"Alpha Thorn should be here soon," Alpha said calmly. My family and the Witherstone pack had gathered into the parlor as it had ample seating space and privacy. Guards were stationed by the entrances to keep curious ears from hearing too much. At least, that's what I told myself. The static in the air from the silence was making my skin crawl all over. I felt trapped. My father sat in one of the armchairs, he hadn't said a word since he arrived. Fear trickled from his pores anytime he gazed at me. A fear of losing me. Fear that this alpha would take his child away.

My mother was icing the bruise along my cheek as she glared at Witherstone. "I may not know anything about mates but my daughter is no liar. You aren't hers," she said with glare that made the Luna smile behind her hand. I could see Witherstone bristle at my mom's remark. I glared at him and he settled back down. No one shows teeth to my parents. I wanted him to do something stupid again. Markus grumbled something under his breath from the other side of the room.

"Karen," Luna began before my mom raised a hand. "I'm staying. Quinn is my daughter and I raised her," my mom said affirmatively. "Then I should warn you Quinn, Alpha Thorn doesn't have a high regard for humans. He may use your mom to get a reaction out of you. Do not disrespect a visiting Alpha. No matter what," Luna said the last part slowly, the worry in her eyes had me swallow hard. I nodded. "No matter what he says. I probably heard worse when the council was determining if your father and I could raise you," my mom said quietly. It didn't give me any relief as I felt my knees threaten to shake. "Just listen to Luna," my father said staring at the mantle by the fireplace. I doubt he was seeing anything at the moment. He was avoiding my gaze. If Alpha Thorn demanded I move packs, I doubt he would be able to keep himself together.

"Yes, right through here," I heard one of our guards say. My heart felt like it fell, I had hope the Alpha might change his mind.

Power and energy permeated the air as I heard the Thistlebrush wolves enter. My wolf was on edge and my mom's soothing strokes down my back did little to comfort me. I could tell who was Alpha straight away among the five wolves that entered. His spine was held ridged and unbreakable. His head held higher than even my alpha. This male had black hair that was cut short and close to his scalp which would match my own. He was clothed in jeans that had been well worn and a black shirt with old stains. His body was muscular and covered in tanned skin from hard outdoor labor, scars traveled up and down the visible skin. Some looked very old and faded; few looked new and if they were, they were small and insignificant. His eyes met mine for a second and I could sense a familiarity that made my stomach heave with the meaning. I broke eye contact and shuffled behind my mom like a scared pup. Tears rolled down my eyes as my mother attempted to comfort me. Her tears landed on me as I curled in on myself. I hadn't done that for a long time, not even after Derrick passed.

"See I told you! I told you she was Thistlebrush," Witherstone shouted joyously. His childish behavior should have brought him embarrassment, instead he looked triumphant. I kept my mouth shut though, heeding Luna's words. Markus stomped out of the room and I resisted the urge to follow. I didn't want to be here either. "She comes with me," Witherstone demanded. "No! I may be a pup from him but I am NOT yours," I cried out holding my mother tighter. My father wrapped his arms around us and did his best to keep eye contact with the visiting Alpha. "I support whatever my daughter wants. If she doesn't want to go, I'm not afraid to stand in your way," he said attempting to hold the larger predator's eyes. I could hear my Alpha shallow. Alpha Thorn simply raised a brow. If he wanted me to go to his pack, I had a fear that there was little my family could do to stop him. Even if I fought, I wouldn't be able to fight him off for any good length of time. There was a reason he was commanding a large piece of territory.

"If I wanted your pup, I would have claimed her when the council made their rounds," he grumbled. Relief washed over me. "Harrelson and Karen have always provided for and taken care of Quinn," Alpha said as he stepped closer to us. "What is your part in her life," Alpha Thorn asked. "She is our eldest's mate," Luna replied simply. "No, I can tell she means more to you than that," he replied with a glare. The fact he was a visiting alpha and accused Luna of lying had me stop breathing for a moment. This male was not afraid of repercussions of such an accusation even on our own land.

"We were looking at daycare options for the twins. The last place couldn't handle them. Quinn was already adopted and possibly going into her sixth winter when we took notice of her. Once the council deemed them non-threatening to our kind, we were granted permission to tell them everything. After the council granted them the right to raise her, we became involved. The boys were already attached to her and they were behaving themselves for the first time," Luna said, her voice wavering in a way that had my wolf eye her father with caution. She still wasn't telling the whole truth, I could feel it. My wolf could feel it. "Alpha Thorn, while I will always concede to Karen as Quinn's mother, I do consider her my daughter. I will protect her to my dying breath as will many wolves within our territory. We took her in so she could learn to act like a wolf. The twins were attached, we didn't want her harmed because she didn't know basic pack laws," Luna continued, her eyes never left Alpha Thorn.

"You allowed her to be marked at fifteen," Alpha Thorn growled out, I could see a primal rage in his eyes from the wolf buried within. Luna lowered her eyes but kept her protective stance in front of me. "That was my fault! I never should have went into the woods. They told me repeatedly. They had guards stationed the first couple of nights before and after their shift. I was the one that snuck out the eighth night. We've been through this questioning with the council already," I snapped, moving in front of my Luna. My eyes met his and I held them. I could back up my challenge. I may not win, but I would be remembered for it. I will not allow my pack to be threatened.

Alpha Thorn let out a slow breath. "That does not matter. They were still responsible for your safety, your wellbeing," he said simply, keeping my stare. Luna's hand gripped the back of my neck in warning. I relinquished and went back to my parents. I could feel his eyes on me. Their hands rubbed my back in soothing circles.

"She'll come back to my pack. I'll arrange for the council to decide on her and Witherstone," Alpha Thorn stated. "No, I am not his mate. I don't want to go," I said, holding my ground. "You don't have that authority, Alpha Thorn," my Luna stated.

The large male roared and flashed his monstrous teeth at our Luna. My shift was instant. My pack was in danger as my fangs tore into his arm.