Hearing his name lightly escape her lips, made his eye soften. The range of emotions she was pelting him with caused him to step forward. He hoped she couldn’t hear how his heart drummed at the sight of her.

“D-did Gian send you here to kill me?”

The wane in her voice made the man next to her grunt and he circled out of his peripheral. Diem didn’t move but he did let Dee make his presence known, weighing his options as his eyes flickered in color.

“Do I shoot or is he a good boy?”

“Nice to meet you too.”

This time he did move, facing Milo. They fixed each other with a glare, sizing the other up.

“Likewise.”

“Why are you here? I don’t see Diesel with you. Nor my things.” She whispered with slight venom.

Taking a step near her, he growled when Milo mimicked his actions. Looking him over again Diem sneered.

“You must be the one who caused all this? The Rescue Ranger, correct?”

Milo’s body tensed, and his finger twitched on the trigger. The glare he fixed him with would have frozen hell over. He hit a nerve, and it was a doozy.

“Aht stop Diem! This isn’t his fault. If you’ve come to point fingers, start with me.”

Khalia spoke up, reading Milo’s expression. Diem narrowed his gaze as she walked by towards Milo. Placing her hand on his gun she forced him to lower it.

“Who said I wasn’t?”

She rolled her eyes. Milo grunted, stooping to whisper in her ear, then disappearing into the kitchen. Hearing the back door shut, Diem growled.

“Any more men on your roster going to pop out?”

“Cut the shit, I’m not in the mood. Why did you come here?”

Diem watched her shoulders slump when she tilted her head to look up at him. His heart lurched at the dejection, and he resisted the urge to draw her into his arms.

“Alpha Gian is having all your belongings returned later in the afternoon. Diesel will remain with Cruel-Mane for-”

“Wait! You’re kidnapping my dog! My dog? That’s fucking low!”

Jabbing her finger into his chest she winced went it bent oddly. Sighing, he continued.

“For a few days Lia. Your home resides just outside of territory. Entering past Helm St. will be at your own discretion. We are heading to Whistling 10 hours from now. I’m advised that if you are spotted there with Theo, Alpha Gian-”

“Gian what! Will kill me? Kill my dog? Take a fucking number!”

“Khalia.”

“No, don’t fucking Khalia me! I fucked up going downtown with Caleesi, I get that. Shit, going to that stupid park was the worst thing to happen. These last two weeks have been hell and to top it off; y’all took Stick Bugs side, threatened my life, and now you wanna keep my damn dog? Fucking insane! ”

Kicking what used to be her wooden end table, she didn’t flinch as it shattered into pieces against the wall. Wrapping her arms around herself she sat on the couch. Burying her face in her lap, he frowned as her body shook. Dee whined.

“Theo completed their binding; she might reach out to him in this state. We must-”

“I miss you, I miss you so much Jay. This would be so easier if you were here.” Khalia choked out the words.

Dragging his knuckles along his sternum he tried to ease the despair she was pouring into him. The snake that seemed to constrict his lungs, coiled tightly. Gasping, he crouched to eye level in front of her. Beneath the misery he felt budding joy.

It was perverse and toxic the way it migrated inside him. Seeping into his organs, poisoning his soul. In his mind, Dee snarled as inky wet tendrils attempted to encase him. Thrashing he sliced through them, watching them disintegrate into smoke.

“All these years and you’ve managed to find my sloppy seconds? Like father, like son, eh Diem?”

Dee growled as Diem tensed.

“She’s so beautiful when she cries. The tears taste exquisite when your waist deep inside that pussy. The best time I’ve had in awhile. The only regret is killing Marcus first before he could watch me fuck-”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Khalia screamed. He watched her ears stretch into points and her body wriggled like worms. Ready to rip through flesh like wet earth.

Diem placed his hands on her arms, pulling them apart. He gritted his teeth at her crumbling expression and dark eyes. Canines protruded past her lips, drawing blood as they cut her.

“Look at me, don’t listen to him Lia.”

Firmly, he cupped her cheeks, unsure if this was the right action. In a circular motion he rubbed his thumb across her damp skin, over her pigmented scars, desperate to wipe away the anguish.

“Please, don’t ever think I’d side with those who wish you harm. I am your Beta, Khalia. Yours.”

His words quieted her sobs. Leaning forward he rested his forehead against hers. Sliding his thumbs down her cheeks he stopped on her plump lips. Her jasmine scent mixed with his peppermint, and he wondered if she could feel his pulse in that thrummed through his fingertips.

Parting her lips, she sighed when he pushed his energy through her. It tickled her ears and swam throughout her body. Whatever wounding emotions he encountered, he quickly dissipated. Replacing them with his own essence. Around them the air hummed, and he chuckled softly as she became consumed in euphoria. Snaking his hand to the nape of her neck he massaged gently.

“Intimate but this is the fastest way.”

He could have screamed those words directly into her ear, and she still wouldn’t have acknowledged them. Her pupils had blown to saucers and the tip of her tongue glistened. The urge to capture it between his own lips made him tilt his head. Stopping just centimeters away he closed his eyes as ragged breaths left her. Smiling sincerely, he released her.

“Thank god you have some sense.” Milos voice called from the kitchen doorway.

Arching a brow, he glanced at the shotgun Milo impressively held in one hand. His finger never left the trigger as he downed the remaining contents of the whiskey bottle.

“You two really think right now is a good time for sex? Homicidal maniac werewolf, but sure let’s make out.”

Grimacing, Diem stepped back from a hazy Khalia. Static buzzed in the air still and she fanned her face.

“The fuck is that and how do I do it to myself?”

“Energy Amalgamation. It’ll take you years to learn.” He smirked at her pout.

“Well now that it’s established that your, uh, boyfriend boy-toy is on our side. Should we fill him in on the plan?”

“He is not any of those to me, thanks.”

“Yet. Depends on if she dies.”

Khalia sucked her teeth before heading to her bedroom. Milo gave him a deadpanned stare, shaking his head, he headed back outside.

“That many nics in a short span will kill you, Ranger.”

Diem tittered at the curses Milo eloquently strung together and followed his Luna.

“Our Luna? Getting carried away there aren’t we? Once this resolves, she goes. We resume as normal, no Lunas, no Alphas. I enjoy my mundane existence. It’s been disruptive ever since she arrived.”

“That may be true...just let me be a hero Dee. We couldn’t for Esyin, we can for her. Even if it is temporary.”

“Seems she isn’t the only one with survivor’s guilt. Careful Diem, there’s a reason she’s here and I don’t think Fate is done with her. What are the chances, really? That a human would bring together an exiled Alpha and his banished Beta?”

Diem remained silent. Reaching the doorway of her bedroom, he looked at the skimpy pile of random fabric and cloth. Having constructed a makeshift bed. Laying on her side he couldn’t see her face, but the rise and fall let him know she was fast asleep. Stripping off his clothes, he shifted. His change in weight made the floorboards creak. Dropping down, he wrapped an arm around her waist, bring her against his chest. Dreamily she sighed, rolling over and pressing her face into his fur. He fought the need to lick the top her head. Instead, he focused on why the Fates felt compelled to turn his world upside-down.

*~*~*

Amid nautical twilight, Cruel-Mane lay dormant. Storefront signs buzzed like mosquitoes, and small amounts of light peaked out curtain covered windows. A few of the elder wolves walked about, getting ready to start their paradisal day. At the Main House Gian and Nyla walked the hallways, greeting the morning staff before heading to the main balcony.

“Do you think it’s a good idea to bring her along? After what she’s been through, I think it’s best she stays here Gian.”

Nyla pursed her lips and pushed the doors open. Picking a lounger, she sat rigid. crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap. Gian stood near the railing, looking over the waking homestead. Wrinkles formed in his forehead, and he groaned.

“Baby I know. I tried talking her out of it, but she persists. It’s her home after all. They built it with their bare hands.”

A scoff made his head turn.

“She wants to avenge Michael; she doesn’t care about her home. In her eyes they betrayed her. Those people mean nothing.”

“Yvette is aware of the laws. You win, you get the pack. It’s always been. Obtaining power is easy, keeping it has always been the risk. One they both accepted at their Enthronement Ceremony.”

“What if she decides to challenge him while we’re there?”

“Then she challenges him. Baby, what’s really bugging you?”

The concern in his voice moved Nyla to come to him. Wrapping her hands around his waist, she buried her face in his chest. Immediately he enclosed her, caressing her back. Vanilla icing wafted in the air and, his stomach grumbled.

“...Do you think we did the right thing?”

“For Cruel-Mane, yes. For Khalia...it’s the law, Nyla. What else was I going to do? The evidence is there and lines up. I’m prepping for the Enthronement Ceremony. We aren’t a discreet pack. He might as well have sent her for reconnaissance. The timing is too perfect.”

“If that’s the case, why not attack sooner? She hasn’t bothered to harm anyone in Cruel-Mane or Whistling. Her records come up human origin at birth, and her permit was verified. Let’s not forget, she called herself Diems Luna. He would have killed Chase if you weren’t there to stop him. Are we too banish him as well?”

Pulling away from his chest, she raised her hand and stroked his right cheek.

“We sent a woman to her death. At the words of your Beta, against the words of an Omega. A Beta, who you threaten to dethrone and absolutely hates you. An Omega, your General, who saved your father’s life and has remained loyalty to this pack.”

Hearing her words, he leaned deeper into her palm. A pause travelled between them until he sighed.

“If she’s at Whistling when we arrive, we’ll have our answer. I suspect me and Diem will need to talk about his past.”

Nyla frowned. Lowering her hands she walked to the doors. Following quickly behind her, Gian reached out and in one swift motion, picking up off her feet.

“Let’s get some rest. We have a good five hours till we leave.”

“Do you think it’ll be bad?”

A look of worry crossed her face, and he hugged her closer. Though he hasn’t seen the man behind this, he has already tainted his peaceful pack. Bringing her up to his face he planted a kiss on her lips.

“It damn sure won’t be good.”