I stared up at the ceiling, waiting...

I waited for what felt like forever, but when I finally heard soft snores coming from beside me I sighed in relief. Brinn snuggled closer to me by instinct. I ran my hand over her cheek, the side where her sad excuse of a father hit her.

As time went on, the more anger I began to feel. When Brinn begged me not to harm her father I contemplated, but stayed quiet. Why make a promise I knew I wasn't going to keep?

I eased her head off of my chest and onto the pillow, causing her to stir but not quite wake. I sat up and threw my legs over the bed and onto the cold hard wood. Standing, I tugged my pants on and clasped onto the knife laying in my pocket.

I flinched as I pulled the creaking door open. I glanced over my shoulder to find Brinn laid on her back with her right hand placed over her stomach and her left above her head. I sighed in relief then headed across the hall. The door was left wide open, easy access for anyone to enter.

Big mistake...

I slowly crept into the bedroom, keeping my movements stealthy as possible. Richard's loud snores and my increased heartbeat caused my nervousness to resurface. I pulled out the knife once I stood over him. With shaky hands I placed the knife against his neck.

One swipe and this could all be over.

I pushed myself to do it, but the more I thought about it the more Brinn popped into my head. I was having an internal battle with myself. The consequences might overrule the good. My hands continued to shake uncontrollably. If I I was going to do this I needed to do it now.

"Have I taught you nothing?" I jumped, causing the knife to fall onto the floor with a loud thud. I stared wide eyed at my father. He crossed his arms over his chest as he walked further into the room. "If you're going to kill him, don't do it the cowardly way."

I stared down at Richard's unmoving body and furrowed my brows. "Challenge him to the death." My father's eyes turned hard.

I nodded, "You're right." I grabbed the knife then stared at Richard with a look of annoyance. I shook my head then turned, placing the knife into my pocket. Tomorrow's a new day. He would get what he deserves.

***

Titus was quiet the next morning after we woke. I just assumed he had a lot on his mind, but I couldn't be sure. It was awkward, and the longer the time went on the more uncomfortable I began to feel.

I sat at my vanity combining through my hair, while Titus changed into his clothes behind me. I felt his eyes on me before I stared at him through the mirror. I dropped my head to my stomach and smiled. I wore a navy blue V-neck sweater that covered my small bump, and some black skinny jeans. Our pup was growing faster than I expected, but then again I knew very little about pregnancies. To everyone else...I was still a pup myself.

I piled my hair into a messy bun on top of my head then slid on my brown Uggs. Titus was seated on the edge of my bed staring down at his phone when I stood. I slowly walked towards him then came to a stop once the tips of our shoes touched.

He slowly raised his head until his eyes met mine, then quickly diverted his eyes to my belly and smiled.

I crossed my arms over my chest and narrowed my eyes at him. I thought maybe I was overthinking things at first, but now I knew. He was having a hard time looking me on the eye and I couldn't figure out why.

He placed his hand over my belly then sighed. "We should go."

"Go where?" I asked.

"I called another pack meeting." He kept his gaze glued on my belly.

Shoving his hand away, I glared. "Why can't you look me in the eye?" I asked sternly.

"I can." He said as his eyes met mine. I narrowed my eyes as I searched for any trace of a lie. I rolled my eyes then sighed in frustration. Either he was really good at hiding stuff or I was just horrible at reading between the lines, but something was bothering him and I knew it.

He stood to his feet then pulled me to his chest. "Stop worrying, everything is fine, ok?" I sighed then nodded, "Ok."

"After the meeting we can visit your mother." A smile formed on my face.

"Sounds good." He grabbed my hand then lead me towards the door.

Owen and my dad waited for us at the foot of the stairs. My dad cleaned up a little, but overall still looked exhausted. He had obligations to his pack and knew he needed to show his face or his pack would begin to question his stability to lead.

Owen smiled as we got closer. I went to hug him when everything quickly fell apart.

Catching my dad off guard, Titus threw a punch at his face. My mouth dropped open as I watched my father clutch his now bloodied nose. "You know what that's for." Titus said through clenched teeth.

Owen shoved him hard, causing him to stumble backwards. "What the héll is wrong with you?! He's been through enough!" Owen exclaimed.

"This had nothing to do with you pup!" Owen balled his hands into fist, ready to strike at any given moment.

I pushed myself in between the both of them. "Will you both just stop it!" I yelled.

Owen glared daggers at me. "What?! Why are you yelling at me? He just punched our dad!" I shot him a pleading look to just drop it, but of course that couldn't happen as Titus interjected. "It's was well justified, he's lucky I didn't kill him!"

I closed my eyes as I said a silent prayer, hoping Owen would ignore what was just said. "What are you talking about? What did he do?" I glared at Titus, silently telling him to keep his mouth shut. Right as he opened his mouth to speak, Ryan and Alex walked in.

Alex's eyes went wide as she took in the sight. "Titus...the pack is waiting." Ryan interjected. Titus pulled me away before I could say anything else. I was furious, and he knew it. You've got a lot of nerve Titus.

You dámn well know that was generous considering the circumstances! I rolled my eyes and let him lead us to the area where the pack waited. I was tired of fighting. It never got me anywhere and I just had given up at this point. All the fight I had left had disintegrated in the span of five minutes. My wolf placed her ears over her eyes as her low whines filled my mind. Titus glanced down at me then sighed.

My heart began to beat fast once I saw Seth standing in the outskirts of the crowd. His hands were tucked into his jeans and his dark brown hair covered his face as he stared at the ground.

He must have felt me staring because he looked up and gave me a weak smile.

Maci joined his side quickly after. She grabbed his hand in hers and rubbed his back. I was glad they were both okay, but the emotional pain I caused Seth made my stomach turn in knots.

The crowds chatter died down as we got closer. Once we were in front of the crowd we had all of their attention. Alex and Ryan joined the crowd a few seconds after we arrived. She smiled when we made eye contact, then her voice entered my mind. Glad you're okay, we'll talk later. I nodded then turned my attention back towards the ground.

Owen and my dad joined my side quickly after. I raised my head and sighed in relief. Owen gave my hand a reassuring squeeze then released it. My dad stood tall with his chest puffed out. The joined pack immediately showed their respect by lowering their heads.

And just like that, Titus was all business with no emotion. "It has come to my attention that we have a traitor in our pack." Gasps and whispers ran through the crowd, everyone curious on who the traitor could be.

"This traitor played a part in the attack a couple of nights ago." Whoever this person was, I wouldn't want to be in their position. At this point, there were a lot of angry wolves looking for revenge.

"Bring him!" Titus's voiced boomed into the crowd. We all looked around in confusion.

What was going on?

My eyes went wide and two warriors brought forth Ron in chains.

Lily's father was the traitor!

The crowd glared viciously at Ron as they brought his towards Titus and I.

Ron had his eyes on no one, but me. He gave me a cold stare that ran shivers through my body. I clung onto Titus's arm once they reached us. He was standing 3 feet away from me, and the look in his eyes told me he'd do just about anything to escape his restraints.

Titus rubbed my arm soothingly then stepped forward. My father joined Titus's side while my brother and I stayed behind. I was not getting close to that manic. I might have looked like a coward, but I was a coward that valued her life.

Titus eyed my father sideways, but shifted his eyes back towards Ron before anyone could notice. "You were apart of an attack on your own people-"

"These aren't my people!" Ron spat. The crowd burst into chatter. Ryan quickly silenced everyone as Titus began speaking again.

"You are a traitor! Who's to say Lily didn't play a part on this as well? I wouldn't put it past her." Ron smirked, "Yeah well now you'll never know, because that bítch killed her!" Ron spat as he shouted in my direction.

The whole crowd gasped as all eyes landed on me. Owen held onto my hand firmly as Titus and my dad held an unreadable expression.

"I-I.." Words failed me as I tried to think of something, anything to explain my actions.

Before I could get out an explanation, the sound of clothes tearing caused everyone to snap their heads towards the back of the crowd. My stomach dropped as Seth's wolf came charging towards me.

***

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