I'll look after you.

Keon's POV:

I shouldn't care.

I really shouldn't.

That's the first thought in my head as I close the door behind me, leaving my brother and his mate alone in the room.

Infact, I don't care.

Winter isn't mine, she is my brother's mate. The relic of Blood-Fang made that final, and in front at least a hundred supernaturals. She is nothing more than a complication, something that has to be done for the greater good. She's a witch.

The moon made a mistake.

Lies.

My chest tightens in disagreement.

I clench my jaw, the sound of Derrick’s voice still echoing in my ears. The way he touched her face like he was afraid he'd break it, and the way she gasped at his touch, like she wasn't used to softness.

They looked like they were made for each other.

My chest burns.

I pace down the hallway, boots heavy on the stone floors. I don't acknowledge the presence of other wolves as they bow in greeting, heading towards my home office.

Why did it bother me so much?

On the way there, I pass the family Photo Hall. Pictures of my father, his father, and all the fathers before him are hung here, dating as far back as the 18th century. As I pass by Father's photo, all I see is Derrick. Derrick looked just like our father, from the same eye color to the same birthmark on their left eyebrow. They both had this look in their eyes no one would truly understand, and it creeped the fuck out of people. It was part of the reason why Derrick was so feared. Rumors among the others was he was the one who killed Father, just because he felt like it. I'm not quite sure how true that was. I couldn't care less if he had. Either way, he was a force to be careful of.

Why did I care so much? Why does this whole thing bother me this badly?

Over the centuries, I’d seen Derrick with several beings before. He'd flirt, tease, pretend to care only when it suited him, none of it ever really mattered to him. But with Winter, something felt different.

That was weird, knowing Derrick was a man of habit.

He was too smooth, too concerned, it made my nerves bounce.

And Winter…she was too nervous. Too quiet. Like a trapped bird pretending it wasn't scared.

Or maybe I was misreading her?

My fists tighten so hard I pierce skin.

When her sister Ariana mentioned the rumors, something in me snapped. I just couldn't control myself before I jumped to her defense. She was so scared, I could hear her heart beating all the way from where I stood. The way her body tensed like she was waiting for pain.

No one acts like that unless they've been through it.

I know that too well.

Witches weren't very gentle people. They ruled off punishment and fear.

So why did she look like she was the one who'd been hurt?

I stop in my tracks.

The lightning strike during the mating flashes by again. That was obviously the weather, it was pouring during the entire event.

But the way her people murmured after, and my people looked somewhere between shocked and scared.

“Cursed mating” “Impure witch”

All of it blamed Winter.

It didn't sit right with her.

Nothing about her did.

She didn't carry herself like someone powerful. She didn't look down on wolves. She wasn't proud like most witches.

She looked… tired.

And scared.

I exhale slowly.

I didn't defend her because of instinct alone. I did that because something was wrong.

Very, very wrong.

I didn't ignore wrong.

I couldn't.

I change course and go to my Beta’s quarters. He greets me as I enter. “Rowan.” He stands up. “Yes?”

“Send someone for me, I need info about the witches.” He nods, “Anyone in particular I should send?” I shake my head. “Who or what specifically do you want to know about?” I sigh, wondering how much I could tell him. He was one of my lifelong friends, but I didn't want to tell him the truth about Winter and me. The less people knew about the better.

“Winter.” I grate out my next words. “My brother's mate.” That has him curious. “Okay, that's not weird at all. What do you want to know about her?”

“Anything of importance.” I paused remembering her fear of her own father. “And info about her relationship with her father would be great.”

He nods, walking out.

My lips press together. If Winter went home, she wasn't just going to be questioned.

She was going to be punished. Possibly killed.

The thought of her being hurt made my stomach twist. No one hurts what I protect.

I don't care what species she is. I don't care about pack politics, or the treaty. Winter was under my protection now. Anyone who tried to harm her would answer to me.

Shit, this was getting out of hand.

Still, if this was the price to pay for her, then so be it. I've gone to war for far less.

I need to control my emotions. What happened back there with Ariana was risky. Having a weakness as an Alpha was deadly in this world.

Footsteps echo down the hall before a servant enters. “Alpha Keon, I have news from your brother Royal Derrick.” I wave my hand to him, allowing him to continue. “Royal Derrick would like to talk to you later this evening.”

Of course he does. It's probably about Winter.

I tell the servant. “Tell him I'll see him when I'm ready.” He bows before leaving.

Her dark eyes flash by. She didn't trust anyone yet, not even me. And that tells me everything.

Whatever she was running from was far worse than any wolf.

Good. Because as long as she was here, nothing would touch her. Not witches, or rumors.

Not even Derrick.