As the days progressed Neema became aware of one thing and one thing only, that to be safe among these wolves she had to be fearsome, a true threat.

Though she had won the fight against Lian and had gained the respect of Khan's den of wolves it still did not deduct from the fact that wolves outside of the pack were just as fierce and hated her just as much. She was a sewage dweller, a gutter rat and was firmly meant to be at the bottom of the hierarchy but her fight with Lian had progressed her to a higher position then the majority of the wolves within these compound walls could ever dream of being.

She was no longer a gutter rat she was then Luna to the future Regional Alpha, a direct descendant of the original Wolfen Brethren and all that self-important diatribe Khan constantly said.

Her position within the pack was strong but outside of Khan's den she was left vulnerable, Khan was not this compounds Alpha and so she had implored Carson to take her training. Though the wolf could do little to hep her train he knew where the rooms were and so she needed him, plus she hoped to help him.

The way the wolves spoke of Carson made the snide comments she received behind turned backs seem like child's play. His jaunts were face to face, there was no hiding, no secrecy about how they felt and the poor boy just took it on the chin.

At first Neema had been weary of him but the way Khan treated him with complete dismissal made her feel as if he was trustworthy, anybody who was on the wrong side of Khan could be a companion of hers. She also noticed how he watched Vanya whenever he came across her. He was interested in her little female so what way to ensure her safety then to befriend the wolf and to perhaps train him as well. He would be strong and if Vanya chose him she would be safe in the arms of a wolf who Neema hoped to trust.

"Carson, why don't you train? " argued Neema.

When the wolf merely shrugged his shoulders and continued staring off into space she felt it was her time to give him all the pros into why he should train. No female wanted a weak male especially a human who was of the weaker specie and she told him that exactly. At her words his ears perked up and his eyes flickered towards Vanya who was still years too young for him.

"I do not want to be embarrassed I am already laughed at why add more fuel to the fire." He mumbled self depreciatingly.

She understood that being a wolf of his kind was hard to endure, he came from a line of strong and ferocious wolves and yet he could barely form a fist to make a punch. His father paid him no mind, only to ensure that wolves did not make comments when he was around. Khan treated him disdainfully and his mother coddled him as if he would die from a human cold. It was hard being a wolf but not really being a wolf and his pity party only made him weaker. If he at least tried, then there would be less to condemn him for but as it stood he was wallowing in self pity and hate.

"Then don't, you have potential you should use it instead of wasting away and living under mummy and daddy's protection. Be a man, be a wolf." She grumbled as she stood up and marched off to find her siblings who frolicked about in Vanya's communal garden

Her words were harsh but it was necessary, she had to be mean to make him see how pathetic he had allowed himself to become. Once he realised that he would be on the true road to recovery.

"Have you been to the main kitchen yet?"

His voice shocked her, she did not think he would still want to be around her after the way she had spoken to him but here he was. His cheeks were ruddy with heat and his feet kicked at the grass as he waited for her reply.

She was not sure why this kitchen would be an important place to visit but she shook her head to let him know.

"Do you want to come? I think you will like it" his eyes had lightened and he had a slight smile traipsing across his lips. Neema was sure she wouldn't care to see this kitchen he spoke of but she couldn't be the person to beat him down twice in one day.

So she reluctantly nodded her head and gathered her family, Vanya included.

"What's so great about this kitchen Carson?" whispered Vanya as her eyes lashes flickered and a slight blush rose on her skin. The little female tucked her hair behind her ears as she followed Carson down the corridor looking completely awestruck. Neema couldn't read the two but they had some sort of weird chemistry, bond, vibe thing going on, they hardly ever spoke to each other but when the did it was as if they scared to.

Vanya clearly had a crush on Carson but Carson was a little harder to understand, he avoided being directly near her but whenever she was in the room he stared at her like she was an angel. His attachment to Vanya was apparent from the moment she first met her but what it was she wasn't sure, perhaps the mate bond was present from young.

Neema was just happy that Carson remained appropriate and hadn't started sniffing in Vanya's direction, it was also helpful that Vanya had taken a fancy to him.

It was nice, this feeling she got around them was pleasantly nice and she couldn't remember the last time she had felt it. Around the two she felt like there were no worries, no stress about eventually becoming pregnant or about whether she should even consider trusting Khan or just write him off. No fear about her siblings wellbeing and no sadness that her family had shrunken before it had started to grow.

"Oooooooh now I know why we had to come here" she mumbled.

The kitchen that Carson took her to was different from the one she had been in. It was flawless with shelves and shelves full of all kinds of treats. There were glass cabinets full of colourful confections, some were colours she had never seen in her life. There were cabinets from floor to ceiling filled with all sorts of foods and drinks.

the traditional kitchen utilities were still in the room but everything was larger and so much shinier, they gleamed like they were the doors to heaven.

The kitchen was a work of art, a room full of colour and foods laden with sugar.

"Don't eat that, it's not edible"

She laughed out when she saw Jana stuffing yellow and green marbles in her mouth. The crunch of them in her mouth meant she would be missing some teeth at the end of the day.

"It is fine everything hear you can eat, this is one of my favourite rooms" Carson pointed out some of the tastier and less harsh foods, brown stuff that didn't look appealing but melted in your mouth with a sweet aftertaste. Cold creamy pink stuff that tasted a bit like strawberries dipped in honey.

There were so many treats she had to take some to save for later.

Picking up a plastic bowl she scooped up tonnes of colourful sweets while she sipped on the overly sugary, fizzy, orange drink. Her food looked like an array of rainbows and it tasted exactly as she imagined one would taste like a slice of heaven in her mouth.

Picking up other items she slid some in her jumpsuit pockets while the others she stuck under her arms. A bag of something called popcorn was coming with her back to the room, she wouldn't be separated from it.

"Thanks for showing us to the kitchen but we need to go before we get caught ransacking this place. Plus, I have to meet with Khan."

She grumbled as she picked up her drink and headed out the door.

Khan had taken it upon himself to administer some mate "bonding" every day for at least an hour. Usually it was when the kids were in the nursery he would meet her outside and walk the compound with her, once or twice she had met him in his study or the dining hall. They hadn't returned to the flower wall where their first meeting took place but she hoped they eventually would, if only to see if more flowers had blossomed yet.

Most of the time he did the talking with her adding her input occasionally. The whole situation was awkward but none of the meetings were worse than the first, they had become accustomed to each others company even if it was not pleasant. She did not like Khan for what he had done to her and for the little remorse he had shown for doing it. With Khan in her life Neema had witnessed more violence than she had ever been submitted to. Everything that he was, was what she hated in a man let alone a wolf.

He had tried to make amendments though, ones that were so noticeable she almost believed he was a different man. He was attentive to her and liked to touch her, not in intimate ways but subtle things. A pat on the shoulder, or a hand on the back when she was walking. Khan was clearly trying to court Neema. His behaviour suggested he wanted to win her affections which was not going to happen anytime soon, if ever. She could almost like this Khan, if he was around longer she was sure they could be friends. He was a lot less volatile and refrained from threatening her, of course he still got worked up easily but his tongue was guarded.

She was stuck in this situation with no way out and so she tried to forget what he had done to her, she tried so hard to forgive his actions but she could not ignore that nagging voice in the back of her mind reminding her that they were not even. The malicious side to her, that prideful side forbade her heart from warming up to Khan, it continued to torment her with all he had done and it would continue to do so until they were even.

Khan had hurt her with little reason and even less remorse. She could not forgive his behaviour or his arrogance, it was impossible.

The only way they could ever be mates was if Neema had revenge, if she evened the playing-field. Her need for revenge went against everything she had been taught, her mother had told her 2 wrongs did not make a right but Neema was too far gone into her pride, into this world to hear her mother's words. She would not heed that advice.

Khan would bleed before she bore him an heir, she vowed it.

//---//

Neema stood panting as she watched Carson sparring with one of the Warriors. In the week or so that they had been visiting the training room Carson had really boosted his skills. He still had tonnes of improvement to make, his form was not great and his reflexes were too methodical. He was also way too thin but he was getting somewhere. What shocked everyone the most was his speed, he really was as fast as lightening.

His counterattacks did not pack much force but he could easily duck blows and strike back without anyone really expecting it. Neema was pretty chuffed that her advice had paid off. Her friend, because he was definitely a friend was so much more confident in himself.

He really was a mesmerising sight to watch when he was in his element, his golden hair flew around his face and his grey eyes sparkled with joy. Vanya had been the most recipient to his changes, though he still looked relatively the same there was an air of confidence about him that was not there before. There was a prep to his gait.

"Damn Carson can we stop now. I swear I have a stitch" she heaved out rubbing the side of her hip to soothe the throbbing.

Her back was sticky with perspiration and her hair was trickling out from her bun. Her body had just recovered from the fight with Lian and she was already putting it through the works again. She would be back down to the infirmary to see Emmaline again and this time she hoped it wouldn't because she was black and blue with bruises. Her and Emmaline's friendship was a slow process but it was definitely out of the awkward zone, which was a breath of fresh air. Neema needed all the support she could get.

"I want to go a bit longer, maybe you could teach me some moves?"

Carson had finished sparing with the warrior, he had not won but his defeat was not as humiliating as it usually was. He got at least one punch in and his face was not as blotchy as it had been before instead there were only a few splotches of blood.

Neema abruptly jumped up and put Carson in a strong head lock before he knew what was about to happen.

"Alright let's see you get out of this" taunted Neema.

Her headlocks were pretty much a strong hold. It was ridiculously hard to get out of one and most people could not figure out how a human could have that kind strength but Lian had been the first to note how strong she physically was, especially for her meagre size.

The two females had reached an impasse, they had to acknowledge that both were strong opponents and Neema had to count her blessings where they were due. Lian was the stronger female in brute force, the only reason had won that first fight was because she had underestimated Neema. Now that they were on an even playfield Neema knew she could get her ass handed to her by the female especially as there was small bit of tension.

They still sparred though and the matches were light hearted and jovial, well as jovial as they could be when it was a competition. Every time they were in the training room together they would challenge each other until someone came out the victor. Then the challenge would start again the next day. She guessed it was their weird way of clearing the air and normalising the violence that had started their acquaintance to each other.

Carson tried to wiggle his head out of the cradle of her arms but the hold was too tight. Trying to stand up only forced Neema to put more pressure on his head pulling him further towards the ground as he tried to pull up. Eventually the two of them ended up toppling to the floor, a mass of wild limbs and laughter.

"Well this is cosy" barked out an angry voice above them.

Neema quickly shot up from her place beside Carson to meet the ferocious gaze of khan.

His inky hair was tousled in mad disarray and his jaw was ticking in anger. Climbing to their feet Carson and Neema tried to placate the obviously livid Khan both rushing out to explain the situation.

"You wish to take my female from me, humiliate me? Challenge me" he bellowed his face molten with fury and bitterness.

The sight of his female lying beside another man, laughing with another man was abominable. She was for him only. If she would not smile for him then she would smile for no one, not even his mistake of a brother.

"Khan please, it wasn't like that, we were just training and fell over. I know it sounds dumb but don't be Irat-"

"Shut up female. You do not get to speak to me! I will deal with you separately. Little brother, let's fight this out like real wolves" his screech interrupting Neema's attempt at an explanation.

Carson had no choice but to fight his brother. He knew he was no match for an Alpha or any wolf for that matter but to back out would be the worst humiliation a wolf could face. If he at least stood his ground, they would call him brave. Stupid, but still brave. If he refused to fight he would be called a coward and his brother could choose to punish him however he saw fit. At least this way he got to maintain some of his dignity and maybe his brother would see that he was not as weak as everyone thought him to be.

The fight was over before it really began. Carson had managed to dodge 3 of Khan's blows before Khan got tired of playing with his brother. His long leg stuck out, tripping his erratic brother and he gripped him by the neck before he could fall to the floor. Strangling his brother, he lifted him to his height by his throat leaving his feet dangling off the ground and his face to turn a blotchy red with the lack of air.

"That's enough he can't breathe" screamed a crying Neema. She could not intervene as she was being forcefully held back by one of Khan's loyal pack mates and though she was their Luna, Khan was their Alpha. He would always win. She tried to out

Manoeuvre the guy holding her back but his grasp was too tight.

Her protests only angered Khan more.

Throwing his brother across the room he stalked towards Carson's crumbled body and forced him off the floor before giving him two forceful punches. Blood sputtered from Carson's face as he dropped to the floor. Coughing on his own fluids.

Neema was by his side before his head could fully hit the floor. Clasping his face in her hands as she cried over his bleeding face and attempting to wipe away the blood. Her friend did not deserve such treatment from a brother he only admired and wished to emulate.

Her body was lifted from his side by forceful hands. The rough actions causing her head to loll. When she got control of her head she sent it back towards his face, the forceful crunch of her head making impact with khan's face caused his grip to loosen. As soon as he let go she made a mad dash towards Carson.

Before she could make it halfway through the room he had her back in his arms as he dragged her out the room. Her legs kicking out as she tried to get away. Khan's brutal grip around her body told her of things to come.

Throwing Neema into the bedroom that she had not properly been in for almost a month was nearly déjà Vu. The circumstance was difference but she was still dealing with a crazed Khan. This time her body sprung up into action before he could reach her. Her body narrowly missing one of his heavy feet as he tried to tread on her thigh. Placing her body into a fighting position, Neema decided she was not about to go down without a battle.

Last time she was shocked and even scared at what he would do. She had tried to placate him. This time she wasn't going to play nice, she knew what brutality he was capable of even if it was the tip of the iceberg. If he wanted to scar her body he was going to have to work for that privilege. She was not about to lie on her back and let him try and kill her. No her father taught her better and she knew better now. Khan would only listen to strength and cunningness. She was definitely cunning.

Khan licked his bleeding lip. The tart taste of blood in his mouth from the head butt Neema had given him. He was pleasantly surprised by that move. The fight in her only drove him wild. She had been wrong to publicly humiliate him like that, to take her brothers side instead of showing her loyalty to him. It was punishable, but it had only been made worse when she comforted his little brother in front of him. He was ready to kill her and bathe in her blood. the only thing that stopped him was that she was the only true mate he would ever have.

Khan's body had begun shifting again, he was altering into his middle form. His nuzzle wasn't as pronounced as it had been before but his eyes were leaking red. His canines protruding through his lips and his body swelling in size. It would be easier to dodge him in this form. He was bigger so he was clearly a bit slower and is wolf abilities would not kick in as much because he was only mid transition. His body would be stronger but a lot more awkward and sloppy.

Neema was optimistic that she would be able to give him a pretty scar to remember her by. In all honesty she was looking forward to it.