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Ariel's POV

I watch Raphie bustle around his office. Our rival pack came onto our territory briefly, running into a patrol. I think they did so purposefully, to make sure we knew they were still coming.

Aubrey was informed of the situation and because of our new alliance he was able to fully support us if an attack we to occur. Today is their last day in the pack. Aubreys been fighting his heartbreak while mom took a great liking to Parker, Justin and Brianne.

Although, Bri is spending less and less time with Justin. More and more with her mate. She likes learning about healing stuff too so she's often with him. They helped me to look at my wounds from the rogues, my arm one got infected, of course it did. Otherwise, my leg bite is almost fully healed. I'm just glad Brianne found something she likes, especially that it's with her mate.

Justin and Parker hung out with me and mom today while Raphie was busy working. I only just came to his office to check up on him because I could hear his exasperated sighs from downstairs.

"Raphie..." I frown.

"I'm sorry Ariel, I need to figure-"

"Come play Boggle with us?" I plead, giving puppy eyes. His gaze softens when he looks over me and he lets out another sigh.

"I'll play Boggle with you."

Don't play Boggle with Raphael. He's fucking murdering everyone. My points per round are like between 10 and 20 because Parker and Justin keep taking all my words. Moms is pretty high, Boggle is her favourite game so she plays a lot with her guards. Justin and Parker continually argue over what's a word and how much I suck and how they're doing so much better. They're really only getting the same amount of points I am.

But Raphie. Well shit man. I don't know anymore. He just lists off all these crazy words some of them I didn't even know were English and just like... He just sits there! No reaction when he finds like seven plus letter words! I'm yelling about if I get a five letter word!

"Ariel 'pased' is not a word." Parker snickers.

"Paced! When you pace around!" I exclaim.

"Ariel... that's p-a-C-e..." Justin says.

"Goddess..." I look up at the ceiling. "Magically make everyone be bad and me win."

"She gets anxious playing these games," mom laughs. "She can spell fine if she's not tempted to make words up to try and win."

I cross my arms and tally up my total of, oh look 11 points. I listen as Raphie lists off his words and groan outwardly as he tallies his score of 50 fucking 8. I'm so done. I hit my head off the table.

"And I think it's time to wrap the game up." Parker says.

Justin lifts my face off the table and rubs my forehead. "You've got a little red mark now." He sighs.

I swat his hand away. "I don't like you." I mutter.

"I know you love us. But it's time for us to go." Justin stands.

"Thanks for the game." Parker snickers and kisses my cheek. "You played great, cause I beat you."

I watch them leave and then watch my mom clean up the game. "Is going to head back to my room. See you later." She smiles and heads out.

"I liked reading..." Raphael says as if to try and make me feel better. I glare at Raphie and march upstairs.

I change into one of his shirts and then climb up into bed, wanting to wallow in my loss. Yes, I am a sore loser. I hate losing. But I lost to Parker and Justin. I lost to Parker and Justin! Argh.

"Ariel..." Raphie says quietly, walking in. I look over to see him holding a bowl of popcorn and a drink. "Um..."

I giggle at his attempt. He often learns these things from Parker and Justin otherwise our betas. They'll say things that girls generally like and such and Raphie will attempt some. He doesn't succeed much in doing it the 'right' way. But he succeeds in doing nice little things.

I pat the bed beside me and he sits next to me. "Can we watch some YouTube videos?"

Raphael just nods and we snack on the popcorn together, watching YouTube until rather late into the night.

"Ariel." Raphie says, shaking me. "Wake up."

I open my eyes to find his black ones. My eyes widen and I sit up quickly. "Raphael...?"

"I need help." His voice cracks.

I wrap my arms around him and pull his head to my chest, holding him close. Something bad must have happened, I've never seen him so distraught.

He climbs onto bed on top of me and I realize he never fell asleep. Dark circles are under his still black eyes.

"Raphie, what's wrong?" I ask as he lays his head on my stomach. His emotions haywire over our bond. I can't pinpoint one emotion it's all coming at me at once.

"The way they put the letter," Raphie whispers. "I CAN'T LOSE ANYONE ELSE!" His scream like yell has my heart breaking. It's like he's having a nervous breakdown.

"Raphie?" I whisper.

"They mentioned my family. They said they'd take everyone of my new family away. Ariel I lost my mother and father," and his voice cracks and tears spill. "I lost my little sister. I can't lose Parker and Justin and Anastasia and Liam. Ariel, I can't lose you."

His tears fall onto my shirt as he lets it out. This is something he would never show anyone else, I think he's having a hard time even showing me. But he's worried. And I'm his mate so I'm going to comfort him. And then I'm going to kill the bastard that's making him feel this way.

No one really knows what happened to his family. Just that they died. I would ask how but-

"A rogue attack." Raphael whispers. "My sister died in a rogue attack. Other packs thought I killed her because I was a very cruel child already... she had went for a run and ran into some trespassing... she was only nine... she had a force shift so her wolf could protect her but she was only nine..."

I hold him tighter, feeling my own tears stream down my face at the loss of his sister.

"My mother died of a heart break. The doctors explained that she missed her daughter so much that she couldn't bear it anymore and her wolf killed her... and my father passed away weeks later because he could not live without his mate."

"Raphie, I promise you. Promise. That I will never leave you. You will never lose me. Because I am a strong wolf, and I am not going to let some stupid pack terrorize mine or my mate."

I let him cry, remembering the moment I had with Aubrey. This is quite alike it. When he's done, his eyes have finally returned to their normal state.

"Thank you Ariel," he whispers. "I feel better... you won't..."

"I won't tell." I promise.

He pulls me out of bed. "Let's go on a date. Wherever you want."

"Why?"

"We need a distraction."

I think about it for a little bit. "Let's go... out for lunch, and go for a walk with Milo."

Raphael had to get someone to help look after Milo because we realized we sometimes had to disappear for alpha things. So he could link this person whenever to help out. Although, I want to do as much as possible myself. Milo already liked me more than anyone else.

We get ready and put Milo on his leash before we head out. We have to take the car into town but then we let Milo out and about.

We walk around together. It's nice. Although, when Raphie sees pack members he can say hello, whereas I struggle because I still haven't been introduced to the pack.

The human murder was still floating around the air in town and it made me sick to see. Apparently, they say, that this could be the work of a serial killer and we should be careful. The police haven't bothered our pack too much yet, they've only been searching our forest a bit.

Milo keeps running up to everyone and sniffing them making us stop a lot to wait for them to finish petting him. I don't mind, I like seeing Milo be silly. If he's scared he'll come hover around my legs.

Someone beeping their car horn makes me jump and I pick Milo up when he freezes. "I think that's enough action today, don't you?" I ask him.

"Ready for lunch?" Raphie asks. I nod and he takes me into a werewolf bar, so I'm allowed to bring Milo in. It's spacious and a few unknowing humans scatter the area.

We take our seats and it's not long before a waiter comes over. We get drinks and I hold Milo as we wait.

A human group walks past and one of the men wink at me. Of course Raphie catches that and he growls deeply, sending a chill into the air of the human group who seem to speed away.

"Be nice." I scowl at Raphael.

"I am."

I roll my eyes and pass him Milo. We talk a little as we wait, but I've never been here before so I keep looking around and drinking in new things. Reading all the signs and picking out the little details. Maybe I'm the only one who does it in restaurants but I find it fun.

After some time and we've gotten our food, my eye catches the news. I frown... it can't be. "Turn the TV up." I say and they do so.

I watch in horror as the news anchor speaks. "They've declared her to have been killed only hours ago and are on the search for who did it."

My head whips to Raphael. "They did it in broad daylight."

"In our territory too."

Raphie slaps some cash on the table and we both hurry out. They're killing innocent humans for the sake of distracting us with human matters and police! It's unforgivable! How dare they kill another innocent person. I will kill all of them!

This time I stay in the car. I'm too scared I'll throw up or something if I go see the crime scene. Raphie inspects it before coming back in.

"I'll be busy the rest of the night. I'm okay to leave you with Parker?" He asks.

I nod. "Of course. But if you need help I'm always here."

"I know." We get back home and he kisses my cheek. "I'll see you later tonight princess." He smiles, really smiles. And I have to smile back. "I love you Ariel."

"I love you too Raphie." I reply before I get out and walk inside.

Parker is already waiting for me, Justin with him. They're bickering, unsurprisingly, but over plain cheerios or honey nut.

"Plain." I add in my two cents as I let Milo down and unhook the leash. He pads off tiredly.

They fight for a little longer before they turn their attention to me.

"So, how was the sex?" Parker asks.

"Parker!" I snap.

"Oh come on, I can be girl like. Tell me! I wanna know. I'll paint my nails with you if you tell me." He gives me puppy dog eyes and I look over at Justin.

"You're mated to this piece of shit."

"I know." Justin sighs. His eyes cloud for a moment. "I've got to go to Brianne, Parker you better tell me the details of their sex later!" He calls as he leaves.

"You're both pieces of shit." I mutter.

"Details." Parker snaps. "Got a favourite position?" He teases.

"I've only had sex with him, I don't know, it's not like we tried them all..." I blush heavily when I realize what I said. "I will strangle you!"

"You were a virgin then! Darling do I have stuff to tell you!"

And the chase to strange Parker begins.