I hated to see the hurt in Dmitri's eyes, but I could not bare the thought of a man touching me. Yes, I had let Mason, but he was different, he was mine to protect. I could barely understand it myself so how could I possibly explain it to any of them. It didn't feel right. I couldn't think about it now, there was more important things to worry about and that was Joseph.

At the bottom of the stairs following Lawrence to a closed door my anger was building again. It wasn't like the basement I had spent weeks in, but it still had the same feel to it. I needed to get him out of there now and before I started to hyperventilate, I could feel myself begin to panic; concrete walls and floor brought back memories that were still too fresh. Lawrence turned the handle, the oh so familiar click made me whimper involuntary, hugging myself, shaking, I had to concentrate on my breathing and keep to the food down in my stomach that I ate some time ago.

Staring right past Lawrence at the closed door, I felt my eyes widen at the thought of being in that room, in any room with the door closed and not able to get out. Back in that room just days ago. The walls changed in front of my eyes, growing dim and cold, stepping back I hit a something. Squealing in shock, spinning to see what I banged into.

"Sam? Shit, let's get you out of here," Lawrence said, pulling me back to the now with his voice.

Shaking my head, taking a deep breath, bracing myself for what needed to be done. I knew I was safe here with them. "No, I need to see him," voice shaky.

"Sam...," Dmitri started to say.

"No. Please Dmitri, I need to see him," I said, voice stronger.

With a reluctant nod from him and Lawrence, he opened the door and I took a deep breath and a big step through the door, the sooner I got Joseph out the sooner I would be out of the basement. My eyes meet with Joseph's in an instant, relief, fear, and then shame crossed his face before he lowered his head. My only thought was to get him out from behind the bars. I raced over grabbing the door and tried to open it.

I began to shake the bars, "Open it," I demanded. When no one complied right away, I screamed, "Open the fucking door!"

As Lawrence came closer I backed up giving him and myself room so he could unlock the door. Opened, I rushed in throwing my arms around Joseph's waist, relief and happiness flooded me seeing him safe and away from his psychotic Alpha.

"Oh Sam are you Ok?" Joseph asked with the same feeling as she felt.

"Don't you worry about me," taking a half a step back, my hands in his, "are you alright? I'm so glad you got away. You are never going back, you are coming with me."

"What," Nickoli and Dmitri roared from the door. Spinning on my heels, backing Joseph in the corner keeping my body in front of his, protecting him from an incoming assault.

"Nickoli. Dmitri." Lawrence and Jack both said at the same time then Jack said, "Upstairs now." I didn't remember when Jack and Nickoli showed up.

Lawrence looked back at me, "You too," refusing to move a muscle he sighed, "Both of you."

Taking a firm hold of Joseph's hand I led the way out of his cell and out of the terrifying basement that I hoped I would never see again.

Sitting in Jack's living room, Joseph up close beside me, traced circles in my palm giving me a calming effect, a few other people were in the room, but I could feel many others lingering in the house. Tension was high, which I contributed to Joseph's presence, being an outsider, and the fact how I was protecting him. All eyes were on us. Some showed nothing while the others had no problem showing their disapproval over the situation. Wanting to talk to Jack, but nervous of his reaction to the topic and still not myself, I sat quietly under the scrutiny biding my time.

Minutes ticked by, Dmitri, Nickoli, and Mason not in seeing distance, but I could feel their presence nearby. I decided that this topic may be better brought up without them in the room. Taking a deep breath than another, meeting Jack's eyes I said, "I would like to go home," my voice stronger than I felt.

"Do you think that's a good idea, I mean they know where you live and I think it would be safer here," he replied. Not in an "I know better, do as I say." Just what a concerned friend would ask.

I appreciated that, and gave him a small smile so he would know that I did. "I need to get back to my life. I need my home and my bed. I am also willing to give in to some of your demands that I am assuming you will have by letting me go home." What am I saying? My words surprised me as much as they did Jack. The truth was I was terrified that they would come back for me and Joseph, but it has been weeks since I had been home and needed to get back there.

Jack didn't hide the pleased look on his face. "Fine. You have five extra rooms so that will hold the men that will be staying with you until further notice," he gloated.

The old me didn't like the idea at all, but the terrified me thought it was acceptable except for one problem and this is where things could get sticky. "Um...actually I have four extra rooms, one is spoken for," I said sheepishly, waiting for someone to yell. All eyes went to Joseph and his went to mine. Before he could say anything I said, "If you won't stay for yourself then will you do it for me? You can't go back."

"You want Joseph to stay with you?" Lawrence asked, his tone flat, his face bland.

Sitting up straight, shoulders back, "Yes," I said with confidence in my decision. I stared at that face I missed, his beautiful green emerald eyes, those soft lips, and his blonde hair that was shorter now. A couple weeks ago he decided to cut his shoulder length blonde waves and now it was almost professional looking: cut short on the sides and back but longer on the top so he could brush it back but had volume instead of close to his head. I actually liked it better. Staring at him I didn't feel the pull I had towards him since that first time we met in his restaurant. Oh he was gorgeous and an amazing guy but there was no urge to touch him. Yes I knew I loved him but something was off. It had to be what I had gone through for me to feel this different for both men I love. Or was it loved?

A thunderous crash came from the other room, I jumped from the noise and Joseph pulled me into his arms, rubbing my back whispering soothing words. A scuffle outside the room became louder and so did the voices. The thoughts racing through my mind a moment ago were abandoned.

By the time Dmitri barged in with the promise of death and hate in his eyes as he stared down Joseph I was visibly shaking. As he struggled to get free from two of his pack brothers that were having problems holding him back. The hate, violence, and death that rolled off him had me racing to the far wall with fear, not from him personally, but it hit too close to what I had gone through over the past couple of weeks. Joseph must had took my fears the wrong way, one second he sat in the couch and the next he was in front of me ready to protect me.

"You are not staying with her. She is mine!" Dmitri roared, pulling his pack brothers farther into the room. Dmitri was huge, over 6 feet tall and around 250 lbs he could make anyone uncomfortable with his presence. His long black hair that was usually tied back hung loose, hanging in his face. It was those cold dark blue eyes that scared me. I have seen those eyes hold so much love and mischief but never the level of hate that I saw right then.

He was so Dmitri so furious, not even on the day him and Nickoli were going to fight to become my mate and that day was plenty tense. The closer he came the louder Joseph's growl got. "Back off," Joseph's voice more growl than human. "I could not stop my Alpha but I sure as hell will stop you."

The smile on Dmitri's face scared me even more than the angry. It was the same smile I seen on Mr. Whyte too often, before one of our times together. Eyes wide, body uncontrollably shaking, my knees gave out and huddled in the corner letting out a whimper then a strangled sob before slapping a hand over my mouth. Dmitri shifted his eyes to me, seeing the terror he bolted out of the room faster than he barged in.

Joseph, still using his body as a shield in a defensive stance, his voice low and to the point he said, "If she wants to go home that's where she will go," jerking his head to the direction Dmitri left he added, "she doesn't need that."

"And who are you to say what she needs?" Nickoli said from the other side of the room. I never noticed him come in, standing tall and gorgeous as ever with his arms crossed over his massive chest. Not wanting or able to handle another scene, I pleaded with him with my eyes.

"Sam, I will take you home," Lawrence offered, extending his hand towards me. Looking back at Nickoli before hesitantly taking the offered hand and taking Joseph's with the other.

I hated to see the ones I loved in pain, but right now I could not take care of myself, never mind helping or explaining to them what was going on in my head.

Home at last, the welcoming site of my home brought tears to my eyes. Walking through the door the feeling of warmth and love wrapped around me. It was like I never left. Everything in its place, not even a speck of dust on the tables. Stopping at the hallway to go to the kitchen, I couldn't quite push back the memories of my abduction.

"Sam?" Lawrence sounded worried as he gave my hand a squeeze. That was when I realized since he offered his hand I had not let go besides to climb in and out of his SUV, Loosening my grip giving him an apologetic smile. Not letting go of my hand he said, "You don't have to let go."

"Um, I'm tired so I am just going to head off to bed. Thank you for everything and I am sorry how I treated you, all of you earlier," I said softly letting go of his hand and headed for the stairs dragging Joseph with me. Stopping on the first step I turned, "Are they...is anyone here," I began to panic thinking he was going to leave and it would just be me and Joseph unprotected. I came close to asking him to stay.

"You are safe Sam. Jack and I have had people here the whole time and that will not change until we think it's safe. Go get some sleep and I will come by tomorrow," Lawrence said.

Giving him a curt nod I continued up stairs to my own bed.