I returned her welcome greeting with a small smile.

"So," she slung her duffel bag over her shoulder, "What convinced you to join me?"

My lips pressed together in a thin frown.

Should I take the bag from her hands? She seemed comfortable carrying it herself. I did not want to give her the impression that I did not think she was capable of carrying things herself.

"Can you smell what's in my duffel bag?"

I blinked and knitted my eyebrows together, "Pardon?"

She tilted her head, causing her hair to fall to one side, "You're staring at my bag so intensely. I didn't pack any lingerie if that's what you're hoping for."

Did she say lingerie?

My wolf let out a low growl, and somehow an image of Jaslynn dressed in nothing but a red pair of lace underwear formed in my head.

"Are you sweating?"

My eyes darted to Jaslynn, who was tying her hair into a bun on top of her head with her wand while staring at me curiously.

There was a hint of smugness to her tone, and I maintained my calm facade even though my insides were burning with unwarranted emotions.

"I'm fine. In fact, it is quite cold outside. You should bundle up and cover as much skin as possible," I stated, nodding towards her closet and hoping she did not think too much about my silent plea.

She raised an eyebrow and took a jacket off a hanger, "So what convinced you to come? You never answered my question."

I stuffed my hands into the pockets of my pants and leaned my shoulder against the wall, "It is a long story. I won't explain it."

In actuality, I didn't want to tell her what happened. There were some things that were better not told, especially this.

I glared at Conrad one last time as he nursed his black eye before turning to the doorway of doom.

My mother was probably standing behind that door, waiting with a knife of some sort to skin me alive.

I didn't exactly fear my mother, but there were days where it was better to steer clear of her. She had a shorter temper than me, and it had created many disasters in the past. And knowing Reece, she was most likely waiting with my mother to take part in my execution.

If only Conrad had shut his mouth and let me handle my mother.

I pulled the key out and unlocked the door as quietly as possible. My first instinct was to put my foot inside first to test the waters before entering completely.

My father was standing in the middle of the foyer with an eyebrow raised as if he was awaiting my presence.

"It was about time you showed up, kid. I thought you had run away to escape your mate," he chuckled, stepping forward to close the door behind me.

"So you know."

He nodded his head, "I do know. Your mom does too, and surprisingly, she hasn't blown up yet. She doesn't even look angry."

"I think it's more concerning if she's calm," I stated, walking towards the living room where I could hear voices.

My mother and commander were sitting on the couch, conversing over a cup of tea like nothing happened at all.

"Ah, Alrik, just in time for some tea," my mom exclaimed, standing up and walking over to kiss my cheeks, "Come, have a seat."

I turned my head a little to exchange a look with my father, who kept his distance and sipped his own tea.

"I don't want tea, mom."

She smiled almost all too sweetly, "I think you do, honey."

I resisted the urge to run as she shoved a cup into my hands. Reece was studying me carefully as she stirred her tea.

It was starting to feel like the beginning of a horror movie, and I decided not to drink the tea in case they had drugged it. I wouldn't put it past them to do so since I knew this conversation was going to be painful.

"Now honey, I hear you found your mate?" My mother asked, leaning forward eagerly as if she didn't already know the story.

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably and nodded my head, "I did."

"And what is your mate?"

"A witch."

She raised her eyebrows, "A witch? I'm surprised she didn't turn you into a rodent for your behavior."

I grunted.

"Don't grunt at me, Alrik Kuznetsov. I'm appalled that you called her your bitch."

It seemed that Conrad was not the only one who gossiped. The Minister did too.

My father chuckled into his tea, "I find it amusing honestly. They stopped calling she-wolves 'bitches' when I was a child. The only way you would have picked it up was from your grandfather."

I did not want to admit out loud that he was right. My grandfather had taught me many things, and unfortunately, that was one of them.

My mother's face softened, and I knew she had come to the realization that I was clearly ignorant and unaware of what to do when it came to mates or she-wolves.

"Why don't you tell me what happened with Jaslynn?"

I exhaled deeply and started to recite a brief, concise summary of what had happened.

And by the end of it, the three of them were deep in thought.

"Why don't you want to help her again?" Reece asked, speaking for the first time since I had got there.

"The probability that either Jaslynn or Malcolm find this book is extremely low. I don't want to risk the lives of my pack warriors or the resources we have for something like this. If necessary, I can always help her stop Malcolm but I don't see any benefit from investing my time in this hunt. I understand she's my mate, but my pack comes first. They trust me to make smart decisions, and joining this hunt isn't one of them."

"I see his point," my father said, nodding in approval, "It is a wise decision. We didn't raise him to fall to his knees at the sight of his mate. We raised him to be a level headed wolf who knows his priorities, Alma."

My mother cocked her head at my father and asked him softly, "If I were on that quest, what would you do?"

"I would go with you to make sure you come back without a scratch."

"Exactly."

My mother directed her attention back to me, "Alrik, for once, think of yourself as a mate and not a leader. If any part of you cares about what happens to Jaslynn, then you should do what you know is right. She may be more than capable, but a wolf's primal instinct is to protect their mate. How is your wolf reacting?"

It was then I realized I had completely blocked communication between my wolf and I since I had met Jaslynn. I let down the mental block and immediately, he started growling and barking at me for ignoring him.

Mate.

He shook his fur out and let out a long howl to express his sorrow.

"He's....not very happy."

"You see?" Reece pointed out, adding onto my mother's argument, "He understands. Just think about it, Alrik. I think joining Jaslynn on this mission will help the two of you learn to trust each other and build a foundation for your relationship. It's the perfect way for you to get to know her and vice versa."

And somehow, after pondering their words for a while, I found myself here.

"Well, come along then. We have to meet everyone downstairs," she said, already making her way out the door.

For some reason, I was much more aware of her than I was at the Minister's house, perhaps because I was finally looking at her as my mate and not as any other woman.

The way she flicked the loose strands of hair and how she walked with confidence as if she knew she was beautiful. The way she would wrinkle her nose when she didn't like something or someone, particularly me and how observant she was. The way she nibbled her lip when she was in deep thought or worry and how she was polite even when she didn't have to be.

She had an interesting personality.

I would have to get through this trip to unravel what else she hid under that confident persona, and hopefully, it would all be worth it, and she would come back with me to lead my pack.

When I entered the room where her group was waiting, Jaslynn was talking to her friend and appeared to be irritated as her cheeks flushed. I decided to let them finish their conversation and let my eyes roam her group: three women and two men.

One of the men was clearly in a relationship with one of the women based on his tight grip on her hand, but the other man rubbed me the wrong way immediately.

He was staring at Jaslyyn lustfully, his eyes trailing up and down her figure.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

He would be the first obstacle I had to face when it came to Jaslynn.