Growls rumbled the grounds of the Carnation pack. But only a smirk stayed upon the trespasser's face. Golden hair that spun and shined like Fools Gold bounced in the merry skip from the girl’s head. Innocent looking sea-green eyes were fogged like sea foam. She cowered down from the growls and controlled teased snapping from the clan around her once the Alpha was in sight.

Dramatically, she threw her hands up in the air and cried out,” Alpha! Please control your pack, would you! They are treating me like I’m a menace!”

Her arms laid around the Alpha Erien’s shoulder, teasing at the back of his neck twirling the hair in curls around her fingers. A muffled groan of annoyance uttered from his throat as he pushed her off. But his brother grabbed her arm and tossed her aside,” Do not touch him.” Erien placed a hand on Duncan’s shoulder and helped the girl up. She smirked at his brother before dusting herself off.

“Why are you here Victoria? Aren’t you off with the other?” Erien strained the word other between his teeth in a growl. She giggled, shaking her head,” Nope! Not anymore! So that’s why I came to visit! I hope you’ll allow me to stay for a while.” She swayed her hips and inched closer, resting her chin on the Alpha’s shoulder and smiled,” Maybe even allow me to accompany you to bed? Hm?”

Duncan opened his mouth to voice his very strong opinion but was silenced quickly. Erien looked down and stayed just as silent. Many thoughts and feelings were swirling in the deepest and darkest empty spots of him. He sighed crossing his arms. The raised growls around the three of them grew in noise by the minute. Some were ready to attack and rip the girl to pieces. Something ticked inside and Erien smiled,” You can stay with my older brother, dear. I know you two get along. Just make sure you two,” His voice halted as a darker gaze clouded of the one he had already, “ keep the noise down. We do have pups here.” Duncan snickered as they walked off, leaving Victoria in shock at the mild hostility she received. A screech gave out and everyone laughed before chasing her out, some still following after her in the woods.

Erien hooked a table chair with his shoe and flipped in around, having him sit and slump front over the back of it. Duncan was messing with his liquor cabinet now laughing,” You had me there for a moment. You never have me back off. I could tell you were trying not to lose your shit though. Is that why you haven’t gone after TJ and Rus?”

Erien nodded, waving a hand while face deep into his arm,” I have no time to waste for any of them any more. I’ve fucked up as it is with her. Relapse after relapse. I might as well be an addict that needs rehab.”

Duncan placed a glass down with a decent amount of whiskey inside. He scuffed and punched his brother in the skull only receiving a grunt in reply.

“Let’s not go over the bad details anymore. Been good while now. Let’s just keep going right?”

“Right.”

Soon it was like nothing happened. The day continued like any other, ending with laughter over dinner with everyone and sending the children to bed.

Duncan was passed out in seconds on the sofa in the living room other than in his room like the waste he was. Sometimes haven’t a Beta brother was a problem. Made everyone look like fools.

Erien laid in bed, listening to the light rain now in a dark otherwise silent room. He sighed turning over and closed his eyes, lost in another thought about Diamond. The fact a cat no less made it as far as she did without even attracting any enemies through the territories she was going through. Any farther, she’d be in Lynx territory. He hoped she was being careful. Something about meeting with an outcast that is taking her to a new home. Troublesome it seemed. Her Elders could’ve just sent her to a pairing clan of other felines for whatever reason.

“Oh well. Felines make no sense. Always so dramatic and indecisive with their thoughts.”

☽ ☆ ☾

Following morning was calm. But papers about Erien’s older brother welcomed him sadly to the new day. Duncan was shaking his head. Lia was quiet, keeping her eye contact minimal because of it. He patted her shoulder and walked into his study, closing the door and went to work.

“Another day of bullshit and having to set up for the troubles of another.”