They had come back, I knew that not because one of them checked on me, but because I could hear the two set of footsteps. My lips parted as let out a breath of relief.

Doors closed and the ominous air basket the cabin. It was unusual. Not many people came and go from the cabin but I had gotten use to Lucky coming and going and Ivy showing up spontaneously. The cabin this silent left me on edge tearing away the initial feeling of relief I get with their return.

Pacing in my room I continuously crossed and uncrossed my arms finding myself restless. I wanted to check on them but couldn't find a way to do it, but I didn't have to decide as a knock on the door disrupted me.

I waited for someone to head down stairs and answer it but found the cabin dead silent.

Bitting my lip as another round of knocks sounded I sheepishly stepped towards my bedroom door. I debated if it was worth it to leave the safety of my room to open the door. My hand hovered over the door knob a few second but once I heard the insistent knocking again I opened my door and headed down stairs.

The rush of my footsteps were loud enough I knew that Osiris and Desmond could hear me. What they were doing I couldn't tell but I made it known that I was answering the door.

Opening the door I smiled once I recognize the disheveled man I now know as Jensen.

"Good afternoon Jensen, can I help you?" I pondered watching him teeter from one foot to the other. My eyes wondered to the flimsy blue folder under his arm.

"Nice to see you again Seraphina. I ran some tests from your blood test and have a few reports. I'm sorry about you fainting it was never my intention, had I known I would have made you more comfortable and done it more swiftly. That was my fault and I hope you can forgive me for my irresponsible behavior, that's not like me and-"

I giggled at his gibbering. "I'm fine Jensen, it wasn't your fault I should have mentioned I had a phobia of needles."

He wiped the sweat off his forehead. The tension that was just on his face was replace with a more tranquil expression.

"You're right how could I have possibly known. I'm no mind reader, you know? But still I should have been more prepared and-"

"Jensen." I cut him off as I raised my brow. "The report?"

"Ah, yes the report." He pulled the folder out fumbling through the contents in a disorganized fashion.

He should really get an assistant to help him maintain his laboratory an files. Maybe I could talk to Desmond about helping Jensen out sometimes. It'd get my out of the cabin.

"Here it is!" He pulled out a sheet of paper with random quantities of minerals and chemical compounds I couldn't name. Colorful charts were scattered about the pages with values and measurements reported. Struggling to make out what exactly I was looking at I turned to Jensen.

"I don't mean to be rude Jensen but I didn't go to med school. You're going to have to explain what all these mean."

"Oh, yes, of course my apologize!" He fixed his glasses that slid down his nose pushing them up as he came beside me to point at on of the charts. "This is your red blood cell count. They are normal as you can see. This here though is what's intriguing. Most of your tests came up clear but this one was significantly different. Your GH hormone, your growth hormone is basically nonexistent."

I looked closely at the graph noticing a large dip in the measurement that fell well below what I presumed was a red line that signified normal levels.

Jensen pulled away to look at me. I could t even conceal my shook. This was more than I had ever heard from any of the previous doctors I'd see. They had all chalked up my defect to being a random unfortunate mutation, something unfixable.

Looking at the results now instilled a little hope in me. Maybe I was fixable.

"I'd like to run a few more tests if that's possible." He smiled eagerly. The man reminded me of a mad scientist with all his excitement.

Thinking over if I really wanted to go through another phobia episode I began to answer. "I think-"

"I think you should be going Jensen." I flinched at the voice.

Jensen's once happy face was instantly gone the moment the voice intruded. He tucked away his folder as he took a timid step back.

Osiris placed his hand on my shoulder; a slight tickle from the touch making me shudder. My stomach fluttered and my skin felt suddenly hot. It must have been my anxiety from his proximity that made me feel so feverish.

Not enjoying the unfamiliar sensation he gave me I pulled myself aside, stealing a glance at him as he dropped his hand. The stubble on his jaw had grown a bit thicker since I last saw him and there was a small scratch on his neck.

Had he gotten hurt? Had Desmond hurt him?

I tore my eyes away before I lost myself in a whole of more endless questions.

"Desmond wanted me to help Seraphina figure out why she's unable to shift." Jensen explained with a shaky voice.

Osiris crossed his arms, the thick muscle of his arms became more evident as the long sleeve shirt he wore that left nothing to the imagination. Unable to keep my eyes from taking another glance I watched as he flexed his arms. The way he flexed made me think he noticed my attention.

"That won't be necessary, we have other duties as a pack to complete. Put a halt on this experiment." Osiris ordered.

Jensen's eyes grew as wide as mine stunned at Osiris's demand. "But alpha Osiris, I think I'm on to-"

"I said drop it Jensen. You can return to this experiment after everything is down and stored away for the winter."

Jensen hung his head low in defeat. I wanted to object Osiris myself but I worried if he'd see it as me being selfish. I couldn't disobey an alpha again it nearly got me killed last time, but then again this was something truly meaningful. I believe Jensen was really on to something and now we were made to stop everything.

I felt like the rug was pulled right under my feet.

"Yes, alpha." Jensen turned away heading toward his cabin.

The crisp wind had me tugging my jacket snug to my body. It did little to warm me up. Osiris was right winter was just around the corner. Coming from my pack here was a drastic change. We didn't have to prepare for winter we were lucky enough to be able to wander into human grocery stores and buy food all through winter. I guess living far up in the mountains left you with limited options.

As I looked around now I realized that everyone was busy and I mean everyone. It was no different then any other day but now I realized the purpose. They were all store food and wood for the harsh winter approaching. They were all working hard.

I suddenly felt like a burden all over again, I should be pulling my load. I should be doing something. I didn't want them to think I was so sort of parasite sucking off its host.

I was like a parasite.

"Is there something I can do to help prepare for winter?" I looked up at Osiris as I asked. He scoffed unfolding his arms walking back inside the cabin. A twinge of pain struck my chest at his arrogance. I followed close behind the cold air adding a little extra kick to my step.

Closing the door behind my I quickly caught up to Osiris who was retreating to his office. Reaching out I grabbed his hand, he tensed up abruptly stopping, the planes of his back tightening under his shirt.

I'm unsure of why I had a sudden boost in confidence. It could have been from hanging out with Ivy the last couple days, the fact that I haven't seen him in a while or that feeling that I knew he'd never harm me. Physically that is.

"I want to help." I insisted.

The feeling of faint tingles pricked my hand were I touched him I found the sensation uncomfortable, once again I retracted my hand. He remained silent, unmoved. I only stared at the ridged muscles of his back noticing the flex and relax a few times before he turned to face me.

I forced myself to fight against the need to cower away instead rising my head to look up at him. His lips were pinched together as his eyes grew darker than I had seen before. His eyes had always been shadowy but this time his eyes literally looked like obsidian.

He yanked his arm away from me. "I said no Seraphina." There was conviction in his voice that made me start to regret my earlier determination.

Osiris swung back around and entered his office. I stood out in the hallway contemplating on what I should do next. I could turn around now and accept his order and sulk over it a few day or I could press this further.

I looked at the cracked office door. He didn't raise his voice or showed me any signs of aggression. This could well be the only chance I ever got in changing his mind.

After I had given myself a little pep talk I opened the door closing it most of the way behind me. Osiris was rummaging around his desk opening and closing draws searching for something. He paid no mind to me as he looked around, he knew I was there he just choose to ignore me. The thought somehow irked me.

Slamming the draw he looked up at me with an uncanny disposition. It made my skin crawl.

"What do you want Seraphina? I'm busy." He rested his palms flat against the desk.

"Why won't you let me help?" The incredulous stare he gave me confirmation that my question had thrown him off. I didn't want to continue begging him to change his mind it wasn't going to work, but if I put him on the spot to explain his answer, well from the looks of it, it didn't seem like he even knew the answer.

Osiris tightened his eyes as he looked me up and down. His fingers twitched against the hard wood of the desk.

"What are you trying to get at Seraphina?" To play off the insecurity I felt at the moment I crossed my arms. I knew he could smell my wariness but I continued to play it off.

I took a few steps closer to him making sure that I kept the chairs in front of his desk between us.

"I want to know why you won't let me help." My heart picked up in speed as I watched him clench his hands into fists. They still remained on the desk but it didn't matter because the veins on his forearm became accentuated. I didn't know if I felt fear or excited.

When had he rolled up his sleeves?

Instant guilt filled my chest as I caught myself once again immersing in devilish thoughts. What was I do? I had a mate, I was disgusted with myself.

Clearing his throat Osiris drew my attention. "I usually explain myself to my pack members but I won't explain myself to you."

"And why am I an exception?" I huffed a roiling heat growing in my belly. He was treating me like a prisoner locking me away from everyone else. How was this any better than my previous pack?

"The answer is no. Now leave me be." He waved me away as if he could have cared less about the conversation.

My cold eyes drilled into his forehead as I stood my ground. I wasn't leaving.

Osiris slowly gazed up from his paper work resting his eyes on me. His pupils dilated a moment before he clasped his hands together and rested his chin on them. Licking his lips as he cocked his head to the side.

"Do you think this is some kind of joke?"

"No." I answered shortly.

He rose to his full height. I took a retreating step back.

"Seraphina, I'm not going to tell you again. Get, out." His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths.

"Or what?" I clasped my hand over my mouth at my unruly outburst. I never taunted anyone let alone test them. This wasn't like me and of all people I choose to test I was testing the patience of an alpha.

In the time it took me to cover my mouth Osiris was in front of me. Gasping I tried to back away only to be halted. That odd tingling feel came back. Osiris had grabbed both my wrists in his hand pushing them into my side rendering me immobile.

I winced at his grip as I tugged against it, testing the restraint, as if I'd some how have the strength to break free.

His icy state was easily felt against the crown of my head, I didn't dare look up. He was probably foaming from the way his muscles tensed and relaxed with every inhale and exhale.

Osiris tightened his grip on my wrists as I gave another helpless tug. I hissed defeated.

"Tell me why you so badly want to help?" He asked lowly.

Now I was confused.

He was just moments away from burying me six feet under to this? Did he really want an answer to his question?

Scanning over his face I realized he did. "I-I told you already. I want to help." He raised an eye down not satisfied. "I want to prove that I have something to offer. I don't want people to see me as a burden." My head hung low my eyes gazing at our feet.

It was the deep truth. A truth that chipped away at my self-worth each and everyday I was there. They'd never allowed me to participate in anything and that dug deep into my heart that not a single person really saw me as a capable person. Even Mara looked at me like some fragile piece of glass she needed to watch so I didn't shatter to pieces. Hell, Andy babies me to, though that was probably due solely to the fact he crushed on me.

Made me regret sleeping with him.

"You're not a burden." He muttered. My head jerked up. I wasn't sure if he was talking to himself or me, regardless his words comforted me.

"Then let me do my part." I pleaded staring intently into his eyes. They swirled in and out of their amber brown and obsidian black, he was fighting himself behind his eyes.

Osiris sighed releasing my wrists and backing away to his desk, his back was tensed when he stopped next to his desk. His finger tips tapped against the wood before he threw his head back with a groan.

"Tomorrow is the last harvest before the frost sets in. Ivy and some of the she-wolves will go out to pick everything you can take along." I couldn't hide the smile that cracked upon my face. My excitement was short lived, however, as he looked over his shoulder. "This doesn't come without rules Sera. Stay close to Ivy and don't walk back here alone."

I skipped to the door with glee proud at myself for holding my ground. "Will do." Opening the door I began to head out but not before his voice cut through the air like a hot knife through butter.

"You have no wolf, remember that."

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