Three days have passed since my venture with Kayden and Ziek. I haven’t seen much of either of them or anyone really, they are all off doing their duties, but since I’m a female beta and there is no Luna at this time, there really isn’t much for me to do. So, I spend my time wandering around the packhouse. Jezzabelle has kept her distance from me for the most part, but also hasn’t said much to anyone about me either. I haven’t really been feeling like myself lately either and, I’m not sure I want to know why. Usually just let it go. It doesn’t really bother me much.
“Asena, Ziek has asked for you. He’s in the garden.” Isabelle wonders over to me.
“Oh, okay. Thanks Isa.” I say getting up from the comfortable bean chair I was in.
I walk out to the garden filled with so many different types of flowers that I can’t even name half of. I see him standing by a bench in the middle of a red-rose circlet. I smile and walk over. To my surprise, he isn’t alone. I stop mid-step. I was just about to turn around and walk away when his eyes meet with mine, and I couldn’t leave.
“Good, Asena you are here. This is Minne, she is visiting here. You are probably the best one to be with her.” Ziek says to me.
“Why do you think that? Ask Delilah. She knows more about this place than I do. I’m the newest member of the pack right now. I’m not the best one. I might be kind, but so is Delilah. She will be glad to do it, I’m sure. I can handle just having Isa with me.” I plead.
“Oh no, she doesn’t like me.” Minne says. She has dark brown, almost black hair down to a little past her shoulder and amethyst eyes.
“I said nothing of that sort, Minne. I really don’t know this place as well as Delilah. She is my gamma and I’m sure she would be a great help to you. I will gladly let her be with you during your visit. I’m just being honest here. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m the best choice. I appreciate that you thought of me though.” I state. “I can call for her, if you’d like.”
“I think that might be a good idea, but I will call for her instead. Thank you, Beta Asena, you may be excused.” Leviathan says after walking over to us.
“Alpha Leviathan.” I bow, respectively. “I will be on my way then.”
I start walking away and Ziek runs to me, “That was a little odd, don’t you think?”
“Not really. He is the alpha. It’s his job to see that the proper things get done by the proper wolves. Although, he did seem a little too serious. He never uses my title, ever. Even when he has a job for me. It has always been Asena. Never Beta Asena. Never.” I state. “You weren’t excused, maybe you should go back until Delilah shows up.”
“I think the Alpha has it under control. Look at them they are totally flirting. No offense, but you might be old news in his book.” Ziek says.
I look over and see them chatting it up and laughing and smiling. “Maybe. I think I’ve been old news for a while with him though. He’s been kind of distant since my dual with Jezzabelle. That or he’s been super busy. Either way… I can’t control what he does. Let’s go… I don’t care where… but anywhere maybe do some training… want to spar with me?”
“I could use the exercise. Think you can beat me?” Ziek teases.
I giggle and push him to the side a little bit and then he chases me as I run towards the arena. He grabs me once I start to slow down, and I laugh some more. We both undress and shift into our wolf forms. We circle each other I feint attack throwing him off. He dodged the feint attack and then I strike the way he dodges grabbing his paw. He nips at me, but my swiftness comes in handy, and I shift my body still holding his paw in my jaws. Then he uses his mass and lunges forward causing me to stumble and release his paw. He tries to lunge at me again but since I was expecting it, I dodge and lunge at his side grabbing his shoulder and accidently tarring his flesh. He doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. Deciding to roll, he knocks me off. However, when I stand up, I get dizzy and fall again. I shake my head before standing again.
Mon chèrie? Are you feeling alright? His concern makes me happy.
I’m alright just… had a small dizzy spell. Must have knocked me harder than you thought. I say, not telling him I hadn’t been feeling good all day.
Do you need to go to the pack doctor? He asks.
No. I’ll be alright. Let’s just continue please. I say, slightly irritated. I lunge at him and grab at his flank he dodges and grabs mine instead. I yelp. He pulls me down before letting go of me. I stand back up. I take a deep breath and release it. I know I’m not thinking straight right now but I can’t tell him that. I pace a little in search of an opening I slide under the brown wolf and grab his inner thigh. He yelps before falling on me.
“What the hell are you two doing?” Kayden has come out of nowhere.
Ziek shifts. “She wanted to spar, but I don’t think she’s got her head on straight. She is making rookie mistakes. We’ve sparred before and she seems to be having difficulties, and dizzy spells, but she doesn’t want to go to the infirmary.”
I shift and have another dizzy spell, “I said I’ll be fine, damn it! I don’t need to be babied!”
“Then stand up right now, Asena.” Ziek says, straightforwardly.
I try to stand but fall back on my ass. “I’m fine really. I just didn’t eat breakfast… or supper last night… I probably just need food.”
“Why the hell aren’t you eating?” Kayden asks suspiciously.
“I’m just not that hungry. Don’t you ever get that way?” I sneer.
“Why are you so irritable? I didn’t say a damn thing wrong to you today. I’m just concerned.” Kayden states, getting irritated himself.
“See what I mean? She isn’t acting like herself. Something is wrong.” Ziek says calmly.
“I need to go back to bed I think… maybe that will help.” I stand up, put my clothing on rather quickly and run towards the packhouse. Once I reach my room yet another dizzy spell hits and I collapse onto my mattress. I wish I knew what was going on with me too… but I don’t want to go see the doctor in the infirmary. I don’t want to eat either. I’m so cold. I cover up with a blanket even though it doesn’t stop me from shivering. I lay in bed for what seems like hours before someone comes in, and it isn’t Delilah or Isabelle. It’s… I’m so dizzy I can’t tell if it’s one of the brothers or Ziek.
“You really aren’t feeling good are you, Mon Chèrie?” Ziek asks seemingly afraid for my health.
“I will be. I just need to rest for the day, I think. I may have pushed too hard, and maybe Leviathan knew I wasn’t myself also… I don’t know, but he can be with whomever he wants to. I’m not tied to anyone at this point. Therefore, I have no say if he wants to date Minne.” I say tiredly.
“Well, since Minne is also an alpha, they would be good together. She wouldn’t gain the Luna title until they were married, but still… are you sure you are okay with that? What if its him and not me or Kayden?” Ziek asks.
“I will figure something out… but I honestly think Kayden likes Isa more than me as well… they are brothers and I slept with them both… at different times obviously, but still, if Leviathan ends up with Minne, and Kayden ends up with Isa, that leaves you and me, but what if you ended up with Delilah? I would have to leave. I need to find my true mate. Otherwise, no wolf will ever find theirs again. I am the reincarnate of the mother Ziek. It’s my responsibility to restore what was lost… that includes any special powers one might have, AND the extremely special mate bond, but you can’t tell anyone. I shouldn’t have even told you, but I felt like I needed to tell someone… and you are the only one I trust with this information at this time. We have been able to get to know each other really well. So, please, don’t tell anyone not even the alpha OR Kayden.” I beg.
“I won’t tell anyone. That will be our little secret.” He climbs in bed next to me pulling me close. “You are cold. You need warmth.”
“Thanks.” I say before sleep takes me.
-----------
I wake up a half hour later to see Ziek in his brown wolf form. He licks my cheek a couple times once he realizes I’m awake. I sit up and wrap my arms around his bigger-than-normal wolf form. He uses his head to return the hug.
Are you sure you’re, okay? You really don’t seem like it, mon chèrie. I’m worried about you.
“Oh Ziek, you worry too much. I’m feeling a little better already. Knowing that you care about me helps me feel better.” I say to him.
I wish I could do more for you… I know, I will stay with you until you feel better. Lunch should be here soon, by the way.
“If you insist on staying, I won’t complain… but Kayden might after a while if you don’t perform your duties… and I guess I can try to eat lunch…” I state.
“What’s going on here, don’t you have things to do today Ziek? Asena after lunch it’s time we finally have our training session. It’s been pushed back enough.” Leviathan enters my room.
“I don’t mean to sound disrespectful, Leviathan, but she’s not feeling good. She needs rest.” Ziek states respectfully after shifting to his human form.
“It’s fine Ziek, I told you I was feeling a little better. If he wants to fight me, then so be it. I will accept it.” I say crawling out of bed.
“You are in no condition to be fighting, Asena. You have been having dizzy spells.” Ziek sternly speaks.
“I will eat lunch and be fine. Okay? I promise to be careful.” I say to him.
He shakes his head and leaves without another word. I sigh, and plop down on my bed. I’m always upsetting the people I care about. I see his point, but Leviathan and I have had this planned for a while now. It just kept getting interrupted or pushed back because something came up… I bet he’s just trying to impress his new little alpha girlfriend, Minne.
“Okay, well after lunch come to the arena. I will be waiting for you. There will be an audience… we will be putting on a show basically. Oh, and I no longer need the date… you seem to have that pretty well covered between Ziek and Kayden so… we are really just seeing who is stronger.” He states.
“No, you want to show off for your new little alpha girlfriend. I know how men are… you had your time with me and now you are moving on to the next target. You seem to think you can beat me… heh… we will see about that. Remember, I had training as a Luna. I will not go easy on you, even if I am having difficulties today.” I say challenging.
“I wouldn’t expect any less from you, that’s why I chose you to fight with me. I have seen you fight many other wolves… you always take it seriously, and never cave for anyone… except the one time you didn’t feel like fighting Jayce. I still want to see you and Kayden fight. If I win that will be your next fight. If you win… I guess that will be your choice. You could strip me of my title then… this is an actual challenge. Be prepared.” He says just as challenging as me.
“I will be.” I state, and he leaves.
Soon after, lunch arrives. I eat it as promised, but it doesn’t sit well, and I end up throwing it all up. As I figured would happen. I don’t need to go to the infirmary to know exactly what wrong… I’m pregnant. I just can’t tell anyone that… not yet. I don’t even know which of the brothers is the father. I don’t think its Ziek… but I’m not sure when I became pregnant, just that I am. After I’m done puking up my lunch… I rinse my mouth and head down to the arena where Leviathan is Waiting in his human form, looking pissed off at me.
“You finally made it… took you long enough.” He says to me.
“You said when I was done with lunch. I like to savor… every… single… bite.” I retort to his attitude.
Everyone gasps, and he says, “I Leviathan, challenge you, Asena, to a dual. Winner decides what the other has to do. If I win, you have to fight my first beta, Kayden. What is it if you win, Princess?”
Everyone looks at me in anticipation of what I might have the alpha do. I sneer, “WHEN I win, I will claim the title of alpha, not Luna, Alpha, and you will retain your title. Therefore, there would be two alphas in this pack and no not a mated pair either. I refuse to make that choice at this time.”
“You seem pretty confident for someone who was making rookie mistakes earlier.” Kayden says from the audience.
“Stay out of this, Kayden!” I snap at him. “This is between Leviathan and me. Oh, I’m sorry, ALPHA Leviathan and me.”
I shift into my wolf and sit waiting for the Leviathan to do the same. He shifts and growls deep and low. I return the growl just as deep and low. Which seems to surprise him a little bit. He paces back and forth a few times waiting for me to stand. I stretch and stand up watching his every move. He continues to pace. Realizing I won’t strike first, he feint attacks which doesn’t faze me, it’s a common trick in the beginning of a dual. He lunges for my flank a jump up and land on his head pushing off and leaping to the other side of the arena causing him to faceplant. I’m very nimble. This seems to piss him off. He then goes for my shoulder, and I dodge him. I shake the dizzy spell away as he lunges and strikes my front leg, biting down almost breaking bone. I bite his ears tarring a hole in his left ear. He releases my leg and everyone in the audience gasps that I actually bit the alpha. He wanted a real fight; he’s going to get one. Another dizzy spell hits and he takes advantage of it by ramming into my side. Knocking me on the ground several feet away from him. I stand growling at him as you can see him smirking through his wolf.
“It is time to show them your true form, Asena.” The mothers voice calls.
I feel my body growing and developing… wings? I am now slightly bigger than Leviathan. The look in his eyes are of pure horror and shock. Whispers erupt throughout the audience. He shifts back into human form his eyes still staring at me. I growl low.
“I have had enough!” I speak as if I were in human form, “How dare you harm my children!” Children? As in more than one? How many am I carrying?
“I can’t fight against that, I yield to Asena.” Leviathan says in a shaky voice as if frightened.
Then I collapse on the ground barely able to move. No one comes near me. I try to get up but fall to the ground again. Then pain like I’ve never felt before strikes my abdomen and I scream out. Blood pools around my lower half. Still, no one moves. When Ziek sees me, he glares at both Kayden and Leviathan before picking me up and running towards the infirmary. Barely remaining conscience, I notice Kayden running after us, but Leviathan stops him, and they ‘talk’ while I’m suffering from major blood loss. What happened to the Leviathan that cared about me? The one that was so kind to me, that smiled and smirked and accepted me for who I was? What happened to that guy? Now he’s keeping Kayden away from me too. Will he turn everyone against me? I press my head into Ziek’s chest and tears fall uncontrollably.
“Shh, mon chèrie. I’m here. I won’t ever leave you. I saw what you turned into from a distance, it didn’t scare me at all. You were beautiful. I have never seen such a magnificent creature.” He says trying to cheer me up.
“Creature? How can you say that? I’m a wolf… not just some creature…” I mumble sounding worse than what I had planned.
“Even wolves are creatures. I was complimenting you, hon. I’m really worried about you, you know. You are bleeding and bad. What did he do to you?” he asks angrily.
“He killed one. He killed one of them. He rammed into my side so hard that it killed one of them.” I say.
“Killed one? Killed one what?” He asks confused.
“I’m pregnant Ziek… he killed one of my pups. I didn’t want to go to the infirmary because I didn’t want it to be confirmed… I don’t know who the dad is, and now none of them will be allowed near me… Leviathan will make sure of that… He hates me now… he… he… he yielded to me… he was scared of me, Ziek… I saw the horror in his eyes. I saw him tell Kayden not to fallow us. I saw it…” I say with a shaky voice. “He was scared of me.”
“I know I wouldn’t want to fight the winged wolf you turned into. Not that I would be scared or anything, I just know you’d have the advantage with the wings, although that could also prove to be a disadvantage as well, depending on the angle you choose to move in.” He says.
“Not helping.” I strain to say.
“Almost there, mon chèrie.” Ziek states.
We arrive and I am rushed into a room where they spray me down to locate where the bleeding is coming from. Once they realize that its coming from my vagina, they get a look of horror on their faces as machines of all kinds are rushed into the room. I am hooked up to several within seconds.
“She’s losing the pup, Beta Ziek, do you know who the father is?” the nurse asks him.
“It could be one of three or four… depending on how far along she is… I know she isn’t very far along because it’s only been maybe two weeks since her first heat cycle. I guess its common where she’s from.” He explains.
“Do they know she was pregnant?” she asks.
“No one knew until her battle with Leviathan. He challenged her to impress his little alpha friend from the crescent moon pack. He is also the reason she is losing this pup.” Ziek says sourly.
“The Alpha challenged someone? That’s unusual. He doesn’t generally get himself included in a challenge unless it’s a rival wolf. She’s a member of this pack, isn’t she?” She asks confused.
“Yes, she is. I don’t know what was put on the table for this particular battle, but she might just be the new alpha.” He explains.
“Two alphas.” I say and start coughing up blood.
“She’s bleeding internally as well. Was he trying to kill her?” The nurse exclaims.
“I don’t know what was going on in his head. He isn’t himself either. I’ve never seen him like this before, and I’m his best friend… or at least I was. I will not be friends with someone who takes advantage of a sick woman like that.” He states sternly.
“What do you mean sick? Has she been sick lately?” Jezzabelle’s voice comes from the door.
“I don’t know for how long. She is or was pregnant, apparently. I don’t know if she still is. She said he killed one of her pups. She didn’t say all of them. She hasn’t eaten since yesterday except maybe lunch, but I don’t know. I left before then… I shouldn’t have left her. That bastard challenged her while she wasn’t feeling good just to show off for a set of pretty eyes.” Ziek hisses the words.
“Ziek, brother, I think you need to go get air and maybe clean up and change. I will wait here with her. Don’t worry I won’t hurt her. She is a lot kinder than I had thought she’d be after the way I treated her. The least I can do is sit with her in her time of need. I owe her that much and more for what she did for me. I promise.” Jezzabelle speaks with her half-brother.
“Fine. I will be back soon. I don’t like leaving her in this condition.” Ziek says to his sister, before leaving the room. I assume. Jezzabelle starts humming and stroking my hair. I find it very soothing.
“Thank you, Jezza…” my words trail off.
“Jezza… hmm… I like that, maybe I will start going by that from now on.” Jezzabelle states.
I smile faintly before completely loosing myself to my weakened state. I rise to some arguing and cant place the voices right away. I try lifting my head but cant. I hear a female hush me saying not to move. She hums stroking my hair again only it’s not hair, it’s my fur. I… I shifted in my sleep? I can barely move… what happened to me? Where am I? I’m struck with a dizzy spell and move my paw over my ear.
“She’s awake!” I hear a muffled voice yell. “Let us see her!” Jayce?
I manage to get my front paws under me and glance over to the door. Jayce and Ziek are standing arguing with the nurse about coming in to see me. Then I realize Jezzabelle is the one that’s been humming and stroking my fur. I lick her hand in appreciation. She smiles at me and scratches behind my ear causing my head to tilt and turn. I rest my head on the bed I’m on, and my paws flatten my ears. The noise is just too much.
“BOYS! You need to stop arguing. Right now, she needs to rest so her wolf can heal her. If she doesn’t, we might lose the person, Asena, and only have the wolf, Asena. Don’t you guys realize how serious this is? She could die at any time! So, stop fighting already. If you promise not to fight you can come in for a little bit, right, Asena?” Jezzabelle says stroking my fur again. I close my eyes, nod, and open them again.
“We promise.” The two Betas say together, so the nurse lets them in.
“Have they done anymore testing, Jezzabelle?” Ziek asks.
“Jezza. I’m going by Jezza now. It came from her, maybe she didn’t mean to, but I like it. and it seems she has three more pups, but two of them are not doing so well either. The likelihood of all of them making it is slim. She said most likely only one will survive. Although they are still concerned about her. With her being so young and the recent battle with the alpha, the lack of nutrients in her system… she’s the main concern right now.” Jezzabelle shares.
“That’s harsh.” Jayce states. “So, the father could basically be Leviathan, Kayden, Ziek or myself?”
“Basically, that’s what it boils down to. They won’t do a DNA test with her in the condition she and the pups are in, and its way to early anyway. She may end up losing the other pup later on too. You both know how difficult it is for us females to carry full term let alone, get pregnant. It happens, but not as often as it should.” Jezzabelle states.
Jezza, that will change one day. I promise you that. It is within my powers gifted to me through reincarnation of the mother. That is why I turned into a winged wolf. The mother chose me… to find my true mate. Then everything should return to the way things were meant to be. I whimper from the effort it took to mind-link her.
“Don’t do that right now. Just try to rest and get better.” Jezzabelle whispers in my ear. “I won’t tell anyone, okay.”
I whimper again and she pets me, which calms me down again. I never thought in a million years, that Jezzabelle would be the one at my side right now. Jayce comes over and stands in front of me and kisses the crescent moon on my forehead and pets my head to add to the comfort. Ziek sits by his sister and joins the other two in comforting me. I close my eyes, and my breathing becomes really slow.
“I can’t stand here and watch her die. Isn’t there anything we can do?” Jayce asks the nurse.
“I’m afraid at this point it’s her will power that will save her. She is in the process of losing at least two or three pups out of the four she was carrying. That’s a lot of blood loss and we can’t supply it. Her blood rejected all the different blood types. Which is rather strange. I have not come across such a thing before. So, no, there really isn’t anything more I can do. The best thing you all can do, is show her support, show her that you care and want her to live. Without her true mate…” she shakes her head, “It’s almost impossible. We all know that that bond is few and far between. It’s too rare to rely on.”
“There are way too many possibilities for that, anyway. She doesn’t know who hers is. She’s been searching. She is a very special wolf. We can’t let her die. We all need her to survive.” Ziek states.
“What do you mean, Z?” Jayce asks.
“I promised her I wouldn’t tell anyone, and that includes you, Jayce. It’s not going to help in this situation anyway. We need to focus on helping her, not figuring out what she told me.” Ziek says sorrowfully.
“Fine, but if there is a way to save her with the information you are withholding…” Jayce begins.
“There isn’t. She didn’t tell me much, Jayce. If there was something, she told me that could help, do you really think I would hold it and just let my woman die?” Ziek snaps.
“When exactly did she become your woman, Ziek?” Kayden is at the door, it sounds like.
“When you decided to abandon her in the arena, letting her bleed out. How do you think that makes her feel, Kade? You didn’t even bother trying to go against your brother to fallow us here. You let him control you.” Ziek growls. “She’s pregnant, Kayden, at least for now.”
I growl deep and low, and when that doesn’t work, I snarl, and that stops them. they all look at me with confusion as I stand, blood pooling at my feet. I fall back down with a yelp. They all rush to me including Kayden, who strokes my fur from head to tail, not minding the blood on his hand. I growl low and soft every time Kayden gets near my abdomen.
“She’s losing the pup?” Kayden asks.
“Pups with an s. As in more than one… two or three in fact and possibly a fourth, because your older brother decided he was going to challenge her in an already weakened state and ram into her side right where the pups were. Maybe it was even intentional, maybe he caught the scent difference.” Ziek scornfully says.
“Why would Leviathan do that?” Kayden asks.
“Because of his new girlfriend, idiot.” Jayce says. “Have you not seen him and Minne? They are totally tied up with each other. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was attempting to kill Asena, to get rid of his affection for her. He’s not the same Leviathan we grew up with, Kade, when are you going to wake up and realize that?”
“First of all, how were any of us to know she was pregnant? She didn’t say anything to anyone. Second, I’m pretty sure he was just surprised because of what she turned into. No one has ever seen a winged wolf. Third, the battle wasn’t legit. She cheated by turning into that thing. She’s… beautiful yes, but do any of you really think she’s worth leaving the alpha you grew up with, for her? She was a rogue that was welcomed into the pack, and then turns around and tries to challenge our alpha for a second alpha position.” Kayden explains.
“HE CHALLENGED ME!!!” I yell through my wolf form. “I fought because I wasn’t going to be humiliated and have to challenge your ass, Kayden. That’s what he wanted. I wasn’t sure what to put as my wining, so I said I’d take the alpha title while he got to keep his, much like what I did for Jezza. If all you are going to do is argue with my REAL friends, then I suggest you LEAVE!” I growl deep and low in a challenging way. He backs away from me. “You are no better than he is right now, judging me for something I didn’t even know I could do. He’s the reason I’m here instead of my own bed. Go away, Kayden. Return ONLY when you can show more respect to the reincarnation of the mother. Get to the bottom of what’s got Leviathan in such a mood. Now GO!” I command, before passing out briefly.
