When Everly uttered the name Ferguson Payne he couldn't help the immediate rage that exploded. Ranger rose up. Fighting tooth and nail to force a shift. He saw red. He didn't register anything till his brother stepped in front of him. Then Liam couldn't help it. He went for his brother's throat with his bare hands. His eyes black. Holding back his wolf from the forced shift but not able to push him back.
"You dare stand between me and my mate!" Ranger yelled in his beta's face. His voice dark, deep and menacing. His hands tightened.
"She...on...the damn...ground!" The beta shouted out with what little oxygen he had, his face starting to turn purple. That's when Robbie's screaming penetrated the rage. Ranger felt overwhelming guilt and immediately gave control back to Liam. He removed his hands from his brother and turned to his mate. The baby was red faced and screaming. His heart dropped with shame. His eyes filled with regret. Everly looked at him with wide, tearful eyes. A few had fallen. The little wet tracks on her cheeks made his gut twist.
"No, no, no. I'm so sorry." He moved closer to her. She leaned back a little cradling the crying child to her chest. His heart clenched. He didn't ever want her or his son to fear him. "It's ok. I'm sorry." He was calm and never broke eye contact. Those blue eyes of hers still swam with tears. A few more fell and ate at his soul. When he reached out and placed his hand on her cheek she closed her eyes and leaned into it. He swiftly pulled them to his body. His arms wrapped around her and the baby between them. Robbie quieted down but was still whimpering. Leaning back he looked down at the boy. He gently removed the makeshift sling from Everly and put it around himself. She helped him arrange it so Robbie was secure and close to his body. The tiny child looked up at him and Liam's heart shuddered in his chest. He loved this child.

Silently the small group made their way through the forest. Their footsteps crunching snow the only sound. After his outburst silence was the best option. He couldn't talk about Payne right now. The man was a raging lunatic. He swore revenge when his mate was killed in a rouge attack. Mates don't survive very long without one another. When a half of you dies you will never be whole again. Instead of following his mate in death Ferguson Payne chose another path. One of madness. His poor leadership after his mates death made his pack scatter. Within a few years he was a rouge and only a few still followed him. He was a menace. His maniacal rage had effected his pack and a neighboring one years ago. His parents had been killed. A handful of others. The other pack had been decimated. Only a few children surviving.

"He's up to something. No matter how you feel about him, he has figured out how to impregnate unmated females. And I know I'm not the only one." Everly's voice carried an ominous tone. It made Liam's hair stand up on his arms. Robbie stirred when he stiffened. His hand came up to rub the baby's back to soothe him.

"What could he possibly want with a bunch of babies?" His gamma, Richard, asked. Confusion in his voice.

"What would you do with a bunch of children that are biologically yours when your bent on dominion?" Everly replied. Her tone of voice hinting that they should know the answer already. Suddenly it dawned on him.

"An army. He's building an army loyal to him."