Sorry that this one is a bit short. The next chapter should be a bit longer.
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"What the fuck was that?" I turned around to see the blond man from earlier, only I was sure that this wasn't the same man. They had the same looks the blond hair and tan skin, but this one's eyes were darker, sullen. His voice wasn't the appealing one that I'd heard earlier, this man's was deeper.
I had forgotten that they were there. Heat rushed to my cheeks and my finger pressed into my lip. What did I do? I chose to stay with a group of men that I had never met before today over staying with Owen. I had been confident in that decision when I told Owen that, but now looking at these men that I know nothing about was quite intimidating.
My eyes roved over the men, pausing on another one that I didn't know. He was the shortest one of the group, but still much taller than me. His hair is a soft brown, longer on the top but brushed to the side. He had one blue eye and one green eye. They were mesmerizing. His build reminded me of Nathan, broad shoulders and muscular. His cheekbones are sculpted, and he has an angular chin. I couldn't help but notice how all these guys, both Blackbourne and Toma, were good-looking. They could all be models.
My eyes drifted toward the man standing behind Raven then quickly flicked toward the other blond. They were twins! I wanted to smack myself for thinking that there was an imposter. The blond next to Raven was brighter, mainly his eyes and the way he smiled. The other blond reminded me of North with the way he dressed, wearing dark clothes.
I approached the brighter twin and offered him a small smile. "Thank you for helping me. Although, I could have done without the scary bear." I eyed Raven who stuck his bottom lip out in a pout.
The blond smiled at me, but a grunt from my left drew my attention back to the twin. He tipped his chin at me, "how'd you know that Corey was the one that helped you? He's wearing different clothes now."
My eyes went back to Corey, he was indeed wearing a different shirt. This one was a plain bright yellow t-shirt. Definitely the brighter twin. I shrugged my shoulders. "You guys may look alike but your differences are quite obvious. Your voice and eyes being the main differences."
He opened his mouth to reply, but Axel cut him off. "I should introduce my pack members then we should get you to bed." He moved to my side. "The twins are Brandon and Corey Henshaw. Next to Brandon is Marc Weiland, and you already met Raven Ravenstahl."
"Da, Malen'kiy volk (little wolf), and I got well-known." Raven grinned, sending me a wink.
"Acquainted." Corey corrected gently. Raven shrugged his shoulders and said, "same."
A small giggle escaped my lips and Raven puffed his chest out like a peacock. Glancing over at Axel I found him rolling his eyes. This group of men didn't seem as uptight as the boys. Axel has that same authoritative air that Owen does. And I cannot quite tell who reminds me more of North; Raven or Brandon.
"Sang, we'll talk more in the morning if you're feeling up to it. For now, I think you need to get some sleep." Axel said.
I wasn't going to argue with him. I did want to sleep. I'm not sure how I'd feel about the talking part in the morning though. I definitely wasn't looking forward to the inquisition I could see forming in Owen's eyes.
"She can take my room. I'll stay with Raven." Corey offered with a gentle smile.
I shook my head. I wasn't very comfortable staying in one of their rooms. I did not know them that well. "I can sleep on the couch."
Marc's brow furrowed, "it's not very comfortable. Are you sure you wouldn't like to sleep in a bed?"
"I'm sure that it's more comfortable than my bed at home," I said with a tight smile. "I'll be fine."
Corey left the room and came back with a pillow and a thick blanket. They all went in different directions with murmured good nights, except for Axel. He waited until I was settled before he retreated to his bedroom.
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A Report
They were all gathered in the living room of Owen's home. North and Luke were the last to arrive. Owen paced back and forth trying to collect his thoughts. Sean was seated, with his head tipped back against the cushion and his eyes closed. Gabriel, Victor, and Nathan were quietly talking amongst themselves. Kota's eyes were focused on Owen and Luke was focused on Kota. North stood quietly with Silas, his silent rage was almost palpable. The fact that North was quietly raging had Silas concerned. That was very unlike his friend.
"Tomorrow we will go back and see Sang," Owen said. "I want to make sure that she's okay."
Sean rolled his eyes, "she's fine, Owen. She should be completely healed by tomorrow."
Before Owen could respond, Kota interjected. "We need to question her."
As North moved to stand behind Luke, resting his hand on his brother's shoulder, Silas moved with him. His concern grew as he looked a Luke. Luke's hands were clenched, and he was leaning forward as if poised to attack. Silas's eyes flicked between Luke and Kota. While they've been angry with each other before, this was a different kind of angry. He was worried for his brothers. Nothing good would come from Luke and Kota fighting, especially if Kota felt the need to show why he is the pack Beta. And if Kota tried to pull that, North would undoubtedly get involved.
Owen narrowed his eyes on Kota. He wasn't oblivious to the tension in the air, but his main focus was figuring out how they could help Sang. And how he'd convince Sang to stay with him.
"We'll worry about her health first, Mr. Lee." He said slowly.
Kota shook his head, "No. We need to find out where she was taken and why they let her leave. There's no way they would have let her walk out of there unless-"
North's hand left his brother's shoulder and Luke pounced. He was on Kota before the Beta could finish his thought. Luke tackled him to the ground. He leaned his face close to Kota's snarling.
"Say it, I dare you."
Kota shoved Luke off him, and Luke let him. Sean was standing next to Owen, his eyes on Luke. Owen's eyes flicked between the boys as he decided to let it play out. Nathan seemed ready to jump in on Kota's behalf, while Victor and Gabriel looked like they were prepared to hold him back.
"What's your problem, Luke?" Kota growled.
"What's my problem?" Luke's voice was quiet. "Do you really want to ask me that question with him standing right there?"
Luke didn't have to know all the details to know exactly how their Alpha was going to react. Kota's eyes flicked to Owen before narrowing on Luke. His warning was clear, but Luke would not heed it. He felt everyone should be aware of how he made the girl, that the Alpha believes is his mate, feel.
"Right now, my problem is you," Luke growled.
Kota didn't back down. "You need to get out of my face."
A snort left Luke, "should we talk about how Sang thought that we weren't allowed to talk because of you. Or maybe we should talk about why she's scared of you. What did you do that made her want to run in the other direction when she saw us?"
This was news to Owen, he needed to get to the bottom of it before all the boys started fighting and before his irrational wolf went after Kota. "Mr. Lee, what is he talking about?"
Fists clenched at his sides; Kota didn't respond. He was staring Luke down. While Kota felt ashamed for what he did to Sang, he knew that it had to be done. She was dangerous and he couldn't allow another one of her people to harm his family.
"I have no idea."
Luke punched Kota in the jaw. "You don't know. 'Kota wouldn't like us talking.' Her words, not mine. She said that while we were in school, just before you tried to get me to sit in a seat away from her. So, what did you do Kota?"
Victor's eyes widened. "Is this because of who her dad is?"
Kota growled at him. Everyone looked to Victor, waiting for him to explain. Owen's wolf was almost ready to take the whole lot of them out. They should have no secrets being kept from their Alpha especially when those secrets involved Sang.
Victor turned to Owen keeping his eyes low. "I did a background check on Sang, and while I couldn't find her anywhere in the system, I did find her father. Marshall Sorenson. We've seen him a few times, but we never had his name. He's a Hunter."
A growl tore from Owen's throat. "Why was I not told?"
Both boys were silent. Victor didn't want to say anything and get Kota in trouble. Kota already knew that anything he said would only make things worse.
"Tell me, Victor." Owen had no problem using his position as the Alpha to get them to tell him the truth. He kept his eyes locked on Kota.
A quiet whimper left him before he spoke. "I wanted to. I knew that he was potentially dangerous, but Kota said not to tell you. He said that something had to be done about Sang. I didn't think that he was going to scare or hurt her though."
Victor sent Kota an apologetic look. Kota would reassure his friend later that everything was okay. He should have kept his suspicions to himself instead of implicating Victor. That's why he went to Sang's alone instead of with Nathan. Well, that and if Nathan had seen Kota shove her like that, he would have attacked.
Owen's eyes flashed gold. "And did you, Kota? Did you hurt her?"
Everyone in the room stiffened. They all sensed the predator in the room. Owen's wolf didn't make an appearance to the pack very often, but when he did, they all knew not to move. Sean moved closer to Owen, ready to grab him.
"I was trying to protect our pack!" Kota exploded. "You would have removed her from her home and brought her here. Leading the Hunters straight to our door. You see her as a mate, and not the threat that she really is."
Sean shook his head, "no, Kota. You have it wrong. Owen's priority has always been protecting the pack. But Sang? That girl is completely innocent. She had no idea that our world existed."
"Tomorrow we'll talk to Sang and see if she'll tell us. After she does, you will apologize, or I will banish you from the pack. Never use your fear or your position in this pack to threaten an innocent again. And if you ever try to undermine me again, I'll demonstrate to you exactly why I am Alpha." Owen was right in Kota's face as he spoke, his words almost garbled by the fangs in his mouth. "I have to go call Mr. Toma."
Owen strode through the room. Sean followed after him. All the boys turned to look at Kota. His cheeks were a bit pink from the shame that he felt. They were all so focused on Kota that they weren't paying attention, but that changed in seconds. North had grabbed Kota by the throat lifted him and slammed him into the floor making the Beta groan in pain.
"You hurt her?" North asked. "What did you do Kota?"
"I shoved her, but that's all. I told her to stay away from us. She could have gotten us all killed."
"You're wrong, Kota. Don't give me a reason to show you that I am perfectly capable of being the Beta." North growled before storming out of the house. He had a call to make and a girl to protect.