Braxton's POVAfter my talk with my mom. I was determined to take care of this rumor problem, and that needed to start with Baylee. I had to deal with her first, before I could focus on my feelings with Addy and figuring out how to explore those.As I sat in my office trying to work while milling over how to stop the rumors and put Baylee in her place once and for all, Tristan and Aaron came in and sat down without a word.I looked up with them sheepishly. Maybe before I deal with Baylee, I need to apologize to my best friends and future Beta and Gamma. They both had a petard look on their face, and I knew I deserved it.“I need to apologize to you both.” I started and then turned my eyes to Aaron. “I should have never yelled at Gabby. My anger was not directed at her, and I failed her as a friend, as a brother, and as her future alpha when I did that to her. I will apologize, directly to her today. There is no excuse for my behavior. I was to thank you Aaron. You stood up to
Braxton’s POVRight as we walked down into the dining hall, I was met by mother. She had a stern look in her eyes, and I knew that I was in trouble. I was curious if it was one of the rumors that had her feathers ruffled. I smiled at her and gave her a kiss on her forehead as I motioned for Tristan and Aaron to go ahead of me, while I spoke to her. “Momma, what’s wrong? You look upset.”Her eyes narrowed and she came close to my ear, “Boy, you better tell me the rumors I am hearing are a lie or I am going to beat you to an inch of your life.” I couldn’t help but chuckle, I knew she would too.“Which rumor momma, the one that I impregnant Baylee?” I asked, knowing good well that was the only one we didn’t know about until after our talk.“Yes, what the heck Brax? I always warned you, but you didn’t listen. I swear if you messed up.”I grabbed her hand and held it in mine and interrupted her, “Momma, I didn’t. She is pregnant but not with my pup.”I could see the relief flood ov
Addy’s POVI looked down at our hands as Brax drove me home from school. His fingers were intertwined with mine and rested on his thigh. It felt like a dream. I could feel a light tingle, almost like a small electric shock as he rubbed his thumb in circles on hand.We drove in silence. It wasn’t awkward though, just a calm silence.As we drove up and parked at my house, he pulled my hand up to his lips and placed a small kiss on the back of it. I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face.“Come on, let’s get you inside. I know you must be exhausted,” with one last kiss on my hand, he grabbed my backpack and went over to my door. I had opened it and was starting to get out when I saw his hand in my line of vision. I looked up and saw he was holding his hand out to help me out of the car. I grabbed onto his hand, and he gently pulled me out, then shut the door behind me. We settled in the living room after we both changed into sweats and t shirts. I couldn’t help bu
Braxton’s POVI can’t believe I am sitting here with her in my arms. I look down at her and gently move a stray hair from your face. She is laying across my chest, and I can’t keep my eyes off her. I can’t help but smile as she snuggles closer into my chest. I am starting to feel a slight tingle when I touch her skin.I am going to have to remember to talk to mom again. I have never felt these sparks before, could this be the start of the mating bond snapping into place. Addy is close to her 18th birthday. Oh, how I hope she is my mate. I am so busy rubbing her back and looking down at her peaceful face thinking about how good it felt to kiss her that I didn’t hear Tristan and Aaron come in.“Hey dude.” Aaron whisperedMy eyes snapped up at him and Tristan. Luckily, Addy is off to the side enough that it will look like innocent enough, like a friend holding someone that was upset or at least that is what I hope Tristan will see. “Hey. She fell asleep a little while ago. She
Addy’s POVI woke up excited to get my day started. Today is the Alpha Ceremony for Braxton, and the swearing in from Tristan and Aaron for their roles. I am so proud of all of them, especially Tristan. The last few weeks have been really rough, but I know that he is going to make an amazing Beta. I am also excited to see Brax. I wasn’t able to see him yesterday because he had to stay at the packhouse since we had several Alpha’s come in yesterday, the rest will be arriving today. We have been stealing moments here and there. We haven’t let anyone know; I haven’t even told the girls yet. I think I am too scared to say anything. I think Aaron may know, he is very observant, and he always knew I had a crush on Braxton. Our little moments of stolen kisses have kept me smiling like crazy all week, I know some of the others have noticed, but I have just played it off as just being excited for Tristan. I get up and get ready. I need to dress up a little more than usual since I w
Tristan’s POVI moved Addy to the couch in the guestroom and pulled her into a hug. I know seeing Uncle Liam brought up lots of memories, and I am not sure either one of us was ready for that onslaught of emotions that hit us.We spent some time talking, and we ended up reminiscing about time we spent at Uncle Liam’s pack and how he and dad would joke around. They didn’t grow up together, but they were good friends. How is Addy doing? Braxton mind linked me.She’s better. She just needed a moment, seeing Uncle Liam and talking about dad brought up some memories she wasn’t prepared for. I linked backShe doesn’t have to come down if she isn’t ready, but we need you back downstairs. Alpha Ethan just entered the gates. He linked meI think she is good. We will be down shortly. I replied turning towards Addy. She had her eyebrow raised at me knowing I had been linking someone.“Are you up for greeting Alpha Ethan?” I asked. She nodded her head and gave me a smile, “Yeah, just give
Addy’s POVAs soon as Tristan and I walked towards the front door we stopped, and he bent down and kissed my forehead. “I love you little moon.” I looked up at him with a wide smile, “I love you, too,” I said. It was at that moment I felt Tristan’s body tense and his eyes snapped to the front door. There stood a beautiful she wolf and her eyes were locked on Tristan. I noticed a look of pain pass over her face as she looked down at our arms. I looked back over at Tristan and started to realize what was happening, oh my gosh, she’s, his mate. I slipped my arm from his, and he started striding towards her. Before he could get to her, she turned on her heel and took off. I watched as Tristan excused himself and sprinted out the front door. “Crap.” I said louder than intended. Aaron and Braxton raced over to me, looking at me completely confused.“Addy, what’s going on?” Braxton asked, I could hear the authority in his voice. “She misunderstood.” I said panicked. “Oh my gosh wha
Braxton’s POV I had just finished getting ready for the ceremony tonight. I was fixing my tie of my black suit that I would done for tonight’s ceremony when there was a knock on my door. “Come in.” I looked over to see Tristan and Aaron walking in fully dressed. “You ready man?” Tristan asked as he walked over behind me in the mirror. I looked up at my best friends thru the mirror. Tristan stood behind me to my right and Aaron stood behind me to my left. I couldn’t help but smile. “With you two having my back. I am ready to take on the world.” “Yeah! World domination!” Aaron yelled fist pumping the air. “Always killing the moment,” Tristan jested at him while smacking his head. “Let’s take a quick toast before we head down,” I suggested while walking over to the bar and grabbing three glasses and pouring whiskey into each. Both of them came over and picked up their glass. “To taking over the pack with my best friends,” I said raising my glass. “To taking over the pa
Braxton’s POVEmily came back 30 minutes before the doctor released Tristan. I was hoping to see Addy and try to talk her into come home with me tonight, but she never showed up. I felt like it was kind of odd, but Emily assures us she had left to run errands and was probably just taking longer than expected. I wonder if she is purposely not coming to avoid me. “You Good man?” I look up to see Tristan eyeing me. “Yeah, yeah I am fine. Just…thinking, that’s all.”“Why do you keep rubbing at your chest? Did you get hurt out there too?” His question had everyone in the room turning towards me. I didn’t even notice until he pointed it out, that I had been rubbing at my chest. “Nah man. I am good. Just feeling a little tight, I guess.” I respond. I don’t really know how to explain this sensation that I have been feeling for the last hour or so, it’s like a line is being pulled tight in my heart. I reach up and rub again, right as the Doc walks in.He eyes me for a second, scrunc
Addy’s POVMy mouth dropped at the conversation. They have been hiding so much from me. All of this is because of me. All these attacks…it’s because they are after me. And now...now…Oh my gosh, everyone is in danger, everyone I love, my entire pack, our entire region, is in danger…. because of me. I start backing away from the room, trying to breath, I know that an anxiety attack is coming. I am struggling for breath, but I can’t let them know I am here. I have to think, I have to figure out what to do. I run out of the hospital as fast as I can, trying to make sure no one notices me. I run out to the forest, and I am about to shift when I remember what they said. Shifting will put my pack in danger again. I take deep breaths, walking a little further away, before leaning up against a tree. I drop down beside it, pulling my knees up to my chest, letting the tears fall.Aurora, what do we do? I don’t know Addy. I know we are powerful but putting others in danger…we don’t
Braxton’s POVAfter the girls leave, we spend time just eating and relaxing. We don’t get straight into the nitty gritty of what happened, first I need to just spend some time knowing my best friend is okay. The last two days have been hell. My first night with my mate was ripped from me, I almost lost my best friend, I found out some crazy Alpha is after my mate, and they know where to find her, and she is still refusing to talk to me. I know I betrayed her, but I didn’t know what else to do. I had to protect her and thank fucking goddess I did. If she had been out there, the rouges would have known for sure. She won’t listen to me, so I am hoping with Tristan awake now, she will listen to him.Tristan breaks me from my thoughts when he clears his throat and I look up seeing him with his eyebrow raised. “So, you want to explain to me what the hell is going on with you and my sister?”“She’s, my mate.” I respond, not really sure I am ready to divulge what I did. I am sure he w
Addy’s POVIt has been two days since my birthday, and Tristan hasn’t woken up yet. I have not left his side, staying with him and Emily in the hospital. I haven’t even left to eat, the girls, are taking turns coming to bring us food. Braxton and Aaron have come by, but other than Braxton helping me through my panic attack that first night, I haven’t spoken to him or allowed him near me.My emotions are all over the place and I am exhausted. I haven’t slept well, scared my nightmares will return. I can’t seem to stomach food, and my heart is hurting so badly. Knowing how close I was to losing Tristan, feeling the loss of the first night with my mate, feeling betrayed by my mate and one of my best friends. It’s constricting my heart and I am on edge.I can feel my eyes drifting close, exhaustion finally starting to win out. Right as I decide to let myself succumb to sleep I feel a squeeze on my hand. I squeeze back out of reflex, holding tight, like maybe this hand is holding
Hurt Addy’s POV “Addy, Tristan was hurt. He is in surgery…” I didn’t even let him finish his words before I pushed past him and started running towards the hospital. My mind was in a complete frenzy as I took off down the stairs and out the back door. I was still scared to know about Braxton and the girls. Praying everyone was alright, but right now, I had to get to my brother. Right as I ran through the back door, I run directly into a hard chest. I stumbled back a few steps, as large arms wrapped around me. I looked up into Braxton’s eyes. My fear immediately changed into anger, before I could even think about what I was doing. I took a step back, out of his arms, and I flung my arm connecting a sharp slap to his cheek. “You are an asshole.” I didn’t wait for a response, before turning on my heels and heading straight to the hospital. I had to get to my brother. He had to be okay. He just had to be. I couldn’t lose him too. I got the hospital quickly, and as soon as
Braxton’s POVI stand there looking at the door, listening to her yell at me, “Braxton! Don’t you dare!” I put my hand on the door and whisper to her, “I love you, Moon.” I turn back towards the door to see Aaron standing there with his arms crossed. “You know she is going to kill you right?”I grunt at him as I stride past him. “I don’t have a choice; this is the only way to protect her. We have to protect her at all costs.” “Never said I didn’t agree with protecting her, but she is going to kill you. If we don’t die before that.” He shrugs at me as we step onto the back patio of the packhouse. The decorations are still up from Addy’s party, I was about to mate and mark her before this, now it’s all been taken away. My anger intensifies as I think about how these scum of the earth rouges interrupted my first night with my mate. “She will get over it.” I growl as I pull my shirt off and drop my pants to shift, not fully convinced I will get over what has been taken away from
Addy’s POVI threw on some clothes and came barreling out of the room. Aaron looks panicked as he looks over at me behind Brax’s shoulder. Brax turns towards me, with anger in his eyes. I know its not directed at me, but a shiver still runs down my spine.“What do we know?” I ask as I walk up beside Brax.“You are going to go to the safe room and stay there until this over. Tristan is already leading the front lines. We…”“I’m sorry, What!?” I cut him off. I didn’t give a shit at this moment if he was my mate or my alpha. Right now, he was just being a jerk. “Addy, you can’t be out there.” I could see the tension in his body, and we were wasting time standing here talking.“The hell I can’t!” I start walking pass them both out into the hallway. There was no way he was going to stop me. I was one of our top warriors before I got my wolf, now having her, I was even stronger. I had only taken a few strides down the hallway when I was lifted into the air and thrown over a shoul
Braxton’s POVWe had been traveling for over 12 hours. We left early this morning to get back in plenty of time for Addy’s party, only to be met with every road washed away or completely blocked by debris. Aaron and I traveled to the north side of the territory where we would find the only roads that lead back into our territory that were not washed away. Cell service was spotty at best up here, so I wasn’t even able to send out any calls or text messages. We were just a few miles out of our territory before I was able to get enough service to text Tristan. Braxton: Just a few miles out. Is the party over?Tristan: Yeah, just finished up. Braxton: Shit. Did Addy go home or is she staying at the pack house?Tristan: She’s staying at the packhouse tonight. Braxton: Thanks man. I will see you tomorrow.Tristan: See you tomorrow. Good LuckI couldn’t bite back my smile. The thought of being able to wrap Addy up in my arms tonight made me want to jump out of this truck and shift
Addy’s POVI squinted my eyes open with bright light beaming into my room. I rolled over to look at the clock and noticed it was already noon. I blinked my eyes, trying to see if I was reading the clock correctly when a knock sounded on my door. I looked up towards the door to see Emily stepping in quietly.“Good afternoon, Sunshine,” she beamed at me. “Did you sleep well?”I rubbed my eyes, before sitting up and smiling back at her. “Yes, very well. You were not joking about how the first shift is exhausting.” I mumbled through my grogginess.“It gets better. The next time you shift it won’t take as much energy.” She supplies walking further into the room, sitting down on the edge of the bed.“So, today is a big day,” She smiles at me. I give her a small smile, still groggy and my heart slumps at the thought of what I was missing. “Is Braxton and Aaron back?” I can’t help the words from tumbling out of my mouth. I am trying not to sound disappointed, but I miss them, I miss