Kohl

McKennon showed up a day ago, just as the Blood Moon is rising, and has caused chaos since he arrived. Gaius and Cassie have tried to get me to see McKennon in a different light. I can't get past his assault on my pack and the near death of my mate.

His attack on me is secondary to those things.

It's questionable that he appears on my doorstep just as the Blood Moon begins. I questioned my scouts as to how he was able to slip past them but they are still perplexed. McKennon spun a yarn about Ania getting him through our defenses. Parker seems to believe this insanity.

Parker has been supportive yet he's also tried to push me towards McKennon. The two of us are at odds on the topic. He pushes for me to forgive him but he doesn't go overboard, stating that he's not here to judge me. He's different. I feel more certain that I must hide him now.

McKennon's appearance and Parker's heat returning must mean something but I'm not sure what. It has begun to worry me. I've been planning tonight's run down to a t. I've put two of my better wolves on patrol in the area of the bunker tonight. I have a strange feeling about tonight.

"You can't put him in a box." Gaius says leaning on the doorway to my office, "He won't let you."

"He's already agreed." I say without looking up, "He's not particularly fond of the heat and the trouble it attracts."

"And you?" Gaius asks.

"Which part? The heat or the trouble?" I say looking up at him, "It's worth it on multiple levels."

"You sure? I seem to remember you calling him frail." Gaius laughs, "It's good to see you finally become the Alpha I knew you could be."

"You were right. I need my mate to share the burden of this." I nod, "He centers me. Which is why I can't let anything happen to him."

"I doubt that will happen." Gaius answers, "He can fend off your best wolves."

"Yes but they are going easy on him."

"You really believe that?" Gaius asks, "He's a demi-god. You seem to forget that."

"We have a lot to discuss on that front, father."

"In due time." Gaius nods, "For now we have our own issues. Like your brother."

"He's a prisoner." I say dismissively, "He's nothing more."

"He is your brother and my son, to our horror." Gaius repeats, "He came to us for a reason."

"Because he pissed off the other psychopaths."

"Perhaps, but he came to us. We have a second chance with him."

I chuckle, "How generous of him."

"Kohl—"

"This matter is over. He's a prisoner. If you wish to see what you can gleam from him, do so but do not expect me to regard him with anything other than suspicion." I frown at him, "What could have changed your mind so much on him?"

"Your mate." Gaius says as he heads towards the door, "Parker is not wrong. McKennon is shaped by what I did."

"What you did?" I ask.

"I turned my back on him, blinded by rage. He was challenging and a brat but he didn't deserve what I gave him." Gaius says quietly, "And he doesn't deserve what you're giving him either."

His words cut deep. It seems like Parker is deeper into this discussion than he'd like to admit. I groan as I sit down in my comfy chair. All of them are against me on this, which would normally not be such a bad situation.

But he's with them. I can't exactly deny him. I'll have to deal with all of this after the Blood Moon.

Parker

I'm a moron.

I used my authority over the guards to allow me in to see McKennon. I'm not sure why I need to see him but I do. I need to ask him questions that only he'd know. I decide to use my new gift on him. My scent seems to cause extreme discomfort to most of the wolves around. I don't think any of them can decide if it's a good discomfort or a bad discomfort.

I used my scent and status as their Alpha for them to allow me to see McKennon. I believe they have strict instructions to keep me away from him but I'm irresistible now. The two let me enter and I find myself entering room where he is being kept very cautiously. McKennon is sleeping. He looks different without the extra layer of grime. He's a very attractive man, to be fair.

McKennon's nose flares as his eyes open. A slight jangling alerts me to the steel gauntlets around his wrists. They've effectively tied him the ground. His eyes quickly find me and he lurches forward. I make sure I stay very still. He laughs and lays back in the bed.

"My new brother-in-law. Well, if it isn't a surprise." McKennon says calmly, "Smelling like honey and cinnamon. You just can't stay out of your heat, can you?"

"I'm human. Until a couple of weeks ago, I didn't think that was a thing."

"I thought for sure Alpha Kohl, the Rigid, would have you locked in an ivory tower by now." McKennon says with exasperation, "Must be scary. Being thrown into a land of monsters."

"What's even scarier is being chased by a werewolf...twice." I say with amusement, "And having said werewolf push me into a river, almost drowning me."

"I can't take credit for that. My idiot brother did that one."

"You're not good at small talk. Thank God. So, why did Ania send you, of all people, to get me?" I ask.

McKennon stares at me as he's trying to formulate a response. It doesn't appear he can. He's finally at a loss for words, thank God. His eyes narrow on me as a grin stretches across his face.

"Simple. She wanted me to see who you were to Kohl. She knew that if I knew what you were to him, it would make it all the more personal. I'd have incentive."

"Did it give you incentive?"

"Hell yeah!"

"Then why didn't you kill me?" I ask, "You had a couple of chances to kill me and yet you didn't."

"Do you think I'd let some fae bitch tell me what to do?" McKennon asks, "I didn't rise to the top of the Alphas by letting a bitch run me. Unlike my brother, I am a true leader."

"You're a true murderer."

"At least all the bitches who thought they had my balls in a clamp are dead. What's his excuse."

I scoff. I start to rethink my stance on him being a good person under all of his posturing. His insistence that murdering people made him a leader continues to mystify me. His insistence that I'm some bitch with his brother's balls in my grasp annoys me.

Still, I've got to admit that he's an intriguing person.

"Did you think I'd be remorseful? Or I'd soften to you?"

"Like your brother? No, your brother has a leg up on you."

"His leg or yours?"

"Don't be dirty...er."

"I find it entertaining. You thought you could come in here with your scent and make me spill all my dirty little secrets. I'll admit your scent is intoxicating but it doesn't affect me." McKennon frowns, "That hopped up fairy bitch gave me what I needed to be immune to you."

I've been refining my control over my heat. Jasar, under duress, explained that I could learn to control my scent to a certain degree. The last time I was in heat, I used this on Kohl multiple times to drive him insane. I debated torturing him again. I think it's time to try it out on someone other than my mate.

"What are you doing, weirdo?" McKennon asks.

"Testing your theory."

I close my eyes, thinking about every dirty thing I've ever done. I think about Kohl touching my mark, his touch against my skin and all the ways he's pleased me. I feel the luscious pain he's inflicted. It's like I'm getting lost in every emotion and feeling every touch again.

I open my eyes to see McKennon's eyes glowing. His teeth have elongated and a loud roar thunders through the room. The guards crack the door but I tell them to shut it with authority. They do so, leaving us again.

"You son of bitch!" He pants.

"You were saying?" I smirk.

"When the Blood Moon rises, the rogues are going to take turns with you after burning this place to the ground." McKennon says growls, "I'll make sure Kohl has a good seat."

"You're working with them?"

"No! But I'd help them wipe that smug look off your face." His writhes, "I may do it myself."

"You're making me blush." I say angrily, "The Blood Moon...it's when they plan to attack, right? Figured but my question is why throw your ass to the curb? Wouldn't they want you with them when they do it?"

"I questioned why we didn't kill you. I hesitated when she talked about killing my family." McKennon says without thinking.

"You didn't want them hurt."

"I didn't want Cassie hurt. The other two can suck my ba—"

"How are they going to do it?" I ask, "When, exactly, are they going to attack?"

"While the other wolves are gone. They're going to burn the pack house down and find you, wherever you are. They're going to tear you apart under Viceres' orders."

"And?"

"They're rogues not masterminds. Brute force is their thing."

"Thanks, little brother. It was nice talking to you." I say as I salute him, "Enjoy the scent."

"When I'm finished with you, I'm going to rip out your throat."

I walk to the door but stop and turn to him, "Kohl looked for you. Cassie still hopes you'll come back and that you're still this good person. Gaius, despite himself, still cares. He has regret. They all care about you, even if they suck at showing it. They all need you."

"Fuck...them."

"Under this anger and hate, I still think you're a good person. Dangerous? Yeah. Foul mouthed? Fuck yes. But you care. When the time comes, I hope you make the right decision."

I continue out of the door. I feel a certain nervousness. As hurt as the other three are, he has the most damage. I can't imagine what life was like for him but the results are clear. He's broken.

I just hope he can be a good person when the time calls.