Jason's POV

　　Dressing silently, not wanting to wake Kayla, who slept soundly, I knew I had pushed her harder than usual last night; she had to be exhausted. Even without my wolf, my animalistic nature knew no limits last night; I had been completely ravenous. Letting out an exhausted breath, I groaned, acknowledging that without Archer's presence, my body seemed to be paying for our night of frenzied passion. Swallowing my pride, I reached out to my stubborn wolf. 

　　"Buddy, I am sorry," I admitted honestly. I felt like I was missing one of my limbs, not having his endless commentary flowing through my mind.

　　"I am not healing you!" He spat from the depths of my mind making me sigh. Apparently, today was going to be a long ass day!

　　"I didn't ask you to; I just wanted to say I am sorry; I shouldn't have taken my bad mood out on you." I tried to explain but knew my words were falling on deaf ears. He was upset about more than me shutting him out; this was about Abbi. He was angry that I had left her alone with Damien.

　　"What was I supposed to do, risk Lizzy's safety? The packs? What of the alliance?" I questioned, frustrated by his pigheadedness; I wanted to know what exactly he would have done differently. 

　　"We are strong, buddy, but he… he is a cold-hearted killer, like his Father. I couldn't take the risk."

　　I could feel my wolf's temper subsiding; he knew I was right. He just needed time, but I knew he would come around. As it happened, today was an easy day, we had office duties with Pops, so Archer could brood a little longer, but then he would have to get off his high horse and see sense.

　　"Training ground- Twenty minutes!" My Father's voice boomed through our pack link. I closed my eyes and sank onto the bed, throwing myself back dramatically, knowing my Father would have woken Kayla up with his announcement. 

　　"Morning." She yawned sleepily, hearing her back click, I knew she was stretching out on the bed. Looking over my shoulder at her, I smiled guiltily, seeing the thick bruises on her arms. Kayla's wolf had yet to show itself, leaving Kayla wolfless, something I was usually mindful of, knowing that meant she would heal slower, almost like a human. Her eyes seemed unusually distant as she smiled at me. 

　　'Was she upset?' I thought sheepishly, Distracted from asking her what was wrong by the knock on the door, both our heads turned; hearing it click open, Tommy, my soon-to-be Beta, stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning the expensive room, his face moulded into a resentful expression, his eyes hard as they looked over at Kayal in my bed then to me bitterly.

　　"Twenty minutes Kayla. Get up and showered; you stink of sex." He fumed, his eyes narrowing on me angrily. Confused by his outburst, I bit my tongue, feeling Kayla huff dramatically and get up off the bed; I sat up with a groan, feeling my body protest, handing her the bedsheet respectfully; I didn't want her walking down the hall naked! Her Father and evidently her brother would kill me for not protecting her modesty. Laughing, she rolled her eyes at me; taking it, she walked past me towards the door, shaking her head, irritated at the whole situation.

　　"I am not a ghost; I can't walk through walls! So how about you move!" She snapped fiercely, making me smirk at the difference in her; just hours ago, I had her purring like a kitten, and now she was all fierce lioness. Raising my brow at Tommy, I sucked down a laugh seeing him stand to the side to let her out. Overseeing the two of them ready to pounce and defuse the situation if needed, my body tensed, seeing Tommy stop her from leaving, running the back of his hand over the fresh bruises on her arm. 

　　Flicking his eyes dismissively, indicating she should leave, and quickly! I sighed, realising how accurate I had been with my earlier statement: This would be a long day! Turning his attention to me quickly, with a face like thunder, I lowered my head in surrender, feeling utterly ashamed of myself. The second she left, the door slammed closed behind her. Tommy was across the room in seconds, pinning me to the wall opposite the bed by my throat.

　　 "SHE'S MY SISTER!" He roared, shaking with anger. 

　　"A little help, buddy", I almost begged Archer; without his force and brutality, Tommy had the upper hand, his speed and strength would easily kick my exhausted ass. 

　　"Nah, you fucked your way into this; you can get yourself out of it." Archer laughed, retreating to his hole. 

　　"Mate," I started... "You have never had an issue with Kayla and me before…" I questioned, trying to soothe his rage, not fuel it.  

　　"That was before you found your mate! Tell me have you told Kayla yet? Or are you stringing her along?" He thundered angrily; I saw the fury eating at him and knew he was right. I had fucked up. Abigail might not be my mate, but she was important to me; she was who I wanted right now. Letting my body relax in his grip, I held my hand to his chest, locking my green eyes on his now yellow hues. Sensing Rafe's fury behind his eyes, I shook my head apologetically. 

　　"No," I answered honestly, not wanting to argue any more; I knew I had messed up. "I will fix it!" I sighed, defeated, my shoulders drooping.

　　"Yeah, how will you fix the bruises you and your beast have left on her skin? People will talk! For fuck sake, Jason! For once, just once, can you think with your head and not your damn cock." He growled, pushing me back against the wall, his grip tightening around my throat momentarily before he seemed to think better of it and released me roughly. Turning his back on me, I watched him run his hands through his hair, something he only did when frustrated, usually with me.

　　"Where is your wolf?" He asked plainly, making me smile briefly. I wondered why he had been so bold as to lunge at me. Usually, he was the perfect best friend, Beta and soldier.   

　　"Gone", I admitted, sinking back against the wall letting out a slow breath. Seeing Tommy raise a brow, the amusement plan on his face, I decided to try and lighten the mood. "He is pissed off with me, too, apparently."

　　"Well, training is going to be fun!" He laughed, holding his hand out to pull me up." Don't think I will go easy on you just because you're having a shitty day!" 

　　"A good friend would!" I laughed, picking up the chair that had toppled over during our scuffle. 

　　"Yeah, a good friend wouldn't fuck his mate's sister! So I guess we are even…" The rawness of Tommy's tone was unmistakable as he strode from the room.