When Vince arrived back at Dark grounds he was informed of a hang-out going on down by the lake and that Nya and Malina were there instead of at home like he ordered. He whipped his vehicle down there in the blink of an eye it felt like. He pulls into the parking area and looks out into the water. He could spot Nya anywhere. She was shoulder-deep with her sister and others around looking like they were having a good time. He had the mind to haul her out without caring about who was watching but he wouldn't. He wouldn't ruin the time with her sister. He puts the truck into reverse and drives home.

Straight into his study he goes and pours himself a rare glass of bourbon on the rocks. He sits on his comfy reclining office chair leaning back before taking a large savoring gulp of rum. She was killing him. His patience was running thin but whenever he would think about the pain it would cause her if he took things into his own hands it thickened. He throws his head back and closes his eyes. He could feel the moon's energy growing and with it, his power. His dominance, his desires, his perseverance, and his possessive nature were all heightening. Maybe tonight wasn't the best night to come clean to Malina. He grits his teeth. More waiting.

After a rare minute to himself, he gets back to things on his list. He was trying to buy a few hundred acres of property over the territory line and a plan of offense had to be made against the rogues. Before long it was almost completely dark out and Nya and Malina had arrived home. He listens to their goofiness as they run up for showers and then go into the kitchen to make dinner. Grilled lamb chops, some kind of wild rice, and salad.

It annoyed the hell out of him when Malina was the one to bring him his dinner. He rolled his eyes and refused. "I'm busy, take it away." He doesn't even look away from his desk.

Hesitantly, she backs away and about ten minutes later, Nya comes in. "I made this for you." She sets the plate down.

He sharply narrows his glare from his work to her. "Why didn't bring it for me then?"

"I..." She bites her lips.

He rolls his eyes. "Just go."

"Yes, Alpha Sir," She turns away.

He digs right in and as he ate he listened to them decide on a movie and settle in the living room. Before long the moon was high in the sky. He kept hoping Nya would tell her sister the truth but he never heard the words come out of her mouth. He stops hearing sounds at all after a while and when he goes seeking he finds them asleep on opposite ends of the sectional. He wanted to take his mate to bed, his bed, but this sight between them wouldn't be that common soon. For Nya, he goes back to his study. He would be lying if he said that he wasn't irritated but knowing that she fell asleep happy and peaceful eased him mentally.

He finished up what he was working on and goes upstairs for a shower. He was wishing Nya was with him, wishing she was waiting for him in the bed. He was being too soft. He should've forced the conversation to happen, he kept thinking. Once he is finished he puts on a pair of boxers and gets into bed.

He was asleep faster than he thought he would be but was soon awoken. He opens his eyes and looks at the creaking door to see Nya sliding in. Yes. He was hoping for this. He could tell by her dazed eyes that she was sleepwalking. He props his head up with a forearm and watches as she gets halfway into the room and halts.

His fingers rubbed together. "Come here."

As if he compelled her she moves forward and crawls under the covers and into his open waiting arms. She snuggles into him and lays her cheek on his peck. A low grumble releases itself from his throat. It was comfort, mixed with relief, and a triple dose of a muscle relaxer hitting him all at once. His eyes roll back in his head, his nostrils fill with her scent and his lips mumble her name. "Nya..." He tugs her as close as she could get and closes his eyes. It was immeasurable the amount of satisfaction he felt just holding her.

~~

Early morning...

Before Nya had time to process anything she opened her eyes and was still comfortably laying on Vince's chest. She blinks up and sees him wide awake and staring at something seriously. She turned her head and there was Malina standing in the doorway with her arms crossed. Instantly she was sick. The oxygen left her body and her heart stopped beating for seconds. She realized immediately where she was and the room and bed she was in.

She shakes her head thinking she must be in a nightmare. This can't be real. She wasn't she discovered when she didn't wake up for the second time. She sits herself up and curls her hair behind her ear. How did she? When did she?

The glare in her sister's eyes was everything she wanted to prevent. She should've told her. She almost did but chickened out.

"I did the outrage thing." Malina's suspicious gaze travels between the two. "Now I just want someone to explain to me what's happening here?"

Nya gets off the bed and glances down to make sure she was decent. "It's not what it looks like..." She hugs herself. It

"Is this why you've been different?" Malina looks at Vince. "You fell for my sister?" Her eyes glisten and she swallows back sobs. "I felt it, I saw it... but I just kept denying it over and over. Vince wouldn't do that... I know him. He would never mate with a lower rank. Especially not my sister. The only family I have!"

Nya's stomach was convulsing. She felt like she was going to die. Alpha Vince was right. This has exploded in her face. "I'm so sorry..."

"Sorry? you've been..." she made a gesture toward Vince who had gotten off the bed on the opposite side of Nya and slipped on a pair of jeans.

"No." She shakes her head. "I would never"

"Then what is this? I thought we were having a great time last night but all you wanted to do was sneak away?"

"No! I don't know... how..."

"I've imprinted on her," Vince announces.

"Excuse me, you what?"

"Apparently it's rare, not impossible." He takes a vest out of a drawer and puts it on.

Malina takes a deep breath as she searches the ground. It seemed she was trying to make sense of everything. "When?"

"The first day... when I saw her in the crowd."

"That's why you..."

"Yes."

"Wow... And that's why you started acting differently and why you wouldn't let her leave."

He nods. "Correct."

"So you were lying the entire time?"

"Yes."

"I would say I'm surprised but it all makes so much sense. She shifted her attention to Nya "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I... I don't know... I should have. I was afraid of hurting you and losing you.

"She didn't know. No one knew." Vince defends. "I tried to fight it as long as I could."

"I can see you're done fighting it."

"I am..." he doesn't deny.

"And what about you, Nya? Are you done fighting it?"

"No... I mean, it doesn't matter to me if he imprinted or not, I don't want to be with him. I wouldn't do that to you."

Vince tightens his jaw. "You don't have a choice."

Malina laughs. "You don't want to be with him but I catch you in his bed?"

"I don't remember coming in here..."

"Sure... you have the perfect excuse, don't you? You sleepwalked right into his bed." Malina throws her hands up. "I have to get out of here." She turns away and runs off.

Nya chases her and tries to explain as she packs up her stuff. She apologizes, begs, and pleads but her sister didn't want to hear anything. She didn't give up however and followed her all the way to the front door and almost out of it until Vince snags her back and closes the door

"It's gonna be okay." He says softly from behind as he swings her around. "She needs time to come to terms. She will calm down and come back. I promise you. And if she takes too much time. I will bring her back for you but give her some space."

She spins in his arms and pushes and strikes his chest. "Why can't you just let me go?"

"Never..."

She pounds her fist more, taking all her frustration out on him. "I don't accept you. You hear me! Alpha, no alpha I don't care! Let me go!"

He stays calm and keeps a relentless hold around her waist until her pounding becomes more like tapping. "You are the only one I would allow to do this to me." He whispers. "You make me weak and stronger at the same time somehow."

She squints sharp eyes at him and edges her front teeth together. "I reject you."

He wipes tear puddles from under her eyes gently using his thumb. "I announce to the pack early this afternoon... who their new luna is... that I've imprinted on you."

"Are you going to tell them that I reject you too, or should I?"

He smirks. "Smart mouth's like to be kissed." He makes an attempt at her lips.

She turns her head. "Let me leave, or I'll tell everyone that you're forcing me to stay with you."

He chuckles. "You think that bothers me? It's them I will command to hold you hostage when I can't."

"What do you want from me?"

"You don't seem to get it. Imprinting isn't the regular mating bond. You are my world, and I can't help that. What I want is you... and I know you want me too."

Her chest deflated and her defeated eyes fell. You really think... she will come back?"

"Most definitely."

"You were right, you know, I should have told her. I should have told her the first chance I got. The look on her face..." Her voice cracks. "she was so hurt..."

"Shhh... there's no need for that." He cups her head and brings it to his chest for a hug. "I've never seen biological sisters as close as the two of you. Let her cool down. She will understand."

She sniffles. "I really hope you're right."

"I am always right."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hope you're enjoying 😊