The following day, Reeve sat with Steve once again. He had hoped that the small spark of life that he'd seen in his eyes would have grown, but it hadn't. In his absence, the male had gone back down into that dark hole.

"Steve, do you really not care for anyone here?" Reeve had asked the same question at least twenty times and each time he had been met with silence. "If that's the case, shall I just take the rest of your pack with me and leave you here? You'll be truly alone if I do."

Cruel, mean and downright harsh, but not untrue. In the end, he would do exactly that if Steve didn't snap out of it. He refused to have his mate worrying about a male who cares only for his grief.

He sat there for a moment in the silence studying Steve intensely. "He hurt Teaghan," he said casually as he sat back. "Teaghan, my mate, was harmed by your son. He chained her up like an animal and proceeded to beat her into submission."

The rage burned through him, "did you raise him to be a beater to females? To abuse such power? To be a coward?!" Reeve growled in frustration, finally his patience and control coming to an end.

He grabbed Steve by the shirt and hauled him up, got in his face and roared, "It's time to wake up Alpha! Do your duty! Protect your pack before they all abandon or die from your lack of care."

After a few silent moments, Reeve saw the light return to Steve's eyes. The pitiful sadness also there, "my pack.. Maria, my Maria loved this pack.."

"Yes, Maria was a gentle Luna. Always looking out for those who couldn't do it themselves. You shame her by giving up on them, by leaving them defenseless."

The older wolf flinched at Reeve's accusations but knew it to be true. "Y-yes.."

"You aren't weak. You needed time, I understand, but your pack needs you now. They've needed you for a long time." Steve's hands moved to Reeve's.

Reeve slowly let him go, stepping back. He watched carefully, his body tense. Did he do it? Did he finally break through to Steve?

"I need a shower," the older wolf admitted with a wince.

Reeve nodded slowly, "then you will come out of your room, to see your pack?"

Steve looked at Reeve, his expression shamed, "I have failed them. I failed myself, but I failed Teaghan as well. I must apologize for this." It was more to himself than to Reeve.

"No matter. When you've showered come downstairs so that the others may see you so that you can make amends with those who've needed you for the past two years."

"Two years," Steve muttered remorsefully, "have I really neglected them for so long?"

"I'm afraid so," Reeve watched as Steve acknowledged that.

Steve nodded, "very well. I'll shower and meet you downstairs." Without further talking, Steve turned away and finally made use of the bathroom's shower.

*

Reeve was relieved to see Teaghan up and moving around. Her movements didn't seem hindered by her experiences and even her mood seemed bright if not a little serious.

The memories of his lips against hers brought up the conversation that followed. He had gotten through to Steve, now he just had to ensure that Steve was set to take over once more so that Teaghan was no longer bound here by her feelings of duty and responsibility.

He admired those traits but he would be lying if he wished she could just as easily leave with him. His eyes watched her every move as she moved around the kitchen with ease, his eyes appreciating her gentle swaying hips.

"You have a bit of drool, just here," Cecily teased from beside him, pointing to her own chin.

Reeve gave her a playful glare and immediately turned his attention back to Teaghan. "She's moving well. How is she feeling?"

"Like herself. She refuses to talk to me about it really, just tells me that everythings alright and that she'll be fine. I know that she's worried though."

"About?"

"You," that got Reeve's attention. He turned and looked at Cecily. "She knows your an Alpha. You have a duty and responsibility to your pack and yet here you are, with her, trying to help us. She won't admit it to me but the idea of you leaving even for a little has her rattled."

He wouldn't lie, he loved the idea that she would miss him so much but he also didn't want her to feel as if she were making him neglect his pack because he was here.

"I see, well, I've decided to send Gael back to let my acting Alpha, Beau, know that I'll be here longer. Steve had woken up and is now in the process of showering."

Quickly he added, "I was just coming down to tell Teaghan the good news."

"Oh, oh, that's amazing!" Cecily beamed.

"What's amazing?" Teaghan asked, finally realizing that Reeve was in the room with them. She had been so lost in cooking that she didn't even scent him.

"Alpha Steve is showering!!"

Teaghan felt her eyes widen but before she let out any of her excitement she turned to look at Reeve, "really? Like, he.. is he going to come downstairs?"

Reeve smiled softly, moving forward to take her into his arms. "Yes, once he's showered and dressed he will be joining us for breakfast. I've also had a talk with Gael. He'll be heading back to my pack and I'll be here until things are settled."

Though girly and completely out of character for her, Teaghan squealed, basically vibrating in Reeve's arms. "That's- oh, that is amazing news!" Without any hesitation or further thought, she threw her arms around Reeve and kissed him soundly.

She ignored the playful gag from her sister and reveled in the feeling of Reeve's arms around her, his warmth soaking straight into her heart and soul. She loved him, how could she not? 

It was crazy, perhaps to the humans stupidly fast, but to a werewolf it was perfect. Her perfect mate.