Constantin was outside stretching when he felt his mate's eyes on his back. He turned around to see her walking down with her father and brother. He gave her a smile before turning his body completely to wait for her. The heat seemed to be at bay but their need to be near each other has grown tremendously.

He noticed today after his little reminder to her in the bedroom this morning, that it took a while for them separate from each other completely. Constantin didn't mind at all spending time with Natalya. If he had a choice, he would steal her away from everyone and everything that was going around them except he couldn't do that. She was an Alpha and although their heat was in full swept, there was still that threat hindering on the back of their minds.

Her brother had come knocking on their door a few hours later and Natalya had left in a flurry. He didn't question because he trusted it was something important.

But now...

She looked grimed and upset. He could see it in her eyes and his smile slipped a little. He met her halfway and his hand came up to cradle her cheek. She leaned in instantly with her eyes closed.

"The prisoner is dead." She whispered and her eyes opened up. Alpha Maksim and Nikolai looked thoroughly frustrated.

"He used the fork given to him to stab the major vein on his neck. He bled to death. It's unbelievable how he could do it but if someone is determined enough could do it." Nikolai said.

"But why?" Natalya asked.

"Because he would rather die than give us any information. Whoever he is working for, he is loyal completely too." Alpha Maksim explained. "Or completely brain washed."

Was there anything different about him? Constantin asked. He too thought it was odd that someone could take their own life so easily.

"What do you mean?" Natalya questioned.

I would question the night guard to see if there was any odd behavior coming from the prisoner. Someone taking his own life like that doesn't just happen overnight unless he was truly indeed brainwashed. Constantin offered his own opinion.

Nikolai and Alpha Maksim seemed to like the idea and with a nod, headed back towards the prison. He turned back down to Natalya who looked extremely exhausted, another effect of the heat.

Everything will be fine. There hasn't been a threat since that incident. He reassured her before he took hold of her hand and pulled her close to him.

After a while they headed back up the fields towards the pack house again. Constantin knew that with no one to interrogate they had nothing else to help them find out who was behind those attacks. However, that didn't mean they couldn't prepare themselves for anything. It was natural to have enemies around the corners.

Natalya seemed to be deep in thoughts. Her eyes were distant as she stared off into a distance. It has been halfway through the day and she hadn't eaten lunch yet. Stopping in the foyer he turned her around to face him.

Stop worrying so much. I can feel your mind wandering away. Let's eat lunch together. He urged her.

She gave him a smile before allowing him to take her to the kitchen. It didn't take long to distract her again. He walked into the kitchen to make her something while she sat on one of the stools aligned with the kitchen island. He walked to the away from her to the refrigerator to bring out some ingredients.

Before he knew it, his hands were filled with ingredients. Struggling to not trip he carried the ingredients unsteadily towards the counter where he sat them down carefully. Natalya watched him with a few laughs as he made a few mistakes while preparing them lunch. He enjoyed the way she laughed and sought to get more out of her.

It didn't take long before Natalya returned to her normal self, laughing at the silly things that Constantin was doing.

~~

Lunch was finally over and Natalya was again pulled to the border to meet a traveler who was passing through their territory. Constantin wanted to follow but Natalya said she will return quickly. Feeling a little upset that he couldn't go he waited for her outside the porch.

The front door to the pack house opened and Michael appeared. He gave Constantin another cold look. Constantin hated the man. The challenge was clear in Michael's eyes.

Michael walked over to him with his hands shoved into his jeans. "So you are Natalya's mate?"

Constantin didn't bother answering him. Instead, he gazed off toward the direction that Natalya disappeared to. Michael didn't get the hint and continued.

"Her and I had a thing. If you must know, I was the first man that courted her. She won't admit it but I know she feels something towards me." Michael continued and Constantin felt bitter jealousy tug at his stomach.

"When we were young, she would hang out with me almost every day. We would talk and have late night conversation. Sometimes, she would even sleep in my-" Constantin shot out of his chair and grabbed a hold of Michael's collar. If he dared to finish that sentence, Constantin will shove his fist down his throat and pull out his heart.

Michael's eyes flashed rebelliously and the firm set of his jaw line told Constantin that the man won't back down.

"She deserves better than you." Michael said in an undertone.

Of course she deserves better! Constantin wanted to shout at him but then again this was where his voice failed him.

"She needs someone who can stand by her side and protect her." Michael continued, thinking that Constantin had agreed.

That wasn't the case. Constantin's fist flew out and landed straight on Michael's jaw. Michael flew to the ground before touching where Constantin hit him. He growled and launched himself at Constantin. Michael's shoulder connected with Constantin's stomach and they broke through the porch railing down to the ground. Michael straddled Constantin as he lifted his fist and connected it with Constantin's jaw.

Constantin wasn't going to let him think that he was weak. He was going to prove to this man that he as worthy of his mate and he will stand by his promise that he will protect her. A snarl left Constantin's lips as he managed to flip Michael over and nail him to the ground. He returned Michael's punch right at his nose before landing another one on his right eye.

The two men continued to struggle against each other. They fought and threw punches fairly. It was a very close fight and one that neither wanted to back down from. They both had something to fight for and Constantin wasn't going to let her go.

"Constantin! Michael!" Natalya's voice pierced through the air but neither listened.

A few moments later, Constantin was lifted off Michael. Constantin struggled against the hold of Beta Yulian while Michael was commanded by Alpha Maksim to cease immediately. Michael touched his bloody nose while Constantin touched his wounded jaw.

"What the hell is going on?" Natalya stood between the two men.

Constantin's jaw set into a stern look. He still wanted to pummel Michael some more and his anger still hasn't yet dissipated.

"Get your ass to the training field!" Alpha Maksim ordered angrily at Michael. Michael threw Constantin a glare before heading towards the training fields. He was probably going to get severely punished.

Natalya walked up to Constantin and touched his jaw. "Do I even want to know how you got into a fight with him?"

You already know why. Constantin responded angrily. She sighed and crossed her arms under her chest.

"Was it a challenge?" Alpha Maksim asked.

Constantin shook his head. The asshole triggered me.

Natalya rolled her eyes."Maksim, tell your warrior to back off before I have a raging mate who will rip him apart."

Maksim chuckled. "Noted."

Out from the corner of Constantin's eyes though, he caught a familiar color of hair that had him turning his head to see who it was. To his shock, Misha stood before him. She was a tiny little woman with red fiery hair.

Misha? He signed.

His friend smiled and ran towards him. She threw her arms around Constantin and wrapped her legs around Constantin's waist. Natalya did not like that at all. A threatening growl left Natalya's lips. Instantly, Constantin let go of Misha.

"She said she knows you." Natalya bit out angrily.

Constantin moved a little closer to his mate to calm her. Misha didn't missed the small action. Her eyes followed Constantin before looking at Natalya squared in the eyes.

"I am Misha. I have been with Constantin since he and I were teen pups." She introduced herself.

"Yeah? Tell me why you are here." Natalya ordered impatiently and Constantin snaked an arm around Natalya's waist to calm her. His mate was starting to become possessive.

Misha looked at Constantin again and then down to the scar on his neck. "I am here because I have a cure for him. Constantin will talk again."

Author's Note:

So, I finished my homework a little early. That means I might be able to do more updates!! Yay! Cheer on!

With that said, what do you think of Misha? Do you trust her? What do you think will happen next?

Leila Vy