Wyatt POV
When the movie was over, I woke everyone up to go to bed and Zach carried Brooke off to bed. I told him to meet me in my office and we could talk before everyone woke up. Opening the door to my office, I made my way over to the bar. I had two scotches poured before I heard a knock on the door.
“Come in” I said. I grabbed each glass and as I saw Zach enter, I extended one to him. Zach took it and nodded in thanks and I motioned for him to sit down in front of my desk and I sat down behind it. Leaning back, I placed one ankle over my knee, took a sip and waited for him to start this talk.
“What are you doing with Nina? I have seen you watch her and the way you look at her… what is your deal?” Zach asked. He wasn’t quite sure what to say without being disrespectful.
“Let’s cut the crap. Don’t worry about disrespect and just fucking ask me what you want to.”
“Fine, I have seen the way you have watched Nina and I don’t like it. You need to stay the fuck away from her. She is not a play toy for you to fuck around with. I have heard staff and other members of the pack whisper that you didn’t discipline her when she punched Samantha and they think it is because you are sleeping with her already.”
“Interesting, and what claim do you have over her? I am under the impression you are mated with my sister, so why do you care what she does?”
To his credit, he didn’t even flinch. “I love Brooke and will never hurt her in anyway. I have a loyalty to Nina and I will fulfil that to the end. I have never slept or thought about Nina that way, ever. We are childhood friends.”
That piqued my curiosity. “Childhood friends then? Never dated?”
“Don’t fish, just ask” Zach said with an unimpressed look. He saw right through that.
“Okay, then, what is Nina’s background story? What really brought you guys here and why does it seem like she is a magnet for trouble?”
“I will tell you what you need to know, only because I will need your help in protecting her.” Zach stopped and looked at me.
“I promise I will do everything in my power to protect Nina… If she is innocent”
Zach scoffed at that. “She is fucking innocent in everything. That girl has never asked for any of this and deserves the world.” Zach sighed, finished off his drink and leaded back. “There was a group of us that hung out. Rank never really mattered to them, everyone respected everyone and the Alpha put his foot down when needed, but mostly everyone understood their place. Nina is of beta blood. Her dad was a beta but was a warrior at heart. He taught her how to fight since she was 5 years old. She gives me a run for my money most times. Everyone assumed she was going to be mated to Damian, the alpha’s only son. They started dating in middle school or something like that and dated up until the other week. He treated her like a princess, doted on her every need. On his 18th birthday, Damian ended up being mated to Holly, Nina’s best friend. A while later, rogues attacked the pack and Nina’s mom was killed. Her dad was beyond himself and ended up being killed too. Personally, I think he let it happen because of the pain. Either way, Damian and Holly ended up meeting that same evening. He straight up threw her to the side like she was trash. My parents were like a second family to us all. My parents are watching over her parents’ house while we are gone. Nina needed to get out of the pack and out from under Damian’s nose. He actually ended up calling her and threatening her that he will lock her up and use her to fuck if he ever had his hand on her again.”
A deep growl rumbled in my chest after that. Zach just gave me a look and said, ‘take a number’ and continued.
“We stumbled upon ‘The Three Bandits” and killed them. We had no idea who they were. We were just stretching our legs and next thing we knew, there they were. One lunged at Nina and we just took them out. The New Moon pack was close by, I guess, and ended up hearing the fight and came as we finished killing them. We had not heard of them before that. The Luna of the pack said her mom was a witch that made artifacts that had abilities. She made Nina a ring and necklace. We are not sure exactly what they do yet. Nina had always gotten ‘feelings’ like when something would happen. I have heard you do not question those feelings, ever! Not really anything special but like, how do you know someone is lying to you? You just know, right?”
I shook my head, understanding
“I never thought much of it, but after all these attacks, I am just not sure. I am a book worm; I like old antiques. The jewelry that Nina has is very special. I think she sees them as basic jewelry, but I know there is more to them. Also, I have heard whispers of a prophesy in our old pack. I don’t know which one they are talking about, if any, or if they are even connected, but if these rogues are after Nina, she did nothing to deserve this. I promised people I would look after her and protect her and I intend to do that, but I feel like this is bigger than a random rogue attack.”
And there it is, the truth. “And that is all you know?” I asked, just wanting to hear him say it.
“Everything I left out is her personal feelings. That is hers to share.”
I got up and refilled mine and Zach’s drinks and sat back down. I am not sure what to think of this. I wonder if I can trust Zach. He just spilled their secrets, to protect Nina. If what he is saying is true. She could be in grave danger. If there is a prophesy about her, we need to know what it is.
“All this stays here, no one outside this room will know of anything” I said sternly.
“Obviously, Nina will have my nuts when she finds out.”
“When?”
“Fuck, that girl doesn’t let anything rest. If she feels like someone is hiding something or she has a ‘feeling’ about something, she will do everything in her power to figure it out.”
“Well, let’s prolong it as long as we can. We already confirmed the rogues are after Nina,” Zach’s mouth dropped over at that. “We caught ones earlier today and they informed me they were after a girl with green jewelry and dark hair. We figured out the rest. That is why I have been close to Nina, to feel her out and to make sure no harm comes to her” Half correct but he didn’t need to know that.
The look on his face told me he didn’t buy that but he didn’t argue either. “What have you done about this then?”
“I have a personal friend trying to find answers and we upped our border patrol. The party is in a few days and if we don’t solve this by then, Nina will need to stay here for her protection. You will have to convince her to stay until it is safe, then she is free to do as she pleases.”
“Yeah”, Zach sighed.
“About Samantha…”
Zach scoffed and smiled, “Don’t worry about Samantha, Nina can take care of herself just fine. Don’t get on that girl’s bad side”
I was starting to get really annoyed with how much he knew about Nina. I was feeling pretty protective over her. “Samantha isn’t one to back down either.”
“Nina won’t start a fight, but she will end it. If Samantha tries anything, it will be the last thing she does. You didn’t discipline Nina earlier, so you knew it was Samantha that started it.” Zach said, challenging me to disagree. I wasn’t about to though.
“Yeah, I saw her” but disciplining her, on my lap. Naked sounded pretty good to me.
“Nina has been through enough, do not fuck with her head. She is like a little sister to me. I don’t care if you are Brooke’s brother or the future alpha, I WILL kill you.”
On the one hand, I appreciate him sticking up for a girl, shows he will be a good mate to Brooke. She is weak and needs a strong man beside her. On the other hand, fuck him for telling me what I can and can’t do. “Be careful Zach, you can’t take stuff back. I understand you are looking out for her, but I do not rape or mistreat women” I said, starting to get angry.
“Just leave her alone. You will find out on Friday if she is your mate. Chances are not high, but if she isn’t your mate, then you let her be. If she is your mate, I suggest you treat her correctly.”
“If she is my mate, she will be treated like the queen she is.”
“She will not stand behind you Wyatt, she is a born Luna and has always dreamed of standing beside her mate as an equal. Do not try to make her submissive, it will only come back to bite you in the ass. Even if she isn’t your mate, do not underestimate her.”
“The chances are very slim she is my mate. I am not worried.”
“Then we are clear, she is off limits” and with that, Zach stood up and walked out.
Well, what he doesn’t know won't urt him.