Claws.

5

"He'll be ok, don't worry." Nickoli smiled warmly.

He was sat on one sofa, whilst Will sat on the other. He seemed to be keeping a distance from Will, even though I could tell it was hurting him, just to please my pig headed brother.

I nodded. "I know- but I'm still worried."

"Well duh." Raffi sniggered.

"Y'know," Nick smiled, cocking his head, "Chase is my little brother too- I've always wanted siblings."

Smiling, I sat down next to Nick and swung my feet over a footstool.

"I just got word from Julien," Aiden announced, walking into the room. We all tensed as we listened. "He says Chase will be fine- but he'll be staying in the infirmary for a few days to make sure his wounds don't get infected or his stitches don't open up again."

I let go of a breath I didn't know I was holding in relief. That sounds ok.

"Yay!" Raffi cheered.

Nickoli grinned. "Whoop whoop!" he linked an arm with me as Aiden sat down between Nick and Raffi. "Y'know, you have a really sexy mate." He said randomly.

I blushed immediately, as did Aiden. "I mean, Aiden has really cute eyes- I never even noticed that before."

Suddenly, William growled fiercely. He came over and sat between Nick and Aiden.

"Oh," Nickoli scoffed, "So you do care!" He got to his feet and flounced out of the room, leaving Will staring, open mouthed.

"Whaaat?" Will queered.

I hit him. Hard.

"Ow!" He whined, rubbing his arm. Raffieti laughed and Aiden sniggered. "What the hell was that for?"

I groaned in frustration. "You are such an idiot!" I growled.

He looked confused.

"He's your mate for Christ's sake!"

HE frowned and opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "Don't you dare say you're not gay! He's your mate! What does Oliver think about this?" I asked, referencing his Lion.

Will went quiet and looked away. "He-he-" He shot a look at Raffi and Aiden.

"We'll leave you guys to talk," Raffi said, pulling Aiden away.

"But I wanna listen!" Aiden whined as they left.

William looked bashful. "He's confused." He admitted.

I stared at him, waiting for more. "Is he really? Or is that just you?"

Will scowled at me.

"You know what? Whatever, it's up to you guys- but don't hurt Nicki- he doesn't deserve it!" I hissed and stormed out of the room. "Just sort out how you feel!" I know it probably sounds really insensitive but he can't keep doing this to Nick.

As I walked down the corridor, a hand grabbed me and pulled me close. It was Aiden. "You're gonna make such a good Luna." He smiled and rested his head on top of mine. He kissed my cheek, sending sparks flying across my skin and causing a ferocious blush to creep up my neck.

WILLIAM'S POV.

"Just sort out how you feel!"

I don't know how I feel.

'I hope you feel like an asshole,' Oliver, my lion hissed.

'Oh shut it,' I sighed, raking a hand through my longish, scraggily tawny hair. It's too long and too dirty at the minute, when normally it's cropped rather short. At the minute, if I lean forward it falls into my gold-y eyes. 'You're confused too and you know it, Olly.'

'No,' he snapped, 'you're wrong! I'm shocked our mate is a boy- I never even considered being gay before, that's true- but now I just want my mate!'

I slumped into a chair and let my long legs sink. I feel so tired of running and moving- we just need to stay in one place for a while.

No.

We need to keep moving until we find Aunt Grace- she can help us.

'I don't want to leave!' Oliver whined. 'I want to be with Nick and his wolf- I don't want to hurt them anymore...'

I swallowed hard. 'We aren't the only ones involved in this- we need to consider Chase, Jamie and Grace too!' I reminded him.

Olly scoffed. 'You don't think Jamie wants to stay with her mate? You don't think Chase wants to be with other shifters his age? Grace can wait- she's just being selfish by asking us to come to her!'

'No- Grace has been through enough!' I growled. 'We're leaving as soon as Chase is healed and we will find Grace- she needs us.'

'But so does Nickoli.' Oliver stated.

Sighing again, I pushed my face into my hands.

"Willy?" I heard a voice. I looked up and saw Nick peeping around the corner of the living room wall, looking concerned.

I growled. "Don't call me that."

'Asshole.' Oliver hissed.

I shook my head to rid it of Oliver's taunts and stood up to face Nick, who was now in front of me. I was about a head taller than him, and so had to bend my neck in order to meet his gaze. He had the warmest Hazel eyes, calloused lips... I shook my head again to rid it of those thoughts. "What do you want?"

Nick stepped on his tip-toes and grabbed the back of my neck. He pulled my lips to meet his roughly, and kissed me.

Shocked, I froze as his mouth worked against mine. Sparks ignited on my skin and a wild crimson blush spread across my nose and ears, making my skin hot. His fingers wound themselves in the tawny hair at the nape of my neck and pulled me closer. My hands, not knowing what to do, hung limply at my sides.

Nickoli released me and stepped away, sucking in a deep breath, leaving me panting to catch my breath- the shock winded me. "You're my mate." He growled, kissing my chin. "You will accept me."

I growled back and clutched his wrist. His eyes lit up from my touch and the sparks it undoubtedly made. I tightened my grip. "Don't order me to do anything." He shrunk back a bit at my deep, husky voice.

I threw his wrist down and turned my back to him, leaving the room with graceful, even strides. As soon as I was in the guest room I was staying in, I leant against the wall and slid down till I was on the floor. I lifted a shaky hand to tuck a tawny tendril behind my ear and breathed out a trembling breath- I could still feel his warmth...

'Sure you want to leave him for Aunt Grace?' Oliver asked quietly.

I swallowed and gritted my teeth. 'We have to.' I closed my heavy eyes. 'She needs us and she's somewhere safe. Chase and Jamie need to be safe.'