Connor and I have been out for about twenty minutes. He's laying on his back, clothed, and staring at the sky. We had our fun in our tiger and wolf, then decided to shift back. "It's amazing out here." I hear his dazed voice, almost as if he's high off of the view.

I look to him, then back to the sky. "It really is, isn't it." We sit in silence, just enjoying the soft grass and warm morning sun.

My fingers dig into the grass, feeling the soil beneath, connecting myself to the earth.

Sophie! Hunter's voice pushes into my head, forcing me to sit up. We've had a breach. Get back to the house.

Connor immediately stands, taking me into his arms, but the pounding of paws nearby alerts me to the magnitude of what we're dealing with. "Connor." Just before he takes off to the house, I stop him. "We can't. We'll just lead them to the house." He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, allowing my feet to touch the ground.

"Anything, and I mean anything, that presents itself as a threat to you and we're gone." I nod, placing my lips to his in a soft kiss.

"Alright." His shocked eyes show that he was expecting more resistance, but I don't feel like arguing with him when I agree.

We turn to face the danger, both of us ready to take on as many as we can. The thundering grows and grows, until it sounds like it's right on top of us.

Connor howls, while he's still human. It's just as loud and powerful, as if he were fully phased and calling out for help.

A loud howl calls out in response. An army of wolves breaks through the treeline. They stop just before us, panting heavily.

The largest of the wolves steps closer and Connor growls. "That's close enough."

It looks between us, then shifts. A set of clothes are brought to the man, and he turns to us, fully dressed. He doesn't say anything, but instead stares at us.

I watch him. His hands are clasped in front of him, and down at his waist. His feet are set apart, giving him a firm stance, along with holding perfect posture. He's obviously part of a pack, no rogue smell, possibly a warrior, maybe even a Gamma. "My name is Sophelia. What brings you to this land?" This is unclaimed land, rogue territory.

His head tilts slightly, but his face remains as stony as before. A hand shoots up beside him, and I realize it's his. Someone hands him something and he clears his throat. "Sophelia Sinclair Desperte, am I right?"

Connor growls and steps in front of me, protecting me. "Who are you?"

The man glances at him, then opens up the rolled paper. "Sophelia Sinclair Desperte is demanded to appear at the Senate, to take place for her father and brother, who are no longer capable of leading the Midnight Moon pack."

My heart stops. "No longer capable?" I hold myself up against Connor's back. "Wha-what's happened to them? Why aren't they capable?"

He rolls up the paper, handing it off to someone else. "Your father is too old, and your brother has renounced his title, due to unfortunate circumstances."

My fantastic mate brings his arm around my waist to help me stand, then turns to the man. "Who are you, to tell my mate that she has to go back? There is a Beta. How did you even know where to find us?"

The man shrugs, he has a liaise faire attitude to him, which I don't like. "We've been searching for months. Her father told us that she was still alive. As for a Beta, things have become very explosive in the Midnight Moon pack. At the moment, Sophelia's father is taking control, but he is too old to lead it. He is only the working Alpha until his daughter can come and claim the title." I shake my head.

"My brother would never renounce his title. He's wanted to be Alpha ever since we were little kids." I look up to the man, hoping for an explanation.

Alas, he shakes his head. "It isn't my story to tell, but the Senate has demanded your return. To deny them, would be to deny the entirety of the werewolf community."

"Which would not be good, if I ever want to return to the werewolf community. Yeah, I know." Connor rubs his hand over my back, trying to calm me down.

"Wolves approaching!" Someone from the crowd yells, and I remember Hunter.

Right as they're about to charge into a fight, I yell for them to stop. "Those wolves, they're my guard. They protect me from any threat, they're extra protection, if my mate and I aren't enough."

"They seem to be running a little late then. We've been talking for a while." The man calmly looks at me, regarding me.

"They don't just guard me. They keep this area clear of rogues." Hunter, I'm fine. The man nods, then turns to walk into his cluster of wolves.

Just before he does, he looks over his shoulder. "Sounds like you need a more specialized army." With that he walks between the wolves and men. "We'll expect you in four days to arrive at the Senate building!" His form disappears, and soon the pack of wolves leave.

Hunter walks towards us, watching them. "What was all that?"

Connor takes my hand and looks me in the eye. "I have to go." He shakes his head. "They'll hurt my family if I don't."

"We're not ready. I'm not ready. What if I can't keep you safe?" He shakes his head again. "You're not going. We'll send Lily as a diplomat, to fill in for you."

"Guy's, can I but in?" Hunter raises a hand, getting our attention. "Whatever is going on, the guard can go with you, stay close to you. Without you here, we really have no place, seeing as, if you leave, everyone else does."

I look up at Connor. "I'll have you and the entire guard protecting me, not to mention Trish, Lily and her mate, and myself." His eyes flicker between me and the space the small army had just occupied. "Any sign of a threat, and we're out."

Connor's breath falls, along with his shoulders. "Fine." He turns to Hunter. "I want four guards on her at all times. That doesn't count you or I." His head snaps to me. "And you stick by me, that means that wherever you go, I go, wherever I go, you go." I nod my head, then rest it against his chest. If I were feeling happier, I may have chuckled at how protective he's being, but my family is in trouble. I can't be happy knowing they need my help.

Hunter speaks up. "Alright, now that that's covered, where are we going?"

I pull away from Connor and run a hand through my hair. "We're going back to Midnight Moon."