Chapter 4 - Stephen

I’m a fair fighter, but I’m not as strong as other wolves. ‘I’m sorry about that.’ Conway apologized. 

‘Don’t. You don’t need to apologize. Losing Lexia hurt us both, but you took the brunt of it, taking my heartbreak as well as your own.’ I assured him. I don’t want him getting down on himself. 

Two years ago, I was strong. In a fight, I could even beat my mom, whose gift is her strength. But then the Syndicate attacked, and I lost Lexia the same day I met her. Losing a mate can kill a wolf.  

So I’m lucky to be alive, and that Conway eventually came back to me. I don’t mind being half the strength I used to be. As long as I still have Conway, we can still fight. 

Zoe was smiling at me, and I don’t know why. “I like a humble man. Now come on. Let’s see how well Bloodmoon trains their warriors.” She winked, taking a fighting stance gesturing for me to start.  

I did the best I could. It just wasn’t enough to keep up with a Beta heir. Yet, as Zoe managed to pin me… again… she doesn’t look upset with that. She’s smirking down at me. “I’m starting to think you just like me being on top.” she taunted. 

Holy shit! It just now sunk in. Zoe was flirting with me. This whole sparing has been sexual innuendo. I wanted to tell her I didn’t mind a woman on top but got distracted as I heard the side door near us get slammed. 

My head turned to watch Captain Darren disappearing through the door, Collin shaking his head before walking over to Alpha André. What just happened? Is Darren okay? My brow furrowed as I watched Alpha André rush after Darren. 

“Stephen? I swear if you are about to tell me you’re interested in Darren or my cousin, we are going to have a real fight.” Zoe half teased.  

I cocked my head, looking back at her, confused. “No… Goddess no. I have no leanings in the same-sex direction. Just… never seen Captain Darren lose his cool and run from something.” I explained. 

Zoe sighed, nodding, shifting off me, and offering her hand. “Don’t worry about it. My cousin has everything well under control. Your Captain will see that sooner or later. Come on. I’m not nearly done with you.”  

I smiled, nodding, trying to get my head into sparing, and more so using sparing as a form of flirting. We’d only gotten a few more rounds in when Collin and Alexander interrupted.  

“On your feet, Stephen. Darren’s under attack, and we’re going to back him up.” Collin instructed. 

Zoe was quick to get off me, looking at her brother. “What about André? Is he okay?” She, of course, was concerned for her Alpha and cousin, who had gone after Darren.

“It’s André, he’s fine. But we should go help clean up. You know how he gets about anyone messing with his things.” Alexander shrugged. 

I was confused by the statement as it implies Alpha André feels some sort of ownership of Darren. I decided to not think more about it and hurried to follow the Beta heirs and Collin into the forest to find Darren and Alpha André. 

As we rushed into a clearing, I came to a sudden stop. I saw four unconscious bodies on the ground. Three were males, but then one was a female. I’ve seen plenty of naked she-wolves. I’m a werewolf. We are always naked when we shift.  

I’ve seen various body types, so her being a little plump didn’t make a difference. I actually like meat on a female’s bones. Toothpicks are for picking things out of your teeth. Collin covered her with his shirt before I could do the same. 

I don’t know why but I couldn’t stop looking at her. Long dirty blonde hair clung in a sweaty mess past her shoulders, long legs poking out from under Collin’s shirt. She’s probably my height, or hell, she might be a little taller than me. She looks young, probably recently shifted.  

My attention briefly moved from the she-wolf to Zoe when she commented about seeing a family resemblance. Does Zoe know someone from their girl’s family? 

“She’s related to Ivan. How far are we from the hospital? Is he still being held there?” Darren questioned, looking to André and Alexander for answers. 

Ivan? I had to think about why that name sounded familiar. ‘The captured Madonie Gamma.’ Conway reminded me. At least one of us could remember it. 

“We’re about two kilometers from the hospital, and yes, Ivan is still there but under guard.” André frowned, looking around, getting his bearings. “Alexander…” He started to give out orders.

“I’m heading to the hospital now. I’ll make sure Ivan is still secure. I’ll also make sure Katrina, Tiberius, and Delilah are all safe.” Alexander cut André. André nodded as Alexander shifted and started off in the direction I assume is the hospital.

“Stephen, there are clothes in that tree. Get them covered, then we can get them out of here.” Darren instructed.

I quickly did what Darren said, finding the hollow with clothes stashed inside. “Here, Miss Zoe. You should probably dress the female.” I offered her the clothes, feeling it wouldn’t be appropriate for me or any males to dress the girl.

I’d just finished helping get one of the males onto a stretcher when the female started groaning in pain, trying to tear at her skin. “Jesus fuck.” Darren exclaimed, trying to pin her arms down to stop her. 

“What’s happened to her?” Zoe questioned. We all were looking at the bruises forming on the she-wolf’s body.

“Her mate is cheating.” Darren explained. 

The hell!? Is that what happens when your mate cheats!? Why would the Goddess make the victim suffer? Shouldn’t the cheater be the one hurt?

Darren explained that he’s seen this before in his old pack. Making me very glad that Alpha Logan killed Darren’s old Alpha.

“Is there anything we can do for her?” I questioned, frowning. My heart ached for this poor girl. And so did Conway’s.

Conway was howling in pain. ‘Her wolf is hurting. We need to help her. No one should feel this pain. It looks worse than losing a mate.’

I want to help. I just don’t know how to help. So when Darren said there was a drink that could be given to help the female, I wanted to help. I wanted to be there for this girl. 

“Permission to go as well.” I requested, looking from Darren to André. Darren nodded, and I felt relieved. 

I lost my mate, and there is a male out there cheating on this beautiful girl. I can’t explain it but I don’t want to see someone in pain like this because of their mate. It’s insane. 

“Permission granted. Just make sure you don’t get in anyone’s way.” Darren instructed. “Remain vigilant. These four were coming to get Ivan out.” 

I nodded and hurried to get into the transport with the girl. I helped make the smoothie to have ready for at the hospital when she comes around. 

The doctors checked out the four wolves and put them into the same room with guards outside. I sat by her bedside with the smoothie ready. My eyes never stayed fixed on her, worried that her mate could hurt her again.