Crimon's POV

My steps slowed as I walked into the room, my eyes darted around to see the wolves in front and to the sides of me. It's like a fire begins to burn bright deep inside and will not be put out until the damage has been dealt. "Alpha the captives—" I cut off the nurse who speaks of the young wolves we've brought back from the border. "These two AREN'T captives. . . the one that was out in the cell house is," my words came out in a growl due to the misconception of who is who. The nurse bowed her head in apology waiting for my consent to continue, I nod.

"The male is more efficient in keeping his weigh on him. The female however is not fairing very well and has to be kept under intensive watch. She can barely lift her own head." The report wasn't shocking, I saw this coming. Carter keeps my pace as I hungrily step over to the male's bed side. His face hardens as he looks at me looking for an answer, the tubing hooked into his skin barely doing anything. My fingers move to the hem of his collar and my wolf hounds in the back of my head almost mocking me.

'Big Mistake...'

An aura of hatred began to fill the room, not for he male but for what he had to endure. And judging by the way the room felt, he was gaining strength by me being there.

"Branding...", Carter's voice shakes with unease and the burning sensation I feel manifests. Only is it with rage that I peel the shirt to the side eyeing the branding on near his collar bone, my nails growing slightly to the shape of sharp acrylic nails.

A bleeding moon... the same since I last saw it. But how long ago was it? And the burning rage continues coursing through my veins as I snatch two bandages wrecking the little station where they were. My mate, afraid and stunned by the quickness of my movements is glued in place.

I sit on the edge of the bed and begin to cover the branding by position the bandages side by side.

Remaining calm I take a breather but it doesn't last for long.. for their chant echos in my head the boy locks eyes with mine, his showing a trace of red and I'm almost certain mine have small red specks.

The space around the male and I begins to feel tainted, and most confused leave the room or take a step back. The one who doesn't is who I make out to be Carter.

In a gruesome harmony, nor him or I can hold it in. "Blooded eclipse... in the darkened sky...", our tone becomes hushed as we breathe in the chill. "Here to strike fear with a quiet lullaby..."

My head pounds as the young male looks at me in what I make out to be shock. He can't know... I instantly think but it vanishes once Carter steps in pressing his chest against my back which I find rather comforting. He speaks the words that can't find a way out of my lips.

"What is your name?" He questions still quite afraid of what just went down. There was a long pause but with confidence the adolescent finally made out 'Aiden', and as he did a vengeful howl erupted from the ICU only a few spaces down the hall.

We all rose, even Aiden who was trying to be forced back to bed by the nurse who gave me the vital report and a few of her practitioners.

Aiden ripped the IV's from his skin and followed the agonizing howl as did I, Carter not far behind.

We found her there in the hospital bed, looking beaten and bruised as the male knelt at the edge of the bed. This time Carter steps closer knowing what I can and will become. His words gentle as he approaches her.

"Your name?" but she is too weak to reply. Aiden answers for her, "Blaise".

I examine her face and the look in her eyes is so familiar it's frightening. I almost laugh in madness. "Oh sweet child. . ." the words begin to flow but I bite my lip to stop them from pouring out like hot rain on a gapping wound.

The nurse places the IV's back into Aiden's arm and sets up a small area for him next to Blaise's bed.

"Leave us," and she does closing the door behind her. In the enclosed space my mate glances at me almost begging me to come closer. And slowly I do. Regaining control, I pull the collar of Blaise's shirt to the side and bandage up her branding. I'm well aware the bandage doesn't heal the brand burn but not seeing it will do good for their mental health.

The words try to escape as Carter wraps his arms around me like the smol bean he is. But how can he learn to love a beast like me. After all you need to be a beast to gain the respect you want. Part of me is aware of a covering as he rests his chin over my right shoulder this time instead of my left. . . concerning.

"Please stay near, you give us strength... Alpha," Aiden addresses me in the only way he would know how and I don't know how to respond to it. They don't know why I give them strength and they mustn't. I'm trapped..

"They'll know..." my words come out puzzled and I try to calm the panic. Intense up and Blaise gives me her chilled tired eyes.

"I know." I paused before I decide how rational it is to continue, "I know how you are feeling. And I promise I will fix this and they will regret their ways."

Which is when I make the mistake of shifting my weight causing Carter to tug ever so slightly at the collar of my shirt. I know it's not by much but no one can know..

I've built a reputation for myself and this covering is NOT going to ruin it now. I won't let it ruin me!

But I can't help and wonder...

What if they know?. .

~ Do you know? . . ~

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Can we get this to 20 votes for the next chapter?

Authors Note:

Hello lovelies.

Thank you so much for being patient with the last chapter and as a gift for you all I've decided I wanted to do a double update today in spite of how long it's been.

As I mentioned last chapter I do plan on continuing this book for a while. And who knows. Maybe a series? <~ let me know if you like that idea

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and there will be much more to come out of this book.

Once again I am looking for a new cover for this book so if anyone has any ideas or suggests please let me know in the comments or PM me I don't mind.

I love you all and thank you so much for the support.

Much love,

Marshy 🐻💛