"What?" I snapped after a while of being stared at, feeling oddly annoyed of being so deeply scrutinized. All I got in response was a huff as Shadow stretched out, showing off his massive belly full of soft looking fur and averted his eyes from me.

But only for a second, before he was back on his paws, trudging to my other side and laying down there, head jarring against my knee without a care as he rolled over.

I snorted, shaking my head before reaching a trembling hand out to his silent invitation. Or more like demand, as he hadn't stopped huffing and pushing himself against me, presenting his belly whenever I looked at him.

"You're such a wuss." I grumbled, smiling despite the shards of pain that shot through my fingers with each motion. Yet the satisfaction of the soft fur in the palm of my hand along with the content grumbles as Shadow draped his legs over my arm was enough to push the pain back.

Unconsciously my hands paused and Shadow didn't miss a beat, his massive paws landing on my shoulders with a firm shove, demanding more belly rubs.

"Demanding little pup is what you are." I chuckled, deciding to lay down besides the wolf to rub through his belly. Here he was, the all feared enforcer of the wolf pack, nearly lying on top of me and demanding belly rubs like the queen he was.

And even with the shoves against my shoulders whenever he insisted on more, his paws seemed to avoid my hands entirely. Each time I made a noise of complaint, his ears would perk up, eyes finding mine to assess me before relaxing once more.

A soft smile played over my lips as I worked through his fur, gently unknotting it as I went. I was grateful for this wolf, for the way he captured and diverted my attention with ease. He allowed me to relax and take my mind of the piece of shit that was my mate.

Max... My heart still ached, seeing him smile down at me in his memories. His gentle touches that had warmed my soul, the passionate kisses we shared.

The absolute disgust and hatred when-

A huff sounded before a paw shot out, hitting me straight in the balls. All the air escaped out of my lungs as I groaned and rolled my face in the grass, my aching hands instantly finding my throbbing groin.

Saliva flooded my mouth as instant nausea made the world spin, stomach threatening to heave what little food it held as I heard people rushing towards me.

"Kyle! Are you okay?"

The wolf besides me growled as it jumped over my crumbled form and snarled protectively while I cursed its existence in my head.

A groan slipped out my mouth as I tried my best to catch my breath, feeling faint. "You fucking dickhead!" I grunted at the wolf, whom was now overly protective while he was the one that had kicked me so hard, I swore my grandchildren would be able to feel it.

That is, if I can still fucking reproduce after this!

Drake cringed in sympathy when he finally managed to reach me, patting me awkwardly on the shoulder because honestly, what could he do?

"Try and take some deep breaths Kyle." After a few more minutes filled with pained grunts and whispered promises to turn Shadow into a fur blanket, I slowly managed to rise to my knees, taking a few deep gulps all the while Shadow averted his head in nonchalance.

Dickhead.

Drake chuckled, offering his hand to help me up before patting my shoulder again, this time leading me towards the exit. "Let's go and get some food ready. We can come over after dinner or tomorrow, depending if the pack is out for hunting tonight."

I frowned, shooting an awkward glare at Shadow, who stretched out almost like a cat would and padded along, slyly pressing his massive body between Drake and I to create more space.

"As soon as your hands are properly healed, we could use some help with patrolling the pack's territory and make sure none of the overeager hunters manage to sneak on our land." Drake spoke as he guided me to the exit, having some trouble trying to open the door in such a way that the wolf wouldn't be able to follow.

He managed eventually but not without a snap towards his leg and a surprising yelp that made him clear his throat. "I meant to do that... Anyways," He closed the wolf paddock and motioned me ahead.

It was odd but suddenly I felt so drained, as if all the energy just up and abandoned my body for no reason whatsoever. My knees wobbled and Drake was quick to swoop in and snatch me up before I collapsed through my legs.

"Oops. Guess we overdid it a bit for today... Should've probably waited a few days after surgery before introducing you to the rest of the wolves... Doc is going to throw a fit." He grinned sheepishly as he kneeled down to swoop my legs over his arm before carrying me across the territory.

"You're an Alpha. I doubt the doc is going to nag your ear off." I grunted lethargically because honestly, who was going to bite the hand that fed them? Drake instead made a non-committable sound as he shouldered through the door.

"Maybe, but I'm only human. Well, more or less..." He grinned, setting me down on the couch as I eyed him tiredly.

Why is he not acting like most Alphas? Preening proudly under the attention they receive and abuse their power?

Instead, this man was going out of his way to make people comfortable, stepping out of his own comfort zone to make sure everyone else was accommodated. He'd almost bend over backwards to make sure his pack had everything they needed yet, the power that pulsed from him in waves told me that, if the pack ever were threatened, he'd defend them till his last breath.

This man truly is fearless...

Footsteps approached and Drake looked up, his smile hesitating before he muttered a panicked, "Oh boy..." I turned around to follow his gaze, my eyes landing on a petite woman marching her way down the hall towards us.

She smiled at me sweetly, dark hair twisted in a loose braid over her shoulder, the floral prints on her blouse oddly colorful compared to the cold look she shot Drake's way.

Drake scratched at his mouth, trying to avoid the woman's look as best he could as she crossed her arms and started tapping her foot. He smiled sheepishly before brushing his long hair out of his face, looking down at the smaller woman with a disarming smile.

"Hiya Momma. What... what brought you over here?"

Her lips barely twitched, suppressing a smile as she jabbed a finger against Drake's chest. "Drake Andrew Davis. Why on earth is it that each time a new arrival gets surgery, I somehow get up called in the middle of the day with pack doctors freaking out over your carelessness?"

Drake coughed, grasping the back of his neck awkwardly before he started, "Well you see, this time I had a really good reason." His mother raised an immaculate eyebrow, walking around the couch where I was seated to find a seat for herself.

I quickly pulled my legs from the seat, attempting to sit back up but her smile turned sugary sweet as she gently patted me on the foot. "Oh no dear, don't worry bout me, I won't be long. I'm so sorry you have to see this." She turned back at Drake, crossing her arms in front of her chest as she sat down.

"I'm more than eager to hear it."

Drake's smile fell before he blinked, looking back and forth between us. He quickly started stammering when his mom's eyebrow rose even higher. "Errr, well you see, what happened was... Errr....."

I almost felt bad for him, the huge mountain of muscle that he was, sweating bullets in front of this tiny woman who started kicking her foot the longer Drake took to find a decent explanation for his predicament.

"Well, I mean, I had to show Kyle the wolf pack, you know? Everyone needs their imprint to aid the process along, right? What better time than to strike while the iron is hot." Drake stammering halted as his mom said nothing before he sighed. "I'm sorry Momma."

"Oh, I bet you are." She smirked, standing up from the seat to walk up to the Alpha, pressing a delicate kiss against his cheek. "You're going to end up making your father pull out the remainder of his hair, and I like my husband just fine the way he is."

Drake snorted and threw his head back on a laugh. "The old man isn't going to lose his hair, momma. We're werewolves! We don't get bald."

She shrugged a delicate shoulder and spun around, "And I'm not willing to test that theory dear." She grinned down at me before sighing and giving Drake one last scolding look. "Look at the poor boy, he's skin over bones! Haven't you been feeding him? Have I taught you nothing of hospitality? You should've waited a few days and let him gather strength instead of pushing him to the limit."

"Yes Momma."

His mother huffed though her eyes sparked with amusement before smiling down at me. "Pleasure to meet you Kyle, though I had wished my idiot son hadn't pushed you this hard so quickly after your surgery. I'll make sure he'll provide you with ample care over the next couple of days to make up for his behavior."

"Sofia, are we still going to that human mall?" An elderly woman peeked her head inside with a curious smile on her face, waving a greeting before tapping on her watch, "The stores will close in five hours dear and I want to visit every last one of them before we head on back."

Sofia smiled as Drake looked at his mother with a pleading look in his eyes, her smile turning teasing as she replied, "We're leaving right now Mom, I was just scolding Drake here over his behavior." Grey eyes settled on the hulking Alpha as he smiled hesitantly before the older woman spoke.

"You'll tell me all about it tonight at supper, won't you deary?"

Drake sighed reluctantly before nodding, "Yes Tutu, I will." Tutu? I shot him a curious look to which he smiled and alerted the elderly woman of my presence, "Anna here is my grandmother or Tutu as we refer to her. It's a Hawaiian thing."

Anna smiled before shaking her head at Drake, "Don't think a day of shopping will distract me from our talk, sweetheart. Now, Sofia and I shall be off, unless you youngsters can't keep up with my old bones?"

She cackled a laugh as her daughter followed on her heels, laughing along as Drake and I were left in shocked silence before we shared a look, to which he shrugged with a smile.

"Eh, Moms. You know how they are..."