Jason Dolley as Cal Yorke

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"Did you say a rogue is asking for me? I don't know any rogue. Who is he?" I walk into the den.

"That's what Rafe and I will find out. You stay here and we'll let you know."

"Excuse you? I stay here. Last time I checked, my name is Cal, not Darric or Rafe. I heard you say that he asked for me. Now I would like to find out how he knows me and why he wants to speak to me, without your permission, Darric."

"Cal you must understand where we're coming from. This is a rogue. Who knows what he plans to do? It might be dangerous for you to meet this person much less talk to him."

"Not you too, Rafe. I expect the over-protectiveness from Darric, not you."

"It has nothing to do with being overprotective, more like worrying about you. We want to protect you. We..."

"... Stop right there. When are you two going to learn that I can take care of myself? I've always been able to take care of myself."

"We know you have multiple powers now but still..."

"Darric it has nothing to do with my powers. I took care of myself by myself before I got my powers so that's a moot point. Now I appreciate that you care about me to be worried, but you must trust me to know that I won't do anything that will make me never return to the two of you. Ever."

"You promise," Darric asks.

"I promise, scout's honor."

"You were never a boy scout," Darric smiles.

"No nitpicking," I grumble, walk over to him and hug him.

"But can we at least go with you?" Rafe asks.

"You MAY go with me but no fighting unless necessary, promise?"

"Scout's honor," Rafe says.

"Where you ever a boy scout?" I ask.

"Actually, I was. Come on, we have some rogues to meet."

"Shit! Georgiana is waiting for me. We planned to go to Crimson River Park. I'll call her and let her know we have to postpone our visit for at least a day."

"Hi Georgiana, something's come up, can we go tomorrow? What? Now? Are you sure? Of course, you're sure. We're on our way."

"Guys, Georgiana is in labor."

"Now?" Both my mates yell

"Ahh, yeah, now. Let's go. Darric please have your guys apologize to the rogue leader or master that I'll talk to him soon. And Darric please be cordial and hospitable."

"They are rogues, Cal. I draw the line at playing nicey-nice until I know who and what they are."

"I'm with Darric on this point. Allowing you an audience is one thing, rolling out the red carpet is another," Rafe says as he walks towards me.

"Allow me?" Cal stops Rafe in his tracks.

"Let me rephrase that, I think you, I mean we all should be cautious," Rafe whispers.

"I am all for caution but also, we need to be humane. Not all rogues are evil, soulless maniacs. Some left their packs for legitimate reasons. We don't know how they became rogues. I could've been one too if I ran away with my friends as I planned. You said they didn't put up a fight and there are children among them, right? Come on Rafe, help me out here and let's hear them out and we decide together what to do."

"Fine. I'll roll out the red carpet for them. Outside the manor. Happy?" Rafe asks.

"Yes, thanks, babe. Now let's go meet our only nephew."

"Raul he is soo cute."

I gush over my nephew sleeping in Freddy's hands. I lean over the chair and make funny faces at the little tyke. His skin is all pink and wrinkly. Baby Klyne-Winters is wrapped up in a light blue blanket and has been sleeping since our arrival. All the noises and touches didn't even wake him up. He looks like Raul much to Georgiana chagrin.

Georgiana is laying on her bed, propped up against multiple pillows, and looking radiant. It is said that women have this glow when pregnant; only she still has the glow. Her face is shimmering with sweat; her glossy black hair is plastered to her forehead. And she looks like a recently well-loved woman, holding court.

"It's not fair, how can someone I carried for all these months come out looking not one bit like me."

"I am open to trying for another baby, mon amour." Raul is on the bed with her and hugs her tighter.

"Me too, as soon as you can push one out of your ass, we'll have another baby."

"Mother? Not in front of the baby," Freddy whispers.

"Oh please, your little ears heard worse when you were born, believe me."

"That explains it."

"Explains what?"

"My foul language," Freddy says with a wink at her grandparents.

"That is still no excuse for uncouth language," Lady Nessa says from her seat at the end of the bed.

"Another grandchild, love. We're so blessed. Well done sweetheart, Raul," Lord Nicholas smiles.

Everyone is in attendance: Lord and Lady Klyne, Freddy, my mates, me, and Jeffery. Georgiana leans back and just basks in the glow like a queen.

"So, what's his name?" I ask curiously.

Raul and Georgiana share a look.

"We talked about this and we named him after the most important person in our lives so..."

"Sweetie, spit it out," Georgiana pinches him.

"Ouch! Okay! We name him Frederick after you, Fredericka," he tells us.

"Me?" Fredericka asks in a teary voice.

"Yes, you," Georgiana says.

Freddy goes and sits beside her mom, with Frederick in her arms. She pecks her parents on their cheeks and kisses Frederick's head.

"Why?"

"Because we want him to grow up and be as courageous, loving, wonderful as his big sister. We want him to always look out for the less fortunate. We hope he grows up to be just like you. And hopefully, his arrival will help you find another profession," Georgiana concludes, giving Freddy a pointed look.

"You know, Mother?"

"You knew?" Rafe ask.

"Know what?" I ask.

"Later," Rafe says.

"Of course, I know. I'm your mother, sweetheart. I know everything about everyone I love."

"Dad?"

"Your mom told me. I am both proud and scared for you. We hope you will put an end to it and focus on the school project with Cal, mon Cherie?"

"Done. Did my last job a week ago anyway so Rick, no worries, your big sister will take good care of you. I will tell you how to placate mother and twist father around your little fingers. How to...you know what, I'll wait till we're alone to fill you in."

"Rick?"

"Yes, I'm Freddy, he's Rick. Fredericka Klyne-Winters and Frederick Klyne-Winters are too similar as it is, so Rick it is."

"Rick? I like it," Georgiana says as she hugs her babies to her.

"Lord and Lady Klyne, you have some visitors."

"Thank you, Jeffery, we'll see you later. Welcome to the family Rick."

"Lord Cal, the rogue leader is still waiting to speak with you."

"Oh crap. I forgot. Come on guys, let's go. We'll see you later Georgiana. Congratulations guys."

"Yeah congrats," Darric says.

Rafe moves to his sister and whispers something in her ear. She smiles and hugs him.

"What did you say to her?"

"Later."

"If I didn't know any better, I'll say 'later' is now your middle name, not Pe..."

"Don't say it, love."

I laugh as the four of us teleport back to Yorke Manor. And I just realize that Jeffery slyly made a way for the new family to bond – alone.

"Seeing Georgiana with Frederick excuse me, Rick makes me want one of our own," I drop down into the sofa.

"Not yet," Rafe says as he sits down next to me.

"You don't want a child of our own," I sit up and look him in the eye.

"Yes, I do but I said not yet. You have school, work and everything else piled on you, adding a child to the mix will be too much."

"I agree with Rafe," Darric adds as he sits on my other side.

"You too, Darric." I turn to him.

"Listen when will you have the time to raise the child," he asks.

"Excuse you, who says I will be the only one raising THE child."

"We just thought since you'll be the carrier, you'll also be the..."

"THE WHAT RAFAEL KLYNE?" I jump up from between them.

"The one to stay at home with him or her that's all I'm insinuating," Rafe cajoles.

"I think what Rafe is trying to say here is that, as the maternal figure, you ..."

"MATERNAL FIGURE!!! REALLY DARRIC I DON'T REMEMBER YOU FUCKING MY PUSSY, MY ASS YES, NOT A PUSSY." I yell in his face, toe-tapping, hands folded, my body burning with rage and frustration.

"Let's all calm down. We don't have a child yet and we're already at odds on how to raise him."

"Or her," I correct Rafe.

"Or her."

"If I'm supposed to be home with our child, what will you two do? A token kiss on the child's head on your way out the door every day? We all work, remember. And besides, Esme and I have the additional task to fulfill so I think my responsibilities trump both of yours."

"Oh please," Rafe snorts!

"This project of you guys is just intruding more and more into our lives," Darric agrees.

"You know what, let's just decide not to have children. How about that? I mean none of us wants to be the MATERNAL one. And we don't want my project to continue to intrude on our lives. I mean how selfish can I be, wanting a better future for all of us."

"We are not against a better future, what we're against is anyone harming you," Darric pleads.

"I feel the same about the two of you. I went toe to toe with the Ruling Council when they tried to hurt both of you. I worry that I won't be able to keep the two of you safe either and it scares me too," I tell them.

"You worry about us?" Asks Darric

"Of course, I do, daily. What if I piss the wrong person off? What will they do to you in retaliation? What will I do to them in anger? And if we have children, how can I protect them? How far am I willing to go to protect my family? I worry about things like that every day."

"We're sorry, we didn't know that you worry so much about us. How about this? Life is short. Let's take it day by day. And when, not if we have children, we will raise them to be the best they can be, together. Deal?"

"Deal." Darric pulls me back into the sofa right between them and kisses me.

"I think we were all a bit on edge here with the idea of having children. Let's remember that having a child is new to all three of us and I'm sure we will make mistakes. This is one time we all must be on the same page when raising our child, right?" Darric asks.

"The rogues are waiting for you my Lords," Jeffery walks into the den.

"Thank you, Jeffery," Rafe says.

"And my Lords?"

"Yes," Rafe and Darric answer him. I still don't like being called 'Lord', sue me.

"All of you can work from home a little bit more when you have children. I believe it's called telecommuting, sirs." And he walks out.

"Rafe?"

"Yes."

"One question. We just built this manor and I know for a fact we don't have hidden microphones anywhere, so how does Jeffery always know what's going on or what's being said every time?"

"No idea. I've just learned to live with it all my life. You'll get used to it."

"Takes a lot of getting used to but the dude is right. Telecommuting? Perfect idea." Darric says as he gets up.

"You coming?" Rafe asks me.

Just creeping me out is all I'm saying, creepy! And off to meet the rogue who knows me.

The west side of the manor has about two dozen or more weres sitting, walking around. All dressed in dark-colored clothes. I smell that they are all werewolves. I see about ten children in the group, ranging from age six to about fourteen? My heart immediately goes out to the littlest child, a girl. She's an Omega and I just want to hold and protect her. She is holding onto the hand of a man I deduce by his stance and look is the leader of this group.

He is dressed in dark brown pants and has on a darker brown mid-length coat. Wrapped around his neck is a black scarf. I move on to an oval shaped face. Traveling soot covers his unshaved face, with a pointed nose and thin lips. When I look into his eyes, I see eyes with two different colors: the right is blue, and the left is brown. Amazing!

He is holding on tightly to the little girl. She has tangled midnight black hair, tanned skin, on an oval face, with big brown eyes that are now pinned on me, unwaveringly.

"My name is Cal Yorke, and these are my mates Lord Raphael Klyne and Alpha Darric Grey. And behind us is Jeffery. I am told you asked to speak with me?" I tell the man that I believe is the leader.

"Good evening Lord Cal, my name is Jacob Garnett, and this is my family. I am originally from..."

The little girl jerks out of Jacob's hand and runs over to me." You are an Omega like me?" She asks.

I stoop down to speak with the little girl. "Yes, I am."

She is covered in dust and her eyes sparkle in delight at my answer.

"Kynder, I've told you to never leave my side unless I tell you to," Jacob says as he starts to walk towards us.

My mates growl and hiss in unison and Jacob stops in his tracks, hands up. But his eyes were on the little girl the whole time.

"Kynder, that's a beautiful name. How old are you, Kynder?"

"I am five years old." And she holds up her hands displaying five fingers.

"Wow! You're a big girl." I smile at her. "My name is Cal. Would you like something to eat?"

She turns to Jacob, and asks, "Dad?"

Jacob nods. Kynder turns to me, "Yes, please. Can my dad and everyone eat too?"

"Of course. Right now, I need to borrow your dad for a little while, okay? Just tell that man over there what you want, and he'll make it for you."

"Bye Cal." And she skips over to Jeffery.

"Mr. Garnett, come with me please so we can talk."

"Do I have your word that my family will not be hurt?"

"You have my word. If my mates are not hurt, yor family will be fine."

"Ray, Ginger, I will be back. Watch everyone."

"Yes Alpha," the couple reply.

I sense that Ray and Ginger are mates. Their anger permeates the air and it's directed at Darric. Understandable but unnecessary. And I put a stop to it immediately.

"Ray and Ginger right? If you want my help, your anger directed at my mate unjustly will not make me help you. You don't know him, so diffuse the anger and we may all get along, understand?"

"Understood."

"Good."

"Please make yourself comfortable, Mr. Garnett." I sit on a lone chair and point to the other chair in the den.

"Call me Jacob please, and thank you."

"How do you know my mate?" Darric asks as he and Rafe flank me on either side.

Jacob bows slightly to Darric, "Alpha. I heard about him at one of the packs we were passing through."

"Passing through? Don't you belong to a pack?"

"I do, I mean I did. I was the Beta at FrostClaw Pack in Saskatchewan province in Canada."

"Canada? That's a long way from here. Why did you leave your pack? From my understanding of were rules, once you leave or kicked out of a pack, you're automatically tagged a rogue and assured instant death. Why would you do that with your child in tow?" Rafe asks.

"Yes, Canada is a long way from here especially on foot, my Lord. My name is Jacob Garnett, ex-Beta of my pack. I left my pack three years ago with a few pack members including my daughter and have been on the move since then. Along the way, we ran into the people who chose to join us and we've become a family. Our goal was to make it to the Ruling Council and have permission to start our own pack."

"Why did you leave your pack," Darric asks and at the same time Rafe tells him, "You have to be presented by an established pack Alpha to the Ruling Council before you can be allowed to lead a pack."

"I left my pack mainly because the Alpha killed my wife and kidnapped my daughter. I challenged him as is my right. I knew I wouldn't be able to defeat him, but I just wanted enough time to rescue my daughter and leave that pack. Just so you know that the Alpha is my father, Alpha Newt Garnett."

"Never heard of him or your pack," Darric looks at Rafe, "You?"

"Me neither," Rafe says.

"We are a very small pack, under the management of HavenClaw Pack."

"HavenClaw? I know the Alpha," Rafe tells Darric and I. "He comes across as too laid back to me. He doesn't have a backbone and lets things slide. I don't have an opinion of him one way or the other."

"Do you think he's aware of the happenings in the packs that report to him?" Darric asks.

"Maybe. If he is concerned, I don't see him doing anything about it or anything that will stress him out."

"He sounds lazy," I join the link.

"Yep, that's the word."

"And my lord, I wasn't aware of the rule about being presented by another Alpha before the Ruling Council, that sucks."

"Yes, it does. Something to bring up with the Ruling Council," I agree.

"Great, another thing on Cal's to-do list," Rafe says.

"And how long is that list now?"

"Funny guys, very funny. Anyway, Jacob what do you need from me?"

"I want you to take the children. As you can tell, three of them including my daughter, are Omegas. I heard that for an Omega you are not only strong, smart but daring. I want my Omegas to be like you. We decided as a family on our way here that we would like you to take all the children. Listen, the rest of us will be on our way but will you please educate and care for all the children? I mean, protect them till they're old enough to take care of themselves?"

All the while he was speaking, I remember Kynder. The only difference between Kynder and me at her age is that she is obviously loved and taken care of. So why will I want to take that away from her?

"Take all the children?" I ask. "And how many children?"

"Twelve in total. Ages six to seventeen."

"And the parents are okay with leaving your children with me?

"Yes, they are."

"I'm sorry Jacob but I cannot take your children."

Cal's not willing to help this Omega child and her rogue father? What gives?

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