"Hello, love." He wore a smirk on his face and his dimples on display. God, he's so handsome.

Lucy was jumping around with joy but I was curious of his change in attitude.

Wait, love?

He stood there in a black vest, showing his tattoo which I guess goes all the way to his chest, and in surf-pants, a hoodie in his hand. Does he feel cold too? His eyes darkens as it roams my soaked body, I looked down at my chest which was clearly visible to him. Damn this white top! And the rain!

My family appear behind him, yes, Chloe too. She gives me a glare and vanishes into the living room, Shawn stood there in shock and Mom shared it too. William had a blank stare as usual, I sneeze. Seriously?! Right now?!

Travon pulls me inside, his face emotionless again. It's so hard to decipher his feelings, but right now my body was about to explode. His touch electrifying, I chill runs down my spine. He pulls the hoodie over my head and backs away.

"Mr and Mrs Sparks, I assume this is Hope." My name sounded so melodious coming from him, my parents nod and isolate us. Shawn looks at me giving me a call-me-if-you-need-help look, I nod and he leaves too.

"Why are you here?" I spit, Lucy growls at me for that but I ignore her. Travon looks at me with a serious expression, "You're my mate. Why shouldn't I be here?" He says with his infamous smirk, I give him a deadly glare.

"What do you want, Travon?"

"You."

My ears ring at his reply and heart skips a beat. Lucy starts purring with love.

"I'm not on sale."

"I'm not buying. I'm here to claim what's mine."

I feel my blood boiling, how can he say that. Im not his property to claim.

"I'm not your PROPERTY!"

I turn around to leave but what he says glues me in my position.

"Do as I say or they die."

I look at him searching for a hint of lie or joke but nothing... He looked dead serious.

"No!"

He pressses his lips into a firm line then looks straight into my eyes. "If I get them kidnapped and brutally killed, no one will find out. And even if they do, I'll shut them up. Money works quite effectively in this era. I am sure you wouldn't want that."

Tears start falling, turn away to hide my face. I can't show him Im weak. No, I'm not weak.

Laughter erupts from the living room, I'm guessing Shawn cracked a joke.

You have to protect our family, Hope. I nod.

They took me in when I was dying, provided me with food, love, care and a home when my own parents left me to die in the woods. I dry my eyes and face him, "Okay. But you'll leave them alone."

"Now thats more like it, girl." he says slightly brushing his finger on my neck. He made me feel like a dog and I hated it. But this bond gave me shivers and I liked his touch.

And I hated myself for it.

"Now shall we leave, love?" I move away from him, "where are you going?"

"To get my s-stuff."

"No need. Just say farewell to your family and we'll leave."

"B-but.. My fam-- .. How can I-I just leave?"

"They'll understand, besides I'm your mate. And who can keep you safer than me," with that he makes his way to the living room.

My eyes hurt from the crying, my head was spinning and my whole body ached. I didn't know how to say goodbye to everyone but I knew it had to be done. So I muster up some courage and stomp into the living room too.

Everyone's attention was on me, I took a final look at my family and sniffled. Mom came up to me and gave me a tight hug, "Alpha Travon will keep you safe, honey. Don't worry." I nodded then Shawn comes over and pulls me into another tight hug, "I'm gonna miss you, my Koala bear. And if you ever need anything, and I mean anything you're big brother is always at your service."

I force a smile, he kisses my temple and backs away. Chloe came me a hug, almost like she wanted to choke me to death. "Lucky bitch."

William comes up to me and gives me a side hug, "Every lady has to go through this when they find their mate, Hope. Your mother, Hannah went through it too and look at her now, she's happy," I give him a squeeze, "Behave, okay."

Travon pulls me by his side, I wave hopelessly and we walk out and head straight in his car which I swear, I didn't notice before. Inhaling his scent calmed me abit but it hurt to think that my mate didn't want me.

Don't say that Hope, you don't know anything yet.

Shut up, Lu. Hasn't he made everything clear to us?

I look out as we speed past shops, "Why?"

"You'll find out soon."

I was so curious and couldn't wait, "I wanna know now!" I demand but his focus fixed on the road. It looked like he was having an internal battle, after sometime he answers on a firm tone, "If it wasn't for Taylor, my wolf you would've been dead for hurting my daughter."

Lucy sings in delight, knowing her wolf mates name and that he cares for us.

But I waited for him to continue but nothing...

"Then why this?"

His grip tightens on the steering wheel, and eyes darkens.

"Because my daughter thinks you're her mother."