The intruding voice startled both Izzy and me. We had been so wrapped up in our discussion that neither had noticed the arrival of another person. Not exactly wise of us with the current rogue problem.

Seeing Victoria Phillips standing there in her evening gown was shocking to say the least. What was she doing out here alone at this time? Izzy seemed to be as confused by her presence as I was.

"She wasn't with another man." Victoria reiterated as she approached us.

"Why are you lying for her? You must be able to smell your mate all over her?" I questioned pointing an accusing finger at Izzy. Victoria nodded, but her calm demeanor remained.

"Indeed, I do, but if you had been paying more attention you might have noticed my scent is nearly as strong on this young lady," she informed me, a small smirk taking shape upon her face. I inhaled deeply and realized it was true. Her scent was present but slightly masked by her husband's.

"What are you doing out here in your condition?" Izzy asked a slight tone of annoyance lacing her voice. Now that I was not so distracted, I noticed the scent of two other wolves, more than likely the Luna's guards. I couldn't see them, but from the direction the scent was coming from they must have been in the line of bushes just to her right.

"Is that any way to speak to your mother, Isabella?" Victoria asked looking at me when she said the last word. Isabella? The moment her name felt Victoria's lips I couldn't help but think of the conversation with Alpha Phillips.

"Alpha Blackmore this is my lovely mate Victoria, and my son and future alpha Eric. Regrettably, my daughter Isabella won't be able to join us. She is visiting another pack." Those had been his words.

"Isabella? But how, you said you were a rogue," I said thinking out loud.

"I am a rogue though my great and powerful alpha refuses to admit it." The disdain I heard when she said alpha made more sense now. Of course, she would hate alphas, her dad being the worst example of one. "He is still probably making up excuses for my absence. God forbid, I ruin his perfect image." Victoria took a step towards her daughter only to be matched by Izzy taking a step away from her.

"Don't," She said clearly upset. "You have continued to stand by his side, even after everything he has done, and is still trying to do." Izzy was nearly in tears by the time she was done talking. I couldn't help the urge to comfort her, but I held back. I felt guilty for having accused her without knowing for sure. I should have never listened to Griffin.

The silence that took over was uncomfortable to say the least. The way Alpha Phillips' mate seemed to be evaluating me made it that much more awkward.

"This is him isn't it?" She asked her daughter. The light blush that took over Izzy's face had me smiling internally. When she turned to look at me, our eyes met. Her eyes were still filled with unshed tears as they began to swirl with different shades of black. I was sure mine mirrored her's. And just like that, she looked away her cheeks turning a deeper shade of red.

"I guess that's a yes," Victoria said smiling, but her smile quickly morphed into a frown. "How is this possible? I have met your mate Olivia, but by the looks you are giving my daughter, you must also be feeling the same mating pull she is. Am I right?" She stared intently at me as if daring me to deny it. I looked at Izzy, who still had her head turned away. I could see her eyes closed as tears began to fall silently from them. She was anticipating the same denial I had been repeating since we had met. I cleared my throat unsure of how I should respond, deciding honesty was my best option.

"I do." It was the first time I had admitted it out loud.

"You do?" Izzy asked complete, and utter disbelief was written all over her face.

"I think I should be leaving before Jeffery notices that I am missing. I just wanted to make sure you were safe, and I can see that you are in good hands." Victoria said to her daughter before turning to me. "It was good seeing you, Alpha Blackmore. Keep an eye on my Isabella for me, please. She has a knack for find trouble." She quickly left with the two wolves following close behind, but not before giving me a sly smile and a quick wink. I didn't understand why, but that simple gesture felt as if she was giving me her approval. It was hard to believe such a good natured, kind woman could be mated to a man like Phillips.

'Logan, dude, where are you? I have been waiting here since six am for your butt,' Griffin's impatient voice intruded my mind.

'Six am? What time is it?' Had that much time passed already?

'Nearly seven. Where are you? I thought we were interrogating Brandon today.'

"Let me guess, the almighty alpha is needed back at the pack house to help everyone decide what kind of breakfast they should have." Her words were dripping with sarcasm as she crossed her arms defensively. It was something she seemed to do a lot around me. I could only laugh at how childish her behavior was, it made me realize how much younger than me she must be.

"Yes, I am needed at the pack house but not for that reason," I said with a chuckle. "Would you like to come back with me so we can talk a bit more after I finish with a few things?" She smiled, and her cheeks became rosy for the third time today. I knew she had to be thinking about the kiss we shared the last time we "talked."

The smell of her arousal had my wolf urging me to take her right there in the middle of the woods. Soon images of her lying naked on the ground beneath me with leaves tangled in her hair took shape in my mind, but they quickly turned to visions of Olivia's lifeless body in my arms.

I shook my head to rid myself of the images, but it did nothing to stop the pain I felt as my heart clenched.

"Does this mean you are acknowledging the fact that we are mates?" I sighed as I ran my hands over my now tired face.

"It means that I am willing to acknowledge that there is something here," motioning between us. " but I am not making any promises. So are you willing to come with me?" I was holding onto hope that she might say yes but wasn't really expecting for her too.

"I am only waiting fifteen minutes, and if you're not done by then, I am gone." Her answer came out in a firm tone

"Okay," I said knowing there was no room for negotiations.

'I am on my way back. I'll be there in a bit,' I informed Griffin as Izzy, and I started jogging back to the gates.

'About damn time.'

~~~~~~~Author's Note~~~~~~~

Hope this chapter answered a few questions.

Please remember to comment and vote. Thanks for reading : )