LUKA'S POV

The sound of her startled gasp pushes me into motion and I run past all around me to catch her fragile little body. Rae falls into my arms in a heap and screams out in pain. Her back is drenched in blood and the claw marks stretch diagonally from her right shoulder to her left hip, but from what I'm seeing Willow didn't claw her deep enough to hit her spine or vital organs. Thank the Goddess.

"Rae? Rae can you hear me? Rae it's going to be ok. I promise you, you're going to get better. Relax my little angel, just relax." I try my best to calm her with soothing words as she sobs and sobs in pain. What the hell is wrong with Willow? How the hell could she do such a thing? And just like that my anger triples. My wolf charges forward and takes complete control. I feel my eyes literally blacken and my canines and claws elongate.

FEMALE!

His voice booms across the empty training field. Ralph stops attacking Willow's arm that clawed Rae leaving a deep gash and teeth marks everywhere.  All of my family and Rae's family step away slowly. Each step my wolf takes towards Willow causes more anger to surge through us. I can feel just how mad he is as our body is literally vibrating in rage.

Did I not warn you? And yet you dare harm her? You dare lay a hand on her? You have drawn blood from her body and expect no retribution? Oh but you are not safe. You are not safe from me. I shall do the same. I will show you what it feels to be clawed in the back. I will make sure you never forget the pain you inflicted on her.

He stalks closer to Willow until we're almost face to face. I've never felt such anger before, even with the attack... it's never been this intense before. Fear begins to rise in spite of the anger at what my wolf may do to my baby sister. Sure she was in the wrong to hurt Rae like that but right now I don't think he even sees her as his sibling... he sees her as a threat. I push through the haze of rage and force him back.

"Wi-Willow. G-Get away. G-Get aw-away... NOW!" I can barely get the words out of my mouth as my wolf is adamant on teaching Willow a lesson. Father is quick to take Willow away from me and straight into the pack house. I take a few breaths to calm him down but it's not working, it's making it worse. I can't hold on much longer as he slams me to the back of my mind and shifts on the spot. A thunderous roar pierces through the air so loudly that everyone has to cover the ears in shock. Turning back to the pale and almost lifeless seeming body of Raelynn another roar barrels out of us in pure rage. I watch as Ralph licks at the side of her face gently trying to keep her awake. His whimpers set us off and we shoot through the field and into the woods. My emotions feel so intensified with my wolf and the pain of seeing Rae hurt becomes a never-ending stab through my chest.

We should have taught her a lesson. My wolf growls his anger and I continue running. If I can run out my frustrations and anger then I will be able to get back to Rae faster. Jumping over logs and dashing through trees I feel the energy humming through my body. Spotting an old tree a few yards away I charge right towards it and topple it over. As it thuds to the ground I jump on top of it and begin tearing it apart. My wolf takes great enjoyment in shredding the trees to bits. It's better to take its anger out on an inanimate object rather than my sister.

Twelve trees later and I am ready to gain full control. I have to race back to Rae's side in fear she may have gotten worse. When I see the clearing and nobody is there I shift my direction to the pack hospital. Not even halfway to the building and I can smell her scent, her blood. It pushes me to go faster. Everything around me is a blur as I continue my sprint towards her. As people begin to come into my line of sight, I know I'm there. I see my friends waiting outside anxiously and a few pack members waiting around as well. Dave and Jo are outside too. I shift quickly and grab the shirt and shorts Dave throws at me.

"She is in critical condition. She's lost a lot of blood Alpha. I'm going to need to stitch up her wounds and then she'll need a blood transfusion. She's lucky, if she was just a few inches closer to the attacker she would have hit a kidney." He shakes his head and looks down at the battered body of my closest friend. His eyes then land on Jerri and a look of determination sets upon his face.

"I'm going to need some space. If everyone could leave except immediate family. Jerri I know you have the same blood type as your daughter. O negative right?" Mrs. Dawson nods and moves closer to her daughter. "Good. You lie on the bed beside her and I will set up the needles. Everyone else needs to go now. We haven't much time." I watch as my father tries to shuffle everyone out of the room and that's when my eyes lay on her. She looks even worse than when I had left her.

"Son we need to clear the-"

"No." I say with absolute finality. There is no way in hell they are going to make me wait outside. I need to be here with her. She needs to know I am here. Doc. Ewan walks towards me slowly.

"Young Alpha..."

"Are you questioning what I clearly just said?" My wolf pushes through pissed off more than ever. The doctor quickly shakes his head and points to the other side of Rae that isn't occupied by her sobbing mother. I walk to her side and begin to shake in anger again.

"I really must begin the surgery. I need the rest of you to leave." Doctor Ewan says as he begins to put on his gloves and a mask. I grit my teeth at what's about to happen. Everyone leaves quietly leaving myself, Jerri and the doctor. Abrielle left with my mother. Ewan takes a deep breath and holds Jerri in his arms calming her down so he can get the transfusion ready. When she calms down her kisses her cheek and begins. He sedates Rae some more so she remains asleep and gets to work. All the while I am watching him patch up someone who should have never been so broken.

***

"Willow what do you have to say for yourself?" Raelynn has been recuperating for the past week. Christopher showed up four days after her surgery and almost attacked my father for what had happened to his daughter. I haven't left Rae's side even for school. I'm doing well enough that missing a few days will do nothing to my grades and I have my friends bringing me home my homework. I work on it right beside Rae. Right now is one of the few exceptions that I have left her. It's an important matter that needs to be resolved right now.

"I- I. I'm sorry. I lost control of my wolf. I was just so angry! She's always showing off how nice she is and how sweet she is and how understanding she is! Acting like she's better than me! Just because she is 6 months and 10 days older than me, does not mean she can act so damn prissy! She drives me crazy! I hate her!" By the end of her rant she is panting and her wolf has surfaced. Her canines are out and her claws are extended again, not to mention her eyes are swirling between chocolate brown and black.

"Get control of your wolf before I make you." Father says to her. Willow looks towards him and then to me and snarls.

"CONTROL YOURSELF!" Her wolf whimpers before she gains control again. Everyone present remains silent. Father wanted her punishment to be public so everyone would understand that no matter your position or family, you can always be punished. But mother was more sympathetic. She refused to have her daughter shamed in public. To which father replied,

"She shamed herself when she attacked an innocent, unarmed human girl."

And he's absolutely right. Instead we are in father's office; myself, Naal, father, mother, Christopher, Dave and Jo.

"What you did to Raelynn... it is unacceptable. I haven't punished you yet only because I wanted to see how Raelynn was fairing and I was trying to decide on a suitable punishment. You are my daughter and I love you but you can't go around thinking you can do whatever you want to whoever you want because of your status." Father gets up from his desk and we watch as his hands hover over a box on the corner of his desk. He opens it slowly and retrieves a collar. It looks simple enough.

"This here is not a simple collar. When I put it on you it will emit shocks to your body if and when you lose control to your wolf. Meaning you cannot shift. Period. If you get too upset it will shock you and the more you fight it the worse the shocks will become. You are to wear this collar until Raelynn is completely healed. No exceptions. Do you understand?" A stillness rests upon all of us as we take in what my father just said. She won't be able to shift. At all. Is it a just punishment? Yes it is. Is she getting what she deserves for what she did to Rae? Absolutely yes. But still. Not being able to shift? That could take a toll on her wolf.

"B-but. B-but what about school?" Willow says as tears well up in her eyes. Mom looks away and takes deep breaths.

"I have already spoken with your principal. You will be home-schooled until Raelynn is better. We have more than enough qualified members to teach you here." Willow gasps and begins to sob. Neither one of us make a sound as father moves towards Willow with the collar.

"No! NO! I promise I will never do it again! I swear daddy! I swear it!" Her face is blotchy and her nose is running but I still can't comfort her. If it were me, the punishment would have been much worse. It makes me think of the pain that Dave had to go through when I was attacked by the rogues. Willow should count herself lucky. So I decide to tell her that.

"Willow. Willow look at me." I walk towards her and take her face in my hands. "Don't be scared. All you have to do is remain calm and nothing bad will happen to you. Trust me ok?" Willow's eyes stare at me in fear and I kiss her forehead. She nods her head yes and I step back as father places the collar on her. Her eyes clench as he locks it but then as nothing happens she opens each eye slowly.

"See it's ok right baby girl?" Willow jumps out of her chair and hugs father.

"I really am sorry! I never knew emotions could be so strong with a wolf." She says holding on to him tightly.

"As an Alpha you need to learn how to control your wolf. That is why you have training and lessons. By obtaining control people will respect and admire you. Not fear you. Understand?" Father gives her a hug and kisses the top of her head.

"I understand daddy. I will pay more attention and do better. I promise." Mom joins in with the hug and everyone begins to leave. Christopher walks towards us and smiles sadly.

"I'm going to go and see how Raelynn is doing, Luka, Naal are you coming?" I nod and ruffle Willow's hair. She grabs on to my leg and pouts.

"Can't you stay here? I mean you're always with her."

"I'm always with her because she needs me there." She begins to scowl.

"She doesn't even know you're there Luka. I need you here." Her response sets my wolf off again causing me to growl.

"I wouldn't need to be with her all the time if you-"

"Willow, Luka and Naal are best friends with Raelynn they just want to make sure she is safe and healing properly. Come let's continue with your lessons." Father escorts Willow from the room and Naal and I follow Christopher to his house. We choose to drive with him instead of running, no point in ruining our clothes.

"I really appreciate both of you coming to make sure Raelynn is ok. Even though she isn't awake yet I know she loves your company." Christopher smiles at us through the rear-view mirror.

"There's nowhere else I would rather be Chris." Naal says as his fists clench.

"Rae's going to wake up and when she does I am going to be right there... no matter what." I say staring out the window.

"We're here." Christopher turns off the car and takes out a bouquet of flowers from the passenger's seat. I can see the worry on his face and hear the erratic beat of his heart. He wants her to wake up just as badly as the rest of us do. We all walk into their house slowly and I listen around for any visitors.

"It's just the six of us here. I don't want anyone else coming to see her until she can welcome them herself." I nod and follow him to the living room that they've turned into her bedroom. Rae is lying on her stomach as she was earlier this morning. The IV drip has been refilled and it seems her mom has braided her hair and changed her clothes.

"Doctor Ewan just left. He said she is in stable condition and should wake up soon. The wound is healing nicely." There are bags under her eyes and she rubs at her forehead as she speaks. Abrielle is braiding a doll's hair beside Rae's bed and it looks like she was just crying.

"I brought the boys again hun. Though I don't think they really cared for my permission." Naal and I simultaneously blush and scratch the backs of our heads.

"It's good to see you boys. I know Raelynn is enjoying the attention." Jerri gets up and gives us both a hug.

"When is Lynn going to wake up?" Abrielle asks innocently. We all stare at each other unable to answer. It's Naal who speaks up.

"She's going to wake up when she is ready. And when she does wake up I know she's going to be so excited to see you. Maybe you should make her a card." Abrielle smiles brightly and runs up the stairs.

"Thank you for that Naal. With Raelynn still healing I haven't had much time to explain this... situation to Abrielle." Naal shrugs and walks to Rae sitting on her side. I follow suit and sit on her other end.

"I can understand that you're tired. Both of you. Why don't you get some rest and Luka and I can start our watch. We already know the routine." The gratefulness that shines in their eyes is confirmation enough.

"We won't be asleep for long and if anything happens-"

"Don't worry Christopher." I say taking a hold of Rae's hand. They walk up stairs and Naal stares down at Rae.

"I was hoping she'd be awake by now." He mutters to himself but I still nod in agreement.

"She's strong. I know she'll wake up soon." And so Naal and I spend the next six hours watching over our best friend. We change her bandages periodically and clean the wound with a cream and salve as directed by Doctor Ewan. We check the drip to make sure it's flowing properly and make sure she is comfortable. That is our routine.

***

"Raelynn is awake." It's as if I hear the words in a dream and even then I am running to her house to make sure it's real. But I've been having the same dream for days now... and that's all it is, a dream.

"Luka! Raelynn is awake!" Father's voice is loud and urgent in my head and my eyes open immediately. Jumping out of bed I throw on a shirt and shorts before literally running the entire way to her house. It doesn't take me too long until I reach her and when I do I don't even knock or wait, I just burst through the door and straight to the living room. Jerri and Christopher are hovering over her bed and I can hear her whimpers.

"Luka!" Jerri turns to me but I can't even say anything as I rush to Rae's bed. They have her lying on her side and there are tears running down her face.

"Rae? Rae angel it's Luka. I'm right here Rae. Look at me angel." She bites her lip and I can tell she is slipping in and out of consciousness.

"Just open your eyes Rae. I'm right here." I tell her trying to coax her into looking at me. Her eyelids flutter before she slowly opens them. Tears are gathered in her blue eyes as her focus clears and she sees me.

"L-Luka... it-it hurts." She screams out in pain and I stroke her face in comfort. Naal bursts through the door and rests right beside me.

"Raelynn! Look at you! I'm so proud of you. I know you were strong enough to come back to us." She tries to smile at him but grimaces causing me to growl.

"Not now Naal she's in pain." Naal growls back at me.

"You think I don't see that? The point is to keep her mind off of the pain." I continue to stroke her face as it is the only thing that is keeping me calm.

"How about you make yourself useful and call Doctor Ewan? That way there will be no pain." Naal snaps at me but gets up to mindlink him regardless.

"Y-You don't n-need to be s-so har-harsh with h-him." Rae says gasping out. I continue to wipe her tears and smile softly.

"Just relax angel. The pain is going to go away soon." Rae tries to nod but stops.

"Doctor Ewan is here." Christopher says from the doorway. He rushes in and pauses to look at Jerri again. The look in his eyes is not welcomed by Christopher at all.

"How about you focus on my daughter and not my wife Ewan." The doctor growls low before he sets up a different IV and injects her quickly.

"What are you giving her?" I ask as I watch the pain ease off of her face.

"Morphine. She has trouble swallowing the pills so this will help to let her sleep off the pain." He leaves behind a few creams and gels and instructs us to apply it to her wounds to speed up the healing process. He waits at the door as if someone is going to do something else and his eyes linger on Jerri once more before he puts on his coat. Rae is knocked out before the doctor even leaves and all of us stare at her little body.

"When did she wake up?" I ask them still holding her hand.

"About an hour ago. We heard a loud scream and knew it was her. She was crying out in pain. It was the most horrible sound I've ever heard." Jerri says staring at her daughter.

"Thank you for telling us." Naal says watching Rae with so much intensity.

"Of course." Christopher says wrapping an arm around his wife.

"Why is everybody awake?" Abrielle asks coming down the stairs. Jerri wipes at her tears and welcomes her daughter with open arms.

"Raelynn woke up sweetie. We were all very excited is all. But now we are going back to sleep and the boys are going to watch her until she wakes up. Ok?" I know she is speaking to her daughter but I also know she was directing that to us as well and I have no problem in losing sleep for this little angel.

"Ok." Abrielle turns to Rae before her eyes widen and she runs up the stairs. When she returns she is holding a sparkly get better card. Walking up to her sister she kisses Rae's forehead and places the card beside her.

"I made this just for you Lynn. I hope you like it and read it when you wake up again. I love you." She gives her one more kiss before she goes upstairs with her parents.

"They look so drained. This must have taken such a toll on them." Naal says pushing a curl out of Rae's face. My wolf growls in protest at his action but I could care less right now. Rae is awake and that's all that matters.

"Can you imagine the pain you would feel when you aren't sure whether or not your child will withstand the injury? She's so young man. She deserves better." Her breathing is soft and even, very reassuring for me.

"Yeah I guess it's a good thing Chris is human, can you imagine if this happened to a wolf?" I shiver at Naal's suggestion. Just thinking of my own reaction was bad enough, but if that was my pup? No one would be able to come near me.

"It's a horrible thing to think about. So let's not dwell on it." Rae turns onto her back and I hear her sharp intake of breath. Naal and I are by her side in an instant. I figure the pain is enough to wake her, but she turns to her left side and falls back asleep.

"Did you get any sleep?" Naal walks to the kitchen and retrieves two water bottles.

"Barely. With those freaking rogues and now this..."

"It can't be easy." He says tossing the bottle to me. I catch it easily.

"I'd say you have no idea, but you're my Beta so you do." I gulp down the water as Naal watches Rae.

"Doesn't it make you crave a companion? Someone who can help to alleviate the stress? Someone to just... hold? Goddess I sound sappy but..." Naal says as his eyes begin swirling to black.

"But you have someone, you have Mara." And it is true. It would be understandable if I were to be saying this but he has someone. He has Mara. I have no one except my family.

"I've already said it's complicated with Mara." The tension in his body and the presence of his slowly surfacing wolf, prove his statement true.

"Then why bother with her? I mean why not just stay friends?" We both pull up a chair and watch Rae sleep.

"Because she's a great person to talk to and she understands me and..." My eyebrows perk up at his pause.

"And?" I ask. Naal blushes deep red.

"And... she's good at letting my frustrations out... from time to time."

"Meaning?" 

"Meaning she's great sexually. Even though we haven't actually had sexyet she is still able to do other things... Various things that relieves the tensionjust as well. She knows when I need it just by looking at me... which is whywe're so complicated. We're more than compatible sexually but everything else is kinda messed up." He hangs his head and I chuckle.

"Almost sounds like Alina and I except you have better access to Mara than I do to her. Wait... that came out wrong." Naal laughs as well and pushes at my side.

"You make us sound like players."

"I didn't mean to."

"I know you didn't but... sometimes it sucks to be a wolf. I mean you get these damn urges that are only multiplied by your wolf. And then when you try to release the tension otherwise well then you still want it. Every female is lusting after you so you can barely go anywhere without smelling their arousal. And then there are those days..."

"Trust me I know. It's as if girls just line up waiting for you. Everyone wants to be with the future Alpha and Beta. Everyone wants a piece. But it's rare if anyone ever wants to just talk. It's rare if anyone ever wants to just take a walk and enjoy the forest. No one wants to just hang out at the movies or get a scoop of ice cream. Now that we're older... it's not so innocent anymore." Naal throws his head back with a heavy sigh.

"It's as if that innocence is just a dream now. A faint memory that once served as a reminder of our youth." He pauses and his face almost darkens.

"Next year... everything is going to change next year Luka. We will never be the kids we once were. All of this," he gestures towards Rae, "We may not be able to do this as often as we'd like." Rae's breathing catches and I hold her hand.

"It's a decision we both chose to make. No matter the hardships." Is all I can say because I don't know what else to say.

"And it's a decision I am more than happy to make. I just... I hate being used. Some people may adore the attention but I want genuinity. I want honesty. I want a mate that I can rely on not just sexually. Anyone can have sex. I want to make love to her." His words are so passionate and wistful. It's like he's almost pleading with our Goddess to give him what he so earnestly wants. What we're both longing for.

"At least you have a companion Naal. Alina shows up when she wants and the rest of the girls, either human or she-wolf they just want to be recognized as someone that was able to be with me. Sure the pleasure is nice and well needed but afterwards I feel cheap and I could only guess how the girls feel..." My eyes drift over Rae and I smile faintly.

"I want my mate because I want that other half of me, but I can't make the decision... though I haven't exactly been looking yet. It's almost as if something is holding me back." Naal raises an eyebrow in suspicion.

"What do you think it is?" I shrug in response.

"Damned if I knew. I just know that there is more I want from my mate than pups and affection."

"You and me both Luka." We lean back in our chairs and continue to monitor our little friend.

A knock at the door stirs me and I wake up from a sleep I didn't know I had fallen into. Looking outside the window I can see the sun has already risen, so it must be around 9 in the morning. The knock appears again and I open the door to find my father, mother and Willow all waiting outside.

"What are you guys doing here?" I ask baffled. Mom laughs and lets herself in while dad just shakes his head and follows after her. Willow is the only one that is still lingering in the doorway.

"Ok maybe you can answer my question. What are you guys doing here?" Willow huffs and tugs at her collar.

"Mom and dad thought it was necessary for me to apologize because of what I... did to Raelynn." She rolls her eyes and looks away from me.

"Well it isn't that hard to believe since you did attack her." Willow rolls her lips into her mouth and nods before walking past me and into the living room. I take absolute pleasure in hearing her startled gasp, most likely from the sight of Rae.

"W-Why is she like that?" Willow says putting a hand to her mouth. I roll my eyes and close the door.

"She is like that because she is a human with no advanced healing capabilities. She has to stay on her stomach so her back can breathe and heal properly." Naal says fixing the blanket on her.

"I didn't mean to do this to her." My wolf gets irritated, again, and growls at her.

"Well you did." I say in annoyance. My father eyes snap towards me and he growls my submission and I obey because I don't mean to be so harsh with her but what did she expect? That Rae was going to be up and dancing around as if she wasn't almost mauled to death by a she-wolf?

"I am going to start breakfast for everyone. Jerri and Chris must be so tired." Mom makes her way into the kitchen and begins cooking and father joins her. Naal and I are quiet waiting for the morphine to wear off. It takes an hour but Rae finally begins to stir again and this time she isn't in as much pain as before. Her eyes widen dramatically at seeing Willow before they narrow and she does something unexpected, she whistles low.

Ralph scratches at the backdoor and Naal goes to let him in. As soon as he spots Willow he growls deeply and his hackles rise as he gets into a defensive stance in front of Rae. He must have been kept outside all this time so the family could care for Rae without distractions. Rae tries and fails at petting Ralph; instead she shifts herself so she's at a higher angle before she speaks.

"Make one wrong move and I will make sure Ralph finishes what he started." I am shocked to hear the absolute hatred in Raelynn's voice. I mean it is warranted but it is also very surprising. Willow looks towards the wolf and then Naal and I, but we will not interfere on this one. She gulps and takes a deep breath.

"I'm here to apologize for losing control the way I did. I am so sorry. My wolf is hard to control and-"

"And nothing. Just like Luka you've had Alpha lessons and training on how to control that for over two years now. I don't want to hear some crap about how you lost control and didn't mean it. You and I both know you meant to attack me and you wanna know a secret? I also know that you enjoyed every minute of it because you're wicked like that." I stare in stunned silence at Rae's declaration. Even Willow is surprised but she tries to mask it.

"Raelynn it was a mistak-"

"Stop lying." Her face is stony but pissed off as hell as she watches Willow squirm.

"It really was a mis-"

"STOP LYING! IF YOU'RE HONESTLY GOING TO COME HERE TO GIVE ME SOME CRAPPY SOB STORY THEN YOU CAN SEE YOURSELF OUT! TELL THE TRUTH OR GET THE HELL OU-" Rae's voice rasps out in pain and she fists at her sheets. I rush to her side and pet her hair as soothing as I can. Willow growls and then yelps when her collar zaps her.

"Fine I attacked you because you can be so damn pretentious. But I didn't mean to hurt you so badly. I'm not crazy Raelynn no matter what you think. So I am sorry for the pain I have caused you and I really do hope you get better soon-"

"Why? So you can get that doggie collar off of your neck? Oh yes I know all about your pathetic punishment. Although I know you deserve much more pain and humiliation, looking like the mutt you are will be good enough for now. Who knows maybe I'll be sure to open the stitches over and over again just to make sure you're stuck with your mutt choker. The pain will be worth it." Rae snickers and then hisses in pain the same time Willow growls louder and yelps again at the shock.

"Enough both of you. Rae angel, Willow did apologize and she was honest please take that and get some rest." Rae looks at me as if she's completely forgotten I was here before nodding and turning to her other side, not easily I will add. Mom takes her time bringing out breakfast as father calls down the Dawson family.

We all eat in an awkward silence with Naal and I listening out if Rae will need us. Thankfully though breakfast finishes quickly and my family leaves with a bittersweet goodbye from Willow to a still sulking Rae. Once they're gone Jerri makes some porridge for Rae to eat since she can only consume liquids for now. I offer to feed it to her but Jerri insists she needs the time with her daughter. So Naal and I leave, promising we will come back soon. As we do every time we're there. As we will always do for Raelynn.

PICTURE OF RALPH>>>