Rejection

Chapter 8 - Pain

---Max's POV---

The nurses were fluttering around Gavin's bed, monitoring his every move while they swapped his bandages and checked his throat. Relief coursed through my body as they gave him the all clear but instructed him to rest in the following days.

Gavin nodded, a tired smile playing on his lips while he sank down in the fluffed pillows. The nurses nodded at everyone in the room before leaving, assuring they'd be there in a flash if Gavin needed them.

I could feel my own body relaxing as I could finally sit back, knowing that my big brother was going to be okay. He had always been my best friend, my hero, and seeing him like that, defeated, weak and helpless made me sick to the core.

He looked up at my approach, smiling softly. "Max..." he croaked, grimacing as each swallow he took pulled at the wounds on his throat. His eyes flitted through the room, coming to a rest on mom and dad.

"Hey guys..."

"You stupid, stupid boy." Father groaned with tears in his eyes while mom rushed to Gavin's side, weeping and trembling as she kissed his temple over and over again. "Why would you even fight so many alone?"

Gavin groaned in pain as mom's hands fluttered helplessly in the air, muttering praises to the Goddess and glared at Gavin when he chuckled softly. "You are in so much trouble, young man! Don't you think that just because you're the Beta, I wouldn't think twice of bending you over the knee."

"Sorry mom." Gavin whispered, swallowing thickly before reaching for the glass of water. Mom quickly picked it up, guiding the straw to Gavin's lips and smiled when he drank with some effort.

"I had to dad." Gavin looked at our father, who was slowly approaching the bed to reach out and hold the stretched out hand of my brother. "They were making a beeline for the community center... Luna, all the pups were there."

I swallowed thickly, pushing past the bile that threatened to erupt. Anger flooded my veins at the idea that my mate, Kyle... He had led the rogues to the pups? I knew he was despicable but this was just sick...

"When the breach was announced, I gathered everyone would rush to find the rogues..." Gavin panted slightly while mom hushed him. "It's okay sweetie, you don't need to-" She paused when dad held out his palm, eyes set on Gavin. "Continue son. What happened?"

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "We all know what happened, Dad. It's the reason why Gavin lays here in the first place. He was the only one who thought ahead and saved the pups."

Gavin glanced around the room with a look of confusion but continued when Dad nodded at him. "Well... I wasn't the only one. Kyle got there before I did." For a moment, anger bubbled inside as I glared at Father, silently telling him that I was right all along before I stilled when Gavin continued.

"Man, I don't know what got in your mate but...he fought them like an animal. He didn't care that he was wounded. He was tenacious in defending the center and I admit, I first thought he led them there." Gavin shook his head, "I've been such an asshole to him in the past."

My muscles quivered as I stumbled and sank down in my seat, feeling my wolf struggle and claw against the hold I had over it. I barely heard my brother's explanation over the roaring barks of my wolf as it snarled and bit at me.

"Kyle had already taken two down and in my shock, I didn't notice one of those bastards sneak up on me. It latched onto my scruff instantly before Kyle managed to yank it off of me." Gavin brushed a big hand over his throat as he cringed slightly, probably reliving his memories.