I wake to the sound of Killian's gentle snoring next to me. I smile, the sound reminding me of when Killian made fun of me for snoring. It felt like a lifetime ago after everything that's happened.

The old school analog clock on his nightstand reads 4:30 and no light is peaking through the curtains on his window. Killian won't be awake for a few more hours. If I plan on leaving, now is my only chance.

I get dressed quietly, not that it would seem to matter. I'm convinced Killian could sleep through the end of the world. Opening the door carefully, I make sure to peek down the hallway in case anyone was walking by, although my still-sleepy brain vaguely wonders why anyone would be walking down the alpha's corridors this early in the morning.

Brief flashes of Lexie's face creep into my mind, but I push them out. She and I have a better understanding of each other after everything with Marcus, and besides, Killian reassured me he never brought anyone back here anyways.

I just hope he doesn't hate me enough to ban me from his room (or the pack for that matter) after this.

I make it all the way to the property lines with no hiccups. Just as I'm about to start stripping to shift into my wolf form, I feel a large hand on my shoulder. I know it's not Killian because I would have recognized his scent immediately, but it feels too unfamiliar to be Patrick. I turn my body slowly to face them, afraid of what I'd just gotten myself in to.

I'm surprised, and a little confused, to lock eyes with Gabe.

"Killian has you back on guard duty already? No rest for the wicked, huh?" I joke nervously.

I know that he's about to turn me in to Killian and I mentally prepare myself to knock him out and run.

"You know wolves heal quicker than any normal human would and I was ready to get back to my duty. What are you doing out this early?" He asks casually, but I see the suspicion in his eyes.

"Oh, you know, just needed to go out for a run. Clear my head and all that."

I size him up and he does the same.

"You know Alpha Killian told us to be on the look out for you. Said to stop you and contact him immediately if you tried anything funny."

He regards me levelly, not giving any hints to his intentions. I roll my eyes and honestly, I'm a little pissed. Of course he told the guards to watch out for me. I know he thinks it's for my own good, but I won't be treated like a prisoner.

"So I guess you're going to turn me in then?" I set my jaw angrily.

Of course he can try and contact Killian all he wants. I'll be long gone before he can get to me.

"No. I'm not stupid enough to believe you'd comply without a fight. And you're doing the right thing."

What?

"Uhh, what?"

"Killian, as good as he is, is blinded by his love for you. Patrick told me what that note said. You and I were both there with Sage, only we know how far he's really willing to go to get what he wants. You're thinking about the good of the pack and saving Jacob. I won't stop you."

My jaw drops. It takes a lot of guts to directly disobey an alpha's orders. Gabe knows full well how much trouble he'll be in.

"Thank you for protecting my pack. Well, I guess it's your pack too, now," he continues.

We both blush at the implications of that.

"No problem," I shrug.

At that, he turns around so that I could get undressed. I place my clothes in the little backpack I brought with me and complete my shift. Before I turn to leave, I nip at Gabe's heels as a goodbye.

"Stay safe, Warrior. Come back to us in one piece. I'll need you to protect me from the alpha," he laughs.

In seconds, I'm in a full sprint, running straight towards Alpha Lucas' property.