Broken Wolf

09

"Please Paxy!" I beg him once again.

"No, I have patrol tonight. I cand come to dinner with your brother." He says the same thing he has told me about ten times. We finished our daily training session about 10 minutes ago and I've been bugging him from the start.

"Come on Paxton! I need a buffer. If I hear Bane comment on Hannah's butt one more time I'm gonna hurl." I tell him and he laughs.

"He says that stuff in front of you?"

"Bane isn't very good at whispering... and if I have to hear him tell her 'you are the macaroni to my cheese' again I'm gonna lose my mind! Ollie has a newfound obsession with Mac'n'cheese so that line has been non stop... I need your help." I explain but he just laughs again.

"Sorry pup but duty calls." Paxton answers.

"You suck!" I whine and he chuckles giving me a hug.

"You'll get over it... just try and lead the conversation so it's less cringe worthy." He suggests.

"Like what?" I ask.

"Hockey? I mean you both love that." He says and I smile.

"You are a genius!" I cheer kissing his cheek before running towards the house. "Best friend ever!" I yell to him before entering.

"Hey midget, have a seat. The chef made a bacon mac 'n' cheese tonight." I smile at my brother as I take a seat. "Hey sweet thing." He says wrapping his arms around Hannah. "You are the..."

"Hey Bane!" I cut him off and he looks at me. "You know I could really use some new Hockey equipment."

"What happened to your stuff? I gave you my favorite stick." He asks and I sigh.

"Grandfather kinda took all my stuff... could we go get some new things? I really don't want to have to stop paying." I explain and he growls.

"You should have told me sooner, midget." Bane says. "Ronald had no right... of course we'll get you the best equipment we can." He refuses to call him grandfather now. I just can't use Ronald. It feels... wrong. He still technically was our grandfather.

"Thank you, bubby!" I cheer.

"I actually have some news for you Lib... the King called. He asked for me to bring some men down for training and to help in the war... I'll be leaving in a couple days." He tells me and I growl.

"You can't! It's only been a month! You can't leave me again! And Hannah! She's pregnant. You can't leave your mate like that!" I rant trying to get him to stay.

"Hannah and Oliver will be coming with me." He says and I smile.

"Take me too!" I yell. That's a great idea!

"No." Is his short answer.

"But I don't want to stay here alone!" I complain.

"You won't be alone. I'm leaving warriors here to protect those who stay and our aunt and uncle will look after you while I'm gone. We'll be back soon midget, promise " Bane says and I growl.

"I'm going to bed." I tell him before storming out.

Those last days were filled with me begging to go only to be turned down every time.

They were also filled with planning.

Bane POV

"You aren't coming, Libby." I tell her for the 23rd time.

"I am! You can't just leave me again! And you are taking MY Paxy! I'll be all alone! A good brother wouldn't do that!" She rants.

"A good brother and Alpha would leave a fussy 10 year old at home. You aren't missing school to play warrior in the royal pack." I respond.

"I'll stay out of the way... and I can help with Ollie! I'll be good I promise!" She persists and I sigh.

"Libby, I can't watch you down there pup. You won't be safe. Hannah and Oliver will be locked up tight in the pack house. I know you won't stay put like that so I'm not risking it. I love you too much midget." I tell her.

"If you loved me you'd let me go!" She yells before storming off.

"You should let her come." I hear and turn towards the voice.

"And I should listen to you why?" I ask.

"Because while you were dealing with your grandfather and keeping him away from her I was there. You got her put in higher classes, which she needed, but you didn't check in on her progress. I did. You love her. You are a good brother  but you don't know her as well as I do. Forcing her to stay here is a bad idea." He says.

"You don't understand, Paxton... she is more like my child than my sister. I helped raise her. I took the beatings for her. I kept her safe and made sure no one could hurt her. I can't just turn around and drag her into a war zone. At least with Hannah and Oliver I can trust they will stay in the pack house safe and out of the way. Libby thinks she is invincible. She won't listen and may get hurt. I can't put her in that kind of danger." I explain.

"What ever you say, Alpha." He bows his head before running up the stairs likely to comfort the crying pup. Man I feel lousy, but it's for her safety.

"Come on men let's head out!" I yell and the chosen men meet me in front of the house. Pax gives me a look then nods to an upper window before shifting. My eyes follow where he nodded to see a puffy eyed Libby.

"I love you, midget. I'll be back soon I promise." I link her and she walks away from the window.

"Family keeps their promises." She links back and I smile. She will be okay.