I was never human

Denial

We all sat quietly during dinner. Everyone talked amongst themselves as they were served. I looked out towards the table my parents and daughter sat at with another family from my pack. They were the Lyman's. They're technically omegas but are very strong. Tillia is actually a high-ranking wolf, but her mate just so happened to be an omega. Henry was born into an omega family, but his family has never been weak to be classified as omegas. Lyman's aren't just strong physically, but are some of the kindest people you'll ever meet, so I expected Kwen to take to them quickly. Their daughter, Psyren, is a true beauty and is a ball of light. They seemed to be having the time of their life at their table, and I couldn't be happier. I loved seeing kwen smile. It literally broke my heart to see her so torn up about yesterday. I'm so afraid that I'll lose her before I can really be there for her. Kwen had such a loud laugh. It was full and hearty, much like her mother's. Psy was no better, really. I chuckled, looking at them.

"They should really try to keep it down. It's not just them here. And it's not becoming of a girl who's the daughter of the strongest alpha after the Alpha King."

Lisa whispered as she stared, glaring at the table. I rested my hands over top her balled fist that lay on her lap under the table.

"Leave them be. They're enjoying themselves, which is a testament to your party planning skills."

She had a smug look on her face.

"Of course it is. But even still... decorum is everything. You can't baby her forever. She has to learn eventually."

I knew she was right, in a way, but she literally just got here. I sighed.

"I know, and she will. Just give it time. Don't rush it."

She nodded and continued on eating. Kwen and her table finished quickly and went outside. My son and his friends soon followed behind, which gave a silent signal that everyone could go out if they wanted. After awhile, me and the rest of my table got up to join the festivies outside. I walked out and was immediately hit with the laughter of all our pups. The boys took to Kwen quickly, and Kwen opened them up to others. Psyren is a great person to get to know. Lately, I find myself smiling when I think of my daughter and that joy I get when I think of her smile.

"Brandon."

I looked to my left, looking down at a fully pregnant Sasha. She laid a hand on her still growing belly, smiling up at me.

"Kwen is wonderful. It seems to me she's gonna add a lot more joy and laughter around here."

Sasha said as she looked out into the sea of people. She smiled as she and I watched our pups play and have fun with one another. I couldn't help the small smile that made its way on my face. She started snickering. I raised a brow at her.

"She's breathtaking right now. I can only imagine how much more beautiful she'll become in a few years. I can't wait till that day comes."

I growled lowly at the idea. I knew my eyes changed color because Axel protested the thought as well.

'Over my dead body... or theirs'

'You got that right, Axel.'

I heard more chuckling and felt a heavy hand hit my shoulder.

"Relax, B. You still have time. Besides, she's strong enough to put any guy on their ass anyway."

Logan said, coming up on my right. Jake and Bruce joined in the laughter. I smirked and looked at Jake.

"You laugh now, Jake. But from what we've just heard, you'll be having a girl soon as well. She'll grow up and be just as stunning as Sash... so don't laugh too hard."

I laughed when he registered my words, and his face mimicked my own. Sasha laughed at her mate, and the rest of the guys joined in.

'You really believe what Kwen said? You think they'll have a daughter instead of a son?'

Bruce mindlinked me in concern. He has a stoic disposition about himself, but he cares deeply for his friends and family.

'Yea... I do. She's not the type of person to speak without the truth following close behind... even if it's about you.'

I chuckled to myself. Bruce nodded, and a smaller smile appeared on his face. He was happy for his friend. We all chatted and mingled for a while. After some time, I began missing my mate. I had no idea where she was. I stood from the seat I took after going through the crowd speaking with my pack members. My beta and gamma stood along with me and followed behind.

"What is it, alpha?"

Jake asked.

"Have any of you seen my mate?"

I looked back at them two. They both wore confused looks and shook their heads.

"Is everything ok? Did you mindlinked her?"

I stopped. I didn't even think about that. I sighed and shook my head.

"No. It never crossed my mind. Maybe I'm getting too used to having to talk aloud for the sake of Kwen."

I laughed dryly.

Before I could, we all heard a loud voice yell.

"GAMMA JAKE. SOMETHING'S WRONG WITH STEPHEN!!"

We whipped our heads around in the direction of the voice. We knew it was Logan's voice. Out of them all, he's the quieter one. So for him to yell meant it's urgent. Jake hauled ass over towards the table the children were sat at, Luke and I on his heels. We all huddled around the boys. Jake rushed to his son's side. Sasha came up and hugged him, trying to get him to breathe normally and to say what happened. He suddenly shouted out a word.

"KWEN!!"

My body froze at the name. I looked around frantically, searching for her, but she was nowhere in sight. I came up behind Jake to face Stephen. He was panting. Then, like he honed in on something, he ran off towards the woods that the path led to.

"ITS KWEN!!!"

He yelled once more, never breaking his stride. I didn't know what to make of it.

'ALPHA! SOMEONE HAS TAKEN KWEN! I TURNED FOR A SECOND AND SHE WAS GONE!!'

Brody screamed through the mindlink. Before I could register his words, Axel heard enough and roared out, shaking the ground beneath us. He came forward immediately, shifting, and I was off following the scent of her that lingered. My beta, gamma, and commander all shifted following me, as did some other warriors and my son and his friends. I came up on a willow tree that had her scent all over it, but then it disappeared after that. Axel and I growled out in frustration.

'WHERE IS SHE!!'

I yelled out in my head to Axel.

'I will rip the heads of anyone who took my daughter from me!!'

Axel sneered.

That's when I heard my son yell after Stephen.

"Where you going? We're can't catch her scent!"

"I can't smell her, but I know where she is!! Just trust me!!"

He ran off again towards the woods, going deeper and deeper. I don't understand why he was able to know something was wrong with Kwen or how he can track her, but as of right now, I couldn't careless.

'ALPHA. I FOUND HER. SHE'S BEEN TAKEN TO THE TOP OF THE WATERFALL!!'

Brody yelled again through minlink.

I refocused, realizing Stephen was running in that same direction towards the waterfall.

What the f**k is going on?

Axel wasted no time and pounded the ground towards the top of the waterfall. We passed by Stephen as we rushed up the smallish mountain to reach my daughter. Running at full speed, it only took us a good seven minutes to reach it. I don't know how long she's been gone and the thought alone brought a new flood of anguish. How could I not of known. What kind of father am I?

When we reached the top, we all heard Brody scream. I watched him as he lept from the waterfall. I was shocked, but once I realized why he would, it broke my heart. Axel whimpered and at the drop of a dime, he snapped and charged at the man who just dropped our daughter over a 20 foot waterfall. He was out for blood and I'd gladly partake in the taking of it. The men shifted and ran deeper into the words. No matter. I didn't care how long it'd take. I will get them for harming my child. My warriors began to surround them, coming in on all sides as the rest of us were closing in behind them. I was right on top of them, but as soon as I was close enough to grab them, the ground shook. Roots and vines came shooting up out the ground, along with a black shadowy fog that covered them in darkness. We all halted, skidding to a stop, unsure what it was we were witnessing. Just as soon as it came, it disappeared, along with the fuckers that hurt my daughter. As if nothing happened, all was silent.

I shifted, along with Luke, Jake and Bruce.

"What the f**k was that?"

Luke asked.

"The hell if I know. You ever seen anything like that, Bruce? Or read it in one of your pops many books?"

Jake asked. Bruce stood silent just staring at the place the men disappeared from. He spoke lowly, worry etched into his features.

"No. But if they were going after Kwen, then she and the rest of us may be in danger."

He turned to look at me. My heart pounded in my chest as axel growled.

"NO! WE DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S ONE OF THEM OR NOT!"

I shouted out of fear.

"Whoever is after her, already, clearly doesn't care. They only care about her hair and the color it is. And quite frankly, from the little we've seen, I think it's time we stopped living in denial. The best way to protect her is to prepare her, even if it turns out not to be true."

Bruce said standing strong in his conviction. I looked at him and I knew he was right. I couldn't deny the facts, especially after what she said to Jake and Nicole. Axel went between whimpering and growling in my head, the fear becoming all the more real for the both of us.

'Dad?! Where are you? You have to come back. Kwen is in pretty bad shape.'

My heart dropped.

'What happened to her?'

There was a pause. The silence was deafening.

'DANIEL!'

'She- she's... just come back.'

I released a heavy sigh.

I turned to everyone.

"We need to go. Bruce send out groups of three to search for those bastards. They won't be getting away. Their lives belong to me."

Bruce nodded and without another word, I shifted back and ran to my daughter.

Moon Goddess, if she is indeed one of yours... please protect and watch over her for me.