Scarred Wolf Queen Chapter 56

**Briony's POV**

Chloe eventually shut up about the whole patrol situation, but that didn't make things any better. Thomas kept encouraging her to keep up, and she did stop whining, but her pace got slower with each passing minute. Eventually Thomas had no choice but to call other patrol teams to take over our area early.

The whole thing pissed me off. Someone could've been seriously hurt because this important security task was being treated like a dating opportunity. 

After patrol ended, I rushed home for a quick shower, then headed to school. When I reached the front steps, I found Noah waiting for me, his usually serious face oddly soft.

"I'm sorry, little sis," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. "Layla told me everything. I had no idea things were that bad for you. We just thought you were being stubborn or trying to prove something."

He kept his hands on my shoulders when he pulled back.

"I won't try to stop you like those three knuckleheads. If you want to leave, go chase your dreams. But remember, no matter where you end up, this will always be your home, and I'll always be your brother."

His words made something warm spread through my chest. Noah rarely got this sentimental.

"How was patrol?" he asked, his mouth quirking into a knowing smile.

"A total nightmare," I groaned. "What's going on with these assignments? How did they even get on patrol duty? Who got stuck with the other two?"

"Victoria's with Maxwell, Zoey's with Ethan," Noah sighed. "All three of them complained non-stop. Victoria actually threw a fit because she wasn't paired with Maxwell or Christopher."

"That's insane," I said. "There's an actual threat out there, and they're treating patrol like speed dating."

"Victoria's dad pulled strings with the board," Noah explained. "He tried to pressure Griffin into changing the pairings. It's ridiculous, turning security into a matchmaking service."

He paused. "But then again, it's not surprising. You do know that Victoria's father is Delta Griffin's brother, right?"

"I forgot about that," I said. "Poor Ethan, having such a relative."

Noah sighed, "Anyway, let me walk you to school. Take ten minutes to get ready?"

"Oh, almost forgot," he pulled out a bag from behind him. "Luna asked me to give you this. She said 'when you're ready, come home.' Said you might need this stuff."

I took the bag with a nod and hurried upstairs. After a quick shower, I opened Luna's package and couldn't help laughing. Inside, alongside my underwear and jeans, were Benjamin's tank top, Christopher's t-shirt, and Maxwell's hoodie. They smelled freshly worn. Subtle, Luna. Real subtle.

I rolled my eyes but tugged on the t-shirt and giant hoodie, rolling up the sleeves several times.

When I came downstairs, Noah raised his eyebrows at my outfit. "Looks like Luna's playing matchmaker too."

"Cut it out," I muttered. "Didn't have much choice."

"You look stronger wearing their clothes, not smaller," Noah said. "Weird, I expected the opposite."

As we walked to school, he handed me an oatmeal bar and orange juice. Ever since the doctor said I was "malnourished," everyone had been obsessed with feeding me. If they only knew how little I'd survived on before...

"So, about the Mating Ball..." Noah said suddenly.

"How did we jump from breakfast to that?" I asked.

"Don't change the subject!" He tapped my shoulder. "You're still coming with us, right? Nobody should go alone, especially with everything that's happening. Plus, with Sentinel training coming up, this might be your last chance to experience it."

"I guess," I sighed. "But honestly, the ball seems kinda pointless now. I'm only sixteen, I hate crowds except around you guys, and I can't dance. What's the point when I can't even find a mate for another two years?"

I glanced around. "Besides, adults just use it for politics, pushing packs together. I don't want to be paraded around like you are."

"Aren't you being paraded too?" Noah asked sharply.

"What do you mean?"

"The way Dad and others talk about you," he said bluntly, "you're basically being shown off like a prize too. Especially now that you've caught the Alpha King's attention."

An uneasy feeling washed over me. "I never asked for that," I said quietly. "You're the Beta, not me. I just wanted to be a warrior."

"Bri, you were never just a warrior," Noah said, his voice serious. "Even if you don't see it. That's why you need people around you who understand your real value. When those guys get weird about other boys talking to you, try to be patient with them."

He smiled awkwardly. "And yeah, jealousy is definitely part of it. Those three stubborn idiots will never admit it straight up, though."

That made me laugh for real.

"Even Prince Derek?" I asked, half-joking.

"Especially him," Noah shot back. "He gets more female attention in an hour than the triplets see in a week. But the difference is, he sought you out. You didn't fawn all over him like other girls; you treated him like a normal person. And you knocked him flat on his ass. Who knows? Maybe that's when he fell for you."

"Don't you guys like girls showing interest?" I asked, dodging the Derek topic.

"Casual stuff is fun," Noah shrugged, "but most girls want more - status, money, to be a trophy. And our jobs, including mate responsibilities, are crazy demanding. Few of them understand what they're signing up for. That's why the triplets keep their distance."

He stared into the distance. "It's not about being stuck-up, it's self-protection. But unless you've lived it, nobody gets it. And half the time, it's not even the girls - it's their parents pushing them at us whether they want it or not. Your situation's not that different."

"I guess," I admitted, checking the time. "We better hurry before school calls Dad about me skipping."

"After that hospital speech, I doubt anyone's calling your father," Noah laughed, guilt flashing across his face.

We hadn't even reached the lockers when Victoria ambushed us with Zoey and Chloe in tow.

"What took you so long?" she demanded. "And why are you wearing Maxwell's hoodie? He never lets me touch his stuff. Take it off right now!"

"Luna picked these clothes for her after patrol," Noah replied coolly. "Got a problem with that, take it up with her. As for being late, we're within limits, which I would know. Speaking of which, how was your patrol shift? Hope all your demands were met, considering how eager you were to join despite being completely unprepared."

Zoey and Chloe mumbled something, avoiding our eyes. Chloe looked even more exhausted than this morning, though she'd fixed her makeup. Early mornings definitely weren't her thing, and I almost felt bad for her getting conned into this thankless job.

"There was a misunderstanding with our assignments," Victoria said, flipping her hair. "Daddy will fix it today."

"Besides," she continued, "we don't really need to learn all that stuff anyway. I don't see why we're being treated like everyone else."