A still before the rest

Bruce swung his fist into Logan's side causing him to grunt, he stepped back swerving to escape the incoming blow, he wasn't as lucky the next time, Logan's fist in his ribs left him wheezing.
He really shouldn't be doing this, he wasn't fully healed from the incident but he needed the action to take his mind off the impending war that was coming and so here they were sparring.
They had been up since dawn, after a light breakfast–which frankly he was grateful for– where alpha Briar had highlighted why Finn was more likely to do battle here –something about the pack lands being more advantageous for invading parties but as beneficial as it was to them it was to us as well– they had then proceeded to make war plans, Emily had decided to use the hours they have left to train and get used to all the soldier to be comfortable with them in battle so they were all training.
Bruce had beaten two Golden Fang pack warriors and had been soundly trashed by another two, his ribs were hurting and his wrist was in a whole lot of pain but he was taking on Logan and the bastard was seemingly enthusiastic about trouncing him.
Emily was wincing with each hit and Aspen had a permanent frown on her face which meant she would let him hear all about it
" Getting slow " he taunted landing another hit, Bruce shuffled sideways avoiding the next blow and landing one of his own
" no way old man" he wheezed
" I'll try to go easy on you. Wouldn't want you missing your mating ceremony" he hissed his fist crashes into Logan's jaw.
He dances away from another blow and then faltered when Logan landed his own blow Bruce's head snapped to the back filling his mouth with the metallic taste of blood, he danced back spitting it out
" She told you about that" he queried and Bruce winced his tongue feeling kind of swollen
" Heh. I'm her brother now kinda comes with the territory" he joked and then laughed when Logan scowled
" She didn't say anything, it's not like either of you was subtle about it " he muttered
" Shit. " He muttered
" What, you want to take it back" he asked landing a blow on Logan's cheek, making him curse,Bruce grinned

" Of course not. I'm just not sure how this works now " he grunted
" I love her" he heaved trying to trip him
" I know, which is why I'm gone say it once.. hurt her and I'll hunt you down" Bruce said backing it with two swift blows to his stomach and his side
" I won't" he assured locking Bruce into a grip he pulled them to the ground and rolled pinning the other man, halting all form of struggle
" So when will you do the mating ceremony" Logan grunted, tapping his forearm to be let up and just as he was pulled up , Bruce looked to him breathing hard.
" I don't know when, I'm thinking after this fight " he said and Bruce nodded looking off to where the two women stood, they were talking to one another and trying to ignore the two of us
" Of course " he retorted and Bruce smiled he like Emily and wanted her happy but he frankly he also wanted Logan to be happy and if this made him happy then he wanted him to have it.
There was a thud he glanced away to find Emily standing over Aspen and he grinned
" She's learned so fast" Logan mumbled with some sense of pride that Bruce found amusing
" Of course she has, I'm glad she can do everything to protect herself but she was taught by the best so that was to be expected" Bruce murmured, Emily had come a long way, she was proficient enough in fighting, body combat and weapons.
" So are you healing well" he asked and he nodded
" I'm fine. It hurts when I breathe but with the beating you just gave me everything hurts when I breathe." He mumbled
" Sorry" Logan muttered and they both turned to where Emily and Aspen stood.
He watched as they both chuckled over something, some hidden secret as if she sensed his appraisal.
Logan was looking to Emily as well and she lifted he gaze towards him a sharp smile on her lips this made him grin like the lovesick puppy he'd apparently become.
" Go to her before you melt in a puddle " Bruce teased, grinning Logan rose from the floor and sauntered over to her grabbing her by her neck into a soul searing kiss
" Hello wife" he greeted pulling away
" Hello Husband to be" she corrected and he laughed.
Bruce rose from the floor and walked to the stream at the end of the road, he washed his face and sighed at the cold wincing gently at it
" God everything hurts" he mumbled and someone slapped his head from behind
" Serves you right you idiot. I told you not to join the fight" Aspen mumbled as she joined him by the fountain
" Owe" he exclaimed, then looked to her as she looked away
" I'm not a baby" he mumbled and got a hissed response, he leaned into her with a smile
" I love the way you care for me, "
" Of course you do " she whispered and he smiled leaning towards her
" I think we're as ready as we can ever be. Would you want to get mated " Aspen huffed
" That will never happen" she mumbled. He grinned, of course he knew that but he just wanted to hear it again
" You were very good" she said and he smiled
" Thank you"
" You think we're up for it though" he asked and she shrugged
" Can never tell, well just have to see " he nodded to where Logan and Emily stood all wrapped up in each other
" He plans the mating ceremony for after the fighting" he mumbled and she laughed
" That is reasonable, he would want the dust to settle"

" today is for happy thoughts tomorrow we forge on to the war " they had strolled off the fighting grounds and he could here the rushing sound of the fountain water fading, could see the outline of mountains rocks
" What mountain is that" he asked pulling her gaze
" Oh you were not listening towards the end " she mumbled, he didn't deny that was true. The pain had become so severe that blocking it out had been the best option.
" it is a border of sorts separated the pack from the human civilization" she answered, his brow pinches in a frown
" Keeping them isolated from most of the world as they intended " he asked and she nodded
" Have you ever been to the human world"
" No and I have never wanted to" she replied and he laughed
" What does it look like I wonder" Bruce mused staring at the mountains, unlike the little groups of humans that based next to wolf city most of were creatures were isolated from humans and didn't even know what they looked like.
Most had likely not seen an actual settlement,
" Some say it's filled with men and lots of them, smelly men with horrible intentions, "
" We live next to some of them they can't be all that bad"
" No of course not, those ones aren't fully humans either, they are mostly latents " she said using the name for Were's that could not shift or express the slightest bit of their wolf.
" I would like to go" he sighed
" Then after all this is done, we can go together" she whispered beneath her breath. They stared at the mountains a long time before she dragged herself from the daze
" I have to go I promised to help beta Sia " she apologized, he nodded sharply
" Go I'll see you later" she turned away from him then stopped a bit looked back, then dropped a kiss over his face before walking away he watched her leave, his heart heavy but determined. He would love her as a friend, forever as a friend.
" You really are a mess huh" a female voice said and he turned to face a young woman, he remembered her sitting at the dinner with Alpha Briar but other than the alpha and her beta, he didn't trust anyone in this place and as if she could tell what he was thinking she grinned
" I'm Cassie and it's fine . I don't trust you all either " she mumbled with full conviction that surprised him
" I guess I don't have to introduce myself then " he said and she shrugged
" No not really"
" Does she know you love her" she asked and he frowned blinking twice
" I have no idea what you're talking about" he said and she laughed
" I'm not an idiot and you are not very subtle, in fact your whole group is like a glaring red flag"
" Logan yes but I don't think I am that transparent" he mumbled annoyed and she huffed
" I said red flag, I didn't say anything about transparent"
" What do you want" he asked her and she shrugged
" The assurance that this war will be won and our pack will be safe "
" That doesn't depend on me " he replied and she nodded
" I know that but you brought this war to our door step, you will now shoulder the responsibility"
He turned to face her, her eyes were shining in the soft evening light and she looked genuinely scared even as she watched him intently he couldn't bring himself to rebuff her so he nodded, it was a simple request and he would do his best to honor it.
" We will try"