"Emery?" Dad called out again, his voice louder and more hesitant the second time. His confusion sounded almost like a question, asking, 'Are you still up there or am I talking to no one?' I wish I could have said no, that I've climbed out the window.

Sounds realistic to me.

"I'm-I'm coming, Dad!" Instead of doing what I wanted to do, as in ignoring him and hiding under the bed, I assured him that I was on my way down. Just before I left the comfort of my wonderful, cozy and safe bedroom- honestly, why do I ever leave it? I started looking around for something long enough to cover my pajamas. The old tunic? Definitely not. My own robe? Nope. Ah, my long raincoat. Perfect. Swiftly, I grabbed the coat and threw it on. It was light yellow and went well past my knees.

Viviana would be very disappointed in my choice of fashion if she witnessed this.

Running down the stairs, my feet pounded harshly against the steps as I rushed to get to the front door. I hope it's Johnny, or Viviana, or even Max. Oh, sugar, I hope it's not who I'm thinking. My fingers crossed on their own.

Once I got to the foot of the staircase, I instantly looked towards my dad's back. Not wanting to see anyone else. My dad wasn't tense, but he never was, he was always very calm. As if he never got hurt. But, I knew better than to believe the wall he built around him.

The guy in front of him, on the other hand, had his shoulders held so high that I was convinced he was a robot. But, I settled for a very well trained ex-Alpha. However, I could practically feel his nervous energy floating around in the air, which was odd to see coming from someone who usually looked so composed. It was so strong that I had almost combined it with mine, but he was no match for me. In my heart, I knew. I'm the most worried of them all.

I wanted to listen to Viviana. 'Loosen up, Em,' she would tell me, 'you're not a scaredy cat, are you?' Well, as a matter of fact, Viv, I am.

And, right now I'm terrified.

On a better note, it wasn't Morpheus, and it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders when I realized that. It was easy to tell, his hair was too light and he was smaller than Morpheus. Of course, it didn't feel like him either, the hair on my arms did not stand up and my mind did not go cloudy. Morpheus would command the room. And, as much as I hated to admit it, there was a connection between us that lit my heart up with excitement. My dad turned to look at me as I took a step closer towards them and as soon as I was close enough he took a step to successfully move out of the way from my so called visitor. It was not Morpheus, but it was his lap dog.

A little mean, Emery. What has Leo ever done to you?

"Hello, Beta Leo," I spoke respectfully, this was normal for me whenever I visited the pack house, but the usual greeting was once Alpha. I wonder, how does it feel to be demoted like that?

Leo nodded with a small grin, a nice gesture, "I am deeply sorry for the intrusion, but I came here for a reason. If you don't mind, I must speak with you both regarding something of importance." My smile faded.

No, not this.

My dad stood there, the marker not quite washed off yet just enough to pass it off as irritated skin, red from the weather, perhaps? And, then there was Leo, hovering in the doorway as he waited impatiently to be invited in. Of course, my dad just had to act on his polite instinct.

No, you fool! I screamed inside my head, widening my eyes at him, just hoping he would take the hint. Look at me! Hello! Dad! Dad! Dad!

But, he didn't look at me, not even for a glance. Instead, he completely backed up out of the way and said, "Ah, why don't you come in?"

My hands shook at my sides. "Ac-Actually, Dad, can you wait in the living room? I just need to talk with my friend," I blurted out my words before I could even think about them. My voice was breathy, panicked. Mom wouldn't believe this. She would know who my friends were, she always did, no matter what.

Come on, Dad, I only have three true friends. Four, if Amanda counts.

But, all he did was smile at us. No questionable stare, and no confused fall of his attitude. He didn't lift up his eyebrows as if to ask, 'how come I've never seen him before?' No, nothing like that. "No worries," he replied casually, "if you need me, I will be in front of the TV."

Were you expecting differently? I asked myself. Maybe I was, but I shouldn't have. He was not Mom, and I don't think he could ever be like her even if he tried. Maybe that's why they were so good together, opposites attract, right? And, maybe that's why he's still heartbroken.

Dad walked away, going back to the living room where his show played and acted as background noise for me. I let out a shaky breath as I grabbed the side of the door, closing it slightly so that it felt like I was in control of the moment. As though I was blocking Leo. "I'm sorry," I started with a quiet voice, "but, I can't do this, Beta Leo."

My long eyelashes fluttered as my eyes flicked up to him, watching his reaction. Leo tilted his head to the side and his ears twitched at my words, it lasted only a second. But, I caught it. The glow of his hazel eyes had turned a shade darker as he frowned. "I'm here on strict orders, Emery, there is noth-"

"Stop." The atmosphere around us was unpleasantly thick as I cut him off with a shaky use of force. "Please, Beta Leo, I can't. I can't. I know why you're here, and I just can't go through with it."

There it is. The narrowing of his eyes as his ears twitched after hearing my voice again. But, what is it?

I started my begging, the explanation as to why I would rather do anything but this. I couldn't let Leo tell my dad, for him to walk in there and talk about my new living arrangements would be the death of me. I've seen it before. When Max first claimed Viviana as his mate. Only, she wanted it, but I don't think I'll be able to do it. He is all I have left, the only family that I hold close and I know that I am the same for him. "Please, don't do this to me. My dad doesn't bother himself with werewolf affairs, and I don't want to be the one to pull him into them. Especially one like this. Please, Beta Leo, don't do this. Don't take me away from my home."

The tears threatened to spill as I stared deep into his eyes, searching for the answer that I so desperately needed. His lips were set in a straight line, and all I could recognize in his gaze was the inner battle he was having with himself, and apparently his wolf. "You are making this very hard for me and my wolf. He doesn't know whether to listen to the orders of the Alpha, or the Luna requesting to leave her alone whilst fighting back tears."

And, that was the last straw. The only warning that came before was a sniffle, and then the waterworks were flicked on. My round face scrunched up as I sobbed quietly, the air around us filled with silence except for the ugly sound of me choking back my cry and the TV playing a theme song to a show, 'carry on my wayward son, there'll be peace when you are done, lay your weary head to rest-' but, I didn't hate it. At least Dad couldn't hear me.

"Luna," Leo's voice turned deeper. The edges of his words were gruff, low and sharp as he spoke. Guttural. It reminded me of Morpheus, and when my first impression of him was 'Mate. Mate. Mate' Leo was just a tad more civilized. "I won't take you to him tonight, but he will come. And, when he does he won't be happy."

My vision was blurry, blocked by the flow of my seemingly never-ending tears. But, I believed him as I looked into his honest, dark eyes that told me that Leo wasn't quite in control anymore.

I nodded.