Osei rubbed his temples with the end of the palms.
His conversation with Athens left him with a mild headache and a subtle feeling of frustration lingering beneath the surface.
He already knew that the wolves were talking about his situation with Semi and it was no secret now that Danielle had a lot to do with it. It was also very clear that the two women didn't like each other very much; and that was from their looks alone. It was only a matter of time before things blew up.
And then there was the whole Nicholae thing added on top of that.
He felt like his control of the situation around him was slipping fast but taking control would mean facing the problem head on which ultimately meant that he'd lose one of the two women he cared about.
Yes he said it he cared about both of them. Although, whether or not it was equal in measure was the question. At this point he wasn't even sure about that.

'Bro. We're about to dip.' Cayden softly said.

'That's cool. Keep me updated on your progress.' Osei responded.

'Have you seen Semi? I need to talk to her.'

'Yeah. Last I saw her she was with Danielle.'
Cayden chuckled at his cousin's almost frightened reaction.
'Yup. They're plotting something big against you bro.' He added.
'They were laughing and everything.' Cayden exaggerated.

'Shit.' Osei said.

'Yup. Shit.' He laughed a little.
Osei walked with him to the car, needing now more than ever to avoid them.
Clarissa was already waiting on Cayden who would be their driver and she was with Danielle.
Osei caught the side glance Clarissa gave him then she completely avoided him, like she was afraid of getting his attention.

Even Cayden caught the shift in her attitude when he Osei came close she made it very obvious that he terrified her.
He could tell her he didn't bite, then he'd be lying.

'Safe trip Rissa.' Danielle hugged the sweet girl she'd come to call her friend.
Then she elbowed Osei.
When he didn't get the hint, she got him again.
'Say something nice too. Can't you see the girl is frightened.' She whispered between clenched jaws and a rigid smile watching them get into the car.

'Nonsense, Cayden will keep her safe.'

'Not that. You. She fears you.'
He'd noticed. But why bother placating Clarissa when he didn't really like her very much. And it wasn't just because she was growing close to Jeffery.
So maybe it was.
'Say something.' Danielle pressed.
'Or at least smile.' She added when he didn't budge.

'This is a simple task, you can't fail.' He meant it as a pep talk but he guessed it didn't turn out as well as he intended.

Cayden made goofy faces behind the door he tried to hide his need to laugh.
Why do you have to be like that?
He asked only Osei.

Osei caught his reflection looking far more meaner than he'd started out.
He didn't watch them leave, his wolves would ensure their safe passage out of the territory.

'So...' he started failing miserably at finding the words to ask Danielle just what she and Semi had discussed.

'I know I should be the last one suggesting this but I think you and Semi need to talk.'
Well that was the plan.
'Why?'

'Sometimes Osei I could smack you. Isn't it obvious?'

Yes, indeed it was. But according to Cayden this was a trap set for him.
Osei chided himself for being overly dramatic and who could blame him with all the madness happening around and to him.

'You need to let her know that everything. No secrets, no lies. Don't do to her what you did to me.'

In other words no secrets which meant he had to tell her that the only way to save his damn life was to reject her and mate with Danielle. And that also he wasn't going to do it because he'd rather die than hurt Semi like that. She'd been there for him in his darkest times, she'd loved him despite of knowing his history. She'd been the one who opened her heart to him when he was in his lowest place. He simply couldn't do it.

'This is different.'
This was his life and no one really had a say in whether or not he chose to fight for life or lie down and die.
'Really tell me how?'
Osei scrunched his face thinking of a reason.

'She just doesn't need to know.' He said.

'Well I have many reasons. Like one, she's going to be the mother of your children, two she's working her ass off to help you... just to name a few. Now If you don't tell her, I will.'
They were both breathing angrily and glaring scathingly at each other. Osei wasn't sure if Danielle was so eager to spill the beans just to get back at Semi for what she did to their child. It hurt Osei to say but that was in the past and he too now understood Semi after he'd gotten over the hurt of what she did, Malaki had helped him with moving on.
'I know you're scared...' That phrase struck a very sensitive nerve so he wouldn't let her land.
'Thank you for your input. But I'll handle this my way.'
He ended the discussion right there leaving her glowering. He wasn't scared of anyone or anything. The fact that he had to reject the only woman who has ever made him feel normal was just idiotic. The fact that he had to let Semi hurt to be with a woman who he was still unsure of just to live just felt like the cowards way out and that made sense to him.
No one was asking the right question. Or he wasn't asking himself the right question.
He rejects Semi and accepts Danielle as his mate and then what? He'd have to reject Danielle after he got better?
And what if the time came to reject Danielle and he couldn't... wouldn't. Because his moronic heart decided to play the part of an indecisive bastard.

We have visitor.
Osei inwardly groaned at the arrival of Cayden's grandmother.
He stood where he was waiting on the approach of her vehicle.

Georgia Lynch was dressed in a think gray fur coat with matching colored boots.
'Osei,' she smiled slightly in greeting.

'What brings you here?'
He respectfully asked keeping his voice just polite enough.

'There's trouble. Let's talk inside. Semi and Valentina will want to hear this.'

The girls were already on their way downstairs.

'Nicholae sent word to your grandfather.'
Valentina groaned. They all had an idea what the letter spelled :trouble.

'He told Cornelius that you sicked your wolves on him during his exile and hunted him for sports since he had no further use. He also said you could not be trusted and that you will bite the hands that held you in your time of need and that now he's convinced I'm your next target.'
Osei didn't react to appropriately or did he give her the answer she wanted, he just blankly stared at her.

'I did send the wolves on his ass. He betrayed me and my pack and I don't take betrayal well.'

'Did he really? Because this betrayal sounds familiar to me. What was this betrayal? What did he do?'she asked him.

'I can't tell you that.'

Georgina clasped her hands together.
'I was hoping Nicholae was lying, but apparently he isn't.'
Osei shrugged he didn't care who she trusted. He was sure if Cayden had been the one to speak she'd have eaten out of his palms. But since he was the son of the outcast, trust was a rare commodity. Good thing he wasn't looking for it then.

'Mama G. You have to trust Osei in this case' Valentina stepped in.

'Is it also true that he asked for a divorce but you wouldn't give it to him?'
Valentina nodded.

'What are you kids thinking messing with the Tchkovskys? Should I be regretting this alliance to you?'

'You seem to have already made up your mind about what happened. Don't let the wolves bite you in the ass on your way out.'
Osei pulled out his vibrating phone. It was Cayden calling him.

'Bro I found the best location! Jakubu hall. The land the hall stands on is mine and not a lot of people know that.'

'That's great but can we talk about this later, your grandmother came and she's just leaving.'

'Sure man.' Cayden immediately sensed the tension in his voice.
'Talk to you soon.'
The line went dead.

'You don't talk to me like that young man. I am your grandmother.'
Pulling him back into a conversation he hoped was over.

'But are you? I've been in this Devils armpit you all call home for months and not once did you reach out. The only person who even tried happened to be Cayden and he wasn't there for our little family reunion the first time. And when he rallied to my side you all tried to ostracize him.' They were still trying. 'It wasn't until a bloody psycho vampire - who isn't related to me might I add, says something before even act. Your alliance is all well and good but the vampire had been of value to me than my 'grandmother'. If this is the kind of support you gave my father I don't want any part of it. So forgive me if I don't think I or my pack owe you an explanation.'

A familiar pain knifed into his abdomen right at the end of his little speech.

'Osei!' Semi chided.
Danielle stood there with her eyes wide open.
This was all news to her.

'What? Did I say anything wrong?'
The hurt was written all over Georgina's face proving that he did. And that was too bad but he was also hurting and misery loves company.

'I've said what I want. I have other things to attend to.' The excuse he needed to get away while the pain in his side chose to intensify.

'Cayden said Jakubu hall will be perfect for the meet.' He said on his way out, fighting not to cradle the pain gnawing at him.

'We'll explain as much as we can. But Ma G, we can't tell you everything.'
He heard Valentina say as he escaped out the door and into Jeffery's tent.

'What took you so long?'
Jeffery wheezed.

'Shut up and and drink this.'
Osei squatted trying to get his shit together.
He made sure Jeffery finished the contents of the potion before leaving.

'Nori, no one goes in or out of that tent.' He said only to the wolf he put on duty.
'Not even Semi. And tell no one else about this.'

He shifted forms and bounded into the Woods away from everyone towards the cave he'd prepared so neither Danielle nor Semi would hear him scream in the torment of the intensity of his suffering.

Once inside the cave, he reversed forms and breathed in huffs since breathing itself was too torturous a feat.
Now he was free to cuss, scream and even cry.

He was free to regret every decision he never got to make and the ones he made in the attempt to get his mind off the pain. Maybe eventually he'd apologize to Georgina, reflecting back he might have been a little harsh.
In his agony he realized there were a few things he could never regret.
Meeting Semi and Saving Danielle because now he had two special women in his life.

'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.' He screamed, he felt like he was dying . The damn pain rivaled his first wolf transformation.

Thankfully it was all over in a matter of hours and this was one of the better episodes.

His knees refused to support his weight, his stomach was knotting up in various angles growling at the punishment of hunger.
To his surprise a small rabbit slid into the entrance of the cave.

He peeked out to find those who'd dared to follow him.
Malaki stretched and yawned.

Loki's still miffed. He was here but he didn't want to stay.

'I don't care what he thinks right now.'

The two are the same: two stubborn idiots.
Malaki growled.
'How long have you two known?'

That you've been sneaking away by yourself and faking the whole you're getting better thing to Semi when infact your pain cycles are growing shorter?

'Yes. That.' He grumbled. He didn't need anymore judgement on his damn plate.

Since day one. And we've been lying to Semi covering for you. 

'Well I didn't ask you to.' He snapped.

Oh watch your tone with me. You're weak that means I can whoop your ass so badly you'll be seeing stars all week.

Osei laughed.
'I missed you.'

Didn't go anywhere.

Felt like they did ever since Danielle came to the camp.

That's because we don't like her very much. We kill those who hurt you. And Loki is trying, really trying for you.
But if it makes you feel any better, I'm starting to change my mind because now, I understand why she did. And I'll support you whatever that dumb decision is.

Osei let that revelation sink in. Malaki could only guess how much his words were needed.

'I'm guessing Loki doesn't share the sentiment.'

We always look out for you and kill those who hurt you. He's lived by that principle. Me too.

Osei could never forget how far him and his brothers have come and the things they've done just to protect each other.

But He's getting there.

'Well he better hurry because Osei was starting to miss his annoying ass.'