A loner's call.

The Little Sister

                     Ferrum

Giggling.

That's what I first heard when Sage, Brice, and myself walked toward Dutchess' room. I heard her speaking... like she was talking to someone but when we opened the door she was playing with dolls.

She looked up, her big bright blue eyes widening with excitement when she seen Sage and Brice.

Brice was a big guy, and seemed like someone who could break you in half but when he seen Dutchess or Tess, as they like to call her, he instantly softened." How you doin, kiddo?"

Sage flopped down on the ground beside Dutchess and began playing with her dolls." This is Ferrum." She said smiling up at me." Your brother's mate."

I wasn't certain whether or not I liked that Sage had introduced me that way. I would have like to have spent time with the little girl, let her get to know me before she judged her brother's mate.

Sure, she was a little girl but in my own experience as a girl I knew we could be a little judgmental.

" Hi!" She beamed, without hesitation she jumped up and practically tackled me with a hug.

' Cute,' My wolf hummed, her tail wagging back and forth in my mind.' Wish we had a mate we knew and could depend on so we could have one of our own.'

'I'd rather wait a little bit before that happens.' I muttered to my wolf.

Dutchess smiled brightly at me and I returned it without a second thought.

" Why aren't you playing with the other kids outside?" I asked while I sat down beside Sage. Dutchess grabbed one of her dolls and began playing again.

" Today's Sage's and I's play date. Brice sometimes comes to and I'm glad he did."

Dutchess cleared the little table she had in her room and began putting little cups for tea on it, she grabbed the kettle and poured imaginary tea into them.

I grinned, I'd never got to have a good childhood like she had so I was grateful to be included. I took the small cup she have me and pretended to sip away the nonexistent liquid inside.

Brice and Sage followed suit. Brice had even stuck his pinky finger out which earned a few giggles from Sage and I.

Nothing could make a scary man look less intimidating than a little pink tiara. Sage and I erupted in laughter when Dutchess placed it on Brices head with a beaming smile on her face.

We spent a few hours of the day with Dutchess. Playing dress up, doing each other's markup, painting nails. All of which Brice joined in on, he took in stride and seemed to enjoy making little Tess happy.

I found myself wondering if Aiden did these things with Dutchess, played and spent time with her. Or did he ignore the fact he had someone who cared about him? Did he pay no mind to the little girl who was family?

My thoughts were interrupted when there was a soft knock at the door. I could tell my the scent the lofted through my nose that it was Aiden.

When he stepped in our eyes locked for a moment and I could easily tell he wanted to talk.

I heard a loud squeal and then a small Dutchess went flying across the room and toward Aiden.

He smiled, showing off his pearly whites, as he knelt down to wrap Tess in a tight hug.

'I wish that were us.' My wolf muttered selfishly but I knew I agreed with her.

We watched the exchange between the sibling with a small smile.

" Come on play with us, Addie!" Tess pleaded, pulling on Aiden's or Addie, as she likes to call him, arm. I chuckled, I'd like to see him interact with the little girl.

" Sorry but I can't right now, Tess." Aiden's face softened when he seen the clear disappointment in her eyes." I need to talk to Ferrum for a moment."

My smile dissapeared instantly when he said that.

Why'd he need to talk to me? Was something wrong?

'It could be about what happened earlier, Ferrum.' My wolf chimed in.

'I honestly forgot about that being here with Dutchess.' I spoke back.

Aiden looked at me expectantly and I quickly stood up." I'll be back in a few minutes." I told everyone as I walked toward the door. Aiden followed behind me and gently closed the door behind him.

We walked for a little bit in silence until he finally spoke up." Ferrum," He began, his voice wavered a little when he said my name.

In an instant my mind went to one thought.

He chose Chelsea.

" I wanted to talk about earlier... what happened with Chelsea and everything." Aiden rubbed the back of his neck in an awkward way.

" You chose her." The words flew from my mouth before I could think about it. I cringed when they registered to Aiden.

He rapidly shook his head, his head of black tussled hair bouncing with the movement." No," He said firmly. The word sent a shiver down my spine, I could hear the possessiveness in his tone." I'm sending her away. Clearly we can not put trust in one another if she is here, causing trouble when there should be none."

Aiden took a step toward me and gently took my hand in his much larger one." I found my mate and I will be loyal to her and her only. This thing my father arranged a year ago will no longer stay in place." He grit out with determination and pure alpha dominance radiating off of him in waves.

" How will you do that, Aiden? Her father isn't going to let that happen. That is why he is here, isn't it? To make sure Chelsea is your Luna and that I am dealt with." I knew what he said was true to him but he father wasn't going to let it happen.

I'd run into the man before and he wasn't a friendly person. He was one to start a war over this just because he could.

" I will find a way." Aiden promised, his hand squeezing mine gently." I will fight him on this but either way they are leaving. Tonight or tomorrow, forced or peacefully, they are leaving."

I seen it then in his eyes, the way his bright blue eyes darkened and a swirl of gold in them, that he and his wolf were going through with this. That they would do anything to have me.

Even if it meant war with another pack.

Even if people would die.

All just because of me.

What the hell was I going to do?