When they arrived to the manor, Seraphina was still processing what she'd been told.

"Eyes up, Sera. You look like you've seen a ghost," Juniper joked dryly.

"I can't believe you've kept this to yourself!" she whisper yelled as they approached the large castle like house. "Who the fuck does that witch think she is?!"

Juniper cocked her head in agreement, shrugging tiredly.

Before Warren could even knock on the door, it was opened. Phoenix grinned widely at the sight Seraphina who leapt to hug him.

The sight was sweet, making Juniper think back to Raphael. Her chest thumped in anxiety as the reality of the situation hit her.

Phoenix kissed Seraphina slowly as Warren held his arm out for Juniper. She linked arms with him and they let themselves in.

It was interesting to see since berserker's weren't known for settling down. But seeing the couple, Juniper could see they cared deeply for one another.

"Don't get in your head," Warren muttered down to her.

Juniper realized she was staring like a creep and nodded in thanks.

Her gray eyes traveled over the extravagant corridor of the manor they were in.

"Does he live here?" she asked quietly.

"From what I understand, he has a couple properties but has personal dinners and close friends here."

Juniper frowned, leaning over to whisper, "Then why are we here?"

Warren shrugged, his blonde hair falling in his face.

Just as she was admiring the decor, she felt his presence.

Raphael was openly staring at her from a large doorway. The trio of friends all tensed.

Feeling his gaze on her so heavily made her drop Warren's arm and take a deep breath.

Raphael's brown eyes were stoney and unreadable, trailing down Juniper's curvy figure.

"Come sit, we'll start eating and talk," Raphael widened the door behind him to show the large dining room.

The smell of food got her feet moving before her brain registered it. In her turmoil, she hasn't eaten all day.

Raphael's brows quirked a little as Juniper saw two of the berserkers from yesterday already seated.

She flinched as a warm hand was pressed to her back. She knew it wasn't Warren, she peaked up at Raphael. Shivers were shooting up her spine at the touch.

"Your seat is over here," he nodded and placed her besides the head of the table.

His eyes were hardened as they made eye contact.

She swallowed as she realized he was keeping her close to make her nervous, not because he wanted her besides him.

But unbeknownst to her, Raphael couldn't stand the thought of her being any farther than she already is. And the feeling was frustrating him.

Warren hurried behind them, quickly claiming the seat besides Juniper. Raphael sneered and retreated to his seat at the head of the table.

When he sat, Juniper's legs brushed his long ones and both of them jumped at the contact.

Their eyes met for a moment, Raphael's darting down as his skin tingled at the feel of her.

Phoenix sat at the other end of the table, pulling out the seat besides Warren so Seraphina was next to him.

The other two berserkers were the only ones on the opposite side.

The one closest to Raphael was asian, he was very handsome with rich black hair swept out of his face. He was the stockiest of them all, wide shoulders paired with large muscles. He spared Juniper a polite smile.

Besides him, was a pale man. Paler than Warren with chocolatey brown hair, he was lanky compared to the others. But still muscular compared to the average supernatural. He was indifferent as he met Juniper's curious eyes.

"Warren we wanted to talk more about this position," Phoenix started as everyone was pouring themselves wine.

Warren smiled and nodded, "I appreciate your accommodations for meeting today. I know you offered a scouting position, I was wondering where you'd need me?"

Juniper looked at the food on her plate as they all discussed business. She was wondering why she was here.

And she wasn't a fan of fish.

Eating around the fillet, she poked at her salad. Maybe they could get fast food on the way back.

She looked over from the corner of her eye and saw Raphael now staring at her.

Juniper closed her eyes and took a deep breath to avoid having an outburst. Raphael scoffed a little and she opened her eyes to see him narrow his gaze.

She glared back at him as her heart was sinking a little.

"I'm not sure if I'd be able to meet the traveling requirements at the moment. I've got... a bit of a family emergency at the moment."

Juniper's eyes widened abruptly and she whipped her head to face Warren. She was the family emergency.

Warren has been pining for this type of opportunity for almost a year.

"No. No he doesn't," she blurted. Warren was now the one glaring at her, she looked at him as if he was stupid.

"Yes, I do."

"If there's a personal situation, if we were made aware of the details we may be lenient enough to leave the position open," Raphael piped up as he threaded his fingers together. His dark gaze darting between Warren and Juniper.

"No," Warren shook his head. "It's a personal matter, I can't necessarily go into detail."

Juniper dropped her fork onto the plate and covered her face exasperatedly.

"I-" she cleared her throat as she stared at the table. Both Seraphina and Warren looked at her like she was crazy.

"I'm the personal problem. Warren and Seraphina are both childhood friends, I got into some trouble and they're helping me."

The table was silent, her friends were shocked. Juniper was never one to share her business.

"So you brought this trouble to my island?" Raphael rose a brow at her. The other berkserkers looked at him in surprised.

Her lip lifted in annoyance as she looked back at him.

"Yeah I guess I did," she spat.

Everyone tensed. Keeping their gaze, she bit into her potato.

"Is this not a safe haven for demons? Or was that bullshit?"

He grunted besides her and the rest of the table was feeling the tension between the two, looking around awkwardly.

"This place doesn't need anymore issues."

"Then I will gladly get out of your hair," she grit her teeth.

"No, no, Juniper needs to be here," Seraphina spoke up timidly. Raphael crooked his jaw, his brown eyes darting to the nymph.

Phoenix grabbed her hand in comfort.

"With all due respect, Mr. Saint, Juniper is in a life or death situation," Warren admitted as Juniper glared at him.

"l'll be fine, if he wants me to leave I'll leave," Juniper shrugged as she clattered her utensils down. "This is fucking ridiculous," she hissed to herself.

Raphael pinched the bridge of his nose, all of the frustration accumulating and boiling over.

"If there's a threat to you then there may be a threat to citizens," he slammed his fist down onto the table.

Juniper pressed her fingers to her temples, seething.

"I've been on the island for a day and a half! I wouldn't even be at this table if it wasn't for your stupid demands!" She screeched while standing up abruptly.

Her gray eyes stared up at the ceiling as she blinked away frustrated tears.

Is this who her mate was?

Snatching her purse, she shoved her chair in aggressively.

"Thanks for the food," she scoffed quietly at her untouched plate. Turning on her heel she strode out of the building.

Seraphina didn't hesitate to follow after her.

Warren rest his head on his hand. He felt around his pocket, cursing when he realized she'd snagged his keys at some point.

"Raphael..." the asian man, Zane, mumbled in mild confusion.

"You don't usually lose your cool like that, man."

The pale brunette, Felix, spoke up as well, "It's not like you."

Raphael snarled lowly at Zane, "My demon is reacting to her. Something is off, I don't like it."

Warren winced quietly, catching all of the other mens attention.

Phoenix rose a brow, "Is there something we should know, Warren?"

"No," his voice came out higher than usual. "Nothing at all."

"She's your fucking girlfriend, you should have submitted her information in the database," Raphael's voice was low and irritable.

"Juniper is not my girlfriend, Saint." Warren clarified with emphasis, "And how would you know she's not in the database? Did you search her up?"

"Of course I did! When a random demon walks into my meeting I'm going to look her up!"

Everyone winced at Raphael's bark that echoed off the walls.

Any responses were cut off as screaming sounded from outside.

All of them rushed out, Raphael was the first to throw the front door open. The sight sent rage coursing through him.