Chapter 4

     Liam POV

    Holy shit, holy shit. “Oh my goddess Liam, did you see our mate? She is BEAUTIFUL!”. “Yes she is Kalen. I cannot believe our mate is a rogue?!”. “But did you see her bruises? Those were gnarly. And the choke mark on her neck”.. “Wait what? Did we see the same woman, Kalen?”. “You seriously didn’t see her face full of bruises? Wow you really were affected. Don’t worry, I am too little guy”. I have never seen Kalen this, well, emotional and sort of girly. He is gushing big time. But bruises? Why can I not remember any bruises. As I walk hurriedly to some unknown destination, I bump into Zak and Leo. 

    I did not really acknowledge the bump and keep walking. They jog to catch up, “Alpha, everything ok?” Leo asks. I turn to face them both, not sure what to say exactly when I see Zak grinning at me, “I know that look buddy. Have you met your new guest?” He has a shit eating grin. 

    I look at him with what I was hoping was a look of disdain but apparently not enough because he breaks down laughing, “hot damn, this is a good day indeed”. Leo is so lost. He has never been mated and doesn’t understand what is happening. 

    “Ummm okay, can I know what is happening or is it a state secret?”. “Oh sorry little brother, Liam here has found his Luna, his mate”. “Holy crap! The rogue? Really? The one covered in bruises and looks like she’s been….”, “been what Leo?” I snap at him. Quickly checking my temper... “Sorry. Not entirely sure where that came from”. I feel this overwhelming urge to protect Emma. I don’t have my dad to talk to about these things and at 25, you’d think I would know.

    “Kalen mentioned bruises too. I admit, they completely escaped my notice”. “Well no offense Liam, she looks like she’s been through one hell of a scuffle. She must be made of stern stuff to walk out looking like that”. Zak is one of the best warriors we have. He’s been through a few scuffles himself. They’ve left him with a pretty intense scar down his face and neck. He says it gives him ‘character’. “Chief, you look overwhelmed. I’ll take care of pack business while you just… take a walk or something”. Zak is a good beta. Sometimes it still feels weird that my best friend is my beta.

    I start walking down the corridor towards the family suites. When we rebuilt, we fashioned the packhouse much like a stone castle, with corridors connecting business suites which made it convenient for work. “How do you think she got those bruises?” Kalen wonders. “I don’t know but I’m not pleased someone laid their hands on her”. “And you mentioned a strangulation mark? I didn’t see that either. I'll have the pack doctor”... “you mean your mom haha?”. “Yes, you smart ass, my mother. I’ll have her tend to her if she’s not already. Mom, can you check in on those bruises for me and maybe find out a little more as to what she went through?”. Mindlinking always feels invasive to me, like I am interrupting people at inopportune times. “Yes dear. Already on it”. 

    Grace really is a supreme woman. A former luna but a physician too. She runs the pack hospital. She doesn’t need to work or have an occupation since dad had done so well for himself but she loves doing it. Ok, I need to focus on… well, nothing i guess since Zak gave me the afternoon. “Kalen, let’s stretch our legs”. I could feel him eagerly stretching, ready to burn some energy. For some reason I have so much nervous energy right now which is making me uncomfortable.