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Chapter 6

Pulling into the parking lot, the pack was around Zero's car. The man actually looked like himself for a change. His girls were standing beside him. He noticed that Josh had Cherry hanging on his arm and the smile upon his face. A happiness was felt for him. Finally, he got his mate. A small curiosity Langdon wondered how a human makes it in a wolf pack.

"Langy!" June purred, slipping her arms around his waist.

"June, where's May?"

"Coming!" She waited for a car to pass before plowing into him.

"I had mom send peanut butter swirl brownies for you two."

May jumped up and down. Receiving a kiss on the cheek, Langdon warned they were going to get into trouble with Zero. Max waved him over. Walking with the girls, he nodded towards Max.

"How's everything going?"

"Fine, thanks" Zero snapped in a growl.

Jen and Max looked worried. Nodding his head, without another word Langdon left the group. Max yelled for him to stop, however he was not going to listen. His beast growled, 'Ungrateful brat'. 'Maybe we over stayed our welcome.' Langdon knew it was too good to be true. Friends do not come that easy.

School was usually quiet today. Everyone had noticed. Max thought it was their friend doing it. The only time he had seen Langdon besides this morning was in the hall. He would not even look at him. Kept his distance away from all members of the pack. Zero was an idiot for snapping at him like that. Langdon didn't do anything wrong. He wasn't even for sure why Zero had snapped at Langdon.

In class, Langdon walked in the last minute, sat down and said nothing. He would not look around the room. Once the bell rang, he bolted out the door. Max looked back at Zero who was staring after Langdon. Knowing that Zero did not mean to snap, Zero liked Langdon. Figuring it was probably whatever that was going on with him.

"Hey," Max bumped Zero's shoulder. "You okay?"

"No, I don't know what's wrong with me." Zero dropped his head, "I have this anger inside of me. All I can feel is pain and guilt. I did not mean to snap this morning. Something been bugging me since I woke up."

"I gotta go this way," Max paused. "I know that I'm not Josh or Aaron but if I can help I'm here."

"I know, thanks man." Zero patted Max's shoulder and moved down the hall.

Worried about their future Alpha, Max tried to find Langdon. He needed to help clear the air.

Langdon stayed in his own little corner pushing himself further away from the pack. Not being able to help the sadness, he was feeling today. At least the school was quiet. In class was the only time he seen Max and Zero. Somehow, he was able to avoid them all day. Occasionally he seen May and June, just a glance to make sure they were all right.

'They don't recognize us,' his beast purred.

'No, it's for the best. Leave the past alone.'

'Their beast remembers us. They feel different now.'

'Great, would this pack blame us for not doing enough?' Langdon's head hung while his beast whimpered in response. He tried to help them the best he could. Was it his fault that they were a little nutty? He hoped not.

As class rolled around Zero walked in to find Langdon reading a book. His eyes stayed on the book in front of him. Zero was irritated and hurt at the same time. Maddening to find him gone when he woke up, his beast was angry. Langdon was supposed to be there watching over him.

All through class, Langdon not once looked his way. Not one feeling of calmness; it was as if he was shut off. The sadness had even gone away. Noise was entering the school again. It irritated him even more. The bell rang and Langdon bolted once again. Oh, the Alpha was going to kill him after he kicked his ass. Was it possible to explain that he was just grouchy? Apparently, that was not an option when he cannot get to the man.

By time, he reached the parking lot Langdon was pulling out. The girls looked hurt he did it all right. Tucking an arm around each of the girls, who bored sad faces up at him. 'Okay, I can fix this. After the pack meeting I will go and apologize for my stupidity.' Many wanted Langdon, including him.

Before heading to the pack house he circled the block to check up on 'he who is mad at him' when a scent filled his nose. A heavy odor of untamed wildness lingers in the air. His beast went on high alert. The hair stood up on the back of his neck, his beast began to growl.

"Shit, girls run to the pack house. Make sure all the children are safe."

"Zero?" May's voice was full of worry.

"NOW!" he growled. They jumped out of the car and ran. Sending a text to the guys, 'Langdon's rogues' He called the Alpha.

"Zero-"

"We got rogues homing in on Langdon's." A growl sounded over the line before it when dead.

Aaron and Josh showed up before the fathers did. Quickly they circled the house. One would not be foolish enough to try something in daylight. Focusing on Langdon's house, what sounded like running water came from within then something sizzling. There was a radio on. Josh peeked up in the window; the man was cooking and singing with the music. Nodding his head towards Zero, all was fine. Feeling the Alpha approach, Zero went to meet him.

"They're in that small patch of woods."

"Let's go. Daren, you and Aaron take the left. Gregory, you and Josh take the right. Zero and I will push from the middle. Keep them away from Langdon's."

Stepping far enough into the woods, they shifted to their wolf forms. Separating each followed the scent of three different wolves. Each had scents on them. Apparently, they have been traveling together. A yelp came from Gregory's direction. They were running one of the wolves back towards his little friends.

'Zero smell that?' the Alpha's voice entered his mind.

'What is it?'

'The wild, they've been on their own. It’s not rare for a pack to have two or three members. We have to find the Alpha or the more dominate one.'

Zero sniffed the air, 'Shit Langdon's outside. I can smell him in the wind.'

'Let's get these wolves,' the Alpha growled as he pushed forward.

Running full sped behind the Alpha, a heavy wolf scent lingered in the air. A growl sounded to the side of them, Daren was running the wolf towards them. Upon ahead a grey wolf was pacing back and forth. The wolf was not quite the size of an Alpha but close to it. Zero left his father's side, slowed his pace. The Alpha came to a stop as he stared down the other wolf. His hackles were on end.

A deep growl built up in the Alpha's chest. Upon releasing, the grey wolf went down to his stomach. Growling and yelping. A few snarls came back at them. Two black wolves huddled towards the grey wolf. Alpha Blackwood, snapped shot a deadly growl to silence all of them.

'Why are you in my territory?'

'Our Alpha sent us to look for a lost pup, he ran.'

'There are no new wolves here, this is our territory. My pack only lives here.' Alpha Blackwood sniffed them, 'You are to leave at once!'

One of the black wolves zoned in on Zero. Zero stared him down. No wolf was going to intimidate him especially in front of his father.

'Problem?'

'You smell familiar. Like someone we once knew.'

'I know nothing of you, be gone.' Zero growled.

With the Alpha's orders Zero, Josh, and Aaron ran the territory. Checking up on the few things they were ordered to check up on. While the Alpha and his Beta's escorted the wolves out of the land. Zero went passed Langdon's house. This time he heard a female’s voice. Bailey's voice. What sounded like a fight between a son and a mother ended up being a playful fight. Bailey was laughing as her beautiful son kept snapping comments at her.

"You over grown wolf!"

Langdon laughed, "Not my fault you're a tiny pixie."

"I'm not a pixie, I'm your mother!"

"Okay if you say so."

A crash was heard, then Langdon's laughter. "Did I forget to mention a short tiny pixie at that?"

"Oh hush!" Bailey was laughing just as hard as he was.

Zero moved along feeling guilty for what he had done earlier in the day. He will have to make it right; his beast was upset and mad at him.

When morning rose for school, Langdon stepped out of the house to see Zero leaning up against his car. 'Relax,' his beast purred. Eying the wolf man before locking the door, he moved down to the car. For a moment, they just stared at each other.

"I'm sorry," Zero said. "For some reason my beast was upset that you were gone when we woke up. I’m not using that as an excuse by no means is it, it’s just I’m sorry.”

Langdon blinked. A strange happiness rocked through his body. His beast was excited that Zero was there speaking to him. Inside of his mind, he was freaking out a bit. Not able to understand why the emotions filled the body the way they are.

"So are you just going to stand there or what?"

Blinking again, "Hmm stand here?"

Langdon was able to hear the question inside of the answer. He found it hard to tear his eyes away from the lure of Zero. What felt like a drum pounded against his ribs. Lead weights kept him from moving. Everything around Zero seemed to brighten before his eyes.

Inside Zero's mind, his beast was howling in exhilaration. Pure joy rang throughout his body. 'Mine! Mine!' his beast clawed to get out and claim his mate. Clamping down on him, Zero stared. Langdon was gorgeous. Once again, his beast demanded for him to claim their mate.

'Not yet, he's still afraid of us.' a small whimper came.

His feet stepped forward as if they had a mind of their own. Zero now stood in front of Langdon. Langdon's eyes adjusted to the height of the man before him. The scent before him was intoxicating. For a moment, he thought his legs would give out or he was going to pass out from the pounding in his chest.

Zero's movements were happening in slow motion. Without thinking, he laid his hand upon Langdon's cheek. The electric surge took a course of awakening inside them. Langdon struggled to keep his eyes open for that moment. Unable to resist, Langdon stepped forward into him. A heated moan slipped through. The closer Zero leaned down, more lost Langdon got. Just before their lips met, a gasp came from somewhere, snapping them apart. Glancing around an older woman with a dog was watching.

"Hmm?" Langdon was confused on many different levels. "School?"

"School," Zero turned to the car, a pain entered his chest. 'What the hell?' he thought.

Jiggling the keys in his hand, Langdon did not know what to do. It hurt that Zero turned his back on them. Ticked him off that they were interrupted. Confused on why his beast was excited and hurt with him.

"Want a ride?" Zero laid his arm on top of the car, inhaled a few deep breaths.

"I have to go to work after school."

A hiss sounded from him, "Why are you working?"

"College, to help mom." Langdon whispered.

"Get in, I'll drive you and pick you up." The urge to care for him was greater now than it ever had been.

At first Langdon did not want to listen until his beast pushed at him. He was not going to leave him alone if he did not listen to Zero. Moving to the passenger, he noticed that all his fear was gone. He felt completely safe around Zero. There was no hesitation really, just confusion.

“Are you getting in?”

"I'm not afraid of you anymore, why?"

"Your beast completely trusts me. We're going to be late."

Driving down the street Zero had an extremely hard time keeping his eyes on the road. Having him sitting so close it was dangerous. A yearning to touch him kind of scared him. What did all this mean? Knowing very well what it meant. He had found his mate. Langdon was now his. To protect, to have, to love for as long as they lived.

'Oh man, dad is going to kill me.' This meant the end of the bloodline. Crap. There will be no more Blackwood Alphas; the line would end with him.

"ZERO!" Langdon screamed causing Zero to snap his eyes back to the road.

 Zero slammed on the brakes and jerked the steering wheel to the left. The wheel of the car jumped the curb, out of reaction Langdon threw his hands out in front of his face, stomped on an imaginary brake pedal. Screeching of tires, honks and people screaming out their windows at him filled the air for a moment. Zero jumped out to inspect the damage. Luckily, it was a blown tire. Making it to school on time was no longer an opinion.

As Zero changed the tire, Langdon opened up a channel. Ever since the wolf pack before he had opened the channels somehow, to look into the past. The past had a very thin line of the future and present. It was the same act, just slightly different. A car down the road caught his attention. Langdon's heart dropped into his stomach. A car full of New York wolves was coming their way. Fear began to bubble, 'NO! ZERO!' he beast pushed forward sending his body into a relax state.

Zero's voice came from the outside of the car, "What are you doing?"

When no answer came, he looked inside the car. The car full of wolves passed by, causing Zero to straighten up. Glaring at them a warning growl came; once the car passed, he called the Alpha.

"Those wolves are still here. They just passed Langdon and me. Heading east on Lower Road."

"I'm sending Daren right now. I'm watching two more. Why aren't you at school?"

"A flat tire, plus Langdon. Explain later."

Jumping in Zero quickly noticed that Langdon was different. His body guarded; there was a calm effect only it moved no further than he did. Zero stroked his arm; the electric shocks send a wave of emotion through him.

"Langdon?"

He turned his head, straight off Zero noticed that the color of his eyes had changed. No longer the green they normally were. Almost like, they had crystalized. His fangs were elongated enough to be seen.

"Langdon?"

"Langdon is fine, I am protecting him. You must leave this area, he is in danger here."

Gasping, "You're his beast."

"I am,"

Zero waited no longer, he drove quickly towards the school. As he did every day, Zero parked beside Josh’s car. Taking a breath, he turned to Langdon who was already.

"Why are you protecting him?"

"Those wolves have bad attentions."

"In the car? We've ran them off before."

"I feel they are here for your packs treasures. Once they discover my human they will seek him out too."

A growl ripped through Zero, "They'll kill me first."

"You allow that Langdon will die. We trust you do not take that away. There has been much time that has passed since we have trusted a beast and their human. The pack had hurt us sought our lives."

"What happened?"

"Langdon and I won against the Alpha and pack. We set free what your pack has now."

"What do we have?"

"I'm releasing my human." All of sudden, Langdon's beast leaned forward close enough to feel his breath. Smell the mint of his mouthwash, "Mine."

Zero lost control of his beast, he pushed straight to the surface. "Mine," he growled.

"Beast of Zero's, do you promise to protect my human at all cost?"

The beast growled, took a hold of Langdon's wrist.

"Promise not to harm us, Langdon will fear you."

The beast whimpered, "Mine."

"We must allow our humans their bodies. Protect us. We shall be forever yours."

Happily, the beast smiled.

Zero remembered what happened Langdon knew of nothing that happened.  Assuming it was a part of the beast protecting Langdon. Another problem occurred after second period. The jocks decided that they were going to welcome Langdon to school. Only problem was a possessive wolf standing in the way. Josh, Aaron and another wolf Carter were closes to the action. Jocks verses wolves, by far no match. However, one of the jocks was not going to stop until Zero went to pouch him in the face. Luckily, Aaron was able to stop his fist. Two teachers stepped in, telling the boy to move along.

Sitting on the bleachers with Josh's mate Cherry, they worked on the assignment until Cherry whispered Josh had told the big secret. Langdon laughed, causing two wolves on the field below to look up. Cherry was blushing making Josh flutter. He thought that was the most beautiful sight to see, Cherry blushing.

"What do you think they're talking about?"

"Probably you and Cherry look at the way she's speaking." He shook his head at Josh’s question.

Cherry was showing a great deal of excitement as she spoke.

"Tonight I'm taking her to meet mom and dad."

"Good luck," Zero sighed. What will the Alpha do? Throw him out of the pack and the house. For all of the reasons in the world, why did this happen to him? The Alpha's son mated to another man. The pack would shun him. It was not completely unheard of. Same sex mates, just from the Alpha's son. Then there was no one like Langdon.

"Let me ask you a question. Don't ask where my mind is just answer." Zero and Josh began another lap around the track. Nodding for Zero to go on, "What if Cherry was a guy?" Josh shot a questionable look.

"Just answer."

"Well actually we don't have a choice. Our beast chooses for us. So, I would be okay with it after I was  freaked out. I mean wow! That's like-wow."

"I heard that. What do you think your parents would do?"

"Hmm, after the shock I guess they would accept it. I mean why not? Look at Silver and Dom. Silver makes sure Dom is completely taken care of. His parents had a hard time until the Alpha set them down explained there is a reason Silver's beast chose Dom. Now his parents adore Dom, does whatever they can for the man. They even since Dom to college when Silver went to college."

"Yeah? That's them. How about if it was one of us?"

Josh stopped as he pulled on Zero's arm sleeve. Questioning confusion written all over his face. Zero wiped his face.

"Man, what's going on? What's up with these questions?"

Unable to look at him, Zero let out a groan.

"Your mate is a guy?" When Zero did not answer, Josh knew. "Who?"

Involuntarily his eyes shot to Langdon.

"Crap! Man!" Josh's eyes widened, "Langdon! When did this happen?"

"This morning. My mind completely checked out."

"All you could do was react, trust me I know. Quick advice, don't try to keep yourself from touching or talking. It's the hardest act that will harm you. No joke."

"You're okay with this?"

"And you're not?" Josh could see the denial. "Seriously, you promised not to harm him. By not for filling your duty to your mate you are disrespecting him, yourself and the pack."

"My father!" Zero growled.

Oh, Josh did not think about that. For a moment, it slipped his mind. Zero wasn't some other wolf; he was the Alpha's son. He was the next bloodline to lead the pack. An Alpha to taking the same sex mate was completely unheard of.

"We'll figure it out," Josh knew if he did not have Zero's back. He might do something stupid.

The dinner table was unusually quiet. No stories came from Amber about cheerleading or what had taken place at school.  A promise to her brother had been made to allow him to tell their father. She will not betray her brother. Only because of a new mate was the reason they found out. Langdon was nervous around them. Instinctively Zero protected his mate. All the wolves around vowed to keep it quiet and promised to allow him to handle it.

"What's with you two?"

Zero and Amber looked at each other.

"Nothing really just I got something on my mind. Amber has promised to keep her eyes and ears open for me."

"What's happened?" Nathanial leaned back.

"On the way to school, I told you that something happened with Langdon."

"Yes,"

"That car of wolves passed us. I was on the outside of the car. Langdon was inside. I noticed he was acting strange. Well his beast had taken over. His beast said that these wolves are searching for what we hold. The wolves have bad attentions. If they find out about Langdon, they will seek him too.

"When I first noticed his beast, he told me that Langdon was in danger where we were at. The wolves just had passed us. The beast-" Zero's throat thickened. "had caused my beast to surface. He was stronger than I've ever felt. My beast promised that we would protect Langdon. Funny, when his beast told mine to let their humans have our body back he listened. Almost like, it was dishonoring or something. But it wasn't an order."

"Like his beast was submissive to yours?" Nathanial offered.

"Yeah," Zero nodded. More than his father knew.

Nathanial rubbed his forehead, "I can't express on what an empathy does. He can make you weak or intensify your strength. Only knows protection. For his beast to take over and make your beast come he felt Langdon's life was in danger and needs help on protecting him."

This frustrated Nathanial; knowledge of these wolves need to be found out. His Beta was meeting with his son's mate tonight and Daren also was busy with Aaron. Telling Amber to get her work done. Zero and he were off to find out information about these wolves.

"Mom, Dad, this is Cherry my mate. Cherry this is my father Gregory, my mother Willow and you know Courtney. Aaron is her mate but he is busy with Daren tonight."

"Hello!" Cherry squeaked covering her mouth with a slight embarrassment.

"Welcome dear," Willow gave a motherly warm smile. "Come sit, dinner is ready." She tucked Cherry under her arm, "Quick advise, and don’t serve a growing wolf or their father." Cherry giggled.

Once people settled, Willow served Gregory first than Cherry as in respect for a guest. Courtney was holding a conversation with anyone who was listening. Would you know it, Cherry was trying her best not to be rude. Gregory allowed a few more minutes of teenage conversation.

Clearing his throat, "Cherry, Josh told me he explained our way of life to you."

"Yes sir,"

"I hate to do this over dinner. However, we have a situation within the pack that must be handled. By you coming in as human leaves my son vulnerable. We'll have to meet your parents soon."

"Ok-ay." Cherry fear shot up.

"Scary isn't it? Learning of a completely new world and being human in it. No one at this table knows of this, we all were born this way. Our female Alpha said she would be willing to speak with you. She was once human. She can tell you what to expect." Gregory was trying his best to stay calm.

"I heard Josh has been honest about everything. There are rogues in your guy’s territory. If I see anyone staring at me for long periods of time. I am to call at once. Leave a message if I have to, time, where I am or going to be. I am to leave immediately. If I’m surrounded, start stabbing and do not stop. Once I see an opening, run like hell and don't look back. If I can make it to the pack house, make it. If not he's shown me many houses of pack members.

"Once I am marked, I will follow your rules more than the human rules. After graduation and leave, my parents I will have pack rules to follow only. From this moment on, I am Josh's mate. I am someone who is more and willing to support him. My family is very close as well. Josh says the pack is made up of individual families who find themselves in one huge family. Just like a family, they help each other.

"Also I am to show all dominates respect by showing a weak spot. Josh says it will be easier once the change happens. A beast knows who's stronger." Cherry began to talk faster in fear of disrespecting Josh or his father.

"Like right now, I apologize. It's just you seem to be stressed and all I wanted to do was help. After I shut up, I promise to work really hard on remembering who you are. I'm really nervous. Josh was worried that you won't like me. And I've been nervous all day." Taking in a deep breath, "I just wanted you to like me for Josh," she whispered as she dropped her head.

A small amount of worry came from the teenage wolves. Each knew Cherry was only trying to help. However, this was not a normal human family. Different set of rules completely. Gregory knew she meant no harm somehow; he was able to keep his beast back.

'A mate to fight for Josh, our son.' he told his beast.

His beast growled back, approved of his mate for their son.

Gregory brought a smile to his face, "Cherry." She looked over at him, "Make sure you talk to our female Alpha, Vera. She can help prepare you for the change. Willow, Josh and myself will be watching over you. Curious of what your wolf will look like."

Out of the corner of her eye, she seen Josh's smile. His father approved of her.

Willow was telling her about some of the rules. No backing talking the leaders of the pack, which are, the Alpha and two Betas. At first, they will give her time to adjust, after that; she will need to learn just like everyone else. Cherry listened to all they had to say. Before retreating to the living room for a talk, Aaron came in. Showed his neck to Gregory before Courtney flung her arms around him. The look in his eyes spoke that he was in a bad mood, or at least not in a good mood. Gregory sent them away.

"Like with Aaron and Courtney," Willow whispered, "Aaron's mood will cause Courtney to lash out in protection of her mate. Aaron is good at hiding his feelings."

"I know I was there when it happened." Cherry's shoulders fell. "He's a good guy. I've always liked him and Josh. I think Zero is a little hot headed but another than that, he's cool."

"That's the Alpha in him. Josh has been on cloud nine since you accepted him. Just wait sweetie, Josh will be hot headed here soon."

Looking over at her mate, Josh grumbled something under his breath before wiping his face. Cherry was ready for this. She was going to be the best mate that Josh could ever wish for.

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