I narrowed my eyes in concentration, trying to get the perfect angle. When standing on the table didn't do it for me, I moved to the couch, crouching on the edge. From here I could see Marcus's open mouth, but the third ring of fire kept moving.

"Can't you keep it still?" I asked Clent with a glare. He smirked, then popped a grape into his mouth with a shrug.

"You said make it harder. That's what I did."

With an indignant huff, I turned back to Marcus. I waited for the third ring of fire to align with the other five, then threw the grape. We all watched, almost in slow motion, as the grape arched through the air. It went through the first two with no problems, just barely missed being scorched by the third, then shot through the forth and fifth. It should have gone into his mouth....should have, but bounced off his teeth. My heart stopped from disappointment while Clent and Cas began loudly cheering.

Faster than I could track though, Marcus shifted and caught the grape mid-air between his sharp teeth. Clent and Cas stopped laughing immediately. Everyone was deadly silent, before I bursted into celebratory laughter. I ran over to Marcus and wrapped my arms around his furry stomach, nuzzling my face into his neck.

Marcus's lycan began to pur, leaning his huge body into me. "Who won? We did. Yes, we did," I cooed, scratching his stomach. The adorable Lycan turned its head, licking my cheek. I laughed harder.

"Slobbering mutt," I heard Cas mutter. Marcus's head whipped towards him and he snarled, baring his teeth. The two began to fight, destroying the living room. After Clent ruled out biting, Marcus shifted. Now they were throwing cheap shots and low blows that cracked me up.

I was throwing grapes at Cas, trying to distract him, when Kelen walked into the room. I was apparently the first to notice him, since the guys were still messing around, so I elbowed Clent. He turned and threw a grape at me. I leaned back at the last second, and the grape went flying past me, hitting Kelen square in the forehead.

We both froze.

When Marcus and Cas noticed the lack of grapes and cheers, they too froze. Now we were all looking at Kelen, seeing what he would do next. He closed his eyes, pitched the bridge of his nose, then walked away.

"Clean this up then meet me in the library," he threw over his shoulder. We watched him walk away, still silent, then burst into laughter. It took a good ten minutes to calm down.

I looked around the room at all the mushed grapes. "How are we gonna get all these stupid grapes up?" I whined, regretting acting like a child.

The guys shrugged, walking over to right the couch and bookshelf. I was in the middle of fixing the table when it hit me.

"MILO!"

•

•

•

•

"No, we should approach from here." Clent pointed at the side of my family's cabin, which I had poorly drawn.

I shook my head. "There's a window above that. They would see us."

Marcus tapped what would be the back of the cabin. "I say we break down the damn doors and storm them. It's six against two," He said causally with a shrug. I snorted lighty.

"Ok big bad wolf," Clent teased. We all gave a chuckle, then got back to strategizing.

"What do you think Alaric?" I asked. He was silently petting Milo and staring into space, but looked at me when I said his name.

"He's not even listening," Cas pointed out, annoyed.

Alaric glared at him. "I was just thinking."

"About..." I prodded.

He looked suddenly unsure of himself, like we wouldn't like what he had to say. I grabbed his hand across the table, giving it a quick, supportive squeeze. He gave me a weak smile, ran a hand through his hair, then took a deep breath.

"What...what if we use June as bait---"

The words were barely out, before Marcus slammed his hand down on the the table and snarled.

"Listen here you little bas---"

"Don't," Kelen interjected, giving Marcus a hard look. Once he had eased back, still fuming but a little calmer, Kelen gestured for Alaric to continue.

He gulped, then pointed at the front. "She can pretend to be coming back for her clothes."

Cas nooded, stepping in. "I hate the thought, but have to agree. They said they were going South, so they assume we think that's where they are. June comes in unexpected. Julian starts being a creepy bastard. We bust in and kick his ass. Boom. That's the plan."

I snort again at Cas's planning skills, then glance at Marcus. He won't meet my eyes. Next I look to Clent. He gives a tense nod. Kelen just rubs the light stubble on his chin, deep in thought.

"Welp," I say, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I think the plan needs a few adjustments, but I'm not worry. I know you guys will keep me safe." I walk around, giving them all hugs and kisses. Marcus, I save for last.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I wait for him to hug me back. When he doesn't, I kiss his neck and sigh. "I love you Marcus," I whisper in his ear.

He instantly relaxes in my arms, breathing deeply and hugging me back. "I love you too, Mate. I just need you both to be safe. Alway safe." His voice was a rumble and I knew his Lycan was still riled up.

I ran my hands up and down his back, trying to soothe them both. "I know you won't ever let anything hurt me. It's ok."

I should have went to sleep with those words in my head, but I couldn't help hanging on the fact that Marcus said both....

I have a new book idea out, so you can go check the Book Keeper for that. It's probably one of my best, so I'll get on actually writing it soon. Other than that, I hope you're staying safe and healthy. Thanks for reading❤