Never have I dealt with any

more difficult,

than my own soul.

***

I'm jerked awake as I meet the hard stare of dark blue eyes.

"Morning Lexie."

I remain mute as he leans closer.

"Eat. Please."

He's holding out a breakfast bar for me- ready to bite.

I turn my head away.

"What did I do Lexie?" I close my eyes at the pain in his voice.

It's not you. It's not you. It's not you.

"Please just tell me," I shake my head before he's even finished the sentence.

He bows his head.

"Fine. I'll let you go."

I don't raise my face as he moves to untie the ropes from me.

I feel his hands shaking.

It's better this way, I think. Better that he doesn't find out.

Better that he hates me for this.

Rather than the truth.

He's stopped though by a sound.

A sound of a car pulling into the drive.

"Who...."

His unfinished question though is answered as the pounding of feet hit the steps.

Atlas positions himself in front of me.

Protecting.

The door opens and I let out a sob.

Mark is standing in the doorway, his breath heavy as he looks around the room.

Until his eyes fall onto me.

"What. The. Hell."

He's stopped by the firm hand of Alpha Brandon though.

My eyes widen as I realize he and the Luna were both there.

"What is this?" The Luna hisses out her words, her eyes wide and angry as they stare at me.

"Get off my land," Atlas growls.

Jay and Daisy walk in then. It takes Jay only a split second to evaluate the situation before he flanks his son's right. Daisy catches on and soon she is standing on his left.

A team.

"You were not invited to this land," Jay says, his dark eyes flashing as he takes in Alpha Brandon. "This is a pack issue. This is a pack member of the Alba Rosa. And she will be dealt with, by her pack."

Alpha Brandon stiffens at the usage of Jay's words, but it's Mark that steps forward.

"I don't care about your pack laws and land crap. That's my baby sister. She invited me in, and now I'm taking her home."

Atlas growls, standing off against Mark.

The eye contact is broken though, when Alpha Brandon steps forward.

"Mark, I know it's...disturbing how we found Lexie...but there is a bigger problem. Focus."

Mark tears his eyes away from Atlas as he slowly looks at me.

It's his expression that catches my attention.

His expression that has me sitting up and staring at him.

"What is it?" I whisper the words.

Mark shakes his head, "Lexie...we need to tell you something."

Dad. Was it dad? Dad had passed away. That was what the Alpha wanted to talk to Mark about. I remember suddenly his words from last night.

What else could it be?

But the next words from Mark have me sinking into a black hole. Have me feeling the shattered shards of my already tattered soul, rip apart even more as I take in the news.

"Cal escaped. He's out Lexie. He's out and looking for you."

See you Friday!