With Miranda busy looking at dining suites, Braydon lingered in the bedding area of the department store and took out his mobile phone for the hundreth time. His suggestion of checking out a few furniture stores before heading home had been a simple solution for delaying their arrival and finally he got the message he'd been waiting for.

All clear. C

To say he was surprised at Bianca's willingness to help him would be an understatement, yet he and his wolf felt it right to trust them. Bianca had sent Adam, and Taylor to watch Miranda's home, with Cody going along incase of any trouble.

"Hey, what are you doing over here?" Miranda looked at Braydon who didn't seem to actually realise he was now surrounded by baby furniture. 

"Ah, just browsing." He lied quickly, before seeing the blanket set. "Remember I told you about that other pack, with the human?" Miranda nodded, "I thought I, we, could get her a present? They would be a good alliance to have."

"Oh good idea! Do you know what she is having?" Miranda turned to the wall of gift ideas, not sure if a pregnant shifter was any different to a pregnant human. 

"A pup?"

"I meant, boy or girl?" She rolled her eyes, and picked up the same blanket set Braydon had been looking at. "I'll take that look on your face means no. How about this? White is neutral and it's all made from organic material. I think that is meant to make it better or safer or something. I dunno? Oh look, it's got a little wolf looking puppy on it!"

Braydon had no idea what to say to any of that. "Sure. What ever you think! Um, ready to go then?"

"Yes!" Miranda blurted out a little too loudly and taking Braydon's hand, the duo forgot all about baby gifts and went back to her new car.

 The trip home seemed to go too quickly for Braydon and pulling up on the drive, he sensed the others nearby the second he got out of the car. He moved around to Miranda's side and opened her door, keeping her close as they got a few bags of groceries from the back and then headed inside.

"Have you heard of personal space?" Nudging Braydon with her elbow, Miranda moved to the front door and went to open it. The way he was acting had her nervous, especially since he was sticking closer to her than a shadow.

"Sorry." He mumbled, looking over the empty street before following her inside.

 Everything was how they left it and once the groceries were put down in the kitchen, he went to the back door and checked the yard. Nothing. It wasn't that he doubted Cody, he just needed to check for himself.

"Braydon!" Miranda's whisper was more like a quiet yell and going back inside, he found her standing against the wall by the fridge and pointed to the window, before mouthing at him 'wolves'.

Instantly Braydon was back outside, and looking around the side of the house, Cody and the other two were coming down the side path. Despite knowing they were friend, not foe, Braydon didn't stop the wolf from growling and prepared himself to shift should he need to defend Miranda.

In seconds Cody appeared before him, the small pouch that had bee worn like a collar, now hung against his chest and the human looked Braydon over cautiously. Despte knowing Bianca was the one who was the most dominant in their establishment, Braydon could tell that on his own, Cody was a force to be reckoned with too. "Welcome home?"

Braydon sighed, trying to calm himself down. "Thank you, all of you, for your help."

"We understand. If Bianca wants to help you, we all do." He assured Braydon.

At hearing the voices, Miranda crept closer to the back door holding a bread knife as it was the first thing she saw on her way over. Turning, Braydon sensed her there and decided he may as well introduce them all. "It's safe Miranda."

Hesitantly she peeked around the corner, knife first and at seeing the naked stranger, her weapon was dropped as she raised her hands to cover her eyes - not expecting that at all. Instantly her cheeks heated and she turned away.

"Okay! Ah, Braydon. Why is there a naked man on our back porch?"

Looking down, Cody coughed awkwardly as the two wolves behind him seemed to laugh with a snorting whine coming from them. Most shifters were just accustomed to the nakedness that followed a shift; unlike humans. 

"This is Cody," Braydon started, before Miranda held up her hand to stop him and went back inside. A second later she reappeared with a few towels from the laundry and threw one over at Cody. He laughed as he wrapped it around his waist and left the other couple for the two wolves behind him. 

The small group went inside and soon enough his companions soon walked in.

"Hi Miranda, I'm Cody. These are my cousins, Adam and Taylor." He introduced, slightly guarded.

"Nice to meet you all. I've heard a lot about you!" Miranda smiled, before pausing. Looking at Braydon she wondered if maybe she shouldn't have said that.

"Relax, we're here to help." Taylor took over, sitting beside Miranda she returned the smile.

"I asked for them to check the house before we got home, you know, just incase." Braydon admitted, watching as Miranda's confusion turned to understanding and then fear.

"You don't think-"

"After the accident, who knows?" He sighed.

"I'm just going to call Bianca." Cody excused himself and went back outside, pulling the phone from the pouch.

Adam and Taylor shared a look, while Miranda busied herself making everyone except Braydon a coffee. The thought that it might not actually be over now they were home and starting this next stage of their life, together - away from Carolina, Jason and any other complications left her feeling anxious all over again. It didn't help that the accident stood for something so sinister either, but they were home. It was meant to stop now.

Once Cody came back inside, Miranda ended up excusing herself and left the shifters to talk, opting to take a shower and put on something comfy and familiar; that she hadn't just bought at a store. She thought a lot about everything. It would be logical on her behalf to leave, end it with Braydon once and for all. She could deny ever knowing about shifter werewolf creatures, about mates and maybe if enough time passed, she'd be able to deny that she had loved Braydon; say that he wasn't the one and believe it.

Looking at herself in the steam covered mirror, she knew that wasn't the truth. Maybe countless love stories and movies about 'the one' and 'soul mates' were onto something and he was hers, wolf or not. The time they'd spent back together left her feeling complete, which she did kind of hate because she had always thought she was independent and didn't need a man. Then again, Miranda didn't need a man; she needed Braydon.

Pulling a rather serious face, Miranda gave herself a rather confidence boosting talk. After all, If Carolina was willing to go to those kind of lengths, so was she. Especially since she had so much more to fight for than the rejected she-wolf and the main reason being was that she had Braydon. He had come to her. He wasn't told where to live, what to do or think. What ever battles had raged internally for the shifter, Braydon had overcome them and found her. Now she was prepared to fight for him.

Coming out of the bedroom, she instantly stopped as Braydon was heading her way. He looked too serious, and rather than let go of the doorknob as she closed the door behind her, Miranda prepared herself to push it back open and retreat. If he was tense, then it couldn't be good. They'd have to work it out, together.

"What's wrong?" Miranda asked, not really wanting to know despite the pep talk she had with herself a second before. 

"Nothing?" Seeing the panic in her eyes, Braydon didn't stop his mission to see her, nearly sweeping Miranda off her feet as he pulled her against him. "Everything is going to be okay."

Miranda was practically being crushed against Braydon's chest as he held her, and she ended up patting his arm as a form of tap out. Reluctantly he let her go of his embrace, yet his kiss told her he wasn't done just yet. Forgetting the doorknob, Miranda's hands slid up against Braydon's arms as she found herself being guided back against the door. It was a good thing it wasn't ready to be opened otherwise they'd have tripped when it gave way.

As much as Miranda was enjoying herself, it didn't change the fact there were three shifters downstairs - or had they gone? Why was Braydon so sure it was going to okay?

"Slow down there wolf-man!" Miranda managed to get an inch of space back between them, which Braydon didn't like. "How do you know? What's going on?"

"She's here, to help. Cody told me the terms of their allegiance and I agreed." He rambled excitedly, all previous signs of tension gone.

"Who, what? Allegiance?"

"Come on, she's here. I want you to meet her!" Taking Miranda's hand, Braydon kept her close as he lead her back downstairs.

"Who is-" The words left Miranda as the took the final step and the woman that stood with Cody - who now had clothes on, turned their way. She knew who it was in an instant, and the name left her in a surprised gasp. "Bianca!"

There was something undeniably intimidating about the she-wolf; different to Carolina. This was deadlier. Maybe it was because Miranda knew her history or the fact she was surrounded by wolf-shifters, but Miranda felt way out of her depth and inched closer against Braydon. The human's fear was easy to detect in the air and Braydon's arm tightened around her shoulders. 

"Hello Miranda, it's nice to finally meet you!" Bianca smiled, gentle and reassuring - just like her words as she paired up with Cody. 

Miranda was speechless.

"Since it's safe here, Bianca has come to see us too," Braydon quickly explained, to Miranda, "you don't need to be afraid."

"I can't believe you didn't bring me something!" Adam growled, coming in from the kitchen in a t-shirt that looked like it should belong to Taylor due to the tight, slim fit.

"We were in a hurry!" The one Braydon knew as Jay answered with a laugh as Miranda only looked at the others wide eyes and completely confused.

"Yeah I bet I know why!" Adam snapped back, throwing an evil look over his shoulder as the petite blonde girl came in behind the two boys.

"Hey, I knew Taylor would hate me if I didn't get her something just right so if I accidently picked up two of her shirts-" The girl fell silent as all eyes turned to the new arrivals.

"Welcome to my world!" Bianca sighed, sharing a knowing look with Cody.

Miranda was still speechless.

They were all introduced to her though and besides Bianca and Cody, the group were acting as if they were at a family gathering than what ever this was exactly. They ended up spread out in the living room, discussing patrols and keeping some back up close by. The way they all discussed Miranda's safety was as if she was one of their own, the pair welcomed into the family as if they had always belonged there. Braydon felt like he did, his only regret was he couldn't get the pups with Carolina involved. He knew Taylor would be in her element with Amber and Alicia as while they talked patrols and getting Braydon involved in human combat training, she was more focused on her nails and braiding her hair; then braiding Chloe's hair despite the fact Jay liked it down.

She looked at Miranda once she was done, but didn't dare go near her due to the way Braydon was acting like an overprotective guard dog with a new toy. Her training as a hairdresser was not what Miranda was expecting to discover about the other woman, since her family thought everything through with an almost military precision. It make sense though, considering how touchy feeling she was noticing the shifters to be and Taylor had an obvious sense of style all of her own. She reminded her of Abby's sister and instantly Miranda wished she had some of 'her kind' around for support.

As the day wore on, and the serious part of the discussion was over, the group headed outside for a run and as Connor called, 'bonding'. While Braydon was reluctant to leave Miranda, she urged him to go and seeing her backyard suddenly full of wolves Miranda had to smile.

"They're a crazy bunch, but I love them!" Chloe sighed, moving to stand beside Miranda as Braydon was the last to disappear over the fence and the pack went for a run. "It's going to be okay Miranda."

"How did you adjust to it? What did you do when you found out?" The pair sat at the kitchen counter, just as Bianca came back inside from seeing them all off.

"I didn't freak out, it's weird to say, but I knew. I kept having dreams, walking though the darkness and all this scary stuff and then I'd just see a wolf." Chloe smiled, leaning her chin on her hand. "I didn't understand it at all."

Bianca took her glass of water and settled in beside Chloe, her free hand resting on her swollen stomach. "When we meet our wolf for the first time, it's the same kind of process. Our alpha will call to our wolf, to make it appear and then we have to connect to it ourselves. So long as our wolf accepts us. Jay, well all of us, like to think the dreams were Jay calling to her."

"When I met him, I instantly thought of my dreams and I got a bit obsessed with him actually!" She laughed, "Luckily the feeling was mutual and the first time he showed me his wolf form, I just, knew. Did you get that?"

Miranda wanted to lie and say yes, but her own meeting with Braydon wasn't the same kind of fairytale. She didn't know until Braydon shifted in front of her and there wasn't much acceptance. Then again, she hadn't completely freaked out either. What would be the normal reaction to this kind of thing?

"No. I, we, didn't get anything like that." From the confused expression on Chloe's face and the understanding from Bianca, Miranda knew only one of the women knew her story so she shared it with Chloe.

"So you took him from his actual mate?" There was an obvious accusation to her tone and Miranda hadn't been expecting it. 

"Well, it's complicated," She sighed.

"No. Not really. I thought we were here because he had a human mate too, like I am for Jay?" Miranda had misjudged how timid the other human in all this was as she flared up.

"He does." Bianca's word was final and despite not being a shifter, Chloe instantly dropped her gaze and submitted. 

All Miranda saw was the familiarity in her own situation; a true mate, and one who chose.

"Miranda, it doesn't matter. I think this was always going to happen regardless. Braydon isn't a normal shifter. He found his wolf when he was only thirteen, without his Alpha's guidance and the usual ceremony we undertake. I've never heard of another shifter doing that or even what we did, living as wolf over human. Thing is, we are both where we belong now, I don't doubt that for a second. Neither should you!" Bianca reached for Miranda's hand and gave it a light squeeze.

"Thank you, for believing in us. For helping." Miranda weakly answered, instantly bursting into tears.

Bianca held her while she cried, gently rubbing her back and offering what comfort she could. There were many sides to an alpha. You had to be a leader, look after your pack to ensure their survival, but it wasn't all about dominance and phsyical strength. It was about trust, family, working together and as Miranda had been accepted into the pack by wolf and human, Bianca was the alpha Miranda needed right now; a friend.

By the time the others got back, Miranda felt better. Stronger. Everything Bianca told her had settled in the back of her mind. They weren't alone, it wasn't just her and Braydon against the world. Miranda finally understood what it really meant to be one of them; she felt the trust, acceptance and loyalty. She felt safe, wanted and apart of something bigger than as a human she thought possible. If one was happy, they all were. If someone hurt, they all hurt. It was more than family, it was pack. 

It was a change Braydon noticed instantly in his mate. She was more at ease as she came outside with Bianca to welcome them back. It was the little things in her body language as she spoke to Connor or teased Taylor. It was in the way she wasn't guarded around Cody or Bianca anymore, and the fact she didn't constantly seek him out for security due to fear, instead coming to him, confident, happy and because where else would she rather be?

Just like Braydon in her world, Miranda found her place in his.

-x- 

Chad sat looking at the mobile phone Braydon had left him with. One call. That's all it would take for him to be free of, everything. In the three weeks that had passed since the accident, he had only contacted Braydon once to make sure that he and Miranda were okay. 

Turning on the phone, he regretted not turning it on sooner as a message came through from last week checking on him. He quickly responded and was tempted to actually call when he heard the voices downstairs. Sneaking out of his room, Amber was already at the top of the stairs and when she looked up at him, Chad knew he couldn't leave unless he could take her with him too. Everyone else was back to normal, yet it wasn't like before.

Especially Carolina.

"Three weeks. How much longer?" She growled, pacing the entry area.

Chad quickly put his hand over Ambers mouth when she went to speak, and they quickly dropped out of sight as Carolina looked up.

"My office. Now." Manuel commanded, and only once the sound of her heels disappeared did Chad let Amber go.

"Three weeks?" She asked, much tooo innocent to hear the truth.

"It's how long Brays been gone for."

"Already?" The girl pouted, "it doesn't seem like it."

"Go back to your room okay?" Chad helped Amber stand and once she had gone, he went downstairs.

Creeping closer to the office, he could hear the shouting from inside and his stomach sunk as the words got clearer.

"I don't care who may be helping them. You have a pack of over forty, there is not even ten of them!"

"If the pack hears of this, I'd be risking everything. More than I already am!" That was a voice Chad didn't know.

"It will ensure them a new Alpha couple, and-"

"You're not listening. She has protection from the Alpha's in the North. Caprice taught Bianca the majority of what she knows about pack business. Not only that, Alpha Dean is only where he is because of her. She killed her own fucking mate, and you want to go against these people? You're insane! Manuel, control your daughter!"

"He has a point Care, it would be suicide to go against them!" Manuel sighed, alrady sounding defeated.

"It's too late for that. You should've thought about that before your people fucked up the accident Nicholas! Turn on me now, and I won't hesitate in making sure those that you fear know the truth!" Carolina threatened, at least Chad thought it was her as he had never heard her sound so, vicious.

 "You have no proof of any of that!" Came the response, Nicholas. 

"Doesn't matter. All I have to do is make a phone call," Carolina went quiet before sobbing followed, "Braydon, it's me. I- i just spoke to Nicholas and I think Miranda is in danger. He was acting crazy, talking about a car accident and I don't know what he is planning, but I had to warn you!"

Silence.

"Do not fuck with me Nicholas.You're in this as much as I am, more even, and we will see this through!" Carolina snapped.

"You forget who you are talking to. If you threaten me like that again, I'll go to Braydon first and-"

"And what? He won't believe you, I'm still his mate and you're still the Alpha who defeated his father and cast him into exile."

Chad slunk back against the wall, knowing he should move away before he was caught, but this was serious. Then again, he couldn't guarentee his own safety if he was caught. Carolina was turning into someone he didn't know and he didn't like or trust the other two to start with.

"Fine. What do you suggest we do then?" Nicholas eventually caved.

"We need a distraction, and it just so happens we have six of those here right now."

Chad moved swiftly up the stairs and went straight into his room, not bothering to read the reply to his message he hit call. Turning on the stereo, his heart was beating heavily in his chest. His eyes never left the bedroom door and the second Braydon answered, he felt like he was about to throw up.

"Chad, how are you?" Braydon greeted,

"She's planning it all. Braydon, she's going to kill her and I think she's going to use us to do it!" Came the ramble of a response.

"Whoa, slow down. No one is going to do anything to anyone!" 

"No, you don't get it. They know about Bianca and her contacts. She's got your Uncle helping and they're going to get Miranda!" Chad clamped his hand over his mouth as he yelled down the phone, praying no one heard him.

"Tell me everything you know," Gone was the calming reassurance, and Chad told Braydon everything he could. "Chad, you did good. I don't want you to worry though, I will work this out and I'm going to make sure you and the others aren't stuck there anymore okay?"

"No you can't. She is going to use us!" The teen was a mess.

"She can try, but what can you do if you've gone?"

"What?" Chad didn't understand.

"Their not the only ones taking in pups. There is a small pack like Bianca's family, not far from them under that Alpha you mentioned, Dean's protection. I can get you guys there, Bianca told me about it when I mentioned you guys. Well keep you all safe. I promise." When Braydon said that, Chad believed him.

"Okay Braydon."

"Good, just be ready. I'll be there soon!" 

Hanging up the phone, Chad quickly hid it away and had just managed to calm himself down when there was a knock on his door. 

"Chad? You in here?" Carolina called out, before coming in.

"Yeah, what's up?"

"How does a movie night sound? I think we really need some family time." Carolina smiled, and for a second he doubted everything he had just heard as she was, normal, again.

"Sounds great." Chad enthused.

"Great! Wanna let the others know? Maybe you can take Alicia down to the store and get some junk food. I think we're pretty low on the essentials!" 

"Okay, sure."

The second he was alone he collapsed on his bed, wondering what the hell they were being dragged into. Could Braydon really help them?

------------

So you know when you finish a story and then hate the last couple of chapters, so you start again, but hate that so you end up with a bit of writers block, and end up starting a new story (or 2) due to procrastination, and come back to the one you're trying to finish and yeah...  Well that's kind of where I've been at this week. Sorry for the delay, I really want the end of their story to be done just right. More to come!!