* *

"I'm not infatuated with her. I'm looking at her because I am the one who is her mate" Carter blurted out confidently causing a smile to stretch on my face as everyone turned to look at Nate all mirroring the same confused expression. Nate let out a sigh as he stared at his Beta with pure distaste as he realized he was now going to have to explain our complex situation.

"Wait" my dad began his eyes narrowing in on mine questioningly, growing darker as mine connected with his "why would you lie about who your mate is?" He asked, his lips turning down as the veins in his neck bulged when he clenched his fists angrily, quickly irritated by the lie I told.

"Umm," I pondered looking to Nate for a response though he looked as stumped as I did. Our eyes locked as we both waited for one another to state a valid excuse...but there was not one.

Now Trent stood up as he stalked toward the couch I sat on with Nate, his bright pools peeled on Nate's profile, silently shooting daggers at him. I was not sure of his intentions until his hand darted out and swept my dark hair away from my neck to see my mark from the Alpha. "You mother fucker" he growled now spinning toward him, ready for a fight. I knew with one look at my bite you could tell he was not my true mate. When you are marked by the one given to you by the Moon Goddess, it is not a painful experience and the mark heals quickly. Whereas being marked by another wolf, such as Nathaniel Ryder, causes your neck to swell and bruise which is exactly what my brother saw.

Nate instantly took a defensive stand as he hopped up next to my brother, both of their broad chests were lifting and falling at an unnormal pace as they glared at one another, a powerful hate-filled aura dominating the space. Surprisingly as Wyatt stepped up behind Trent, Carter did the same causing some eyebrows to raise. "How can you let someone else mark your mate?!" Wyatt screamed his voice deafening as he watched Carter with careful hateful eyes.

As Wyatt spewed out his accusation, Carter's jaw tensed as he mashed his teeth together tightly. "You think I let this happen? I didn't want this!" He roared back angrily as my mom tugged my arm pulling me backward in case a fight was to break out, I was not caught in the middle. However, the panic that filled my wolf proved I needed to be right there and do anything possible to stop this fight from happening.

"I'm going to kill you" Trent muttered warningly as he walked outside signaling, he would do whatever to protect my virtue. Instantly as his feet hit the ground, he allowed his large sandy wolf to come out. Stomping around in a circle, the copper hairs poking through his paws, he faced the door once more watching as Wyatt took on his wolf worm letting his even bigger black beast join the party. As Wyatt's paws touched the floor, he let out a low taunting growl which only caused my anxiety to rise.

I struggled to get free from my mom only to have my attempt ruined as Brett wrapped his muscular arms securely around my chest locking me down in place. I watched in horror as both of my mates stalked outside and shifted preparing to attack. Glancing over his shoulder Carter took me in, not saying a word as he nodded to his brother to keep me back. As Nate shifted, I could hear a small almost painful howl escape his lips as though this was not something he wanted to do. This being the first time I saw his wolf and I was honestly impressed. His coat was whiter than mine and it seemed brighter almost as if a superior glow surrounded him. Just as in his human form he was taller than the other wolves even Wyatt who was also an Alpha hung a few inches shorter. Everything about Nate's wolf screamed power as his large head bowed to the ground, he bent his legs and prepared to jump once Trent made the first move.

Glancing to his side I took in Carter's wolf who was a deep gray almost a charcoal color, a lighter dusty gray decorated the perimeter of his paws, complimenting his overall coat. His size was like my brothers, bigger than your average yet smaller than an Alpha. Craning his head, he looked through the door at me, his brown orbs meeting mine and apologizing for what was to come. "Brett" I squealed desperately as I wrestled him to get free. I knew I was the only one who could reason with both packs and stop this monstrosity. Even though I was a strong wolf and had Beta blood in me which helped me in most situations it did not here. Brett was also of Beta descent, but he was naturally larger being the fact that he was a full-grown male. Right now, I stood no chance. "I can't let them fight!"

Thinking my brother had the situation with Nate handled my father turned his sights on me. "How could you lie to us? Why would you lie to us?" He questioned roughly as my mother touched his forearm attempting to call him down. I ignored his line of questioning as I struggled against Brett.

"There is nothing you can do, Jamie" he spoke softly as if he understood my pain and pulled me farther into his chest to comfort me. Brett was very similar to his brother considering he was just as sweet and caring even when I was struggling with him, he didn't get angry. This being said I felt very guilty for what I was about to do. I let my body collapse to the floor allowing my knees to smack against the wooden tiles as I cocked my arm and elbowed him in the groin. Instantly he released my body and hunched over in pain his features twisting quickly showing off his pain. Without wasting a second or taking a moment to apologize, I leaped up and charged for the door.

"Jamie Leanne Watson!" My father roared panic filling his voice as he jumped forward in an attempt to grab me before I made it too far. Seeing him reaching out, I pushed my legs harder, needing to break free and stop this fight. Once I reached the threshold and saw the four wolves bouncing on their paws, I knew I need to act fast, and the second one of them could pounce. I sprung out of my human form, allowing my snowy wolf to dive out.

Even though I was much smaller than the four of them, I darted in between them without fear. Catching sight of me they all turned to me waiting to see what side I was planning on standing on. Charging over to my brother, I rammed my snout into his roughly as if telling him to stop. If we were still able to communicate through our mind link, I would have told him to leave Nate alone yet now I had to opt for plan B. I could see the confusion swirling in his icy blue orbs as he tried to figure out why I was protecting the man who stole me from my true mate. But in doing so I was also protecting Carter too, right?

Trent growled back argumentatively, showing me, he was not bowing down which only caused me to push my snout harder against his, silently warning him. It was as if I pretty much said 'if you want him you have to go through me first' and judging by the black color that overcame his eyes he wasn't pleased with where my loyalty now stood. I felt a soft nudge on my cheek as Wyatt's dark fur came into view. He continued to rub his wolf's nose against mine assuring me that they would not attack. I knew Wyatt had then ordered Trent to stand down as the fur along his spine stood up and his wolves head snapped to glare at his future Alpha.

Though he ignored a direct order as he leaped forward jumping around me and tackling Nate to the ground. Nate seemed shocked by Trent's actions as he fell to the ground not expecting what had just happened. The two rolled around with one another taking bites from each other's fur-covered flesh in the process. My wolf and I were in a panic as we stared at the scene in front of us unsure of what to do or how to react. On one hand, I had Trent, my own blood who was trying to right Nate's wrong by taking me back. On the other hand, I had Nate whom I hated yet wanted to protect. It made no sense, yet our mating bond had begun, and I could not control my wolf's feelings or erratic behavior.

Nate's rage was building as he fought with Trent. His frustration, anger, and agony were swirling through me urging me to break this up.

'What do you want me to do?' Carter questioned wanting to defend his Alpha but not wanting to jump on my brother and hurt me any further. I could not even reply to him as I charged over to the duo. Without much thought, I opened my mouth and bit Trent's hind leg not hard enough to cause permanent damage just enough to tell him I was not playing. He yelped in surprise as I tugged with all my power to try to remove him, yet he was much stronger than I and did not budge. Though my move did provide a distraction long enough for Nate to react and distance himself. It was no surprise to anyone that Nate could have killed my brother with little effort, yet he only matched Trent's aggression and power instead of taking it too far. Which I was secretly grateful for.

Before Nate could even think about going after Trent again, I forced myself in front of him pushing our chests together officially blocking his path. Glancing up I noticed the blood that covered his pure white coat some belonging to him and some belonging Trent. His canines were on full view as the tip held remiss of the crimson liquid as his usual turquoise eyes became a much darker dangerous shade when they greeted mine. 'Move' he ordered glaring down at me as he shifted from side to side but every way he stepped, I stepped with him not allowing him to get away. 'Jamie get the fuck out of my way!' He demanded using his ranking to force me to listen, but I did not ignore him and held my ground. There was no way I was going to let him hurt my brother.

I knew he was too caught up in the moment and I knew him being challenged meant he wanted to kill but I would not allow it. With one swift movement, Nate swung his wolves head back and smacked it into mine, knocking my wolf to the side. His action only made everything worse when four unhealthy growls to erupt from my dad, Carter, Trent, and Wyatt. Now instead of two current enemies, it seemed like all four would not mind taking a bite from him not to mention the crowd of pack mates that had grown did not seem too fond of him either.

'Nate please' I begged jumping back up quickly as though I was not affected by his violence. I knew if he were to lock on to Trent it would be a game over. The strength of an Alpha outweighed the strength of a Beta by a long shot and that was a chance I could not take. He growled in response letting me know he was angry at me challenging him yet again, but I had to. Our wolves locked eyes once more and I knew he was not budging; he would not let me win so I did the only thing I could think of. I shifted back into my human form allowing everyone around to see me in the complete nude. Unfortunately for me their fight had caused a crowd but doing this was my only option.

Instantly the mood changed as Nate's glossy eyes draped over my naked body taking in every curve I had to offer. 'What is wrong with you?!' He screamed noting that my assets were in full view for the pack. Frantically he pushed his snout roughly into my chest causing his whiskers to tickle the skin on my breasts as he forced my body back down into the grass down. Quickly he crept over me allowing his massive wolf to lay on top of my petite frame, officially shielding me from the eyes of wondering unmated wolves. He was careful when adjusting himself, so his weight was evenly distributed and not crushing me though guessing from the rage that spewed from him he considered it.

If there is one thing, I know about mates it is that they are jealous and would never want another man to see their woman in such a manner as I currently was. Smiling triumphantly, I relaxed under him knowing my plan worked as he focused on covering me no longer caring about the fight. The only downside to my brilliant plan was that I could feel Carter's overwhelming unhappiness as he watched his Alpha lay over me, touching every part of my exposed being. His heart was aching at the sight, yet he was not in the place to object. 'I had to do it' I whispered to him as his weary gaze met mine.

His stare was powerful as the chocolate color of his eyes burned into mine showing off certain hate that I did not know he could possess. 'No Jamie, you could have just let me break up the fight, this is what you wanted to do" he spat harshly turning his attention to the wolf above me.