I find myself pacing from one end of Zane's bedroom, gradually making my way to the other. My hands are wringing together with worry. I know this is going to be about a three or four day expedition. As though that isn't scary enough, with not knowing what other werewolves are out there and after me, the thought of returning to stand in front of my opposing father has my stomach in knots.

I wish with everything I am that I can just stay here. Forget about everything else and make a home here. Going off the grid, and never allowing anyone from another pack to find me and my family. That thought has me going away from myself and thinking about all of them.

Every male wolf on the other side of that door is placing their lives in danger. Most of them don't even know me, having only met a day ago. Yet, they are determined to protect me at all costs. It's mind boggling to know that they are willing to do that for someone they barely know.

Of course, I suppose being Zane's mate means I'm important in the pack, but they had in in their minds to fight for me hours before we were married. Hell, when our vehicle swerved off the cliff, they were fighting those other Were's that have shown up. That says a lot about who they are deep inside of their souls.

The sound of the door opening, has me stopping all movement and turning around. Claudette stands within the threshold of the open door, nibbling on her lip, fresh tears in her eyes. From the look of complete horror on her face, she overheard them talking in the living room.

Holding my arms open wide, I wait until she runs into my embrace. I hold her close to my body, whispering to her how it'll all be okay. How? I'm not sure, but I feel deep in my soul that this will work out in our favor. It takes her a minute to pull herself together before she steps back to look at me. Wiping away her tears, she takes a deep breath.

Doing what she can to calm herself down. "I heard..." She pauses midsentence. Her words broken as she speaks. When she looks up at me, I see so much heart break held within her eyes. "My senses are growing by the hour, so I could hear them talking." She says to me in a defeated tone.

Nodding my head, I take a hold of her hand and place it along my cheek. She gives me a sad smile, following me as I walk us toward the bed. Once my legs hit it I sit down, and invite her to sit beside me. Hand in hand we sit there, neither of us speaking for a long minute. "Tell me what you heard." I say softly.

She looks away from me and toward the door once more. "A little of what you went through in your past. How that devil of a monster treated you when you were a child." She looks back at me, her eyes holding so much hatred at my past memories being shared. "I hate him. How could someone do that to their own child?" I can see by the devastation in her eyes she cannot fathom it any more than I can give her an answer.

Truth being told I do not know why my father had treated me the way he had. I can't comprehend how he never truly loved me. All he ever saw when he looked at me was a bargaining chip. Something he could use to get what he wants, by promising my hand to someone I have never met.

I heard some awful things about Artemis from others talking. How he liked to dominate women in and out of the bedroom. He once strangled a female werewolf he was having sexual relations with just because she wanted to end things. No one lifted a paw to help her when that happened.

Most just walked on by like nothing was happening right outside his hut. All because he was the Alphas son, and soon to be alpha once he found a proper mate. Unfortunately for me, my father had decided that was to be me. Knowing his reputation my uncle Daneth wasn't about to allow that to happen.

Two years ago, he snuck me away to live amongst the humans. With his best friend and her niece. Two of the greatest people I have ever met, and that became special members of my family. No matter what happens this woman sitting beside me is my sister. Tightening my hold on her hands, her eyes look up at me. "No matter what happens I will protect you to the fullest. With my life, you have my word on that."

She smiles at me, knowing fully that where we are about to go, there is too much danger that lies ahead. Who knows what we have to expect as we make the journey there, or worse what may happen once we return. Opening my mouth, I'm ready to tell her how much I love her when the sound of a throat clearing gains both of our attention.

Zane stands there, looking from Claudette and slowly back to me. "Have you both finished packing?" He asks. Making the feeling of complete doom fill my stomach once more. We both find ourselves nodding our heads. "Good, we have to go." He holds his hand out towards me, awaiting for me to take it.

I look to my sister, kissing both her hands as I drop them from my hold. "We got this." I say with conviction. Whether I'm trying to convince her or myself I'm not certain at this point. She smiles as she jumps from the bed and makes her way out of the room. Mumbling how she needs to grab the small bag that Ethan packed for her with some of his clothes for her to wear.

It makes me smile knowing that those two are getting along so well. Who knows maybe once this is all over with we will have another ritual to attend. One of my best friend and Zane's. I smile at the thought, as I stand to take his hand. He pulls me close to his body, enveloping me in his chest, his arms wrapped around me. "I have an idea to make this trip quicker." He whispers along the skin of my neck. Causing my body to quake, and my heart to speed up.

When I pull away from him and look deep in his eyes, I can see a look of mischief held within. "Oh, and how is that?" All I get in answer is a sinister smile along his lips. Causing me to both want to kiss this man standing in front of me, and smack his beautiful face just as much.