FYI: 'Mixrel' is considered a negative term/name for mixed breed werecats like Roman.

The element of surprise is on our side, and the rogues are easy to annihilate. The Nightwalkers are a little tougher for my warriors. I, on the other hand, seem to have gained incredible speed and I sliced through them with my claws leaving their littered bodies for my warriors to finish off. My wolf, Titan takes over and goes on a rampage and I gladly give him free rein. Cole's wolf Rand and Minerva's wolf Otsanda flank me as we massacre the rogues standing in our way to the main building.

We arrive at the main building, I shift back. I smell some of Salim's cats and they point me in the direction of the basement. I race down and the scent hit me as I reach my mate. I stand by the cell and just look at him. I raise my head in thanks to the Moon goddess for giving me back my mate.

"Cal," I yell ignoring everyone in the cell and making my way to my mate. He looks up, jumps up and runs into my arms. I hold him as tight as I can, and I do not want to let go. Titan is calm. I lay my head on his shoulder and inhale his scent into my soul, so I will never forget this sweet scent.

"I'm okay Darric," he tries to pull away from my hold.

"Just give me a few minutes," I plead. I hold him tighter. His hand pats and soothes my head for a few seconds. I finally raise my head, look into his eyes looking for any sign of pain. I'm sure he went through hell but all I find is happiness and it gladdens my heart. I couldn't have survived losing him.

I kiss him hard and for how long, no idea till that witch butts in.

"He's been tortured enough Alpha, try not to inhale him whole," Esme chimes in.

And she's back, the wisecracking witch of a friend. Yes, I know, I try to fight it, but she's become a friend but I'm not telling her that.

"I thought we agreed that you were to take him back to the manor immediately you find him," I tell Esme, not taking my eyes off Cal's beautiful face.

"That is gratitude for you. You save a Lord and all one gets is grief. He wanted to see his mates and refuses to leave until he does."

"Thank you, Esme." I turn to her holding her gaze, impacting my gratitude. Being part of the duo that told her a life-changing secret that tore her heart to pieces pains me but I'm eternally grateful for her help.

"Rafe?" Cal asks.

"On his way."

I look around, I walk over to Salim, who's looking intently at a man I have never seen before, his fingers clenching and unclenching at his sides. The man is ignoring Salim's stare, acting nonchalant but his harsh breathing and tapping toes are a dead giveaway.

"Salim, thank you. We will regroup at the manor. The ruling class will need to be updated." He ignores me just looking at the man.

"I'm Roman, a pleasure to meet you Alpha."

"The pleasure and gratitude are all mine, my mate Rafe speaks highly of you." I reach to shake his hand and Salim roars. I raise my hand in surrender and step back. If there ever was a common sign of matehood, this is it; touch not my mate!

"Well then, we'll see you at the manor too." I walk back to my mate and wait for my other one. I look around and finally comprehend the torture my mate went through if all the devices on the wall are any indication.

"A cell, really? Whose crazy idea was all this?"

"It gets worse, you've met her. She kidnapped Cal and locked him here," Esme tells me.

"Her?"

"Sierra Jones."

"Are you fucking kidding me," I growl.

The compound is calm now. All but two rogues and two nightwalkers are dead. I plan to hand them over to the ruling council for interrogation. They'll wish they were dead. Marcus notifies me that he found a human. I tell him to bring her with him to the manor. What is a human doing in the midst of all this chaos? I'm curious but first my mates. I race to the main building with Raul by my side.

I dash in and werecats direct me to the basement entrance. I race to the cell and see Darric holding Cal to his side protectively. I smile just looking at the picture they make. Cal is safe. Cal is alive. Thank the Sun god. They look to me and Cal races into my arms. I lift him up and hug him tight. I kiss all over his face. He's laughing and I ache for what he must have gone through. I couldn't protect my mate.

"I'm fine, Rafe. Don't be sad. And it's not your fault." He consoles me.

"I will never let this happen again."

"We won't," Darric confirms as he reaches us.

I remember the people in the room and walk over to Roman and gave him a hug, first time ever. He stiffens in my hold. Roman is one that does not do a public show of affection ever, but I am eternally grateful to him. Once again, he didn't let me down.

Salim growls 'mate' at me and I release Roman to look at the both of them. Oh Shit! They are mates.

"Roman for what it's worth, Salim is a really good man. You won't do any better, believe me. And Salim, give him time and space."

I hug Cal to me and look at the new mates sadly. I am one of the lucky few to have wonderful and unblemished histories with my mates. Unfortunately, I see turbulence in this new mating, and I hurt for the both of them: Roman is a powder keg that is yet to go off, and Salim is a gentle giant that I hope can endure a lot more than he thinks he can. But that will have to keep for now.

"Esme, will you please take Cal to the manor and we'll meet you there soon. And Esme, I'm sorry and thank you."

"We'll talk soon, High Lord. For what it's worth you have nothing to apologize for. He should have told me, not you."

"What's going on? Esme? Rafe?" Cal asks perplexed.

"We'll talk later but now go home, and we'll meet you there. Georgiana is waiting to see you."

"Fine. Let's go." Esme holds Cal and they disappear.

Tobias, Raul, Cole, Sarai, and Minerva get to the basement just as Cal and Esme leave. Cole sniffs around the cell, shaking his head.

"Are you okay," I ask him.

"I'm fine, I thought I smelled something. Never mind."

"Where's Cal? Is he okay, Alpha?" Minerva asks Darric.

"He's fine, Esme took him back to the manor."

"Thank goddess," she sighs.

"What do we do with the compound?" I ask.

"Burn the motherfucker down!" Darric growls.

"You heard my mate, burn this place down!"

I turn to Darric, "let's go home, mate."

Darric, Tobias, Salim and I sit in different corners of our den as if protecting each area. We had arrived back at the manor an hour and some minutes after Esme and Cal. We four wanted to meet with our respective soldiers and warriors to recognize and give fitting burials to the ones we lost in battle. Thankfully the loss wasn't huge, but it is still a loss. Darric and I checked in on Cal, who is being fawned over by Georgiana, and the omegas, with Esme enjoying Cal's torment.

"Before Roman gives us an update on his findings at the compound, I want to thank you both for helping us find our mate. I am forever indebted to you two."

"You're welcome, didn't do much," Tobias replies in his nonchalant way.

"Anything for Cal, you know that," Salim replies, sounding understandably gloomy. "One good thing came out of this for me, I found my mate."

"Congratulations," Tobias says, walks over to Salim and slaps him on the back. "Good for you dude."

"Maybe not. He doesn't want anything to do with me..." he looks at us, smiles, says "yet. You seem close to him, Rafe. What can you tell me about my mate? His full name?"

"Roman Sarris. Salim, all I can tell you is that he needs time. Let him be the one to tell you about his childhood, the root of all his anger and mistrust. You can tell he's mixed, right?"

"Of course, he's part lion and tiger, a liger. And why should that matter?"

"Maybe not to you but it's one of the things he has battled with all his whole life."

"Okay, I'll give him time, but not too much."

"Anyway, I sent word to the ruling council that we found the location, a human, and more information on the Lord but not the 'were'. They'll be here in a few hours. Original Drago said something about 'closing the abyss' whatever that means. We are to expect him, Elder Thomas, Elder Alexie, and El Dargon. Meanwhile, Jeffery is bringing Roman, Cole, Marcus, Sarai, and Minerva here for updates. I also sent for my cousin Julian; he should be here in about twenty minutes. He needs to know that we have cleaned the area but still looking for the High Lord. You know the root of all this is the lord and werewolf leaders of those rogues and nightwalkers, right? Once we find them, we can totally wipe out this insurgency."

"My Lord," Jeffery walks in with the other five in tow.

"Roman, thanks again. Have a seat." He unconsciously sits in the chair closest to Salim. I smile discreetly. My dear friend, you may fight the pull but sooner or later you will give in. It's our cross to bear as supernaturals.

"Cole, Marcus, Sarai, Minerva please make yourselves comfortable."

"Roman what can you tell us?"

"You saw the huge numbers of rogues and nightwalkers, right? There's a High Lord who comes to the compound every week with more nightwalkers in tow. He also brings rogues via his werewolf counterpart. I have never met the werewolf so I can't give you his description."

"How do you know it's a werewolf and not a werecat," asks Salim?

"I was privy to more information about the organization as I moved up in rank. High Lord mentioned it in one of the meetings. He bragged that his 'connection' is right under your noses."

"Son of a bitch. Can you describe the High Lord? Is he a clan leader?" Tobias asks him.

"He is not a clan leader though he mentioned that he will be one soon. How? I have no idea."

"Tobias, we can take Roman to the training school and see if he can recognize this so-called Lord from the new Clan leaders in training. That will narrow our search down considerably, don't you think?"

"Sounds great. Roman, ready to take another trip after we meet with the ruling council?"

"No problem,"

"I'm coming with you," Salim interjects.

"You don't have to," Roman tells him.

"I know, but I am going with you."

"Are you going to be this much pain in my ass?"

"I hope so, a delicious pain in your tight ass, that'll be me!"

I tried but I couldn't help it and burst out laughing. The others follow suit, some laughing, others smiling. The atmosphere has lightened and I for one I'm glad.

"My Lord, Lord Julian sir." Jeffery walks Julian in and Roman jumps up.

"High Lord, what are you doing here?" Roman asks Julian.

"Roman?" Julian replies in shock and looking around him at everyone in the room.

I am looking back and forth between the shocked faces of Roman and Julian. And I cannot comprehend what my brain is trying to tell me is the reason for Roman calling Julian, my dearest and closest cousin, my blood brother, 'High Lord'.

"Roman answer carefully. Is my cousin, the man who just entered this room the High Lord you've been telling us about?" I ask Roman as I walk slowly towards Julian, holding Julian's gaze, not taking my eyes off him.

"Yes Rafe, he is the High Lord." Roman answers sadly.

"That explains Sierra Jones?" Darric says as he walks behind me.

"Sierra Jones?" My eyes never leaving Julian's.

"Sierra Jones, the witch he introduced to your parents? Esme and Cal mentioned that she was the one who kidnapped Cal and covered the compound with the veil."

"Julian, I'm going to ask this just once and I pray to the Sun god that your answer differs from Roman's. How do you know Roman?" I whisper as I reach him, my fangs elongating. I can sense everyone's apprehension, but my main focus is on the next sentence from my blood brother Julian's mouth.

"Shit! Just when I was this close to killing you, your mates and taking control of the Clan, this stupid 'mixrel' spoils it all," he replies unapologetically.

I literally see red as I lunge at Julian and we grab each other's throats.

Everyone and I mean everyone is all over me. I am tucked in bed so tight that I can't move. Georgiana is directing everyone on where to sit, when and how to touch me. This is getting ridiculous. I love their worry and care but all I need are my mates and a little quiet. I link Esme and ask for help. She leans further back in her chair and tells me 'sorry, no can't do'. I'm going to kill her, I swear it.

"Guys?" I call out and no one is answering me. Esme looks at me and grins, dumbass.

"Hellooo, guys?" I yell. Everyone turns to me.

"I love you all really for caring and coming to help find me. But I am so tired and need some rest. Can we meet later after I take a short nap?"

"You heard the man; he'll see you later. Let's give him some time to rest. Come on, out, out." Georgiana wheedles everyone out of my room except for Esme who didn't even budge.

She returns and lays down on my right side, "don't ever leave us again Cal. Be vigilant okay. We love and need you. Thank the Sun god you're safe.

"Yes, thank the Sun god."

"Did you just thank my Sun god?"

"Yes, your brother-in-law here, renounced his Moon goddess and invoked the Sun god," Esme tells Georgiana as she gets off the chair, walks to the bed, and lays down on my left side. Two mischievous imps on either side of me! And they tell me to be safe.

"Come again? No one has ever done that before. How? When?"

"Long story, I'll tell you later."

"Okay, I'll go see about my brother and my mate. I've decided to marry my baby daddy."

"I am so happy for you. Oh god, Raul will be ecstatic." I try to get up from the bed to hug her but the sheets I am tucked in trap me.

"Seriously, will someone please release me from this bondage," I nod at the sheets.

"Esme help your root, see you later." Esme untucks me

"I hope that Roman fella doesn't hurt Alpha Salim."

"It's inevitable. From his response, he is not a fan of 'mates', and your goddess, excuse me ex-goddess has mated him with a mate who won't take 'no' for an answer."

"Now, want to tell me what is eating you alive?"

"I was hoping you won't feel it."

"Wishful thinking, spill it."

"I found my father."

"That is great. I remember us searching for him as teenagers no luck. Which coven does he belong? Who is he? Where has he been? How did you find him?"

I am so excited for Esme. She has always wanted to know who her father is after we learned that her mother was human.

"Not so great. Hold on to your hat. He doesn't belong to a coven. It is El Dargon. Been around me all my life just chose not to tell me he's my sperm donor. Rafe told me about him and I, in turn, told the great Elemental to go fuck himself."

My jaws click shut as Esme closes my mouth that I didn't know was opened and for how long.

"El Dargon as in my trainer and member of the ruling council. That El Dargon?"

"One and only," she replies.

I hug her close. "This explains why he pops into your life so often. His way of checking up on you, I guess."

"Don't do that. Don't start to make excuses for him. Is this a new thing with the ruling class? Breeding, all of a sudden? I thought they were above such mundane practice as having children."

"Do you think it's part of their plan?" I ask nodding to the sky.

"Who knows and who cares?"

"Give him a chance, Esme."

"Not yet."

At least she didn't say never so it's good. I snuggle closer to her in support.

I jump up in bed when a searing pain pierces my heart.

"Esme take me to the den asap, something is very wrong, very wrong with my mates!"

We reach the den. Rafe is in his vampire form, fangs and claws out, bloody red eyes and he has Julian by the throat and Julian has his claws in Rafe's shoulder. Several feet away for them are Darric, and all the other 'weres' in the room banging on air? What the hell? I rush towards them and I bounce back from an invisible field. I bang on the field to no avail.

"Rafe," I yell but I don't think he can hear him.

Darric and the other 'weres' are also banging on the invisible field. Everyone except Georgiana, Raul, and Jeffery. No one can reach Rafe and Julian.

"Why can't I get to him? Esme help!"

"I can't move this field, Cal."

"I'm sorry High Lord, Alpha Lord, safety above orders. I must protect you two from this fight," Jeffery says from behind us all.

I turn to him and kick him in the balls. The idiot doesn't even flinch and just says, "safety before orders, my Lords," and bows.

This is what it means, they sacrifice one Lord for the other two? Screw your safety! Watchers suck. Sun god help us!

Don't forget to vote and/or comment. Thanks. Toodles!