Lo lay in bed staring at the ceiling. She couldn't sleep...

Tristan's mother was nothing but kind. She was patient with her when she struggled to find things to say. Lo had never been asked to talk about herself before.

She didn't know how.

She was relieved when Alpha Ada and Edith saw how uncomfortable it was making her and started talking about other topics, but she never felt excluded. They kept her in the conversation by asking her the occasional opinion or question.

Not that she could answer it.

Lo was truly starting to feel how inadequate she was. All of Tristan's words were haunting her now. She knew he found her unworthy.... And he was right.

Especially as she sat there and watched Alpha Ada and Edith talk so easy with each other, poised and articulate. They were admirable wolves, their postures perfect.

Lo had lived her life in survival mode, manners weren't high on the priority list, even though her mother did occasionally try to teach her some mountain wolf customs. Lo knew she was uncouth.

She tried to sit up straight like them, to mimic their stances, but she just felt foolish and gave up. Lo's attention eventually waned, and she stared at the window for the last hour of their interaction, only giving a slight nod to any question she was asked.

Until Alpha Ada stood and offered for her to declare loyalty and join their pack officially.

Lo didn't mean to panic... but the anxiety hit her unexpectedly.

Lo closed her eyes and put her hands over her face in embarrassment at the memory. She felt foolish... and was deeply regretting it now. She could have had a pack bond again... but instead she showed just how pathetic she was. Alpha Ada tried to soothe her, but it was ultimately futile and she quickly left. It was Edith that got her to calm down.

Why had the very thought of joining a pack send her into panicked hysterics?

Lo glanced to the window. The moon was brightly shining. Would the Alpha not want her to go with her now?

That saddened her. She didn't want to stay here anymore.

The sudden sound of that same distant melodic whistle caught her attention then and Lo furrowed her brow as she glanced off in the direction of the North.

She lay perfectly still as she listened to it. It was still so faint, she didn't know how she was hearing it at all.

Lo slowly sat up and tucked her legs beneath her as she folded her arms up onto the window sill and rested her chin atop them as she focused on the sound.

What was that? It was clearer than when she'd heard it before. Like it was closer.

And why did it somehow sound so familiar? So... comforting? She started to feel an odd gentle nagging to go toward it.

Lo glanced up at the moon. It was high in the sky now, she knew it must be nearly morning, the sky was turning a soft grey. And she hadn't slept at all.

Lo turned her attention back to the forest, and she heard the whistle again... it was coming every ten minutes or so. And it wasn't stopping...

The sky continued to grey with morning light, and that gentle nagging was slowly becoming an uncontrollable urge to go toward the sound.

Lo didn't let herself think. She pushed out of bed and quietly dressed. She didn't know what she was doing... she just knew she had to go.

Lo carefully opened the bedroom door, the house was quiet. Lottie was asleep in the next room. Her mate had not come home, Lo assumed he was with the other enforcers preparing for the visitors that would be arriving throughout the day.

Lo stood in the doorway for what felt like forever before she built enough nerve to step out into the foyer. With every step she expected Lottie to wake and ask her what she was doing.

Lo didn't even know what she was doing...

But she was allowed to go out and walk now wasn't she? They hadn't told her she couldn't... and Edith was always trying to make her get fresh air.

Lo made it to the door handle and gently opened it. She glanced back toward Lottie's slightly open door, but still there was no movement. She could hear Lottie's even breathing and heartbeat.

Lo gently took a shawl from the hooks at the door and wrapped it around her as she stepped out into the crisp morning air. The comforting sounds of the forest greeted her as she breathed in the cold. Morning birds were just starting to chirp.

Lo quickly bound down the steps and started walking out into the woods at a brisk pace. She glanced over her shoulder several times as a feeling of nervousness built inside her. Why did she feel like she was doing something wrong? She had no intention to run away.

She just wanted to walk... maybe see if she could find where the sound was coming from. It seemed reasonable in her mind.

Twigs snapped beneath her slippers as she continued to walk. Her breath dispersed into tiny little puffs from the cold morning air. The dark grey sky continued to get gradually lighter and lighter, but darkness still dominated, especially in the shadows of the trees.

The thumping of several pairs of paws had her abruptly stop and spin around. At a distance, three large enforcers slowed to a walk to swing wide around her. Clearly they were giving her distance, as they must have been instructed to do.

Lo stared at them for a moment, and quickly realized they must have been watching her to have got there so quickly. They had probably been following her all along.

Making her notice them now was deliberate. She was approaching the open plain before the outer woods that would lead to the territory line. Lo felt it like a warning.

She stood there for a moment as she felt the anxiety swell. She was alone out there with just those males...

But as the minutes dragged by, they maintained their distance. Two of them even wandered further backward and averted their attention. Only one seemed to maintain focus on her.

They stood perfectly still staring at each other for a time. She didn't recognize him, though she doubted she would. She barely interacted with anyone. The frosty breeze picked up and flitted through her hair. It brought with it that soft whistle again. Lo slowly turned toward the clearing again and concentrated on the sound.

They didn't outright try to make her stop, they were just making her aware of their presence. Lo wondered if they were instructed to just protect her and not interfere. She should have known she wouldn't be left alone after Alpha Ada said she would be training under her.

So did that mean she was seen as a future Alpha now? Lo didn't know how she felt about that.

What would her mate's chosen think of that... did she even know? What of Tristan? She felt another spike of anxiety rise.

Lo quickly shook her head to shove those thoughts from her mind. Why had her mind gone there? She didn't want to think of her mate or anything to do with him.

And it's not like Lo thought it would even last long when Alpha Ada saw how truly damaged she was, but she didn't currently care if it meant she would be able to leave this place. Maybe when they realized she was no alpha female they might even let her go home to her mother's pack...

That thought saddened her somewhat, and she didn't even fully understand why...

With a soft breath she turned and continued on into the plain, now weary of her uninvited company trailing behind her, but thankfully they didn't seem to be trying to stop her.

It wasn't until Lo made it to the outer woods that she heard one of the enforcers turn and start to sprint back toward the territory. Lo glanced back briefly, but the other two didn't seem to have any intention of getting closer to her then the very specific distance they had set. Was that by order too?

The fragile female that can't be approached by males. That's what they thought of her...

For the first time, she felt a bit of anger deep down, and she didn't even know at what exactly. Lo turned back and just kept walking, and she soon heard the sound of the river, but she paused when it drown the sound of the whistle.

Lo furrowed her brow when she realized she was miles away from the main pack territory now and it made no difference in how far away the whistle sounded. There was no way it was coming from anywhere in the territory, and the closer to the river she got, the less likely she would continue to hear it.

It was futile to go further, despite the strange inner nagging she continued to feel. It was almost like the whistle was meant for her...

Lo turned back with a downhearted feeling until she could no longer hear the river. It was there that she sat against a tree and brought her knees up to rest her folded arms on as she listened intently.

The whistle was slowly coming in longer and longer intervals as the sun broke the horizon and bathed the forest in golden light... all but the spot she had decided to sit in.

The ground around her remained deeply in shadow.

Was the world trying to tell her something?

Lo stared at dancing rays on the forest ground that filtered through the trees when the whistle grew fainter and once again came at a much longer interval. She realized with a sad kind of feeling it would likely stop soon.

Why did that make her feel emotional?

Lo closed her eyes and nuzzled her face into her arms as she focused on the sound until she no longer heard it.

-

"I can't believe you." Lottie growled in a hushed whisper at him as she attempted to brush a sleepy Kit's hair. She was sending glares over her shoulder at him the entire time. Tristan ignored her. He was staring across the dining hall at their father.

He looked almost... normal.

"I specifically said I did not agree to doing it without his consent." Lottie growled in that hushed whisper again. Tristan looked back at his sister with a frown.

"He was not in a state to be reasoned with. You didn't see him." Tristan countered. Lottie growled as she stood up and squared her shoulders at him. Her posture was all anger. Kit ran off toward his other cousins the moment her back was turned, his hair only half straightened.

"You-" Lottie began.

"He looks better... normal. He needed this, he actually slept last night, mom said he hadn't been." Tristan said as he nodded in the direction of their father. Lottie looked back, and they both stood there and observed him for a moment.

Their father stood beside their mother as they finished preparation to receive the visiting Alphas. It was more then just a brief meeting, now that they finally accomplished taking down the Vargas, there were a lot of political intricacies to be bargained out. Trade routes and the like would need to change.

It was something he was not looking forward to sitting through. The last few he had been nothing but frustrating. It was the part of being Alpha he was dreading the most.

Lottie sighed deeply, in the way he knew so well. It was the sigh she did when she knew she lost an argument.

Because their father looked every bit of the Alpha he should be, not the drunken mess Tristan had found the night before.

"I still don't feel right about this." Lottie said.

"Neither do I." Tristan countered, but what choice did they have?

"How long will that dose last?" He asked.

"He drank it all?" Lottie asked. Tristan nodded.

"Maybe a day... it will likely start to fade by the evening." Lottie said. Tristan took a slow breath. They'd likely have to keep dosing him until the Alphas all left, which could possibly be a few days.

"I'll talk to him tonight... maybe he can be reasoned with now." Lottie said. Tristan shook his head.

"No don't tell him... he may refuse it if you do." Tristan said. He knew the stubbornness of their father.

And right now... this is the only thing they had going for them.

"You really think he won't notice?" Lottie asked.

"If he asks we tell him... if he doesn't, we just keep dosing him until they're gone." Tristan said. His own guilt aside... they didn't have a choice.

"This is a bandaid that will backfire the moment he's off it. It will be that much more intense once he can feel again." Lottie said harshly. Tristan sighed.

"What else do you suggest?" Tristan asked.

"Maybe if we all talk to him tonight..." Lottie said.

"No, not while the others are here. We can't risk it." Tristan said.

"This is going to end badly... I just know it." Lottie said. Tristan sighed again and rubbed a hand over his forehead.

"Can we just worry about getting through the next few days first?" Tristan asked.

"Fine." Lottie said as she angrily walked over to where Grady's mate stood. Tristan watched her go.

"Gamma..." A caretaker spoke from behind him. Tristan glanced back.

"Emma sent me... she requested your presence at home. She says her father has just arrived and they wish to speak with you." The caretaker said nervously.

Tristan stared at her for a moment. Had he heard her right? He glanced to the window. It was still early morning.

Arthur came early? And bypassed all the proper exchanges? Tristan glanced at his father on the other side of the large dining hall. An enforcer was already speaking with him. He immediately assumed they were informing him of Arthur's uncouth arrival.

Arthur was supposed to greet his father first. It was only proper when entering another's territory.

Tristan just gave the caretaker a nod and she turned and quickly left. He felt irritated. Just another thing to add to his ever growing list of issues. He did not fear Arthur, but he did fear what it could mean for his pack if he were to turn against them.

Tristan glanced at his father again, he didn't even look irked by the news. Ama was truly that powerful? Tris knew his father would have been enraged by his blatant disrespect before all this mess started...

Tristan nearly took a step in his father's direction to tell him of Arthur's requeste to speak to him... but he couldn't help but hesitate. Would Arthur see right through Ivan in a private setting?

Tristan glanced to his grandfather at the opposite end of the room. His uncle had arrived late the previous night, Hutch's only son. They were speaking quietly amongst themselves, most likely about their territory issues since Hutch had been gone so long.

Tristan could see how tired his grandfather was. Tris knew his pack was asking too much of him. He was never supposed to stay so long.

So Tristan couldn't ask him to sit in for this either.

With a settled mind he turned and headed out of the pack house toward home. He would just take care of it himself...

He knew Arthur would be furious when he found Emma unmarked. Both their claim marks were nearly nonexistent now. His fur side was thrilled by it, but it made it blatant that he had not done as he told Arthur he would.

Why had he ever told him that? He had truly been that stupid to think his gifted meant nothing.

He heard Arthur's heated voice long before he reached the door. Tristan aggressively eyed the enforcers that stood outside the home. He felt his wolf close to the surface, especially at their slightly threatening postures. They were Arthur's personal guards. He glanced out into the woods where more of his enforcers lingered.

Tristan didn't pay them any heed and shoved open the door to make his way into the dining room, the moment he ducked through the threshold Arthur's furious eyes landed on him. Tristan looked to Emma. She stood on the other side of the table, and she looked on the verge of tears.

Tristan couldn't help but feel a spike of protectiveness. He may not feel the same way, but it didn't mean he wanted to see her mistreated. Clara was nervously standing in the hallway behind her.

"You gave me your word." Arthur snarled at him, truly furious. Tristan observed him carefully.

"I did." Tristan said. He didn't deny it.

"So why?" Arthur demanded. Tristan glanced at a Emma again. She was staring at him now with a look of pleading.

"It's more complicated than I thought." Tristan said honestly.

"Then uncomplicate it. Clara has told me she offered you ama, why have you not taken it?" Arthur said furiously. Tristan felt his own anger rise.

"Probably for the same reason you chose not to greet my father when you entered the territory." Tristan countered.

"You think you can mock me boy? You think this is a game? You took my daughter's virtue, no Eyolf male will have her now, and yet you act as if not staying mated to her is an option. I'm not giving you an option, do you understand that?" Arthur snarled. Tristan felt his anger rising as he observed Arthur carefully.

The male truly looked furious.

"Is that a threat?" Tristan asked coldly. Arthur sneered.

"You will know when I'm threatening you." Arthur said harshly.

"Eyolf is living a little too much in the past if an Alpha's daughter would be rejected just because she had a male previously. And I'd think it'd be more of an insult to your Alpha authority if that's truly the case." Tristan said with a hard tone.

"Tristan!" Emma said with shock, but Tris's attention remained on Arthur as his eyes took on an even angrier glaze.

"I don't think you realize how serious I am. Cecil will always be my ally, and Byron just happens to hate me less than your father.

If I break ties and we go back to war, you really think your pack would come out of this unscathed?" Arthur snarled. Tristan glared as his fur side came closer to the surface.

"And don't think I'm fooled, I know your father is comprised. You think you can handle a pack war right now?" Arthur said with a grin. Tristan's eyes immediately darted to Emma, and she quickly looked away. Her not meeting his eyes was telling. Tristan grit his teeth in anger.

"What do you want?" Tristan growled. He felt his eyes start to glaze with his wolf.

"Mark her. Now. Before the other Alphas arrive. I don't want them getting the impression you plan to take that little whore as your mate before our meeting." Arthur demanded. Tristan stared at him for a moment as those words sunk in.

His wolf reared to life with fury and disgust. He couldn't help but bare his teeth, his posture becoming a bit more threatening.

"You really think this vote matters at all?" Tristan growled.

"Unfortunately no, but it doesn't mean you get to humiliate my daughter in front of our council," Arthur growled.

"You both knew I had a gifted when you agreed to this mating. You knew this could happen. All of them did. My finding her now is not something any of us had any say in." Tristan said. Arthur was being unreasonable now.

"Be that as it may... I told you, I'm not giving you a choice. You do it... or you will find out how truly unfortunate it is to be my enemy." Arthur snarled. Tristan narrowed his eyes on him.

What the fuck was he playing at? Tristan flicked a glance to the door. His enforcers were getting antsy, they had moved to the threshold of the hallway.

Not that it would matter. Tristan could easily win in a fight against them. Arthur would be dead before they even had a chance to try to save him. Tristan wouldn't even break a sweat. Arthur would be nothing to him. He should know this.

Tristan was feared for a reason.

"Be careful, I see those thoughts ticking in your head. You know our treaty is fragile, the others wouldn't take kindly to my murder in a time of peace. Especially considering our circumstances." Arthur said with a hint of a smirk. It only angered Tristan more.

"And you must realize you've just gained a massive weakness. That little bitch of yours can't be protected all the time. You realize how easy it would be?" Arthur said with an even wider smirk.

Tristan had him by the neck against the wall before he even fully registered his own action. His large hand squeezing his throat as he snarled in his face. The wolf glaze in his eyes.

A rage the likes of which he never felt before coursed through him.

Vaguely he heard the Enforcers fill the kitchen, but he hardly cared. Arthur waved them off, despite barely being able to breathe. Tristan's instincts were to squeeze harder, the snap his pathetic neck at the threat to his mate, but he managed to hold himself back by the thread that kept him sane.

He was on the verge of losing it to his wolf completely.

"You must know you can't always protect her. There will always be opportunity, and you know I'm well connected." Arthur said with a wheeze.

The rage heightened, he felt his fur side rising even further as the anger became nearly blinding. His nails began to dig into his flesh as they grew sharper with his struggle not to shift.

"If you touch her, I'll kill you, and I won't do it fast." Tristan snarled, his voice had deepened. His wolf was taking over.

He felt himself shaking with rage.

"Tristan stop!!!" Emma screamed from directly beside him. He felt her hands yanking on his arms as she tried to dislodge his hold on her father. Not that it budged him...

Her voice was just agitating him more. Why did he ever think he liked it?

"I'm not trying to be unreasonable, I realize you won't be able to resist it forever, especially after she matures. I'm willing to negotiate, but for now, stay mated to my daughter. One year is what I'm asking, it will give me time to decide what I want from you to release you from the obligation without us going to war. I need to settle certain matters at home before I can take my daughter back and find her a new mate." Arthur said. Tristan grit his teeth harder, every word out of his mouth was making him angrier.

His wolf did not like being told what to do. Especially when it came to his fated.

"Do this for your pack. You and I both know you can't afford a war right now." Arthur continued in a more level tone. Tristan felt some of the anger dim, but only slightly.

"And if you care for that female's safety, you will agree to do this." Arthur said in that same serious tone.

It was almost physically painful to subdue the spike of rage his words caused. Tristan cast a glance at Emma. She looked alarmed. He focused back on Arthur.

"You will die, I will come for you first if anything happens to her." Tristan snarled. Arthur grinned, even as small droplets of blood trailed down his neck.

"But she will still be dead. And I'm sure you've seen what it's done to your father. Is this the path you want to take?" Arthur said.

Tristan grit his teeth hard as he glanced at Emma again. He felt his wolf in turmoil with the amount of mixed emotions inside him.

But did he have a choice? Wasn't this a best case scenario? An end date that didn't involve breaking the treaty? His thoughts then went to Lo. She was so damn small and defenseless.

...could he always be sure she'd be safe?

His thoughts continued to rage. To his father, to the state of things....

Before he could let himself think too much, he shoved away from Arthur and grabbed Emma by the hair to force her head to the side and sank his teeth into her neck.

The only comfort he took as his wolf raged against the claim, was that it too would fade.

-

...Lo hadn't realized she'd fallen asleep, until she was abruptly awoken by a burning in her chest.

Lo took a pained breath as she rubbed her hand hard over her chest where her mating mark was. Why did it suddenly hurt?

Thankfully the intense burning subsided after only a moment... and that's when she noticed the hushed voices coming from nearby.

"What are you doing here Rafe?" Dena growled quietly.

"I was invited here. Nice to see you again Dena." A deep male voice spoke in a pleasant timbre. Lo's eyes went wide when she clearly felt his Alpha authority. This was an Alpha...

Why was he here? She wasn't near the territory entrance... or at least... she didn't think she was? Lo quickly glanced to the sky, and gauging where the sun was, she knew she wasn't. She was deep in the forest, away from the main road.

Though she wasn't familiar with the actual land itself, she knew the direction of things at least. Her mother taught her that much.

So this Alpha male must have veered from the main path on purpose.

"I meant here." Dena growled. Lo glanced back. She couldn't see them with the tree blocking her view. Had Dena followed her out here? She remembered the one enforcer running off. He must have gone to retrieve her.

And Dena must have let her sleep. Alpha Rafe chuckled.

"I assume that is obvious." Alpha Rafe said.

"I'm serious, she's off limits." Dena snarled, her voice was becoming more threatening. Lo felt instantly uncomfortable. She glanced to the side, and fought the urge to shift and run.

She reminded herself that could make it worse. It could awaken the predator in him... Males were all the same.

"She can hear you. I caught both your scents from the road. I was curious." Alpha Rafe said. Lo just sat perfectly still, unsure what to do. Her fingers had tightened into fists in her dress.

But even so, she didn't understand why a strange male presence... an Alpha strange male presence at that, wasn't causing her more alarm. She felt nervous, but not panicked like she usually did.

Why did his presence not frighten her?

Lo could hear the other three male enforcers nearby, they were still maintaining distance, but that was it. No others. She could only vaguely hear wolves in the far distance that was likely the road. A lot of them, accompanied by traveling noises.

This Alpha left his enforcers and went out there alone?

"You know I mean no harm." Alpha Rafe said. Lo furrowed her brow. The sound of his voice was pleasant, and not at all malicious.

Despite its depth and roughness, he sounded kind. Maybe that's why she didn't feel so threatened...

"You were given instruc-" Dena began.

"I believe she can speak for herself. If she would like to say hello, she can do so, if she wishes for me to leave, I will gladly oblige." Alpha Rafe said. Lo felt odd.

Why was he giving her a choice? Why would he even want to meet her?

...wasn't he there to vote if she lived or died?

Lo pushed herself up and very slowly stepped to the side of the tree. They stood a small distance away. Both of them turned to her as she emerged, but her eyes immediately went to the male who stood beside Dena.

He was tall, and big. Imposingly so. He was the first male she'd seen that seemed to match her gifted's size and strength. He was clearly older though, as he held himself in a way that spoke of an experience that Tristan lacked. His hair was a mix of black and brown and was much shorter than Tristan's.

It struck Lo suddenly that she was comparing and she quickly squashed those thoughts. Why did she keep doing that?

... why couldn't she keep him from her mind? Even when looking at another male.

"Hello little wolf." Alpha Rafe spoke with an easy smile. Lo fidgeted slightly with the shawl as she stared at him uncertainly.

How does one greet an Alpha? She resisted the urge to drop to the ground as she'd been taught. She knew that wasn't their way and she'd just feel embarrassed...

But what was she supposed to do? Bow her head? Lo's eyes flicked to Dena for help, but the female wolf was focused on Alpha Rafe again with an annoyed look.

"A 'hello' is fine." He said with an amused grin, as if reading her mind. Lo couldn't help but blush slightly with embarrassment.

"Erm... hello." Lo said awkwardly.

"You failed to mention she was a winter wolf. One so far from her home is a rarity in deed." Alpha Rafe said as he looked at Dena again. Dena was looking more and more furious.

"Go Rafe, I mean it." Dena growled.

"Why are you so insistent? I wish her no harm." Alpha Rafe said.

"You know why. She is my brother's mate." Dena said.

"The rumors I heard would say otherwise. That fool sounds like he's making a massive mistake." Alpha Rafe said. Lo stared at him with wide eyes.

Did they all know that she'd been rejected? His gaze shifted back to her with sudden sympathy.

"I meant no insult to you little wolf. I only meant that anyone who can't see you as a gift is a foolish bastard." Alpha Rafe said with a smirk. Lo looked away as the awkwardness of his words hit her.

She didn't understand why the insult to Tristan both angered and pleased her. Lo carefully glanced back at his face when the realization dawned on her. Beneath his right eye, his mark of fate was clearly visible. Why hadn't she noticed it at first? She looked to his neck next, and there was no claim mark.

He had a gifted he hadn't found yet. His bias against Tristan made a bit more sense then.

Lo focused on his eyes. They were a dark blue. She had barely looked at males before as anything other than threats... but for some reason, he didn't feel like a threat. His presence felt safe.

She had to admit to herself she found him somewhat... pleasing. Especially his scent.

...why?

The look on his face changed slightly, and he suddenly took several steps toward her. Lo held her ground, but she couldn't help but be startled by the sudden motion. Her fingers tightened into fists in the fabric of the shawl.

"Rafe, seriously, you have to go back." Dena said as she trailed behind him, but before she could cut him off and get between them, he quickly closed the distance.

Lo's eyes went wide as she was suddenly looking up at him from directly in front of her and she found herself both horrified and slightly intrigued by the strong intimidating male. His eyes were intense, studying her with interest.

She felt his large hand gently push against her belly to ease her back against the tree. The contact was startling, but not in the way she thought it would be. It did not warm her the way Tristan's touch did, but she didn't feel afraid of even disturbed. She felt his strength wash over her in a strangely comforting way.

Was he just a kind soul? Or was her wolf just so desperate for companionship that if her mate didn't want her she decided to seek it elsewhere.

... something felt different though. Her wolf was antsy. Upset about something.

"Rafe!" Dena growled, her hand was suddenly on his shoulder trying to tug him back.

"What the hell are you doing?" Dena snarled, but Rafe ignored her and continued to stare at her.

What was he doing? Lo hadn't the slightest idea...

His his other hand gently took a curl of her silver hair and he glanced down to study it with interest as he rolled the strands between his fingers. She felt she should be unsettled by this, but there was no malice in his actions, she felt only appreciation and respect coming off him. His eyes became slightly wolf glazed, it was clear he approved of her scent.

Lo truly didn't understand why the wolf inside her was preening at the attention.

"Rafe, step away." Dena growled again. Alpha Rafe finally broke his intense gaze and looked over at her with a grin.

"I'm just saying hello." Alpha Rafe said.

"She is my brother's gifted." Dena growled, as if she had to remind him. Lo glanced behind her. The other three enforcers stood there now, seemingly uncertain if they should intervene.

"So I've heard." He said with a lot less mirth.

"Stop with that look, it's none of your business." Dena said, her tone still angry.

"Well... actually it is, it's kind of why I'm here." He chuckled. Lo quickly looked away from him.

The reminder of why he was there was like a slap.

"I meant nothing by it sweet wolf. And I meant what I said, you are truly a treasure. If only I had been so lucky as to call you mine." Alpha Rafe said. Lo looked back at him in shock.

"Seriously, you are being a creep, step away." Dena snarled as she continued to try and shove him back.

Did he actually mean that?

Dena suddenly stopped and sighed deeply.

"Dammit..." She growled as she glanced back. It took Lo only moment to realize why. She felt it in her wolf. Tris was coming. And he was coming fast.

Dread filled her...her wolf was panicked, and she didn't even fully understand why. She looked up at Rafe again, he hadn't budged from his spot directly in front of her. She had hoped he'd step away quickly once he noticed, but he didn't. He just smirked and glanced in the direction Tristan was coming from.

"What are you doing?" Tristan growled the moment he shifted back to skin. Rafe did not break away from her, instead he focused even harder on her eyes. Lo found herself stuck in his gaze, and she didn't want to look at Tristan anyway.

"Looking." Alpha Rafe said with a calm tone.

"Get your hands off her." Tristan snarled and he was suddenly between them as he shoved Rafe back. He sounded frighteningly furious. Lo stood against the tree still, afraid to move as the two large males had their stand off.

Rafe did not back down. His expression was simply amused.

"Hello to you too, been a while Tristan. I see you've somehow gotten even bigger." Rafe said calmly.

"What the hell are you playing at?!" Tristan snarled.

"Nothing at all. I told you... I was just looking." He said as his gaze returned to her. Lo averted her eyes from both of them.

"You should be at the pack house by now." Tristan growled.

"Was just headed that way." Rafe said as he sent her one last smile, before he turned and started strolling back toward the road. Tristan didn't even wait for him to be out of earshot. He spun on Dena.

"What is she doing out here?" Tristan's snarled at her, before he turned and suddenly moved toward Lo in an angry gait. Lo pushed back against the tree, but it was no use. He grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward the other wolves. She had no choice but to stumble along with him.

And even now... in this circumstance, she hated how much his touch warmed her. She felt so deeply connected to this male....

...why couldn't he want her?

"She went for a walk. Edith told her to get fresh air." Dena said defensively. Tristan spun back to look at her, and Lo's eyes went wide as she unexpectedly met his gaze.

She felt her heart start to pound.

The anger in his eyes softened, as did the grip he had on her wrist, but not by much. His gaze trailed down to her midsection, and Lo instinctively knew what had him so angry, especially as his large hand immediately pressed into her belly exactly where Rafe's had.

Lo froze. What was he doing? She stared at him in confusion, especially as he seemed to be getting angrier. She could see the flickering of the wolf glaze in his eyes as he focused on his hand on her.

Lo felt strange, she knew shouldn't be letting this male touch her. She should reject his touch, push him away...

...but she didn't want to.

Lo stared up at his face as a strange hope started to bloom inside her. Why was he so unhappy another male had touched her?

...did he change his mind?

Before the hope could truly set in, the very slight scent of his blood hit her then, but she knew he wasn't bleeding. It was faint, not fresh, as if wiped off but the scent still lingered on his skin. Lo's attention was immediately drawn to his neck, and the sight of that fresh mating mark nearly made her knees buckle.

For a second, it became hard to breathe and she pulled in a ragged painful breath. She knew it was a Emma's, but her scent wasn't on him. It confused her... did he wipe it off? Why did he bother?

And why did it feel like a fresh hurt all over again?

Why did she keep letting herself hope?

Tristan's attention snapped back to her face, and Lo tried not to show how pathetic she was, but she felt the hot tears trail down her cheeks before she could stop them. For a moment, he seemed startled and he jerked his hand away. Lo stepped back away from him and hugged herself as she looked away.

A tense silence fell between them.

"Don't let other males touch you." Tristan said after a moment, but his tone had lost the anger. He sounded... strange.

Lo met his eyes again and stared at him hypocritically. Something inside her bubbled up. Something defiant. Something furious... as her eyes once again landed on that fresh mating mark.

"Like that female touches you?" Lo growled. And she didn't know who was more startled by it. Him or herself...

"That's... complicated." Tristan said, but he was clearly taken aback. Lo quickly looked away, but she felt his eyes studying her, hard.

"May I go?" Lo asked.

There was a strange hesitation on his part, and the moment grew tense.

"Stay away from all of them." He said as he stepped aside. Lo quickly made to move past him to head back toward the clinic, but not before she felt his fingers brush her back and trail through the tips of her hair as it blew behind her in the light breeze.

She withheld the glare she wanted to shoot back at him from his stolen touch.

Why did he bother?

Clearly he'd made his choice.