Fall was getting closer the longer I spent time with the pack. The occasionally chilly days were an obvious sign that the leaves would begin changing colors within weeks. It was the only way I had of telling the date.

"Macey?" Her cautious voice came sneaking up behind me, making me jump back inside the back door. "Hey. Sorry if I scared you."

"It's fine, Penelope." I sighed. I just wanted to go for a walk on my own. After my discussion with Chase just a few days earlier, I had been cooped up inside with Chase spending all his time locking down on security surrounding the pack. He was cautious for his pack and, apparently, he felt threatened in our 'relationship'. It wasn't a topic I had let him speak much on before quickly asking to eat dinner in silence.

"We haven't really talked in like a week," Penelope pointed out, following me into the kitchen where Kendall was rummaging through the refrigerator.

"I know, sorry. I've been distracted," I weakly commented. I didn't feel like having company right now, certainly not the company of an overly shy wolf and an overly opinionated ex-rogue.

"You seem pretty distracted right now," Kendall commented, biting into a peach that she had found.

"I have a lot on my mind," I grunted back.

"Is something going on between you and Alpha Chase?" Penelope cautiously stepped towards me. "Macey, he's doing everything he can to keep you safe right now. Even Mark has been busy for days trying to secure the pack."

"How about you focus on Mark and not on Chase and me?" It took me a moment of gulping down a glass of water before I felt my nerves calming down. "I'm sorry, I know I am being rude."

"Are you worried about your mate?" Kendall piped up. She hopped down from her chair and walked to the pantry.

"I'm not worried about him. He can take care of himself." I didn't care if I had admitted to the Alpha himself that I was worried for him and this pack. I would not let every wolf here know that I was weak in some aspects of my emotions.

"Not what I heard," Kendall mumbled just loud enough for me to hear. As I tensed, Penelope got wide eyed.

"Kendall, maybe you shouldn't snoop on your Luna's personal life."

"Maybe you shouldn't be so antsy about things," Kendall grinned and shook her head, "Chase talked to Blake after your little heart-to-heart with your Alpha mate. Blake told me."

"Chase told Blake?"

"Macey, I'm sure he just needed to talk to someone about whatever happened," Penelope reasoned.

"Why are you so ashamed of having feelings for Alpha Chase?" Kendall inquired.

"This is none of your business!" I felt the need to close my eyes and rub my temples, but I kept them open. "Kendall, you had no right discussing anything concerning me with Blake."

"Don't chew my ass for it! Your mate was the one who told Blake in the first place."

"Kendall, don't make things worse!" Penelope immediately barked, glaring daggers and surprising me with her authority in that moment. "You are threatening the relationship of our Alpha and Luna with your words, and it is not wise of you to do so."

"I want to see Chase," I stated. Kendall smirked and grinned proudly.

"See? I'm getting them together already."

"You are causing a fight between them before Alpha can even defend himself," Penelope groaned. "Macey, I can take you to Alpha Chase, but only if you agree to let him explain himself before shutting him out again."

"Why are you so concerned for our relationship, anyways," I snapped.

"This pack is dependent on our Alpha, and our Alpha is now dependent on you, Macey. I've told you this. Whether you like it or not, you are a vital part of this family now. I'm sorry for being disrespectful, but I do not like my Alpha being in emotional pain. Nor does anyone in this pack."

Penelope's speech left Kendall and I both dumbfounded, or at least I was. Kendall either was just that or just was at a loss for a comeback.

"I want to see Chase," I repeated. "I want to see my mate."

We walked briskly through wide, obviously cleared off trails until we came upon a large building. It wasn't nearly the size of the pack house, but it was as large as a house fit for a family. Just larger than my home.

Your home that you may never see again.

The thought hit me hard. It was beginning to seem like the truth. I would never get to even set foot in my home, even if I had grown up in it. It didn't matter that my last memories of Mom and Dad were in that house. It didn't matter that that was the one place I had known my whole life. My place was here now, and I would have to accept that. I was accepting that.

Penelope walked me up to a large door with one man standing outside of it. He looked alert and poised, yet he spoke so differently.

"Evenin', Penelope. Luna." His voice was deep but soft and kind. His smile was just as friendly.

"Hi, Jackson. Is Alpha Chase busy?" Penelope greeted back so familiarly that I felt left out. Mall the wolves in this pack acted as a family to each other, yet I was greeted with formality or, more rarely, hostility.

"I'm afraid he's been busy all day. Doesn't seem like he will be free for chit chat for quite a while," Jackson clicked his tongue, "What, is he not giving his ladies enough attention?"

"Ladies?" I spluttered, anger immediately consuming my entire being. "I'll have you know, that Penelope is in no way Chase's 'lady' and-"

"Macey, he was only joking," Penelope quickly cut me off, blushing like a fire hydrant.

"My apologies, Luna. I meant in no way to offend you or Alpha in any manner," Jackson was quick to apologize, a professional yet regretful look overtaking his face.

Did I just get jealous?

"No, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get angry-"

"I think the word you're looking for is 'jealous' not angry." The three of us froze at the sound of none other than the man on topic. The smug look on his face as he stood in the doorway made me want to scowl yet jump him at the same time.

God, horny much?

"I was not jealous!" I immediately defended myself, knowing very well that it was a useless proclamation.

"Alpha, I am very sorry for my comment towards the Luna," Jackson, again, apologized.

"That's quite alright, Jackson. It was nice seeing my mate get defensive of me."

"I did not-" A gust of wind twirled my hair into my face and made my words splutter.

"Why are you out of the pack house, Macey?" Chase, once again, interrupted. However, he did not seen as playful anymore. "You are still in heat. Penelope, why did you escort her here?"

"I made her," I covered quickly, "Chase, we need to talk."

My words had him halting. He still looked agitated, yet slightly more panicked.

"Jackson, I want this building cleared of every male wolf within the next minute." Chase's order was immediately carried through as Jackson rushed inside and Chase occupied the doorway himself.

"Come inside, Macey. Penelope, I want you standing guard at this door," Chase told her. She immediately nodded, smiling encouragingly at me when Chase tugged me into an entry hallway.

"Blake!" I grabbed his arm before he could pass us by and leave. The contact immediately had Chase growling.

"He needs to stay here. This involves him as well," I insisted, hearing the agitation in my own voice.

"Not a chance. You are already in a building with many unmated men who have yet to leave." Chase's words were becoming heavy as the men began to rush out and past, all taking careful measures not to so much as brush against me.

"He's mated, Chase, and this does involve him. Something has upset me and I want it dealt with," I stressed, keeping my eyes solely trained on his.

With a final growl, Chase gestured for Blake to lead the way into a large conference looking room. It held a long, oval shaped table with a map rolled out in the middle of it. Each corner was pinned down with paperweights and various markings were scribbled onto it.

Blake briskly walked to the opposite side of the table, making Chase grunt in approval.

"What has happened?" Chase asked.

"You told Blake about the other day in your office," I immediately stated. I didn't want to beat around the bush, and I honestly wanted Chase to admit he was in the wrong. I wanted him to know I wasn't comfortable with his actions.

"I did." Chase acknowledged. When I said nothing else, he gave a wary glance to the Beta. "Did I do something wrong?"

Flabbergasted, I simply glared at my idiotic mate. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"Language, Macey!"

"That was very personal to me. It was very hard for me to say and now you've gone and just told your friend about it? That wasn't okay!" Words couldn't describe how much I wanted to hit this wolf in the head with a chair.

"I wasn't aware that you would be upset about that. I'm very sorry, Macey, but the fact you've taken me and my beta into a private room with you in heat to discuss this still angers me. He was not involved in this in any way."

"He blabbed to his mate."

My words had Chase faltering in his argument and a sharp intake of breathe coming from the silent Beta. Tension was starting to grow quickly, filling the air.

"Blake?" Chase growled.

"It slipped my mouth before I could stop it. By the time I realized what I had said, it was too late. She wanted me to elaborate," Blake tried to explain. He looked obviously uncomfortable.

"That wasn't acceptable, I hope you realize," Chase snapped, running a hand through his hair. I didn't miss the small second that he chewed on his bottom lip.

"I do. I apologize, Macey-" A growl escaped Chase's lips. "-Luna. I will accept any punishment you wish to give me."

"No punishment is necessary," Chase grumbled. "There, Macey, problem solved."

"No it hasn't been solved!" The groan that came from Chase only angered me more. "Chase, this was more personal than telling about a discussion we had."

"A discussion? That is what you call it?" Chase laughed humorlessly. "That was more than just a discussion. That was you admitting something that-"

"That was me admitting weakness. And now that weakness is out there for anyone to use against me."

The room went eerily silent. No one spoke but I was sure the two wolves in the room could hear my heartbeat loud and clear. It hammered like a freight train.

"Blake, will you leave us?" Chase requested, but it was anything but a request. It was an order.

"Of course. I am very sorry for betraying your trust, Luna. I could not regret it more. I am still prepared for any punishment you and you alone wish on me." That was all he said before he left.

"I'm a weakness?" It was the first thing Chase said and I immediately became uncomfortably claustrophobic, even in this large room.

"I don't want to discuss this," I blandly stated, trying to run away in that second.

"You're my weakness, Macey," Chase blurted out quick enough to stop me. "I have a threat on my pack, and that threat seems solely pointed on taking you from me. That is all I have been able to think about for days. I've tried to keep my distance from you because you are in heat right now, and I know that my actions will make you uncomfortable with me. But it is not so easy done. My instincts are telling me to not let you out of my sight incase any breaches of security happen, but I'm trying so hard to-"

I cut Chase off when he saw tears in my eyes. I didn't want them to be there, and I wished I had been strong enough to stop them. However, it was too late to hide the sinful emotion as Chase was already rushing towards me.

He took my face in his hands and wiped at my eyes as gently as possible. His face was utterly shocked and he seemed dumbfounded on what to do.

"Macey, I know I can feel your emotions, but I'm at a loss right now," Chase mumbled, urging me to help him out.

Feel my emotions?

As my body tensed, so did Chase's. I immediately stepped away from him, out if his arms.

"What was that?" I grunted, wiping my eyes myself and glaring.

"What was what?" Obvious panic was settling in on his emotions.

"You can tell what I'm feeling? What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Answers were the only way that I would calm down in this moment, and even then it wasn't for sure.

"Macey, I just meant-"

"If you give me one damn lie or any more bullshit I am leaving and never looking back," I threatened. A growl was Chase's response.

"You can't keep using you running away against me!" He outraged.

"Then start giving me more reasons to trust you!" Chase, once again, faltered in his words. The scowl never left his lips.

"I know I have done things I shouldn't have. I know I have overreacted-"

"You almost killed Leo!"

"-but I am trying, Macey." Chase ignored my interruption. "And that is more than can be said for you."

Red hot rage bubbled in my veins at his words. My entire body was shaking as my fists clenched together. "You don't think I am trying? Any other hunter would still be trying their damnedest to gut you dry if they were in my position. I have pushed aside my instincts to accommodate to yours. I have stopped myself from running from this place multiple times including these last few days that you have been nonexistent in my eyes. I may still be a burden to handle, but I am compromising for you."

Chase gained a weary smile as he took careful steps closer to me. No matter how much my instincts told me to not let him any closer, my body just wouldn't move and I stayed rooted to the spot. I never once broke eye contact with the Alpha advancing on me, and even surprised myself when I sighed due to Chase grabbing my arms. He steadied my still shaking body.

"Macey," He whispered gently, sliding his hands down my biceps and trailing down to my clenched fists. He massaged the back of my hands until I loosened my grip, then he held my hands in his. I didn't pull away. I fought with myself, a constant internal battle in my mind, but I let him stay close to me.

The careful smile Chase owned slowly softened into an innocent grin.

"Macey, you are not a burden to me."

"You still haven't answered my question." I didn't tell him, this time, that I wanted a straight forward answer. I didn't remind him that any sign of not telling me the full truth would mean that all my trust would, most likely, go flying out a window.

He had to answer correctly, truthfully, or there would be consequences.

"It's part if the mate bond, Macey. My mark on you means that we are linked, I've said this before. Us being linked means that I can feel your emotions, and you can feel mine. You only have to stay open to my mind and to me and you will see this."

"That's an invasion of privacy," I mumbled, trying to step away from the tingling in my hands. Being so close to his body without actually touching anywhere except our hands was making my entire body spark up in an annoying, needy way. It was uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry that is how you feel. It is there for a reason, though. if you are in pain or hurting, I can know and I can help you. Even if you don't say a word to me about it, or if you are miles away, I will still be able to save you."

"I don't need saving," I practically hissed in his face.

"There comes a time when everyone needs saving, Macey."

"Even you?" I challenged harshly.

"Even me," Chase quickly replied. "you saved me, Macey. I was so lonely before and you saved me from that."

"That was cheesy." I didn't like how cliche this moment was. I didn't like how soft I was being treated, like a jewel, when I was anything but that. I was a hunter. I was a trained fighter and killer. Not a jewel.

"I don't care if it was cheesy." Chase stepped up to me and our bodies were pressed together. In the span of a second he had an arm wrapped around my waist and was leaning so close to my face that I immediately pressed my hands to his chest and leaned back.

"You're making me uncomfortable," I shot out the partial lie as quick as my mouth would let me.

"You're lying."

"Chase, I'm not used to this."

"If you never take steps to trust me physically as well as emotionally, then you will never be used to this. You have to be brave, Macey," Chase urged me. His eyes were clearly boring into mine, but the husky tone in his voice told me his mind was set on something besides my eyes.

"There is a threat on this pack right now. We need to focus on that and not my physical bravery, Chase." My change of topic had Chase sighing and slowly leaning me upright, stepping away from me.

"Penelope will escort you back to the pack house," Chase mumbled.

"Are you just going to shut down on me then?" I snarled. My head hurt from the tingles and sparks that I just endured from our proximity and now I was getting agitated again.

"I try not to," Chase sighed, "but you have to understand that you are all I have now. I have longed for my mate ever since I was a child and I have been alone for seven years now. It's hard sometimes."

"You've been alone?" I had lost my parents but I still had my brother. Chase still had Blake. Was that not the same?

"I am twenty-five years old, Macey. My parents are both dead and have been since I was eighteen. Coincidently, that is also the age that I was able to find my mate at. I was starting to think I wouldn't find you, actually." The raw emotion that leaked from his words had me almost shaking again. I didn't do well with emotions.

"You're twenty-five?" I asked, immediately wanting to drop dead at how insensitive I sounded. Chase only smiled weakly.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" He asked, turning to face me from the table map.

"No," I lied, lifting my chin slightly in defiance. "I'm mature enough to know that a slight age difference isn't what matters."

"I am seven years older than you are."

"And I'm sure that you don't care about that," I insisted, feeling myself get antsy at the thought that he was uncomfortable with our age difference.

"I don't give a shifter's ass about our age difference," Chase snarled out, facing the map again. "Would you like to know what we are discussing?"

"Yes."

I walked up to the table, standing directly beside Chase. I wanted to show him that this didn't bother me. I could be brave in a physical sense.

"Rogues are starting to try to reach us. Threats, mainly, but not straightforward ones. Messengers are sent that tell us of their numbers rising; of them starting to integrate into their own 'pack' of sorts. We are taking it as an indirect threat of safety. They are challenging our strength to control them," Chase explained.

"Why would they tell you how strong they are getting? That takes away the element if surprise," I commented, inwardly beaming at the proud expression that Chase sent my way.

"We believe they are under exaggerating their numbers. Maybe they are tricking us into thinking their are actually less in this pack when there could be hundreds."

I stood quietly, thinking for a moment. "It could be a complete scam. A trap. Maybe they are stronger than they let on, and they want you to attack. They want you to do something about it and when you do, they are going to have a higher advantage in some sense. A secret weapon."

"Whatever it is, I suppose we will find out."

"You are going to them?" My head snapped to face the lunatic that calls himself my mate.

"We are. We are going to attack them," Chase clarified, watching me carefully.

"Are you daft? We've just discussed the fact that they most certainly have something against you. You will still put yourself at risk and go after a group of chaotic wolves?" I could feel my outrage about to cave in on itself. There was something redundant about everything I had just said.

"I am not daft, but you seem a bit hypocritical." Chase smirked my way.

"Do not turn this around in my hunting!"

"Werewolves have an obvious advantage over mere hunters. Stronger. Faster. Supernatural beings that can snap your neck in a heartbeat. We have a natural instinct that is tenfold that of a humans. Yet you still would hunt. Why is that?" Chase paused and lifted his hand to push hair out if my face, even though it was nowhere near covering my eyes.

"To protect people," I answered harshly, slapping his hand away. He caught my wrist in the process.

"Exactly. I am doing this to protect my pack. My family. I am doing this to protect you." He kissed the inside if my wrist. "My mate."

"Don't, Chase." I yanked my hand away. "Don't trick me into agreeing with you like you are being some hero by doing this. You are making an idiotic move. You are playing right into the hands of the enemy."

Chase's eyes began to darken as he straightened up. "Do you doubt my ability to defend my own pack?" The anger was clearly there. Now I was falling into the enemies trap.

"No! I understand that-"

"I am a strong Alpha. I am a strong wolf. I will kill every last rogue single handedly if that is what it takes to prove this to you!" Chase roared, stepping to tower over me.

I stumbled back quickly at the unexpected proximity and a scowl on my own face challenged the snarl on Chase's.

"You are being reckless and unwise. I don't doubt your strength." I straightened my own posture as I hardened my emotions to stone. "I doubt your ability to come back to me unharmed."

~~~~

It took forever, once again, and I am so sorry.

Ya know, school, social life, it all just takes up time that I really wished I could just spend on here.

Well....

THANK FOR READIN', FOLKS!