Walking into Asher's room and seeing his mate sitting with him laughing together took me by surprise. I hadn't expected him to be looking so healthy though I could tell he wasn't as healed as he tried to appear. Every time he let out a chuckle his arm would clutch at his side discreetly. I was sure he was just attempting to put on a brave face as not to worry Tiffany.

"Finally, your lazy butt wakes up," Griffin said as he walked past me. It wasn't until now that Asher noticed our presence. He quickly turned and looked up at us causing him to wince and hug his side. His eyes looked tired with dark circles encasing them. He was a shade or two paler than I was use to seeing and had different shades of purple and yellow bruises covering portions of his face.

"Was your job getting too hard for you without me there to hold your hand?" Asher asked jokingly, a broad smile gracing his face.

"You know it. This jerk is too much to handle without you there to take him off my hands every once in awhile."

"Excuse me, but I think the whole pack would attest to you being the one that is too much for any one person to deal with in large doses," I quipped as I walked deeper into the room.

"Yeah, I would have to agree with Logan on that one," Asher said with a laugh. I couldn't help but notice Izzy standing just inside the doorway seemingly trying to remain invisible. She had the ghost of a smile playing upon her face, but there was a certain sadness hidden in her eyes. I wasn't sure if it was a trick of the light, but I thought I saw the sheen of unshed tears.

"That is true," Tiffany agreed, causing Griffin to pretend to pout as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"That hurts, you know. My two best friends and my own cousin ganging up on me. Where's the love?" His comment caused everyone to burst out laughing.

"Stop--please stop....It hurts to laugh," Asher said between gasps. He was hunched over clutching his stomach.

"So when did the doctor say you can get out of here?" I asked trying to change the subject.

"Not soon enough," Asher grumbled unhappily. Tiffany reached over taking his hand in hers.

"He said in two to three days if everything looks okay," She answered smiling lovingly at her mate. Asher, in turn, leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek.

"Get a room." Leave it to Griffin to ruin their little moment.

"I believe this is my room," Asher shot back. It was great to see him awake and joking around. "So what have I missed while I was out?" As Griffin began filling Asher in on what little details we had gathered in his absence, I made my way over to Izzy.

"Hey, you ok?" I asked, a little concerned about her distant behavior. She smiled slightly before nodding.

"Yeah, I'm good. Just don't want to intrude on your guys' moment that's all," she replied glancing over to Asher, Tiffany, and Griffin; all were engaged in a friendly conversation.

"You're not intruding. We may not be mated, but as far as I am concerned your part of this pack now," I told her honestly, reaching down to grasp her hand. She gently squeezed my hand and smiled up at me.

"Thanks." My smile grew as I lead her towards Asher's bed. He gave me a sort of knowing look before directing his attention to Izzy.

"Hey, Tiffany told me you came in to check on me, but you left before I came to."

"Yeah, well we saw you stirring, and I thought those two would want to be here when you woke up," she replied gesturing to Griffin and me with her head.

"How are you?"

"You're the one in the hospital bed. Shouldn't I be asking you that?" Doc Havers entered just then, and the room grew silent for a moment.

"You're coming to tell me good news right? Like maybe I can get out of here and go home tonight?" Asher asked hopefully.

"Nice try, but I didn't come to speak with you. I am here to talk to Logan, and in case you're wondering, you won't being going home just yet." Asher let a quiet groan as he laid his head against his pillow.

"I'll be right back," I told her with a sigh. Letting go of Izzy's hand, I followed Havers out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind me.

"I was hoping you were available for that CT scan we talked about the other day. It won't take long I promise."

"Yeah, sure," I said knowing he wouldn't let me until I did.

Like he promised the CT scan didn't take long; only about twenty minutes or so--the doctor had a chance to look them over while I headed back to Asher's room. As I went down the hallway, I heard yelling moments before Izzy came storming out of the room.

"What's wrong?" I asked her once she reached me.

"Ask that dumb dog you call a beta," she snapped, not even stopping as she passed me. I looked at her retreating back, not sure whether or not to follow her but decided to give her a minute alone to cool down.

"What did you do now?" I asked Griffin, slightly annoyed. I should have known better than to leave with both of them in the same room.

"Nothing, I swear!" He answered putting his hands up defensively.

"I don't think asking if Logan's member is as big as his ego would be considered nothing," Tiffany chastised him.

"You what?!?" I yelled glaring at him.

"Hey, calm down," He said backing away from me and in the direction of the door. "How was I supposed to know she was so sensitive?" he continued before turning and darting out the door. I walked to the doorway and watched as he nearly mowed down a nurse in an attempt to get out the front door.

"You better run," I yelled after him trying not to laugh. I could hear Asher and Tiffany laughing behind me.

"I swear you guys are trying to kill me," Asher said his voice slightly strained as he attempted to calm his fit of laughter. Tiffany was quietly chuckling as she reached over repositioning the pillows behind her mate's head.

"You know you wouldn't have it any other way," she spoke lovingly to him. Asher smiled up at her before resting his head against the pile of pillows.

"I should get going," I said starting towards the door. "I'll come by and check on you tomorrow." Asher groaned loudly.

"Don't remind me. I am stuck in this prison for another day," he whined. I gave Tiffany a quick wave, laughing on my way out.

I jogged briskly back to the pack house enjoying the feel of the cold air against my skin. It seemed to relieve the slight pounding in the front of my head. I wondered where Izzy might have run off to. I was hoping I might find her back at the house but doubted she would risk the chance of running into Griffin. I swear that wolf had way too much fun riling her up.

I was brought out of my thoughts by the sound of rustling coming from somewhere in the clearing behind the pack house. I paused before heading in the direction of the noise. This clearing was a place I often frequented. It was where Olivia had died and where she was buried.

Before her death we use to spend countless hours out here together, having picnics, watching the stars. It was also where I had proposed to her eight years ago. I felt it was fitting that this was the place where she would take her final breath, among the wildflowers she loved so much. It didn't take me long to spot Izzy walking among the withering remains of the bird cherry and foxgloves plants Olivia had insisted we plant there. I watched as her hand gently glided across the dying flowers. She seemed to be deep in thought.

"You look like you could use some company." She glanced up at me momentarily a small smirk on her face.

"I am not sure I would be the best company right now," she said a light breeze causing her to shiver.

"You're still mad about what Griffin said?" I guessed trying to gauge her mood.

"No, not as much anyway," she replied shaking her head. If it wasn't Griffin, that had her in this sullen mood than what did? I noticed her shiver again as the wind picked up.

"Why don't we go inside. I can fix us up a nice cup of hot chocolate," I suggested. Izzy raised an eyebrow at me and smiled.

"Hot chocolate? What are we in middle school? How about some good old fashion coffee?" she countered. My face contorted in disgust.

"You can have coffee. I'll stick to my hot chocolate." She let out a little giggle as we headed towards the pack house. I hesitated momentarily before grabbing her hand in mine. We walked in the direction of the pack house in a comfortable silence. Suddenly Izzy stood rooted where she was, a look of pure terror on her face.

"What's wrong?" I asked shaking her slightly. She turned towards me her face pale.

"It's my mom; she says my dad is on his way here."

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

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