May 17, 2020 edited

Better but not perfect...No plot changes

TONY'S POV

A half hour later I couldn't believe what I just heard. I was appalled what Jenson just did and of the words I just heard. I was upstairs knocking on Mac's door when I heard Jenson and just by his tone it had me paying closer attention. When I finally realized what was going on it was too late to stop it. Not that I could anyways because when it came down to it as of right now Jenson was to become the new Alpha and he more than outranked me.

I had never seen Mac like that. She seemed paralyzed with fear. I could smell it coming from her right before her shame. I had never wanted to kill someone more in my life than right at that moment. Maybe we were wrong all this time about Jenson and Mac being mates. There was no way anyone could do that to someone they cared for, even if you didn't like your fated mate deep down you cared for them. You can fight it all you want but the feelings, the pull, the need to protect was always there. What Jenson just did showed nothing of the kind. The only time I had seen something this malice was against someone who was responsible for killing someone's mate.

When I saw Jenson shove his shoulder into Mac I almost lost it but when I saw her finally move I stopped. I didn't know what to expect. I didn't know what she was going to do. What I didn't expect was for her to walk away from Jenson. I thought she would have attacked him. I saw her react from someone doing so much less before. As she walked towards me I knew she wasn't seeing anything at all. She wasn't there in her head.

When she grabbed Drew by the shirt I held my breath but still didn't move. I told myself it was because of shock at what had just happened but I think deep down I wanted her to do something. Feel something. She moved so fast, if it wasn't for our quick reflexes and our enhanced sense the poor kid beside me would have been knocked over when Drew's body went flying past us.

I think when she saw Nick struggle to get out of Drew's hold before he punched him was what made Mac throw Drew away from Nick. Now I wasn't the only one frozen in his spot. Nick didn't move. He looked as lost as I felt. I watched helplessly as Mac stormed up the stairs. I so wanted to go check on her but I knew it wouldn't be welcomed. I could see Nick thinking the same thing. I was just glad that Corey was not there to witness what just happened. That would have been a great welcome. It basically said, "Hey welcome to our fucked up dysfunctional pack!" Definitely not a great start and Corey had just arrived a couple of hours ago.

From the corner of my eye I saw Thomas. He was furious. I wasn't sure if it was because of what Jenson just did or what we all just learned. I think it was a toss up. His body was shaking, his hands clenched in tight fists. He was about to lose it to his wolf. But there was a reason he was our Beta. He had control. Well enough for him to make it outside before he shifted. Less than a minute after Thomas ran outside there was a mournful howl. It was Thomas crying out the grief he felt for his niece. The kitchen was silent, the whole house was for that matter. When I looked over at Jenson I swear I could see regret, shame and fear in his eyes. That was until he looked up and spotted his father. Then it was only disobedience and determination. None of it made sense to me.

I felt the rage before I turned to look at our Alpha. Everyone could feel it as heads dropped forward and to the side showing their submission. That wasn't the scary part. No, what was worse when all of a sudden there was nothing. No rage, no disappointment. No nothing. The Alpha had closed himself off completely from us all. I have never been scared of my Alpha. I respected him and knew when to push the limits but never scared. Now I was terrified. I have never seen someone shut themselves off completely to the pack before. The power it took would be massive. Alpha Alexander was never the type to throw around his power. Oh sure he used it when he needed too but never had I felt anything like this.

When he turned and walked away no one moved. When we heard the soft click of his door shutting softly no one moved. When we heard the anguished howl coming from Thomas miles away we all jumped and left the room. All of us except Jenson who was staring at the wall as if he could see his father through the wall. Now the kid was scared. It was about damn time but I wondered if it was too damn late.

When I finally came to my senses on what had played out I bounded downstairs to see Corey had just arrived. Good I wasn't late. This was the least from my mind right now but until Corey knew everything I had to keep my shit together. This little tour was going to be brief. I would give Mac an hour to cool down and that was all she was going to get till I saw she was at least physically ok.

"How long have you been traveling around other packs?" I asked Corey after we left the house, breaking the silence.

"About a year. I haven't met anyone that has captured my interest even though there has been plenty of offers," he chuckled. I didn't doubt it. I could feel his power and he held a lot. Plus being of Alpha blood a lot of she-wolves would throw themselves at him.

As we rounded the corner of the house I heard the pounding of the music before I saw the training center. "I swear to god I am going to kill that girl!" I growled and took off in a slow run with Corey at my heels. The last thing she should be doing is wearing herself out. She was just getting her energy back as it was.

The closer I got the sliver of doubt or perhaps hope that it wasn't her. But then a flashback hit me on what had happened in the kitchen and that sliver of doubt was gone. I only knew of one person who listened to music that loud while training. Sure enough as soon as I opened the door Mac was in her not so usual workout getup pounding the crap out of that poor punching bag. Seeing her with an oversized t-shirt on almost had me stumble. This was not like her at all. The second thing I noticed was her bruised up shins and forearms. I lost my ability to be gentle.

I turned down the music first so she could properly hear me yelling at her. "Who is that?" Corey sounded a bit in awe. Not that I blamed him. Mac was a sight to see and even more to see her work. Her hits were precise and her movements flowed and she was still just a human.

"That is the bain of my existence! The Satan's spawn!" I roared, grabbing her attention.

As my greeting she flipped me off and continued to abuse the punching bag. "What the hell is wrong with you Mac?! You have been in bed for two days. Hell, you needed help to get back up the stairs just yesterday. FUCK! Will you stop while I am talking to you!" No matter how much I cared for her she could piss me off like no other. Plus, I knew if I was to talk to her in gentle tones she would shut me out and lock herself down. I hated that about her but it was who she was and until I could help her understand that caring about someone would not end up with her getting hurt this was the only way she responded when she was angry or upset. She was both right now.

Mac spun around and yelled right back. "You aren't fuckn talking to me, you are yelling!" She started to stomp her way towards me but as soon as she spotted Corey beside me she stopped dead in her tracks.

"Mac this is Corey. He is Alpha Alexander's nephew. Jenson's cousin." I introduced them.

Mac snorted. So not one of her better qualities. "Great another fucking douchebag." She didn't say it loud but it was loud enough for us to hear. She then turned her back and started to pick up her things and clean up.

"Did...did she just call me a douchebag?" The surprise in Corey's voice had me chuckle.

"Not directly but she does refer to Jenson as one." I corrected.

"She calls the Alpha's son a douchebag?" There was still surprise in his voice but also humor. Maybe even admiration. Great the possible new Alpha got off on foul loud mouth woman who happened to be like a sister to me.

"Listen," I took his arm and moved him farther from Mac. "There are some things you need to know about Mac but you need to talk to the Alpha. I strongly suggest that sooner than later. Until you do I will give you a piece of advice. Never touch her, it will not end well. Don't get annoyed if she ignores you. She doesn't talk to many people. Be prepared for her to tell you off if you stare at her. And do not go in her room unannounced." I left the last as it was. There was no reason for him to know why. I was very protective of Mac and would just about do anything I can to protect her. "Actually after today I suggest to stay away. I honestly don't know what is going to happen after what...never mind just talk to the Alpha." That was the safest for everyone right now. If I knew Mac as well as I think I did then she was a loose canon right now.

"Are you done your gossiping?" And there was that smart mouth now. She was talking to me but kept on glancing over to Corey. I wonder if she could feel the power levels among us?

"Are you done busting my balls?" I countered, getting the result I was hoping for. A smile crept up her face. It was a little sad but it was still something.

"Only if you give me a piggyback back to the house and to my room," she countered back. It did surprise me she was being so nonchalant in front of Corey. She normally saved that when it was just myself and recently Nick. Then it clicked in, she was acting as if the thing with Jenson never happened. Not healthy at all but if it helped her right now I would let it go. For a day or two anyways.

I did a dramatic sigh letting her think she won but the truth was I did. I knew she was exhausted and the physical contact between us would help. Turning around I bent down a bit so it was easier for her to jump on. "Thank you," she whispered as soon as her arms were around my shoulders, and her head rested down.

Corey and I walked back in silence. Halfway to the house he whispered, "She fell asleep?"

I sighed again. "She has had a rough few days. Do you mind helping me get her into bed? If the Alpha isn't busy we will go see him right after." I could tell by the way he looked at her that she had already perked his interest and he needed to know the issues that came with wanting to get to know Mac. After hearing what we had to say there is a good chance his interest would dwindle to nothing. I hoped at least.