Warning: This is the second chapter of Lethal I have posted today. U know the drill.

I pulled on my leggings, ignoring the random spots of dried blood on the outside from the earlier massacre.

You know that I can't leave until after the challenge, I told Cain as I put on my sports bra and cropped tank top.

He glared at me as he put on his jeans. "Since when do you care about helping others?"

Since it's not just a random person, Cain. It's Thane's mate, I pointed out. If the situations were reversed, you know that Thane would do the same.

"I am sure that if the situations were reversed, Thane would prioritize his mate over anyone else's," Cain disputed, and pulled me back towards the bed so I was sitting on the edge of it while he stood up, entwining his hands in mine.

He is already dedicating a huge amount of time to find Wilson, I argued back. We owe him. And even if we didn't, I can't say that my decision would be any different. You've seen the way he looks at her.

Cain sighed as one of his hands released mine and he moved it so that he was stroking my cheek. "I know that this is the right decision, Ares. That's not to say that I like it or that I agree with it. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to you because I wasn't there."

Ugh. Too many people referencing the kidnapping today. Relax, mate. I can handle myself just fine. I killed thirteen wolves today while being under a chemical attack.

"You shouldn't have had to handle it is the issue," Cain snarled back, his anger increasing. Ugh, this conversation was going in the wrong direction.

I put my hand on his stomach and traced his abs. But I can. Not to mention, I'm sure Thane is going to increase his patrols while I'm here. I even promise that I won't stray too close to the edge of the border. I promise that I won't do anything to put myself in danger. Besides... I could use the distraction...

Cain's eyes soften. Boy, did I know how to work him. "After the three weeks are up, you're not leaving my sight for months," Cain finally acquiesced.

I smiled and wrapped my legs around his waist as he pulled me up to kiss him.

After a couple of more kisses to solidify the agreement, we went back downstairs, where Thane was sitting with Onyx on his lap on one of the oversized couches.

Onyx immediately stiffened upon our entrance, and I saw her eyes attached to the multiple bite marks from Cain within the last hour.

"My apologies for threatening to take Ares back," Cain gruffly told Thane, and I could tell that it bothered him that he admitted he was wrong. "Of course it would be her honor to train your future Luna."

Thane smirked. "No worries, cousin."

"Onyx," Cain turned to the dark haired girl, who recoiled in fear. "Are you okay?"

Her eyes were bulging out of her head, and I could hear her heart rate spike. "Y-yes?" She squeaked out, and it sounded more like a question.

"Thane, you should have a pack doctor check her out, just in case," Cain commanded, as if it were his mate and his responsibility.

Thane rolled his eyes. "I did, while you were upstairs fu-" Thane paused and looked at Onyx, who was blushing furiously. "I mean, canoodling, your mate."

Onyx looked like she was about to die from embarrassment. She sank in closer to Thane, who, I noticed, always wrapped his arms tighter around her on instinct.

"I got a healing salve from the doctor, her hands are good as new," Thane proudly stated.

Excellent, that means it's time to train, I excitedly told Cain.

Cain frowned at me. No, it isn't. You're done with any kind of violence for the day, including violence against me. Save any punches or stabs you're wanting to give until tomorrow.

I frowned back. She doesn't have much time. Surely you can tell how weak she is. The other wolf will wipe the floor with her.

Cain glared at me and was about to respond when Thane interrupted. "Seriously? Are you guys already arguing again?"

Cain looked like he was about to give a vicious retort, when he was interrupted by a small giggle. Onyx's.

His vision turned to her, and she had her hand over her mouth like she couldn't believe she just did that. Thane looked bemused as he smiled crookedly.

"Is something funny, little wolf?" Cain asked Onyx, and I could tell that he was just messing with her.

To my surprise, she didn't look nearly as frightened as she did this whole day. "Actually- yes. What Thane said was funny because you do both argue a lot from what I can tell," She said with another giggle.

Cain looked so caught off guard, he couldn't help but let a small smile slip. "Yes- I do suppose we fight a lot."

Onyx looked pleased with his behavior.

"Oh, but when I say it, you threaten to rip my spine out and beat me with it," Thane rolled his eyes at Cain, but a small smile still tugged at his lips.

Onyx's mouth dropped. "Wait, can you really do that?"

Cain shrugged. "Rip it out, yes. Beat them with it, ehh. It's not very effective because if you whip it too hard then the vertebrae just fall apart."

Onyx nodded very seriously and studiously. Perhaps she had more of a penchant for violence than she lets on.

"But seriously, what were you arguing about?" Thane inquired, playing with a piece of Onyx's hair absentmindedly.

"Training. My mate seems to think that it would be prudent to train right now," Cain frowned and made his disagreement clear.

I perked up at the idea of fighting someone, even if it was Thane's mate.

"No," Thane immediately vetoed it.

"Why?" Onyx asked as she pouted at him. Good girl.

"Onyx, in case if you forgot, you nearly were poisoned to death a few hours ago. You are not doing anything remotely active until tomorrow at the very earliest, and that's only if the pack doctor clears you," Thane told her, sounding very stern and serious.

She glared at him, the little spitfire. I hadn't thought we had much in common, but maybe I was wrong about that too.

"Don't start with me on this, Onyx. This is not a battle you'll win," Thane warned her and raised an eyebrow, daring her to challenge him on it. She didn't.

Well, maybe we weren't so alike after all.

Cain looked very satisfied by his cousin's united stance with him. Don't look so pleased with yourself, I scowled at him.

Cain's smirk deepened as he effortlessly scooped me into his arms. How could I not be pleased when I have a mate as beautiful and ferocious as you?

I rolled my eyes at him, and was about to call him corny when Thane spoke up, interrupting us.

"Who's hungry?" He asked.

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Dinner was uninteresting, to say in the least. Onyx and Thane almost got to see another free show when I was about to stab Cain for insisting on keeping me in his lap for dinner.

Unfortunately, most of my anger dissipated when he pointed out that he wouldn't get the chance to do that again for another week when he came back to visit for the day. Manipulative headass. He took that from my playbook.

For the rest of the night, all of us, including Axel and the other Blood Lake wolves, hung around the living room playing cards, eating, and talking.

Onyx slowly but surely warmed up to the Blood Lake wolves, except for Lucas, who consistently regarded her with a coldness, which wasn't out of character for him.

I could see Thane's infatuation with her. She was like the sun. Her smile warmed the room and I admired the way that she could make people feel comfortable talking to her.

When Cain and I got back to our room after bidding everyone goodnight, I asked him how mad he thought Thane would be for beating the hell out of his mate tomorrow.

Cain frowned. "You better go easy on her, Ares. Thane will kill you if you harm his mate."

I shrugged. If he wants me to train her, I'm doing it my way.

Cain's frown deepened. "Just attempt to be gentle, okay? She's the future Luna of Blue Moon. That's not something you should take lightly." I could tell that he developed a soft spot for the small she-wolf, even though he would deny it if I called him out on it.

Too bad, Thane. Gentle just isn't in my nature.