"Hey, wake up. Xain is getting closer."

I wake up slowly, my eyes blinking rapidly as I got accustomed to the light around me. The events of last night were still fresh in my mind. I glanced around to see where the voice was coming from, only to find Kai standing above me, his eyes staring my body down.

An arm wrapped around me, and moments later I was shielded from his sight. I gasped, blushing hard as my body was wrapped in Connor's.

He glanced over his shoulder to glare at Kai. "The least you can do is give her something to wear. After all, it was you who ripped the only clothing she had."

I heard his chuckle, and moments later his steps retreated.

Connor breathed out in relief, turning his head to look down at me. Feeling self conscious, I covered my chest. He gave me a slight smile as he said, "Don't hide from me. I won't touch you."

I bit my lower lip, removing my arms. He smiled at me, keeping his eyes locked with mine. "See? You're alright." I giggled softly and said, "Well, you might not be.. It rose a little." Connor noticed, glancing at his erection before looking at me. He then caressed my cheek.

"It's a good thing we're being looked for. Otherwise I'd take you again." After a moment, he added, "..With your permission of course."

I giggled softly, then yelped as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me to him as he sat up.

His hand covered my rear and chest as he held me to him; his erection lightly pressing up against me. He then rested his chin on top of my head. He was quiet for a moment before saying, "This is nice..."

I smiled, agreeing and snuggling close to him, when a voice rang out. "It would've been nicer if you had invited me."

I opened my eyes to find Xain standing in front of us, chuckling as he tossed our clothes to us.

I blushed softly before studying him. It was obvious that Kai didn't tell Xain of the ordeal that took place last night. I wanted to sigh in relief but simply giggled in response.

Xain was dressed in a loosely buttoned white shirt, his brown pants somewhat dirty. His feet were covered by moccasin boots. His dark brown hair was tied together into a loose ponytail. He smirked softly as he said, "Come on, don't gawk, darling."

I blushed furiously, slipping on underwear, an undershirt, and a pair of pants, which were a bit big for me. I raked my hair, wishing that I had something to tie it up with. It was reaching my mid back, which made me wonder if I needed to eventually cut it or not.

Connor had gotten dressed in a black shirt like Xain's, his blue jeans fitting tightly against him. He wore black boots, the texture possibly leather.

Xain and Connor watched me when I finished, eyes seemingly burning into my soul. I blushed softly and asked, "Is everything alright?"

Connor smirked a little, approaching me slowly. I had the strongest of impulses to back up, but I stood my ground. He pinched my cheek a little before saying, "Just drinking in the sight of you, Doll."

Blushing heavily, I stuttered out, "W-When are we h-heading out?"

"Shortly," Xain replied, nudging Connor before ruffling my hair. I pouted a little and said, "Hey, not everyone can have perfect hair like you two. Leave mine alone."

Xain laughed and said, "I had to pick leaves out of my hair. Quit complaining." Connor merely smiled a bit.

Bruce suddenly approached us with a friendly smile. He was shirtless and had dark blue jeans on. His feet were bare. "It's good to see you all up. We have breakfast ready if you're hungry."

I smiled and said, "I'd love a bite, actually."

~

We sat and ate a little dear meat and fish together. Kai was there, though it seemed he had already had his fill. When I finished, I wiped my mouth and asked, "So we aren't far from their pack then?" "No," Kai replied, tugging at his green cotton shirt that covered the zipper of his pants, where I noticed a faint bulge.

I shuddered, somewhat grateful that I didn't have to see how big he was. Obviously, if he had shifted, he would've been bigger than Connor. Such a thought turned my cheeks pink.

Connor glanced at me and smiled a little, caressing my cheek. I smiled shyly before asking, "Should we go now then?"

The brothers nodded, but Kai said, "Wait." He then stood up and asked Connor, "Does your pistol wield silver?" Connor nodded and asked, "Why?" "Because... Just.. Trust me when I say that you both should be careful. Look after her."

Kai pointed to me, which confused and scared me.

"Kai," Connor said lowly, "What aren't you telling us?"

He merely shrugged and said, "I won't say what I don't have to. Just be careful is all I'm saying."

Connor shook his head. "Always so cryptic." I looked at Connor and asked, "Do you two know each other?" He nodded a little. "My father did business with Kai's uncle."

I nodded and smiled at Kai. This seemed to have unnerved him a little. Xain stood up and stretched his arm. "We should be going then. Old friends need to be hit, family members need to be hugged, that sort of thing."

I giggled and stood up, giving Bruce a hug. "Thank you for saving us, and for you hospitality. I hope I can one day repay you." Bruce grinned down at me softly and said, "Your smile pays for it all."

I blushed softly, stepping back. I noticed how tense Xain and Connor were, even though I couldn't understand why.

Xain waved and said, "Pray we don't see each other again. Not that this wasn't fun, but... It wasn't."

I laughed softly, watching Xain and Connor as they picked their bags up, holstering their weapons. Xain then grabbed my hand as he walked. I gave one final glance at the two wolves before walking side by side with my wolves.

~

"So your favorite fruit are apples," Connor said, watching me as he walked.

I nodded. "Yep, but not green ones, they're too sour, and not yellow apples. They taste too sweet."

"And out of every massage, you like back massages the most?"

I giggled and said, "Yep. And you two like to sleep naked. Connor, you enjoy warm baths, but Xain, you prefer to shower in a waterfall."

Xain grinned and said, "I'd love to shower with you one day."

Connor rolled his eyes as I blushed and giggled. "I might be okay with that." Xain smirked at me with playful eyes.

I smiled shyly before saying, "Connor, you enjoy Jazz, but you Xain, you enjoy Classical music. And both of you enjoy raw meat, but you don't mind it being cooked."

They nodded in agreement Connor said, "It's probably healthier to cook the meat, however."

"Most likely," I agreed, "Although, Xau probably wouldn't mind either way."

Xain suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes staring me down. I shrunk a little and asked, "Xain? W-What's the matter?" He forced a smile as he asked, "Xau? Did you... Talk to him recently?" I held back from biting my lip, trying my best not to look guilty. "Uh, yeah I did. He's nice, you know."

Xain's body was tense, ready to pounce as he glanced at Connor. "And how exactly did you meet him?"

"Um... Last night?" My voice was high pitched, squeaky for the most part.

Xain approached me and kneeled, sniffing my stomach and a little below. I took a step back, unsure of what was happening. He simply looked up at me, looking angry. "Kai... He's touched you. When..?"

When I said nothing, his eyes widened. Then, in a blink of an eye, he was up, grabbing Connor by his shirt and slamming him up against a nearby tree. He snarled and snapped, "What did you do to her?!"

Connor stared him down, seemingly unfazed by Xain's outburst.

I didn't know what to do. Yes, I knew Xain would eventually find out, but I didn't know it would've been like that. Xain's grip on Connor seemed to tighten. "Connor... You hurt her. You hurt her, didn't you?!" "Yes!!" Connor barked, shoving Xain back. "I did!" Xain gaped at him. "And you let-!" "Yes," Connor replied, stopping him midsentence.

They stared each other down, both tense, both ready to pounce. At that moment it made me wonder how well they were handling having one mate.

Before I could give anymore thought about it, Xain growled and yelled as he sent Connor slamming up against a tree. Connor bellowed in pain, hunching over somewhat once he hit the ground.

Before I could stop myself, I ran over to Connor, standing over him and stretching my arms out to Xain. "No, please!"

Xain paused, seemingly confused. "Lyra... He let Kai rape you. Were you not conscious for that?"

I gulped, nodding a little. "I was."

"He watched you, didn't he?!"

"Yes, he did but-!"

"And he took you after that? He chased you down and took you, didn't he?"

I cried out, "No! He didn't! I.. I gave myself to him."

Xain watched me, taking a step back as he blinked a few times. "Even after he... Lyra, you're not making any damn sense!" "Please," I begged, taking a step towards him. "You have to let me explain." The look in his eyes was the same hurt expressed in Connor's eyes the night before. "You let him take you! You wanted to be assaulted by him!"

"It's not like that!" I said, panicking. Everything I said seemed to anger him further. He and Connor really weren't that different. 'No!' I chastised myself. 'It's just the wolves! The personalities are so alike; it makes sense why he's acting this way!'

I continued to approach him as he glared me down. He was confused, angry. I had to make it all right somehow.

Gently, I placed my hands on his cheeks. "Xain," I said carefully, "Please... Listen to me. I know what he did was wrong... But I forgive him. Because of what happened, I learned about the both of you more... I know about you, Xau, Connor, and Cliff. I know Cliff is the one reacting right now, more than you. I know that man has more control than the beast does."

He gently grabbed my hands, kissing my fingertips. "Were you moved so much that you... You would do that? For him?"

I nodded softly. "I'd do it for both of you. For all of you. I'd give anything for you both to become normal again"

Xain pressed his head up against my hair, inhaling deeply. "Lyra..."

I continued to rub his cheeks, shushing him softly. "I know. He apologized. He's not meaning to hurt me. He doesn't want to. I know... I know the bond is making me feel this way. But I'm starting to really grow fond of the both of you."

Xain watched me, studied me, before sighing softly. "You know, you're starting to make me hate the fact that we bonded through forceful fornication."

I laughed softly and said, "Well, hate it all you want. It happened, but I'm here now. And that means you and him have a second chance to become someone different. And that includes being less willing to just fornicate at random."

Xain blushed softly before clearing his throat, feeling a bit awkward.

Connor tapped my shoulder softly before saying, "I know, we're assholes. Forgive us?"

I turned a little, kissing Connor's cheek as I held Xain's hand tightly. "I can do that. But it isn't just me that has to forgive the both of you... But for now, we should keep moving."

Connor nodded, grabbing one of my hands. Xain grabbed the other free one, and with their bags back on their backs, we walked quietly along the trail; the boys never wanting to let go of my hand even for a second.

~

Well that happened. XD

But hey, at least Xain isn't trying to kill his brother. For now.

Also, sorry that the gif is small, but it should be decent with mobile devices. ^_^ I've also gotten some pleads for Xaiyra (XainXLyra) moments since I've made quite a few Conrya moments (ConnorXLyra), so I'll be sure to get on that as soon as I can.

Also, do forgive my slow updates. Life and just not feeling like writing and updating, you know? All writers go through this.

Until the next Update!

~ Nimo