Unnatural// 5SOS & 1D

Animals// part seven

m.c: Tear In My Heart

When I got home from school the next day, a couple of familiar figures were all standing in the living room. "Ashton!" I exclaimed, launching myself at the brunette. He laughed loudly, catching me in his arms. He was as much as my big brother as Jonathan was. They had known each other since grad school and have always protected me against everything. I don't get to see Ashton a lot because he's supposed to be off at college. Which is why it was weird seeing him here now with Lance, Tony and Gavin.

All four of them were part of my brothers pack, Jonathan being the leader of this said pack. After he died, they were supposed to pick a new leader but.. They haven't yet. Maybe they were trying to settle on one or maybe they didn't want to choose a new alpha but either way, they didn't have one. And a pack without an alpha was a weak one. Three members had already moved on and decided to join other packs in different states. There were only six guys left of the original ten.

"What are doing here!" I exclaimed, pulling away from him. "I've missed you." Ashton grinned and ruffled my hair.

"I've missed you too kiddo. Gavin actually called me out." I glanced over at Gavin. He's a tall lanky guy, quiet. He still lives and works in our small town so I see him all the time. He's usually a happy guy so seeing him grim faced made me nervous.

"What.. What's happening?" I asked. My parents sighed, looking on solemnly.

"We think you should sit sweetheart." My heart was pounding out of my chest as Ashton guided me to an armchair and sat me down. The four boys dropped themselves down on the couches and stared at me. My parents remained in their spot at the dining room table.

"What's happening?" I asked again.

"Gavin." Ashton prompted. With a sigh, Gavin cleared his throat.

"I wanted to talk to you about the wolf I saw you with last night." Oh? Was that all. I smiled slowly.

"That was you Michael was so afraid of? I told him he was being paranoid. I explained to him about the other wolves out here but he was adamant that they weren't to be trusted. Stupid right?" Nobody said anything. My smile fell. "There's more to it than that isn't there."

"Lydia, you really don't want to hang around Michael." Ashton said gently.

"Why? I like him. He's not gonna hurt me I swear. And he doesn't have to hide from me! Isn't that what you guys are always saying you want? To be able to show someone who you are? Michael and I have that and..."

"No, Lydia. That's not it." Gavin interrupted.

"We don't think you should hang around Michael because.. God Lydia, he's the one who killed your brother." Frozen in my seat, I tried to process what he was saying to me. Michael had killed my brother. Michael was afraid of a pack of wolves. Michael had done something bad a couple months back. Michael was worried that the other members of the pack would kill him.

"No." I had all the pieces but I refused to believe it. "No." I hadn't even realized I stood up until Ashton stood up too.

"Lydia I'm sorry. Your parents said that Michael is your boyfriend and.."

"You're wrong." I snapped at him. "Michael didn't..." I couldn't even defend him. All I could see was Michael covered in my brothers blood.

"Lydia, don't be naive." Lance scolded harshly.

"Lance." Ashton commanded.

"What! It's true? Her boyfriend is the one who murdered her brother. She can't take this lightly!"