Klaus woke up not knowing what time it was. Frankly, this was happening to him a lot nowadays. He wouldn't say he was getting lazy, but there was a desire in him not to rush anything anymore. He let the warmth slowly ruse himself out of sleep when he felt himself caged in a pair of strong arms. He turned in those arms and saw King still asleep. His raven black hair tousled and his expression was calm, when usually, it's severely grim with a scary glower- remembering it made Klaus smile.

Klaus noticed that the blanket was only on him, King must have kicked it off in his sleep again. He pulled the duvet and covered his mate's bare body. Klaus forgot how big King's bed was at his old house, which was where they were right now. He didn't mind that they came to this house, but he didn't like the reason they came here.

As Klaus laid in bed, taking in the long moments of silence with his mate, his eyes went to the white bandages around King's arm and over his shoulder. There was a tinge of red marring the white fabric, which brought a sick sensation inside his stomach. King had gotten shot when they went on their mission to meet the Red Fang pack. Another close call and Klaus was terrified, as much as he tried to control his emotions yesterday, King was well aware of the concern he carried. That was why King brought Klaus here alone and took all the time last night to comfort him.

However, as much as King comforted Klaus's heart from all the worries he had. Klaus would always be scared anytime King went on missions. Perhaps, these missions weren't concerning to King, especially after all that he'd been through in the past. Klaus didn't know a lot of the details because King never shared them and Klaus never pressed him. He knew that over time King would share his past; the past in those cage fights. It wasn't noticeable that those days haunted King, but Klaus saw it in his mate's eyes every time there was a silent moment alone. King would lose himself in his memories and tried his hardest to trap it down under lock and key in his heart.

Klaus would know, he did that all his life too.

He released a heavy sigh and snuggled closer to King, laying his ear on that steady beating heart. He closed his eyes again, but then, another boy with ruffled black hair and haunted green eyes appeared in front of Klaus... it was Ender.

Klaus didn't know what to do for Ender. He gave him space, so he could get comfortable with the pack, he knew that it would take time since this pack was too much to handle even for the regular members. He would just have to wait for Ender, but sometimes Klaus just wanted to hug that boy and never let go, he wanted to repeatedly tell Ender that he was loved and cherished by both him and King. Maybe, he'd tell him today. Except, before he did anything, he had to do the impossible task of waking up his husband to get ready for the day.

Over the couple of months, he tried a lot of things to wake King up. But the easiest and most reliable way was also the most embarrassing technique.

Seduce King Vitiello-Centauri.

Klaus pushed the blanket away and climbed on top of his mate. He put his weight comfortably on top of his mate, and it always surprised Klaus how wide King's shoulders were, to the strong structure of his chest and abdomen. Klaus never overlooked that every part of his mate's bronzed skin was covered in dark ink.

"King..." he called out, "you need to wake up..." No response, not even a single move from this guy. He was unbelievable.

Klaus propped his chin on King's chest, looking up at him and seeing his tough jaw. Klaus ran his hand along King's rigid abdomen as he straddled his waist. There was something strangely powerful being fully clothed despite King being naked under him. He waited for King to arouse from sleep, but it was pointless.

"King," he mumbled as he feathered soft kisses over his chest to his neck. He inched closer to his mate's corded throat where his mark was. Klaus got curious of the taste and he knew that King was asleep, so he indulged himself.

He licked over the tattooed skin where his mark was and a flutter bloomed in his heart, which was quickly replaced with arousal. The sweet taste took over all reason inside Klaus, he dropped his head between King's neck, taking in that magnificent scent which only King could completely seduce Klaus with. Yet, when Klaus admired his mate, he saw the past King lived tainting his skin. The tattoos were dark and sinful, but between the ink were the scars all over his body. Horrid marks slashed across his neck and shoulders, continuing down his strong body. Klaus's heart hurt as he ran his fingers across the scars that were on King's taut neck. Klaus knew about scars, he had some that he didn't like talking about. Scars given to him by his father, but Klaus had accepted his scars a lot time ago. But King had more scars than he could count. They must have hurt, he must have felt so alone... Klaus kissed the sinister scar on his mate's throat praying that the memories were faded now.

Suddenly, a hand snaked through Klaus's hair. King had woken up.

"Why do I always find you doing the cutest things when I'm asleep?" King's voice was groggy and hot. Klaus blushed a deep red, he closed his eyes in embarrassment.

"Good, you're awake," Klaus tried to play it off. He moved to get up but a pair of strong arms gripped his waist bringing him back down.

King's bottomless blue eyes shined under the sun, it was like the blue absorbed the light. "Not so fast," he smirked. "I still need to be woken up."

Klaus shook his head when he recognized the heat in his mate's eyes. He lazed in his arms and faced King. "No, you don't," he mumbled.

"Really? I don't think I'm fully awake yet," King jested, as he used his strength and turned them over, pining Klaus to the bed. He caged him and used his body to spread Klaus's legs under him.

King laid a kiss on Klaus's lips before he trailed down his throat, he licked the hammering pulse that gave away how Klaus felt.

"If you wanted to mark me again, you should've done it," King whispered as he softly caressed Klaus's neck with his lips.

So, King was awake the entire time Klaus was kissing him and doing his own exploration.

Klaus bit back a moan, he was distinctly aware of the hard erection pressing against his stomach, which quickly aroused his own body. He reached up, his fingers drinking the feel of King's skin, he stiffened when his fingers touched the scars.

King caught the change immediately. "You okay?" his concerned blue eyes searched Klaus.

"Yeah," he gave a shaky reply.

King frowned. "Klaus, what's wrong?" he asked again, this time demanding the truth.

Klaus didn't know what to say, his hand only touched the scar on his neck again, and it was like King understood right away. His blue eyes darkened to near black and a sinister change hardened King's body letting Klaus know that he was reliving the scars.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to bring it up..." Klaus brought King down into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry..."

King pulled out of his arms, staring down at Klaus with solemn eyes. "It's okay," he said, but his rough voice wasn't convincing. "My scars aren't a secret from you."

"It's just that you never talk about your past," said Klaus.

"What do you want to know?" King asked.

"You'd tell me?" Klaus said.

"I'll tell you everything if that's what you want," King said softly. "Is it?" Klaus could hear the broken vulnerability in his mate's voice. "Do you want to know about the scar on my neck?" King asked him, his breath sucking in as if he couldn't breathe.

"No, you don't need to say anything," Klaus assured him.

King's blue eyes locked with Klaus. "I gave myself this scar," his voice was quiet, but heavy with pain. "I cut my neck repeatedly-" King ran his finger across his neck and throat, just like the slashes were made- "It was the one way to get rid of my slave marks."

Klaus's eyes widened. "Wh- what?" he couldn't find his voice.

King leaned back on his knees. "Does that scare you?" he asked with a cold expression.

Klaus got up quickly and hugging him hard. His eyes stung, but soon he realized that he couldn't hold his tears back.

"Don't cry," King said as he hugged him back. "This is why I don't tell you," he softly chuckled.

Klaus embraced him tightly enough that it probably hurt, but he didn't care. He was relieved that he found King and now he was with the Centauri pack.

Klaus didn't know how much time passed, but a little bit later, King had laid them both down and pulled the heavy blanket over them. Their bodies close together and their legs entangled too, King held Klaus until he calmed down. It was only King's strong, masculine scent that released the tension in Klaus, he couldn't find himself turning away or separating from these powerful arms. King would always have Klaus, there was nothing in this world that would separate them.

Klaus looked up to see if King was alright. He sniffled his nose; "Are you okay?" he asked.

King looked down. "You know, I find your crying face very pretty," he teased as he nipped Klaus's neck making him jolt in surprise. Klaus nudged his shoulder back as he tried to fight his laughter.

King kissed Klaus and then did what he wanted since the moment he had woken up...

It was after a long shower, that Klaus got dressed in yesterday's clothes. There weren't extra clothes here at King's old house. They'd have to go home today because Klaus didn't like being away from home too long. He knew that Bone was there to handle the chaotic group, but Klaus knew that the Centauri pack were a storm once they got out of control. Bone shouldn't be left alone for too long.

King sauntered out of the shower after, fully dressed and his expression back to a grim glower like being awake physically hurt him.

"Come on, we need to hurry if we want breakfast," he told his mate.

King smirked then, he closed the space between them and he wrapped his arm around Klaus. "I had my breakfast and it was sweet as hell," he mumbled before he stole another kiss.

Klaus pushed King out of the bedroom all the way downstairs to get going. He really couldn't handle his mate's mischievous moods, which was never-ending. However, he prayed to Maya that King stayed like this rather than what he was in the past. King Vitiello didn't need to become the monster that was the reason behind his scars.

They drove back to the Centauri pack.

When they arrived back to the territory, pack members were on the fields playing in the snow or lounging at their cabins enjoying the morning air. Klaus waved to his students as King opened the front door to the house. Both King and Klaus went up to their room and quickly changed into fresh clothes before returning downstairs.

"You two are back," announced Viola, as she was walking down the stairs in her pyjamas. She must have woken up right now too.

"Oh, hey guys," Hailey said who was following along behind her.

Klaus smiled at them. "Good morning," he said.

"How's your shoulder?" Viola asked King.

King rolled his arm back trying to get a feel of it. "It's fine," he shrugged, as they both went into the kitchen.

Everyone was already seated around the table drinking coffee or eating the cereal of their choice. River was the only one missing, which was strange. But Klaus guessed the man was most likely training somewhere.

Klaus looked at Hailey. "Is Ender awake?" he asked.

"I don't know," Hailey said. "Bone must have woken him up."

Klaus went into the kitchen as well and Bone was standing with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Hey Bone, where's Ender?" he asked.

"He should be in his room," he said. "It was early when I woke up, so I didn't bother him."

Klaus nodded. He left the kitchen and went to Ender's room, when he opened the door, he saw an empty bedroom. The bed was made and the space was neat- too neat, like he never wanted to leave memories here. A vile sensation grew inside Klaus when he didn't see the small boy in his room. He checked the bathroom and it was empty as well. He looked out the balcony and no one was there either. Klaus went around the house; living room, dining room even the garage but the kid was no were to be seen.

Klaus rushed back to the kitchen. "Ender's gone," he announced.

Everyone's attention snapped around to Klaus.

"What?" King asked first as he came up to him.

Klaus was about to freak out. "Ender- I checked everywhere, he's gone," he said.

"Maybe, he's gone to the Institute," Vincent suggested.

Klaus shook his head. "All his books and his school bag are upstairs in his room," he said. "I'm getting a bad feeling."

From everyone's grim expression, they weren't far behind from thinking the worst either.

"You don't think he left, do you?" Viola asked.

Klaus didn't know how to answer that.

"No, we will find him," said Gabriel as he got to his feet.

The chaos in the house grew as everyone headed out the door and searched the property first. Most of them went to the Institute and Gabriel, Hunter left to search the woods with Vincent and Ryder.

Klaus couldn't move his feet, his heart ached and he felt sick to his stomach.

"He didn't leave," King whispered gently.

"How can you be so sure?" Klaus asked, as he looked at those firm blue eyes.

"Because once you get a taste of this pack, there's no turning back," he smiled gently. "I'll find him." King let Klaus go as he stepped out into the cold winter air and with a light jog, he broke out into a run shifting to his powerful black wolf.

Klaus couldn't breathe, he somehow managed to make it out onto the field as the pack members found out about Ender disappearance. Many helping instantly to look for him. Darren and Tyler rushed to join too. However, Klaus knew that it was a waste, Ender didn't want to be found. He hid his scent and masked everything from everyone.

Klaus lost him.

"Sir!" A voice shouted from across the field. Klaus looked ahead and a young boy was running towards him. It was Jaxx Grayson. He was out of breath by the time he reached Klaus. Gasping for air and supporting himself with his knees, he finally spoke; "I saw Ender."

Klaus's gaped. "Wh- what- where?" he asked hurriedly.

"I was gaming all night when I heard noises outside my room," Jaxx said. "I saw Ender walking into the woods alone."

Klaus sighed in relief. He bent down and hugged Jaxx. "Thank you," he said with tears, before he shifted to his wolf and ran into the woods tracking his boy.

Klaus's wolf was swift through the familiar woods that both of them knew like the back of their hand or paw in this case. The woods were where Klaus found solace when his father would... hurt him... these woods weren't dangerous, this was home and Ender would be safe. He had to be safe.

When Klaus had arrived near the frozen lake, he heard a distinct howl and his wolf's ears perked. His heart raced in his chest as he recognized his mate's call. King must have found Ender. Klaus rushed his wolf to reach his mate. He ran as fast as he could even when his legs ached he didn't stop, he arrived at the top of the sharp cliff that overlooked the territory, and everyone was there, looking at Ender who was at the edge of the cliff.

Klaus shifted back to his human form when he saw Ender with his own eyes. He moved past everyone and stood behind the boy. Ender was in flimsy shirt and jeans, no jacket or scarf or hat and he stood in the snow barefoot.

"Ender," he called out gently but Ender didn't react, it was like he was far away from them. Maya, please, please, let me save him, Klaus pleaded as he bravely took another step closer.

"Klaus," King's voice trailed to him, warning him of the worst outcome.

Klaus didn't believe it, he couldn't give himself to his fears, because he truly believed that Maya brought Ender to this family for a reason. Ender was made for Klaus, that's all he knew in his heart and body, even his wolf yearned for this boy. He saw the short kid in those loose clothes and ruffled hair, he saw King in Ender. Both of them must have been so lost, so alone. The breeze grew stronger and the snow blew in their direction, Klaus would've covered himself but he couldn't take his eyes off Ender.

"Ender, please," Klaus called out, "please just grab my hand."

Ender must have heard Klaus then because he shifted looking back with those haunted green eyes. Klaus breathed out in relief as Ender saw him and his hand reaching towards him.

However, Ender flinched back like he wasn't seeing Klaus but something else. He was afraid to the point that his skin paled to a sick grey.

"I'm sorry," Ender said softly. "I'm sorry."

Klaus's eyes burned as his throat tightened, but he smiled for him. "It's okay," he said. "You don't need to apologize to anyone."

Ender blinked, and there it was, thought Klaus. Those emerald green eyes warmed slightly letting Klaus know that it was working. He could get through to Ender and get him back.

"I can't get this mark off me," Ender pointed to the gruesome tattoo on his neck, "this will follow me forever."

Klaus looked down to the boy's slender neck where there was a number bladed and inked black into his flesh and markings telling the entire world that he was born a slave. Klaus remembered when King told him this morning how he cut those marks off his skin. King was right, these memories weren't meant to be shared because it would destroy their own heart. The ones who battled in theses cages couldn't share anything because they were still afraid. That time spent in the cage haunted their very existence, it would always be that way.

"Ender, you're not in the cage anymore-" Klaus stepped closer- "you're with me and you have an entire pack to protect you."

Ender's eyes didn't wander to look at the pack behind Klaus, his emerald eyes stayed on Klaus, only Klaus. He looked lost in his head, his eyes questioned his very existence and Klaus couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't handle that the boy wasn't in his arms.

Ender took a step back when Klaus neared, his bare feet crushing the snow which must be painful to endure. But to Ender, it seemed like he wasn't in pain, his cold feet were the least of his problems when he was a battling his mind, heart and soul.

"I'm sorry," Ender whispered as he stepped back again.

Klaus's heart dropped and he ran so fast grabbing Ender far away from the edge of the cliff. Both of them fell to the ground after Klaus pushed them away to safety.

"What were you thinking?" Klaus panicked.

Ender's eyes filled with realization. "I- I," he stared at him wide-eyed and lost.

Klaus hugged him, he was frozen to the touch, "What would I do if I lost you?" Klaus said.

A darkness bloomed in those sterling green eyes. "Why do you care?" he said faintly.

"Because I love you," said Klaus.

Ender gaped at him. "No, you don't," he shook his head and tried to move back.

"Why won't you believe me?" Klaus asked desperately.

"Because you don't know who I am," said Ender. "What I am."

"I know you and I still love you," answered Klaus.

Ender ripped out of Klaus's arms and tears streamed down his face. "Would you still love me if you knew that I was raped!" The little boy snapped at him. "Would you still love me if you knew that I did nothing to stop them! Would you love me if you knew that the woman who birthed me didn't want me! Would you love me if you knew that I killed people! Would you love me-"

"Stop, stop," Klaus hugged him. "It wasn't your fault. None of it was your fault."

"I don't belong here," he cried out before his sobbing stopped and he grew quiet.

King came to them, he had a large coat which he draped over both of them. "We should take him inside," he whispered.

Klaus wrapped the blanket over his boy and gathered him in his arms. He took Ender back to the house and everyone followed too. While the rest of them went back to the kitchen, Klaus took Ender to his own room. He laid the boy down on the bed and put the duvet over him, he put his hand on Ender's forehead and it was hot as fire, but the kid's feet were ice to the touch. Bone had entered with a bowl and towel, he started to place the towel over his head cooling him down, while Klaus put socks on Ender.

"I'm lost," Klaus mumbled, as both of them sat with Ender. King had joined and he was seated on the other side of the bed.

Bone exchanged a worried look with King who seemed to the next one to understand the pup on the bed. "Being in those cages takes something out of you, Klaus," Bone told him. "It took me a long time to find myself again-" Bone enclosed his hand over Klaus- "You're not doing anything wrong and just like I had King to help me, Ender has you."

Klaus nodded. "He will always have me... have all of us..." he admitted.

A couple of hours went by, Klaus hadn't moved from his seat since Ender had fallen asleep. He had gone numb and he was getting cold on the chair too. Bone and King offered to take turns watching him, but Klaus didn't budge. Every hour another member of the pack would come into the room and see Ender too. No one said anything, it was as if they knew that their words wouldn't comfort any of them. A lot was going on in Klaus's head, but by the time the sky had turned dark, he knew that Maya would guide Ender like she guided the world. Klaus just wished that she'd give him some power to heal this boy's scars- all of them.

The door creaked open and Gabriel walked into the room. At times like this, Klaus saw his older brother as the formidable alpha he was known to the world, the one who stood as a pillar of strength and courage for everyone. Klaus hung his head back resting it on the chair, the throbbing ache behind his eyes eased when he sensed his brother's strength.

"He'll be fine," Gabriel professed.

Klaus met his brother's amber eyes. "How can you be so sure?" he asked.

"He's a Centauri," his brother professed, "and we don't run from fights."

Klaus's eyes filled with tears. "I'm scared, Gabriel," he alleged softly.

Gabriel came over and put his large hand on Klaus's shoulder, the strength seeped into Klaus from his older brother. He didn't say another word, but his presence was enough to calm Klaus down. Gabriel was the one who protected everyone, how was Klaus going to do it now?

"I know how much it hurts when you have to watch the one you love carry a lot of pain," Klaus had never heard his brother's voice sound so vulnerable. Klaus tucked his head towards his brother, his torrent of tears soaking Gabriel's shirt.

"Help me save him," Klaus found himself pleading.

"We will," Gabriel stated firmly.

Klaus and Gabriel sat with Ender until nightfall. The strength left his body eventually, and Klaus was dozing off on the chair beside Ender. Gabriel must have covered Klaus with a blanket before he left for the night too. It was quiet for a while before the door creaked open, a warm scent filled his lungs and he knew without opening his eyes that King was here. He must have been waiting outside the door for Gabriel to leave first. He walked inside and towards Klaus.

"You'll hurt your neck like that," he whispered.

Klaus was too exhausted to even lift a finger, it was like all the chaos and relief finally caught up to him and his throbbing headache swallowed him whole. Suddenly, he was lifted off the chair and taken to the bed. King laid Klaus beside Ender and laid down himself too. All three of them slept on the bed, hoping that they could get strength from each other because that's all they had. They only had each other now.

-Ender's POV-

Why was it so cold? Why was it so dark? Why was he here? Where was here?

Ender found himself in the darkness, the same darkness where his demons were trapped with him. He was all alone and cold. No one searched for him, no one cared. That didn't bother him because he was alone from birth. However, something wasn't right. Why was his heart aching? He knew that he was alone and would be alone forever, but why did his heart search for someone? Who was he looking for here in this darkness where he spent so much time in? Locked away in these chains and in the metal cage that was his home, but why did he feel the rushing need to run away and go to the one his heart searched for here?

Ender's heart yearned. For the first time, his heart ached for someone.

"Ender..." there was a sweet voice in the distance calling for him. "Ender..." this voice was a dream, it wasn't real. No one called for him. He wasn't anything to anyone in this world.

"Please just grab my hand," that voice echoed again, it was strong enough to push away the demons slithering their way to chain Ender up. "Ender, you're not in the cage anymore-" that voice mesmerized Ender and he felt warmth all over his scarred body.

Ender dropped to his knees, curling over, he felt his heart ache with a thunderous pain. His stomach lurched and he felt his body turning inside out. All the ugly he carried was being exposed to everyone. He couldn't contain it anymore. The scars on his body were on him forever. Nothing could erase them.

A warmth touched the top of Ender's head. "You're with me and you have an entire pack to protect you," that voice again was like sunshine in this hollow cage.

Ender gathered the last ounce of courage because he wondered if he had truly gone insane and imagined a person who had chosen him, but when he looked up with his blurry eyes, he saw a kind man standing ahead of him. The man who had the same green eyes, but his eyes were pure and warm. There was nothing evil in them, no pain or sadness, only hope and kindness. If Ender could stare at that gaze forever, he would because nothing matched the warmth they gave to him, not even the moon or Maya compared to Klaus Centauri.

"I'm sorry," Ender found himself saying.

"Don't apologize," Klaus said with a sad smile.

"I'm hurting you by staying here," said Ender as something wet poured down his face, it must be tears.

Klaus's warm eyes beamed brightly. "Can you do something for me?" he asked.

"Anything," Ender said right away. He could never deny Klaus anything, even if he asked Ender for his life, he would happily sacrifice that for everything he had done for an outsider like him.

"Can you trust me?" Klaus asked.

Ender stiffened as he looked into those eyes. "What?"

"Trust me," Klaus repeated. "I want to you to be happy but I need you to trust me."

Ender entire body shook as he bowed his head down. "I trust you," he cried out. "I just don't know how to trust myself."

Klaus came over and laid a hand on his shoulder. "Give me your trust and all of your pain. Let me carry it for you," he whispered. "Let me take care of you."

Ender lost himself to those eyes and the strength it carried. He really believed for the first time that maybe he could rely on someone. He could open his heart and show someone that it was bruised and broken.

Ender felt the arms snaking around him from the back, the chains had gathered to suck him back into the purgatory he escaped from.

"I'm scared," he admitted.

Klaus smiled sweetly. "Don't be," he put his hand out, "I'll protect you."

As the chains locked their restraints on him, they pierced through his entire body making him bleed in this empty hole. The blood that spilt from his body didn't matter to anyone. Yet, he reached his hand out to Klaus. He wished that this was real, he craved Klaus's warmth more than ever.

"I don't want to run from you," he cried out.

Klaus smiled enchantingly and engulfed Ender in his light healing him...

Ender woke up with a jolt, he was surrounded in darkness and under a heavy weight. He opened his eyes forcing himself to recognize where he was in the dark. He looked around the large room, when suddenly, he turned to his side and saw Klaus who was soundly asleep. It was Klaus who had his arm over Ender and he was tucked preciously close to him.

However, Ender couldn't breathe. He needed to move away, otherwise he was going to be sick to his stomach. Why was he here and not in the other room? Ender puzzled. Then he remembered what happened this morning. He had gone to the cliff following his demons who lured him to the edge. He didn't even realize he had gotten so far in the woods before he heard someone calling for him. He heard King calling for him and the other pack members, but he couldn't face them because all he saw was the horror that followed him from the cages. But in the darkness that engulfed him, he heard Klaus, he sensed him reaching into the vile darkness for him.

Ender faced Klaus who was asleep beside him. He remembered the warm hands reaching for him, calling out to him even though it wasn't necessary. He didn't understand what came over him, but he found himself falling for Klaus's warmth.

Ender slowly shifted to his side and crept out of the bed without making a single sound, which was a skill he picked up in the cages. He took four measured steps and slipped out of the room, arriving in the dark hallway of the Centauri house. He knew that everyone was in bed right now, so he didn't go to his room, but went towards the stairs to get a glass of water which his throat begged for right now.

As he made his way down the long creaky staircase, he expected darkness to greet him, but a lamp was on and Ender regretted coming down. His stupid throat really needed water right now of all times.

He lingered on the last step wondering if he should turn back and go to his room. But he convinced himself because he really needed water. There was nothing to be scared of, he told himself. He just needed to go the kitchen and pour water into a glass and then return to the room. That's all he needed to do.

Ender took that final step onto the cold floor, which he couldn't feel because he had socks on for some reason. He didn't dare look who was in the living-room this late at night. He turned into the kitchen, seeing a glass in the dish-rack, he reached over and grabbed the cup. He went over to the sink, reaching for the knob-

"Need help?"

Ender's heart leaped out of his chest, he gaped behind him almost dropping the glass. He never spoke to the alpha of the Centauri pack by himself, Klaus was always with him or anyone else. Ender didn't like being under those powerful amber eyes that saw everything Ender tried to hide.

Alpha Gabriel was massive with his strong figure which blocked the doorway frame. "Sorry, did I scare you?" he said.

Ender panicked. "I was just getting water," he said and looked anywhere but those daunting eyes.

Alpha Gabriel moved from the door and came closer, Ender inched back thinking he was going to grab him, but suddenly the glass left his trembling hands and Alpha Gabriel held it now. He went over to the sink and poured water into it for him.

"Take a seat," he told him.

Ender sat down without questions asked because he knew not to disobey the stronger. They didn't like it, especially pack leaders. They demanded obedience from everyone around them, and Ender wouldn't think that Alpha Gabriel would be any different.

As Ender looked down at his laced hands that hadn't stopped their unnerved shaking, a soft cloth brushed his cheek. He looked up in surprise and found Alpha Gabriel standing over him with a damp towel. He wiped his sweaty forehead and neck, it was too gentle for such a feared alpha.

"Why are you awake so late?" he asked quietly, his brows furrowed and tough.

Ender didn't know what to say. "I was just thirsty," he said, and something told him lying to the alpha was a bad idea.

"Klaus used to wake up at night a lot too," he shared.

Ender's ears perked with that small tidbit of information. "I didn't know that," he mumbled.

"There's a lot you don't know about him yet," Alpha Gabriel said with a smile. "But let me tell you a secret of something he loves a lot-" Ender looked up curiously- "Ice-cream." He went to the fridge and started to gather ingredients. A big bowl and three scoops of ice-cream topped with whipped cream, chocolate drizzled too with lots of sprinkles. "I used to make it for him when he was here at night."

Ender stared at the bowl and spoon. "Thank you," he said before he took a bite. Ender was so nervous he barely tasted the dessert, but the cold cream felt good for his parched throat.

"You're well-mannered like Klaus too," he said. "Frankly, you remind me a lot of how he was as a kid."

"Me, like him?" he blurted out.

"Trust me, I raised that boy myself," said Gabriel. "I know everything about him."

Ender peeked a smile hiding it behind the spoon. Family, this was a family that helped each other in need. Something he didn't know ever existed.

"I also know that you are precious to him," said Gabriel and Ender's smile dropped.

"I'm sorry for what happened on the cliff," Ender whispered.

"There's no need to apologize, we're family after all," he smiled at him.

"You- you think of me as family," said Ender. "Someone like me?"

Gabriel brushed Ender's hair back and looked into his eyes. "You're a Centauri. My blood. Of course, I think of you as family," he declared.

"But I'm not your blood," Ender mustered up the courage to speak and say his truth. "I wasn't born here. I was born in the dirtiest-" Ender froze from the nastiness he was about to expose.

"You don't need to be born here to be one of us," said Gabriel, his gaze heavy with trust. "Many that are here weren't, but once you find your way to this house, you're always part of the pack."

Ender's eyes filled with tears but he looked away and continued to eat without letting his tears show. But something told him, that Gabriel knew that he was crying.

Gabriel grabbed a spoon and shared the ice-cream with Ender. Until Ender couldn't eat anymore, he put his spoon down and thanked the alpha for the treat. Gabriel smiled at him and took him to his room before he went to his own as well.

Ender closed the door to his own room, he didn't turn any lights on but went straight to the orb on the table. He flipped the switch and let the moon glow a brilliant warm light in the room. He went to the balcony out in the cold, leaving the doors open, he let the quiet night creep into the big room. He placed the moon on the floor beside him as he leaned back on the wall and stared out into the night. He wished he grabbed the blanket because he was colder than usual, it was then Ender had some realization that he wasn't dressed in his turtleneck sweater.

A rush of panic grew inside him. Everyone saw his marks. Everyone saw everything he needed to hide. Ender dashed off his feet and to the bathroom, curling over the toilet and everything he ate was out of him in seconds. He was dizzy by the end of it and his stomach was sore. Until he couldn't take anymore, he went to the sink and rinsed his mouth and teary face. He looked up facing his reflection and saw what haunted him. The black ink around his throat like a collar and the scars festering every part of his skin. The flimsy t-shirt hid nothing, he was exposed- so exposed and his heart raw.

Ender threw off the shirt and went to the closet taking out his turtleneck. He slipped it on and went back outside, he laid down on the dark, hard floor with the moon orb gleaming in front of his eyes. He held the orb to his chest where it ached and watched the snow falling lulling him to sleep again.

-The Next Day-

Ender woke up with his body throbbing and his head was heavier than concrete. He turned to his side when he bumped into something, his eyes snapped open and he found himself in bed lying beside Klaus, which made no sense because Ender was sure that he was sleeping on the floor last night. Klaus must have carried him to the bed and joined him here.

He knew he shouldn't, but he couldn't help himself. He pretended to sleep so he could stay next to Klaus a little longer. The morning was cold today, so Ender welcomed the warmth from Klaus, it comforted him which was strange. For the first time, he found himself safe with someone. He didn't have to look over his shoulder or fight tooth and nail to be free. He realized that he could indulge the small wishes in his heart. Right now, he could stay in bed with this person who was nothing but pure. However, fear swept over him like a wave when he thought how he could lose all this, just like how he lost all the people at Zero's sanctuary when it caught fire.

Suddenly, Klaus shifted, Ender panicked and shut his eyes pretending to sleep.

Klaus was awake, Ender felt it from the way his breathing changed and the weight of his body shifted. Klaus must be looking at the clock on the wall ahead of the bed. Ender kept his eyes closed, but he couldn't control it when he flinched as a soft brush of fingers caressed his cheek, he froze and even his breath stopped dead in his lungs. He swallowed the wave of nausea that grew in him, the warm hand then pushed his messy hair back and Klaus didn't stop brushing his hair, it slowly got rid of the sick sensation in Ender's gut. He realized then that Klaus wouldn't hurt him when he was defenceless, he could trust this man and his wolf wholeheartedly.

Just as Ender grew comfortable, Klaus pulled away and Ender almost let out a sound in protest. Klaus shifted off the bed and got to his feet, he left the bedroom leaving the door slightly ajar.

Ender opened his eyes again to a dim room; the sun must have not come out today. He couldn't gather the strength to get out of bed this morning, his head was throbbing and his body ached all over. But he had school today, he didn't like skipping.

Ender lifted his head off the pillow when the world around him spun. He took the blanket off and ignored his weakness, he noticed that he was missing a sock from yesterday. As he pushed off the bed, he put his weight on his wobbly legs, but this wasn't new to him. He was used to being weak, so he knew that he could fight this off.

A knock interrupted his thoughts, he looked ahead of him and saw Vincent and Viola at the door. Both of them were bickering by the door before Viola pushed it open and shoved Vincent inside. Ender flinched back at the intrusion. Ender stared up at the tall, tough wolves who were powerful and beautiful too. Both of them were clean and dressed in expensive clothes, they even smelled nice. Ender shrank back and tried not to look into their perfect greenish gold eyes.

"Oh, you're awake," Vincent said. "Good morning."

"Er- yeah," Ender was confused and didn't know what to do or say. Do people usually say 'good morning' to each other, he didn't understand.

"How are you feeling?" Viola asked then.

"I'm fine," he lied.

Vincent and Viola shared a concerned look, like they didn't believe Ender.

"What are you two doing?" Hailey walked in on them with Gideon in her arms who was still half-asleep.

Vincent and Viola turned around seeing Hailey. "We were just being our perfect selves and asking our Ender how he's doing," Viola jested as he quickly grabbed Gideon out of Hailey's arms.

Hailey's kind blue eyes looked at Ender and her brows furrowed. She quickly came over to him and touched her hand gently on his forehead. "You have a fever," she said worriedly then she looked at Vincent. "Go get Klaus."

"Yes, ma'am," Vincent said before he ran out the room calling for his brother.

Hailey took Ender back to the bed. "You get right back under that blanket, young man," she used her strict teacher voice, it made him smile a little.

Vincent returned with Klaus beside him who looked freshly showered, his golden hair still damp.

"It doesn't look bad, his temperature is slightly warm," Hailey assured Klaus.

"I know. He had a fever since last night, so it must have gone down with some rest," Klaus said, his emerald eyes on Ender as he spoke to Hailey.

"I can still go to school," Ender used his sore voice. "I want to go to school."

All three of them exchanged a worried look.

"You're not going to school," another voice said sternly, it was King. He sauntered into the room and towered at the foot of the bed, his severely rigid blue eyes stared at Ender.

"King-" Klaus's voice was wary.

"He's going to be with me today," King told his mate.

"I am?" Ender asked.

King nodded once. Klaus was caught off guard just as much as Ender and everyone else in the room was, but no one raised any questions against him.

"Okay, I'll get breakfast ready," Klaus said, and everyone followed him out the door, everyone except King.

King stayed at the end of the bed with his arms crossed. Ender forgot all about his headache and focused on the dangerously scary man in front of him. He wasn't anything short from resembling a demon, maybe that was an understatement because King and his tattoos scared Ender.

"Come on, get up and take a shower," King instructed. "You're going to eat breakfast before we get started."

Ender stumbled out of bed, he hurried into the bathroom and closed the door, but something told him that even this door wouldn't stop someone like King.

Ender had finished his shower and brushed his teeth in record time. He wrapped a huge towel around himself and poked his head out the door to see if King was still in the room. To his surprise, King was still in the room, he was picking up the moon orb off the floor and he placed it on the table. He saw Ender then too.

"What are you doing?" King asked.

"I need to put my clothes on," Ender blurted out while turning crimson in embarrassment.

King turned away looking to the balcony. "Hurry up, kid, you have thirty seconds," he warned.

Ender ran out the bathroom because something told him that King wasn't lying about the thirty second time-stamp. He quickly shoved his head through the neck of his sweater and was already putting his pants on all at once. He buttoned his jeans so fast that he hurt his finger.

"Done," he declared breathlessly.

King turned back and came up to him, he lifted his hand and Ender flinched back wondering what he did wrong. He finished before thirty seconds and followed everything King told him. Why was King about to hit him? Ender covered himself with his scrawny arms, when a quiet moment passed and Ender opened his eyes. He looked over his arms and saw King frozen in his spot.

"Sorry, I shouldn't have risen my hand," King said. He put his hand on Ender's head and fixed his tousled hair. "Your hair looked funny."

Ender moved back and grabbed his head of hair. "Er- I was in a hurry, so I couldn't fix it," he told him.

King chuckled. "Here-" he ruffled his hair further- "I fixed it for you. Come on, I'm starving." King took Ender out of the room and both of them went to the kitchen.

The kitchen was the heart of this house and the most chaotic in the mornings. Everyone was here and gathered at the round table eating and drinking coffee.

"Are you telling me that River was out all night?" Vincent astounded.

"He was!" astonished Ryder who was overflowing with joy. "He came home literally an hour ago."

"How do you know?" Hunter asked as he sat down with Hailey.

"I was stalking him-" Ryder admitted over the cup of his coffee.

"Like an old bat-" remarked Hailey making them laugh and Ryder choke on his coffee.

"Food is ready," announced Klaus.

Everyone shot off their seat and went to grab their plates to eat scrambled eggs and toast. Ender dodged all the chaos and tried not to trip over anyone. He moved far away but he was stopped when a gentle hand touched him from behind, it was Bone. He must have been watering his roses in the house because he was beaming happily.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Bone asked him.

"Um-" Ender looked back at the chaotic crowd.

Bone chuckled. "They are crazy when it comes to food," he whispered jokingly. "You take a seat, I'll bring you a plate." Bone took him to the chair and sat him down. In seconds, he somehow managed to get through the crowd to Klaus and put scrambled eggs on a plate with two pieces of toast too. He put the plate in front of him and even gave apple juice too.

"Thank you, Bone," Ender said quickly making sure he heard him.

Bone smiled warmly. "You're welcome," he said. "Let me know if you want more." He walked off and helped Klaus manage the big crowd.

Once Bone and Klaus gave everyone breakfast, the crowd sat back in their seats. Ender quietly ate, as everyone filled the table with their voices. King and Klaus sat beside Ender, it was like they didn't want to leave him out of their sight for even a second. He understood why they behaved like that after what happened yesterday.

Ender tried to keep himself busy with the food which was delicious, he was especially hungry today and filling up his belly helped ease the ache in his head and body. He felt better after drinking up the juice Bone gave him too.

The group was busy talking about the scary guy who was always next to Gabriel, he was Ryder's twin. River was downright frightening, Ender thought. Ryder smiled and had fun with everyone, but not River. So, when they were talking about him finding his mate, Ender was a bit surprised that someone that scary managed to fall in love. Well, that's what Ryder said.

"Of course, he fell in love, Zoya's irresistible," said Sabrina.

Hunter chuckled. "Why do I get the feeling that all of you are going to bother the poor guy even more now?" he remarked.

"He deserves it," added Viola.

"Wait until he comes here," Vincent gloated. "I'm going to tease the hell out of him."

"You can't, he scares you too much," Viola retorted.

"No, he doesn't," Vincent said. "Besides, I have Gabriel to protect me."

"I'm not doing anything," Gabriel added.

"Wow, what a brother," Vincent put his hand on his heart like he was hurt.

The group laughed at him.

"No, but seriously, what are we going to say to him?" Klaus said. "Zoya and him probably mated if he stayed out late."

"We should throw a party," suggested Hailey.

"Ooh, that's sounds fun, we can invite Zoya too," said Sabrina.

Viola clapped her hands together. "I'm going to wear the dress Zoya gifted me," she said.

They group started to organize a party, which was definitely becoming more and more part of tonight's plan.

Ender couldn't focus on what they discussed since his brain was drawing up every possible thing that King was going to do with him today.

A while passed and everyone had finished their breakfast, which meant that it was time for Ender to face King. Ender almost reached out to Klaus to stop whatever was going to happen now. However, he couldn't muster the courage or the voice.

Ender got up and put his dishes in the sink, Viola came up behind him and said that she'd do the dishes, he protested but she smiled and used her tall figure to block him from the counter. Ender hoped he'd just spend another few moments doing something other than fret over today. He also found it strange that no one said anything yesterday. No one raised any questions when they clearly had seen his markings. They were probably curious, who wouldn't be.

"Come on, kid," King said from the front door. "Get your coat and boots on. We're heading out."

Ender jumped into action- putting his coat on, lacing his boots to his feet and King pointed out that it'd be a good idea to put on his hat, gloves and scarf since it snowed a lot last night.

Everyone in the house was also getting ready to head out too. He evaded the crowd by stepping out the front door without putting on his hat or gloves. Instantly, his ears froze and his hands grew icy cold. The entire property was covered in a thick blanket of crisp, white snow that glittered under the silver light of the sun which peeked out from behind the clouds. For once, he had something to keep him warm, he didn't have to fight off the cold or wonder if his toes would break off from frostbite.

Although, King stepped out only in a leather jacket and boots; no hat or gloves. Ender wondered if he'd get cold or maybe Ender had grown weak from being pampered with a coat, hat and gloves.

Felling his anxiousness dissipate with a dingy mood, Ender drowned in his coat and wool scarf, he hid his face in it pretty well too, and since his hair was always falling in his eyes, no one could distinguish him.

King waved off to Bone and kissed Klaus who also looked curious as to why King asked to be with Ender today. Klaus didn't ask and Ender hoped he had.

The day with King had just begun. Ender was terrified but his heart told him there was nothing to be afraid of.