Teaghan was finishing her normal evening run when she decided that she should head back to the pack house and fix herself and her sister something to eat. As she got closer, she could hear some shouting that made her pick up speed.

When she broke through the treeline into the clearing her body froze, rage surging through her veins as she watched the packs Beta and the Alpha's son trying to paw at her sister. Her sister trying to peacefully detach herself from the male without causing more issues.

It was clear how Cameron followed her and kept trying to grab at her that he wasn't getting the point. Teaghan strolled forward, her body suddenly eerily calm as she got closer and closer.

Cecily noticed her first. When she turned relieved eye's to Teaghan, Teaghan felt like she had been punched to the gut. Her sister was beautiful, big cornflower blue eyes, honey-blond hair that cascaded in light waves to the middle of her back and petite. She looked more mature and older than she was. They were night an day to each other, but the fact remained that Cecily was only sixteen.

A older male like him shouldn't be trying anything with someone so young and it was his misfortune that that young one was her sister. Closing the distance, Teaghan punched out to Cameron's outstretched hand.

She struck him in a tender spot on the forearm, watching as he yanked his arm back with a cry of shock and pain. His eye's furious as they turned towards her.

"How dare you, you stupid bit-"

"Don't you ever, ever try to touch my sister again. I will annihilate you and I can promise you will never enjoy another female again!" Teaghan growled, the calm rage that she felt almost making her feel a hundred times taller.

Cameron seemed to finally understand that she wasn't playing because he stared at her warily, then turned to look at Cecily. Just then he scoffed and strolled away.

"How many times has he done that while I wasn't here?" Teaghan demanded once they were alone.

Instead of an answer, Cecily walked away, her destination the kitchen.

She avoided looking at her sister because she didn't want to cause even more issues than they already had.

Teaghan worried too much, had too much responsibility on her shoulders since their parents passed and since Alpha Steve decided to leave them in the lurch.

"Cece," Teaghan's whispered plea made Cecily stiffen.

"He hasn't done it many times Tea, don't go avenging my honor just yet. He usually leaves me alone once I move away a few times. Today was the first time he decided that he wasn't going to let me do that," she ended with a shrug.

"So he was more aggressive today? Just means he's determined. I will take care of him." Teaghan said it more to herself than to her sister, but it caused her sister to react shockingly.

"I don't need you to 'take care of him' Tea. I can do it myself. Sure, I was a bit surprised with how he wouldn't give up this time but I'm more prepared. You have enough to think about and deal with you don't need to worry about me all the time."

Teaghan watched as her sister huffed out her frustration and frowned, "you're my sister Cece, I'm always going to worry about you all the time. It doesn't matter if you ask me to or not."

Cecily lowered her head, "I know."

Teaghan smiled softly and rubbed her sisters head, her fingers sliding through the soft waves. "Don't you worry too much. I can handle what I'm doing and all the responsibilities that I have. Sure, some day's the feel too heavy, but honestly, I wouldn't change it. I wouldn't change having you and needing to be here to watch out for you."

Cecily turned and Teaghan opened her arms, closing them when her sister wrapped her arms around her. "We will get through this Cece. We will find a way.." As they always did. She just hoped that Alpha Reeve King decided that he would be generous enough to help one of his neighboring packs.

*

An hour later while Cecily was busy in their room, Teaghan decided to figure out just how far gone the pack was. She knew what she was about to do was risky, but she had dealt with the way things now were for two years.

She refused to deal with it anymore. Standing outside the Alpha's bedroom, she knocked. She waited but she never got a response. Instead of turning around and walking away which was probably the smart thing to do she opened the door and swung it open with force.

She immediately spotted Alpha Steve near the window staring out but seeing nothing. She swallowed and walked in like she owned the room. "Alpha Steve," she began, "when are you going to come out of your room?"

When had he eaten? When was the last time in the past two years had he left this room? She scrunched her nose as the stench finally penetrated her senses when had he last showered?

No reply. Fighting the nerves that racked her she sighed, "Alpha Steve the pack is in trouble. None of the males are watching the borders, none is prepared to defend if we have need of it."

This time Teaghan refused to speak, she just watched. It seemed like hours passed rather than minutes when Alpha Steve finally looked away from the window and at her. His eyes looked dull, "let it burn." His whispered words were a punch to the gut.

"Alpha," she had to try to get him to see reason. She had to try to make him understand how much they needed him.

"No!" His voice rose and sounded like a whip in the otherwise silent room. "This pack has always been defenseless. It has always been weak... My Maria..." He seemed to get lost in his own world once again and it left Teaghan feeling cold.

She knew now that she and Cecily couldn't stay. Even if Alpha Reeve did come to their aid, if they couldn't get the Alpha motivated to do his duty it was all for nothing.

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