51

~Vanessa~

I groaned, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as the sun decided to blind me. Once my eyes adjusted to the light I glanced at Veloces, frowning when I saw his eyes were still closed. I kissed him on the head once more then made my way out of the packhouse. I wanted to see my parents, but knew better than to wake them up at seven in the morning. I shifted once I got outside, shaking out my fur helped me relax a little. I decided to walk back to my new pack, needing this time to wake up and just calm myself down.

I was beyond upset when Veloces still hadn't woken up, my heart breaking each day. The guilt clawed through me as if I were paper, making me hate myself even more. I caused all this mess, goddess, I've been so stupid. If I hadn't ignored him and saw the signs of Jeremy being evil, I would have been able to stop at least one part of this. I should have been more observant, but I wasn't.

Once I reached my territory I shifted back and continued walking, feeling empty. Tears wanted to come out along with my sobs, but as always, I forced them back. I hated myself so much and it's starting to bring me down. I ran my hand through my hair, after today Jeremy will attack both packs. After today I could lose my life or one of the packs. After today I could lose Veloces if Jeremy's warriors get into that infirmary.

"Luna, are you alright?"

I turned to see Bane frowning, concern in his eyes. I smiled, "Yeah, just tired."

"You look upset." he stated. "I know that look, my mother has worn it many times."

I just stared at him, stunned. I then let out a frustrated breath, "I'm just...stressed out with all of this. My own mate is in a coma, I'm leading a pack, and we're going to get into a fight tomorrow with Jeremy's pack. Goddess knows if Crudelis brought an army of wolves with him." I groaned, my voice slightly cracking.

"Hey, you're doing your best. That is what counts. We're a strong pack and so is Alpha Blake's pack. We're going to try our hardest to end them. They've murdered countless of wolves." Bane said, a small smile on his face. "You need to take a deep breath and relax, focus on something. Get your anger out."

I grinned, an idea forming in my head. "I think I have an idea of what I'm going to do get my anger out. Thanks, Bane. What are you doing out here anyway?"

"Patrols with Elijah, but he's taking a little bit to get here."

"I'm here! There were twinkies and-

"You just had to have one?" Bane asked, cutting him off.

Elijah grinned from ear to ear, "Yes."

I laughed as they started bickering, "Well, I'm going to get some anger out. You two pay attention to the borders and not twinkies." I ordered.

I then smirked, grabbing one twinkie and booking it to the packhouse. "LUNA!"

Elijah whined.

I laughed, taking a bite of the junk food. God, have I missed these. After I finished the twinkie I wiped my mouth and walked up to my and Veloces' room. I searched through the drawers, grabbing a workout outfit. After getting dressed I walked down to the gym, relieved that I get to punch something.

I stayed in there for hours, running around the indoor track, punching the punching bag, shifting and running, and lifting weights. By the time I was done I felt exhausted and not so frustrated anymore. My body was soaked in sweat, my hair sticking to my face and forehead. I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle, downing it in less than five seconds.

"Whoa, who are you?" someone asked, their voice husky.

I looked over to see a man around Veloces' age, he was pretty handsome, but nothing compared to Veloces. He had hazel eyes, blonde hair, and a six pack. I put the water bottle with the recyclables and threw my small towel over my shoulder.

"You're Luna, who are you?" I retorted, ignoring the look of lust he sent me.

He smirked, "Veloces' Gamma, Parker. Now, you are one fine Luna."

He walked over to me, still watching me with black eyes. I frowned, didn't he get the hint? I quickly side-stepped him, trying my hardest to not punch him in the face. He spun around, that playboy smirk still plastered on his face.

I rolled my eyes, "Listen, Parker, go and get your one night stand somewhere else. I have things to do."

"Oh, come on, Luna. Veloces is in a coma, he wouldn't even know."

"I said, no. I'm faithful to him and only him, I'm not some whore who will bang anything that has a dick." I snapped.

He frowned, "You're really not going to go and have fun with me?"

"No." I stated, folding my arms across my chest.

What isn't this kid getting? He pouted, "Please? Veloces won't-

"Parker, if you ask me one more time you're going to find yourself thrown out the kitchen window."

"Right." he scoffed. "Like you would do that."

I smirked, "Try me."

"OUCH!" Parker groaned, rolling on the ground as little shards of glass stabbed his skin.

I grinned, "Shouldn't have tried me, Parker."

"Uh, what just happened?"

I turned to see Clayton walking in, his eyebrows furrowed and a frown on his face. I shrugged, "Parker flirted with me and begged me to do a one night stand with him, I threatened to throw him out the window....he didn't think I would."

Clayton laughed as he caught sight of the pathetic Gamma, "Oh, you're in a load of shit when Veloces is awake."

"Like he'll ever wake up! We need an Alpha, I'm perfectly-

"You're just a kid!" I spat. "Veloces is going to wake up soon! I just know it. You need to learn a thing or two about respect!"

Parker scowled at me but sighed, "Sorry, Luna."

"I forgive you, but just don't do it again, okay?"

"Yes, Luna."

"And stop answering like a robot!"

Clayton chuckled, "Oh, you're such a pain in the ass."

"Am not." I defended myself.

"You threw your Gamma out the window, scolded him for flirting with you, then when he does show respect you say he's being a robot." he laughed.

"Hey, he can apologize without saying Luna. Do you know how annoying that is?" I whined, slumping down in a chair.

"Clayton, trust me when I say this, Ness isn't the one for titles." Christine chuckled, walking in.

Clayton's eyes lit up when he saw her and he quickly grabbed her. I groaned as they started to lip wrestle against the wall, really?

"Guys! PDA! PDA!" I screamed, covering my eyes and fake gagging.

Christine laughed, "I knew that would annoy you." she teased, amusement in her eyes.

"Okay, you'll pay for that." I playfully glared at her.

She sat beside me and sighed, "So, tomorrow is the day."

"Yeah, is it okay if I'm scared?" I whispered.

"Vanessa, it's fine if you are. You don't have to be brave twenty four seven." Christine replied, putting her hand on my shoulder.

I gave her a thankful look, "I'm just scared for Veloces. What if one of them get into the infirmary and-

"That's not going to happen." Clayton interjected. "Your father and I will place warriors there so he's protected."

I looked at him, "You think he'll be fine?"

"I know he will, now, you need to calm down. It's only five o'clock and you're already worked up." Christine replied.

"I know, I'm sorry. I...I just want him to be safe." I murmured.

"How about Clayton buys a few tubs of ice cream and we can just sit in the family room and eat them all? I know that usually helps you." Christine suggested. "We've trained all we can, now we just wait."

I didn't even get a chance to answer before Clayton grabbed his keys and Christine gave him a list containing three of our favorite flavors. Luckily for him, we love the same flavors or he would have to buy six tubs. I sat on the couch, wrapping a blanket around me. The same numb feeling started to wash over me and Christine was quick to notice it.

"Hey, are you okay?" she asked softly, her eyes showing fear.

I finally broke as she asked that question, the tears flowing out of me. "I'm scared." was all I said before sobbing into her shoulder.

She hugged me and soothed me, acting like a sister as we sat there. I sobbed for goddess knows how long, but when I looked back up Clayton was also hugging me. My face was soaked with tears and my body felt drained as I started to calm down. I sighed, these two don't realize how thankful I am for them. Christine is like the sister I never had, along with my brother's mate, and Clayton is like another older brother.

I hugged them tightly, just needing this time to get out all of my emotions. After a while Clayton grabbed the ice-cream from the freezer and two spoons. Christine tried convincing him to sit down with us, but he had a meeting with my father's beta. We just sat there, eating chocolate mint and cookies'n'cream ice-cream. I felt a little better, but now anger started to boil inside of me. Along with the determination to protect my mate.

"Christine." I spoke.

"Yeah?" she asked, looking at me.

I looked at her, "We're going to kill them tomorrow."

She grinned, a gleam in her eyes. "We're going to put those dogs down."

We both nodded, a new determination flowing inside of us. We then burst out laughing, this scene would be funny if someone saw it. Both of us staring at the blank TV with determination as we dug our spoons into the ice-cream and shoved it into our mouths. Playing "It's The Final Countdown" in the background would just be the tip of the ice-burg.

After we finished a whole tub, we both exercised a bit more and then went to bed. I took a warm shower, gathering all of my thoughts as I anxiously awaited the next day. We have to win.