I hear the boys getting rowdy. Something apparently was stirring up among the pack. It's rare that I've ever gotten up later than the rest.
My feet plop on the floor, and I drag myself out of bed. I walk to see what's going on. I'm already over the drama, and I'm sure it's just beginning.
I walk outside to see two total strangers approaching. I know that they are werewolves. I can sense them.
I make my way towards them, and Zare grabs my hand. She seems scared, which instantly alarms me.
They enter my camp with confidence.
"I am Navi, and this is Cam."
I feel my mind go insane, I think my hands are shaking with madness.
"You're not welcome here in Sand Shores," I hiss the words.
Navi laughs. "I came for my cub, and I want her now."
"Zare is mine now and under my protection."
"But she was mine and never had the permission to leave."
I laugh. "That's a load of shit, you guys weren't even phased, it's one thing to play pack, then to actually be in a pack. You have no idea the measures I would take to protect her."
"I want her now," Navi yells, his face turning red.
I remember the tree's words: This is where Zare came from. Looking over at her, I see how sacred she is. I could never let him harm her again. I don't know the pain I would be saving the others from now if I gave her to him, but I need to protect Zare at this moment. She needs me, and I will deal with the consequences later.
"Get the hell out of here now."
"Zare come," Navi eyes her. Zare grabs my hand tightly. I pull her into my body, trying to make her feel protected.
"Who are these people, Ajay?" Chetan asks.
"I was her former Alpha," Navi pipes in.
"To a pretend pack."
"Prepacking is a thing; it makes the wolves more behaved."
"And when Zare wasn't behaving, is that when you put the bruises on her?"
"Wait, what? I see anger hit Chetan's face.
"I think you're a dead man," Dev says, raising an eyebrow.
I lift up Zare's shirt, flashing the purple and yellow bruises on her arm. Chetan goes crazy, and luckily Dev grabs his arm.
"Chetan, just relax," Dev tells him.
"Leave Navi now," I yell. It was hard not to go crazy like Chetan. I want to beat the bloody hell out of him, but then there's Cam, who would get hurt and be terrified.
"I am not leaving without her," Navi says. He doesn't seem scared in the least.
Zare takes a step toward him, and I blow air from my mouth. I know what I must do. I have to beat this guy, so bad that he has nightmares of returning.
"Now, Zare," he yells, reaching out his hand.
"Dev, please take Zare and Kiara away."
"No, Ajay," Zare cries. Her crying did hurt my heart, but I need to protect her. No matter what.
I listen to her cry as Dev flips her over his shoulder.
I let Chetan attack first, getting in the first hits, and I was positive by the time I took any shots, this guy already had broken ribs. Cam fell to the ground, covering her face, crying. That ate at my soul, it truly did.
Chetan's and my shirts were covered in blood, and Navi was already very badly injured. I am sure his nose was also broken. Both of his eyes are blackened.
"Please, Ajay, we won't come back," Cam grabs my arm. I feel so upset, seeing the tears in her eyes.
"Chetan, that's enough." He kicks him in the ribs one last time. He whimpers in pain.
Chetan turns to leave, shaking his hands. I see the blood splatter off of them.
"Oh shit, I forgot about her," I see the pain now enter Chetan's face, seeing Cam.
"We won't come back," she repeats.
"Well, now I just feel like an ass," Chetan says, still watching Cam.
"Yeah, me too, but I had to make sure he never returns."
I watch as Cam changes into a wolf and pulls Navi on her back with her teeth. He can't even stand straight or walk. He won't be returning.