*Josh's POV*
My mind seemed to wander to 4 years ago. My heart was pounding, and my breath was ragged as I ran as fast as I could. It just wasn't fast enough. Pain unlike any I'd felt before cracked through my entire being. Something was wrong, I knew instantly. Breaking through the door, I fell to my knees.
My world seemed to stop as I struggled to process what my eyes were seeing. As Tyler held the lifeless body of my sister June, I glanced towards her killer. Alec met my eyes with a dead, lifeless stare. Dry tears etched unimaginable pain and suffering down his cheeks. However, in a matter of seconds, another wave of pain struck me as Alec's neck was snapped. My father's hands were merciless and swift to enact judgement upon my brother. My arms caught Alec before I even realized I had moved.
"You monster!" My voice cracked as I held Alec in my arms.
Without hesitation, my father walked away. Anger built inside me as my younger brother Gabe looked down on me. Betrayal evident on his face, he too turned to leave.
"He killed our sister, Josh. He deserved to die," Gabe said.
My heart continued to race as my eyes shot open. It took me a few moments before I realized I was in my apartment. Putting my hand to my forehead, I slowly sat up from the bed.
'You have to talk to her,' my mind whispered.
*Selena's POV*
Trudging my way across the room, I finally collapsed in my bed. It feels like it's been years since I've relaxed when, in reality, it's only been 2 days. As I exhaled long and hard, I let my mind drift to the events of the day.
After a near 4 hour trip back to the pack, we were greeted by several wolves relieved that we'd made it back in one piece. However, looking around, there were a lot of wolves I didn't recognize.
Turning to Josh, I whispered, "Who are all these people?"
"We had to join with a pack north of us in order to fight off more of Aaron's forces coming from the west. Most of the people here are from Alpha Korvin's pack. Anton, the kid you met earlier is his nephew," Josh rattled off these facts smoothly.
Nodding lightly, I looked around the crowd still unable to see anyone I knew yet.
"Abby!" Anton shouted.
As Anton took off running, I noticed him run straight towards a girl in a wheelchair.
"What are you doing here?" he questioned as he threw his arms around her.
"Do you know her, Josh?" I questioned.
After a moment of hesitation, he answered, "No, I don't."
"Oh..." I answered softly.
After a moment, Anton walked towards us, "Guys, I want you to meet Abby, my Ma-"
"I'm his girlfriend. Nice to meet you all!" She cut him off as she extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you, Abby!" I smiled as I shook her hand.
"I want to thank you for keeping this guy safe. He likes to play hero without concern for his own safety," She chuckled as she tossed her thumb in his direction.
"I do not!" Anton crossed his arms playfully, "And besides, you know you love that quality about me," he winked.
A few moments later, I heard a voice call me from a distance.
"Sorry, please excuse me. It was nice talking to you both!" I apologized.
"Same! It was nice talking to you as well!" Abby smiled tenderly.
After nodding lightly, I turned and walked towards the voice I was hearing.
"Selena?"
"Mom?" I questioned.
I took off running, but there were so many people around that I couldn't see anyone.
"Selena, over here!"
I looked to my right where I saw my mother and father standing off to the side. Tears welled up in my eyes as I ran towards them. Hugging them both in an embrace, I was grateful I was able to see them again. Looking over their shoulders, I watched as Amy and Alpha Jordan held each other in a tender embrace.
A knock on the window suddenly startled me from my thoughts. Rolling my eyes in mock annoyance, I got up and walked towards the window.
"Jake, you really shouldn't make it a habit of always using my window!" I said. I chuckled, but as I got closer I realized it wasn't Jake at the window. It was Josh.
"Oh," I responded, almost deflated. I haven't seen Jake since we got back to the pack.
Shaking my disappointment, I opened the window.
"What are you doing here, Josh?"
"I'm sorry, Selena. But I couldn't wait any longer. I have to talk to you."
Sighing lightly, I stepped back so he could climb in the window.
"Alright, but be careful. I haven't even had the chance to tell my parents about you. It would be awkward if they caught you in my room." I walked towards my bed, but Josh stood by the window.
"You can come sit down, Josh," I said.
"Okay." Slowly and quietly he made his way towards my bed and sat down.
"To tell you about Aaron. I have to tell you about my family."
"Alright, I'm listening." I encouraged him to speak. I could tell he seemed very nervous.
"My pack is not like yours Selena. My father ran more of a dictatorship than a democracy. And he was very concerned about lineage. His first daughter June was born and not long after Alec. He was happy. June was his only girl and Alec was his first born."
"I guess that's how our family felt when my brother was born," I looked him in the eyes, but something told me there was more to it than that.
"Yes. And maybe that's where the problems started. When the time came for Alec and June to shift, June was successful, but Alec was not. At first we thought he was a late shifter. But, eventually it became clear that he would never shift. My father was furious. Utterly disappointed in his son who was to be the next alpha."
"That's... so terrible," I said.
Josh only nodded.
"So, you could imagine how Alec felt when June found her mate. Being the first born meant that she would take on alpha along side Tyler."
"Wait, Tyler your friend?"
"Yep!" he said with a smile, "I always felt like he was a brother to me. I was happy for him. But Alec, not so much."
I could tell that Josh was becoming more hesitant. Without thinking, I placed my hand on top of his. He seemed as shocked as I was, but he soon melted into a bitter smile.
"He killed her. My own brother killed June. After that, my father lost all capacity for kindness. He wasted no time in killing Alec with his own hands. It wasn't right. Killing Alec solved nothing. Even Tyler agreed with me. But Gabe, he spat on me for my weakness."
Tears began to spill from my eyes as I pictured my own brother and sister. How could any father or brother think that way about their own sibling.
"That's so horrible..." I said.
"From then on, we've never seen eye to eye," Josh said.
"Eventually, I realized through Nathan that Aaron was close friends with Alec. I'd always wanted to talk to him, but I wasn't allowed to leave the border. When my father sent me to negotiate terms, I never expected that I would run into him. Then, I realized that he was dating my mate."
"Your mate?" My eyes went wide.
"Yep. He's had it out for me and Brooke ever since."
"I'm... so sorry you had to go through that," I said. I wasn't sure what to say if I were completely honest. This family was messed up and twisted. I can't imagine how he dealt with it all.
"Don't be," he said. He surprised me as he turned to face me, "If none of that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here right now." He looked as if he wanted to kiss me, but he turned away.
"Thank you," he whispered, "I promise, no more distractions."
I chuckled at how serious he became. "Lighten up a bit," I said, "For real, I'm going to have to teach you how to have fun!"
He chuckled in response, "Yeah, that would be nice."
After we talked for a few more minutes, Josh eventually escaped out the window. Things seemed to be looking up. Though a lot has happened, I'm almost grateful for the progress that we've made. Maybe this could actually work? Maybe. My mind drifted to Jake and my heart became heavy. Even though it seems like I understand Josh now, there are still other questions that I don't have the answers to. Shaking my head I made my way to the bathroom.
*Josh POV*
Landing on the ground, I walked back to my car where I knew that Jake was waiting for me. Crossing his arms, he leaned against my car as he waited for me to get closer to him.
"How'd it go?" he asked.
"Fine," I said.
"Good," he responded.
Tension was already in the air, but I knew I had to say this.
"Jake, I appreciate you taking me here and telling me about the window-"
"But?" he questioned.
"... You need to stay away from her," I said.
He looked back in shock. "Excuse me?"
"Things are already hard enough for her as it is-"
"So you want me to abandon her?" He said with a hint of anger.
Pausing, I chose my next words carefully.
"You need to let me handle things from now on." Walking past him, I reached for my car door.
"And, this conversation better not be discussed with her," I threatened.
"Wow, I can't believe this-" he muttered.
"Are we clear?" I cut him off.
After a long, intentional pause, Jake replied, "Crystal."
*Selena POV*
Washing my face seemed to clear my mind a bit. I reached for a towel and wiped my face.
"You know, he left a lot of details out of that story."
I jumped as I lifted my face from the towel. Scanning the room, I looked for the source of the familiar voice.
"I can't believe he left out the most important parts?" The voice chuckled.
"Where are you, Aaron?" I shouted.
"I think you are still asking the wrong questions. The question you should be asking is, 'What is your name?'"
"Brooke," another voice responded.
As I looked at myself in the mirror, my eyes suddenly flickered from green to blue.