Dean
1147 Words
"Dean's POV"
"Ouch, Jesus Christ, that hurts."
Max writhed on the ground, clutching his ribs.
With a low grunt, he pushed himself up and shifted into a guarded stance, rolling his weight from one foot to the other. His eyes stayed locked on Dean.
I couldn’t stand still I had to move, had to do something. My boots scraped against the gravel as I paced back and forth, nerves coiled tight inside my chest.
Max’s shoulders relaxed as he slowly stepped closer.
“Come on, man… What’s going on?”
I shot him a glare, sharp enough to make him flinch.
“Did you write Savanah? Has she ever replied to you?”
He hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”
“I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I know you two were close… a few years ago. But maybe she’s really done with you. How long are you going to keep torturing yourself like this?”
He didn’t even see it coming.
My fury exploded I slammed into him, knocking him to the ground, fists flying. Punch after punch. All the frustration, guilt, rage everything I couldn’t say I poured into every hit.
But Max recovered fast. He locked his legs around my waist and blocked my blows, flipping me over. In a heartbeat, I was on my back, pinned beneath the weight of my best friend.
“I’m not letting you go until you calm the hell down.”
“I didn’t mean to piss you off,” he said, breathless. “You’re my best friend, and you're our Alpha. But this? This isn't you, Dean. Ever since she left, you’ve been angry. And today, you're completely out of control.”
“Get off me.”
“Not until you're calm.”
He was right. Damn it, he was right.
I inhaled sharply, then let the breath out slow, forcing my muscles to loosen.
“I... I miss her,” I muttered. “Did you know her birthday’s coming up?”
He didn’t say anything, just watched me.
“I was already furious at that party… the way Derek treated her, like she was nothing. And then—she was gone. Vanished. I don’t know how she’s doing. Was it me? Did I scare her that much?” I swallowed hard. “She’s turning eighteen soon. Madox… he’s restless. Angry. He keeps pushing me to go find her. He hates the thought of her being out there alone. Surrounded by guys.”
Max finally eased off me and sat back.
“What’ll you do if she finds her mate?”
I stared at the ceiling, then sat up, elbows on my knees.
“I’ve thought about that a lot. I’ve always felt drawn to her. Even when I was six and my father told me they’d found some kid in the forest—I didn’t think much of it back then. I just felt sorry for her.”
“But when I saw her in the dining hall… those wild black braids, the way she clutched her tray and stared at the floor while others laughed, pulled her hair…” My jaw clenched. “I didn’t even think. I just stepped in front of her and grabbed her tray. The whole place went dead silent. Maybe they thought I’d join in. But instead, I sat her down, slid the tray back in front of her, and sat beside her.”
“Those big green eyes… she just stared at me like I was something out of a dream.”
"'Eat.' That’s all I said.”
“And from that day on, it became routine. At first, we didn’t even talk. Just sat together. Then it turned into walking her to school. Picking her up. Dropping her off. The others stopped bullying her—at least when I was around. She never spoke about it. But I saw her change. Open up. She started smiling. Laughing. Especially around her parents.”
“She was… glowing. And then came that party. If only she’d told me why. Anything.”
I looked at Max, my voice quieter now.
“I think we belong together. I feel it in my bones. Madox is always calm when she’s near. When I write those letters, he’s at peace. That’s the only time he’s not on edge. And me? I’m losing my damn mind.”
“I don’t even know if she’s still alive. And if she is would my father even tell me? Only if it suited him. Nothing makes sense except this, she belongs with me. It’s the only thing that does.”
Max studied me in silence.
“So,” I said with a bitter laugh, “you think I’ve lost it?”
“I think you’re neck-deep in s**t, brother,” he said with a crooked grin. “But I want you happy. A happy Alpha means a happy Beta which means me.”
He winked, but then his smile faded.
“I’ve got your back. But you’ve gotta stop lashing out like this. And your father… he’s watching you. Right now, the best move is to play the cards you have. For the good of the pack.”
“People are nervous. They’re whispering. Wondering why you haven’t found your mate yet. You’re turning twenty, Dean. Your father’s getting more unpredictable by the day. And you can’t take control without a Luna.”
“Some think you should just pick someone. Honestly, a few are hoping it’ll be their daughter so they can climb the ranks.”
I let out a long breath. “If Madox is right… it’s going to be one hell of a fight.”
Max clapped me on the back. “Come on. Let’s get some food. Or better yet shower first. Meet me at the main gate in thirty. You need a beer and a good ass-kicking in pool.”
He jogged off, laughing, before I could argue.
Maybe he’s right.
Acting like my father… that won’t help her. Won’t help anyone.
I have to pull myself together.
I need to see her.
I have to.
Before I had the chance to ditch Max and clear my head,
I heard it, the sharp, echoing howls of our warriors splitting through the air like blades.
We were under attack.
A deep, feral growl rumbled in my chest as a wave of rage surged through me.
My body moved on instinct, feet already carrying me toward the edge of our territory.
A slow, cruel smile curled on my lips.
Madox was stirring no, not stirring. He was rising.Ready.
Only a madman would challenge us on our own land.
And whoever it was... they just made the biggest mistake of their life.
This was going to be a good warm-up.
And maybe just maybe the perfect excuse to vanish for a few days.
- Writer
