"Victor has him." My voice was surprisingly calm as I watched Victor force the wolf towards the front of the house. I could almost hear the aggressive snarling and pain filled yelping from my position. I didn't like the sounds. The violence and pain within them stirred up too much within me.

"Pardon, Mari?" Uncle Jace seemed startled at my words, as if he hadn't expected me to speak on it.

I looked over my shoulder at him, my eyes wide and I swallowed against the lump in my throat that those sounds brought me. "Victor. He is dragging a wolf from the woods. He is most likely going to kill him as the wolf is most likely Beta John." At my words I watched as Uncle Jace, my father and Angie bolted from the room. Bennett stayed in his place and I looked at him. "Aren't you going to go?" I didn't want to be alone but I did not want Bennett to lose his chance as seeing the male who hurt me so badly pay for his crimes.

"No." It was a simple word that I should have understood but I suddenly felt tears in my eyes and I locked my eyes to his blue ones. The harshness was gone and his face was gentle as he looked at me.

"Why?" The word was croaked out and he let his arms drop to his sides before he tentatively moved closer to me, as if expecting a fast movement would cause me to bolt. I could hear the snapping and snarling grow louder as did the yelping and I wanted to cover my ears. I couldn't stand the sounds. I just couldn't.

"Because I said I would be by your side and I know you do not want to see that. No matter what he did to you, I think you cannot bear to see him pay for his crimes." His voice was soft and without thinking I rushed towards him, pressing my face into his chest, my hands clutching at his shirt. His arms went around me gently and I fought the urge to sob.

"I should be happy." I hated how the words burned with truth. I should have been happy that he was getting what he deserved but I couldn't stomach seeing him ripped to shreds. I couldn't bear to see the sight of his blood pooling in the white snow. Bennett ran his hand down my head, smoothing down my curls. The action felt wonderful and calming and I let out a shudder of relief.

"You are not a person who enjoys violence. You do not need to be happy about this, Maricella. Do not try and make yourself feel what you do not wish to." His words were gentle and I was once again confused as to which of the two people he was. He was gentle and sweet, kind and soft with me but around others he was cold and harsh, demanding and emotionless.

"How do you know my name?" I pressed my cheek to his chest, listening to his heart thump strong and steady in his rib cage. It was a highly comforting sound and I slowly loosened my death grip on his shirt, feeling slightly embarrassed about my reaction to what was going on outside.

"Alpha told me a few months after you were banished." The information as surprising, my father had never told anyone other than Uncle Jace. I looked up as Bennett frowned, the expression seemed more natural on his face than a smile. "He told me about what happened to you." He glanced at me and I swallowed again, trying to rid myself of the sudden lump in my throat.

"And your stay by his side?" It was confusing, Bennett did not appear to be the type of person who would stand by an Alpha who had allowed that, an Alpha who had banished his own daughter. No matter why my father had done as he did, he had still done it. I did not know him but he did not seem like he would cater to such a person.

"It wasn't entirely his fault and he is alone without me. He has no one else he can trust. He put a lot of faith in me with his secret and I found I hated Beta John more than him, so I stay." His face had gone cold and harsh once more and I bit the inside of my cheek gently.

"How can you keep doing that?" I watched as he looked down at me in confusion, his expression softening again. It was highly confusing watching it happen and not knowing which of the males was my mate.

"What?" He looked genuinely confused and I darted my eyes back and forth, trying to find the words to explain what I needed to ask him.

"Go from kind and gentle to cold and hard. Which person are you?" I looked back up at him and he suddenly frowned. I wanted to take back the question as he reverted back to the emotionless, cold stare. I didn't like it, didn't like hoe it made me feel inside, like my stomach was churning.

"When you left, this was torn from my chest." He tapped at his chest, right above his heart, with two fingers and I felt my throat go dry at the gesture. "I hate this pack. It disgusts me more than anything but I have to hide it. As I am a pack warrior, I cannot go rogue without an immediate bounty being placed on my head. So I keep everyone as far away from me as possible. I do not have friends and I do not care for their safety. I am cold, harsh, and heartless becausr it is all I can be towards them." His expression matched the iciness in his words before he looked down at me, once again his expression going gentle as he looked at me. The iciness of his demeanour melting as his gaze met mine. I felt my breath hitch in my throat at the look of soft adoration in his brilliantly blue eyes.

"You took the heart they so carelessly tore out and you placed it back in my chest. Stitching yourself in with it. I am soft but only for you because you are the reason my heart is back where it belongs. I cannot be cold to the female who has wrapped herself around my heart to keep it safe." He let go of my waist and brushed the backs of his fingers down my cheek. I leaned into the contact, craving his closeness. "You asked which male I am. I am both but it is only for you that I am I soft." He cupped my cheek in his hand. "I cannot be anything but kind to you. The thought of raising my voice against you pains me. The thought of saying or doing something careless to you is even worse." It was more of an answer than he had to give me but I felt a flame of pleasure kindle in my chest at the words. I was the only person who got to see him like this. He only did it for me and no one else.

I felt tears fill my eyes as I realized the extent of his words. He had let me into a place where no one else had been allowed. "Don't cry. I cannot bear to see tears in your eyes." He looked pained as he brushed away the tears that had fallen. His face was harsh with sharp angles and the stubble that coated his jaw. I remembered how it had brushed at my skin as he kissed me and I felt my heart jump slightly in my chest.

There was a loud howl of pain from outside and I stiffened at it immediately, remembering the reason I was in Bennett's embrace. I swallowed and pulled away from him before deliberately moving away from the window and out of the study. I did not want to hear the punishment Beta John would be receiving. I could feel Bennett walking behind me but there was a silence between us as I moved out the door and down the hall.

The further we got away from the front of the house the better it would be. There was about a two feet of space between Bennett and I as I moved down the hallway. His presence filled the small space between us rather easily. I could feel his wariness and the coldness he now held but I could also feel the protective edge he had. He was watching to make sure I would be okay, to make sure no one would come out and hurt me. A familiar warmth of pleasure filled my chest at the feeling.

Memories danced along the edges of my mind but they stayed back, the silence of the house didn't trigger them. When the house was silent I had always been safe. The quiet halls held no violence or anger and it was always the best time for me to clean. There were no thoughts of punishment or Ingrid when I was allowed to clean in the silent house. I had spent so long away but now that Inwas back everything seemed so fresh, so close once more.

The servant's door opened and a tiny, skinny, black haired female moved out of it tentatively. Her actions were carefully planned and her gaze was on the floor as she held a laundry basket tightly in her arms. She was doing linens and I stopped walking as I took in her form. She was trembling with cold as she moved towards us. There was a push to protect her, to help her.

I felt tears enter my eyes as I remembered her. She had been made into an Omega shortly after I had finished in the classroom. She was younger than me but not by much. I moved towards her slowly and she gave a small cough, her breath rattling in her chest. She was getting sick. Anger filled me for a brief moment as I remembered how I used to get sick because of the frigid quarters I had been forced to sleep in. The winter was the worst for it and we were never given any help from the pack's doctor.

I took another step towards her before I reached out and took the basket from her arms. She flinched violently and I held it carefully in my hands as she immediately clasped her hands in front of her. Her lank, black hair hung in front of her face limply. She was a few inches shorter than me and I wanted to wrap my arms around her in comfort but I knew first hand she wouldn't appreciate the gesture. I felt that undeniable urge to protect her fill me once more. It was strange, so very strange.

"Which room were you taking these to?" I asked it softly and she glanced up at me quickly before her gaze was immediately lowered. I felt my heart clench in my chest as I looked at her. I had looked like that only two short years ago. So much had changed but at the time so little as well.

She lifted her gaze again, her dark brown eyes wide with shock. She had recognized me. Her mouth opened before she quickly lowered her gaze with a flinch. "I am taking them to room nineteen through twenty-three before doing Alpha Lawrence's room. May I please have them back, ma'am?" She held out her thin arms, I gritted my teeth at the bruises on her pale wrists. I trembled and a strong, warm hand brushed the side of my neck in comfort.

I closed my eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "I'm going to help you." I said the words without thinking before I started towards the room nineteen. I wanted to help her, to protect her. It was a strong urge that made me slightly uneasy but it was one I wasn't going to ignore.

"Pardon, ma'am?" Her voice was a frightened squeak and I paused before turning my head and looking at her. Her dark brown eyes were frightened and I blinked slowly.

"I'm going to help you with the linens." I said it slowly and she swallowed before flicking her gaze to my face before letting it fall just as quickly.

"An Omega must never-"

"Let a pack member do their tasks. I know. I was an Omega too. I know the mantras. I wish to help you because it will make me happy and I am not of this pack. You won't be breaking any rules." I said the last sentence softly and I watched as she shuddered in relief at the words. She could not be punished for letting me help because I wasn't a part of her pack. I turned and continued to the room and was aware of her following as I pushed open the door. A younger man looked up from his position on his bed with a dark scowl on his face. I looked at him before moving into the room without saying anything.

"What the fuck, Omega!" He jumped off his bed and I could hear him gritting his teeth in anger. His voice was harsh and I set the basket down before staring at him and tilting my head. He was young and foolish. I had seen many similar pack members when I had been an Omega.

"I am not an Omega." I watched as his face twisted with confusion as he looked between the basket and me. I could feel the other Omega lingering in the hall just outside of the door. She was too scared to come in because I had not knocked as was appropriate.

"Then why are you doing an Omega's job?" He sounded so confused and I opened my mouth to reply when I could feel Bennett move to stand behind me. The young man's face went white as he stared at the man behind me. There was a very dangerous aura of hostility emanating from him and it was directed completely onto the younger man.

"What did I say this morning? Have you forgotten the lesson I taught Emerson?" His tone was so icy it made me want to shiver but I repressed it as the younger man swallowed nervously. "Get the fuck out." His voice was growly and low and the other man bolted past us and out into the hallway.

I said nothing as I turned my head to see the Omega peeking out from behind the doorjamb. "Please, it is safe now." I gestured for her to come forward before I moved over to the bed and started stripping the covers off and folding them. I set them off to the side and before I could turn around and grab the clean blankets the Omega was there, her hands shaking as she held them out. I took them with a small smile. "Thank you." I set them on the mattress before picking up the other linens.

Bennett took them from my arms and I went to protest when he kissed my forehead, the action shocking me slightly. "You worry about the clean linens. I'll deal with the dirty ones." He muttered the words against my skin before he turned and left the room. I wondered for a brief moment about how he knew where the dirty linens went before the Omega took the fitted sheet from the stack. I grasped the other edge of it and we slowly slipped it onto the mattress.

"He washes his own clothes, ma'am." Her trembling voice was filled with fear. She was afraid I would strike her for speaking out of turn. I softly hummed my acknowledgement and just grabbed the other sheet and handed her one edge of it. We moved silently for a moment, smoothing the sheet out. "He cleans up his own messes too. He doesn't like it when we clean up after him." I let her talk and hummed my agreement to her words.

"Why are you helping me, ma'am? I am only an Omega." Her voice was so timid that I wanted to cry but I let out a small sigh instead.

I grabbed the blanket from the stack and held a side out for her as I tried to think of why. "Because when I was an Omega, I used to dream about this. Having someone help me with my tasks. Letting me relax for a moment." I shrugged slightly and looked up at her, tears filled her brown eyes and she sniffled as she smoothed down her side of the blanket. I followed suit. "I remember you. I remember seeing you a few times in the laundry room when I was here." I could hear her inhale sharply at the words before I turned away and picked up the basket. The bed was neatly made and I looked at her again.

"Why come back, ma'am? Why come back here?" Her voice was so tiny that I almost had troubles hearing her. I

frowned slightly, remembering why I was back in this cursed house. "My uncle came to kill Beta John for turning me into an Omega. I came to find something I left. Something that was very important to me." I started towards the door with the basket tucked against my hip and I could hear her following me.

"It was him, wasn't it? The blue eyed man." Her voice had stropped trembling as much and I felt a small smile on my face as I stepped into the next room. It was empty and the linens had already been stripped off of the mattress.

"Yes." I set the basket down and the Omega grasped the fitted sheet before handing me one edge with a shaking hand. I took it gently and we started putting it on.

"He is a very kind man. I fainted in the laundry room once because I had missed breakfast and lunch. He was there when it happened and he took me to his room before getting me some food." She was almost smiling, I could hear it in the voice as I grasped the second sheet and handed her one side of it. "He told me that it was safe to eat in his room because he would make sure no one knew. It was a peanut butter and jam sandwich and he let me have some cookies too." There was a faint pause that let me know her fear had suddenly returned. "You won't tell anyone will you?" Her voice was a whisper, as if she didn't want to anyone else to hear. I felt a teary smile cross my face at the thought of Bennett helping the other Omegas after I had been gone. He had treated her with a kindness that I had only wished for and pride for my mate's kindness filled me.

"Thank you for trusting me with the secret and no, I won't tell anyone anything you say. I know what it is like." I grabbed the blanket and spread it over the mattress. I watched as she started to straighten her side out. "What is your name?" There was a heavy pause and I could feel her fear. "It's okay. You don't have to tell me." I felt a lump form in my throat as I turned and picked up the basket once more.

A deep sadness filled me because I knew a life outside of the Omega station. I had people who had helped me break through the mantras and she was alone. I walked out of the room and towards the next one which was also empty and had a bare mattress. Bennett had moved quickly, making sure the area was ready for us.

"It's Bailey." Her voice was soft and I wanted to cry at the amount of trust she had placed in me. I looked at her with a smile.

"It's a very beautiful name." I fought back the tears as we made the bed in silence. It was a thick silence that followed us through each of the rooms as we made the beds until we reached my father's room. I looked at the interior with a faint smile. I remembered the night had had given me the button up shirts to use as nightgowns. He had been trying to protect me, even then.

"You do not have to continue to help me, ma'am." Her voice was timid and I jumped slightly, startled at the sound of her voice. I looked at her with wide eyes before shaking my head. Now I knew how Davin and the others had felt when I had called them sir.

"I wish to help you, Bailey, and my name is Maricella but you can call me Mari." I looked at the bare mattress before grabbing the fitted sheet. "Please don't call me ma'am. It makes me think of Ingrid." We both shuddered at the same time at her name and to my surprise Bailey giggled. She clapped her hand over her mouth with fear and I smiled at her.

"I won't tell anyone, remember?" I threw the fitted sheet on the bed before turning and shutting the bedroom door firmly. Someone would have to be actively listening for us to hear any conversation. "There, now no one can hear. Does she still wear those boots?" I moved back to the side of the bed and there was no sound from Bailey as we put the sheet on. "No one ever thought to tell her to take them off." I grabbed the other sheet and we started pulling it over the bed, folding it down as we were supposed to.

"We wouldn't hear her coming if she did." Her quiet words made me giggle unexpectedly and after a few seconds she joined in. It felt nice to have her giggle with me, to have her relax enough, to trust me enough to join in on the fun.

"Better she keep them on so we can scatter when she starts coming. Stomp, stomp, stomp." I mimicked Ingrid's walk and Bailey giggled again, her hand in front of her face and her brown eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Like a beast with a sore foot." We said it at the same time and this time I clapped my hand over my mouth to smother the laughter that wanted to escape. So it hadn't just been me that had thought the same things about Ingrid. Bailey's eyes danced with the effort of holding back her laughter and I felt my shoulders shake slightly with the laughter I was hiding tight.