Over the next few weeks, I was retold the ways of helping out the East Mount Clan, or Pack as they preferred to call themselves. Not only did I get to know the clan around me, but I was able to be of much help, especially pertaining to warm clothing for the incoming winter storm ahead.

The elder women found my sewing skills to be a great gift to the clan, my sewing and cooking especially.

I often spent my time with Jean's little sister, Emily, who was welcoming and playful unlike the other two female werewolves I had first encountered. However, there was one other named Katrina. Although she was taller than me, when she shifted, she ended up being one of the smallest werewolves in the pack.

Unlike Michelle and Charlie, Katrina was nice to me. In fact, she was very protective of me and saw me as a little sister. Whenever the other two showed up, she seemed to wrap her arms of protection around me.

But most of all, just as I envied the freckles on her smooth skin and the curly blonde perfection bundled at her shoulders; Katrina envied my thin frame; the way my hair just didn't tangle up, and how black my eyes were.

Because of that, we complimented each other often and ended up raising our spirits.

Katrina and Emily were quickly becoming best friends to me and it helped that they already liked being near one another.

Often we'd cook, clean, and sometimes they'd even want a lesson or two about how I sew and stitch.

Aside from the girls, I also hung around Garry a lot, simply because of his playful and carefree nature. He told me many stories about the brothers when they were younger and would mention the many times they got into trouble.

Hearing about their past not only told me more about them and how they've changed, but also gave me more reasons to love Connor and Xain, as well as everything about them.

Jean and Justin kept their distance. Neither of them seemed to want to be around me, and although I can understand Justin's reason more, Jean still confuses me.

He warned me that if I broke their hearts, he would repay the debt.

But all I had ever done around him was give Xain and Connor my endless love. In fact, they've noted that I've become more clingy than normal.

Even so, Jean seems sure that I'll break their hearts. Connor tells me to ignore the broken man, but even so, I worry for him greatly.

Whenever I worry too much or I end up angry with the brothers for whatever reason, they have me spar it out of my system. Their training left me with many bruises and a few scars, but it wasn't anything the boys didn't tend to afterwards.

I could always see the regret in their eyes when I ended up hurt, regardless of how bad the injury actually is. Despite me assuring them that I would be okay, they still lighten up on me for the sake of my safety.

As much as I loved their consideration, I felt like I was being held back. I didn't know how long I'd put up with them holding back from hurting me. There were a few times I felt like I should go to Jean. I even brought it up once, which was a big mistake. Connor didn't like the idea of anyone else hurting me either, and forbid it.

I didn't argue with him, but I wasn't going to heed his warning either.

Jean may have been cold to me, but he was a warrior; daring, risky, and talented with a blade or gun.

Despite my initial fears of him, approaching him I decided that I needed to eventually approach him about fighting with me.

But Jean wasn't someone I needed to worry about. If anyone gave me bad vibes, it was our chief, our leader, Miles Grayson.

The first week or so had been okay. At first, the glances he gave were harmless, curious for the most part. However, after he came over for a visit to check on the brothers, he had accidentally walked in on me while I was drying my hair off.

My whole body was exposed to him.

Since then, his looks had changed from harmless to hungry; curious to watchful.

He was making me nervous. And while Xain didn't seem to notice, Connor constantly did, and made sure to show Miles how much I was his as innocently as possible. Although based from his thoughts, his feelings, he wanted to ravage me in front of Miles.

I didn't dare ask if that was Connor's true thought and simply left it at that.

But, despite the uneasy sensations I was getting from a few of the werewolves, I felt as if I had nothing to worry about. From time to time, I did think about Josh and how because of me, his older brother was dead.

If I had the chance to go back and stop all of it from happening, I would've. But, there was no going back from what happened, and from this point on, I had to move forward.

And speaking of moving, the brothers and I ended up moving away from the house we were in to his father's house. It was larger, and I had my own room, but I rarely slept in it. If I'm not sleeping with the brothers, then...

Let's just say I end up having long nights and feeling sweaty yet blissful. Xain and Connor have gotten better at sharing me, but in the bedroom, both try to establish their dominance over me, leaving me screaming their names and begging for more.

Sex had just become part of a routine for us. A perfect, intimate routine. However, there was something I noticed about the two.

Their wolves were becoming restless, and ever since they found out about my ability to read their thoughts when near, they've both blocked me out.

I'm not sure of their reasoning for doing so, but I trust them, so I'm willing to wait until they tell me.

After all, I trust my wolves. And I know they trust me.

~

One night, I ended up sleeping in my own bed out of exhaustion. Although the brothers didn't train me too hard, I had another run-in with Charlie. It was official that she hated me because I was with Connor.

Despite asking said male werewolf several times what went on between him and Charlie, I've not gotten any answer. Xain refuses to answer any of my questions, which irritates me to no extent.

Do I not deserve to know more of my wolves' pasts? Or maybe it's because I know too much already?

I sighed, curling up and clinging to my pillow. I wanted to sleep, god knew, but despite being so tired, I was so restless at the same time.

Then, I heard a door crack. I sat up suddenly, alert and thinking that the boys might try and ambush me as a test.

But, I saw nothing. Sighing, I laid back down, eventually closing my eyes again. Suddenly, a hand covered my mouth, startling me and causing me to grip said hand. My eyes shot open to find silvery blue eyes stare me down.

'Connor?'

'Aye.' He slowly removed his hand, leaning down and kissing my forehead. "Did I startle you?"

I shivered and blushed. "Yes. You know you startled me." He chuckled softly; kissing my neck and earning a soft mewl from me. "Good."

I looked up at him curiously and asked, "Where's Xain?" "Asleep," he responded, caressing my jaw. "Why aren't you?" I sighed, leaning up against his touch. "There's just some things on my mind." I smiled sweetly. "Don't worry about it."

He simply sighed in response. "Please tell me this isn't about Charlie." I nodded before shaking my head. "Yes and no. But you should sleep." "Only if you sleep with me," he replied.

I frowned and shook my head. "You know the rules. If I sleep with you, I have to sleep with him too."

"Xain is already asleep," Connor pointed out, already nestling himself beside me. I gently nudged him and said, "This isn't a good idea. You know how I feel about this."

Connor gripped my wrists, kissing my fingers. "Doll, let me have this. I have to leave tomorrow."

My eyes widened in surprise as I sat up. "Why? What happened?" I started to panic, already knowing he could feel my unease.

He smiled a little and said, "There are supplies we have to pick up before the storm hits. It's getting colder and colder every day, and I have to do my part and make sure the elderly and children have what they need to survive. You and the pregnant women here especially need the extra medicine."

"Is Xain going with you?" I asked, suddenly feeling nervous. I tried to not let him read my thoughts, but I knew for sure that Miles wouldn't be the one to back down from approaching a defenseless human.

He shook his head. "He is going to stay here and help guard the place. So... It's just going to be you and him for a few days."

I felt his hesitance in saying that, but that wasn't what upset me.

I suddenly pulled Connor close, nuzzling his shoulder.

"What do you mean a few days?" "Three to five. A week if something goes wrong."

"But nothing will go wrong, right?" I questioned. He sighed, kissing my shoulder. "I can't promise that. It's dangerous traveling around; you witnessed that firsthand. But I'll be with a handful of warriors so don't worry too much."

I shook my head, looking into his eyes. "I will always worry about you, Connor. That's what love does to you." He smiled a little, kissing me softly. "You're an angel. A beautiful fairy. When did I become so blessed with you?"

I blushed softly, pressing my face up against his chest. My cheeks heated up as I tried to compose myself. 'You don't mean that...' "I do," he responded out loud, cupping my cheek and lifting my head. "I can't get enough of you. I crave more and more of you every time I hold hands and kiss you. You're the good to my bad, Lyra."

"But you aren't bad," I all but whispered, getting lost in his faintly glowing eyes. "I was," he admitted, "and I might never truly change. But you give me a little bit of hope that one day I will be a better brother. A better man."

Before I could protest, he rubbed my lips lightly. "Don't speak. Just hold me. Kiss me. That's all I ask of you, Lyra."

I sighed, kissing him as firmly as I could. He kissed back lovingly, wrapping his arms around my small body and pulling me up against his. I savored his warmth, his scent reminding me of pine cone and vanilla.

Connor caressed my back before his lips and tongue gently parted my lips. I submitted, sighing in slight pleasure when his tongue started swirling and messing with my own.

Desire was slowly building for both of us, but Connor pulled back, kissing my forehead in the process.

"Enough of that... We'll have plenty more time to mess around when I get back. For now, we rest."

I pouted but nodded, snuggling close to him only to yelp when he turned us over. I ended up lying up against his chest; my head resting on his shoulder.

Connor kept his arms wrapped around me as he sighed in content. "I love you, Lyra." I smiled softly and all but whispered, "I love you too." He smiled a little before rubbing my back. "And Lyra?"

I looked up at him curiously, only to gasp when he gripped my butt hard. He stared me down, his face as stone as ever; eyes burning in warning and anger. "Stay close to Xain when he's here. And don't leave the house if he's not. If you have to, go to Katrina's house. But keep away from everyone else. Am I understood?"

I shuddered and nodded, blushing a little in the process. Connor wasn't often harsh and demanding with me, but at times he tended to remind me just what kind of wolf he truly was.

Dominant and overprotective.

His grip on my ass lessened as he sighed softly. "Thank you, Lyra. I just want you to be safe. Things aren't the way they used to be and I care about you too much to lose you. Xain would say the same."

I giggled. "Only a little more sweetly."

He snorted, kneading my butt gently before his hand came up and rested on my lower back. "Of course he would. Sleep well, my porcelain doll." I giggled softly; closing my eyes as I murmured, "Sleep well, my knight in furry armor."

I could've sworn his wolf was laughing at me.

~

Oh Connor. You need seventeen thousand hugs before you turn thirty.

I'll give you a few of those hugs. XD Hope you guys enjoy this update. I'm trying to catch up with writing so we don't have to worry about weekly updates.

Until the next Update!

~Nimo