Comforting Ram

Ram had no doubt in his ability to get William and Tyla back to the packhouse without his pack's help. Even with Tymarie barking at his heels, he could still easily overpower the couple with one hand tied behind his back. But he didn't want it to get ugly or violent. That wasn't the point of capturing them, and that wasn't how he wanted Tymarie to see him. As they made their way back through the woods to his farm, he fought with his mixed emotions towards Tymarie; anger, pride, lust, regret.

The lovely scent of her blood hit him, causing him to look down at her bare feet being cut open on the harsh grounds below.

"You need to change into your wolf, we all do," Ram told her. "I've told my Beta to grab the truck and pick us up at the road that meets the forest line nearby. It will be much quicker if travel by wolf."

"No." Tymarie grabbed his arm and stopped him from walking any further. She nodded for her sister and William to continue ahead to give her a moment. "They can turn as easy as you."

"What do you mean?"

"Our wolves aren't as strong as yours. Neglecting the Moon for generations has taken its toll on our pack."

"But you seemed to have no problem changing, and William was just in wolf form minutes ago."

"I'm not sure how he even managed to turn under so much pressure, but I'm certain that it took everything in him, and he won't be able to turn for hours, maybe even days. My sister wasn't able to turn when they escaped, or she would've done so already." She sighed. "I think the only reason I'm strong enough now is because of our bond."

"Your Alpha should be ashamed," Ram said with disgust. "He's made his wolves weak and pathetic."

"And you're so tough? Picking on little girls and those that can't defend themselves?" Tymarie pushed him out of her way and began walking again. The female angered him so much. She was stubborn and hardheaded, pushing his buttons at every chance she had, but his hard heart became soft when she was near.

"Your feet are bleeding and you're naked." He said as he looked her over. Fuck. Her body was perfect under the Moonlight.

"My feet would be fine if you had never taken me or my sister against our will." She told him. "And since when have wolves cared about nakedness?"

"Since you forced this stupid bond! I don't want my men seeing your body. I can't help it. You caused this. That damn bond is making me crazy." He let out a low growl, causing William and Tyla to look back at them, but Tymarie waved for them to continue as she followed behind.

"Why did you take my sister? What are you planning to do?" She tried to whisper so they wouldn't hear her up ahead.

"I told you, I can't say, but I'm not going to harm them."

"That's not good enough for me," Tymarie said. "I can feel your honesty, but I need more than a reassurance, I need answers, now."

"Damn it, Tymarie." He grabbed her shoulders and pulled her towards him. "I am trying my best to be patient with you, but don't mistake this bond as an opportunity to order me around. I am the Alpha, not you. I am sick of being questioned by you. I answer to no one, including you."

"Get off of me." She pushed him and he allowed his arms to fall away from her and back to his side. "Don't touch me again."

Her words stung, but not as much as his pride that she kept attacking. They continued walking in silence, all the way to the side road where his Beta was waiting for them with a truck. Ram reached in and grabbed the two blankets he told his Beta to bring. He tossed one at William who was shivering bare naked. The other, he wrapped around Tymarie, who wouldn't even look up at his face.

"Get in." He demanded them as he dropped the truck bed down. Tyla and William hopped up into the back of the truck, but before Tymarie could get in herself, Ram swooped her up off of her bleeding feet and sat her down gently in the truck bed. He jumped in and sat beside her.

They weren't too far from his packhouse. Luckily for him, William and Tyla weren't able to run as wolves or they would've gotten too far too fast for his pack to catch up with them. When they reached his farm, some of his men stood outside on guard, ready to pounce if they had to, but Ram called them off and made them back off. He didn't need to show any more muscle, William and Tyla were coming back without a fight, and he wanted to gain their trust so it wouldn't be a continuous battle. Hopefully, they could accept the situation and ride it out smoothly until the plan was done. He doubted that would be the case, but he had a bonded mate string pulling at him, reminding him that he couldn't use force and intimidation right now, or Tymarie would hate him forever.

"Should I take them to the barn?" Beta Payne asked.

"No, take them to the basement bedroom, and lock them in there." Ram turned to William and Tyla. "It will be more comfortable. You guys can stay there for now. I'll have one of my men bring you some clothes and food."

His Beta began to lead them away when Ram noticed Tymarie following as well.

"Where are you going?" He asked her.

"With my sister." She said.

"You have a bedroom upstairs, with me."

Tymarie laughed loudly, mocking his words.

"You don't actually expect me to sleep up there with you after this, do you?" Her anger was burning his own chest.

"Tymarie, you are my bonded mate." He reached for her, but she swatted his hand away.

"Forced bonded mate." She took the blanket off and threw it to the ground to spite him.

"Tymarie!" He called out to her, but she ignored him and went into the house.

Damn her. He picked up a lawn chair and threw it across the yard. It shattered into pieces when it hit a tree. She was so terrible. Horrible. A pain in his ass. She was…she was his and he hated that he found her resistance so beautiful.

"Do you want me to drag her back up here?" His Beta asked as he found Ram stalking in anger around the yard.

"No. There'd be no point. She'll just fight you, and probably win." Ram laughed as he thought of his Beta trying to block Tymarie's hits.

"I like her," Payne told him. "She's not what I expected. If her father had half of her strength, then he wouldn't have to hire us to fight his pack's battles."

"He's a coward." Ram picked up a stick and tossed it into the air. He was on edge and trying not to go chasing after Tymarie. "His pack is a bunch of pussies. They neglected the Moon too long, and she has now turned her back on them. They can barely even change to their wolves. That's why her father needs us so bad. They are weaker than ever. No matter how many members they have. No matter how tough he acts. The Azzora pack is dying out."

"What a shame." Beta Payne stared up at the Moon and took in a deep breath. "Such a loss."

They stayed out under the Moon for a while, watching her fade as the sun began to come up. Soon, Ram decided to head to bed to hopefully get some sleep. He knew his day would be eventful and he had to prepare. But as he laid in bed for a few hours, unable to find peace, he cursed the sun outside of his window. His body kept jerking, keeping him from falling asleep. Was it the bond? Was it his own emotions causing his body to be so on edge, or was it his mates?

Remembering that Tymarie had been in so much pain without him by her side that night, he realized that it was her aches he was reacting to. Oh well. Let her stay in pain in the basement where she chose to go instead of by his side. It was her choice to be away from him, not his. Maybe she could learn a lesson by dealing with discomfort. He tried to convince himself that she deserved it, that it was her own actions that led to her pain, but nothing shook away the immense emotion that thinking of his mate in agony brought him.

Damn it. He jumped out of bed and stomped his way down to the basement. He could feel her energy as he neared the bedroom door.

"Don't you dare come in here," Tymarie said from the other side of the door as she felt him coming near.

"You're in pain." He said through the door.

"I don't care. I don't want you in here with me."

"So, you'd rather suffer in agony?"

"Yes!" She yelled out.

"Fine" He banged against the door and heard her grunt from the other side. She was laying on the floor, right up against the door. She must've really been hurting and tried to get as close to him without leaving the room. His heart sank as he imagined how she must be feeling.

Ram sat down on the basement floor and leaned his back against the door.

"What are you doing?" She asked from the other side. Her voice seemed a little less strained and he could tell his presence was calming her body.

"If you won't come out of there, then I'll stay right here to stop your pain." He closed his eyes as his head rested back on the door.

Tymarie didn't say another word, but he soon felt her body at ease as she fell asleep. After knowing that she was alright, he was able to find his own sleep, and he knew that being close to her brought a comfort that he needed in his life as well.