Thorns Of The Past.

Family 'Fights'!

Relationships are worth fighting for, but the reasons and the ways are not the same for everyone!

~some time later, Bloody Snow Pack~

Ryker’s pov

I am fighting with Blaze and our best fighters against the 40 rogues that dared to get in our territory and attack us!

The battle is taking place in a quite big with stable ground valley and the sky is cloudy. Fortunately it is not hot and it is not night either, the conditions are ideal but I can’t say the same thing for my mood!

You see, I am feeling so much hatred, disgust and anger for the first time in my entire life and everything began yesterday when that asshole appeared out of nowhere and scattered the chaos!

I never wanted to meet mine and my sister’s ‘sperm donor’, I never asked to know about him although I wanted to, because I knew how I was going to react and I was more than right!

Everything happened wrong and he decided to appear in front of us the worst moment!

I wish he was dead, I really do, especially after what my mother told us yesterday night! I have no idea how he did all these to his mate, this is sick and unacceptable! He killed her because he broke her heart and if I didn’t know my mother, I would say that what she did is unbelievable but I do know her and I had no doubt she would make it!

She is the strongest woman I know, he forced her, he made her become tough and strong! She had no other choice when that bastard betrayed her in the worst and most heartless way there is because he had no guts to face her or patience to wait until he f***s that slut!

My mother was always my hero and now I feel even prouder and I admire her ten times more! This woman is unbelievable and the most remarkable person I know! She survived all these and she stood on her feet alone, she took care of me and Claire and when we came here, she got even better and stronger! She found the home she always wanted and she became everyone’s biggest and greatest supporter!

This is why I am getting so crazy when it comes to her and Claire! I want to take care of them now, I want them to be happy because they do deserve it! My mom needs to rest and have fun after so many years with so many and serious responsibilities and I want her to live her life! I want her to travel, stop working so much, do anything she hasn’t done till now and maybe… Help us when we have our own kids, I mean Claire… She comes first and…

Alright!

My sister is a very special person for me! It is not only the fact that we are twins and our bond is stronger than the usual or that I am the older one and I adore her (and she looks like mom, she has taken everything from her) but also it’s because Claire was always my silent supporter, my secret angel! She has a great heart and she is very kind, she has only love to give and this makes her too fragile! She is so pure that anything can hurt her and sometimes I decide not to talk about it but it doesn’t mean I don’t know or I don’t understand!

From the moment we met him, she is broken and she doesn’t need to tell me, I feel it and I see it in her eyes! She always wanted him, probably because she needed her male idol, her ‘father’ although we had Evan and Mark and she had gradually forgotten about it but now… Everything woke up again inside her, she is hurt because of what he did and from the fact that he never loved us and she is trying to hide it for my mom and me!

I know she doesn’t want me to understand how much he is hurting her because I will get more furious and I will probably kill him and I am holding back exactly for this reason, for Claire and… My mom because they want everything to end here and now without more fights and tensions!

I wish I could kill him but I can’t because of them! I want to respect their wish although it is difficult for me and he deserves it! I want to take revenge for the pain my mom and Claire have been feeling all these years but I know this is going to cause them more pain and I convince myself to forget about it!

Anyway…

I will try to release my anger in another way, these rogues is exactly what I need to break out my rage and hatred although we have no clue as to where they came from! From what I know, we had years to be attacked as a pack! We are a very peaceful yet strong and large pack and nobody really wants to mess with us! Well, at least with my uncle!

He is a great man, kind and generous with the pack, his family and the people he loves, but when it comes to enemies or those that want to harm what is his, then there is a big problem because he is transforming to a completely different man!

He is ruthless and strict when someone is threatening his pack and family, he is a very smart and clever opponent and I guess this attack is not a coincidence…

Maybe I am over thinking but I believe this is happening because Claire and Blaze are the Alphas now and someone wants to test them but I think this is going to disappoint him because I know my brother, my sister and our pack!

Okay, we do not have so much experience but… You surely don’t want to mess with us because we are all one and united we can do anything we want, so every opponent has no hope (if he is someone specific)!

Anyway, I am just saying… Maybe…

I finally leave the rogue I have been holding from the neck for some seconds now and he falls on the ground dead. His neck is bleeding, he has scratches everywhere because we had been fighting for some time but in the end I managed to grab him from his throat and kill him from the lack of oxygen.

I listen to another deep growl from behind me and I turn just in time as another quite big, dark brown wolf is getting ready to attack me.

I take my fighting position again, lock my eyes on his and my wolf, Rowen, howls warningly but the bastard doesn’t seem willing to surrender!

I have to admit these rogues are very strong and well trained, they are tough and the battle is not easy for both sides! It takes us time to win the opponent and they are not getting defeated easily, they have a nerve…

The wolf jumps on me growling and I do the same thing. We come into conflict quite violently but we end up on the ground with me on top of him. I try to immobilize him by pressing his throat with my paw to keep him on the ground when I see with the corner of my eyes another rogue ready to attack Blaze from behind.

We are fighting next to each other, we always have each other’s back and he is still fighting with another rogue, he has realized nothing and if I get late, he will…

“BLAZE!” I scream through our link and leave the rogue under me to block that dirty dog’s way but another one jumps in front of me.

No, damn it!

I feel my heart one step away from exploding in my chest, my wolf is screaming like crazy and I am so scared for the very first time!

Blaze is my brother, the one fate brought me and I am grateful I have him! What I have is his and what he has is mine! From the first day we met, we became one, we do everything together although we have quite different personalities and we are supporting each other constantly!

He is not only Claire’s mate and my Alpha, well… To be honest he never treated me as his Beta but as his equal, he says that this pack has two Alphas now and he really loves Claire! I think they were always in love with each other but they had realized nothing! He was very hysteric when something had to do with her and we were one step behind her and Kira!

When they found out they were mates, I cried from relief and happiness because I could have never asked for a better mate for these two and I was sure they would be perfectly fine together! And I was right!

These two are the best couple I have ever seen and I am happy because they are shining from pride for each other but now…

He is in danger and I am alone, the others are not here and if anything happens to him, I…

“BROTHER!” I roar again and try to get rid of the rogue that is blocking my way.

As long as I live, nobody touches him, only above my dead body!

“ALPHA!” some more fighters scream as he is still fighting the one asshole and the other one is dangerously close but then…

A loud howl echoes and before I close and open my eyes again, Claire jumps out of nowhere on the rogue behind Blaze and rips his throat out in no time!

Well, s**t!

“Claire!” I exclaim relieved yet surprised and she turns to me and rolls her eyes furiously.

“What did you think? Nobody messes with my mate!” she groans and turns to help Blaze with the rogue he has almost killed.

I have never seen her so angry! Her wolf is really terrifying sometimes but her expression just got the s**t out of me and imagine she is never going to hurt me!

Alright, I guess her Luna’s instinct is getting stronger day by day and we are talking about her mate here! She can be a total badass b***h when she feels Blaze is not alright or he is in danger and she just proved it!

“And my son!” my mother says angrily and joins my side attacking the one that has been blocking me with uncle Evan finishing the one I was fighting with.

Oh, of course my mom couldn’t miss such a thing and yeap, she is in control because her wolf is very unpredictable with quite deadly intentions when it comes to her ‘pups’ (although we are not pups anymore) and she can kill anyone, even our fighters. I know it sounds crazy and maybe it is but this is the truth and now it makes no surprise to me because she has passed through a lot, she thinks it is her duty to protect us and punish anyone that wants to hurt us or can’t protect us as well (our fighters for example and no, the guys understand how she feels and respect her)!

I sigh heavily still dizzy because I wasn’t expecting them and help my mom, I mean…

Blaze told Kira to tell Claire and my mother not to come because the rogues were not that many and we didn’t want them to get hurt but as we can see, our women had other plans, like always!

These three (and Megan) are devils when they have to and they never leave us alone no matter what! They are stubborn and proud, the best female fighters we have and they have never stepped back, they are really brave!

I keep the rogue busy by attacking him from the front and my mother finds the perfect opportunity to grab his right front leg. He turns his head to bite her but I am already expecting this move from him and I grab him from his throat with my mother pulling him in order to make him lose his balance.

He falls on the ground the very next second and I keep on holding him steadily like this. My mother stands up again after she gets sure he can do nothing to set himself free from my hold and runs away to help someone else, I think Kira but…

What gains my interest and makes me see red is one very familiar scent I wish I could forget!

The asshole is here!

He is still here!

I can’t believe it!

I press my big teeth deeper in the rogue’s neck trying to control my rage for the asshole’s audacity to come here and in this way the rogue dies faster than I had imagined.

I taste his blood in my mouth and it is the first time I don’t feel disgust because I really need blood and so does my wolf but not the rogues’ anymore!

We want his blood and I snap my head on my left to find him fighting with my uncle against two big, male rogues.

My eyes widen the very next second because his wolf is just like mine, big, tall with board chest and total black with thick, shining fur!

I am just like him and so is my wolf and I hate him till death!

This is a very sick joke, really!

I don’t know what I have done to deserve something like this, it’s a curse!

I howl outraged for him and start running to his side ignoring everything and everyone around me. I can’t hold back, forget what I said, I am going to kill him right here and now!

I was willing to forget but enough is enough!

He deserves only death and a very torturing one!

What is he doing here?

We told him to leave, we warned him, we were clear, we want nothing to do with him and we are not changing our mind but I guess he took advantage of the fact we slept at my mother’s last night and he didn’t leave!

I also can’t understand my uncle, I mean how did he do this?

He had to respect our wish and throw him out of our territory no matter what the son of a b***h wanted and do you know what?

I am going to have a fight with him as well, if I have to because I don’t want him here!

He has a pack and a family waiting for him, so he better leaves mine alone!

I am getting closer to them as the seconds pass and my heartbeat gets stronger and faster, it is painful for lots of reasons… I know my mother and Claire are going to be heartbroken again, I also know it is ridiculous for me to forget about the rogues in order to deal with him and…

“ENOUGH RYKER!” my mother roars and appears in front of me with her eyes burning.

I freeze instantly and gasp ashamed yet shocked.

She saw me… Of course she did, sometimes I think she has eyes on her back or something!

She is not stupid and I can’t lie or deny a thing now! She knows I wanted to kill him and I didn’t care at all about anything else and this is really humiliating because now that I am thinking about it, she is right to be so mad at me!

I am not acting wisely and with responsibility! His presence is affecting me and I am too weak to stop myself!

I was never so reckless…

FUCK!

“We have a battle here!” she states using her Luna’s tone and I nod defeated unable of protesting and the next words leave from my lips unconsciously.

“Yes my Luna! I am sorry!”

~some time later~

Becky’s pov

I stop next to Blaze and Evan and look the battle field all around us.

We are in our human forms, we got dressed and thankfully nobody from our pack got heavily injured.

The rogues from the other side are lying on the ground in their human or wolf forms with most of them dead.

The battle was not as easy as I had expected but we did it and now we are supervising the unconscious but still alive rogues’ transportation to the pack house’s dungeons! The dead bodies are going to get burn and this is something Evan wants to happen as an example for the one behind this attack and Blaze agreed with Ryker more than excited about it!

What can I say?

Men…

Kira is talking with the Delta some meters away from us for the big fire’s details and Ryker is listening to some of our trackers’ report as for how these rogues appeared and from which direction exactly.

Good, we are all here and…

NO!

I turn around me again and try to spot Claire but I can’t!

She is not here, I am not taking her scent and I have long time to see her to be honest! The last time I spotted her, we were still fighting and she was doing great but then I got distracted from Ryker’s anger and I was too focused on him for the rest of the battle.

My heart stops beating, I lose my breath and stiffen trembling.

I feel no pain, no threat, nothing but…

Where is she?

I turn and look at Blaze that seems to be nervous as well and he snaps his head to me with a panicked, scared expression. He knows… He just realized it and he is about to lose his temper!

“Claire! Where is she?” he shouts breathless and takes some steps forward with his eyes travelling everywhere.

“And Gabriel!” Evan exclaims louder and I jump up as if I was being electrocuted.

I lock my eyes immediately on Ryker that is already staring at me with a dark, cloudy gaze and place my right hand on my chest above my heart.

It hurts, I don’t know why but the thought of them together is breaking my heart because Claire is suffering next to him and I know I can’t be sure they are together but…

My instinct says so and I can’t doubt it!

I am certain Claire is not in danger, I don’t know for sure what happened and she left but I feel nothing has happened to her and Gabriel is with her but why?

Why did they leave together?

And Ryker is going to kill him for sure now! This is exactly what he needs to lose his self control, he is going to care about nothing!

“I have long time to see them…” Kira states walking to us in hurry and I stiffen under Ryker’s wild gaze.

Just pray for us!

“WHAT?” he roars outraged yet worried and Blaze runs his hands through his hair in despair.

He is always calmer but when it comes to Claire he is getting crazy!

They are mates, I can’t blame them, I mean this is how things are supposed to happen between them! They are worried for each other and their bold is extremely strong because they are Alphas!

“Where are they? What…” Kira starts to say again but a loud howl from opposite of us stops her.

We all lock our gazes on the woods when we notice some movement and the very next second Claire walks out of them in her wolf form with a rogue on her back and next to her is…

Gabriel!

He is also in his wolf form, his eyes are black which means he is in control and he has another rogue on his back again.

They have no scratch, no wound, nothing and their expressions are cold and serious!

I exhale harshly extremely relieved Claire is alright and I forget about Ryker’s anger and everything else!

As long as Claire is safe and sound nothing matters me!

I start running to them with Blaze next to me and I listen to Evan, Kira and Ryker following close behind us.

My wolf is howling proud and happy for Claire and tries to ignore Gabriel and his wolf’s presence and Claire throws the rogue on the ground. She takes some steps to us and Blaze reaches her first.

I stop behind him when he touches his forehead on hers and both of them purr and give a discreet, short look at Gabriel that is leaving the rogue down and locks his eyes on me.

I bite my lower lip unable of thinking what to say or do and I feel Ryker joining my side with his eyes never leaving Claire.

He is mad at her because she left like that! If I am right, she chased them and Gabriel followed her! I know Claire’s way of thinking and she is very observational generally, nothing can escape her!

“Have you lost your mind? Couldn’t you inform us? I died!” Ryker shouts taking one step forward with Blaze giving him an angry look.

“Bro, stop it! She is here, stop shouting! We were all worried, I freaked out but she didn’t think of it, she had no time! You know her!” he replies in frustration defending her and I smile pleased.

Yeap! Thanks Goddess we have Blaze because Ryker is always explosive like…

Gabriel!

“But…”

“Enough for now!” Evan interferes before Ryker says more and a pack member runs and leaves some clothes for Claire and some for Gabriel behind two different trees.

Claire turns and walks to the tree her clothes are with Gabriel doing the same thing after her and the rest of us stay in silence waiting for them while four men of ours come to take the rogues. They have to be alive if I am right or at least the one of them…

I observe them carrying them away towards the pack’s direction and I give Blaze a warm smile because he had been looking at me nervously all this time. He shows more understanding and he’s trying to be calm, he is like Evan and this is a big relief because Ryker is the exact opposite and if they were reacting the same way, we would be lost for sure!

Next, I give a quick look at Evan and Kira that are probably in the same state of mind with me and they aren’t mad and in the end comes…

The devil son of mine, Ryker!

He has turned red and his hands are shaking in fists! His chest is going up and down and I am counting until he starts screaming to all of us, even to me!

Yes, he is mad because Gabriel is still here and he came to help and he was with Claire! The battle is over and he can make a scene without being worried for anything else! And believe me, I do understand him but I don’t agree!

He needs to accept the truth because deep inside his heart he is still trying to deal with it and then he has to forget and ignore Gabriel! He can’t have his heart filled with hatred because Gabriel was an asshole and he keeps on behaving selfishly!

I stiffen after a while when Gabriel walks to us slowly from behind the tree he was and turn my head to the one Claire is. I have listened to her bones cracking but it takes her longer to get dressed because men put on only trousers and we have to put on a top as well.

This silence is torturing and I don’t like it! It’s like we are waiting for a storm from second to second and the last thing I need is more fights and shouts, threats and frustration!

Evan clears his throat nervously with Kira walking next to me as Gabriel gets closer but Claire walks out of the tree with a blank expression I know very well what it means and Blaze rushes to her smiling.

I smile emotional when he pulls her in his arms and she surrenders completely to him and Kira takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. I observe Gabriel staring at them touched (I think) and my heart tightens.

I don’t know anymore, I mean… Maybe he really wants the kids but he is so immature that I can’t be sure anymore! I can’t trust him and they don’t want him in their life!

“Are you alright baby?” Blaze asks gently with adoration in his eyes and Claire nods with a weak, warm smile.

“And now we need some answers Claire! I do!” Ryker states through his teeth and approaches them shaking.

God, no!

“Brother, change your tone and calm down or we are not talking!” Claire states confidently making all of us blink our eyes and my wolf smirks.

Um…

Did she just put him in his place?

And before you tell me that this is something normal, let me tell you that it’s not!

Claire is never talking like this to any member of the family and especially to Ryker, me, Evan and Blaze! She is always the calm one, she never wants to frustrate us and she is stepping back on purpose to avoid disagreements but now she just used her power and I wasn’t expecting this to happen!

I know what my daughter is capable of and I knew she had in her but still it’s a surprise because she is always the sweet one, the caring!

“Excuse me? Claire, I am your older brother here and you did something stupid! Why did you do that and what was this bastard doing with you?” Ryker shouts angrier than before pointing Gabriel and I hold my breath when Claire takes one step to him with her eyes too dark.

Both of them stop some inches from each other, it’s like they are opponents and I stiffen worried with Blaze standing on Claire’s side and Gabriel giving me a confused, helpless look.

Yeah, sure Gabriel!

First you caused us troubles and now you are acting like a puppy!

Idiot man!

“First of all, I am your younger sister as you said but I am also this pack’s Luna, your Luna and I need no permission to do whatever the hell I want!” Claire begins strictly and my skin shudders from her imposing tone.

Her tone is stronger than mine, I assure you, we never saw it coming! This is a new Claire and I am a very proud mother!

“And secondly, I saw two of them trying to run away and I followed them! All of you were busy and I needed no help to deal with these cowards, I am strong and I can take care of myself without you!” she continues in a louder tone with Blaze smirking victoriously and Ryker too shocked to react.

“And as for him…” Claire says next and points Gabriel without even looking at him.

“Ask him why on earth he followed me and leave me the hell alone!” she concludes and turns to Blaze while sighing frustrated.

“Let’s go home!” she whispers in a completely different mood as she has already softened and he nods immediately.

He wraps one arm around her and they pass by me in silence heading to the pack. I close my eye to them with meaning and they smile with Kira walking to Ryker that is still standing on his place speechless.

This was their first ‘fight’ and I know he is hurt but I think he pressured Claire with his behavior and her nerves are a mess since she found out who Gabriel is!

We have to respect her no matter how difficult it seems to be! She has been doing the same thing all these years, we were her priority and she was patient, we have to do the same with her now!

“Come big, worried brother! Let’s go back…” Kira murmurs encouragingly and pulls him behind her after I give her an approving nod.

This girl is my savior and right hand when I need her! She has her ways with them because they’re best friends and she knows all of their secrets (not that I don’t but with her they can express themselves better).

They follow Claire and Blaze and leave Evan, Gabriel and me alone. All the others are too far away and the atmosphere gets even heavier although Ryker is not here anymore!

You see, Gabriel is enough to make me lose my temper and I honestly don’t want to be patient and calm anymore! Everything is his damn fault and my kids are in pain because he is not leaving!

I clear my throat in annoyance and take one step to him with Evan in the middle of us and Gabriel raises his hands like he is trying to defend himself. I narrow my eyes confused as I have done nothing to him to behave like this and Evan signs for me to wait and listen to what he has to say.

Well…

Fine!

“I couldn’t leave her alone, I would never leave her!” he whispers trembling with some tears falling from his eyes and I close my eyes trying not to cry as well.

I think I am dreaming but I don’t know if this is a nightmare or a good dream!

He is apologizing to me because he followed her and he was worried… He wanted to help her, maybe protect her and I suddenly feel like I am a b***h although I know this is not my fault!

I have to admit he is doing a great job trying to make me feel guilty, it works! I said nothing and I feel like I have been accusing him for centuries without reason!

What an actor!?

“Why are you still here? We made it pretty clear, we don’t want you, we don’t need you, we…” I start to say and Evan’s sympathetic smile drops with Gabriel gasping and taking one more step to me.

Why is he so hurt anyway? I don’t get it, seriously!

“I need us to talk, I want my family back, I want to ask for one last chance, I need the three of you and…”

“And what Gabriel?” I cut him off firmly unable of staying calm for more.

“The pack needs its Alpha, you know it!” he states with more tears falling from his eyes and my wolf stiffens groaning in confusion.

She is suddenly standing in the middle, I think his last sentence changed her mind immediately and I don’t know how to feel about it!

And this damn, heartbreaking expression of his is not helping me! I feel sorry and furious at the same time, I can’t breathe, I am shaking, I think I am burning and he…

He just looks devastated and desperate!

I had never dared to imagine I would see him again and most importantly in this condition!

He has nothing to do with the strong Gabriel I knew, the powerful Alpha…

“What do you mean?” I ask not wanting to believe what he means and pray for an answer different than the one I think but he has other plans.

He surely has something in his sleeve and he didn’t say something so serious just to say it and make me soften!

“What?” I ask again demandingly and he takes one short breath with his watery eyes never leaving mine.

“Ryker is the next Alpha of Blue River Pack!”

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Hello everyone!

This is the 7th chapter and it was about time to have Ryker's point of view as well!

So what do you think of chapter? How do you feel about that Ryker said and believes? What do you think about his reaction for Gabriel? What about Claire and Gabriel? How do you feel about Claire's change? How do you feel about what Gabriel said in the end (he wants Ryker as his pack's next Alpha, logical I think)? What is going to happen next?

I am very curious to know your opinions and thoughts and I need to thank you for everything. I hope you liked this chapter and you have begun loving the story. Everything is explained now and from this moment things get in a new level!

Plese if you want to help me from now that is still the beginning and you are looking forward for more commend and let me know your opinion and thoughts.

I will see you again in the next chapter (unless you are reading my other books). Until then stay safe, smile and have fun!

Love you all very much,

                                     Marie!