© 2014 SilverStream22. All Rights Reserved.

I stormed into Mikhail’s office, murderous intent clear in my eyes.

“I do not need protecting, Mikhail. Especially not from him.” I pointed to the stoic figure that stalked me.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, taking a deep breath. “Try to understand, you are Luna until I find my mate- therefore you are top priority to the pack. You fall, so does the rest of us.”

“I don’t care! I was a fighter before I was Luna, so I can handle myself without him looking over my shoulder.”

My brother stood up, pushing his chair back. “Then let me do this as a way for me to be sure that my little sister won’t be slaughtered by rogues.”

I looked away. “I can’t let you do that.”

“He’s your mate!” he exclaimed, giving me an incredulous look.

“He’s a killer!”

I felt that silvery gaze on me again, only colder.

“If that is what you wish, then I shall have Draver look after you in my stead.” he muttered.

I was about to thank him for seeing my way, but instead Mikhail jumped in.

“No. Absolutely not. You’re the best for my sister, so the best is what she’ll get. I’m leaving no room for arguing.” his eyes narrowed on me as he passed by to leave the office.

“You can just ignore him. When will Draver be here?”

The powerful Lycan shook his head. “He’s the one who issued my help, not you. Therefore, I will be the one who will protect you.”

His eyes told me to compose myself and back down, but I found myself curling my fingers into a tight fist, propelling my elbow forward with my target as his roman nose. Instead, my fist was caught in a large palm.

Stark raised an eyebrow. “You pull your punches?”

“I try not to. Don’t worry, I won’t with you.” I dragged my foot across the carpeted floors to hit his ankles but he dodged.

“I’m not sure if you are stupid or pride driven.”

“For what? Challenging a Lycan?”

He seemed faintly amused, though his expression gave me no proof. “No. For thinking that would work on me.”

Turning swiftly, his opened the doors. “I talked to your brother.” that was all he said as he paced down the intertwining hallways.

“And?”

His jaw clenched. “I will be residing in your room.”

“Bu-”

“With you.”

“Wai-”

“There’s no argument. Cease this behavior Katya, it's not fitting of a Luna to have childish tantrums over your brother's concern for your well being."

I threw a paper weight at his head.

Unfortunately the doors shut behind his retreating form so the apple shaped paper weight shattered against the door. 

A hesitatant knock on the door brought my mind out of the ways I was going to strangle that Lycan.

"Come in." I muttered, picking up the stray pieces of the paper weight that broke.

I was surprised to Marie there, peeking her green eyes at me.

"Luna Katya? Ryker woke up."

Relief flooded through me. I was afraid he wouldn't make it from the wounds that the rogue had inflicted on him.

"Okay Madam Missus Milday Marie, I'll be there to see Captain Ryker in a moment."

"She stepped forward but I raised my hand. "Don't. Be careful. there's glass all around."

"Should I get someone to help you?" she frowned, crouching down with her hands on her knees to inspect the shards.

"That would be appreaciated." I muttered, gathering all the large pieces before throwing them in the trashbin under Mikhail's desk. Not the best place, but it would do for now. I needed to get to my room before Stark decided that my bed was better than my sofa.

~

"Captain Ryker, good to see you awake." I said, smiling at the boy who sat straight up, plucking out the IV from his arm.

"Any chance I can get that Coke now?" Ryland grumbled.

I tossed him the CokeI got from the vending machine in the hall right across their room.  Since his dominant arm was a bit unresponsive due to the claw marks, he arched his knee so that the pop would hit the sheets that tucked under his bed.

"Luna Katya, I need to tell you something." Ryker mumbled.

I walked over, pulling up the doctor's seat so I could sit by the wincing child.

"What is it? Do you need a doctor?"

"No." another wince as he shifted again, adjusting his pillow. "It's about the rogue who attacked."

"What about him?" I pressed.

"It wasn't a random attack. He was looking for you."

"Well that's not something new. Lunas are targetted all the time."

He shook his head. "This was different. He wasn't referring you as the Luna of the pack. Instead he was demanding for the Lycan's mate."

"What? How did you know?"

He looked startled at my abrupt tone.

"I didn't say it, the rogue did."

"Then how did he know!" I hissed.

"I'm not sure." his voice was miserable, and guilty tore through my heart.

I reached over to ruffle his hair. "It's alright. There's nothing much you can do about that. I'll just talk to my brother and sort things out. Oh, and your mother decided that after this situation is handled, she's going to be stepping down as a fighter so she can take care of you rascals."

Their faces visibly brightened. 

"Really?!" Ryland gurgled past his Coke, gulping quickly.

I laughed. "Yes, really."

The door swung upon and our heads turned to see Marie with her arms full of snacks.

"I brought some Chex Mix." she smiled.

They boys faces twisted into disgusted faces at the thought of something other than Doritos, but a sharp look from me sent wavering grins on my face.

Ryland patted the empty spot beside him. "Thanks, sis."

Marie walked over, handing Ryker and Ryland a bag before opening to drawer in between their single beds to dump the rest inside. 

"You can't eat too much, by the way." I pointed out. "Your main diet will be icechips for a while. He clawed up your stomach really bad."

"So I can't have this?" he pouted.

"Wheat based food only." I chuckled at the giggling Marie. "Your sister is smart. She got you Chex Mix. More wheat than other snacks."

I noticed Ryland struggling to open the bag and was about to volunteer until Marie clasped her hands together and slammed in onto the bag, sending Chex Mix everywhere.

"Nice, Marie. Really nice." Ryker laughed.

"My chips!" Rylan cried.

~

I expected him to say some Twilight line like 'i enjoy watching you sleep; it's fascinating' when I woke up at four in the morning to get some water. But instead I got:

"Sleeping on your stomach is bad posture."

Really? That is all you have to say when you show up in my kitchen from the shadows beside my refridgerator?

"I didn't see you when I came home." I whispered, my voice hoarse as I poured myself a glass of milk.

He moved forward, grabbing the glass and pouring it into an empty plastic cup before sticking it in the microwave.

"Warm milk helps with nightmares."

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you watching me sleep?"

"I arrived an hour ago. I had to check up on my blood brothers at their posts."

Another fascinating yet strange things about Lycans. They didn't have mind links like normal werewolves did. I can't read his thoughts even though we are mates, and he can't read mine. So that meant I would have to fo go off facial expressions to determine if he was lying or not.

I shot out my first question fast : "Why do I need protecting?"

He casually removed the warm milk, holding it out to me. "Because as Luna you are the most important being of this pack seeing as you are the one that hods the pack together."

I pushed his hand away gentlye, ignoring the sparks that ignited.

"Is it because I'm a Luna, or because I'm your mate?" He ignored me, taking his own sip of milk from my plastic glass. "Well? What do you have to say?"

Instead of saying, he took action.

Before I could react, his hand cupped the back of my neck firmly, his fingers gripping my chin to tug my mouth open with ease before cool lips molded over mine. My hands curled in the collar of his longsleeved shirt as he suckled on my tongue, lowering his hands to my hips while backing me against the counter. I leaned back but his hand shot out to press against my shoulder blades, holding me to him.

We pulled apart slowly as I took in short gasps of air.

His thumb skimmed over my no doubt swollen lips. "Warm milk will help with the nightmares. I'm sleeping with you this time. The couch doesn't do pleasant things for my back."

"No." I mumbled against his thumb.

He stole another kiss. "Yes."

"I can't."

For some reason, he smiled. It flickered across his face fleetingly, but it sent my heart fluttered. "I want to, okay?"

The words slipped out of my mouth before my brain could register what I was saying. "Okay."