Alaric POV

"What do you mean Jackson and Julian didn't leave? I saw them. And unless there invisible, there's no way they're in here." June asked incredulously. I could tell she was stressed. I didn't like when she was stressed. It made me feel bad.

Walking over to her, I sat down behind her and began to play with her hair. She sighed then leaned into me. Marcus gave me a glare. Being away from her for so long made his lycan territorial. I didn't care. She was mine too.

"June, I didn't say where they were. Just that they didn't leave leave. If you would stop interrupting me---"

"You keep beating around the bush, Kelen. I'm not a scared little girl anymore. I can handle whatever it is you need to tell me."

Kelen ran his hand through his hair, trying to keep his frustration at bay. "Are you done?" He finally asked, his tone flat.

She didn't say anything for a while then gestured for him to continue. With a huff, he did. "Like I was saying. They didn't leave, at least not to the South. They're still in the cabin and something isn't right with that place."

Clent took over, his eyes focused on the wall. "Yeah, it felt...wrong. I can't explain it exactly, but something was definitely off."

Kelen and Marcus nodded in agreement. "There's a cellar. Just right behind the cabin. Have you ever been in there?"

I was scratching her scalp slightly, when she shook her head. Her hair smelled like Casbian's ivory body wash. "What? We didn't have a cellar. Why would you think that?"

"We saw him, Julian, he was dragging something in a black trash bag, then jumped down into what I presume is a cellar. It was hidden by dirt and leaves so maybe that's why you never saw it, but it's there."

Marcus picked up after Kelen. "We waited hours for the bas---boy and when he finally came out, there was blood covering him. He's more fuc---"

Clent cut him off with a glare. "We monitored the situation for that week, and it was pretty much the same. He was back and forth."

June nodded, keeping quiet. She didn't seem upset or sad or mad, I could sometimes feel if she was. She was just blank.

I stopped playing with her hair.

"W-what do you think he was doing and where was Jackson?" June's voice shook slightly.

Kelen sighed again, running his hands through his hair. He opened his mouth to answer, but Marcus sank to his knees before her, grabbing her face. "I'm not sure just yet, but I don't think it's anything we can't handle. We didn't see Jackson at all. And June...I'm going to be honest with you," he took a deep breath, "if they're doing anything that puts you in harm's way, I'm going to kill them, family or not. You don't have to be okay with it, because it's the truth. I will."

June hung her head and let out a little cry. My heart tightened painfully at her surge of emotions. Marcus cursed, snatching her up and crushing her in his arms. He ran his big hand down her hair and whispered nonsensical things into her ear. June wasn't sobbing necessarily, it sounded more broken.

She was supposed to be smiling.

June pulled back, swiping her arm over her cheeks. I moved her hair out of her face. She turned to me, smiling sadly. I wrapped her in a gentle hug, the complete contrast to Marcus's. June gripped my shirt like I would disappear, nails digging into my back slightly. Her silent tears seeped into my shirt, right on my shoulder where her head rested. I cradled it, rocking slightly.

This didn't continue as long as I would like, seeing as she was stolen from me by Casbian, who had remained quiet this whole time. My eyes narrowed on their own accord. He returned my distaste. Marucs too gave me a look, but probably because he was threatened by my gentleness.

Kelen gave us his "behave" look while Casbian hugged June. I silently agreed but bristled. They thought I was the innocent underdog, but June seemed to love my softness. And while that was fine by me, I wanted to prove that I was a man not a boy; that I could be rough. Just wait till I got her in my bed. I'd show her then.

Suddenly ashamed by my wild thoughts, I shook my head and went to go find Milo. He was asleep in my bed. Shaking him lightly, I woke him up. Milo immediately barked and started licking my face. I smiled, then stepped back, gesturing for him to follow. Once we were back in the library, he ran to June, hoisting himself up on her legs.

He could cheer her up.

She laughed, smiling down at Milo, then bent down so he could attack her face with kisses. Cute giggles burst from her lips as they began to play around. The guys gave me the side-eye. I shrugged.

After awhile of us just watching our beautiful mate be happy, she gave us her attention, meeting each of our eyes. "I'm not mad at you for wanting to protect me Marcus. I would do the same for you. For all of you. You guys all are my family now, they're just strangers."

We all let out a sigh of relief. Kelen then stepped forward, addressing everyone. "We'll eat dinner then watch a movie, but as for Jackson and Julian....they need to be removed from the equation. I know that whatever they're doing is evil and I will not turn a blind eye to it. In four weeks....we expose them."

Everyone nodded, moving to head towards the kitchen. June reached into her pocket, pulling out a hair tie. Right as she was about to put it in her infamous bun, we all yelled no at her. June threw her hand up, then laughed.

"Cavemen," she muttered.

Sorry I was late this week. Updating completely slipped my mind, but would you guys do me the honor of pick which book I write next. There is a book on my page called Book Keeper, all you need to know is there. If I get no responses I'll pick it myself, but please don't make me do that.❤