***Remington's POV***

Flashback

Standing in front of my eighth grade class mates my nerves were on high alert. Sweat graced the palms of my hands and licked the arch of my brows. My hands trembled as I searched for anything to focus on. I locked eyes with the sweetest cerulean blue orbs to have ever existed. The tiny boy in the front row smiled handsomely at me. He threw a silent urge of encouragement. I straightened my spine and stared directly at him. Precious blue eyes gleamed in adoration. Long lashes swept across his cheeks with each blink. Soft alabaster skin radiated with a gorgeous glow of rose blush. His blonde hair stood in a swept spike. He looked as if he had been wind blown. My heart fluttered. His dainty hands were folded in front of him atop the desk. His feet swung below as he was too short to reach the floor in the oversized desk. Talon Williams. I rolled the name across my tongue and purred silently at the feeling. Talon is a year younger but he is brilliant; he skipped a full grade. His tiny presence brought peace as I read the poem I wrote to my class. In his hands. In Talon's hands.

I snap out of my daydreaming as Nurse Jenny gives me the prescriptions and the instructions to care for my mate. I smile down at the lovely boy in front of me. Of course he is a man, but he has a boyish softness as well.

"Are you ready to go baby?" I ask.

Talon blushes and shakes his head shyly. He isn't fooling me. I remember how sassy his cute ass has always been. That is part of the charm that captured me over the years.

Talon may have blurted out his secret obsession. But, I have been a far away admirer as well. Of course, I had to stomp that small crush down. I did not want to disrespect my future mate in any way. I could not afford to fan the flames of any empty attraction.

Our school schedules made that easier. Talon takes AP courses and I settle for general credits. I spend a lot of my free periods with my Dad over mind link. We go over particulars to help when I lead our pack.

Now, I can feed the beast. Talon is MINE. I could not be happier. Even if he is a little shattered, I will gladly help him piece his self back together. In sickness and in health. That's the vow. I willingly comply.

"Let's get you home. Do you mind staying with me from now on?" I ask my handsome angel.

"Will I get to stay in your room?" Talon questions.

"You will be in our room, yes." I confirm.

"Okay." Talon's cerulean orbs gleam below me.

I want to capture his pink pout in my own. But, he is extremely bruised. He has excessive cuts and is swollen. My kisses will have to wait.

I cut my wolf off before I need to spend time with Rosey Palm and her five friends.

I push my mate in his wheel chair towards my mustang and slide him into the passengers seat. I buckle him up. It's a short ride but, better safe than sorry. He is precious cargo.

"When is the last time you ate?" I ask Talon.

"This morning." He sighs.

He is gonna hate me. I internally cringe before I gather my courage.

"When is the last time you held food down?" I speak softly so he doesn't think I am chastising him.

"I can't remember." He whimpers.

"Do you realize how perfect you are? A bit skinny but, it would be helpful if we could work on that." I plead.

"I will try okay. I really do try. I promise." Talon begs me to understand.

"I can't pretend to understand what you do. I will promise to stand beside you every step of the way. We will work through this together." I speak tenderly so he realizes I only want what is in his best interest.

"Okay." He shrugs as he looks out the window.

I grip his thigh softly and rub the clothed skin with my thumb.

"That's going to create issues." Talon smirks.

I look down at his crotch and see his friend stirring awake. I don't stop what I'm doing. It's a good distraction for whatever he was pondering minutes ago.

"I can stop." I offer with a smirk of my own, knowing I have no intention of doing so.

"That won't be necessary." Talon winks as he places his hand ridiculously close to my already pulsing member.

"Fair is fair." I shrug. I squeeze his thigh. His breath hitches.

I pull into my parking spot at the pack house and help Talon to his feet. I would carry him but, I will let that be his choice.

He stumbles so I wrap my arm around his waist.

"Pain killers." Talon giggles.

I help him up the stairs and bring him into the house.

"It's been a while." Talon admits.

"Since?" I ask.

"I have been around here." He confesses.

"How long?" I question. The answer is sure to piss me off. Fucking hooligans.

"Three years." Talon waves it off.

"Never again." I promise.

"Good." Talon agrees.

I lead Talon to the kitchen and help him onto a bar stool. I head toward the fridge.

"What do you want to drink?" I ask.

"Coke." He smiles.

"Nope." I shake my head. The acid won't help him at the moment.

"Tea?" He says it like a question.

"Food?" I ask. I pour him a glass of sweet tea before setting it in front of him with a straw.

"It doesn't matter." He closes his eyes. I wonder what he is thinking. I probably don't even want to know.

"Just a small meal baby. Small steps, okay." I try to persuade him.

"I said I would try." He snaps.

I close the fridge and walk back to him. I'm not upset he snapped. I get it. He is pretty much a prisoner to his disease.

"Baby, look at me please." I lift his chin to stare into his mesmerizing blue eyes.

"I'm sorry if you think I am bossy. I am. You just have to work with me. I want you around for centuries." I kiss his lips so softly we barely make a connection of our flesh.

The tingles erupt in a burst of sparks. I hum as I press a little harder against his lips.

Talon moans and pulls back.

"Let's make a deal." Talon smirks.

I cross my arms, unsure of whether I should make a deal with the sultry devil.

"Shoot." I pinch my thumb and pointer finger across the bridge of my nose. This is definitely a bad idea.

"I eat, you reward me." He states proudly.

My eyes open wide. I narrow them at the mischievous Satan.

"If you eat and keep it down, I will reward you. I choose your reward." I qualify.

"Salad." Talon offers.

"Not good enough." I shake my head no.

"Surprise me." He gives in.

I pull out ingredients and quickly make a couple plates of fettuccine Alfredo.

I set the plate down. I gave him only a couple bites. I don't want to overwhelm him.

"Smells good." Jace says as he walks in the kitchen.

"Hi Talon. I'm Jace." My Beta introduces himself.

"I know. We had classes together. Nice to finally meet you." Talon smirks.

"He's a shit. I like him." Jace laughs.

"You're not so bad yourself. A little short for a Beta. But, you could be worse." Talon giggles at his own quip.

"I'm six foot." Jace whines.

"Five eleven. Don't lie." Talon corrects Jace. I burst out laughing.

"You're an ass." Jace laughs.

"I'm his ass." Talon laughs and blows me a kiss. I watch as he covertly avoids the fork going to his mouth.

I sigh and reach for his chin turning his head to look at me.

I give him a small peck on the lips before lifting the fork to his mouth. He smiles and takes a small bite.

"Thank you baby." I coo.

"Mmmhmm." He hums.

"More." He demands

I quirk my eyebrow and lift the fork back to his mouth. He shakes his head and taps his finger on his lips. I laugh as I realize his game.

The meal continues as Jace watches me alternate between small pecks and small bites.

"I'm full." Talon whispers. I look and see he has only eaten half of the tiny portion.

"Okay. But you have to eat two more times tonite." I bargain with my mate.

"I will." He promises.

I kiss his forehead as I take his plate.

Jace grabs the plate and eats the food from it. He picks up the pot of leftovers, pours it into the plate. Jace devours it.

"Pig." I yell into the air.

I hear a small gasp and see a tear roll down my mate's face. I walk over and wrap him in my arms.

"I was just joking." I plead with Talon.

"It's not funny." Talon whimpers.

"I'm not offended." Jace shakes his head.

Talon slaps his forehead and wipes his tears off on his sleeve. "I thought you called me a pig. I'm sorry." He says.

"Only an idiot would call you anything less than perfect." Jace states matter of factly.

I growl playfully.

"Cool it Alpha. That's a fine piece of ass. I got my own." Jace laughs as he slaps my forehead with his palm.

"There's always room for another." Talon giggles.

"You are in trouble." I whisper in his ear as I drag my finger down his jaw. He shivers.

"I was kidding." Talon giggles again.

"Fucking adorable." Ally announces as she skips into Jaces arms.

"Thank you sweet cheeks." Jace accepts.

"Not you. Him." She points at Talon.

Talon bursts into a fit of laughter before he gasps and grabs his side.

"What's wrong with my Luna?" Ally asks.

"Your Luna got in a fight with three overgrown mutts." I grit through my teeth.

"Well, after what Alpha did, I imagine they will be apologizing soon." Ally giggles.

"What did Dad do?" I question.

"Good evening Talon. How are you feeling?" Dad sits beside my mate and gives him a kiss on his head.

"Hi Alpha. I'm on pain killers so I guess as good as can be offered." Talon smiles and Dad's eyes light with a twinkle.

"Son, he is a beauty." Dad beams like he just saw the cutest puppy.

"He says thanks." Talon whispers to my Dad.

Dad bursts out laughing.

"I like you." He touches Talon's cheek.

"Good thing. I'm not going anywhere." Talon winks at Dad. Dad about falls off the stool laughing.

"What did you do?" I ask Dad. "About those who shall not be named."

"The crime deserves death." Dad growls in irritation.

"I don't think that's necessary." Talon squeaks.

"Don't worry. I didn't kill or hit them." My Dad promises.

"So." I tap my fingers together.

"They have to volunteer for 1000 hours of community service. Training has been doubled for them. They have to landscape the William's yard every weekend for a year. One day of kitchen duty a week for that same year. They have to maintain a B average in school. No pack events for a month. They have to apologize to all the Williams and to you Remington." Dad states.

I whistle. Talon gasps. Jace guffaws. Ally claps.

"Damn." Talon whispers.

"Is that suitable? Would you like to add anything?" Dad asks Talon.

"I don't want to. I hope one day we could be friends. Again." Talon whimpers.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"Lutz was my best friend until ninth grade." Talon clarifies.

"What happened?" Ally asks.

"He found out my secrets." Talon shrugs. His face is full of gloom.

"What secrets?" I ask.

"That I'm gay and I ate my twin." Talon rolls his eyes.

"You ate your twin?" Jace laughs.

"Not really. I absorbed him in the womb. I'm what they call a parasitic twin." Talon clarifies.

"I don't think that is relevant." Dad state's sternly.

"It was relevant enough to get my ass beat and have names called to me for the last three years." Talon balls his fists up and his face turns red.

I hold his hand and pry his fingers from his palm. Little crescent moon indentations litter his flesh. I bring his palm to my lips and kiss it.

"That will be all the harassing you will endure." Dad throws his fist onto the counter and storms out of the kitchen.