I stacked all the plates clearing off the dinner table, looking at the seats that were occupied only moments ago. The hallow feeling of loneliness settled in like it always did after Beau and Nana left with their chaperone, Emmett.

Things had been weird the past few days between Emmett and I ever since he mentioned fleeing. I had been distant and jittery around him not knowing how to act knowing his intentions to start a life with me.

Although he had me sign a claiming contract I didn't think that would ever happen, I was naive I would convince myself that I would flee with my family and Philip. We would have started a family together, but there is no escaping wolves.

I shuddered thinking about how his eyes had never left me the moment he stepped through the doorway earlier that day.

Carrying the plates into the kitchen I put them in the sink filled with suddy hot water. I looked out the window as I scrubbed the plates. The summer breeze brushed against the long grass that needed a trimming, the bright flowers that stood proud danced softly with the wind.

The weather was beautiful but in a few weeks times that would all change and winter would be here. The thoughts of the cold unforgiving season worried me, what would traveling underground be like when the weather got bad. Had Rowan or Emmett thought of the bad conditions that the season brought with it? It would surely take us months to travel to Canada we would have to face winter.

I could see my reflection in the window my prominent belly the focus of my attention. I couldn't give birth to so many beings in an old run down bunker I would surely bleed to death. Even if I did how could I manage five new borns safely? I could feel a cold sweat break out across my chest as I thought of the unknown future. Women for centuries gave birth without aid, I'm sure I would be fine. I will be fine.

Walking towards the kitchen table I picked up the brown paper bag my nana had brought with her. I trudged towards the stairs taking my time.

I stood in the doorway of the nursery the paper bag clutched tightly in my hand. The Babies room had finally been put together the cots lined the wall in an L-shape, bunting of different colors lined the wall delicately. Animals hung as if they were protecting the lightbulb. The room was a crisp white that contrast to the colorful decor. The room was beautiful, it screamed innocence unfitting in a house of pain.

They would never use this room, and it would be the only thing that Donovan would have left of us. I opened the bag to see a knitted jumper and a matching hat in the softest lemon color. There was five of them for each of the babies that nested inside of me.

I got on my knees and placed them in my hospital bag, as I told Donovan, but it was my run away luggage. I had packed it over and over again the past few days trying to think of all the things I would possibly need. I heaved a sigh regret my decision of sitting as I struggled to get back up.

I left that room making my way back down the stairs. As I neared the bottom I could hear the front door opening, I could see his silhouette clearly.

"Donovan your din-" I stopped talking as I looked past his shoulder seeing another stature.

"I won't be eating dinner tonight," he grumbled entering the house.

The other male entered close behind him. I gulped feeling intimidated just by looking at this stranger he stood a head taller than Donovan already exceptionally tall frame. I subconsciously leaned into Donovan's side, from the twitch of his lips not only did he notice but he enjoyed it.

The stranger walked around the house passively looking around unimpressed. As he neared us I could feel his energy pushing through the room and enveloping around me. My throat felt tight as his aura clawed at it, I struggled to breathe with the change in the atmosphere. My eyes were downcast and my head tilted to the floor the power and dominance that radiated from him to much for me to handle.

I had felt this power before off of an Alpha who was demonstrating his power to a group of us the first year I went on my hunt. They could pick and choose when to release their power, but this was different the Alphas power a minuscule compared to what I was experiencing right now.

"You failed to mention how beautiful she was," his voice was tranquil making me lean towards it.

A growl ripped from Donovan's throat as he moved his body to cover me. He could hear my irregular breathing.

"Pity she's human." He mused knowing he was irritating the thick shouldered snarling Beta.

"Although I know you'd assert your dominance on her. I'm sure she knows her place," his tone was clipped and cold but still so alluring.

"She does know her place and I suggest you know yours-" he growled his chest puffing. "Reel your power in and stop pushing it onto my mate," this was the most aggressive I heard him in a while and it wasn't directed at me.

"I suggest we go and discuss what we need to in your office," the stranger dramatically sighed out of boredom.

I could see him leave in my peripheral line of sight making his way to the home study knowing the way. I felt relief bloom in my chest as I could move my neck that had been hurting from being bent, the air feeling lighter now that his presence was gone.

Donovan turned to look at me his eyes searching my face. I don't know what he searched for while he scrutinized me.

"How're you feeling?" His gruff voice asked.

I gave the answer that I always did, that I was fine. His hand slipped down rubbing my stomach making me look away thinking about what I was doing in the nursery before he had come home. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, the feeling that it left made me feel burned. He turned leaving me alone as he went to his study upstairs.

Frowning I went towards the front door knowing that the guards would be there. They stood by the porch railings analyzing the surroundings.

"Who is the stranger accompanying the Beta?" This would be the first time I had ever spoke to them.

One of them turned to me frowning their dark eyes looking at me as if I was Ill.

"No one Beta Female, your mate arrived home alone moments ago. Are you feeling unwell? Would you like me to contact the Pack doctor?"

"No he's in the-" I stopped myself mid sentence seeing both guards look at me as though I was unstable. I didn't explain myself and went back inside the house.

How this stranger walked by my guards, came through the front door and they didn't see him baffled me. Picking up the telephone I dialed the only person that I knew would believe me.

"Hello-" his deep voice rumbled.

"Rowan there is a stranger in the house but neither of my guards noticed him coming in with Donovan," I whispered looking towards the stairs afraid he'd hear me.

"Are you sure? What did he look like?" He sounded more alert which was better for me.

"I don't know, I couldn't see his face."

"Do you feel like you're in danger," his question left a long pause between the conversation.

"No," my voice did not waver and it came out strong.

"Okay good, I'll deal with it leave it with me," his voice held slight dismissiveness making my eye twitch in frustration.

I hung up the phone not wanting to hear what else he had to say if he was going to treat me as though I was unimportant.

I grumbled under my breath calling the alpha all the names under the sun. My hormonal state I'm sure was not only the reason that the Alpha was so disparaging but the reason I was so defensive.

Annoyed I rummaged though the presses giving into my cravings that approached around this time everyday. I entertained myself with the classic movies as I called them but they were just films made by humans before the takeover.

Donovan noticed my disdain for the werewolf films and programs that they aired on their Telly all day long. He had found some films that he owned before all this and I was grateful for it. Many of the films were comedy's which I was even more appreciative of unable to handle the slightest stir of emotions nowadays.

Halfway through one of the film that I couldn't remember the title to I heard heavy footsteps on the stairs. My eyes would move the screen to the the door only to stop when the Beta stood in my line of sight.

"I'm going out for a while," I could hear the clear reluctance in his voice as he glared at the stranger who stood near him.

"Don't wait up for me it'll be late," I rolled my eyes humored by this. I would never wait up for him.

"Bye," is all I muttered giving my full attention back to the film.

The door closed loudly and the murmur of voices were even louder. After a few minutes try talking didn't stop making me curiously walk to see what the commotion was. As I neared the door I peaked out the window to see an empty porch. In the distance I could see Donovan and the stranger enter the dense forest, but a good few yards behind them the guards who were meant to stay perched on my porch followed them. I suppose that's what Rowan meant by he'd take care of it, he'd get his minions to investigate.

Sighing I decided to turn off the Telly and retire to bed. I didn't bother changing from what I was wearing leggings and t-shirt were comfortable enough to sleep in. I tossed and turned sighing as the half pulled curtains allowed the bright white moonlight slither through the gap casting the room in light. I turned my back on the moon closing my eyes and giving into slumber.

A loud noise woke me suddenly despite having been in a deep sleep and having a foggy mind I knew that whoever it was quickly made their way up the stairs. I gripped the covers tightly to my chest as the door opened. A shriek left my cotton mouth as the Beta stood naked basking in the moonlight covered in crimson.

"Why are covered in blood?" I cried out pushing myself as far as I could into the bed.

He snarled at me throwing on a pair of briefs trying to ease my discomfort.

"A predator never likes to feel like the prey," he growled out at me making me swallow.

My eyes widen with realization at whose blood painted his skin.

"He sends people to stalk me yet a good hunter is never stalked! I'm not leaving you here alone who knows what he might try," I could still hear the rattling of the snarls in his chest as he spoke.

It wasn't long after I stood from the bed and put shoes on that his hand caged mine pulling me through and out the house. He opened my car door for me, moving his hand telling me to hurry making me glare at him. He was already sitting in the drivers seat reversing by the time I fastened my seatbelt.

"I think it's about time me and my cousin have a much needed conversation."

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~ Ari.