Smiling slightly I watch as Grey laughs loudly patting Seb on the back. Music booms through the speakers as I watch a drinking game commence.

Never thought I'd see Greyson drink. Yet here I am, sitting on the couch with my own drink in hand watching as he sways slowly.

Seb is especially amusing. When he said he wanted to celebrate, he really wanted to celebrate. There's not a person here who isn't enjoying themselves and it's refreshing.

Even Koda and Silas are stepping outside their comfort zone.

When we came back from the store and Seb announced what had just happened, it flipped the mood in the whole house. I guess it was a relief because Seb was starting to give up.

No one expected her to be human. Other than the brief human period I had, Seb is the only one to have an actual human mate.

It'll be tough, to say the least.

Putting my head back on the sofa, my eyes drag lazily telling me that the alcohol is starting to seep into my system.

I rarely drink, so I have no tolerance. I better slow down so I can still be cognitive tonight. I want Greyson to let loose and have fun. He's been so tightly wound since I've been back. He deserves to just relax, so I'm not going to take tonight from him with my own drunkenness.

My head pops up when I hear screams, my heart spiking in speed. I blink quickly looking around only to realize they were only cheering for the game.

Everything's fine.

Faye and Eli went back to their pack, but how I wish she was here to keep me company. We would be sitting on the couch laughing at everyone. People watching was something we'd often do.

Though now, I keep spacing off only being brought back by the scare of loud voices. Thought they're always just screams of joy, and not fear.

Blinking I bring myself back from spacing yet again and drawing my attention to Grey. He smiles looking down at the table, before looking to me.

Even if he's having fun, he keeps looking to me to see if I'm okay.

I smile softly, before finishing the remainder of my drink. I cringe slightly, putting the empty bottle on the table next to me. My hand shakes as I do so.

Pulling my hand back to me, I hold it to control the sudden jitters. Only then do I look back to Grey seeing him walk over to me.

My smile grows as he crouches in front of me, setting his drink on the table. "Hey," he smirks.

"Hi," I say as he puts his hands on my knees.

"Do you want me to get you another?" He motions his head to my empty bottle before looking to me.

Shaking my head I watch his eyes lazily blink from his intake of alcohol. Though other than that factor that gives it away, he doesn't seem drunk at all. "No I'm okay, I don't want to drink too much."

I just want you to have fun.

He nods squeezing my knee. "Okay," he stands. "Do you want to stand over there with me and watch the game?"

Shaking my head once again, I grab his hand. "I'm okay. Just promise me you'll win, okay?"

He chuckles slightly, his eyes brightening with kiddish joy. Leaning down he pecks a kiss on my lips, "Promise."

"Greyson stop making out, it's your turn!" Seb slurs across the room. Grey quickly turns around after getting his drink and walking back over.

Licking my lips, I taste the beer that was residing on his.

Chuckling under my breath I rub my forehead. There's a very good chance I'll become a babysitter tonight if he continues.

Watching them resume my eyes drift past to the kitchen entry. Though as my eyes focus I watch a figure run past the frame.

My eyes narrow, as I glance around the room seeing if anyone saw what I did. Though they're all focused on the game, none of their eyes drifting up.

Taking in a breath I put my feet on the ground before making my way into there. I could've sworn that nobody has been in the kitchen all night. I would've seen if someone went in there, right?

Drifting my hand along the frame, I peer into the kitchen. When I see no one in there, I take slow steps deeper into the room. My hand then falling from around the frame.

I could've sworn I saw someone run in that direction, so where'd they go?

"Well, well," I hear a deep voice behind me that's all too familiar. My body whips around so quickly my eyes barley follow due to the alcohol I ingested.

There's no way he can be here, right? I mean the amount of security Greyson has ordered ever since my disappearance is insane.

He couldn't of walked all the way to the pack house without anyone knowing.

"You're confused? I see it all over your face, it's quite amusing." Bahee smirks taking steps towards me.

My heart starts to beat uncontrollably in my chest. Every one of my limbs jittering with anxiety and anticipation. "H-How did you-" my voice trembles as I step backwards.

The music is so loud that no one would be able to hear him. They're so focused on that game that no one would come in here, no one would look for me until it's finished. That would give him plenty of time to take me back.

The sweat beading on my head becomes hot as he smiles a disturbing smirk. "I've never been afraid to get my hands dirty before."

I feel the air from my lungs get knocked out of me as I watch him raise his hands. My eyes becoming wide in terror as I see them coated in blood all the way down to his elbows.

"You monster!" I sob covering my mouth. How many did he kill? Who did he kill? What did he do to them?

Looking behind me, my back hits the kitchen table as he successfully backs me into a corner without my knowledge.

My breath comes out quickly in short panicked breaths as I look around frantically. I can't be taken again, I can't let him hurt anyone ever again.

Choking down a sob I reach across the table grabbing a knife out of its block holding it out defensively. He walks towards me slowly, holding out his hands as they drip in the disgusting red liquid. "Willa," he tells me making my face scrunch in anger.

"Don't say my name!" I shout making him pause his steps. "G-Get away from me," I steady my voice. "You're not going to hurt me, or anyone else ever again."

When he takes one more step closer, I decide that's my chance to strike. Swinging the blade I successfully slice his cheek with the point of the knife. But that won't be enough to stop him forever.

I-I need to kill him.

He flinches away from the blade as blood seeps from the wound. My face hardens as I swing the knife once again, this time looking to go towards the neck.

Though as I do so, I watch as he catches my wrist before I can make contact to his skin.

My eyes become wide with fear as he squeezes the pressure point in my hand making my fingers lock up and let go of the knife. "Let me go!" I scream flailing in his hold. His devilish smirk growing.

Before I know it, he grabs my other wrist as I swing a punch and swoops my legs out from under me sending me to the ground.

He pins my arms on either side of my head, his legs holding my own down so I can't kick him even if I wanted to.

"Get away from me! I won't let you take me again! Get away!" I yell hoping to have someone in the living room hear my pleas.

He glances behind him for a second before nodding. He must've brought more people. He's not stupid enough to just bring himself.

"I swear to god I'll kill you! Get off of me or I swear-" my words get cut off with a gasp as I feel teeth dig into the side of my neck.

The tenseness in my muscles relaxing, as my head falls to the side. Euphoria slowly seeping into my body, my skin tingles with the sensation.

My breaths become shallow as my mind goes on hyperdrive. I was convinced Bahee was in the kitchen, that I was talking to him, that he had me pinned.

Though the feeling that I'm experiencing right now can't come from Bahee. "Greyson," I whisper feeling his teeth detach from my skin. My body then starts to recognize the familiar sensation of him touching me.

Slowly I look to him, seeing his face frown. "I thought you were Bahee," I continue to whisper feeling guilt and dread take over.

My lip quivers as everything replays in my head after looking at the blood running down his cheek and the now healing slice in his skin. "I hurt you," I choke. "I-I was going to kill you Grey."

"I'm okay," he tells me.

I shake my head, "If I actually killed you Greyson I don't know what I'd do with myself. What if you couldn't of stopped me, what if I actually-" I ramble as realization hits me. Though he's quick to let me go, wrapping his arms around me.

He shushes me, petting down my hair. "But you didn't. I'm okay, I promise. None of this is your fault."

"But it was me who tried to-"

"Willa," he speaks sternly pulling away letting me see his face. "This wasn't you, okay? This is what happens when someone is experiencing withdrawal. This is Bahee's fault, not yours. You would never hurt me."

He sighs pulling me to him again, holding me tightly. Grey quickly loops his arms under my legs lifting me into the air.

Burying my head into his neck I peer up finding Seb, Koda, and Silas watching us silently. They avert their sad eyes when I look to them.

"I'm going to take her to bed, I'll see you guys in the morning." Grey speaks quietly as I close my eyes hiding my gaze from them.

Once we get to the room, he sits me on the edge of the bed before walking away and pacing slowly.

"I'm sorry," I tell him as he walks past.

"There's nothing to apologize for," he says quickly before continuing his steps around the room.

"Then why won't you look at me?"

He groans, stopping. I watch as he rubs his eyes, his skin heating up. "Because I'm angry. Even though you're safe, Bahee is still making you suffer with the after effects. So if I look at how hurt you are right now I'm afraid I'll lose it."

He takes a deep breath before walking into the closet.

Without thinking, I get up from the bed to make my way towards the closet. When I peer inside I see his back to me. His muscles tense as he grips the shelf, staring down to the ground.

His tenseness only grows as he realizes I'm in there with him. Though he doesn't react.

Slowly I wrap my arms around his torso resting my head on his back. It takes a while, but I feel his muscles relax under my touch. "I won't let Bahee hurt you again." He says so quietly I can barely hear him.

"I know."

He sighs before turning around letting my hands drop to my side. Reaching up I stroke my thumb over the dried blood on his cheek, his wound completely healed.

"You don't need to worry about me, little one." He grabs my hand taking it off his face. He kisses my forehead lightly before leading me out of the closet.

My eyebrows scrunch was he leads me into the bathroom. He lets go of my hand pecking my lips quickly.

Grey smiles softly, though I don't miss the mischievous glint in his eyes.

My eyes widen as he grabs the neckline of his shirt before pulling it over his head. My mouth goes dry as my eyes rake over his torso. "What're you doing?" I ask.

He smirks, stretching out his muscles. "I have to shower, and I don't want to leave you alone after everything. So, you can either wait outside the shower where I can see you. Or, you can join me."

I raise my eyebrows in shock as he continues to undress. This is one way to change the subject I suppose.

Laughing I cover my eyes as he drops his underwear to the ground. He laughs with me before grabbing my wrists, "Nothing you haven't seen before," he whispers making me peek at him through my fingers.

He smiles before walking away, and turning on the shower.

As the steam starts to pour from the hot water, he steps in. After a few seconds he glances at me to make sure I'm still there.

I roll my jaw, crossing my arms my eyes not letting me look away from him.

I can tell that he did this to get our mind off of what just happened, and to get us to relax and forget.

I've never been good with self control, so why should I start now?

Smirking to myself I take off my shirt along with the rest of my clothes, walking to the shower. I catch the smirk he had as I started stripping, but he quickly looked away so I wouldn't see.

Once I step in, he turns to me grabbing the back of my neck ushering me under the water. I stiffen as I feel the water, looking to the ground.

I gasp when he grabs my jaw forcing me to look at him. "Relax," he whispers as he runs his hand down my back. "Forget what happened and just focus on what's happening now. Focus on me."

I feel my breath shallow as I watch the water slowly run down his face. The steam circulating around us.

His hand running down my skin effortlessly making my head become foggy. I feel myself become intoxicated off of him, my worries slipping away.

My hand drifts up to his arm, finally touching him after my hands were just glued to my side.

His eyes narrow to my touch, "Okay." I whisper feeling his thumb skim my bottom lip, dragging it down slowly. I open my mouth gasping a breath.

"Good," he tilts his head watching. Only then does he push me against the wall his mouth coming down onto mine.

——

Waking up with a startle, someone bangs on the door frantically. "What the hell?" Grey mumbles as I sit up quickly.

His arm around my waist pulls me to him as he sits up as well before Sebastian comes crashing in. He pants, his eyes wide, filled with an emotion I can't quite read. "You need to come to the border, fast."

My eyebrows draw together in concern as I look to Greyson. His face cold, not revealing any emotion.

Quickly we run downstairs, as he reach outside Seb shifts running ahead. Grey follows his lead, letting me hop on his back so we're quicker.

My heart pounds against my ribs making me hear my blood pulse in my ears.

The possibilities of what's going on is racing through my head. What's so bad that we had to go to the border at this very given second.

Looking ahead, I see Koda and Silas' wolves. I then watch Seb skid to a halt looking down at something. Grey slows his pace so his speed doesn't knock me off his back.

Though once we get next to the others, I glance in the direction their eyes are set. My hand instantly slaps over my mouth, my chest contracting with pain.

Greyson growls looking away. But I cant seem to take my eyes off. My worst fear coming to life.

"We don't know how long he's been here, but it's quite fresh so I'm guessing it happened earlier this morning." Koda links us as my hold on Greyson tightens.

There in front of us is Maxen, our second strongest warrior, dead upon the ground. His eyes wide with shock and glazed over. Forever frozen in time.

My eyes skimming down to his bare chest that's covered in blood. There carved into his skin are the words "be prepared."