The body fell in front of him and he felt his sides heaving from the exhertion. His lungs burned as his pulse pounded in his ears and he took a step forward. His legs buckled and he landed on the ground as his vision began blurrying.

Joseph, we have to keep going

He forced his eyes clear and found Ace and Griffon guarding him as he composed himself. Holding in the groan, he forced his legs back under him and he followed Ace away from the battlefield. He could feel the hot blood running down his side and felt each step send shards up his legs. Griffon brought up the rear and kept his eyes on their younger brother. The man was past exhaustion and his wounds weren't mere scratches this time.

He checked their surroundings as they kept moving and remembered how horrible the situation was when they had found him. An entire army was pursuing him and had him cut off from any hopes of escaping without a fight. They had watched their brother take the blows as he tore his way free from danger and removed any threats towards his return home. The area was deadly quiet as they kept moving and he watched Joseph stumble once more. When he went down he released his wolf and stared up at the sky,

Joseph get up

He ignored them as he focused on his breathing and felt his pulse starting to slow. His strength was diminishing quickly and his brothers could feel the weakening in his power. He closed his eyes as his blood ran down his stomach and he reached for Kara.

Kara

He could feel Griffon settle next to him to try and keep him warm and Ace kept watch. He caught the first indication someone was approaching and watched the wolf race into the clearing. She slid next to Joseph and shifted as she assessed his wounds. Her hands slid over his abdomen and she removed his shirt. She barely kept the cry in as she took in the wounds and she took a deep breath.

Slowly she moved her hands over his chest and let her hands glow as she began healing the worst of his wounds. The pain was pounding against her head and she slid her fingers through his damp hair.

Joseph

He tried opening his eyes but settled to leaning into her warm palm. She looked up at the two guards and glanced around the area.

"We need a secure location until he is well enough."

Griffon took a deep breath and asked "Can he move?"

She glanced back at Joseph and shook her head. They would have to find a way to transport him to safety but it would still be painful for him. She took a deep breath and focused on finding him through all the pain. It was blanketing him almost to the point she could reach him and she kissed his temple.

"We need to move him regardless."

Ace nodded and said "I'll scope the area."

She watched him leave and looked up at Griffon. He was staring at the woods and she shifted into her wolf form. Settling against Joseph's side, she nuzzled her head under his hand and felt him settle his touch into her warm coat.

Stay with me Joseph

She let her eyes drift closed as she wrapped herself around him and tried to block the pain. Griffon watched them until he spotted Ace returning. Ace nodded to his brother and slowly approached the two on the ground. Kara looked up at him and he watched her lift her head.

"There's a hollowed tree not too far from here. We can keep watch until he can make it home."

She smiled and watched the two carefully lift Joseph. The pain slid through him like shards and left her senses spiraling from the intensity. She couldn't see how he was keeping his focus when the pain was threatening to drive her mad. They walked quietly through the woods until they reached the tree Ace mentioned and she watched them lower Joseph into the hollow. She settled next to him and watched the two spread out into shadows to keep watch.

Rest Joseph. We're safe

He slipped into a heavy sleep and she lowered her head next to his face. Her ears listened for disturbances outside and she settled further into his subconscious. She could feel the world falling away as she joined with him and her body felt distant. She could feel him merging with her mind and she joined him in the heavy sleep.

"Joseph. It's been a while."

He looked over his shoulder and met the soldier's gaze. The man had his gun drawn and motioned for his men to slowly step into view. A few tasers and chains came into view and his hackles went up. He let his growl be heard and watched the leader focus on him again.

"How about you just show us to your home and we'll leave you be."

He pinned the man on the ground and snapped his neck. His eyes flashed as he looked up at army surrounding him and saw a fool advance. He met the man and dropped him with a crushing bite to his neck. Shifting from man to wolf, he broke necks with his jaws and used their guns against them. Bullets struck him and he felt the tasers burn against his stomach and back as he continued to remove the threat.

A sharp pain to his lower spine brought him to his knees and he looked back at a single man still alive. The man had his gun raised and he jumped him. The neck broke and he landed hard on the ground.

Her body ached from the impact and she forced her eyes open. She found the sun starting to set and looked back at Joseph. He was still sound asleep and she lifted her head slowly.

Griffon?

It's clear. Are we heading home?

Yes

She felt the presence still merged completely with her and she watched Griffon and Ace come into view. They helped him out of the hollow and she followed the men towards home. She could feel the pain shattering him and she took a deep breath

Use me to help hold away the pain Joseph

It's too dangerous

I don't care. You can't keep your sanity much longer.

He grew silent as he settled into the back of her mind completely and she barely felt the pain running through him now. The waterfall came into view and she felt him burrow deeper into her at the sound and shook her head to ease the sound. They were greeted with silence and she saw Zeke approaching with Angel and the rest of the pack. Zeke helped ease the weight of Joseph from Griffon and Ace and Angel met her as she left her wolf form. She was a little disoriented for once and she felt him shake it off.

"Kara, are you all right?"

She nodded and followed the boys upstairs to his quarters. Zeke had him lowered slowly onto the bed and looked back at her. He saw the flash in her gaze and slowly approached.

"Joseph."

Kara held his gaze and said "Thank you. Please make sure no one bothers us."

"Joseph, this isn't funny."

"Zeke, you okay?"

They looked back at Griffon and Ace and found Griffon smirking. They had picked up on the unanswered side of the conversation and Ace place a hand on her shoulder. Her eyes flashed black as she looked at him and the man pulled his hand back.

"Well that is suprising. I figured you wouldn't take such a risk."

Kara could feel all three's disproval and the annoyance inside and said "I had to do what needed done. Now please go."

Joseph's growl filled all their heads as they left and she rolled her eyes. Once they were alone she walked over to the bed and sat next to him.

You look like high

I feel it

She smirked and carefully stretched out beside him. Her arm slid over his stomach and she burrowed her head into his neck. He didn't move as she breathed him in and she closed her eyes.