Romulus definitely was not handling this well. The glow in his eyes promised a slaughter of the worst kind. I couldn't blame him for feeling that way. Had I had to bring my child to someone who can have her killed easily, I would have been prepared to fight whoever tried to stop me. We all knew what the emperor was capable of. It was easier to go along with him than deal with the aftermath of his rage. 

"Emperor Conrí wouldn't want to get his throne room bloody if it came to an on spot killing. He's too much of a neat freak. He'll have to escort us out. I figure we have a few minutes to give a grand escape." My suggestion was a poor attempt at getting the agitated former alpha to agree, but then again, my comment wasn't aimed at him. 

A raging alpha wasn't normally a good thinker once their anger was ignited. 

"We have to try," Romulus's mate said, looking at us. Her eyes radiated strength and determination. Admirable traits to any alpha who had a strong willed mate. 

Romulus's gaze shot to his mate. "Maya, I'm not letting Amelia near that Ninny." 

He turned away from her, but she narrowed her eyes on him. "Well, going to see what the guy has to say and escaping if he really does wants my daughter dead sounds better than waiting here for him to come get us." 

"I said no!" The growling words were just as loud as his first shout. Only this time, the dominant alpha part of himself showed itself in its purest form. 

The order was a demand for submission. Obedience. Edward and I didn't submit, but I hear Amelia step closer to me. I could taste the fear around her. She has never experienced an alpha being an alpha before. No doubt she didn't know what to do, but her instincts would be to keep low and wait until her father calmed down. 

Even her mother jumped before taking a few steps back. Being human, she probably sensed that he was dangerous to be around right now. She too hasn't been around her alpha mate much, it seems. Romulus made the wrong decision by leaving them for so long. 

"Maya," Romulus said as he pushed the wolf within back. His eyes had lost their yellow glow, but his tone was strained. Almost pained by his conflicting emotions. "I didn't mean to yell at you like that."

I couldn't say I understood his many emotions, but if I had to guess. I'll say he was more frustrated with this situation than his mate not agreeing with him. He wanted a way to save his family without putting them in harm's way. 

Maya shook her head as if to shake off her fears. Her body relaxed some after seeing that her mate had changed back to the man she knew. Romulus reached and pulled her to him, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. As he hugged her to him, the air around him shifted from the extreme aura of an alpha to one that was still intense, but in control. 

"Come on, I need to sit down and you need a moment obviously." She removed herself from his embrace after a few minutes. Taking his hand, she guided him into the living room. 

We watched them. It alway amazed me how a woman could tame the most enraged werewolf. Remembering my own mate, I turned to her to see that she looked a bit concerned. I touched her arm, getting her attention. 

"I honestly don't know what to do." Amelia looked in the direction her parents went. "This is my first time seeing him so…"

"Protective. Borderline possessive." I smiled at the bewildered look on her face. "That's part of the nature of many male werewolves. The females too." 

I will probably have to explain that more later. I'm glad she had seen her father's small outburst. That would make explaining a bit easier, and he provided the perfect example. 

"Lucian. Can I see you outside for a moment?" Edward pointed with his thumb toward the front door.

I didn't know why he was here. We weren't talking after our fight at the mud hole. In fact, I think we both went to great lengths to avoid running into the other. He would send whatever he had to say to me through someone else, and I would make myself scarce unless I had duties to do. Even then, he faked like he had something to do in the opposite direction and would leave. 

The pack members felt and saw the tension between us siblings. They dealt with our disagreements for so long, and were used to them. It still didn’t stop the concerned glances or whispered gossip. A pack is at its peak when the bond is stable. Dad's lesson turned out to be true. Disagreements between werewolves in a pack usually caused confusion and sometimes disputes. I'm sure Edward is going to try to get me to apologize. And I probably will. 

I gave him a short nod before turning back to Amelia. "You're his kid. And a girl. Go flash those beautiful, brown eyes of yours at him and he'll melt within seconds. Your mom has probably gotten him calmed down enough for you." 

"I can do that." Amelia smiled, but she did not look like she believed that would work. 

She touched my arm while moving to go after her parents. I watched her a moment before turning and following after my brother. The moment we walked down the steps, Edward faced me. 

He averted his gaze, but it was clear by his tone that he was flustered. "Alright, first thing first, what do you want?"

What was he talking about? "What do you mean: what I want? You were the one who asked me out here."

"You're going to make me say it," Edward muttered with a glare that didn't stay long. "Look, I was wrong, so just tell me what you want, within reason, and it's yours. But never my sword collection. You know how I feel about those." He pointed at me like that was what I would suggest.

I wasn't, but it was then I realized what he was trying to do. I didn't understand why he was abruptly trying to make things right between us. We usually wait until an opportunity comes where one of us usually could fight it out during a friendly sparring or gaming match.

"Edward, you don't have to do that." He couldn't take all the blame. I was wrong for not reporting like I should have, but before I could get those words out, he stopped me by holding up his right palm. 

"Yes, I do." He emphasized which has me wondering why. "Rieka won't talk to me if I don't apologize for acting like an one tracked, impulsive lunatic. Tell Jace he's dead if you see him by the way." 

I tried to suppressed a laugh. So Jace went to Rieka. I should have known he would do something like that. Although telling is a rule that wasn't supposed to be broken by any of us siblings. Under no circumstances. "Jace will be hard to catch when he knows you're after him. I can't believe Rieka gave you an ultimatum. Either our fight was that bad or she's finally accepting your advances."

Edward’s grin brightened his whole face. "I know right. She'll be a fine luna soon. She literally gave me that demand in front of an audience. Including Rumo."

Ah, Rumo, Rieka's ex boyfriend. He was a couple years older than them both and had a set belief on the way a pack should be run. Rieka once told me she liked the guy for his red cheeks, much to my annoyance. She definitely had a type or just an overly fondness for the color red. If going by my brother's red hair was anything. 

"You're going to let him steal her away?" I teased, hoping he wouldn't provoke the guy too much. 

He smiled back. "I should play along. Give him a chance, but I'm too old for those kinds of games." Edward shook his head. "I'll win Rieka and the pack will have their luna." 

"I want free days to your hot tub." I smiled at the annoyed look on his face. "I wouldn't be a good brother if I went against my big sister. You know I always wanted one. Gotta please her so she will agree to your proposal." 

He sighed and gave me the look of bargaining. "How long?"

"A year, starting in January." 

He stared at me for a moment. Debating probably. When I thought he was going to continue haggling, he nodded. "I hate to give up my private piece of heaven, but I deserve worse than that. Probably. I didn't give you a chance to explain yourself. I just rushed in. That's no way for an alpha to act. And as a brother I shouldn't do it especially."

I ran a hand through my hair. "You had every right to accuse me, Edward. I didn't report to you like I should have. I got caught up in trying to find a way to help everyone…and now I understand how Romulus feels." 

"He knows he has to go, but let him know he has the Knights as allies. Invite the Trevino family to Christmas, will ya? I have to get back. Do tell my mate that we made up." He turned to leave, but turned back, pointing his index finger at me. "And if you tell her a story that makes me look like I was a crybaby, I'll put you back in a headlock and this time I'll shove your face in a pie made by Mrs.Walston."

My face must have given him the satisfaction he wanted because he continued on his way to his car. Almost every one of us had been victims of Mrs.Walston's nasty pies. 

"He needs to get rid of that annual pie contest. Had I been alpha that would have been the first to go." I grumbled as I made my way back inside. 

When I walked into the living room, the first thing I noticed was a calm Romulus. He sat between his mate and daughter. He had one of Amelia's hands in his and his other hand rested on his mate's thigh. His gaze met mine. 

"We agreed to see the emperor, but I want to make an escape plan in case things go sour." Romulus looked at his mate, who nodded her head. 

I moved closer, stopping in front of them. "Edward just informed me that he will do what he can to help you keep your family safe. You have an alliance with us."

"A Knights alliance always was an honorable privilege." He stood up and offered me his hand. "I accept only if you accept my word as a Trevino that I will keep you safe. As my daughter's mate, I will protect you until my last breath."

I didn't expect him to protect me nor did I think he had accepted an union between Amelia and me. If I'm honest with myself, I thought he would draw out a union between us for as long as possible. 

I took his hand and shook it. "I accept. Oh." I looked at Amelia and then him. "You all are invited to join Pack Eclipse on Christmas Day." I saw the hope in Amelia's eyes, but the uncertainty in her mother's eyes had me adding on, "We celebrate in the evening, if that adds into your plans for the holiday." 

Seeing a relief smile on Amelia's mother's face, I looked at Romulus. 

"I don't know about the girls, but I will only come on one condition." A mischievous glint shined in Romulus's eyes. 

I didn't know if I should agree to this condition or not, but I really wanted Amelia to come. "What is it?" 

"Clara has to be invited to." 

"Romulus! You know better than that!" Maya, who quickly rose to her feet, was looking him up and down as if he committed a crime. 

"What? She's family." He looked over his shoulder at her. 

I smirked at his suggestion. It was brilliant. "No, you're right. I think Clara will enjoy herself. Besides, getting under Edward's skin will be fun to see. Plus I do owe him some payback."

I should have been worried about a newly turned vampire around the pack, but I wasn't. Clara has already demonstrated that she's gifted in controlling herself and from having her in my classes, I've learned that she's on a whole different level. That doesn't seem to have changed after she became a vampire. And she was Amelia's best friend. 

As I looked at Amelia now, the happiness I found there in her face was something I realized I would do anything to see it remain.