Despite sitting side by side at the dining table, Caleb and May could not have been further apart. Miranda idly scrolled through work emails, not really paying attention just trying to avoid dealing with the duo opposite her as she hoped they would work it out themselves. May had taken her breakfast to the table, and Caleb who had ended up spending the night in the Chad's old room simply followed her over and sat down. Since the duo were 'fine', neither were willing to move or make a scene by demanding the other person sit somewhere else. May had never eaten so fast.

"Well I'm going to Tiffany's." May declared, making her way to the kitchen before even finishing her last mouthful.

"No you're not." Miranda called after her.

"Why?"

"We're on lockdown." Caleb answered before Miranda could.

"Yet you're here." May glared, coming back into the dining room. "Mum, it's Tiffany. Human as human can be. What could possibly happen?"

"We don't know who they are, or where they are. We could be being watched right now and going somewhere alone is just, stupid." He argued.

"That's exactly what you did last night!"

"Dad was with me, so not alone and Tiffany is human. Think she'll be able to help if anything happened? Do you want to put her in danger?"

May hadn't actually considered that; who knew what these people were capable of. "Well, no. But if they have a whole pack of shifters to keep occupied with, why bother with me and her?"

"Like it or not May, you are pack and they could use that-"

"Oh am I? Now I am pack?" She challenged, moving closer to him as her hands clenched into fists.

"Enough!" Both teens jumped as Miranda stood up, clearly forgetting they had an audience. "May, he's right. We don't know anything about these people, other than they clearly have it in for shifters. Ask Tiffany to come here, but I'm sorry, you're not going anywhere."

Calebs smirk had May seeing red. "But Mum-"

"No." Her word was final.

"Fine." With that she stormed off to her room.

"She's probably going to try and get out." Caleb pointed out to Miranda, knowing how many times all the kids used to sneak off together. Though having shifters as parents made that pretty hard to do since they knew everything that went on anyway and the only times they got away with it was when they were allowed to.

"I know. That's why Chad and Braydon are keeping a close eye on her." Miranda sighed, and glanced upstairs as Mays bedroom door was slammed shut. "Do I need to warn you about doing anything to hurt her again?"

Caleb looked at her, clearly surprised and Miranda shook her head slightly. "Do you think we're blind? Just, be careful. I love all of you, but that's my little girl."

His eyes dropped to his feet as he felt about two inches tall. The warning was clear and for the most part, Caleb thought that everything that had gone had been kept between the two of them; mostly because Braydon hadn't attacked and Miranda treated him how she always had. Clearly that really was naive of him to think and the little boy in Caleb hated the way she looked at him now.

"Andy, I was-"

"Not my business Caleb. It is what it is, now I have to go into the office because someone in finance is an incompetent idiot and Rory will be picking me up shortly. Chad is coming too, because of everything - so did you want to be dropped home or are you happy to stay here?" She smiled, the seriousness of the moment before gone.

"I'll stay. Mum will be coming over soon anyway."

"Okay. You know where everything is." Miranda patted his arm as she passed, a simple sign of affection that internally, had his wolf relaxing.

Caleb glanced up at the roof, struggling to work out if he should talk to May now or wait until she got outside. Deciding on the later, he waited until Miranda left as he knew May would be too and then went out onto the back verandah. Sure enough, a few minutes later, the light thud of May landing from her climb down had him moving to block her path.

"Really June?" He openly mocked.

May didn't look at him, but rather behind and Caleb didn't need to turn to know Braydon was there.

"Sneaking out May?" He mused, yet there was no hiding how exhausted he sounded.

"I'm not." She lied, trying to sound convincing but failing terribly.

"Not now okay? I heard you and your Mum before, you're not going anywhere. It's just not safe."

Braydon rubbed his eyes, and a tiny stab of guilt hit her. Her Dad probably didn't sleep last night and had probably been out patrolling now to ensure they were being kept safe. Leaving really was a stupid idea and glancing at Caleb, May hated how childish she was being. It wasn't even his fault - not entirely, but his presence here wasn't helping her at all.

"Yes Dad." May promised, dropping her gaze in submission; something Braydon was thankful for as he went inside.

"Yes Dad." Caleb instantly mocked.

"Oh shut up." She groaned, moving past him to go back inside.

"Why are you so keen to get out of here? If it's because of me, I will go."

May stopped, and for once nothing about Caleb seemed to be on the defense. There was no harsh undertone, nothing that made her question every angle of his words and just as May had wilted to her father's command of staying put, Caleb seemed just as willing to do as she wanted. She still had little trust as far he was concerned, so she answered him casually to avoid starting any new arguments or changes in his already moody behaviour.

"I don't know. I just, I feel like I need to go somewhere. And not because of you. These last few days I've felt, I dunno. Unsettled. Must just be everything that's going on or something." She laughed softly, rolling her eyes. "Like as soon as they said we were on lockdown, all I want to do it leave."

"Well now isn't the right time to start acting like a rebellious teen." It came out harsher than he intended, and May opened her mouth to speak before pausing.

"Guess not." Turning on heel, May headed back inside.

"May, wait." She stopped and slowly looked back at him. "I'm sorry."

"For?"

"Everything." Caleb admitted with a sigh.

"Okay. Good." Unsure of what was going on, May kept going walking.

"That's it?" He called, moving after her.

"Yeah. I can't be bothered with this anymore Caleb. I don't want to keep fighting with you or, just whatever. You're forgiven and it is what it is. We're young and-."

Caleb barely managed to nod at her words, his own leaving him before he realised what he was actually saying. "I've missed you though. Do you think we could, I dunno, be how we were - before?"

"No. Maybe. No. You can't just push me away and then suddenly be here and expect things to go back to how they used to be because you're feeling guilty or nostalgic. Let's just try seeing if we can be friends again, but it's not going to happen over night." May took a deep breath before meeting his gaze. "I loved you Caleb and you hurt me-"

"May, I'm an idiot and I wish I could take-"

"But you can't." She finished as her voice broke, and she mentally scolded herself for wanting to go and give him a hug. The mixture of guilt and sadness that poured off him was making her"Friends okay? We can try to be friends again."

Caleb simply nodded once more. "Okay."

Right on cue, May's watch vibrated and seeing the message from Josh the usual thrill of his name appearing didn't happen. Opening her mouth to say something to Caleb, she instead just kept going inside and went back up to her room. She didn't need Josh right now, she needed Tiffany and putting on some music, she phoned her friend.

"May?" Tiffany yawned, clearly just waking up. "Is something wrong? Why are you calling so early?"

"It's ten o'clock."

"Why are you calling so early?" She repeated.

"Funny. I um, I can call you later?" May offered.

"Uhuh. I'm awake now and my psychic senses are tingling. What happened with you and Josh?"

"Josh? Ah, no. Caleb is here." It came out like a whisper.

"Who?"

"Caleb."

"What?" Now Tiffany sounded awake. "It's only ten o'clock on a sunday and already you're calling me with the goods. Damn May! Why can't my life be as exciting as yours, what happened?"

"He apologised. I said we could try to be friends again." May sounded like she was in confession. "But then Josh messaged me and yesterday was so great, but I can't just jump from one to the other like this can I? I'm so confused."

"Caleb had his chance and was a total asshole. I don't get why you're so hung up on him, but I guess you've known him forever so whatevs. I think Josh deserves a go. He's been smitten with you since his first day, but more importantly you deserve this." Tiffany decided.

"You're right." May agreed. "Thank you."

"Anytime. So, tell me about yesterday!" The smile in her voice was contagious and May obliged, letting herself fully enjoy what was possibly the start of something new.

______________

Miranda listened to Rory in the office beside hers, laughing with his counterpart in Japan as they sorted out the issues with the proposed deal everyone had spent too much time putting in place. Despite that, it wasn't work that weighed heavily on Miranda's mind and as Chad appeared in her doorway, he picked up on it instantly.

"What is it?"

"Nothing, I was just-" Miranda hesitated and the look he gave her told her she couldn't lie to him. "I was thinking about Carolina. I'm worried for her."

The growl was unmissable. "Don't be."

"Chad, this is serious. She's alone out there, what if they work out what she is? There is no pack to help her or her family! They killed Dean, no one can find a trace of them - not even a scent was left where he was found."

Miranda's distress began to filter through Chad's walls, and as he sat in the chair opposite her, his tone was kinder as he let go his hatred of Carolina. His only worry was his family and he placed them above all else, even pack. Reaching out he took Miranda's hand and gave it a tiny squeeze.

"She is probably safer than all of us. Her ties to a pack were extinguished years ago, before any of this even started, so unless she's been dropping her kids off at school as her wolf, no one has any reason at all to suspect what she really is. Stop feeling as though you owe her more than you do. You spared her life, showed her more kindness than anyone in your position should have, and that's enough."

"He's right." Both Chad and Miranda jumped, startled at Rory's interruption. How he had managed to sneak up on them, especially Chad was a talent. "I got everything sorted out Miranda, I had a feeling something else was going on. Really, you should have stayed home. What's going on?"

Miranda glanced at Chad before telling Rory about the threat currently facing the shifters. His face paled, before he went from worried to mad and after hearing about Dean's death, he looked completely horrified.

"What if this Carolina isn't as innocent as you think Andy? She has one hell of a vendetta against you all." Rory mused, sitting beside Chad. After being told about the existence of shifters, he'd also been told about what happened all those years ago that brought BRaydon into their lives, and later bits of Bianca's story too. It had always annoyed him how Carolina had been permitted to just walk away, especially since his own life had been put at risk during her war on Miranda.

"She wouldn't!" Miranda scolded instantly. "Do not-"

"He has a point." Chad cut her off. "I wondered it myself too."

"As far as psychopaths go she ticks a lot of the boxes." Rory added.

"She was grieving the loss of her mate, and we have made peace with one another. Carolina is not the threat here."

"Hang on, am I in danger of these assholes too? I work with you, hang out with the pack. What if they're watching us right now?" Panicked, Rory got up and went to the window. Peeking through the blinds, it was hard to see much seven stories up.

"That's why Chad is here. His wolfy senses aren't tingling, so we have to presume we're okay. Besides, we have no idea who they are or what they want. We're human, so if they're watching and doing their research, they'd have to know that. I'm sure you'll be fine and Braydon wasn't too worried since everyone hit so far as been shifter." Miranda assured him, yet looking at Chad now she was positive there was something he wasn't telling her.

"Sucks for you guys then." He frowned. "Is that why you wanted me to know that if anything ever happened to you guys, I know to get May to your parents or to Abby's the other day at lunch? I thought that was strange, but didn't want to ask more."

"Yes." Miranda confirmed as Chad growled clearly not liking that.

"You know we have things in place Chad, especially since it turned out May probably wouldn't be shifting." Miranda sighed, instantly feeling sick at the thought of having to do any of what she and Braydon planned for their daughter should something happen. "And you're right, Carolina probably is the safest out of all of us and if she can forge a life for herself with humans, then that could be best for May too. And well, in the end, it might be the only option she has."

Rory swallowed nervously. "You sound like you're expecting the worst to happen."

"I am. I have to do what I can to protect my family."

"Drugging me was stupid." Chad growled again and it was the most Rory had even seen the other man upset.

"But necessary." Miranda didn't blink as she met his gaze; unwilling to back down until Chad did first. Which he did.

"I would have been fine." Now he just sounded like a sulky child who got told no.

"We didn't know that." Sitting up, Miranda logged off her computer. "Come on, let's go home and try to enjoy what's left of your weekend Rory."

"Yeah, cause all of that is going to help me sleep at night." He muttered sarcastically, not really meaning it. Since finding out about the shifters, Rory knew it would have some impact on his life and more than just knowing about a race of people that came right out of the fictional world he loved so much.

The trio found Rory's car and got in, but barely two blocks later Chad was on edge. Miranda noticed it before Rory did, and grabbing her phone she sent him a text asking what was wrong. Looking behind her, weekend traffic went by with ease and it was then she noticed the black suv similar to Bianca's. Normally she wouldn't worry, but the passenger seemed to be holding something in his hand she couldn't quite see; something metal that caught the sun.

"Turn right, I forgot I need something from the shops." Chad demanded.

"Oh, k." Rory glanced at him with a frown yet took the turn. "Which shop did you want?"

"The plaza up ahead, rooftop parking."

Sure enough Miranda saw the car change lanes, and follow them up the ramp. Rory did a lap, the car mirroring their actions in the opposite row of cars and pulled into a free space by the doors.

"How's this for luck?" Rory grinned before seeing their faces. "What?"

Another black SUV pulled in a space just the left of them making Chad growl and Miranda thought she was on the verge of a heart attack as what was actually happening hit her. "Meet us downstairs, the entrance with the waterfall. Come on Miranda"

"Why?" Nervously Rory looked around.

"We've been followed. I saw them when we got to your building, but thought I was being paranoid." Chad got out the car and trusting him, Miranda followed. "Thanks for the ride!"

Chad slapped his palm on the roof twice and Miranda forced a smile on her face and waved at Rory. As he put his hand out and waved back, Chad sent Braydon a message telling them what was going on and the pair walked inside.

"Drop your bag, and tell me what's happening." Chad instructed as they reached the lift.

Miranda did as he said, and looking back through the doors two men with caps pulled low lingered near the space Rory's car had been in. They wore a simple outfit of jeans and black shirts - nothing suspicious looking at all. Miranda stood up as a woman went by with a pram, the baby in it happy giggling to itself and with the rush of wind that came in with them, Chad inhaled deeply.

He scented gunpowder, cigarette smoke and underneath that something more natural, like hay and cattle. It didn't help too much at all, and as he made a move to guide Miranda to the elevator, the two men started to head inside too, just missing them as Miranda slapped the close door button quickly.

"What do you think?" Miranda asked Chad as her phone began to ring.

"I caught a bit of their conversation. They have people going down the stairwell outside to meet us down here. They mentioned waiting on authorisation for something. We're going to run when these doors open and hopefully Rory is already there."

"Got it."

Miranda held her bag tight under her arm, and offered a weak smile to the woman who now looked at them suspiciously. Before the doors were fully open Chad was out and looking around instantly seeing two others with their hands at their waist, reaching for their weapons while keeping their heads down. He knew Miranda hadn't seen them, or the ones that stood above them where they had stood moments before waiting for the elevator. Luckily Miranda didn't hesitate in rushing towards the entrance Rory was supposed to be waiting for them at and shielding her from their view Chad was right behind her. She knew when he must have seen one of them as his snarl was unmissable and just as they burst outside, Rory pulled up.

He didn't wait for them to get their seatbelts on and before Chad had even closed his door the car was moving. Not going in the direction of home, all three of them ignored their phones going off as they were more focused on whoever was around them. Chad directed Rory where to go with the precision of a navigator in a car rally while Miranda kept her eyes peeled for anyone following, but so far it was all clear.

Once everyone got over the rush of their encounter, Miranda quickly called Braydon and instead May answered.

"Mum?"

"We're okay. Where's your Dad?" She asked, almost not wanting the answer.

"Wolfed out. Luckily Cody and Bianca came over as Chad called so they've kept him here. Just."

"Okay, good. We're coming back now. I'll see you soon." Miranda assured her.

"I love you Mum." May hung up and Miranda fell back into her seat already planning the future.

"Rory, I want you to finish up the Japan deal over there. I'm sure they will appreciate it." There was no room of argument in her tone.

"Okay." He answered softly. "But what about you? Surely you're not sticking around either?"

"I might take some leave, Grey was only talking about how I should take some time off last week when he came in." Miranda already decided she would; her former boss and now silent board member who didn't understand the word retirement, had treated her more like a daughter than employee ever since she agreed to work with him. He'd probably throw a party for her wanting the time off, though it was a good thing he didn't know the amount of additional hours she used to put in when working for her friend Jason Carpe.

"Good. I can manage things for you, even from over there. Don't even worry about work." Rory assured her.

"Thank you." Miranda would be lost without Rory and as they pulled onto her street, she'd never been happier to be home. "Stay safe Rory."

She leaned through the gap between the front seats and kissed his cheek; smiling at how it made him blush. The smile vanished the second she was out of the car and May came running out of the house - throwing herself at her mother.

"Dad is going crazy." She mumbled into her shoulder while hugging her as though the pair hadn't seen each other in weeks. "You're all okay?"

Chad reached out to May who quickly hugged him too. "We're fine, ah Miranda."

All three turned back to the house as a savage growl echoed out to them and seconds later the familiar figure of Braydon appeared in his wolf form. Chad tensed, holding May close as it was not Braydon in control right now and while he would never hurt his daughter, he knew it better to stay away from getting in between mates at a time like this.

Miranda simply dropped to her knees and opened her arms, the animal nearly knocking her over as his head nudged her stomach. Hackles raised, tail curled and the growls that vibrated like an old diesel engine had May struggling to remember that was her father and not some out of control creature. He was ferocious and Miranda's soothing shushes were barely heard to anyone other than Braydon. Slowly her hands ran down his neck and across his back, before she looped her arms over his chest and held him. The growls turned to whines, whimpers even as he licked her chin and moved to bury his head against her stomach once more.

"Oh Wolfy, you got yourself so worked up!" Miranda gently scolded, still stroking the massive wolf. The use of the old nickname had his ears twitching and slowly. "Chad was with me remember, and it wasn't as bad as it sounded."

It was a lie, but one Braydon and the wolf needed to hear then as finally the animal retreated giving Braydon control back. The sigh of relief was felt through everyone, and Bianca curled herself around Cody as they stood on the verandah watching the reunion. Nevermind the fact he broke the restraints they put on him, or how he was able to overpower his alpha and disobey their orders. Neither would hold it against him as they knew exactly how Braydon would have been feeling, especially since he had almost lost Miranda like this once before.

"Come on, inside." Miranda managed to stand, only to nearly be knocked over as her rubbed around her legs.

With the adults sitting around the dining table and the kids lingering by the doorway since they knew better than to get in the way, Chad told everyone what had happened from being followed and his quick thinking escape plan he was actually amazed worked. Miranda nearly killed him when he revealed his plan had actually been to get Miranda back to Rory and then act as a distraction to the men to give them time to get away.

"They killed Dean and so many other Chad! How could you put yourself at risk like that?" Miranda's hands were shaking as it became clear just how much danger they had been in.

"I thought they would have been put off by how public it was, but I think if the order they were waiting on came in it wouldn't have mattered." Chad sighed. "I couldn't get a good look at any of their faces, and their scents were too messy to really remember."

"You did great Chad and did what few others were unable to do in getting away safe, with Miranda and Rory too." Bianca put her arm over his shoulders and squeezed in reassurance. "I guess we have already been underestimating them."

Before she could say anything else Connor appeared with his laptop, looking rather smug. "I managed to tap into the security camera's and tried to scan the car for licensing info, but it's all fake."

"Nothing at all?" Cody sighed, feeling as defeated as everyone else. It was their first chance at some kind of lead and still they were being outsmarted.

"Not quite. I did get one clear shot of one of their faces." He held up a piece of paper with a blurry face of one of the men as he wiped his forehead on the rooftop. No one knew how this was any good. "And after comparing it to anyone of the police database, I have a match. Meet Sean Burland."

Bianca snatched it from his hand, her growl unmissable. "Do we know anything else about him?"

"No, unfortunately his record is pretty clean except for a few speeding fines, but I have his address so we could always go visit, you know, get to know him?" Connor grinned, yet it vanished as the air grew tense and heavy in the room.

Leanna clutched May's hand as May stepped back into Caleb nervously. All the kids saw the change in Bianca in that moment - she wasn't their mother, alpha or even their friend right now and in her place was something dangerous. Even Miranda sensed it, inching closer to Braydon who pulled her close while looking for May for his own peace of mind that his family were safe.

"Oh I intend to." Bianca snapped. "They have no idea what they have started."