I lapped the compound again, even though I had been out here for hours, and was completely drenched in sweat. My wolf was restless and I was trying to burn off some of my pint up anger and worry.

I was leaving today to investigate the other surrounding packs and my wolf was not happy about leaving my mate behind, especially after what happened yesterday.

The mere thought of Conner on top of her had my blood boiling and my wolf pushing towards the surface. I past my turn off point again and continued to run.

I was extremely protective of my pack, I would lay my life down to protect any one of them, but I found out yesterday, after Eve had ran away, that there was actually someone on this earth that my life revolved around. I had wanted her to leave, even said the words with my own mouth, but when she did, my entire world fell apart, and it wasn't just my wolf.

My wolf was doomed from the first moment I smelled her, but the man wasn't so convinced or I wasn't until yesterday. I was slowly starting to fall for my mate and it wasn't just the mate bond or a chemical reaction. I loved her smile, her strength and her witty attitude.

When I couldn't feel her near, couldn't smell her, it had felt like someone had blasted me in the chest with a cannon ball. There was a hole there that no one or nothing could patch up. I had immediately panic and lost control of my wolf. I was only vaguely aware of what I was doing and what I was saying. My pack had immediately answered my call and went on the hunt to find her.

Unfortunately, Conner found her first and she had suffered greatly because of my negligence. If I had only told her the truth, maybe she wouldn't have gotten hurt. She could have been lost to me forever if I hadn't showed up on time yesterday. Conner was getting ready to turn her and if he had succeeded she would have died.

Thankfully, a low howl brought me back to reality and I turned back towards home. It was nearing sunup and we had to leave soon. I rushed into my room, took a quick shower and threw on some clean clothes. I went to Eve's door and slowly pushed it open, but the bed was empty and I did not hear her within.

The same feeling of dread washed over me like a tidal wave. Was I destined to feel like this for the rest of my life, every time I lost track of my mate? If that was the case, I might not make it very long, because Eve rarely stayed where she should.

I followed her scent and calmed myself when it led to the kitchen. She was inside cooking up a storm. I smiled to myself as I watched her. Even with sleep deprived rings under her eyes and a messy bed head, she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

"I know you're there, Rook, you might as well come out of the shadows."

She said never turning towards the door. There was still a lot I had to learn about her huntress powers, because a human would have never known I was there. I walked out of the darkness and sat down in one of the chairs at the kitchen island.

She didn't say a word as she scoop a heaping amount of eggs, bacon, and pancakes onto a plate and sat it in front of me. I smiled my thanks to her, picked up a fork and took a bite. I was the luckiest male alive, she had drop dead gorgeous looks and could cook.

"With nothing but men around, I had to do most of the cooking."

She shrugged and supplied the answer to my thoughts without me having to ask. We complimented each other so well.

"Well, I'm glad." I smiled and shoved another big bite into my mouth.

"You ready?"

Leo interrupted as he walked up to the kitchen door, but he didn't come any further. After the show my wolf put on yesterday, I was sure all of the males intended to keep their distance from Eve. Good.

"Ready for what? Where are you going?" Eve asked and looked deep into my eyes.

"We are going to the other pack's territory. I intend to do some sniffing around to see which packs are responsible for the werewolves."

"I'm going with you."

She turned off the eye of the stove and came around the kitchen island, but I stood and stopped her.

"You're not going. It's too dangerous. I don't have any idea what to expect when we go there. We may very well be walking right into their den."

I put my hands gently on her shoulders, trying to very calmly and honestly reason with her.

"All the more reason for me to go. You are going to need some help."

"I have help, I'm taking my strongest pack members with me. I want have you going and putting yourself in danger. Someone is liable to get hurt if I am too focused on protecting you."

"Have you forgotten I am a huntress? I don't need your protection, but you very well may need my expertise. There is nothing about werewolves that I don't know, maybe even things that you don't know."

I had no intention of continuing to argue with her. I pulled her into my arms, as close as I could get her and nuzzled my face next to hers. I was surprised she allowed me to touch her, but then again, after yesterday, everything had changed. I bent and lightly brushed my lips against hers. I pulled away quickly before I completely got lost in the taste of her.

"You're not going." I said it with no room for argument and turned to leave.

"Wanna bet?" She scoffed and crossed her arms defiantly across her chest.

That defiant streak of hers, both angered and excited me, but I didn't have time for neither at the moment. I slowly approached her, her tensioned eased when she thought she had won, but she hadn't. I scooped her up and slung her over my shoulder.

She screeched and started writhing in my grasped, but I was too strong for her to break free. I knew if I didn't do something drastic, she would try to follow me. Leo jumped out of the way as I pushed through and took her back towards the dungeon.

"You wouldn't dare?" She hissed.

I knew I was going to catch hell for this, but this was the only way I could ensure her safety. I shoved her inside, closed and locked the door before she had a chance to recoup. I handed the key to Leo who was looking at me slack jawed.

"You wait until we are long gone before letting her out. Is that understood?"

Leo nodded his head and my wolf involuntarily growled. I didn't want another male responsible or even in the same room as her, but I had a job to do. The pack, Eve and all of man kind depended on me finding and putting a stop to this werewolf plague.

I looked back at Eve, her angry eyes boring a hole into me. I hoped she would forgive me for this...