The thunder clapped hard outside the hospital. Yet, the sound was nothing compared to the shit they all went through today. Lazarus couldn't sit. He was pacing back and forth, his boots tracking footprints across the floor. Zeiden was out of surgery and asleep in the room. Rosalie was also asleep. Thankfully, both of them weren't hurt too badly and would recover quickly.

However, Lazarus's restlessness was because he was worried about his mate. From the moment he reached her and uncontrollably killed in front of her, she hadn't looked the same. She was pale and distant, like everything that happened couldn't possibly be real. He didn't blame her; this life was difficult to understand that's why he'd warned her so many damn times.

He swiped a hard hand through his hair while thinking about what she was going to do now. Facing the dangers of being part of his family was a heavy burden. She was going to have doubts now, but what was he going to do about it. He couldn't force her, he had no right... but he couldn't let her go either. He needed her.

Lazarus wasn't the only one riddled with the discomfort of the unknown. Adrik stood against a wall, his arms crossed and his jacket was taken off. All the weapons the man carried were disclosed and it was clear that he wanted to use every single one of them again to hunt the people that did this. On the other hand, Marcello sat on the chair with Percy who was keeping the kids company as they slept on the sofa.

"She's going to be fine," Ashley appeared behind Lazarus.

"I don't know," Lazarus confessed his doubt.

Ashley faced him with her thoughtful eyes. "You should've seen her," she said. "Sophia was scared but she protected Zeiden and Rosalie. She's got fight in her."

Lazarus's frown deepened. "What am I supposed to do if she wants to leave me?" he asked her.

"She won't leave you," she alleged.

As much as Lazarus wanted to believe that, he wasn't fully convinced.

The door swung open and Justin rushed out.

"Guys, Rosalie's awake," he announced.

Adrik was the first one in the room and the rest followed. They saw Rosalie resting on the bed, her hair spilling across the pillow. She was a bit pale and a bruise marred her head with a few stitches under a white bandage.

"Adrik," her tired voice called out for her mate.

Adrik was by her side, he gathered her in his arms and she embraced him back. Lazarus couldn't believe how much Adrik had changed since he met Rosalie. He was a scarred man that was chained by his past which left him unable to show emotions or even touch anyone. Yet, he had fallen so madly in love that nothing stopped him from his mate.

"Are you okay?" Adrik voice was guttural.

"I'm fine. Where's Ashley, Sophia? Oh god, and where's Zeiden? What happened?" Rosalie asked.

"Shhh," Adrik soothed her down, "Ash and Sophia are right here and Zeiden's healing up in the room next door."

Rosalie looked at Sophia asleep on the bed beside her. "Ashley," she called out next.

Ashley smiled. "Hey," she said softly.

"Are you okay?" Rosalie asked.

Ashley's eyes watered. "You're the one on the hospital bed and you're asking me," she remarked.

Rosalie's eyes started to tear up too. "Can you just come here," she reached out and Ashley came over and hugged her.

"How are you feeling, Rosalie?" Justin asked as he scrolled through a chart on his iPad. Adrik moved to the other side of the bed, still holding her hand, their wedding bands glinting in the low light of the room.

"My head hurts but nothing more than that," she said.

"You have a cut on the temple of your head. We gave you stitches but it should heal up quickly," he said as he eyed the iPad. "You are perfectly fine and you don't have a concussion-" his voice fell as his eyes blinked on the screen.

"What is it?" Adrik asked grimly.

Justin pulled out his cellphone and quickly called someone. "Hey, Jennifer," he said. "I'm holding Rosalie's chart and it-" he hurried out of the room.

"Well, that was cryptic," Ronin remarked.

Rosalie started to lift off the bed. Adrik set the pillow behind her so she could get comfortable. "How's Zeiden?" she asked. "Is he hurt badly?"

"No," Isaiah said as he briefly looked at Marcello who was quietly standing behind them all. "Justin said that he'll make a full recovery."

"Thank goodness," Rosalie mumbled, then her kind eyes looked over at Sophia. "Sophia protected me, you know-" her eyes locked with Adrik then Lazarus.

Lazarus wanted to know more but Justin returned to the room. He looked over to the side where Sophia was asleep even in the commotion, he wanted to go to her but held back. His wolf, on the other hand, was overflowing with pride that their mate was a fighter.

"Yo, why'd you leave?" Ronin asked Justin.

"I don't really know how to say this," he said looking at Rosalie and Adrik, "but you're pregnant."

The room went pin-drop silent.

"What are you talking about?" Adrik said.

"You're having a pup," Justin said with a beaming smile. "Jennifer did a test before as a precaution, and it came back positive."

"Oh my god!" Ashley clapped her hands together.

Everyone couldn't hide their shock as they all stared at each other. Adrik hugged Rosalie, smothering her face with as many kisses as he could.

"Sophia," Rosalie blurted out, "she blocked me when the man tried to kick me-" she put a hand over her belly and her eyes watered heavily. "I could've lost the pup, but she stopped him. Oh god, I-" Adrik took her into her arms and her soft sobs muffled in his neck and shirt.

"Aunt Rosa," Vivian's voice alerted them then. She walked into the hospital room. "Why are you crying?"

"Vivian," Rosalie wiped her cheeks and held her arms out for her niece.

Lazarus picked up Vivian and put her on the bed so she could hug Rosalie.

"Are you hurt a lot?" Vivian asked as her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm fine," she said. "Guess who is going to be a big sister again?" Vivian's eyes blanked as she stared at Adrik and Rosalie. "You are, Vivian! You're going to have another little sister or brother," Rosalie announced. Vivian's eyes brightened and she hugged Rosalie.

Congratulations went around quietly before Ashley took everyone out of the room, so they could let the ladies rest.

"You guys should head home," Lazarus said to Isaiah.

"What about you?" he asked.

He looked back in the room where Sophia was asleep. "I'm going to stay," he told him.

"Okay," Isaiah raked his tousled hair. "Text me if anything happens." Lazarus nodded.

Isaiah and Ashley followed Ronin who had Evelyn in his arms, she was dead asleep with no hope of waking up for the next twelve hours, that pup slept like a log. Lazarus was sure that she would be excited when she finds out that Rosalie's pregnant. Another family member was joining them, that thought even made him smile despite how shit he was feeling.

Justin had moved Rosalie to the room next door, so Adrik could sleep on the spare bed but Lazarus knew they'd share one bed regardless. Marcello was glued to Zeiden's side. Percy had assigned armed men around the hospital to protect them as they all rested here, Lazarus appreciated that.

The hall had grown quiet once everyone cleared.

Lazarus closed the door behind him as he entered the room where Sophia was asleep. He came around and sat on the chair beside the bed. Heavy rain hit the window next to him, the blaring blue lightning flashed inside the room, the thunderous sound followed soon after. He sat amongst the storm as he watched over his mate. She slept peacefully, but she left him to face the chaos of his own thoughts.

She was attacked today, he still couldn't wrap his mind around it. The moment he had seen her holding Rosalie, protecting her and letting that thug do whatever he wanted drove Lazarus insane. All sanity left his mind and the carnal need to kill emerged without hesitation.

Lazarus still recalled the terrible sensation of how the blade slashed inside the man's thick neck. The long blade was ruthless as it ended the thug's life in seconds. He knew he should've stopped after the man was dead, but the thirst to destroy him overwhelmed Lazarus. He stopped and continued to juice out the anger from inside his blackened heart. He knew that terrified Sophia more. She had seen him at such a wild state. No wonder she reconsidered this whole relationship. He knew from the start that this was a bad idea, but now he couldn't walk away from her.

Lazarus eased back in the chair, his head rested on the cushion but his eyes stayed on Sophia. A lot of time passed before he had fallen asleep, but he wished he hadn't because the entire night, the look in Sophia's eyes haunted his dreams.

Sophia didn't know what time it was.

A bright light shined on her face and she didn't remember closing the blinds in her bedroom last night. She peeled her eyes open but was unable to recognize the ceiling of her own room... Like waves crashed the jaded rocks of a cliff, memories came rushing back to Sophia. Everything that happened yesterday; the fight, Zeiden getting shot, Rosalie being unconscious, Lazarus killing that man... it all came crashing down on her.

A throbbing ache stung on her head as she opened her eyes and focused on her surroundings. She was in a hospital room, the curtains were drawn back, so bountiful light poured through the glass and onto her bed, it warmed her aching legs.

It was Monday today wasn't it, she thought. She should probably call work and let them know she needed a day off. But where was her phone? Sophia moved up onto her elbow, her whole body hurt like it had been hit by a truck. She saw her purse on the table beside her, she shifted higher and grabbed it. Sitting up on the bed, she took out her phone and called Principal Bradford. It wasn't easy telling her boss a lie so she could take the day off, but she didn't know what else to do. After convincing Principal Bradford that she got into a car accident, he wished her a full recovery and told her to take a few days off. Sophia disconnected the phone, when suddenly, the door opened.

Lazarus filled the frame of the door with his height. He wasn't in yesterday's suit; the bloody shirt had been replaced with a t-shirt and flannel with jeans. His hair tied up and away from his handsome face.

"You're awake," he sounded alarmed, "let me get Justin-"

"Hold on," she stopped him and he turned back towards her. "How is everyone?"

Lazarus green eyes shined warmly. "They're fine," he told her.

Sophia let out a breath of relief, but it seemed like the one who wasn't calm was the man by the door. Lazarus stared at her like he was walking on eggshells- she hated it.

"Don't go," she said softly, "please, Lazarus." He came and stood by her bed. She motioned to the stool and waited until he took a seat. "I called work for the day off," she told him.

Lazarus's gaze hardened. "What'd you say?" he asked.

"I told them I got into a car accident," she said.

A flicker of something unknown passed in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he rasped.

"Why are you apologizing?" she asked sincerely because she knew that what happened wasn't his fault. The people who attacked them were the problem here.

"It's all because of me that you can't go to the job you love and that you're in the damn hospital in the first place," his voice was cutting raw wounds into her heart.

"It's not your fault," she assured.

Lazarus turned his head away and mumbled a curse under his breath. She noticed the faint marks under his eyes, he mustn't have slept properly last night. She abhorred that Lazarus carried the weight of the world. Everything that happened was not on him.

"Lazarus, I should've said this yesterday-" he gave her his attention; those eyes resembled shattered glass and were ready for the worst- "Thank you for saving me." His eyes widened as he stared at her. "If you hadn't showed then I don't know what would've happened."

"Nothing would've happened," his voice was dark and low, "no one touches you." She reached her hand over, brushing her fingers on his cheek, he leaned into her touch and kissed her palm. "I promise, Sophia. I will protect you with my life."

Knowing she couldn't convince him otherwise, Sophia shifted to the side of the bed. "Lay down with me," she wished.

Lazarus didn't hesitate before sliding in beside her. They faced each other, but Sophia closed her eyes falling back into the warmth of his nearness and the comfort he brought her. It was a brief moment later that she felt his fingers on her cheek, he caressed over the skin before following the line of her jaw. The slow pulse on her throat jumped when his fingers neared that spot, she couldn't help it.

"I thought I'd get more sleep but you're distracting me," she remarked. She didn't need to open her eyes to know that she got a smile from Lazarus.

"I'll stop," he said, and surprisingly, he did.

But Sophia couldn't fall back asleep. There was no use being in bed either, since she was in a desperate need of a shower, fresh clothes, breakfast and a huge cup of coffee. She shifted and turned to get up.

"What's wrong?" Lazarus asked.

"Can you take me home?" She saw the concern in his gaze return. "I just want to freshen up and change my clothes," she explained.

"Okay," he agreed and got up too.

Sophia used the bathroom as Lazarus left to tell Adrik who had also stayed back the night. She saw in the mirror that her dress was ruined but she had nothing else to wear now. Rinsing her face with water, she stepped out after and met Lazarus by the door.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Yeah," she went and grabbed her purse.

Lazarus came over to her and put his jacket over her shoulders, covering the dress like he knew that it bothered her.

"Thank you," she held the jacket closely around herself. "Are Rosalie and Zeiden awake?"

"Not yet," he told her. "Did you want to meet them? I can-"

"No, it's okay. I don't want to disturb their sleep," she said. "We can just come back later."

Lazarus and Sophia left the hospital together.

She was glad to be home when they arrived. Lazarus locked the door behind him as he followed her into the house.

"I'm going to freshen up," she told him as she went towards the stairs.

Lazarus nodded telling her he heard. She quickly went upstairs and got right into her shower, which was desperately needed. She scrubbed her body twice and washed her hair too. She stepped out of the shower and stood in front of the foggy mirror. She opened the door letting the steam out. Swiping her hand across the mirror, she faced her reflection that was a lot better than last night. The bruise was still visible on her forehead and it hurt too. She didn't bother covering it with makeup since she wasn't going to work today. She just put a fresh bandage on the cut.

Wrapped in her towel, she stepped into her closet and took out a white skirt and baby-blue blouse. She left her damp hair open to dry on its own. Just as she hung the towel to dry on the rack in the bathroom, she caught the comforting fragrance of coffee fill the house.

Sophia went down the stairs to the kitchen where Lazarus had brewed a fresh pot of coffee and had an omelet cooking in the pan on the stove.

"You are divine," she confessed.

Lazarus turned at the sound of her voice, his eyes trailed over her. "Sit," he said, "it's almost ready."

Sophia took the seat on the stool by the kitchen counter where she could watch Lazarus move around her kitchen. He unhooked the sunflower mug off the wall behind the coffee machine and poured the magical black liquid into the cup, adding milk and sugar before placing it in front of her.

"Thank you," she said happily. She looked down at the mug and the colour was a rich caramel. She took a sip and gaped at him. "This is amazing. Hold on, how'd you know how I take my coffee?" she asked as she took another taste of this sorcery.

"You ordered a vanilla latte once, so I guessed you like it sweet," he told her.

Oh right, she told her brain to forget that embarrassing moment of when he met her at the cafe and overheard her talking to her mother.

Quickly ignoring those thoughts, she sat on the stool enjoying the cup of coffee as she watched Lazarus in her kitchen. He went to the stove and folded the golden omelette in half, he then laid out two pieces of bread onto the pan to get crispy. There was something thrilling about having him here in her space. He filled out the small area with his strapping figure, but she liked that if she was in that kitchen with him then they'd probably bump into one another and annoy one another, the thought of that made her smile.

Sophia got off the stool and went to grab a blueberry muffin off the tier tray near the toaster. He moved around her to put the bread in the fridge. The moment he turned to go back to the stove, she stepped right into him, her muffin almost squishing between them.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said while trying hard to keep her amusement hidden.

Lazarus didn't catch on. He just shifted past her and asked where she kept the plates.

"Just right over here," she pointed up at the small cabinet by the stove's hood. Both of them collided once again. "Oh god, I'm sorry. It won't happen again," she said.

"For some reason, I don't believe you," Lazarus said as he looked down at her.

Sophia waited right behind him as he took a plate out of the cabinet. He just turned and she faced the other side while eating the muffin. Lazarus bit back a smile but she definitely caught it, which was good. He lightened up finally.

She lifted her hand with the muffin towards him. "Here, have a bite. I'll go sit down after," she said as a truce. Not wanting to annoy this overbearingly-controlling man that she had come to adore in such an unreasonably small amount of time.

Lazarus stepped closer caging her to the counter behind her. She almost dropped the muffin too. Gaping up at him, she met his soft kiss with her own. Linking her arms around his neck, her hands angsty to touch any part of him that they could. He wound her up slowly, taking her into his world and letting her stay there with him. She never knew a kiss could be so gentle but at the same time consume her very being. His hands clutched onto her waist drawing her into his body, not letting even air pass through them. As she followed his lead, their kiss ignited all instinct in her to pull him down onto the kitchen floor.

Lazarus pulled away before that idea became reality. "Go sit down," he was breathless.

She rolled her eyes at his tone. "Fine," she said, "but can I get one more kiss?" Lazarus's green eyes narrowed on her teasing tone, his frown strained also making her chuckle. She leaned up on her toes and stole a kiss herself before walking off to the table to sit down like he so sweetly asked.

Lazarus plated the food and placed it in front of her. "Aren't you going to eat?" she asked, as she felt the steaming egg melt in her mouth.

"I'm not hungry," he answered as he took the seat beside her.

Sophia looked up with concern. "My mom always told me to never take any of my moods out on food," she said as she forked a bit of omelet to his mouth. He leaned down and took the bite pleasing her. She put the rest of the omelet evenly on the two slices of bread and gave one to him.

They ate together until the plate was emptied. Sophia picked up the dishes despite his reluctance and washed them herself. The only thing she asked of him was to make her another amazing cup of coffee, which he gladly did.

By the time, Sophia had finished off cleaning the kitchen and another cup of coffee. Lazarus was in the living-room on the phone with Isaiah. She wiped her hands off on a dish-cloth and joined him. He was leaning on the arm of the sofa.

"No," he said on the phone, "I'll be there right away. Bye." He cut the phone then.

"Is everything okay?" she asked him.

"Zeiden and Rosalie are awake," he told her.

Sophia filled with ease. "Thank god," she muttered.

He pocketed his phone and stood to his feet. "I'm going right now to see them-"

"I'm coming with you," she said.

Both of them were out the door and in his car ready to go. Sophia bought two bouquets on the way before they arrived.

At the hospital, Lazarus and Sophia made their way to the elevators and got off on the VIP wing of the building. Holding the two flower bouquets in her hand, she noticed that the hallway was empty.

"Where is everyone?" she asked.

"Rosalie must have sent them off," he said. "This pack- Er, I mean group likes to hover." Sophia chuckled.

Lazarus took her to the first door and opened it revealing Rosalie who was up and out of bed.

"Why are you out of bed?" Both Lazarus and Sophia astounded.

Rosalie was brushing her hair out that looked a bit damp, she must have showered. "You two better not start with me," she put her hands on her waist and glared at them, "I had to send the love of my life away because he was soon becoming the bane of my life."

"I'm surprised Adrik left," Lazarus mumbled.

"He didn't, he put up a fight," said Rosalie. "I had Ronin drag him out after I emotionally blackmailed him."

"Poor guy," Lazarus sighed.

"It's good to see you on your feet, Rosalie," Sophia said. "Here, we brought you these-" she handed the lovely bouquet of pink tulips and irises with yellow roses. Rosalie took it with a beaming smile.

"I should be giving you flowers for saving us," Rosalie said.

Sophia shook her head. "No, I did nothing. Your family came on time," she protested.

"You protected me and my baby when that man was going to attack me," Rosalie revealed.

"It's nothing, Rosa-" Sophia stiffened when it hit her- "Baby?" Her mouth dropped open. "Oh god," she covered her gaping mouth, "are you pregnant?"

Rosalie chuckled. "Yeah," she said.

"Oh my god," Sophia looked at Lazarus who was smiling too, "when did you find out?"

"Last night," she answered.

"Congratulations!" Sophia exclaimed.

Rosalie hugged her and thank her again too when Sophia told her it wasn't necessary.

"Is that what you blackmailed Adrik with?" Lazarus asked.

"Of course, happily I might add," Rosalie jested.

"Something tells me that he only left because he knew I was here," Lazarus pointed out and that even convinced Sophia. From the way Adrik protected and cherished Rosalie, there was no way he would leave her here alone. Unless of course, someone from the family was here.

Rosalie shrugged. "Did you guys go to Zeiden yet?" she asked then.

"No, not yet," said Sophia.

"Let's go then. Marcello should be driving him crazy by now too." Rosalie got to her feet.

All of them left the room and went to the one next door. They hadn't even knocked yet, when they heard Zeiden's voice through the walls, he was quite lively for a man who got shot.

Lazarus opened the door. "You better have a good reason for not resting," his voice alone silenced Zeiden and Marcello who was glowering over his husband on the bed.

Zeiden was propped up on the bed with a pillow, his shoulder in a cast but other than that he seemed in perfect condition. The colour to his face returned, he was out of the hospital gown and in jeans and a shirt, his hair tousled but damp like he took a shower too.

Zeiden groaned. "The bullet may not have killed me but you guys will," he remarked.

"Shut up and tell me how you are feeling?" Lazarus said as he glued himself to the bed and examined his little brother with his piercing green eyes.

"For the hundredth time, I'm fine," he said and looked at Marcello who was not buying it at all.

"What did Justin say?" Lazarus asked Marcello.

"Justin said he just needs to rest," Marcello answered.

"What about exercise?" Lazarus asked then.

"Anything light will be fine," Marcello said.

"Someone please save me from these two," Zeiden complained as he threw his head back on the pillow.

"We wouldn't be having this discussion if you hadn't gotten shot," said Marcello.

"It's not like I wanted to," retorted Zeiden.

"I swear to god, I can't leave you alone for a second," Marcello continued.

"Amen to that," Lazarus grumbled on the side.

"What about when you got stabbed on our last mission?" Zeiden yelled at Marcello.

"I recovered quickly," Marcello professed.

"Everyone gets shot around here," Zeiden grumbled, "but you all pick on me."

A pit sank in Sophia's gut when she heard that. She couldn't wrap her head around how this family was in constant danger. Sophia looked at Rosalie who had the same dismayed expression as Zeiden. "Zeiden," Sophia spoke up as she went around Lazarus. "Here, these are for you."

Zeiden held the bouquet. "You got me flowers," he looked surprised but then glared at Marcello and Lazarus. "See, you two, this is how you cheer someone up."

She sat on the foot of the bed. "Tell me the truth, are you really okay?" she asked as she stared into his light-blue eyes that showcased his exhaustion to her.

He gave her that playful smirk of his. "This much can't bring me down," he said. "Thanks for the flowers and for coming back to me. I heard you saved the day."

"She sure did," Rosalie chimed in, "recused both of us and my baby."

"That's badass," Zeiden added before he gaped at Rosalie. "Baby! What baby? Whose baby?"

"My baby," Rosalie said.

"Someone catch me, I think I might faint again," Zeiden said making them laugh. "I can't believe this," he continued. "You're pregnant. Where's Adrik? He's probably gone off the rails by now."

"He sure has," another voice surprised them, it was Ashley. "Adrik hasn't taken a seat or a drink since yesterday."

"Where is he?" asked Lazarus.

"He's coming up now but he's been brooding ever since Rosalie sent him off," she said.

Rosalie left the room to go to him and probably cheer him up.

Ashley went straight to Zeiden and hugged him. "You need to stop scaring everyone," she smacked his back repeatedly.

"I'm. So. Sorry," he said between each hit.

Ashley ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. "You also need a bodyguard," she said to him.

"Don't say that," Zeiden rebuked. "The one behind you might do it."

Ashley looked back at Marcello who had his arms crossed and his severely stern expression on Zeiden, he looked as if he could turn anything to stone with that look.

The commotion grew when Isaiah and Ronin arrived with Justin and the kids. Isaiah and Lazarus were agreeing with Marcello to have bodyguard just for Zeiden. The kids were too busy crowding Zeiden who was laid back on the bed and feigning a migraine. Justin pitied the guy and told everyone to calm down and let him rest, but this family wasn't one to listen to the doctor either.

"How are you feeling?" She turned at the familiar voice, it was Adrik.

"I'm much better than yesterday," she told him. There was a warmth in his sapphire eyes that spoke volumes about his demeanour rather than the scar that heinously marked him forever.

"Rosalie told me what you did," he said. "I don't know how to thank you for protecting her."

She shook her head. "You don't need to," she said looking at Lazarus to help her but he was busy disciplining Zeiden who was covering his ears.

"I owe you my life," Adrik affirmed. "Anything you want or need, I'll always help you. I vow that."

Sophia's heart skipped a beat. "You don't owe me anything," she panicked.

"Just accept it, Sophia. He's very serious about this," Rosalie jested as she walked in too.

Sophia couldn't help but smile and accept it because it did seem like Adrik wasn't going to budge about his vow.

"What is up with the women in this house going towards bullets?" Lazarus grumbled and Sophia heard him.

"I was wondering the same damn thing," added Ronin.

Sophia exchanged a look with Ashley and Rosalie. "We couldn't just leave him," Sophia defended them. "He was in trouble and-"

"He's trained to fight and you three aren't-" he argued back. "All of you are supposed to run the other way from danger. I swear to god, I'm going to lose my mind one day."

"Is he always like this?" Sophia asked the others.

"Always-" all of them said.

Lazarus's glower darkened as if a thunderous cloud hung over him and it was pouring rain. Before it got any worse, Ashley ushered everyone out of the room. Zeiden argued with Justin that he was fine and wanted to go home already even Rosalie agreed. Zeiden hung on Marcello pretending to use him as a crutch but frankly he was just trying to cheer his grumpy husband up. They all left the hospital and since Justin's shift ended, he joined them too. They waited by the cars for him to get his stuff and change out of his uniform.

Sophia and Lazarus were in their car by the time Justin came down and got in the van with Ronin and the other family members. Everyone agreed to head out to Bobby's restaurant for brunch. Sophia welcomed the warm food and Bobby's concern for Zeiden who was injured, it was very amusing to watch Bobby feed Zeiden and Rosalie everything on the table.

They finished off brunch and headed back to their cars. Ashley planned on throwing a party to celebrate Zeiden's recovery and Rosalie's big news, but exhaustion was catching up to Sophia and she really needed her bed right now.

Sophia tugged Lazarus's hand a bit and his attention was on her immediately. "Can you drop me home?" she whispered.

He glanced at her. "You okay?" he asked.

"I'm fine," she reassured, "but I'm in dire need of sleep."

He looked over her face searching for any figment of a lie. When he couldn't find any, he gave in and told the others that he was taking her home. Sophia hugged and congratulated Rosalie again and then told Zeiden to take it easy. Lazarus then dropped her home.

Sophia unbuckled her seatbelt when he parked outside her door. "Thanks for dropping me home," she said.

"Are you sure nothing's wrong?" he asked her.

Sophia looked at his eyes that were storming. "Yes," she said surely. Nothing was wrong, she thought. She just needed to rest after knowing that everyone was safe and attacks like those were normal for this family.

"Do you want me to come inside with you?" he asked.

She shook her head. "You need to be with your family right now," she told him. "I'll call you later."

Lazarus cupped the back of her nape drawing her over the arm-rest to meet his lips. "You better," he asserted.

She smiled against his mouth thinking that this man was going to be domineering and controlling, but he was as dreamy as an archangel. Damn him for ruining her thoughts and messing with her. Sophia playfully bit his bottom lip as a punishment and ran out of the car before he could do anything to her. She locked the door and saw him drive off through the window.

Sophia didn't waste another second before she changed out of her clothes into something more comfortable and hopped into bed. She had closed her eyes and fell asleep like she was cast under a deep spell. Nothing awakened her for the next few hours.