Now that Rook had gotten his feral wolf back under control, the other lycans, one by one started to abort. Rook was still clinging to me like I was his life line, even after everyone was gone.

I slowly pried myself from the captivity of his arms and look around nervously. I wasn't sure I trusted myself alone with him after everything I had been through, I was in a vulnerable state and I did not like the feeling at all.

"That was smooth of me to tell you in front of everyone that you were my mate." Rook said sarcastically.

"I already knew, I heard you and Yvonne talking last night...What I don't understand is why you came after me? You told Yvonne that I needed to leave, so I did."

I waited for his reply and when I got none, I continued.

"You were right I can't be your mate or your luna. So why didn't you let me go?"

I had no intention of letting this go. I wanted to know what was going through his lycan mind. I was glad that he had stepped in and saved me, but now we were right back where we started.

He turned his head away from me and down cast his eyes.

"Rook? Tell me."

"I know it would have been best if I had let you go, but I couldn't." He said barely above a whisper.

"Why?"

Silence.

"Why, Rook?!" I said a little too loud, but I was slowly losing my patience.

"Because I felt like I was dying without you!" He thundered and my heart ceased to beat at his confession.

"When you left, I couldn't feel you, sense you, smell you. I couldn't tell if you were hurt, lost, or needed me. That caused such an emptiness in my chest, I thought it would consume me."

I knew as a Huntress, I should have been disturbed by his words, but truthfully my heart cracked in two. I had never had someone care so deeply for me or need me as much as he said he did. I reached up and gently cupped his cheek in my palm.

He pulled away like he was ashamed of what he just said. I was sure for a big, strong, lycan alpha, it was difficult for him to admit that he needed someone else. That fact, made him even more endearing to me.

"Well since we are speaking the truth, I'll admit, the whole time I was running away from you, my heart was hurting and the need to go back to you was almost unbearable."

There, I had said it. Now we both laid our hearts on the line. Rook looked at me and the look in his eyes made me squirm. His deep hazel pools threatened to swallow me whole. I broke the moment before my body went up in flames.

"What do we do now?"

"We'll figure it out."

Typical male response. No plan, we'll just figure it out.

"Want a ride back?" He asked with a cheeky grin.

"Nope, I intend to keep some of my dignity."

"Suit yourself."

I was so tried and sore, but I refused to ride on his back. He shifted back into his wolf form and trotted off ahead of me. His midnight black fur made it impossible for me to see him in the dark, but I smiled to myself. I knew he was there. I could feel him close by. I was also happy that he was giving me some space and not treating me like a damsel in distress. He understood me so well, it was baffling.

I finally trudged into the opening of the compound and forced my sore muscles to take me a little further until I reached the house. I turned to knob and pushed the door open. I hadn't seen or heard Rook since we left, but I was certain he was back by now.

I made my way to my bedroom and crashed on my bed. I needed to shower and change into my nightgown, but I was just too tried. I would rest for a while and then do all of those things. My eyes started to close before my head even hit the pillow.

I released a frustrated breath when I heard my door slowly open. I sat up as Rook hovered in the doorway, shirtless with his sweats on. I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat.

"What's wrong now?" I asked when he remained motionless at my door without speaking.

"After what happened to you tonight, I need to be close to you."

Was this man made of pure sugar?

"Are you asking if you can sleep in here with me tonight?"

"It's either that or I am going to curl up outside your door like a dog." He said with a small smile.

I wasn't sure this was such a good idea, but I would get to sleep much faster if I didn't argue with him.

"Fine, but you better stay on your side of the bed." I warned.

He walked over and the mattress gave way to his weight when he laid down beside me.

"I can resist if you can." He challenged.

"Then we have nothing to worry about." I said and turned off the lamp that was next to the bed.

The room was instantly engulfed in pure darkness. I angled my head towards Rook. I could just make out his outline in the dark. He was laying on his back with his hands resting under his head.

Damn it. I wanted to curl up next to him and lay my head on his chest so bad. After several minutes ticked by and I still hadn't fallen asleep, I slowly edged my way towards him and laid my head on his chest.

"I win." His chest rumbled with laughter.

"Shut up." I smiled and closed my eyes.

Rook brought one of his arms down, wrapped it around me and pulled me closer. I hissed in pain and he instantly loosened his hold, sat up and flicked the lights back on.

Against my protests, he pulled up my shirt and exposed my black and blue ribs. An angry, menacing growl rumbled in his chest and he jumped out of the bed like a beast on a war path.

"Where are you going? You can't kill him all over again." I said with a cocky smile that he didn't seem impressed by.

"It might make me feel better." He growled.

"Get back into bed. I'm fine. It will be healed by morning."

Thankfully, he did as I asked and cradled me gently in his arms. He was shaking all over with anger and I couldn't help but giggle.

"If you think this is bad, you should have seen the time father, Roary and I went up against a bloodthirsty vampire coven. When I tell you I almost died after one of those things sunk its teeth into my neck and nearly drained me dry of my blood..."

"Are you trying to make me go on a killing spree?" He asked entirely too seriously.

"Good night, Rook. I'll sleep better knowing my big, strong, protector is close by." I smiled and snuggled closer to his warm body.

"Always." He whispered in my ear before I fell into one of the most peaceful sleeps I had ever had.