Chapter Seventeen (Scythe's POV)

"I'm a freak. I'm a freak and I'm going to die in nine months." Zaid managed as we sat on his bed together. He just sat there, his back to the headboard, his knees curled to his chest. He was only wearing a pair of sweatpants and fuzzy gray socks. Any other time he'd look delicious, now I felt pain tugging at my heart.

"You're not a freak." I repeated, but it was no use. He wasn't dwelling so much on the freak part as the death part.

"I'm a guy. Guys aren't supposed to give birth. It's... wrong."

Or maybe the freak part was really unnerving.

I was honestly caught off guard as well. I didn't know what to say. I couldn't even resist the urge of staring at his flat stomach. In no time, it'd be swelling. His hand drifted over his gut, clenching in a fist against it as he gritted his teeth.

"This isn't fair." He groaned, dropping his head onto his knees. I wanted to reach out and comfort him, but I knew that was the last thing he wanted; to be chided by the guy he was going to mate with this coming weekend. The guy who accidentally got him pregnant. I never thought I'd find myself in this kind of situation being gay.

I couldn't tell if I was thrilled at the idea of being a father or agonized by the idea of not only hurting Zaid, but causing his death. The thought made my throat close. Because we had sex, he was going to die and there was no telling if his pups would even make it or not, meaning that this was all for naught.

If you love him so much, you'll take him back to Jack.

No, Goddess, no. Why am I even considering that? Jack was probably going to pick him apart as well as the pups. Hell, he might even take a stab at me. At the same time, Kyler was right. We had no idea what we were going to do. I'd never even seen a female give birth, let alone a male. How did this even work? C-section? I shuddered at the idea of cutting Zaid open. The smallest paper cut on his finger was enough to worry me sick.

"I've never felt so miserable," Zaid moaned, clasping his hands at the back of his neck, "I feel so sick, I can't eat without throwing it back up. I know there's morning sickness, Holly had it, but it's been a while, hasn't it? It shouldn't keep doing this, right? I don't know what to do, Scythe. I'm so sorry I got you into this mess."

"It's not your fault," I protested, "We didn't know, Zaid. How could we have known? Look, we'll just... wait it out. In the mean time, just take it easy. Don't do anything dangerous for a while and stay near the house in case Jack decides to come back for you." Zaid's eyes flickered before he looked up.

"Jack... Do you think Jack knows what to do?" He asked. I glared at him.

"No. Don't even think about it. Jack's a sick twisted bastard who doesn't know what he's doing. He pumped you full of drugs so he could do experiments, Zaid."

"You don't think the drugs did anything to the pups, do you?"

"I don't think so... Look, we can't keep worrying about it. The more we do, the more upset you'll get and I think that's the last thing you need. For now, I'll do whatever I can to make you comfortable."

"I'm not helpless," Zaid protested, looking even more miserable, "I can handle myself just fine... I think. I don't want you to treat me any less than you did before. I guess, I always knew I was a freak somehow. I just wish it wasn't this bad." He hid his face against his knees again and this time, I took him into my arms, cradling him against me in my lap, his head against my shoulder as he settled against me.

I held him until he drifted to sleep. I didn't disturb him as I gently placed him on the bed, pulling the blankets over him before I slipped from the room to grab some tea before I planned to return. The house was quiet by now. Dark and eerily peaceful as everyone had finally gone off to bed after harrassing Zaid to tears. My father hadn't spoken to me since and I wasn't surprised. He needed time to wrap his head around it.

I walked into the kitchen, settling the kettle on the stove, leaning against the fridge to pinch the bridge of my nose when I heard a hiss.

"Psst!"

I jerked my head up, spotting a familiar face in the window of the back door. I glared, walking over and throwing the door open to reveal Kyler standing there, completely naked. He was shivering and I noticed his ankle was bloodied, so I stepped aside to let him in.

"What are you doing back here?" I demanded sharply. Kyler glared at me.

"I wouldn't have come back had I a choice. I came back not just to hide, but to warn you. Jack's hunting me and when he finds out Zaid is so close, we're both going to be his targets." He snapped. I grabbed his arm, swinging him around and slamming him into the fridge, watching him gasp. I caught his wrists before he could claw me, pinning his hands at either side of his head against the fridge.

"You led him straight here, you little idiot." I sneered. Kyler winced, baring his elongated fangs at me.

"Not on purpose! I had no where else to go!" He snapped. I pinned him with a harsh glare, watching those silver-blue eyes of his glow. Despite the tough guy front he was putting up, I could just smell the fear rolling off him in waves.

"Where did you last see Jack?" I demanded, letting go of Kyler, who pulled away from me, rubbing his wrists as I stepped back.

"I was just about to cross the border to the next state when I picked up his scent. The asshole is nearby. He'll find me sooner or later. Another thing I hate about you damn wolves. Your sense of smell is profound."

"Is it just him?"

"Are you stupid? Jack is filthy stinking rich. I have no doubt he's hired more Hunters to protect himself. And just because Zaid and I hate Jack, doesn't mean the rest of his experiments do. They've developed Stockholm Syndrome to the max."

"Well, our pack-"

"Is screwed. You fought Jack back last time. You were lucky. Next time, Jack's going to kill everyone, including your pups." Kyler drawled. My eyes flashed and I whirled to face him, glaring as he took a step back, sensing the hostility.

"How did you know we had pups?" I demanded. Kyler shrugged nonchalantly.

"You're not the only one with a good sense of smell."

"Don't you dare tell anyone."

"Oh, please. Who am I going to tell? The blowup doll I bought on ebay?"

"You're not right in the head, you know that?"

"Tell me about it. Jack's real good at sucking out all your sanity... Oh, speaking of, have you decided how you're going to handle your pregnant mate? You are the daddy, right? Jack didn't plunge it in-"

"No! No," I snapped angrily, "He didn't... At least, Zaid hasn't mentioned anything."

"You better hope not. What a shocker it'll be when you have a bunch of little Jacks running around."

"You're pissing me off. Don't do that."

"Fine, then give me clothes and somewhere to hide." Kyler commanded. I glared, opening my mouth to argue when the tea kettle whistled. I winced, rushing over and shutting the stove off, lifting the kettle and sloppily pouring the tea cups. Kyler watched me as I let the tea bags settle. I turned to frown at him.

"Follow me, but stay quiet."

"I'm a cat. It's in our nature." Kyler replied smugly. I rolled my eyes, then gestured for him to follow me as I took the tea cups with me, heading into the foyer before going up the stairs. The whole time, Kyler was sticking to my side. Naked. Of course he'd have no shame.

We walked into Zaid's bedroom to find him sprawled on the bed, the blankets tangled around his legs and one hand tossed alongside his head. He looked so delicious, just lying there in a way that begged me to take him.

I wasn't the only one who noticed this either because I saw Kyler's body react, making me shoot him a glare.

"Don't you dare touch him." I snapped. Kyler surprised me by blushing, covering himself as he turned away from me.

"I would never. I hate dogs. I just think he's attractive as a human. Besides, I don't trust anyone enough to do something like that." He grumbled. I frowned, studying his shy reaction.

"Are you a virgin?" I asked, cocking a brow. Kyler scowled.

"That is none of your concern, cur. Now give me clothes."

"Help yourself, pussy."

"Oh, real mature, asshole. Go jump in a lake or a pit full of rattlesnakes."

"I prefer it to being trapped with you."

"I couldn't agree more." Kyler sneered, then shoved past me to the wardrobe. He tugged a thin long-sleeved shirt on, then a pair of leather pants, brushing his hair over his shoulder before he hummed.

"Zaid has barrettes in here?" He asked, picking up a couple of black barrettes. I scowled.

"Don't ask me. Stop raiding his drawers and sit down somewhere, behave until I think of something to do with you." I snapped, glancing over my shoulder to see Kyler pinning his hair back out of his face before he went to the window, staring outside with a scowl.

"You guys can't get too comfortable. You shouldn't be sleeping so peacefully." He grunted. I stood up straight, facing him as I folded my arms over my chest.

"You may not have noticed because you're too selfish and arrogant, but Zaid had way too much to handle today or the past week for that matter. Not only does he now have to worry about becoming an alpha, but he's found out he was stolen from his family, he's pregnant, and he's going to die the moment the pups are born. I think he deserves to rest." I explained icily. Kyler rolled his eyes, turning to lean his back on the sill of the window, his eyes watching me. They seemed to glint eerily in the dark.

"As much as I hate repeating it, and believe me, I really do, but if you want him to live, take him to Jack."

"If you say that one more time-"

"No, I'm serious," Kyler interrupted, pushing off the windowsill and folding his arms over his chest, "I'll admit, all of the wolves like Zaid that Jack held prisoner died as soon as they gave birth, but mind you at least two of the pups of each litter survived. However, Jack's been experimenting and testing theories. He can probably find a way to keep Zaid alive by now."

"But he won't just do it out of the kindess of his heart, fool."

"Touche. He'll demand something in return and I have no doubt he'll either ask for Zaid himself or ask or one of the pups." Kyler answered. I felt a chill course up my back at the thought of Jack having either one. As possessive as it sounded, Zaid was mine. Those pups were mine. Jack could rot in hell for all I care.

"But, hey. Tit for tat. You get pups, Zaid dies. If that's what you want-"

"I don't want that," I snapped in frustration, watching Kyler smirk knowingly, "But I don't want to put him or the pups in danger by placing their lives in Jack's hands. I don't trust him."

"Huh, maybe you're not so dumb after all... Here, try something like this. Find Jack. Ask for his help and offer him one of the pups, but maybe he'll conveniently die right after."

"I can't go back on my word."

"Oh, who said you were getting all the glory?" Kyler asked, putting his hands on his hips. I frowned, staring at him as he flashed his fangs, smirking proudly.

"I'll kill Jack. After he's done with the surgery and the pups are born and Zaid is safe, I'll jump him and rip his throat out. While I'm doing that, you need to get Zaid and the pups out." He explained simply. I frowned.

"We have nine months to plan this then. Let's not think about it at this very-"

"Oh," Kyler grimaced, "I forgot to tell you something important." I glared at him.

"What now?" I demanded. How could this get any worse? Kyler shifted from foot to foot, glancing around the room innocently before glancing back at me.

"Uh, well, seeing as we're werewolves and not humans, oh, except Zaid. Zaid's a special werewolf, so that means he... Uh, you're not gonna kill me when I tell you, right? Because if you do-"

"Just spit it out already or I'll rip your tail off and feed it to you."

"Touchy. Zaid has 63 days until he gives birth to the pups."

"Are you telling me he only has about two months to live?"

"Two months and a couple days, give or take a few. Yea, pretty much."

"Oh for the love of..." I plopped down on the foot on the bed, covering my face with my hands. It knocked off more of our time to get ready, to make the decision. I couldn't let Zaid die. If he died, I would have nothing. I'm not as strong as my father is. I can't live without my mate, I thought in agony.

And to take care of a litter of pups by myself? I couldn't do that. I needed Zaid there with me.

"What am I going to do?" I asked no one in particular. Kyler stood nearby, watching me with an expression that told me maybe he wasn't completely heartless after all. He looked away when he saw me staring at him.

"Look, my offer still stands. Take Zaid to Jack. Wait until both him and the pups are stable. When Jack leaves, I'll be positioned in waiting for him."

"He'll probably kill you."

"Doesn't matter to me, so long as I take him down with me." Kyler replied. I frowned.

"Won't you have family to miss you? Friends? Anything?" I asked. Kyler smirked.

"That's the thing. I don't have a family or any friends. I don't have anyone. So it won't matter if I die. It'll be worth it anyway to be able to kill Jack and make sure he doesn't do anything to hurt anyone ever again." He explained calmly. I studied his face, scanning him up and down.

Surely he had some kind of family? But the way he acted, the way he spoke, looked told otherwise.

Kyler was alone.

"Thank you." I said, rising to my feet. Kyler blushed, taking a step back.

"Uh, no problem. Really. You're not gonna lick my face or anything, are you?"

"Eugh, no. I'm not that thankful."

"Good."

"So what do we do until Zaid's ready to have the pups?" I asked, avoiding the awkwardness of the moment. Kyler hummed thoughtfully for a moment, peeking behind him out the window before looking back at me.

"Just wait. All you can really do is take care of Zaid, but be careful. From what I've witnessed, Zaid's appetite is meant for the pups. If that nutrition doesn't go to the pups, he'll barf it back up. Unfortunately, that's what also leads up to his death. He'll grow weak from exhaustion and the pups will be taking in anything they can get from what Zaid consumes."

"This sounds like a really fucked up version of Twilight."

"What's Twilight?"

"You- Nevermind. For now, you can stay here, but you have to find somewhere else to sleep, not Zaid's room."

"No duh. Why would I be in a couple's bedroom? I'd never get any sleep." Kyler snorted, waving me off as he drifted toward the door, then paused to frown at me.

"Just so you know, Zaid's probably going to need you now more than ever, so if he tries to refuse your help, don't listen. He's cocky, which doesn't surprise me. You wolves always are, but Zaid won't be able to survive on his own."

"Right."

"Just a little piece of advice from your friendly neighborhood stray." Kyler replied cheerily, then ducked out of the room as I rolled my eyes, turning back to Zaid, who was still fast asleep. Heavy sleeper if he hadn't heard anything that was said. I was actually rather thankful for that. I slid up beside Zaid on the bed, pulling him into my arms. He sighed contently, curling up against me, his head against my chest.

"I love you, Zaid... No matter what." I murmured, stroking his hair and kissing his head.

And I'm willing to risk everything to keep you safe. Even if it means confronting Jack again.