Revolting

Michael and Hannah lay entwined in each other's arms in the middle of the woods. Michael lovingly picked a twig out of Hannah's hair. His fingers moved to gently touch the fresh, raw mark on her shoulder. He swallowed down a lump of emotion. "I didn't want to take away your choice," he admitted. "In case you still wanted to reject me, once you remembered everything." He searched her face. "Do you remember everything?"

Shaping words and speaking out loud we're still difficult, but with the mind link allowed her to express herself clearly. I remembered everything the day I chose to mark you, she said, touching the healed mark on his neck. "You know I shot your brother. You know I hunted you. How could you forgive me?" His voice cracked with pain.

I remember everything, Michael. I remember how you caught me in the woods. I remember how you carried me on your back. I remember how you sat every night untangling my hair. I remembered that you risked everything to bring me back here. She stared deeply into his hazel eyes. I remember everything. And I love you.

Her words pierced through his heart and tears sprung to his eyes. He let them wash down his cheeks, unashamed. "And I love you." He nuzzled her neck and gathered her slight body close to him. The sun was already setting by the time they shifted back and returned, pulling on their clothes before they walked hand in hand back to the cottage.

Heath and William were waiting for them inside, along with a celebratory dinner. William grinned at Michael as his hand swept over the table. There was even a bottle of wine. "I thought you might want to celebrate your freedom." Before Michael could respond, a growl ripped through Heath. "You marked her!" His eyes were glued to Hannah's neck.

Hannah disengaged herself from Michael's protective arms and went to her brother. She threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a hug. This is my choice, she told him clearly through the special bond they shared as rogue siblings. The link was clear again. I wanted this.

"You are back? Are you really you?" Heath squeezed his eyes tight for a moment, and then opened them again, as if he expected his sister to disappear again.

She pulled back and gave him a look. If the look on her face wasn't enough to convince him, she balled up her hand into a tiny fist and punched him hard on the shoulder. Heath grinned at her and rubbed his shoulder. "Okay, I believe you now."

He sighed and looked over at Michael, who was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. "I wish it had been anyone, but you. But since she has accepted you..." he shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "I have no choice but to respect her choice."

Hannah grinned happily and planted a smacking kiss on her brother's stubbled cheek. She grabbed William up for a hug also, telling him, "Thank you" with her eyes. William spun her around once, but Michael growled and shifted uneasily. William gave him an unapologetic grin before he set Hannah back on her feet. "I'm glad you are back." He cleared his throat and gave Heath a meaningful look. "Maybe other things can move forward now."

The four of them sat around the table and served up the hearty meal of stir-fried chicken and vegetables, rice, and sliced fruit. They ate with the usual gusto and massive appetite of werewolves. Even small Hannah put away an impressive quantity of food. Conversation slowed while they ate and picked up again once the food disappeared and their hunger was satisfied.

"So, what's next for you?" William asked as he put down his fork.

Michael looked over at Hannah and shrugged. "I haven't really thought that far ahead. All I wanted was to make sure Hannah was alright." Hannah gave him a sweet look of appreciation.

"Well," William stood and took his empty plate to the sink. "If you wanted to stay in the area... I imagine that Alpha Shane could be persuaded to let you stay here. Especially since you and Hannah are a package deal, and Hannah is already like family."

Michael looked at Hannah, his hazel eyes growing clouded and distant. Hannah's expression flickered, and she shook her head lightly. Their silent discussion continued, with both of their expressions changing. Hannah shook her head again, more vehemently this time. Michael cleared his throat and turned back to William. "I think we need more time to, uh, discuss our options. Oomph!" Michael grunted as Hannah's foot connected with his shin under the table. "Hannah," Heath's voice was low and pleading. "I just got you back... please... don't leave me again."

Hannah's eyes flickered to Michael's again, before she turned back to her brother. I love you, Heath. We've always been together, through everything. I will always be with you. But you have William now, and that beautiful baby boy that you need to help raise. And I have Michael. She sighed and picked up her own plate. Alpha Shane may let Michael stay, for my sake, but we both know it will never work out. Michael may not have a pack, but he's an alpha. He would never be happy taking orders from another wolf.

"Huh." Heath sat back and pushed his hands through his auburn hair, making it stand up in crazy clumps. "Seems like Hannah's mind is already made up." He sighed and turned to Michael. "You do realize how stubborn she is, right?" Michael looked up at Hannah with a look of pure adoration as she moved around, helping William clear the table. "Yeah, yeah, I do. And I love that about her."