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When my mom finished she nearly hit the floor, but my dad caught her. I conjured her a bunch of pizza and she smiled at me weakly. I cupped her face and kissed her cheek. She whispered, “You did so good.” Uncle Aiden snorted, “If not for him, you’d be unconscious.”

Our pack doctor, Ethan, snorted, “Yes, well thank god she’s not.” My dad growled, “Hey!” Ethan was unfazed. He shot back, “You are a holy terror when she’s unconscious even though you know me and my staff can’t do much more than give her fluids.”

My dad retorted, “You’ve helped her several times.” Ethan shot him a look before replying, “Not when she passes out from a healing, which is what I was referring to.” Ethan walked over to my mom and grinned.

He teased, “How’s my worst patient?” She grumbled, “I cannot be the worst.” He laughed, “The Alpha’s do give you run for your money, but I get to treat you more than them.

I would like to run an IV on you.” She waved, “I can feel that will make Eric feel better so go ahead.” She turned to me, “Go do what you need to do.” My dad looked torn.

My mom touched his shoulder and inclined her head back to the corner.

I turned and saw my Uncle Bjourn. I smiled at him.

He nodded, “Your mom pulled me letting me know you needed me.” He assured my dad, “I’ve got him, I promise.

” I felt my dad’s absolute faith in my uncle and actually wished Uncle Bjourn could feel it.

I knew it would mean a lot to him. Both nodded at each other.

My dad said, “I’ll come see you later, son.

I’m very proud of you.” My Uncle hustled me out of the room, but I still heard the pup scream in terror when he came to.

I saw his parents with Peter and Chelsea.

I said, “His parents should go back, he’s freaking out.

Which is more than fair, but he’s perfectly fine. ”

The parents ran and hugged me before going back to their pup.

Peter and Chelsea hugged me next. He said, “It’s always amazing what you and your mom can do.

” I shrugged, “She did most of the work.” He said, “But you helped, and you weren’t even asked to.

You are amazing pup, and you get more impressive every year. ”

He squeezed my shoulder saying, “Go on and do what you need to do. It’s not just your Hackura blood here. I’m sure your dad will be there for you and Oden.” He would. Oden snarled, “I want to RIP those rogues to pieces.” I did too.

When we reached the gym, everyone gave us a wide berth and Liam nodded to me. He was my cousin’s mate, which to me made him a cousin as well. Uncle Bjourn and I got in the ring. Eventually Liam threw us bamboo sticks and Uncle Ubbe showed up to fight too.

After several hours I felt my eyes stop blazing. I whispered, “He’s only four.” Uncle Bjourn said, “And he’s ok because of you and your mom.” It still gutted me that it happened and that it was in Red Run.

Uncle Bjourn ordered, “Pop us to the mountain.” I did. He asked, “What’s the rest of this feeling you have?” I whispered, “I feel bad.” He sighed, “I know that, but I don’t get why.” I winced, “Because I’m glad it wasn’t Melanie. What kind of person does that make me?”

He answered, “A normal one. You saved that boy and you’re glad Melanie didn’t get hurt. I’d bet several people feel the way you do.” He nudged me, “You’re meeting her soon.” I snorted, “Provided she comes.”

He said, “Well, no one in that pack is crossing the border for at least a month or six after that.” It was true. Pups never crossed the border after a rogue attack, especially a brutal one like that. He nudged me, “I’m proud of you, but I know you’re still restless.”

My mom popped in with my dad. Her coloring was back, and she looked much better.

She kissed the top of my head urging, “Go with your dad. Your Uncle Aiden and I are going to center ourselves with the earth.” Uncle Aiden popped in and winked at me.

I hugged my Uncle Bjourn. I whispered, “Thank you.” He said, “I will always be here for you, nephew. I love you.” I replied, “I love you too.”

He backed up and my dad shifted into Thor.

I let Oden come out and he dug his claws into the dirt and growled.

Thor inclined his head, and we took off running.

He linked me, “We have some reports of rogues near some borders. We are going to find and kill them so what happened today does not happen again.” I was all about that plan.

We ended up near Alpha Theo’s territory. It had been his brother’s until he went crazy, and Lucas had to kill him. I scented them before my dad and took off. He was right behind me, and we had killed four when more surrounded us.

One took a swipe at my dad that he avoided. I snarled and pushed at them. They went down whining in pain. Alpha Theo joined us with his Warriors. I exploded two of their heads seeing the horrible things they’d done.

The other two were just broken and crazy, but they hadn’t hurt anyone though. I shifted back and conjured a sword beheading both. Alpha Theo said, “Well, that makes my life easier. How is the pup you saved doing?” I didn’t answer because all I knew was he was alive.

My dad told them, “He’s good and my wife set him up with a pup psychologist that’s the best in trauma. He’s obviously traumatized, but thanks to Haley and Alexander he is alive.” Alpha Theo clapped me on the back, “Good job, pup. What’s the difference in the kills here.”

I pointed, “Those three raped several humans in no man’s land. One might have even killed the woman. Those two were just crazy, but they hadn’t hurt anyone yet. It was getting close though.” Oden snarled in anger.

My dad asked, “Did you get a sense of when? We’ll need to watch out for pups.

” We usually had couples offer to adopt if the humans got pregnant and elected to keep the pregnancy.

We never judged them if they terminated, chose adoption, or raised the pup.

We understood their feelings no matter how it turned out.

I said, “It was within the last few weeks.” He nodded, “I’ll have Jim look into hospital records.

” I knew he’d handle that. I just hoped they’d all made it.

Rogues tended to attack humans instead of Supernatural’s because they were easier targets.

Plus, they wanted to avoid packs. Alpha’s would put them down. It made me feel bad for the humans.

I said, “We need better protection for the humans in no man’s land.

It’s not their fault rogues are running around, and they live in unclaimed territory.

” My dad winced, “That’s complicated but I will work on a solution.

I’ll set up some businesses and Lucas has some shelters.

We will rotate wolves interested. I’ll put up a hotel and we can staff it. That way we’d catch a scent.”

Rogues weren’t smart enough to get around that system. Other Supernatural’s could easily. We couldn’t monitor no man’s land for that. I felt the Alpha blood in me settle because I knew my dad would work to better protect them from Rogues. That’s what we could do.

I just felt horrible for these people that had no idea what they were up against. Those poor men and women who suffered because rogues were avoiding packs. My dad put a hand on me and discussed everything with Theo before we shifted and ran back.

Oden felt much better and so did I. I shifted back and my dad did the same and snapped us clothes.

He nudged me, “Snap us some whiskey.” I did and he clinked my glass before he drank it.

He said, “God, I would give anything for you not to have to deal with things like that today. Hell, I’d give the world, so your mom didn’t.

You are just a pup who shouldn’t have to deal with seeing things like that. ”

I replied, “But I will always come to mom. Plus, I didn’t see him ripped apart like the pups with him had to of.” I didn’t even see the limbs. He nodded, “Yes, but you can feel the damage done to him. Your mom says she can sense how terrified someone is when they are hurt.” I nodded, “That’s true.”

He sighed, “I hate that for you guys, and I wish with everything I have in me that I could change it. At the same time, I’ve seen pups hurt the way that one was.

I’ve seen a dead pup and consoled other Alpha’s when it happens to them.

We do our best, but we can’t always be perfect.

Ever since I met your mom, that has changed.

She does amazing things, and you do too.

I felt your conflict in feelings earlier. ”

He paused probably wondering if I’d explain it, but I remained quiet.

He continued, “I feel that same type of conflict because I wish this burden wasn’t put on you or your mom, but I remember those days before you guys were here.

When we lost innocent lives to rogues, and I am happy that pup will get to go on and live his life. ”

I nodded, “I get that.” He chuckled, “I know you do. It felt like you came earlier than when your mom’s light tugs you.

” I admitted, “I came when T got the call about what happened. I knew she’d need me, and I preferred not to wait before she was fatigued, and her light called.

” He hugged me and we walked back into the house.

I tried to fall asleep but tossed and turned until I felt someone beside me. I whispered, “Mom.” She said, “Sometimes the healing can haunt you with the ghosts of feelings. The horror his body felt echoes in ours and I didn’t want that to happen to you today.”

I snorted, “You were going to try and do it on your own.” She acknowledged, “I was but that’s not the point. Right now, the point is I’m holding my baby boy until he falls asleep.” I snorted, “I’m taller than you and I’m not a baby.”