--- Felix' POV---

Joy.

Sweet and utter joy.

I had always loved going on a walk with Milo, to see him dart through the trees with happiness in his eyes. Often I wondered what made it so fun for him, to sniff around and dart through the trees while I barely coped with the sounds of my surroundings.

Running through the trees, I could finally see why Milo and the pack took such great joy of taking off between the trees, frolic in the woods without a care.

The sense of freedom, having the wind tug at your fur, claws digging into the dirt as your muscles gave their all. Adrenaline pumping through your veins while every sound, every scent seemed amplified.

Now, everything seemed clear. It had always felt as if my senses seemed to be almost too inhuman for my brain to cope with. I always heard too much, felt everything even if my family members didn't and could scent things they couldn't.

A branch cracked in the distance, causing my ears to swivel towards the sound before sprinting towards it. The rest of the pack huffed and panted, darting through the woods and keeping track of stragglers.

My eyes landed on the three legged wolf, speeding up to catch up to him before I hopped over Milo and playfully tugged at his ear. He growled back, shaking his head before nipping at my paws, tackling me to the floor until we were one rolling ball of fluff.

And even with this speed and our rapid movements, I could see the love shining brightly in his eyes, the moisture on his nose gleam in the sunlight, the same sunlight that set his fur aglow in vibrant shades.

Each step he took create a wave of scent; mostly his own, musky and powerful yet soothing at the same time. The smell of dirt fluttered along as his paws kicked up sand, the delicate scent of whatever grass and bush he sped past, trailed along hesitantly.

For once, my brain didn't quiver and meltdown at all the information; instead it seemed to absorb everything rapidly and brought it back to me in information that was easy to process. It showed the total picture and provided a list of every detail as well.

No longer was it a bunch of stimuli grouped up and screaming out to be seen first, instead a calm and orderly group that presented me with facts, calm and clearly. Every little touch from Milo sent a spark through my nerves, reaffirming our bond and strengthen it with each bolt of information and emotion that zipped between us.

A few of the pack approached, laughing and growling to themselves as they watched our play fight. Neither of us gave in, jumping and bowing, nipping at the other's fur before we both gave up and settled down, too tired to continue.

Koda darted between us, fumbling on his longer legs. The pup had hit a growth spurt and was coping with his new wolf body, often tripping himself up. I smiled as he tapped Milo on the head before sticking his rump in the air, inviting to play.

A small motion caught my eye and I smiled, watching Zayne fumble in between the wolves. They had told me it was one of his Omega traits, to remain as a pup. I had seen his human form before and he was equally as tall as I was, so it surprised me when he shifted in his little pup.

Hell, compared to Marcus' massive wolf, Zayne was like a pup. Barely reaching his shoulders and could probably walk under Marcus, if the wolf held his breath. As it was, the pup tilted his head and stumbled back when Koda nearly tripped on him.

Milo huffed out a laugh, grabbing Zayne's scruff gently to steady him before nudging his sibling. Zayne cringed at the initial contact before hesitantly nudging Milo's throat. The brief contact between them was incredibly sweet, though I always wondered why Zayne was so afraid all the time.

It wasn't my place to ask, nor did I truly wanted to know what happened to him. I could recognize part of myself in him, in his distaste to being touched, the fright at sudden movements and sounds. How he'd wince and curl in on himself, avoiding contact unless he initiated it.

With the connection to the pack, I had already received small snippets of Zayne's past that seemed to explode out of his mind when he got spooked. The fragments only lasted a few seconds but were enough to paint a clear picture I'd rather not look at.

As it was, Zayne seemed to do pretty okay now, especially with Marcus standing close by to keep an eye out on his adorable little mate. I blinked and ducked when something flew by my face, hearing a loud squeak before Koda stood before Milo with a rope in his teeth.

Attached to the rope were several squeaking tennis balls, one of which was firmly tucked away in Koda's jaw. He shook the rope around viciously, chewing and squeaking the ball before Milo tucked in on another end.

Koda huffed, pulling at the rope as Milo held it with ease, giving the rope gentle tugs. He had to arch back awkwardly when Koda backed up underneath the wolf, coming to a halt next to little Zayne with a swift wag of his tail.

It was rather surprising to see the light of joy spark in Zayne's eyes before he too lunged for one of the balls. All too soon, the trio was having a tug of war, playful growls and squeaks filling the air as they fought for the little toy.

And then, sneaky little Koda dropped his side of the rope, allowing Zayne and Milo to play alone together. I panted happily as I watched my mate play with his sibling, bonding over a game and for once, Zayne didn't seem all that terrified.

In fact, he looked quite happy and triumphant as he squirmed underneath Milo so he had to let go of the toy. Zayne let out a happy yip and pranced towards Marcus, head held high and the toy proudly displayed.

Everyone laughed as Zayne presented Marcus with the toy, yipping happily when Marcus ducked down to scratch at the pup's belly. There was a soft whisper between the two and a few glances back before Zayne hesitantly walked back to Milo.

The pup looked back over his shoulder again for reassurance, glancing between Milo and Marcus before hesitantly bowing through his front legs, inviting Milo to continue their play.

Milo yipped eagerly, bowing and bouncing from side to side. I could feel his wolf's joy, being able to interact with his sibling, knowing that this time, Zayne had instigated the contact.

A howl sounded in the distance, making a few of the adults look up before Terrance's massive wolf sighed. "Duty calls, a wolf has been sighted at the eastern border and Lee just got a call that a second wolf has been brought to the rescue center with a damaged leg."

I cringed in sympathy before huffing happily when Milo nuzzled against my side. The touch was soft and reassuring, his scent mingling with mine before we ventured back to the pack house. A few of the pack were already shifting back and getting changed to deal with the ASPCA while Terrance and the rest of the war-wolves charged through the woods to try and find the interloper.

As we walked back, I noticed Zayne quivering on his little legs and sighed, feeling his emotional turmoil. My ears flicked back as I felt his struggle; on one hand he was happy to be among family, to have one of his siblings to play and interact with. And on the other hand, he was absolutely terrified.

The slightest flash of teeth during play sparked images I tried to shake off; wolves lunging for him, biting in his scruff, legs, tail... Dogs lunging, barking madly as they tried and succeeded to grab him by the throat. Each and every action around Zayne had so many triggers and I could tell that the poor Omega was walking on a knife's edge.

Just about ready to implode from all the internal explosions of memories and emotions combined.

---Milo's POV---

Marcus reached down, mouth gentle around Zayne's scruff before the pup was picked up and transported quickly inside. No doubt the pair was going to their room to allow Zayne to relax from all the eventful interactions he had.

I blinked down the hallway, tilting my head as I noticed Quinton speaking softly with a woman in his arms, pressing a kiss on her scarred cheek. The duo looked up when our nails clicked on the floor, Felix' heat pressing against my side when Quinton waved us closer.

The scents that greeted me slowly pushed me to a halt, blinking at the woman as my mind already made the connection. She smiled warily, eyes already brimming as she slowly crouched down.

"I'm so, so sorry, little one." She murmured softly while Quinton sat down beside her as Felix and I just stood there. Slowly, Quinton informed us of what had happened in the past, exactly how Audrey had to leave us there.

And when she blamed herself for everything that happened, I shook my head because somehow, I understood.

After giving birth in those circumstances, being delirious with pain, malnutrition and dehydration, she was terribly weakened. And still she forced herself on her trembling paws, knowing that staying there would end in her pups demise.

If she truly had been awful, she'd left us there for the pack to deal with. The blood and scent of birth would've lured the rogue wolves there sooner rather than later, giving her plenty of time to escape without risking any injury.

Yet, she didn't.

She risked her own life by transporting us to a safer location, and when the Beta attacked her and my little sister... I sighed, feeling pain and loss at the realization that I'd never be able to meet that little pup.

But what a terrible thing to go through. To have just delivered pups, only to see one be killed in front of you. I perfectly understood why she ran to make sure Caroline and I were safe. I couldn't blame her for not returning for Zayne.

After all, there was no way of knowing the pup was still alive even before the Beta murdered Samantha. No doubt he already used the pack link to contact their Alpha and the rest of the pack, alerting them of Audrey's escape and the location of the den.

If she was already able to hear the Alpha's approach, that meant the wolves had already passed her birthing den, and little Zayne would've already been murdered. Going back for him would've meant jeopardizing the health of Caroline and I. Samantha was already murdered and at the time, she thought Zayne had been as well.

But when she managed to get in touch with Father and find the new den, both of us were gone. She didn't have the heart to tell him then that he had become a father of four, only to be told they last all their young in that same night.

And I could see even now, she still blamed herself. Her scent stank with anguish and bitter self-loathing. But it wasn't her fault... I mean, yes, she could've told Quinton earlier but why cause pain and false hope when she herself didn't even know if we all were still alive?

What happened to Zayne was awful, horrible even. I tried to shield Felix' mind from Zayne's past as much as I could but it pained me to see Zayne's memories and breakdowns. But what happened to my brother was not Audrey's fault, but their former Alpha and pack.

They were the ones who used and abused them both. They were responsible for this mess.

I sighed and approached, hesitantly sniffing at the tear tracks on her face before nuzzling her gently. She cried silently, fingers gently weaving in my fur and hugged me tight as Quinton gently rubbed her back.

Even Felix sniffed at her, hesitating before reluctantly resting his chin on top of her head. I knew it was going to be tough, as we were one bunch of heavily scarred, terrified and scattered individuals that hungered for affection.

But, we could start anew. We all could push past our memories and make things work, slowly but surely. I may not be able to call Audrey mom or Quinton dad at the moment, but given some time , perhaps I could.

Family is weird... but this. This feels nice.