"Will you tell me what happened back there?" Reed says, his hold tightening around me as if to reassure himself that I was really in his arms.

My eyes take in his face, the set of his jaw and without needed him to say it, I know what he is thinking. I can see the worry in his eyes as clearly as a flashing neon sign. He's confused but mostly scared that I'll run again. That whatever power is calling me, will call me away again and that he won't be able to find me.

I move to run my hand down his cheek, along his jaw before cupping his face and forcing him to look at me. He stops walking, his attention solely on me as we stand under the canopy of trees.

"I love you and I will never leave you," I hold his face in my hands willing him to see through me, willing him to look inside me for the truth behind my words.

He presses forward, his lips claiming my own in a brief moment before continuing to walk us through the woods.

"Penny?" Ian is the first one to see Reed and I step through the trees and into the yard of the packhouse.

He approaches us tentatively, checking over his shoulder to see where Jenna is. But of course, she heard him and is racing over to us. Reed sets me on my feet but keeps me within easy reach.

"I'm sorry about tha-" my breath rushes out of my lungs in a huff as Jenna crashes into me. We would have fallen to the ground if Reed hadn't caught me at the last minute.

"I missed you!" She mumbled into my shoulder not showing any signs of letting go.

In my peripheral vision, I see the same shade of blue around her as around Ian, but then again we already knew that. I sense rather than see both Ian and Reed stepping a little closer, ready to pull us apart, wanting some attention or answers, maybe both.

"Aspen," I heard my mom's voice call me from the steps of the porch, my father standing with her arms around her as she reached a hand out for me. There is something about a mother, no matter how old you get. When she calls you, asks you to come you go and it's a better feeling than coming home. I can feel tears filling my eyes as I close the distance between us.

She envelops me into her arms as if I had never left. As if I were still that small pup who would curl against her for stories and nap times. Always safe, warm and loved no matter what the world outside had to bring.

"I've missed you, sweetie," she croons holding me tight against her before pulling away to look me over, "What's this on your skin?" I can hear the smile in her voice, but see Reed shift uncomfortably next to me, his eyes dropping to the floor.

"I'm only teasing," she says, moving to hug Reed as my father huffs.

I can't help but smile as my mom steps back, patting my father on his chest. As much as I want to sit and revel in the small things, the big things require our attention. There are things that need answers and really can't wait anymore to discuss.

"We have a lot to talk about," I say to no one in particular as it involves everyone, "Daddy, can you call Uncle Jack for a meeting? And Reed can you call Gage as well?"

I don't wait for their response as I loop my arm with my mom and walk with her into the house. Her grip is tight on mine as we walk, my head moving to lay on her shoulder. I should be content with being home, being safe with my family, and mate next to me, but there is a weight on my chest.

One day I will be left alone. I will lose those around me and be left here until I can pass on the locket to the next owner.

I can feel him following me. Feel his eyes tracking my movements like a predator keeping his prey within his reach. Whoever gets the locket next, I hope they're strong and I hope they'll be ready, because when I lose Reed, I will want to follow immediately.

I shake the thought from my head, knowing I have more important things. I can get too caught up in the 'what could happen' or I'll miss the 'what is happening'.

Hopefully, I won't have to deal with losing Reed for a very long time.

"Do you want to rest first?" Reed's hand slides along my lower back hooking around my waist before he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my head.

My mom pats my hand with a small smile before pulling away and walking to my dad.

"This won't take long but," I turn to face him, my hands moving to loop around his neck as his settle around my waist, "Do you want me to talk to you first alone?"

I can tell he's trying to read my mind. Trying to decide what it is I'm going to say and the truth is, he'll never guess. He may be able to read me like a book but it's only because I let him.

"A hint wouldn't be a bad thing," He says, his lips moving to meet mine as he walks us backward until my back hits the wall.

My hands run through his hair, holding him against me as we kiss.

This. This is what I will hold with me forever. The feel of his arms around me, the gentle touch of his kiss and the taste of him on my lips. The way everything around us melts away, leaving just him and me.

We break apart, but I keep my hands in his hair, our eyes locking as he looks at me like my soul is displayed before him. All my secrets laid at his feet. He looks at me like I am the only person he has or will ever see.

"I love you, Reed, until even after forever has passed," My heart nearly exploded at the smile I received from my admission.

His eyes watch me carefully as if he is trying to read everything he needs to know from just my eyes. I wonder briefly what he sees, but I can't bring myself to ask.

"What did she say?" Reed asks queitly, one of his hands moving some hair from my face as the other stays firmly planted on my waist.

I lean my head back against the wall, trying to figure out exactly how to answer that question. I can't tell him that he will die before me, I mean eventually that might come up, but right now I want to pretend that I don't know that secret.

Besides, it not so much what she said but what it means to me and that... that Reed won't like at all.

"She said that we will be sought out by desperate wolves an-"

"If you two lovebirds are done, everyone is waiting," Ian says slyly as he walks by with a smiling Jenna on his arm.

Reed growls lowly, dropping his head to my shoulder, my hand moving to run through his hair. I wink to Jenna when I see her giddy expression and can't help but smile at the little squeal as she tightens her grip on Ian.

"Come, my love, let's get this over with," I say, pulling him into a kiss, before moving and leading him to the office.

*

"Whenever you're ready, Aspen," My dad says, sitting patiently behind his desk with my mother at his side.

Reed presses his face into my hair, whispering encouraging words to me as I face my family.

"The locket is powerful and apparently something that I was destined to wear," I say simply, figuring it was easiest to start there, "Now that Reed and I have completed the mating process, it is ours and no one can take it from us. The danger is over."

I can see everyone relax a bit in their seats, but I know they still have questions. Hell, even I still have questions but the dark-haired woman never gave specifics. So we will learn and grow as it comes.

"What is this power?" Gage said quietly, bowing his head in respect to his Alpha even though this isn't a formal setting. I want to roll my eyes at him and tell him to knock it off, but I ignore it for now.

"From what I can tell so fair, we can see mate pairs," Reed nods, looking at all the mated pairs, "It's an aura that matches your mates. It's all very colorful except for Aspen and me," his gaze looks to our own aura, white and shrugs.

"The woman told me that wolves will seek us out with help finding their mate, or for a second chance,"

"That might be a problem for an Alpha pair. Constantly having visitors, especially if they show up unannounced or are rogues. How do we tell the ones looking for help from the ones who mean to cause harm?" Ian speaks up, his eyes moving to my dad and uncle Jack.

"It could put the whole pack in danger," Uncle Jack says, looking to my dad as something unsaid passes between them.

They wouldn't be good Beta's if they didn't mention that and I knew they would. Truth is, I already thought about this. How could we help wolves who truly want it without becoming vulnerable?

We can't.

"Reed and I still need to discuss this but you're right, It could put the packs in danger," I look to Reed breifly, kicking myself for springing this on him now instead of when we were alone in the hallway, too little too late I guess.

"That's why I think it best we live away from the packs. Maybe the mountains between them both. A compound so to speak for those looking for guidance, but close enough for help if we need it," everyone begins to talk at once and I see Reed's head snap to look at me from the corner of my eye but for now, I ignore it.

I try to queit them down, but everyone has something to say and I can't get a word in edgewise. I understand their confusion, their looks of betrayl.... their disappointment.

I was born to lead Moonstone, just as Reed was born to lead Shadow wolves. But I can't ignore the possible danger from random wolves coming and going. It becomes aparent that no one is going to stop for a minute, so I sit in my chair, take a deep breath and turn to face my stunned and quiet mate.

"I'm sorry I sprung this on you," I whisper, my hand reaching out to rest on his thigh. He doesn't move, doesn't even look like he's breathing as he studies my face.

"There is something else," I say loudly when Reed still doesn't say anything. The murmurs continue a few seconds longer before I have everyones attention, "The woman I got the locket from was rather vague and I feel though the danger is gone, that there is still power to uncover. But she did say that no one would be able to go against me, even Reed,"

My mind flashes back to what seems like years ago, when Jackson was in the cells and I yelled at him. At the time, I knew that Jackson submitting at the power in my order but it didn't really phase me that Reed had submitted as well.

He had dropped to his knees at the power and submitted to me.

"It really is a curse," Reed finally says, closing his eyes as he shakes his head slowly, "Here have the ultimate power, the only one of it's kind, but oh wait, Wait!" He pushes out of his chair quickly moving to pace the office.

"You're in for a real surprise if you think anyone will help you figure out what this power is or how it works. Oh, and you'll be put in danger over and over again. Also, you're gonna need to sacrifice everything for it! Everything you've worked for your entire life doesn't matter now becuase you're 'Chosen'." Reed throws air quotes around the word chosen and it hurts. I try not to let the tears pressing against my eye lids fall, but I can feel them rolling down my cheeks.

"Now wait just a minute there, Pup," my dad stands quickly too, face red as he slams his hand on the table.

"Dad, Don't," I sigh, ready to defend Reed, I mean he's entiteld to his feelings, but he cuts me off, pointing an accusing finger at Reed.

"You're acting like Aspen asked for this all to be thrust on her! She is just as much a victim here if not more! Stop your moaning and bitching -"

"DAD! ENOUGH!" I stand myself, the power in my voice causing my dad's knees to buckle as he drops back in his seat with his head down, "It's been a long day. I have told you all everything I know," Everything of revalence anyway, I add in my head.

"Let's pause and think it over. Nothing needs to be decided tonight," I breifly look at Reed, but his head is bowed, looking at his feet.

No one says anything, but they nod and start to leave the room. My dad stops in front of me, his hands in front of him with a shrug. I give him a weak smile and he leans forward to press a kiss to my forehead.

I nod to Ian and Gage as they pass, both with sympathetic looks on their faces as they shoot a quick glance to Reed, who still refuses to look at anyone.

"Can you shut the door please?" I say to no one impaticular as I sit back down in my chair, watching as Reed runs a frustrated hand through his hair.

I'm not mad at Reed for his outburst, he deserves his feelings just as much as I deserve mine. He shouldn't have to filter himself for me, and I would never ask him to. But we do need to talk now. I've said my peice and now I need to hear his.

"Will you sit down please, Reed?" I say calmly, gesturing to any of the empty chairs from around the room.

Reed finally looks up and I fight to not let the catch in my breath show at the gaze. I will never tire of how he looks at me. Like I am everything good in the world. Like I hang the moon and the stars. Right now the look is there, mixed with something else. Something raw that cracks my heart open easier than an egg.

Slowly he moves to the chair in front of me, that way we are face to face. Not going to lie, it stings a little that he chose to sit across from me and not next to me but I let it go. He's here with me willing to talk, so if he needs physical space than I have to accept that. At least he didn't run from me.

"I should have mentioned it sooner, I admit that," I say after a few beats of silence, collecting my thoughts, "I know how much being Alpha means to you. How much it meant to me," My voice catches and my eyes drop to the table.

Every Alpha lesson my dad gave me, flashes through my mind. The plans that Jenna and I had made to raise the future Alpha/Beta pair of Moonstone together. Every thought I had had about what my future would be, like a map before me - gone like that, in a flash. I will mourn the future I thought I'd have, but I cannot dwell.

Reed eyes narrow as he watches me and I can practically see the wheels turning in his head. He opens his mouth to say something but I put a hand up. I have to get out what I want to say because if I don't I might always regret it.

"No let me finish," he closes his mouth but the suspicion stays on his face, "I would never ask you to sacrifice anything. I sure as hell won't ask you to give up Shadow wolves. This gift - curse - I didn't sign up for it and neither did you. I won't fault you for wanting to stay Alpha of Shadow wolves, but understand that I need to be away from the packs for their safety. It's your choice where you go from here."

I'm proud of myself for keeping my voice firm and my eyes dry. Reed swallows roughly , his fingers drumming against the table. He holds my stare, and I feel like I'm holding a breath just to make sure I don't break.

"Are you saying you can live without me?" he says finally, his face perfectly masking his emotions from me.

I feel my nose flare as my emotions begin to overwhelm me. My bottom lip quivers, so I suck it into my mouth, trying hard to keep my face and void as his. My thoughts racing with eventually having to live without him as I wait for the next chosen one to free me.

But this has to be his choice. I can't ask this of him. He was to want to be with me, no matter what or else I'll always wonder if he resents me. If he'd have rather left me behind to stay Alpha.

"Is that your choice then?" I whisper, keeping my chin up. Reed's eyes narrow at the quiver in my voice and he leans forward against the table.

"Be honest with me Aspen. Could you live without me?" for the first time his mask breaks and I see a glimpse of the emotions swirling in him.

"Not willingly," I say, finally allowing my tears to fall, "It would be absolute torture to live without. Dammit Reed! the very thought of having to wake up without you by my side is enough to make me want to crawl into a hole and never come out, becuase nothing means anything without you. But I can't ask this of you. I won't!"

I drop my head into my hands, allowing the sobs to tear through me. I know that I didn't ask for this, that He and I are just pawns in a much bigger game, but I can't help by wonder if I were to be given a choice, would I opt out?

If the dark haired woman had put all the cards on the table and told me what I know now, would I have walked away and told her to chose another?

No. I would have taken it and saved another from this pain. I couldn't let her go on without her mate any longer. This curse is mine and it feels like it was always destined to be mine.

I didn't even hear Reed stand or move around the table to me. I just felt his hands on my arms as he pulled me from my chair and wrapped his arms around me in a tight embrace. I bury my face in his chest, savoring the scent of him as he quietly soothes me with a shh sound.

"Maybe," my voice is rough from crying and mumbled by his shirt, "Maybe we can figure something out? You stay Alpha of Shadow wolves and I stay off pack lands still?"

You know that won't work. Rose says quietly, her feelings just as resigned as mine are.

We could try. Even as I say it, it's a weak defense that no one will agree with.

Reeds hands run up my arms until he gently pries me from his chest. He cups my face between his palms, shaking his head slowly.

"That would leave us both vulnerable. We're stronger together and we have a weakness that could be used against us if we're apart," the sob pushes past my lips at his words and I swallow the rest down breaking eye contact with him.

"You're right. I was born and trained to be Alpha, just like you were," his fingers move under my chin, lifting my head up until I'm forced to look at him in the eyes, "fate is cruel that way, I guess. You're not asking me, but I'm telling you. I abdicate my title as Alpha of Shadow Wolves."

My mouth drops open and I'm not sure that I'm even breathing as I search his face for any signs of hesitation or regret. But I see nothing but sincerity and love.

"Whatever we create togther with what has been given to us, is what we're destined to have. It will be better than what we could've inherited because it will be ours -" I don't know if he was finished, but I couldn't wait. I jumped into his arms smashing my lips to his in a hard kiss.

His arms hold me against him, my feet dangling as I keep my grip tight around his shoulders. He doesn't hesitate to kiss me back. It's a frenzied kiss, our lips saying everything they need to. Still I have to ask one more question.

"Are you sure, Reed? We can't -" he smiles softly, cutting me off with his lips.