Mine to Protect

Chapter 1 My First Shift

"Everly, the ball is in two weeks are you going?"

"He won't let me go Aimi. You know my brother."

"You are sixteen, he has to let you have fun sometime."

"You know that, and I know that, but he doesn't. Only if I had my wolf. He might let me go, at least I would have some hope."

"She will come soon, you just turned sixteen yesterday."

"I can hear her sometimes. She has been talking to me off and on for the last two days."

"I'm a week older than you and I don't have mine yet, maybe we can get them at the same time."

"That would be neat. The full moon is tomorrow, let's plan to meet on the training field at eight."

"Be careful. Byron will be expecting you to run off."

"When has he ever caught me." Aimi shakes her head at me and my antics.

The day went by slowly, and it felt like eight o'clock would not get here fast enough. Time to get rid of these guys. They never look up, so I slide out the upstairs window and down the drainpipe. It only took me an hour to ditch my two bodyguards. I did not want to shift around them.

"Over here, Everly, under these trees. You finally got rid of Mut and Jeff."

"They thought I went to the kitchen, but I went upstairs the back way and climbed out the window. Byron set alarms on the doors, so they won't think I left the house. It will take them hours to find me."

"Remember when you tricked them and they got a bubble bath, by filling the wash machine with bubble bath and pretended to have fallen in the suds on the floor. They kept slipping and sliding all over. I couldn't help laughing."

"They smelled like lilies all week. My brother hates that I keep losing them. He might be the Alpha of this pack but that doesn't mean I have to be under his thumb." My parents died when I was eight and he has raised me for the last eight years. He is not mean to me he is just overprotective. He is so afraid that something is going to happen to me.

"Everly, it's almost midnight." Aimi starts to scream, I watch her bend over and start to change shape, as her bones start to crack and then she stood in front of me as a beautiful light gray wolf with a white stripe on her face.

"You are beautiful!" When I go to pet her, I get a sharp pain in my leg then it spreads all over, the pain is so bad. Finally, the pain stops as fast as it started. As I look at my feet my fur is a golden blond, I have never seen this color wolf.

"Can you hear me, Everly?"

"Yeah, this is so cool! I can hear you through my mind. Do you want to run to the lake so we can see what we look like?"

"Right behind you." I take off and feel like I am flying. "Slow down I can't run that fast. Everly, slow down."

"Sorry, Aimi, I didn't mean to leave you. Come on the lake is just over there." When we reach the water and see ourselves in its reflection, we are both amazed how beautiful we are.

"Your wolf is so much bigger than mine, and I love that color. Do you think it is because of your Alpha blood?"

"Most likely." Then we hear it, a howl off in the background. "Uh-oh they found out I left without them. Byron is going to be pissed at me again." On our way back a large black wolf comes out of the shadows.

"Yes, I am pissed at you. Why do you keep taking off like this? You know how It worries me."

"Instead of yelling at me can't you see I shifted for the first time and be happy for me. You didn't have time for me tonight so stop yelling at me."

"Wait how did you shift? You are only fifteen!"

"No big brother I turned sixteen yesterday. Me and Aimi came out here to shift in the full moon and I didn't want to shift with your goons watching me in pain and then have to change back and be naked. That would not be cool at all."

"My little sister is growing up, and I didn't realize it, I'm sorry, Everly."

"It's okay you are a busy Alpha I understand. Well now that I am sixteen can I go with you to the ball this year. Please Byron, Aimi is going, we can keep each other company. You did forget my birthday."

Byron's face is like a stone wall no sign of what he is thinking, "Fine but you better behave yourself. Let's get the two of you back to the pack house and in bed, it looks like we have to go dress shopping tomorrow." We both howled at the moon and took off to the pack house with Byron right behind us.

Two o'clock the next day we are in a fancy little boutique with Byron. We are trying on dress after dress, going in and coming out of the changing room to get Byron's approval. "Byron, this is the seventh dress. What is wrong with this one?"

"You look like you have you know what it is ... up top. And you are showing off too much of it."

"You can't see anything!"

"It has no straps. How do you know it's not going to fall down?"

The salesperson says, "Alpha Byron, it's fine. She has more than enough chest to hold it up." Byron growls at her causing her to flinch.

"That's my little sister! She's not supposed to have a ... a ... You know!" Byron looks at the girls then back to the lady, "Not that one either." Then points to Aimi.

The sales lady is getting frustrated, "You don't have to worry about her chest sir. Her chest is smaller than your sister's."

"WHAT!" Byron is pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers wishing this day was over already. Justin walks in and whistles at the girls. Causing Byron to grab him by the throat, "Do you want to die?"

"Alpha, we have a problem with rogues. Um can you let me go?" Justin's voice sounds like a squeak as he hangs there with his feet dangling off the floor.

Bryon drops him, turns to the salesperson, "We'll take those two. But I want straps put on her dress."

"I'll only take them off if you have her put them on. They'll look stupid on this dress."

"EVERLY!!" Byron growls. "Justin, take them home. And no more whistles." Byron is out the door before Justin can say yes.

Justin looks at the girls and how beautiful they are, "This is going to be one hell of a ball." We giggle as he shakes his head. All three of them knowing all too well what Byron is going to be like.

Chapter 2 Missing

At last, it's the night of the ball. I am dressed in a midnight blue strapless gown. The bodice is tight to my curves with gold embroidery enhancing my chest. The skirt flares out with the same embroidery trimming the hem. The material seems to shimmer in the light as I twirl around in front of the mirror. Aimi's dress is maroon colored with spaghetti straps. There is a thin silver belt around her waist. The skirt of the dress is flowing with rhinestones dotting it and trimming the hem. We both had a pair of one-inch heels that matched our dresses.

"Your brother is so fussy, we couldn't even get the three inch heels we wanted. But these dresses are beautiful."

Justin knocks on the door, "Are you ladies ready to go?" Both girls run to the door and open it with smiles on their faces. Justin's mouth drops, "We better get ready, his temper is going to cause a war tonight."

"Whatever, you say sir." Everly says with an innocent shy smile.

"Don't start, Everly. Don't start." Justin is rubbing his temples as if he has a headache already. "Come on we got to go." In our excitement we giggle louder and stroll down the stairs where Byron is waiting.

"Brother, you look so handsome." Byron is in a fitted black tuxedo that shows off his muscular chest and arms.

"Everly, Aimi, you look so beautiful." Byron smiles then adds, "And grown. When did this happen? Aimi, is your mother going to be at the ball this evening?"

"No, she decided that she was going to stay home tonight. I think she misses dad a lot. They loved the ball."

"I understand. Let's get in the car."

We are there in thirty minutes, the ball is held in the same huge hall every year. It is decorated with white table clothes and gold center pieces. The candles around the room are even gold. "Everly, Aimi, I have two guards here, one at either end of the room. If you need anything and you can't find us, go to them. Justin and I will be watching you. Stay together and no drinking."

"Yes, Alpha."

"Yes, Brother." Both girls say sarcastically.

The girls walk over by the band when a handsome young man comes over. "Excuse me, my name is Martin. I have been watching you this evening, and I believe you are my mate. I know you can't tell yet because you are not eighteen, but my wolf keeps yelling mate at me."

"My name is Everly, and you're right I'm only sixteen. I just got my wolf three days ago."

"We would have to wait till you are eighteen before we could mate but we could at least sit and talk if that's alright."

"I don't know much about mates, how do you know I am your mate?" I ask him feeling shy.

"I'm twenty, almost twenty-one, and my wolf can feel the bond between us."

"I guess it won't hurt to talk. As long as my friend can come with me."

"Oh, that's fine. Could I get the two of you something to drink?"

"That would be nice, just no alcohol."

Martin nods in understanding saying, "I'll meet you over there," pointing to the tables at the back of the room.

"Are you sure he is your mate?"

"I don't have a clue, Aimi. So don't leave me with him."

"Here you go I got the drinks." He holds out a glass to us and Aimi goes to take it, "No, this one is for Everly. This one is for... I don't even know your name."

"This is my best friend, Aimi."

"This drink is special. I poured it myself just for you."

Everly takes the glass unsure of the man. "Thank you." We each take our glass and sit to start talking. Ten minutes later I am feeling dizzy, things are spinning.

"Are you alright?" Aimi sounds worried.

"I don't feel so well. Mind link Byron."

Martin puts his arm around my shoulders, "Aimi, go get her some water first, it might help."

"I'll be right back, Everly." Aimi hurries to the bar and gets water for me, when she gets back, we are gone.

"Where did they go? Maybe Byron came to get her, I have to find Byron." Confused she goes looking for Byron or Justin.

"What is wrong, Aimi?" Justin asks when he sees her all flushed.

"Is Everly with you or Byron?"

"No, she was with you. Where is she?"

"He took her, I went for water, and they are not there. I don't know where they went, but he took her."

"We have to find Byron and fast." He is over by the bar, "Alpha, Everly is missing." Aimi is crying and hysterical.

"What do you mean missing?"

Aimi is crying worse, "A guy Martin said Everly was his mate and wanted to talk to her. She didn't want to be alone with him. She told me to stay with her and I left her."

"What do you mean you left her? Where did you leave her?"

"He gave us drinks. He said he made one just for Everly. He wouldn't let me have it. Ten minutes later she was dizzy and wanted you, she asked me to mind link you. That Martin guy told me to get some water first, I was stupid and listened to him and left her there. This is all my fault she wanted you and I left her there alone."

"Aimi, this is not the time, what happened next?" You can hear the fear in Byron's voice.

"When I got back, they were gone. I shouldn't have left her. This is all my fault! Please find her she is my best friend she is like my sister." Aimi starts to cry even harder.

"Stop crying show me where they were." When they get to the table Byron sniffs the air, "I can still smell her scent, get the guards and keep Aimi with you. Catch up to me as soon as you can."

"Where are you going, so I know which direction to go?"

"The sent goes up these stairs. I'm going to follow her scent."

"Alpha, you know that leads to the rooms set aside for guests that are spending the night."

"Justin, I don't have time to talk. I have to get to her." Going from hallway to hallway her scent is getting weaker, it is mixing with a male's scent. Byron knows all too well what is happening and is getting frantic looking for her.

"Alpha, we are right behind you." Justin mind links Byron.

"On the top floor, the scent is getting stronger. Get the hell up here now!"

Following the scent down the hall until he comes to the door where the scent is overwhelming. One push and the door flies off its hinges.

"What gives you the right to come in here like that!" Martin is just getting off of Everly who is passed out naked on the bed, bleeding.

"You filthy piece of shit." Byron is out of control. He brutally attacks Martin, punching him nonstop until he no longer has a face and is barely breathing. "Justin, cover her up and get her to the hospital now! Aimi, bring her clothes with you." They both run to me, Justin picks me up and Aimi lays another blanket over me.

Chapter 3 Saved

I can hear everything, I can see, I just can't move. I know I'm in Justin's arms, and I think Aimi is here but I'm not sure. I can't fight it anymore, everything goes black.

"You two take him to the roof and throw him off. If he is not dead when you check on him do it again until he is dead. Do you understand me." Byron's aura is making his men sink to their knees.

"Yes, Alpha." Byron then heads out the door.

It isn't long until he is at the hospital. "Where is she? What did they say?"

"The doctor hasn't come out yet, Alpha." Justin is sitting there holding Aimi who is still crying.

Hours later the doctor walks out to us, his expression isn't good. "How is she?"

"Alpha, you're not going to like this, so I need you to stay calm. He gave her a sex drug, this drug is well known for its effects. The drug allows her to be half awake, the drug makes her more compliant. She can't fight but he could place her how he wanted."

"Does she know what has happened to her?"

"It is different with every person. Literally all she could do was lay there and not even know what was happening. Some do remember, some don't. Luckily, there is no long-term effect from the drug. She will be sore."

"Anything else we should know?"

"The exam shows she was a virgin, and he was not easy with her. She is bruised and swollen and has numerous stitches."

Byron's face is red from the anger that is still building in him. "Is there anything else we should do?"

"Take her to her own OBGYN, he will have to take out the stitches. Like I said he was not easy. Keep her on liquids for a few days."

"Liquids?"

"Yes, Alpha Byron. We had to fix her vaginal and anal areas, if she has a bowl movement it may tear them out."

"She is going to be okay right? No long term problem?"

"There shouldn't be, She is a young, healthy she-wolf. She should heal fast. I am so sorry this has happened to her, I would like to keep her overnight just to make sure she is okay."

"No, I'm taking her home with me, the pack doctor can watch out for her. Have the nurses get her dressed."

"Yes, Alpha Byron."

Aimi whispers to Justin, "There's no dress left."

"Alpha, she doesn't have any clothes left." Justin says as he unbuttons his shirt.

"She can go home in the hospital gown." The doctor leads them to Everly's room. "She may not respond to you for a while."

Byron picked Everly up, carefully carrying her out to the car. The two guards meet him at the car, "It's done, Alpha." He nods as they get in the car and head home. Not one of them knowing what to say.

"Justin, mind link the doctor and have him meet us in her room. Aimi, would you mind staying with her tonight? Just in case she wakes up and needs someone to talk to."

"Of course, Alpha, anything."

The doctor is in my room waiting when we get there. "Here are her hospital records, see what you can do to help her."

The doctor looks over the papers and his face drops. "Alpha, do you know what this says?"

"Yes, to a point. Can you help her?"

"There is not much left to do. They have stitched her up and given her medicine to ease the pain. Time will heal the rest and since she has her wolf now it should be reasonably fast, in about three or four days."

"Will she remember any of what happened? The other doctor wasn't sure."

"I don't know, Alpha. When she wakes up she will have to tell us. She might need some counseling."

"Set that up for me and this stays here with us."

"I understand and I will stay near by incase she needs me."

Justin walks over to Byron, "Alpha, I don't know if you know this but that was Martin, Alpha Bronson's younger brother. If he finds out what happened, he is going to declare war."

"Do you think I give a fuck? You saw what he did, tell me would you have done any different if it was your sister? Well, tell me Justin."

"I didn't mean it that way, I just want to give you a heads up."

"Get our men together, double our guards, he isn't strong enough to defeat us. And if he is stupid enough to try, then let them come to their deaths."

"What's our next move?" Justin looks worried about a was starting.

Byron is thinking, "You know what, contact the elders and tell them what has happened and what I have done. They can decide if I was right or wrong."

Justin leaves to go to his office. "I wonder how many other girls he has done this to." He looks at the picture of Everly on his desk, "She is so sweet and has a pure spirit." He makes the call then hurried out of the office back to Byron in Everly's room.

The pack house is quiet, everyone is asleep. It is the early morning hours, there are screams heard coming from my room. It's me and I don't even realize I was screaming.

"Everly, it's okay. I am here with you, it's me Aimi." Heavy footsteps are heard running up the stairs. I know it's Byron, but I can't stop screaming it hurts. Why am I screaming?

The sight of his little sister sitting there screaming with her eyes so large just staring at nothing, his heart is breaking, "Everly, I'm here you are safe now. I promise you are home in your room with Aimi, please stop screaming. EVERLY, look at me! You are safe, baby stop I am here."

"Byron, make it stop, please make it stop!" I hold on to him and just cry, I can't stop. "If I promise not to lose the guards, will you make it stop?"

Byron looks in her eyes and see her pain. "If I could, baby, I promise I would. I love you it is going to be okay."

I stayed in his arms, finally feeling safe. "Byron, why did my mate do this to me? I thought mates love you and protect you."

"He wasn't your mate. He was an evil man that drugged you and hurt you. I let you down, I didn't keep you safe. I am the one that is sorry, sorry I let him near you."

I took my hand and rubbed his face, "Never, you found me and brought me home. I did what you said, I listened to you, but I failed you and got into trouble. I need you to forgive me."

When I said that to Byron, tears began falling down his cheeks, "You could never fail me. You just don't know of the evil this world has in it. Try to sleep, Aimi is going to stay with you."

"Byron, it hurts so bad. Is it always like this?"

"No baby, just go to sleep." Byron strokes my hair to comfort me, until I fall back to sleep.