silver hair, she’s 5’5 and thin as can be. Lucy stands beside Connie, she has deep blue eyes and dark blue hair, she’s 5’8 and curved. Leah, stands beside Sarah, she has dark grey eyes and light blue hair, she’s 6’1 and toned nicely. 
Viola interduces everyone, the females bow their heads to the Fall Wolves but none of them speak. “None of you are in relationships, correct?” Elwood asks the females.
“No. None of us are.” Sarah is the one to answer, while the other three nod.
“I didn’t include the female that are in relationships because most of them believe they’ve found their forever.” Viola adds in, I remain silent.
“Wonderful. Shall we get started then?” 
...
Elwood asked the females so many questions that I spaced for almost the entire thing, I so did not need to be here for that bullshit. As their wrapping up and about to send the females on their way fucking Leah speaks out of turn. “Is Snow also being chosen for this? She did not answer any of the questions.”
My body locks up and I turn my head towards her. “Not right now, she is not. Her mating will take place after I have viewed all of the potential Alphas sons.” Mother answers standing up. Leah shoots me a pointed smirk that I ignore, I will not give her the time of fucking day. “Now, off you go ladies. We have much to discuss.” 
The females leave, mother and Elwood going to her office. I wait thirty seconds then stand. “I’m leaving. That was boring as fuck. If mother asks where I am. You have no idea, yeah?” I ask Viola who nods and goes back to looking at her phone.
“Run away while you can.” Flint grumbles, slouching into his seat, Aspen doesn’t say anything just watches as I leave. 
Aspen has been acting a bit weird but I’m going to chalk it up to the stress of being mated to strangers. As soon as I step outside, I shift and bolt, I need to get as far away from that house as I can so mother can’t call me back or send someone after me. 

Chapter Text

June 26th.
Snow. 
I stop running when I make it to the Fall border, I let my Wolf skin fall away and slump against a tree, the bark digging into my spine. I tilt my head back and stare up through the branches, the sky is dark with clouds. It’s probably going to rain. Shit, that’s all I need right now is to get drowned in rain. The way my mother was speaking about my mating. . . I sigh, it sounds like she is going to pick the fucking highest bidder. 
Which means I won’t get a say in it what so ever. There are eleven packs-including mine- that are close enough for a mating treaty to take place. The other ones are half way around the world, I don’t think she’d send me all the way over there. Also a few dozen small ones near us but mother would never send me to one of those, she is way to proud to do that. I think she has already started looking, which means I don’t have that much time before I’m mated off. 
Probably to some random male, that I’ve never met and know nothing about. I blow out a shaky breath, I will handle whatever comes my way. I am strong, I am not weak. I am brave, I am not a coward. I am a badass, I am not glass. Being mated will not kill me, nor will it break me, it won’t be the end of the world. I go very still as the birds around me go silent, that is never a good thing. 
Suddenly a large Wolf lunges for me, I try to duck out of the way but the Wolf skin falls away and clawed hands wrap around my neck. Silas slams my head into the tree, I don’t fight back immediately because the only thing I feel is calm as Silas’s claws dig into my neck. “You’re trespassing.” I wheeze out, he’s cutting off my air.
“I warned you darling.” Silas snarls into my face, squeezing my neck. “That as soon as you stepped foot off of Bloodhound land, your life was forfeit.” His claws finally breaking my skin, I feel blood slide down my neck. Yep no. Fear or no, this is not okay. I grip his wrists and knee him in between his legs, Silas wheezes and I shove hard, he stumbles away from me. 
“I’m not really good at listening so take your threats and shove them up your ass!” I snap at him, bringing my hand to my neck, thankfully there’s not that much blood. The smart thing to do would be to run, I don’t even though I should. Silas stares at me with horror filled eyes, but his face remains without emotion. He takes a step back from me, what the fuck is going on? Wasn’t he just itching to fucking kill me? “Did your brain break?” I snarl, I want to fight now and he just staring at me!
“You’re bleeding.” Is all he says, that’s when I realize where he’s staring. My still bleeding neck.
“Cause you’re a dick and sunk your claws into my fucking neck!” Do something damnit! I want to claw off his fucking face for laying hands on me and making me bleed!
“I-“ Silas takes another step away from me, what the fuck is happening? “Your scent-“ He cuts himself off again, he face finally morphing into horror. Why is he horrified? My anger stumbles, his face has lost all color. 
I step towards him, he flinches and backpaddles away from me, my anger stumbles again. His heart is beating so fast, his breathing too shallow. “Silas? What’s wrong? Are you okay?” My anger is gone, only concern and confusion remains. 
“This can’t be.” Silas breathes, I blink at him, not understanding. What can’t be? Silas stumbles back another step. “Goodbye.” He shifts and bolts, I’m left just standing and staring after him. 
I am thoroughly confused. What the fuck just happened? 
SPARROW!!

My nerves are fried, I’m not sure hanging out with Ozul was such a good idea. I’m kinda regretting agreeing to meeting up with him but not because I don’t want to but because what if Noir is right? “Seriously, what is wrong with you?” Aluma asks, she’s sitting on my bed, kicking her feet as I stare at myself in mirror. I’m not sure if I should be dressing like I’m going on a date or hanging out.
“I think I have a date.” It wouldn’t be my first but usually I know whether it’s a date or not, well it’s usually a fuck date. I haven’t been on one that leads to relationships, that wouldn’t be fair to the guys I take out because my stupid heart is taken. 
“You think? Is that why you’ve been so nerves today? Because you don’t know whether or not it’s a date?” Aluma frowns at me, she knows the kind of dates I go on. 
“Kind of. I’m not really sure what this guy wants from me, sex? Friendship? A relationship? I don’t know. You know I normally find out first but I didn’t because my brain broke a little.” I inform her, not giving away who it is.
“Is it Frost?” Aluma asks carefully, maybe a little hopeful.
“No. That is never going to happen. Which I got confirmed yesterday.” I sigh and run my hands through my neatly styled hair, the hair was too much anyway. 
“Shit. I’m sorry.” Aluma hops off the bed and wraps her arms around my shoulders, resting her chin on my head. She’s 5’9 while I’m only 5’5, I hate that she’s taller than I am. “How did you get it confirmed?”
“Zep asked if Frost and I had a thing, because Frost was acting like a dick. Frost spat ‘fuck no’ as quickly as he could.” I shrug, down playing how much it hurt. 
“Sometimes he can be such an ass.” She mumbles into my hair. 
“I know.” I blow out a breath. “It doesn’t matter, I have a possible date.” 
“Yes you do. But is it actually a date, a fuck or a hang out?” Aluma asks, still attached to my back. 
“I wish I knew the answer to that.” It would make me feel better if I did. 
“Okay, who is it with?” Nope not answering that.
“When I found out what it is, I’ll tell you. Until then, you don’t get to know.” I wiggle my brows at her in the mirror. “Now I have to go before I’m late.” I duck out of her arms, she lets me but her mismatched eyes narrowed at me. 
“Fine. But I want details.” Aluma wiggles her finger in my face, I laugh and walk away from her. Okay I feel a little better now, I’m mostly ready to find out what this thing is supposed to be.
I shift and head towards the Bloodhound border, we’re meeting at his border, he said he wants to hang out, talk and get to know each other. But half the males I know, ‘talk and get to know each other’ means sex. 
...
Okay so my nerves were for nothing, when I met up with Ozul, we went for a run along his border. He took me to a spot at the other side of his border, where he sat up a picnic. Which I have to admit, was really sweet and warmth filled my body. Now we’re sitting together, both done eating, he’s asking me harmless questions but I get the feeling he’s waiting ask something that’s not so harmless. 
I’m leaned back against the trunk of a tree, while Ozul is spread out on the blanket, watching me. “About last night. . .” Ozul starts carefully, I knew this was coming.
“What about it?” I ask, forcing my body to remain relaxed. 
“What Frost said.” Which part is asking about?
“I’m going to need you to finish a sentence Ozul, I’m not a mind reader.” It would be cool if I was but that is a very rare gift. 
Ozul’s dark gaze stays locked on me. “When Zep asked if there was something between the two of you. How are you dealing with that?”
I drag my eyes back to him, slightly surprised he asked how I was doing with it. “It’s fine, I’ve known for a long time that he didn’t feel the same way I did. I don’t hold it against him.” It hurts like a bitch though.
“That is not what I meant Sparrow.” Why does my name sound different when he says it?
“Then what did you mean Ozul?” I hold his gaze, my heart speeds up slightly. 
“Are you okay? After hearing him say it.” Ozul asks bluntly, my jaw locks.
“Like I said, I knew he didn’t feel the same. Sure it wasn’t great to hear it so bluntly. But I’m fine.” I will be fine, it’s not like my world is going to come crashing down around me, even though it feels like it is.
Ozul nods and slides those dark eyes away from me, finally. “Do you think, you’ll move on from him?”
That question makes me pause. Noir’s words coming back to me. ‘Ozul has had a major crush on you for four years.’ Is- is Ozul asking when I’ll be ready? “I don’t know. Why?”
“Unrequired love is not fun.” Is Ozul’s response, still not looking at me. Okay what is with me? I don’t like it when he stares at me but I don’t like it when he doesn’t looks at me? 
What the fuck? “Oh? You know something about loving someone and them not loving you back?” It’s a joke, mostly. 
Ozul turns his head back to me, those dark eyes locking with my own. “Yes Sparrow, I do know what that is like.” 
Ah shit. Dead. I am dead. I quickly look away from him, so he didn’t take it as a joke. It’s fine, everything is just fine. Don’t take his words to heart. “Did you get over it?” Calm must be very calm.
“No. But I might decide to do something about it.” Ozul’s voice deepens, I swallow thickly. I can still feel his gaze on me.
“Do something like what?” I ask, my voice stupidly airy. I think I want him to slam me up against this tree. 
I hear Ozul sit up and inch closer to me. “I haven’t decided yet.” I really hope he can’t hear my heart going insane in my chest.
I drag my eyes back to him, he is closer than I expected him to me, our shoulders are almost touching because he’s leaned back against the tree as well. “I hope it works out for you, better than it did for me.” 
“That is my hope as well but we shall see.” His eyes sweep over my face. “Are you interested in sleeping with Zep?”
What? “What?” That was a fucking turn.
“He was flirting with you. If Frost hadn’t interrupted Zep, would you have said yes to him?”
I- what? Why the fuck would he ask me that? Of all things? “No. He is too close to Snow.” Now if he wasn’t close with her. . .
“And if he wasn’t close with her? Would you be interested in him?” Is Ozul a fucking mind reader? 
I eye him warily, he is from Bloodhound and they are known for having weird powers show up in their line. “He does the same thing I do, so I probably would have. But he is close to Snow, so it will always be a no.” 
“What same thing do you both do?” Ozul asks curiously.
Should I be blunt or not? Blunt is always better, just throw it out there. “Fucking with no stings attached.”
Ozul lets out a startled breath. “I-“ Red flushes over his cheeks, did I surprise him or embarrass him? “I wasn’t expecting that.” 
I shrug, what else is there to say? “I can’t give more than sex, so. . “ I shrug again, I really don’t know what else to say. 
“Right.” Ozul looks away from me, his neck flushing red as well. I kinda want to lick it. Nope. Bad thoughts go away! I slide my eyes away from him. 
“What about you? Do you try getting over the person with sex?” I ask, just so it can be about him and not me because I am done talking about Frost. 
“I did at first. But I stopped after a while.” Ozul answers, his voice gruff. 
“Why?” Does he not enjoy it? 
“Because it didn’t help.” I feel his gaze back on me. Nope not doing it, if I don’t want to blush, I can’t look at him while we talk about this. “Does it help you? To have sex with random people?”
“They are not all random, some are friends.” I didn’t really answer him, I sigh. “It doesn’t help but it also doesn’t hurt.” Loving Frost hurts.
“Ah.” How do we get off of this topic? Because this is not what I want to think about. I feel his fingers slide over my cheek and hook my chin, turning my face towards him. “Some times loving someone is painful.” 
I hold his dark gaze, my breath stuttering out of my lungs. “Yeah it is.” His eyes dip briefly to my lips then back to my eyes. Fuck! I lean towards him slightly, breathing in his arousal. 
“Sparrow.” He inches closer, our faces so close, we’re breathing the same air.
“Yes?” This feels like he’s edging me. I want to climb him like a fucking tree. 
“OZUL!” Both Ozul and I jerk back from each other at the female’s shout. He’s instantly shifted and bolting towards the call, I shift and dart after him. I come around a bend just to find Emery with her hands on her hips, fuming while Ozul looks franticly around for the threat, which I’m guessing is none.
I come to a stop a good distance away. “What’s wrong?” Ozul asks her, out of his Wolf skin. 
“Mother has been looking for you.” Emery snaps. “For two hours. You can’t just disappear without warning!” Emery snarls, but that’s also when she spots me. 
Still in my Wolf skin, her brows raise and a smirk plays on her lips. “You shouted because you didn’t know where I was?” I can tell he’s holding back from snapping at his sister.
“Yep. Now I know why you disappeared. Hey Sparrow.” Emery waves to me.
I shift out of my Wolf skin and smile slightly at the Omega. “Hi Emery.” I need to go because I so should not have almost kissed Ozul. “I need to get going before my siblings start a hunt for me.” 
Ozul snaps his head towards me, alarm flaring in his gaze. “Sparrow-“
“I had fun Ozul. I’ll see you guys later.” I wave at them before shifting and bolting, I can’t stay there another second. 
“Sparrow!” Ozul calls to my mind but I shut him out and run faster, I cross out of his border and onto the Winter one. I can’t believe I was going to have sex with him, that I wanted to- 
I slam into another Wolf and we go tumbling down a hill. I spring away, ready to say sorry but everything in me freezes at the sight of Frost getting up and shaking out his fur. Of fucking course I ran into him. Frost stares at me then shifts out of his Wolf skin. “Sparrow? Are you okay? What are you doing all the way out here?”
He crouches down in front of me. I can’t do this with him right now. I back up a step, his blue eyes widen in surprise and hurt. “I’m fine Frost. I was hanging out with Ozul. Now I’m going home. Goodbye.” I turn away from him but Frost shifts and jumps in front of me.
I snarl at him but he doesn’t move out of my way. “Why were you with him?” Frost growls, some of his Alpha tone slipping in. 
My fur bristles, my instincts telling me to submit but he is not my Alpha. “Because he and I are friends!” I snap back, done. I’m done, my heart can jump in a fire for all I care. Sometimes it’s a good thing that I am so small. I bolt towards Frost, he stiffens as I slide underneath him. I dig my claws into the ground and push with all I have to run as fast as I can away from the two males that send my brain into stupidity. 
I don’t slow down as I cross into the Fall border, nor do I slow down as I reach the center of Fall land, I don’t stop till I jump through my open window and onto my bed. I don’t shift as I lay down, I stay in my Wolf skin. Soaking in the fact that I almost kissed a Bloodhound Wolf and that I am finally going to give up being in love with a Winter Wolf. 
“Sparrow?” Aluma asks softly, she’s at my door. I hear her step into my room and close the door behind her. “What happened? Are you okay?”
I let my Wolf skin fall away and curl up on my side. “I’m a fucking idiot.”
Aluma stares at me before crawling on the bed with me. “What happened?” She asks again, her fingers playing in my hair.
“I went to hang out with Ozul. That’s who I went to see.” I inform her, letting my eyes fall closed. “We-“ I cut myself off, my chest aching painfully. “I almost kissed him. Thank fuck that we were interrupted because I’m pretty sure Noir was right and I don’t want to hurt Ozul.” 
“Oh Sparrow, it’s okay-“
“It’s not okay. None of this is okay. I’m in love with Frost, who couldn’t give a rats ass about me unless someone shows interest in me. I’m done. With all of it. I don’t want love, I just want to forget.” Aluma wraps her arms around me, tears prick my eyes but I don’t let them fall. I’m tired of feeling like this. 

Chapter Text

July, 3rd. 
Snow.
It’s been a week since I saw Silas, I haven’t seen him since then. I’m still confused about what actually happened but I haven’t pushed for answers. I haven’t told anyone what happened either. I have finally learned to control the Lightning magic fully, the only one that knows that is Buz. I haven’t even told my mother, thankfully Frost and Aspen have kept their mouths shut about my magic. I don’t want her to know just yet. 
I also haven’t seen Sparrow, which after speaking Aluma, I get it. He doesn’t want to run into Frost because he is done with him, I don’t blame him for that and I’m kinda proud of him for it as well. Onyx thankfully, hasn’t come by again. Neither has the Fall Alpha but Viola told me that the females have been going to the Fall land to meet with Aspen and Flint. Viola also told me that the only one who is grumpy about it is Lucy, which I am not in the least surprised by that. 
Viola also said that Leah is telling everyone that will listen that she is going to be the future Luna of the Fall pack. I have been ignoring her, I don’t want to deal with the bitch. So I’ve been reading the book Onyx gave me. 

I think I’ve figured out my magic. Shadows are my birth right, I am around those who have that magic. When I got Plant, Water, Winds, Ice, Light and Raw Earth magic, I had met the Alphas who have those types of magic. 
I figured it out when I met the Sea Pack Alpha, with in seconds of meeting him, I felt the call of all Sea creatures. I knew then, that it is not time that gives me magic. It is the Alphas themselves. Yes time helps, because you can not gain more magic before you can control your own. You master that, then you move on to the next one. 
I will warn you,  mastering Raw earth was extremely hard. As was Light, Wind and Sea Creatures. I have to admit, I am still learning to control the Sea Creatures. They have minds of their own and they do not like to be commanded by anyone other than their Sea Pack Alpha. I mean I get it but if they were slightly inclined to let me at least try, it might be a bit easier.

I stop reading for a moment, letting that soak in. It’s not time, it’s mastering one and then meeting another Alpha with different magic. I don’t know if I want to do that. Meeting all of those Alphas, that sounds like a fucking nightmare. 
“Snow?” My head snaps up to Ilgar, his face is pinched like he swallowed something that tasted foul. “Mother wants to speak to you, about your mating.”
Fucking shit! “Fine. Be there in a minute.” He leaves and I shove the book under my bed in a locked safe. I leave my room and find mother in her office, seating at her desk. I take a seat, crossing my legs and leaning back in the chair, folding my arms. 
“I have arranged all large pack Alphas to meet in three days. They will look you over, make their offers, if you get a super bad feeling about one of them, tell me. I will look into them, after all of that goes down, I will pick your mate. You may have some input about who you would like. But I get the final say.” Mother informs me, without looking up from her computer. 
“When will they be making offers?” Is all I ask, I knew this was coming. I’m not going to argue with her, it would just fall on deaf ears. 
Mother snaps her gaze to me, surprise lighting up her face. “You are not going to fight me on this?” 
“Why would I? I am a born Luna. You are not going to let me find my mate the natural way so, why fight it?” I shrug playing off how nervous I actually am about this. 
Mother stares me down. “That is a very adult way of thinking about it. In six months, we will meet with them. It will be a very big event. Now for something I do not like. Because this will be so big and the largest packs are being invited we have to invite the Summer pack.” 
My composure threats to break. “Are you serious?”
“Unfortunately, yes. If we are inviting all of them, we have to invite them.” Mother shrugs, going back to looking at her computer. “Now some of the next Alphas, might drop in sooner and take a look around. Elwood, Keah and Osiris are aware of that and will not kill them, I have not yet told Soleil or Helios.” 
Oh boy. “Are you going to tell them?”
“I am not no.” Her light blue eyes slide back to me. “You are going too, today.”
“What? Why am I going to?” Do not panic, panic gets you nowhere. I am safe, I am strong, I am fine. 
“Because you are friends with Noir and Onyx. Helios and Silas have spoke to you, without trying to kill you.” I might try to kill my mother for making me do this. 
“Fine.” No use trying to fight this, she will not change her mind. 
“You may leave now.” Mother dismisses me, I bristle but leave her office. I have to do it today, I am so not going alone. 
“How’d it go?” Ilgar asks carefully, as I enter the living room. 
“Not well, I’ll be back later. If you don’t hear back from me in three hours, I’m probably dead.” I call back as I leave the house. 
“The fuck does that mean?!” Ilgar shouts after me.
I turn back to the house and throw my hands up, he is standing in the doorframe. “It means, check on me to make sure I’m not dead!” I shout back before shifting and heading towards the Fall border, if I have to go probably die, Sparrow is coming with me. 
...
“Snow what a pleasant surprise, what are you doing here?” Xanthe smiles at me, she was the one to answer the door after I knocked. 
“Xanthe,” I bow my head to her in greeting. “I’m sure you have spoken to my mother about my mating?”
“Yes, I have.” Pity fills Xanthe’s gaze. “We have not yet told our children because Khione wanted to speak to you first before we told them. I am guessing, you now know about it as well.” 
“I do. Which is why I would like to speak to Sparrow.” Xanthe nods at my words.
“Well they are all here, a rare occurrents these days. Might as well tell them all now.” She opens the door wider and lets me, I follow her to the living room. All of the Fall siblings are spread out, looking half asleep. “Kids, Snow is here.”
All of them sit up and stare at me in surprise and worry. “Who died?” Flint asks, his face serious.
“Nobody died. I’m kinda concerned about that being your first question.” I take a seat beside Aluma. 
“What’s going on? Are you okay?” Sparrow asks, looking me over.
“I’m fine. I was just told that I will be mated to the highest bidder, in six months.”  I inform them, I sit on my hands so no one notices them shaking. 
“What?” All four of the Fall siblings breathe.
“Yep, the six other large packs will be sending their next Alphas to check me out every now and then, and you’re not allowed to kill them.” I state, Aspen and Flint are very, very still. Aluma is tense beside me and Sparrow is looking at me in horror. “Also I’m supposed to tell Soleil and Helios of that last fact. Oh also on top of that, because mother is inviting all of the other large packs, she has to invite the Summer pack.” 
“We will have to host some of them, when they come to see Snow. Because they will be here for Snow, they cannot stay in the Winter land.” Xanthe adds on, I didn’t know that part.
“Do you get any say in this?” Aluma asks softly, I flick my eyes to her sad face then away. 
“Some, not much.” I shrug, I’m not ready but I will be.
“You have to inform Helios and Soleil? Why?” Sparrow asks me, I avoid his gaze.
“Does it matter why?” I respond, my chest is tight. “She’s left it up to me to do it, so I’m going to do it.” 
“I’m going with you.” Sparrow states firmly, I knew he’d want to go, to not let me go by myself.
“I know.” I smile slightly at him. 
Aspen gets up and walks out of the room, I frown after him. Flint is just staring at me, still very still. “Give him time, I don’t believe he really thought your mother would give you to the highest bidder.” Xanthe lays a hand on my shoulder, I hold back my flinch.
“It’s fine. It doesn’t really matter, he doesn’t get a say, no one but my mother and the other Alphas do.” I keep my eyes on Flint, holding his gaze. 
“You’re just going to roll over and let this happen?” Flint finally asks me, something almost like disappointment flickering across his face. 
“Yes. It’s like what you and Aspen are doing while picking your Luna.” I cross my legs, tucking my hands in between them.
“Yeah but we get a fucking say in the matter!” Flint snaps, standing up, claws poking out of his fingers.
I force my body to remain relaxed. “And? It is what it is. I can’t change it. So what is the point of trying to fight it?” 
“I thought you had a fucking spine.” Flint spats before storming out of the room. Ouch, fucking ouch!
“I’m sorry Snow, I will try to speak with them.” Xanthe pats my shoulder before following her son out. 
Aluma hugs me tightly. “You’ve got this. Being mated won’t kill you.” She whispers in my ear, I nod. “I’m going to go kick Aspen in the ass for his reaction.” Aluma leaves the room, I let my eyes fall on Sparrow.
“You ready to follow me into this?” I ask him, Sparrow crosses the room to me.
“I am. I will follow you anywhere. Even into Bloodhound land and Summer.” Sparrow kisses my brow, I lean into his side.
“Like are you ready, right now?” I push, Sparrow stiffens slightly.
“Now?” Sparrow pulls away from and searches my gaze. “Yeah I’m ready.” 
SPARROW!!

I can feel Snow’s unease as we cross into the Bloodhound land, I don’t blame her. Being mated off to the highest bidder isn’t going to be easy for her. Both of us silent for different reasons, I haven’t seen Ozul since we almost kissed. I’ve been avoiding going near the Bloodhound border, avoiding everyone when the Bloodhound Wolves show up in our land but I can’t hide anymore. 
I will face anything for the female at my side. I brush my side against her, Snow flicks her ear towards me. Her heady scent of orange and cinnamon wraps around me. “Are you okay?” Some Bloodhound Wolves are watching as we walk through their land but none stop us.
“No. I will be, just not right now.” Snow answers softly, at least she was honest. 
“You know, I always have your back. No matter what.” A dark orange Wolf with bright orange eyes heads towards us. 
“I know Sparrow. Thank you.” Snow comes to a stop as Emery makes it towards us.
“What are you two doing here?” Emery asks kindly.
“I need to speak to your Alpha, nothing bad or anything like that. Just important.” Snow states, Emery’s fur stills as she realizes this is formal and not playful. 
“Of course, I will call them and they will meet us at home.” Emery dips her chin and turns away from us. “Follow me, please.” Emery leads us to her house, which in fact is not the pack house where the Ball was held. She shifts out of her Wolf skin, Snow and I follow her lead as we walk into the house. “They will be here in a moment.”
“Thank you Emery.” Snow dips her chin to Emery who nods sits down, Snow and I sit down next to each other.
“Can you tell me what this is about?” Emery asks carefully, I remain silent.
“It is better if I only say it once. I’m trying not to let my nerves get the best of me.” Snow tries and fails to smile at Emery, I wrap my arm around her shoulders. 
“Okay.” Emery murmurs, we fall silent. Noir is the first to show up, he eyes us but doesn’t say anything as he sits beside Emery. Nuriel and Edana show up next, also not saying anything as they take seats. Soleil shows up next, taking a seat.
“We will wait for my two other sons before we start.” Soleil informs Snow who nods, staying silent. Onyx and Ozul show up a minute later, both doing a double take when seeing Snow and I, I avoid Ozul’s gaze. 
“We’re all here. What is it?” Onyx asks, he stays standing as does Ozul. Both crossing their arms over their chests. 
“Thank you for meeting me.” Snow starts, her voice soft and soothing, Onyx raises a brow at the tone but Snow ignores him. “In six months, my mate bidding will take place. All large packs will be invited, all will have a chance to throw in their next Alphas. I am here to inform you of this, I am also here to inform you that the six other packs will be sending their next Alphas to check me out before the gathering takes place, so that you are aware that strange Alphas will be moving along the lands.” 
Silence answers her, Snow keeps her hands folded in her lap, I tighten my hold on her shoulders. “All? Including the Summer?” Soleil asks, eyeing Snow carefully.
“Yes, including the Summer pack. They are my next stop.” Snow answers softly, still using her Luna tone, I don’t think she’s aware that she is using it.
“Very well. Thank you for informing us Snow. We will take this into consideration.” Soleil dips her chin to Snow. “Is that all you had to inform us about?”
“Yes. It is.” Snow nods, her body is tense.
“Alright, my mate and I must discuss this. Feel free to stay as long as you need before heading to the Summer border. I wish you all of the luck and hope you make it out of there alive.” Soleil stands offers her hand to her mate.
“Thank you Soleil.” Snow bows her head to the Bloodhound Alpha as they leave the room. Snow blows out a sharp breath. “That went better than telling your family.”
I snort out a laugh and kiss her brow. “My family are all way too protective of you.” Of course that went to shit and I’m not even surprised about it.
“Oh, three packs in one day? That’s got to be rough.” Edana shakes her head and stands. “I feel for you Snow, I hope you get a very kind mate who does not change you for the worst.” Edana stops in front of Snow. “I would love to stay and speak to you about this but Emery and I have have to get back to the ring.” 
“Of course. Thank you for taking the time to hear me out.” Snow smiles slightly at the females, Edana waves and leaves but Emery wavers and stares at Snow.
“I am truly sorry Snow. I cannot image what must be going through your mind. I wish you all of the luck. Unfortunately, I believe you are going to need it.” Snow stiffens at Emery’s words but nods her head and doesn’t reply to Emery. 
Emery sighs and leaves silently. Leaving us with Noir, Onyx and Ozul, whose gazes are locked on Snow. “Mate bidding. It’s been a while since that’s happened.” Noir states, his gaze briefly flickering to me then back to Snow.  “How are you handling that?”
Snow shrugs. “As well as I can be.” 
“You are not fighting it?” Noir presses.
“I am not fighting it. I knew this was coming. I might not be ready right now, but I will be soon.” Snow states firmly, almost confidently but not quite.
“I wish you luck Snow.” Ozul tells Snow gently, she nods. 
“You do realize that your mating will cause a lot of fights, right?” Onyx asks her, his brow flicking up at her.
“Yes, Onyx. I am well aware of that.” Snow’s shoulders tense further, her tone clipped.
“Everyone is going to want a fancy born Luna, it’s going to be a blood match.” Onyx continue, his dark gaze never leaving Snow.
“I am aware Onyx, I do not need you to tell inform me of that.” Snow’s voice softens so much so that every nerve in my body turns to liquid.
Noir’s shoulders slump, Ozul’s body looses it’s tension but Onyx stiffens. Oh shit. Her Luna shit is going full force. “They might even have to fight to the death for your hand.” Onyx states causally, as if fighting to the death is common nowadays. 
“Enough Onyx.” I snarl, my arm curling tighter around Snow. “Now you’re just trying to get a reaction. Let it go.”
Onyx’s hands clench at his sides. “Who are you to tell me what to do, pup? You’re on my land. In my home.” 
“Knock if off Onyx. Snow has enough to deal with, without you being a dick.” Ozul lays his hand on Onyx’s shoulder. “Sparrow is just protecting his friend. Leave him be as well.” I am not going to focus on the warmth filling me as Ozul defends both Snow and I.
Snow blows out a breath. “As much fun as this has been, Sparrow and I have to inform the Summer Alpha and I really do not feel like dragging this out further.” Snow stands and drags me up with her. 
Noir stands and crosses the room to us, standing in front of us. “Would you like me to go with you?”
Snow’s eyes soften slightly. “Thank you for offering Noir but Sparrow and I have it covered.” 
“I wish you luck Snow.” Noir bows his head to Snow, grabs Onyx by the shoulder and drags him forcefully out of the room. 
“Are you sure you do not want any of us to accompany you?” Ozul asks gently, his gaze his flickering to me before focusing back on Snow.
“I’m sure. Thank you Ozul.” Snow drags me out of the Bloodhound house and quickly off their land. I follow willingly, after we cross their border she shifts and heads towards the Summer border.
“You could barely look Ozul. Do you want to talk about that?” Snow asks causally, her tone longer dripped in that soothing Luna way.
“No. Do you want to talk about what we’re walking into?” I challenge.
“Nope.”

Chapter Text

July 3rd.
Snow.
My nerves are shot as we step up to the Summer border, I stop before crossing. I know what will happen when I step over the border, I don’t think I’m ready for that. “Snow? Are you ok-“ Sparrow starts but stops as a kid-no older than fourteen- drops out of a tree. Holding his sword- very badly- with both hands and his entire body is shaking.
“DON’T COME ANY CLOSER!” He shouts at us, his voice quivering. His blonde hair is messed up, his orange eyes are frantic, he’s about 5’9 and a Beta. But from the looks of things, he’s not very well trained. 
I let my Wolf body fall away and stare down this young male, well he’s taller than me but I can still look down on him! “I wasn’t planning on coming any closer.” I keep my tone flat, this male is terrified. His orange and leaf scent is coated in terror. 
“What d-do you want?” He tries to hold my gaze but ends up looking at my shoulder. 
Sparrow remains in his Wolf form at my side, unmoving. He’s not worried about this kid, neither am I. “To speak to your Alpha.” 
“No. I’m not allowed to let any Winter Wolf anywhere near!” His shoulders are curled into him, if he was in his Wolf form, his tail would be tucked and he’d be on the ground. “I don’t want to kill you! Leave!” 
Him? Kill me? I sigh, whoever put him on patrol was a fucking idiot. “How old are you?” 
“I don’t have to tell you anything!” He snaps, his voice breaking. 
For the love of- “You couldn’t kill me even if you tried. You are holding your sword wrong. You’re not even standing correctly.” I pinch the bridge of my nose, deep breaths. His face falls and he seems to curl in on himself even further. This kid is not going to get the backlash of my anxiety. “My name is Snow. I am the daughter of Khione. First natural born Luna of the Winter Pack, I am twenty years old. Your turn.”
The kid hesitates. “My name is Grove, son of Heath and Dove. I’m uh a Beta and fourteen years old.” 
Ah I was right. Okay, now we’re getting somewhere. “Okay Grove, I am very bothered by how your welding that weapon so I’m going to walk you through how to actually use that then we will get to why I am here.” My mother would have my head if she knew I was willingly helping a Summer Wolf. But this kid, looks like a kicked puppy. And it’s clear that no one has taken the time to show him anything about defending his land or protecting himself and that bothers more than I care to admit. 
Grove looks hesitant but nods and lowers is sword. “Okay.” He sounds utterly defeated, my chest tightens painfully. I see so much of who I used to be, in this kid. 
SPARROW!!

I’m not sure how I feel about Snow showing this kid how to actually use that sword, since he might turn around and use it against her but I won’t tell her what to do. It’s her decision, not mine. She walks him through holding the sword properly and how to stand correctly and remained balanced, all without crossing the border or going near him. 
Grove listens carefully, paying attention to every little thing Snow says and does, copying Snow’s every move, a little slower and a bit sloppy but he’s trying. When she corrects him, he fixes it quickly, how is this kid a Summer Wolf? He’s kind, shy, listens and just seems like a really good kid. How the fuck is he a Summer Wolf?
“Okay Grove, I think that’s about as good as your gonna get with only a little lesson.” Snow stops his movements, Grove nods and seems happier but also a little sad. I honestly think he enjoyed learning from her, I don’t blame him, she’s a great teacher when she’s not lost in her head. 
“Right. Um why are you here?” Grove asks, his eyes going to the ground.
Snow eyes him, glances over at me then back to the kid. “Why were you in the trees when we showed up?” She asks him instead of answering him, I kind of want to know that as well. As Wolves, we don’t really hang out in trees, we’re faster on the ground. 
“Oh. Um well I travel in the trees when I’m patrolling. No one really looks up and I can see pretty much everything from the trees.” Grove shrugs, pink dusting his cheeks. I blink at him, that’s actually really smart. Wait- why is he embarrassed by that?
“Don’t be embarrassed about being smart Grove. That is was extremely smart, keep doing it. Most won’t even think to look up. But now I am going to be paranoid about what’s lurking in the trees and constantly looking up. So thanks for that.” I wince at Snow, she has enough paranoia. She doesn’t need anymore.
“Um thanks.” Grove bows his head, his entire face flushing further.
“Mhm.” Snow flicks her eyes to me, now she’s nervous. “The reason I am here is because of my mating. My pack is inviting all of the largest packs to a thing and I have to inform the Summer pack of this.” 
Grove stares at Snow in shock and a little bit of fear. “W-what? Y-you actually want to see my Alpha?” Why is he afraid of his own Alpha? I mean don’t get me wrong, my dad can be scary but I know he would never actually take it out on his own pack. 
“Yes Grove. I want to see your Alpha. But I don’t want you to be involved in bringing him here, you don’t need that back lash. So I need you to continue your bordering patrol and never tell anyone you spoke to me because you’re not allowed to speak to Winter Wolves and you would get in trouble for it.” Snow states, her voice getting that soothing Luna tone. 
Grove blinks at her slowly. “How do I know you’re not lying to me?”
“Because if I was, I wouldn’t have showed you how to use your sword nor would I have told you as much as I did.” Snow shrugs, I bump into her leg. 
“Um how are you supposed to get him here if I don’t bring him?” Grove asks, his gaze flicking to me then back to Snow.
“He’ll know.” Is all she says, I narrow my gaze at my friend, what does that even mean? How the fuck would he know?
“I don’t think I want to know what that means, but okay. I-I’m gonna go.” Grove takes a step back.
“Grove?” Snow calls to him before he can disappear.
He turns his head back towards us. “Yeah?”
“If you need some more help with training, you know where to find me.” She smiles kindly at him, surprise fills me at her offer.
Grove sucks in a sharp breath before he smiles wildly at Snow and nods before he shifts to a pretty slim blonde Wolf and heading away from us. “So how are you going to call the Summer Alpha?” I ask Snow, instead of asking why she was so nice to the kid, why she taught him how to use a sword or why she offered to teach him more. She sighs and shifts back into her Wolf form.
“You’ll see. And I’m not calling Helios.” Snow tells me and steps into Summer land, I tense but cross with her. She doesn’t go far, about a foot from the border and sits down. 
“So then who are you calling then?” I ask, sitting down next to her, nerves filling me. 
Snow’s green eyes meet mine slowly, I get the feeling I’m not going to like this. “Silas. Every time I’ve crossed this border, he has found me. More than once. So I believe he will find me again.” 
Dear fuck! I don’t respond to her, there’s nothing I can actually think to say to that. But sure enough about five minutes after we crossed the border a large deep golden Wolf walks calmly towards us, everything inside of me tenses and prepares for a fight. “You’re sitting on my land darling.” Silas’s deep voice slides into my mind like oil, Snow remains still but her body relaxes slightly. 
Okay that’s weird. “Yes, I am.” Snow’s tail flicks my hip as she stands and steps back off the Summer border, I follow her lead and get off the Summer land. “Now I am not.” 
“What do you want Snow?” Silas asks her, not sparing me a glance, his sole focus is on her. I don’t like that, at all.
“I don’t want anything from you Silas. In six months, my mate bidding will take place. All large packs will be invited, all will have a chance to throw in their next Alphas. I am here to inform you of this, I am also here to inform you that the six other packs will be sending their next Alphas to check me out before the gathering takes place. My mother has sent me to invite your pack, to inform you of all of this.” Snow’s Luna voice comes back full force, I want to melt in a puddle of goo.
“A mate bidding?” Is Silas’s only response.
“Yes, I have informed you of what is going on. You can tell your Alpha because he would kill me if I told him myself and I have too many things to do right now so I can’t really die today.” She is way to causal about all of this. Like this isn’t a big fucking deal. 
“And your inviting the Summer pack.” It’s not a question but a statement.
“Yes, apparently we can’t invite all of the largest packs and leave out the Summer, now can we?” Snow snarks back, my body tenses fuck, she should not have done that. Even in her Luna voice.
“I suppose not.” Silas eyes her then finally looks over at me. “What is he doing here?” 
“Sparrow is my best friend, he walks through the fire with me.” Snow shrugs, the Luna energy is coming off her in waves.
“Am I the fire you’re walking through darling?” Silas asks, taking a step closer, I move closer to Snow, my fur brushing hers.
“No. Your pack is. Now we’re done here and I need to get back. People to see, places to go and a whole lot of shit to do.” Snow turns away but I don’t. 
Silas watches her leave, I keep my gaze on him, he didn’t even try to attack her. That’s not normal. Does she have something over him? If so, what could it be? I turn away from him and jog to catch up to Snow, her body is tense but she is just walking calmly. “Do you want to talk about it?” 
“No. Sparrow, I really don’t. I just want to go home and curl into bed and forget all of this happened.” Her head bows, I can’t just let her go home like this. 
“Come home with me.” I bump my hip into hers, Snow nods and I lead us back to the Fall border. We stay silent as we go my house, I can’t image what is going through her head, I know it’s not good though and I hate that there’s nothing I can do about it. I shift at the door but Snow doesn’t, I let her into the house and then point her to my room. “I’m going to grab some comfort food, I’ll meet you in my room.” She nods again but doesn’t say anything as she heads towards my room.
I sigh and run my hands through my hair as I walk into the kitchen. Mom is in there, stirring what smells like coffee. “How’d it go?” She asks kindly, just as Aspen walks in. He stops and eyes me, I think he’s checking to make sure I’m not injured. 
“Fine I guess, Snow isn’t in the best head space right now so comfort is in order.” I open a cabinet and grabs some of the cinnamon muffins Flint made, what else do I need? 
“I don’t image she would be. I don’t understand what Khione was thinking when she asked Snow to do this. After everything that poor child has been through?” Mom scuffs, Khione and mom are friends but that doesn’t mean they agree on each others decisions.
“I don’t know mom. I don’t talk to Khione all that much.” Probably need some chocolate, I’m going to either have to ask mom or steal Aluma’s, I think I’m going to chose life on that one. “Mom can I have some of your chocolate stash?” 
“Of course.” She turns and grabs a hand full of chocolate candy and puts it in a basket. “Maybe go with something salty with the sweat?” Mom grabs a few bags of chips and puts them in a basket while I set the muffins in the basket as well. 
I grab some water bottles and some sodas to throw in the basket as well. “Thanks mom.” I ignore Aspen as I leave the kitchen, heading straight to my room. Only to find Snow curled on my bed in her Wolf skin, her body shaking, fear scenting the room. “Snow. . .” I set the basket on the floor and climb on the bed, pulling her Wolf body against me. She lets her Wolf skin fall away, she’s still shaking as she curls her fingers into my shirt. I tighten my hold on her and rest my chin on head. Talking right now isn’t going to do her any good so I don’t ask, just hold onto her as tight as I can. 
...
I wake some time later, when I feel eyes on me and they are not Snow’s all seeing eyes. I turn my head towards the door, Aspen and Frost are in my door way. I blink at them in confusion, Frost looks torn while Aspen looks emotionally wrecked. “What are you two doing?” I rasp, my voice thick with sleep. Snow is still and thankfully sleeping. 
“She didn’t come home and apparently she told Ilgar to check on her in three hours and if she didn’t respond she was probably dead. As you can image, he was freaking out and went to the Spring land to look for her and ask the Spring Wolves to talk to the Summer.” Frost informs me, my brain takes way to long to understand all of those words.
“Oh. Well, as you can see, she’s not dead.” I lay my head back on Snow’s, I’m too tired to deal with him. 
“How is she?” Both Frost and Aspen ask softly at the same time. 
A low growl rumbles in my chest, I feel Snow tense up, she’s awake now. “Snow is a fine as she can be.”
“Sparrow.” There’s a bite in Frost’s tone now, he’s annoyed with me. Well I’m annoyed with him for not standing up for his little sister and seeing that this is fucking wrong!
“Frost.” I snarl back at him and sitting up, not trying to be quiet anymore. “Your mother is planning on basically selling your sister to the highest fucking bidder, despite the fact that Snow is traumatized from being kidnapped and good knows what else those fuckers did to her while she was gone! While her older brothers don’t do a damn thing to stop it! So no Frost! She’s not fucking alright and I doubt she’s going to be anytime soon! Get the fuck out of my room! Before I make both of you leave forcefully.” I snap the last part to both Aspen and Frost. 
Aspen ducks his head in shame, he knows he handled Snow’s news wrong but right now, I can’t deal with him either. Aspen pushes Frost back out of the doorframe and closes my door, I sigh and fall back onto the bed, turning my head to look at Snow. Her green eyes slide open slowly. “Bossy male.”
I huff out a tired laugh. “For you? I will become anything you need me to be. Including telling my future Alpha to fuck all the way off.”
Her green eyes fill with sadness. “I know. You’d do a lot for me. As I would for you. I love you for it.”
“Aw I love you to.” I grab her hand, bringing it to my lips and kissing her palm. “I will always be here for you.” 
“I know.” Snow sighs, her green eyes sliding closed. “I wish things were different.”
I blink down at her. Different how? “What do you mean?” Like not being forced into a mating she doesn’t want? Different as in she doesn’t want to be a Luna? 
“Different as in, if you were my mate.” I suck in a sharp breath at her words. “We fit in every other way, except for sex. You’re not my type, I’m not yours and you don’t swing my way. But your the person I trust most.” My chest tightens painfully, I tug her closer till her head is resting on my chest.
“It would make things easier.” I agree, but we can’t be that for each other. “I’m sorry.”
“You can’t change who you are, anymore than I can change who I am.”  

Chapter Text

July, 4th. 
Snow.
I wake with Sparrow’s body curled around me, I sigh and untangle myself from him and slip out of the bed. He is still deep asleep, I stare down at him. At some point in the night, he lost his shirt. There a few dozen scars littering his chest, I know a few dozen more litter the rest of his body. Some are from too rough of play fighting, others are from training. A few are from rogue Wolves. 
There a four scars, about two inches long, across his chest. Those are from me, the night I was brought home. Guilt fills me every time I see them. There’s nothing I can do about those now. I sigh, I meant what I said last night, if he was my mate, I’d be set for life. I wouldn’t have to worry about being sold off, I wouldn’t- it doesn’t matter. I can’t think like that.  I leave Sparrow’s room, uncaring that I’m still in yesterdays clothes. 
I enter the kitchen, Elwood is sitting at the table, his red eyes flick up to me. “Good morning Snow.”
“Hi.” I hesitate before sitting down across from him, he and I haven’t actually spoken all that much. 
“Is everything alright?” The Fall Alpha brings his slightly worried eyes to meet my gaze. 
“I have a question and I think you might be the best one to answer it.” I force the words past my dry lips.
Elwood sets his mug and newspaper down, turning his body to face me fully. “Oh? What question might that be?” 
I blow out a breath, I shouldn’t be this nervous to ask but fuck I’m scared of his reaction and of the response. “Aluma told me that you and Xanthe were not mates and that neither of you chose who you were mating. That is was chosen for you.” I was so shocked to learn that they weren’t actually mates. 
Elwood stares at me blankly for a moment. “Is that supposed to be a question?” 
Ah. Right. “How did you deal with it?” I’m freaking out about this and trying really hard not to. 
“Hmm. I know why you’re asking, you have a mate bidding coming up.” I feel my shoulders try to curl into themselves, I force my body straight and nod at Elwood. “It was strange, I had never even met Xanthe, she was not from the Fall pack.”
“What? Xanthe isn’t-wasn’t a Fall Wolf?” I did not know that. What the fuck? How did I not know that? Do his kids know that? 
Elwood chuckles at my response. “No, she wasn’t a Fall Wolf, her eyes used to be a deep gold. But when she mated into this pack, they changed to the brown you’ve seen her with.” I didn’t even know that was a thing. For eyes to change like that. 
“What pack was she from?” I feel like it’s important to know which one she came from. 
“The Dusk pack, she was one of the Beta’s daughters. It’s why Sparrow has the height that he does. The Dusk pack doesn’t tend to pass 6’ foot and Sparrow took after his mother. You will be meeting them soon enough I’m sure.” He shrugs, like he didn’t just rearrange my view of Xanthe. 
“Wow that- why doesn’t any one talk about that?” I ask, is it supposed to be a secret? I ignore the part about meeting them soon, I don’t want to think about that.
“Because Snow, once you leave your birth pack, there is no going back. The day Xanthe was mated to me, she was no longer a Dusk Wolf but a Fall one. She is not allowed to go back without permission from the Alpha of the Dusk pack, she isn’t treated like a daughter of Dusk when she does visit. She is treated like a guest and a potential threat.” Oh. I hadn’t thought about that. 
That I wouldn’t be allowed back on to Winter land once I’m mated. My chest tightens, I won’t be allowed on Fall land either. “How did you two do it? Being strangers and having to be mated? Did you get any time to get to know each other before hand?” I can’t talk about leaving and never being allowed home. 
Elwood eyes me but lets me move away from the subject of leaving forever. “We did not get a chance to get to know one another. Our parents arranged the mating, so the day we met for the first time, was the day we mated. We were given a couple hours before we were due to be mated.” Elwood chuckles. “She did not like me and made it very clear that she was not happy about the arrangement.”
My breath stutters, he didn’t- “What did you do?” 
Elwood raises a brow at me, as if sensing the directions of my thoughts. His red eyes harden, his expression going flat. “I told her that I didn’t like it either but we had to do what our packs asked of us. She agreed and we were mated by the end of the day. I did not force her.” 
I let my eyes fall closed and suck in air. “I didn’t meant to imply-“
“I know you didn’t. But you have been raped and that is where your mind goes first.” My eyes snap open, I have never spoken about what I went through- how does he- “Breathe young one. When Aluma was brought home, I knew what was done to her. What they did to one, I know they did to another.”
I let my eyes fall to the ground, I don’t want to talk about that. That was not the point of this conversation, plus Xanthe, Aspen, Flint, Aluma and Frost are creeping at the entrance of the kitchen and listening in. None of them enter, why? I don’t know but what I do know is I don’t want them to overhear the stuff about my kidnapping. “I suppose that’s fair enough. Yes I was raped. Yes, I did jump to that when you said, she didn’t like the arrangement. I’m sorry about that.”
“It is fine, but I do not take it lightly and I know you don’t either. Which is why I clarified.” He shrugs, unbothered by this. Which is kind of annoying because I'm bothered by this. “She and I did not speak for two weeks after we were mated. We didn’t even know how to be around each other.”
Oh we’re moving on now. Thank fuck. “But you learned? I mean I didn’t even notice that she wasn’t from this pack and you guys are almost always joined at the hip.”
“You are correct. It wasn’t easy and the first year was hard, we were awkward and hesitant with one another, we walked on eggshells for a while. But Xanthe, she decided that she was done with being careful not to upset me or rock the boat, she didn’t want to live like that. So she stormed into my room one morning- we had separate rooms at that point because we needed our space and it was weird to for us to be in the same room- and she demanded that we had to talk.” Elwood smiles slightly, as if he remembers that day perfectly. “So we talked, agreed that, none of this living separate lives was working. Agreed that we needed to actually get to know one another and not even three months later, I realized that I was in love with her. Xanthe took about four months after I told her I loved her to return my love for her. We have lived happily in love and mated since.”
Damn. So there might be a chance this will be okay. “That’s actually kinda cute.”
Elwood snorts out a laugh. “It is when I leave out the bits of screaming matches between us. That morning she decided she was done? She shouted the entire time at me.”
I bite my lip to keep from laughing. I can’t image Xanthe as someone who yelled things at well anyone. “She seems too calm for yelling at people.”
“She is now. After Flint was born, Xanthe finally settled down. Took on her title as Luna so well and suddenly that I thought she was dying and I was terrified I had done something wrong.” Elwood chuckles. “I hadn’t but I started being careful with my words again and she called me out for it. I explained my worry, she laughed in my face for being an idiot- her words not mine- and explained that she felt calm and no need to be a ‘spite fire’ again her words, not mine.”
“Are you saying that after her second kid, she stopped being herself?” I think that’s fear in my voice. I don’t want to change again, I don’t want to lose anymore of myself.
“Yes and no. You are not going to like my answer but I can see panic creeping into your eyes. She has settled and become what you know now but there are certain times when her ‘spite fire’ ways come out and it usually when she and I are alone or in the bedroom.”  Elwood explains calmly, I can’t hide my wince. I don’t want to know about their bedroom life. 
The disgruntled groans from the hall let me know I’m not alone in that feeling. “You’re right I didn’t like your answer.” I cover my face with my hands, fuck I really didn’t want to think about that. Elwood laughs at me while I slide down in my chair. “But she is different.” 
Elwood sobers up, my hands fall from my face to meet his gaze. “Everyone changes Snow. It is the way of life. We can’t remain who we were as children. Xanthe definitely would have killed me if I acted like I did when I was a teenager. We change as we grow. It is not a bad thing, it is a good thing.” 
I slide my eyes away from him, it’s not always a good thing to change. “It turned out well for you guys.”
“Yes, it did and it will turn out good for you as well.” Elwood uses his firm dad voice, I haven’t heard that in a while. 
“You don’t know that Elwood and you can’t promise me that it will all work out.” I will get over my fear though. Because one way or another, this is happening.
“No I can’t promise that.” I drag my eyes back to Elwood, he’s looking at me thoughtfully. “I could however throw Aspen into your mate bidding.” 
There’s a muffled shout from the hallway as I stare at Elwood in utter shock. “Uh no. Don’t do that.”
“Why ever not? You would still be close to your home, you would know who you are mating. You would know he would treat you well, you would be around people you know and not tossed into a place you know nothing about.” Elwood raises a brow at me.
“Yeah but he’s Sparrow’s brother and that’s just weird. I like Aspen I do but not like uh that.” It is such a bad idea and I don’t know how to feel about it. 
Elwood watches me carefully. “He will be put into your mate bidding either way Snow. I wasn’t going to push for it though-“ Say what now? “Because I don’t think you or Aspen see each other that way but if you would like- or he would like- I can push for that.” 
“I’m gonna be honest, I don’t know how I feel about you suggesting that.” I don’t think I would be okay mating Aspen. “Plus I’m pretty sure he sees me the same way he sees Aluma.” 
“Maybe so, why don’t we ask? Since most of my children, your brother and my mate decided listening in was better than walking into the kitchen.” Muffled curses from the hallway follow after Elwood’s words. “Get in here, all of you.”
Aluma, Aspen, Flint and Frost sheepishly enter the kitchen with a smiling Xanthe following them. “Is Sparrow still sleeping?” I ask, avoiding the reason they are all in here now.
“No. He took one look at all of us standing at the kitchen door and decided to go back to his room.” Aluma answers, shrugging. “I’ll go get him.” She leaves before I can tell her to leave him be. 
I meet Frost’s gaze, he looks like he hasn’t slept at all. “Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that.” Frost crosses the kitchen to crouch down beside my chair, he tucks my hair behind my ear. “Are you?”
“I’m fine Frost. And I asked you first.” I shove his face away from me.
“I am.” He stands and places his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it. Sparrow follows Aluma back into the kitchen, his gaze searching me before his light brown eyes flick over Frost and away. 
“Aspen, what are your thoughts on mating Snow?” Elwood asks bluntly, I wince and Sparrow’s gaze snaps to me. 
“What?” Sparrow shouts. “No. No fucking way! Why would you even ask that?” Sparrow shoots the last part to his father.
“Because, Snow needs someone on her side and she knows Aspen.” Elwood answers calmly. “It could work. Aspen?” Elwood prompts. 
“Sure dad, I love to get yelled at for every decision I make and argue all day everyday.” Aspen’s replies, I glare at him. Sparrow snarls at his brother while Frost stiffens at my side. 
“Nice, thanks asshole.” I grumble and rub my face, this is so not a conversation I want to be having. With anyone. 
“You would try to kill me and I would be very tempted to punch you in the face daily. It would be a bad idea.” Aspen crosses his arms over his chest, I huff out a laugh.
“That’s what I thought.” I turn towards Elwood and raise a brow at him.
“Okay that’s dramatic.” Aluma huffs.
“Yes but I do not think it was wrong for Aspen to say it.” Xanthe runs a hand through Aluma’s hair. 
“He still has to go in to your mate bidding. However, I will not push for it.” Elwood nods at me, oh thank fuck. 
“Do I really have to be in it?” Aspen grumbles, I flip him the bird. 
“Yes Aspen, every pack has to thrown in their next Alpha. It would be insulting not to.” Elwood answers calmly. 
“Great. I should be getting home.” I stand and nudge Frost back a few steps back. 
Elwood stands as well and takes my hand in his, I try not to let it get to me that someone is touching me. “I hope you get a good match Snow. The offer still stands, arrangements don’t have to be a bad thing, it ended well for Xanthe and I. And we started off rocky.” I hide my wince at his words, what he’s implying. That Xanthe wanted to kill Elwood but she learned to love him. 
I bow my head to Elwood. “Thank you Elwood for taking the time to speak to me.” 
“Of course, you two get home safe.” Elwood pats Frost on the shoulder, Frost nods and grabs my arm.
“Thank you for having us, I’m sure we will be seeing you guys soon.” Frost nods to the rest of the Fall family. He tugs me out of the Fall house, I wave to them as I’m very forcefully dragged by Frost. 
“What the hell Frost?” I snap at him, he doesn’t answer me just shifts into his Wolf form, I snarl and shift as well. He takes off at a run, I bolt after him, I’m going to kick his ass! I follow Frost back onto the Winter land, he comes to a halt and spins towards me, shifting out of his Wolf skin.
“We need to talk.” Frost crosses his arms over his chest and glares at a tree. 
I let my Wolf skin fall away. “Yeah, we do. What the fuck is your problem?” 
“We’re going to find out how to get you out of your mate bidding.” Frost tells the tree, I blink at him. 
“Mind saying that to my face?” Because I need him to look at me when he says bullshit.
Frost drags his gaze to me. “You’re not a prize to be won. You shouldn’t be sold off like cattle and I’m not going to stand for it.” 
He’s got to be joking. “I’m not fighting this Frost. There is no point in fighting. We’re not going to do a damn thing. There is nothing to be done.” 
“Yes there is! Even if there’s not, I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen!” Frost snaps, I suck in a sharp breath, I can’t do this now.
“Frost! Let it go! There’s nothing to be done! I can’t change this! You can’t change this!” I spin away from him and shift, I take off running back to the house. I can’t deal with this, I don’t know how. 
So I’m going to put my head down and just try to get through the next six months without having a panic attack.

Chapter Text

July, 5th.
Snow. 
Okay so I might be avoiding Frost but I have my reasons, I can’t deal with him trying to save me from something that I don’t need saving from. I might also be avoiding the Fall Wolves but I don’t think I can look Aspen in the eyes ever again so yeah. Which means I’ve avoided Sparrow and Aluma when they come over, which they’ve done.
But I have nothing to say, Sparrow is still mad at Frost so I’m not touching that. Aluma will see through my bullshit of ‘I’m fine, I promise.’ so she must be avoided. Which is how I ended at the very edge of the Winter border, in a fucking tree- thank you Grove-reading the book Onyx gave me at eight in the morning. Because Aluma is at the pack house and I don’t want to deal with that. 
Well I’ve been here for two hours and ran into Grove when I got here, I gave him some more training tips and thing that he needed to work on, he has already improved in just two days. He’s going to make a wonderful warrior, I just hope I never have to fight him, I like him too much to kill him. Then the birds went silent, I had glanced around in confusion, when the birds go quit it means danger. Which is when I spotted Silas in his Wolf skin walking towards my border, I watched him stare at the border, without crossing it or getting close enough to it, for ten minutes. 
But now I’m bored and want to know why he’s here and hesitating so much with himself. I mean crossing into my land would be a death sentence for him, so I get it but that doesn’t explain why he’s even here at all. I tuck my book into a little grove in the tree and hop down, startling the golden Wolf. “Is there a reason you are here Silas?” I ask crossing my arms over my chest and leaning back against the tree. I’m not afraid, nor am I worried that he is going to do something. 
He lets his Wolf skin fall away, his orange eyes scan me, slowly and linger at my chest before he meets my gaze. “Yeah, there is.”
“And what might that be? You know, other than to look at me like that.” I’m not even wearing anything revealing. Jeans and a baggy long sleeve shirt, not that interesting. 
“I think you know why I’m here darling.” Silas smirks at me, I stare at him. Should I know why he’s here? The smirk slowly slides off his face, the longer I stare at him silently. “You don’t know why I am here?” 
“I have no idea.” What reason does he have to be here?
“June 26th.” Why did he just spit out a day at me? What does that-
“The day you wanted to kill me? What of it? Come to try to finish the job?” Seriously what the fuck?
“No!” Silas snarls and takes a step closer, I eye the distance between him and the border. He follows my gaze and sighs, his hands going to his hair as he steps back. “I don’t want to kill you Snow.”
That draws me up short, he’s made it clear that he doesn’t like me. His father made it clear that if any Summer Wolf caught me, they would kill me. “Then why are you here Silas?” I ask again, pushing off the tree and crossing out of my land.
Silas moves closer, but his posture is nonthreatening so I don’t move away as he stops in front of me. “Because Snow, that day I realized something and it took me a while to wrap my mind around it.” 
He leans towards me, into my space, my heart is racing but it’s not from fear. I tip my chin up and meet his gaze. “Oh? And what did you realize and why did it take you so long to wrap your mind around it?” Why does my voice sound soft? I don’t want to sound- that’s my- shit!
Silas pushes a lock of my undone hair, behind my ear, I suck in a sharp breath. “I realized that I was mated to a Winter Wolf.” He breathes, his face is so fucking close to mine. I feel the insane need to close the distance between us, his other hand finds my hip and he pulls my hips towards his. 
His words finally click in my brain. “What? What did you just say?” I pull out of grasp, he lets me go easily. “What?”
“When I cut your neck- your scent changed. It called to me. And everything inside of me just repeated two words. Mate. Mine.” Silas breathes, I stumble back, away from him.
“What?” He can’t be saying-
“You are my mate Snow.” Silas is so still like he’s afraid of spooking me.
That ship has sailed. “You’re lying.” 
“I’m not. Do you think I want to be mated to a Winter Wolf? Our packs of been enemies for decades. I don’t even know how that would work but I want-“
“What you want Silas, doesn’t really matter right now. You’re either lying or you’re wrong because we cannot be mates!” Shock, what’s flooding my body is shock, not fear. I have to breathe. I need to fucking breathe, draw in air, deep breaths. This is just a mistake or he’s lying this is fine. I will figure it out. I will not panic, I can handle this.
Silas lunges at me, I stumble back but his claws-no hands grabs my neck gently. “I can prove it to you. But you have to breathe Snow, do not pass out on me. Breathe darling. You have to breathe.” 
“You- have-to-be-wrong!” I gasp out, this cannot be happening. My mother would kill me and bury me six feet deep-she wouldn’t even hesitate.
“Snow. Breathe, I am not wrong.” Silas rests his forehead on mine, his orange gaze holding mine. “This is very real darling.” Silas presses his lips to my cold ones. 
Magic sparks in my veins, fire races up my spine, calm and peace flood my system. I hook my arm around Silas neck and pull him closer, all thoughts of reason and panic leave my mind as I kiss him back. Silas hands slide to my legs, lifting my body and holding me close, my back slams into a tree as his tongue invades my mouth. I gasp into his mouth as he grind against me, my claws sink into his back, urging him closer. I want to feel more. I want more. I need more. 
His hand slides under my shirt, settling on my ribcage- cold washes through me- I yank myself out of his hold, both us hitting the ground. I scramble away from him, my chest heaving. I guess that answers those questions. “No.”
“No?” Silas repeats, staring at me in surprise. 
“No.” We can’t do this. I cannot be touched like that. “No.”
“Okay.” Silas stands and offers me his hand but I push to my feet and ignore his hand. “Are- are you okay?” 
“I’m fine.” I am not fine. I need to get away from this male. “I think you’re right but we can’t do this Silas.” Both of us would be killed. 
Silas takes a step toward me and I take one away from him. “We could try.”
“We can’t. Your father would kill you. My mother would kill me. We cannot do this. I have to go. I can’t be here.” My body shifts without my say, my legs moving without thought. Bolting, I’m bolting away from my problems. That’s what I’m good at, running away. I run and run, not stopping, part of me realizes that Silas had called out for me, had tried to follow me but it’s a fleeting thought. I run and run, no idea where I’m going or how long I run. Some part of me realizes I've been called out too more than once, that I'm being followed but it's fleeting, the panic too great to let me grasp more. My lungs burn, my legs are tired. I can’t stop, I don’t know how. The terror filling me is so strong, I don’t even know where I am. I can’t take in my surroundings. I run and run, unable to stop. 
ASPEN!!

I just wanted five minutes of peace. Is that too much to ask for? It’s 8:15 in the fucking morning and I just wanted to be on my own for five fucking minutes. But now there is a large golden Wolf heading straight for me and I’m not in the mood for a fight. Silas comes to a stop before crossing onto my land and lets his Wolf skin fall away. “I fucked up.” I blink at him, why the fuck is he telling me he fucked up? Do I look like his friend?
“And I should care because?” I don’t move from my spot, I don’t think he’s here for a fight because that is not how you start a fight so I’m staying on the ground with my book. 
“I fucked up with Snow. We were talking, I said something, she panicked and then bolted and I have no idea where she’s going or if she’s okay because she went back on Winter land and I can’t go on Winter land-“
Okay now I’m going to fight him. “The fuck is wrong with you? Why were you even talking to her?” I snarl, dropping my book and standing, he and I are the same height but right at this moment I want to be taller and tower over him. 
“Reasons that are not important. Will you go to her? Yes or no? Because if you don’t, I will find someone else who will.” Silas snaps back, my spine stiffens. 
“I will find her. Stay away from her unless you want an early grave.” I growl and shove him off my land. “Do not ever step foot on my land without permission.” I shift and race towards the Winter border, whatever he said to make Snow panic- if he triggered her- I will kill him slowly and painfully. 
My minds spins in all of the ways I would torture him and end his life. Her scent is going along the Winter border, I follow it, pushing faster. A silver Wolf races over to me, he doesn’t try to stop me but joins my running. “Where is the fire Aspen?” Buz asks into my mind. 
“Your sister. She had a run in with a Summer Wolf and bolted, he felt bad and found me to check on her.” I answer, Buz stumbles and falls slightly behind before catching up with me again.
“What Summer Wolf?” His voice deepens to his Beta voice.
“I don’t know. We have to find her.” I lie easily, if anyone is killing Silas, it will be me. 
“I will check her favorite hiding spots, maybe she has doubled back to them or circled them, you stay on her scent. If you find her first, reach out to me.” I nod and Buz breaks off from me, I run the length of her border before realizing that Buz was kind of right, she did double back but not further into Winter land. She loped her border and then headed into Fall land. I cross back into my land and follow her scent over my border, but she didn’t stay on Fall land long. No. She went towards the Bloodhound border. Fuck! 
ONYX!!

Noir and I were patrolling our border when a little White Wolf bolts past us, I stop walking and stare after her. “Was that Snow?” Noir asks, he also stopped and is watching the female hightail it along our border.

This female keeps surprising the fuck out of me, I do not like it. Makes me uneven. “Yeah. It was. You good on your own?” I ask him, already running after her.
“I’ll be fine. But she is definitely spooked, be careful.” Noir states, I do not need to be careful, the little female could not beat me even if she gave it her all. She is not quit strong enough for that yet, I catch up to her but she is moving quickly.
“What are you doing Snow?” I ask her, running beside her. She does not answer, she does not even act like she heard me. “Snow? You’re on Bloodhound land.” No response. What the fuck is going on? This female is even more frustrating when she is silent, I did not think that was possible. “Snow!” Nothing. I bump my shoulder into hers, she dips to the right and runs faster. I make a sharp turn and try to catch up with her but she is moving way to fucking fast. “Snow!” I snarl again and push my body faster, getting to her side. 
Now she is pissing me off. Why is she here if it is not to talk? I hear running behind me, I flick my eyes to the side, Aspen is running towards us. What the fuck is he doing on Bloodhound land?

What is going on? He catches up to us, but Snow still is not stopping or slowing down. “A Summer Wolf spooked her, I don’t know the full story other than she panicked and bolted.” Aspen’s voice fills my mind. This is the cause of a Summer Wolf? 
“She won’t respond to me, you try.” I urge him, we are nearing the end of my land, if she does not stop soon we will be in rogue land. Which would be dangerous for her and us. It is too early in the morning for this.
“Snow! You’re safe! You can stop running!” Aspen calls to her but again we get no response and she just keeps running. “You’re safe. There’s no danger, no one is going to hurt you. Snow, please.” Nothing, no response. Fuck, we are to close to the border. 
“Aspen, we’re about to cross into rogue land.” I inform him, it has been a while since I willingly went into rogue land and I was not in the mood to fight someone today.
“Fuck! SNOW! STOP!” The Alpha command in his voice is not lost on me, I almost face plant but quickly remember I am also an Alpha and he is not mine. She crosses off my land not even stumbling, Aspen and I cross after her. 
“What the fuck could have spooked her this bad?” I growl to Aspen, ducking and jumping over bushes, branches and fallen trees. 
“I have no idea but I am killing Silas.” Aspen snarls back to me.
“Silas? He caused this?” I bite out, she can not run like this forever. She has to stop eventually, no one can run forever. 
“Yes.” Aspen snaps, fury in his voice. 
“I’m helping you kill him.” 
“Good.” 
SNOW!!!

I can’t stop, must keep going. I have to get as far away as possible. I can’t stay here. I can’t be anywhere near him. I can’t do this. I was wrong, I was so fucking wrong. I am not strong. I am not fine. I’m broken and my mind is fucked. I’m lost. I can’t do this. My legs are on fire, my lungs are screaming for air I can’t breathe in. My mind is spinning so fast, get away just get far enough away and I will be safe. 
A heavy weight slams into me, knocking me into the ground, rolling us, two weights not one. We roll down a very sharp rocky hill, I hiss in pain as my head slams into a rock and come to a stop, I suck in air and let my Wolf skin fall away. “What the fuck?” I breathe, there is a giant black Wolf on top of me, along with a giant dark red Wolf on top of the black one.
Onyx and Aspen shift out of their Wolf skins, Aspen is sitting on my thighs and Onyx is on my chest. “I was going to ask you the same fucking thing.” Onyx growls at me. “We’re on Sea pack land!” 
“What?” I breathe, staring at him. Did they follow me? How the fuck did I get to the Sea pack? 
“We are in the Sea pack border!” Aspen snaps at me, I flinch and try to wiggle out from under them but neither of them move or let me up.
“Get off! We can’t be in Sea pack land! It’s too far away!” I snarl at them, they followed me! While I was panicking! 
“Well we ran all the fucking way to the Sea pack land!” Onyx growls, pulling at his dark hair. “I don’t have contracts with them! Do you? Because they could kill us for being here!”
“I couldn’t have run that far.” I breathe, shit! I was seriously out of my mind, if I ran all of this way. My gaze swings wildly around, fuck the sun is setting! I can hear the ocean waves crashing into land, the seagulls screaming, smell the salt in the air. 
“Well you did. Now, what should I do with you three?” A deep voice asks from behind the males, I tilt my head to look behind them. A male with green eyes and purple hair is standing there, watching us. He’s about 5’11 and has got to be older than my mother with power that only comes with age, radiating off of him in overwhelming waves. The Alpha of the Sea pack, Caspian.

Chapter Text

July 5th.
Onyx.
I did not plan for this. Out of all of the things that could have happened, this was not on the list. I do not do well with unexpected things, which is one of the reasons I do not like Snow and want her to stay on the path I am leading her down so she does not cause more drama then need be. It is not like I can kill the Sea pack Alpha and get away with it.
“Um. Hi?” Snow voice is breathless, it might be because I am sitting on her chest, with my back to the Sea Alpha. Not good. I quickly get off Snow, pushing to my feet and turning to face the Sea Alpha. He is not that big, I could take him but Aspen is a problem. He does not who I am. I will not reveal that to him, it would cause a headache to deal with. Aspen also gets off of Snow and pulls her to her feet, shoving her behind him. 
“You are trespassing.” Caspian states, his green eyes-same shade as Snow’s- are hard as he access our threat level.
“We are and I’m deeply sorry for that.” Aspen breathes, a hint of fear flickering in his scent. 
“Who are you?” Caspian asks, looking at Snow, ignoring both Aspen and myself. Ah he is one of those, that will respect the females without a thought but not the males till it is proven that they are not a threat. Fair enough.
“My name is Snow’s Faun Winter, first natural born Luna of the Winter pack. Daughter of Alpha Khione Winter, fourth child.” Snow states, lifting her chin. At least she knows how to interduce herself, to an unknown Alpha. “Aspen Fall- I do not know his middle name. Next Alpha of Fall, son of Alpha Elwood Fall, first child.” Snow pats Aspen’s shoulder and then reaches out and rests her hand on my arm, I glare at her hand. I do not want to be touched. “Onyx Bloodhound- I also do not know his middle name. Possible next Alpha of Bloodhound, son of Alpha Soleil Bloodhound, fourth child.”
She is still touching me. It would be rude to remove her hand in front of the Sea pack Alpha but it is going to bother me if she continues touching me. “My middle is Dean.” Aspen volunteers, resting his arm around Snow’s waist.
“Mine is Stone.” I add to the silent Sea Alpha, while casually removing Snow’s hand from my arm, squeezing her hand before letting it go, she gives me a strange look but does not comment on it. Her scent of orange and vanilla is flooding off of her along with the scent of nerves and forced calm. 
“The mate bidding female.” Caspian muses, staring at Snow, she nods and her shoulders come up. Still does not like the fact that she is to be sold off.  “Why are the future leaders of two different packs, on my land?” Caspian asks, he seems relaxed but it is an act. He has learned to lie with his body, but I know those signs. He cannot fool me.
“That is my fault.” Snow answers, I can see the nerves coming off of her in waves. I do not like this. I do not like being unbalanced.
“Oh? Explain it Luna.” Caspian demands, I bristle, he better watch it or he will end up with a fate worse then death. Snow blows out a sharp breath, her gaze flickering between Aspen and I before she settles her eyes on Caspian’s gaze, head on, without flinching. 
I have not decided. Brave or stupid of her. Right now I’m leaning towards stupid. “I met my mate and panicked and bolted without realizing that I was crossing borders because I was stuck in my head with panic.” 
Aspen chokes on air, Snow is tense as fuck and I do not know what the fuck I’m supposed to do with that information. Caspian is staring at Snow, his face looks almost blank but his eyes are wide with shock and surprise. “Well that is something. Tell me Snow, will you still have a mate bidding? Even though you’ve met your mate?”
“Probably.” Snow shrugs, she is trying to conceal her emotions but her body is screaming that she is terrified about who her mate is. Oh. Shit. Silas was the one who spooked Snow, this is not good. This is going to end terribly, I do not know if I can stop the fall out from that. Is she even going to tell her mother about it? If she does, Khione will kill Silas and start a war. That would cause so much drama, I do not want to deal with that.
“Why?” Caspian asks Snow, right they were talking. 
“Because my mother does not like the male.” Snow answers, I still. We are being watched, Omega, female, watching from behind Caspian, behind a rock. Beta, male, also behind the rock with the female. 
“Is there a reason your children are spying on us?” I snarl at the Sea Alpha, Aspen stiffens, but Snow, she does not even react. Did she also notice them, watching us?
Caspian stares at me blankly, I hold his gaze, okay it seems I have figured out who Snow’s sire is. Does Caspian’s mate know that he sired a child with another female? That could be good blackmail. “They are curious about the strangers on our land.” Is all Caspian says, I narrow my gaze on the male. He knew, that they were watching us. 
“It’s fine Onyx.” Snow pinches my arm, I barely hold back a flinch at her touching me. “Are we free to leave?” That is directed at the Sea Alpha. 
“No.” Caspian states, suddenly I feel the presence of twenty other Wolves. Now I am definitely going to kill Caspian. “You three are coming with me. I am not asking.” Both Aspen and I crowd against Snow, most of the twenty Wolves are male and Snow has all ready been kidnaped and raped. I do not think she would survive a second go around. 
“You’re not going to let us leave.” Aspen states, his tone is unfeeling but the slight scent of fear is present on both him and Snow. 
“Not yet. Shift and follow me. Do not try anything because my Wolves will kill you without hesitating.” Caspian shifts to a dark purple Wolf, Aspen and I hesitate but Snow shifts into her White Wolf. Her tail smacking both Aspen’s and my leg, Aspen glares at her but shifts, I sigh and shift. 
None of us speak as the twenty Wolves surround us, Caspian’s children move out of their hiding spots and join him in front of us, the Omega keeps looking back us. Curious female, probably has not seen many outsiders because of her rank. I can not take on twenty-three Wolves, not unless I have help. I do not know Aspen’s fighting style, nor do I know if he can take on multiple attackers at once. Snow probably could, she is small and has been taking her training very seriously. 
We could try to run, Snow would be able to get away fast enough but both Aspen and I have too much bulk to get away. Most of the Sea pack are short and thin, made for running so Aspen and I would definitely would get caught by them. “Anyone thinking of a plan to get us out of this?” Aspen asks into our minds, his gaze bouncing over the Wolves surrounding us. 
“None that could work. We are out numbered, you and I have too much bulk to run from these nimble Wolves. Trying to fight our way out would likely cause a war or our deaths.” I answer, ten of the Wolves are watching us like hawks while the other ten are watching everything around us. 
“Yeah I had the same thought prosses.” Aspen sighs, we have moved into the Sea pack community and there are dozens of Wolves staring at us now. I doubt we have had the same thought prosses, maybe the same conclusion but not prosses. 
One of the Wolves shifts and opens the door to the Sea pack house, all of us shuffle in, it is a tight fit considering that Aspen and I are glued to Snow’s sides and two of the guard Wolves squeezed in with us. Caspian and his two children lead us into the pack living room, where his mate and oldest child are waiting for us. Those three shift out of their Wolf skins and go over to the mate and oldest child while the rest of the Wolves spread out around the room. Making sure we can not get to an exit, I do not like this. The three of us do not shift out of our Wolf skins but Snow sits down, curling her tail around her front legs while Aspen and I stay standing basically on top of her. 
“A Fall Wolf, A Winter Wolf and a Bloodhound Wolf. What an interesting pairing.” Cordela, Caspian’s mate muses, her eyes sparkling with interest.
“Not really that interesting, the Fall pack is in good standing with the Bloodhound pack. The Winter pack is in good standing with the Fall pack.” Snow answers even though it was not a question.
“You are the female whose mate bidding is going to take place. It is surprising that your mother even let you out of the house.” Nerida states, the oldest child of Caspian and Cordela, she isn’t really a child at 32. She is also the next Alpha of the Sea pack. 
“Yes, I am the female who is having the mate bidding. Also a natural Luna and a White Wolf. I am allowed out of the house because I am no longer hidden.” Snow lets a little bit of snark into her voice.
I should not have followed this female. I do not want to be here. Stupid Emery getting into my head about the importance of a natural born Luna. I should have just ignored her or let Noir follow this idiot. “Shift out of your Wolf skin. Let us see you all without fur.” Cordela demands, my fur bristles, she can die as well. 
“Why?” Snow asks before Aspen and I can say anything to the stupid Alpha’s mate.
Cordela raises a sharp blue brow at Snow. “I would like to see your faces. I have met, who you claim to be your mother. I have met Soleil and know her oldest child. I have met with Xanthe and Elwood on many accessions, while my mate has not met them as often as I do. I  would like to confirm you are who you say you are.”
Fine maybe Cordela is not a stupid female but I hold firm that she still needs to die. Snow nods, making a decision and letting her Wolf skin fall away. Cordela and Nerida stiffen at the sight of Snow, the Omega- Meara is vibrating with excitement. Kai-the Beta seems unamused and tense. I think some of them are putting the pieces together. Snow’s hands brush against both Aspen's and my spine’s, asking us to shift as well. Aspen lets his Wolf skin fall away and shifts his weight so he is closer to Snow and can block attacks. I stay in my Wolf skin and lean against Snow’s leg. I will not be shifting right now, there are way too many threats around for me to be in skin that is weak. 
“Onyx will not shift out of his Wolf skin with so many threats around.” Snow states, I tense. Did she just read my fucking mind? 
“Hmm. Fair enough. Aspen and you are who you say you are. So for now, it is fine.” Cordela states, her gaze boring into Snow. “Do you know who your sire is Snow?” 
Snow’s fingers tighten in my fur, I think I forgot she was touching me. That is concerning. How could I forget that she was touching me? I do not like to be touched and yet I just forgot? “I have no idea who my sire is. Mother never said, I didn’t ask. Though to be fair, she has never stated who my siblings sire’s are either.” 
She is still gripping my fur tightly yet it is not as bothersome as most people touching me is. It did bother me when I was out of my Wolf skin, so why is it not bothering me now? “It was not stated how old you are.” Cordela continues, yeah she definitely suspects that Caspian is Snow’s sire.
“I am twenty.” Snow shrugs, she is also still touching Aspen by having her arm linked with his. It doesn’t seem to bother him. 
“Why does her age matter?” Aspen asks, his gaze darting over to me then back to the Luna of the Sea pack.
“Because I believe I know who her sire is.” Cordela shrugs, Snow and Aspen inhale sharply, they did not notice? I mean Meara and Snow are almost identical, expect for Meara’s skin is slightly darker and her hair is light purple. Snow’s cheekbones are a bit sharper than Meara’s but everything else? Identical.
“Again, my mother choose not to inform us of who our sires are. I do not need to know who my sire is.” That surprises me a bit, why would she not want to know who her sire is? 
“You do not wish to know?” Kai asks, frowning at the White Wolf. 
“There is no reason for me to know.” Snow shrugs, I really want to stare at her but I must make sure none of the other Wolves move any closer to us. “It would not change anything for me.” 
“I think it might.” Cordela states, holding Snow’s gaze. Just say it. Why must everyone dance around every little thing? It is not that hard to say. 
“I doubt it.” Snow holds her stance on not wanting to know. 
“I kinda want to know.” Aspen throws it out there. Of course he wants to know, I am pretty sure he wants to know everything he can about Snow. He might be obsessed with Snow. 
Snow’s fingers in my fur tighten further, now it is kind of painful because she is pulling on my fur. “Well- my children might not want to hear this.” Cordela starts and stops, eyeing her children who just shrug not really caring about the warning. “Almost twenty-one years ago, Caspian and I had a one night stand with your mother. I think you are the result of that.” 
Snow cringes, Aspen’s mouth falls open in shock, while Cordela’s children recoil away from their parents in shock and disgust. “I don’t think I needed to know that. But does that mean you’re not planning on killing us?”
I had not thought about that. Maybe Snow is not as stupid as I first thought. Caspian would not kill his own child unless they were a threat, Snow is not acting like a threat. Yet that does not mean, he will not kill Aspen and I, we are threats. “We never planned to kill any of you. Regardless of who your parents are.” Caspian raises a brow at Snow. 
“Good to know.” Snow murmurs but does not meet the gaze of her sire. 
“That’s it? That’s your reaction?” Aspen breathes in utter shock. It was not that hard to see, I do not know why he is so surprised by this. 
“Yes Aspen, that is my reaction.” Snow hisses back at him. If they are not planning on killing us, why are we not allowed to leave? Why were we brought into the pack house? “Anyway, why are we not allowed to leave?”
Seriously. Can she read my mind? I know that Luna’s eventually get that kind of magic but I do not believe she has had enough time to actually get that magic. Cordela chuckles, I tense and lean more into Snow’s leg, brushing my tail against Aspen’s leg. “Because we contacted your packs to come get you.” 
Of fucking course. Snow, Aspen and I all stiffen, that is not good. “Please tell me you did not tell them the reason I bolted.” Snow’s eyes fall closed, so she is not planning on telling anyone about Silas. 
“No. That is not for us to share.” Caspian states calmly, his brows going up. “Are you not planning on telling your mother?”
“No I am not going to tell her because she will kill him.” Snow’s eyes slide open. 
“That works out then. Because I contacted your brother, not your mother. I plan on yelling when I see her next and you do not need to be there for that.” Cordela smiles at Snow, who blows out a relieved breath. 
“Do I even want to know who you contacted for Onyx and I?” Aspen asks hesitantly, I kind of want to know that as well. 
“For you Aspen, your mother. She and one of your brothers are on their way. For Onyx, Noir. He is coming with Ozul.” Nerida informs us, her gaze flicking to me. There is interest there but she is not my type, not even for just a roll in the sheets. 
“They should be here in a few moments.” Kai adds on, he is staring at Aspen. Now that is just wonderful. I do not believe Aspen has noticed that just yet. 
“Which brother did you contact?” Snow asks, unease filling her tone. At that, all of Caspian’s family look at Snow a little worriedly. Odd, why are they worried for her?
“Does that matter? Do you not get along with some of your brothers?” Nerida asks gently, like she’s afraid of spooking Snow.
Unlikely. “I get along with them, I’m just mad at one of them and don’t want to deal with him right now.” Snow answers, narrowing her gaze at the Sea pack. 
“Ah a sibling fight. That is something that happens all of the time in this house.” Cordela smiles at her children who roll their eyes at their mother. 
“You did not answer my question.” Snow reminds them. 
“We contacted Frost. He and Buz should be here soon.” Caspian answers just as there is a knock at the door. “Or now.” Snow is tense as fuck as Kai leaves the room to go answer the door. Four of the twenty Wolves following him out. 
Two minutes pass in silence, Meara looks like she wants to say something but does not know how to say it. Thankfully before she can find her words, Kai comes back in with his guards, Frost, Buz, Sparrow, Xanthe, Noir and Ozul. “What the fuck Aspen?” Sparrow snarls at his brother, Xanthe lightly smacks the back of Sparrow’s head.
“Not now, we will get answers later. Right now, I need to speak with Caspian and Cordela.” Xanthe looks to them, they nod and stand up while their kids remain sitting. 
“I assume, Frost and Noir will want to join this discussion?” Cordela asks, raising a brown at my brother and Frost who both nod. Frost shoots Snow a dark look being following Caspian, Cordela, Noir and Xanthe out of the room. Most of the twenty Wolves leave with them, only four remain. The ones that followed Kai. 
“Again, I ask. What the fuck Aspen?” Sparrow snaps, there are less threats now. I can shift, I let my Wolf skin fall away. 
“It’s my fault. Don’t yell at Aspen.” Snow takes her hand off my back because I once again forgot she was touching me. That is so concerning. 
“Okay, fine. What the fuck Snow?” Sparrow redirects towards Snow, I kind of still want to kill him but I will not. 
“I will go in detail later but for now, I panicked and bolted, someone saw, told Aspen so he followed me.” Snow shrugs, that is very down played. But Aspen must have told Snow about it. 
“Did you tell Snow about Silas coming to get you?” I link Aspen’s mind, I have to know, I can not, not know.
“Yes, earlier when Kai went to get our families but I didn’t tell her it was Silas.” Aspen answers back through the link. So she does not know, that we know who her mate is. This is going to be interesting.
“Sure, how did Onyx get involved?” Ozul asks Snow, so Noir did not tell him? I figured he would have.
“Because I apparently went on Bloodhound land in my panic and Onyx choose to see what the fuck I was doing and ended up following me as well.” Snow sigh, running her hands through her very long white hair.
“Now I have more questions than answers.” Buz breathes, hands on his face. “We are so not telling mother.”
“Over my dead body will I tell her.” Snow grumbles back to him. Interesting. I wonder why she wants to keep everything from her mother. I think it is time I started digging into the Winter pack.

Chapter Text

July 6th.
Snow.
The Alphas and Lunas come back into the room, thank fuck because I don’t want to talk about this anymore. I need a fucking break because my mind is spinning so fast and I don’t know which way is up anymore. I have a mate and a sire. This day cannot get any weirder. “You all are free to leave now.” Caspian states, his eyes sliding towards me, I refuse to meet his gaze, I can’t deal with that right now. 
Frost comes over to me and grabs my arm. They all wave as we exit the Sea pack house, none of us speaking as we get into a van that I believe belongs to the Fall Wolves because Xanthe is driving. Frost is beside her, Buz is behind him with Noir beside Buz. Onyx is behind Noir and beside Aspen who is behind Buz. I’m in the middle of Sparrow who is behind Aspen, and Ozul who is behind Onyx. 
No one says anything until we are safely off of Sea pack land, then it’s all at once, not out loud or in a shared link but privet ones. “What the fuck were you thinking Snow?! You could have been killed! Did you learn nothing from crossing borders?!” Frost snarls at me.
“I hope everything is okay dear. I know sometimes panic takes over but the Sea pack is way too far to be running.” Xanthe informs me gently. 
“You could have been killed on sight! What the fuck made you panic so hard that you just bolted and weren’t aware of where you going?” Sparrow yells into my mind. 
“The silence in this car is very loud. I think you are in trouble.” Noir informs me, yes it is very quiet outside of my mind. 
“I want to throttle you. What the hell were you thinking?” Buz snaps at me, my head is going to explode. 
“Are you going to them about your mate?” That’s from both Aspen and Onyx.
“This is going to be a long car ride if no one says anything.” Ozul tells me. 
Okay one at a time, the nice ones first. “I’m fine Xanthe, I was just startled and my mind blanked and I bolted.” I tell the Luna of Fall pack. “I am aware that I am in trouble Noir. I did not need you to tell me that.” I really, really didn’t. “It is going to be a long ride regardless if anyone talks or not Ozul. Try talking to Sparrow, see if you can make him less pissed at me.” Ozul shoots me a wide eyed look. Guess he’s not going to do that, on to the next one. “Fuck no, I am not telling anyone about that besides maybe Sparrow.” I inform Aspen and Onyx, they lock eyes before giving me disbelieving looks. I chose to ignore them. “You’re not allowed to throttle me Buz, I panicked and my mind went blank so I bolted.” Can’t we just talk out loud? This is fucking hard. “I wasn’t thinking Frost, I was panicking and just bolted. Yes I learned my lessons of not crossing borders but again I was panicking!” Now for Sparrow. “I met my mate, turns out it is Silas, I panicked and bolted and now I have no idea what to do. Oh and I’m not telling anyone that, only Aspen, Onyx and the Sea pack know that I met my mate but they do not know who it is.” 
There. Let it go now. “WHAT?!” Sparrow’s sharp reply almost drowns out everyone else's. 
“I might still throttle you.” Buz grumbles but doesn’t ask why I panicked, thank fuck!
“If you need to talk about it Snow, I am here and always willing to listen.” Xanthe, her voice is so soothing for no reason.
“Yeah I’m not going near Sparrow when he looks like he wants to kill someone. I like being alive thanks.” Ozul, chicken shit. But I can ignore that one. 
Noir just chuckles into the link, fucker! “For the record, both Aspen and I know that Silas is your mate because Silas is the one who told Aspen that you panicked.” Onyx’s casual reply almost makes me flinch. 
“We will talk about this later Snow.” Frost still sounds grumpy as fuck but I don’t have to reply to that either. 
“Thank you Xanthe.” Now the two fuckers. “You knew?!” If I could get away with punching them I would. Xanthe flips on the radio and a song I don’t know comes on. “You heard me Sparrow and scratch what I said about Onyx and Aspen not knowing who it is because they do and just now decided to inform me of that.” 
“What the fuck are you going to do?” Sparrow asks gently.
“Ignore it as best as I can.” I answer him, because there is nothing else I can do. 
“Yes we knew. Well okay I didn’t know that you bolted because Silas was your mate till you said so but Silas was the one to tell me that he made you panic.” Aspen tries really hard to keep his voice soothing but there is a bite in his tone every time he mentions Silas’s name. 
“Aspen told me that Silas made you panic and it was pretty clear once you said you met your mate.” Onyx answers. 
“I doubt ignoring your mate is going to work. Are you still going to go through with the mate bidding?” Sparrow asks, ugh! 
“Do you have a problem with Silas, Aspen?” I ask him. “Also Onyx I don’t want to talk to you if you’re going to be smug about everything.” I don’t want to hear that at all. “Yes I’m going to go through with the mate bidding Sparrow. I don’t have a choice.”
“Yes I do.” The way he said that makes me think he wants to kill Silas. 
“Fine then I won’t talk to you.” Onyx still sounds smug as fuck. 
“Couldn’t you just tell Frost you met your mate and have him convince your mother not to do it?” Sparrow asks carefully.
“I would have to show up with said mate Sparrow, my mother would kill Silas.” I state because I know she would.
“Oh. Right.” Sparrow sounds sad. 
“Neither of you are allowed to kill Silas because I have dirt on both of you and I am not afraid to shine light on it.” I snap at both Onyx and Aspen, both turn in their seats to shoot me dirty looks, catching the attention of everyone else. I want to punch them in the face even more so now. 
“What are you three talking about?” Xanthe asks us softly.
“Whose fault is what.” Aspen, Onyx and I say the same lie at the same time. Okay that was fucking weird. We didn’t even discuss that so all of us saying it at the same time. . .
“That was creepy as fuck.” Buz breathes, looking back at us three. 
“I have to agree.” Noir eyes us wearily. 
Aspen snorts. “We said what we were arguing about, what’s creepy about that?”
“Saying it at the same time and in the same tone?” Ozul throws out, giving me a small smile.
“Or the fact that it was almost an instant response from all three of you?” Noir adds on, smirking back at Onyx.
“You guys can fuck off.” Onyx snarls, his well maintained control slipping slightly. 
Interesting. “Aw baby brother, did we hit a soft spot?” Noir reaches back and shoves Onyx’s shoulder. 
“I will break your hand.” Onyx bites out, Noir stares at him for a moment before removing his hand from Onyx’s shoulder. 
“Alright kids, settle down. It is going to be a long drive.” Xanthe cuts in. “We have got about four hours in this car so try not to get on each others nerves too much.” 
I lean my head on Sparrow’s shoulder, I can’t believe I ran all the way to the Sea Pack. “You do realize that the only kid in here is Snow, right?” Onyx muses to Xanthe.
“You are all children to me.” Xanthe responds kindly, not taking her eyes off of the road. Onyx hums but other wise doesn’t respond, everyone falls silent. 
Which gives me time to think. I’ve had Freeze responses, I’ve Fawned, Fought, Flagged and Flopped but never before have I had my Flight invoked. Not even when I was held captive, I didn’t try to run. I knew it was useless then so I didn’t ever try. I had done the research -about a year ago- into why I behaved the way I did when I was held. Because my responses to things didn’t make sense even though I was following my instincts. I fought them for a while, when that didn’t do anything but ag them on I froze. I was hypervigilant and when that proved to be the worst mistake I could make I Flagged. 
Numbed my emotions, surrender to them, disassociated. That increased my pain tolerance and numbed my emotional response. When I got home for a while I was in a state of Flop, unable to move, my mind was shut down, trying to protect itself, I couldn’t feel the ache of my wounds. I was just not present. But now? I ran, bolted. Unable to stop, others couldn’t stop me. What the hell am I supposed to do with that? I am not a Flight risk yet here we are, leaving the fucking Sea Pack land. 
Because I bolted. I don’t know why that was my reaction when I could have had literally any other reaction. “You are staring very hard at the floor, are you alright?” Aspen asks into my mind, my eyes slide up to his worried dark brown eyes.
“Nothing about this day is fine Aspen. I am thinking. Leave me be.” I drop my gaze again, what the fuck am I supposed to do now? I have a mate that I could never be with, ever. Not unless I want him dead, which I don’t. Even when he annoys me, even though he’s a Summer Wolf, I don’t want him to die.
“What’s the plan for not telling our parents about today?” Onyx asks, out loud and not in my mind. 
“You’re not planning on telling your parents?” Xanthe asks, her gaze flickering back to all of us. 
“No.” Buz, Frost, Onyx, Ozul, Noir and I all respond at the same time. 
“Okay then.” I can see Xanthe frown in the mirror. “Well I can be your alibi, you all can say you came to the Fall land.” 
I should not be surprised at Xanthe’s offer but I am. “That could work. Do our parents suspect anything?” Onyx asks his brothers.
“No, you disappear all of the time, they’re not worried. Noir and I said we were going to check around our land because of the rogue sightings recently.” Ozul answers, his voice a rumble in my ear. If Sparrow doesn’t act on that male, I’m going to smack the shit out of Sparrow for being an idiot.
“Our mother assumed that Snow went to you guys anyway, cause she needed to get her head around the fact the Alphas of every pack are coming today so it’s not going to be too bad of a lie.” Frost informs us, I frown.
“That’s tomorrow not today.” I state, it should still be the 5th, not the 6th.
“I hate to burst your bubble Snow, but it’s midnight, so it’s the 6th. Which means that they are coming today.” Buz looks back at me with pity in his gaze.
“Fuck.” I breathe and cover my face with my hands, this is so fucked. 
“Yeah it’s not going to be a great day.” Frost grumbles, I know he’s not happy about this but it’s what has to be done. I don’t have a choice and I don’t need Frost making it worse. “And we’re going to be running on very little sleep so everyone try to get some rest while you can.” 
“Like I’m going to be able to sleep.” I mumble, I can’t sleep with this hanging over my head plus all the other shit that I need to process. 
Sparrow leans forward and taps Aspen on the shoulder. “What?” Aspen frowns back at his brother.
“I want to sleep and Snow’s not going to, so switch with me.” Sparrow shrugs, I make a sound of protest, which both males ignore as they change seats. Sparrow adjusts his seat forward and then lays it back, so it doesn’t hit Aspen. Onyx turns in his seat and meets Ozul’s gaze, I hold myself very still trying to make sure I don’t touch either Aspen or Ozul. Ozul nods to Onyx and they change sits, what the fuck?
“Why did you two do that?” Buz asks from the front, frowning at the Bloodhound brothers.
“I want to sleep, Onyx doesn’t.” Ozul answers Buz but he’s watching Sparrow, whose blushing and avoiding looking at Ozul.
Buz lets it go, Frost on the other hand, is turned in his seat and glaring at Ozul, who is ignoring Frost. “Do not even start Frost!” I snarl into Frost’s mind, he turns his glare onto me before settling back in his seat.
An hour later we’re about a fourth of a way home. Buz, Noir, Frost, Sparrow, Ozul and Aspen are asleep, Xanthe, Onyx and I are the only ones who are awake. Aspen keeps tipping towards me in his sleep and I keep leaning towards Onyx, trying to get away from Aspen’s leaning form. “You do realize that he’s not going to bite you, right?” Onyx asks into my mind, trying not to wake anyone.
“I know that but I don’t want to be crushed by a male that weighs over 200 pounds.” Not a lie but not the full truth either, it’s still weird to be around Aspen after his dad offered me to mate with Aspen. 
Plus I don’t want to be touched. Even though I clung to both Aspen and Onyx when we were being questioned by Caspian. My father. That is fucking weird. “Sure that’s what it is.” Onyx is an asshole.
“Shut up.” I grumble as we go around a bend and Aspen falls into me, I grunt. Aspen is massive and heavy, how he didn’t wake up when he fell on me, I don’t know. I don’t think I can move him either. Onyx snarls softly, I tense as I realize I felt that rumble. Fuck! I’m pressed against Onyx while trapped under Aspen. “Fuck. Sorry Onyx.” 
Onyx sighs, it sounds tired. “It’s fine Snow. Annoying but fine.” Yeah cause that makes me feel better. It’s odd but I’m not panicky, maybe because I’m all panicked out? Who knows but I’m glad for the break. My eyes feel heavy, my heart is slowing down, my breathing matches Aspen’s.
Four years ago. Onyx POV.

Eight girls, they were just gone. There one minute and gone the next. No leads for months, now we finally have their location. “Hopefully we’re not too late and can get them home, alive.” Noir breathes, he’s standing next to me as the other Wolves discuss how we’re going to get the girls out alive or without more damaged if they are alive.
I grunt to let him know I heard him but I am not going to respond. All of the packs have kind of come together, or at the very least sent one pack member to help search for the girls. They have been here for months, trying to help find these females. 
The Spring pack sent Amaryllis. The Summer sent Clara, who is sticking close with Amaryllis. Sticking close to them is Kai from the Sea pack, Arbor from the Mountain pack and Ash from the Ridge pack. 
The Winter sent Buz, while the Fall sent Aspen, those two stay close together. With them is Sky, who is also from the Ridge pack and Batair from the Knight pack.
Bloodhound sent both Noir and I, I think mother sent Noir to keep me in check. Even if he wanted to, he could not. Kyra from the Dusk pack has been staying near us, I believe she and Noir are friends. Aella from the Storm pack-a female only pack- also has been with us, but that’s because she knows us and is uneasy around so many males. Ayla from the Light Bringers, is staying near us as well, but that’s because Buz is acting stupid and being an idiot. 
Osiris and Keah are leading us- the only ones that everyone were willing to agree to listen to- I think they are about to tell us our groups. “Group one, Noir, Onyx, Batair and Aella are in group in.” I was right and thank fuck that Noir and I are in group one. We will breach first and take out the sick fucks. “Kai, Aspen, Buz, Kyra, Ayla and Sky are in group two.” Smart, not putting the Spring and Summer with either the Fall or Winter. “Group three is Clara, Amaryllis, Ash and Arbor. We will not change groups. Do not even try to ask.” Osiris looks at Aspen and Buz when he says the last bit.
“Osiris and I will stay out here and make sure no more rogues show up and if they do, we will take care of them. Group one, move out.” Keah nods her head to my group. 
I shift instantly and make my way towards the underground bunker entrance. I feel my group falling in line with me as I head towards the door, Noir on my left and Aella on my right. It is strange that none of us noticed a large gathering of rogues so close to the Summer border. It is also concerning that so many gathered, over thirty of them. The largest group of rogues that I have seen was ten, how the Summer did not see them, I do not know but I sure as fuck will find out and deal with accordingly. 
“All of us should prepare ourselves for what we will see inside there.” Noir’s mind brushes against the minds of our group. 
“I have been preparing for something like this my entire life.” Aella states, her tone bland with underling tones of sadness and acceptance. I loathe the fact that she is right and that is a reality for every female. The acceptance of something like this happening to any and all females. I cannot wait to get my teeth around these sick fucks, to rip them to shreds. They fall silent as we reach the door, I look back at my group, they each nod at me. I turn back and slam into the door, bending it in half and jumping inside. 
I do not remember the fight that happened, only the taste of blood in mouth, the feel of bones breaking from the force of my bite, sometimes my hands. I love the thrill of taking lives, of feeling their last breath leaving them. Bodies of rogues lay everywhere, most of them are dead. Only two were kept alive, by Noir for questioning. Four of the eight females have been found, four more to go. I did not see nor find any of them but the reek coming off this place, I am not sure it is a bad thing that Noir and I have not found any, I do not believe Noir could handle it. 
“FOUND TWO MORE!” Batair calls out, so only two more to go, good. 
I break open another door and freeze, Aluma is hung up by her arms, chained, covered head to toe in blood, naked. Open wounds along her body bleed freely, chains are wrapped around her neck, chest and legs. The ones on her legs, are holding her legs open for all to see. “Holy fuck.” Noir breathes from behind me, also staring in shock at Aluma. 
Another female is face down, on her stomach and chained there, her legs are spread out and chained to the ground, her arms are bound behind her back, at a very painful angle. I doubt she has feeling in them, she is also covered head to toe in blood, open wounds, somehow worse than Aluma’s. She is also naked and way too thin, they must have starved them. All of the girls taken were between the ages of 15 and 19, but this female? Has to be younger.
“Let’s get them unchained.” Noir whispers to me heading towards Aluma, I kneel down by the unnamed female. It reeks of blood, piss, shit, vomit, anger, fear, pain and lust of the rogues in here, Noir is doing his best not to gag. I start unchaining her as Noir calls out to the others. “Found the last two!”
I get the female unchained and slide off her blindfold, I do not understand why they blindfolded her, since it is clear they never intended to let the girls go. I pick her up and stand as feet come running towards us, Noir gathers Aluma in his arms just as Buz and Aspen run into the cell. “Give her to me.” Buz demands and steps up to me, I raise a brow at him but do not let go of the female. 
“No. Go away.” I snap as Aspen rushes to Noir and Aluma, he does not try to take Aluma from Noir just hovers beside them.
“Give. Her. To. Me.” Buz bites out, why is he pressing this? We went over what to do when we found the females, whoever founds them, takes them out of here as soon as possible. No trading, no giving one to another person. 
Aella pops up behind Buz, smacks the back of his head, hard. “Let him be and help us move the bodies.” Buz glares at Aella, as she grabs his arm and forcefully drags him away. 
I roll my eyes and walk out of the cell, heading out of the bunker with Noir and Aspen at my heels. This girl is so small, her body so light, too light. Her eyes slide open, I slow down as Noir and Aspen pass me, her blue eyes flick around in confusion. She does not look at me but her body coils with tension, oh this is not going to be fun. 
The female jolts in my arms, her body twisting out of my grip, I grab her hips to try to keep my hold on her. Her elbow slams into my dick, my knees hit the ground, I grunt and fall forward onto the female. “Calm down.” I bite out, laying my weight on her as I try to breathe through the blinding pain. Fucking females. “I will not hurt you. I am trying to take you home.”
“Let go of me.” Her voice is a rasp as she continues to struggle to get out from under me, not happening. 
“I am just trying to take you home. To your family.” I need her to stop fighting me, I do not do this. I am not the calm nor am I the comfort, just death and destruction. 
“I want to die.” She whispers, the fight leaving her body. I stiffen and carefully sit up and pull her up by her arms as well.
I mean that is fair, after what she has been through. “I am not going to hurt you, just take you home.”
“I don’t want to go home.” The female falls forward onto my chest, my muscles coil for a fight.
I shrug off my jacket and slide it around her, if we are going to be out here longer than planned she is going to be covered. She does not need to be exposed to everyone here. “Are you scared to go home?” If her family is hurting her or fuck if they gave her to the rogues- she would not be able to go back and I would have to find a placement for her.
“No. I don’t want them to see me, not like this.” She rasps, I relax sightly. So she can go home, she just does not want them to see her fucked up like she is.
“And if I took you to Aluma? Would you be willing?” I ask, they were held together, they might be friends. Or they might have trauma bonded. 
The female lifts her head and meets my gaze head on for the first time. Her eyes are living blue flames. “I would like to see her.”
“I will take you to her.” I promise, anything to get out of this conversation. “I am going to pick you up again.” She nods, great. “Where are the most painful spots, or where can I pick you up that will not hurt as much?”
The female stares blankly at me for a moment, seeming to think about it seriously. “Thighs and under arms are the least painful.” 
Right that’s going to make this tricky but I can work with that. I nod at her and grab her thighs as carefully as I can and lift her up, she winces and lays her head on my shoulder. Her arms limp at her sides, she might not have feeling back in them yet. I spot Noir heading back towards me, the female in my arms stiffens and clamps her legs firmly around my waist and hips. “Everything okay here?” He asks me, eyeing the female.
“Yes. Just a little spooked.” I answer stiffly and head towards the van where the other girls are waiting to be taken to a clinic. The van door is open, Aspen is sitting with Aluma on his lap, seven females stare at me with wide eyes. Oh great. In and out quickly, I try to set the female down but her legs are locked in place around me, her left hand has made it to my shirt and refusing to let go. 
I sigh and take a seat in the van, the girls continue to stare at me. Sky hops into the van, frowning at both Aspen and I. “No males are allowed in here.” She informs us, raising a silver brow at us. 
“This one refuses to let go of me.” I answer, quietly, I do not need to spook the other females in the van.
“She’s my sister. I’m not leaving.” Aspen grumbles and glares at Sky.
“Whatever.” Sky rolls her eyes and sits next to the door. A moment later Aella climbs into the van, with Kyra climbing into the drivers seat.
“Everyone ready?” Kyra calls back to us, no one responds to her, so she turns back in her seat to frown at everyone in car.
“Yes we’re ready. Just go Kyra.” Aella sighs, Kyra shrugs and starts the van. We’re heading the Fall land’s clinic, that also had to be agreed upon, which took over 12 hours for everyone to be fine with.

The ride to the Fall land was silent, none of the females moved an inch, other then the green eyed female in my arms. She lifted her head once, swept her gaze around, looking at all of the injured females and landing on Aluma. She had stared at the Fall female for a moment before looking at Aspen, he had met her gaze steadily but she looked away. Probably because he’s another male.
“We’re here.” Kyra calls back into the van, before she jumps out of it. Aella slides the door open and hops out. Xanthe pops her head in, her gaze roaming over each of us, frowning when her gaze lands on me. 
“Aspen you cannot go with her.” Xanthe informs her son, as Aella, Kyra and Sky unloads the six other females. 
“Why?” Aspen snarls, Aluma flinches and curls away from her brother.
“Because you are male and no males will be present for the healing process.” Xanthe states firmly, taking Aluma from Aspen. Aspen sighs but gets out of the van, I wait for one of the females to grab the blue eyed one from me because I need to get home. 
Kyra pops her head back in. “Alright female, time to let Onyx go.” Kyra opens her arms to the blue eyed female, who just curls tighter against me. 
I grunt and try to detangle her from me, it does not work. “No.” Blue eyes rasps, I look at Kyra who is frowning. 
“No? Don’t you want to be with the other females?” Kyra asks just as Xanthe comes back to check in. 
“What’s going on here?” Xanthe asks gently, her gaze flickering between the three of us. 
“She won’t let go of Onyx.” Kyra shrugs, Xanthe frowns at her. 
“Right, you go on ahead Kyra, I will meet you there.” Xanthe shoos Kyra away, she goes willingly. “Alright young one, it’s time to let Onyx go.” 
“No.” There is so much defiance in her tone.
Xanthe blinks in surprise, her gaze flicking up to me then back down to female. “I will not harm you, you know me.” The female does not respond to Xanthe. “Snow, please. Let go of Onyx and come with me.”
“No.” Is that the only thing this female knows how to say? 
Xanthe sighs. “Okay. Onyx are you good to take her into the clinic?”
“What happened to no males allowed?” I do not want to go with Snow into the clinic. I need to get back home and find out why so many rogues were gathered together from the two that were left alive.
“Well, she refuses to come with me or let you go. So for now, she will go into a different room than the other females, till she decides to release you.” Xanthe shrugs and beacons me to follow her. 
I sigh and slide myself and Snow out of the van to follow Xanthe into the clinic and to a back room. I try to set Snow on the bed, she digs her claws into my skin, I wince. Damn, why is she bound and determined to cling to me? I hear Xanthe chuckle softly, fuck her. I sit down on the bed, with Snow still in my lap, she rests her head on my shoulder and stares blankly at Xanthe. I do not believe that Snow recognizes Xanthe which I suppose makes sense. Snow’s head is still bleeding from a good sized cut on the side of her head. Who knows how many times she’s been hit over the head? She most likely has brain damage. 
“I need to check on my daughter. Will you two be fine here till the healer comes and looks her over?” Xanthe asks carefully, keeping her gaze on Snow.
“Yes.” Annoyed but fine. Xanthe nods and leaves. Snow sits back on my lap and meets my gaze. “What?”
“Why did you give me your jacket?” I blink down at her.
“Because you decided to stop us in the middle of the woods, where a ton of people were while you were naked.” It is simple. 
“Yes, but many have already seen it.” I am confused. 
“And? I did not believe you would be confutable with so many eyes on your exposed body so I covered you. That is it.” I do not want to talk about this anymore.
“Okay.” She is silent for a moment. “I want to die.”
“Fair enough.” If she is surprised by my answer, she does not show it. 
“You are a strange male.” 
“Says the very strange female.” Who is clinging to a strange male, after she was kidnapped by males. 
“Thank you for getting Aluma and the others out of there.” What the fuck?
“But not you?” I wonder if she is having trouble staying focused or if this is normal for her.
“I think I would have been better off dead.” Her voice is hollow, not sad, not tired or even angry just hollow. 
“Maybe. Maybe not. I suppose you will just have to wait and see.” I am covered in rogue blood, some of the blood is mine. Snow is covered in her own blood, with her pressed against me, the blood is mixing. I do not mind it but she might, if she realizes it. To have the blood of her abusers on her. 
“I do not want to.” 
“Fair enough. Yet I do not believe that is a choice you can make.” Unless she kills herself it is not up to her. 
Snow sighs. “You’re probably right.”
“I know.” I am almost always right. “How old are you?” She really cannot be older than 14, she is too small. 
“Sixteen. The runt of the litter.” I do not know how to respond to that, she looks younger but I guess being the runt of the litter is a good enough answer. “How old are you?”
“Seventeen.” 
“You are young.”
“Says the sixteen year old.” I snark back, this is getting annoying. 
“I meant, young to be rescuing us.” Snow pokes my cheek, I bite my tongue to keep from growling at her. 
“Killing people is fun, more so when they deserve painful deaths.” I should not have said that, it might give too much away, though she is not in the right state of mind so it might fine, maybe. 
“You are strange.”
“So are you.” We have been over this. The healer comes in, I fall silent as she tries to get Snow to move off of me. That does not work, so she works on Snow, while she is on my lap. I zone out and block their voices out. I do not want to be here, I need the female to let me go, I should be home by now. 
Snow pokes my cheek again. “She’s gone now.”
I blink around the room, so she is. “And?”
“You zoned out.”
“Because none of that was my business.” And I did not want to hear any of it. “I need to get home.”
“Oh.” Snow carefully lifts herself off of me, wincing as she sits beside me, she is still in a lot of pain. I stand and look down at the small female. She blinks those blue eyes up at me, there are hints of white in her long matted red hair. That is strange. “Are they all dead?” 
Ah, should I actually answer that? I sigh, probably truthfully. “All but two.” She stiffens and her blue eyes go wide. “Those two are in custody for questioning and then they will be put to death.” 
Her body relaxes again, good. “Who will kill them?” I hesitate, it is usually me, because I can get the most answers but I do not want to spook her though I did say killing was fun. “I want to know. Please.”
Fuck. “I will ask the questions and kill them.”
“Will you make it hurt?” I jerk back at her question, I should not be surprised yet here we are. 
“Yes, it will be painful for them, even if they answer all of my questions. They will pay for what they have done to each of you.” I swear to her, Snow nods slowly.
“Thank you.” I have never been thanked for killing someone. I do not know how to feel about that. 
I take a step back towards the door. I need to leave, now. “Be well Snow.”
“I won’t be but thanks anyway.” She tries to smile at me but it just looks painful. 
“You might be, you will never know until you try.” I leave before she can respond. 

Chapter Text

July, 6th. 
Onyx!!! 
I jolt awake when the van comes to a stop, Snow is still pressed to my side, Aspen is still on top of her. Why did I remember that day? I have not thought about it in over two years. “We’re here!” Xanthe calls out to us, waking those that were still asleep. I turn to look at Snow, who is shoving Aspen off of her. Was she the reason that I remembered it? Because she was sleeping on me? 
Xanthe and Frost are the first ones out, then Noir and Buz, followed by Sparrow and Ozul, Aspen gets up in a daze. I frown at him as he get outs, Snow on his heels with me trailing behind her. What is wrong with Aspen, I have seen him after he wakes up, this is not that. He seems shaken by something. Snow frowns at Aspen’s back before looking at me with a raised brow, I shrug, I do not know what is wrong with him and even if I did, I would not tell her. 
“I do not care who sleeps with who, just get to bed and if you decide to have sex, wrap it up because we do not want babies right now.” Xanthe informs us before going inside. 
Aspen stops walking, so Snow slams into his back and I crush her against him, ugh! I side step away from them as Snow steps away from Aspen’s back. “Gee thanks mom.” Sparrow grumbles and heads inside, Ozul and Noir on his heels, Frost and Buz behind them.
Aspen shakes his head. “I do not have the mental strength to deal with that right now.” He breathes and heads inside. 
“I was not expecting that.” Snow whispers to me as we trail behind Aspen into the house. I am not surprised, she just wants her children to be safe. 
As soon as we step inside, Aspen grabs my upper arm and Snow’s wrist, I bare my fangs at him but cannot do anything before he is dragging us into a hallway and then pulling us into a room and slamming the door closed with his back. I rip my arm out of his hold and glare at him, I believe we are in his bedroom. Why the fuck are we in his bedroom? 
“Is there a reason you dragged us into your room Aspen?” Snow asks as she shakes off his hold and steps back.
“Yes there is.” He informs her before turning towards me, what did I do? “What the fuck was that?”
“What was what?” I need more information than that. 
“The dream thing!” The dream thing? Aspen starts pacing his room, I frown at him. He is not making any sense-
“Oh. You saw that as well? Huh, that’s weird.” Snow mutters under her breath but shifter hearing is a beauty. 
Both Aspen and I slowly turn towards her. Did- was she reading my memories? I know I thought she was reading my mind but reading memories? That should not be possible, nor should it be possible that she pulled Aspen in as well. “Hold on. What did you guys see? Just so we are on the same page.” Was she pulling a different memory or did they see what I did? Because those are two very different things and one concerns me more than the other.
“When we rescued them.” Aspen answer carefully, watching Snow for signs of distress, there are none. She just nods, so she saw that as well. Okay, I can work with that.
“What about it confused you Aspen?” I ask leaning back against the wall, forcing my body to relax.
“All of it! Why did we see it?” Aspen snaps at me, I raise a brow at him.
“Try to remember who you are talking to before using that tone again Aspen.” I deepen my voice, letting hints of a growl into it.
Aspen sucks in a breath, sits down on his bed and stares at me, I believe he wants to punch me in the face. “Answer my question please.” 
Better. “I do not know. I think it might have something to do with the Luna in the room.”
“Me? Why would that be my fault? It was your memories!” Snow’s brows bunch together in confusion. 
“Some Lunas are able to read minds.” It is rare, it happens but rare and usually after they have been Lunas for a few years. 
“I don’t think I did that.” Snow responds slowly, her eyes going a bit distant.
“I think you’ve done it more than once tonight.” I cross my arms over my chest. 
Both Snow and Aspen snap their gazes to me in shock or surprise, not sure. “What do you mean by that?” Aspen breathes, his gaze flickering between Snow and I.
“Well when we were talking to Caspian, I was thinking certain things and then Snow would say them.” I shrug, trying to remain calm. This is bad but I cannot freak out or lose my mind, I must be calm.
“When?” Snow demands, panic in her tone.
“When they asked us to shift, I was thinking about why I was not going to and you said it, to them. Again when I was thinking about why they brought us to the pack house, when they were not planning on killing us and then you asked it. ” Which is still unnerving.
Snow is silent, Aspen is frowning at me. “Did you suspect that she was reading your mind, at those times?”
“Yes and no. It is too early for her to have that ability. I did think she was but did not think it was possible yet so I just left it alone. But now? I think she was definitely reading my mind.” Why mine and not Aspen? I have no fucking idea and it is bothering me.
“I was panicking and trying to figure out what to say and then it would just come to me.” Snow drags her eyes to mine. “I might have pulled them from you. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean-“
“I know it was not on purpose.” I cut her off, I do not want to deal with this now. “Lets just go to bed and deal with later when you don’t have a meeting in a few hours.” 
Aspen sighs and falls back on his bed. “You guys are welcome to stay in here if you want.” 
Snow scrunches up her nose, I am trying not to be offended by that. “I think I’m going to go sneak into Aluma’s room.” 
“Go for it.” Aspen covers his face with his arm, Snow leaves quietly. “Do you want to change or sleep in that?” He asks without removing his arm from his face.
“Something to change into.” Though he is a good five inches taller than me, so his clothes will be a bit big on me. 
Aspen hauls himself off his bed and to his dresser, pulling out clothes and throwing a pair of sweat pants and a t-shirt at me. “Shower’s through that door if you want one.” He points to the door on the left wall, I will shower when I get home. Showering at other people’s houses is weird. “I’m just going to change and sleep, too tired to shower right now.”
Did I even need to know that? Aspen starts undressing, I turn around and do the same, we might both be male but I do not need to see all of him. I pull on his clothes and just as I thought, they are just a little to big on me but it is fine. It is not going to kill me but if anyone says anything about it, I will kill them. I turn back around to see Aspen back on the bed, shirtless and face down on his stomach. 
I sigh. “Do you have an extra blanket?”
Aspen turns his head to look at me with a frown. “Do you need one?”
“The fuck you mean, ‘do you need one?’ yes. If I am sleeping on the floor, I need a blanket.” I do not know what is going through his head.
“You can sleep on the fucking bed.” Aspen mutters, putting his face back into the pillow. I want to punch him now. I do not, I just climb onto the bed and get under his blanket, I hope he is not a sleep cuddler. I do not like to be touched. “Why did you think you were sleeping on the floor?”
“Is that not how ‘sleep overs’ go?” I would not know, I have never done this with someone. Not even when I fuck someone, I always leave after it is done. 
“Some times I suppose, if they are worried about it being too ‘gay’ but I’m not worried about that.” Aspen informs me, hmm I guess that makes sense. I turn my head to look at him, to find him already looking at me. I narrow my eyes at him, why the fuck is he looking at me like that? “Have you never spent the night at someone’s house before?”
“No. I don’t like people enough for that.” I shrug, now he’s frowning. 
“Not even when your fucking someone?” Why does he want to know that?
“No. Once it’s over, I leave.” It is weird to be so truthful, yet we are having to keep Snow’s secrets, so maybe it eases something inside of me to share some things. I do not know, I do not think I am making sense. I need to go to sleep.
“Aw I’m your first sleep over!” And now I want to punch him again. I turn my head away from him and close my eyes, hoping he will take the hint. “That’s kinda cool, if only it wasn’t such a shitty day.”
Of course he does not. “Go to sleep Aspen.”
“Not yet.” I open my eyes, side eyeing him, why not? “Why do you not stay over with the people you sleep with?”
“I don’t do emotional attachments.” Other than my family, though if I need to, I could break away from those attachments.
“Too bad. Because you and I are friends. Which means you are getting attached to me, whether you like it or not.” Now I turn to face him. 
“You’ve got to be kidding.” 
“Nope. We’re friends.” 
I am not doing this, I turn my back towards him. “Go to sleep Aspen.” 
“Goodnight Onyx.” 

Sparrow.

I can’t believe mom said that! My face is fucking burning. I can feel Ozul looking at me, which doesn’t help. At all. I hear Snow make a surprised sound and spin around to see Aspen dragging her and Onyx towards his room. What the fuck? “Should we be worried about that?” Buz asks, I don’t know who he’s asking.
“No.” I say at the same time Frost says-
“Yes.” I feel his glare on me but I ignore him and turn towards Buz.
“Aspen is not interested in Snow in that way and Onyx doesn’t seem the type to have threesomes.” I raise a brow at Noir.
“He’s not usually. He rarely has sex.” Noir shrugs, he knows way too much about his brothers sex life but I’m so not touching that, ever. 
“See? No reason to be worried.” I lock eyes with Buz who nods. 
“What the fuck guys?” I jump at Flint’s voice, I spin around to see him standing the hall doorway. “Why are there so many people here?”
“It’s a long story but they are spending the night.” I shrug, I don’t want to get into all of tonight right now. 
“Is it the same reason you and mom fucked off somewhere?” He asks, his gaze sweeping over the males still in the room.
“Yep. I will tell you all about it later.” So stop asking please. 
“Fine. Where are we putting them?” Flint asks, not even bothering to greet them, I feel my eye twitch. I didn’t think that far ahead.
“I don’t know. I don’t really care as long as none of them end up in Aluma’s room.” Now everyone’s eyes are on me, I will not look at them. It’s been a long fucking day. 
“Fine. Buz and Noir can sleep in my room, you get Frost and Ozul.” I glare at Flint, he knows some of the drama I’ve dealing(avoiding) with, why would he say that?
“Sounds good to me.” Buz claps me on the shoulder and heads towards Flint. 
Noir snorts and comes to stand beside me, leaning down to whisper in my ear. “I wish you luck little Sparrow.” I step away from the jack ass, as he follows Buz and Flint back to Flint’s room. 
“Come on then. If you want to borrow clothes, go to Flint or Aspen, none of mine will fit either of you.” I call over my shoulder and head to my room, both males are hesitating which gives me time to grab my clothes and slip into the bathroom. I change quickly and leave the bathroom to find both males just standing in my room. “Do you want the floor or on the bed?” I really don’t want them on the bed but I’m so not saying that. 
Ozul eyes the bed and then the floor. “Does it matter which we pick?” 
“Not really. If you pick the floor, I have to grab the extra blankets from the hall closet.” I shrug, pick the floor. 
“I won’t make you go out there again, I’m sure we could all fit on the bed.” Ozul states, trying to catch my gaze. Nope, not happening. 
I turn my gaze in Frost’s direction, not quite looking at him. “Floor or bed Frost?” He’s been weirdly silent for this.
“Bed.” One word answers, fucking great. I don’t respond just climb into the middle of the bed, oh I should not have done that but it’s too late as Ozul climbs onto the left side of the bed. I am going to die. Frost slowly gets on the right side of the bed, I hold myself very still and stare up at the ceiling. Neither male is touching me, they both seem to be trying very hard not to do that. Why the fuck does that bother me? All of us just lay there silent for a while, I know they’re not asleep because Frost is playing with his fingers, Ozul is breathing weird. 
This is fucking awkward. “Is it just me or is this weird?” Ozul asks quietly. 
“It is not just you.” I breathe, how am I supposed to sleep like this?
“Why is it weird?” Frost bites out. Ozul doesn’t respond, neither do I because what the actual fuck? Can Frost not feel the tension in the room? “Are either you going to respond?”
“I have never slept in the same room as you or Ozul. You and I have been are rocky terms lately. It’s just fucking weird that we’re all sharing a bed.” I snap back at him, maybe I should just go sleep on the couch so I don’t have to deal with this.
“It’s not that weird Sparrow. We’ve grown up together.” Frost softens his tone, I scuff.
“I’m Snow’s friend, not yours. It’s weird.” I’m not going to let the fact that he spoke softer to me affect me, at all. 
“We are friends Sparrow.” I feel him looking at me, I can hear the hurt in his tone. 
Nope. Harden your fucking heart. I can’t keep doing this. I turn towards Ozul, putting my back to Frost. “Believe what you want Frost.” I meet Ozul’s gaze, he looks sad. Fuck, I force my eyes closed. 

Chapter Text

July 6th.
Sparrow.

Warm, so fucking warm. I like it. I snuggle deep into my blanket. That’s breathing? Hold up, there’s a leg between mine, a leg over mine, two sets of arms around my waist and chest, did I have a threesome last night? I wiggle my hips, brushing against two-definite- males, I’m not sore. What the fuck-
I bolt upwards, Frost and Ozul groan and try to drag me back down but I rip myself away and hit the ground. Ozul pops his head over the bed, with sleepy eyes. “Why are you on the floor?”
“Because I don’t want to be a sandwich!” 
“What?” Frost groans from the bed, I lay back on the very cold floor. 
“He doesn’t want to be a sandwich.” Ozul repeats staring down at me, he runs his hand through his hair. Fuck look away! I stare at the ceiling. My door bangs open, I shift into my Wolf skin, fur standing up and snarling at Aluma, before realizing it is Aluma and letting go of my Wolf skin.
“Fucking shit Aluma! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” I grumble and pull on my hair, why is she even in here?
“Why was Snow in my bed?” What?
“What do you mean?” I ask, I thought she went with Aspen and Onyx. Though I guess that makes sense, she probably didn’t want to sleep in the same room as two males.
“I woke up and she was just sleeping in my bed. I didn’t wake her up though, just came to ask you. It seems your night was interesting.” Aluma eyes the two males on my bed with a feral grin.
“I’ll tell you why she was in your bed later. For the record no. I didn’t fuck either of them so get that evil grin off of your face.” I push to my feet, Aluma frowns at me.
“Well if you didn’t fuck them, why are they in here?” Aluma flicks her gaze between the three of us, I want to find a hole and die in it.
“Why would either of us fuck Sparrow?” Frost asks with a bite in his tone. I tense, see? This is way my heart needs to get with the fucking program. 
“I would fuck Sparrow thank you very much.” Ozul snaps at Frost, who chokes on fucking air the asshole. My face burns red, why would he say that? “But no that is not why we are in his bed, I think you should ask your mother about why we are here. And I’m sure if you went into Flint’s room, you’d find Buz and Noir in Flint’s bed with him. And if you go into Aspen’s room, you’d find Onyx and Aspen.” 
Aluma is shocked silent, her mouth open and her eyes wide. I am never going to hear the end of this. Ever. “Damn. I need to find mom. Oh and we are definitely going to talk about you wanting to fuck my brother Ozul.” Aluma gathers herself and flips a wave before leaving my room. 
“You shouldn’t just say those kind of things. Especially to Sparrow’s sister or about Sparrow.” Frost snarls at Ozul, oh boy. 
“Why not? She already thought we had fucked him when she came in here.” Ozul raises a brow at Frost, he bares his fangs in a growl. 
“Someone fucking shoot me.” I grumble, which makes both males swing their gazes to me. Oh. No. I do not like that. I need to hide now. I head to the bathroom and lock the door. What the fuck???? I slide down the door and rest my head on my arms. My face is burning so is my neck.

ONYX!!
I sigh, I dislike this. I stare down at Aspen, who is laying on top of me and clinging to my body. I do not know how to get him off with out waking him. Maybe I should wake him? Then I would have to deal with talking about this. No, not doing that. I am going to smell like coffee and cinnamon, that is what Aspen smells like, I am wearing his clothes and he is laying on me. His door opens and Aluma pops her head in, I glare at her. “Get him off of me.”
“What you don’t want to be cuddled?” She asks way too sweetly to be real, but she does step into the room. 
“No. I do not want to be cuddled. I want him off.” Plus he is heavy, now I know why Snow did not want him falling on her. 
“Uh huh sure. We’ll go with that.” I bare my fangs at her but do not growl because she has grabbed his arm, she pulls him off of me. I sit up and shake out my arms, he was pining them to my body. They were going numb.
“Go away Aluma.” Aspen grumbles and grabs my waist, I hiss out a breath. Aspen freezes and slowly lifts his head, his baffled face turns into guilt, he lets me go and sits up. “Sorry.” He mumbles and runs his hands through his hair, I narrow my eyes at him but chose not to respond. 
“You guys are so cute.” Aluma breathes, I forgot she was there.
“Go away Aluma.” Aspen throws a pillow at his sister, she laughs and leaves the room. Cute? She thinks we are cute? What the fuck is wrong with that female? “Sorry about her.”
“Your sister is weird.” Is all I say, I climb out of the bed. I need out of this room, it reeks of Aspen, so do the clothes I am wearing. Which are his. Fuck. Nope not changing, I need out of this room now. I head towards the door and leave quickly, he does not follow me. At least there is that. 

SNOW!!!
I wake up alone, not really surprising. I dig through some of Aluma’s clothes but I don’t think any of them will fit me, I sigh and head out of her room and to Sparrow’s. He won’t mind if I steal his clothes, I do it all of the time. I don’t knock, I should have knocked. Frost is on the bed glaring at Ozul’s back, Ozul was walking towards the door but comes to a stop a few steps in front of me. He was trying to leave? Did he and Frost argue? I would not be surprised by that. 
All three of us just kinda stare at each other for a moment. At least it doesn’t smell like sex in here, there are just some things I don’t need to know about Sparrow or Frost. “Where’s Sparrow?” Cause he’s not in here, which is strange, this is his room after all. Unless he went to the couch? To avoid having to share a bed with these two?
“In the bathroom.” Ozul answers, taking a step away from the door. 
“What are you doing in here Snow?” Frost asks me, I choose to ignore him and walk into the room, stopping at the bathroom door. 
I knock on it, Sparrow makes a muffled sound of distress. “Dude. Let me in.” I hear the lock click open, I push open the door and slam it behind me and lock it again. Sparrow is on the floor with his arms over his head. “What are you doing?”
“Dying. I am dying.” Sparrow speaks into his knees, I slide down the door and sit next to him. 
“Why?” Is it because he had to sleep next to those two last night? I can’t image that was easy for him. 
“You know why and I’m pretty sure they are still in my room.” Yeah I was right. 
I raise my voice so those two out there can hear me. “You two can leave Sparrow’s room now!” I wait a beat but no sound of them leaving reach my ears. “I mean it! Go on now!” Now I hear them shuffling out of room, good.
“You are insane.” Sparrow breathes, I can feel his gaze on me. 
I turn my head and smile at the confused and awed expression on his face. “Yeah well one of us needs to get shit done.” He snorts and leans his head on my shoulder. 
“I don’t want to go out there and talk to them.” Avoidance is unhealthy but it’s not like I can say that when I’m doing the same damn thing.
“I know. At least you don’t have to answer why you ran away, I do.” I grab his hand, Sparrow brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it gently. 
“We’ve got this.” I would believe him if his breathing wasn’t shaky.
“Sure we do.” I agree even though it sounds hallow to my own ears, I squeeze his hand before standing and dragging him up with me. “Now that they have left, I need to steal some clothes.”
“Of course you do.” Sparrow sighs but leads me out of his bathroom.
...
All of us are silent as we sit down to eat with the Fall family, Sparrow is on my right and Aluma is on my left. Noir is across from Aluma, Aspen is across from me. Onyx is across from Sparrow, Frost is beside Sparrow. Ozul is across from Frost, Flint is beside Ozul and Buz is across from Flint. Xanthe sits at the head of the table between Noir and Aluma, while Elwood is at the end of the table between Flint and Buz. 
Buz and Noir are wearing Flint’s clothes, which hang off of Buz, not so much Noir because Noir is only about an inch shorter than Flint. Frost and Ozul are wearing the same clothes they wore yesterday. But the most surprising thing is that Onyx is wearing Aspen’s clothes, which he’s drowning in but no one has said shit about it, they might be scared to do so. 
Flint is the one to break the silence. “Did you three really run all the way to the Sea pack?” 
Aspen sighs. “Yes.” 
“You guys do realize how far that is right?” Flint asks, his gaze bouncing between Onyx, Aspen and I. 
“Yes.” Aspen answers again, messing up his food on his plate but not eating it nor looking up from it. What is going on with him? Is he still upset about last night? I was not trying to read anyone’s mind. 
“It would have taken hours.” Flint continues. 
“It did. I don’t think my body would be aching so much if we did not run all the way there.” Onyx snaps finally. His speech pattern is weird and after seeing how he thinks, well it makes me believe that he’s trying to blend in to seem normal. When he is anything but normal. 
“It could be aching from having Aspen sleep on top of you.” Flint points out, I blink. What the fuck? Aspen slept on top of Onyx? I swing my gaze to Aspen who sighs again. “Aluma told me that’s how she found you guys.”
Oh, I bite my lip to keep from laughing. It’s a good thing I noped the fuck out of that last night. “That’s enough children, leave each other alone.” Xanthe cuts in and then we’re drowned in silence once again. 
I don’t think it’s ever been this silent at the Fall table. Ever. “Are you ready for today Snow?” Noir breaks the silence, thank fuck but why did he have to choose me?
“Yep. Though I think it’s only going to be the Alphas and not their kids coming today, it shouldn’t be too bad.” I see Frost tense up in the corner of my eye, I know he wants to fight this but there is no point.
“I still can’t believe your mom is making you do that.” Aluma grumbles, I pat her leg.
“It’s fine.” It’s not but it will be. “But speaking of that, we should get going.”
“Of course, your mothers are probably wondering where all of you are. Go on and head out.” Elwood stands, the rest of us follow him to our feet. Elwood walks over to me and puts his hand on my shoulder. “It is just the Alphas today, we will be meeting you and your mother in about an hour.” He informs me before gesturing for his wife and children to follow him. 
Aspen and Flint wave at me while Aluma hugs me tightly before following her father. Sparrow puts his head on my shoulder, not saying anything for a moment before he also follows his family. “Bye Bloodhound males!” I call over my shoulder and jog out of the house, I hear Frost and Buz snarl at me as I shift into my Wolf skin and burst into a run. My brothers not far behind me, time to face this head on and get it over with as soon as possible. 

Chapter Text

July, 6th.
Snow.
Mother wasn’t surprised when we all came in and said that we were at the Fall house, just told Frost and I to change and get ready to meet the Alphas and then told Buz to go to training ring. He’s lucky that he doesn’t have to sit through this like I do, probably Frost as well since he was also told to get ready. Fifteen minutes later, I’ve showed, changed into a nice light blue long sleeved shirt and ripped blue jeans, braided my hair. 
I stare at myself in the mirror and try to convince myself that all is well and I’ll be fine no matter what happens. It’s not working. Viola pops her head into my room. “They are starting to arrive, mother wants you in her office.” I nod to Viola and she leaves, I take a deep breath. It is just a meeting, nothing is happening today. I leave the safety of my room and head into mother’s office, there are extra chairs in here and it’s big enough to fit all of the Alphas that are coming. 
“Stand behind my seat Snow.” Mother states, I do as she says. “Frost and Arcticus are greeting everyone as they come, Zephyron and Buz will walk them in.” So Buz went to get Zephyron, does that mean he has to be here for this? “Ilgar is taking Viola out of the house until we are done.” 
“Okay.” I don’t ask my questions, now is not the time. 
Elwood and Soleil are the first of the Alphas to arrive. Mother greets them kindly, I remain silent with my gaze on the ground. The next to arrive is the Mountain pack Alpha, Bryn. I have to force myself to not react to his presence, he’s 7’3 and packed with muscle. He has dark brown eyes and hair, deep brown skin . If he is that tall, how tall are his kids? I feel like I should be scared. I don’t hear mother greet him but I know she did but I must have missed it. 
The next ones to arrive are the Dusk Alpha, Sol. He’s 5’9 and slim, with red eyes and orange hair, golden skin. Coming in behind him was the Knight Alpha, Aryan. He’s 6’2 and built like a tank, dark blue eyes and silver hair, pale skin. I keep my head down and eyes on the ground as mother greets them and they take their seats. Aryan looks familiar to me and I don’t know why, I don’t think we’ve met before. 
Next is the Ridge Alpha, Briar. He’s 6’9 -I’m pretty sure his forearm is bigger than my fucking waist- with dark brown eyes and grey hair, olive skin. Followed by the Storm Alpha, Alizeh. The all female pack. She is 6’2 and packed with muscle, she has bright blue eyes and shocking purple hair, golden brown skin. Osiris trails in behind her, I’m a little surprised the Alpha of Spring decided to come but as long as Helios doesn’t show up it should be fine. Maybe. 
The Sea Alpha, Caspian-my father- is the last to arrive, or so I thought when a moment later fucking Helios walks in. I shove down the fear that is trying to swallow me. Buz, Frost, Arcticus and Zep come and stand behind mother and I, Zep runs his hand down my back before removing his hand. He’s trying to make me relax but that was not going to help when there are so many males in this fucking room. 
“Thank you all for coming here today.” Mother smiles politely at the Alphas, I tune out and make my expression blank. I don’t want to hear any of this, if they need my attention, they’ll call on me which I doubt that they will. Right now she’s just laying out the rules and whatnot that is not interesting so it doesn’t really matter if I pay attention or not. 
...
Frost suddenly stiffens beside me, I side eye him, everyone has fallen silent. What the fuck did I miss? “No. I have not. It was not needed until now.” Mother answers, what wasn’t needed? “But I suppose now is a good time as any. Snow is unrelated to you Aryan.” I’m sorry what?
I meet Buz’s wide eyed gaze, I suppose I now, know why Aryan looked familiar. It’s because he’s at least one of my siblings father. “Aren’t you mated Aryan?” Alizeh asks carefully, her voice heavily accented. 
“Matilda, Khione and I had an agreement to help Khione sire children. My mate is well aware Alizeh.” Aryan answer just as carefully, his voice a deep rumble. “If Snow is not mine, whose is she? You know that if she was sired by someone of a lower rank, her value is decreased. It is why we had agreed to help you sire your children.”
Buz, Zep and Frost suck in sharp angry breaths, they better fucking not say shit. I’m pissed and offended but I can’t say shit either because I know for most of these packs, that is true. It’s why Onyx and Frost kept telling Sparrow and I we couldn’t be together because of our ranks even though he is from an Alpha family, he is not one. So it’s not allowed. Omega’s from an Alpha family can mate higher ranked Wolves only if they are from an Alpha family. Other wise, it’s a no or looked down upon. Some say fuck it and do it anyway but it’s not a good look for the pack. 
“That is an outdated way to look at things.” Alizeh snaps sharply. 
“Is it though? I would also like to know who Snow’s sire is.” Helios smirks at my mother, I bite my tongue to keep from snarling at him.
I see mother bristle but her face remains relaxed. “Caspian is Snow’s sire.” 
“I am, though I do wish I would have known about her sooner.” Caspian locks eyes with mother, than me. I hold his gaze, if he tells her, I might lose my fucking mind. She doesn’t need to know that we’ve already met before.
“Do you have a thing for mated males Khione?” Sol from the Dusk pack asks, his voice also accented just not as heavily or the same kind. 
Mother laughs, a sharp sound. “No. I have a thing for males who will not try to attach themselves to me.”
“I didn’t need to know any of this.” I breathe, drawing everyone’s attention to me. Shit!
“Ah learning of your mothers sex life? Is it too much information for you?” Helios smirks at me, I really, really hate him. 
“Did you want to hear about your mother’s sex life?” I keep my tone soothing and soft and my eyes tilted slightly down. Helios opens his mouth, no doubt to snarl at me but Alizeh cuts him off before he can even start.
“Definitely a natural Luna.” Alizeh murmurs, meeting my gaze. 
“Your mate is also a natural Luna, is she not?” Bryn asks, his voice deep and heavily accented. 
“Yes, she is.” Alizah answers, still holding my gaze, I think I stopped breathing. “She is the oldest one to survive.” Holy shit. I want to talk to her mate. 
“I forgot about that. How is she?” Briar ask Alizeh, his voice is also accented and I think I love his the most. 
“Doing well despite the many that have tried to kill her. You better prepare yourself for what is to come young Snow. Mated or not.” Alizeh informs me, I force my expression blank.
“I have already had death threats. They do not bother me right now. That might change but for now, I remain unbothered.” I use the soothing voice that gets on Helios’s nerves. 
“Already? It has not been that long since you were declared a Luna.” Caspian frowns at me.
“Yes well, I am also a white Wolf and I am not everyone’s cup of tea.” More like someone’s traumatized cup of coffee but they don’t need to know that. 
Elwood chuckles, while my brothers and Zep bite their tongues. “You are a delight most of the time Snow but you are also a force to be reckoned with. Some just don’t like strong females.” 
Aw he’s sweet. I smile at him, while Zep’s shoulder’s shake with laughter, Buz elbows him hard. “Is she pure?” Aryan asks suddenly, everyone falls silent. 
“Come again?” Mother asks in her no bullshit voice. 
“Has she had sex?” Aryan asks, unbothered by his line of questioning. What the fuck? Just what the fuck? 
“Oh here we go.” Soleil breathes and looks up at the ceiling. 
“Does that really matter?” Bryn asks at the same time Alizeh asks the same thing. 
“I don’t know about any of you but I wouldn’t want my son to be with a slut.” Helios states, I feel my insides curl in disgust. 
“You do not have a right to ask that.” Frost snaps at someone but I am a little to stunned to figure it out. 
What the fuck? “Yes we do, if she is to be mated off, we have a right to know if she has been used.” Sol answers and a growl tries to slip out but I bite my tongue, hard. 
Great now there’s blood in my mouth. “Now that is very outdated. She does not have to be ‘pure’ for a mating.” Mother states, firmly. 
“So she isn’t?” Aryan asks, raising a brow at mother.
“No. I am not. I had sex a few times before I was kidnapped and raped by who knows how many people. So if that is an issue for any of you or your heirs, please feel free to pull out of my mate bidding. You will not hurt my feelings.” I meet each of their gazes, this is not something I will forget. 
“You were one of the females taken?” Briar asks gently, I nod. “I am deeply sorry for all you went through. Two of my children were there that day you and the others were rescued. I do not wish to imagen what all of you went through.” 
I blink, I didn’t know that. “I do not remember the day we were brought home but thank you for sending the aid.”
“Of course.” He dips his head to me. 
“So you are ruined goods.” Helios curls his lip at me.
“If that is how you wish to see it, fine then. It will not bother me.” Soothing, Luna, must stay calm. 
“I will have to think about this before I throw my sons into the running.” Sol states, standing up. “Thank you for having me but I must be getting back to my pack.” He dips his head to mother, which she returns stiffly. 
“I also should be heading back, since Snow is related to my children, I do not need to be here for this.” Caspian stands and dips his chin to my mother, she returns the gesture, less stiff. Helios stands and leaves without saying or doing a damn thing, disrespectful as hell. Mother bares her fangs at his back as he leaves, I sigh. They really do hate each other. 
“This was an interesting thing to say the least.” Osiris chuckles and stands. “I will speak to my mate and sons to see if they are interested, I think one will be, I do not know for sure yet. Thank you for having me.” He dips his head to mother and then me, I blink back my surprise and return the gesture. 
Slowly they all leave expect for Elwood and Aryan. “Khione, may I speak with Snow for a moment in privet?” Elwood asks, why does he want to speak with me? 
“Of course.” She nods to me and then looks to my brothers and Zep. “You three may leave, Aryan and I have things to discuss.” I follow Elwood out of the room and notice that Arcticus stayed in the room with them. Buz, Frost and Zep wave to me and then head outside, I know they are going to go check our border to make sure all of the visiting Wolves left our land. 
Elwood takes us to my dinning room, if he notices that it’s never used, he doesn’t say it as he takes a seat in dust covered chair. I sit across from him. “You wanted to speak to me?”
“I wanted to let you know, if you change your mind about having me throw in one of my sons, at any time. Say the word. It does not have to be Aspen. While Flint may not lead, he is an Alpha and could also be your mate.” 
Oh. This again. “Thank you Elwood. I will keep that in mind. Especially if mother tries to mate me to any of Sol’s or Aryan’s children.” 
Elwood nods but then he frowns and raises a brow at me. “Not Helios’s children?”
I jerk back in surprise. “Um if mother tried to mate me with one of Helios’s kids, I would stick her in a loony bin. Because she would have lost her mind.”
He chuckles and pats my hand. “I was just checking, young Snow.” 
I blow out a breath. “Thank you Elwood.” While I would never mate Aspen or Flint, it means the world to me that he is trying to help me have a say in who I have to spend the rest of my life with. 
“You’re welcome, Snow.” He stands, I push to my feet. “I must be getting back home now. Be well Snow and remember we are not far away.”
“Of course.” I dip my head to the Fall Alpha, he returns the gesture and leaves. I fall back into the chair and sigh. “This is going to suck.” I inform the ceiling already dreading what’s to come.

Chapter Text

July, 7th.
Snow.
Everything hurts, I gasps in a breath, why did I not filter myself yesterday? Fuck! I let my eyes fall closed, breathe through the pain. It will pass. It always passes. “You’ll survive.” Arcticus snaps at me, I hear him walk away but I don’t stand. I don’t think I can right now anyway.
“Are you alright?” Zep asks softly, I heave a deep breath, oh should not have done that. I think at least five of my ribs are broken.
“I’ll survive.” I gasp out and sit up. “Only a few things broken.” I push to my knees, fucking shit this sucks. 
“Snow. . .” I can’t deal with him right now.
“Drop it Zep.” I snap and stand up, my legs shaking. I’m surprised they waited so long for this. 
“You’re bleeding.” Of course he doesn’t fucking drop it. 
“I know.” I bite out, my vision is also fuzzy, head wound, along with broken ribs, pretty sure my hips are fucked up, along with my left knee and my right arm. 
“Let’s go see Hope. She’ll get you fixed-“
“Drop it Zep. I’m fine. Go away.” I walk out of the training ring, more like hobble but same thing. I hear Zep sigh but thankfully he doesn’t follow me, I climb back into my room, through the window. Cause if Viola saw me, she would flip out. Because unlike my brothers and I, Viola has never gotten in so much trouble that she needs to be punished by Arcticus. So she doesn’t know what we go through and all of us try to not let her in on that fact.
I slowly undress and step into the shower, I sigh as the hot water slowly washes away the blood and some of the pain. Everything is still kind of blurry but it’s improving a bit, I let my eyes fall closed. I don’t know if the rest of the pack knows how we are punished for disobeying or if they are punished in the same way. I haven’t asked and no one has said. I know that it’s not a normal punishment, that our mother sends us to her Beta to get our assess kicked. 
Sparrow talks about the punishments he gets, which is nothing like what my brothers and I get. I start washing the blood and sweat from my hair, fuck that makes my head hurt even worse. I don’t know why our mother chooses to have Arcticus punish us, instead of her doing it herself. Maybe she doesn’t want her scent on us when we’re covered in our own blood, I don’t know. I start washing off my sore body, bruises are already forming. I sigh, this is going to suck for at least a week while my body tries to heal itself. 
I step out of the shower and change into some clean clothes, ones that hide my new bruises, they are not meant to be seen by anyone but me. I hear a knock on my door, I sigh again, why must my brothers feel the need to check up on me all of the time? “Come in.” I call out and sit down on my bed, Ilgar steps into my room, a concerned frown on his face. 
“Are you alright?” 
“I’m fine.” Damn my voice is still raspy as fuck.
“You don’t look or sound fine.” Ilgar replies, stepping up to my bed. “What was this one for?” 
“Not keeping my mouth shut yesterday.” I shrug and bite back a wince, fucking ouch. 
Ilgar sighs and sets down next to me. “I think you should go spend some time with the Fall pack. Maybe for a few days.” 
I smother my surprise at his words. “Why?”
“Because mother has been a mood and it does not look that will change anytime soon.” Ilgar rest his hand on the back of my neck, squeezing gently. 
I stare out my window, not knowing how to respond to that. I’ve been running for a long time, maybe now isn’t the time to stop running not yet anyway. “Maybe I will.” Mother will take her shit out on me the hardest, maybe it’s because I fought so hard not to be hidden or the running I did or maybe it’s that I was a mistake and not planned like my brothers and Viola. 
Ilgar lets go of my neck and stands up. “It’ll be better if you’re not here.”
“I know.” And I know he means that it’ll be easier if I’m not around so mother can’t punish me. He leaves my room, I sigh and grab a bag to throw some clothes into it. I won’t be at the Fall pack, I haven’t forgotten what Onyx said about Leto, I’ve just been a bit too busy to look into her. So now that I will be out of the house for a few days, I will have time to look into her. 
I don’t bother saying goodbye to my other siblings, Ilgar will tell them, Viola will get a watered downed version of things. I sling my bag over my back and slip out of the window, shifting as soon as my feet touch the ground. I spring into a run, my body complaining as I run towards the the Spring border. I need answers, I want to know why she’s a Summer Wolf on Spring land and why she was taken in by them and it’s the perfect distraction. 
I make it to the Spring border rather quickly, I stop before crossing. Should I really be doing this? “What are you doing here Snow?” I flinch at Cedar’s voice in my mind, I turn my head to the left and see him trotting towards me. 
“I need to talk to someone that lives on your land.” I answer calmly, even as my heart hammers in my chest.
“Who?” He asks, coming to a stop in front of me.
“Leto.” 
“How do you know about her?” Cedar snarls, his teeth flashing as he takes a step closer to me, our noses almost touching.
“We met the day after the ball. I would like to speak with her, do you know where she is?” Why do I have such a bad feeling about this?
“Go home Snow. You don’t need to speak to her.” Cedar snaps and takes another step forward, towering over me, he’s trying to make me step back away from his border, it won’t work.
“Is there a reason you don’t want me speaking to her?” I ask softly, my Luna tone coming out, fuck. 
“Just go home Snow.” 
“I can’t. Not without talking to her first.” 
“Why?” 
I let my Wolf skin fall away and sit down on the grass, Cedar watches me for a moment before he also lets his Wolf skin fall away. His eyes flick to temple, ah I forgot about the giant bruise that’s forming there. Cedar stares at it but doesn’t say anything. “Because, she said something to me that day and I let it go but now I can’t. So I need to talk to her.” 
“What did she say to you?” Cedar is still standing and his gaze is guarded.
“That she was also hidden.” I want to know why, I feel like it’s important. 
Cedar frowns at me, his eyes sweeping over me, searching for something. He sits down in front of me. “What do you want to know about her?”
“I would like to learn it from her.” I don’t know if he’ll be honest with me.
“I was the one that found her, I can answer your questions.” Cedar found Leto? 
I bite back my surprise, he would have been four years old at the time. “How did she come to the Spring pack? Why the Spring? Why didn’t the Summer pack keep her? Was she thrown away? Is that why you’ve kept her hidden from everyone? Including the Summer pack?”
“That is a lot of questions.” Cedar breathes, blinking slowly at me.
“I have a lot of questions and that wasn’t even all of them.” I shrug and hiss in pain, Cedar raises a brow at me. “I had a rough training session before this. I’m still sore.” Oh maybe I shouldn’t have told him that, he might take that to mean I’m an easy target.
“Okay then.” He shakes his head and blows out a breath. Cedar stretches out his legs in front of him, his left brushing my right leg. A swirl of dark and sad emotions wash over me, what the fuck? “Leto was thrown out of the back of Summer, where their border meets the unclaimed land-“
Cedar’s POV, Twenty years ago.

I know I shouldn’t be outside of my border, know I’ll get in trouble but my insides are screaming. So I’ll follow them, wherever they lead me. By the Summer border, if I scream, someone will hear. Its fine. All fine. I freeze when a soft, low whine cuts through the quiet forest. I crouch down low on the ground and slowly crawl forward, it didn’t sound like danger but must act like it could be. Deep breaths, fear of the unknown is normal. Push past the fear and learn why you are scared. Then you don’t have to be as scared next time. 
I poke my head around a tree and spot a very little blonde Wolf pup curled up and shaking. I gasp and let go of my Wolf skin and rush towards it, stopping myself from touching the pup and sweeping my gaze around. It could be a trap. Our enemies lay and wait for the perfect time to strike us down. Yet there is no one around, someone left this pup to die out here alone. I run my hand down the side of the pup, it whines again, I feel tears build up in my eyes and my lip trembles as I pick her up. 
“I’ve g’t you pup. I’ll protec’ you. Momma will kn’w what t’ do, o-kay?” I hold the small female to my chest. Her coat is like velvet, she can’t be much older than Iris, she’s just smaller and a lot more soft. I start walking and five minutes in, I realize this is too slow. The pup is shaking, she’s cold and I don’t have anything to wrap her in. I set her on the ground and she start whining again. “Shush pup, I’m n’t leavin’ you, I’m just shiftin’.” I sooth the pup and let my Wolf raise up, I carefully grab the scurf of the pup with my teeth and lift. Try not to swing the pup to much, I got this. I push into a slow jog, she stopped whining and doesn’t seem to mind the bounce, so I push into a slow run. 
She still doesn’t seem to mind that so I push my body as fast as I can and try to get home before it gets too dark out. I’m not supposed to be out right now but I guess I know why my insides were screaming at me. This pup was alone and I hate being alone. I hate the dark even more and she was gonna be alone in the dark. I make it back home quickly and I start to slow down, what if I get in trouble? Will momma hate me for bringing home another pup for her to take care of? Or for being outside so late? 
“Cedar? What are you doing out here? What is in your mouth?” Oh no. Dad is here. What if he gets mad at me for the same things?
I slowly set down the pup, letting my Wolf skin fall away and picking her back up again, she stayed silent that time. I slowly turn towards my dad, I can feel tears running down my face. “D’n’t be mad.” I hold up the pup for him to see, dad’s eyes widen before he rushes towards me, picking up the pup and me at the same time.
“Where did you find her?” He breathes, walking us towards the house.
“D’n’t be mad.” I repeat, dad raises a brow at me, I duck my head and hold the pup tighter. “I f’und her o’t side of Sumer by her’elf. I c’uldn’t sle’p cause my insides were screamin’ at me th’t somethin’ was wrong. There was somethin’ wrong.”
Dad blinks down at me before looking at my momma, oh we’re inside now and there’s momma. “So you went to find out was wrong and found a pup?” Momma asks softly, opening her arms towards us, dad hands the pup and I to momma. I nod to momma and curl up on her chest with the pup still in my arms, I think she’s sleeping now. “Okay, that’s okay Cedar. There’s no reason to cry. We’ll try to find her parents and-“
“NO!” I shout and roll off momma with the pup still in my arms, she tries to catch me but I dart away and into a corner. “TH’Y THR’W HER AWAY!” I scream and curl into a ball over the pup. They can’t take her back to those people that just left her alone!
“Cedar. You don’t know that they threw her away.” Dad tells me, firmly but I don’t lift my head, or uncurl.
“If th’y didn’t thr’w her away then th’y left her! She has nothin’!” I snarl, tightening around the pup. “I w’n’t let th’m g’t you. I’ll run away if I hav’ to.” I whisper to the pup. 
“There will be no running away, Cedar.” I feel momma’s hand on my back. “She can stay but we have to ask around about her. She won’t go back, not unless she was lost or taken, okay?”
I lift my head and search momma’s gaze, I nod slowly and uncurl from the pup. 
...
I make my way slowly towards the sound of momma and dad talking, they were supposed to find out about Leto, I think they did. I press my Wolf ear to the door. “She’s Helios kid.” Momma breathes, the Summer Alpha? “He realized she was going to be an Omega and threw her away.” 
“What does he think happened to the girl?” Dad asks, his voice gruff, oh he’s very mad. 
“That she didn’t survive the night. He’s claiming that Khione killed his daughter and his mate. I know that isn’t true. Khione would not kill a child.” Momma answers, she’s sad.
“Enya is dead?” Dad sounds shocked and angry.
“Yes, no one knows how she died, they can’t find anything.” 
“How did you find all of this out?” 
“I spoke to the Beta of summer, that’s how I learned about Enya and Helios claiming it was Khione. But I learned from Aurelia about Leto, she saw her dad throw Leto away. She just didn’t know who to tell so she told no one, until I asked.” 
Aurelia is only eight. That must have been so bad to witness her dad throwing away her sister, it makes my chest hurt just thinking about it. I need to leave and let them talk, otherwise I might get caught.
SNOW!! July, 7th.

I jerk my leg away from Cedar and stare at him with wide eyes. What the actual fuck?! “What was that?” Cedar breathes, his deep green eyes meet mine.
“I think I might have entered your mind. I am so sorry. I haven’t learned to control that yet. I didn’t mean to do that. I swear!” I hold up my hands, fucking fuck!
“I didn’t know you could do that.” Is all Cedar says, I wince.
“I didn’t either till two days ago. I’m really sorry Cedar.” I run my hands through my hair, I need to get control of that shit.
“It’s fine. I was going to tell you that anyway.” Cedar shrugs, unbothered. Why is he unbothered? I would be losing my ever loving mind if someone entered my mind without permission. “Stop looking at me like that. You didn’t mean to and I was going to tell you about it anyway.”
“Sorry I’m just surprised that it doesn’t seem to bother you.” I have no words.
“Anyway, that’s why she was hidden because Helios wanted her dead and if he founds out she’s alive, he’ll come kill her.” Cedar raises a brow at me.
Right. “I don’t understand. He is your packs closest ally. Why would you take her in?”
Cedar stares at me blankly for a moment. “Are you saying you wouldn’t have taken her in?”
“That is not what I am saying. I would have done it in spite. But I am not his ally. You are. Why did your family take her in?” I don’t understand, they have been allies for decades, this is a betrayal. 
Cedar sighs. “Because, I refused to part with her which made my parents take her in. I don’t know if they would have done it if I didn’t attach myself to her. They might have sent her to the Fall land to be taken care of. But they grew attached to her, like I was and decided to raises her and hide her from everyone.”
I stare at the ground, I thought my life was fucked up. “Just so you know, I don’t plan on telling anyone. I’m not that kind of person. But I would like to get to know her.” 
“Maybe one day, I'll let you but not today. Not while you’re being watched all of the time.” Cedar gives me a hard stare.
I get it, right now everyone is watching my every move. “I understand. I’m going to give you a mental link to me, if she wants to talk to me, or you do. You can.” Cedar nods, I push onto my knees and rest my hands on Cedar’s face. His eyes fall close, I press my mind to his, I feel the link start to form and latch on. I sit back and take my hands off his face. “There now you can reach me whenever but if you start talking to be anywhere between 1am and 5am, it better be dire or I am going to kill you.”
Cedar barks out a surprised laugh. “Got it. You like your sleep.”
I stand up, Cedar also stands. “Thank you for taking the time to talk to me. Even though you just wanted me to leave.”
“Thanks for not being a bitch.” I snort, this male. 
“I try not to be unless you deserve it.” I shrug and smile at him. 
“Goodbye Snow.” I wave at him and shift, bolting away before I can ask for more than he’s willing to share. 

Chapter Text

Sparrow.
July, 8th.
Snow showed up yesterday, with a deep gash on her temple with yellow bruises around it, bags under her eyes like she hadn’t slept since she left here. Snow was holding herself strangely, her ribs likely broken, either that or her hips are fucked up. Possibly both. I could see that her left knee was swollen(still is) and her right shoulder was pulled from it’s socket, which I had to push it back in. 
She also changed in the bathroom, not allowing me to see where else she was hurt. She is refusing to leave my room, the only person in my family who has seen her other than myself was mom. Mom and I agreed that the others shouldn’t know Snow is here, not with how she’s been acting since she got here yesterday. I know Snow said that Khione has them do rough training sessions but I don’t know if I can go on believing that.
Snow has always shown up her with odd bruising, or weird injures but it has never been this bad. She’s having a hard time walking, I don’t know how she got all the way here like that. I think someone is hurting her and I think her mom is helping them or just allowing them to hurt Snow. My chest burns with that thought, I suck in a sharp breath and stare at the sound asleep Snow. It 12PM, she didn’t fall asleep until around 4AM this morning. 
I leave my room, I can’t stare at her forever, it’s giving me more questions then answers. “Is she still asleep?” Mother’s voice makes me jump, she’s standing in the hall watching me.
“Yeah. I don’t know what happened but I think it took a lot out of her.” I run my hands through my hair, I’m so fucking worried and I don’t know what to do.
“Hmm.” I narrow my eyes at mother, what does ‘hmm’ mean? “I think it’s time I do some digging.” Mother states before walking away, what the fuck?
I’m letting that shit go. I don’t want to know. I head outside, no one should go into my room while I’m gone. I need to run off some of this nervous energy before I shake Snow awake and ask every question running through my mind. I shed my humanish skin and bust into run, heading towards the border. It’s not my turn but no one will mind me running the border, they always like the extra help. A bright red Wolf slows his run when he spots me, I quicken my pace, catching up to him quicker. 
“Is something wrong Sparrow?” Thomas asks me, his deep red eyes doing a sweep over me before focusing back onto the land around us.
“Nothing is wrong, just need to burn some energy.” I respond, keeping my pace even with his. Thomas is twenty-seven, only five years older than me. We have an on and off thing going, right now it’s off because I just don’t have the mental energy for it. 
I feel Thomas’s gaze on me but I don’t look at him, just focus on my breathing and feel the ground underneath me. “I’m off in an hour.” He states causally. 
“I can’t Thomas.” Is all I say, it’s all I need to say. He knows my situation, he’s the only one I told outside of Snow, others just figured it out. He gets it because he has been in love with the same male since he was eight and that male is straight and happens to be a Spring Wolf. 
Thomas sighs. “Do you think we’ll ever get over our shit?”
I snort. “I’m going to force myself to. He’s treating me like shit. I won’t let myself love someone who can treat me like that.” 
Thomas slows a bit as we reach the Bloodhound border. “Since when has he treated you like shit?”
Ah, I may have forgotten to tell him that. “Recently, I don’t want to get into it right now, I’m still sore about it.” I wish I could just wipe my feelings away. 
“Alright. Just tell me one thing.” Thomas has slowed to a walk now, fuck. 
“What thing?” I ask carefully, knowing him it could be anything.
“Do I need to try to fight a future Alpha? I’ll do it.” I stop walking and let go of my Wolf skin, he does the same, what? 
“Are you insane?” I hiss at him, Thomas shrugs and wiggles his brows at me.
“Maybe. But I would do it if you wanted me to.” His tone is way too calm.
“Sometimes I can’t tell if you’re joking or not.” I breathe, shaking my head. I love him but what the fuck is wrong with him?
“Well, this time, I’m dead serious. So. Do I need to fight him?” 
“Fight who?” Both Thomas and I flinch at Emery’s voice, I turn my head yup that’s Emery and fuck! 
“And why are you fighting them?” Ozul asks, gazing sweeping over me. 
“None of your concern.” Thomas’s voice goes cold and stiff. 
“But I like Sparrow. And if we need to fight some one for him, I want to help.” Emery holds Thomas’s gaze defiantly. 
I grab his arm, digging my claws into his skin. “Be nice.” Thomas rolls his eyes at me but relaxes his stance. “And for the record, we are not fighting anyone. Thomas was being dramatic.” I hold Thomas’s gaze, I really don’t want him to try to fight Frost.
“Too bad, I kinda wanted to fight someone.” Emery pouts, Thomas raises his brow at her.
“Are you even allowed to fight?” He asks carefully, gaze flicking to me then back to the Omega.
“Sometimes, it just depends on who I’m fighting.” Emery shrugs, I’m a little surprised by that but I shouldn’t be. The Bloodhound is known for it’s warriors, it makes sense on why they would have trained Emery. 
“Hmm. I suppose that is fair.” Thomas dips his chin at Emery, she smiles back at him, her bright orange eyes lighting up. Oh. No. I know that look, Thomas also knows that look and steps closer to me. 
“Don’t even start Emery. He is too old for you.” I hold her gaze.
“Why ever not?” Emery lifts her chin and widens her stance. 
I blow out a breath and shake my head. “One, he is too old for you. Two, he’s gay. Three, he’s in love with someone. So no.” 
I feel Ozul’s gaze boring into me, Emery sweeps her gaze over Thomas. “Are you sure you’re gay?” 
“Positive.” Thomas rests his hand on my shoulder, squeezing it tightly. 
“Oh. Is Sparrow who you are in love with?” Emery asks, lighting up.
“Fuck no!” Both Thomas and I jerk away from each other. “Never.” 
“That was quit the reaction.” Ozul remarks, damn him, I meet his gaze. Why does he look at me like that?
“Because while Sparrow is lovely, we are not suited together like that.” I wrinkle my nose at being called lovely. 
“Ah both tops or both bottoms?” Emery asks causally. I blink at her, what the fuck? 
I turn to Thomas, he is wide eyed and staring at Emery in utter shock. “No. Do not answer that. If you do, I will gut you.” 
“I would never and I’m kind of offended you think I would.” Thomas takes a swipe at my head, I duck and glid a bit further from him, he turns to Emery once again. “That is not what I meant female, we are well suited in that regard. I meant emotionally and mentally.”
“So you guys have had sex. Good to know.” Emery smirks, shifts and bolts away. 
“That is another reason I will never love a woman. They are terrifying.” Thomas breathes, shaking his head. “I’ve got to get back to patrol.” Thomas claps me on the shoulder, leaning in and whispering in my ear. “Ozul has not taken his eyes off of you, maybe he’ll help you move on.” 
I shove him away from me, that fucking dick. He laughs, shifting and trotting away. Leaving me with Ozul. “He is one of your partners.” 
“Sometimes.” I shove my hands in my pockets, I want to run away now.
Ozul nods and looks away from me. “You’ve been avoiding me. Did I do something to upset you?” 
I sigh. “You’ve done nothing wrong Ozul. I’m avoiding a lot of people.”
“Why?”
“I’ve got a lot on my plate and I’m tired.” 
“Is there anything I can do to help?”
I feel his gaze back on me but I just stare up at the sky. “You can’t help Ozul, no one can. I don’t even know how to help.” 
I flinch when his hand touches my shoulder, I jerk my eyes to him, I didn’t even realize he had moved closer to me. “Do you want to talk about it? Would that help?”
It probably would but it’s not my place to say. “I wish I could but I can’t.” 
Ozul’s hand cups my cheek, I lean into the touch, my eyes fluttering closed. “Then I will stay here with you. You don’t have to go through everything alone.” His voice is rocky and so close. His heady scent of clove and oak surround me, if I was a better male, I would walk away. 
Instead I lean my hip against his, not opening my eyes. Ozul releases a shaky breath, wrapping his arm around my waist while his other hand remains on my face. 

Chapter Text

Aspen.
July, 8th.
Where the fuck is Sparrow? He was supposed to meet me in the ring. I go through the house searching for him. I swear to fuck if he’s still asleep, I’m going to kick his fucking ass. I open the door to Sparrow’s room and come to a stop. That is not Sparrow. Why the fuck is Snow sleeping in Sparrow’s bed? Why the fuck did he not say a damn thing about her being here? She is curled on her side, eyes open and staring at a wall, her hair down and spread behind her on a pillow. “Snow?”
She rolls onto her back and sits up, I suck in a breath at the nasty gash and bruising on her face. “What Aspen?”
“Who the fuck did that to you?” I snarl, striding over to her, I grab her chin and lift her face so I can see it clearer. Her heady scent of orange and Vanilla wrap around me, soothing some of the rage inside of me, her scent is slightly mixed with Sparrow’s.
“Rough training session. I’m fine. It doesn’t even hurt. What do you want Aspen?” Snow jerks her chin out of my grip, I clench my fists at my sides. The need to go and find who did that to her and tear them apart is so strong that it takes me a moment to realize she spoke to me and expects me to respond.
I force myself to sit down on the bed beside her. “I was looking for Sparrow. We are supposed to be sparring.” 
“Hmm. He went to burn some energy off.” I raise a brow at that. 
“Do I even want to know what kind of energy he was burning off?”  I ask, knowing him it’s probably with another male.
“The running kind.” Snow smirks at me, as if she knows where my thoughts headed. I narrow my gaze at her, I’m not touching her anymore, she shouldn’t be able to read my thoughts. “He was also upset about the state of my face.” 
Not surprising. I don’t think she was reading my mind. “Are you really surprised by that?” 
“No.” Snow pulls her knees to her chest and rest her chin on them, looking at me beneath her lashes. Her long white hair covering her shoulders, it makes me realize that she is wearing long sleeves and sweatpants. In the middle of summer. “I have a question.” 
I swallow the emotions raising within me. What other bruises is she hiding? “What is it?”
“Do you remember when Sylvie was born?” I blink down at her. What?
“Kind of? I was five.”
Snow nods. “I know. Did anyone ever talk about how Enya died?”
What is with this line of questioning? “Why are you asking?”
“Because someone told me something about it recently and now I want to know if it’s the truth.” Who would have told her? And why would they tell her?
“There were rumors that she died in childbirth. A few rumors were that your mother killed Enya. Some said that Enya killed herself. But nothing was ever confirmed.” No one but the Summer pack knows what actually happened, I try not to think about it. 
“And what of her other child? The one that died with her?” I go completely still, Snow should not know about that. The only reason I know about the kid is because mom was secretly friends with Enya and knew that Enya was to have twins, one of the few people who did. 
I heard mom telling father about it, I don’t think any of my siblings even know that Enya was to have twins. It’s not talked about, it was a horrible time for everyone. “Snow. Who told you about the kid?”
“I can’t say.” Snow’s gaze flicks away from me. The fuck she can’t.
“Snow, there were only a few people that knew Enya was having twins. None of which were Winter Wolves. Who told you?” I need to know. 
Snow holds my gaze, I can see her mind spinning through her bright green eyes, deciding on what to tell me. “Tell me what you know of the child. And I will tell you who told me about her.” 
This female drives me fucking insane. “I’m not entirely sure about what happened. The Summer Wolves said that she got stuck in the birth canal, mom and another think that she was alive and then was thrown into the woods to die. One person thought that your mother killed the pup along with Enya.”
Snow drops my gaze and stares out the window, her chest raising and falling rapidly. “Onyx told me.” 
Why the fuck would do that? I’m not surprised he knows, that male knows far more than he should. “Was there a reason he told you?” 
“I don’t know. If there was, he didn’t say.” Snow shrugs, still not meeting my gaze. “Why does everyone think that my mother was involved in Enya’s death?”
I sigh. “It was not a secret that your mother hated Enya. Anytime they crossed paths, it almost always ended in violence.” A blood bath is a better way to describe it but I’m not about to say that to Snow. 
“Do you think that mother had a hand in Enya’s death?” Her voice drops, so low I barely hear her.
“I don’t know. I hope not.” I answer honestly, I really hope she didn’t. 
Snow falls back onto the bed and wraps the blanket around herself. “Hope means nothing.” 
“Maybe it doesn’t. Doesn’t change my answer.”
“Why do the Summer and Winter hate each other so much?” Snow breaths, covering her head with her arms.
“I wish I knew.” I want to hug her but I know better than to touch Snow. “You’re thinking about Silas, aren’t you?”
“He’s my mate. Who even if I wanted one, can’t have. And my mother was rumored to have killed his mother.” Snow breathes, her fingers turning to claws in her hair.  “I’m tired Aspen.”
“Okay.” I stand and leave the room, closing the door behind me and leaning back against it. I hear a soft muffled sob from Snow, I let my eyes close. I lean back the wall and slide down it, listening to her cry, knowing that she waited for me to leave to cry but I'm unable to leave her completely on her own, so I will stay out here.

Chapter Text

Snow. 
July, 10th. 
I haven’t left Sparrow’s room for three days, thankfully he didn’t ask what was wrong with me. But he has seemed off for the last few days and he looks at me strangely, in a way he never has before. I don’t know what that look means and I really don’t want to ask, I’m afraid of the answer. Aspen only came to see me that one time and he was looking for Sparrow. 
I don’t think Aluma or Flint know that I am here because I know for a fact Aluma would have been holed up in here with me if they did. But today, I have to get out of bed and I have to get some answers and stop avoiding everything. I shower and change, I come out of the bathroom and Sparrow looks over at me, with that strange look on his face.
“Going somewhere?” He asks carefully, every word out of his mouth has been careful like I’m a bomb waiting to go off.
“Yes and you’re not going to like it.” I respond and start braiding my hair. 
“Oh? Where are you going? And am I going with you?” 
“No. You are not and I’m going to see Silas.” Sparrow chokes on air. “I need to speak to him. Make him understand that nothing will come of us being mates. It can’t happen. I have a mate bidding, so that is how I will be mated and it will not be him.” 
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to go see him on your own Snow.” Sparrow breathes. “I agree that he needs to know that nothing can happen between you two but he might already know that.”
“Maybe he does. But I’m going to make sure he actually knows.” I go over to Sparrow and kiss his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I can handle myself.” 
...
I wait at the Summer border, unsure if I actually want to do this. So I sit at the border, not touching it, nor crossing it. Filled with unease and some fear. Which is a bit unexpected that I am afraid. What am I afraid of? The choice is taken out of my hands as a deep golden Wolf appears walking through the trees, heading straight for me. 
Did he sense me? Is that something that mates can do? Silas stops in front of me, neither of us shift out of our Wolf skins. “You have been sitting here for a while darling. Why?” His voice is gruff in my mind, sending shivers down my spine and chasing my fear away.
“I was undecided.” I answer honestly, Silas steps closer, I stand up as he approaches. 
“Undecided about what?” My fur bristles as he moves around me in a circle. 
“Whether I actually wanted to speak to you.” I flick my tail and snap my jaw at his hip, making him come to a stop in front of me. “I am not prey for you to circle.” I snarl, baring my fangs at him. 
“No. You are my mate.” He lets go of his Wolf skin, I do the same. He steps into my space, his breath fanning over my face. “My mate that runs away.”
“I am not your mate.” I tip my chin up, meeting his orange eyes. “I can not be your mate.” 
I suck in a sharp breath as his hand rests at the base of my throat. “Is that what you have come to tell me darling? That you can’t be my mate?” He leans down, his face inching closer to my mine. Fucking shit. 
“Yes. That is why I am here.” Though fucking shit he smells fucking amazing. Clove and ginger, such a heady scent. His thumb rubs circles along my neck, while his fingers flex against my neck.
“Too bad darling. Because I do not accept your rejection. I will not.” His other hand, that isn’t around my throat, grabs my waist and yanks me towards him. The air in my lungs rushing out of me, as he pulls me flush against him. 
“Silas. Do. Not.” I bite out, even though my instincts scream for me to lean in and take my mate. 
He loosens his hold but doesn’t step back or let go. “Don’t do what darling? You want this. I can smell it, I can see it in your eyes.” His lips ghost over my jaw, moving towards my ear. “You want this as much as I do.” His teeth sink into my ear, a soft sound leaves me, my eyes fluttering closed.
“Silas.” I breath as he tightens his hold on my body again.
“Snow. Why are you fighting this?” His lips are moving along my jaw, inching closer to my lips. 
I jerk out of his hold. “We can’t.” I take another step back. “My mother would kill us both.” I state, my chest heaving. “This can’t happen Silas.” 
He moves towards me again, I back up till my back hits a tree, he crowds into my space, hands on both sides of my head. “They don’t have to know a damn thing darling.” He leans down, his nose brushing my collarbone as he inhales my scent. 
“I am to be mated Silas.” A loud growl rumbles out of Silas, I ignore it as a wave of want crashes through me. “I have a mate bidding. I will mate one of them.” 
Silas raises his head, meeting my gaze. “Then I will win your mate bidding.” 
Air? What is that? Because I can’t breathe. “You can’t.” 
“Watch me darling.” Silas leans down and bites my lip, magic explodes in my veins, fire lighting up my spine, calm and peace flood my entire body as he wraps my legs around his waist. I gasp as he bites me again, his tongue fucks into my mouth, a moan raises within me but he swallows it down. 
“Silas!” I gasp when, he lets me drawn in air, going to bite and suck my neck. 
He grabs my chin, pushes it back, baring my throat to him. “You are mine darling.” He bites my pulse point, I tighten my legs around him. “Say it.”
“I won’t.” I breathe, he growls into my neck, his hand tightening on my chin. He bites down hard, I feel blood trickle down my neck. 
“You are mine. Say it!” His mouth moves up my jaw towards my mouth. “Say it.” 
I can’t. “I can’t be yours Silas.” I grab his hair, yanking his head away, forcing him to meet my gaze. “I can’t.” I drop my legs to the ground, he lets me. I take my hand out of his hair and step out of his reach. “I might want to. But I can’t.” I shift back into my Wolf skin and damn him but I run away. 

ONYX!!!!
Patrol is never boring. Less now that a White Wolf is running the Fall border, I step into her path. Snow slams on her brakes and almost crashes into me. “What the fuck Onyx?!” She snaps at me.
“Why are you on the Fall border?” I ask shifting out of my Wolf skin, she bares her fangs at me before she also shifts out of her Wolf skin. 
“Because I’m visiting. Why do you care?” Snow crosses her arms over her chest. 
I blink down at her. There’s a healing bruise on her face. What look like hickeys, bites and some blood on her neck and jaw. “Which male are you visiting?” Because those are fresh. Made minutes ago.
“Sparrow. Why?” Snow frowns at me. “Are you feeling alright?”
I ignore her questions. “I highly doubt Sparrow gave you hickeys.” 
“What?” Snow face loses all color, her eyes going impossibly wide.
I stare at her for a moment, how she did not know? “You have hickeys on your neck and jaw. I thought Sparrow was more into males than females. Was I wrong?” Or it would be Ozul is wrong. Not me, Ozul was the one to tell me that Sparrow was interested in males.
“Sparrow is gay.” Snow answers, a bit dazed. “I have hickeys?” 
“Yes. Many.” We will talk about the bruise once she does not look like she is going to faint.
“Fuck!” Snow drops to the ground and wraps her arms over her head. Ah I remember why I did not want to see her, she is drama wrapped in a pretty package. I carefully lower myself to the ground in front of her. 
“Did someone force themselves onto you?” I ask as casually as I can. 
Snow head snaps up. “No!” 
“Hmm. Why are you upset about it then?” Is it because she is to be mated off?
“Because Onyx! It’s from Silas! When I went to tell him I can’t be his mate!” Snow snarls at me, oh. I suppose that makes sense on why I can smell him. 
“You went to tell him, you could not be his mate and he gave you hickeys?” I do not understand. I feel like that is some kind of assault, she went to tell him no and he went and sucked on her neck. 
“Yes. Ugh! I can’t go back to Sparrow looking like this!” Snow tugs on her braided hair, it is long enough that even braided, it touches the ground while she is sitting. 
“Are there not ways to hide those with makeup?” I am sure there are. 
Snow drags her bright green eyes up to me, she is still pale and looks like she is going to faint but now there is a spark of anger in those green eyes. “Yes there are. But I don’t have any makeup with me.” 
“I believe Emery has some you can borrow.” I know she would not mind if Snow used some, though they are different shades. Snow is pale, Emery has a darker complication, but if Snow mixes it right, I am sure it could work. 
Snow blinks slowly at me. “You’re trying to help me.”
“Yes.” I have been trying to help her for a while now. Why is she still surprised by this? 
“That is still fucking weird.” Snow grumbles and drops her gaze back to the ground.
“Why is it weird?” I am not a complete dick. All of the time. 
“Because you don’t strike me as the helpful type. And most of the time, I can’t tell whether you even like me or not.” Snow snaps back, tugging on her hair again. 
Fair enough. I cannot even tell if I like her or not. “Do you want to raid Emery’s makeup or not?” Because I really do not want to think about whether or not I even like her. 
“Yes.” Snow sighs again and stands, her legs wobbling, I reach out a hand to her thigh, steadying her. I stand but keep a hand on her, Snow’s gaze is unfocused, I do not believe she has even noticed that I am touching her. Fine then. I pick her up and sling her over my shoulder-she makes a shocked noise, which I ignore- and start walking home. “Why are you carrying me?” She asks, though she does not try to escape my hold. 
“You look like you’re going to faint. I do not feel like dealing with that.” I answer, it is mostly the truth. 
“You talk funny.” 
“Do I?” How the fuck do I talk ‘funny’? 
“You try to sound like everyone else, thus making your tone and words sound forced. It’s not a bad thing to speak differently.” Snow mutters into my back. 
“I don’t know what you mean.” 
“You just did it again. In your mind you don’t like pushing words together, yet you do it when speaking out loud, to blend in. I like the way you talk and think. When you’re not trying to blend in.” 
I do not know how to feel with her analyzing me. “Shut up or I will throw you.” Snow huffs a laugh but thankfully stays silent. Her scent is wrapping around me, it is all I can smell.
We make it back home rather quickly once Snow went quiet, Ozul raises a brow at me as I pass him in the hall but he does not ask why Snow is slung over my shoulder. I hesitate before entering my room, Snow makes a questioning sound, I sigh and push open my door and set her down on my bed. Snow raises a brow at me but does not comment as I spin on my heel and head into Emery’s room. I knock, because I am not ever walking into her room without knocking ever again. 
“Yeah?” Emery calls back and I walk in, her brows bunch when she sees me. “What do you need?”
“To borrow some makeup that can hide bruises.” She blinks at me slowly, I have confused her. “It is not for me.” That should help.
“What?” It did not. 
“I am helping a-“ What the fuck is Snow? Friend sounds wrong, so does saying her name. “-a person that asked for my help.” I finish slowly because I still do not know what to call her.
“O-kay. You’re acting weird. Does this person know how to hide bruises with makeup?” Emery stands and starts going through her makeup.
I have no idea. “I believe so.” I hope so, I do not want Emery to be dragged into whatever this is. 
Emery hums, gathers some of well I do not actually know and hands them to me. “If this person doesn’t know how, just come and get me and I’ll help.” 
I nod and turn away before remembering this is my sister and I have to be nicer to her, I turn back to Emery. “Thank you.” 
Emery snorts and pats my arm. “Anytime. Though I wouldn’t mind if you told me why this person needs to hide bruises. Are they being abused? Or just don’t want people noticing that they are kinky fucks?” 
I stare at my baby sister, she needs to not know as much as she does about sex. “It is not a sex thing. I do not know if it is an abuse thing yet. I will find out. Once I figure out how to ask in a way that is not blunt or that does not make this person defensive.” 
Emery inhales sharply, her eyes going distant. “It’s a female. Isn’t it?” I hesitate before nodding. Emery sighs. “It’s Snow.” I stare at her blankly. “Xanthe has been asking questions about the Winter pack, pointed questions about their punishments.” 
“What?” Since when? And why have I not heard about this? 
Emery gives me a flat look. “Snow showed up to the Fall pack, three days ago, limping and covered in bruises. From a ‘rough training session’ but I don’t know of any training sessions that leave you covered head to toe in bruises and causes you to walk funny for days. Sure a few bruises are normal, limping is normal but from soreness and not an actual injury.” 
My mind spins with this new information, I will have to dig into this more. “Understood.” 
“It’s Snow. Isn’t it?” Emery asks again, I sigh and nod. “Ask her about it. Because if Xanthe is right, that Snow is being abused, I doubt it is only Snow who is being abused.”
“I will try. I do not believe she would answer me honestly.” 
“Try anyway.” Emery nudges me towards the door. 
I flick my fingers at her and head back to my room, Snow is not where I put her. She is standing by my window, watching the Bloodhound pack train. I pause to watch her, she is holding herself at an angle, her ribs were likely broken with the way she is holding her chest. Her hips are uneven, they likely suffered some damage as well. She is also favoring her left leg, possibly her knee or thigh. “Why are you staring Onyx?” Snow asks softly, without turning towards me. 
“You are injured.” I state without thinking, fuck. I should not have done that. 
Snow turns her head towards me, a white brow raising, her lips kicking up in an almost smile. “I am? Are you sure?” Her tone is mocking, her eyes dancing with amusement. 
“You are holding yourself like you are hurt.” I step into my room, closing the door. 
“I had a rough training session.” Snow shrugs, heading back to my bed and sitting down, she holds out her hands for the makeup. I walk over to her and give them to her.
“Lying gets you nowhere little Wolf.” I state, turning away from her and finding a hand held mirror, Noir gave it to me as a gag gift. At least now it is being used for something, I hand it to Snow.
She is watching me with a strange look. “Why do you have this?”
“Noir gave it to me.” I answer as she starts mixing the stuff -I do not know what it is called- and applying it to her skin. 
“Makes sense.” She mutters, her eyes tracking her own movements as she applies the makeup to her skin. 
“How did you get injured?” I ask again, it is still way to blunt but I do not know any other way to ask. 
“Fighting Arcticus.” Her answer is short and clipped. 
So that is the truth but still not the full truth, I need to be careful how I ask this next part. “Did you do something or say something to piss him off, so he did not hold back as much as he should have?” 
Snow glances over at me, then back to the mirror. Her bruises are almost fully covered now. “I have a smart mouth, I don’t even have to try to piss people off.” 
I snort. That she does, yet it does not answer my question. “You did not answer.”
“I did.” Snow counters, her gaze swinging towards me, fire in those bright green eyes. 
“Not fully.” 
“You never answer me fully. Why should I answer you?” Snow snarks back, setting down the makeup, the hickeys and bite marks are fully covered. 
I clench my jaw, hating that she is not wrong. “What do you want to know?”
Snow blinks at me, not expecting that. “Why do you want to help me? Do not say because of your grandmother.” 
“You knew who I was, you kept it a secret and never said a thing about it. Offering you the book was a repayment for that.” I answer honestly, that is why this whole thing started and some days I really hate it.
Snow searches my face, nodding slowly. “And why you keep trying to help me?” 
“Emery, when she found out you were a Luna, she insisted that I guild you through it and help you in anyway I can.” 
Snow clicks her tongue. “That wasn’t entirely true. Though I am glad she likes me enough to try to make you help me. What’s the rest that you aren’t saying?”
I bare my fangs at her, which just makes Snow smile. “I do not understand you. You are under my skin. I do not like it. I do not understand it. Yet nothing changes. I watch you, I still do not understand. I speak to you, I get more confused. You are under my skin and it bothers me.” 
“Oh.” Is all she says. Oh? That’s it? “If it makes you feel better, I still don’t understand you either.” 
“You are not supposed to understand me.” I bite back, annoyed. 
Snow looks away, her gaze going distant. “The injures are from Arcticus, he doesn’t hold back when I’ve done something wrong. It is a punishment. To remind me that actions have consequences.”
I go still, wrapping my mind around that. “How bad were your injures?” Since she is still hurt, I know that they were not minor, most likely not major either. 
“Dislocated shoulder, dislocated knee, broken ribs, cracks in my pelvis, bruises over most of my body and a concussion.” Snow states her injures, like she’s done it a thousand times.
That- those- “How often are you punished?” 
Snow shrugs again. “I don’t learn my lessons.” 
“That is not an answer.” 
“It’s the only one you’re gonna get.” Her tone is back to being short. Fine. No more pushing, for now.
“Did you ever get a chance to speak to Leto?” I ask instead, Snow raises a brow at me.
“No. Though I did speak to Cedar and uh entered his mind to read his memories about how he found her.”
“You did what?”
“I didn’t mean to! We were talking! He touched me and suddenly I was watching him find her and all that went down!” 
“You make my head hurt.”
“You are not the first to say that to me and you won’t be the last.”
“Okay. Do you have a time that you are supposed to be back?”
“No. Why?” Snow’s brows are bunched together in confusion. 
“Because Emery likes you. And would not mind seeing you.” 
“Okay.”

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 11th.
Yesterday was fucking weird, today is not starting any better. Sparrow bolted out of bed, red faced and stammering, I’m pretty sure he had a sex dream and was embarrassed about it, though I won’t call him out for it. Now Xanthe is in here and she looks unbelievably sad. “Is something wrong Xanthe?” I ask carefully, tucking my feet under me and pushing Onyx’s book under the pillow.
“I have a question and I want an honest answer Snow.” I have never heard her use that kind of commanding tone before.
“Okay. What is it?” Unease fills me.
“When you’re in trouble, what does your mother do?” I blink in surprise, what?
“Uh like danger kinda trouble or I did something I shouldn’t have kind of trouble?” Because those are two very different answers.
Xanthe stares at me blankly for a moment. “The first one.”
“She’ll send Frost or Buz to come get me.” I shrug, why is she asking me about this?
“She wouldn’t come get you, herself?” Xanthe asks softly, the unease switches to waves of calm. 
That is fucking weird. “No. Before it was announced that I was her daughter, a Luna and a White Wolf, she didn’t want to draw any attention to me. I don’t know if it’d be different now that everyone knows about me.” 
Xanthe hums. “And the second one?” 
Second one what? Oh, if I did something I shouldn’t have. Right. “She does nothing.”
“Nothing?” Xanthe repeats in disbelief, but it is the truth, she doesn’t do anything. “Not even ground you?”
“She grounds Viola.” I add, Ilgar, Buz, Frost and I out grew that a long time ago. 
“What does she do for you and your brothers?” Xanthe asks, her eyes narrowing. The unease fills me again but is covered quickly by unwavering calm. 
“Sends us to Arcticus.” Best not to lie out right.
“What does Arcticus do?” I do not like this line of questioning. 
“He makes us run laps. Why are you asking me about this Xanthe?” Shit, I think I just Luna toned her. Fuck!
Xanthe’s brow bunch together. “He makes you run laps?”
“Yes. To burn off our unwavering energy and makes us tired so we stop causing issues. Why are you asking?” I swear to fuck if Onyx said something to anyone I’m going to crack his skull in. Because the one time, I decided that it couldn’t hurt to share something-
“You came here limping Snow. With bruises and a dislocated shoulder.” Xanthe softens her tone and sits on the bed beside me. 
“Because I had some anger to work off, which makes the people I spar with not hold back. So yes, I was injured but it was my own doing.” I explain, the calm is rushing through me.
“Snow, I am worried about you.” Xanthe states, I wince.
“I’m okay, there’s no reason to be worried about me.” 
“Then why are you hiding out here?” Damn her.
“So I don’t fight with mother, she’s stressed, I’m stressed. Both of us get snappish when stressed so I chose to remove myself from all of that for the time being.” I’m tired of this conversation, I don’t want to talk anymore. 
“Snow-“ Xanthe is cut off when Sparrow rushes into his room. “Is everything okay Sparrow?”
“Um not really. The Mountain pack and the Storm pack young Alphas are here.” Sparrow rushes out, his worried gaze swinging to me. “They are here to see you.”
“Fuck!” I breathe, Xanthe stands.
“Right then. I must go greet them, Snow, take a few minutes and get yourself ready, then meet me out there.” Xanthe brushes her hand against my shoulder then leaves the room. 
I fall back on the bed. Fuck! “How many are out there?” 
“Since only Alphas are allowed, all three of the Mountain pack kids are here.” The oldest Arbor, future Alpha. The only daughter Skadi, the youngest Valcan. “And two of the Storm pack.” The oldest Aella, whom I’ve met but don’t remember. The youngest and future Alpha Shabina.
This is fine. It’s going to be fine. I stand up and grab some Sparrow’s clothes, I head into his bathroom and change into them. I stare at myself in the mirror, the bruises are mostly faded, only small ones are left. They shouldn’t notice them, I hope. Sparrow’s clothes are slightly too big but they show off my collarbones and a bit of my chest. I unbraid my hair, it’s wavey and down past my waist. I’ve got this. I step out of the bathroom, Sparrow is waiting. 
“Are you ready?” He asks softly.
“Yep. Let’s get this over with before I change my mind.” I put on a bright smile and Sparrow takes a step back.
“Don’t do that. You look creepy as shit.” 
I sigh and drop the smile. “Sometimes you’re an ass.”
“You love me anyway.” Sparrow shoves me out of his room, I huff a laugh as he pushes me down the hall. I sober up once we get to the living room, I take a deep breath, roll my shoulders back and step into the room. 
And stop because what the fuck. The future Alpha of the Mountain pack is 7’5 and stacked with muscle, holy fuck. I would like to leave now, I don’t. I step further into the room and take a seat beside Xanthe. Flint and Aspen are hovering behind their mother, with Elwood. Flint and Elwood look surprised to see me, well fuck. I’ll deal with that later.
“This is Snow. Meet Arbor, future Alpha of the Mountain pack,” He has dark green eyes, dark brown hair that is shaved on the sides and deep brown skin, he’s 27. “Skadi, second child of the Mountain pack,” She has light brown eyes, dark brown hair that is also shaved on the sides and braided on the top and goes down past her shoulders, she is 24 and 6’9. Fucking shit I feel short. “Valcan, youngest of the Mountain pack,” He has light green eyes and light brown hair also shaved on the sides but his is almost as long as Skadi’s, he’s 22 and 7’2. I’m pretty sure Bryn just makes giant kids and will never, ever have a short one. “Aella, oldest of the Storm pack,” She has dark blue eyes, light purple short hair and golden brown skin, she’s 28 and 6’3. “Shabina, youngest of the Storm pack and future Alpha.” She has dark purple eyes and  dark purple hair that is longer than mine, she’s 23 and 6’5.
“Hello.” Is the only word I can get out, fuck my life. Sparrow snorts behind me, I grind my teeth together. 
“Is it normal for you to wear male clothes?” Shabina sounds confused and is in fact staring at my clothes. I love her accent. 
“When I forget to grab a change of clothes? Yes. Other wise not really.” This is already fucking weird.
“I did not expect to see you here, I thought we would have to travel to the Winter pack to see you. Is there a reason you are here instead of there?” Valcan asks me, and damn I like his as well. 
“Yes, I needed some space from my mother so I came here.” I feel Aspen and Flint staring hardcore at me, ignore them for now.
“Do you often need space from her?” Aella asks, sweeping her gaze over me.
“Sometimes, we tend to butt heads so I just remove myself from the situations rather than start a fight I can’t win.” That sounds fine, right? 
“So you do have some self preservation. That is good. I was slightly worried about that.” Aella nods to herself and I am thoroughly confused. 
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand. What do you mean by that?” 
“Well, you allowed yourself to be kidnapped, you go toe to toe with Alpha Helios who hates your pack with a passion. You have hung around the Bloodhound pack, who are not known for their kindness. You showed no fear when telling off Alpha Sol or Alpha Aryan. That does not bode well for self preservation.“ Aella explains, the Fall pack stiffen around me. 
“For the record, just because I do not show fear, doesn’t mean I don’t feel it. And if I never had to see Helios ever again, I would be okay with that. But I have to and I won’t let anyone walk all over me. Even if I am afraid. Sol and Aryan were being sexist and I also won’t tolerate that so yes, I told them off. Would you have rather I coward and stayed silent?” I raise a brow at Aella, I hear Xanthe sigh beside me.
“No, I am all for strong females, but everyone should know their place. Yours is below theirs, thus you should have left well enough alone and let your mother handle it.” Aella narrows her gaze at me, I really want to punch her in the face.
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I won’t. 
“You are 20, yes?” Valcan asks, I slide my gaze to him and nod. “Are you attracted to both males and females? Your mother did not say, nor did she exclude one gender.”
Oh. “I am attracted to both, but I have only been with females willingly.” Aspen and Flint choke on air, while Sparrow is trying very hard not to laugh, fuck all of them. 
“Is there a reason you did not go for a male?” Valcan asks, flicking his gaze over the Fall brothers. 
“At that time, not really no.” I answer honestly, I could have if I wanted to, I was just more interested in the pretty female.
Now all eyes are really focused on me. “Have you not been with anyone since you were kidnapped?” Skadi asks softly, which I didn’t expect from her.
“No. I haven’t. I have slowly been working on letting go of my trauma and that takes time. I had a lot of bad male encounters so I’ve just been getting used to being around them again.” I would like to drop this conversation now.
“It’s been four years.” Aella states, raising a brow at me.
“Yeah and one of those years, I barely left my room. Another of those years, I didn’t leave my pack land at all. The other two years, I have been pushing past my comfort zones and trying to get used to being normal again.” My tone is clipped, but I can’t stop the anger flushing through me.
“You were a lot nicer four years ago.” Aspen glares at Aella who just gives him a flat look.
“Do you think, you would be okay with mating a male?” Valcan cuts in before Aella can respond to Aspen. 
“Do you want an honest answer to that?” 
Valcan stares at me in surprise. “Yes, I would like an honest answer.”
“Right now? The answer would be no. I don’t know any of you well enough, if I asked you to stop, I don’t know if you would. Eventually when I know you all better? I would not be against it.” 
“That makes sense. Is it the same for females?” Skadi asks, her voice is so pretty.
“Yes and no. I believe it would be easier with a female but I would still need to know all of you better before I was comfortable.” This is uncomfortable. 
“Okay, now you each will get to spend some time with Snow, with Flint as a chaperone. We will start with ladies first, Skadi you are first.” Xanthe cuts in before it can get worse. 
Skadi stands. “A walk around outside?” She asks me gently.
“Sure.” I stand, Flint moves to my side, and the three of us head outside. Fuck this is going to be strange, once we get outside, Flint walks a few paces behind us. “Are there any questions I can answer for you Skadi?”
“A few.” She smiles down at me, fuck it’s weird to be this short while she is so tall. “Tell me about the packs that get along with you, not your pack.” 
What? Why does she want to know that? “Well the Bloodhound pack, I get along with the Alpha family’s children. Some of the Spring  pack, you know that I get along with the Fall, I get along fine with the Sea but I haven’t really met any of the others.” 
“Hmm. No friends in the Summer?” 
I choke on a laugh. “No. They do no like me, I have already had death threats from them.”
Skadi hums again. “How do you feel about this mate bidding?”
Okay then. “I was surprised by it, I shouldn’t have been. I’m fine with being in it, as long as I get some say in who I end up mating.” 
“No other feelings on it?” Skadi brushes her arm against mine, I stiffen but don’t move away from her.
“Not really no. It’s a bit strange to be mated off but it happens.” I shrug, my chest is super tight while talking about this. 
“Hmm. Do you have any questions for me?” Skadi asks, her gaze sweeping around us.
“Are you actually interested in this mate bidding or are you just doing it because your father asked you to?” 
Skadi comes to a stop, I do as well, flicking my eyes to Flint who is pretending not to listen to our conversation. “What makes you think he asked us to?”
I raise a brow at her. “Because while I’m not the smartest one of the bunch, I’m not dumb either. I know at least a few of you all will only be doing because your Alpha asked you to.”
Skadi stares at me silently for a moment. “Fair enough. While you seem nice, I am not interested in you. So I will only be in this because my father asked me to be.”
“Thank you for you honestly, should be head back in?”
“Yes.” 
...
Aella was next and we have been walking in silence for five minutes and I don’t know what to say to her. “Did you know that I was there the day, you were rescued?” She asks suddenly.
“I didn’t until recently. Onyx told me who was there that day. I don’t remember it.”
“You don’t remember what?” Aella raises a brow at me.
“Being rescued, how I got home, or the three days after I was brought home. I have no memory of it, I don’t know why. I remember everything they did to me, in vivid detail but not that.” 
“I wonder if something worse happened in those days.” Aella muses.
“I don’t think so. Onyx was the one to take me to the Fall land, despite his personality, he has lines he doesn’t cross. Then I was with my family, they would not hurt me.” 
“That you know of.” Aella scuffs, I see Flint stiffen in the corner of my eye.
“You are very grumpy. It would be cute if you were not eight years older than me.” Aella snaps her head towards me and bares her fangs. “Do you have any actual questions for me or are you just trying to make me relive my trauma?”
Her mouth clamps shut. Yeah that’s what I thought, I sigh and start walking back towards the house. “That was not my intention Snow, I do not want you to relive your trauma.” Aella grabs my wrist, stopping me from walking. “But I don’t know how you’re supposed to have mate bidding with all of that trauma.”
I look up at the clear sky. “Neither do I, I’m just doing what I am told. I will shove down my trauma if I have to because it is what is expected of me. To do this.”
“That is an awful way to look at things.” Aella breathes.
I spin towards Aella and her face is a lot closer than I expected. “It is my only way to look at this. Either throw in your hat to this mate bidding or leave it alone. I don’t feel like arguing with everyone about the choices I make or the ones that are made for me.” 
Aella’s jaw clenches, she doesn’t say anything just nods and lets go of my wrist. I step away from her and walk back to the house.
...
Shabina and I just walk around in silence for ten minutes, at the end of that, she thanks me and goes back inside. It was a little strange but I’ll have to think about that later because Valcan comes out and now we’re walking together, he keeps opening his mouth, second guessing himself and closing his mouth. Eight times. And I’m over it. “You can ask me questions Valcan, I won’t be offended by them.”
“Sorry. I had a whole list of questions I was going to ask you but uh they all seemed to have left my mind.” Valcan goes pink, that’s kinda cute, it would be better if he wasn’t 7’2 and could crush me with one hand.
“Well tell me about yourself, then maybe, when you’re more comfortable, you’ll remember what you wanted to ask.”
“Okay. Uh I hate being inside, it makes my skin itch if I’m inside to long. I like to read. Um, I like to hunt, I’m rarely home because I hate being inside. I think already said that.” He goes red now.
“You did but it’s okay, keep going.” I encourage.
Valcan clears his throat. “Right, uh I don’t know if I want kids, they seem like a lot to handle and I don’t know if I can do that.” Fair enough. “I honestly don’t even know if I wanted to be mated right now, I feel like 22 is still too young to be mated but you’re 20 and being mated off so I don’t know.” 
Wow. Okay. How the fuck do I even respond to that? Start from the beginning? “I’m fine with being inside as long as I’m not forced to stay inside. Which I was when I was hidden. I also like to read but mostly fantasy books but I’ll read any kind if they’re interesting enough. I’m not big on hunting but I think that’s because I’ve only been on one hunt and it ended horribly. The kids thing I can understand, I don’t know if I want them either. 20 is still young to be mated for the rest of my life but it’s something I have to do. You on the other hand, don’t have to be mated if you don’t want to.”
Valcan presses his lips together and looks away from me. “My parents want me to start looking for a mate.” 
“Start looking and actually finding one are different things.” I respond, gently. 
“I know.” Valcan breathes and stops walking. “Do you even want to be mated?”
I pause, I should have expected that. “Right now? No. Eventually? Yes.”
“Is that because of what you went through?” He asks softly, I sigh.
“A little bit. I’m hesitate to mate because of the things I went through. But I always thought that I would take a mate somewhere between 25-30, that is no longer an option because I’m a Luna.” 
“Why those ages?” Valcan meets and holds my gaze.
“To give myself time, to figure out who I am, what I like, what I love, what I dislike, what I hate.” I shrug, it would have given me time to get my shit together.
“I guess that makes sense.” He kicks at the ground, his eyes dropping away from mine. “I think we should probably head back.”
“Probably.” 
...
As soon as Arbor walks out, everything inside of me tenses as we start walking. He didn’t say a thing to me inside, are we going to walk in silence or is he going to actually talk to me? I don’t know which I’d prefer. Arbor gently nudges my arm with his finger, my eyes snap up to his face, he nods his head to the creak that runs through the Fall land. I frown but follow him over to it, he sits down beside it, I hesitate before doing the same. 
“Talking is hard for me.” His voice a deep rasp, I force myself not to flinch. “I will answer, if you ask.” 
“Why is talking hard for you?” My tone is soft, ugh the soothing Luna tone is back. 
Arbor taps his neck with his finger, I probably should have noticed the massive scar across his neck. It looks like his throat was slit, I don’t honestly know how he survived that. “Rogues. I was five. Damaged vocal cords.”
“I-“ Have no idea what to say. My mind spins quickly and before I know what I’m doing, I lift my shirt and show him the deep mangled scars across my stomach and chest. “Well we have something in common then.” 
Arbor stares at the scars, eyes running over them. Sadness filling his gaze, he lifts his shirt, showing me his. Large scars rung along his sides, the center of his chest and down his stomach, small ones scattered all over. “We match.”
I let my shirt go and stare at the creek. “It would seem so. I’m sorry you went through that. I know it’s not easy.”
“It is not. Sorry too.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him let go of his shirt and brace his hands on the ground. “Do you want me to answer things?” 
I flick my eyes to him, it’s possible he can’t say certain words. “Do you want to be in this mate bidding or is it something your Alpha asked you to do?”
Arbor is silent for a moment, I feel his gaze on me. “I don’t know.” I tip my head up to the sky, it’s a pretty day. “Do you want it?”
I frown and bring my eyes back to him. “Do I want to be in a mate bidding?” He nods, I look him over. Despite his size, he seems nice enough. “I don’t want to be forced. Which is what a mate bidding is. I want to be mated eventually.” 
Arbor nods and looks out at the creek. “What are you looking for?” 
“Hmm? As in a mate?” He nods again. “I don’t know. I feel like the things I would want are the bare minimum.” 
“Like?” 
I blow out a breath. “Someone safe and kind.” 
“That is low.” Arbor agrees, I snort out a laugh.
“I told you that.” 
“Good, start. Add more.” 
I press my lips together, those are my main concerns. “I guess someone who doesn’t expect me to be perfect. Because I’m not, far from it actually.” 
“Still low.” Arbor informs me, I flip him off.
“Well you put me on the spot here. I don’t know. What do you want from a mate?” I raise a brow at him. 
Arbor hums, a deep rumble. Jeez. “Kind, safe.” He gives me a small smile. “Okay with q- silence, okay with the scars.” He pauses, swallows thickly and blows out a rough breath. “Gets me, accepts me as I am.” His shoulders tense as he blows out another sharp breath, fucking shit. He was serious about this being hard for him but I think he left out the part that it’s painful. “Likes my family. Gets along with my pack.” 
I wait a moment to see if he’s going to say more, but I think he’s done. “I like those. I might steal some of them.”
“Go ahead. You need more.” I chuckle and curl my knees to my chest, laying my head on my knees and watch him. “What?”
“You’re different then I expected.” I answer honestly, his body tenses and he looks away from me. “Not in a bad way, all I saw was giant male that can crush me without even trying.” I explain, his gaze snaps back to me, a little bit of anxiety moving into his dark green eyes. “I’m glad I was wrong.” 
His mouth opens before he closes it and just stares at me. “Snow?” I flinch at Cedar’s voice in my mind. 
“You okay?” Arbor asks, his brows bunching together, a frown pulling at his mouth. 
“I-yeah. Uh a Spring Wolf just spoke into my mind and it startled me.” I answer before I think, fuck! 
“Which Spring Wolf?” Flint snarls, I roll my eyes and flip him off without looking at him. “Snow.”
“Some of them are nice to me. Don’t worry about it Flint.” I snap back at Flint before answering Cedar. “Yes? Kinda busy here.”
“That does not make me feel any better about one contacting you.” Flint grumbles, Arbor snorts and tries to cover it, I smile at him.
I hear Cedar sigh. “Leto would like to speak to you when you’re free.” I do my best keep the surprise off of my face.
“The Spring pack isn’t really a threat to the Winter pack Flint.” I run my hand threw my hair. “Give me an hour and I’ll figure out how to get free.” I tell Cedar, he hums and cuts off the link.
“You’re a Luna. Everyone is a threat till proven otherwise, hence a chaperone.” Flint growls.
“Like you weren’t going to try to eavesdrop anyway.” I bring my eyes back Arbor, not realizing that I had moved them to the ground, he’s watching me carefully. 
Flint snarls but stays silent. He’ll grill me about it later. “Do you need to deal with it?” I blink at Arbor, I’m definitely going to have watch and listen for cues on what he’s talking about.
“The Spring Wolf? Nah I’ll talk to him later, it’s not important. Flint? I will also deal with him later because I’m not in the mood to deal with his over protectiveness.” 
Flint growls behind me but otherwise doesn’t say anything. “Like how you answer.” Arbor informs me, I tilt my head a little confusion. “Answer all ways, not assuming.”
“Hmm. Easier that way, so if I got it wrong the first time, you don’t have to ask again.” I shrug and pull my knees tighter to my chest. 
“We should, head in.” Arbor nods to the house and stands, offering me his hand. 
I hesitate but take his hand, he carefully hauls me to my feet. “Thanks.” He nods, doesn’t let go of my hand and leads back to the house. For once it doesn’t bother me, doesn’t make my skin itch. So I let him hold my hand.

Chapter Text

Snow. 
July, 11th.
As soon as Arbor and I step through the door, Sparrow grabs me around the waist, throwing me over his shoulder. “I need her for something, the others are still in the living room.” Sparrow calls over his shoulder to Arbor as he carries me down the hall, Flint trailing behind us. 
Aspen joins as Sparrow walks back into his room, I sigh as I’m thrown down on Sparrow’s bed. “Is there a reason I’m being thrown around like a rag doll?” I ask propping myself up on my elbows to stare at Sparrow.
“Yes.” He waves at his brothers as Aluma slips into the room as well. 
“You were here and didn’t saying anything?” She asks, sounding hurt.
“To be fair, I slept for most of it.” I smile sheepishly and sit up fully, pulling my knees to my chest. 
“How did it go with the Alphas?” Aspen asks, he’s leaned back against the wall, his body is relaxed by his tone wrong. Flint is also leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest with a pissed off expression. Sparrow has laid down on the bed with, his face closed off, I don’t know what I did to him but I need to figure it out soon. Aluma is hovering near Aspen, nervous energy radiating off of her in waves.
I shrug. “Fine I guess. They were nice enough.”
“Any of them you think might be a good match for you?” Sparrow asks gently, his gaze sweeping over me before flicking away.
My mind instantly goes to Arbor and Shabina, I push those strange thoughts away. “Not really no, I was only around them for a little while so we’ll see."

Sparrow snaps his gaze to me, his eyes narrowed. “You and Aella are definitely not going to be a match. Valcan can’t decide what he wants, so not him either.” Flint starts and my hackles raise.
“Okay, Aella can’t even decide if she likes me or not. Valcan is young, I’m not surprised that he doesn’t know what he wants!” I hiss and glare at Flint who shakes his head.
“I think Skadi already has her eyes on someone, so she’s also out.” Flint continues, I’m going to smack him.
“She already stated she wasn’t interested and only doing it because her father asked her to.” 
“Uh huh. You and Shabina didn’t even speak, you just walked around in silence, which is fucking weird by the way.”
“It’s not weird. I enjoy silence thank you very much!” 
“Sure. Arbor is definitely interested in you and seems okay with your crazy. You also showed him your scars and he showed you, his. Which I think means you’re okay with him, or you felt bad for not noticing the scar on his neck.” 
“Sometimes Flint, I don’t like you.” I grumble, as Aluma, Sparrow and Aspen stare at me in utter shock.
“That’s okay. Sometimes I don’t like you either.” He grins sharply at me, I bare my fangs at him.
“I’m sorry, you did what?” Aluma breathes, rushing over to the bed and getting in my face and grabbing my shoulder, shaking them. “YOU SHOWED HIM YOUR SCARS?”
I wince at her shout. “I panicked okay? You know I glaze over scars! I didn’t notice his and then I just panicked! I didn’t know what else to do!” 
“How about both of you calm down? Aluma please stop shaking Snow.” Aspen gently pulls Aluma away from me. 
There’s a knock on the door, all of freeze. Flint recovers first and opens the door. “Why was there shouting?” The fuck is Noir doing here?
“Aluma freaked on Snow. What are you three doing here?” Flint responds, three? Fucking three?
“I was dragged, so was Noir.” Onyx replies blandly. 
“Uh why?” I can hear the frown in Flint’s voice, Sparrow and I exchange confused looks.
“Because Snow is here, she’s in the mating bidding and young Alphas are supposed to check her out, our father asked me to bring them over here.” Ozul explains, I cringe mother fuck!
“Some one please shoot me, right the fuck now.” I throw myself back on the bed and cover my face with one of Sparrow’s pillows. 
“Uh your parents sent us back here, because all of you are back here.” Valcan states hesitantly. Fuck my ever loving life!
I hear Flint open the door wider and let them in, I refuse to sit up or remove the pillow from my face. “You Bloodhound Wolves are already familiar with Snow, why are you here?” Aella asks them in her grumpy tone. 
“Yes but now we have to get to know her as a potential mate instead of friend, which is different and if you had friends you would know that.” Noir responds coldly, damn I have never heard him sound like that before. 
Also, ew. “Not on your life Noir.” I snarl quietly, Aluma elbows my ribs, hard. “Ow.”
“Be nice!” She hisses at me.
“That was nice. I could have said far worse.” I grumble, because what I wanted to say was, I’d rather choke on my own blood then mate him. It’s nothing against him, but I know that Aluma has a crush on him and I’m not stepping on her toes by giving him the time of day.
“Why are you hiding your face with a pillow?” Shabina asks me, so everyone is in here. 
“Because I’m tired and they were being rude and now there’s a lot of people here.” And I’m supposed to be meeting Cedar and Leto, fuck! “I may need to change the time frame.” I reach my mind out to Cedar. 
“Why?” He responds instantly. 
“Because apparently today is the day everyone wants to check on new Luna. And unless you want to bring her to the Fall land, with the Fall kids, Bloodhound boys, Storm pack Alphas and Mountain pack Alphas are, we need to change the time.” 
“Is that why someone is shouting?” Skadi asks, did I miss some- oh. 
“Yes. I was the one who shouted.” Aluma answers quietly.
“Are you alright?” Noir asks Aluma, I bite my tongue to keep from laughing at the worry in his tone. So he might also like her back. 
“That sounds like a bad idea.” Cedar states into my mind. 
“Yes, I’m fine.” Aluma replies, as she tugs the pillow off of my face. I snarl at her, which she ignores and tugs me to sit up. “This one just likes to worry me.” 
“That’s why I said, to move are time to later because I don’t think I can escape.” I inform Cedar, they are not going to let me run off while all of these Alphas are here.
Speaking of Alphas, Flint and Aspen have moved to stand near the bed, Sparrow has inched closer to me. Noir, Onyx and Ozul are near the Fall boys just leaning against the wall instead of by the bed. Aella and Shabina are near the door, both look like they are worried about stepping further into the room. Valcan is hovering near them, while Skadi and Arbor are on the opposite side of the room as Aspen and Flint.
“Do you often worry Aluma?” Aella raises a brow at me, I still don’t like her.
“Considering we were kidnapped together, yes. I worry about her, she worries about me. It’s a thing.” Aluma answers before I can.
She’s not wrong, so I stay silent. Why hasn’t Cedar responded? “A thing?” Skadi frowns at Aluma, her brows bunching together. 
“Yes.” Aluma nods firmly, I rub my face. This is fucking weird. 
“Did any of you have questions for Snow?” Aspen asks, I glare at him. I’m tired of answering questions!
“Yeah, why did you not tell your mother where to shove a mate bidding?” I tense and turn towards the door, to find Silas leaning in the door frame. “You have no issues telling others off. So why not her?”
“It got worse. Silas is here. I might not make it out of this alive.” I link Cedar while Flint, Aspen and Sparrow all snarl and tense up because of Silas. Be calm this is fine. “Nobody else is my Alpha. So I will tell them where they can shove, just not my Alpha.” 
“What are you doing here Silas?” Onyx asks, voice cold and sharp.
“To see Snow of course. The Summer pack was invited to join her mate bidding.” Silas grins, all of his fangs on display. For the love-he looks fucking feral.
“As much as I’d love to watch this play out, if you all do not play nice, I will put every single one of you on your asses.” I cut in, using the sternest tone I have. 
“You haven’t been a Luna long enough to be able to do that yet.” Noir informs me, I raise a brow at him.
“Do you really want to fuck around and find out?” 
“I like you better when you’re commanding.” Aella nods her head to me, a smirk on her face.
“It is nice to witness.” Skadi smiles at me.
“What? Were you being nice and weak towards them darling?” Silas cocks a brow at me.
“And what if I was?” I snap back, he should not be here. 
“I guess that means you don’t think they could handle you at your bitchest. Which means none of them have a shot of actually winning.” Silas is trying to start a fight.
“Watch it Silas. This is not your land.” Sparrow states, rather calmly. Good for him for keeping his head.
“Now I can see why the Summer and Winter packs don’t get along. Fucking shit.” Valcan breathes, hand over his face.
“I’m actually being nice about it. So this is nothing.” I inform him, Valcan peeks at me through his hand.
“You’re joking right?” 
“No. Most the time, encounters between those two packs either start or end in blood shed. It’s not pretty.” Flint answers, his gaze flicking between Silas and I. 
Silas bristles. “We weren’t the ones to start it.”
“Are you sure about that?” I put my chin on my hand and tilt my head.
“Now whose starting shit?” Aspen cuffs the back of my head before Silas can respond. 
“If you guys hate each other so much, why are you here Silas?” Shabina asks, her tone bland and uncaring. 
“What trying to end the war between Summer and Winter is not enough?” Silas snaps back at her.
“Do you want to end it or do you want to kill Snow yourself?” Flint snaps, fucking shit these males are going to be the death of me.
“Who said I wanted to kill her?” Silas snarls back at Flint. 
“You did. The night of the Bloodhound ball.” Aluma cuts in, my head hurts.
“This is entertaining to watch.” Ozul musses out loud. 
“Maybe for you, I’m trying to work out how to hide a body if Snow and Silas try to kill each other.” Sparrow grumbles under his breath but Wolf hearing, we all heard him.
“Whose body? Snow or Silas?” Arbor asks, startling, literally everyone with his deep raspy voice. 
“Silas’s. Even if Snow didn’t win, all of my siblings would jump in.” Sparrow shrugs, staring a little wide eyed at Arbor who nods in thought. 
Silas eyes Sparrow with distaste. “You would fail little Sparrow.”
“You even try to touch a hair on his head and I will kill you without hesitation.” I growl, everyone’s gazes swing wide eyed my way.
“Is Sparrow your mate?” Aella asks, her gaze narrowed at me.
“No. He’s my best fucking friend, I would kill anyone for him.” Including my mate, I hold Silas’s gaze. 
“I’m touched.” Sparrow pats my shoulder. “I’m also very gay.”
“Ah. That’s good. It would be a shame if this whole mate bidding thing was just a game.” Aella raises a brow at me.
“That would be a sick fucking game. Most of the Winter pack is cold but not fucked in the head.” Noir snaps at Aella who just shrugs unbothered, I’m slightly offended.
“Isn’t it a game? Everyone trying to win the right to mate with Snow? Showing off what they have and what they can do?” Onyx asks, his gaze flicking over me then back to the others in the room.
“I suppose but if she has already has a mate and they are just playing with us? That would be cause for war.” Aella is a fucking bitch.
“It’s a good thing that, I don’t already have a mate then, isn’t it?” I ask, glaring at Silas not to say a fucking thing. 
“Maybe you just haven’t realized you have a mate in someone yet darling.” Of fucking course Silas can’t keep his mouth shut.
“Or maybe you’re reaching.” Onyx snaps, okay this is starting to get out of hand.
“Or maybe Snow just needs to look closer.” Silas snarls at Onyx.
“How bout all of you stop now?” Skadi cuts in, thank fuck. “We do not have enough room, in this room for any of you to start fighting.” 
“I agree, mostly because it’s my room and I don’t want it trashed and covered in blood stains.” Sparrow adds on.
“Can we go back to Noir thinking that the Winter pack is cold?” I ask, swinging my gaze to Noir, he presses his lips together.
“You are not. You’re pack is, most of them. Trying to talk to most of them is like pulling teeth.” Noir explains, yeah that doesn’t make it better. 
“Ever think it’s because you ask invasive questions?” We’re open to answering questions as long as they’re not supper personal.
“Asking what you did that day is not invasive.” Noir huffs, pulling on his hair. 
“It is if that was one of our training days. No one gets to know how we train.” 
“Why can’t anyone know?” Valcan frowns over at me.
“Because then you would have a chance to learn our strategies and fighting styles, which is not allowed. It’s one of the reasons we are one of the strongest packs in the world, because no one knows what to expect from us.” I explain simply. 
“And you think that’s normal. The Fall pack isn’t even allowed to know.” Noir raises a brow at me.
“Sparrow has sparred with me. Aluma and Aspen have seen me spar with my brothers.  They know.” 
“Not the point.” Noir pinches the bridge of his nose. 
“Kinda hurt that I haven’t.” Flint mutters off handily.
“You don’t come around as often as they do.” I shrug, if he wants to spar with me he can.
“Don’t do it. Snow doesn’t pull punches and fights dirty in every way you can think of.” Sparrow informs his brother, I roll my eyes.
“Plus adding in the Luna magic makes her a pain to fight, even her brothers struggle.” Aspen adds on.
“Okay, Frost deserved that and I’m not sorry.” I throw my hands up. “He was being an ass and taking it out on Ilgar, which isn’t okay.” 
“I have to agree with Ozul, this is entertaining to watch.” Shabina musses, her gaze light in amusement. 
“So glad you’re enjoying it.” Noir dips his chin to the Alpha female.
“Isn’t Frost the brother that is going to be your Alpha?” Aella asks sharply.
“Yes, what of it?” Aluma answers, frowning at Aella. 
“Did you beat your brother?” Aella sets her dark blue eyes on me.
“Yes and no, he doesn’t like to injure me and always holds back when we spar. Why?” Why is she worried about that?
“If a Luna can beat her Alpha-“ Aella cuts herself off and looks at Shabina who shakes her head no. What the fuck?
“I feel like I’m missing something.” Silas and Valcan state at the same time, which makes Silas glare at Valcan. 
“For the record, that is for full blooded siblings, not half.” Onyx states calmly, Shabina and Aella frown at him. 
“How do you know about that?” Shabina asks, her voice chilling, what the fuck is going on?
“Our grandmother was a natural Luna.” Ozul states simply. 
“Is it something I should know about? You know, seeing as I am a Luna?” The sarcasm in my tone can’t be missed.
“Not yet little Wolf.” Onyx smirks at me, I flip him off.
“Little Wolf?” Silas frowns at Onyx. 
“She’s small. Really small, even for a runt.” Onyx shrugs, I’m going to punch him in the fucking face. 
“Go to hell Onyx.”
“I’m already in hell having to entertain this mate bidding.” Onyx responds instantly. That’s it. I’m killing him.
“Don’t even think about it.” Sparrow hocks his arm around my waist and drags me to his body and pins me there. 
“Noir can be Alpha. It’ll be fine.” 
“No. Not allowed.” 
“It’ll be quick, you won’t even notice.”
“We’re not starting a war with Bloodhound.”
“We wouldn’t if they never found the body.”
“Witnesses.”
“No bodies no crime.”
“I like some of them. You’re not allowed.” 
“What the fuck are you two talking about?” Silas asks, staring at us like we’re crazy.
“Killing Onyx.” Both Sparrow and I say at the same time. “Which isn’t allowed.” Sparrow continues. 
“I have questions and I don’t think I want them answered.” Valcan breathes.
“Best not to even ask.” Aluma agrees. 
“You couldn’t kill me even if you really wanted to.” Onyx chuckles at me.
“Want to bet on that?” I snarl, Sparrow’s claws dig into my waist, to the point where they draw blood. 
“What the fuck are all of you doing?” Damn. Why is Frost here? 
“I was about to ask the same thing.” Cedar states, what the fuck is my life?
“I want to kill Onyx, Sparrow won’t let me.” I answer, looking over at Frost, Cedar, Amaryllis  and Leto with dyed purple hair, are behind him. What the fuck was Cedar thinking bringing Leto here?
“Fun. I’m a little surprised you’re not trying to kill Silas, or that he’s not trying to kill you.” Leto smiles at me. Onyx eyes her carefully but doesn’t say a damn thing, I don’t think Silas has even looked at her which is a good thing.
“Why the fuck is Silas here?” Frost snarls, glaring at Silas and taking a step towards him but Noir grabs his arm and yanks him towards the bed and away from Silas. 
Silas sneers at Frost. “I’m in the mate bidding, why would I not be here?” 
“He was behaving and not pissing me the fuck off like Onyx is trying really hard to do. That’s why.” I snap, this is bad. Very bad. 
“I’m really confused.” Amaryllis states, her gaze flickering over everyone. “Why are we all in Sparrow’s room? If they start fighting, there isn’t enough room in here.”
I pull on my hair, what the fuck is this fucking day? “Yeah I really don’t want blood all over my room.” Sparrow states for the second time today.
“As long as everyone keeps their cool it’ll be fine.” Aluma deepens her voice, meets Frost’s gaze first then Silas and finally Onyx. “Does everyone understand?” Everyone gives Aluma a bit of surprise side eye, before nodding, I try not to laugh. “Great! Does anyone of questions?” Her forced cheer sounds a bit manic.
“Whose that?” Skadi points to Leto, who stiffens slightly.
“Leto, she’s visiting from one of the smaller packs and wanted to meet the new Luna.” Cedar lies so smoothly that if I didn’t know better, I would probably believe him. 
“Ah, he the Spring Wolf?” Arbor asks me, startling literally everyone again with his deep as fuck rasp.
“Yes, he asked if I had time to meet with her.” I also lie, fucking shit. 
“What?” Aspen, Frost, Shabina, Silas, Onyx, Sparrow and Noir ask at the same time. 
“Cedar asked me earlier, when I was with Arbor if I could meet her, it startled me because I wasn’t expecting to hear from him so Arbor noticed my jump.” This isn’t fun. 
“Why didn’t you just say it was Cedar?” Flint grumbles at me.
“It’s more fun to annoy you.” 
“Why are you even talking to Cedar?” Frost asks me, which rude, he’s right there.
“Cause hasn’t tried to kill me? I don’t know Frost, it’s not a crime to talk to Spring Wolves.” 
“My room is not big enough for all of these people.” Sparrow grumbles and rubs his face with his free hand. 
Which gets Frost attention on Sparrow. “You can let her go now.” 
“No thank you. I might change my mind and try to kill someone. Better for him to keep a hand on me.” I cut off Sparrow’s answer because no and Frost doesn’t get to say when Sparrow and I can touch.
Frost pinches the bridge of his nose. “You are literally speaking to potential mates. Do you think it’s a good idea to have a male holding onto while speaking to them?”
“Sparrow said he’s gay.” Arbor points out, which jump scares everyone, again. I bite my tongue hard not to laugh. 
“Happily gay and thriving thank you Arbor.” Sparrow grins over at Arbor. 
“You’re gay?” Cedar frowns at Sparrow.
“He is. Got a problem with that?” Aspen and I snarl at the same time. Okay maybe I spend to much time with the Fall Wolves.
“No. I was just surprised that’s all.” Cedar holds his hand in the air. 
“That was creepy.” Aluma mutters. 
“What was creepy?” Aspen frowns at his sister.
“You two used the same growly tone and it blended together. It was creepy.” Noir informs us, huh. Okay then. 
“Love that you defended me though.” Sparrow removes his claws from my waist, ah ow. I forgot he had them in my skin.
“You’re bleeding.” Shabina informs me.
“I know.” I don’t really care. 
“Why the fuck were your claws dug into her?” Silas snarls at Sparrow.
“So I didn’t kill Onyx. It calms me down, most of the time. Other times I’ll break his hand or arm. Just depends.” 
“That’s a little fucked up.” Aella informs me, I know that too.
“A little? Try a lot.” Amaryllis shakes her head.
“Well I’m mentally fucked so it’s fitting.” 
“You are not.” Frost glares at me, I chose to ignore him.
“Good to know.” Silas smirks over at me, why do I even like him? Wait, the weird calm that normally floods me, isn’t here. What the fuck does that mean?
“Not good to know. You don’t need to know a fucking thing about her.” Frost snarls at Silas.
“Play nice, my threat of knocking everyone on their ass still stands.” I cut in before Silas can respond. 
“Can you even do that yet?” Cedar asks, frowning at Silas and Frost.
“Do you want to find out?” 

Chapter Text

Onyx.
July, 11th.
I should have known, coming here was not going to go as planned. Anything involving Snow, never goes to plan and I am so over it and would like to leave. “Do you want to find out?” Snow’s voice is deathly calm, I watch as few of the visiting Wolves recoiling slightly from her. 
Cedar opens and closes his mouth, she surprised him. I swing my gaze around the room, surprised most of them. “No, I’m good thanks.” Amaryllis breathes, Snow nods.
“Great. Any other questions?” Aluma cuts in, she is good at that. I would not mind if Noir chose her, I know he is thinking about asking her. 
“Yeah, why is Snow still bleeding and not caring for the wounds?” Shabina asks, staring at Snow's five puncture wounds that are still bleeding and dripping down her shirt.
“They’re not that bad or deep. They’ll close in a minute.” Snow shrugs, Sparrow moves his arm over the wounds to put pressure on them and slow the blood flow. 
“Yet it is still bleeding.” Valcan states, Snow raises a white brow at him. 
“And? It’s not life threatening. I’m not worried.” This is why I question her mental state every time I am around her. 
“She’s fine.” Frost snaps, his temper is going to cause him issues in the future, possibly right now.
“Do you not care that he hurt her?” Silas asks, a mocking look on his face. I really do not like him. 
“I can assure you, if he actually hurt her, she would break him.” Frost growls, I do not understand why Sparrow likes this male.
“You sure about that? She seems away too attached to him.” Silas smirks, he is trying to start a fight. I am sure of it. “Are you sure he’s actually gay and isn’t saying that so he can fuck her when ever he wants?”
I was correct. Frost lunges for Silas, as does Aspen. They do not get far as a wave of cool light magic slams into everyone in the room and pins us to the ground. I blink, so she has progressed enough to be able to do that, that is concerning. “What did I say?” Snow sighs, I flick my gaze to her, she is still on the bed, Aluma and Sparrow look fine and untouched by Snow’s magic. I narrow my gaze, why is Arbor still standing while the rest of us are on the fucking ground? “Not to start a fight. This is what happens when you don’t listen.”
“You’ve made your point. Can you let us up now?” Aella snarls her question at Snow, her lips curling.
“No. Since none of you can behave like adults, you can sit on the floor like children.” That is the soothing Luna tone.
“Seriously?” Flint cannot keep the surprise out of his voice.
“To be fair, we were warned.“ Shabina sounds amused by all of this.
Snow waves her hand and Shabina is put back on her feet. “At least a few of you have some sense.”
“That is not fair.” Noir groans. “Why does Arbor and Shabina get to stand?”
“Because they are not being assholes.” Snow answer, still in the stupid Luna tone. I glance down at the magic wrapped around my body, it is silver and softer than I would expect. It is not doing much, adding some weight to my body and making sure I cannot stand. I narrow my gazing, it is moving, pulsing? That is strange, magic does not pulse. 
“I didn’t do anything, though.” Ozul informs Snow who just hums. 
“I think this has been a long day. I believe everyone should head home before we have an actual blood bath in this room. I’m no longer in the mood to deal with everyone at each others throats.” Snow waves her hand and just like that, Silas, Amaryllis, Skadi, Valcan and Aella are no longer in the room. 
“What the fuck?!” Aluma breathes.
“Huh, it only took some of them. Hmm, I’m going to have to work on that.” Snow musses, her gaze thoughtful. 
“Where did you send them?” Frost sounds strangled, I glance over at him. He looks like he just ate something sour. 
“To their homes. Though, I was trying to send everyone away.” Snow shrugs, unbothered that she has unnerved everyone in here. 
“I didn’t know you could do that.” Aluma breathes, staring at Snow in wonder.
“There are many things I can do that you don’t know about.” Snow answers, not unkindly but different. 
“I think you might have kept the people that you like here.” Noir informs Snow, who raises a brow at him.
“If that was the case, you wouldn’t be here.” 
“That’s just mean.” Noir points at Snow.
“I have never claimed to be nice.” 
“As fun as this is, I need to go home before my mothers lose their minds.” Shabina moves towards the bed, takes Snow’s hand. “It was lovely to meet, I hope to do so again soon.” With that, Shabina leaves the room, I do not know if I like her.
“I must go.” Arbor states, he dips his head to Snow, who returns the gesture before he leaves as well. 
“His voice kinda scares me.” Aluma states, Snow nods.
“Yeah I thought I was gonna jump out of my skin the first time I heard it.” Snow agrees, I bristle, strange feelings creeping through me. 
“I liked his voice.” Leto adds in, I cannot believe that Cedar brought her here.
“Me too. Still startling though.” Sparrow smiles over at Leto, I notice both Frost and Ozul tense up, those idiots. Ozul should just leave Sparrow alone, he is too wrapped up in Frost to notice Ozul’s attention. Frost is just a fucking dick that needs to get his head out of his ass.
“His voice is a little too deep and raspy for my taste.” Cedar adds in, Snow tilts her head and fixes her gaze onto him.
“What?” Sparrow asks, his brows bunching in confusion.
“Cedar is bi.” Leto states calmly, Sparrow’s mouth opens before he slams it closed.
“Cool.” Snow gives Cedar a soft smile, I do not like that. 
“Since when?” Sparrow asks, he still looks confused. Dear fuck, Ozul is going to lose his mind. 
“It’s something I realized recently.” Cedar shrugs, Frost looks like he is going to commit murder.
“I feel like more and more of Alpha family’s are having bi or gay kids.” Noir mutters, every gaze falls on him. “It’s not a bad thing! I just didn’t realize it's most of us now, when it just used to be one or two.”
“I like it. That there’s more of us.” Snow falls back on the bed and puts a pillow over her face, why?
“It is nice.” Ozul agrees with Snow.
“I have a fucking headache.” Frost growls, pinching the bridge of his nose. 
“What are you even doing here Frost?” Snow snaps at her brother, Cedar and Leto’s eyes widen at her tone. While Aspen, Flint and Ozul swing their gazes to Snow in surprise. 
“To get you.” Frost answers shortly.
Snow sits up, pulling the pillow off her face and placing it in her lap. “She chill the fuck out?”
“Yes.” Frost flicks his gaze to us, then back to Snow.
“Okay.” Snow stands and stretches. “I’m gonna talk to Cedar and Leto then I’ll be ready to go.” She grabs Leto’s and Cedar’s arms and hauls them from the room, not giving Frost time to respond. 
“Does anyone know when Snow became friends with Spring?” Frost asks us, while staring at the door they left out of.
“No idea. I didn’t even know that they were nice to her.” Aluma is also frowning at the door.
“It happened recently.” I chose to answer, should not have because now they are all looking at me like I have two heads.
“How do you even know that?” Sparrow asks, eyes narrowed.
“We ran into each other the day-“ Oh not everyone knows Silas is Snow’s mate. “You know the day.” I wave my hand towards Sparrow, he presses his lips together in understanding. “We talked then.”
“What day?” Aspen asks, not going to answer that.
“I still don’t know how that went. Do you know?” Sparrow asks, also ignoring his brother.
“I do and not well.” I will not say more, Sparrow winces but nods. 
“I figured as much.” Sparrow sighs and rubs his face.
“What the fuck are you two talking about?” Frost snarls at us, I really want to put him in an early grave. I cannot cause war but I can think about it.
“None of your business.” Sparrow snaps back, I think he might be trying to get over Frost by being mean to him. 
“If it involves Snow, it’s my business.” Frost snarls, Aspen and Flint bristle while Aluma raises a brow at Frost. 
“You would do well to remember whose house you are in.” Aluma snarls softly, her threat clear. 
“Can everyone calm down? I’m sure what ever they were talking about wasn’t that big of a deal.” Noir cuts in, because Frost did not look like he was going to drop it. 
“Why are you guys like this?” Snow asks sounding done with all of this, standing in the door way.
“Because they won’t answer any of my questions.” Frost snaps, glaring over at Sparrow. Snow is leaned against the door frame, her hip cocked out, white hair fanning over her shoulders and down her waist, bright green eyes dancing with fire. I can admit that even in clothes to big for her and made for males, she is not ugly. I do not like it.
“They don’t answer to you. They aren’t your pack. They are our friends, you don’t get to demand answers from them.” Snow states, before looking at Sparrow. “I’ll give your clothes back another day,” He just nods at her. “Lets go home Frost.” Snow spins on her heel and walks away, Frost snarling but following her. 
“I never want to do that again.” Aluma breathes, running her hands through her hair. “I wasn’t even the one that it was about and it was so fucking stressful!” 
I snort, it was not pleasant. “Is it making you rethinking wanting a mate?” Aspen sounds hopeful, from the glare Aluma gives him, he is about to be crushed.
“No. I just don’t want to be in a fucking mate bidding! I have no fucking idea why Khione thought putting her traumatized kid through a mate bidding was a good idea!” Aluma snarls, I like her more and more. 
“You want to be mated?” I cover my face with my hand, Noir needs to learn how to keep the shock out of his voice.
“Well yeah. Not right now, I don’t think I could do it anytime soon but yes. I want to be mated.” Aluma sounds puzzled, ah she does not realize why he asked. I take my hand off my face, Aspen on the other hand did figure out why. 
“No. Just no!” Aspen growls, Noir steps behind Ozul who rolls his eyes. 
Aluma throws a pillow at Aspen’s head. “Be nice!” 
“He-“ I cover Aspen’s mouth with my hand, yeah no. Neither Aluma or Noir are ready for that conversation. 
“I need to talk to you.” I shove Aspen out of Sparrow’s room, I do not need him making everything weird. 
“What the fuck Onyx?” Aspen growls and spins around to face me, getting in my face.
“Noir is weirdly shy. He’d rather watch from a distance than do anything about his feelings. Aluma is not ready for someone to have a crush on her. Do not say anything because you will make everything uncomfortable for everyone.” I push Aspen away from me. 
He stares at me flatly. “So you knew that he liked her and didn’t say anything?”
“I know a lot. Like how Ozul is half in love with Sparrow, or that Aluma also has a crush on Noir, or that Sparrow is in love with Frost and trying his hardest to get over it. I know a lot. I just don’t say it.” I snap back, he pushes my buttons and annoys me greatly. 
“What the fuck? Why do you know that?”
“Because I pay attention!” I snarl, Aspen steps back into my space, I bristle but do not move away.
“Are you calling me blind?” Aspen hisses.
“No. But you sure as fuck turn a blind eye to the things you do not want to see.” Including his attraction to Snow.
Aspen is a hair’s breath away from my face as he snarls. “I don’t turn a-“ 
“Are you guys done? I would like to leave. Flint and Sparrow were giving me death glares.” Noir cuts off Aspen, popping his head around the corner of the hallway.
“Yeah we’re done here.” I step away from Aspen, Ozul and Noir come up to us. Ozul grabs my arm and tugs me outside, Noir leading the way.
“That was a mess.” Ozul musses as we shift into our Wolf skins. 
“Yeah can we just tell our mom that we’re not interested?” Noir asks, picking up a light jog, both Ozul and I move into a jog as well.
“No. We have to play this game. You don’t have to try to win though.” I answer as we cross back into our border.
“Are you going to try to win?” Ozul asks me, I snap my jaws at his hip.
“Why the fuck would I do that?” 
“You tolerate her more than most females we meet.” Ozul dances away from me.
“I’d rather die.” 
“That’s harsh.” Noir side eyes me.
“Does not change my answer.”

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 13th.
It’s been a quiet few days, I surprisingly wasn’t punished for leaving. No other Alphas have shown up to see me, which I am grateful for, I didn’t want to deal with anymore after last time. That was a mess and I’m not looking for to meeting more of them. Not so soon after that first one. “Will you focus? You’re not even trying!” Zep snaps at me, trying to sweep my legs out from underneath me. I easily move out of the way and slam my elbow into the back of his head, he hits the ground and I dance away out of reach.
“You’re not trying hard enough. If you want me to focus, make me.” Okay so I can hear the boredom in my tone. Zep swipes his claws at my face, I duck and push my shoulder into his stomach, we hit the ground and roll. I land on top and pin him to the ground. 
I’m still mad at Silas for showing up, I know he said he was going to try win but I had hoped he would have seen sense. He did not. “Stop spacing!” Zep snarls and tries to throw my body off of his, he fails. 
“Try harder and I will.” I snap back, I don’t even want to be doing this but no I have to. I was perfectly fine reading in my room, till Arcticus came in and told me to get off my ass and spar with Zep. 
Zep continues to try to throw me off and keeps failing, I sigh and hop off him. Springing into a fighting stance, Zep rolls to his feet snarling at me. “Shift.” He snaps and lunges for me, I sigh again before shifting into my Wolf skin and dancing out of reach. 
I’ve been trying not to think about everything that went down when the Alphas came. I dodge Zep again, I seem to be pissing him off. That’s why I was reading so much, to avoid my own thoughts. I lunge for Zep, wrapping my jaws around his leg and slinging him away from me, he bounces off the ring bands. 
Flint was right about Aella, Valcan and Skadi, I have no interest in them. Arbor kinda unnerves me but we got along, but is that enough for a mating? Shabina and I got along but she didn’t try to get to know me but I guess that could be fine? Zep tackles me, his teeth sinking into my ribs and tearing skin and fur. 
I snarl and bite down on his ear and yank, Zep yelps and lets go, I do the same but only to change where I bite. I wrap my jaws around his neck and flip us, pinning him to the ground once again. “Are you guys down now?” Aspen calls, both Zep and I freeze. Since when was Aspen here? Why is he here? 
I glance up, Aspen and Frost are standing outside of the ring with a few others that I don’t know. Shit. I release my grip on Zep and hop off him, Zep stands and shakes out his fur. “Looks like some possible mates are gathered here to see you.” Zep bumps my shoulder, I glare at him the fucking ass. “If I were you, I’d take ‘em for a test ride before agreeing to anything.”
“Gross Zep.” I snap at him before trotting over to Frost and the others. 
“Snow, meet Maximus, second child of the Knight Pack and next Alpha,“ Frost starts, waving his hand at a 6’ foot male with dark blue eyes and short silver hair, he’s 25. “His brother who is accompanying him, Batair, his Beta.” He has yellow eyes, long silver hair that’s braided back, he’s 22 and 5’9. I can’t believe Aryan sent his kids to meet me. “Hito, youngest of the Dusk pack and next Alpha.” He has light gold eyes, dark orange hair that’s shaved on the sides and short on the top, he’s 20 and 6’. “He is accompanied by his sister and Beta, Kyra.” She has dark gold eyes, long bright red hair, she’s 24 and 5’4. I’m a little surprised that Sol sent his kids to meet me. “Sky, oldest of the Ridge pack,” She has dark grey eyes, cropped light grey hair, she’s 29 and 6’4. “Ash, second child of the Ridge pack and future Alpha.” He has dark brown eyes, short dark brown hair, he’s 26 and 7’. 
“Nice to meet all of you.” I dip my head to them.
“Snow.” Aspen breathes, his hand on his face, what? 
“Shift.” Zep bites at my hip, oh right. I let my Wolf skin fall away and smile at the Alphas in front of me. 
“You are bleeding.” Batair informs me, I glance down. Ah fuck, I’m in sports bra and sweatpants, fuck. 
There’s also a Zep sized bite mark across my ribs and stomach, that is bleeding. “Well he bit me. Really hard, so I’m not surprised that it’s bleeding.” 
“Why is she training?” Maximus turns to Frost, okay I’m right here. He could ask me!
“What do you mean?” Frost raises a brow Maximus, Zep shifts out of his Wolf skin and hovers near me. 
“She is a Luna, why is she training?” Maximus asks again. 
“So she can defend herself.” Zep snaps, he’s bristling. 
“If she is going to be mated to an Alpha, they will protect her. She does not need to learn to fight.” Maximus states, my right eye twitches. I am going to punch him in the face. Batair covers his face with his hand and sighs.
“Everyone should be able to defend themselves Maximus, even Lunas.” Sky snarls, oh this is not going to go well. 
“I am just saying-“ Maximus starts but I cut him off, I’m not dealing with this bullshit.
“Oh I heard you. I don’t need you to say it again. Or ever again. I will continue training and learning to protect myself no matter where I am. If you can’t handle that, you can tell your father you’re not interested in me or this mate bidding.” 
“She was kidnapped Maximus, she is always going to want to be able to defend herself.” Kyra sighs, pinching her nose. “You were not there, you did not see what they went through. Or else you would be all for her training instead of being an idiot.” I like her.
“Moving on, do any of you have any questions for Snow?” Frost cuts in to change the topic, I raise a brow at him. 
“Is your kidnapping going to affect your mating?” Maximus asks, Aspen and Frost growl at him.
“Yes. Cause I need to the trust the person I am going to mate to, before we mate.” 
Maximus opens his mouth but Hito cuts him off before he can say anything. “Are you wanting children?” 
Jeez. “I don’t know. I think 20 is too young to be even considering kids let alone having them.”
“If you mate with a future Alpha, they will need heirs.” Batair frowns at me.
“Yes they will. But I still don’t know if I want them. So my answer doesn’t change.” I shrug, I don’t have any other answer.
“You are young, your mind doesn’t need to be made up just yet.” Sky states, shooting a glare at Maximus.
“Do you want to be mated to a next Alpha?” Ash asks, I blink at him. 
Uh, I’d rather not be mated any time soon but I don’t think that’s the answer he’s looking for and I shouldn’t say that. “I don’t care if they are the next Alpha or not. I wouldn’t even care about rank they are but because I’m a Luna it has to be an Alpha.”
Maximus sucks in an shocked breath, as does Hito but Sky, Ash and Batair hum thoughtfully, Kyra stares at me flatly. “Rank does not matter to you?” Hito questions, his brows bunched together in confusion.
“Not really no. I’ve got an Alpha brother, a Beta brother, a Delta brother, an Omega sister, my best friends are Betas and an Omega. I’m fucking Luna. So rank doesn’t really matter when I’m surrounded by different ranks all of the time. Some of the Omegas I know could beat some Betas I know.” I shrug, I think the ranking order of things are fucking stupid but I won’t say that. 
“You know more than one Omega?” Sky sounds intrigued by that. 
“Three.” Frost gives me an odd look but I carefully avoid meeting his gaze. 
“That is a lot. I didn’t think there were that many in this lands.” Ash narrows his gaze at me. 
“More and more keep showing up.” I answer, what else does he want me to say?
“Okay children.” All of us startle at mother’s voice. She’s standing on the other side of the ring, Buz by her side. “One on one time. Buz will chaperone. Who wants to go first?” Ash raises his hand, meeting my gaze. “Wonderful, take a walk around and then meet back at the pack house.” Why do I feel like I just stepped into a trap?
The others move to join mother while Buz heads towards us. I start walking in the opposite direction of mother. Ash walks at my side, he keeps his pace slow beside me. I side eye him, did he just shorten his stride to match me? “So why did you want to know about the Omegas here?”
Ash glances down at me then away. “The Ridge pack has a high number of Omega pack members, it is strange to see another pack with more than one.” 
Huh. I wonder how high their number are? “Oh, well if it makes you feel better, there are only two in this pack, one is a friend from another pack.” 
“Hmm. Why didn’t ask how many we had?” Ash flicks his gaze over me then away again. 
Strange male. “If you had wanted me to know, you would’ve said.” 
“Hmm.” Ash sees our little pond and walks towards it, I glance back at Buz, he’s frowning and his face is set an anger and a bit of confusion. I hesitantly trail behind Ash, he stops at the pond. “Your land is beautiful.”
I stare across the pond, maybe it is but sometimes it feels like a cage. “It’s not mine.” Is all I say, it will never be mine.
Ash turns to me, his gaze sweeping over me carefully. “You were born here.”
“That doesn’t make it mine.” I will be sent off to another pack and that will be my home but not mine.
Ash is still watching me, I don’t meet his gaze just watch the breeze ripple the water. “Every one born on Winter land, belongs to the land and the land belongs to them. Whether they leave this land or not, it will always be their start, their home.”
“Xanthe was a Dusk Wolf, she no longer resembles her home pack. She isn’t allowed to visit without permission. It isn’t her home anymore.” Fuck that hurt to say, just thinking about leaving home makes me dizzy.
“Hmm. The Dusk do things a bit differently. My mother was born into the Knight pack.” Ash states, I snap my gaze up to him, Robin, his mother is an Omega. 
“I didn’t know that.” 
Ash chuckles. “I’m not surprised. She still goes and sees her brother, they don’t get along the best but she loves her nephews. She doesn’t ask if she can visit, she just goes. Now if she wants to bring my father or one of us, she has to ask for permission but that is about it.”
Huh. “Well I don’t know which pack I will go to, nor do I know if that’s something my mother would allow.” She probably wouldn’t, happy to be rid of her problems.
“Hmm. Well when she dies, you just ask your brother.” What? 
“What?” 
“That’s what my mother did.” Ash shrugs, I can’t tell if I want to laugh or punch him in the face. 
“I really hope you two are not planning a murder.” Buz groans from behind us.
“We should head back to the house.” I chuckle and smile at Ash, he nods and we walk back to the house.
...
I hate Maximus, if I never have to hear him talk again it’ll be too soon. He asked stupid sexist questions that even had Buz snarling almost the entire time. I almost clawed his face off, thank fuck Buz stepped in and said it was over. I’m still seething when Sky comes out and we start walking around.
“You seem angry.” I don’t respond, anything I say is just going to come out mean. “I knew I should have gone before that idiot.”
“He can go far, far away.” I snarl, my claws slipping out of my fingers, I curl them into my hand.
Sky snorts. “Yes he can, he’s probably going to wreak his pack once he takes over.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.” I blow out a breath and reel the anger back in. “Sorry I just needed a minute to get my head on straight. Do you have any questions for me?”
“It’s fine. He makes my blood boil, I get it.” Sky bumps her shoulder into mine, I give her a small smile. “And I don’t have questions for you, I already have a mate in mind. I’m just doing this because mother asked me to.” 
“Ah, makes sense. Do you want to head back?” I ask, unbothered by the fact that she already has someone else in mind. Maybe we’ll be friends, I could always use more female friends.
“Nah let’s walk around a bit more, give you some time before you have to deal with another male.”
“Your brother was nice enough, is it to much to hope Hito will be the same?”
“Eh possibly, I haven’t really interacted much with the Dusk pack.”
“Damn.” Sky laughs, a musical sound.
... 
Hito walks out and already looks unconfutable, this is going to be awful. I put a fake smile and try to make my body language inviting. “Are you ready?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t sound ready, I keep the smile on my face and start walking. “I’m going to be honest with you, my father wants me to start trying for kids as soon as I’m mated.”
I stop walking and turn to face Hito, what the fuck? “Why?”
He shrugs and looks even more unconfutable. “I don’t know.” 
“Okay then I’m going to be honest with you. You do not have start trying for children as soon as you are mated, no matter what your Alpha says. It is your body and your life. If you don’t want to say that to him, lie. Say you are trying when you aren’t.”
“Snow! You can’t just tell people to lie!” Buz hisses from behind me.
“That wasn’t the first option!” I wave Buz off, before looking back at Hito. “Sometimes our parents asks for things we aren’t ready for and it’s okay to tell them no.” 
Hito stares at me wide eyed for a moment before his light gold eye go flat. “You are not ready to be mated.”
Ah right. “Yeah it was either go through a mate bidding, get to know all of the people in it or have someone picked for me. At least this way, I get some say in who I mate which is the lesser of two evils.” 
“I suppose that makes sense. I will think about taking your advice.” Hito nods, we haven’t moved far from the house, I can see mother looking at me through the window. That’s not creepy at all. “Do you have anything you want to ask me?”
“Do you actually want to be here or is Alpha making you do this?” I honestly have no idea the answer to that because Sol didn’t seem to like me all that much.
Hito hesitates, I raise a brow at him. “Yes and no.” Dear fuck he sounds like me. “He has been sending me off to meet respectable mates but he didn’t want me to meet you.” Hito rubs the back of his neck. “Kyra was the one to say I should meet you.” 
Okay I was not expecting that response. “Oh, why did she want you to meet me?”
Hito chokes out a laugh. “You pissed off father.”
“You know what that actually makes a lot of sense, especially if he treats her the way he treated me when we met.”
“Ah yeah I heard about that. I’m sorry about him, he’s got an old way of thinking about things.”
“It’s fine- well it’s not but I have heard far worse and I’m just gonna let it roll off my back.” I shrug, I shouldn’t have said that. Now I’m unconfutable.
“I don’t think I want to know what has been said to you that is worse than Aryan, Helios and father.” Hito states, glancing over at the house, I know the moment he spots mother because he whips his back to me. “Maybe we should uh head back in.”
“Probably.” 
...
They all left shortly after Hito and I walked back inside, all but Aspen and my siblings, even mother went off to do something. I’m laying on the couch, pillow over my face, contemplating my entire life. “You look like you’d rather be anywhere else.” Viola informs me, she’s perched on the arm of the couch I’m on. If mother was still in here, she’s get her ass chewed out just for that. 
“Leave her be Viola, you wouldn’t be much better off if your roles were reversed.” Aspen mutters, I also may have my head on Aspen’s thigh. To be fair I told him to move or I was going to lay on him. His fingers tangle in my hair, I can’t decide if I like that or not but I’ll let it be for now.
“I think I would handle it better.” Viola muses.
“So should I sign you up for a mate bidding?” Frost snarks, he’s been in a bad mood since we left the Fall lands and I still don’t want to deal with it.
“Don’t even think about that!” Ilgar snarls at Frost. “I know you’ve been a grumpy ass for months but don’t take it out on our sisters!” 
“I have not been in a bad for months!” Frost snaps back, he’s such a fucking lair.
“Yes you have. And I say that as someone who has also been in a bad mood for months.” Buz pipes up, most of the time I’m sure I hate them but other times I love them.
“You have been snapping at a lot.” Viola musses. “I just thought it was the Alpha hormones like Buz.”
“I haven’t been in a bad mood!” Frost tries to defend himself but Aspen chooses to also add in.
“You’ve been snapping at Sparrow and everyone who has tried to even talk to him.” 
Oh boy. I peek out from under the pillow, Frost is turning purple. “You’ve snapped at Sparrow?” Ilgar sounds so shocked and so surprised. “He’s Snow’s best friend! And-“ Ilgar cuts himself off glances over at Aspen before glaring at Frost, oh?
Did I somehow miss this? I have been ignoring Frost for the most part. I replay every interaction of Sparrow and Frost in my mind, oh fuck! “Okay Sparrow almost took Zep on his offer to fuck so I don’t think-“
“I’m sorry WHAT?” WHY WAS I NOT INFORMED OF THIS?
“Shit.” Aspen and Frost breathe as I roll onto my side to glare at Frost. I’m comfortable, I’m not sitting up.
“That is why you’re so pissed off? Because Sparrow thought-THOUGHT? About taking up Zep’s offer? Zep fucks everyone! He fucked you! Is that the reason you flipped your shit?” I snarl shout at Frost who, looks sheepish. 
“Oh this is wonderful.” Viola breathes.
“Okay look-“ Frost starts but is cut off.
“Why are you all shouting?” Arcticus asks, coming into the living room, instantly making my brothers and I sit up straighter. 
“Frost is an idiot we’re trying to make him see sense.” Viola answers, waving her hand. Fuck she doesn’t realize what she’s done. Buz’s and Ilgar’s wide eyes tell me I’m not the only one thinking that.
“Oh? What did he do?” Arcticus asks, sweeping his gaze over Frost who is as stiff as a fucking board.
“He hasn’t done anything yet, he was just thinking about it. We’re talking him out of it, because it’s stupid as fuck.” I speak before anyone else can make this worse. 
Arcticus hums. “And this requires you to yell?”
“Yes, so he can hear me clearly.” I lift my chin and meet his gaze. “I’ve got it handled.”
“I hope you do but just incase...” Arcticus puts a heavy hand on Frost’s shoulder. “Listen to your sister, she’s finally learned to behave.” His voice deepens, the threat clear.
“Got it.” Frost grits out, Arcticus nods and leaves the room. 
“What was that?” Aspen asks calmly, his leg tense under my head. 
“He makes us run till we drop, if he knows we’re being idiots. And I was yelling, I didn’t want to be made to run with Frost.” I wave my hand, flicking my gaze to Buz, Ilgar and Frost who nod in agreement. One of the few things we agree on, no one should ever know what goes on in this house. And that Viola is never allowed to know, unless she starts getting punished like us. 
“I can’t believe he still makes you guys run. That’s such a strange punishment.” Viola grumbles.
“You don’t have to run?” Aspen asks gruffly, I don’t think he believes me, fuck!
“Nah, I’m fucking angel. I was made to run till I dropped twice and changed my tune pretty quickly. I don’t know why these four don’t just do the same.” 
“I’ll tell you when you’re older.” Ilgar waves Viola off.
“I’m 18.” Viola deadpans.
“Yeah but you won’t get the reasoning till your 25 so that’s when we’ll tell you.” Buz mutters, covering his face with his arm. He’s talking about the Omega hormones, they are late bloomers and don’t have them till they’re 25.
“That doesn’t seem fair.” Viola pouts, I sigh and go to run my hand through my hair but grab Aspen’s hand instead.
I pull it in front of my face and frown. “Can I have my hand back?” Aspen asks, I meet his gaze with narrowed eyes. 
“Your hand was in my hair.”
“Did you just now notice that?” Aspen frowns at me, no but I forgot it was there.
I let go of his hand and slide my gaze away from him, Viola raises a brow at me. “Why don’t you just mate with Aspen and put an end to this mate bidding?” I jerk away from Aspen so fast I fall off the couch. “Or not.”
Buz and Ilgar start laughing while Frost glares at Viola. “No.” I snap, he doesn’t see me that way and it’d be weird to be mated to Sparrow’s brother. 
“Why not? You hang around him enough?” Buz asks, still laughing, I bare my fangs at him.
“Eat a dick!” 
“Isn’t that what you’re going to be doing once you mate?” Viola asks, I grab a pillow and chuck it at her, it hits her in the face and she falls off the couch. “Fucking bitch!” She snarls, standing up.
“I really don’t like the direction of this conversation, I should be getting home.” Aspen stands, I avoid looking at him. 

ASPEN!!
I quickly make my way out of the living room, stopping to sigh and run my hands threw my hair when I hear Viola’s voice again. “Seriously though, why not Aspen? You guys are friends and you know him.”
I freeze, I shouldn’t be listening to this but my feet don’t move. “One, he doesn’t see me that way, two, he thinks we would kill each other, three, it would be fucking weird to be mated to one of Sparrow’s siblings.”
I blink in surprise. “You didn’t say that, you didn’t see him that way.” Viola points out, yeah no I should not be listening to this. I bolt out of the Winter house but my mind is stuck on Viola’s words. Because she’s right, Snow didn’t say that. 

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 14th.
So I maybe am trying to keep myself busy, by going to see Leto, I stayed with her for three hours. We sparred for two of those. Then I went to the Summer border, ran into Grove again, I also sparred with him, for another hour. Then I ran into Aluma and we ran her border for three hours, then I went home and Zep asked me to spar. For an hour before Ilgar wanted to spar with me for about 30 minutes, then Viola wanted to spar with me for another 30 minutes and everything hurts now. I’ve put myself in a tree, near where the borders meet. Trying to keep my mind firmly on anything other then the conversations yesterday. I’ve never really even tried to think about Aspen in any kind of way other than Sparrow’s older brother- NO! THINK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE! 
I haven’t seen Silas since I left the Fall land- NOT THAT EITHER! I groan and roll onto my stomach, almost falling off the tree branch. “Fucking shit!” I breathe wrapping my legs around the branch. Viola chuckles, at my almost falling off a fucking tree, cause she found me out here a few minutes ago and decided to join me.
“Snow?” Ah shit. I glance at the border, Aspen called my name. But he’s with Sparrow on their side of the border while Ozul and Onyx on standing on their side of the border. Fucking shit! “Hi Viola.” She waves at him, oh fuck my life. “Why are you two in a tree?” Aspen isn’t in his Wolf skin, Sparrow, Ozul and Onyx shift out of their Wolf skins.
Viola raises a brow at me. “I was avoiding my thoughts, she followed me.” I grumble and push myself to sit up. “What are you guys doing?”
“Running the border. Why are you avoiding your thoughts?” Sparrow crosses into my land and stands under the tree, he nods his head to Viola.
“I’m stressed, my thoughts are not helping so avoiding.” I pull my knees to my chest and glance over the males. Aspen, Onyx and Ozul don’t cross the borders but each of them look like they’re thinking about it.
“Maybe talking about them will help?” Ozul suggests, I narrow my gaze at him.
“Well you don’t know what I know, so no.”  
“What?” Ozul, Aspen, Viola and Onyx ask at the same time. 
“Oh.” Sparrow breathes, he gets me -well at least some of it.
“I don’t get it.” Aspen states, I ignore him and focus on Sparrow.
“I would like to forget and pretend I never knew.” 
“I don’t think that’s possible.” Sparrow tells me and starts climbing the tree.
“Can’t we find someone to erase those memories?”
Sparrow sits on a branch across from me. “I think there’s a factor you’re forgetting.”
“Are you guys talking about her kidnapping?” I swing my gaze to a puzzled Ozul, who has crossed the border and is standing under the tree with Aspen and Onyx.
“No.” Sparrow and I answer at the same time.
“Wait why don’t you want to erase your kidnapping memories?” Sparrow frowns over at me.
“Cause I would still have my scars and would freak out not knowing how I got them.” I shrug and almost fall off the branch, Sparrow grabs my arm.
“Can you maybe not try to fall out of a fucking tree?” Onyx snaps at me, I raise a brow down at him. 
“That is like the third time she has done that.” Viola tells the males, I ignore her.
“Oh Onyx, you almost sound like you care!” I put my hands over my heart. 
“You aren’t funny. I just do not need you to die while I’m near.” Onyx snarls, Ozul smacks the back of his head.
“Uh huh sure, that’s what it is.” Am I trying to piss him off? Yes, kinda hoping he’ll try to kill me. That’ll shut off my thoughts.
“Watch it Snow.” Onyx snaps, Sparrow pokes me, a warning which yeah I’m not listening to.
“Fucking make me.” 
“Are you drunk?” Sparrow questions, while Onyx bristles.
“Nope. I wish I was.” I don’t drink cause it makes my head fuzzy and reactions to slow but I would like the fuzziness right now.
“She hasn’t touched a drop of alcohol.” Viola assures the males.
“Is she high?” Ozul asks Viola and I’m offended, I haven’t ever willing touched drugs!
“No. She doesn’t do that.” Viola shakes her head.
“Then what is wrong with her?” Onyx growls at Sparrow, who shrugs.
“No idea.”
“There’s nothing wrong with me at this moment.” We got off track, I need to piss off Onyx. 
“I think you’re lying.” Aspen tells me, I try not to look at him but fail. Fuck! STUPID THOUGHTS GO AWAY! 
“Believe what you want.” I wave my hand and slide off the tree, Sparrow tries to grab me again but fails. 
I shift mid air but don’t hit the ground, I snarl in Onyx’s face. “What part of do not die while I’m near did you not understand?” Onyx growls at me, hmm. This could work.
I bite his nose and wiggle out of his arms at the same time before taking off. I hear Onyx growl, then shouting, then someone chasing me and more cursing. It worked! I push my legs to move faster and to even my breathing. “I’m going to kill you.” Onyx’s voice slips into my mind, I don’t look back.
“You can try.” I can’t keep the smugness out of my voice. I can feel him gaining on me, so I push my body harder, my legs burn. I have over done it today but can’t stop now. 
“What is wrong with you?” Sparrow growls into my mind, I chose not respond.
A golden Wolf steps into my path, shit! I try to slide to a stop. “Snow watch-“ Onyx’s cuts himself off as I crash face first into Silas slamming both of us to the ground. “You deserved that.” 
I groan and roll off Silas, who stands and shakes out his fur. “Who? Me or Snow?” Silas asks, nudging me with his paw. Calm floods my entire body, oh that’s back.
“Her. She decided to be pain.” Onyx answers, I push to my paws and shake out my fur. “Why did you bite me?”
“I needed a distraction. You trying to kill me seemed like a good one.” 
“What?” Silas, Sparrow, Aspen, Viola and Ozul ask, oh they caught up. Viola freezes when she sees Silas, oh that’s not good.
“There are better ways to ask!” Onyx huffs, I really don’t think he’s right about that.
“I don’t think trying to get yourself killed is a good distraction darling.” Silas eyes me wearily.
“Says you.” I flick my tail over his face, he huff and lifts his head.
“I hate to agree with Summer but he’s fucking right. That is not a good distraction!” Aspen raises his voice.
“It’s a matter of opinion. You say it’s not, I say it is.” 
“Sure but there are better ways to ask.” Onyx states again, I roll my eyes.
“What do you want to say? Hey Onyx, do you want to try to kill me so my mind shuts off for five fucking minutes?” 
“I’d rather you say that than fucking bite me.” Is his snarled reply.
Ozul shifts out of his Wolf and throws his hands in the air. “How about no one tries to kill anyone?” 
I let go of my Wolf skin, the others doing the same. “That’s not fun.”
“And attempted murder is?” Aspen sounds done with my bullshit. Oh well. 
“Yes.” Both Onyx and I say, I side eye him and he glares at me. 
“I changed my mind.” Viola states loudly, making all of us look at her.
“About what?” What is she talking about?
“Who you should mate to get it over with already.” Viola shrugs, I’m so confused.
“Who did you say first?” Sparrow asks also confused.
“Aspen. But now I think it should be Onyx because they’re really similar and would get along great.” Viola sounds way to cheerful, Silas bristles beside me. Ozul burst into laughter, Aspen and Sparrow are staring at Viola in utter shock. 
“I think your sister is brain damaged.” Onyx turns to me, his face deathly calm. 
“I agree with the Bloodhound Wolf.” Silas states, Viola glowers at them.
“I’m not!” 
“I’d rather get hit by a car.” Onyx snaps, I elbow him hard, turning his dark gaze ton me.
“Watch your tone when you speak to my sister.” I hiss, fangs bared. 
“Tell her to stop being an idiot and I will.” He snaps back, getting in my face. 
I lunge for him, Aspen grabs Onyx and yanks him back while I’m yanked back as well. Viola, Sparrow and Ozul step in between Onyx and I. It won’t stop me if he says one more- “Can you try not to start a war?” Sparrow snaps at me, I growl softly, Silas tightens his hold on me.
“I didn’t start shit!” I dig my claws into Silas’s arm but he doesn’t let go.
“Let go of me Aspen.” Onyx is deathly calm and staring into my fucking soul.
“Are you going to try to fight Snow?” Aspen raises a brow that Onyx can’t see.
“As long as she stays away from me, no.” Onyx continues to hold my gaze. 
Aspen slowly releases Onyx, who shakes him off and glares at me. “Snow, are you going to leave Onyx alone?” Ozul turns to me.
“As long as he doesn’t speak to or about my sister.” She is mine to protect, Onyx dips his chin to me.
“You can let her go now Silas.” Sparrow pointedly looks at the arms around me, Silas hangs on to long enough for the males and Viola to tense up before releasing me. 
I step away from and pull Viola to my side. “Is no one going to talk about the fact that a Summer Wolf is here and not trying to kill us?”
“I’m in the mate bidding, Viola. What good would it do if I tried to kill either of you?” Silas asks her, I roll my eyes.
Viola bristles beside me. “Why are you even in it?” 
Silas bares his teeth in a grin. “I’m over the blood shed.” 
Viola scuffs, I elbow her hard. She grunts and shoots me a glare, thankfully Sparrow decides to step in. “That’s all well and good but we need to get going.” Sparrow grabs both Viola’s and my arms, tugging us towards him. 
“All of you are going to the same place?” Silas asks, raising his brow at me.
“Yes we are.” Aspen snaps, pushing Viola, Sparrow and I all behind him. What the fuck? 
“They are acting weird.” Viola grumbles but lets herself be tugged behind Ozul, who pokes her, whispers something to her. Then they shift to their Wolves forms and take off, oh I think I like him even more now. 
“Or you are just trying to get the Winter Wolves away from me.” Silas takes another step closer, Onyx, Aspen and Sparrow all tense.
“Back off.” Onyx snaps, stepping shoulder to shoulder with Aspen.
“I wouldn’t hurt her.” Silas informs them.
“Maybe you wouldn’t but she said no. So back the fuck off. We’re leaving.” Sparrow snarls at Silas, his claws sinking into my hand, right time to shift. 
I shift into my Wolf skin, Sparrow doing the same. Silas growls, Aspen and Onyx make a literal body block as Sparrow nudges me away, fine. I take off at a run, Sparrow continuing to nudge me along till we cross into the Fall border, where Ozul and Viola are waiting for us, both looking worried in their Wolf forms. I trot over to them and nudge Viola, she hums and rubs her body against mine. I tuck her head under my chin and we wait for Aspen and Onyx to come back. 
Which takes a while, long enough that Sparrow and Ozul start pacing. “If they don’t get here soon, I’m going to have to head back.” Viola tells me, she’s got a test in a little while.
“Go ahead and head back. I’ll see you later, they’ll be fine.” I nudge her away from me, she whines, hesitates before heading home.
Another ten minutes go by before Onyx and Aspen trot back onto the Fall border. “What happened?” Sparrow asks instantly, pouncing over to Aspen and checking him injures, he has none. 
Ozul starts looking over Onyx, who snaps at him but Ozul just ignore Onyx’s bad mood. “We just spoke to Silas, made a few threats about staying away from Snow.” Aspen answers, letting Sparrow nose along his body.
“You do realize I can handle myself right?” I ask, curling my tail over my paws.
“I’m aware of that. You just shouldn’t have to deal with him.” Aspen shrugs as Sparrow steps away from him. 
“Aspen is right. Silas should learn to stay away.” Onyx adds, I shoot him a glare. 
“He’s a Summer Wolf, shouldn’t he know that by now?” Ozul asks, also stepping away from Onyx. Shit, I forgot. “Oh. No. Tell me I am wrong and this isn’t about what I think it’s about.” 
“Depends, what are you thinking it’s about?” Aspen asks carefully, I side eye him.
“That Snow has already met her mate and said no to him.” Damn him. “Please tell me, it isn’t fucking Silas.” 
No one says anything, fucking shit. “Well. .” I start and Ozul shifts out of his Wolf skin. 
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding!” Ozul throws up his hands, then covers his face. “Oh this is bad.”
I let go of my Wolf skin, the others doing the same as well. “It’s not great, could be worse. Would be worse if my mother found out. Or if the people in my mate bidding found out.”
“Oh my fuck!” Ozul squats down, hands still on his face. Sparrow winces, while Aspen stares up at the sky. 
Onyx though just watches his brother. “You are not allowed to tell anyone.” 
“No shit Onyx!” Ozul groans back.
“It’ll be fine. He won’t win my mate bidding, mother won’t let him. So it’s not really that big of a deal.” 
Ozul lifts his head and meets my gaze. “You don’t think that she would want to end the blood shed by mating you to the Summer pack?” 
“Probably not, it would give Helios a chance to damage the Winter pack by killing me.” I shrug, Aspen, Sparrow and Onyx, turn to me and tilt their heads slowly.
That’s not creepy at all. “Why did you say it like that?” Sparrow asks, his voice tight.
“What do you mean?” There’s nothing wrong with what I said, is there? 
“You damage the Winter pack. Not hurt your mother, or siblings just your pack.” Onyx points out, is that weird? I mean my siblings have been preparing to lose me since I was born a White Wolf, even more since I was declared a Luna. 
“I thought that was obvious. Sorry I didn’t list all of the people my death would hurt.” I snap, oh that was a little too defensive. 
“Okay, I’m ignoring that for now. Are you sure your mother wouldn’t mate you to Silas?” Onyx asks, he’s such an ass.
I open my mouth to respond but make myself think it over first. She is trying to get me out as fast as she can. . . I don’t want to think about this anymore. “I don’t know. It doesn’t matter, it won’t happen so there’s no reason to worry about it.”
“I think you’re delusional.” Onyx inform me, I flip him off. 
“Snow’s right, her mother would never let her be mated to a Summer Wolf. No matter what.” Sparrow, bless him. 
“Why do I have a sinking feeling that this is going to go terribly wrong?” Ozul breathes, yeah unfortunately I get the same damn sinking feeling. 
...
I hesitate before knocking on mother’s office door. “Come in.” I step into her office and close the door behind me, Arcticus is sitting by the window, flies in his hand. Mother is sitting behind her desk, flipping through paper work. “I am busy Snow. What do you need?”
“I have a question.” Damn that was the Luna tone, Arcticus lifts his head to watch me, mother pauses and slowly raises her gaze to meet mine.
“What is it?”
“Silas seems to think that he can win my mate bidding.” 
Arcticus chokes on air, mother just raises a brow at me. “That was not a question. How do you even know that he wants to win?” 
Oh boy. “Sparrow ran into Silas, Silas informed Sparrow of that. Sparrow told me.”
“Still not a question Snow.” Mother bites out.
“Would you let him win?” 
Arcticus sets down his flies and looks between mother and I. “Helios wouldn’t let Silas win so it’s a mute point.”
“Are you sure about that?” 
“Excuse you?” Mother snarls, standing up.
I press my back to the door, my shoulders curling into myself. “What if Helios doesn’t stop Silas? What then?”
Mother’s white claws dig into the desk. “He would not.”
“I understand that. I’m asking if he does. Because if Silas is convinced he’s going to win, does that mean his father, is fine with him trying?” 
Mother stares at me flatly. “No. I would not let him win. No child of mine will mate one of Helios. No matter what.” 
“Not even if they promised to end the blood shed?” 
Mother blinks at me in surprise. “Not even then. What is with this line of questioning?”
“Sparrow asked me what would happen if Silas did win. I didn’t have answer. Then I wanted to know the answer.” I shrug, still curled up against the door. 
“Tell Sparrow to mind his own business.” Mother snaps, I flinch. “Go with Arcticus, I do not want to deal with you right now.” 
Fuck. Arcticus stands, I step away from the door and open it, Arcticus leads the way out. I should have just left it alone. Nothing good comes asking mother questions that shouldn’t be asked. 

Chapter Text

Onyx.
July 16th.
I am annoyed and cannot explain why. I have been watching Snow for two days, I saw what Arcticus did. I do not know why, he did it. I got here, some time in the middle of him beating her. I seethed the entire time yet did not step in or try to stop it. She was not fighting back, just dodging what she could and accepting what she could not. 
He left her in the ring, bloodied and unable to get up. I almost went to her, Ilgar beat me to it, he jumped into the ring. Picked her up and carried her inside. For the first time in a long time, I stayed all night, watching. She had laid in bed for two hours after Ilgar fixed what he could. Then she got up, stared at herself in the mirror, poking at the bruises and cuts along her body. Before she had changed and went back outside, she ran her border for most of the night. 
She had only just crawled into bed when her pack woke and started moving, I stayed and watched. Snow laid in bed for two hours, not sleeping just reading. She got up, trained with Frost first, then Zephyron, then Viola, then a male I do not know- she called him Joe. I knew that Winter Wolves are trained differently but Snow’s fighting style is very different from her siblings and friends. 
It is not like Arcticus’s either, it was strange to watch. How did she learn to fight like that if not from her pack? Then she and Buz went to run their border, where she ran into Sparrow. She went with him and left Buz on his own, Sparrow took Snow to Aluma. They ended up sparring then Flint wanted to try to fight Snow. 
She won, which was a little surprising. Another male I did not know- Sparrow called him Thomas- wanted to spar with Snow, she let him and won that as well. Snow went back to her border, sat in a tree near the Spring border reading the book I gave her. Then Leto showed up with Cedar, they talked for a while then they both sparred with her. Does Snow ever sleep? Or stop for five seconds? 
She stayed with them for a few hours, then she went to the Summer border. Where she sat in a tree, reading once again, when a Summer Wolf showed up. Not Silas, way to young to be Silas- she called him Grove- she spoke softly to him and asked him to show her what he learned. It was not terrible, but he was clearly still in the first stages of his training. She showed him some moves then they sparred. Seriously, does she ever stop?
After that she went home, ate for the first time that I had witnessed, showered-I did not watch her shower- and went back outside. She ran the border again till late evening when Frost told her to come inside and eat with them. Khione did not eat with them, Viola talked the entire time but I could not hear the words, Snow seemed distant while Ilgar, Buz and Frost engaged with Viola. After that Snow went to her room and stared at her celling. 
That was when I was an idiot. I slipped through her window, Snow turned her head towards me but did not say anything just watched me. She did not seemed surprised to see me, in fact she turned her head away and went back to staring at the ceiling. I did not move just watched her, then she moved over and patted the bed, I hesitated before shifting into my Wolf skin and hopping on her bed. Snow eventually fell asleep, which was a good thing because I was starting to believe she never slept, unfortunately I also fell asleep. 
And woke to her staring at me, that was not creepy at all. She did not say anything just poked my nose, I had snarled at her till I heard someone coming to her room and slipped out of the window to watch, once again. Buz came into her room and asked if she wanted to train with him, she did and I wanted to punch her for not resting longer. She sparred with Frost again, then Zephyron, Joe, Ilgar and Venus. Then she just walked around, talking to her pack, most seem to love Snow but there was one that made my blood boil. 
Leah, she sneered at Snow and cornered her, talking about how often Leah had been to the Fall pack. How she was sure that she would snag Aspen or Flint as a mate. Snow had just stared at Leah flatly, as she went on and on about it. It seemed to me that Leah was trying to get under Snow’s skin, which made me unexpectedly angry. For reasons unknown to me. 
So I was idiot again. I stepped out of the Shadows and hooked an arm around Snow’s waist, pulling her to my body. “I have been looking for you.” I croon into Snow’s ear, Leah’s eyes widen. 
“Oh?” Snow turns her face towards me, her eyes narrowed. “I haven’t been hiding.”
“Yet you were not where you said you’d be.” I make my tone teasing, Snow’s eyebrows twitch but she plays along. 
“I got held up.” Snow nods her head to Leah who is frozen in shock, good. 
I eye Leah distastefully, then look back at Snow with a raised brow. “You’re a Bloodhound Wolf. Why are you here?” Leah pulls herself together.
“I’m in the mate bidding. I’m sweeping Snow off her feet.” Which I do, Snow squeaks and wraps her legs around my waist. “Try not to be too much of a bitch Leah, you won’t win a mate acting like that.” And with that, I carry Snow away. 
“So what is this?” Snow asks casually, surprisingly not trying to get out of my hold as I take her into the Shadows. 
“She was annoying.” Is all I say, as I set her down. Snow raises a sharp brow at me, I do not think she believes me but it is the truth.
“Yes, she was but that doesn’t explain to me why you decided to step in.” Snow crosses her arms over her chest and raises a brow at me, her lips press together. “And are you ready to talk about you stalking me?” 
Okay then. So she knew. The entire time. That is not good. “It is not stalking. I was observing. It is different.” It is not. 
“Uh huh. Sure. We’ll go with that.” Snow hums, her gazing flicking around the Shadows wrapped around us. “I haven’t actually seen any of you use Shadows before.” 
Oh. I suppose I have not used them around Snow. “I have not had a reason to use them around you.” 
“Hmm. You know I can handle Leah, right? I didn’t need you to step in.” Yet she is not meeting my gaze, just staring at my Shadows.
“You were not handling, just watching.” 
Fire sparks in Snow’s eyes as she finally meets my gaze. “Because she’s harmless, annoying but harmless.” 
How can one person be this dumb? “Just because it is not a physical attack does not mean it does not hurt.” 
Snow rolls her eyes. “Does it hurt you when people talk shit about you?” 
“Emotions are not a thing for me. That is different.” 
“Sure. Her words don’t hurt me anymore and I don’t need anyone stepping in to save me or whatever the fuck you thought you were doing!” Snow snarls at me, that fire burning in her gaze. 
“You bother me.” I snap, this is so stupid. 
“Then why the fuck are you stalking me?!” She growls, making me pause. Why did I even start this? “You don’t have an actual answer do you?” Snow scuffs and turns her back to me and pushes on my Shadows, sending shivers down my spine. “Let me out Onyx.” 
I release the Shadows surrounding her, Snow steps out of them and walks away. I can see the tension and anger lining her body, I might have caused more damage then I intended to. Yet I still follow her as she goes back to making her rounds with her pack. I know I should leave but I do not, I cannot make myself leave. That should be a sign that I am in too deep, but I just burry it.
FOUR HOURS LATER.

Watching Snow is exhausting, she does so much. Barely stopping except for right now, she’s just staring at the Fall border. In a tree-what is with her and trees?- With a book in her lap-my book- not reading. I am tired and hungry yet I still cannot make myself leave, I think I might have a small problem. Made worse when Noir-wrapped in his own Shadows- sits down beside me on a branch. “I brought food.” Noir holds up, a wrap, I narrow my gaze at him but take it and tear into it. “You know stalking her isn’t going to make you understand her any better.”
“I think I am starting to.” I grumble, shoving more of the wrap into my mouth. 
“Oh? So you think, not eating and not sleeping is finally making you understand her?” Noir raises a brow at me, I pause. 
If Snow is running off this amount of sleep all of the time. . . It would make her irritable, depressed, anxious, stressed and paranoid. She would have trouble thinking and focusing. Head aches, feeling fatigued or lethargic. Pair that with not eating enough and what comes with that. Feeling cold, low energy, insomnia, (of course she has that) infertility, (I do not think she cares about that one) moodiness, anxiety, weight loss, brain fog, dizziness, weakness and difficulty concentrating. 
That makes so much sense. Fuck me. “Onyx?” Noir prompts, I meet his gaze. 
“Yes. I understand a lot more now then I ever have before.” Holy shit. Noir frowns at me but something catches his eye.
“I think we might need to step in.” I raise a brow at Noir before looking to Snow, who is no longer on the tree. Sigh. 
She is on the ground, watching Aspen and pack Alphas approach her. “She yelled at me last time I did that. I do not think she would like it if I did it again.” 
“I want to hear what you did but maybe not right now.” Noir whispers just as Aspen and a few Alpha make it to the Winter border. 
Snow rolls her shoulders back and puts on a fake smile and approaches the border. We cannot hear them from hear but Snow seems tense yet faking relaxation. 
Aspen seems like he wants to punch someone, why is he even doing this? I think it should be someone else who is less likely to kill someone and that is not Aspen. “Is it just me or does Aspen look like he wants to kill all of these Alphas?” 
“Because he does.” I can see it in his eyes as the Alphas speak to Snow, she has relaxed a little, not so tense anymore. I still do not like it though and clearly neither does Aspen, which fine makes me like him just a little. 
“What is his problem with those Alphas?” Noir asks softly, I flick my gaze towards him but he is focused on the others. 
“They are too close to Snow.” Aspen still has not realized he is half in love with Snow.
“And that’s a problem, because?” Noir asks, I roll my eyes.
“Figure it out yourself.” I do not feel like giving up that information. 
Noir snarls quietly but remains silent as we watch for an entire hour as they all talk to Snow, Aspen got tenser and tenser as it went on. Now they are finally leaving, Aspen sticks close to Snow as they leave. Snow’s mask drops as soon as they are out of sight. “Oh, okay wow. I wasn’t expecting that.” Noir breathes, I frown over at him.
“What are you talking about?”
“Her entire face just changed, like she was nice and polite to those Alphas but as soon as they left it dropped into a deep scowl. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her face do that.” Noir informs me, dear fuck. 
“Shut up Noir.” Yes Snow dropping her mask is weird as fuck but she has not put it up around me, ever. Well not when we were alone. I wonder why she has never done that around me before. Hmm I need to think about that, when I am not sleep deprived. 
Her and Aspen argue for a little while before Aspen walks away, Snow turns sharply toward us. Noir jerks back in surprise. “Okay I know she can’t see us but it really looks like she is looking right at us.” How do I tell him, that I think she can see us? She climbs up the tree we are on, yes she definitely can see us. “She’s climbing our tree!” Noir shakes my arm as Snow stops on the branch beside us, raise a brow at him.
“Yeah. Because Onyx is stalking me and you decided to join him. What the fuck?” Snow hisses at us, Noir’s eyes widen.
“You can see us?” 
“Yes! I’m not fucking blind!” 
Dear fuck. “How?” Noir yells, I wince and Snow stares at him like he is stupid. 
“I literally just said I’m not blind. Why are you two here?” Snow sighs, pinching her nose. 
“You knew I was watching you.” Is all I say, there is not much else to say.
“You should have left by now.” Snow snaps at me, okay she is still mad. “You should know better then to stalk someone!” She turns to snap at Noir, who smiles sheepishly at her. 
“Well I just came to check on Onyx. Not uh stalk you.” Noir tries to defend himself.
Snow gives Noir a flat look. “You are an idiot.”
“Hey! That’s rude!” 
“Go home. Both of you. I’m tired of being around Alphas.” That fiery gaze locks me in place. “And I’m tired of being stalked. Go. Home.” 
“We’re leaving.” Noir tugs me out of the tree, I snarl but let myself be dragged to the Bloodhound border. “She’s kinda scary.” Noir mutters, still dragging me by the arm.
I shake off his hold. “Are you really surprised by that?” 
“Yes! Lunas are supposed to be nice.”
“Normal Lunas. What about Snow is normal?” 
Noir stops, blinks at me and then shrugs. “Fair enough.”
I sigh and shake my head, I try to break off from him but he follows me to my room. “Did you need something Noir?” I would like to sleep now.
“Please don’t stalk her again.” I stiffen and turn towards him.
“You know what I do, why are you worried about a little stalking?”
“A little? I think it was more than a little. You were watching her for two days.” 
So maybe it was longer then intended. “Again, I kill people. Why do you have a problem with stalking?”
Noir sighs. “I don’t have an issue with stalking but you can’t do it to a Winter Wolf.”
“Why not?” 
“For someone who needs to know everything, you sure do miss a lot.”
“The fuck is that supposed to mean?” 
“If they Winter Wolves catch you watching one of theirs, they will kill you. And there would be nothing mom could say or do that would make them stop.” I raise a brow at Noir, I do not think they would. “Don’t look at me like that, they’ve done it before.”
“I will think about it.” I will not. He does not need to know that. 
“Onyx. Please just leave the Winter pack be, you might end up starting a war.” 
“Sure.” I close the door in his face and fall back onto my bed. I have much to think about before tonight, those plans cannot be pushed back. I run over the plans for tonight, five males need to be killed for what they did to a 16 year old, he did not deserve what they did to him. So I will make them suffer. 

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 18th.
Thankfully Onyx stopped stalking me, but then there was a report of five dead Elves, they were so messed up that we still don’t know their ID’S which is a little concerning but I’m trying not to think about that too much. Or the fact that Onyx stalked me for two fucking days. I can’t believe I even let him in my room, I honestly have no idea what was going through my mind when I let him. 
Ugh! I push my body faster, running the border is a good distraction sometimes. I mean why did he even stalk me? He couldn’t even give me a fucking reason. So why did he do it? As if I don’t have enough confusing males in my life! At first his watching me, didn’t bother me because he was keeping his distance and wasn’t trying to talk to me. But then he fucking stepped in when Leah was trying to brag about being the next Luna of the Fall pack. 
Like what the fuck was she-“Oof!” I take someone out and flip over, knocking the air out of my lunges. Ouch. “What the fuck?” I breathe, pushing to my paws, I blink at Silas as he stands and shakes out his fur. Unrelenting calm floods my body. 
“Were you lost in thought?” He asks, letting go of his Wolf skin.
Uh how do I tell my mate that I was seething over an idiot? Maybe I shouldn’t. “What are you doing here?” 
Silas raises a brow at me and crouches down to my level, right still in my Wolf skin. “Snow. You’re on the Summer border.”
FUCK! I swing my gaze around, okay I’m not that far into the Summer land. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to cross your border.” I step back but Silas catches the scruff of my neck and lifts me off the ground as he stands. 
“You didn’t answer my question darling.” He states, I curl my legs to my body. 
“Yes, I was thinking and got lost in it, not noticing that I crossed your border.” Fuck this was such bad timing.
“Shift.” That was a command, I feel my skin itch as I fight the Alpha command to do as he says, I don’t want to shift. 
“No.” I won’t because every time I’m out of my Wolf skin around this male, I forget myself.
Silas narrows his gaze at me as my skin and fur pull tight but I shove the urge to shift down as far as I can. “Why not?” He is still holding me off the ground.
“Because you make me lose my head and I can’t do that.” Maybe I shouldn’t have been so honest because his orange eyes light up, I’m so fucked. 
“Snow, shift. Now.” Fuck my life.
My body shakes with the command, I fight it as long as I can but fail. “You’re an ass.” I snap as my Wolf skin is forced away. 
Silas tugs me into his body by the back of my neck. “I think you enjoy it darling.” He whispers against my lips and fuck me, my legs give out and I lean against his body as my body is flooded with emotions I can’t place. 
“Fuck off.” I mutter but their is no fire behind the words. 
“I don’t think you want me to.” Silas moves, my back hits a tree before I realize what’s happening. “If you really wanted me leave, you would be fighting me.”
I suck in a sharp breath as his mouth descends on my neck, my back arches as his teeth graze my skin. “Silas. . .” I grab his hair with both hands, I don’t know if it’s to shove him away or pull him closer.
“You drive me insane.” Silas mutters onto my skin, pushing me further up the tree, so his mouth goes lower, to my chest. 
A shuddering breath leaves me as his lips move between my breast. “Silas. . “ Overwhelming calm is flooding me, I should be scared but I can’t feel anything but calm.
“I’ve been dying to get my hands on you. To taste your skin.” His hands slide under my shirt, ghosting over my skin. His leg, pushed between mine is holding all of my weight against the tree. 
“Silas. . .” My voice is shaky, my hands are shaking in his golden hair. 
“You’ve been seeing other Alphas, while I’ve been trying not to kill them for even daring to look at you. When you are mine.” Silas snarls into my skin, teeth scarping the side of my breast. 
My body trembles, I don’t know why. I’m not scared. “Silas. . .” I can’t seem to get any other word out. He pushes my shirt up and over my head, tossing it away. Fucking shit. 
“You taste like sugar darling.” Silas’s mouth nips at my left breast while his fingers hook into my jeans. “I want to take them off.”
Fuck! FUCK! I nod, barely and Silas yanks my pants off, I gasp as his hands grasps my thighs and lifts me higher till my legs are over his shoulders. My claws pop out of my skin, sinking into his hair. His mouth kisses down my trembling stomach. 
“I’ve got you and I’m not letting you go darling.” Silas’s teeth scrapes along my hip bone.  
“I don’t think you get a say in that.” I gasp out, clenching my legs around Silas’s shoulders, his hand grazes my clothed clit. 
“Oh I think I do.” Silas nudges me up further, the bark digging into my back as Silas moves my underwear away and his mouth latches onto my clit. I choke on a gasp as pleasure dances through me. His tongue lashes my clit, repeatedly, driving my hips to push into his mouth and away. 
I want more but it’s over stimulating in the best and worst way. His claws sink into my hips, as his tongue slides further down into my opening, I throw a hand to the bark and dig my claws into it. “Silas. . “ One of his hands leaves my hip and his thumb rubs into my clit as he tongue fucks me. 
“Relax. I’ve got you.” He murmurs against my thigh as his fingers glade to my opening, he rubs one finger around it before sliding it into me, I rock my hips, till he knuckle deep inside of me. I want more, a soft sound leaves me. “You’re so good. So soft.” 
“Silas. . . More.” I gasp out, fire burns in my core. I feel him smile against my skin as he slides in a second finger. “Fuck!” He curls his fingers, his thumb going back to rubbing into my clit. 
He stretches me out thoroughly before adding a third finger, I broken moan passes my lips, fuck! Fuck! I feel my climax building but too soon Silas takes my legs off his shoulder and his fingers out of my body. I snarl softly, my hands resting on his shoulders, Silas just smiles and undoes his pants, I go still as he pulls out his cock. Fuck me, pules of gentle soothing magic flows through my body. I run my hand down his cock gently, Silas shivers and leans his forehead against mine. 
“Are you ready darling?” He breathes, I dip my chin slightly, I’m scared (despite my magic telling me everything is fine) but I know he wouldn’t hurt me. He guilds the head of his cock to my opening, my shaking hand resting on his hip. “Breathe darling.” I suck in a sharp breath, relax, push out, deep exhale, I feel every inch as he slides into me. A tortured moan leaves Silas as he finally bottoms out, I release a shuddering breathe. Fuck-this- Silas pulls out slightly and pushes back in. 
“Silas!” I gasp out, claws sinking into his shoulder and hip. Silas picks up a gentle rhythm, his long cock hitting all of the right places while his thumb rubs into my clit. I yank him closer, hands moving to his neck and back. I suck and bite at his neck, Silas presses as close to me as he can, hips thrust speeding up moans and praise falling from his lips, that fall on deaf ears as his skin breaks under my teeth. 
His thumb rubs almost painfully into my clit, his cock slamming so deep inside that black spots fill my vison, my core burns, his claws digging into my hips painfully. I rock my hips meeting him thrust for thrust, Silas sinks his teeth into my ear, I cry out, my body tightening and unrelenting pleasure washing through me. Warmth fills my uterus as Silas comes inside of me, I choke as more pleasure slams through me, Silas legs give out and suddenly we’re on the ground. My legs shakes, his entire body is trembling as both of us breath heavily. Fucking shit. 
His head laying on my heaving chest, his hands running soothing circles on my ribs. I run my hand through his sweat slicked hair, trying to catch my breath. I let my eyes fall closed and accept the calming magic pulsing through my sweat covered body, enjoying Silas’s gentle touch. His lips press over my heart. “You’re mine darling.” Silas murmurs onto my skin, breaking my sated bliss. Fuck!
I roll Silas off of me, he goes easily and I sit up grimacing as his sperm starts leaking. That isn’t going to be easy to hide. Fuck! I swing my gaze around for my clothes, while Silas runs his hand up my spine. There’s my jeans, where the fuck is my-there’s my shirt, on a tree branch. I push to my shaking legs and grab my shirt off the branch and tug it over my head. Fuck I can feel his sperm dripping down my legs. “What are you doing darling?”
I avoid his gaze as I pick up my jeans. “Getting dressed.” I tug them on, I need a shower before I can go home. I hear him stand and move towards me but I side step away. “I have to go, before someone notices I’m gone.” My voice comes out to high to be normal.
“Are you alright Snow?” Silas breathes, I can hear the concern in his voice. 
“Yes. I have to go.” I force my body to shift and bolt away, I can’t believe I did that. Oh fuck, why did I do that? I race into the Fall border, I have to find Sparrow, no one else can see me before I scrub Silas scent off my skin. 
Nervous are rushing through me, I dodge every Fall Wolf I see. My heart beating so fast in my chest that it makes it hard to breathe, I skid to a stop outside of the Fall house in a bush. I lift my head enough to look inside the window of the living room, no one is in there. That’s good but I have no idea what time it is or even if Sparrow is home. Fuck! “Snow? Why are you in a bush?” I whip my head towards Aspen, who is staring at me in confusion. 
“Can I borrow your shower?” Is all I say, Aspen raises a brow at me but nods, I make myself as small as I can as I step out of the bush and follow Aspen inside. 
“Is everything okay?” Aspen asks gently as he opens his bathroom door for me, since I’m still in my Wolf skin. 
“Yes. I just need to shower.” I step into the bathroom but Aspen doesn’t close the door or leave. 
“You don’t seem okay.” He breathes, I avoid his gaze. 
“I am.” Please let it go. I don’t want to talk about it.
Aspen crouches down in front of me, I force my gaze to the floor, a confusing mess of emotions tangling together. “Snow, you smell like Silas and-“ Aspen sighs and looks away from me when I curl further into myself. “Just answer yes or no. Did he hurt you?”
“No.” I wish it was Sparrow who found me. Not Aspen. 
“Do you want a change of clothes?” I dip my chin, Aspen sighs again. “I’ll be back with the clothes.” He leaves and shuts the door. I shift out of my Wolf skin, shedding my clothes, I pull on the fire I’m still working on controlling and burn all of my clothes before snuffing the fire magic out. 
I turn on the shower, gaze moving to the mirror I try not to gasp at myself. There are hickeys all over my neck and chest, moving down my stomach towards my hips and thighs. Bruises in the shape of hands on my hips and thighs, there’s blood on my lips and chin. I turn my back to the mirror. Fuck my back is scrapped up and bleeding from being shoved into a tree. I force my gaze away from the mirror and step into the shower. 
I scrub and scrub at my body but still don’t feel clean. A knock at the door stops my constant scrubbing. “Can I come in to drop off the clothes?” Aspen asks gently, I let my eyes fall closed. 
“Yeah.” My voice breaks, fuck. I messed up, I could ruin everything. 
I hear Aspen come in. “Sparrow’s room was locked, so I couldn’t get you any of his clothes. And uh there were certain noises coming from Flint’s room so I didn’t try to get you some of his. I couldn’t find Aluma and I don’t enter her room without her permission. You can grab some of hers later. Sorry.” 
Why is Sparrow’s room locked? And I’m not even touching Flint. Aluma makes sense but did he bring any clothes? “So, no clothes?”
“You can uh borrow mine till you get Aluma’s.” Aspen breathes, I lean my head back against the shower wall. 
“Okay.” My voice is weak, Aspen makes a questioning sound. “I’m fine.”
“Okay, I’ll leave you to it.” I wait till he leaves before I slide down the wall, hands covering my head. I can’t believe I got lost in Silas, that I let go of my mind. My body shakes, what if mother finds out? She’ll kill him. I force myself stand on my shaking legs, step out of the shower, dry off and put on Aspen’s clothes. 
I flick my gaze to the mirror oh fuck me. I’m going to have to borrow Aluma’s makeup to cover this shit up. I sigh and step out of the bathroom, Aspen is pacing in his room. He turns quickly to me, going to say something when he chokes on his tongue. I hold up my hand before he can say anything. “No lectures please. I realize I was an idiot.”
“Wasn’t going to lecture you. Are you okay Snow?” He’s avoiding looking at me, I don’t blame him. I look like I got mauled. 
“Yes. I just have to cover these up and borrow some of Aluma’s perfume to hide Silas’s scent.” I shrug, trying to down play the emotions waring through me.
Aspen puts his hand over his face, breathing deeply. “You’re wearing my clothes and you used my shower products. You smell like me, not him.” 
I frown at Aspen before lifting my arm and sniffing myself, coffee and cinnamon, oh I do smell like Aspen. “That’ll work.” 
“Will it?” Aspen sounds strangled. 
“It should, I spend enough time with you guys that no one will think twice about it.” What the fuck is wrong with Aspen? I’m the one that is having a melt down and trying not to.
“Right okay. Aluma’s makeup.” Aspen waves the hand not on his face to the door. I raise a brow at him before moving to the door and opening it, and closing it as fast as I can. Oh this is just my luck. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh you know, just your mom about to knock on your door.” My voice is so high pitched, Aspen makes a strangled noise. 
“What?” Aspen gasps, I don’t turn to him, this is fucking bad. 
“Can I come in please?” Xanthe asks gently, now I turn frantic eyes on Aspen who is pale as fuck. 
“Not a good time.” Aspen bites out, I step away from the door just in time for it to swing open and Xanthe to walk in. 
“I think now is a perfect time. What the hell were you two thinking?” Xanthe hisses at both of us, I wince and Aspen cringes. 
“Mom please pretend you never saw this.” Aspen breathes, I see Xanthe gearing up to yell at her son so I stupidly open my mouth.
“This isn’t from Aspen. He didn’t do anything to me. I swear, I just came to shower, a change of clothes and to borrow some of Aluma’s makeup. Aspen had no part in this other than letting borrow his clothes and using his shower. That’s it.”
All of the steam leaves Xanthe, her brows pinching together. “Who gave those to you then? If it wasn’t my son?”
“I can’t answer that. Just trust me when I say it wasn’t Aspen.” Xanthe stares at me flatly for a moment. 
“Alright. I’ll grab some makeup for you to use, do not leaves this room. We do not need anyone else to see you like this. Aspen lock the door when I leave and do not let anyone in, till I come back with the makeup.” Aspen nods at his mother who swiftly leaves the room, Aspen locks the door. 
I collapse to the floor, arms covering my head, knees pulling to my chest. “Well that was fucked.” Aspen breathes, I hear him sit down on the bed.
“No shit.” I can’t believe Xanthe thought Aspen and I got together, I mean yes I’m wearing his clothes and smell like him but he told his entire family that he wasn’t interested in me that way, so she should have known better. 
“I’m sorry that she uh saw you.” 
I scuff. “I’m sorry she thought it was you.”
Aspen doesn’t respond, thankfully someone knocks. “Who is it?” Aspen calls out.
“Who do you think it is? Are you expecting someone?” Fuck that’s Aluma. 
“Yes. Go away. Find me later.” Aspen has a bite to his words, oh he’s going to regret that later. 
“Are you having sex like Flint is?” Dear fuck this family. 
“I’m about to, so please go away.” Aspen sounds done with all of this, I curl into a tighter ball. I shouldn’t have come here, I’ve made it fucking weird for everyone. 
“Fine.” Aluma huffs, I think she leaves but I can’t be sure. 
“Sorry.” Aspen grumbles.
“For?” Why is he saying sorry? I’m the one that fucked up. 
“That conversation. And uh what you heard.”
“It’s fine.” My fault any way. Not his. Another knock on the door.
“It’s mom.” Xanthe calls out, I hear Aspen rush to the door and let his mother in. “Okay, I’m going to keep everyone away from the house for a little while, Snow you need to be gone in fifteen minutes. Aspen will stay with you and then help you sneak out and bring you to your border. Do both you understand?”
“Yes.” Both Aspen and I answer, his mother leaves. I force myself to my feet, accepting the makeup from Aspen and start covering up all of the bruises and hickeys.  
Ten minutes later of silence, Aspen and I are racing to the Winter border, dodging every Wolf we see. He stops at my border while I cross it, I turn back to him. “Thanks Aspen and sorry again. I didn’t mean to cause you issues.”
“I know. It’s fine. I can handle it.” Aspen takes a step back. “Just be careful Snow.” I nod, he leaves, I suck in a sharp breathe before heading home. 
No one even looks at me twice as I slip into my room and change out of Aspen’s clothes and hiding them, showering again and curling into my bed. Wondering how the fuck I got here.

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 21st. 
I’ve stayed in my room for three days, no one or nothing could make me leave. Not mother yelling at me and trying to drag me out of my room, I know I will pay for that later. Not Frost and Buz asking to spar, not Viola and Ilgar asking me to run or even eat with them. Not even Onyx stalking me again made me leave my room. I haven’t slept, I haven’t eaten. My mind is just stuck on what happened three days ago, I can’t shake it. I can’t let it go. Can’t push it out of my mind. 
It’s not even just what happened with Silas, Aspen as well. It was awkward and strange, I never want to repeat it again. Xanthe made it worse. So much worse. The marks on my body faded this morning, so if I wanted to, I could leave but I can’t make myself. 
Sparrow came in last night, he’s laid in my bed with me, he sleeps on and off while my mind spins. I think he’s the reason Onyx hasn’t stormed into my room, asking what the fuck is wrong with me because yes, he’s still watching. If I had the energy, I would go out there and punch him in the fucking face. I don’t tell Sparrow about Onyx being out there, it would make him worry. He’s worried enough about me but I can’t change that. 
Sparrow curls his body around mine. “I need you to say something. Literally anything.” He breathes, his nose against my ribs. 
“I had sex.” Oh that is weird to say, it feels wrong to say out loud.
Sparrow bolts upright, his light brown eyes widen. “You what?”
“Had sex. Don’t ask. It was fine. I got someone in trouble though. Now I can’t stop thinking about all of it.” Can’t say anymore about it because Sparrow will freak out more.
“I need more words.” Sparrow breathes in utter shock, I don’t blame him. 
“Can’t give them. Just-I can’t move. I made a mistake.” It can ruin everything, 
Sparrow stares at me for a moment before he lays back down on top of me. “Why was it a mistake?”
“Because it could ruin everything.” My escape. My plan. 
“Do you regret it?” Sparrow is watching me closely.
“I-“ I don’t know. It was a mistake but do I regret it? 
“If there were no consequences for you having sex, would you regret it?” Sparrow asks again, I let my eyes fall closed.
“No.”
ONYX!!!

I do not think I needed to hear that. I do not think I was supposed to hear that. I do not know what to do with that information. I leave the Winter lands, I cannot stay there while knowing that. So maybe Noir was right, stalking a Winter Wolf never ends well, yet he was wrong about what would happen. 
I cross over the Fall border, almost running straight in to Aspen, the fur on his back stands up. “What are you doing here Onyx?” 
“Heading home.” Reeling from the information that I just heard and can never tell anyone about. 
“From where?” Aspen sounds over everything, I wonder why.
“I do not think you’ll like my answer.”
Aspen sighs and lets go of his Wolf skin, running his hands through his hair. “At this point, nothing can surprise me.”
I let go of my Wolf skin and eye him wearily, he also looks tired. “I was in the Winter land.”
Aspen stiffens, did something happen with him and Snow? Oh did he finally- “Why were you in the Winter land?”
“Are you going to be bothered if I say I was stalking Snow?” 
Aspen mouth drops open. “What the fuck? Why are you stalking Snow?”
“I do not understand her. I am trying to.” I shrug, Aspen slides his gaze from me. “Did something happen with you two?” 
Aspen shakes his head. “Other than a very awkward encounter, no.”
“Did that encounter involve sex?” 
Aspen snaps his head to me and snarls at me. “How the fuck do you know about that?”
So he was the one. Huh. Good for them. “I heard Snow and Sparrow talking about Snow having sex. She did not say who with.”
“It wasn’t with me!” 
It what- “Then who?”
“Who do you think?” Aspen grumbles, oh. Oh shit. 
“She did not.” I hope he is joking.
“Yes.” Aspen bows his head.
“Fuck.” There are no other words. 
“Yeah. She came here after for Sparrow to help but he was training and I found her first and then my mother walked in. It was a fucking shit show.”
I bet it was. “Did she think-“
“Yes, she thought that Snow and I had- yeah no I’m not gonna say that.” Aspen grabs his hair, I snort out a laugh. “It’s not funny Onyx.”
“It is a little.” I pat his shoulder, he stares at my hand, I stare at my hand. Did I just willingly touch Aspen? My nose scrunches up, the fuck was that? I remove my hand from his shoulder, Aspen just raises a brow at me. “Why did she think that?” If he does not want to say it, I do not believe he would want me to say it.
“She used my shower and was wearing my clothes.” Aspen grumbles, I bite my tongue till I taste blood. 
Laughing at him will not help. “It was not a wrong assumption for her to make while Snow was wearing your clothes and most likely smelling like you.”
“Fuck all the way off Onyx.” Aspen snaps at me.
“Have you seen her since that happened?” I change the subject to something easier, for him anyway. 
“No. I’ve been avoiding running into her.”
“I’m sure that has been easy since she’s has been hold up in her room for at least two days, when did this happen?”
“You watched her for two days?”
“Yes. Answer my question.” 
“There is something wrong with you.” I know that, I have known that for a while now. 
“I am aware and waiting.”
“Three days.”
“She has probably been locked in her room for three days then.” 
“Is she okay?” Aspen avoids my gaze, hmm. He cares far more than he wants to. 
“She has not slept nor eaten since I was watching her. Maybe Sparrow will get her out of what ever state she is in.”
“Maybe.” Aspen sighs. “Come on.” Aspen starts walking, I frown at his back but follow him.
“Where are you going?” 
“We’re going to run together.” Aspen shifts into his Wolf skin, I raise a brow at him but shift and follow him. There is no harm in being around Aspen for a while longer.
...
So maybe it was hours instead of a few minutes, it was not awful. Aspen did not try to talk my ear off, we just ran his border, than mine, then his again. It was very calm, I do not know how to feel about that. Aspen finally comes to a stop, his Wolf body heaving, we were running for hours. “Thanks for running with me.”
“Hmm. It was not terrible.” I tilt my head to watch him, he is five inches taller than me and boarder than me as well. 
Aspen just shakes his Wolf head at me. “Sorry for taking up so much of your time.” 
“I did not mind. I do have to have to be getting back now.” I have been gone long enough, even without spending hours with Aspen.
I step away from Aspen, crossing back into my border. “Have a good evening Onyx.” I nod my head and leave quickly.
I have much to do this evening, I probably should not have spend so much time with Aspen but it will be fine. When I get home, I shower, wiping every scent off of my skin. I put on scent blocker so no scents cling to me. “Are you going out again?” Ozul asks, leaning into my room.
“Yes.” I pull on dark clothes, adding more scent blockers as I go. 
“Who is it this time?” Ozul raises a brow at me, I raise a brow at him.
“You know I will not tell you that.” I never have and never will. 
“Keah is still pissed about the Elves, so I hope it’s not one of them.” Ozul states, his gaze flicking around my room.
“Well a video will be sent to her soon, so she should let it go soon enough.” I shrug on my jacket and my mask, stuffing it into my jeans, no one but my brothers need to see it.
“Hmm. Just, can you not send the videos sooner?” 
“I could, I do not want to.” It could give me away.
Ozul sighs. “Where were you?”
“Does it matter?” I grumble, I do not feel like having this conversation again. 
“You were stalking Snow again?” 
“Noir told you?”
“Yes. That’s where you were?” 
“Yes, Snow is not doing well. Sparrow is with her right now.” I strap on some weapons, I can not use my claws or fangs so I must use weapons. 
“Sparrow is with her?” His tone perks up and I roll my eyes.
“Yes. Now I’m leaving.” I duck out of my window, Ozul swearing behind me. 

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 25th. 
I finally got out of bed two days ago and sent Sparrow home. Because I knew I was going to pay for staying in bed, I did and thankfully Sparrow wasn’t here to witness it. I have avoided running the border, worried about running into Silas or Aspen. Frost and Buz are worried about me, Viola keeps bothering me about stupid things. Ilgar has been following me around, keeping me company, I don’t mind that as much. 
He just hangs around, not really talking or doing much just there. And he’s with me when mother and our other siblings glide into the room. I pause my reading, Ilgar tenses beside me, what ever this is, it can’t be good. “Up you two. You all have five minutes to get ready to leave.”  She announces before sweeping out of the room again. 
“What the fuck is going on?” Ilgar asks, standing and pulling me to my feet. 
“No idea. She said we’re leaving and hasn’t said much more than that.” Frost grumbles, I sigh and jog out of the room, Viola on my heels. The boys really don’t have to change much but both Viola and have to put on actual clothes and not sweatpants and old t-shirts. I don’t even close my door as I get off my pants and pull on nice jeans, tug on a sheer black blouse, not buttoning it as I yank on black combat boots. I don’t have to time to tame my mess of hair so I line my eyes with eyeliner and then mascara and grabbing a hairbow. Hopefully where ever we’re heading it’s in the car so I can do it then otherwise it’ll just have to be down.
I rush out of my room, almost slamming into Viola. “One minute.” I state grabbing her arm and hauling her to the living room, our brothers waiting there. Buz takes my arm and we rush outside, mother is standing by the car, Arcticus already in the driver’s side.
“Get in, all of you.” Mother snaps, sliding into the passengers seat, Buz and I throw ourselves into the car at the same time, Ilgar and Viola not far behind, Frost shoves Ilgar further in and slides in. 
“So I’m guessing no one has any information on what’s going on?” Viola asks into our minds.
“Still no idea.” Buz sounds worried.
“I don’t even know where we’re going.” Frost informs us, why would mother not tell us where we’re going? 
“This is weird, right?” Ilgar asks, flicking his gaze up front where mother and Arcticus are silent and watching the road. 
“Yes. I don’t think it’s about my mate bidding, if it was she would have said.” I start braiding the top half of my hair, Viola is pinning hers up in a high messy bun.
“Yes she would have.” Viola agrees, her gaze also on mother.
“I think I know where we’re going.” Buz breathes into the link, all of us turn to stare at Buz who is staring out the window. “I think it’s Bloodhound.”
I stiffen, Frost also stiffens beside me. “Why would we be going there?” 
“Because we’re on the outskirts of Fall.” Buz nods his head out the window, I lean over Viola and Ilgar to look out his window. Fuck he’s right.
“This is fucking weird.” Ilgar breathes, I sit back in my seat and push my shoulder into Frost’s side. I honestly don’t know how I ended up beside Frost while Buz is at the furthest window, Ilgar beside him and Viola in between us.
“It’s weird that all of us rushed out of the house without questioning anything.” Viola raises a brow at us, I press my lips together, I’m so not answering that.
“Mother says move, we move.” Frost states calmly, even though I can fee his heart racing against my shoulder.
“Yeah but normally you ask questions or Snow does. Is there something going on that I don’t know about?” Viola presses, her gaze flickering to mother than back to us.
“Mother has been stressed recently so we’re trying to not rock the boat and add more to her stress. Planning a mate bidding isn’t easy.” Buz explains, I mean he’s not wrong. We don’t want our asses kicked for just asking questions, so we all have been on our best behaviors.
“Definitely the Bloodhound home.” Frost cuts in before Viola can continue her line of questioning. I look to the front of the car, as we pull Bloodhound Alpha family home. Fucking shit.
“Behave and do not cause a scene.” Mother states and steps out of the car, all of us follow quickly.
I pause, why are the Fall pack here? Sparrow is the first to spot me, he rushes over and takes my arm. “Any idea on what’s going on?” He asks into my mind. Mother ignores him and heads inside, the Fall pack and my siblings trailing behind her. 
“You don’t know either? What the fuck is going on?” This is so fucking strange.
 “Okay, now I’m starting worry.” Sparrow breathes into my mind as we enter the Bloodhound home.
SPARROW!!!

I tighten my hold on Snow’s arm, she pats my hand as we follow Khione into the their living room. The Spring pack is there along with the Bloodhound. What are we walking into? “You kids will stay in here, we’ll be back in a moment.” Soleil states, Rose, Osiris, Khione, Nuriel, mom and dad follow her out.
“Does anyone know why we’re all here?” Aspen questions, pushing Aluma to take a seat. I sit down beside Aluma and tug Snow down to sit beside me, Viola sits down beside Snow, Ilgar sits on the arm rest beside Viola. Buz, Frost, Aspen and Flint stand behind the couch.
“No. Our parents refused to say what was going on.” Juniper answers his gaze flickering over all of us. 
“Same with ours.” Ozul adds in, nope not looking at him. I’ve haven’t seen him since I let him hold me and I’m not ready to think about that yet. 
“Anyone else think it’s something bad?” Iris asks, her voice soft and quiet. 
“Well dad is still trying to find us mates from the Winter pack, that’s what I call bad.” Flint grumbles, Aluma snorts and he glares at her. 
“It could be worse.” I state, glancing at Snow, her face is perfectly blank.
“Okay but that wouldn’t explain what you all are doing here.” Noir points out. 
“Well the Fall pack hasn’t picked from the Winter, so they might be checking other packs for mates. Which is probably why all of us were brought here. So some of you guys can find mates.” Snow sighs and rubs her face. 
“Why would you say that to me?” Iris breathes, I press my lips together. I don’t want to think about that, why did Snow have to say that? 
“She’s not wrong, it’s probably why we’re here.” Cedar adds on, his face twisted in a grimace. I really don’t like this.
“It is why you all are here.” Khione states coming back into the room, the other Alphas and Lunas right behind her.
“We have agreed with Khione about needing to add in more than just Spring Wolves into our pack. Many other have done it, now it is our turn as well.” Rose smiles at her children.
“As have we.” Soleil states, her gaze sweeping over her children. 
“We’ve also come to the decision of a few pairings, now you will not forced to mate but you will do you best to try to get to know one another.” Osiris states calmly, I watch all of his kids stiffen while Winter look uneasy (except for Snow, she’s still blank faced) and my siblings cringe. 
“It will not be that bad children.” Mom chuckles, I think it will. 
“What are the pairings?” Frost asks, his voice gruff, he might be annoyed.
“Buz and Cedar-“ Elwood starts but is cut off by Buz making a high pitched noise and Cedar falling off his chair. Aluma covers her face with her hands, trying not to laugh while Viola rests her head on the couch in relief that it’s not her being made to do this. 
“Is Buz even bi?” Iris asks, her gazing flickering between a stunned Buz and her brother that’s still on the floor. 
“I don’t know.” Snow mutters and turn towards Buz. “Are you even bi?” 
“What the fuck?” Buz breathes, shaking his head, that’s not really answer. 
“As Elwood was saying, that is the first pairing. The second Juniper and Sparrow.” Khione cuts in, Frost than faints, I choke on air, what the fuck did she just say? My gaze swings around the room.
Juniper is frozen in place. Aspen is snarling very loudly, Aluma is pale as fuck, Viola is on the floor stunned, Ilgar is stiff as a fucking board, Amaryllis is biting her tongue to keep from laughing, Iris is just staring at the ground, Flint is staring at the celling, Buz and Cedar are still in shock from their news. Snow is very still beside me. The Bloodhound siblings all look very confused.
“The third is Emery, Amaryllis and Flint.” Soleil finishes, or I hope she’s finished- wait three? Why the fuck?
“We have also decided the next Alpha of Spring will be Juniper.” Rose states, what? Did I hear that right? I think I’m having a very vivid nightmare. 
 “I think they need a minute they prosses the Alpha thing.” Snow announces, I have no idea what the fuck is happening right now. 
“Yes they do seem to be stunned.” Mom muses, that is not helpful.
“Did Frost really faint?” Ilgar asks, peaking over the couch.
“Yeah, he wasn’t ready.” Snow mutters, rubbing her temple. 
“I feel like if anyone should be fainting, it should have been either Buz, Cedar, Emery, Flint, Amaryllis, Juniper or myself.” I  grumble, pinching the bridge of my nose. How the fuck am I supposed to handle this?
I see Buz swing his leg, then Frost grunts and Buz pulls him to his feet, nope not looking at him either. But I need an answer so, I make myself ask. “Why am I being paired with Juniper? No offense to you Juniper.” I wave my hand to Juniper, I just got to know.
Juniper just waves his hand, not bothered by my question. “I’m pretty sure you know the answer to that Sparrow but we can discuss it in privet if you have more questions.” Dad raises a brow at me, I frown. What does he- fuck okay. I need to get better at hiding shit.
I can feel my face burning, fuck! “That didn’t give me answer.” Juniper raises his hand like we’re in class, what the fuck? Okay I’m thinking ‘fuck’ a lot. 
“You are the future Alpha of Spring, you will need to be mated before you can take over for us.” Osiris answer, that sounds like they plan on stepping down soon.
“Why does it sound like you’re planning on stepping down sooner than later?” Aspen asks, his brows flicking up. I don’t think I’d make a good Luna. 
“Because we are. It’s almost time for another leader of Spring. With the new year, will come the new Alpha.” Rose states calmly, her kids cringing. 
“Congrats guys.” Viola blurts out. 
“If Juniper needs a mate, why didn’t you just throw him into Snow’s mate bidding?” Iris asks, I frown over at Osiris and Rose, why didn’t they do that?
“Because Juniper has stated he did not want to be in the mate bidding.” Osiris answers simply and it makes me want to smack Juniper.
“Why am I set up with two?” Emery asks, she’s refusing to look at either Flint or Amaryllis.
“I want to make sure you are well taken care of, for the rest of your life. Who better than two Alphas?” Soleil smiles at her daughter. 
“Why Buz?” Cedar asks, Buz whips his head to Cedar. “His sister doesn’t even know if he likes males.”
“Because both of you are too stubborn to go look for a mate after you’ve had your heartbroken once.” Khione states, Rose and Osiris wince while Buz and Cedar cringe.
“So because we wanted a break from dating, we’re being paired together?” Buz questions, a bite in his tone.
“Yes.” Khione glares at her son, his eyes fall to the ground.
“Fucking wonderful.” Cedar snaps, covering his face with his arms. 
“We are going to walk away and give you guys some time to get used to the idea and then will go home.” Mom tells us before the Alphas and Lunas leave the room.
No one says anything for a while, I don’t think anyone even looks at each other, I know I don’t and won’t. “Well this was fucked up.” Flint breaks the weird silence.
“Now you know how I feel.” Snow mutters, leaning against my arm.
“Not helpful.” Buz bites out.
“You still didn’t answer my question.” Snow points out.
“Not going to. So fuck off.” Buz flicks the back of Snow’s head, she just snarls softly but lets it go. 
“Your dad said you would know why you were paired with me.” Juniper tries to catch my gaze but I am great at avoiding.
“That is privet and not meant to be shared in front of a bunch of people.” Onyx surprisingly states, I snap my head to him. Why the fuck did he-
“How do you know what it is?” Amaryllis asks, I hold Onyx’s gaze. 
“I know more than I should.” Is all Onyx says, still holding my gaze. Okay fine. I like him just a little bit.
“And moving on from that. Have any of you even spent one on one time together? The ones that are being paired?” Viola, the sweetheart changes the subject.
Have I ever spent time with just Juniper? I don’t think I have. “No?” Buz, Amaryllis, Flint, Emery and Cedar are hesitate in their answer.
“Maybe you guys need to go with your pair and walk around get to know each other.” Viola grins at all of us. That sounds like a terrible idea and I don’t want to. 
“Wonderful idea. Go do that.” Aluma shoves my shoulder, I snarl at her.
“Yes, great idea. All of you go talk to each other.” Snow is also grinning, next time we spar, I’m punching her in the face.
Emery sighs and stands. “Alright. Let’s do this.” I see Flint hesitate as Amaryllis also stands, he sighs and gets up. They leave the room, I don’t want to, I sink further into my seat.
Buz snarls and walks out, Cedar hesitates before following him out. “Juniper, Sparrow. Go, now.” Both Aluma and Snow shoves me, I sigh and stand. Of course I’m being made to do this, I nod my head for Juniper to follow me, he also hesitates before following outside. 
“We don’t actually have to mate Sparrow, our parents said they wouldn’t force it.” Juniper tells me as we take a well wore path through the woods.
“No. We don’t but they want us to try to get to know one another.” I run my hand through my hair. “And the reason I’m being pushed into this is because I’m in love with someone who doesn’t feel the same.”
“Oh. Shit.” Juniper breathes, his gaze flicking around us. 
“Yeah so they think they’re helping.”
“That sucks. I’m sorry.” 
“It’s fine.” I shrug, fuck this is uncomfortable.
“I haven’t ever been in love so I don’t know what you’re going through but um have you tried to move on?” I stop walking and face him, what the fuck?
“Yes. I have but it’s not as easy as one might think.” 
“Ah again, I said I’ve never been in love so I know nothing.” Juniper holds his hands up. “I- well I wouldn’t be against trying to uh date you.” 
WHAT? Don’t respond like that. “That’s good to know.” What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?
Juniper laughs. “Again, we don’t have to but I was just saying I wouldn’t be against actually trying.” 
Deep breaths. “I will need time to think about it. I’ve been trying for a while to get over this guy and it hasn’t worked so far. It would feel wrong to start something while still in love with someone else.”
“Would it make feel better if I said that I feel no romantic interest in anyone and I’m not worried about that?” 
What- “Never?”
“Never.” Juniper agrees and starts walking again, I force my legs to move.
“Do you feel sexual attraction?” 
“Yes just have no romantic attraction.” Juniper shrugs and smiles hesitantly at me.
“Are you demiromantic?” 
“I don’t know what that is.” 
“Uh when you get home, look it up. I’m not the best at explaining things correctly.”
“Okay. Do you want to keep walking or head back?” 
“I think we can head back in now.” Juniper nods and we turn back to the Bloodhound house. 

Chapter Text

Snow.
July, 25th.
Poor Iris was left in here with us, without any of her siblings because they left Leto at home. I wonder how that’s going to work, are Sparrow, Buz, Flint and Emery going to learn about her or is she just going to be hidden from them? I’ll ask Cedar about that later because I really want to know how that’s going to work.
“It seems that the Spring wants most of their children mated quickly. Seeing as you’re the only one that hasn’t been paired.” Noir points out to Iris. 
“Be nice.” Viola hisses at Noir.
“He’s not wrong, it does seem that way. Mother has been hinting at wanting us to find our mates but I didn’t think they’d do this. So I’m not excited for when it’s my turn.” Iris grumbles, her gaze on the floor. 
“At least they’re not forcing it, just suggesting it.” Edana flicks her gaze to me then away. Ouch rude. That seems to be everyone’s response, ‘at least it’s not forced’ what none them say is ‘like Snow is being forced’ it’s fucking annoying. I don’t want to be the entertainment for every fucking body. 
“Knowing mother, Buz doesn’t have a choice unless Cedar says he doesn’t want to.” Ilgar breathes, into Frost and my minds. Fuck, he’s right about that.
“I hope Buz realizes that and doesn’t say something to make Cedar hate him.” Frost mutters back into the link. 
“Does anyone actual think, any of them will actual go through with it?” Aluma asks, her gaze moving over everyone.
“Sparrow won’t. Flint will try. Buz probably won’t, I can’t say for anyone else.” Aspen shrugs, well he’s wrong about Buz.
“Emery will try but she’s also can be a spit fire so we’ll see how that goes.” Ozul adds in, shaking his head with a small smile on his face.
“Juniper will try, Cedar is going to fight it like his life depends on it. Amaryllis will wait and see if they show interest in her before she decides what she’ll do.” Iris informs us, that’s smart of Amaryllis. Buz is going to have to work to make Cedar at least be friendly. Poor Juniper doesn’t stand a chance, Sparrow still hasn’t moved on from Frost even though Ozul is clearly interested in Sparrow.
“Buz will try Aspen, he’s just going to be pissed about it.” Frost crosses his arms over his chest.
“Are you sure about that?” Aluma raises a brow at Frost.
“Yes.” Frost, Ilgar and I answer, making Viola frown at us. She doesn’t yet know that our mother will not let Buz have a say in the matter, she probably will soon enough.
“He swore he wasn’t getting into another relationship anytime soon.” Aspen points out, I roll my eyes.
“Yes he did, but he was asked to, so he will try unless Cedar tells him to fuck off.” I cross my legs and lean my head back on the couch, Aluma leans her head on my shoulder. 
“He probably will tell Buz to fuck off.” Iris chuckles. For Buz’s sake, I hope Cedar tells him to fuck off because I don’t think Buz is attracted to males.
“I want to know how it’s going for them.” Viola states, pushing her shoulder into mine, roll my head to sweep my gaze over the room.
“Me too, I have half a mind to sneak out there and listen into the conversations.” Noir mutters and runs his hands through his hair.
“We are to let them be.” Onyx cuffs the back of Noir’s head.
“You’re one to talk about leaving well enough alone.” I snark before I can think better. Damn I should have just stayed silent.
Onyx tilts his head and stares flatly at me. “The fuck does that even mean?” Ilgar asks, his gaze bouncing between Onyx and I.
“I thought you guys were friends?” Viola raises a brow at me. 
“We are not friends.” Both Onyx and I snap. I don’t know what we are but it isn’t friends, friends don’t stalk friends.
“Somebody else, say something before these two start fighting.” Ozul grabs Onyx’s arm while both Viola and Aluma throw their legs onto mine. Ozul is trying to keep Onyx from lunging at me, he won’t. Aluma and Viola are trying to keep me from smacking him, I might.
“I hear someone coming back in.” Edana nods her head to the door.  
...
That was- well it was a shit show, Buz came back spitting fire and refusing to look at Cedar. While Cedar was also pissed and refusing to look at Buz, he was just a little calmer than Buz. Flint, Amaryllis and Emery were just super awkward when they came back in. Juniper looked thoughtful while Sparrow looked unsettled. 
I didn’t get a chance to ask anything because mother came in quickly and we left, all of us just sitting in silence in car. Till mother decides to break it. “You do not get a choice Buz. If Cedar wants to mate you, you will mate him. You will try to win him over. This is not up for debate.” 
And Ilgar was right. “Understood.” Is all Buz says, Viola gives me a wide eyed look, I just shrug. 
I don’t know what to say to her. I lay my head on Buz’s shoulder, a shuddering breath leaves him. “How did it go?” I ask into the link, our other siblings flick their eyes over Buz and then away.
“We walked in silence for a while before Cedar got feed up with it and told me to ‘slow the fuck down’ cause I was walking in front of him. Then I might have snapped and told him he could walk faster. Then we kinda just argued about the speed normal people walk.”
“Seriously?” Ilgar questions, yeah what the fuck?
“Yes seriously. I don’t know why that was the hill we both chose to die on but that is all we did.” Buz shrugs the shoulder my head is on, I grunt, rude. 
“That is all you talked about? Nothing else?” Viola asks in disbelief, yeah me to.
“Yes. That was it.” Buz grumbles. 
“So you have no idea if he’s interested in you, just that he disagrees with the speed normal people walk?” Frost sounds done with this day, me too.
“Yes. That was it. How many time do I have to say it?” Buz snaps, okay then.
“Guys, leave him be.” I push some of my Luna tone into my voice and get dirty looks in return but they drop it.
“Snow. You’re mate bidding challenges will start tomorrow.” Mother cuts into the silence that had filled the car, my what now?
“Challenges?” I don’t understand.
“Yes, they have to prove they can protect you and handle you.” The fuck is that supposed to mean?
“What are the challenges?” Viola questions.
“They are not for Snow’s ears so I won’t say.”
“I can’t know what they’re doing to win MY mate bidding?”
“No you may not.” Mother firms her tone, yep no. I’m done asking questions.
“Why?” Viola should not have asked.
“The mate bidding female is to never know what the males do to win her hand.” Arcticus tells Viola. “It’s always been this way. Stop asking now.”
Buz squeezes my hand while Ilgar pats my thigh, I sigh and let my eyes fall closed. 

Chapter Text

Aspen.
July, 26th.
All of the Alphas that are in the mate bidding are here at the outskirts of Bloodhound. It’s more than I thought there would be. Both Noir and Onyx, Silas and Lucius from Summer. Arbor and Valcan from the Mountain. Aella and Shabina from the Storm. Maximus from the Knight. Hito from the Dusk. Sky and Ash from the Ridge. 
Soleil, Keah and Khione are running this thing, I don’t even know what we’re doing yet. Noir and Onyx are standing with me, even they don’t know what we’re doing. “She hasn’t said. Stop asking.” Onyx snaps at Noir who has constantly been asking what we’re going to be doing.
“I just want to know. Why isn’t anyone telling us?” Noir groans, just as Keah knocks a staff against the ground, quickly gaining the attention of all of the Alphas.
“Today we are testing your agility, we will do it one at a time. You may not watch the others testing. You will be taken, one by one to run the course. The fastest and clearest round, will win this challenge.” Keah informs all of us. “We will start youngest, to oldest. So first is Hito.”
Khione shifts into her Silver Wolf form, she walks away, what the fuck? “I will stay, Keah will show you the start and meet you at the finish. While Khione watches.” Soleil states, Keah gestures for Hito to follow her. He hesitates then follows her, this is weird, really weird. “You all may sit, we will be here for a while.”
I sigh and take a seat on the ground, Noir follows me down, Onyx snarls but sits down next to his brother. Arbor sits down next to us, Shabina and Ash as well. “I’m gonna be honest, I’m kinda excited for this.” Sky states as she sits down next to her brother.
“To run and do fuck knows what?” Onyx grumbles, he’s still in a mood it seems.
“Would you rather be punching someone?” Ash questions, he doesn’t know how right he is.
“Yes.” I put my head in my hands, why is Onyx?
“You are strange.” Arbor states, he also doesn’t know how right he is. 
Keah walks up, is Hito finished? “Onyx, you’re up.” Soleil states, Keah nods her head for Onyx to follow her. Onyx snarls again but gets up and follows Keah away. 
“I wonder how Hito did.” Sky muses, Noir hums.
“Probably not well, considering it was longer than eight minutes.” 
“You have no idea how long this thing is supposed to take. He could have fucking aced it.” Shabina snarls, fucking shit.
“Can we not fight right now?” I ask, there is a reason I haven’t gone to the future Alpha’s meetings. They are exhausting. 
“Fighting is half the fun.” Ash smirks at me, I bare my fangs at him. 
“You said not to fight.” Arbor points at me, I huff and lay on my back. 
“I really want to know what we’re going to be doing.” Sky says again.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Noir snaps, oh he’s starting to get in a mood as well.
“No. I won’t, I will be the last to go, I’m the oldest out of all of us.” Sky snarls back, oh I am over these fucking people.
Keah comes back, oh thank fuck. “Valcan, you’re next.” He gets up and follows Keah away.
“That felt like less time, right?” Shabina asks, her dark purple eyes sweeping over everyone.
“About five minutes.” Noir answers, he’s staring at where Valcan and Keah disappeared. 
“Is that a good or bad thing?” Sky murmurs, of course Onyx would beat everyone without even trying. I know he doesn’t actually want to win this thing.
“I think it’s good? If he wants to win. Though for us, not so good.” Noir shrugs, I know he doesn’t want to win, he wants-nope not thinking about it, it just makes me angry.
One by one we’re taken to run the test, Silas then Noir, then Shabina, then Lucius. Then it’s my turn.
ONYX!!!

I cannot move, it is hard to breathe. “I never ever want to do that again.” Hito groans from beside me, neither of us made it far after we completed the test. 
“Why did they make us do that?” I gasp out, my muscles have locked up. 
“No idea.” Hito shudders out, Valcan shows up a few minutes later. He also collapses down next us. 
“The fuck was that?” Valcan chokes out. 
“No idea.” Both Hito and I groan, fuck, everything hurts so fucking much. A few minutes later Silas falls down beside Valcan, groaning in pain. “No idea what that was don’t ask.” Hito bites out between gasping breaths.
Silas moans in pain. “I never want to do that shit again.”
Another few minutes go by then Noir is falling on top of me, he does not say anything just lays on top of me. I start to get some feeling back in my legs as Hito sits up. Then Shabina shows up, falling flat on her face beside Valcan whose toes I can see moving. Lucius shows up and collapses down beside Silas. I sit up, shoving Noir off of me, he groans in pain. Aspen shows up and the fucker falls on me! 
“Aspen.” I snarl, but he just moans in pain. I sigh, fine.
“Rude.” Noir gasps out, I flip him off. I am not playing his game.
Maximus shows up, no one even glances at him, he took a lot longer than the others to get here, good. Ash shows up soon after Maximus, flopping down right beside me, the side that Noir is not on. Arbor shows up not five even minutes later, falling down next to Noir. Aella shows up seven minutes later and by the time Sky shows up, I have feeling back in my body. So I shove Aspen off of me as Keah, Khione and mom walk over to us. 
“You look better then I expected.” Keah says as she sweeps her gaze over each of us. 
“What the fuck was that?” Maximus snarls from his place on the ground, he still has not moved from where he fell.
“A challenge. You all passed, which makes you an actual Alpha and not just a title.” Khione states, this is a game to her. 
“The next challenge will be in two weeks. If you still wish to go forward, the next challenge will be harder.” Keah tells us calmly. 
“Are you going to tell us what these challenges are?” Hito asks, he is also fully recovered from the challenge.
“No. No one is to know the challenges, till you are in them. Not even your Alphas know what you will be doing, till you are already on your way.” Khione answers. 
“You did well, now is time to rest, which you all will do at the Bloodhound pack house. Those you who can walk will, those of you who can’t will be taken by car.” Mother tells everyone, I stand and haul both Aspen and Noir up. 
...
As soon as we step into the house, I know she is here. Her scent coats everything, I do not think she realizes that, if she did she would hide it better. Hmm maybe she wants us to know she is here, but why? Aspen frowns as we make our way to the living room. “Why is Snow’s scent here?”
“Because she is here.” I step into the living and yes there she is, sitting with, Edana Emery and Ozul. They all look up as the Alphas flood in behind us, Maximus, Ash, Arbor, Aella and Sky instantly going to the cushions placed on the ground and falling onto them. 
“What happened to them?” Emery asks, leaning slightly towards them, both Edana and Ozul yank her back. 
“Do not answer that.” Mom warns, coming to stand behind me. 
“Why not?” Edana asks, as the other two females enter the room, I push on Noir to move out of my way. I need to be near my siblings with this many Alphas here. I stand behind the couch, Snow and Emery frown at me but Ozul and Edana ignore me.
“Because you don’t get to know what challenges they will face. Ever.” Keah answers, folding her hands in front of her.
“Wait so even after the challenge is done, I still don’t get to know what it is?” Snow asks, did her hair get longer? 
“Correct, unless whoever you end up mating tells you, you will never know.” Khione states, they are keeping it from Snow as well? 
“Why can’t she know?” Shabina asks, confusion lining her face.
“If she has a favorite, she could warn them of what the challenge is, meaning they could prepare for it. That isn’t allowed.” Mom answers.
“Do you have a favorite?” Sky asks, lifting her head.
“Nope. But I can tell you who I don’t want.” This female. 
“Do not.” Khione snaps, I narrow my gaze at her, I am really starting to dislike her. Snow hums but does not say anything. 
“Can we at least know who won this challenge?” Emery asks, was there a winner? Or is it like a point system?
“Onyx and Arbor tied. They had the same timing and faults.” Khione states, I wince as Snow raises a brow at me.
It was not my intention to win. “Faults?” Edana echoes, I cross my arms over my chest. None of them should say what the faults were.
“They each got stuck.” Keah chuckles. I hate her, why did she have to say that? 
“I changed my mind. I don’t want to know.” Snow breathes, pinching her nose.
“So getting stuck was a fault?” Ozul frowns at the females.
“Getting stuck and breaking what they were stuck in was a fault.” Mom shrugs, I know Emery and Edana are biting their tongues to keep from laughing. 
“It sucked and I never want to do that again.” Valcan moans as he sits up.
Keah, Khione and mom laugh, Snow stares at him, I can feel her mind spinning from here. “Oh no. Mother, please tell me I’m wrong and you didn’t.” All of the Alphas sit up and stare at Snow.
“Did not what?” That is glee in Khione’s eyes.
“Use Winter training techniques as challenges.” What?
“Some of them will be.” What the fuck?
“Are you trying to kill them?” Snow’s voice is sharp.
“If they can’t handle our training, how are they to handle a Winter Wolf? Every one who mates a Winter Wolf has to run through our training. Before the mating takes place.” 
What the fuck? Does every Winter Wolf have to go through that training? “I have question.” Hito states, Khione gestures for him to ask. “Do all of the Winter Wolves train?”
“Yes. Every single one of our pack trains in the same style.”
“Even the Omegas and Luna?”
“Yes. Even them.” I frown, why did she say it like that? The females excuse themselves from the room, great.
“Now that they’re not in here, what did you guys do?” Emery asks, for the love of-
“Don’t answer that unless you want to deal with a pissed of Khione.” Noir snaps at the other Alphas.
“Wasn’t planning on answering.” Aspen snarks back, I snort.
“Have you done all of the Winter training?” Maximus decides to open his fucking mouth.
“Yep and got some of the highest marks.” Snow is smug as fuck.
“Well you definitely beat Maximus’s time.” Aella chuckles.
“Watch your mouth female!” Maximus snarls at Aella, I roll my eyes.
“How about you watch yours.” Silas’s voice is deathly calm. That is not good.
Maximus stands, his claws and fangs coming out. “You need to learn how to speak to those older than you.” 
I move around the couch, Snow and Ozul stand as Silas squares up to Maximus. The other Alphas stand as well. “You should learn how to speak to females.” Silas snarls, his claws also coming out.
Snow tries to get in between them, I jerk her back by her wrist and tug her behind me. “This is not your land. Do not start a fight here.” Noir snaps at them, just as the females come back into the room.
“What is going on here?” Mom snarls, her gaze sweeping over us.
“Maximus decided to run his mouth about females.” Shabina lifts her chin and meet mom’s gaze, head on.
“Well then it is a good thing that your Alphas are here. Go to them. Now.” Keah jerks her head to the door, the Alphas all flood out, all but Noir, Aspen and I.
Elwood walks in a moment later, eyes narrowed at all of us. “Did something happen?” 
Aspen steps over to his father, my guess to fill him in. “You can let go now Onyx.” Khione tells me, I frown and glance down, shit. I instantly let go of Snow’s arm, she pulls her arm to her chest. Narrowing those green eyes at me. I didn’t even realizes I still hand her wrist in my hand.
SNOW!!

Okay that was fucking weird and now my wrist is throbbing, it’ll probably bruise with how tight he was gripping it. I see Soleil and mother lock eyes, damn it all to hell, I don’t want to know what those looks mean. “Time to go Snow.” Mother snaps, I move around Onyx and wave to the others as I follow mother out.
Silence fills the car on the ride home, I know I shouldn’t have said anything about our training but I seriously don’t think they should be doing our training as challenges. I wasn’t joking when I asked if she was trying to kill them. We train our bodies to bend in everyway as soon as we turn three. So that we can fight the way we do, other packs struggle to win against us because being so bendy makes it hard for them to land hits on us. 
We learn to use every part of our bodies as a weapon and when not to. We learn how to dislocate every bone in our body, so we can get out or in to anything that we need to. I’m guessing with how exhausted the Alphas were, their mentions of timing and the stuck faults, they were doing agility course. Where they have to run as fast as they can, slipping in and out of obstacles, very small obstacles that get smaller when you enter them. 
The course is difficult to actually finish, yet they all did it. Though they are older than any of the Winter Wolves were the first time we all went through it. But if they thought that one was hard, they have no idea what is to come. The one I’m mostly worried about it the mind game one. It plays on your fears, every fear you’ve ever felt and makes it ten times worse than it was. 
For that one, you have to accept your fears and push through them, you have to pull yourself out of your own mind. It is the hardest test we go through, sometimes it takes months to recover from it. Mom parks the car and leaves it, without a word. I sigh and follow her back to the house but Arcticus steps out in front of me, great. She already told him. I sigh again and head to the ring, Arcticus on my heels.

Chapter Text

Sparrow.
July, 28th.
“Are we going seriously not going to talk about this?” Aluma asks, I ignore her and pull on a nice-ish shirt. I don’t want to talk about it, I really don’t even want to think about it but here I am. Getting ready for a date I don’t even know if I want to go on. “Sparrow!” 
“I don’t want to talk about it Aluma.” I keep my tone even as annoyance runs through me, I can’t take it out on her. I won’t ever take it out on her. 
“Leave him be Aluma.” Flint drawls from the door way. “And get out.” Flint can do that, I can’t let myself. 
“Flint-“ She starts but Flint cuts her off.
“Out.” Aluma sighs in frustration but leaves my room, Flint makes his way over to me. “Mom got to you as well?”
I grunt out a. “Yes.” He’s being made to do this as well? 
Flint sighs and leans his hip on my dresser, staring at me in the mirror as I start trying to figure out what to do with hair. Maybe I’ll just leave it messy. “Maybe you’ll get along with him. Maybe even grow to like him.”
“Is that what you’re telling yourself about Emery and Amaryllis?” I pop back, I’m annoyed and tired. 
“Yes. It is. I’m hoping it won’t be a shit show but who knows? It could end terribly.” Flint raises a brow at me, I sigh and deflate. 
“I just want to do this in my own time. Not because mom and dad think it’s time for me to move on.” I grumble running my hand through my bright red hair. 
“I know. But again, you might get along really well with him.” Flint nudges my shoulder with his, I sigh again.
“I’m just gonna get this over with.” I step away from the dresser, Flint is staring. 
“You look nice little brother.” I hate it when he calls me that. 
“Shut up.”
...
Yep. This is weird. Sitting in a restaurant with a male I barely know, who also doesn’t know how to talk to me. “This is weird. Isn’t it?” Juniper breathes, messing with his bright purple hair. 
“Yep.” I take a sip of my Pinot Noir, it’s supposed to pair well with pasta but I’m not really a fan of wine. It’s a good distraction though. 
Juniper sighs and stares out the window. I’m tempted to down this entire glass, I don’t. I just set it down and pick up my fork. “Okay, um do you want to talk about Snow’s mate bidding? The shit our siblings do? How weird it is that our parents decided to try to pair us up? Uh favorite hobbies? Or um favorite wine?”
I blink at Juniper who is staring to turn red, damn it. “Aspen won’t tell me what the challenge was, other than it sucked and Onyx and Arbor tied for the challenge. Aluma invades my space and is nosey as hell. Aspen I’m pretty sure likes Snow romantically and I’m trying to avoid thinking about that cause no. He’s also been spending a lot of time with Onyx and I’m a little worried about that. Uh Flint is trying to keep an open mind with this whole thing. He’s the quietest one of us, cause we all can be pretty loud. I honestly don’t know why our parents thought this was a good idea. It’s a pretty good idea for Buz and Cedar. Hmm my favorite hobbies are running, spending time with Snow and sparring. I don’t really like wine, I’ll drink it but it’s not my favorite.” 
There. That should do it. Juniper stares at me for a moment before nodding. “I didn’t know that they had a challenge already. Amaryllis is nervous but open to trying this thing with Flint and Emery. She’s shy and hates conflict, but she is the one I would go to if I was ever in trouble and needed advice. Cedar is not happy about this thing, he thinks Buz is an asshole. But he is also the one I would go to if I needed someone to help me hide a body-“ I snort at that. “Which I feel like is kinda the reason he’s so against trying with Buz. Iris can’t seem to find her footing, always unbalanced and quiet. I think she just needs someone to help her out of her shell. Let-“ Juniper clears his throat and shakes his head. “I think our parents are trying to push us to mate because they all were already mated by the time they hit twenty and none of us are mated. Well Khione never mated so I don’t know what her deal in all of this is. Uh favorite hobbies are reading, sometimes writing and drawing. My favorite wine is Merlot.” 
“You might be right about the mate thing.” I muse, Juniper still has a pink dusting on his face. It’s kinda cute. “For the record, I would make Snow help me hide a body. But Aspen would help me kill someone if I needed help.”
Juniper laughs. “I don’t think you would need help with that. I get the feeling you can handle yourself without any help.”
Damn it! Now I like him. “I can, though some people think I can’t.” I shrug and relax into my seat. Juniper frowns at me, his brows bunching together in confusion. I shouldn’t have said that, time to change the subject. “Did you look into demiromantic?”
And his face goes red, again. “I- yes. I did and I think you might be right about that. But I honestly don’t know.” 
“That’s okay. You don’t have to label it right now or ever.” 
...
Okay so it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting after we got over the awkwardness in the beginning it was actually kinda nice. We talked for two hours about our lives, we found we actually have a lot in common. Though I still don’t know how to handle this, so running it is. The end was a little awkward, I didn’t know if I was supposed to shake his hand, hug him or kiss his cheek and Juniper seemed to have the same problem because he patted me on the fucking shoulder and I just stared at him. 
He had laughed nervously, so I had grabbed his hand and pulled him into a hug, which was a little weird cause he was really stiff and then he relaxed and we parted ways. I can’t decide if I’m willing to do it again or not. The date not the uh hugging. I stop running and squat down gripping my hair. What the fuck is wrong with me? “Sparrow? Are you okay?” I snap my head up to Ozul, he’s in his Wolf skin and watching me. Fuck! I’m right beside Bloodhound land. 
“I’m fine. Just thinking.” I mutter and tuck my chin into my chest, this just what I didn’t need, at least it’s not Frost. 
I hear Ozul cross the border, on two legs instead of four. Fucking shit. Why does he seem to find me when I’m struggling with the thoughts in my head? I don’t know how he does it. “No offence but you don’t seem fine.”
“Mhm had the thing with Juniper today.” Why did I tell him that? Ugh stupid brain, shut up. 
“Ah. Right.” I feel him sit down beside me. “Was it okay?”
I sigh and sit down, turning my head to watch Ozul. His gaze is already on me, I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or not. “It was really awkward in the beginning but it wasn’t awful.” 
“Do you think you’ll go through with it?” Ozul asks bluntly, I stiffen. Why the fuck would he- never mind I know why he’s asking. I kind of wished I didn’t know, my head fucking hurts.
Fuck. “I don’t know. I’ll do as I’m asked and get to know him but I don’t know.”
Ozul nods sadness flickering in his gaze, aw shit. I think I made it worse. “I understand.” Uh what is that supposed to- “I have to get back to patrol, I hope it works out for you Sparrow.” Ozul shifts back into his Wolf skin and trots away before I can figure out how to respond to that. 
I sigh and lay on my back. I’m a fucking idiot. No more talking to Ozul about Juniper. I don’t know how long I lay there, just staring at the sky as it darkens. “I’d thought I’d find you here.” Snow’s sad voice speaks into my mind.
“How long have I been here?” 
“Sparrow. It’s almost midnight.” Her Wolf nose nudges my cheek. 
“Oh.” Hours then. 
“Come on. You’re coming home with me.” She nudges me again, I let my body shift into my Wolf skin.
...
“Why is Cedar on your couch?” I asks as soon as we enter Snow’s house, he’s sound asleep.
“That’s a long story, I’ll tell you in the morning.” Snow doesn’t let go over her Wolf skin as we head to her room, so I keep mine as well.
“Why are Aspen and Onyx on your floor?” I feel like I’ve missed a lot. 
“It’s been a really busy night.” Snow grumbles as she jumps over Onyx and onto her bed. 
“You’ll tell me in the morning?” I ask, jumping over Aspen and onto the bed.
“Yeah there’s a lot to tell you.” Snow curls her Wolf body into mine. Sometimes I feel like our lives are just one thing after another.
SNOW!! Four hours earlier.

This day cannot get any worse. First, mother was in a bad mood so she had Arcticus train me for ten fucking hours. Second, Buz and Cedar stumbled inside both covered in blood and bruises. I had to hide them from mother, because if she saw them... I don’t even want to think about that. They fought each other like idiots and Cedar didn’t want to go home like that so they came here. Mother had to go to an Alpha thing, I wasn’t really listening to where she was actually going. Though I know she won’t be home till tomorrow afternoon. 
I cleaned them up and yelled at them for being idiots. They’re supposed to be trying to get to know each other! Not fucking fighting! Third, Sparrow is missing and Aluma is freaking out because no one has seen him since his date with Juniper. Fourth, no one has seen Emery, Flint or Amaryllis since their date. I haven’t told that to Cedar because he needs to stay put till his wounds are healed. Onyx and Aspen went looking for them, they haven’t had any luck so far. 
Five, Onyx and Aspen have stopped responding to me. Now I’m freaking the fuck out. “Snow? Where are you going?” I freeze, halfway out of my window at Ilgar’s voice. 
“I need to do something.” I mutter glancing at him, he looks confused and a little annoyed.
“Like what?” Damn it.
“I have to find Sparrow no one has seen him since his date. I’m not telling Frost cause he’s been acting weird. Please don’t tell anyone.” The truth always works better with Ilgar. 
“Okay. I’ll make sure no one checks on you while you’re gone. Be careful.” Ilgar nods at me and close my door. 
This is why he’s my favorite brother. I slide out of my window and shift into my Wolf skin. I head towards the Fall border. I pause, what the fuck? This is not where I was going. Why am I at the edge of the Human town? I sigh and turn back towards the Fall border, ten minutes later I’m back at the edge of the human town. I snarl and head out try again. And fail to leave again. What the fuck? Deep breathes, I let my eyes close and feel the magic in my veins light up. Okay something is going on, I will figure this out then I will find the missing Wolves. 
I shut off my mind and follow my instincts...
What the fuck? I stare at the dozens of dead rogues. What happened here? I move through the broken and dead bodies, the stench of blood and death is so strong, I can’t smell anything else. So I’ll just have to follow this trail of blood, I don’t want to follow it. A muffled groan and shushing make me freeze. I turn my head, labored breathing, someone is still alive and in pain. Fuck. I force myself to move closer, fear slowing my movements, I spot a small mostly hidden cave. This is fine. It’ll be fine. I crouch down and crawl to the cave. Another muffled groan, more shushing. “I know it hurts but you have to be quiet.” A female whispers, I know that voice. I pop my head into the cave, Emery screams bloodily murder.
“It’s me. Please stop screaming.” She is very loud, but it cuts off and she stares at me in shock. Flint and Amaryllis are on the ground, Amaryllis seems to be passed out, Flint is awake with Emery’s hand over his mouth.
All of them are covered head to toe in blood. “Oh thank fuck. How did you find us? No. It doesn’t matter. There are more rogues, Aspen and Onyx lead them away form us and told us to hide.” What the fuck Emery? 
“Right okay. Can you carry Amaryllis?” Questions will have to wait. 
“I-Yes but what about Flint? Can you carry him?” She moves over to Amaryllis.
“Yes.” I’m going to try. “I’m sorry Flint, this is probably going to hurt.” I slide my Wolf body next to him, I gently grab his arm with my teeth and pull his body onto mine. Flint cries out, I wince and stand, fuck he’s heavy. I glance over, Emery has shifted into her dark orange Wolf skin, Amaryllis on her back. “Let’s go before the rogues come back. We have to be fast.”
Emery nods and we take off. “Where are we going?”
“Winter. Mother is out for the night and won’t be back till morning.” I’ve kept my teeth in Flint’s arm to keep him in place, he’s is crying in pain.
...
“What the fuck?” Frost breathes as I shove Flint into his arms. 
“Help him. Amaryllis and Emery. I will be back.” I spin around, sliding back into my Wolf skin and leave before he can stop me, I hear my siblings yelling for me. I race back to where I found the dead rogues, passing them and pushing my legs faster. There is so much blood painted on the tress and ground. Some of it is Onyx’s and Aspen’s. I hope Sparrow isn’t mixed up in this mess as well. 
I slow down when I hear sounds of fighting, fear rushing through me once again. I feel my chest shake as I carefully move forward, towards the sounds of pain and anger. It’s just some rogues, they don’t have me, it’s fine. I’m fine. I have magic now, I can handle this. I pull my magic to the surface of my fur as I peer around a large rock. Aspen is on the ground, I can’t tell if he’s breathing or not but he’s covered head to toe in blood. Ozul and Onyx are standing over him, fighting over two dozen rogues, not all of them Wolves. 
What the fuck? I didn’t know there were any Cat shifters in the arena. Not after- no don’t think about that. I freeze, I know that scar on that Cat- No! Focus! I tug hard on my magic and push it out and towards the rogues. Lightning hits, every single rogue, not hard enough to kill but enough to stun them, a few stray lightning strikes hit way to close to the males. I pull the magic back into me, Onyx and Ozul are frozen in surprise, or something they might just be in shock from all of the blood loss. 
I step out of my hiding spot, making both males flinch and snarl at me. “Relax, it’s just me. Grab Aspen and lets go before they wake up.” Both males just blink at me. “Grab. Aspen. Now.” I snarl, I feel my magic pulse through my words, both males shrink back a bit before shaking out their fur.
“Did anyone ever tell you, you’re kinda scary?” Ozul asks me, as he nudges Aspen onto Onyx’s back. Onyx struggles to stand, fuck his left front leg is hurt. Ozul isn’t much better off, I rush over to them, pushing my body between the two-three males. 
“Lean on me.” I nip at Ozul’s ear.
“We’ll crush you.” Is his response. 
“Don’t care. We need to get out of here before the rogues wake up.” I snap, Onyx leans his weight on me, Ozul hesitates before he does the same and we start the long walk back home. 
Aspen doesn’t wake up but he’s breathing, Ozul and Onyx remain silent the entire time. I refuse to ask any questions right now, I still haven’t found Sparrow so all questions will have to wait till I do. We make it to my house, Ilgar bursting out of the house, he takes Aspen from us. I don’t think Onyx or Ozul even noticed, I guild them inside after Ilgar. 
“What the fuck is going on?” Frost snarls as Ozul and Onyx fall on top of me. Buz, Cedar, Emery and Viola are hovering behind the couch as Ilgar sets Aspen on the couch. Amaryllis and Flint are laid out of the ground, various bandages wrapped over them. 
“I don’t know. I just found them like this.” I breathe, squeezing out from underneath Ozul and Onyx. “I have to keep looking. Someone else is still missing.” I can’t say who because I don’t want to deal with Frost.
“Who’s still missing?” Emery asks, helping Buz roll Ozul onto his back, oh good he shifted out of his Wolf skin. As did Onyx, Viola and Cedar are rolling onto his back and Ilgar is checking on Aspen.
“I’ll be back. Keep an eye on them please.” I bolt again, Frost swearing as I rush out of the house. I leave the Winter land, crossing into the Fall and running the edge of it. This was the first place I was going to look but got side tracked and found the others instead. I slow down when I spot Sparrow, laying on the ground. I sigh and walk over to him, he doesn’t even notice me walk up. “I’d thought I’d find you here.” 
“How long have I been here?” Sparrow sounds tired, me too. 
“Sparrow. It’s almost midnight.” I nudge his cheek with my nose, I didn’t even know when he went missing.
“Oh.” Sparrow breathes, I take a deep breath, what’s one more? I’m probably going to get in trouble any way.
“Come on. You’re coming home with me.” I nudge him again, Sparrow gets up and we head home in silence.
“Why is Cedar on your couch?” Sparrow asks as soon as we enter the house, I don’t think he sees Amaryllis, Emery and Flint on the other side of the couch.
“That’s a long story, I’ll tell you in the morning.” I don’t even know all of the details yet so I can’t tell him anything. I nudge open my door, I want to stay in my Wolf skin. 
“Why are Aspen and Onyx on your floor?” I didn’t know they were on my floor. Why are they on my floor?
“It’s been a really busy night.” I grumble as I jump over Onyx and onto my bed. I don’t know why they’re in here but I’m not waking them up. 
“You’ll tell me in the morning?” Sparrow ask, jumping over Aspen and onto the bed, I hope I can tell him after some one tells me.
“Yeah there’s a lot to tell you.” There’s a lot I need to find out. I curl my body into Sparrow’s, I hope that was everyone who was in danger. That I didn’t unknowingly leave someone behind.

Chapter Text

Snow. 
July, 29th. 
I wake before Sparrow does, to find both Aspen and Onyx staring. Aspen opens his mouth but I hold my finger to my lips, we aren’t going to wake Sparrow. I climb out of bed and gesture for them to follow me out of my room, thank fuck they do.
I enter the living room to find Cedar, Flint, Amaryllis, Emery, Ozul and Buz awake and sitting on the floor. Cedar and Buz are glaring at each other, Emery and Ozul are huddled together, Flint is resting his head on his knees while Amaryllis is leaned on Cedar. “Are you seriously still mad at each other?” I snap, at Buz and Cedar who whip their heads towards me with sheepish grins. 
“Maybe?” Cedar tries to answer but that sounded like a question. I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“I feel like I’ve missed some things.” Aspen mutters.
“You’re not the only one who feels that way.” Frost states from behind us, great. I turn towards him, Ilgar, Viola and Sparrow are in the hall behind Frost. Ugh I wanted answers before Frost woke up, he makes things worse with his temper. 
“How about everyone explain what happened so we will all know.” I wave for everyone to take a seat, everyone does except for Onyx. I kick the back of his knee, then push down on his shoulders. Onyx snarls at me and tries to get up but I lean my weight on his shoulders. “If you had listened the first time I wouldn't have done that.” I hiss and push down a little harder till he stops trying to get up. 
I let go him and sit down between him and Aspen. “I loved that. So much.” Emery tells me, with a bright smile.
“I didn’t.” Onyx grumbles, which I ignore. 
“How about Sparrow starts. Since no one seemed to know he was here.” Frost raises a brow at me, this is why I didn’t tell him. The fucking asshole.
“I needed a minute which apparently turned into hours without realizing it.” Sparrow shrugs, unbothered. “Snow came and got me, brought me here.”
“Did it go that badly?” Flint asks, lifting his head, his brows bunched in concern. 
Sparrow flips him off without answering. “On that note. What happened with you all and the rogues?” I don’t want to get into Sparrow’s date with so many people here.
“Did you say rogues?” Viola breathes, her storm blue eyes wide. 
“Yes. Rogues. Amaryllis and I were walking Emery home when we were ambushed by them, they herded us away from all of the safe lands. Then we were cornered, we fought them and I think one of them slammed my head into a rock. I don’t know what happened after that.” Flint explains, I nod slowly.
“They actually used a rock to smash your head into a tree. I started screaming because Amaryllis couldn’t handle all of them on her own, I tried to help but those rogues were fucking massive and I couldn’t do much to them. Aspen and Onyx showed up while I was screaming, then Ozul. Onyx told me to pull Amaryllis over to Flint and stay with them as they lead the rogues away. After they left, I couldn’t just leave them there so I dragged Flint and Amaryllis into a cave. Amaryllis passed out while I was dragging her, Flint woke up while I was dragging him. He kept groaning in pain and that’s how Snow found us.” Emery fills in, where Flint couldn’t with Amaryllis nodding along. 
What the fuck? “There were so many rogues and not all of them were Wolves. Some of them were Cat shifters. I didn’t think there were any in this part of the world.” Amaryllis adds in, I wince. 
I never told anyone about the Cat shifters that were there, I had assumed that they were all killed when Aluma and I were rescued. I shouldn’t have assumed because I recognized one of the Cat shifters by a scar I gave him. I’m not looking forward to telling Aluma not all of them are dead, because she’s going to freak out like I’m trying not to. I also never said anything about the Bear or Coyote shifters that were there either. Those guys aren’t usually in this part of the world either.
“Cat shifters? Here?” Sparrow breathes, echoed by Ilgar, Viola, Buz, Cedar and Frost. 
“Yes. It was weird that they are so far from their normal places.” Ozul nods, my shoulders curl into themselves.
“What do you know?” Onyx asks, I turn my head to frown at him, oh he’s looking at me that’s not good.
“I feel like you should know the answer to that.” I snap back, without meaning to.
Onyx raises a brow at me, I look away from him and lean back on the couch. “What does that mean Snow?” Frost asks me, I stare at the ceiling. 
I’ve never talked about this. I don’t want to talk about it. “What I meant by that, he was there when Aluma and I were rescued.” I tilt my head to watch Onyx’s reaction. “You said you got them all. I assumed you did. I apparently, I should have checked.” 
“What?” All of them breathe, the scent of shock, horror, anger and slight fear fills the room.
“I’m pretty sure you heard me.” I snark, pulling my knees to my chest and wrapping my arms around them. Deep breaths. I can talk about this, it won’t break me. “There were Cat shifters. There with us. They were working with the Wolf shifters.” 
“Why didn’t you say anything?” Frost breathes, I am so close to removing his tongue.
“I don’t know Frost! Maybe because I was told they were all dead! And I wasn’t in a place to be talking about it!” I snarl, making the others flinch. Well maybe Frost should watch what he asks!
“We didn’t find any Cat shifters.” Buz tells me, his gaze worried. Fucking great. 
“The two we left alive to answer questions, never said anything about Cat shifters.” Onyx informs me, I let my eyes closed.
“So I’m guessing you also don’t know that there were Bear and Coyote shifters as well?” I force the words out.
“No. We did not.” I can feel Onyx’s gaze on me but I can’t look at him. 
I think I’m going to be sick. “Wonderful.” I mutter, they are still out there. Alive. They are alive. Fuck! Deep breaths. I’m fine. “Ozul, Aspen and Onyx still haven’t shared their side and I would like to hear that now.” 
“You really want to talk about that? After you just-“
“Yes. I would rather talk about last night then think about four years ago.” I cut Flint off, my brain can’t handle anymore of this. The sooner we get this over with the sooner I can freak the fuck out on my own.
“Onyx and I were arguing about something, when we heard Emery screaming, Onyx took off, I followed him. We lead them away and once we were far enough we started fighting them. After a while I passed out from blood loss. I don’t know what happened after that.” Aspen shares his side, but doesn’t explain why he was arguing with Onyx. I’ll ask about that later.
“I heard Emery screaming, I followed it. Once we lead them away from the others and Aspen went down, Onyx and I held them off for as long as we could and protecting Aspen when Snow showed up. Used a large amount of Lightning to knock all of the rogues out and she brought us here.” Ozul continues, after Aspen. 
“So a fucking mess. With the rogues still alive and out there doing fuck knows what? Is that the sum of it?” Cedar asks, pulling on his hair.
“Yeah. That’s about it.” Flint nods, I feel like I need to run, far, far away. 
“Can we go back to the Cat, Bear and Coyote shifters?” Buz raises his hand and gives me a sheepish look, I sigh.
“Fine. Ask.” I tighten my arms around my legs, I can talk about this.
“How many of each?” Buz asks, holding my gaze. 
“I knew of five Cat Shifters, Twelve Bear and two Coyotes. Aluma might have a different number of each though. So might the other females.” 
“Why would their answers be different?” Viola frowns over at me, I let my eyes close and rest my forehead on my knees.
“The Wolves liked us all. They were the ones to take us. The Cats liked Aluma, Sage and Callie the most. The Coyotes liked Annie, Maya and Blue. While the Bears liked Fey and I the most. That is why their answers might be different than mine.” 
“You knew their names?” Viola breathes, I can smell the horror everyone is feeling.
“I know their names, scents and the sounds of their screams. Never saw any of them but those things I do know.” Fuck it hurts, everything about this hurts.
“Okay, so we need to get all of them here to speak to them. Get any information we can from these females.” Frost states, a heavy sigh leaves me. 
“We were all blindfolded the entire time, I don’t know how much they’ll be able to help.” 
“Oh.” Is all Frost says, I’m going to smack the fuck out of him.
I lift my head off my knees. “They could probably give you numbers but I’m not sure how many of the rogues stayed here.”
“It would still be helpful to have them stop by if they are willing.” Onyx musses, I don’t want to see them. Fuck. Does that make a horrible person? 
“Yeah before we do that, I’ve got to tell Aluma that the rogues are still alive.” I mutter, Sparrow, Flint and Aspen all stiffen.
“Does she really need to know that?” Aspen asks hesitantly, I grab the pillow behind Onyx and smack it over Aspen’s head.
“If they’re still alive, she needs to know. No if ans or buts about it!” I snarl and smack him again just because he’s an idiot!
“Okay! Stop hitting me!” Aspen tries to take the pillow from me but I hand it to Onyx who throws it to Ozul. “Seriously?” 
“Yes. You’re an idiot.” I snap, pushing to my feet. “I’m going to see Aluma. I’ll see you all later but you might not want to be here when mother gets home.” I run out of the house, the panic attack coming on quickly. 

ONYX!!!
I stare after Snow for a moment before looking at the rest of the room. “I think we might have pushed to much.” Viola breathes, hmm she is probably right. 
“Maybe. We need to get home and be there for Aluma when Snow tells her.” Flint stands, Sparrow and Aspen hesitate.
“That would probably make it worse. She’s not going to want to be around anyone other than Snow when she finds out.” Ozul states, he is not wrong. 
“How would you know?” Frost snaps at him, I bristle.
“Watch it Frost.” Emery and I growl, Ozul just rolls his eyes.
“I know that because if you’ve forgotten many of those females came to Bloodhound for therapy.” Ozul explains, carefully not looking at me. They dance around the subject way to much, careful not to set me off. Even though it no longer hinders me and hasn’t for a while now. 
“So you’re saying you know where all of those females are now?” Sparrow asks, finally looking Ozul, who he has been avoiding looking at since he came out of Snow’s room. 
“Yes. I know where they are all at.” Ozul agrees, we all know where the females are, I have kept a close eye on them. The only one I could not find again was Snow, I am able to watch her now though. 
“So you could contact all of them and get them to come here?” Buz asks, sweeping his gaze over Emery, Ozul and I. 
“Yes but not here. I think your mother would have an issue with that.” Emery raises a brow at Buz. 
“Yeah no I didn’t mean here but where we could speak to them.” Buz waves his hand.
“Why would mom have an issue with them coming here?” Viola questions, confusion lining her voice.
“Strangers, in our home.” Ilgar states, I kind of forgot he was here. 
“She hates strangers in the house.” Frost adds, Viola gives the an odd look but drops it. 
“Yes we could contact them all, do you think mom would have an issue if we brought them to our home?” Emery asks me, I do not think bringing them back to where they had to work through their trauma.
“She would not mind but bringing them back would not be helpful to them. It might hinder them.” I answer, even though they were not hurt at Bloodhound, it is still a painful reminder of what happened to them. Snow is fine going to Bloodhound because she does not remember being taken and treated there, the other females do.
"Okay so Winter is out, Bloodhound is out. Would Fall be a good place?" Emery asks, looking at Flint instead of Aspen, the next Alpha. Oh no, she is starting to like him. Great. Fucking great.
"We'd have to speak to our dad first but I think he'll be fine with it." Flint flicks his gaze to Aspen who nods at Flint in agreement. 
"This could work but our we looping in our Alphas?" Cedar asks, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Let's not for now. See what information the females can give us first." Frost cuts in before any one can say something different. My siblings agree with nods, while the Spring and Fall siblings hesitate before nodding as well. I narrow my gaze at Frost, why does he want to keep our Alphas out of this?
"And on that note, you all should head out. Our mother will be home soon and no wants to explain why you all are here to her." Ilgar cuts in, stopping Amaryllis from saying what ever she was about to. The Spring Wolves look confused, the Fall do not. Everyone gets up and heads to the door, the Spring are out quickly, the Fall not far behind. I notice Viola looks deeply confused as she trails behind us, I wonder if the older Winter siblings are hiding the abuse from the youngest sibling. 
"Let us know if the females agree to meet with us." Buz pats Ozul's shoulder as Ozul steps out of the house, I am a step behind them and side step away to make sure Buz does not touch me. 
Emery snorts from behind me, I shoot her a glare. "We will. As soon as we know." Is all Ozul says before slipping into his Wolf skin, Emery and I following quickly behind him as he leads us back to our border. None of us speaking till we are about to cross back into our land.
"Please tell me I'm not the only one who noticed that the Winter siblings didn't seem to want us in their home." Emery is the one to break the silence, I am not surprised.
"You weren't. Though I think they were just unconfutable having us there, not that they didn't want us there. But the only one that didn't seem to care was Viola and she seemed confused on why her siblings did." Ozul mutters, I can practically see his mind spinning.
"It was so weird and I don't know what to feel or think about any of that." Emery flicks her gaze to me, expecting me to add on some thing. I will not. Not yet, anyway. 
I need to find out way more before I share what I do know. "Let us just focus on contacting the females for now. The Winter pack is not our concern, not right now. Leave it at that." I grumble, still sore from fighting the rogues. Emery side eyes me, she knows, I know more than I am letting on. Ozul just rolls his eyes and breaks off from us.

Chapter Text

July, 31st.
Snow.
Telling Aluma didn’t go well, she panicked, which pushed down my panic but I couldn’t get her to calm down. Xanthe had to come in and calm her down, I left soon after and haven’t seen her since. Buz tried to get me to talk about it more when I got home, I shut that down. I don’t want to talk about it, I don’t want to hear about it unless the other females agree to meet which I told him. Which I’m guessing he told the rest of our siblings because no one else has said anything about it since.
I’m trying to stay busy, keep my mind off of all the bullshit that is the rogues. Running my border, training with Zep and Joe. Meeting with Leto and Cedar, going to see how Groove is doing-he brought some friends which was nerve racking but fine- he has learned quickly and is starting to help some of the other Summer Wolves his age. Reading the book Onyx gave me, which is really starting to make my brain feel like it’s leaking out of my ears. But I have to stay busy, keep moving. 
I can’t stop, or else the panic will creep in and I can’t let that happen- running smack into black fur. “What the fuck Onyx?” I hiss and push myself back to my feet, as Onyx looks down at me in amusement. 
“I called to you a few times. You didn’t seem to hear or see me, I decided to step in.” Onyx sits back on his hunches. 
“I was thinking. Now what do you want?” I grumble and shake out my fur.
“The females have agreed to meet at Fall, if both you and Aluma are there. It would see you and Aluma are the only females that did not reach out to the captives.” Onyx informs me, watching me closely. “Aluma has already agreed to meet with them, Frost agreed on your behalf and then could not find you.” 
Aluma agreed-nope stop it. “When am I supposed to meet with them?”
Onyx narrows his gaze at me, I will not react to anything else he said. I can’t think about it, I won’t. “They are on their way now. So should we.” 
“You going to be there as well?” I cringe shouldn’t have asked that. 
Onyx side eyes as he gets up and starts walking towards the Fall border, which isn’t that far from where we are. “Yes, Snow. I’m going as well, which they are aware of.”
“Right.” I need to calm the fuck down. This will be fine. I’m not going to freak out and lose my mind, this is fine. Totally fine. Onyx and I don’t speak again, I don’t know why he doesn’t but I just try to keep my breathing even and my mind as blank as it can get.
...
It would seem Onyx and I are the last ones here. Ozul, Emery, Cedar, Juniper, Amaryllis, Buz, Frost, Viola (why is she here for this?), Ilgar, Flint, Sparrow, Aspen and Aluma, are sitting around the living trying to not look at the six nervous females in front of them. It’s weirdly silent in here.
Great. I slip out of my Wolf skin, Onyx doing the same. “Sorry I was late, was running the border and was blocking my siblings.” I force smile onto my face and perch myself on the arm of the couch next to Sparrow, who Aluma is trying to use as a shield.
“They asked us to meet with them, then proceed to not ask us anything. What is the point of us gathering if not to question us?” A female with yellow eyes and sunset orange hair asks me. I blink trying to place her voice, she’s a Summer no doubt about it-oh. 
“I think they’re hesitating on what to ask Annie, since Aluma and I tend to shut down when asked questions about what happened.” I hold Annie’s gaze, those yellow eyes narrowing at me. 
“I didn’t realize you were a Winter Wolf.” Annie rakes her gaze over me.
“I didn’t realize you were a Summer Wolf either, since we were all blindfolded.” I shrug, trying to keep my breathing even. 
“You are the female in the mate bidding.” Breathes a purple eyed female with black hair, oh Maya. 
“That I am.” I want to run so badly. 
“Um how about we interduce ourselves, since not everyone knows everyone?” Emery cuts in, bless her. 
“We know who you all. You’re all Alphas, children from some of the largest packs.” Annie raises a brow at Emery who frowns slightly.
A female with Deep brown eyes and grey eyes clears her throat. “Annie is the Summer Wolf, she’s 19. Maya is the purple eyed female, she is from the Shadows pack, she’s 22 and their next Alpha. Callie is the green eyed female, she’s from the Rowen pack, she’s 21 and their next Alpha.” Callie has bright red hair, she’s about 5’9, Maya is 5’4 and Annie is 5’6 and a Delta. “Blue is well the blue eyed female, she’s 20 and from the Sea pack.” Holy shit. She’s from the Sea pack??? She also has blue hair and she’s 5’5 and a Beta. “Fey is the grey eyed female, from the Wind pack, one of the Alpha’s kid, she’s 19.” Fey has purple hair and she’s maybe 5’2 and a Omega. “I’m Sage, from the Ridge pack and 23.” Sage has light grey hair and she’s about 5’7 and a Omega.
“Thank you Sage.” Emery nods her head to Sage. 
“I didn’t realize so many of you were connected to Alphas.” Buz breathes in shock, I’m not really surprised. 
“I believe that they just took whoever tended to wonder off on their own.” Blue shrugs, oh fuck me.
All of the Fall siblings, and my siblings slowly turn and look at me. “Do not even start fuckers. I have learned my lesson.” I grumble at them, I know what they want to say, I just hope they bite their fucking tongues for now.
“So you believe it was random, not targeted?” Ozul asks the females. 
“Yes, if they had just gotten females from the smaller packs we-“ Callie stops herself from continuing, she rolls her shoulders back and inhales deeply. “We would not have been found and there wouldn’t have been a big search. Now if they had just gotten from the larger packs, it would have been a statement of, ‘not even the largest packs are safe from us’ and they would not held us as long as they did and probably would have killed us before their was a chance of us being found. Left the bodies for the packs to find.”
I bite my tongue to bring some pain so I don’t run away or throw up. “That actually makes a lot of sense.” Juniper musses. 
“We are aware of that, Juniper. It’s why Callie said it. You are not the only one with Alpha trying.” Maya raises a brow at a sheepish looking Juniper. 
“Sorry.” He mumbles and looks away from her. 
“Are you all comfortable enough to answers questions about the males who took you?” Onyx asks, meeting each of their gazes, including Aluma’s but not mine.
They all tense, Blue narrows her gaze at Onyx. “We were told they were all dead. What questions could you ask about dead men?” 
Oh no. They didn’t tell them. Onyx swings his gaze over his siblings, realizing the same thing I have. “Yeah about that, those that rescued us, only killed the Wolves. There were no other shifters there when they got us out.” 
The six females all snap their gazes towards me, Fey and Annie are trembling while the other females are very still. “How did you figure that out?” Fey asks her gaze holding mine.
“Short version is, a few days ago, Amaryllis, Flint and Emery were attacked by rogues, Onyx, Ozul and Aspen lead the rogues away but were struggling, I showed up. Realized I had given a scar to one of the rogues, zapped them with lightening and then got those three away from the rogues.”
“Where was this?” Sage asks, her eyes on the ground.
“Near the human town.” I drop my gaze to the floor fuck this is hard. 
“Not far from these lands then.” Annie breathes. 
“What questions do you have for us?” Maya asks, she sounds like she swallowed rocks. 
“How many of each shifter do you remember? We know we got all of the Wolves. Snow told us that the numbers you each had, would be different from hers.” Onyx gets right to it, fuck I don’t want to be here for this.
ONYX!!!

“I highly doubt her numbers were correct, what did she say they were?” Callie raises her brow at me. 
I frown at the female. “Why do you not ask her?” I hold back from snapping at the female.
“Because Daw-Snow has mentally checked out, which she did a lot back then. She is not hearing a word we say.” Fey answers nodding to a dazed Snow, what the fuck?
Sparrow waves his hand in front of Snow’s face, she does not even blink. “Should we move her?” Buz asks hesitantly.
“No. She’ll snap out of it when she’s not overwhelmed. If you try to move her, she might claw your face off.” Annie answers him, he nods slowly.
“Is that why you believe her answer is incorrect?” I ask them, each one of them nods.
“That and she was the only female they continued to hurt while she was passed out. How many did she say?” Sage asks again.
What the fuck? “5 cat Shifters, 12 Bears, 2 Coyotes.” Frost answers before I can.
Blue snorts. “Wrong.”
“There were at least 20 Bears. 8 would only fuck her while she was passed out and those 8 never touched anyone else.” Fey states, unfeelingly. “There were 19 Coyotes that also would only do it while she was passed out and 2 when she was awake. That’s 21 that I know of, only one of the Coyotes wanted to touch me. 17 Cats, but again only 5 when she was awake. That is the number I know.” 
What the fuck? Why only when she was passed out- “For me, there were 27 Cats, 1 Bear, and 3 Coyotes. The answer Fey gave for Snow is the same I would give.” Sage’s answer, cuts off my thoughts.
“27 Cats, no Bears, 2 Coyotes. I agree with Snow’s amount.” Callie adds in.
“27 Cats, 3 Bears, no Coyotes for me. My answer for Snow is the same as theirs.” Aluma mutters, snapping her brother’s gazes to her.
“26 Coyotes, 13 Cats and no Bears. Snow’s number that they have given is correct.” Annie puts curls her body into a ball, Maya rubs her back. 
“26 Coyotes, no Cats, 2 Bears.” Maya’s voice is distant and bland.
“26 Coyotes, 4 Cats, 1 Bear.” Blue’s answer is muffled by Fey’s neck. 
“And just so we are clear here, there were 39 Wolves.” Sage informs us. The other females, including Aluma nod their heads in agreement.
That-27-26-20-39=112. “There were 112 rogues that held you captive?” My voice is sharp and cold. 
“Eh give or take a few that we missed.” Fey answers meetings my gaze. 
“Holy shit. What the actual fuck?” Buz breathes before fainting. 
“Is he alright?” Callie asks, peering down at Buz. 
“He’ll be fine. Why did none of you say anything to your Alphas about how many there were?” Flint asks, oh that was a dumb question.
“I did, Callie did, Fey did. Sage, Annie and Blue left it alone. I’m guessing so did Snow and Aluma.” Maya snaps at Flint, I rub my face with my hand. There are 73 rogues unaccounted for, this is a lot bigger than any of us even thought it ever could be. 
“Then why did your Alphas never say anything?” Frost snaps at Maya. I am going to kill him. 
“They did you mother fucker. They called the Sea, the Winter, the mother fucking Summer but no one answered. They sent emails, texts even fucking letters, they got nothing back. So before you start talking about something, you know nothing about, maybe you should ask nicer before I punch you in the face. Next Alpha or not.” Callie snarls, her claws poking out of her fingers.
“How about we all take a deep breath. This is not a time for blame, just information.” Cedar cuts in this time. 
“Okay so the Winter, Summer and Sea packs were contacted and you got nothing back, do you know if they actually had the right number or email? I’m not trying to start a fight but I just want to make sure we’re covering all of our bases here.” Juniper raises his hands before the females can start tearing him apart.
Annie sighs. “I know for a fact that the Summer letters were opened and then burned by Helios, as for the number and email, I had given those to Maya, Fey and Callie and I know they were the correct ones because I had used those before.” 
Shit. This is getting worse. “As for the Sea pack, I had also given them the numbers and emails, I never saw any letters but I was not in a place to be able to see them. But I also know that the Sea pack, does not answer or read anything with an unknown, name, number or email.” Blue continues. 
“And for the Winter, I have a friend in Winter, who personally brought the letters to Arcticus and given me the number and email for your Alpha.” Maya holds Frost’s gaze when she speaks. This has gone from horrible to we might all die. 
“Who? Who is your friend.” Frost bites out. 
“Connie. Her mother comes from the Shadow pack.” Shit. 
“Fuck.” Frost, Buz, Ilgar and Viola all breathe. 
“What now?” Sage frowns at the Winter siblings.
“Connie was a big help to Snow when she first got back, then mother stopped letting her be around so much.” Ilgar breathes, hands on his face. 
“And?” Fey asks puzzled.
“Connie was bringing the letters. Mother knew that, so she stopped allowing Connie to hang around. Connie asks questions. All of the time. She purposely cut off contact so Connie would have to stop.” Buz mutters gripping his hair tightly. Oh. I really do not like Khione.
“How the fuck are we supposed to bring this up, since some of the Alphas knew?” Aspen snarls, standing up, he starts pacing behind the couch, not near the females so they do not feel threatened. 
“I don’t know. We have given you the information we have. Is that all you needed from us?” Annie asks, looking over each of us.
“Yes that is it from us. Though I would like for you to send me the screenshots of the calls, texts and the emails that your packs have sent,  if you are able to.” This is why Ozul is called the calm one of us, he can think about things like that.
“I should be able to get them.” Maya nods to him.
“I should as well.” Callie agrees.
“I can try but I can’t promise anything.” Fey shrugs.
“All I ask is that you try so thank you.” Ozul smiles sadly at the females. 
“Would you females like me to walk you back?” Amaryllis asks them.
“No we have our on ride home. We did not run here. Each of us has also learned our lesson.” Fey answers, cutting her eyes towards Snow, who is still, unnervingly quiet and still with a dazed expression.
“Thank you for your time. I’m sorry we had to bring up old memories.” Sparrow dips his chin to the females.
“Sometimes you have to go back to the past to move on from it.” Is all Blue says. 
“Aluma, if you would like to reach out to us, here’s each of our numbers, the same goes for Snow. There aren’t many who understand what we went through and sometimes it’s nice to talk to those that do. You don’t have to reach out to us but we want you and Snow to know it’s always an option.” Callie hands Aluma a piece of paper, Aluma accepts it with a shaking hand.
“Thank you.” Aluma curls the paper to her chest and the females leave. 
“We’re so fucked.” Emery breathes, I could not agree more. 
“Hey guys. Where the fuck is Snow?” Juniper asks, I slowly pull my gaze to where Snow was, she is nowhere in sight. 
“She slipped out the back door when Sparrow was thanking the females.” Aluma answers blandly.
“WHY THE FUCK DIDN’T YOU SAY ANYTHING?” Buz shouts before bolting out of the door, his siblings racing after him. I hate this day.

Chapter Text

Snow. 
August, 1st.
It feels like I’m awaking up but I know I was awake because I’M STILL RUNNING!! WHAT THE FUCK? I slide to a stop and realize how mother fucking sore I am. What the hell happened? “I swear to fuck, this is it Snow. Fucking answer me. It’s been over 24 hours since you ran away. Mother is asking where you are because the Alphas are here to meet with you.” Ilgar’s voice  slams into my mind. Oh shit. 
We met with the other females that were held captive with Aluma and I, I remember talking some but then it just goes blank. Fuck. “As soon as I figure out where I am, I will head there.” 
“Holy shit, you actually answered that time.” Ilgar breathes, I stiffen. 
“Was I not answering before?” I’m so fucking confused it’s not even funny. 
“No you were not. And none of us could track or find you, trust me. We tried.” Well this is not good. What the fuck was I doing?
“Right. I’ll be home soon, keep stalling. We can talk about this later.” I cut off the link before Ilgar can say anymore. I need to figure out where I am and how to get home.
I slip out of my Wolf skin and spin around trying to figure out-letting a screech as I come face to face with man. “Was that necessary? I don’t much like having my ears bleed.” The male rubs his hand against one of his ears.
Oh the bright side, it’s a Wolf, on the down side he’s an Alpha and I don’t know which one. “Well to be honest I didn’t know you were there so yeah, it was necessary.” I take a big step back and the purple eyed Alpha raises a brow at me.
“You’ve been running laps around my land, did you not think you wouldn’t draw attention to yourself?” Well when you put it like that...
“Right. Uh do you know where we are?” I don’t know how else to ask that so blunt is best.
“Maya said you were a spacer, I suppose she was right.” What now?
“Forgive me but I am deeply confused.”
The male stares at me flatly for a moment. “Snow, you are in Shadow’s land, you have been for the past 24 hours, you have been running our border the entire time. The only reason you are still alive is because you amused border patrol, then Maya came home and explained who you were. You have not responded to anyone, not even Maya herself. You have had a tail the entire time you’ve been here. I am the Alpha of the Shadow pack, my name is Alec.” 
Oh. I fucked up. “Shit.” I don’t even know where the Shadow pack is. Mother didn’t teach us because we weren’t supposed to ever meet any of them. 
“Indeed. And from the look on your face you have no idea where you are.” Alec narrows his deep purple eyes at me, while I fight back a cringe.
“I have no idea. I’m so sorry for all of the trouble I’ve caused.” I bow my head and fold my hands in front of me. 
“Hmm. Come on then. Since you seem back to yourself, it is time to get you home.” Alec turns and walks away, I hesitate before following him, I have got to stop getting myself into bad situations. “I do have a question for you though.”
“Ask away.” I kind of owe him for not killing me, so I’ll answer what I can.
“What did you all want with the females that were held captive?” I slide my gaze towards him and then away.
“It has recently come to our attention that some of those that took us, were still alive.” I answer, calm flooding through my veins.
Alec stops moving and slowly turns to me, oh I don’t like the look on his face, I instantly take a step back. "Only recently?"
"Yeah, uh some Wolves were attacked and uh I saw a scar I know, I gave to one of them. On one of the rogues that uh was attacking the Wolves." Of fuck that was such a bad explanation.
Alec stares at me in disbelief, I feel like I'm in trouble and I don't know what I did to get into trouble. "Your pack has ignored every letter, call, text and email we sent to tell them that it wasn't only Wolves."
WHAT? "You-what?"
"We tried to tell your pack, the Summer pack and the Sea pack that there were also Bears, Cats and Coyotes involved yet everything we sent went unanswered. Let me guess, those that are still alive are the Bears, Cats and Coyotes?" Alec raises a sharp brow at me.
My mind is spinning, what the fuck? "I-yeah. I didn't know you had sent anything to my pack or the other two. I had no idea."
"Figures you wouldn't. They would have wanted to keep all information about your captors away from you." Alec snarls, turning on his heel and walking away again. I follow him even though I really don't want to.
"If I had known, I would have responded. I'm sorry everything you sent went unanswered." I whisper, I feel like trash that I didn't know. 
Alec sighs. "What did you need from them?" Alec bites out, I fight back a flinch.
"Numbers, we needed to know how many were missed."
"You and Aluma didn't have answer for that?" Alec softens his tone slightly.
"Each Shifter group had their favorites, so our numbers would be different." I mumble, not really wanting to talk about this again.
"Hmm. Did you get the answers you sought?" Alec asks, I feel his gaze on my face but I refuse to look at him. 
"I honestly have no idea. One minute I was in the conversation, the next I'm in the woods and have no idea how I got here." 
"Hmm." Alec stops walking and stands next to a truck. "I will take you home, I can have one of the females come with, if you are not confutable being stuck in a small space with a strange male." He nods his head to a group of people in a corn field, working. Most of the females look to be in their thirties, with young-ish children by their sides. Some males in their thirties, are helping them. It looks like family groups are working the field, or maybe getting what they need for the family. I don't know, what I do know is I'm not pulling a mother away from her young.
"No, it's fine, I'll be fine with you by myself. Um I do have a question, uh could you maybe drop me off at the Fall land instead of Winter?" I really don't want mother to find out where I've been for the last 24 hours, that would be a shit show. 
Alec side eyes me, as he gets in the truck, I hurry around it and do the same. "If you tell me the reason you want to be taken there instead."
"Uh I don't want my mother to find out that I was running your border for hours and that I don't remember any of it. And she really doesn't like when other Alphas are on her land without at least a weeks notice." Plus if mother knew that I did this, she might just kill me. 
"Hmm. Yes I can take you to the Fall lands. But you will need to inform the Fall Alpha that we are coming."
"Right, yeah probably should warn him. Um, how far away are we from the Fall lands?" 
"We're about forty-five minutes from the Fall lands." Alec answers and pulls onto a gravel road.
Huh, I didn't got that far. That's better than last time. "Right, thank you. I will let him know." And he knows I'm telling him. What the fuck even is my brain? "Hey, um I did a thing." I reach out to both Elwood and Sparrow, I hear Elwood sigh.
"What did you do now?" Sparrow mutters, like he is just waking up. 
"I might have ran all the way to the Shadow packs border and then ran said border for hours. And now the Alpha of the Shadow pack is bringing me to the Fall lands." Get it all out there, as quick as possible.
"WHAT THE FUCK SNOW?" Sparrow shouts, I jump, why is he so loud?
"Are you safe Snow?" Elwood asks, in his worried tone.
"Are you alright?" Alec asks in concern, his gazing sweeping over the road and woods around us, as if looking for a threat. 
"Don't yell at me, Sparrow. It's not nice." I snark at him, "Yes, I'm safe Elwood. It is fine that this Alpha is bringing me to the Fall land, right?" I ask Elwood before focusing on Alec. "Everything is fine, my friend, uh the Fall Alpha's son yelled when I told him and the Fall Alpha what was going on. I don't do well with yelling." 
"I'm yelling because I'm worried! What the fuck were you thinking?" Sparrow snaps, I sigh, I know he worries but yelling isn't needed.
"Sparrow breathe. Snow, it's alright. When should we be expecting you to arrive?" Elwood is so calm, it's weird. 
"Ah, is he worried about you?" Alec glances over at me before looking back to the road.
"Thank you Elwood, we should be there in about forty minutes. Sparrow, I wasn't thinking. We can talk about this latter but right now, I'm with an unknown Alpha and I don't want to get into this." I love him, I do but sometimes I just want to shake him, which I'm guessing is what he is feeling as well. "Sparrow is always worried about me and he is very dramatic about his worry."
"We will see you soon, Snow and do not worry. I'll make sure Sparrow calms down before you get here." Elwood assures me, I hear Sparrow snarl before the link is cut.
"And what rank is Sparrow?" Alec questions, I stare out the window, why is he asking about his rank?
"Beta, but does that really matter?" I mutter, leaning my head against the window. I'm starting to feel the fact that I ran for 24hours, this is going to suck.
Alec snorts. "Rank may not matter to you right now but one day you will see that it does matter." 
I highly doubt it. "How so?" Should I have even asked that?
"Well in the bigger packs, like yours, it's harder to see, yet in smaller ones like mine it's easier to see how rank effects everyone. And no, how the bigger packs see the ranks isn't correct." I keep my gaze firmly on the widow, do not roll your eyes. 
"There's a difference in how packs see the ranks?" Encage without being rude, that might have been a little snarky. 
"Packs like yours, see Alphas as hot heads and leaders, Betas as warriors, Deltas as the grunts, Omegas as weak and Lunas as a tool." 
"And that's wrong because?" 
"Alphas want to be followed, their instincts scream for them to protect and provide for their packs. They are protective and possessive over what is theirs. More so with their mates, Alphas tend to be aggressive and controlling towards others when their mate it unclaimed and they are worse when they are unsure if their mates knows that they are the Alpha's mate or not. Often taking the aggression out on the mate, if the mate shows interest in others." That really doesn't fit with the Alphas I know- wait a fucking second. I run over every interaction Frost and Sparrow have had, shit. "It's the reason why Alphas are mated quickly, because if not, they will continue with the aggressive and controlling behavior. And that is the reason bigger packs think that Alphas are just hot headed leaders." 
Okay I suppose that makes sense but- "Hang on, if an Alpha isn't mated young, they are aggressive and controlling and they just stay that way?"
"It's mostly the males, that tend towards the more aggressive side. The female Alphas tend to be fine longer, till they hit about forty, then the aggression starts for them. Most of the time. And the males tend to only get that way when they acknowledge that they have met their mate. So yes, if they continue to be unmated then they will stay aggressive and controlling." Oh shit! That- "Betas tend to be protective, that's why the bigger packs think that they are just Warriors and forget the rest that goes long with being protective." Alec flicks his gaze to me again. "They are there to keep those they consider pack, safe. They often make a big deal about their pack mates not taking safety serious enough. They are the guardians, they makes sure nothing happens that can be prevented. That is why your friend was yelling at you, you threw caution out the window and drove his instincts insane."
So Alec may have a point with Alphas and Betas but that doesn't mean- "Deltas are caretakers, the bigger packs think it's the Omegas that are the caretakers. They are wrong. In the bigger packs, Deltas don't seem to have a purpose other than to run errands and odd jobs. Deltas were meant to care for the young and old, the defenseless. They have mother bear instincts, even if they are not parents themselves. It's wired into them, they tend to not want to fight, they prefer watching out for the defenseless, yet if the fight is brought to them and they are protecting the defenseless, they will fight and they will win. Every time, sometimes even against an Alpha. Because their instincts scream for them to not let their charges to be hurt, in anyway."
Holy fuck- "Omegas are a shelter in the storm, they are comfort and softness. Meant to sooth and recharge others in times of stress or battle. They are-"
"A safe place." I whisper, thinking about all of the Omegas I know.
"Yes. Their instincts are to comfort and bring peace, even if it's briefly." Alec's gaze is on me again. "Lunas  are different, especially the Natural ones. Alphas, Betas, Deltas and Omegas, have the same qualities and manners. We run the same, just in different fronts. Lunas are vastly different, rarely do they have the same qualities or manners of another Luna." I flick my gaze over to Alec but he is focused on the road. "Lunas branch out, whether that's pure chaos, unrelenting calm, neutral, vengeful, peaceful or hateful. It depends on how they were raised, what kind of life they were brought up in. They are a force to be reckoned with, an Omega is the calm in a storm, a Luna is the storm. Whether they are sending the storm away or bringing it to your door. Meant to bring peace or war, they are never born if they are not needed."
My mind spins. Am I here for war or peace? Do I want to bring peace? Do I want to start a war? What kind of Luna am I? I don't think I'm vengeful or hateful. Unrelenting calm and peaceful don't really fit me. Am I neutral or chaos? What does it mean if I am any one of those? Or one I don't expect? "How can you tell which Luna is which?"
Alec sighs. "Like I said, it depends on how they are raised. If they are raised in a loving calm home, then they tend to be chaos or peaceful. If they are raised in a loud, chaotic, loving home, then they tend to be unrelenting calm or neutral. If they are raised in a unsafe or violent home, then they tend to be vengeful or hateful." I let my eyes slide closed, I don't like that. "Sometimes it can be a mix of two or three, like chaotic neutral. Or vengeful and unrelenting calm. Or one that has only happened once, hateful, chaotic and neutral." 
"That seems like a lot." I don't want to talk about this anymore.
"It is and you should have already have learned this by now. Yet the larger packs seem to forget the core functions of the ranks." Of course I should have, because why not keep important information away from your children? 
"I don't have a response to that." Is all I say, it's all I can say. I know that information has been kept from me, from my siblings, I didn't care, still mostly don't. I know how my siblings and I are being raised is wrong, how walking on eggshells isn't normal. Knowing doesn't make it better, knowing doesn't change what happens, talking about it doesn't change it. I tried asking for help, from someone I thought I could trust when I was eight, it didn't help, it just made it worse. I tried again when I was twelve with a different trusted adult, that also made it worse. Nothing changes, I could try to tell the Fall pack but I think it would just make it worse, or ruin our alliance with them.
Onyx knows some, he hasn't said anything to anyone yet nor has he tried to change it so I don't think there will be a fallout from that. "Snow?" Alec's voice is soft, I open my eyes and look over at him, concern is written all over his face. 
Shit, I was silent too long, lost in my mind. "Yeah?"
Alec eyes before going back to the road. "Do you know which Luna you are?" 
"Probably chaos or neutral."
"Hmm."
"And what do you think I am?" Since he doesn't seem to agree.
"I think, from everything I've seen and heard about you. You are either, unrelenting calm, vengeful or chaotic neutral." 
Okay I don't like that. "And why do you think that?"
"Snow, the categories that I've listed aren't what you bring to others, it's what you bring to yourself that can and will effect others." Why did he use that tone? Like I'm a child that he's explaining it to? "With you being kidnapped, you're likely to head towards vengeful." Okay there are way to many things that I dislike about this conversation. "You are naturally chaotic from everything I've heard but it isn't swayed one way or another, so chaotic neutral." Okay so he might have a point there. "When we spoke and you didn't know who I was or where you were, you didn't panic or let any other emotion come up. You went calm, it was flooding off of you, so much so that I had to move away or else it would have effected me as well."
"You might have a point." I grumble, looking out the window once again, is that-
Alec snorts. "Glad you saw reason. Because we're crossing the border now. We'll be at the pack house in five minutes." 
Okay just ask the question that you've been refusing t think about. He's a chill dude, it'll be fine. I turn towards Alec, deep breath. "How old were you when you were mated?"
Alec flicks his surprised eyes to mine. "I was fourteen." WHAT? "My father died when I was twelve and it sent me into a tail spin, my mother who was the Alpha, died when I was thirteen. I was very angry and hateful, my mother's Beta decided I needed to settle and quickly because I was in charge of leading the pack and needed to think clearly. So my mother's Beta picked an older female and I was mated, I settled down by the time I was sixteen."
"When you say older-"
"She was twenty-seven when we were mated."
My brain hurts. That is so fucked up. "I- are you still mated?"
"No. She passed a year before Maya was taken." Well shit. He also doesn't sound sad about it, oh that's Aspen's Wolf running beside the truck and he looks confused.
"I'm not trying to pry or be rude but did you ever love her? Your mate." And there's the pack house, shit, I want an answer before-
"No, I cared for her but I never loved her in any way." Alec parks the truck and turns towards me, Aspen shifts out of his Wolf skin and glares into the truck. "Because my choice was taken away from me, I hated her for a long time before I let it go but I could never love her, even though she was the mother of my child who I love deeply."
"Thank you Alpha Alec." I dip my chin to him as Elwood steps out of the pack house, Sparrow on his heal.
"This truck is completely sound proof." Alec raises a brow at me, hello fucking random. "I haven't asked you to be formal with me, nor have I treated you formally. Don't start now."
Ah right. "Thank you Alec, for taking me back and sharing your knowledge with me." I snark back and he snorts.
"Best get out of the truck before the next Alpha decides to rip the door off." Alec turns off the truck and gets out before I can respond. Aspen wouldn't dare, he can be an ass sometimes but he's not stupid. 
I step of the truck and Sparrow throws himself at me, we hit the ground hard. "I have thin bones!"
"DON'T GO TO OTHER PEOPLES BORDERS! ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE?" Sparrow shouts, I can literally feel his worry coming off in waves.
"MY EARS FUCKER!" I shout back and roll him off of me, I am promptly lifted by my waist and thrown over someone's shoulder. "If this is a kidnapping, I promise you won't survive it."
"Since we're friends I think I will." Flint grumbles as he carries me into the pack house, I lift my head enough to see Alec, Elwood, Aspen and Sparrow following us in.
"Are your children always like this with Snow?" Alec asks Elwood, I think about flipping him off but decide against it, for now.
"They have grown attached to the young Snow, they don't like it when she wonders off." Elwood answers, throw a small smile at me.
"As in more than once?" Alec swings his gaze towards me as I'm thrown onto the couch. 
"To be fair this is only the second time it's happened." I pull my legs underneath myself as Sparrow jumps on the couch next to me and lays his head on my shoulder.
"Lair. What do you think running off to see Sparrow is?" Aspen snaps at me, oh I might smack him.
"On purpose." I snarl, Sparrow sighs and Flint rolls his eyes.
"Enough. I'm going to speak to Alec for a while, Aspen is joining us-" Aspen looks up in surprise. "Flint will take Snow home and Sparrow will go back to the training field. Go now." I scramble off the couch, dragging Flint out of the house with me. 
I slip into my Wolf skin and start running towards my border. "Why are we running?"
"Because there are Alphas at home waiting for me."
"Oh shit."
"Yep."

Chapter Text

Aspen.
August 1st.
I frown as Snow rushes out, dragging Flint behind her. "There are Alphas waiting for her at home, which is why she ran." Dad tells me, before nodding his head to Alec and walking towards his office. Alec and I trailing after him. We enter the office, I stand behind dad as he sits behind the desk, Alec taking a seat in front of it. "I want to thank you for not attacking Snow and bringing her home Alpha Shadow."
"There are no thanks needed Alpha Fall. My daughter is the reason we didn't touch her, they were held captive together and Maya still cares for her. As for bringing her home, it was a pleasure, she is good company." Alec dips his head to dad, I narrow my gaze, Snow? Good company? 
"I'm glad she was on her best behavior for you-" Alec snort and then blankets his expression. "Was she not on her best behavior?" Dad's gaze fills with ice.
"I think, that if she was on her best behavior, it would have been a very boring ride. I enjoy her snark, it's not often anyone snarks at an Alpha. Let alone an unknown one. She didn't cross any lines if that is what you are worried about." Alec smiles slightly, I frown. What the-
"Ah, yes Snow has a sharp tongue, even when she should not. Is there anything we can do to repay you?" Dad changes the subject, away from Snow.
Alec's face goes blank once again. "My daughter recently was brought here." 
Shit. Good thing we filled in dad. "Yes, I'm aware, to talk about the rogues that were missed and found out that you and another pack tried to send word about there being other Shifters involved."
"I would like to be informed about the rogues, when you get information about them, or that they are dead. My daughter needs the closure of being informed." Alec states, flicking his gaze to me than back to dad.
"Of course, I understand. We will do our best to keep you up to date on them." Dad stands, as does Alec, they shake hands. Why did I need to be here for this? 
"Thank you. I should go, I do not like leaving my lands for long."
"I understand, I am the same way. Most Alphas are." Dad grins at Alec, Alec dips his chin at dad, dad does the same. 
Alec pauses before opening the door, turning back towards us. "I feel like I should warn you about Snow." I stiffen and dad's face goes cold. "She is not a peaceful Luna. She is to bring war."
"And what makes you say that?" I snap, dad grabs my arm to silence me.
Alec stares at me for a moment before meeting my dad's gaze. "It is easy to tell, she has been in a cage too long and she is going to snap. And for the most part, it's been peaceful and it's going to come to end. She will be the end of forced peace. And if you had studied Luna's as I have, you would know that. She will bring war and if she survives it, she will bring the calm. Luckily enough for you, you are on her side, you are unlikely to feel her wrath when she snaps." Alec nods his head to us once again before leaving. 
Neither father or I say anything for a while. Snow doesn't want war, she just wants to be left alone. That doesn't mean she's going to start a war. And what the fuck did he mean if she survives it? "He's wrong. Snow won't start a war."
Dad turns to me and raises a brow at me. "I've known for a long time, since the very first time I met Snow that she was the end to this thing between Summer and Winter. A White Wolf, caged and curious of the outside world. Head strong and resilient, loyal and smart. I know she will end it. I just don't know how. Alec is right, I'm not surprised that he figured it out. He has been studying Lunas since he was a boy." 
Shit. "Does Snow, know she's going to start a war?" 
"I highly doubt it. And we are not going to tell her either."
"Why? I think she should know." 
"She will in due time. But it is something she is going to have to learn herself. We can't tell her, we can't push her towards it, or away from it. It has to be a choice she makes, her actions cannot be swayed. Not for this, if you tell her or try to change the path she goes on, you will get caught in the destruction." Dad pats my shoulder and leaves the office, what the fuck? Why is he being cyprid? 
I shake my head and leave his office, I leave the pack house, slipping into my Wolf skin and head towards the Bloodhound border. I have questions about Lunas and I only know of one person who can and might actually answer my questions about Lunas. I really don't want Snow to be a War Luna. I stop when I get to the Bloodhound border, crossing it without asking isn't something I'm willing to do. "What are you doing here Aspen?" Noir asks into my mind, but I don't see him. 
"I need to talk to Onyx." Is all I say, I don't think Noir would know the answers to my questions. 
"Why?" Noir asks as he literally steps out of the shadow of a tree. I didn't know he could do that.
"No offence Noir, but why I need to talk to him isn't your business." 
"Everything about my siblings is my business. But he isn't here. Pretty sure he's stalking the Summer lands. I don't know why, so don't ask." 
"Thank you Noir." I turn and bolt towards the Summer border. Hopefully he's not actually in the Summer land because I won't be able to reach him in there.
I'm almost at the Summer border when I'm tackled to the ground by a sleek black Wolf. "What the fuck are you doing Aspen?" Onyx hisses into my mind as he drags me into a Shadow, holy fuck that feels fucking weird. 
"Looking for you." I mutter shifting out of my Wolf skin. 
Onyx lets go of his Wolf skin to glare at me. "How did you find me?" 
"Noir told me where he thought you were." 
Onyx snarls and turns away from me, I feel the Shadows pulling me as Onyx moves into the Summer land, oh this is fucking weird. "Why were you looking for me?" 
Why are you stalking Summer? "Your grandmother was a Luna, I have questions."
Onyx stops walking, turning back towards me. "What questions." Onyx snarls, stepping closer to me.
"What type of Luna was she?" Onyx goes still, very still. His deep brown eyes going flat. 
"Are you asking what she was meant for, or the type." Okay that wasn't a question, I feel like I've stepped in it a bit.
"There's a difference?"
"Yes Aspen. There's a difference." Onyx turns away from me and starts walking again, his Shadows dragging me along. 
"Could you tell me both? Or just what she was meant for? If you don't want to tell me both." I don't want to push, he seems agitated already. 
"She was meant for peace and after she died, things calmed down." Onyx states, perching on a tree branch, I realize who he is stalking when Silas and Sylvie step into the field. They start sparring. "Her type of Luna was chaotic neutral." 
"Oh." I don't know what the type means. "Why are you stalking Silas?"
"To see if Snow shows up here." Shit. No one told him that we found her. 
"Er well about that-
...
"So let me get this straight. Snow went to the Shadow pack. She wasn't killed, the Alpha brought her to Fall and then he said that she was made for war. And your dad agreed with him. So you came to ask me if I agreed and to ask what my grandmother was." Onyx stares at me flatly, Silas and Sylvie are still sparring behind him. 
"Yes." 
"You are an idiot."
"Why?"
"Because, of course she's meant for war. The Winter and Summer have been fighting for decades, it's not going to end peacefully. It's going to be a bloody fucking mess." 
"If Silas is her mate, shouldn't it end peacefully?" I snap back, getting annoyed. I don't want her to mate with Silas but I don't get a say in the matter.
Onyx snorts and goes back to watching the Summer siblings spar. "She won't mate him, which will drive him insane. Which in turn will effect Snow's mental state and will more than likely drive her insane as well. So that is what will likely start the war is both of them losing their minds." So he's thought about this a lot. Damn it! 
"And if they do mate?" 
Onyx side eyes me. "Then that will be what sparks the war, from either his father or her mother. But that is unlikely to happen."
"Why?" 
Onyx sighs. "Because Snow is in a mate bidding and Silas will never win. Even if he some how does win, Khione won't allow the mating to take place." 
"You don't know-" I get cut off when Sylvie shouts something at Silas. "Uh-"
"Quiet." Onyx snaps and suddenly where closer to them, close enough to hear their conversation.
"She's a fucking Winter Wolf Silas! You know, the fucking enemy?!" Sylvie swipes a clawed hand at Silas's face, he ducks and dances around her.
"I know she's a Winter Wolf Sylvie! But she's my mate! Not the fucking enemy!" Silas snarls and lands a hit to Sylvie's face, she goes down and kicks his legs out from underneath Silas. He hits the ground, Sylvie rolls on top of Silas, pinning his arms under her knees.
"Mate or not. She is the enemy. Father will never allow you to actually mate her. Nor will Khione allow Snow. It is better for you to move onto someone else. Claim someone else. Literally anyone else." Sylvie snaps and goes to claw his face but Silas mangers to throw her off of him. 
"I won't. She is mine. I don't want anyone else! I won't take anyone else. She is fucking mine. I don't care what anyone says I will claim her!" Silas lunges at Sylvie, knocking her down again and sinking his claws close enough to the spine that if he would have gone an inch to the right he would have paralyzed her. "I am not father. I won't have an unclaimed mate and settle for the next best thing." He snarls and releases her, she rolls over and sits up. 
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? "Mom was a good choice and you know it." Sylvie snaps at Silas as he starts pacing. 
"What the fuck?" I whisper, Onyx shoots me a death glare. 
"Quiet. Talk later." Fine.
"If she was such a good choice she'd still be alive." Silas snaps, both Onyx and I stiffen, meeting each others gazes before looking at the siblings again. 
"What the fuck is that supposed to mean?" Sylvie stand up and blocks Silas from pacing. 
"Father let Khione into our land, he was tired of mother, he didn't try to stop Khione from killing mother. He just let her be. Never took revenge." Silas snaps and turns away from Sylvie. 
"How the fuck would you know that?" 
"Aurelia was there! She saw it happen!" Holy shit. This is-I grab Onyx's arm and start shaking it, he bats me away. 
"You're just gonna take her word for it?! Are you insane? They were happy! He wouldn't have just let her die!" 
"You weren't there! They weren't happy! They hated each other!" 
"And it's time to go." Onyx mutters, grabbing my arm and pulling his tightly around us before were suddenly outside of the Summer border. Oh dizzy, I don't want to do that again. "Well I got more than I intended to." 
"There were rumors about Khione killing Enya but to have it confirmed by Silas-"
"Oh I knew that part. What I did not know was that Helios let it happen." Onyx cuts me off as his Shadows drag me away from the Summer border. "Or that Helios has an unclaimed mate."
"Yeah about that, do you know what that means?"
"Same thing it would mean for Snow and Silas. Insanity. If you acknowledge that you have a mate and then don't claim it, you'll become aggressive and controlling and over time, lose your mind." Onyx explains as we cross into my land, I feel his Shadow drop from around me.
"I didn't know that would happen." I breathe, what the fuck? Is that Helios is such a fucking asshole? 
Onyx snorts out a laugh, I freeze for a moment, hearing him laugh is strange. "Why do you think our Alphas are trying to get us mated quickly? It's not because they want to, it's because we need it." 
"Okay, so say you mated someone, that wasn't your actual mate and then you met your actual mate, what then?" I ask and Onyx frowns at me.
"You do know it's possible to mate more than one person, right?" 
I didn't know. "Why would anyone want to mate more than one person?"
"Because Aspen, meeting your mate takes time and Alphas aren't given the option of time, so they'll take more than one mate. It's common for Alphas and Omegas take more than one mate. It's why our parents decided that Emery, Flint and Amaryllis needed to go together." Huh I suppose that makes sense.
"Do you know what type of Luna Snow is?" Onyx side eyes me, sue me, I don't want to talk about mating's anymore.
"If I had to guess, I would say she's either unrelenting calm or some form of chaos." 
"Are those good, or bad?" 
"Depends on what she chooses to do with it." Onyx shrugs. "Now, go home. I've got things to do and you ask to many questions."

Chapter Text

Snow.
August 1st.
I jump through my window letting of my Wolf skin, Flint behind me, I rip off my day old close and shove new(random) clothes on and pull my hair up into a messy bun before diving back out the window, Flint still following in his Wolf skin. I rush to the front door, Frost pulls it open before I can, he raises a brow at me but lets me in. Flint still trailing behind me, I step into the living room, Mother, Ilgar, Arbor, Valcan, Ash, Sky and Batair? Are waiting, shit. "Sorry for making you all wait, I was running with Flint and didn't realize my link was shut down." 
I get side eye from Ilgar, Frost and Flint for that one. "It's alright. Gave us time to speak to your siblings." Sky shrugs and smiles slightly at me. 
"Batair, is here to ask you some questions Snow, why don't you do that first so he can be on his way." Mother raises a brow at me, oh she's mad. That isn't going to end well. 
"Of course," I smile tightly at mother before meeting Batair's gaze. "Do you want to talk in privet or is here fine?" 
"Privet." Batair stands, I nod my head to the door, I just came through and Batair leads the way outside, what the fuck could he want from me? He's not in the mate bidding, he's a Beta and can't be.
"What can I do for you Batair?" I ask once we're far enough away from the house. 
"Maximus is planning to cheat the challenges." Batair states, I stiffen.
"I can assure you Batair, no one can cheat the challenges and he will fail if he tries." 
"I don't know how he's planning to do it but he is." Batair meets my gaze. "He is also planning for if he can't cheat the challenges, to take by force." He better not mean what I think he means.
"How so?" I have to ask even if I don't want the answer.
"If he gets failed out of the challenges, he will find you and claim you without regard for you or anyone else. He wants to break you and make you submissive." What the actual fuck? "If he isn't kicked out of the challenges and doesn't win, he will still try to claim you by force. And on the off chance he does win, he will make the claim as painful as possible for you." 
Holy fucking shit, I think I'm going to throw up. "Why are you telling me this Batair?" 
"Because, what he wants to do is wrong. And no one deserves what he wants to do to you." Batair, bows his head. "I wanted to warn you because I'm unable to stop him, he is my next Alpha and my father would have my head if I tried." 
Deep breath. "Thank you for telling me Batair. I will deal with it. You should head back, I doubt your pack knows your here." He shakes his head, that's what I thought. "Best get going before they notice you're not where you're supposed be."
"Thank you for hearing me out and I'm sorry I can't do more." Batair leaves and I head back inside, mother is still with the Alphas. 
"Mother, can I speak to you for a moment?" I ask, nervously, mother narrows her gaze at me before standing and making her way to her office, I trail after her. 
"Snow, you have Alphas out there waiting for you, this better be good." Mother snaps, yeah that's the reaction I was expecting.
"Batair wanted to let me know, that Maximus is planning on trying to cheat the challenges, to win." Mother stiffens but I keep going. "And if he gets kicked out the challenges, he will try to forcefully claim me, if he's not kicked out of the challenges but doesn't win, he will try to forcefully claim me. And if he somehow wins, he's planning on making it a very painful claiming. I don't know if any of what Batair told me is true but I figured you'd want to know because you don't like cheaters." 
Mother narrows her gaze at me. "I will deal with this later. And I will deal with you disappearing for 24hours later as well. Go out there and mingle and try not to piss anyone else off." 
Could have gone worse. I head out of her office but she doesn't come with me. I step back into the living room, force a smile onto my face. "Sorry about that, what can I do for you all?" 
"Well Valcan and I are just here because of our brothers, they want to talk to you." Sky smirks at me, wonderful. 
"Okay, do you want to do it separate or together? I'm fine with either." I want to go to sleep, please pick so I can go to bed before mother tears me a new one.
Arbor and Ash eye each other before Arbor meets my gaze and shrugs, right so he doesn't care either way, I look at Ash who is frowning. Great. "Both is fine." Ash states. 
"Do you want to stay in here or head outside?" Wow this is painfully weird. 
Arbor stands up and walks over to me, raising a brow at Ash, who glares at Arbor before also standing up and making his way over to me. "I guess it's outside." 
"Right." I turn around and head back outside, noticing Flint is still in his Wolf skin and chilling on the couch. What the fuck? Why didn't he go home? Also no one is saying anything, am I supposed to start it? Cause I don't want to, I will but I don't want to. "Are there questions, I can answer for either of you?"
"Do you often run with the Fall Wolves?" Ash asks me, his shoulder brushing mine. 
"Yes, they're my friends and we like to run our borders together, some times just the Winter, sometimes just the Fall." I shrug, even breaths, no outward signs of lying. This is fine. 
"Like to run?" Arbor asks, Ash eyes him again. 
"Yes, I like to run, it's freeing." 
"Is it something you'll want to continue once you're mated?" Ash raises a brow at me.
"Running in general or running borders?" 
"I figured you'd want to continue running, but I meant running the Fall border." Ash clarifies.
"Hmm well I don't know if I'll be close enough to run the Fall border nor do I know if which ever pack I end up in has a good relationship with Fall. So no probably not." 
"You miss it?" Arbor tilts his head towards me, watching me carefully. 
"Miss running the Fall border? No, miss who I ran with? Yes." Arbor nods and looks away from me, Ash frowns over at me.
"Whose to say you won't still get to see them?" 
"Ash, I've had to accept that I might be too far away to visit anyone here, I've also had to accept that not everyone lets their mates visit their old home or family. So right now? I'm emotionally preparing to never seeing anyone here again. Just so I don't get my hopes up."
I feel a massive hand land on my head, I do my best not to show outward signs of discomfort. "Be okay."
"I will be okay, doesn't mean I can't be sad about the friendships I've made." I shrug and Arbor removes his hand from my head. 
"Leaving is hard, leaving against your will is harder." Ash mutters, meeting my gaze. "I would like to win your mate bidding," Why would he outright say that to me?! "Though I do feel the need to inform you that I'm not one for traditional relationships." 
"I'm gonna be honest, I have no idea what that means." 
"Me too." Arbor adds on, frowning at Ash who snorts out a laugh.
"It means, that I don't really like one on one, I prefer more than one." Oh, I-got nothing. 
"Why?" Arbor asks, still frowning.
Ash shrugs. "Alphas are busy, we don't get a lot of down time. I don't like the leaving my partners by themselves, so we agree on a third or however many together." 
"Done before?" Arbor flicks his gaze to me then back to Ash, whose brows bunch together. 
"Had more than one partner?" Ash also looks to me then back to Arbor who nods. "Yes, it's easier and harder at the same time. It's more mental work, but it's good for emotional and physical needs." 
"So you want more than one female?" While I'm into woman, I'm not into a man wanting two woman.
"It doesn't have to be another female, I swing both ways." 
"Mhm me too, violently, with a bat." I snark, before remember, no. I'm not supposed to say that. Ash trips on his feet and Arbor lets out a laugh.
"Like you so much." Arbor tells me seriously while Ash gathers himself together.
"I wasn't expecting that to come out of your mouth but I love it." Ash smirks at me. "Male or female, it has to be agreed upon or someone is going to get hurt." 
"Good to know, I'll keep that in mind. Was that what you wanted to talk to about today?" 
"Yes, I wanted to let you know about it before I went any further in the mate bidding." Ash nods, losing his smirk and watching me carefully. 
"I appreciate you letting me know." I look at Arbor, his gaze already on me. "And what did you want to ask or tell me?" 
Arbor shrugs, gaze flicking away from me. "See you." Oh. That-what am I supposed to say to that? 
"Thanks for making me look bad." Ash laughs, reaching over me to shove Arbor's shoulder. 
Arbor snorts. "Not trying make you look bad." 
"Oh? You tell her, you wanted to see her and I tell her that I don't do one on one." Ash raises a brow at Arbor. 
"As fun as this is, let's not continue this line of conversation." I cut in, not wanting to hear any more of this conversation. 
"Uncomfortable?" Arbor frowns worriedly at me, oh boy. He's like a giant puppy. 
"A little but it's more that I'm tired and don't have the mental focus to deal with it." I shrug, not meeting either of their gazes. 
"Running the border made you tired?" Ash wiggles his brows at me. 
"Being up for thirty-six hours makes me tired." I snark back, both males still. Maybe shouldn't have said that. 
"Why up that long?" Arbor asks me in concern. 
Should have known that was coming. "Haven't had time to sleep yet." 
"We let you go now." Arbor nudges me back towards the house, Ash also starts nudging me towards the house. 
"I'll be fine, for a while longer." 
"Nope, you're going to bed." Ash informs me, as we're about to enter the house. I roll my eyes and let them nudge me back into the living room, Ilgar, Frost and Flint narrow there gazes at me while Sky and Valcan raise their brows at their brothers. "Come on Sky, we're heading home." Ash calls to his sister, patting my shoulder and then waves to my brothers. Then he's gone.
"Are we going too?" Sky asks, standing up. 
"Yes." Arbor nods to his sister, "Bye." Arbor smiles at me and gently takes his sister's arm. 
"Bye." I wave as he and Sky leave. I turn towards my brothers and Flint. "Are you guys gonna let me sleep or do we have to have a conversation?" 
"Go sleep. Questions later." Ilgar waves me away and covers Frost's mouth. I nod and head to my room, I hear claws following me, I roll my eyes. 
Fall Wolves don't know when to leave well enough alone. I enter my room and wait for Flint to come in before shutting my door. "What do you need?" I ask, falling back on my bed. 
"Are you okay?" I'm guessing he's out of his Wolf skin. 
"Tired but fine." 
"Do you mind if I stay?" I blink at my ceiling, before I turn my head towards him.
"You can, if you want." I shrug and go back to staring at the ceiling. I feel him hop on the bed, I lift my head, he's back in his Wolf skin, curling at my feet. Aw cute. I have so much to think about, so much to unpack. No brain power. "Hey Flint?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you think I'm gonna start a war?" 
"What?" 
"Lunas are either meant to be peaceful or cause war. Do you think I'm gonna start a war?" 
"Oh. Uh, I don't know. Do you want to start a war?" 
"Not really." 
"I don't think you'd start one unless you wanted to. So unless you decide that you want to start a war, I don't think you will." 
"Why?" 
"Because you don't like to fight unless you need to. So I honestly don't think you'd start one, without deciding you need or want a war." Flint informs me, resting his muzzle on my leg. 
"Thank you." I whisper, curling into a ball but not moving Flint's face from my leg. 
"Why do you think you're war and not peace?" 
"Because despite everything I've gone through it's been quiet." 
"Oh."
"Yeah." 

Chapter Text

Snow.
August 10th. 
I gasp out a breath as soon as my head hits air, fuck I hate punishments. Arcticus swims back to the dock while I struggle to catch my breath, oh how I hate him. Arcticus makes it to the dock, I stay in the water, letting my eyes fall closed. "Are you going to get out of the water?" 
My eyes snap open and swing to Onyx, he's standing on the dock, hands in his pockets. Shit, shit. "What are you doing here Onyx?" I start swimming back to the dock, my heart rate still not back to normal from the forced drowning act Arcticus did. I make it to the dock and Onyx offers me his hand, I take it.
"I thought he was going to kill you." Onyx grunts out, as he hauls me out of the water. "You're in a t-shirt and underwear." Onyx snarls, standing and pulling my body against his. 
I shove at his chest, not as hard as I wanted to. He lets me go and steps back but keeps my hand. "What are you doing here?" 
"It's been twelve days since I've seen you, I was checking up on you and come to find you being held down underwater." Onyx snaps, squeezing my hand. "By your mother's Beta. You didn't fight him."
"Onyx, it's fine. Let it go." I grit out, I need him to drop it. 
"He was drowning you. You didn't fight back!" 
"Why do you care?!" I yank my hand away from him and side step away. "We're not fucking friends, this is my life. Not yours. You don't get a say in it."
"He could have killed you!" Onyx shouts, I jerk back, I've never heard him yell before. 
"Yeah well he won't. Want to know why? Because I'm useful. I have a purpose for them, if I'm dead it messes everything up. And he's not willing to do that." I snap, so much anger filling my body, he's not supposed to care. Why does he care?!
"He was holding you under the fucking water! Even if he wasn't trying, he still could of held you under too long!" Onyx snaps, taking a step closer to me.
"SO WHAT? The worst that can happen is I die! I don't care! Drop it!" 
"YOU SHOULD CARE! Why do not you fucking care?!"
"Why are you shouting?" Both Onyx and I spin around and find Shabina, Aella, Hito, Kyra, Buz and Aspen, Aella was the one who asked. Shit, shit. Onyx steps in front of me and I step closer to his body. I'm in a t-shirt and underwear. 
"I startled her and she fell into the water. She was yelling at me to make some noise before talking right behind her." Onyx lies smoothly, fuck, fuck, fuck! 
"Sure, why isn't she wearing pants?" Hito asks, oh how I hate this.
"I was mad and left the house and forgot I wasn't wearing pants. Which I deeply regret." Next time Arcticus drags me out of bed, I'm grabbing pants first. This fucking sucks.
I slip into my Wolf skin, I'm not going to continue to stand in my underwear in front of them. "I didn't realize how bad your scaring was." Hito breathes, making Aspen, Onyx and Buz snarl. 
"Why don't we head to the house so Snow can get dressed." Shabina cuts in before the males can get defensive. 
"Great idea, I'm gonna run away now." I duck around Onyx and rush towards home. I bet Arcticus knew they were coming and that's why he stopped. Loved that he didn't fucking warn me! I jump through my open window, grab some clothes in my mouth and nudge open my bathroom door, then close it and slip out of my Wolf skin. I look like a drowned rat, fucking great. I yank off my wet clothes and use a towel to dry off before yanking on jeans and a long sleeve. Underwear and bra are not in the time frame, I throw my hair in a bun, I also don't have time to deal with that. 
And now someone is knocking on my fucking door, I open the bathroom door to glare at Onyx. "We are not finished talking about what he did." 
"It's gonna have to fucking wait. There are Alphas waiting for me." I shove past Onyx, he grabs my arm tightly.
"We will finish this later. I'm not letting it go." Onyx warns me, then lets go of my arm, I leave my room with him trailing behind me. The group is now in the living room, with Sparrow, Aluma, Sparrow, Flint, Noir, Ilgar, Viola and Frost added in as well, great.  "Why are there so many?" Onyx asks as we step into the room, I roll my eyes even though I have the same damn question. 
"Well Sparrow and I made plans with Snow, yesterday to hang out today and Flint decided to tag along, we didn't know Aspen was already here." Aluma shrugs, oh yeah that was today, I was finally gonna go over what happened with them because I haven't been allowed to go anywhere as one of my 'punishments'.
"Mom told me to come and to see if I could get Onyx to come as well but turns out, he was already here." Noir smirks at me, I narrow my gaze at him.
"Yeah trying to give me a heart attack." I grumble, I'm seriously considering punching Onyx. 
"Buz asked me to come." Aspen holds his hands up, while Buz shoots him a glare. Males. Why am I surrounded by males?
"I tagged along because I enjoy the chaos." Kyra grins at me.
"There is plenty of that here." Ilgar mumbles, he looks like he just woke up. Poor thing.
"I know, that's why I wanted to come." Kyra is still grinning. 
"I was forced to come. I'd rather be anywhere else." Aella states, lifting her chin and meeting my gaze.
Onyx snorts. "Then leave." I elbow him hard. 
"No, you can't say that to her. If you're gonna be a dick, you leave." I snap at Onyx before turning to Aella. "I know you don't want to be in the mate bidding but please be respectful to everyone here. Most are only here because their parents asked them to be, but that doesn't give you an excuse to be rude on someone else's land." 
Aella goes to say something but Hito clears his throat. "We are here to spend the day with you. To trail you to see what kind of life you live day to day. So you go about your normal day just with added people." 
"Oh." I'm going to have to deal with them all day? 
"Your Alpha offered it, our Alphas took her up on it." Shabina explains, grimacing slightly. "We did try to only do half a day but our Alphas insisted all day." 
"Huh, okay. I need a moment to speak to my mother because I'm supposed to go to the ring today and I don't know if you all are allowed to be there for that." Fuck, fuck, fuck. I duck out of the living room and knock on my mother office door.
"Enter." And by her tone, she's still pissed. Wonderful. I open the door and fucking Arcticus is here. "What is it Snow?" Mother doesn't look up from her papers but Arcticus meets my gaze. 
"The Alphas are meant to shadow me today and I wanted to check to see if I was still supposed to go to the ring today?" 
"Yes, you will still go. As long as you don't give away to our training, it will be fine." Mother states, "Is that all?" she lifts her gaze to mine, I look at the floor and nod. "Then go."
I leave quickly, not wanting to try my luck. "Okay, whose sticking around?" I ask once back in the living room. 
"Everyone." Sparrow tells me, I blink at him. "We talked about it while you were with your mom." 
"Ah right. Then lets go cause I've places to be and things to do." 
...
This sucks. Aspen and Hito almost tore each other to shreds, I don't even know what they were fighting about because I was talking to some of the Deltas and helping them sort through our last crops of the year, Onyx, Frost, Shabina and I had to pull them away from each. Not even five minutes later Aluma and Aella got into it, which Kyra and I got in the middle of that one but at least they didn't draw blood like the males did. 
Noir for what ever reason picked a fight with Ilgar and that one I let Onyx and Frost get in the middle because at that point, I was over it. They drew blood because males are idiots, which is what Aella and Aluma decided to bond over. I just want everyone to leave everyone else alone but no, that's not gonna happen. 
I jump into the ring, Joe is already in there. "What's with the crowd?" He asks me, his grey eyes flicking over those outside of the ring. 
"My shadows for the day." I mutter and pull down my hair so I can change it to a ponytail. "Pretend they're not here."
"Are we allowed to spar in front of them?" He nervously looks between me and the others.
"Yes, don't give anything away and we're fine." I raise a brow at him, he nods and steps into the middle, I step up to him. "You want to go first?" 
"Yep." 
...
Joe was first, then Venus, Zep saw us and joined Venus against me. Next was Buz, Flint, Sparrow. Sparrow is still on the ground when Aella speaks up. "Can I spar with you?"
Shit, I meet Sparrow's gaze as he sits up. "Are you a sore loser?" Sparrow asks her, getting to his feet.
"I don't lose." Aella raises her brow at Sparrow.
"If you're not okay with losing, I wouldn't spar with Snow." He tells her seriously.
"He's serious, Aella. If you're not okay with losing, don't spar with her." Frost makes his tone hard, they are being dramatic. 
"I'll be fine." Aella snaps before looking at me. "Can we spar?"
"Sure." I shrug and nod for Sparrow to leave the ring, he does and Aella enters the ring. 
...
Aella hits the ground hard and doesn't get up. "Done now?" I ask, my knee pressed to her neck, she grunts and nods. I get off her and haul her to her feet. "You good?" 
"Fine." Aella shakes me off, I take a step back from her. "You're a better fighter than I expected."
"I've worked hard to be as good as I am." I shrug, not taking her back handed complement. 
"Can I spar you?" Shabina asks, I tense. 
"Me too?" Kyra throws in, dear fuck. 
"Sure." This is going to be a shit show. 
...
I don't know how it happened but my thighs are around Shabina's neck, her face against my vagina, while Kyra's legs are over my shoulder, she bent in half, my chest against her ass and her back on the ground. I don't know how I got here. "Please say you both are done because this is weird." 
"I'm done." Shabina's voice is muffled, and it vibrates through me. 
"Yep, I'm good." Kyra sounds out of breath, not surprised, I'm kind of crushing her. I untangle myself from them. "I'm not gonna lie, that was kinda hot." I choke on air. 
"I'm gay and that was hot." Sparrow yells into the ring. 
"Shut it Sparrow." I yell back and get to my feet, neither Kyra or Shabina move. "Are you both okay?" 
"Yep, just gonna lay here for a minute." Kyra waves her hand, still trying to catch her breath. 
"I am alright." Shabina breathes, I bite my tongue. This is weird. 
"I really want to know how you made sparring look sexual." Noir yells at me, I flip him off.
"I promise it wasn't on purpose!" I growl back, as both females finally get up. "Also we're done with sparring now and I need to go patrol the border." 
...
Having a large group of Wolves following me on patrol is strange, they're just running with me, Aella, Noir and Aluma are talking to each other through a link, and I only know that because she told me privately, everyone else is silent. 
"Are you doing okay?" Aspen asks me on a private link. 
"Yes Aspen, I'm fine." Why is he asking?
"That was an intense sparring. The last one was uh."
"Weird as fuck? Yeah I know. I'm fine. Why are you asking? It's not that big of a deal." I push my legs to move faster. 
"Snow, you were sitting on Shabina's face, your face was almost shoved into Kyra's breasts." Aspen grumbles into my mind, I roll my eyes.
"I know, I was there." I somehow ended up like that, I honestly have no idea how I ended up like that, we were sparring one moment the next we're on the ground tangled together. 
"And you're fine with that?" Aspen asks in disbelief. 
"It was weird but it's fine. It wouldn't have been fine if it was two males instead of two females." 
"That's it? Weird but fine? Nothing else to add?" 
"Why are you so focused on this? Let it go. It's fine. No one was hurt, I didn't freak out. It's fine." 
"If you say it's fine one more time, I'm biting you." 
"It is! Leave it be." 
"How long do you patrol for?" Hito asks through the open link, thankfully making Aspen stop. 
"Depends, if I'm filling in for someone, I patrol for an hour or two. If it's my shift, up to seven hours. But don't worry, I'm not doing seven hours today, I've got another hour till we're done." 
"When do you eat? It's past lunch and I know I'm not the only one feeling that fact." Oh shit, I forgot normal people eat at normal times and not when their about to faint. 
"Oh yeah. I forgot. Us Winter Wolves don't tend to eat at normal times, I'll get Zep to come and do the shift change early." Ilgar thankfully cuts in cause I didn't know how to answer that.
"What do you mean by that?" Shabina asks, concern clear in her tone.
"We keep odd hours, so we eat at odd times, I can tell you right now, none of my siblings are hungry right now but we'll stop so we don't starve you guys." Frost answers, so glad I don't have to.
"I don't even remember what normal hours of food time is." Buz mutters.
"That didn't even makes sense Buz, did you forgot what those time are called?" I snark at Buz, he tries to nip at my flank.
"Fuck off." Buz snarls at me. 
"Did you guys forgot that normal people eat at noon and not at three?" Zep asks trotting up to us, my brothers grumble at him while Viola snorts out a laugh through the link. 
"You're taking my shift Zep, get to it before I start chasing you." I snap my jaws at his side, Zep playfully bares his teeth at me and then heads to the path I was on. "Come on, we're heading back now." I call to the others and start heading back to the house. 
"Do you often boss around the Beta's?" Hito asks me.
"My friends? Yes, other Beta's not really." I slow down to a light jog, not wanting to tire them out more than I've already have. 
"Are you going to want to boss around the Beta's in whatever pack you end up in?" Hito questions, coming up beside me. 
"No? I've known Zep for years, if I didn't tell him to get going he would have kept talking, instead of going on patrol like he was supposed to." 
"Because he likes to talk to you." Buz shove his muzzle into my hip, I flick him with my tail.
"Because he's annoying." I mutter, going a little faster.
... 
Lunch was chaos, after lunch was worse, Onyx got fed up with my brothers and left. I don't know what Hito did but Frost got so pissed off that Buz had to literally drag Frost away. I'm guessing it had something to do with Sparrow because he started spitting fire to the point that Aluma gave me a wide eyed look before taking Sparrow home. Noir and Aella buddied up, while Hito stayed near me after that. Aspen, Ilgar, Flint and Viola trailed behind everyone else. Shabina and Kyra also stayed with Hito and I, then Hito and Kyra got into it, sibling thing but fuck me. My head was about to explode, then Flint stepped in, he really is becoming my favorite person. 
And then everyone started bickering, it wasn't aggressive or rude just annoying, because it went on for hours, till they all went home. I fall face first on my bed, over this fucking day. I hear my window open but I don't move or lift my head, I know who it is. "You ready to talk now?" 
"I was being punished Onyx, I was fine. I don't want to talk about this. I wasn't fighting him because it was a punishment. I'm tired. I was literally shadowed all fucking day, after half drowning. Can we please be done talking about this?" 
I hear Onyx sigh and sit down on my bed. "Why do you let him do those things to you? You can fight back, I know you can." 
"Fighting only makes it worse." I mumble into my pillow. 
Onyx is silent, then I feel the bed shift, him moving closer to me. He pokes my ribs, I turn my head towards him, he is a lot closer than I thought he was going to be, he's leaning over my body. I don't like that. "Do you want help?" 
"What?" What the fuck does he mean by that?
"Do you want my help? Or do you just want to suffer?" Onyx asks calmly, his eyes deep pools that scream pain and death. 
"Neither. Because I don't want to suffer but no one can help. You'll just make it worse if you try." 

Chapter Text

Onyx.
August 16th.
I am still bothered six days later, by the last conversation Snow and I had. She shut down after she told me 'neither. Because I don't want to suffer but no one can help. You'll just make it worse if you try.' The fuck does that even mean? If Arcticus is dead, the problem is gone! Done with. "Onyx," I lift my gaze from the book I was trying and failing to read to my dad. "The second challenge is today, your mother is already over there. You and Noir need to head to Winter land, he is outside waiting for you. Oh and Ozul is going as well, I believe he's hoping to see Sparrow."
I sigh and get up, I head out of the house, both Ozul and Noir are waiting for me in their Wolf skins. "Let's get this over with." I grumble slipping in to my Wolf skin.
"It's not going to be that bad Onyx, why are you dragging your feet?" Noir bounces around me as we head towards the Winter land. 
"The first one sucked. I know this one is going to as well." I snap my teeth at Noir who finally stops bouncing around me.
"I'm hoping they give a hard, then easy, then hard and so forth." Noir tells me, I roll my eyes.
"It's the Winter Wolves. They are all going to be hard." They do not do things the easy way. 
"Maybe it will be easier." Ozul adds on, I cut off the link. I do not want to hear anymore, I get glares in return, I do not pay them any mind. 
We get in to Winter land with no problems, we make our way towards the pack house. I notice Aspen, Sky and Ash also heading towards the Winter pack house. My brothers and I shift out of our Wolf skins, I nod to Aspen who smiles slightly, I narrow my gaze him but he just shakes his head. What was that about? All six of us step into the house and head towards the living room. 
Silas, Lucius, Arbor, Valcan, Aella, Shabina, Maximus and Hito are all here. Along with, Snow, Frost, Sparrow, Aluma, Kyra, and Batair. Mom, Keah and Khione are also in here. "Good, everyone is here. Alphas, lets get started." Keah claps her hands and all of the Alphas follow her outside, mom and Khione trailing behind us. We walk deeper into the Winter land, where the brush is so think it is hard to walk through without fur covering skin. "Today's challenge is nothing like the first one. And if you thought the first one was hard, this one is worse." 
I slowly turn my head and look at Noir who just bows his head. "This is a test of your magic, how much you have and how long you can hold onto it." Mom finishes, our magic? 
"How are you going to test our magic?" Maximus asks nervously, I roll my eyes.
"Painfully and drawn out." Khione answers, a blank look on her face. "Keah will test you, Soleil will judge you, I will make sure you don't die. You will most likely pass out though." 
That sounds like torture. "So this is going to suck." Aella states, unease covering her face. 
"Yes, it isn't a pleasant experience." Khione shrugs, unbothered. 
"Hito first, let's go." Keah waves Hito towards her, he goes slowly and all four of them move out of sight. It is quiet for a while, then five or six minutes later we can hear him screaming. 
"That isn't a good sign." Noir mutters.
"Are Winter Wolves psychos? Willingly putting themselves through this?" Lucius breathes in horror.
"They're not sane." Aspen groans, covering his face, Hito's screams cut off. 
"Did he pass out?" Sky asks, looking to where the four of them went.
"Most likely." Shabina answers, a frown on her face. 
Mom walks out of the bush. "Onyx, you're next." Mom's face is worried. That is not a good sign but I follow her anyway.
I stop in front of Keah, Khione standing behind her. "Give me your hands Onyx." I eye Keah before taking her hands. "Slow deep breath, when you exhale, I will start. Ready?" I nod and inhale slowly and exhale, I feel a pull in my chest, it is not so bad. "And close your eyes." I let my eyes close, the pull gets stronger, that is not a nice feeling. The pull turns into forceful tugs, I grit my teeth. I will not scream, I will hold out. My knees hit the ground, I will not scream, I will not scream. I force air in, my lungs not wanting to work. I gasp as my magic splits from my body, I bite my tongue, Keah tightening her grip on my hands. 
"Onyx breathe, or you will suffocate yourself." Khione states, my head bows as I try to draw in air, it will not come. I will not scream. "Onyx, let it out. You are only hurting yourself more." Khione and I start screaming, my magic uncurling and trying to lash out but it just gets sucked into Keah's hands.
ASPEN!!!

Onyx makes his way into the bush, I don't think I've ever seen Soleil look worried before. "Anyone else notice Soleil looked worried?" Valcan asks, glancing around nervously. I think this challenge is worrying everyone here. 
"Yeah that's not a good sign." Noir breathes, oh this really is going to suck. Everyone falls silent after that, I sit down, Noir and Arbor sit down with me.
About seven minutes later we hear Onyx start screaming. "This is mental torture. Making us listen to them scream." Ash breathes, at some point everyone had sat down. 
"I think that's the point." Silas states, his gaze on the bush where Onyx and Hito were taken. Onyx's scream cuts off, I breathe a sigh of relief. 
Soleil comes back out, slightly pale, oh I don't really like that. "Valcan. You're up." He hesitantly follows her. I hate this, so much. 
"How is torture going to prove we deserve to win?" Maximus asks, I hold back the urge to punch him in the face. Valcan starts screaming a lot earlier than Hito and Onyx. 
"It's not intended to be torture, it's meant to draw out our magic." Shabina answers calmly. 
"And how would you know that?" Maximus sneers at her, that's it, I go to get up but both Arbor and Noir grab me.
"Because Max," Shabina hisses his name like a curse. "Winter Wolves are not the only ones who use a magic test."
"Do Storm Wolves?" Arbor questions, I side eye him. 
"Not often, only on the next Alpha." Shabina shrugs, unbothered. 
"Have you been through this already?" I ask, she nods. 
"Khione undersold it, it's not unpleasant. It's agony." 
"Why didn't I know you have done this?" Aella asks, her eyes wide and shocked. Valcan stops screaming, Soleil walks out of the bush and everyone falls silent.
"Silas, you're up." He follows her back, Valcan wasn't gone long.
"I didn't tell you because you are not the next Alpha." Shabina shrugs, again. 
"So? What does that have to do with anything?" Aella snaps, not more family drama. 
"Aella, only the next Alphas are involved. You didn't need to know then, you need to know now." Shabina softens her tone, holding her sister's gaze. 
"Why they test you?" Arbor asks her, Shabina slides her gaze to Arbor.
"To see if I had enough power to be the next Alpha. If I failed, it would have gone to someone else who had enough magic to be the Alpha." Shabina explains and everyone falls silent, I lift my head.
"Silas hasn't started screaming." Noir says my thoughts.
"Then he is winning." Shabina states, leaning back on her hands. No one says anything after that. Fuck, he can't win. About eight minutes go by in silence before Silas starts screaming.
"I'm guessing this means, he's in the lead?" Ash asks Shabina who nods. 
Silence falls again, well other than Silas screaming. Minutes pass slowly and then his screams cut off, Soleil walks out of the bush. "Noir, come." Is all she says, he gets up and follows his mom. 
"I hate this. I hate this so much." Sky mutters, her arms wrapped over her head. 
"You're not the only one." I state, putting my head on my knees, Arbor pats my shoulder. 
"Be alright." Is what he tells me, no I don't think it will be. 
ONYX!!!

I wake slowly, pain creeping over my body, I groan and roll to my side, bumping into another body, which hisses in pain. "Wa- happen?" Shabina, that is who is next to me.
"You all were passed out and brought inside." Aluma informs us. 
"You've all been out for at least two hours." Sparrow adds on, I slide my eyes open, Shabina's face is inches from mine, Arbor is behind her, Ash behind him. Where the fuck is Aspen? I force myself to sit up, swing my eyes around the room. Sparrow is poking Aspen's cheek, he's on the other side of me. Noir is beside Aspen, Ozul is sitting at Noir's head. Valcan, Sky, Hito, Silas, Lucius and then Maximus at the end. Aluma is at Aspen's feet, Batair is on the couch, Kyra is sitting at Hito's head, Frost is on the couch, watching Sparrow. Viola Ilgar and Buz next to him. Snow though, is sitting on the table in the middle of the living room, watching all of us with her deep green eyes. 
I feel shaky and weak, what is this? "Why do I feel like goo?" Lucius asks, voice cracking.
"All of your magic was pulled forward and out of you. You're going to feel like shit for the next few hours, but it will fade." Snow answers, her voice flat. 
"That's what that was?" Valcan groans, "Why?" he rolls onto his side. 
"It's to make sure you have enough magic to match a Winter Wolf." Snow informs us, I bring my eyes to hers, what? 
"What mean?" Arbor asks her, Snow drags her gaze to him.
"You don't have to match my magic, you have to match a Beta Winter Wolf. The one who is in charge of my safety. If you fail that, then you're out of the challenge." Snow explains, her face and voice blank. 
"Which Wolf do we have to match or out-match?" Silas asks, sitting up and running his hands through his hair. 
Snow snorts as Arcticus, Mom, Keah and Khione walk in. "That would be me." Arcticus states, coming to stand behind Snow, putting his hands on her shoulders. "I'm in charge of the young Snow's safety." 
I stiffen and meet Snow's vacant gaze. "Did anyone pass?" Frost asks, Keah nods. 
"The only ones that did not were Maximus and Valcan, their magic wasn't enough." Keah answers, Snow's gaze snaps to her mother's, who nods slightly but Snow doesn't relax, neither does Batair. What is going on there? 
"Who won?" Lucius asks, uncaring about anything else. Khione's gaze hardens but it is not her who answers.
"Silas and Shabina tied." Mom informs everyone, Snow's wide eyes flick to her mom than to Silas and back, oh she is nervous now. 
"What the fuck do you mean, I don't have enough magic?" Maximus shouts and tries to stand, he fails. 
"Watch it child. This is not your home. You will do well to remember that." Khione snaps, her expression hard. 
"I have no need to repeat myself Maximus." Keah raises a sharp brow as Maximus finally gets to his feet.
"I have plenty of magic! Your stupid test proves nothing!" Maximus shouts, Ilgar picks up Viola and leaves the room, Buz and Frost get up and go stand by their mother. 
"Keah, what is the highest and lowest scores of the test?" Khione asks, not looking away from Maximus. What is she playing at?
"The lowest score for Winter Wolves was 105 which is our Omegas by the way, the highest score for Winter Wolves that have is 574. Arcticus score was 249, Maximus, you're score was 93. Valcan's score was 110. Hito's score was 248, one off point is fine by the way. Sky's was 252. Noir's was 256. Lucius's was 257. Aella 259. Arbor, 317. Ash, 321. Onyx, 346. Aspen, 354. Silas and Shabina, 367." Keah answers, more than she needed to, unless Khione asked her to. 
What is going on? I slide my gaze to Snow, Arcticus still has his hands on her shoulders. She is looking at Maximus, her expression flat and void of any emotion. "That proves nothing! That's Winter Wolves!" 
"I have taken the test, my score was 433. My mate took the test, his score was 329. Does that help you Maximus?" Mom asks, I did not know that. Why did I not know that she took the test? Why did she take the test. 
"Then the fucking test is wrong then! I know I have more magic then fucking 93!" Maximus spits out, Snow stands, her brothers and mother stiffen. 
"Honey, the test has never been wrong. It can't be wrong. Because the spell used has been perfected. It pulls all of the magic inside you, out. It's why you feel like goo." Snow shoots a look at Lucius who snorts. "The spell would pull until you're dead but mother stopped it before you heart stopped. You had nothing left to give, so your score is 93 because you had nothing left. You can either drop this, or leave. Those are your options." 
Maximus takes a threatening step towards Snow, Lucius grabs Maximus's arm. Maximus swings a clawed hand at Lucius's head, Frost grabs the clawed hand and sweeps Maximus's feet out from under him and pins to the ground. "Did you not read the fine print? No violence." Frost snarls, picks Maximus up and walks out of the room, Khione and Keah following. 
"That was dramatic." Sparrow mutters, Kyra snorts. 
Batair gets up, Snow slides out of Arcticus's grip. "I'll walk you out." Batair nods at Snow, they walk out together. Arcticus watches them, waits a moment before following them, mom rolls her eyes before stalking out after Arcticus. 
"What do you think they're doing with Maximus?" Aella asks, breaking the quiet.
"Sending them home. They're not needed here anymore." Buz answers, shrugging. "Mother isn't going to start a war because Maximus threw a tantrum." 
"So they're just holding onto him till his Alpha gets here?" Sky asks in disbelief.
Buz sends Sky an odd look. "Your Alphas are already here." 
"What?" Ash, Valcan, Aella, Noir, Silas, Hito and Lucius ask at the same time. 
"You're Alphas are here, they were notified as soon as the challenge was over, they are in a different part of the pack house." Snow answers as she walks into the room, causing a few of the Wolves to jump. Odd that I did not here her coming back. "None of you are going to be able to go home on your own, or did you forget that you all feel like goo? And will continue to feel like that for a few hours." 
"What she said." Buz waves his hand at Snow, she sits next to him.
"Why aren't they in here then?" Ash asks, raising his brow at Snow who matches his look.
"To give you the chance to talk to each other, this challenge isn't only to mate me. It's so you can create ties with other packs and if you don't win my mate bidding, which not all of you will, you might be able to find another mate in one of the packs." Snow states, like this is supposed to be common sense. 
It is not. "This was our parents doing, wasn't it?" Kyra hisses, Snow blinks at Kyra. 
"All of this is our parents doing. Why are you surprised?" Snow seems genuinely confused, as does Buz.
"Because, Snow. Why are they trying to pair all of the Alphas up? Why can't we decide on our own about who we want to be mated to?" Aella snaps. 
Understanding flashes over Snow's face before it is wiped off. "Because Alphas self destruct if they're not mated young." 
Silence falls, what does she mean by that? "What?" Silas asks, Snow flicks her gaze to him then away. Hurt flashes in Silas's eyes before it is gone. 
"Alphas become aggressive and controlling, if they're not mated by a certain age, and then they get worse and worse. And I only recently learned about this and I don't have that much information about it." Snow shrugs, keeping her gaze firmly on the floor. I am going to have to dig into that.
Khione steps back into the room, her gaze sweeping over us. "You're Alphas are waiting for you outside. I will see you all back here in September." We all slowly get up, most head out, I grab Snow's arm and pull out of the living room, I feel Khione's gaze on me but I ignore her. 
I pull her out of the house and into the back yard, Snow is silent. She has been so silent or formal, it is unnerving and I do not like it. I pull her far enough away from the house so no one can hear us. I spin towards her, backing Snow into a tree, Snow raises a brow at me but lets her self be pushed against the tree. "Who told you about Alphas?" 
"Alec, Alpha of the Shadow pack." Snow shrugs, unbothered. 
"When did you meet him? Why did he tell you that?" 
"Met him when I lost 24 hours and I'm not entirely sure why he decided to tell me." I'm going to shake this female. 
"ONYX TIME TO GO!" I hear mom shout, I sigh and step away from Snow. 
"Try not to lose more hours Snow." I bite out before walking away, she does not answer. Time to dig into this Alec of the Shadow pack. 

Chapter Text

Snow. 
August 20th. 
"SNOW! GET IN HERE!" I flinch at mother's shout, I rush out of my room and into mother's office. I freeze when I see Caspian from the Sea pack sitting in mother's office, with her.
"Yes?" I flick my gaze between the two, what the fuck is going on? 
"Caspian has requested that you join the Sea pack for a little while." Mother informs me, what the fuck? Why would he- "I've said yes." 
SHE WHAT? "For how long?" 
"Two months." Again I ask, WHAT? 
"Can I ask why?" 
"He would like to get to know you. Plus it would allow you some freedom before you are mated. And the knowledge on how other packs work. It will be good for you." Mother raises a brow at me. Is this a punishment?
"When do I leave?" 
"Today, you have time to pack and tell you're friends and family that you're leaving." Caspian answers this time, I meet his gaze before looking at mother. I have to tell my brothers, without me around Arcticus might shift his gaze to the only other female he can get his hands on. Viola. 
"Okay, I will go pack, if that is all you need from me?"
"Yes, you may go." Mother waves me off. I slip out of the room and head back to mine, where I find Buz, Frost and Ilgar. 
"Why was she yelling for you?" Ilgar asks, looking me over.
"I'm going to live with Caspian for two months. You'll have to make sure Viola is on her best behavior because Arcticus is used to dueling out punishments almost daily with me. I'm not sure how he'll do without having a punching bag." 
"What the fuck do you mean you're going to live with Caspian?" Frost snarls, ignoring the other half of my sentence. 
"Why would you go live with him? I get he's your sire but he doesn't know you and you don't know him." Buz frowns at me in confusion.
"I'll make sure to keep an eye on Viola. You don't have to worry about her. I'm more worried about you." Ilgar meets my gaze, his filled with sadness and understanding. 
"I'm going to live with him Frost. Get over it. And Buz, that's the point, he doesn't know me and he wants to know me. Don't ask me why, cause I don't know. I didn't ask. Thank you Ilgar, at least someone gets that we need to be worried about Viola." I grab my suitcase and start shoving clothes in it, I haven't ever used it, I don't even know why I have one but it's coming in handy now I suppose. 
"He wants to get to know you? Why?" I love that Buz is also confused about this.
"Because he's her sire. What I don't understand is why you have to go to him." Frost snaps at Buz, then me. 
"I'll let all of your friends know that you're leaving." Ilgar tells me, squeezing my shoulder before heading out, sometimes I'm really glad to have him as a brother. 
"Just because he's my sire doesn't mean he needs to get to know me. Your sire doesn't want to get to know you." I snap, deep breath. "Mother said it's for the freedom before my mating and the knowledge of how other packs work. I think she just wants me out of her hair and Caspian gave her the perfect chance to have that." 
"I hate this for you Snow. I'm sorry." Buz tells me, his eyes sad, I look away from him. I grab my laptop and some books, throwing them in my suitcase. 
Frost is seething and pacing my room, I decide more books the better. And my notebook. Oh charger for the laptop and phone. "It's fine Buz, I'll deal with it like I deal with everything else." 
"Shove it down and ignore it, till it goes away?" Buz snarks back, I snort out a laugh. 
"No, get through it with my head down." 
"You shouldn't have to! I'll talk to mother-try to get her to-" I cut Frost off, we're not going down that path.
"No. I'll do this. It'll be fine. It's not like it's forever, I'll be back in two months. Who knows, maybe it'll be nice around here?" 
"Please stop lying to yourself." Buz mumbles, face in his hands. "And don't lie to us either." 
"It's not lying, it's hope you asshole!" I close my suitcase, hopefully I didn't forget anything because I know I wasn't paying attention to the stuff I put in there. 
"You have to stay in contact with us, if they take your phone or laptop mental link us, everyday. Do you understand?" Frost steps in front of me, lifting my chin so I'm forced to meet his gaze. 
"I understand Frost, I'm not going to leave and cut all contact, I'll talk to you everyday if it makes you feel better." I remove his hand from my face but don't let him go. "I'll be fine. And careful, promise." 
"If you're in danger, call me. I will come get you. No matter the time." 
"I know you will." 
...
The car ride to the Sea pack is quiet, Caspian keeps opening his mouth to start talking but he always stops, I don't help him. "You left and had Ilgar tell me?" Sparrow snaps into my mind, I hold back a flinch. 
"I didn't have much time Sparrow, if I could have gone to tell you, I would have." I respond, leaning my head on the window.
"Two months?" He sounds like he's pouting.
"Yeah, it might be shorter, if they get tired of me." 
Sparrow snorts out a laugh. "Is that your plan? Drive them insane till they send you home?" 
"Maybe, I haven't decided yet." I don't know how it's going to go and until I do, I won't make a decision. 
"Are you there yet?" Sparrow asks, knowing I'm not going to add anything more about my plans. 
"No. Got a while to go." 
"Want company?" 
"I love you Sparrow, but no. I'm tired." I don't want to think anymore.
"Okay, I'll let you be." I feel his link leave, I sigh and let my eyes fall closed.
"Are you alright?" Caspian questions, I feel his gaze on me. 
"Yep, Sparrow is just worried and I had to assure him, that I'm fine." 
"Ah, the best friend, right?" Caspian clarifies, I hum but don't really respond. "I know this is going to be hard for you. But we're not going to cut you off from everyone you know. You can still talk to them, or they can come visit you." 
I hum again, Caspian sighs but doesn't try to keep talking to me. "Why is Ilgar telling me you're heading to the Sea pack?" Cedar asks into my mind, I open my eyes. I didn't think Ilgar would talk to Cedar about me leaving. 
"Because I am? Why he's telling you, is because you're one of my friends." 
"We're friends?" 
"What did you think we were?" 
"I thought you were Juniper's friend." 
"Dude, I can be both. We're friends, you don't get a say."
"I think I should have a say." 
"Uh huh, what did you contact me for?"
"Why are you going to the Sea pack?"
"Because Caspian is my sire and wants to get to know me, plus it'll give me knowledge on how other packs work." 
"That sounds like a bullshit excuse." 
"Yes it does but's what I was told. There's not much I can do about it." 
"Hmm, well be safe and uh let me know if you need help escaping, I can hide you pretty well."
"Like you hide Leto?"
"Bitch."
"Thank you, for the offer." 
"Seriously Snow, just let me know if you need help."
"Seriously, Cedar, thank you." I feel the link cut out, well that was strange. I really do want to know why Ilgar told Cedar, not enough to contact him though, who knows if he's done talking to people or not. 
"Hey." Well I guess Cedar told Leto. 
"Hey, Leto. What can I do for you?" 
"Er nothing. I just wanted to wish you luck at the Sea pack." She sounds nervous, is it for me or for her?
"Thank you, but I'll be fine. No need for luck." 
"Just be careful." 
"So everyone keeps telling me, what I don't know is why everyone is telling me to be careful." 
"Snow, you're going into another pack, you know that we protect our Alpha and we're hostile to strangers. I don't think they're going to hurt you but I don't think they'll be nice to you either." 
Ah, now I understand. "Well I'm his daughter, so hopefully they'll give me some grace." 
"I hope so too but if they don't, Cedar, Juniper and I can come get you." Leto tells me, that's sweet of her but seriously, why does everyone think I need to be saved?
"Thank you, hopefully I won't need it." 
"I hope you won't either. I'm gonna uh let you be now." The link cuts off, why is everyone so worried about me? It's not like I'm being shipped off to war.
"We're almost home." Caspian tells me, I flick my gaze to him, his jaw is clenched, fist squeezing the steering wheel, body tense. 
"I know, the smell of salt is getting stronger." Is my response, Caspian snorts. 
"The windows are closed, you shouldn't be able to smell it." Caspian side eyes me, I ignore it.
"I shouldn't be able to do a lot of things." But I can smell the smell the salt, feel it burn as I breathe it in. 
"What does that mean?" Caspian asks me, I probably shouldn't have said that.
I shrug, play it off. It's fine. "I'm a Luna, I do things my siblings can't." 
Caspian hums and pulls up to a house that isn't the pack house, most likely his. He turns off the car and turns towards me. "I know you don't want to be here but my family is excited to get to know you. You don't have to like us, or get to know us but please do not go out of your way to cause harm, whether that's emotional or physical. You are not a prisoner here but please try not to cross borders while you are here." 
"Fair enough, anything else? Any rules I should be made aware of?" Caspian stills, looks me over and then sighs. 
What the fuck does that mean? "I don't know how Khione runs her pack so I will go over our basic rules. 1, Do no harm unless sparring but don't break bones or cause permeant damage. 2, Stay within the border, unless given permission to cross. 3, See something, say something. 4, Do not ask the Sea Creatures to do something you would not do. 5, Do not harm the Sea Creatures. I think that covers it for the pack in general." 
"Okay but what about your house hold rules?" Because I'm not hearing anything about behavior. 
Caspian stares at me. "If you finish the last of something, write it on the fridge, there's a white board on there for a reason. You don't have homework so those rules don't apply to you. You're not going to be given chores, so those also don't apply to you. Clean up after yourself, I'm sure you already know that one. Oh and yelling isn't allowed in the house, outside yes, inside no." 
No yelling? Why? Also what? I know mother does things differently, but what? "Okay and what are the punishments if I don't follow the rules?" Because I'm bound to forget them and I need to know what I'm getting into. Even though drowning isn't supposed to be one of my punishments at home, it still happened. 
"Grounding, no phone, no laptop, no TV. Or extra chores." Caspian shrugs, I just stare. "What?"
"We don't have a TV, so I doubt I'll be watching it anyway." Cause I'm not saying what I'm actually thinking because then things get worse. But those punishments, are nothing and I don't understand why his kids listen at all.
"Ah, well you might. When none of the kids are patrolling they do movie nights, you might enjoy those." I doubt it. "Come on, lets head in, we've been in the car long enough." 
I'm so not ready for this. 

Chapter Text

Onyx.
August 24th. 
Why is Snow, not on Winter land? I have not been able to stalk her because I have been gone and I come back to find that she is nowhere to be found. Did she die? Was she kidnapped again? Why was I not told? I cross into Fall land, Aspen should know, if he does not, Sparrow will. If he does not know, Aluma will know. I spot Flint heading my way, he might know, I sit and wait for him to get to me. "What are you doing here Onyx?" 
"I was looking for Aspen but you will do." 
"What does that even mean?" Flint sounds tired, what has happened? "Also Aspen is on his way. I told him I saw you." 
"It means, you might be able to answer my question. Where is Snow?" I ask, he just blinks at me with his rust red eyes.
"You don't know?" She is dead. That is why he sounds like that. I knew I should have not gone to the Shadow pack for four days- "Dude where have you been?"
"I was visiting another pack, a smaller one. What happened to Snow?" I snap, I need an answer, so I know who to kill. 
"Okay, look, she's fine. She's just not here. Or in Winter which I'm guessing you know. Since you're here."
"Flint, where the fuck is Snow?" I am done with him dancing around where she is. 
"She's fine Onyx, she's at the Sea pack." Aspen states, I snap my head towards him, he stops next to Flint. 
"Why is she at the Sea pack?" I snarl, what reason-
"Because Caspian is her sire and wants to get to know her apparently." Flint grumbles, he does not like that she's there either. Or he does not believe that is the real reason she is there. 
"Sparrow thinks that Khione was trying to send Snow away and Caspian gave Khione the perfect chance." Aspen continues, I feel my fur bristle. 
"That doesn't surprise me." I answer, I need evidence of Khione abusing or telling Arcticus to abuse the Winter siblings. I cannot just kill an Alpha with out evidence, I am not the one who will start a war.
"What do you mean, it doesn't surprise you?" Flint's voice is sharp. 
"Khione is hiding something and I am bound to find out what it is." I stand up, I need to get to the Sea pack. Now. 
"And where are you going?" Aspen asks, following me. Flint, does not. 
"Anywhere but here." I am not telling him I want to see Snow, he will follow me. Or try to.
"So you came here to speak with me but now you're just leaving?" I stop and slowly turn towards him. "I heard it, don't say anything. That was weird. I take it back and leaving now." Aspen trots away from me, I stare after him. That was very strange and I am glad he walked away, I do not know how to deal with that, nor do I want to. I will ignore that part of the conversation.
"Snow?" I link her mind, feel her startle, she needs to not be so jumpy. I understand why she is, yet she needs thicker skin.
"What do you need Onyx?" Snow sighs, she sounds exhausted. Why?
"Are you allowed visitors?" Whether she is allowed or not, I am coming. I make it home, shifting out of my Wolf skin, I get into my car. Emery steps in front of the car, I sigh. "What Emery?"
"Why do you want to know?" Snow mutters, her voice heavy. 
"You just got home, where are you going?" Emery puts her hands on her hips and glares at me. 
"Because I need to know." I snap at Snow, I hear her sigh. "I just found out that Snow is at the Sea pack. I'm going to see her, or did you forget you asked me to keep an eye on her?" 
"Yes, Onyx. I'm allowed visitors." Good, I was going anyway.
"Fine, I'll tell mom. Just don't get yourself killed and come home when your done. I miss your stupid face." Emery steps out of the way of the car, I start it.
"I am very careful Emery. I will stay home for a few days after I come back." Emery nods and I pull out of the driveway. "I am coming to you Snow. Let the Alpha know, or meet me off his land. Either way I am coming." I snap at her, I want to rip some one apart with my bare hands. 
"So grumpy. I figured you were coming when you asked if I could have visitors. I'll tell Caspian, don't drive like the insane person you are." There amusement along with the exhaustion in her tone now.
"I do not like you." I grumble, I can feel her laugh, I step on the gas a little harder. 
"Then why are you coming to see me?" Laughter in her voice now, good. 
"Because you're a pain in my ass. That's why."
"Sure it is. It's not that you're worried about me, is it?" She croons, I bite my tongue to keep from smiling.
"No. It's because you are a pain in the ass. I'll be there within the hour." 
She's silent for a moment, a tightness fills my chest. The link is still open but she is not saying anything, utterly silent. "Onyx, are you speeding after I told you to not drive like an insane person?" 
I hate her. So much. "I will do what ever I please. You can not tell me what to do." 
"You sound like a child Onyx." 
"The fuck you mean I sound like a child?" I snap, she laughs again. I do not think I have ever heard her laugh so much. 
"You, saying that you can do whatever you want and that I can't tell you what to do, you sound like a teenager rebelling against the parent." Snow informs me, I sigh. 
"I am cutting you off." I tell Snow, she laughs again.
"Do it." I cut the link, I will see her soon. 
...
I arrive to the Sea pack, Snow is standing at the border. I slow to a stop beside her and roll down the window. "How long have you been standing there?" 
"About five minutes." Snow shrugs, she looks like she hasn't slept in days. "You're allowed on the Sea pack land. I'll meet you up there." 
"Get in the fucking car Snow." I snap, she is not going to run when she looks like she is going to fall over. She glares at me but gets in the car, I press the gas and start driving. 
"Don't go to the pack house, go to the one on the left." I grunt to let her know I heard her, Snow sighs. "Are you going to tell me what you want?"
"Not yet." Need a quiet place, not where others are, I can see Wolves watching us, some in their Wolf skin, some not. I feel Snow's gaze on me as I pull up to the house she told me to. 
She gets out of the car with out a word, I turn it off and follow her into the house, Cordela greets us. "Hello again Onyx, I'm glad to see you this time." 
"Luna Cordela." I nod my head to her, Snow is watching us from the side. 
"My mate is at the ring, all of my children are home. Do not try anything while you are here." Cordela gives me a hard look. 
"I would not dream of causing you trouble. I am here to see Snow. Nothing more." 
Cordela's lips twitch, she's amused. "What I meant by not trying anything Onyx, was do not have sex with Snow. Do not pick a fight with my children or anyone else here." 
Snow snorts out a laugh and tries to stifle it. I stare at Cordela in horror. "Why the fuck would I have sex with Snow?" 
"You are in her mate bidding." Cordela raises a brow at me.
"I am not going to have sex with her." I snap, why would I have sex with her? 
"While this is fun and all, I don't want to hear anymore of this conversation." Snow cuts in. "And I think Onyx is going to pop a vein if you keep talking about him having sex with me."
"Very well, Nerida and Kai will be checking in on you two every now and then." Cordela tells us before walking further into the house. 
Snow grabs my arm and pulls me down a few hallways before bringing me into a room and closing the door behind us. She let's go of me, then goes and sits down on the bed, watching me. "Now do you want to tell me what you want?" 
"You look like you haven't slept in days." Is my starter, Snow stares at me flatly. 
"I haven't slept in days." 
"Why?" 
"Onyx, I'm in a place I don't know. With people I don't know. I have a shit sleeping habit as is, it's hard to sleep in a place where I don't feel safe." Snow snarls and throws a pillow at me, I catch it and stare. 
"I am checking on you, that is what I am doing here. You look like shit." I step up to the bed, I give the pillow back to Snow, she eyes me wearily. "Sleep, I will keep watch."
"It's not like I can just fall asleep." Snow sighs and hugs the pillow to her chest. 
"Try." I shove her to lay back on the bed, she glares at me and moves up the bed. I shift into my Wolf skin and hop on the bed, Snow moves her legs so one of them is laying over my stomach the other under my jaw. I watch the door, for a while before Snow's breathing turns even. I sigh and adjust slightly, to a more comfortable position. 
A while later, the door opens and Kai pokes his head in, he freezes when he sees us. "She's sleeping?" He whispers to me. 
"Yes, what of it?" I huff back, trying to stay still and not move, even though there is a threat near. 
"She hasn't slept since she got here." 
"I know. What of it?" 
"I figured she didn't feel safe, guess I was right. As soon as you get here, she sleeps. You are safety to her, I'm glad she's got someone in her corner." Kai smiles sadly at me before closing the door. 
I turn my head and stare at Snow's sleeping form, she looks peaceful. I did not realize she considered me to be a safe place for her. I do not understand why she would think I am a safe place. I am not a safe person, why does she think I am? 
...
Nerida came in a while after Kai did, said something similar about me being a safe place for Snow before she also left. They both check in two more times each. Cordela also checked on us once, she had a sad smile on her face when she shut the door. Caspian also checked in once, he stared at me, then Snow, then closed the door. After a while I fell asleep and woke when I was poked on the nose, I open one eye to see Snow sitting up and her finger on my nose.
"So much for being a guard dog." Snow raises a brow at me, I growl softly. "You fell asleep."
"I also haven't slept in days." I grumble and stretch out my body, Snow hums. 
Snow tilts her head, confusion filling her gaze. "Why?"
"I was with the Shadow pack, listening to the thing about Alphas." I stand and shake out my fur, before sitting down.
"Oh, did you not go home to rest?" I don't respond, she narrows her gaze at me. "Did you try to stalk me and realized I wasn't there?" Again I don't respond, she sighs. "Who ended up telling you, I was here?"
"I ran into Flint, he made me think you were dead. Aspen told me where you were." 
Snow snorts. "Not surprised. So, what? You found out where I am and headed straight here?" I stare at her flatly. "You've got to be kidding me." 
"You slept for over twelve hours."
"Fuck off. Why did you come here instead of sleeping?!" 
"To see if you were alive." Snow just stares at me, it is making me uncomfortable. "It is a valid concern, you get into a lot of trouble." Again just staring, why? Why must she stare at me like she does not understand the words I am saying? "Why are you staring at me like that?" I finally snap.
"Because I'm confused. You came here to see if I was alive? I responded through the mind link!" 
"You could have been chained in a basement and responded!" 
"If I was chained in a basement, I would have said so!" 
"Oh you would have told me, you were in a basement?!" I let go of my Wolf skin. 
"No! I would have told Sparrow!" 
"What the fuck is Sparrow going to do for you?! Tell you to sit tight and wait for his Alpha?!" 
"Where is the hate for Sparrow coming from?! Also he would get me out you fucking-" The door to Snow's room opens cutting her off, we both look at Caspian who is standing in the door way. 
"It is seven in the morning. Why are you two shouting?" He asks us on a sigh.
"Because Onyx is an asshole. Shouting gets the point across. We will quiet down." Snow grins at Caspian. 
"Or you come out into the living room, you woke the whole house anyway." Fuck. 

Chapter Text

August 29th.
Snow. 
Watching Kai and Ezra spar is so strange. They are just practicing motions, not actually seeing them through. Hell everything about the Sea pack is strange. None of them walk on eggshells, none of them worry about getting in trouble (I haven't seen anyone get in trouble, which is just weird), no one flinches or jumps when others shout. Oh and shouting doesn't mean that someone is in trouble, it's mostly excitement which is just weird. Who shouts in excitement? 
They didn't even mind that Onyx came up, with basically no warning. And spent the night in my bed, then they made him join us for breakfast and they were just really nice to him. Other than Cordela who kept hinting at Onyx and I fucking, which pissed him off to no end. I really thought I was going to have to tackle him from killing her, which I didn't have to. He held back, it was fine. Weird but fine. I honestly don't know how this pack works but it does. 
"Hey Snow!" My gaze snaps up to Ezra, he's grinning at me. "Want to spar with me?" 
"I would but I don't think you'd like how I spar." I answer the green eyed male, his grin gets bigger.
"Why don't you show me and I can decide for myself." Cocky mother fucker. 
"Sure, but don't say I didn't warn you." I stand up from where I was sitting against the tree and make my away up to the ring.
"Please don't break Ezra, I've heard about your methods." Kai points his finger at me, I just shake my head.
"I'm not making any promises, he wants to spar, we can just my way." 
"Full contact Ezra or you're gonna hit the ground." Kai warns Ezra as I step into the ring.
"I'm not worried." Ezra winks at me, I'm gonna make it hurt, with no permanent damage.
...
Well that was easy, Ezra is wheezing on the ground, I didn't even go that hard on him. "I did try to warn you." Kai calls, from outside of the ring.
"How do you fight like that?" Ezra gasps out, I just stare. I don't think I've ever beaten someone that easily before. 
"I was trained and I had a real good reason to train harder than anyone else." Being kidnapped and tortured will do that.
"Snow." I slowly turn around to face Caspian, I didn't know he was here. "Let's take a walk." Looks like I'm in trouble, I sigh and exit the ring, Caspian starts walking and I match his stride. "Your mother has upped her training methods." 
"Not with everyone, mostly the females." 
"Hmm. You're not in trouble, you followed the rules. But I do think it's time you learned our way." Caspian leads me to the beach, the waves are harsh today. "We'll start here." He sits down in the sand, when the water comes it will go up to his waist. I sit down, dreading the cold of the water. 
"Why do you want me to learn your ways?" The water rushes in, I brace my body as the water comes up to my chest, then retreats.
"That is why." I blink and turn towards him, he looks relaxed despite fucking cold water drenching us. "You are prepared for impact at every turn, you do not go with the tide. You have much to learn, you can't always be looking for the next hit. You need time to let go, be free." 
"So what? You're going to try to tame my fight or flight instinct?"
Caspian laughs. "No, I'm going to teach you that not every actions needs a fight or flight reaction." 
"Caspian, I'm a white Wolf and a Luna. Every reaction has to be fight or flight. I have to keep myself alive, there is no room for chill and calm." I tug on my Luna tone, Caspian turns his head to look at me, I brace as the water washes over us again, this one harsher. 
"You have the power to calm anyone and everyone, that works in your favor. You do not have to fight or flee, you just have to remain calm." Caspian holds his hand out to me, I don't take it. "Snow, take my hand." I sigh and grab his hand, tensing as the water crashes over us. I hate this. 

September 1st.
"Snow?" I lift my head from the grass, Keah is standing with Caspian. What the fuck is going on now?
"Yes?" I sit up, watching them both, Caspian nods to me before walking away, I narrow my gaze at them.
"Your mother asked me to come see you." Keah walk over to me and sits down in front of me. "I need some of your memories."
What? "Why?"
"For the next just challenge. I need some of your unpleasant memories. If the Alphas don't have dark enough memories, we need someone who does." Keah explains softly, I feel my emotions just leave. 
"Fine. Take them."
"I won't take them Snow. I will copy them and then push them on the Alphas." Keah breathes, eyes sad.
"Just do it Keah. You and I both know I can't say no to it." 
"I'm sorry Snow." Keah whispers, her hands reaching for my head. I let my eyes close, deep breath. 

September 3rd. 
Calm training is hard and I hate it. Every time, I get drenched in salt water. I hate it, but I go every time he asks. He says I have a choice, I don't feel like I do. Every day we sit on the beach or in the water, depends on the tide. Sometimes Kai or Nerida joins us, Meara never does, Cordela joined once. "You're angry." I snap my gaze down to Meara, she's climbing up the tree I'm in. 
"Who said I was angry?" I ask, bringing my eyes back to the book I can't seem to focus on. 
"No one said, you smell angry, your body says you're angry." Meara tells me, settling down on a branch next to me. 
"I'm not angry, just annoyed." Of being here, of failing calm training. 
"Annoyed is different, you're angry." Meara is looking at me and I'm trying real hard not to shove her off the branch.
"You are not me, you don't know my emotions." I snark, keeping my gaze on the book.
Meara sighs. "Not trying to start a fight, just trying to find out what's wrong." 
I close my book and turn towards her. "I'm annoyed that I'm here. I'm annoyed that I'm being asked to learn calm training. I'm annoyed I can't take five minutes for myself, some one is always bothering me." I hold her gaze, eyes so similar to mine. 
"Isolation isn't something we like to do, not something we're used to. You are used to being on your own. We don't do that." 
"I got that, the first day I was here."
"Calm is needed for Lunas. Needed for most. Or you'll turn violent."
"I can be calm, just not calm and relaxed." I snap, she is way to chill.
"Need both. This is a good place, yet you're also not sleeping. Not since Onyx."
"How am I supposed to sleep when I don't feel safe?" I'm ignoring the Onyx part, just because he's familiar doesn't mean he's safe. I know the difference, he's a dangerous male but for now I'm not in his line of fire.
"We are safe. Not going to harm you." 
"So you say. I don't know any of you, don't trust any of you. Why would I trust your words?" 
"I'll help you feel safe." Meara declares before jumping out of the tree, slipping into her Wolf skin and bolts for her house. I just watch her light purple Wolf leave. What the fuck was that?
...
I'm still in the tree when Meara's Wolf comes back. "Come. Surprise for you!" She calls up to me before darting away, towards the border. I sigh and tuck my book into the tree before jumping down and shifting into my Wolf skin, following after her. I catch up quickly, she bounces as she runs, we make it to the border and I slow down. There are two black Wolves waiting, one larger than the other, both with purple eyes. I stop, Meara stops as well, looking back at me in confusion. "Surprise is here." 
"Who are they?" Because it's sure as fuck not any of the black Wolves I know. 
"Alec and Maya." Meara informs me, while bouncing towards them. Why the fuck are they here? They cross the border to meet Meara. 
"Hello again Snow." Alec dips his head at me, I return the gesture as they make their way over to me.
"Hey Snow, fuck it's weird to call you that." Maya keeps her distance but her tail is wagging. 
"Even under torture kept my fake name. Had to keep it up, couldn't let anyone know I was a Winter Wolf." I snark back, I'm not entirely sure how to talk to her.
"You called her something else?" Meara asks, before she shakes her head. "I go, you and Maya stay. Got to take Alpha Shadow to dad." Meara bounces away, Alec trailing behind her. 
Maya lets go of her Wolf skin, I do the same. "It's weird for you, isn't it?"
"It's not weird for you?" I shoot back, my defense is high and I don't know why. 
"No. I've been friends and talked to the other females with us. Like you've done with Aluma." Maya shrugs, unbothered, I turn and start walking back towards the tree I was hiding in.
"Yeah but you don't know me anymore and I don't know you. We never really knew each other, more like trauma bonded." I make it to the tree and start climbing it, Maya hums and follows me up.
"Maybe so. Though I would like to know you." Maya settles on a branch next to me. 
"Not much to know."
Maya snorts and looks up at the sky. "Maybe there's not, I would still like to know." 
"I don't feel like talking to anyone Maya." 
"Okay, you wallow and I'll make sure no one bothers us." I laugh and lean my head back against the tree.

September 17th. 
"Snow?" I take the pillow off my head and look at Caspian, why does he look nervous? I sit up and put the pillow on my lap.
"What is it?" Something happened, I know it. 
"I spoke to Khione earlier this morning." 
"What happened?" 
"Nothing happened, she asked if I would be willing to have you, longer than two months." I still and stare wide eyed at Caspian. "She wants you to stay with us till the last challenge, in December." 
"I-what did you tell her?" I'm a little worried about the answer. 
"I said we could. You will stay here till the last challenge, you will go to each challenge. You missed the last one since I wasn't made aware it was happening." Caspian is speaking slow and watching me carefully.
"Right. Okay. Can you leave the room?" 
"Are you alright Snow?" Caspian asks, his worried gaze sweeping over me.
"I need a minute." Is all I say, Caspian nods and leaves the room. I put the pillow over my face and scream, over and over again. Panic shaking me to my core, I can't stay here for months. 

Chapter Text

Aspen.
September 6th. 
Onyx is pacing, I need him to stop. He's been agitated since he found out Snow was at the Sea pack, he's not the only one. Arbor, Shabina, Silas and Ash also seem agitated but I don't know why they are. "Alright everyone, you know the drill, Hito first." Keah claps her hands, Hito follows Khione, Keah and Soleil into the pack gym, I don't know why we're at the Bloodhound pack for this.
"Onyx if you don't stop pacing, I'm going to punch you." I snap, Onyx stops, turns slowly to face me. 
"Try it. Find out what happens." Onyx snarls at me, then goes back to pacing, I stand and he spins towards me. "Do not start. I will pace if I want to!" 
"There is a lot of tension today." Lucius states, eyes searching everyone. 
"Yeah well this challenge feels, different this time." Shabina shrugs, her gazes also sweeping over everyone.
"Why because we're not at Winter?" Noir snaps, holy shit. This is not going to be a good day. 
"Because they didn't say what the challenge was, or who was doing what." Aella growls defending her sister. 
"Oh and that makes you nervous? Not knowing?" Silas sneers, I'm going to punch him. 
"Watch it Silas." Shabina growls, standing and stepping up to Silas. 
"What are you going to do if I don't?" Silas leans down into Shabina's face. 
"How about everyone take a deep breath and step back." Ash gets in between them and push them away from each other. 
"How about you get out of the fuck out of the way." Silas shoves Ash, Arbor yanks Shabina back as she lunges for Silas, and he also grabs Onyx by the back of his shirt and lifts him off the ground. I grab Noir and Sky, as Aella and Silas clash, Ash trying to get in the middle. Lucius jumps in, his claws slashing across Aella's chest, she shrieks and Noir breaks out of my hold and grabs Lucius by the neck and throws him into a wall. 
Sky is trying to break my hold, Onyx and Shabina are clawing up Arbor's arms, Ash snaps one of Silas's hands, the break loud over the growling and snarling. Noir and Lucius have shifted into their Wolf skins and are fighting, blood coating the floor and walls. Aella jumps on Silas's back, her claws sinking into his shoulders-
"What the fuck are you all doing?" Sparrow snaps, most everyone stills. I swing my gaze towards the doorway, Aluma, Sparrow, Viola and Frost are standing there watching us. 
"I would like to know that as well." Keah states, stepping into the room, everyone scrambles away from each other. Keah raises a brow at us, her lips pressed into a flat line. "Onyx, you're up. Go, I have to talk to these idiots." Onyx ducks out of the room. "If you all continue to fight, you will not like the what I choose to do to make you stop." Keah snarls before spinning around and walking out. 
"Okay, Noir, Aella, Shabina, go stand by Aspen. Now." Viola stalks into the room, those three move towards me, not even questioning the Omega. "Ash, Sky, Arbor go stand by the door with Frost." They also move without saying anything. "I don't care what you do Silas and Lucius just don't go near the others. Do I make myself clear?" 
Everyone but the Summer Wolves nod. "Who the fuck are you to tell us what to do?" Lucius sneers at Viola, Frost, Sparrow, Aluma and I growling at him but Viola waves us off and rolls her shoulders back, meeting Lucius's gaze.
"I'm the daughter of Khione, you are trying to win my sister's hand. If you don't want to be kicked out of these challenges, you will behave yourselves. I have no issues with any of you, as long as you play by the rules. Do I need to use little words for you to understand?" Viola, is starting to sound like Snow. 
"You sound like your sister." Silas grins at Viola, that's it. I'm killing him, Noir and Shabina grab my arms, I growl at them. 
Viola raises a brow at Silas. "Considering we are sisters and we spend a lot of time together, it's not surprising that we're similar. Now do you both understand or do I need to break it down further?" 
"I understand. But where is your sister?" Silas asks while Lucius fumes behind Silas. 
"At the Sea pack. Which I'm pretty sure you've been banned from." Viola grins at Silas who bristles. 
"They just stopped fighting, don't start another one Viola." Aluma steps up to Viola, nudging her, Viola turns away from them. 
"Play nice Alphas. Don't forgot you're being watched. Every move you make is being judged, you have to be the best match for Snow." Viola calls over her shoulder as she and Aluma leave the room. 
"Did we seriously get told off my an Omega?" Sky asks, her voice puzzled. 
"How about everyone just stay quiet till it's your turn." Sparrow cuts in.
"And watch how you talk about my sister." Frost glares at Sky who holds up her hands in surrender. 
...
"Aspen, your turn." Soleil calls to me, I get up and follow her into the gym. Keah and Khione are waiting for us. "Khione will make sure you don't die, I will judge you, Keah will test you." 
"What is this test?" I ask taking Keah's offered hands, she smiles at me.
"It's mental strength. I will walk you through your worst memories, over and over again. If your memories are not bad enough, I will add some of Snow's." Keah tells me with sad eyes, oh fuck me. "Sit down, close your eyes, deep breaths. This will not be pleasant, don't brace. It will only make it worse." I'm going to be sick. But I do as she says. I feel her magic touch my mind and lock in. 
Memories play over and over, dragging on and on. Till it shifts, suddenly it's not my eyes. I know that it's not me. 
Snow's POV Four years ago.
It's quiet, cold, everything hurts. They've finally left us alone. "Are they gone?" Blue whispers, her voice a rasp and quiet. 
"I think so." Callie answers, I don't think I can talk. My throat so sore, so many things have been shoved down it, not all of them dicks. Pretty sure someone shoved a metal pipe down it at one point. I didn't know someone could have a pipe in their throat and still be able to breath and talk after. 
"Do you think we'll ever be found?" Fey croaks out, I'm pretty sure they shoved something metal in her mouth as well, I could hear her teeth on metal. 
"No. No one is looking for us." Sage sobs, I can hear her chains moving, I think she's shaking. 
"They'll find us." Aluma states firmly. 
"They will never find you." A male voice growls, damnit! 
"Says who? I think they will. And then you'll die. Slowly, painfully and I'll enjoy every second of it." I rasp, I wanted to growl the words but my voice is fucked. 
I feel the male -Bear by the smell- grab my face, I inhale sharply and kick his thigh-not what I was aiming for- I hear his bone snap. He grunts, grabs my leg, I kick him with the other-ribs break- he slams my head against the wall I'm tied to. He slams my head against the wall again, he lets go over my leg claws sink into my stomach, I gasp and kick out again but someone else grabs my leg. Cat, I think, their claws are longer than the other Shifters. 
"You have such fire. I'll love beating it out of you." The Bear, breathes into my ear, teeth sinking into my ear, I try to yank away but he pins me in place. A shuddering breath leaves me, I'm fine. This will be fine. The Cat moves closer, his claws scraping over my nipple, I growl. 
"Maybe we can fuck it out of her." The Cat purrs, I still. Here we go again.
"You can try. It won't work." I bite down on the closest thing to me -the Bear's neck- I pull back, taking flesh and blood with me. Punches and claws rain down on me, till I feel my mind slipping away. 
...
I startle awake, the blindfold is off, I'm alone. For now anyway. I swing my gaze around, I'm in some kind of cell but I knew that already. There are eight empty cells in the room, there are no windows, only one door out of this room. I take a deep breathe -fear, pain, piss, shit, cum, blood, vomit- and regret it. The door opens, I lift my head, it's one of the Bears, he walks towards me calmly, I try to draw myself up but I'm chained to the ground. "You fight so hard, so hard to protect the other females." He crouches down, pats my hair, I bare my teeth, the only thing I can do. "What happens when we take them away, hmm?" 
"Go fuck yourself." I snap, shuddering as his claw goes down my chest, feel it cut into my skin, feel the blood start to slide down my sides. 
"I'd rather fuck you. But not right now." He lays his hand flat over my stomach. "You're not even twitching anymore. We are already breaking you. I wonder, does your mother already know where you are at? Did she just leave you with us?"
"Oh honey. I don't care." I lift my head to get in his face. "Whether she left me here or not. It doesn't matter. Either way, you'll die and I can't wait for your blood to leave your body." 
"Violent little thing. I love it." 
...
The blindfold is off again, there's a teenage boy-Bear, someone's kid- in the corner, hands over his ears, eyes tightly shut. I don't know why he's here, when the older Bear finishes inside of me. The older Bear get off me, slaps my face, I don't react, then he moves away pats the boy on the head. His red eyes snap open and look at the older Bear. "Your turn. Don't go easy on her." The older Bear leaves, the young one sobs. 
"I'm the one being raped, why are you crying?" I rasp, his head turns towards me. 
"I don't want to. I want to go home." He sobs, I blink at him. He can't be older than I am.
"Why don't you?" Why am I talking to him?
"They won't let me. Say I have to learn to be like 'em." His whole body is shaking. 
"Where's your mom?" I haven't smelt any other females here, other than the ones who are held like me. But their all too young to have a son his age.
He sobs harder. "They killed her." 
"What?" 
"Y'all aren't the first. My momma was one 'em. She had me, they came back for us. To kill her and take me." Holy shit. Fuck! 
...
Agony, screams, fire burning me from the inside out. Skin tearing, bones snapping. Want out. Want to die. Same thing, over and over and over again. Gasping breaths, so much pain. So much terror. Again and again. Want out, need out. Help. Help. Some one hear me. Screams, cries. Help. Help me. More bones breaking. Whips breaking the skin of my back. So many males, so much agony. Want it to end. Help. 
...
I snap awake, gasping and choking on my tongue. "Are you alright?" Keah asks gently. 
"Yeah-I'm-yeah." I lay flat on my back. What the fuck did I just witness? What the fuck was that?
"Onyx, will take you somewhere to rest." Soleil tells me as Onyx walks into the room, I don't move. I don't think I can, Onyx picks me up silently. I don't know how far he takes me, but we end up in a bedroom. His I think. 
"What did you see?" I ask as he sets me on the bed. 
"My own memories, none of Snow's." Onyx answers, sitting on the bed next to me. "What about you?"
"Mine. Some of Snow's."
"How bad?" He asks, I shudder.
"We're not talking about it." I let my eyes close, I don't want to think about it anymore. 
...
They gathered us all in the same room. "Everyone passed, no one failed this challenge." Keah informs us, is it bad that I kind of want to be out of the challenge? Just so I don't have to go through this anymore.
"Who won?" Lucius questions. 
"Ash and Hito tied for this challenge."

Chapter Text

September 19th.
Snow.
Trauma is such a funny thing. When something happens, I shut down, stay in place, two days. I've been locked up in my room for two days. Refusing to leave, I couldn't do it. But now, I need out, I need to run but first I have to ask. I can't just leave. I can't just cross borders, not here. Not so far from home. I need to know how far I can go. I enter the gym, Caspian should be in here. I swing my gaze around, there, I make my way over to him, Caspian pauses when he notices me.
"Snow? Is everything all right?" Caspian sets down his weights and steps towards me. 
"Yeah. I would like to know how far I can go."
"What?"
"How far, can I run before it's too far away from here?" I clarify, Caspian just stares at me. "I need to run, I need to know how far I can go." 
"As long as you don't go to Winter and are back by nightfall, you can go as far as you need to. Though I do ask that you keep a link open to someone in my family at all times, so if you're in trouble, we can know immediately." Caspian looks me over, his eyes sad. 
"Thank you, I'm going for a run now." I spin on my heel and head out, I open a link to Kai. He flinches and sends a question mark through the link. "Your father said I had to have a link open while I run so if I get in trouble you all will know. I chose you." 
"Ah, so leave it open?"
"Yes." 
"You got it, just try to be back before I go to bed please." I snort out a laugh.
"Your father said to be back by nightfall. So don't worry about it." I tell him as I shift into my Wolf skin and start running. Kai falls silent, I can feel him there but he leaves me be. 
I run and run, my mind silent for the first time in two days. The good thing about being small with long Wolf legs is being fast and light on my paws. My lungs ache as I push my body faster, I don't care where I'm going as long as it's not the Sea pack. They are to calm, to peaceful. I don't fit, I don't know how to get along with them. 
...
I stop at the Spring border, Leto shows up five minutes after I did. I stayed and talked to her for over an hour before moving on. Stopping at the Summer next, Grove and his handful of friends greet me, I teach them for over two hours before I send them on their way. I step over the Summer border after the kids leave, Silas shows up about three minutes after I do that. His fur bristles when he sees me, hmm he's mad. Calm floods my body, I let go of my Wolf skin and lean against the tree, Silas lets go of his Wolf skin and stalks towards me. 
"You left and didn't tell me." He snarls stepping into my space. I let him box me into the tree, I take a shuddering breath. 
"I didn't have much of a choice. Mother said move, I move." I answer, nudging his nose with mine, his eyes slide close and his head ends up on my shoulder. 
"I've missed your scent, having you in my arms." His teeth scrap my shoulder, I shudder and nudge his teeth away from my shoulder, he growls lowly. "Mine."
"No teeth." I hiss, shoving a little harder. He moves away from my shoulder, his lips drawn in a frown. 
"Your mine. I want to mark you." Silas breathes through his fangs, I put my hand over his mouth.
"You're not allowed to mark me, you know this." I firm my tone, the calm intensifying.
"I want to, I won't but I want to." Silas cups my face. 
I sigh and lean into his touch. "I know." I grip his hand, letting my eyes fall closed, he leans his head against mine. "I can't stay long." 
Silas growls lowly. "Why not?"
"I'm on a time crunch. But I needed to see you before I had to head back." And I've got a few more stops before I head back. Silas sighs, his arms wrapping around me, before falling backwards, I shriek and he laughs. 
"Just let me hold you Snow." Silas puts his nose in my hair, I relax my body and just lay against him. 
...
It was hard to pull myself away from Silas, he didn't want to let me go either, but he eventually did and I headed to the Fall border. Not surprised that I ran into Aspen, I was hoping for Sparrow or Aluma but this is fine. "I thought you were supposed to be at the Sea pack?" Aspen moves towards me, I stop moving and let him come to me.
"Yeah well I needed to run, figured I stop by and see Sparrow and Aluma while I was near." I shrug, Aspen narrows his gaze at me as his nose brushes the fur of the back of my neck. 
"You smell like Silas." Aspen snarls, I bristle and step back.
"So?" 
"He started a fight at the last challenge." Aspen bites out, I stiffen. "I can see he didn't tell you that. Was he too focused on-"
"Do not finish that sentence Aspen." I cut him off, he jerks back and blinks at me, I let of my Wolf skin. He does the same, his mouth opening and closing but no words coming, his face full of regret. "We were not having sex and I'm offended that's where your mind went." 
"I'm sorry Snow, I don't know-"
"I don't care Aspen. I really don't. I just want to know where Aluma and/or Sparrow are. Can you tell me that?" 
Aspen bows his head and sighs. "Aluma is in her room, Sparrow is at the ring." 
"Goodbye Aspen." I shift into my Wolf skin and bolt away from him, I'm not dealing with him when I'm in a bad head space, not when he's acting like that.
I find Aluma and stay with her for about ten minutes, she fills me in on what happened at the last challenge and who won. Then I find Sparrow, I run the border with him for twenty minutes before I head to Bloodhound next. Emery is the one to find me, she's curious but she doesn't poke or ask, just leads me into the their house and to Onyx's bedroom. 
"You can go in, he should be in there." Emery smiles hesitantly at me before backing down the hall and waves right before she's out of sight. 
I knock on the door, wait ten seconds with no answer before opening the door. Onyx is passed out on his bed, on his stomach and shirtless. Scars liter his back, shoulders and hips. I move into the room, closing the door behind me, I sigh and step up to his bed. "Onyx." I call to him, I don't really want to touch him while he's sleeping but I get no reaction so I call to him a little louder. "Onyx. Wake up." 
I press my lips together, I could lose a toe. A toe would be fine. I lift my foot and poke his calf with a toe, Onyx snaps up and swings clawed hand towards me, I step back and wait for his gaze to settle on me. "Why are you here Snow?" Onyx sighs, running his clawed hand through his sleep messed up hair. 
"I needed to talk to you, yet you were sleeping." I raise a brow at him, Onyx frowns at me. "At three PM, late night?" 
"What do you want?" Onyx snaps, I roll my eyes and sit on his bed, Onyx eyes me with disdain. 
"The Shadow, the Rowan, the Wind and the Sea packs are gathering together and going to hunt the Bear, Coyote and Cat shifters that kidnapped us. I spoke to Sparrow earlier and he is going to speak to his father about joining the hunt, I also spoke to Leto, she is going to talk to her father about joining. And now I'm talking to you." I cross my legs and stare at Onyx as he blinks in surprise at me. 
"They're doing a manhunt." Onyx breathes, understanding lining his face.
"Yeah. Alpha Shadow had a meeting with Caspian about it, I will be a part of it. As will Maya and Callie, Fey may join but it isn't decided yet." 
"I will speak to mom as soon as she gets back." Onyx nods to me, my brows bunch together, where is Soleil- not my business. 
"If she agrees, have her contact Caspian. He is leading it with Alpha Shadow." 
"I will, is that all you needed?" His unspoken words loud is the quiet room. 
"What is wrong with Aspen?" Onyx frowns at me. "He's an asshole but he's not cruel with his words normally. So what is wrong with Aspen?" 
"Ah. What did he say?" A growl catches in my throat, I swallow it down.
"Aspen told me that Silas started a fight, then noted that Silas was to distracted to tell me about it." 
Onyx looks confused, oh I don't want to explain that to him. "Distracted by what?" Are you kidding me? Is he not a male? Can he not figure it out? 
Onyx stares at me expectingly. "He didn't say it but he was going to before I cut him off."
"Cut him off from what?"
"Cut him off from saying 'was he too focused on fucking you'. So what the fuck is wrong with Aspen?" I snarl, Onyx stills.
"He said that?" 
"No, almost but I know where he was going with it because of the regret and guilt on his face." I'm going shake him if he doesn't answer me.
Onyx sighs. "I do not know what is wrong with him, I have a guess but I am not telling you a guess." 
"Please figure it out. Because if he says something like that again, I'm going to kill him. I don't really want to kill Sparrow's brother but I will." 
"I will try to figure it out but I make no promises." 
"Of course you make no promises." I grumble and stand, Onyx grabs my arm and yanks me back on the bed, I snarl and face him. "What?"
"I make no promises because he and I are not friends. He does not tell me things, I do not know if he will tell me." 
"I need to go, I have a time limit. Let go." He does and I stand, I'm tired of being around males, I'm seriously considering telling mother I want a female. 
"Is someone coming to get you?" He asks also standing and following me out of his room, I roll my eyes.
"No. I ran here, I'll run back."
"That is not safe Snow."
"I really don't care Onyx." He sighs and trails behind me as I leave his house. 
"Some times I think, you want to be killed." Onyx mutters, I bristle.
"It wouldn't be the worst thing to happen." I shrug, Onyx snarls softly. "Oh hush, I have an open link with Kai, so that if I do get in trouble someone will know." Onyx sighs again, I cross out of his border and turn towards him. "Don't worry for me Onyx. I've got my bases covered."
"I will believe it when I see it." Onyx scoffs, I bare my teeth at him. "Calm down. My turn for questions."
"I have to go Onyx. Make them quick please." 
"Why were you not at the end of the last challenge?" Eh? Why the fuck does he care?
"I wasn't aware at the time that there was a challenge. I will be at the other challenges, you don't have to worry about that." 
"Hm. Why did your speech pattern change?" 
"Has it changed?" I don't think it has, okay it might have. The Sea pack is more formal in the way they talk, I didn't want to pick it up.
"Yes, Snow it has." Nope, not looking into.
"I have to go Onyx. Bye." I shift into my Wolf skin and bolt away, I hear him snarl after me. 
...
I make it back to the Sea pack, just as the sun is setting, Cordela is waiting at the border when I cross it. I slow to stop in front of her, she eyes me, her Wolf skin is such a rich blue making her purple eyes glow. "Kai informed me, you were nearing the border." 
"And you decided to greet me?" I start walking, she walks along with me.
"Yes, you've had a busy day. We have heard from the Spring and Fall Alphas, they wish to help in the hunt of your captors." Cordela drawls, her steps light, barely making a sound.
"I've got friends in those packs, it seemed like a good idea to tell them what was going on." I keep my tone even and casual, I didn't ask before I told them. Is this something I would get in trouble for?
"I'm glad you've got friends in high places Snow. They will help a great deal." Cordela nudges her shoulder into mine, I let out a breath of relief. Not in trouble then. "It seem that Soleil has just contacted Caspian about it as well." 
"Yes well, friends in high places and all of that." 
"Very well, I shall let you be now." 

Chapter Text

September 24th.
Onyx. 
Aspen, is avoiding me. I have tried to track him down for the past few days, yet every time I try he is nowhere to be found. I do happen on Sparrow more often then not, the looks he gives me tells me all I need to know. Aspen is doing it on purpose. I have had it, I grab Sparrow's arm as he is about to walk away after telling me Aspen is out. "Tell me where he is hiding or bring him to me. I am done playing games." 
Sparrow grimaces. "He's been in a mood for the past few days. I'd think you'd want to avoid that." 
"I do not. I am here to talk about his foul mood." I snap, Sparrow frowns at me before sighing.
"He's near the Winter border. He's stolen Snow's idea of hiding in trees." Sparrow scoffs, I narrow my gaze, it seems he knows that Snow is not the one who came up with that idea.
"Thank you Sparrow." I shift to my Wolf skin and head towards the Winter border, when I get close enough, I climb into the branches, spotting Aspen not to far from where I am. His gaze on the border, swinging his gaze as if he is looking for someone. Not surprised, he is avoiding me. I let go of my Wolf skin and jump onto the branch nearest to him, Aspen startles and almost falls out of the tree. "Avoiding me, helps no one." 
"Who says I'm avoiding you? And what reason would I have for avoiding you?" Aspen snaps, tension lining his shoulders.
I snort and relax back against the tree. "Oh I do not know. Maybe it has something to with a white haired Wolf, who you almost said something foul to." 
"Fuck." Aspen hisses, hands running through his hair.
"Fuck indeed. Tell me Aspen, what put your head so far up your ass, that you almost asked Snow about her sex life?" 
"I don't like you." Aspen snarls, I kick his thigh, he smacks my foot. "I don't fucking know. I could smell Silas on her and it filled me with rage. Don't ask why, I don't know." 
"Jealous?"
"Don't be an ass."
"I am not trying to be, it is a genuine question." Though his reaction is telling. 
"I'm not jealous, I just don't like Silas." Aspen grumbles, oh this is going to take forever.

Snow, September 26th.
I stare flatly at the ocean, coming up to my chest when the water draws back but going over my head when it comes towards the shore. I've finally stopped bracing when it does, I sigh and lay back into the water, holding my breath and letting my eyes fall closed. Listening to the chatter of the Sea Creatures, they are loud, they love to talk and make weird noises. 'What you doing little wolf?' One of them asks me.
'Thinking about dying.' It would solve all of my problems. Everyone assumes I'm always trying to die anyway, even when I'm not.
'Death is not fun little Wolf. Not to be taken lightly.' I think it's female but I can't be sure, Sea Creatures voices are higher pitched. 
'I know.' 
'Do you? Everything has a time to die. Your time is nowhere near. Not yet little Wolf.' It has to be female, it's kind even though I don't deserve it. 'We all have our cycles we must go through, some longer than others, yours is to be long.' 
I open my eyes and turn my head, it's a Seahorse, a male at that. Pretty, purple, gold with hints of orange as well. 'How can you tell my cycle?'
He comes closer, hovering over me. 'It is easy to see, though our sights are fairly different. Do not give up so soon little Wolf. Your cycle will end when the time is right. That is not here, nor now.' He tells me just as hands grab my arms and haul me out of the water and yank me around to face Kai.
"What the fuck are you doing? Are you trying to kill yourself?" Kai snarls in my face. 
"I wasn't trying. I was talking to the Seahorse." I say without thinking, Kai's eyes widen in surprise.
"You-what?" 
"Did you not know that Luna's can have the powers of their Alphas?" I ask hesitantly. 
"No. I didn't. What the fuck Snow? Why didn't you say anything?" Kai groans and drags me out of the water.
"Was I supposed to?" I squeak as I'm throw onto the sand, I roll and stand, glaring at Kai. "Why did you throw me?" 
"Because smacking you over the head isn't allowed. The reason I was looking for you, is because the Alphas of Wind, Shadow, Rowan, Fall, Spring and Bloodhound are here. We have to get you presentable before we meet with them. And we're covered in sea water." 
"Shit." 
"Yeah. Lets go." Kai takes off and I follow him, running on two legs is always strange. We make it to the house, Kai throws himself threw a window, I follow him, rolling on the floor before standing and leaving his room, rushing to mine. 
I rip off my soaking clothes, pulling my hair into a messy bun, don't have time for anything else. I pull on the deep purple grown that's laid on my bed, clearly meant for me to wear. I shimmer it on, oh this is bad. I blink at my reflection, my tits are pushed up in the dress, shoulders bare, no sleeves, high cuts in the skirts showing off my thighs. The only good thing about it, is that it's floor length.
I sigh and step out of the room, Kai offers me his arm, I take it and follow him to the meeting room, it's as large as the gym, painted in blues and greens with hints of purple throughout. What Kai failed to mention was that some of the Alphas kids are here as well. Onyx, Noir, Juniper, Cedar, Aspen, Flint, Maya, Callie and three males I don't know. My half siblings are all here as well, Kai and I join the others of the Sea pack. Kai keeps my arm in his and we remain standing. 
Cordela clears her throat. "Kai and Snow, you know most of these lovely Alphas, I shall interduce you to the one's you do not. Eben, Alpha of the Rowan pack." He has black eyes and short brown hair, a hard face and he's 6'5 roughly. "Callie, next Alpha of the Rowan pack. Ryder, Alpha of the Wind pack." He has glowing silver eyes and long silver hair, he's about 7'3 with sharp features. "Ryker, next Alpha of the Wind pack." He has Silver eyes and deep grey hair, he's round 7' and like his father sharp features. 
I dip my head to the Alphas, with my eyes down. "Should we get on with this meeting then?" Soleil asks, Caspian nods to her. I kind of drift, I don't hear much of the conversation after that. 
"A dress and a messy bun, why?" Meara whispers to me, her chin hooking on my shoulder. 
"Because it's wet and I didn't have to time to dry it." I whisper back, doing my best to hold back the urge to shake her off. 
"Ah, I can help." I side eye her in confusion, her hand touches my hair, I can feel the water being pulled from it. I send her a wide eyed look as she grins at me before pulling down my hair, Juniper snorts out a laugh and tries to cover it. All eyes land on him.
Juniper holds up his hands and grins sheepishly. "Sorry, this is not funny. Forgive me." I bite my tongue to keep from laughing. 
"And prey tell, what is so funny then?" Ryder questions, raising a brow at Juniper, who looks like he wants the ground to swallow him whole. 
"I think the funny thing was, Meara pulling the water from Snow's hair and taking her bun away, much to Snow's shock and her face when it happened." Maya choses to save Juniper and throw me into the line of fire. 
"Okay, I didn't know she could do that. It surprised me." I wish I could hide behind Kai, Meara chuckles softly. 
"Very well, let us focus back on the topic at hand?" Alec calls attention to him, I send him a grateful smiles, he dips his chin to me. They go back to talking, I shoot Juniper a glare, he puts his hand over his face. 
...
I have been standing for so long, thankfully though they seem to be wrapping up. Someone grabs my arm, that Kai is not holding, I follow the hand to Aspen's face. "Can we talk?" 
I bite my tongue and turn towards Kai, who is already watching us. "Excuse me, I have to deal with something." Kai nods and lets go of my arm, I remove my other arm from Aspen, gather my skirt in hand and walk out of the room, Aspen trailing after me. I step into the gym and then face Aspen, his shoulders are curled and his face full of regret. "What Aspen?" 
"I'm sorry, I was in a bad mood when we met last time. I'm really sorry for how I spoke to you and what I implied." Aspen bows his head to me, oh no. Gross, that- no.
"No. Don't do that." Aspen lifts his head and raises a brow at me in confusion. "The head bowing and whatever that was." 
Aspen presses his lips together and glares at me. "I'm trying to apologize for how I acted towards you."
"Yeah, formally. We've known each other too long for you to talk to me like that." I snap, Aspen snarls and runs his hand through his hair.
"What do you want from me then?" He snaps back, I bristle.
"Nothing, Aspen. I want nothing from you." He jerks back like I've slapped him, okay that came out wrong. "Just don't treat me how you did and we're fine. Got it?"
Aspen just stares, I clench my jaw, is he going to hold on to this? "You don't want me to apologize, you just want me to ignore it?" 
"Yep and to not treat me like that again." I really don't know why he's confused about this. 
"Treat you like what?" Flint asks, coming into the gym, followed by Cedar, Juniper, Onyx, Noir, Callie, Maya, Ryker, Kai, Meara and Nerida. Fucking shit.
"Formally. It's weird." I cover up quickly, it's not really a lie. 
Cedar snort. "You'll have to get used to that, unless you mate someone from Bloodhound or Fall. You will be treated formally by all." 
"I kinda hate you for saying that to me." I mutter, running my hands throw my hair. 
"Because you know he's right?" Noir drawls, I flip him off. 
"I like you." Ryker smirks at me, no, I can't handle anymore males.
"Because Cedar is an ass for saying that. I was fine ignoring that fact." I snap at Noir, ignoring Ryker.
"You don't want to be addressed formally?" Callie frowns at me.
"Not from people that have known me since I was a child." That is just weird. 
"You will have to get used to it Snow, formal is how we are supposed to treat each other. We just chose not to because like you said, we were young when most of us met." Onyx informs me, I flip him off as well. "Very mature. I wonder what your future mate will say about that." 
"I do not like you." I glare at him till Kai steps in front of me, hooking his arm through mine. I'm starting to think he does that to keep me silent or well, at least better behaved. 
"Formal is the way to go, even if it is uncomfortable." Nerida states, locking eyes with me as she and Meara come to stand with Kai and I.
"Uncomfortable is an understatement." Maya grumbles, Nerida rolls her eyes.
"It is needed. It shows respect, understanding of rank and most all, it shows you can handle being in the position we are in." Nerida explains, I sigh and rest my cheek on Kai's arm. 
"How about we drop this conversation?" Kai cuts in, thank fuck. "I'm sure there are other things we can discuses while our Alphas speak." 
"No offence Kai, what else is there for us to discuses? Most of us do not know each other well enough to have an honest conversation." Callie has a point. 
"We could get to know each other?" Cedar suggests. 
"No thank you." Onyx states quickly, I cover my mouth to keep from laughing. That is such an Onyx thing to say. 
"You are not helping." Maya points at Onyx, he glares at her, she just smiles at him. 
"I'm enjoying this." Flint throws in.
"As I am. Is this how the larger packs behave all of the time? It's very entertaining." Ryker musses, a grin on his face. 
"This is pretty normal. Chaos and drama. Though it does lose it's entertaining bit once you deal with it daily." Cedar answers Ryker.
"As interesting as this all looks, I need to speak with Snow." Alec cuts in, making every single one of us jump, where the fuck did he come from?! 
"You are way to quiet." Flint breathes, hand on his chest, staring wide eyed at Alec. Kai nudges me, right move. I walk over to Alec, he offers me his arm, eh why is he- you know what, I don't care. I take his arm and he leads into another room.
I drop his arm and take three steps away from him. "What can I do for you, Alpha Shadow?" He stares at me flatly, damn. "What can I do for you, Alec?"
"I wanted to speak with you alone, about the hunt." Alec answers, didn't we go over that already? I wasn't paying attention but I'm sure we've gone over that. "Both Callie and Maya want to be aware of the plans, but don't want to be involved, I'm told you want to be there for the hunt. Not just the planning."
Okay? I don't understand where he's going with this. "I'm aware of that." 
"Are you sure, you want to face your captors?" OH. I'm just dumb.
"I faced them when they had us, I faced them when they cornered friends of mine. So doing it on my terms? Yeah that will be fine." Hopefully. 
Alec sighs. "I do not think it's a good idea." Don't be rude. Deep breath. His not attacking. Don't lose it.
"Why the fuck not?" And that wasn't what I was supposed to say. 
"Snow, they held you captive for months. They tortured you-"
"I know. I was there. Don't tell me things I already know." I snap, calm going out the fucking window.
Alec takes a deep breath and holds my gaze. "What did you when you saw them attacking your friends?"
"What?" What the fuck-
"I am asking you, to tell me your reaction and what you did after you saw your captors attacking your friends." 
"I-why?" Why does he want to know that?
"Please." 
"I don't- I was scared. I could hear the fighting, the sounds pain and anger. I was trying to convince myself it was just some rogues, not the ones that had me. I wrapped my magic around me then looked around my hiding spot, I saw one of my friends on the ground-" Deep breath. "I couldn't tell if he was breathing. I saw the other two standing and fighting dozens of rogues-not all of them Wolves. I recognized one, I almost panicked and lost my shit but I didn't I pushed through. I used my magic to stun them because I needed to get my friends as far away as possible and I did." 
Alec nods. "Why didn't you kill them?" 
"What?" 
"You are from the Winter pack. You have Lightning. Why didn't you kill them?" Alec stares into my fucking soul.
"Because I didn't have full control of my magic and I didn't want to hit my friends and kill them. I went with the safer option of stunning incase I hit one of my friends." I snap, my anger tingling over my skin. 
"It wasn't because you just needed to get your friends as far away as possible?" 
"I'm gonna say this for like the fifth fucking time. What?" 
"Using Lightning to kill, takes more energy, more focus, then stunning does. Did you chose stunning them, instead of killing, because you didn't have time or focus to kill them?" 
"No." I'm positive on that. 
"Are you sure?"
"Yes." 
"Do you think, that you can kill them, when your friends are in danger again? Do you believe that you won't want to whisk your friends away and to safety when they are in danger?" Alec finally makes his fucking point and fuck him. 
"I don't know." I honestly have no fucking idea. 
Alec nods and steps towards me, laying his hand on my shoulder. "You need to think about it. Because when we hunt them, there will be no running away. Only stay and fight." He squeezes my shoulder before letting go and walking out of the room. 
I slide to the floor and put my arms over my head. Maybe I shouldn't be apart of this. 

Chapter Text

Sparrow.
September 30th.
"I feel like this is gonna end badly." Juniper whispers to me, I nod in agreement. The Spring pack, the Winter pack(minus Snow), the Bloodhound pack, the Ridge pack, the Dusk pack and the Knight pack are all in Fall lands. Well not the entire packs, but the Alpha families are here. 
Both mom and dad refuse to say why, the Alphas are their mates have gone to a different room to talk. Which last time this happened, it didn't end well for us kids. "With this many people, I feel like it's gonna end in blood shed." I mutter to Juniper and I'm not even joking. 
Aryan, Alpha of the Knight pack, his Mate Matilda, who has yellow eyes and blue hair standing at 5'6. Kane, oldest of the Dusk pack at 30, Omega, light yellow eyes and light blue hair, standing at 5'7. Fucking Maximus is here and Batair. Sol, Alpha of the Dusk pack, his Mate Nanaka, she has gold eyes and red hair, she stands at 5'5. Kyra and Hito are here along with the middle child of Dusk. Aiden, he's a Delta with dark red eyes and orange hair, he stands at 5'6. Briar, Alpha of the Ridge pack, his Mate Robin, who has grey eyes and brown hair, she's fucking tall at 6'5. Sky and Ash and their two younger siblings are here as well. River, 23 and an Omega, he has light grey eyes and light brown hair, he's 5'8. Hazel, 19 and a Beta, with light brown eyes and dark brown hair, she's 6'1. 
All of my siblings are here, all of Bloodhound children are here, same with Spring and Winter minus Snow. That is a fucking lot of Wolves in one place. Way too many Wolves. "Everyone is grouped up, maybe if we stay grouped up it'll be fine?" Juniper side eyes me, I sigh. Unlikely. Juniper and I are standing together but that's only because we came together after our 'date' which went as well as it could have since it was cut short by being called here. The Bloodhound Wolves, minus Emery are standing together, I can feel Ozul stealing glances at me every now and then. 
The Winter Wolves are huddled together, minus Buz who is standing with Cedar and arguing with him, since their 'date' was also cut short. Iris and Leto(don't know why she's here) are standing together since Cedar is with Buz, Juniper is with me, and Amaryllis, Emery and Flint are together since their 'date' was also cut short. Aspen and Aluma are sticking together. The Dusk children are staying near each other, same with the Ridge and Knight. "I have a feeling someone is gonna break off and start shit." 
"Is it bad that I hope it's none of my siblings?" Juniper asks, he's standing really close, I can feel his breath on my neck. 
"I hope it's none of mine either but I think that's too much to hope for." I respond, shifting my weight so my arm is touching Juniper's stomach. He inhales sharply, we talked about this earlier. Getting used to being in each other's spaces, to see if we could be comfortable with more. Otherwise, our parents plans aren't going to work out. 
"Does anyone know why we're all here?" Batair raises his voice to ask his question. 
"I don't think anyone but our parents know the reason for this." Hito answers, that is a pretty male that I need to look away from. 
"If it's like last time? I want no part of it." Aluma calls, locking gazes with me and grinning, I flip her off. 
"What was last time?" River questions, his gaze flicking between Aluma and I. 
"Our parents paired us off." Emery shrugs, that wasn't really an answer though. 
"What's that supposed to mean?" Aiden frowns at her, I put my hand over my face. Why did the females start this? 
"What those two were hinting at was, our Alphas set us up to mate. We can still decide to not mate who we're paired with though." Juniper states, his arm resting light on my hip. 
If I ignore, this line of questioning will stop. Hopefully. "Some of us are in Snow's mate bidding. How is that supposed to work?" Ash questions, if I ignore it, it'll go away. 
"I don't think it's for those of you that are in the mate bidding, or well it might be after the mate bidding because not all of you will mate Snow." Viola throws in, ignore it and it'll go away. 
"You think that they're gonna do that with us?" Kyra breathes, horror lining her tone. 
"I agree with Aluma, I want no part of it." Leto grumbles, Iris snorts out a laugh. 
"So Aspen, Noir, Onyx, Hito, Ash and Sky are safe, the rest of us. Are not." Hazel states, Snow's way of ignoring doesn't help. I take my hands off my face and look at the gathered group.
"Well, Buz, Cedar, Amaryllis, Emery, Flint, Juniper and I are also safe." I add in, Ozul meeting my gaze, I quickly look away. 
"That's an odd number." Kane points out. 
"Yeah, cause it's Emery, Amaryllis and Flint." Aluma waves her hand, as if that explains anything. 
"No one actual answered me. Do you guys think they're gonna do this with the rest of us?" Kyra asks, again, I wince.
"Who knows? None of us are mated and they want us mated." I shrug, which makes me remember that Juniper's arm is on my hip. His hand isn't even touching me. 
"Sparrow is correct." Every single one of us jumps at Soleil's amused voice. "We do want each of you mated." She continues, stepping into the room, the other Alphas and Lunas following behind her. 
"Why?" Batair questions, his gaze roaming over the Alphas. 
"Because you need to be mated, it's our jobs as Alphas and parents to make sure you are." Osiris answers Batair. 
"Oh and none of you are safe from it." Mom smiles at us, oh no. 
"Uh what does that mean?" Aluma asks, nervously fidgeting with her hands.
"Breathe Aluma, everything is fine." Dad gives her a gentle smile. 
"Would you like to hear the pairs?" Rose asks, no one responds, I think that's a no. 
Robin laughs. "I think they're nervous." She smiles kindly at us, then continues. "Aiden, you will join Buz and Cedar." 
"No offence but they seem, uh how to I put this? Hateful." Aiden side eyes Buz and Cedar, Buz glares at Aiden but Cedar has his hands over his face. 
"You'll survive." Nanaka tells her son, oh fuck are Juniper and I getting added to as well?
"Aluma and Kane." Robin adds on, both Aluma and Kane wince and stare at each other. Noir makes a choking sound, Edana covers his mouth probably to make sure he doesn't say something dumb. "Edana and Viola." Viola sends a wide eyed look to her mom while Edana freezes. 
"Batair, River, Juniper and Sparrow." Khione continues and down goes Juniper. Dragging me to the ground with him. Fuck. "Iris and Ilgar." Holy shit. What the fuck?!
"Kyra and Leto." Rose adds in once Khione falls silent, the disapproving look she receives from Khione is telling. Khione does not approve of Kyra and Leto. "Some of you have heard this already but it bears repeating. You don't have to mate with your chosen but you do have to try to get to know them. We are hoping that at least half of the pairs will mate, the other half will be chosen again." 
"We will let you get used to this, we have more to discuss. Behave, all of you." Sol states before the Alphas and the Lunas leave the room once more. 
"What the fuck?" Viola breathes, it's echoed by many. 
"One was hard enough, now there's two more?" Juniper breathes in horror. Not gonna lie. I'm a little freaked out. 
"Anyone else questioning the sanity of our parents?" Kane calls out, I nod, so does almost everyone else. 
"Well on the bright Sparrow, you don't have to be with any females." Flint grins over at me, the lucky asshole didn't have any addons, I flip him off.
Both Ozul and Frost leave the room without saying anything. Wow, okay then. "What's up with them?" Ash asks frowning at the doors they left out of. 
"They're both in love with Sparrow and too chicken shit to say anything to him." Emery answers, my mouth falls open as I stare at her in disbelief. 
"They are not." I snap, gathering myself. 
"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night." Onyx smiles blandly at me, I bare my teeth at him. I could say that he's half in love with my brother but I bite my tongue. 
"Do I need to worry for my life?" Juniper asks, ah I'm still basically sitting in his lap, need to fix that. I stand and pull him up with me.
"I'm asking the same thing? Are they gonna try to kill us?" River raises his hand, worry in his pretty grey eyes. 
"Me too?" Batair raises his hand as well. 
"They're not going to kill anyone. Because Emery is wrong." I shoot a glare at the female, she just laughs.
"Ozul won't kill you, Frost might." Edana is a pot stirrer. 
"I really don't want to fight an Alpha or a Beta." River breathes, hands grabbing his hair.
"OKAY!" Sky claps her hands together, getting everyone's attention on her. "Here's what we're gonna do, you all are going to find your pairings, sit and talk to each other while the rest of us, stay in our corners or mingle. Lets go, move. Now." 
Emery, Flint and Amaryllis were already together so they don't move. But Buz and Cedar make their way over to Aiden before going away from his siblings. Edana goes and stands with Viola, Ilgar moves to a nervous Iris which makes Juniper and Cedar stiffen and send glares his way. Kyra and Leto hesitantly make their way to each other. Both River and Batair slowly make their way over to Juniper and I, while Aluma rolls her shoulders back and walks over to Kane, who is eyeing her warily. 
Aspen shakes his head and goes to stand with Noir and Onyx, Ash, Sky and Hazel join them while Maximus stands off to the side glaring at everyone. "So how long have you two been in this?" Batair asks, standing on my left, Juniper is on my right and River is in front of me.
"Since July." Juniper answers but his gaze is on Iris and Ilgar.
"And have you guys made a decision?" River questions, gaze flickering between Juniper and I.
"We've agreed to try it out and see what happens." I nudge Juniper to get him to focus on this and not Ilgar and Iris. He glares at me, for it. "They're fine. Stop glaring." Juniper sighs, eyes falling to the ground, both River and Batair look uneasy. I hate having to be the middle man. "What about you two? Do you want to try to get to know us or just say no?" 
"I'm willing to try, but uh seriously is Frost or Ozul going to try to kill me?" River asks, eyes flicking to the door where the males left. 
"They haven't tried to kill me yet so I think your safe ish." Juniper finally jumps in. 
"That isn't reassuring." Batair points at Juniper. "You said yet and ish. That implies you think it might still happen." 
"It's not going to happen. Neither of them are going to do anything." I cut in before Juniper makes it worse because he will. I seriously don't know why Edana had to go and say that. 
"I'll try but if either of them try to kill me, I'm out." River points at me, I nod, that's fair enough. 
"Fair enough, I don't blame you for that." Juniper smiles hesitantly at River, oh I'm going to smack him. 
"We can try but I make no promises." Batair adds in. 
"Great! Which sibling would help you hide a body?" Juniper forces cheer into his voice, what the fuck. You don't open with that!
"What?" River blink owlishly at Juniper, I sigh, I'm so not helping with this line of questioning.
"Cedar would help me hide a body, but Leto would help me kill the person. Sparrow would make Snow help him hide a body and Aspen would help him kill someone." Juniper states, I put my hands over my face, this is not an ice breaker or it's not a good one.
"Uh Hazel would help me hide a body, she has a knack for finding spots that no one goes to. Sky would kill someone for me if I asked. So would Hazel, Ash would look the other way and pretend to know nothing." River tells us slowly, like he's worried. 
"If we're going that detailed, Amaryllis would tell on me. Iris would also look the other way." Juniper smiles encouragingly at River. 
"Kyra would help me kill and hide the body. Maximus would hold it over my head if he ever found out and when he lost his focus he would tell on me." Yikes, he doesn't like his brother. I mean, I don't like Maximus either but yikes. 
"Your brother sounds like an asshole." River states, with wide eyes. 
"He is an ass." Batair agrees and then looks at me. "Your turn." 
Right. "Snow would do both if I asked her too. Aluma would look the other way, Flint and Aspen would kill if I asked them to but they wouldn't help me hide the body because they need to be able to deny it." I answer, I would try to keep Aluma as far away as possible. 
"Neither Snow nor Leto are your siblings." Batair points out.
"No but Snow is my best friend, so she gets included in it." I shrug, Juniper nods in agreement. 
"Same with Leto." 
"Why was that your first question?" Batair asks Juniper, Juniper doesn't get a chance to answer because Frost storms back in, heading straight to Viola. "He seems pissed."
"When is he not?" I grumble, side eyeing Frost who has a hold of Viola's arm. 
"This is normal for him?" River whispers, curling towards Juniper. 
"It wasn't always but lately it is." Juniper shrugs, lightly grabbing River's elbow and pulling River in between him and I. River is three inches taller than me, I don't know how I feel about that. 
"Do you know when it started?" Batair eyes are on Frost, his body shifting closer to me. 
"After Snow was declared a Luna." That's when I noticed a change anyway. "Lets stop talking about him."
"Can't, he's walking over here." Juniper whispers, River grabs my arm tightly and my eyes snap up to an angry Frost. Great.
"Can we help you Frost?" I ask, shifting my weight slightly to block a curling River. 
"Come with me now." Frost snarls, Batair grabs my other arm.
"Why?" Juniper, Batair and River are worried but I'm not. "I'm supposed to be getting to know these three, why would I go with you?"
"Now Sparrow." Frost bites out, I roll my eyes but detangle from Batair and River and walk out of the room, Frost hot on my heels. I step into another room, walking over to the desk and leaning against it.
"What do you want Frost? That you couldn't say in front of them." I brace my arms on the desk behind me, trying to keep myself calm. 
"You know you don't have to go along with the pairings right?" I blink at Frost, what the fuck?
"I know. But it doesn't hurt me to try." Why does he fucking care? 
"You don't have to." Frost bites out, his bright blue eyes burning. 
"Yes, I'm aware. I'm going too anyway." My claws poke out of fingers and dig into the desk. "Why do you want me to say no?"
Frost bares his fangs at me, don't react, don't react. "You don't have to play the Alphas game. You can ignore them." 
And I'm over this. I push off the desk and step up to Frost, he takes a step back. "I'm going to play their game. I'm actually enjoying it. So maybe mind your own business. Go find yourself a pretty females and leave me be." I spin on my heel and leave the room before he can respond. 
"Sparrow? Is everything alright?" Nanaka asks, right after I almost run into her, shit. 
"Forgive me, I wasn't looking where I was going." I take a step away from her, those gold eyes tracking me. 
"I noticed. Though that is not what I asked." Nanaka chuckles and rakes her gaze over me. "You seem off balance. Is everything all right?" 
"Everything is fine, just males being idiots." 
"Oh I do hope it is not the males you are being paired with?" Nanaka asks, her eyes narrowed.
"No, just an old friend." I assure her. "Though I should be getting back."
"Hmm, they are splitting up now. Rest assured you'll have a chance to get to know them another day." Well shit. "Come Sparrow, you can walk me back." Nanaka holds out her arm for me to take, I take it and start to walk her back to the others. "If you were not paired with so many, I think I would like you to be with one of my young." 
"Oh? Why is that?" I don't need another pairing. 
"I rather like you Sparrow. You have wonderful manners. A kind soul yet not a doormat. You are not cruel, yet you are firm in your stance of life. Finding someone with all of those qualities is not easy, it is rather rare. I have paired my children with those who shall match them. Aiden is rather quiet and does not engage with others often, he would rather hide than be seen. Buz is loud and stands in the light, he would give Aiden a place to hide. Cedar can be loud but he also does not enjoy the spotlight, giving Aiden a friend in the shadows. But the option to be loud and grow." Nanaka smiles while she explains, she has thought about this a lot. "Kyra is head strong and sometimes goes too far. Leto is calm, goes with the flow yet is she firm and can be unyielding. I believe Leto will help keep Kyra from going to far and relax her some." 
"You've given this a lot of thought." Is all I say, it seems she was the one pulling the strings on who her children have been paired with.
"They are my children, I want the best for them."
...
"Are you going to stay like that all day?" Aluma asks, poking my side, I grunt but don't respond. I'm face down on the couch, unmoving. 
"I think he's pouting." Flint calls from the other couch, I flip him off, I'm not pouting. 
"He's not pouting. I think he's questioning his existence." Aspen adds in from his spot on the floor. 
"I feel like I'm the one that's supposed to be the one questioning my existence, not Sparrow." Aluma grumbles poking me again. 
"You have one male, I have three." I snark, it's muffled by the cushion. 
"Yeah but you don't have an issue with males. I do." Aluma pokes me hard, I snarl softly. "You know I'm right. You like males and sex, you'll be fine."
"I like when I choose, not when they're chosen for me." I snap and pull a pillow over the back of my head. 
"I want to know why they chose an Omega for Aluma and Sparrow." Flint musses, I turn my head and peak out from under the pillow. "Cause they also chose an Omega for me." He's laying on his back, head hanging over the couch arm. 
"It's a little odd that three out of four us were paired with an Omega." Aluma agrees, I snort and pull the pillow back down. 
"I know why Aluma was given one." Aspen mutters, I feel Aluma stiffen. I sit up and take the pillow off my head, I know as well but saying it isn't a good idea.
"Oh? Why is that?" Aluma's voice is frosty but Aspen doesn't seem to notice.
"Because of-" Aspen cuts himself off and sits up, staring wide eyed at Aluma.
"Do tell. Oh brother of mine." And the fangs are coming out, along with claws.
"I-no. I'm supposed to be in the ring. I'm gonna do that now." Aspen books it out of the room, Flint starts laughing, he laughs so hard that he falls off the couch. 
"Someone better say it because both of you seem to know what Aspen was about to fucking say. So speak up now or get stabbed." That makes Flint stop laughing, I'd rather be stabbed then say it. 
"If I tell you, you're not allowed to stab me." Flint points at Aluma, who nods, her eyes narrowed. "You were given an Omega to ease you into a mating. Since you were um tortured." 
"Since I was raped. You can say it Flint." Aluma sighs, running her hands through her hair. "That's why they've paired me with an Omega. A male that is unlikely to hurt me." Aluma closes her eyes and takes deep shuddering breaths. "I'm so not ready for this."
I wrap my arm around her shoulders and pull her towards me. "I think that's why they did it. To help you, not to hurt you." 

BUZ!!
I miss Snow, she wouldn't have let this happen. Not for Viola, who has locked herself in her room and refuses to come out. "Should we break down the door?" Ilgar asks, eyeing Viola's locked door.
"I think it'll only make it worse. We should give her time." I think, this isn't my strong suit. 
"Just bust down the fucking door. She can't stay in there forever." Frost snarls, while pacing up and down the hall. I lock eyes with Ilgar, yeah we're so not doing that. Ilgar nods at Frost, we pounce on him, Frost growls and tries to shake us but we drag him out of the house. "Let me go!" 
We ignore him and drag him to a quiet spot, Ilgar lets go of Frost and looks at me. "Figure this out or mother is going to lose her shit. We can't have him acting like this." Ilgar points at me before leaving me with Frost, fuck him. 
"There is nothing wrong with how I'm acting!" Frost shouts after Ilgar. 
"You're acting like I did after-" Can't say her name. I refuse. "My ex broke things off with me. So who broke your heart and stomped on it?" 
"No one and I'm not acting like a heartbroken fool." Frost snaps at me, I nod and punch him in the shoulder. "What the fuck Buz?" 
"You acting like an ass! You've been acting like an ass since Snow was declared a Luna! What the fuck is going through your head? Is it Sparrow? Because I can tell you for certain you've burned that bridge-"
"I have not burned anything-"
"YES YOU HAVE! Sparrow can barely look at you now! You've been nothing but an asshole to him! I don't blame him for wanting nothing to do with you!" 
"HE AND I ARE STILL FRIENDS-"
"NOT ACCORDING TO SPARROW AND SNOW YOU'RE NOT!"
"What?" Frost breathes, I sigh.
"Sparrow wants nothing to do with you. Flint and I were talking, he's the one that told me about Sparrow. I asked Snow about it, she said the same thing. He's done with you, Frost. You've done nothing but be an ass and put him down."
"That's-"
"You're blind when it comes to Sparrow. He's been in love with you for years, but then Snow was declared a Luna and you turned into a selfish asshole and Sparrow decided he wasn't going to wait for you any longer."
"What?" That's horror on Frost's face, good. 
"You've made him fall out of love with you. So now, you need to leave him alone and get your act together. He is moving on from you, Juniper is a good match for him. Leave them alone." I turn and walk away from him, Frost doesn't try to stop me.