Atticus

Jessie and I traveled to my mother's old home. I'm so thankful that Jessie and his mother kept this place in good condition. Link and I can start a new life here, and he can grow up in the pack I was born into.

"Jessie, you're a dad," I said.

"I am and would never trade anything else in the world," Jessie smiled at me.

"Though when we were young, I wouldn't have imagined it. I also saw you and your mate have the pack tribal tattoos, and that you're the Alpha," I said.

"Yes, finally inherited the title," Jessie nodded.

"If you don't mind me asking, how old were you when you became the Alpha?" I said.

"After my mother died, my dad just gave up. I was eighteen when I took the title," Jessie explained.

"And you have a mate. Is it true, Jessie, she one of the fable Moon Warriors?" I said in awe.

"Yes, everything we ever heard about them is true. My fated mate Marian and her brother Henrik are twins, blessed as the Goddess's Moon Warriors. They have extraordinary powers. Though Marian tells me that Henrik is more powerful because he shifted under the Blood Moon. What do you think of him, he is known to many as the Crimson Alpha," Jessie said.

"Um," my breath hitched at the question. When I first met Henrik, he wasn't like what many said he was. They described him as a horrible, bloodthirsty, evil monster. But the first thing he did was offer me a place in his pack. "Why do you ask?"

"I know that Henrik is feared because of his red eyes and that his wolf is feral, but Henrik is one of the most incredible men I've ever known. He's helped me through some personal issues, he's a honorable person that I know I can rely on,"

"I am surprised that he saved me. I knew I was on pack land but I feared I was going to be killed before I could get home," I said.

"I can promise you Henrik is nothing like that. Besides a new here and there, Henrik's whole pack nearly consists of rogues. If you can ignore his red eyes, he's a big softy, but never tell him I said that. I will never hear the end of it," Jessie smiled.

"Amazing, I've never heard of that before," I said in awe.

"It's quite the achievement. The Crimson Howlers are a strong pack, and as the Alpha of Golden Leaf, I'm proud to call them my allies. That reminds me, Henrik and Marian have the power to reunite us with loved ones who have passed away,"

"How?" I asked.

"The logistics are too complicated for me to explain or understand, but if you want to speak to your mother or Mirage. They can help you," Jessie smiled.

"I would love that; I want to hear my mother's voice again. Can Link be able to this too?" I asked.

"Yes, Link will be able to do it too if you allow," Jessie said.

"I want Link to see her; I hope it might give him the closure he needs. He needs to understand where she's gone. I still can't believe that I'm back at this house again. I can honor Mirage by providing a good home for Link and raising him in a good environment. Call me weird, but I think I feel that my mother spirit is here and she's welcoming me home," I said.

I took another look at the house that I grew up in before I was kidnapped. "Jessie, thank you for this. You have no idea what it means for me to be back here,"

"Anything for a dear friend," Jessie nodded.

"And thank Robin for me. I am very gratful for him giving me some clothes to wear. I just don't feel like it's my style," I said, looking at the shirt with many different patterns. It doesn't look pleasant. "I don't even know what my style is yet, but I just know it's not Robin's,"

Jessie and I looked at each other and laughed. "I'll let him know," Jessie laughed again. Marian is on her way here with the kids. Are you okay with her bringing Link here?"

"Yes, this is home now," I nodded.

"Alright, now why don't we go inside and see what Marian stocked in the fridge and make something for the kids," Jessie said.

"You know how to cook?" I laughed.

"I know how to make snacks for toddlers. That's about it," Jessie shrugged.

"I still remember a few things my mother used to make me," I said.

"Lead the way; I'll follow your lead. I fear if I start cooking, I'll set the entire United States on fire," Jessie joked.

(Later that Night)

Henrik

I was looking at the house that Atticus and Link were staying in, and I knew that this house was Atticus's childhood home. He plans on raising Link here.

"There you are, Henrik. Though I could hear someone stalking around out here," Jessie said.

"What can I say, I can't stay away," I shrugged. "Could you stay away from Marian? I remember that you were the one who used to do the stalking,"

"I was a teenager. Not a grown man who's an Alpha," Jessie fired back.

"Just because you're my brother-in-law doesn't mean I won't challege you if you get in the way of my mate. You know the Moon Goddess's most absolute law, you would dare keep him from me?" I growled, my eyes flashing red.

"Easy with your words, Henrik. I'm an Alpha too," Jessie's eyes flashed blue eyes.

"Easy with your actions, Jessie. That's my mate," I growled louder.

"And this is my pack. Atticus has been through enough with people forcing things on him. If he is not ready to see you, you will NOT take another step towards that door," Jessie threatened.

"Back down, Jessie. You have no jurisdiction over my mate. Get out of my way!" I barred my fangs at him. "I will rip and tear you into pieces," I licked my lips.

"You're pissing my wolf off, Henrik," Jessie roared. "Back down! This will not end well,"

"We know. It won't end well for you, brother," Ghirahim chuckled as his voice left my lips.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! Stop it, both of you!" Marian yelled. "HENRIK AND JESSIE, THAT'S ENOUGH!" Marian yelled. "Jessie, get the fuck inside and say goodnight, we're leaving. AND YOU!" Marian pointed at me. "Pull yourself together and go home, Henrik. I don't want to hear that fucking 'he's my mate' speech. The poor man is exhausted and asleep with his son right now, so be glad he missed this pissing match. Atticus will come to you when he's good and ready, and he still has so much healing to do. Atticus needs to regain a healthy weight because he's still skin and bones from giving every scrap of food he finds to Link; he's still tired and needs sleep. And we must go shopping because he's walking around in Robin's spares. Only once Atticus is healed enough to recognize you as his mate will you be allowed back on my pack land unless he asks for you sooner,"

"You're fucking banning me?! I'm your brother!" I was taken aback.

"Yes! You're acting like a possessive child, HENRIK! Let him heal, for fuck sake! How many times do I have to say that!" Marian scoffed.

"Since you clearly hate hearing it, I'll it again," I smirked. "ATTICUS IS MY MATE!"

"AND YOU HAVEN'T MARKED HIM, SO YOU CAN FIGHT THE BOND FOR NOW!" Marian yelled.

My eyes flashed as I barred my fangs at my sister; all my teeth pointed. Marian growled threatenly.

"Henrik, leave. You no longer have permission to be on our pack lands like your sister said. And don't you EVER growl and bare your fangs at my pregnant mate again, or else I will let my wolf have at you for the threat to his mate and child.

This is fucking bullshit. "Very well," I hissed. I walked off, and I shifted in my anger. I ran into the forest in the dark of night and howled.

(One Week Later)

"Henrik, It's me, Marian, your sister. I'm sorry about what happened last week, please call me back. Please let me hear your voice; I want to know that you haven't gone feral. I love you, Henrik, please call me," In my anger, I deleted the voicemail my sister left, I'm still pissed, and now I'm more mad that she even thought I would go feral over this.

I downed my glass of black forest beer.

"Hey," Lorian said, walking to me as I sat at the bar.

"What do you want?" I scoffed.

"Have you gone for a run?" Lorian asked.

"No, I'm too busy drinking my sorrows," I lifted my glass.

"When was the last time you went for a run?" Lorian said.

"I don't know, a week ago. When my sister banned me from her pack,"

"Damn, so the rumors are true, they really did that?" Lorian said.

"Yes," I threw the glass against the wall, which shattered,

"You really need to go for a run, Henrik. If you allow all this aggression and rage to build up, you'll explode, and your feral side will take over. York and I are still taking care of the pack. Take as much time as you need," Lorian said.

I breathed deeply. "Thank you, Lorian. I know seeing me like this over someone else can't be easy,"

"He's your mate, Henrik. All I've ever wanted is for us to be happy. Whether that was us together or not. So, stop making me repeat myself," Lorian smiled.

"Okay, Okay, I get it. Thank you," I smiled. Lorian left me alone after talking for a few minutes. I heard my phone buzz on the counter. I looked over and saw that I got a text from Marian.

I know you're there, Henrik. Pick up your damn phone.

Grunting, I called Marian against my better judgment and placed her on speaker. Ghirahim and I are not happy with our beloved sister. "What do you want, Marian? I was busy ignoring you," I snapped.

"Is that any way to talk to your twin?" Marian said.

"Right now, yes! Now what the fuck do you want? I called you because you won't stop bombarding me with texts and I really don't want to fucking talk to you," I scoffed.

"I'm going to choose to ignore that. Even though that could have hurt my feelings, TWIN." Marian exhales loudly. "I'm requesting your presence tomorrow at the pack,"

"Oh, I'm allowed over there am I?" I said sarcastically. "WOW!" I threw my arms up.

"Oh, stop being a fucking baby, Henrik, Goddess. It's like I'm dealing with my toddler during tantrum time," Marian grunted.

"What. Do. You. Want?" I snarled. "Tell me or I will hang up and I will fucking block your number, Marian,"

"Atticus has requested to see Link's mother. He's ready," Marian said.

At that moment, my heart stopped. I paused after I regained my composure. "I'll be there,"

"Great. And Henrik, I'm sorry for saying that you might go feral on the voicemail and for everything thats transpired. No matter what, you are my brother and I will always love you," Marian said.

I hung up and placed my phone in my pocket. I need to shower and shave; if I show up like this, Atticus will scream. What if he finally recognizes me tomorrow? There's no time to waste.

I went to Atticus's house, where Marian and the others were waiting for me. "Atticus." I approached him. Ghirahim was bouncing around in my mind, screaming at me to claim him.

"Oh, Henrik!" Atticus smiled. "It's good to meet you in better circumstances,"

I looked over him; he'd gained weight in muscle. He looks good, but he needs much work before he fully recovers. "You look good, Atticus," I said. "Healthy, I mean." I coughed to cover the blush that was present on my cheeks.

"Ah, thank you, I feel better," Atticus nodded.

"Did you get a haircut? Your hair seems shorter," I asked.

"Just a little trim," Atticus said. "I got new clothes too, I found that blue is my color. I also want to thank you for saving me and Link,"

My heart sank when he didn't recognize us, but maybe if I touched him. I held my hand out to touch his arm, but a loud voice stopped me.

"HENRIK! SO, glad you could make it," Marian growled.

"Marian," I crossed my arms.

"I can't believe you," Marian said as she opened our twin mind link.

"I have a fucking right, and you know it," I said.

"He did not ask you to touch him!" Marian shook her head. "And NEVER accuse me of breaking a sacred law.

"He's MINE! Atticus has EVERY RIGHT to know that I'm his mate," I said.

"Clearly, his mind is still too traumatized. You must let him discover you're his mate in his own time. Stop trying to rush him," Marian said.

"Sorry, you're right, I just, I miss him and he's not even mine yet," I said.

"I know, Henrik, and I'm sorry," Marian said.

Marian ended, and the mind linked between us and looked at Atticus. My apologies, Atticus. Jessie was mind-linking me.

"That's okay," Atticus smiled.

"Are you ready? Shall we bring Link here?" Marian asked.

"If it's okay, I would like to see what this is like first," Atticus nodded.

"That's totally fine; now take a seat right here, and Henrik and I will do the rest," Marian smiled.

Atticus took a deep breath. "Okay," Atticus took a seat and waited for us.

Marian and I took each other's hands and tried to find Mirage, but we couldn't find her.

"Henrik, I can't find Mirage. She's not in the Goddess's Promised Land!" Marian gasped when she opened up our mind link.

"That can only mean one thing: Mirage is still alive!" I looked at Marian with horror plastered across my face.

"If Mirage is still alive, she's still trapped where those hunters kept Atticus and Link," Marian said.

"Is everything okay?" Atticus asked us.

"Oh, y-yes, Atticus, I'm so sorry. My baby is kicking, and it's causing me discomfort, and I can't focus. If I'm not focused, I could harm my brother. My brother and I do very delicate work and must be entirely focused. Do you think we can do this another day? I should go see my doctor and make sure my baby is okay!" Marian lied.

"Oh, of course. I can wait for as long as possible. Nothing is more important than your baby's health. Don't hurt yourself because of me. I will wait as long as it takes," Atticus nodded in understanding.

"I'm sorry," Marian rushed off.

"Is she okay?" Atticus said. "Did I hurt her in some way?"

"No, just pregnancy hormones. Would it be okay if I walked you back home?" I asked him.

Atticus nodded his head. "I'd like that, thank you,"