Copyright to VedaPettigrew

I observed Dominic through the window, kneeling over the back of the sofa. I'd finally managed to persuade him that he could leave me for an hour - I would be safe. He needed to let out the aggression that was only increasing with each frustration of not finding the culprit, so he was fight training on the lawn. As I watched, all his strongest warriors were continually advancing on him, throwing punches and kicks that were deflected before he viciously attacked back. The pile of unconscious men was growing and I was glad that my favourite warrior was sturdily guarding the door.

I let out a sigh and felt Hammer come and stand behind me. After a few minutes of silence while we watched Dominic's angry form beating down the defenceless men he spoke, "You were right, he needs this. Don't worry about the warriors, they all volunteered for this, they consider it an honour. It's not the first time they've been knocked unconscious by him and it won't be that last."

Dominic's fist caught Wade's jaw with a firm hit that must have felt like being struck by a concrete beam. Wade's head and body flew through the air, hitting the grass with a spectacular thud, someone hurried to him, pulling him to the side to be checked out by the doctors on duty.

Of course it wasn't the usual place to train but Dominic refused to go further. Every few minutes he would glance at the window to make sure I was still there, still okay, but even with that distraction, the warriors were not landing any decent hits.

"I know he does. It's been a stressful week for him."

Hammer came behind the sofa and crouched down to look me in the eye as I leant over the back. "It's been a stressful week for you too," he said softly. "How are you holding up?"

"I've actually enjoyed the time I've spent with Dominic. I know he's been unbearable with everyone else but..."

"Not with you," he finished with a smile.

I smiled back, "No, not with me. I worry for him though, he's going to explode if we don't find out the perpetrator soon."

"Yes. Not getting the results he wants is making things worse, I thought it was bad enough the day it happened, I never imagined his fury could get so intense." Hammer pulled a face.

"That's kinda why I'm worried for those men out there."

"Don't be, yes he's raging with fury, but he's still in control. He could be doing a lot more damage than he is now," he looked deep into my eyes with a warmth that plainly showed his love for me. "But that's not what I asked. I asked how you are. Not how you are, relating to Alpha."

I stared back at him slightly shaking my head, "I don't know what you mean?"

He narrowed his eyes, "Luna, you were attacked in your own home while with your mate. You were in a safe and loving place, and suffered something violent. You matter, how you feel matters. Don't worry about Alpha so much that you forget yourself."

"I'm fine," I pushed his worry away with a flip of my hand.

He stared at me, not saying anything.

"Really Hammer, I'm fine."

"Are you? Or have you just not let yourself think about it properly, using Dominic as a deflection?" His solid square face was immobile as he forced me to meet his gaze.

"No, I..." I thought about it. Dominic really had been the only thing I focussed on this past week. How he was hurt because I was, how he reacted to my pain with sorrow, how he responded to the reports with anger. He had been what I fixed my attention to. I hadn't even thought about myself. I was fine.

Except that yet again I was hurt by somebody for no reason. I mean, surely nothing I had done was so heinous that I deserved such a thing? I was left with scars that would be there for years, if not forever. Fortunately not the whole scrambled mess that was there now, most of it would fade to nothing over the next few weeks to months. But the deeper cuts, the ones that had bled so much and refused to close because of the spices the culprit used. The ones that were worsened by the burning hogweed powder that Max threw carelessly onto my skin, causing the damage to bury deeper into my back, those scars would stay.

They weren't clean-edged, pretty scars either. They were ugly, jagged, raw looking ones that even when they faded to silver, would still show the horror of that day. The horror that someone had set out to hurt me because I held different views. They hated me so much for something so small.

It was crazy to think a year ago I was in my safe happy cocoon, living with two people who loved me and even liked me. Surrounded with friends and living in freedom. The horrors of this life not even featuring in my nightmares, the thought of living through such oppression and hate was so far from my reality at the time.

This attack was another thing in a long line of terrible things. The invader hurt me physically, scarring me for life because of what? Their own screwed up ideas being disagreed with, politely, by one woman? It's not like I had gone out of my way to offend anyone, I just wanted to show there was another way to live.

And then Max wanted Dominic to cast me aside because I was scarred, unfit to be Luna. Yes the idea was ridiculous and I had no fear that it would happen, but was it too much to ask for compassion? Even from a man who hated me? He was my mate's father, he shouldn't be the enemy. Would anyone else feel the same way?

The thought of always having to fight and defend my position was exhausting. A weariness settled into my soul, similar to the one I had experienced so long ago at Stone Mountain. The thought of continually climbing up a sheer rock face just to survive another day, every day for the rest of my life, was overwhelming to say the least.

The pain I suffered was so intense that I had actual nightmares about it so I struggled to sleep. But I kept them to myself, Dominic was so angry at himself that I spent all my time trying to make him feel better, not bringing up my worries in case it made him feel worse. Though I think he knew I wasn't sleeping well because he wasn't either. He enfolded me in his arms every night as we silently worried about each other.

Hammer's warm eyes held deep understanding as tears welled up and rolled down my cheeks. No I wasn't alright, not really.

Ignoring my rules, Hammer held his arms out and wrapped them around me as great heaving sobs tore through my body. I buried myself into his embrace. Allowing his strength and love to comfort me as I finally let myself feel.

The door crashed open behind me and I expected Dominic to take me from Hammer's arms. But a part of me wanted the man I looked up to and loved as my almost-father to be the one to comfort me. Hammer's arms tightened around me, "My darling girl, shhh, shhh, I've got you." He started rocking me and I felt Dominic leave the room, shutting the door quietly.

Hammer held me as I wept, allowing me to feel my emotions without trying to stop me or quiet me by saying everything was okay, because he was the one that made me realise that it wasn't. He just told me over and over that he was there for me, that he had me, that he loved me. I felt safe and cherished in his arms. He made me feel the way my father did when he comforted me. I missed him so much, and my mother, and it was times like this that I felt it cutting deeply, but having Hammer was like a balm.

I felt the sobs lessening over time as he held me, gradually fading to an occasional hiccough. I realised I was still hanging over the back of the sofa as he knelt on the ground behind. Poor man, it wasn't the most comfortable of positions.

"It's fine Greta," he murmured. Apparently I had projected my thoughts to him. Still, I pulled him round and sat him next to me, burrowing into his side again, seeking that fatherly comfort only he could give me now.

My eyelids started getting heavy, crying always made them feel swollen and gritty. I wanted to hide away and lose myself in sleep, so I allowed it to begin to overtake me. "Thank you Hammer," I mumbled into his arm.

He kissed the top of my head, "It's nothing. Shh, go to sleep, I've got you."

"I love you HH," I slurred.

"I love you too my girl," he squeezed me to him. Fuzzy edges crowded closer and closer, bringing sleep to my door. I hoped the nightmares would stay away.

I woke up amazed to find that Hammer was still under me. Admittedly only under my feet as Dominic had commandeered my top half, but he was still there and alive. So that was a plus. Dominic's hand was stroking though my hair, one of my favourite feelings in the world, and I opened my eyes with a sleepy smile, "Hi you."

"Hello yourself." He looked at me sternly, "Anything you'd like to tell me?"

I swallowed, "Hammer was only comforting me, don't be angry with him." He raised one sardonic eyebrow and I rushed on, "I made him hug me. And I just love him as a friend. And he's Joan's mate so..."

"I'm not concerned with that, I know exactly how you feel about each other," he said sharply. "Why have you hidden your other feelings from me? I should know EVERYTHING."

I bit my lip, "I didn't really know myself. I've just been..." I trailed off, concerned with adding another layer of guilt onto his shoulders.

"Focussed on me and my feelings," he grunted. I tried to keep a blank face as I stared up, trying to work out what to say in response. "Don't do it again," he growled. "You were the one that got hurt, not me."

"You got hurt too," I defended.

"Don't do it again," he repeated in a low tone.

"Okay I won't. But only if you stop being the most ridiculously handsome man in existence!" I retorted quickly, "See, there are some things that just aren't possible."

A snigger came from my feet and an icy brow raise was directed his way. Hammer broke out a fake cough, "Sorry," he hid his amusement in plain sight, "Cough, cough. Something in my throat."

"Ordering me not to focus on you is gonna get the same results as ordering the lake to stop being wet," I poked the muscular chest above me to bring his gaze back my way. "You can't change what my very nature is."

He softened as he looked down on me, "I wish I could say the same, apparently I'm not very good at that."

"Yes you are," I argued, "just in a different way. Everything you have done this week has been motivated by thoughts of me, to keep me safe."

His hand continually stroked my hair back from my face as he watched me mutely.

"I'll go now Boss. I'll let Joan know not to come." Hammer stood.

"Very good," he said in his steely tone, not removing his eyes from mine. They locked me in, I tried to break away to say thank you to Hammer but it was like trying to pull apart two pieces of tape stuck together.

Hammer paused by my head and his bulk was hard to ignore. With a great effort I tore my eyes from Dominic and looked up at my stalwart. He regarded me with love and relief. "Thank you Hammer," I reached up and grabbed his hand.

Instead of raging at the gesture, Dominic looked up too, "Yes. Thank you Mark. For looking after her when I did not."

Hammer put his hand on Dominic's shoulder, "Stop beating yourself up. Sometimes you need a different perspective to see something properly."

"My Mumma used to say that," I said softly.

"She was a wise woman Luna."

"That she was," I squeezed his hand and let go. "Give Joan my love."

"Will do," he winked and left with a whistle.

I tried to sit up, but Dominic pushed me down. "Stay."

"Woof," I said pointedly.

He rolled his eyes, "Please then." His fingers delved into my hair, thoroughly cheating because he knew how much I loved it.

"Fine," I said with a smile. "Don't you have some work to do though?"

"Not right now. I've been with you all week, but not actually spent any time with you. I mean to amend that. I should have seen what Hammer saw."

"Nobody can see everything Dominic. Even I didn't see it. That's why we have more than one person in our lives. Putting everything on one person is too great a responsibility. It doesn't mean that you're not my centre person, the one whom everything revolves around."

"You're my one person."

"I know and I'm glad. But you should let other people in too. Hammer can understand parts of you that I will struggle with. I don't know if you've noticed, but men and women are not the same."

He arched his brow once more, "Yes, it had occurred to me."

"Don't think I'm saying women are lesser..."

His finger squashed over my lips, "Believe me when I say I know you well enough to know that you would NEVER say that."

I grinned and kissed his finger, "Good boy."

He looked at me in shock. I doubt anyone's ever had the audacity to be so teasingly condescending in his life. "Now who should say woof?" he asked.

We stayed like that for most of the afternoon, chatting and teasing while he petted my hair and face. It was a perfect antidote to all the stress of the week for both of us. As we spent time together I could almost see his muscles physically un-bunching.

"I should make us some dinner soon," I moaned as my stomach started rumbling. I just didn't want to leave the wonder of his lap.

"How about you stay for five more minutes," he bargained, massaging my head.

"Mmmkay," I snuggled in.

"Etta, I realised that there's a valuable witness I haven't interrogated," he said hesitantly.

"See I knew a bit of relaxation would do you good," I mumbled through a yawn. How I could be so tired after a nap and an afternoon on the sofa, I didn't know. "Who?"

"You."

My eyes shot open, "Me?"

"I want to go through your memories to see if there's something there. There's a chance I could see something that isn't remarkable to you, but that might have great bearing."

He looked serious and I didn't really have an objection, I settled back down and closed my eyes. "Fine, have at it. But no using anything against me okay? Or anyone else. Anything you see in there is protected from prosecution by the sacred mate's secrets act."

"The sacred mate's secrets act?" he teased flatly, "Hmmm, don't think I've heard of that one."

"Well, it was institutionalised just this very day and says all people who are not involved in the crime you are investigating will not face repercussions for their words, opinions, actions or otherwise. Myself included."

I opened one eye and peered up at him, "Deal?"

He nodded, "Deal."

"Fine then," I closed my eye and waited for the delicious tingling sensation. Dominic didn't disappoint, the teasing tendrils traced through my brain even as his fingers distractedly buried in my hair. Double Dibbles!

Heaven.

I lay there for quite a while as he skated through my thoughts and memories of my time here. I hoped that he would stick to his word when he heard me proselytising about Ori and women's rights, and the other women responding.

Somehow I knew he would.

Suddenly his fingers clenched and I let out a little squeak. He released my hair immediately and rubbed the tender scalp. The inner tingles didn't vanish, they sort of intensified and it was all I could do not to let out a moan, such was the delight they caused.

It was the look on his face that stopped me. His jaw tightened along with his shoulders, gone was all the relaxation we achieved. The muscle ticked as he gritted his teeth. He must have seen something, but I was blind to whatever it was. I desperately wished I could see it.

The tingles withdrew and he looked down at me with blazing eyes.

"What?"

He shook his head, saying gruffly, "I'll tell you when I'm sure. I don't want to hurt you more." Guilt played in his eyes as he pulled me up to sit in his lap, enveloping me in his arms and pressing me tightly to his chest.

O...kay. Whatever he saw affected him deeply. I slid my arms up his chest and folded them around his neck, pressing my body into him to try and comfort him the best way I could while acknowledging that it helped me too.

"I'm sorry your life has been so hard," he grumbled into my hair. "I saw what you were thinking about before. That you were happy," he squished me tighter. "And now your life is difficult. I want to take you away so it isn't anymore."

"It's tempting." I snuggled into him. "The idea of having you all to myself. But I don't think it's the right thing to do. You were meant to be Alpha Alpha and I was meant to be your mate. Ori designed it that way and I would never argue with... well even when I do argue with her I don't really mean it. There's no point in disagreeing with someone who's always right."

"I just want to make you happy," he admitted in a tight voice.

"You do make me happy Dominic. But life has ups and downs, nobody can be happy all the time. I believe that everything is bleurgh right now for a reason, horrible things are happening to bring good things. Ori has a plan and I trust her, things WILL get better and for more than just me. They have to. And if they don't, then you can take me away."

He harrumphed and nuzzled into me.

"I warty love you Dominic," I breathed in his ear.

"I warty love you Etta. I also give permission for Hammer to be the only male, other than me, you can touch, effective from this morning."

"Thank you," I grinned into his neck, now Hammer wouldn't get into trouble.

"Because we both know you love him way more than just a friend," he added, rubbing his cheek on the top of my head. "I'm glad you have someone like him in your life, a man whom you can trust. I wish I could have met your parents though, nobody could replace them even though Hammer's doing a good job at filling in. I hate that they left you, I'm so angry with Amos and it doesn't get better with time passing."

I lifted my head confused, "Why? What does he have to do with anything?"

He stared at me silent. I saw regret in his eyes and realised he'd let something slip that he didn't mean to. I narrowed my eyes at him when he stayed mute, "What happened with my ex-grandfather?"

"Do you really feel that way? Don't you hold feelings for him at all?" he asked earnestly.

I shook my head, "Not exactly. I grieve for the relationship that we could have had, the one that was never really going to exist. I mourn the loss of not having a loving grandfather. But the actual man himself? No. I have no good feelings for him. Why?"

He opened his mouth to respond but a rap on the door stopped his explanation, instead he just kissed the corner of my mouth, mumbling softly, "I'm glad you have Hammer." So was I but I hoped he realised I wasn't going to drop it.

The door opened at his curt order and Hammer's head curled round the edge. They stared at each other silently for a moment and then both nodded. Hammer disappeared and Dominic stood, holding me in his arms, I wrapped my legs about his waist clinging to him.

He gave me a lopsided smile, "You stay here my love. Joan is going to keep you company."

"No," I whined, "I want to know what's going on."

He frowned at me, "No."

His was shorter than mine and far more effective. Well, more effective for someone else who wasn't me! I clung tighter to him and kissed him, pressing my lips to his so hard we might bruise. "Please Dominic. Don't hide things from me. If I get scared, I'll leave. I won't jump to conclusions when I see them. I just want to know what you discovered."

"I don't want you to get hurt," he kissed me this time, delving his tongue into my mouth as I sagged into him.

"You're with me," I panted as I broke away. "I'm not getting hurt." I sucked gently on his lips as a precursor to another passionate kiss.

"Not physically," he said cryptically once we finished.

"If I'm going to get emotionally hurt, it will happen now or later. No point in putting it off," I argued gently, pressing lots of little kisses to his lips.

His arms tensed, "Fine. Joan will come too." He strode to the door, I wriggled to get down but he growled a no at me and held me tighter.

He carried me through the corridor Joan and Hammer following on. I made exasperated faces over his shoulder and made them chuckle silently. My feet were finally allowed to the floor just before we reached the hall. He pulled me to his side and Hammer stepped the other side, effectively closing me in.

We walked into the hall to see Max, Hestia and George surrounded by warriors. Hestia looked scared, Max had a cold calculating look and George just looked at Dominic scathingly the minute he appeared.

"What stupid thing is going through your brain now brother?" he snapped.

"Daran," I addressed my protector who was nearest to him. "Please remind that man to respect Alpha."

Daran flicked his gaze to Dominic who was looking at me with amusement, he briefly nodded and Daran's fist smashed into George's face, interrupting the thunderous gaze he was sending my way. I watched dispassionately as George found himself on the floor. While he struggled to get up I spoke again, "Watch yourself. Alpha maybe your brother, but he is also your Alpha Alpha, chosen by the Original to lead the entire werewolf race. Respect him or face consequences."

"Are you going to let that female get away with that?" Max asked furiously.

I looked at Dominic who was still watching me with amusement. He raised his eyebrows urging me to continue and I grinned at him before turning to Max. "Yes he is. Because I am his Luna Luna. My job is to support him in every way. You need to learn that I will not disappear or be replaced." I looked at him pointedly.

He didn't even flinch, "Every woman is replaceable, especially you Luna," he spat the word.

This time I didn't have to say anything, Xavier's fist did. I smiled warmly at my protector, "Thank you."

He bowed his head, watching Max pull himself up from the floor. Sadly Max didn't see the sign of respect given by a man to a woman, instead he was looking at Dominic as if he would interfere. Which he did by pulling me tighter into his body and kissing the top of my head. I tried so hard, but my traitorous face disobeyed me trying to be the better person and slyly gave Max a smug look which made his face tighten with useless fury.

I flicked my gaze between the three of them, the only person who would cause me emotional pain was Hestia. No, surely not. I mean we were never close, but I never thought she would hurt me.

She stood twisting her fingers as her body trembled. She didn't look at me or Dominic, doggedly keeping her gaze on the floor.

"Hestia," Dominic's voice was as cold as ice, freezing his mother with one word. "Anything to say before I investigate?"

She flinched wildly and looked up at her son with desperate eyes. He remained implacable and stared her down. I frowned as I looked at her pathetic form in front of me, crumbling further each second.

What had Dominic seen to make him accuse her? I rapidly searched through my memories and realisation dropped as I remembered the morning she first came to see me in my study. She'd been nervous, shaky hands and darting glances. The tight grip she'd kept on her handbag had struck me as something to note but not examine, but now? Now I realised what she had in the bag and why she'd kept such a tight grip on it.

My heart thudded uncomfortably, that's why she'd been missing for such a long time before leaving the house without saying goodbye. She'd been planting the glass that shredded my back.

Look deeper.

Ori's words ran through my mind as Silver whined, nudging my hand with her nose. Absentmindedly I ran my hand over her face as new thoughts kept bombarding me.

That's why she'd been so offish that day. Guilt. But why would she feel guilty? She shown guilt at the pack meal too. Why?

Because she didn't want to do what she had done!

The thought struck me like lightning. The black eye. She'd got in trouble because I hadn't got hurt. I flicked my eyes to the nasty man at her side. He'd expected immediate results, not knowing that I wasn't sharing Dominic's room at the time. He assumed Hestia hadn't done what he'd ordered her to, and punished her.

How I knew this I didn't know, but I knew with absolute certainty that it was the truth.

Hestia may have been the hands, but she wasn't the real culprit. I glanced at Dominic to see him glaring her way without mercy. He was so focussed on her face he didn't notice the tight grip Max had on her elbow. He didn't see the fingers that dug into her flesh right before she blurted out, "Yes. It was me."

But I did.

As Dominic roared with fury, distracted, I tore from his grip. Simultaneously sending a message to my protectors, "Trust me, let us through."

It was all I had time to say as I ran, grabbed Hestia using Silver's added strength and somehow slipped through all the men present to dash with her up the stairs.

I think they were all in shock at my actions because there was a stunned silence behind me, giving me the valuable moments I needed. I half carried, half dragged her, to my sanctuary and threw her in just in time.

I stood inside the door as a thundering Dominic stood before me. Yet even as his face displayed fury, I knew he trusted me, there was no way I would have got away from him if he hadn't let me.

Max caught up, looking smug as he noted the look on his son's face. Well I'd have to disabuse his feelings immediately.

"Dominic," I breathed as I looked at him with longing. His face softened and I kept on, "Do the rules for my sanctuary room stand even if I'm not in it?"

He frowned at me curiously.

"Because while I want Hestia to be safe in it, I'd much rather be there," I pointed at his chest. "But if the rules don't apply if I'm out there, then I'll have to stay here." I pouted sadly.

"I know you are playing me," he said as he opened his arms, "But yes, the rules stand."

I skipped into his rock-like chest and he enfolded his arms around me. I sighed happily, "It wasn't you I was playing," I mumbled into his shirt, "It was your father who needed the lesson. He looked entirely too pleased that you seemed furious with me."

"Hmm. Well I am furious with you," the steel bands tightened and I snuggled into him.

"I know."

"Explain," he ordered curtly. Kissing the top of my head.

I opened my eyes to look at Max as he stared in impotent and furious bewilderment. I bit my lips to smother my giggle.

I looked up to my mate, "Hestia may have put the glass in there, but she isn't the one with the knowledge of what those spices would do. She is not the one who compounded the problem by using powdered hogweed even as I was still writhing in agony, knowing full well what it would do."

The encircling arms gripped tighter as Dominic realised what I was saying.

"Hestia is not the one who hates me, nor is she the one who is in control of her decisions. Do you really think that she would so anything outside of what her mate directs her? Especially when he uses his fists to push the points he makes?"

I opened my mind to him and showed him the thought process I'd gone through to reach my conclusion. As I did, he gathered me closer to him and I could feel his muscles twitching as he held himself back from attacking the man who even now looking at us in fury. I mean, how stupid was Max? Really?

Apparently, very... "Dominic stop being so weak and listening to the ramblings of a mere woman. Your mother admitted it already, punish her and move on. People are talking about how feeble you have become since you took on this female. I repeat what I said before, you should get rid o..."

The rest of his vile words were cut off as Hammer's meaty hand gripped his neck, holding him against the wall, feet dangling and kicking as he fought for breath.

"Thank you Hammer," Dominic said coolly. "I couldn't have put it better myself. Just hold him steady while I investigate."

Max's eyes widened, but he couldn't protest as all his effort went into surviving the hold my... my... my...

I really needed to come up with a name for what Hammer was to me. I couldn't use father, my daddy was the only one I would give that title. Yet Hammer was more than a protector, uncle, friend or brother. He was ... just ... more.

Max was wrestling in his hold, making peculiar noises as Dominic read his mind. I spoke to my stalwart.

"Hammer?" He looked at me. "Will you be my Bapa? I loved my dad, I miss him so, so much and nobody could replace him. But you, you've done everything for me that he would, I know he'd approve of how I feel about you. He'd love that you've been there for ..."

Suddenly, I realised what I was saying. I was being crazy, you can't randomly blurt out things like that. I shook my head urgently, "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked something like that. I'm being stupid." I blushed and hid my head in Dominic's chest.

"No girl of mine is stupid. I wouldn't let anyone else say it, I won't let you either," Hammer said fiercely. "And if you haven't realised, I've been your Bapa for a long time already."

I looked at him with tears in my eyes. "Really?" I whispered.

"Really," he easily ignored the writhing man in his grip, "I had no idea when Alpha asked me to protect his mate that I would come to view the scrawny, young, stubborn, sneaky, insolent female as so much more than my protectee."

"Hey," I said indignantly, though it was muffled somewhat by Dominic's tense muscles. I could tell whatever he was seeing wasn't making him happy. It seemed incongruous to what was happening between me and Hammer.

"It's alright, I like stubborn, sneaky females it seems."

"Really, well it's a good thing I love grumpy, bossy, think-they-can-order-me-around males."

He grinned, "Yes indeed."

I grinned back.

"There's no way my best friend is thinking of me like her mother!" Joan's indignant voice caught our attention.

I laughed and turned to face her. She was watching us with a satisfied look that belied her words. She was happy for us, I was so fortunate to have her in my life. "No, you're my sister... but then, this has to be the weirdest family ever."

"Family is always weird," she replied. "As long as I'm not your mother, I'm fine with weird."

"I'm intrigued to know exactly what has been happening while I've been interrogating the guilty party in a serious investigation," Dominic's flat tone interrupted our conversation. I looked up at him.

"Guilty?" I whispered, coming back down with a bump.

Dominic nodded and a strangled yelp came from Max as Hammer growled furiously. I guess he wasn't too happy with him right now.

"Why did you take my mother to the sanctuary?" Dominic asked tightly, ignoring the sounds Max was making. "Did you not trust me to talk to me downstairs?"

I looked up at him with love, not missing the fresh round of sobbing from Hestia when he acknowledged her as his mother once more. "Don't be silly, it's because I trust you that I brought her here. You are a wolf of your word, she was safe there while I explained, we discussed, and you investigated. She needed to be out of that explosive situation, she could so easily have been hurt by someone else thinking they were doing the right thing. Or even her so-called mate who threw her under the bus to save himself from facing the consequences of his actions."

"Yes, you were right of course." He leant down and kissed me softly before asking in a low tone, "Who's my good girl?"

"Woof," I whispered, returning a feather-light kiss to his lips.