I feel myself begin to panic as all seven pairs of eyes continue to stay locked on my face. Bella and Becket give me reassuring smiles but that does little to quell the ball of nerves sitting heavy in my stomach.

I bite my lip anxiously and close my eyes.

Slowly, I feel Grayson let go of my hand and snake his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest.

"Breathe Princess, it's okay" Grayson mind links to me as I cling to his chest, trying to keep myself steady.

I feel his chest vibrate and I assume he is saying something to everyone before he kisses the top of my head gently. I begin to calm down and soon find myself relaxed in his arms.

"Feel better?" he mind-links softly. I nod and look up at him and he smiles down at me.

"You're okay, I promise. They won't hurt you" he continues, softly.

I nod, biting my lip nervously and he smiles warmly.

"I won't let go of you, I promise."

"Thank you" I mind link back quietly. He nods and kisses me gently before jutting his head in the direction of everyone.

Okay, Acacia. You can do this.

I take a deep breath and slowly turn around and stand next to Grayson with one of his arms firmly around my waist, to see everyone quietly talking amongst themselves.

Although I can't make out what they are saying, they seem to be enjoying themselves, laughing occasionally.

I watch nervously as they all begin to look at us again, but thankfully, Grayson pulls me in front of him so that both arms are wrapped around my waist, anchoring me firmly in place.

Suddenly, Grayson's lips are next to my ear, causing me to shudder.

"So you already know the twins, Levi and Bentley" he starts aloud as I nod in agreement, playing with my fingers.

"However, the couple standing next to the twins are my parents and the older man sitting in the armchair next to Levi is my grandad."

I continue to nod, the nerves rushing through me as I make eye contact with both his parents and grandad.

His mother and grandad smile back at me, while his father simply nods.

"H-h-hell-l-lo" I stutter, quietly.

"Good evening" Grayson's mother signs back.

I bite my lip nervously as Grayson kisses the top of my head again. I close my eyes and breathe deeply before opening them again.

"My name is Rosaleen and this is my husband William and that is the kid's grandad, Elder Matthew" she sighs warmly. I nod and sign an awkward hello again before looking down at my feet.

"It's okay Princess" Grayson mind links softly. I nod and eventually look back up at them.

"Acacia" William signs, stepping forward towards me. Not knowing what he is doing, I whimper and turn into Grayson to hide.

I feel his chest vibrate in rumbles. He's laughing. I look up at him confused and he gives me a small smile, jutting his chin out towards his family and I slowly turn back around.

Standing there in front of me is his father, hand extended towards me, completely unfazed by my reaction.

Shakily, I extend my hand and shake his. He gives me a small smile before walking back over to his wife. I look up at Grayson and he grins.

People begin to go back to their chatter as Bella runs over and gives me a hug.

"Nice dress" she signs with a cheeky smile.

She grabs my hand and spins me around, admiring her handy work.

"Thank you for choosing it Bella, it's beautiful" I sign, smiling at her.

"It's okay. You make it look even more amazing than it did on the hanger."

"I couldn't agree more, Bella," Grayson says aloud, moving to stand next to me, this stunning smile painted on his face.

Bella rolls her eyes at him before hugging me again and making her way back to Beckett and their parents.

William glances over at me for a moment, giving me a strange look, his eyes swimming and slightly glazed as he continues to talk to Rosaleen.

I shudder slightly, lowering my gaze.

Something feels off about him. Déjà vu washes over me, and I sniff the air. A dark, wet, woodsy smell hits me, although I don't know where I remember the scent from.

I shiver as a vision of my cell flashes into my mind.

Surely not.

"Grayson, something feels off" I sign as I turn to face him, frowning.

"What do you mean, Princess?" he signs, confused.

"I... I don't know. Just... something feels strange. I can't quite put my finger on it."

"I'm sure everything is okay. I'll keep my wits about me, we'll be careful, I promise."

"Okay, thank you."

"Of course, Princess. But for now, dinner is ready so we should go sit down" he continues with a smile before turning to the group and telling them about dinner.

They nod and exit the room, leaving us by ourselves. Grayson gently kisses me and I calm down slightly.

"I love you," he says huskily into my ear. I shudder, grinning.

"I love you too," I sign back as he pulls back to look at me.

"Thank you for doing this, Acacia"

"It's okay. It needed to happen because I'm your mate."

"I know, but if you had really not been comfortable, I would have waited. I'd wait forever for you, Princess."

"I know. Thank you" I sign with a small smile. He kisses me again before leading me out of the room and into the dining room, where everyone is seated at the large table full of food.

The food looks nice but I don't feel that hungry at the moment. I'm honestly too nervous.

Grayson takes his seat at the head of the table and I sit down next to him. He grins and tells us to dig in before turning to me.

"What would you like to eat?" he signs.

"I'm not sure. I'm not that hungry."

I watch as he frowns at me and I bite my lip nervously.

"You do like to eat when you were nervous, do you?"

I shake my head as tears threaten to fill my eyes.

"It's okay. Please don't cry, Princess" Grayson mind links in a worried voice. I breathe for a moment before looking back at him.

"You don't have to eat now Princess. You can always eat later when they have left?"

"No. I should be trying to break this habit. I'll eat now." I sign back, frowning

He nods, a worried expression still on his face before serving himself some food.

I take a deep breath before serving myself a small scoop of macaroni and cheese and some roasted potatoes.

I look around and notice that everyone has already started eating so I shakily pick up my fork and eat a mouthful of mac and cheese. It tastes good but swallowing it was the hard part. I look over at Grayson who is watching me carefully.

"Are you sure you're okay, Acacia?" he mind links slowly. I nod with a small smile and continue to slowly eat.

When I'm done, Bella takes everyone's plates to the kitchen before returning and taking her seat.

"So, Acacia, tell us about yourself love" Rosaleen signs gently. I bite my lip again nervously and look at Grayson who nods with a small smile. I breathe deeply before looking back at her.

"Ummmm, well, my name is Acacia Violet Blackwell and-" I start signing before I am quickly cut off by Grayson's father.

"No!... You're Alpha Blackwell's missing daughter?" William signs in shock. I nod nervously as his expression darkens.

His eyes quickly shift colours and he balls his fists up. He abruptly stands up before grabbing Grayson by his collar and yanking him up and out of the room.

Frightened, tears begin to roll down my face. I whimper, breathing heavily and I feel someone stand me up and take me out of the room. We soon enter Grayson's room and I realise that it was Bella who brought me here.

"Breathe" she mind-links calmly. I do as I'm told and take deep breaths until I feel myself begin to calm down.

"I'm sorry about my father, I really don't know what has gotten into him" she signs apologetically.

I give her a shaky smile.

"It's okay. I had a weird feeling something was wrong"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm not really sure. I told Grayson before dinner that something felt off, I couldn't quite put my finger on it but your father had given me a strange look and it made me feel uneasy."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Made me think of when I was held captive... something about the whole thing seemed oddly familiar..."

"Strange..." she signs back, lost in thought.

We stand there for a moment, both deep in thought.

"How are you feeling," she asks aloud with a frown, breaking my thoughts.

"I'm anxious" I sign back, biting my lip.

Suddenly my cheek stings and I look at Bella in shock.

Grayson.

I race out of the room with Bella close behind me and run downstairs to find Grayson and his father in the lounge, with Grayson holding his jaw as William stands in front of him looking pissed.

I rush over to Grayson as he stares at me with a worried look.

"You need to leave" he mind-links frantically.

I give him a confused look but it's too late.

Suddenly, I am being held up against the wall by my neck.

I gag and splutter for air as Grayson's father stares me dead in the eye. His eyes glazed and swimming once again, almost as if he is possessed.

The sides of my vision quickly begin to cloud the edges of my vision, all the air in my lungs quickly disappearing.

His grip tightens and I feel myself going faint when suddenly both William and I are on the floor and a big black wolf stands over him in Grayson's place.

_______________________

Hey Guys,

So I hope you all enjoyed that chapter! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to upload, I've been super busy recently. I am currently writing the next chapter so keep a lookout for that!

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- Allamy xx