I was thankful that it was a half-day at work. Belinda had left to go out of town for some meetings up in New York so she was letting us go at noon instead of the usual time. With things piling up on my plate I was starting to have migraines and was so paranoid. It was like the great queen was playing a game of cat and mouse with me. And I was the mouse. I knew the battle was going to happen soon, I just didn't know how soon. Belinda had left early that morning, so it was just Connor and I getting things done. Even Sasha had the day off. I was thankful for the quiet.

Work went by slowly. I managed to stay in my office most of the day just working on spreadsheets and other busy things. Instead of going back to my house, Connor and I headed to his apartment. We both wanted to be alone and just make a plan of attack. I didn't know how we were going to do it. There was nothing to plan. It was more a sit around and wait plan. He began carrying his axe around with him everywhere he went, but then again, so did I. Things seemed to be really be happening quicker.

I sat in a chair and examined my shoes. They were the same red ones that I wore on the big date.

"I love those shoes," he said peeking over his desk.

"Yeah, they are pretty hot, huh."

Connor got up and walked over to me. He leaned against the chair, kissing me. He bent down and scooped me up in his arms. These occasional moments of normalcy were a much needed relief for us. He walked across the living room and deposited me on his sofa.

"What are you doing, you ridiculous man?"

"Snuggling," he said flopping onto the couch beside me.

"What do I do about, Anna?" I asked while running my fingers through his soft hair.

"I honestly don't know. I've never had a friend act like her before."

"Do you even have friends? You never talk to or about anyone."

"Not really. With work and the wolves I've never had time to really socialize. It's going to be weird having free time."

"What are you going to do with yourself?" I smiled down at him.

"Be with you!" he said while burying his face in my stomach.

"You are so weird," I laughed.

"Only with you."

My phone started to sing.

"Grab that?" I asked.

"It's your mom."

"My mom?" I grabbed the phone off of him and stared at the caller I.D.

Sure enough, it was my mom.

"Hello? Elysse?" she whispered in a panicked voice.

"Mom, what's wrong?"

"Where are you?" she whispered.

"At Connor's. Why are you whispering?" I asked.

"I'm hiding in the closet."

"Why exactly are you hiding in the closet?"

Connor sat up and arched his eyebrows at me, I just shrugged my shoulders.

Has mom finally lost it?

"There is something here. It's outside and it sounds big," she cried.

"What do you mean something? Did you see it?"

"No. When it started slamming into the house I ran into the closet."

"It's slamming into the house?" I asked.

"Yes," she replied.

"Did you call the cops?"

"No, should I?"

"Well yeah, mom. Which closet are you in?"

"The downstairs hall closet. I don't want to get out."

"Good, don't. We're on our way."

"How long will you be?" she asked.

"With the way Connor drives, half an hour. Don't open the doors or windows. I have an idea what it is, and it wants me. Just stay in that closet."

"Hurry up, Elysse," she cried.

I tossed the phone in my purse and jumped up.

"What's wrong?" Connor asked propping himself up.

"Something is at my mom's."

"Something?"

"She says it sounds big, and she is hiding in the hall closet."

"The closet?"

"It's my mom. Normal people would head to the basement, she goes to a closet and hides behind coats."

He grabbed his keys, and we were out the door.

***

She wasn't kidding when she said something big was outside the house. When we pulled up there were at least twenty wolves standing right against the tree line. The massively huge silver wolf and a smaller brindle wolf were circling the house, occasionally throwing their full weight against it. Amazingly it was making the entire house shake.

"Hey! Stop that!" I shouted.

"Go back," the silver wolf barked to the smaller wolf.

The brindle wolf nodded its head and ran back to the rest of the pack.

"Why are you terrorizing my mother?"

"I knew it would get you here."

"Really? So you just tormented my damned mother for an hour just because?"

"Why not? I do like playing with my food before eating it," a deep, throaty laugh escaped from his snout.

"You're unbelievable," I said.

"What's wrong, girl? Not prepared?"

"I'm about as prepared as I'll ever be really. I mean come on, you've had how long to get that big and become as formidable as you are. I've had all of a month. That's fair," I muttered.

"Nobody ever told you life isn't fair?"

"You're mine, wolf!" Connor shouted stepping in front of me.

"Oh, it's the little hunts boy all grown up."

"Don't forget who gave you that scar."

"A lucky blow, boy. If it hadn't been for your father, I would have eaten you up first."

I could see the pain hit Connor like a ton of bricks. He stopped talking and I could swear the wolf was smiling. I grabbed his hand and squeezed.

"What's this? The Grimm is in love with the huntsman?"

I dropped Connor's hand and took a few steps forward. The wolf backed up a bit toward the tree line. I took a few more steps forward, slowly getting closer to the porch. The wolf kept backing up. Once he was far enough away, I sprinted for the front door, Connor was right behind me.

"Mom!" I screamed running down the hallway.

"In here," she cried.

I flung open the door, and saw my mother sitting in a corner behind some coats. She had clothes on. Real clothes, not sweats. Her purple sweater and black leggings brought out the shine in her blonde hair and the creaminess of her skin. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I was so scared."

I dropped to my knees and wrapped her in a hug, "I know, mom. I'm sorry I wasn't here. We didn't think they'd attack yet. Are you hurt?"

"No, they never came in and I never went out," she sobbed into my shoulder.

"This isn't happening anymore. I'm not letting those wolves and that queen terrorize my mother."

I stood up, helping my mom get up, and led her upstairs to her bedroom. She sat on her bed and stared out the window. We could all see the wolves sitting, lined up around the yard. They were a great deal smaller than the silver wolf. He sat in front of them, just watching the house. He was waiting for me. I could see those golden eyes all the way across the expansive yard. He wanted my blood.

"You can't go out there!" mom cried grabbing my hands.

"I have to, mom. I'm the only one who can send that thing back."

"Don't leave me like your father did," she sobbed.

"I'm not going to. He's not going to hurt me."

"I'll be with her, Elaine," Connor put his strong hand on her shoulder.

She seemed to relax at his touch.

"You keep my baby safe," she said looking into his face.

"I will."

We turned, and left my mom sitting on the bed, staring out the window at the wolves that lined the property.

"I have to go upstairs and get something first," I said running to the attic door.

"What could you possibly need up there?"

"The cloak and book. How else am I supposed to send that evil bastard back to his story?"