This was my second night without sleep. Every time I closed my eyes I saw someone I loved getting hurt. Braxton was in most of those nightmares.

The sun has been up for awhile now and I know it's passed 8 o clock. Breakfast is going to start soon and I need to get ready.

I picked myself up off the floor and headed towards the shower. I passed by the mirror only to see that my mascara was messed up and I had bags underneath my eyes.

I didn't bother looking any longer I just got into the shower. The hot water felt good on my back and it released some of the tension in my muscles. Not all but some.

I put up my walls to the mind link so that no one could interrupt the only place I felt safe now.

But I knew they were trying to mind link me since I felt this throbbing feeling in my head.

The only one who could brake the wall was Nate. So I'll just wait until he decides to contact me until then I'll just enjoy my shower.

I didn't know how long I stayed in the shower like that. All I knew is that it was for a long time considering the hot water ran out.

But it didn't bother me. The cold felt just as good as the hot. I washed my hair out, cleaned my body, and shaved every ounce of skin I could find.

I was doing everything and anything I could think of to try and stay in the shower longer.

I knew something was wrong since Rosie never sounds this sad. She's always the cheerful kind.

"Rosie? What's wrong?"

"I know. I'm trying everything I can to not.."

"So That means Braxton can feel what we feel."

"So he knows what I was feeling last night?"

"You're right. It's just a lot you know? But Thanks Rosie."

I took a deep breath and tried to relax the best I could. I focused on old memories of my brothers and I and remembering seeing my mom when Nate and I were unconscious.

"Eva? Why is your wall up? Everyone's been trying to get in touch with you."

There goes my quiet time.

"Sorry Nate. I was just taking a shower and didn't want anyone to bother me that's all. What's up?"

"Ok? Uhh it's time for breakfast hurry up."

"K. Be there in 10"

I closed the link and decided it was time to get out. I threw on some white shorts, a black tank top and tied my red flannel around my waist.

I always leave my hair and it's curliness alone. I've always loved my hair. I got it from my mom. I put on some mascara , brushed my teeth, added some red lipstick and threw on my black timberlands.

I'm one of the guys, but I like to dress like a girl now and then.

I noticed the bags under my eyes were still dark and all I could hope for was that no one would notice.

I went downstairs and I smelled that Braxton was here already. What's with him coming over every morning now?

He's really making this mate thing hard for me. I was about to enter the kitchen but stopped at the door when I saw a black figure move.

I could feel my heart rate start to beat faster cause I knew it had to be that guy or his minions.

They were back on the territory!?

"Evangeline?" I turned towards the husky yet smooth voice. I noticed everyone was looking at me either confused or worried. Braxton had more of a bored and angry look.

"Eva are you ok?" I looked at Destiny and she looked pretty worried.

"Yea... I just thought I saw something that's all."

I looked one last time and the figure wasn't there. But I knew I saw something.

"Like?" Nate said. He was about to get up but I stopped him,

"Nothing! I... I was expecting a package and I was hoping it was the delivery guy.

"Packages don't come to the pack house Eva. They go to a house outside the perimeter. This place is to be kept a secret remember?" I looked towards Nate and nodded my head.

"Yea I just kinda forgot you know? It's nothing. Let's eat!" I threw on a fake smile and hoped that no one would question my weirdness.

"Dude, did you even sleep last night? Your bags have gotten darker." Athena went to touch under my eyes but I swatted her hand away.

"I'm fine. I was just up watching movies." I shrugged my shoulders and started eating. Braxton was looking at me intently and it made me uncomfortable.

So I kept fidgeting in my chair from his stare. I looked towards Nate and he noticed Braxton was starring too.

"So Braxton...."

"Alpha Braxton" Braxton corrected Nate but Nate didn't seem too bothered.

"My apologies, Alpha Braxton, did you finally decide what you were going to do about the rogues?"

Braxton looked away from me and I finally felt relieved.

"I doubled patrol around my perimeter, and everyone has a curfew. Any rogue that comes within a 2 mile radius of my territory will be taken in for questioning for information and then killed."

It wasn't what he said that scared me it was how he said it. He sounded so cold, and distant. Like killing was just so normal to him.

I shook my head at his answer but I didn't bother looking up at anyone.

"I've talked to Alpha Tyler and his Luna. I suppose all alphas around the area are doubling up on patrols and safety precautions are to be taken seriously."

Braxton nodded his head at Nate and rubbed his chin.

"I suppose that'll help, but I would assume they are training as well."

"I would hope so. Safety precautions aren't going to necessarily help them when it comes to a fight."

"I agree."

Nate, And Braxton kept talking. Danny, Alex, and even Jeremy would voice their opinions now and then.

I wasn't really hungry but I didn't want to be rude and excuse myself so I stayed with my head on my palm and my elbow on the table.

I felt my eyes getting heavier and heavier and I tried to stayed awake but I couldn't anymore.

I felt myself drift but when I closed my eyes I saw a knife to Emily's throat and I jumped awake.

I felt myself scream a little and I jumped from my seat. But I spilled the orange juice and drop the plate that was in front of me.

Nate, my father and Braxton all got up from their seats.

"Eva are you ok?!"

"Evangeline what's wrong? Why did you scream?"

"Eva what's wrong seriously?"

My father and Nate kept shooting questions left and right and I couldn't answer them. I just rushed to pick up a napkin to clean up and started frantically put things back.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry I don't... I don't know what happened."

I was still cleaning everything up when my father placed his hands around mines.

"Evangeline... Stop."

"Dad I'm sorry... I didn't... I tried to stay awake but I don't know... I'm sorry."

"Evangeline... Breath."

I nodded my head and closed my eyes. I focused on calming down my heart rate and just relaxing.

"Now tell me the truth, why haven't you've been sleeping. I noticed you drifting off to sleep a few minutes ago but I wasn't expecting this. What's happened?"

"Nothing dad. I'm fine. I just been staying up late. Watching movies and stuff. It's nothing."

"Evangeline that's a lie." I looked towards Braxton and I knew it was because of the mate thing. So I silently begged him not to say anything.

"It's not a lie. I promise." Again I silently begged but he wasn't having it.

"I know something is troubling her. I just don't know what. " Braxton stood crossed armed with a mean look on his face.

"Is that true Evangeline? Is someone threatening you? You need to tell me so we can keep you safe!"

I looked towards my father and I just wanted to tell him the truth. Tell him everything but I saw that figure again, and it disappeared... Again. So I knew I couldn't.

"I just miss mom ok? I was scared because I don't know how to be the mate that my mate wants and I was sad because I was wishing she was here to help me through this."

Braxton still didn't look convince but I didn't care. It was only my father and Nate that I needed to convince. They are who I need to protect not Braxton.

"Oh Evangeline. We all miss your mother. She was an amazing person whatever happens between you two she'll be proud no matter what."

I hugged my dad and everyone sat back down.

"Thanks dad. And that reminds me.... I don't know how to say this but.."

I was interrupted when I heard my phone go off. The number was private but the text was clear.

"Announce what we discussed last night Evangeline. Or little Emily is done for."

I swallowed the lump in my throat and I looked towards my father. Who looked suspicious.

"The separation ceremony is off. I will not explain why I changed my mind but it's to be cancelled. No, this has nothing to do with my mate and I. Just know I will not go through with it any longer."

No one really said anything. Braxton was texting but when I announced that he looked towards his father confused.

It was quiet until my father decided to speak,

"Very well, I understand I'll cancel if you feel it's necessary . But I do wonder why the change of heart."

I looked towards Braxton and he just stared at me. I couldn't tell how he was feeling but I just felt relieved.

I didn't want "unknown" to know who my mate was so I looked away. Everyone still looked confused but James looked happy. I guess he's really been rooting for us since the beginning. See, I knew I liked him for a reason.

"Well we're glad you aren't going through with it." Nate said as he started eating.

"Yea , we'd miss you too much." Alex said as he threw a grape at me. I smiled at my brothers but if only they knew the real reason.

"Well things happen. " my phone rang again and I was scared to look at it.

But I knew I had to do it.

"Hey girl! I need a new dress for a dance, and the best place to get it is at the mall! wanna come with? :) - Ariana"

I huffed out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Even though I quit college I still liked the fact that my friends and I were still keeping in touch.

"Ok guys. I have an announcement. With everything going on I decided to hold a ball. I figure it'll give us less stress and for one day everyone can just relax. Alphas from all over the states are attending Alpha Braxton you are welcomed to attend as well. "

"Thank you but I'll be far to busy." Braxton wiped his hands on the napkin and stood up.

"Thank you for breakfast but I think it's time we head out. I don't like leaving my territory longer than necessary. "

"Well, you are always welcomed to come if you change your mind. But we still haven't discussed the plans for next week. It'll take 10 minutes unless you'd like to reschedule?" Nate asked as he stood up too.

Now that Braxton has stood up fully, I finally got to admire what he was wearing. A fitted grey suit, watch and shoes. He's always looked so much sexier in suits.

Woahh where the hell did that come from!? You're loosing your mind Eva get it together.. But he does look good.

But he'll never know that.

"I suppose we can take care of that now."

Remembering that I had to text Ariana back I told her I would meet her at the mall in 30.

"Well, I'd like to be excused as well I need to get ready." I was about to leave when my father grabbed my arm.

"Where to?"

"The mall? I need a dress that's appropriate for the ball. I'm meeting a friend I'll be back in a couple of hours."

"You will take the car and not that death trap Evangeline."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. Of course I wasn't going to listen to him but he didn't have to know that.

So I nodded my head as we all went upstairs. We all parted ways when we stopped on my floor. I decided to keep what I was wearing but got a leather jacket instead of a flannel.

I re-applied my lipstick, grabbed my purse, keys, and I was out the door.

I went behind the shed that was kept behind the pack house and pulled out my bike.

I was pulling up to the drive way to the streets when I saw Braxton, James, and Jeremy walk out. They all looked at me but I looked away. I threw on my helmet and jumped on my bike.

Before I could start it my father walked out but instead of being mad he just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Will you ever listen Evangeline? You could hurt yourself." Everyone was still looking when he said that.

I shrugged my shoulders as I put on my gloves.

"Probably not. But she's my baby dad, what can I say? I'm in love with her."

I put on my glasses and turned on the bike. Gave a nod to my father and left to the mall.