I had never seen my brother like that before. He was crouched down, his haunches were raised, and his teeth were bared. He truly looked like he was ready to kill someone.
"Josh," I was barely speaking above a whisper. I calmed my fear so that the only thing left was determination. If I was scared Josh would know it, and that wouldn't help anything.
His eyes briefly flickered over to mine, but quickly turned back to Sean.
I felt Sean shift behind me and I jabbed him in the gut, "If you know anything about werewolves, it's that you don't run away from one when they're looking to rip out your throat." I hissed back at him.
I noticed that his eyes were darting all around us, but I shrugged that off. I had other things to deal with than Sean's weird behavior.
"Josh," I spoke easier that time and slowly sunk down to my knees so I was at eye level with him. "I know you're angry."
He snorted in response.
"But who are you really angry at? Are you angry at Sean, or at me?" I let that sink in before continuing, "The reason you're furious is because I didn't tell you. I kept the whole situation a secret because of my own stupid pride."
"What are you talking about?" Sean quickly shut up when my brother charged again. He had sounded more panicked than confused, so I assumed he was putting the pieces together; that Josh knew what he did.
I moved almost as quickly as my brother as I kept myself between him and his target.
"You're also angry with yourself. You weren't here when any of this happened and it is driving you crazy." I held eye contact with Josh. I searched his eyes for some sign, but didn't find anything except more rage.
Josh and I stayed like that for a while. His eyes bore into mine, and I knew that he was trying to tell me something. I just couldn't hear it.
"Change back." I barely whispered, but it was definitely an order.
A few minutes went by, and I was about to repeat my demand, but then I saw Josh's dark fur start to thin out.
The fur rapidly dissolved and was replaced with tanned skin and lean muscle. Soon it was my brother's human face that I was looking into. Unfortunately, it wasn't any happier than his wolf's.
He was naked, but that didn't bother me that much. When you're lived with werewolves you tended to get over your modesty pretty quickly.
"I'm not angry with you." He growled through his teeth, "It's him."
"What the hell did I do?" Sean was playing dumb. I was seriously beginning to lose interest in protecting this guy. If he was stupid enough to talk back to my brother, seconds after he tried to kill him, than he deserved what he got!
Josh was on his feet in seconds. I stood do, and clutched my brother's arm when he got close enough. "Let it go. We'll talk to Alex about him later."
For a second I thought Josh was going to throw caution to the wind, push me out of the way, and just attack. His eyes were narrowed and every muscle was clenched in preparation for his assault.
However, slowly he turned away. He grabbed my arm and gently pushed me ahead of him.
"Good job." I went to pat his shoulder, to lighten the mood, but all I hit was air.
I spun around just in time to see my brother slam into Sean's gut. They fell to the ground with punches flying.
My brother, being older, was a lot stronger and more skilled so he was already at an advantage.
A few German swearwords poured from my mouth as I raced over to them.
Blood had already soaked Sean's once white t-shirt. I grabbed my brother's arm, to get his attention, but someone grabbed me from behind.
I let out a scream, but stopped once I saw Alexander charging forward.
"Joshua!" Even I winced when Alex's livid roar called Josh by his full name. Josh didn't stop though. He threw one more solid punch to Sean's face before Alex grabbed the scruff of his neck.
Sean looked like a bloody pulp. His chest was heaving and I could hear a wheeze in his breath from where I stood.
Alex shoved my brother to the ground and I jumped at the sound. That's when I noticed that the arms that grabbed me were still tightly wrapped around my waist even though I wasn't putting up a struggle.
I quickly glanced over my shoulder and saw Michael's firm jaw. He wasn't looking at me. Instead his eyes were glued to the guys semi covered in blood. But his embrace was warm and comforting. I knew I was safe.
Josh let out a deep sigh that sounded more like a growl, and sat on his knees.
"We're back for less than one day and you're already starting a war here?" Alexander loomed over Josh's panting form.
"He deserved it." Josh's eyes were still gold as he glared at the prostrate boy a few feet away from him.
"I didn't do anything to you." I could tell Sean was trying to yell and sound threatening, but he could barely breathe.
Josh launched himself at the Sean.
I pulled against Michael's arms instinctively, but he only held me tighter against him. "Let Alex handle it." He whispered deeply into my ear.
Alex caught him by the arms, but Josh was still looming over the boy so it didn't seem to bother him. "You hurt my sister you asshole! That's the same as hurting me!"
I flinched and tried to step back when Alex's eyes glanced at me. I couldn't go anywhere though. I was trapped in Michael's arms. My attempt had only got me more pressed up against his solid abs.
Alex shoved Josh back to the ground. My brother was still furious, but I was pretty sure the violence was out of his system. He seemed content, for the moment, to glare daggers into Sean's head.
"Michael, take Elaine home. Calvin, take Sean to Getty's." He was staring at my brother, "I'll handle Josh."
A millisecond didn't go by before Michael was leading me back towards my house. I tried to turn and see my brother, but the Beta didn't stop. He kept one arm firmly around my waist and pushed me forward.
Chapter Eleven
"I'm not going to try and make a break for it." I told Michael gruffly. We could see my house from here and I was wondering why his arm was still around me. It was making me uncomfortable.
I wasn't sure why, but him touching me made me nervous. His scent was strong in my nostrils and what I feeling when I caught the smell of his aftershave wasn't the usual feeling I got. My stomach muscles were tight and I felt like my wolf was pacing around inside me.
He grunted, "Just keep walking."
I couldn't help but roll my eyes, "You can't possibly be angry with me yet. I haven't even told you what happened."
"By the look of those bruises, I don't need to be told what happened." Michael hissed through his teeth; which was a clear sign of his rage.
If it were possible, I tensed up even more. Being escorted around by an angry werewolf wasn't exactly something I enjoyed. "You can't just jump to conclusions, Michael." I kept my eyes glued to the back porch of my house.
"Do you think I'm jumping to conclusions?" The arm around me tensed.
I gulped lightly. Truthfully, I was pretty certain that he knew exactly what happened. Michael was really good at that, like his father. But I didn't want him to know the truth, so I said, "Yes."
Michael made an aggravated sound in the back of his throat.
I bit my tongue, but that didn't stop me from blurting out, "Why does it bother you, anyway? It's not like I'm dead or something like that."
Then, his hand gripped my hip and he spun me around so his eyes were boring into mine. I barely contained a gasp when I saw the bright yellow that had taken over his eyes. "You have no idea what this news is doing to me." He was growling at me. "You have no idea how much energy I'm using to keep myself from tracking down that boy and tearing him apart."
My head was reeling. For once in my life I had absolutely no idea what to do.
I was trembling in his hold, and I knew he could feel it. It wasn't that I was scared… okay so I was a little. But, personally, I thought it had more to do with his distance from me.
His face was barely two inches away from mine.
&
nbsp; Then, as if none of that happened, Michael took my arm and started leading me towards my house.
I stared at his back as a million thoughts ran through my mind. I bit down on my lip and shook my head once we reached my back door. The first thing I did was grab the plate of pancakes. It looked like mom had taken refuge somewhere, because she wasn't there.
"You want some?" I needed to do something or I'd go crazy. So I turned the stove back on and started reheating all of the pancakes.
I glanced over at the table when I heard the sound of a chair scratching against the floor. Michael took a seat and wiped his face with his hand in an agitated manner. "No."
That didn't really matter to me. I reheated them all up anyway; which was a good thing, because just when I finished Greg walked in.
"Help yourself." I sat one of the plates in front of Michael's son as he sat down. I split the other one for myself.
Greg's face broke out into a wide grin, "I get a lecture and breakfast." He pecked me on the cheek, "That's why I love coming over here. I don't get any of this at home."
Michael huffed. He was still in a bad mood.
"Am I not the only one who's getting a lecture?" Greg was suddenly very confused, and I couldn't blame him.
I stabbed my pile of pancakes as if it were Michael's head. I was mad at him: 1, for making me feel this confused, and 2, because he was totally overreacting!
"What did you do?" I changed the subject as I started eating.
Greg laughed again, "I'll take that as a yes." He gave his dad a questioning look, but mustn't have gotten the answer he wanted because he turned to me, "I snuck out last night."
I grinned, "Then I'm not getting a lecture."
Michael and Greg gave me the same confused look, although Michael's had more anger in his.
"You're the reason I sneak around and lie, so obviously it's your fault." I was grinning like the Cheshire Cat at my conclusion.
Greg thought it was funny too, but I didn't even get Michael to crack a smile.
I frowned through the rest of my breakfast.
Greg dropped his fork onto his plate; making me jump. "Dad, what have you done now?"
"Excuse me?" Michael threateningly asked.
I squeezed my eyes shut and shook my head at Greg, but he didn't heed my warning.
"El looks like she's about to cry. It must have been something you've done since you're the only one here." Greg didn't raise his voice, but there was an edge to his tone.
I huffed, "I do not look like I'm about to cry!"
"Check it in the mirror, babe." Greg told me, but his eyes never left Michael's.
I stared at him for a second before shaking my head. Greg was one of the few old werewolves I knew that used modern slang. Sure, for people who thought he was in his twenties, it was normal. But seeing as I knew the year he was born, it was a little weird.
"Don't you think you're in enough trouble, Gregory?" Michael clenched his jaw.
At Michael's tone both Greg and I turned out attention back to our plates. It looked like Greg and I were both busted.
"Sorry." Greg muttered softly.
The house phone rang and I pushed my chair out so I could get it, but Michael was already walking towards it.
"Blanc's." Michael spoke into the phone. I met his gaze for a second, but turned away when Greg grabbed the syrup off the table. He practically drowned the rest of the plate in it.
"Don't tell me you're going to eat that." I stared at the plate in disgust. I could hardly see any food underneath the sugar.
Greg shrugged and took a bite.
I shuddered before saying, "You need to find a new habit for when you're upset before you go into a sugar coma."
He chuckled, "Like what? Running?" He gave me a sly look.
I glared at him, "At least mine doesn't make me sick."
"I'm a werewolf. Nothing makes me sick." Greg responded cheekily as he finished his 'breakfast'.
"Yuck." I muttered before turning back to the Beta. He was hanging up the cordless phone.
"Elaine go upstairs." He ordered.
I think my mouth actually fell open. "What?"
When Michael's gaze flew to mine I stood up and half jogged out of the room.
"You're going to be off her Christmas list by the end of the day if you keep treating her like that." I heard Greg say as I headed up the stairs.
Michael let out a low growl, "I'm not worrying about being in her favor. I'm worrying about her."
When I was in my room I tried to listen through the floor, like Cassie and I did the night before, but I couldn't hear anything. So I got up and sat by my window. The boys were hanging out in the road. They looked like they were just walking about, but I was still suspicious. They were always up to something.
Then I heard the back door slide open.
I walked over to my door and pressed my ear against it.
"Josh is at the pack house." Alexander's voice filtered up the stairs. I couldn't tell if he was mad or not, but I didn't entirely want to find out just then. For one day, I think I had enough of angry werewolves.
"Did Calvin get anything out of Sean?" Michael asked.
I sunk down so I was sitting on the floor and leaned my back against the wall. I could hear a lot better that way, because I was closer to the gap between the door and the floor.
"Sean's been giving Elaine a hard time." I heard the strain in my Alpha's voice and subconsciously began wringing my hands. "Mainly verbal assaults, but Morris talked to Chris and the twins and they said Sean practically kidnapped Elaine when they went to London while we were gone."
"Where's Cassiel at?" Michael asked, "We'd get more information out of him."
There was a small pause, "I don't know. El obviously didn't want us to know about this. Cassie will probably keep his mouth shut if she asked him to." Greg told them.
I thought about that for a second, but I wasn't sure what Cassie would do if his father questioned him. He wasn't good at keeping secrets, and even I had a hard time keeping things from the Alpha.
"Besides that, he's still sleeping." Alex added.
Michael groaned, "That kid needs to learn to be more responsible."
I immediately opened my mouth to defend my friend, but clamped my hand over my mouth before I said anything. Even if I whispered, they'd be able to hear me. Then I'd be caught spying again.
"The real issue is what are we going to do with the information we have?" Greg asked, "Are we just going to punish Sean, or are we going to talk with Elaine too? I mean, she did lie when we asked how things were going here."
I felt like hitting him. I couldn't believe it! It wasn't like Greg to help gang up on me!
"I'm surprised that it's you who asked that." Alex must have also thought it was weird for Greg to not be on my side. There was a second of silence before he continued, "I'll have Quentin decide the punishment for Elaine. I'll handle Sean."
Then the conversation settled on the run that night. I tuned them out and stretched out on my rug. The morning hadn't gone how I'd planned, but I hoped the day would only be up hill from here.
CL
I walked with my parents as we headed towards the pack. They were in a circle, most likely around Alex, and were quietly waiting; which struck me as odd. Pack meetings were never quiet; someone was always yelling, making an argument, or breaking into a fight.
When I reached the crowd I found out what was wrong.
Sean was sitting on one knee in front of Alexander. His head was down in submission, but I could still see his dark expression. He was obviously starting to realize the gravity of what he'd done.
"Tell me," Alex was addressing the entire pack, "What are the things I ask from wolves coming into our pack?"
"Loyalty, trust, and honor." Morris was the one who called out the answer.
Alexander nodded in acknowledgement, "I have just found out that our newest member has broken all three of those pledges."
I couldn't help but inwa
rdly flinch. I didn't like how this meeting was going.
Suddenly Josh appeared at my side. I glanced over at him, and saw that he was practically bouncing. His muscles were bunched and tense in preparation and his lips curled into a dark smirk.
I opened my mouth, to confront him on his behavior, but Alex's voice cut me off.
"Sean Amery has verbally assaulted and physically threatened a fellow packmate." Alexander paused as the crowd broke out in angry comments. "I'll give him a chance to address this issue before we get on with his punishment."
Sean remained kneeling on the ground with his head down as he said, "I have no excuses and no apologizes that I can think of are enough to repair the damage I have made. The charges are correct and I am guilty of hurting Elaine."
I took a step back subconsciously when pairs of eyes snapped over to me.
The atmosphere changed from cool and refreshing to hot and heavy in seconds. There wasn't one person in that crowd who didn't have something to say.
Alex raised his hand and silence fell over the field.
"Sean will go through Judgment." The Alpha announced.
My eyes went wide and I understood my brother's behavior.
A Judgment was one of the main ways the pack laws punished wolves who'd acted like Sean had. It was a fight between the person being judged and the person he'd wronged. However, that wouldn't be the case this time.
"Elaine isn't a full wolf and will not be fighting." Alexander echoed my realization.
Beside me Josh pulled off his t-shirt and threw it to the ground. He was ready to lunge at the boy who was still scarred from their battle that morning.
"So I have chosen Michael to fight for her." Alexander declared.
"Huh?" Both Josh and I asked in unison.
Josh fighting in my place made sense; he was my brother. Even having my dad fight for me was understandable. But Michael? Sure, he was the Beta, but still. It wasn't like we were related or anything.
No one paid Josh or I any mind. I scanned the crowd until I saw Michael. He was in loose dark jeans that hung fairly low on his hips, and nothing else. Deep and firm abs rippled down his chest. His skin glistened from the light layer of sweat that had already cloaked his body; which either meant he'd went running, or he was just that angry.
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