Leonardo stopped in front of Medical Unit one and opened the door. Timothy and Nate stepped in first, and Adam and I, hand in hand, came in behind. It was a large hospital room, similar in size and style to what Nate was staying in at his baneknife experience. Leonardo closed the door after us, and I walked up to the bed.

Milo was there in his human form and his eyes were trained on me, watching every step and gesture. He was so still I was afraid he was waiting for me to get close enough to jump up and attack. But then I noticed how really still he actually was. It was like he was petrified, a statue. Every joint of his body held rigid and stiff, even his hands were held up from the blanket, fingers curled as if ready to strike, but no whisper of movement.

A blanket was pulled to his chest, but from the top of it violet veining showed on his skin. Spikes pressed outward from just at the point his heart would be, still slipped under the blanket. More purple wound its way up his neck in a single line. Other lines veined out over his still arms. It had only been an hour or two since I hit him with the knife, and he had to have had a wolfsbane treatment. It made me feel incredibly uneasy to see how far and fast wolfsbane could actually go to poison a wolf.

I realized the completeness of the silver paralization when only one side of his mouth moved when he went to speak. "Elise."

Adam's hand squeezed into mine as I stared for too long to be polite. "Milo."

"Is it too much to call me your father?"

"Fine then. Father."

The silence cut through the room. The tension was like a cloud, suffocating us.

After a minute I finally sighed. "What am I doing here? What do you want?"

"I think we got off on the wrong foot."

I gave a huff of a laugh. "You mean when you attacked my mate?"

His eyes alone darted to Adam beside me and then back. "Yes."

Another huff. "You regret it. Nice. Okay, can I leave now?"

"No. I have more to discuss."

"Then discuss," I spoke annoyed.

His eyes trailed around the faces of the room as if he couldn't say what he wanted with them there.

I announced, "they stay," before he could even ask.

He sighed, though his chest didn't show a full movement. "Fine. ... Elise, I want you to remain here. In Wilde Claw, with your family."

I practically laughed. "Sure, stay with the person who tried to kill everyone important to me. No thanks."

"I didn't kill him, though, did I?" He stared at Adam.

"Only because I put a knife into you!"

He growled, eyes squinting in anger. "I regret my actions, but you cannot blame me. He ruined my family."

My brow lowered in my own anger, and I stepped a foot toward Milo. "No, he didn't. You started everything out Father. Hiding me out I get, but killing my mother? Killing the Winters? Throwing me out when I couldn't shift. Keeping me from Tim. You ruined that. Adam may have hurt my wolf, but you made the choice to hurt me. Adam was scared, and just a teenager. You were a grown man against a little girl. Your own daughter even."

He had the decency to look away from my eyes. His voice was pained. "I never meant to hurt you."

"Well you did. Everything you've done since I was sixteen has hurt. You chose not to care after you saw I didn't have a wolf, but you kept me around. Why? Because you knew. Deep down you knew I was still your daughter, but you didn't want a human. You didn't want me. You wanted a strong alpha girl and that's all you cared about."

His voice turned to anger. "And that's what he took away! With his unethical rejection. He should be killed for what he did!"

"And you want me to be killed along side of him? Isn't that what happens to the pair? They both die after the bad rejection? You wished your stupid little human daughter had died after all?" I turned to the door and tugged Adam with me. "I'm done with this. Let's go."

Milo commanded. "I didn't, I don't want you to die. You are my daughter."

I stopped and stared at the door knowing I could pull through his command if I really wanted to. "Then you need to show me that you care."

"I'm sorry," he said softly.

I turned back to him at the bed. "Are you? What are you even sorry for? That I lost my wolf, or that you treated me like dirt after it happened?"

"I'm sorry I didn't treat you as family."

"And what about now? Are you treating me like family yet?"

"I invited you and your potential mate here for a meal like a family."

I snorted. "And yet, when you found out I had better than a potential mate, you tried to kill him. In the meantime, actually and literally hurting me too and you didn't care!"

His jaw clenched through the silver. "I tried to kill him because I cared!"

"Well you're done with the killing then. Because after today I'm gone. You've lost."

"No!" He yelled to the room, his eyes wide with a panicked edge. "You have to stay. Elise, you have to visit, it's in the treaty!"

"Fine! It's in the treaty that I visit, but nowhere does it say I have to see you. I'll see Tim and I'll leave. No. I'll see Tim and Leonardo and leave. How does that feel? I'd rather see the butler than my own father. I don't owe you anything else."

"Elise please," he cried.

The room quieted as I tried to calm my anger down.

"Elise please," he continued. "I want you back in my life. How can I make this up to you? How can I make everything up to you? I will try anything to keep you here. You are my family. I need you in my life. I finally got you back."

I took a deep breath and considered. There wasn't anything I cared about having anymore besides the three men standing next to me. Adam pulled me closer, and I buried myself in his arm, smelling the detergent scent of the new shirt, wishing it didn't cover Adam's completely.

"I want you to step down," I said with face still at Adam's arm. I then turned back to Milo's haunted eyes. "If you want to make everything up to me, I want you to step down." I turned to Tim. "Let Tim have the alphaship now."

He spoke through angry clenched teeth. "You know I can't do that Elise."

I bit back. "I think you can."

"It's not possible. Not until he's twenty-five."

"An eighteen-year-old heir can take over leadership early when the alpha is unfit to continue. You are stuck in a bed paralyzed with wolfsbane poisoning. You are unfit."

"Only for a few weeks," he seethed.

"Hand it down to Timothy and you'll show Lone Raine Pack and all the other packs that you have the treaty with, that you mean to keep your word of peace. You'll apologize for the problems you have caused and tell them it was in my name, and you now wish to make good on your promise of harmony because I've returned. And you figure out how to make it up to any families whose lives you've ended in my name. Alpha Nate's included." I took my hand from Adam's and hugged into Nate's arm. Nate's other hand squeezed over mine. "That's how you'll show me that you actually care ... Father."

"I will not step down," he said, finality scorching his voice.

"You will," I pulled my arms from Nate and glared down at Milo. I stepped right to the bedframe, a new power running through me. "Let's not forget how old I am. If you do not step down Milo Thatcher then in three months on my twenty fifth birthday I will step up and become your superior. I will become your alpha. I will put you in your place and then I will step down and give Timothy the alpha. And then you will never see me ever again."

"Timothy does not want the alpha position," he glared.

I looked at Tim, he looked nervous but resolved. He was so young, but he was loving and strong. He would already be so much better of an alpha than Milo. I saw in his eyes Tim would fulfill his calling. "He'll take it so you can show kindness to the other packs and your only daughter."

Milo snarled. "I won't step down."

"Then maybe you don't deserve a pack." I stood straighter over his bed. The towering frame of the alpha mantle filling me. "Maybe it's just me, but your numbers seem to be dwindling Alpha Milo. If you had everyone gather for my return that's what? A third of your numbers from just eight years ago? They've all left haven't they? Just like Sarah Dieves, they've all went rogue so they wouldn't have to live under your incompetent rule. Under your stupidity trying to find a girl that's been at your doorstep the whole time. Maybe it's time for those still here to gain a new pack." I turned to Nate. "What do you say Alpha Nate? Do you think we can find a place for those thirty or forty wolf families that will walk out with us right now?"

Nate's full Alpha character took over and his arm came around my back in support. "Beta Female Elise, I do believe Lone Raine would be happy to take all the families from under Alpha Milo's rule."

"How many," I asked Milo. "How many do you think will come with me? Because the way they looked I think they'll all follow me. And then you'll be an alpha without a pack. You'll be a rogue."

Milo glared a deep hatred. His eyes were stone black, wolf begging to be freed but unable with the silver wound. The purple staining from the wolfsbane flooded up through the veins of his face, each heartbeat sending the coloring further.

It was all the answer I needed. "Alpha Nate, let's go inform our new pack."

I stepped to the door and then heard a small broken voice behind me. "Okay."

I turned and looked to Milo. He had a tear shining at the edge of one eye.

"Elise. Okay. I'll step down."

I walked to Milo's bed, and he stared up to me distraught.

"I'll step down at the next full moon. I'll let the other packs know my intent. Just please don't leave. I can't lose you again."

"Thank you," I said softly.

"Will you stay here then?" He asked, a desperate look in his eye. "Stay in Wilde Claw."

"I can't. I'm part of Lone Raine now." Adam stepped to my side and wrapped his arm at my shoulder. I smiled up to him and leaned into his embrace.

Milo gritted his teeth and looked to Adam, then sighed and back to me. "I have an opening for a Gamma couple. You both could be it. It's a step from Beta, but still just as prestigious."

"I'm not after a title Father. I'm after a family. Adam's my family. Nate is my family. And Tim is my family. I want you to be family."

He was quiet a moment. "I'm your father."

"You've given me my name, but you haven't been much of a father to me."

"I have denounced my title, Elise? What more do you want?"

I shrugged. "I don't know, just for you to care about what's important to me."

He looked between Nate and Adam then swallowed with a low rumbling growl. A minute past as he got his pained breathing under control. Then he looked back up. "Alpha Nate, I am regretful for what I have done to your family. I am ...exceptionally sorry... for what happened to your sister. It was never my intent to hurt her." His eyes trailed to Adam. "Beta Adam I also apologize," his teeth clenched together, "for trying to murder you for rejecting my daughter."

My eyes went to cynical, "that's your apol...?!"

Adam cut me off. "I accept."

I looked up to Adam in question. Milo's sorry was awful!

Adam squeezed my side. "I would want to murder anyone who hurt you too, and I wouldn't even try to apologize."

I huffed.

Nate spoke then, a formality in his voice. "I also accept your apology, Alpha Milo. I hope our packs can be brought together in friendship from this point forward."

Milo blinked slow as if it were a nod. "Thank you, Alpha Nate."

Nate continued. "I understand that you only did what you thought was right to find your daughter. Though your methods were absurd. Any of the packs around here would have been more than willing to come together to aide in your search efforts."

"Yes."

"I'll send some warriors to patrol for your Alpha transfer ceremony. Then your people can all attend the celebration."

I tried to bite a grin away at Nate's slight jab.

Milo's teeth clenched, surely wishing he could strangle Nate. "Thank you, Alpha Nate."

I leaned over the bed and grabbed one of Milo's still hands, wrapping mine around as if I was holding a statue. "Thank you, daddy."

"Baby," his whole air softened. Eyes now set in sorrow. "I'm so sorry for all of what happened to you. I'm sorry that I thought you weren't mine. I'm sorry that I sent you away and everything that happened with the Winters. I'm sorry for my behavior with your mate." His glance darted behind me for a moment before coming to rest back at mine. "I do want you back as a family. Won't you please consider the gamma position?"

I sat at the bedside and smiled. "No."

Lines creased in disappointment around his eyes. "No?"

"No, I won't. I'm where I need to be at Lone Raine with Adam now. But I'd be happy to come back and see Senior Alpha Milo for Sunday dinners."

The side of mouth he could speak from turned upwards in a sad smile.

"And maybe someday Grandpa Thatcher could even come to Lone Raine to see his little grandpups running around." I winked.

He gave a breathy laugh. "I might like that." He glanced behind me again. "Not too soon though."

I shrugged and then laughed at his scowl to me. I rubbed over his face, letting his greying beard slide through my fingertips. "I want us as a family, but I won't be able to stay here. I'm not a kid that needs to stick around home now. That time is gone. But we can still be family. It'll just be visits instead."

He closed his eyes to a smile again. "I guess I can live with that. My little girl is growing up."

I smirked. "Your little girl is grown up."

"But you'll always be my little girl."

"We'll see," I grinned.

A moment past and Milo looked at the wolves behind me. "Gentlemen, would I be able to have a word alone with my daughter?"

Nate and Tim immediately bowed their heads and started out. Adam looked between Milo and I checking over the air of the room for any danger.

Milo smiled his half smile. "Adam, I can't even scratch my own nose, I'm not going to hurt her."

Adam nodded, then glanced to me. "I'll be right outside Elise."

"Adam?" Milo called as Adam's hands hit the doorknob.

Adam turned in question.

"Take care of my daughter. Treat her right. We've both made mistakes, hopefully we can both learn from them."

Adam gave a single nod. "I promise, Sir."

I smiled as he closed the door. Then I turned back to Milo and rested my hand against his arm. "Thank you. I know how hard it must be for you to admit mistakes."

"I did make a mistake Elise. And it was just not letting you in in the first place."

I gave my questions through my eyes.

"All of this was wrong. But it started further back. We shouldn't have given you up as a baby. Me and Evonne," he spoke her name with such reverence it clenched my stomach, "we should have kept you, even if you were in danger. All this could have been avoided. We'd be happy right now. All of us. Together."

I shook my head. "I'm not unhappy with my upbringing. You did what you had to do. We can't think about what could have happened. Maybe something would have always transpired to keep us apart. Maybe what you did actually kept me alive. Maybe it made us stronger."

"Made you stronger," he insisted.

I sighed. "I guess. Everyone keeps saying that about the rejection thing. I don't see it."

"I do."

I turned down to look at him, his dark eyes gazing strong to me.

"You've grown up with so many obstacles, but you've grown into an amazing woman anyway. Every moment has made you stronger, and I guess you've heard this, but you and Adam should not be alive if he did reject you so badly at so young of an age. You both would have had to power through immense suffering and hardships and even your thoughts dulling, I can't possibly imagine it. And though I don't want to admit it, he'll be good for you. I'm glad he is your mate. He would have had to have the strength to pull you through as well since your wolf had died. He probably saved your life by not giving up and I'll be eternally grateful for him."

I couldn't help the light that spread across my face. I had to breathe back the warmth starting behind my eyelids that wanted me to shed happy tears to his words. Because everyone kept saying that it was me that was strong, but I could see it so much better in Adam. Adam was strong. He was it for both of us.

And in that moment, I realized he couldn't have truly rejected me. Yes, he said the words and said them wrong, but him fighting through every moment and every pain for a decade meant he was fighting for us. Maybe deep down he didn't want to reject me. Maybe he actually wanted to feel me.

My heart swelled with love. I had my Adam. I had my family. Things were where they were meant to be for me.

I was happy.

"Uh," he cleared his throat. "I do want to speak to you about something else."

I was soaring, and my thoughts of delight with Adam still flooded through me. "Yeah?"

"I want to talk to you about him."

"Okay," I laughed, love still encompassing my heart.

"What has he said about the mating?" His eyelines creased in worry.

"The mating?" I asked with a grin. "I don't know. We did the forgiveness ceremony. What do you mean?"

"Um," he coughed again and his quiet ears perked for a moment, then back to me. "I know Evonne and I never got to the specifics of werewolf mating habits."

My eyes went wide, and my cheeks flushed pink. "Oh my gosh. No. No. You are not giving me the birds and the bees talk." I started laughing. "No Father just no."

He blinked with a sigh. I could imagine his face dug deep in his hands if he could move. "Werewolves go through the steps different than humans. I just need you to be aware of your actions before you give Adam the wrong idea and open yourself up too soon."

"Please no."

He continued. "You need to watch out for signs of submission you give him."

"Signs of submission?" I asked incredulously.

"Like putting your nose to his neck. That would mean you are submitting to his will. If he had," he paused, "asked you for something you wished not to give than your nose to his throat would actually mean a yes."

"Okay," I said slowly.

Please no more.

"And you need to keep better covered." His eyes glanced to my dress.

"My dress?" I looked down. I thought it was very modest. Down to my knees, no cleavage, capped sleeves. What was wrong with it?

"Your stomach is showing."

I touched through the claw marks and looked to him skeptical. "You mean these? I had no control over that, Father. And it's not like I had many dressing options. Someone burned my wardrobe down."

His eyes squinted. I could tell he was taking it as a challenge, but he continued eyes at my neckline. "Do not show your stomach. And be careful with your shoulders. When I first saw your bruise, I thought he had already marked and taken you."

I put my fingers to my low neck bee sting, my face full of confusion as I pulled the dress collar away from it.