Damon studied the waiting man in the clearing and let out a sigh. His paws dug into the soft dirt and he forced his muscles to hold. He had sent word to his father when the man had shown up and was ordered to hold his place. Just watching that man left him on edge and he let out a sigh when he finally felt his father approaching. Maximus walked past him and stepped into the clearing in his wolf form.

Joseph didn't move as the wolf assessed their surroundings. He could smell the others on him still and his distrust lingering on every inch of his face. Slowly he came to sit before his son and waited for him to make his next move. Joseph's black gaze didn't move from his own and in a blink he was standing on all four black legs. Maximus stood up and headed back towards Damon with his son two lengths behind.

Damon filled the gap between them on the walk to the den. He used his presence to push the intruder further from his parents and asserted his position in their small pack. Stepping into the hidden den, Maximus walked down the dark tunnel until he reached Naomi. She sat patiently waiting for the two boys to arrive and looked at her mate. He nudged her neck and rubbed his fur against hers as the two wolves appeared.

The youngest settled on her right side in a crouching position and Maximus lingered on her left. Joseph remained standing and stared back at his mother. Her ears were up and she silently rose. Damon stood to stop her advancement but she stared him down until he submitted.

'I don't trust him.'

'I think he feels the same way.'

He bit back the growl and returned to his position on the floor. Maximus sat at attention as she approached the black wolf. Slowly she came within striking distance and walked a circle around him. His eyes followed her movements when nothing else moved and she came to a stop in front of him. Her eyes softened as she looked into his dark eyes and slowly nuzzled his neck.

He remained stiff at her affection and she stepped back. Sitting before him, Naomi waited for him to decide what he wanted. They held each other's gaze until he finally sat down across from her.

'You are exactly what I imagined.'

'I'm not here about me.'

She offered the closet thing to a smile and asked 'Kara?"

He nodded once and said 'I owe her to hear what you two have to say.'

Maximus finally joined Naomi in front of him and released his wolf form. His hand settled on her head and rubbed between her ears. Joseph allowed his form to relax and stood just as tall as his father. He hated looking at the man, knowing he looked just like him.

"Your mother's injuries took a long time to heal. We couldn't find you until it was too late."

"You knew I was alive."

Maximus nodded and said "Leon ensured us he brought you back and you were given a safe place to live."

"Did he mention what happened before he brought me here?"

Naomi nudged her mate's leg and sighed 'No.'

"Your other children felt I was their enemy. Leon found me almost dead."

Maximus's growl echoed in the den and said "They know blood is blood. That is unexceptable."

"You left them all. Forced them to grow up without their leader so they changed their laws. Picked a new alpha."

"You?"

Joseph shook his head with a grunt and sighed "Zeke."

"You are the strongest. It has to be you."

His eyes hardened and he growled "I was a pup left to die. I didn't matter in their eyes."

Damon let out a sigh and shoved between the two. He knew his brother hated them and was done being civil. Joseph had made it pretty clear he wasn't their family but their hopeful hearts refused to accept it. He was just going to have to prove it once and for all for them.

"You had a horrible life. We get it. Either settle some of it now or get out."

"Damon!"

He turned to look at his mother and said "It's time you two let go. He made his mind up a long time ago he was not one of us."

Maximus stared his youngest down and growled "He thought we were dead."

"You didn't change his mind. This whole time Mother healed you could've sought him out. Instead you settled on me. The sheltered boy. Not the perfect one stolen from you.

"Damon."

He looked back at Joseph, ignoring Naomi and said "That's right. I'm the one they chose to raise. Imagine what it felt like knowing a good part of their love was missing because of you."

"Get over yourself."

His eyes flashed and he growled "Come again?"

Joseph stepped away from the three and said "You three had each other all this time. I'd consider yourselves lucky."

He turned his back on them and shifted back into his wolf form. He could feel his father following but kept his back to him. He had heard more than enough to honor Kara and his son. Now it was time to close that door once more and keep it closed. Running paws overtook his father and Naomi raced in front of him.

'I'm sorry.'

She stood in his path, refusing to step aside and her blue eyes stared back at him with a look he hadn't seen. A soft whimper filled his ears and he let out a sigh. Only a few women with that look wore him down and apparently that included his mother. He released his wolf form and she rubbed her head against his hand. Slowly he settled his hand in her coat and she buried her face against his chest.

'I long to hold you my son.'

He watched her slowly sit back and said "That will take time."

Naomi nodded and Joseph stood up. He walked around her and returned to the clearing. His mind was racing with all the old memories and he tightened his jaw. As he entered the clearing he broke into a blinding run in his wolf form. The speed helped dull the old pain and forced his body to remember its current state and limits.

The waterfall came into view and with it he found the one person he needed waiting for him with a fresh kill. Kara rested in the grass in her wolf form and he slowed to a walk as he reached her. She let him like her muzzle clean and rested her head on her legs as he settled down to eat. He finished off the meat and she cleaned his muzzle once he finally joined her. Joseph scanned their surroundings and released his form.

He relaxed on his back and enjoyed the cool evening grass on his bare skin. She settled into his side as she returned to human and ran her hand over his chest.

"You should join me in the hot spring tonight."

His eyes drifted up to hers and he saw the warmth he needed. He hadn't detected her this time and laced their hands together. His teeth grazed her knuckles and she settled her warm breath against his neck.

"Tonight we both need rest."

A lick on his skin and then grazing teeth sent his blood racing. He sat up quickly and listened to her laughing. She tugged his hand and drew him back down to her.

"You need to forget everything else. A dip in the hot springs will help you."

His eyes slid over her, claiming her with every sweep, and he growled "I highly doubt it."

She smiled and drew his mouth down to her. Feeling his possessive nature demanding compliance, she melted into him and let his hunger drive her past the world's grasp. The strength of such hunger left her protected from any mental onslaught and she could breathe. Hard hands slid along her body, remembering her form and locking it back into memory.

"Really you two?"

She felt his body jump from fire to ice and the growl was lethal as he looked up over his shoulder. Griffon and and Ace stood grinning like idiots. Slowly Joseph sat up and she slid her hand along his arm to keep his blood thirst at bay.

"Pretty sure you aren't strong enough to handle your mate tonight."

His jaws snapped and the wolf lunged for Griffon. Ace just laughed as he pinned the idiot to the ground and Kara stood up slowly. She brushed her jeans off with a sigh and looked at the neutral brother.

"You wanna break them up?"

He shook his head with a smile and said "It's good to see Joseph back to normal."

"You men all think with physical force."

She walked up to the two and settled her hand on the black coat. Joseph's growling stilled and Griffon let out a sigh. When the wolf stepped off he dropped his arms and took a deep breath.

"Was there any reason to interrup us?"

He put space between himself and the pissed off male before standing up. Ace watched him brush the dirt off and shook his head.

"We knew any conversation with his parents was going to be rough and wanted to cheer him up."

"By starting another useless pissing contest."

Griffon shrugged and said "They aren't useless."

Kara rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. She looked down at Joseph and found his hackles relaxed. He returned to his human form and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Next time she might not be here to spare your life."

Griffon laughed and said "Bring it pup."

She pushed him away from his idiot brother and they walked into the ruins. Quietly they ascended the stairs and she led him down to her room.

"Mikhail?"

"Asleep in your bed still."

Her hand slid through his and she pulled him inside the bathing chambers. Her hands slid his shirt over his head and she slid her tempting fingers over all the scars still healing. The tenderness was almost gone but she knew he felt the pain deep in his bones. She slowly began to use her mating abilities to heal him and he bit back a groan as each stroke of the tongue took a little more of the pain away.

He caught her hair in his hand and jerked her head back. She stared up at him, knowing he needed her to stop, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Her legs settled around his waist and she pulled herslf up. His body was hot and hard against hers, drawing a light layer of sweat to her skin. She tasted his mouth slowly, igniting that primal hunger further and he tugged her head back again.

"Kara."

She covered his mouth and said "I promise not to kill you."