Sixteen

                                    

                                          
A roar of gut-wrenching pain startled Grace. Her heart broke at the sound and her eyes furrowed. Turning towards the house, she made her way back inside. All was quiet, until it happened again. She watched as pack members peaked their heads from rooms to look towards the stairs leading to the next floor.
                          
Grace's eyes widened in realization of who it was and she bolted up the steps. Bursting into her room she let out a gasp. It was completely destroyed. The Alpha was on his knees in the middle of the room, face in his palms, mumbling to himself.
                          
"What's wrong?"
                          
Grace watched as his head snapped up. His eyes changing back and forth between Lucas and the Alpha before settling on black. She was frozen, worried that Lucas' human self would take back control.
                          
She had no time to think before she was in her mate's arms in a bone crushing hug. She could feel him lifting her, keeping her close to his body. He was moving, moving in the direction of the bed. 
                          
"You're here," he whispered in her ear. "You didn't leave me."
                          
Shaking her head quickly she attempted to pull back before he let out a low growl.
                          
"Don't," he snapped.
                          
"What's the matter?" Grace was worried. Not once since the Alpha had control did he speak to her like that. 
                          
Lucas.
                          
Grace began struggling, Lucas had control and she needed to get away. He tried to force himself on her already, she knew he would do it again. Kicking her legs, the male holding her grunted.
                          
"Grace, please don't." His voice was still strained.
                          
Gasping, she fought back the tears that wanted to form in her eyes. "Please Lucas, please don't. "
                          
Grace sobbed, she knew what him having control meant. She knew she would have to fulfill her part of the agreement. It didn't matter what his wolf said or did, Lucas would soon cash in on it. Grace continued to struggle, she would not give in so easily to him.
                          
"Stop!" 
                          
Freezing, Grace whimpered. She would wait until he least expected it and she would start her struggles anew. She felt her body lowering before her feet touched the ground.
Looking up she was startled at what she saw.
                          
"My love, it's me. It's okay."
                          
Black eyes stared down at her. A small smile on his face. She watched as he lowered himself to sitting on the bed, not once looking away from her.
                          
"I thought you left me." Shaking his head he took a deep breath, he let it out slowly. "It was a moment of weakness that he took advantage of."
                          
Grace nodded, swallowing hard when he grabbed her hands.
                          
"My love, I told you I wouldn't let him out unless you asked. He may break promises, and be a complete asshat but I will always keep my word to you."
                          
Grace nodded before throwing her arms around his neck. Smiling when he buried his head in her neck. She wished both the man and the beast acted and felt the same, but if she was to be mated to Lucas, she preferred the beast.
                          
Grace shivered when his lips met the juncture of her neck where Lucas had marked her. A pain in her heart when she realized she would never be marked in an act of love, not like she heard the other she-wolves talk about.
                          
"I'm sorry he did this to you," the Alpha Wolf grumbled. "I will spend all of my days making it up to you."
                          
Grace opened her mouth to respond when the sound of car doors slamming and yelling interrupted her. Her face lit up and she watched as her mate motioned for her to go.
                          
Running downstairs, she exited the house before launching herself at the man before her.
                          
"Tommy!"
                          
Her brother easily caught her, squeezing her to the point breathing was difficult. After a moment he pulled her away, inspecting her.
                          
"That bastard didn't touch you did he?" Thomas growled before walking around her, taking her in head to toe.
                          
"Go pack your bag baby sister, I'm bringing you home and I don't give a damn what Lucas has to say about it!"
                          
Grace took a step back. She knew her brother was pissed and she could understand why. She looked up at him and shook her head ready to respond when something over her shoulder caught his eye.
                          
"Donovan," Thomas snarled before pushing Grace behind him.
                          
Grace saw the muscles bunch in her mate's body and she made to go to him, but her brother stopped her. She gulped.
                          
"I suggest you take your hands off my mate, Thomas."
                          
If Grace had any doubt before there was none now. She knew the Alpha was in compete control. If there was one thing never to do to an Alpha, that would be getting between him and his mate.
                          
"Unhand her."
                          
The anger behind those two words scared her. She heard of Alpha's fighting to the death when it came to their mates. If it came to it, either her brother or mate would die.
                          
Grace could only stare in shocked silence as the two stared down each other. Both Alpha's refusing to look away first. A crack to the back of the head had Thomas growling.
                          
"Enough Thomas. You won't make this any easier on Grace, and if you growl at me again I'll box your ears," Angie scolded.
                          
Grace could feel her jaw drop. Not once since the two of them have been mated had she ever seen either lay a hand on the other. She felt herself being wrapped in a tight hug and embraced Angie.
                          
"Are you okay?" The question was whispered and Grace could only nod.
                          
"Go to your mate before they tear each other apart."
                          
Grace didn't hesitate before she went over to her Alpha, and she was once again in his arms. The tense muscles in his body were soon easing as he relaxed.
                          
"Grace," Thomas called to her. "You don't have to stay. Pack your bags and come home. Damn the rules, we'll find you a mate that cares."
                          
Grace shook her head, "the Alpha is in control Tommy. I'm willing to give us a chance."
                          
Grace flinched when he snarled.
                          
"How long do you think that will be? Lucas could take over any moment, then what? Are you willing to let him have his way with you? Don't be stupid Grace!"
                          
"You will watch your tongue when speaking to my love. Or I will rip it from your head."
                          
Grace's eyes widened. Her mate's voice was low and dark and his body moved to shield her.
                          
"My stupid human didnt realize what he had in front of him but I do. I will not force Grace into anything. When I take her, it will be when she is ready."
                          
Grace couldn't believe this encounter and it saddened her. She vaguely remembered Lucas and Thomas when she was younger. It was after her parents died that the visits stopped. She knew of the stories of the two of them, it was always a lesson of what not to do. Her brother had missed his best friend and she didn't want this rift between them.
                          
"I stay Donovan, until I am satisfied that my sister will not be harmed."
                          
Lucas nodded, "I'll show you to your room."