Her heart races and panic is felt through the crack in the window for airflow as Sophia takes quick steps forward. Rolling my window down she rushes words out before breathing deep. "Someone is in my house." Her hand grips the door. What? Shutting the engine off before opening the door and stepping out to hold it open for her. "Get in." She doesn't move, crossing her arms, eyes narrow. Locking eyes the standoff begins, neither giving ground to the other. She moves her hands to the curve of her hip leaning slightly on her leg jetting her hip out. Its hard not to follow the way her body moves and curves. Focus.

"I'm not getting in, what about you? I don't have my handgun with me and they could have a weapon. We should call the police." Eyes flash with the danger of lightning in her argument. She gives no room for arguments, but I love a challenge. "I will be fine. Get in. If I'm not back in ten minutes take my truck and get out of here. If you see anyone coming close that isn't me or someone you know, leave. Do you understand me?" Grabbing her arm waiting for a response, her eyes narrow more than I thought possible. She sucks in her cheek chewing the inside hard but Sophia nods reluctantly. Placing a chaste kiss to her cheek she loosens her jaw with a sigh before I help her in the vehicle making sure she locks the doors.

Getting to the front porch the house is dark. Peering in I strain my senses, watching, listening. I have to hold my breath to pick up the sound over my own adrenaline. Hearing four hearts beating low, three are fast pace and irregular. The animals. The fourth skips and calms with every sound heard. Intruder. They are upstairs, I see a ray of a flashlight flicker down the stairs from time to time in time. The back door is wide open. Jumping the railing on the side of the porch I follow the house towards the back. Coming to the door inhaling deep the scent is off, soured. Searching around something doesn't feel right.

Keno is missing.

I don't hear him or see him. He would never let someone in here without a fight but I find no blood or signs of a struggle other than the door off its hinges.

Up the stairs slow and quiet I hear the mutters he makes to himself. At the back of the hallway a door is ajar. Walking past Sophia's room it is trashed as well as the room next to it. He didn't skip over any rooms in his hunt for things he does not own, even the bathroom is torn up. His muttering grows the closer I get, he reasons with himself on all the pretty things he lays his hands on, what to take, what to leave, the pay they all will bring. He stops when he hears a board under my foot creak with the weight placed on it. Shit. Stopping my progression breathing low, leaning to peek through the crack of the door waiting for him to notice; he doesn't. I notice him though. Eyes bugged with pupils grown wide in an unnatural way, his nose flares as his paranoia peeks before it settles back down with a twitch of his head. He mutters once more under his breath before a tarnished smile reveals rotten teeth. His smell is soured. Everything on him is off.

Sliding into the room a few steps are taken before the distance separating us is lost. The floor squeaks again underfoot but this time I am seen when he turns around. Slammed against the wall his breath is lost on impact. Gulping and gasping, saliva sputters out. Bones break and blood flows through his gnarled nose when my fist makes contact. His eyes grow bulging out of their sockets with the shock of reality sinking into his mind. Grabbing him by his shoulder to pin him to the wall nails dig in and his voice sounds out in a harsh cry. "Where is the dog?" My questions will be answered. I know it's the first thing she will worry about. Her animals are everything. He pants and begs for me to let go. His cries fall on deaf ears. Digging nails in further the pleas are lost to the pain when the call breaks its sound. "Where is he? Tell me now and I might just let you go." Flashing teeth the canines press down on my lip. Easing off he pulls at his shoulder and eyes flicker around the room looking for an escape.

"He told me the mutt would be gone, no worries. Break-in, scare the chick and get out. That's it!" He shakes with the effort to remember the instructions given to him.

"Who told you?" My teeth are about to break under the pressure my jaw is forcing on them. Someone set this up? Who would do that to Sophia and why?

"N-nope. Don't know him. Gave me money. Real good money." His smile comes back and I dig my nails in, satisfied when it morphs into a grimace and real tears fall from the wound.

"You made a mistake coming here." It's a menacing sound from the back of my throat as teeth eyes are engulfed by obsidian. The wolf has heard enough. Real fear is tasted on my tongue as realization crosses over the junkie. His body squirms and feet kick at my legs in a feeble attempt to break free. His scream is high and pitched in my ear and his tears mingle with sweat, glistening in the light of the moon pouring through the window. I can smell the urine running down his leg but the wolf prefers the smell of his blood when he snaps teeth in his face.

In the loss of my madness, I never heard them enter. It isn't until metal touches my face that I realize we are no longer alone. Restraining my wolf once more takes great effort on my part, facial features return to normal but the burglar only panics more. Turning my head I am greeted by the barrel of a shotgun, the older man at the other end does not look happy or friendly, neither does Derek standing next to him.

"You must be Cage." The man states. Keeping eye contact I nod to him not letting go of my prey squeezing harder on his shoulder. Sophia comes in pushing the gun down out of my face. Looking me over her eyes fall on the intruder before finding his bag of goodies where they fell in the scuffle. Picking it up she quickly sorts through the bag noting what is in there before closing it up. "Get out. I ever catch you on my land again and led will fly. You hear me?" He doesn't take his eyes off me but he nods vigorously. Reluctantly I have to let go and he bolts off through the hall tumbling down the stairs. The screen door is heard banging on the frame when he escapes this house of terror. I doubt he will ever come back.

The man stares me down, his gun ready to aim at a moments notice. Sophia's eyes are as hard as metal when she has to step in before the tension takes over. "Stop it. Uncle Leo this is Cage, Cage my Uncle. I called him when you went around the back he lives across the field." She is talking to me giving her full attention while she looks me over again. He grunts before the two males leave. Her hand trembles as she raises it to run over my arm before the other copies the movement. Fear fades away in her eyes after her assessment is done. "I was afraid something might have happened to you." Her eyes shine with unshed tears and I reach out to pull her to me. Her arms wrap themselves around me and her fingers grip tightly onto my jacket. Pressing my nose to the top of her head, I can't help but to inhale her scent. I don't want to let her go, ever.

"Sophia, that guy, do you know him? Do you know anyone who would want to hurt you?" Something isn't right here, I can feel it. Her face changes to confusion when she pulls away, "No I don't know him but addicts aren't hard to come by 'round some parts. Why would someone want to hurt me? What did he say to you?" Her heart rate picks up as she scans my face for any hints to why I would ask those questions.

How do I tell her?

Trying to swallow I can taste the foulness mixing through the air in here. "Keno is missing." I start, no point in keeping it from her; she will figure it out eventually. "When I questioned him about it he said some guy paid him to come in here, said the dog wouldn't be here." The storm in her eyes halt their onrush, breath hitching to hold in her lunges. Everything in her stops except the tear escaping to stain her cheek. "Keno is gone?" She whispers. I can't answer her with words, I can watch as her mind coming unglued. Stepping away from me she starts to call for him but there is no answer. "Sophia," trying to reach for her she hurries into her bedroom. Panic has her searching for him. Her uncle and cousin look on while they clean up the mess. She is quick to move from room to room in search of him with no luck. She stops for a moment as everything crashes in at once before rushing down over the stairs, throwing the door open she calls and whistles for him before the sobs take over. Tugging on her shoulder I give her the only comfort I can.

Time passes before an older woman comes from the path between the two houses, her aunt I assume. She comes to us before telling me she will take care of Sophia and that I should leave. I don't want to. I can't. Sophia watches me from under soaked lashes. Tilting her head up she stands on tiptoes to whisper in my ear. "I'll be okay." Her voice cracks with the lie.

"We will finish cleaning up the house and making sure nothing is missing hunny it'll be fine. You two can see each other later. Your uncle is uneasy. That's all." Her aunt pats down Sophias hair and wiping the water from her face as she gives her full attention to her niece. Glancing up to the door Leo stands with his arms crossed. His stance is unmoving, protective.

Squeezing her hand tighter before placing a kiss on her head I linger just a little longer before letting her go and leaving in my truck. It is late at night by the time I enter my cabin. The day's events have taken their toll and my body screams fatigue but my mind can't stop thinking about what was said. Thinking on who would threaten her, I wonder if it's my doing. If someone here would put her in danger with the amount of bullshit that has happened over this of this all. Sitting on the edge of the bed i place my head in my hand rubbing my eyes in an attempt to press the thought from my mind, surely a pack mate wouldn't do that.

Would they?

I can no longer sit still, pacing the house the cool air is settling in but my heat rises. The stove is left cold and ignored. Walking back into the bedroom before pulling the covers down on the bed I can not seem to lay in it. Going back in the kitchen, my pacing continues. My hands run through my hair over and over, still the temperature continues to rise. I have to remove my shirt as it begins to cling to my body with the sweat, tossing it to the basket in the hall. The wolf sounds out when he presses down pushing my bones pushing on the skin. Stepping into the pantry I am looking for anything to stop my thoughts and focus on something, anything else. One thought comes back to mind instead. Would they do this? Is Chey this determined? Kirsten doesn't seem the kind and she has interests in Chuck, she wouldn't waste more time on me with her departure but Cheyanne, I just do not know anymore. I need to stop this, as annoying and hurtful as she may have acted towards me lately I cannot imagine her to be capable of doing this. She also never leaves the pack lands without Scott. It's just not possible.

Resting on the couch to think for a moment I feel the energy starting to leave my body; I can no longer keep up with this. Going back to my bed, hoping sleep can take me into its dark embrace but time ticks on as I lay wide awake in bed my thoughts haven't stopped and neither has my wolf's constant attempts to pull me back to her. He doesn't believe her to be safe with family, only he can give her the protection she needs.

My phone comes to life as a call comes in. Who would be calling at this hour in the morning? Picking up the phone I'm surprised to find its Sophia.

"Hello?" I can't hide my confusion.

"I'm sorry if I woke you, I-I can't sleep." Her voice sounds muffled and tired. My heart squeeze with the thought she chose me to talk to after everything that happened today.

"I wasn't sleeping, you didn't wake me. Besides you can call me anytime it doesn't matter. What's wrong?" I know she has to still be worried over her missing dog, she doesn't seem to be new at dealing with tweakers. She sniffles quietly to not be heard, I can hear her swallow it down before clearing her throat. "Do you think he took him?" She tries to choke back her sob breaking through her efforts. "Maybe he had a friend. Made it up. He was cracked out, what if he hurt Keno?"

"I don't know sweetheart. I'm sorry. We will figure this out." The wolf tries to be heard with his threats and I have to swallow down my own emotions. He better hope it wasn't him. I'll rip him limb from limb if I ever see him again he should be grateful they came when they did.

"I don't know what I'm going to do if he is hurt, this is all my fault." She can't stop her tears as they sound through the receiver.

"This isn't your fault Sophia. Where are you? Can I come get you?" I am no longer able to stay away with her breaking apart like this. I need to see her.

Complete silence comes over the phone and I pull it away from my ear to see if the call ended. Finally, she speaks again. "Yes. I'm at Uncle Leos." She sniffles.

"I'll be right there." Hanging up throwing on whatever clothing my hand touches first. It is freezing cold outside when I get in the truck but I don't bother to wait for it to heat up. She needs me now.

Speeding down the roads it doesn't take long for me to arrive. She is out of the house and into my truck quicker than I can text her to say I'm here.

I drive aimlessly down backroads while the silence engulfs us. Glancing over from time to time she looks to her lap the whole way never once lifting it up. I see a trail off the road that I know leads to an open area for the lake, it's one of the few places on our pack lands where juveniles gather while goofing off in the summertime heat. Slowing down it's become more overgrown then the last time I remember being here. It is quiet and lonesome in the opening. Facing the water I put us in park and unbuckle my seatbelt. Turning up the heat for her I can see the cool air outside has ice forming on the fresh water of the lake, it's completely still except the area where the small creek flows into the larger body of water.

When I look over to where she sits her head is still down, a few tears fall in her lap and she wipes at her face with the sleeve of her sweater. Putting up the center console I see she has yet to unbuckle her own belt, she is lost in her thoughts and self-loathing over what is happening. Sliding closer to her I do it myself before bringing her to sit in my lap. Sophia doesn't hold back any longer as her body trembles and shakes out her cries and worried words. She repeats her self-blame and doubts over and over again. I wish I could stop this, make it all go away. I don't know how to comfort what I can't fix, all I can do is allow her to break and hold her together.

Her crying subsides to small sniffles and hiccups. I can feel her body getting more relaxed as her breathing evens out. She is falling asleep in my arms and I don't know if I should wake her or allow her to rest. I see the sun is coming up, she deserves to sleep in a more comfortable place then my truck. "Sophia, " moving the hair away from her face that is resting in the crook of my neck, she looks so peaceful I hate waking her. "Sophia." Giving her shoulder a small shake she begins to stir before her head raises and eyes flutter open. "Sophia it's morning, you fell asleep. Would you like me to bring you back?" Rubbing my thumb over her cheek she sits up before looking out the window.

"I don't want to go back there." She whispers, her sorrow is also stirring awake.

"Where do you want to go? I'll bring you." She looks deep into my eyes, her eyes are dulled down in the light. Her emotions show in those beautiful eyes; they remind me of an overcast for a funeral.

"I wanna stay with you." Her eyes beg me and I can't say no. I should, but I can't.

"Okay." Whispering before giving her a chaste kiss and placing her back in her seat before moving back to mine.

Being on the pack lands it doesn't take long before we make it back to my cabin. Not once did she look out the window at the scenery, houses or wolves that we passed by. Even the ones shifting. She is too consumed with the guilt and sadness. It reminds me of the inevitable truth I need to tell her. I got lucky now but I doubt I'll make it out of here without questions.

"Come on." Grasping her hand in mine and putting it to my lips I pull Sophia from her thoughts. Exiting the vehicle and entering the cabin, she follows close behind. I shut the door behind her watching as she glances around wrapping her arms around herself. Her nose is red and twitches when she sniffles and the oversized sweater consumes her body like protective armour. Her eyes are red-rimmed, she is careful when wiping a stray tear that comes leaking out. The hood of the sweater has been pulled up to cover her head but it doesnt hide the mess of hair that falls in her face. Reaching up I can't help from moving her hair away from her beautiful face, brushing it back she shuts her eyes and hums. She is so tired. "My room is right there, " pointing at the closed door, "go get in bed and leave the door open so the heat from the stove can get in." I tend to leave it closed or slightly opened because of my body heat but her skin is cold to the touch. She needs to stay warm..

She looks over to the door "what about you?" she asks before turning back towards me.

"I'm going to keep the fire going, if I get tired I'll sleep on the couch." Rubbing my hand up and down her arm I can't keep my hands to myself. Being this close in here with her. The wolf is taking it in, inhaling deep.

She looks over to the stove before sighing and walking towards the bedroom. Now I feel cold. Going to the stove and putting in a log to start it doesn't take long before a fire is going and I can feel my body overheating. Taking off my shirt I lay on the couch, being up all night and the lack of sleep I have gotten lately my eyes begin to droop droop the crackles of flames and her scent lull me. I'm almost deep in sleep when she places her hand on my shoulder. Rubbing my eyes Sophia is sitting on the coffee table in front of me and I sit up to wake myself. "I'm sorry to wake you, Cage." She whispers while looking down at her hands that hold one another.

"Its fine, what's wrong?" Reaching up and taking her hands in mine rubbing the back softly with the pads of my thumbs. As my eyes adjust I see she no longer has her pants on, just the sweater. I hope she doesn't notice my excitement right now. She looks up and I see nervousness in those swirling pools. She bites her bottom lip before releasing it and running the tip of her tongue over it before she tries to speak and it just makes everything harder. "I-I can't get to sleep. Can you lay with me?" Her voice is meek like a mouse, "please?" Its hardly an audible whisper. I'm coming unglued.

Fuck I want her.

"Yes." Its rushed out.