I sat down at the edge of the bed, my mate sleeping behind me. I moved a hand through my hair and sighed, feeling this weight on my shoulders.

Sparks went up and down my back when my mate wrapped her arms around me.

I leaned back against her and enjoyed the warmth that she brought with her. I closed my eyes and took in her scent, letting it calm me.

Soft lips pressed themselves on my back, and I tensed and then relaxed. "What are you thinking about?" she asked, her sultry voice filling my ears. "I can feel your anxiety and worry."

I turned around to look at her staring at me with those green and silver eyes that were unique like her. "It's... nothing important," I said. "I am just worried about you," I added when a strawberry blonde eyebrow went up.

"Mmmhmm," she said, not believing me. "I know that you are hiding some stuff."

I sighed and took a hold of her hand. "I don't need you to worry about it," I said, finally. "It's... nothing bad, but I need to do some research first."

Bethany Ann narrowed her eyes at me. She didn't move away from me like I thought she would, and I was grateful because I needed her beside me. "You know that we are a team," she said, and I nodded. "That means we don't need to hide stuff from each other."

"I know," I said. "And, I will tell you."

"But..?"

"But, right now, I need to gather some more information before I tell you anything. I want to make sure that you are safe."

Bethany Ann scoffed and opened her mouth to retaliate.

"I know what you are going to say, so shut it," I said, narrowing my eyes at her playfully.

Bethany Ann did what I said but pursed her lips.

"It is my duty to look after you. You are not alone anymore. The pack and I, mainly me, need you alive and well."

"And what about you?" she asked. "The pack needs you alive and well."

"And, I am," I replied. "As long as you are safe, then I am happy."

Bethany Ann rolled her eyes, her cheeks turning a slightly reddish color. "Sappy, Dick," she grumbled as she got out of my arms. She stopped when I grabbed her wrist and looked at me.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Bathroom," she replied. "Unless you want me to pee on the bed..." She smirked, and I let go of her with a chuckle.

"Come back?"

"'Course," she replied. And with that, she left.

***

"I am glad to see you are all right, Bethany Ann," Vincent said. "I would have visited you, but your... pack wouldn't let me."

"I don't blame them," she replied, taking a sip of her drink. Her whole body was rigid, but she didn't look to be afraid. She was anxious, however, and I could tell that she didn't want anything to happen to the pack.

"I beg your pardon?" he asked, anger filling his voice.

Bethany Ann placed down her drink and regarded him with cold annoyance. "I do not blame them," she replied, calmly. "I was unconscious and was able to protect myself if something went wrong."

Vincent growled and slammed his cup on the table, and his mate flinched and backed away from the angry Alpha. "I am your father. You will respect me."

"You are not my father," Bethany Ann retaliated. "We might share the same blood, but you are not my kin."

Vincent growled and narrowed his eyes at her. He didn't attack probably noticing how my Warriors shifted forward. He felt all eyes on him. "Excuse us," he said. He wrenched his mate from the seat by the hair, and she gasped out in pain.

"I would let her go," Bethany Ann said. She was cutting up her steak, her eyes flickering back and forth. "It is not wise to pull someone up by their hair." She placed a bit of meat into her mouth. 'Get ready to get her away from him if he doesn't let go,' she linked the Warriors.

'Yes, Luna,' they replied.

Vincent growled and slammed her onto the table, and everyone growled at him. "I'd watch your back," he said. He started to walked away only for a knife to stop him.

A small gasp resonated through the pack because the knife was sticking out of the wall only a few feet away from his face.

Bethany Ann was still seated at the table, but she was knifeless. Her eyes were trained on her sperm donor, and I was sure that she would have attacked if it wasn't for the kids in the room. "No," she said, finally. "It is you that should watch your back."