Unrejected Mates (Black Moon Book Two)

Chapter 15: "I'm sorry about your parents"

Hank POV

"You should keep your hand higher," I say to Danny as he spars with me; well, he tries to throw punches into my open hands.

I don't even know why I teach him; maybe it was the way he was looking at me during all my exercising. It was actually surprising that he asked me to take him to my training today, especially since Kathy stayed with Celia in the packhouse. He was watching me timidly for almost two hours before I offered to teach him something.

I ignore the looks other warriors are giving me now. I presume the rumor has it that I have a child with a hunter's girl, but why should I waste my time teaching something to a hunter's stray as for sure they think Danny is?

I must say the kid is eager to learn and eager to please, he doesn't talk much, but I don't mind it, nor does James, Jason, Kathy, or Rosie. Other children don't engage with Danny unless the twins are with him. Kathy doesn't have that problem, and for that, I'm grateful to my pack members.

The funny thing is, since Marc moved into my quarters, our evenings are much less awkward. He tells lots of stories, and he is a very good storyteller. I've noticed that even Celia likes listening to him and talks with him quite often. When I stopped being so wary about him, it turned out I like him, and Mikkeli and I get along better when he is around.

"Kid, enough for today," I say. "Let's go back home."

"Thank you for teaching me," says Danny and smiles.

I suggest he go alone since one of the warriors wants to talk with me. We discuss the matter of changing the timetable for sending him to the second territory since his child is going to be born soon. That's another thing that changes for me. More wolves originally from Mikkeli's pack come to me to talk or to ask about things. In the beginning, they were more interested in keeping their distance. I understand that late Beta was important for them; there isn't even half of the year since he is gone.

That's what I think about as I slowly walk towards the packhouse, I pass the quarters of the unmated male warriors when I spot them, and fury explodes in my veins.

Danny is lying on the ground surrounded by at least seven of them when one of them kicks him in the stomach, and I see blood dripping from the kid's nose. I know them, they are all from my pack, who came a couple of days ago, but I also see others from Blackwood who just stare and do nothing.

I roar so loud that everyone immediately looks at me. But they have no time for any reaction as I run towards them and punch the one who intends to kick Danny again so hard that I feel his nose crack. I turn around and sink my claws in the next one, the rest tries to back away, but I punch another two and kick the one close to me in the jaw when he falls.

"Beta, please wait!" screams someone, but I don't listen as I shove one more into the wall and rapidly hit him in the face.

Silence, the dead silence surrounds me when all seven of them lie on the ground bleeding.

"Is this what you fucking are!" I shout loud, and all gathered bow their heads in submission. "What makes you think you have a right to do it? What makes you think that your hate is enough to justify something like that? He's the child, for Goddess's sake! The next time anyone touches him, I will rip you into pieces! No one touches my family, do you understand no one!

I don't care what they think; I hope they are scared. I turn towards Danny and gently take him in my arms. He sobs a little and holds one of his hands close to him.

"I've got you; it's alright," I whisper as I walk with him into the packhouse.

He trembles in my arms as he presses one side of his face into my shoulders, I'm sure the blood from his nose stains my shirt, but I don't care about it. I hold him; I hold him close as we move towards the packhouse.