"Oh, sweet land! Oh, green grass! How I have missed you! I will never take you for granted again!" I groaned, stumbling from the runway to collapse onto the soil.

I eventually turned my head, finding Asra hovering over me. He rolled his eyes at me, crossing his arms as I lay on the ground. It was cold and damp, but I didn't care. It was solid and unmoving.

"It wasn't that bad," Asra mused.

I scowled at him, shakily rising to my feet. "If that was not bad turbulence, I'd hate to know what very bad is."

He wrapped his arm around me, pulling me in for a quick kiss. "I wouldn't let anything happen to you. Got your back, remember?"

I quirked an eyebrow, placing my palms on his chest. "And what about the rest of me? My limbs? My head? My toes?"

"Of course, although I may leave the mouth behind. It doesn't stop talking."

I rolled my eyes. "Then what would you kiss? How would I please you?"

His eyes darkened, but a cheeky smirk lifted his cheeks. "There's another pair of lips perfectly capable."

I gasped, shocked, as his other hand shifted to squeeze my ass. The cheek of him! Literally!

"Can we move on already?" Rio grunted. "As much as I love the banter, it's making me feel queasy."

Asra chuckled, releasing my butt to face Rio. "Yeah, we are on a time restraint."

We had landed on Augustus' territory by plane, and now we had to climb into a stupid car. I hate transportation. You have no control over what was going to happen. You could die!

I couldn't help but wander my gaze to the male in Rio's grip. Azriel stood with a cocky glint in his eyes, despite the shackles he wore. With only one arm, we couldn't cuff him, so Asra had proudly taken my suggestion of a straitjacket. We tied his ankles with silver too, so he couldn't run, and bound his mouth so he couldn't talk. Like a wriggly worm, Rio dragged the half-brother to the car and practically threw him in the boot with the bags.

They should not class this car as a car. It had a drop-down fucking step to get in, and I had to clutch the door to lift myself. I wasn't short either! So, that's how big it was!

Asra held the door open for me, and I thanked him politely as I climbed inside the tall car. But his charms were a distraction, and the moment I hauled myself into the seat, he was pinching my butt and climbing in beside me. I squealed, sliding myself across the seat, only to collide with a body. Blinking, I found Rio grinning down at me, and then felt the familiar warmth of Asra's thigh against mine. I turned to him and found him smirking at my wide-eyes.

Turning to face ahead, I stared blankly out of the front window.

I was a wolf sandwich.

I was deli meat between two sturdy pieces of tiger bread with a side of anger.

Mm, tiger bread.

"Do we know what's for dinner?" I wondered.

Asra's eyebrows furrowed as I looked at him. "Dinner?"

"Yeah."

His confusion only deepened, and he shook his head. "I don't know."

"Aw." I pouted. "I thought you may know."

"Not from this far away." He cocked his head. "You hungry?"

"A little."

His nostrils flared as he stared down at me, and my eyes narrowed. I knew what he was doing; he did it often whenever I had a 'quirk'.

"I am not pregnant."

Rio choked on a laugh, and Asra's steely gaze snapped to the beta wolf. Rio had a hard time hiding his amusement behind his hand. His body turned as he pressed against the door. Asra's eyes hardened, but when I nudged him, they softened as they met mine. He rolled his eyes, curling an arm around my shoulders to wrap me in my belt.

"Safety first."

"You don't wear a seat-belt." I quirked an eyebrow.

"Not a lot can kill me."

I narrowed my eyes at him and he huffed, buckling himself in. "Rio, you too."

I caught Azriel's gaze in the rear-view. The male's eyes lit with humour as he watched me. Wrinkling my nose, I looked away. I will never know why Asra insisted on bringing him personally.

"Did you have to bring Azriel?" I scoffed.

"Yes, unfortunately."

Azriel grunted with what must've been a protest. I caught his eye again, smirking.

"We could've just shipped him in a cage, you know, like a puppy."

His blue eyes narrowed, and my smile grew into a laugh. Asra didn't find me amusing. His hatred for his brother was too strong. My curiosity ate away at me, and I knew, after a glass of wine tonight, I was going to get the story.

I had made it my mission. Apart from saving humankind, of course. That was number one. I had a list; you see.

One. Ace the mission.

Two. Try not to kill Azriel.

Three. Don't let Azriel kill me.

Four. Don't get drunk again.

Five. Find out what the story is between the brothers.

Six. Avoid my dad.

I covered the last one with mental question marks. I was uncertain what to do. He was Augustus' beta, therefore he would be in the meeting. The last one had just been every alpha, but now there were less alpha, just with betas. I knew that continental betas were on par with territorial alphas power wise. So it would be a lot. I wondered if some of them brought guards, but Asra was cocky, and claimed he didn't need them.

When the car lurched forward, I heard the faint thump of Azriel's head against the wall. I snickered, but distracted myself from the overly warm vehicle to stare out of the windows. If I pretended the men were not there, then they would disappear, right?

Wrong.

From Asra's intense scent and warmth calling to me, I had Azriel's gaze locked onto my face the whole time, and Rio's side against me. It felt foreign and unusual to have another man sat so casually beside me. The past week, Rio has appeared a lot. It was unusual, but he must've had some free time on his hands. Or maybe we just crossed too many paths.

The car ride passed by silently, and the car turned in the driveway to stop alongside the steps. I cringed as the doors opened, and Augustus and Luna Black appeared in the frame. My maternal aunt. Does she even know? Did I ever meet her as a child? Possibly not. I grew up in strange places.

My eyes drifted to her arms, intrigued when I found a baby in them. I had forgotten they had a small child, the infant larger and more wriggly than when I saw it at its party.

Our driver was out of the vehicle and opening Asra's door. Asra climbed out, straightening his suit jacket before facing me. He held out his hand, and I sent him a warning as I took it to descend the massive step. His eyes held amusement, and once I was steady on my two feet, he wrapped it around my waist. I felt his palm against my lower back, fingers spread as he pulled me alongside him. I heard the door clicking shut behind me, and assumed the shadow across my shoulders was Rio with Azriel.

It was cooler here, the air crisp across my cheeks. It made me curl my coat around my body tighter, and I didn't miss the way Luna Black's gaze followed the movement. I hid my frown, keeping my face passive as we approached. They gestured us inside, out of the cold, before shutting the doors behind us. Nothing had changed; the same two staircases and tall walls covered with old decor.

"Alpha and Luna Zenith, nice to see you again." Augustus smiled.

Asra shook his hand, nodding. "Alpha Black, Luna Black, thank you for hosting us."

"Of course, when Bodhi tells me so, Alpha, I have no choice but to listen." He mused, before turning to me. "Ailia, how are you?"

I frowned at the drop of the title. Asra noticed my sudden irritation because he squeezed my side.

"Fine. Thanks."

Augustus' eyebrows rose with interest. "I apologise. Did I say something wrong?"

Asra frowned. "No-no, Ailia is just a little travel sick-

"Yes, you did." I shook my head.

I would not let Augustus walk over me, thinking he could treat me with less respect because I was human. Wait, I wasn't human anymore. That just threw a spanner in the works, didn't it? How was I supposed to challenge my human status when I was actually a wolf?

I noticed Luna Black beside him, watching us quietly with the gurgling baby in her arms. Her eyes were wide with shock, but I noticed the quirk of her lips.

"You address my mate with his title, and yet you do not use mine."

"I apologise. I am unaware of such things." Augustus cocked his head.

"Hmm, I figured you'd say a thing like that." I hummed. "Which is peculiar for an alpha of such status to forget his formalities when in the presence of an alpha pair. Wouldn't you say, Augustus?"

His eyes had narrowed, and Asra growled a warning at him.

"Also, you neglected to greet our beta." I added. "He is not invisible, Augustus."

Alpha Black's jaw ground with irritation, and I held back the amusement I so wanted to show.

Luna Black gently nudged him, so small you could've missed it if you were not monitoring her. Augustus inhaled deeply before nodding and forcing a smile.

"I am sincerely sorry, Luna." He breathed. "I shall revise my etiquette."

"Good idea." I grinned.

He turned his attention to behind me. "Beta Rio, nice to see you. It has been a few years."

Augustus side-stepped toward us, holding out a hand out. I frowned as he grew too close, reaching over me. Asra's grip tightened on my waist, but before anything could happen, Rio was beside me. Half of his chest pressed against my back as he met Augustus halfway, reaching around me instead of over me. He shook the alpha's hand firmly, a silent message of warning.

Asra's grip softened at the same time my heart did, relaxing at the simple gesture.

"Alpha, Luna. I'm afraid I have not met the little one before." Rio greeted, ignoring the alpha and focusing on Luna Black.

"This is Leonardo."

"I remember when Lacey was this small." Rio mused.

"It goes fast. Lacey is three now." Luna Black nodded, smiling down at her son.

Curiosity ate away at me as Rio took the small boy's hand, and the latter squeezed it. Rio chuckled, taking his hand back and standing behind me.

The baby turned its blue eyes to me, and I felt my own narrow. He got his eyes from his mother. Much like mine, they were a bright blue.

"How old is he now?" Rio wondered.

"He's eight months!" She grinned, raising him so he was sitting on her hip.

My eyes widened at the time that passed. We were last here in July. How had so many months already gone?

"Chunky boy." Rio mused.

But the baby locked his eyes on me. Bright blue with soft blonde, curly hair. He looked a lot like his father, but those were his mother's eyes. Icy blue.

Luna Black seemed to notice her son's attention and raised her gaze to mine. I swallowed, remaining still as she stared at me. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly, but her soft smile did not waver.

"I think Leonardo has made a friend." She grinned. "Would you like to hold him, Luna?"

I shook my head, folding my hands together. "N-no, it's okay. Thanks."

She frowned slightly, but didn't comment on my lack of adoration for her infant. I have never touched a baby before, nor held one, and I wasn't about to voluntarily cuddle an alpha's pup.

"Very well. I am glad you made it before dinner." Augustus interrupted. "I will have someone show you to your rooms. Dinner service is at six."

"When is the meeting?" I wondered.

"They have pushed it back until tomorrow lunchtime."

My eyes narrowed. "How so?"

"Speak to Bodhi, not me, Luna."

My jaw tightened, but I nodded, dismissing it.

"Shall I see your comrade to the cells?" Augustus wondered.

"No need, my beta shall do so." Asra shrugged.

"Very well." Augustus nodded before clicking his fingers.

A maiden appeared, and I recognised her from last time. I wracked my brain for her name, trying to remember.

"Violet, nice to see you." I greeted her.

She blushed. "Thank you, Luna Zenith. If you will follow me."

I noticed Augustus' frown as we said our goodbyes, and couldn't help smirk. He always hinted at me being a human. It was time for me to prove to him how different I was.

Violet politely showed us to the same rooms as last time, before saying she shall wait for Rio downstairs.

"Is there nobody else with you?" She wondered, eyebrows furrowing.

She meant guards, of course.

"Just us." I shook my head. "And our beta."

Her eyes widened. "That's a new one."

"How so?" I cocked my head.

The timid human looked around, checking over her shoulders. "All the other alphas came with at least two guards. The guest wing hasn't been this full since Leonardo's party."

Interesting. Why did they bring so guards for a meeting about humans? Were they not confident in their protection? Or was it a show of power?

I thanked Violet, before turning to find Asra. He was off to the side, away from the door, and clad in only his boxers. I cocked my head, greedily running my eyes down his body.

"Hello?" I wondered.

He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye that was answer enough. I wasn't getting out of this room anytime soon.