Dylan

"Show time."

With those two words Connor leaps over the weeds and out of my sight. I know it's only a matter of time before everything goes to shịt so I start to work the bindings that hold me.

"Dylan!" I hear Karter call and my heart speeds. He sounds so unbearably close and worried which is probably knocking his concentration off. He has no clue he's walking into a war zone.

"You can call her all you want," Connor yells, "She can't say anything back!"

I hear the ground shift and freeze my actions so I can hear better.  

"Where. Is. She," Karter grits, "I'm only asking once Connor."

The light grip he has on his control can be heard in his voice. Through blurry tear filled eyes I frantically pull at the binds on my hands and feet, begging my wolf to get off of her lazy ass and help. Connor clearly used his wolf's strength to tie me up, I can't even flex my hands. I'll need my wolf's strength to break free.

When mentally screaming for my wolf to take action does nothing I start my search for anything sharp to maybe cut myself free. My eyes catch sight of an old tin can top buried in the ground and although I'll most definitely have tetanus if I cut myself on it should do the trick.

I don't give myself time to think about it and flop over onto my side, ignoring the pain in my arm from the short drop. This slight pain is nothing compared to what I'll feel if I don't save Dean.

The dirt is cold beneath my belly, my shirt rising up as I crawl like a worm across the earth. I can feel sharp jabs from sticks and rocks cutting and poking the soft skin of my abdomen but I don't stop, reaching the can top just as the argument between Connor and Dean escalates.     

"Why are you doing this Con?" Dean asks as I push and pull my hands across the makeshift blade as fast as I can.

I want to scream for joy when the first tendril pops on the rope just as I hear a loud growl that makes my heart stop and Connor scream, "Fủck you! You got my brother killed!"

His words are so filled with poison I feel infected from yards away. My neck hurts from straining to see over the weeds but when I feel a weight fall from my wrist I direct my attention back to my improvised escape. The bracelet Connor gave me lays there in the dirt taunting me, reminding me of the friendship I thought we had and the web of deceit he weaved.

Anger, like a flickering ember erupts into a raging flame within me and with one enraged pull the binds around my wrists are completely severed. Shock and adrenaline pump through my veins and without overthinking I give the binds around my ankles the same treatment.

Immediately I start trying to shift, as a human I'm a distraction but in my wolf form I could be useful.

I focus all of my thoughts on my wolf trying to channel her like Karter showed me. I can feel slight tremors begin on the very surface of my skin. They slowly sink deeper and deeper until I can feel them quaking my bones. My nails instinctively dig into the dirt as I sit up on all fours. I try and concentrate on the feel of the cold dirt slithering into my nail beds instead of the tormenting scorching lines of fire shooting through every nerve ending of my body.

My human form protests against the shift, trying with all it's might not to bend to the will of the beast inside of me. The first bone breaks, my right shoulder, forcing me to a downward dog position but I don't allow myself to scream. I'm biting my lip so hard blood stains my teeth in waves, I can feel it coating the whiteness of my teeth, taste it. The drawing of blood only speeds the process forcing my incisors to extend. I regret not listening to Dean about letting my wolf out more, this wouldn't be as hard on me now.  

Dean's calm voice slices through my agony packed haze, "Connor please, we can talk about this. I'm not going to fight you. I can't hurt you and you know you can't beat me."

It's as if the next few seconds are in slow motion. My body conforms to the shape of my wolf without any further hesitation. It's almost like both of my forms know exactly what I need to do and decide to work together.

Leaving the pile of my shredded clothing behind I stalk through the tall grass and trees like a predator, remaining unseen. Before I know it I'm on the other side of the clearing and the prey my instincts sought out is within my sights.  

My ears fall back and lunge just as Connor says, "Maybe not fair and square but I brought back up."

The blonde stands to her five foot four height and aims the brown and black rifle into the clearing right on cue.

My feet hit the ground with a thump as I land right beside her. Her scream shatters the fragile state of my hearing but I don't let it deter me. Her bright hazel eyes are wide as she looks from me to the gun she dropped causing a warning growl to rumble in my chest.

I can smell she's human and she's afraid. Something around her neck catches the light from the sun and once the glare is gone I see it's an anchor pendant much like the one on the friendship bracelet Connor gave me. A look of determination passes in her eyes before she reaches behind her back for what I can only assume is another gun.

Without hesitation, I attack. My mouth wraps around her throat like a hand around a glass, efficiently crushing her windpipe before she can even scream.   

Blood coats my canines but this time it's not my own. Her body goes completely slack. I can feel the last of her fight leaving her system. Her blood covers my snout. The smell is so strong it's sickening but I can't let this distract me.

Dropping her body to the ground with a thud, I turn to the clearing delighted to have saved Karter from the bullet I was so sure he'd receive. 

I watch as he staggers back, rubbing his eyes while also dodging Connor's strikes. It dawns on me that Connor had succumb to fighting dirty and blinded Dean in some way, driving me mad with rage.   

A growl bursts from my chest as I jump over Connor and in front of Dean. I know in my heart I'm fûcked if Connor attacks me, especially if he's as great a fighter as everyone says, but I won't let him cheat and kill my mate. I'll always protect what's mine until the day I die.

I growl again warning him to take a step back. My head drops lower to the ground and I can feel my fur spike. My wolf seems more than ready to attack and overly confident in our abilities. I however don't share her sentiment, I want to protect Dean but I don't want to kill Connor in the process. He may be off his rocker but with the proper help he could turn his life around, he's just a kid.   

Connor's face scrunches as if he's weighing the pros and cons of attacking me and it makes my heart race. My senses go into overdrive and I become more aware of every move he makes.

I predict his move before he makes it. Stepping forward with his right leg to claw me, luck would have it the old injury reacts to the sudden movement causing him to slightly lose balance. I take my opportunity and snap my teeth around his forearm with all of my might. My jaws slam closed so hard they hurt but the bones in his arm break just like I wanted. Winding my neck to the side, I slam him to the ground and a part of me hopes I broke his ribs with the force.    

He yells out in pain but I ignore it, returning back to my attack ready stance, one can never be too careful. I only move aside slightly to let Dean by.

Standing over Connor I can tell he's having a hard time deciding what to do. On the one hand he could let him live and get the help he needs but then there would always be a question mark over his head. Neither of us could ever trust him again which could eventually push him to the same place with these same feelings of abandonment. On the other hand however, he could kill him and have the death of someone we both loved on his conscience. I don't know if I could ever look at Dean the same and I'm sure he'd have the same problem.

"Do it!" Connor booms, stopping both Dean and I's thought process. "Just get it over with you fủcking coward!"

Dean stares down at him for a moment before going to his knee beside him. I watch as he slips his hand around Connor's throat. I keep telling myself he's going to stop but as Connor claws at Dean's forearm and panic fills his eyes I realize I could be wrong.

When Connor's scratching slows to a periodic sloppy slap I know he thinks it's over. But just as I suspected Dean chooses this time to remove his hand. Connor takes in the deepest breath and reaches for his throat,         tears fall from his eyes. They're still wide in shock and relief.

Dean stands to his feet saying something but I can't hear him. Blood is rushing through the veins in my ears so hard it's the only thing I can hear.

"I want you to go Connor and never come back. If I see your face again," Dean stops and I wait for his next statement holding my breath, "I will kill you. I won't hesitate. If I see you again, you're dead. Now get the fủck out of here!"

Connor's face is so sad. When he looks to me I lose my breath. I'll never forget his expression. I've never seen anyone more distraught and it breaks my heart. I know that this is the safest option for us all, especially him, but I can't shake the feeling that we're doing something wrong. We should be helping him not sending him off on his own. Him feeling alone is what got us all into this mess.

Memories of every time he made me laugh or cheered me up or made me feel like I wasn't so alone fill my mind. Replaying them in my mind I realize just how little he smiled along with me. It's then I realize what he's practically been screaming this whole time, we don't make him happy. There's something inside of him that's broken and no matter how much we coddle him it won't help.

I stare at him, locking away the good times in my mind, even if they were faked. I nod my head towards the woods in the opposite direction of the pack grounds. He needs to go, for all of our sakes.

I watch him slowly rise to his feet and trudge off. I watch his retreating back until I have to struggle to see him.

"Let's go home," Dean says, running his fingers through my fur.

I nod my head and we turn to leave, his hand never leaving my side.

*

"And have you made peace with it all?" Gretchen asks, her glasses at the tip of her nose like a librarian. She's dressed up today in a grey pencil skirt suit and black heels, a far cry from the many variations of brown pants and pink shirts she's worn to every session we've had for the past month and a half.

"You ask me this every time and I give you the same answer every time. Yes, I'm totally at peace," I lie, pulling at a loose thread on my cream sweater.

"You give me the same answer and yet you have the same tell every time," she sasses, "It's okay for you to miss him Dylan. It's also okay for you to feel bad about killing Kelly."

I scoff, "Kelly got what was coming to her. I don't care if she did have something going on with Connor that doesn't give her the right to try and kill my mate."

She's not satisfied with that answer, I can tell but she doesn't push it, "And Connor? What about him?"

"What about him?" I ask rolling my eyes before focusing them back in Gretchen.

She gives me the same look she always does when I know the answer to my own question.

"Fine, I miss him is that what you want to hear? I miss him, I'm worried about him, I still have love for him and I feel like shịt for kicking him out like we did."

Her smile is slight, I would've normally missed it but I've been a lot more in tune with my lycan abilities since I let my wolf out more now.

"Gloating doesn't suit you Gretch," I snarl, crossing my arms. I feel like an angst ridden sixteen year old.   

 "Sorry," she holds up a hand in apology, "I'm not gloating just happy we finally are making a breakthrough. We're out of time for this session but I want to give you some homework. I want you to talk to Karter about your feelings. This is a burden only the two of you share and I'd like to see you use it to bring you together instead of tear you apart."

I sigh, standing up from my chair, "Fine."

With a quick wave I head towards the door. The last thing I want to do is talk about this with Karter. He's been acting as if everything is totally okay when he and I both know it's not.

His struggle with his decision may be hard for everyone else to see but I notice everything about him, as he does about me. We each know the other is struggling with this but neither is willing to broach the subject. It's become the Connor sized elephant in the room that we maneuver around and never even think about touching.

The second my foot hits the steps to the porch my phone vibrates. Andrea has been apologizing nonstop for not being available during the upheaval, this text is no different.

We went shopping before my therapy session, I needed to buy something special for Karter, and she spent the entire time dancing around the issue. Her promises of revealing where she was are growing old and tired as are her apologies. I'm not upset with her for not being around, I'm upset because she's hiding something from me. I've had just about my fill of people I call friend keeping secrets from me. If it never happens again it'll be too soon.

Karter

"Angel!" I yell as soon as she walks in the door. She startled but lets me pick her up anyway.

"Dean," she laughs slapping my arms playfully, "You're a freak of nature put me down!" 

I place her on her feet but cover her face with kisses causing her to laugh even louder and try to squirm away.

I know it's a little much but ever since I almost lost her I can't help myself. It kills me to let her out of my sight for even a second. If anything like what Connor did happens to her again I'd never forgive myself. Luckily, somewhere between orgḁsms I convinced her to allow a small security detail to follow her. She agreed as long as they stay far enough away that she doesn't know they're there. It makes me feel a little better knowing she has a line of defense that can keep her safe until I arrive. 

"How was your session with Gretch?" I ask, walking over to the kitchen with her hand in mine. I cooked dinner since it's our anniversary. At least that's what we're calling the day. We've been through so much together the days are running together, I'm not even sure how long we've been seeing each other and I'm sure Dylan has no clue either.

"Fine," she trails off, sitting down in front of her salmon and asparagus.

I take my seat across from her, she's nibbling her lip so I know she has more to say. "And?"

After swallowing her food she washes it down with a sip of white wine. "And she wants us to talk about it."

I know exactly what she's talking about, Connor. The subject neither of us brings up. The subject we're both afraid to even touch. We made a silent agreement that day in that clearing to never talk about it again, at least that's how it felt. She hasn't brought it up in the past month and a half so neither have I.

Connor being exiled is something that both of us have been struggling with especially since we both saw him as family. Feelings like that don't just go away no matter what the person did. I think for me the biggest thing is the fear that he'll come back. Not that I'm afraid to face him, I just don't want to have to kill him. I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself and I'd hate to think Dylan would feel the same way so it's safer if neither of us approach the topic.

"Hmm," I reply, diving into my food. A part of me wants so badly to talk about it, just to get my thoughts off of my chest. But the other part of me is dreading the conversation.

"You know what?" she says setting her utensils down, "Never mind, this is our day and I don't want to ruin it with that dark cloud. It's bad enough I had to go to therapy today."

I don't want to let the conversation go that easily, I know not talking about it eats her up but I can't help but be selfish today. We can talk about this any other time but like she said, this is our day.  

Quickly, I change the topic to her trip to the mall with Dre and thankful for the distraction she launches into mindless conversation. I can tell we're both half paying attention but it's the best we can do for now.

*

With the dishes done and a movie under our belts we decide to call it a night. It's still pretty early but the later we stay up the greater the chance of one of us breaking and saying too much.

"Thank you for the flowers baby they're wonderful," Rose says smelling the pink roses I got her before placing the vase on her night stand.

A smile comes across my lips as I walk over and hug her. My arms wrap tightly around her waist and I breathe in her scent. The smell of her soothes me from the inside out and my embrace slacks slightly. There's something about her smell that can make me horny, relaxed, and happy all at the same time.

I feel a soft purr emanate from her, vibrating her body softly, when she feels me hardening behind her. We haven't been together since the day she was taken and it's been hard on the both of us, no pun intended.

Spinning around to face me she kisses my lips softly, holding me still with her hand cupping my chin. Our tongues collide softly, slowly wrestling each other as she pulls me closer to her. I love it when she takes control like this it reminds me of our first time together.

She pulls away softly leaving two pecks against my lips before separating fully. "Go get the rest of the wine from dinner," she commands, her breath caressing my lips with each word.

I waste no time doing as she asked, nearly running down the stairs to the kitchen. I feel like a horny high school kid, my hormones raging and out of control. As tough as it's been to resist initiating anything between us I wanted her to be sure she was ready.

When I walk in the bedroom the lights are out, all but a few candles surrounding the bed. Sitting atop the black satin comforter is my angel in the sexiest lingerie I've ever seen.

The white material ruffles at her breasts and then falls over her flat stomach. I thank the goddess it's sheer so I can see straight through to her chocolate skin. When she stands I get a perfect glimpse of her round aṣs in the tiny g-string she has on.

A smirk lights her lips as she grabs the wine bottle from my hand. Leaving a chaste kiss on my lips she pushes me down onto the comforter.

I watch her as she presses the wine bottle to her lips taking a long drink. "I want you to let him out Karter," she whispers seductively.

I know exactly whom she means. My wolf tried his best to come out our first time together and it took everything in me to restrain him. He can be very forceful when he chooses to be.

"Please baby," she begs, sitting down on the steel in my shorts.

For good measure she leans forward and kisses me hungrily. I can already tell her wolf is slowly taking over, the atmosphere in the room is different, more primal.     

The sugar sweet of her lips tease me, tempting me to take her further, take everything a step further than I probably should so soon after everything she went through. But maybe this is just what she needs, to feel the presence of the mate her wolf calls out for.

My eyes glow a bright green matching the yellow hazel of her own, our wolves meeting face to face for the first time.

"You'll address me as Sir for tonight," I growl into her right ear nipping it slightly. I can feel her shiver against me and goose-bumps rise all over her exposed skin. My wolf's possessive tendencies are just the tip of a very cold very large iceberg and tonight she'll see just how deep it goes.     

"Yes sir," Rose replies without any hesitation, excitement gleaming in her eyes.

"Stand up," I order softly, not wanting to scare her. However I don't think I could if I tried.   

She stands to her feet in front of me and I take her all in. I don't know what I did to deserve to be this lucky, my wolf and I both know it. Her beauty on the outside is only matched by the adventurous, kind, caring woman she is on the inside.

"As much as I love the way you look in that little ensemble I want to see you out of it even more." My voice is warm but firm, we've both waited long enough.

Her smile is shy as she reaches for the tie behind her revealing her breasts to me. Like chocolate cupcakes her full mounds are topped by her milk chocolate chip nipples. The more of her skin she reveals, I do the same coming out of my clothes until I'm fully nude in front of her.

We're both in awe as the animals inside of us take in their partner for the first time. I kiss her lips roughly, pulling her flush against my skin, loving the feeling of her curves against me. Gradually we move around the room, still kissing periodically as she pushes me until my back is against the dresser.

"I want to make you happy," she whispers seductively, dropping to her knees in front of me.

We've only done this a couple of times and each time she seemed to enjoy it but tonight is different. I can tell she wants nothing in return, just to please me.

I place my hands in my hair and watch as she slurps me into her mouth. My head drops back I'm lost in the sensation. Taking control tonight is the last thing on my mind the second my manhood meets the cavern of her warm mouth. I forget every single worry that's been on my shoulders all day. No pack issues or even the thought of Connor could ruin this moment.

I let out a groan before I can stop myself and it seems to encourage her further, she takes more of me. I feel her grab my hips and push and pull me towards her forcing my eyes to pop open. She's looking up at me expectantly but doesn't stop the motion until I pick up where she leaves off.

 The fact that she has only been this oversexed animal for me is highly arousing. It's maybe even more arousing than the fact that she's letting me do anything I want to her. The faster I pump into her wet mouth the more she moans.

I pull out of her to give her a breathing break but she gulps in air once and pleads hoarsely, "More."

That one word has me coming and I couldn't stop myself even if I wanted to.

She captures me again and doesn't let a drop go to waste. My high lasts longer than any other before. Just the thought that she wants so badly to please me keeps me on that level just a little while longer.

I look down at her face once my elation subsides. Her mascara is running and her lips are swollen from overuse but the smile she has on is what stops any negative thoughts about what we just experienced together. That smile could light up all of Texas and seep over into the neighboring states. She looks so fủcking proud I can't bring myself to take that away from her

"Did I do well Sir?" she asks proudly, already knowing the answer.

I pull her from her knees and into my arms. "You did exquisite angel," I reply kissing her nose.

Her smile brightens, if that's even possible. She snuggles into my chest as I carry us both to the shower where I pay her back in kind over and over as the water falls down on top of us.    

*

 The moon's glow through the full length windows in our bedroom is so bright it illuminates the room. It's been hard to sleep especially after the night Rose and I had. She's ravenous, her appetite for our lovemaking is so hard to sate. We can't get enough of each other and the love and support I feel from her even from an innocent touch is enough to keep me on cloud nine. A contented smile spreads across my face as I reach over into the bottom drawer of my nightstand. Rolling over to my side I cover Rose's face with kisses until she wakes up.

Blurry hazel eyes move around rapidly until she focuses on me, a smile taking shelter on her lips.  "Again?" she groans playfully, knowing full well she's up for it.

I laugh lightly. "Maybe later," I pause, staring into her eyes, the eyes that made me fall in love at first sight. "I've been lying here thinking for the past half hour about how shịtty of a boyfriend I am."

She laughs and shakes her head but before she can interrupt I continue.

"Seriously. I'm messy, loud, and head strong. I always say the wrong things at the wrong times. I couldn't get control over my prick of a dad, my beta kidnapped you, and my ex tried to fight you. If you really think about it I suck. I don't know how you put up with me."

"Karter, I love you, you're perfect so just stop. What's all of this about anyway?" she asks caressing my cheek.

"Well," I pause to pull out the ring box, my stomach in my throat, "I was wondering after all of that, if you would still do me the honor of being my wife?"