The bright lights of the pack hospital hit my face as I walked through the door. It didn't take long for me to sniff out Owen's scent. Confusion flooded my brain as I passed by my mom's room and still no Owen.

The door to her room was closed so I assumed they were changing her clothes and continued walking.

If Owen wasn't here for my mom, then what was he doing here?

His scent led me to a room all the way in the back of the hospital. The door was slightly cracked, but I could not make out any voices inside of the room. I slowly opened the door and furrowed my brows in confusion.

Owen laid beside Penelope with his arms wrapped securely around her. Her eyes were closed shut as her chest rose and fell at a steady beat. "Owen?" He jumped out of bed and stood to his feet like he'd been caught doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

Penelope turned on her side and brought the sheets closer to her neck. "Outside now." I mouthed.

I stood against the wall with my arms crossed after I left the room. Owen joined me shortly after. He closed the door softly, trying not to wake Penelope. "What happened to her?" I asked.

He turned to face me with a cautious expression. "I left a few minutes after you took off into the woods. I was just trying to help." He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. I stayed quiet while I waited for him to compose himself.

"She was just trying to get to the cellar when two wolves attacked her. T-they were touching her Brinn!" He began to shake uncontrollably as he relived the memory. "They were going to make her their own personal whóre! I heard them say it! I had to do it...I had to."

His body began to shake violently. I grabbed a hold of his shoulders and looked into his eyes. "Hey it's okay. You did what any alpha would do. You protected your pack. Your actions are justified Owen. They got what they deserved." He nodded in agreement.

I released my hold and took a step back. I stayed quiet while he got his thoughts in order. Everything I said to Owen was true, but why was it so hard for me to take my own advice? It was an ongoing battle that I couldn't grasp. Terrified of the effects it would have on my mental state.

I pulled back and stared at him wide eyed as a thought crossed my mind. "You love her?" I asked.

Owen straighten as he ran his hand over his face. "I-I don't know Brinn. Everything is so confusing and messed up right now. But yes I do feel something for her." He whispered the last part as he closed his eyes.

"Is that why you were sneaking around?" He opened his eyes and nodded slowly. "Yes. Her parents don't want her to get hurt if we aren't mates."

I crossed my arms over my chest. "I see." He stared at me, waiting for my advice on the situation. "You're going to have to respect their wishes O."

He rolled his eyes as he bit his bottom lip. "I don't have to do anything! They're Omegas, I don't have to listen to them!" His anger began coming to surface as he shouted.

I pushed his chest with all my might, causing him to stumble back a few steps. "Do not be that alpha Owen! Momma and daddy taught us to treat everyone with respect no matter their rank, so just stop it!" His eyes went wide, quickly realizing the words that just escaped his mouth.

"I-you know I didn't mean that." I leaned back against the wall and nodded. "It's okay, just don't forget who you are." He nodded in agreement.

"Everything is so fúcked up." He stood next to me before he slid to the ground. I sighed then joined him shortly after. "Brinn what the héll happened to your face?" He began running his fingers along my cheek. "It's like bright red, shít I'm not a doctor but that doesn't took too good."

I pushed his hand away and pulled the my hood over my face. "I won't tell you so just drop it."

"Can you at least let Taylor look at it?" He pleaded.

"No, just leave me alone!" He held his hands up in defense. "Okay I'm sorry. You're so stubborn."

I rolled my eyes. "You're one to talk."He draped his right arm over my shoulder then pulled me to his chest. I wrapped my arms around his torso and sighed.

He rested his chin on top of my Qhead before he spoke. "Silver Crest will pay for the damages they have caused to this pack. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but I will see to it that they will pay."I stared up into his now dull green eyes as a shiver ran down my spine. The look in his eyes confirmed that he did not intend to break his promise, and that frightened me.

I simply nodded and rested my head back onto his chest. Owen was changing, and I didn't know if it was for the best.

***

Penelope woke up shortly after Owen and I's talk so I decided to give them some time alone and call it a night. From the relieved looks from the wolves guarding the pack house, I knew Titus had been looking for me. "Luna." They said as I approached. I smiled politely, then entered the house.

The house was pitch black and quiet. Everyone must've been sound asleep by now. I slowly walked up the steps, careful not to wake anyone. Once I made it up to my floor I stopped in front of my parent's door. I slowly opened the door and peaked inside. My father slept silently in his lounge chair located in the right side of the room.

"He passed out fifteen minutes ago." I quickly turned, startled by the sudden interruption.

Tingles ran through my hips as Titus steadied me. I took a step back, pushing him away. He tilted his head to the side as he examined me. "Where were you?" I sighed then walked past him into my room. "I was with my brother."

I placed my hand on my dresser as I kicked off my shoes. "Where with your brother?" I turned my head and narrowed my eyes at him. He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting for an answer. "The pack hospital, he was visiting a friend."

His eyes soften. "Okay." His eyes roamed my body suspiciously. "What are you-" Before I could finish my sentence he yanked my hood off of my head the grabbed my chin. I stared at him wide eyed. "Are you insane?!" He ignored my comment and tilted my head to the side. I scratched his arms, an attempt to get him to let go.

"I knew it!" He released me then ran his hands through his hair. "You knew what? What the héll is wrong with you?!" I shouted back as he paced the room with his hands on the back of his head.

He took a deep breath then turned to face me. "Who did that to you?" His eyes flashed a bright gold, causing me to take a step back. "Oh." My thoughts immediately drifted to the bruise on my face.

"Oh? That's all you have to say? Your face is red!" I shook my head. "I don't want to lie to you and I also don't want to upset you, so let's just not talk about it tonight."

He balled his hands into fist. "I'm already fúcking upset! Don't make me get it out of you by force." I shook my head as I took a step back.

"Please don't make me tell you! I-I don't want to do this right now." I pleaded as tears began running down my face.

"Who hit you?" He asked.

"My dad." I said as the words involuntary rolled off of my tongue.

I grabbed a hold of his arm before he reached for the doorknob. "It was an accident. We had an argument. Please just let it go, he's hurting right now." He stared at me in disbelief. "So that gives him the right to treat you like a punching bag to let out his frustrations.

I shook my head. "No, but I said some things I shouldn't have that angered him."

"That's no excuse."

"You are not fighting my dad. I mean it Titus!" I said firmly.

What my dad did was wrong but he is still my dad and I am not going to allow Titus to fight him.

He stared down at me for what felt like forever. He finally closed his eyes and shook his head. "Get in the bed Brinn." I sighed and walked over to my side of the bed. I shrugged off my jeans and slid into the bed. Titus took off his shirt and pants then joined me shortly after.He turned on his side, leaving his back to face me. "Don't be angry with me." I whispered.

"I'm not Brinn. I'm not." I turned on the opposite side and fell asleep without another word.

***

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