Four

I jumped suddenly as I felt someone's breath on my neck, and turned my head to find one of Saxon's escort standing closer behind me. I'd been so absorbed in watching Saxon and the twins that I hadn't even noticed him approaching. He looked a little younger than his Alpha, and a little softer, brown-haired and almost boyish, with freckles and a gentle smile that reached his beautiful green eyes.

He placed strong hands firmly on my shoulders, in a way that somehow felt.. grounding. "Calm," he said softly, in a voice that was just as soothing as his touch, and I felt some of my fear and worry melting away. "You're safe with us," he continued, and I closed my eyes, nodding gently and.. somehow believing him.

I wondered then if Crimson Forest had witches of their own, but everything about this man suggested he was a Lycan, just like the others. They were all huge, their strength obvious in their well-toned bodies, and even the smallest of them was larger than either of the twins, despite Matteus and Tyler having several generations of Alpha blood.

Alphas were almost always larger than the rest of a pack. Betas too, especially if the ranks had carried through family bloodlines, and it certainly seemed like Saxon's had. He was far more intimidating than Alpha Yannick could have ever hoped to have been, and the same could be said for most of those with him.

Is this why Mama had wanted me to leave? Did she predict the merger happening? She no doubt knew much more about the different packs than I did, given that I'd never so much as left Silver Waters territory before. I wondered how much she knew of Crimson Forest, and if that was why..

My thoughts were pulled back to my surroundings, as the man behind me whispered again, his thumbs gently rubbing my shoulders. "Sshhh, you're safe," he said soothingly, and a tension I hadn't even noticed building, began to fade away again. I had no idea how he had such an effect over me, but I was grateful, and found myself resting back against his warm, strong chest.

"Good girl," he breathed softly against my ear, and I felt something stir inside me, an unfamiliar kind of warmth. He pressed his face closer to the curve of my neck, inhaling my scent, before he tensed suddenly, and I felt Saxon's eyes on me again. He looked absolutely furious, I realised, and it didn't seem to be at the twins now, who were slowly backing away, seemingly forgotten.

"Haden," Saxon said shortly, with a jerk of his head that called him over. The man behind me squeezed my shoulders gently, and stepped obediently towards Saxon. "None of them leave," Saxon said to the rest of his escort, as he and Haden moved out of earshot, behind some trees.

The twins paused their retreat, glancing nervously at the rest of Saxon's group, then me. "Don't try anything stupid," one of them said impatiently, earning a scowl from them both. One of the two women in the group looked over at me, coming closer, then giving the twins a sideways glance, "Are these two runts really the Alpha's?" she asked, sounding sceptical.

"Trin," one of the others said, a warning in his tone, and she grinned at him, "What? Aren't you curious about who we're supposed to be merging with?" She looked over at the twins again, then lowered her voice, "Or the stray muts we're taking in.." A couple of the others gave soft laughs, and she turned her grin to me, a look of mischief in her eyes.

"Trin!" the same one warned her again, and she sighed dramatically, "Ugh, fine. I just wanted to know how she got 'em all riled up in the first place. It looked like fun.." she winked at me, and I couldn't help a small smile of amusement. It did feel like a healthy dose of poetic justice, seeing the twins getting a taste of their own medicine for once.

I couldn't help but think of how different they'd been earlier though, even if briefly. What had suddenly made them concerned for me, almost.. protective even? I frowned over at them, as they stood close together, Tyler looking sulky, as he so often did, and Matteus scowling at the others, standing a little in front of his brother, defensive of him as always.

That had always been the same. Matteus, just a few minutes older, the stronger of the two. And Tyler, the precious youngest, always used to getting his away, and responding with petulance when he didn't. Their pride though, was something they shared, often looking down on the rest of the pack kids as beneath them. And many of them were all too eager to fall in line, no doubt hoping for favour when the twins inevitably became the pack's leaders.

Yet.. not so inevitable now, though they still seemed in denial. I wondered how much they'd learned of what had happened, before they'd followed me out here. Had they tailed me? Overheard Mama and I speaking? Or knew it was somewhere I'd go, or searched and stumbled on the scent of smoke?

Tyler noticed me frowning at them then, his face softening as he gave me a small, apologetic smile. That was out of character too. What on earth had gotten into them all of a sudden?!

I didn't wonder much longer, as I felt a soothing, strong hand on the small of my back, pulling my attention away. "You okay?" Haden asked softly, stopping close beside me. I turned to him, noticing the concern on his face, and gave him a grateful smile, nodding gently. "Yeah, thank you. I just.. want to leave, that's all."

I felt him tense, at the same moment Saxon stopped, turning back to me with an angry expression again. There was a flash of the same in Haden's eyes too, though it was quickly covered. Somehow, that was more unsettling. Angry seemed to suit Saxon, but Haden..

His brows drew down into a small frown, as he gave a gentle shake of his head, "I'm sorry, we can't.." he began, sounding apologetic. I shoved his hand away, stepping back and turning to go. One way or another, I was determined to be done with Lycans, whether they liked it or not. And not just because Mama had said so.

I stalked off, turning South, with Silver Waters' territory on my right, and Crimson Forest's on my left, knowing that I'd eventually reach somewhere that belonged to neither. Somewhere warmer. Probably one of those chaotic, noisy, overcrowded human cities that they all talked about with such derision.

"Ava!" Tyler called, sounding hurt, but I raised my middle finger over my shoulder, and didn't bother turning back.