Chapter Two

Michael looked confused as he lay at the bottom of the stairs. He was on his back, his legs in the air as the confusion rolled off of his frame. I let out a sigh before walking over. I looked down at him and shook my head. He whined at me as I crouched down by his head. "You're an idiot. How many times are you going to fall down the stairs before you realize that you can't go that fast?" I raised an eyebrow at him and he simply grinned, letting his tongue hang out of his mouth. I thumped his side with my hand before standing up. "Come on, let's get to the kitchen and set the table." I walked away and before long I could hear them following me.

I pushed open the swinging doors to the kitchen and looked around. The smell of pasta and tomato sauce was heavy in the air and my stomach rumbled. I ignored it as I moved towards the furthest end of the kitchen where there was an eating nook. I pulled out the table while Ezekiel and Michael stalked around the kitchen, looking for scraps to eat.

"You bloody wilds!" The voice was screeching and I smirked. Carrie, or Gamgam as I called her, the pack cook, hated it when I brought Ezekiel and Michael into the kitchen. Well she said she hated it but the old female was always the first one to give them a bone or table scraps.

"Carrie, Alpha Thorn is coming down for dinner. Would you like to join us?" I deliberately used her name as I shuffled the chairs around, trying to count the amount of plates we needed when I heard a shout and a small yelp. "Michael, stay out of the food." I could hear him whine as he came closer before lying underneath the table. He was almost too big so the display was amusing. I could guarantee Gamgam had smacked him on the nose with her wooden spoon.

"Do you honestly think I would allow you all to eat in my kitchen and not join you? You are a foolish whelp. It's my kitchen, my domain. I eat wherever I want." At her snappish voice I smiled and set out a plate for her. Gamgam was one of the oldest pack members we had and one of the ones you didn't want to make angry. Some pack members had wanted her to quit in the kitchen after my father died because they didn't think it was fitting for me to be served by the pack I was too weak to run.

She threw a fit.

Her screaming could be heard through the entire house as she reprimanded them for thinking ill of their new Alpha and how she had made breakfast for my grandparents and everyone else in the pack and there was no way she would give up her kitchen for some petty power struggle. The sound of her wooden spoon cracking against heads was nearly as loud as her yelling. I had been surprised when her trusty spoon was still in one piece after her tirade but she made her point, she stayed in the pack house making food for the pack in her kitchen.

"Get your scrawny ass over here and help an old female!" At her screechy kitchen boss voice I smiled but turned away from the table and made my way over to the stove where she was pointing at the large pot of boiling spaghetti. "Strain it and put it in the bowl." She smacked my shoulder lightly with the spoon before bustling over to where she had the sauce simmering. I did as she asked and set the pot in the sink before picking up the large strainer and shaking it slightly, forcing more water to drain out. I dumped it into the bowl and glanced at the grey haired chef.

"Okay, now bring it over here and dump it in. After that get me the cheese from the cooler and the butter. The good butter not that cheap plastic shit you people stock in here." Her face was pinched with disgust and a small smile tugged at my mouth but I did as she asked. I liked how Gamgam treated me no different than anyone else. She respected me as her Alpha but when I was in her territory I was just like everyone else, which translated into a nuisance or a lackey.

I looked around with a frown before relaxing when I saw Ezekiel was sitting by the table, knowing to get out of Carrie's way as she cooked. I pulled open the door to the cooler and looked at the shelves. "Which cheese?" I looked over my shoulder and she scowled at me darkly.

"Pecorino, fontina, provolone and the gouda. Not the smoked one but the herb one." Her words were clipped as she stirred the pot of sauce and pasta furiously.

"No parmesan?" I watched as her face twisted with anger. I bit back a smirk as she stared at me.

"Did I ask for parmesan? No! Get me the ones I asked for and don't forget my butter!" She turned away from me in a huff and I chuckled low to myself as I pulled what she asked for off of the shelf. I quickly left the chilly cooler and closed the door before walking over and depositing the various cheese on the counter beside the cutting board.

The kitchen was the one place in the entire house that I allowed myself to splurge. I made sure Gamgam's equipment was always in working order and that she had the best and freshest ingredients, even the obscure ones that cost far more than they should. It made her happy to have a fully stocked kitchen and I knew she appreciated my attentiveness to make sure the pack would always be well fed and that I kept her domain in working order. I tended to spoil her with new equipment when I could justify the purchases.

"Stir this, băieţaş. I need to do the cheese." She shoved the spoon in my hand and pushed me towards the stove. I stirred at the pasta, inhaling the heavenly scent as I made sure everything was mixing and marinating properly. "How is your mother?" Her voice had turned soft and I shrugged.

"She's getting worse but it's to be expected." I stirred the pasta trying to push all thoughts of my mother away. I needed to relax and worrying about her condition would do nothing but make me lose my appetite.

"How are you?" Her voice was a bit gruffer and I shrugged.

"I'm as good as to be expected." It was a vague answer but I didn't want to unleash all of my problems on her. She was just like my grandmother and I didn't want to burden her with my issues.

"I didn't want that answer, băiețel. Tell me the truth or get the fuck out of my kitchen." There was an edge of angry reprimand to her words and I gave a small smile that faded quickly.

"I can't figure out my paperwork. The pack hates me. There will be a full out rebellion where I am potentially murdered for my position because I am too weak to hold onto it and nearly an hour ago I was planning on redecorating my office with brain splatter." I stirred the pasta, a frown on my face as a thick silence fell.

"Paperwork is shitty. Never saw the need to kill four trees just to do an Alpha's job." There was a loud chop of a knife hitting a cutting board. "The pack doesn't hate you, they are just concerned. Most of us quite like you, Luka. You are fair but firm and always give second chances. Too many second chances in my opinion and the rebellion is a joke." She spat the words out and I kept quiet, knowing she would only smack me upside the head if I interrupted.

"If any of them had any sense they would tell that you are hurting. They are so focused on the fact you lack full Alpha power that they completely missed the fact you went from being a reckless young male to being an Alpha after you lost nearly your entire family." She grabbed my shoulder and turned me around. Her blue eyes were hard as she pointed at me. "Don't tell me you aren't hurting. I have known you since you were in diapers. I can tell. You miss them and you want to grieve but you can't. Now your mother is dying and you have all of this shit piled on you." Her face went so cold I resisted the urge to shiver.

"Show those little fucks the mountain blood that runs through your veins. Your grandfather may have brought your grandmother here but the mountains never leave the blood." She shook her finger in my face. "Kill them all. Show them your strength and what you will do to those who disrespect the Alpha and his position." Carrie had been best friends my with grandmother and both of them had come down from the mountains after my grandmother had mated to my grandfather. From her attitude you could tell exactly where she hailed from.

I smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss to her wrinkled cheek. "Thank you, Gamgam." At the name she gave me a sweet smile before pinching my cheek. She had been treated like one of the family for as long as I could remember and my parents had called her Gamgam as well. I was pretty sure that is where I learned it. She loved it when I called her Gamgam but when she was in chef mode I tended to call her Carrie to irritate her, something I knew she knew.

"Such a good boy. Now if Alpha Thorn is coming for dinner then Jessie failed the trials I presume?" She looked at me expectantly and I nodded. She shook her head. "I knew she would fail. The mate trials are hard for normal mountain mates. The Alpha trials are that much worse. It would take a very strong shifter to succeed. Weakness is not allowed in the mountain packs." She patted my cheek again before taking the spoon from me and yanking the pot off of the burner. Gamgam and my grandmother were the reason I was so interested in the customs of the mountain shifters. It was part of my heritage and I wanted to follow in their footsteps. I wanted to have a pack where everyone was equal but I didn't have the power to do so just yet.

"Bring the pot to the table." Her screechy kitchen voice was back and I chuckled but grabbed the pot and carried it over to the table. She set the cheese plate on the table before putting gesturing to the spot she had for the pot of pasta. I set it down as the doors to the kitchen opened. The rolling waves of dominance let me know it was Azrael.

"It smells wonderful, Carrie." His voice was low and rolling and Gamgam glowered at him before turning and placing her hands on her hips.

"Of course it smells good! Are you saying that you question my ability in the kitchen?" Her lined face was red with anger and Azrael shook his head before walking over and taking her hand in his, kissing the back of it gently.

"The mountains are still strong in you I see. It's wonderful to see you again, Carrie." He gave her a small smile and her face went pinched as she yanked her hand from his.

"Flattery gets you nowhere, pup. Wash your hands and sit at the table." She turned away and I shook my head with a small smile. Gamgam was one of a kind. Bennett had reminded me of her in some ways, mainly in his ability to disrespect an Alpha. The male had an ability to not give two shits how his words were taken.

"Still a spitfire." Azrael muttered the words out. He had similar run-ins with her the last few times he had stayed. He thought she was a perfect mountain shifter and I had to agree.

"I honestly wouldn't have her any other way." I moved to the sink and quickly washed my hands before I caught the scent of raw steak. I looked over and rolled my eyes as Gamgam carried two large raw steaks over to the table. I had thought kiddo spoiled them but Gamgam was ten times worse despite the complaining she did. I shook the water off of my hands before grabbing the closest towel and drying them off completely. I headed to the table and sat down in my usual place. Azrael joined me not long after. I looked over as Michael and Ezekiel chewed on their steaks. "You two have no manners." I could see their ears perking up at my words but they were too intent on their food to say anything about it.

The door opened and May pushed my mother towards the table. My mother's face brightened as she saw me. "Luka, darling, how are you?" She smile disappeared as she frowned at the table slightly. "I was going to wait for them to get home before we ate." I swallowed and shook my head slightly.

"This is just a small meal. Alpha Thorn was hungry and we decided a small meal would hold us till supper time." I watched as she frowned before she gave a small nod and another smile crossed her face as she saw Azrael.

"Of course, where are my manners? How was your trip, Alpha?" She had forgotten his name and I tried not to wince at it. Azrael nodded at her as May took the seat next to my mother.

"It was pleasant, Mrs. Sterling. I thank you for your hospitality." His tone was soft and gentle and I appreciated it. He was also holding back his power, muting it as to not frighten her. Mountain Alphas were all about family and I was glad he was respecting mine as he was.

"Oh no worries. I hope those Alpha duties aren't too troublesome. My Richard gets the worst headaches from them." She shook her head sadly. "Luka, when will they be home?" She looked at me expectantly and I fiddled with my fork before forcing myself to smile at her.

"Soon but we are going to have a small meal with Alpha Thorn before then." I let out a sigh of relief as she smiled and nodded, accepting my words. Gamgam came back and wrapped an arm around my mother's shoulder.

"Gamgam!" She smiled at the older female who kissed her cheek in a motherly fashion.

"And how are you, Lily?" She looked softer and gentler around my mother and I wondered if it was because of my mother's illness. She had helped raise my father and so my mother was like her niece just like my father was like her nephew. Mountain shifters cared deeply about their families.

"I'm good, Gamgam. Richard is coming home today with the boys. I wanted to make them supper." She looked forlorn and Gamgam squeezed her shoulders gently before grabbing a scoop of pasta from the pot and placing it on my mother's plate. She sprinkled some cheese on it as my mother stared at the plate with a frown, shifting in her chair uncomfortably.

"Did you? Well I made Alpha Thorn a quick meal. Will you eat some with us?" There was a slight pause and I held my breath slightly as I waited for my mother's words. There were sometimes days where she refused to eat anything and trying to make her eat just ended up with frustration and tears.

"Of course, Gamgam. I wouldn't turn down one of your meals for anything." She picked up her fork and started to eat. I let out the breath I had been holding only to hear May give a similar sound. I glanced at her and she gave me a small smile and a nod. I watched as Gamgam dished Azrael up, smacking his hand when he tried to take the scooper from her. Her glare was a silent warning and he gave a slight nod to her victory as she dished him up before she snapped her fingers at me.

I handed her my plate and she quickly dished me up. I took the plate before switching my full one with May's empty one. She gave me a small thanks before I handed the plate to Gamgam who narrowed her eyes at me. After she handed me the other plate I stood up and took the scooper from her quickly.

She opened her mouth and I gave her a look that had her falling silent. "You prepared the meal. You have made sure we all have our food. Now it is my turn to make sure you get your serving." I held her gaze before she conceded and gave me a smile and patted my cheek. I dished her plate up and the cheese plate was passed around and a silence fell as forks clicked against porcelain.

"This was very good, Gamgam." My mother's focus was on her empty plate and I glanced at Gamgam who stared at my mother with an almost sad affection.

"Would you like some more, puiu meu de lup?" Her voice was low and I took another bite of my spaghetti. I was just happy my mother had eaten what she had.

"Yes, please. I feel like I haven't eaten in days. I've been waiting all day to make supper for Richard and the boys." At her words I watched as May placed some more pasta onto her plate before sprinkling some cheese onto it.

"That is very sweet of you but you need to make sure you are healthy for your mate. So eat." There was a firm order to Gamgam's voice and I turned back to my dinner. It was sometimes stressful trying to get my mother to eat, I was just happy it was going easy.

I finished my plate of pasta and glanced at my mother who stared at her half eaten plate of pasta with a look of confusion. "May, why I am in the kitchen?" Her voice was sharp and I felt my heart sink. "May, why am I in the kitchen?" Her grey eyes landed on the nurse who stood up.

"It's okay mum, we were just having a small meal with Alpha Thorn." I glanced at Azrael but he focused on his plate, eating as if completely oblivious to the situation.

"Where are your brothers? Where is your father? They should be home by now!" Her angry eyes landed on me and I stood up slowly.

"They will be home soon. Please calm down." I walked over to her and crouched beside her wheelchair.

"Calm down? I don't know where I am or why I am here. Why am I here?" Tears filled her eyes as her chin trembled. "Why, Luka? Why?" I inhaled at the sight of her confused and scared eyes.

"You are just tired. How about you have a nap and when you wake up dad, Benjamin, and Derek should be home." I patted her arm gently and I watched as she took a deep breath and nodded.

"You are right, Luka. They will be home soon. The excitement of the day has just made me tired. You are my sweetest boy. Benjamin used to bring me frogs. Such an adorably evil little boy. He knew I hated them and Derek would show me handfuls of worms but you always brought me flowers." Her voice went wistful but the tears were gone. I nodded to May who gently pulled the wheelchair from the table.

"Let's get you ready for your nap, Lily." They left and I stood up before pressing a hand to my forehead. I just hoped that the sleep would calm her down, reset her a bit.

"She's worse." Azrael's voice was back to rumbling and I was hit with waves of his power as he let it go. I winced. If he had noticed a change then she was deteriorating faster than we had thought. She was nearing just over sixty and usually shifters had longer lifespans but she seemed to be progressing as a human would. Here black hair was going salt and pepper and her face was getting more and more lines.

"I know." I let out a heavy sigh before I turned and started gathering up the empty plates.

"I am sorry. No one should need to see their family like that." He was frowning as he looked at me and I shrugged.

"I know but it is what it is, Azrael. I dread the day when I come to see her and she no longer knows who I am." It had been a thought that had niggled at me since we had figured out what was wrong with her. There would come a time when my mother would look at me and not know who I was and it made me feel like my heart would be ripped out of my chest.

"Come have a drink with me." Azrael stood up and placed his plate on the stack I had created before he slapped my back. "You need one." I looked at Gamgam who gestured for me to go from her position.

"Go have a drink, pui de lup. I'll call one of the pack members to help me clean up." At her dismissal I nodded before whistling sharply. Michael and Ezekiel were at my side nearly immediately. Their forms tense as they picked up on my energy. They knew how distressing it was for me to see my mother as she was and their need to protect me during a time they viewed me as vulnerable was all they knew. They were now wolf warriors, all thoughts of humanity or the human inside of them were gone.

Azrael and I left the kitchen in silence. The confusion was starting for my mother. It was getting worse and I couldn't pretend anymore. She wasn't sure where she was or what was going on. There were moments of lucidity but as she wore down during the day it got harder and harder to hold a conversation with her. I could feel her deadline growing shorter and shorter each day and it wasn't a pleasant feeling.

It left me feeling panicky, terrified, and useless. I couldn't do anything for her but watch her mind disintegrate and her body shut down. Already her bouts of not eating had done a toll on her frame. She was underweight and the fact she rarely slept more than four hours made it even worse. Then there was a stress she was feeling whenever she spoke of my brothers and my father.

"How long did the doctor say she had left?" Azrael didn't look at me as we walked towards the library and I shoved my hands in my pockets and sighed.

"He said less than two years but I'm starting to think she won't make the year. She's just disappearing in front of my eyes and I can't stop it." I watched as he pushed the wooden door open and I was assaulted by the smell of books and wood, it reminded me of my father.

I looked around as Azrael made his way directly to the alcohol cabinet. "I would say I'm sorry but it would be useless and empty. So instead, here." He held me out a glass of amber liquid that smelled of my father's brand of whiskey. I walked over and took it. I looked over at Michael and Ezekiel before I jerked my head towards the chairs. Azrael grabbed the bottle and moved over to set it on the small side table before letting his bulk fall into the nearby chair. I ignored how it groaned as I grabbed two more glasses and took a large swig of the burning liquid.

I set the glasses on the side table beside Azrael before moving over to the small chest by one of the bookshelves. I opened it and took out two pairs of pants. The sounds of shifting filled my ears and I held the pants out in one hand as I swallowed the rest of the whiskey. It burned the entire way down and it made my eyes water slightly. The clothes were taken from my hand and I coughed before gesturing to the other chairs.

Bare feet scuffed along the hardwood as Michael and Ezekiel moved over to the chairs. I could feel the power that radiated off of all three males and I felt slightly inadequate. I walked over to the side table and filled the two glasses before refilling mine to the rim. I took another large swallow before handing the one glass to Michael. He nodded in acknowledgement as he took it. I grabbed the other glass and walked over to hand it to Ezekiel. He took it without a sound, his gaze narrowed in on Azrael who was staring between the two wilds with a still watchfulness.

I slumped in the only empty chair and watched as the three of them let the waves of their dominance fill the room. I knew my guardians would have preferred to stay as wolves but they were my friends first and foremost and I needed them not their wolves. "Azrael, these two are Michael and Ezekiel." I pointed to them as I said their names and gestured to Azrael. "Guys, this is Azrael." I watched as their eyes narrowed in on the Mountain Alpha. I felt kind of left out but my power wasn't anything to speak of and so I was left watching them posture to each other.

"To answer the posturing in human language. Azrael, you could take Michael. It would be an adequate fight but you would win. Ezekiel on the other hand, might have a chance of beating you. Now they don't work separately so you would probably be torn to shreds if you so much as tried anything against me or the pack." I gestured lazily and took another large drink of my whiskey. The burn was starting to fade and I wasn't sure if it was because my mouth and throat had gone numb or if I had gotten used to it.

"Is this intimidation then?" Azrael's voice was cold and I could see his grip tightening on his glass. I ignored the hard look he was giving me and shook my head.

"No. This is me having a drink with my friends because I need a drink before I get any closer to offing myself in my office." I spoke into my glass before I downed the rest of it. I ignore the eyes on me and I gave a cold chuckle. "Why are you so surprised? Most of my family is dead. Some of my pack hates me to the point where I am running a bloodbath sweep to kill any dissenters. I am a powerless Alpha that was rejected by a possible mate because I wasn't 'strong' enough for her and I'm coming to grips with the fact that it is a big possibility that my mother is going to die before the year is out." I took a heavy swallow of the whiskey, nearly gulping it.

"Why wouldn't I think about blowing my brains out?" My words were harsh and a brutal anger soared through me as my wolf started to relentlessly bang against the cage I had him in. My life had been anything but fair to me and it was perfectly content to kick me while I was down. I had grown used to it but it didn't make it any less enraging.

I glared at each male intently, daring them to say anything. Michael looked down quickly, baring his neck. Ezekiel gave me a narrowed eyed look before he did as well and Azrael completely bypassed my gaze. I looked at my empty glass and resisted the urge to hurl it at a wall. The anger was sharp and biting but I knew nothing good would come of it. My wolf was thrashing in the back of my head. He didn't want to deal with any of the shit we were going through and I needed him to remain locked in the back of my head so I could think rationally. All he wanted was blood and submission.

"Pressure is never good. This is why the Mountain Alphas do not give their position away. You have to fight for it, fight for the right to lead. If you give your position away to your children it does not teach them or prepare them for the realities of leadership. It breeds weakness." Azrael looked at his glass thoughtful and his words had me bristling in anger. My wolf was snarling and snapping in my head I was having a hard time pushing him away.

"I am very aware that I'm weak, Azrael. I'm reminded of that fact every time I look in the mirror." I spat the words out and resisted the urge to go back to my amber saviour. If I could drink enough I could probably sleep without dreaming. I wanted that.

"No, Luka. You lack power, yes. You struggle with leadership, yes, but if your parents had let you train with your brothers and had given you the chance of taking the position you would be much better prepared for it. In neglecting your training they have bred weakness." He shrugged. "You are a better Alpha than most. You rule fairly and inspire loyalty. If you had the power needed to be an Alpha you would be a force to be reckoned with. I am not bringing to light the fact you are weak. I am bringing light to the fact that your parents did you a disservice in how they trained you." There was a rumbling growl from both my guardians and I stared at my glass, feeling the smoothness beneath my fingers.

In my peripherals I could see Azrael shifting in his chair as the growling grew a touch louder. "How did you manage to inspire their loyalty?" He sounded actually puzzled by the thought that two very dominant shifters would allow me, a much weaker one, to control them.

I shrugged in response. It wasn't much of a story. "I used to get stressed with home so I would run off. Met Ezekiel in a natural pack during one of my runs and ran with him on and off for a few years. A few years after I met Ezekiel, Michael joined the natural pack. They're my friends." I shrugged once more. "After my father and brothers died they both pledged their loyalty to me. Didn't want me torn apart." I tightened my grip on my glass, the anger was bubbling just under the surface but I kept my face even. The glass cracked under the pressure of my hand squeezing it.

"Easy." Michael's voice was gravelly and low and Ezekiel had echoed the word through the mindlink, I relaxed my grip on the glass before rolling my head, trying to work away the sudden tension that had clenched my muscles. I let out a heavy sigh. I needed to get a grip on my emotions and wolf if they were able to pick up on it.

"Too much pressure. Lowlander Alphas are so needlessly complicated." At his words I shook my head and gave an emotionless smile at the cracked glass in my hand.

"I didn't want this position, Azrael." I gritted the words out and he looked at me carefully.

"Yet here you are." He finished off his glass and gave me a pointed look. "Do you know why I helped you at that Alpha Gathering?" I shook my head and set the glass on the arm of my chair, holding it in my hand, unwilling to let it go.

"I helped you because I saw potential and I could smell the mountain on you. Diluted but it was there. You have the ability to be a great Alpha but you refuse to fight for the power to keep the position." He shook his head. "It is a shame that such potential is being wasted on a male unwilling to use it." His words made the rage bubble up harder. I had been told that shit all my life and I was tired of it.

My life was fracturing with the pressure I was under, my family was nearly completely gone and I felt so incredibly alone. My mate, the one they swore would always love me for me, had thrown me away because I lacked the power she wanted. True I could have another one but I could care less, the point was the same.

The glass shattered in my hand and Ezekiel was on his feet instantly and I snarled at him. "Sit down." I could tell Azrael was surprised at the forcefulness of the command and I could see Kiel's hesitation clearly as he watched the blood escape from my hand. He dropped his gaze and sat back down. I glanced at Michael but he already had his head down. I looked at my hand and started to pick the glass from my flesh. I was so angry I could barely feel the pain as I yanked various chunks of glass from my hand and dropped them to the hardwood. My wolf battered at me mercilessly, his rage leaking through to me endlessly.

"See? You're too controlled. You hold yourself back, Luka. It is only harming you." Azrael sounded pleased and I pulled an especially large chunk out of my palm. I glanced up at him, a growl growing in my chest. My wolf was practically foaming at the mouth and I shoved him away, forcing him to submit under me. I didn't need his attitude. It took a few moments but as soon as he was caged once more the anger left me and Azrael let out a choked sound as I relaxed into my chair. "Why do you do that to yourself, Luka?" He was staring at me and I made my features even before I looked at him and shrugged.

"Do what, Azrael?" I held my hand out towards Ezekiel who immediately grasped my wrist and inspected the damage, pulling out the glass I had missed. I winced as the pain started, it was hot and throbbing.

"Bad. Bad." Keil's reprimand was harsh and I smirked as I looked up at him.

"Eh, I just need to make you feel useful." I watched as his eyes narrowed. His glare would have withered anyone else but I simply raised an eyebrow. Images rapidly flashed through my head through the mindlink and I blinked rapidly trying to figure it out but with my wolf caged and gagged, I had a harder time processing them. "Stop. I can't understand you when you speak that fast." I frowned at him and the images slowed down. He was giving me shit, as always. He was a few years older than me and to be honest both he and Michael had kind of filled the hole my brothers had left after their deaths.

"Yah, yah, I know. I'm reckless and don't think my actions through." I looked at my hand, watching the blood drip from it steadily. It hurt like a son of a bitch and I looked up at Ezekiel who was glowering at me.

"No. More." The words were harsh and growled. He wasn't used to speaking. When we needed to communicate it was usually in pictures and it was rarely with Ezekiel. His wolf and I did most of the communicating. I waved him away before stretching out my hand. The wounds would heal in about half an hour or so. Shifters healed quickly, that was true, but we healed quickly when our body had one or two wounds to heal. The more wounds, the slower it took to heal. Our bodies were not good at healing multiple wounds which is why it was a good idea to have a Healer in the pack.

Healers could usually heal the wounds to the extent that our bodies could handle quickly. We had one, his name was Jason but we didn't like bothering him with trivial things. Healing others was exhausting for him. The harsher the wound, the more energy he used to heal it. I didn't like bothering him with small wounds.

"Go. Run." Ezekiel straightened as he looked down at me and I shook my head. It was just tempting the fates if I went into my wolf form.

"It's best if we didn't. He's not being cooperative right now." He was still banging against the cage I forced him into.

"Why don't you let him loose for a few hours?" Azrael sounded confused and I let out a deep breath through my nose.

"Because if I'm to be an Alpha I need to make responsible decisions. My wolf is not big on those. It's best if he stays where he is." I forced the irritation away. Irritation could quickly turn to anger and anger meant he could attempt to escape the cage I had placed him in. He wasn't allowed to escape. I wasn't willing to let him.

"It's not healthy to have that much control over your wolf. You need balance, Luka." At the rather wise words from the Mountain Alpha, I scowled. If I wanted fortune cookie talk I would have grabbed one from the kitchen.

"I need for this conversation to be over." I waved my hand and Michael and Ezekiel shifted. Michael quickly made his way over to my chair and wiggled underneath my feet. His wolf wasn't happy that I had been upset. I ignored him as I closed my eyes. The throbbing of my hand made it hard to push everything away but I tried my best.

"Ignoring problems does not make them go away."

"Well it seems to have worked so far, Azrael. I never like demanding things but could this conversation be over?" I cracked an eye and looked at him. He looked at his glass and looked like he wanted to say something else but he finished off his drink instead.

"I'm going to retire for the evening. Thank you for the hospitality." His dark blue eyes landed on me and I nodded in acknowledgement as he stood up. He let out a heavy sigh. "The reason you don't have any power in your position is because you refuse to accept it as yours."

"I was never meant to be an Alpha." I said it slowly, trying not to let my jaw clench tightly.

"Neither was I by your customs. I am my father's fifth child but here I stand." The words were a surprise but I met his gaze evenly. I had made my thoughts on the subject known and I didn't want to hear more of it.

"Good night, Azrael. If you need more blankets there should be some in the closet." I looked away and waved for Ezekiel to move closer. Azrael stared at me for a few more moments before he shook his head and left the study. Ezekiel whined and licked at my wounded hand. I ignored it and allowed him to clean the wounds. His Alpha was wounded and he wanted to make sure I was okay.

It was strange that I had two very powerful shifters willingly submit to me but it had been like that since the first time I had met Ezekiel. When I got stressed and ran, I always went dark. I allowed my wolf full control, hiding myself deep inside my own mind to try and forget about my life. Something had happened during my first run in with Ezekiel. I had come out to him already acting as my second in command with the natural pack. The same had happened with Michael. Their loyalty was fierce from the very moment I had met them in human and wolf form.

Our easy camaraderie and closeness came from the long years we had been friends. I would spend weeks at a time with the natural pack trying to escape my family. I regretted it now. After losing my father and my brothers I realized all the arguments we had had weren't that important. If I could have I would have been a bit less rebellious in my teen years. The only good thing that came out of the rebellion was Michael and Ezekiel.

After the accident they both left the natural pack and took their place beside me. Even in their humans forms with their power radiating off of them it felt natural and right, as if they had always been my second in commands. I honestly wasn't sure what I would have done if they hadn't been there. They had held me up as my world shattered around me.

"Thanks, boys." I leaned my neck against the back of the chair and stared at the ceiling. Michael wiggled underneath my legs, lifting my feet up off the floor. "I don't think I could hold on without you two." Honesty rang through each word and I heard both of them whine before they moved closer to me. The need to make sure their Alpha was okay was heavy in wolves. They would protect me with everything they had and to be honest I would do the same for either one of them. As I thought about it I realized I missed the days when I went dark for weeks and stayed with them in the natural pack. Everything there had been honest and not polluted with bullshit politics. It was so much easier.