Xander POV:

I watched her dance with the other bridesmaids and Tasha's nieces and nephews. It was sweet to see her like that when she so often was a spitfire. I couldn't help but think what a great mother she would be. I wondered if she wanted kids.

Goddess, one thing at a time, Xander...

It would probably be wise for me to back off on the serious things. It caught me off guard when she said she'd known me less than a week. It didn't feel like it was so recent. I already felt like I'd known her my whole life. I smiled as she spun around with Tasha, singing along to the song they danced to.

"Usually can't get her to dance without some alcohol."

I turned to see Travis taking a seat next to me. I clenched my jaw and reminded myself I promised to be nice.

"She's willing to make sacrifices for her friends."

"Very true," Travis responded, sipping on a drink. "So, Xander. What do you do for a living?"

I couldn't help the smile as I glanced over at him.

"Are you about to give me 'the talk'?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He chuckled and shrugged. "Maybe."

"Unnecessary. If anyone's heart ends up broken it'll definitely be mine. I know something good when I see it." And I know what's mine when I see it.

"She hasn't told me much about you," he said, seeming bothered by that fact. "How long you guys been together?"

Shit. That wasn't something we'd discussed. Best to be vague.

"I suppose I don't know when we would've considered it official," I shrugged. "I've been crazy about her since the day I met her."

Travis nodded, seeming to accept that answer. He sipped on his drink and frowned as he stared ahead. He clearly had something specific to say. I would try to reign in my temper.

"Go ahead," I sighed

He looked over at me questioningly, raising an eyebrow.

"Whatever it is you actually came over here to say," I pressed. "The small talk is unnecessary."

"What happened when she was taken?" 

More blunt than I expected. I sat up straighter in my chair and gave him a side-glance.

"I'm afraid that's not my story to tell," I said. "I'm sure she'll tell you when she's ready."

He frowned but nodded, finishing off the last of his drink.

"You helped her?" 

"As much as she needed it. She was very strong about the whole thing."

"Sounds about right," he chuckled humorlessly. "Thanks for watching out for her."

I wasn't sure how to respond to that. Of course I was looking out for her. She was mine. I couldn't think of a good answer so I just nodded which seemed to be enough because he left.

I looked back to the dance floor and saw Addie approaching, looking over at Travis. She clasped her hands together and frowned.

"You weren't rude, were you?" She asked.

"Why are you assuming I'm the one that would be rude?" I frowned.

"You're the jealous one."

"So are you, love."

"Whatever," she huffed, crossing her arms. "If I drink, do you promise to not take advantage even if I throw myself at you?"

"Are you worried you'll throw yourself at me?" I countered, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean, a little," she admitted.

"Want me that badly, huh?"

"Forget I asked," she said, rolling her eyes and turning away.

I stood and grabbed her hand, spinning her to face me and cupping her cheek with my hand. "Adira, I would never take advantage of you. Drink to your heart's desire. I will get you home safely."

"Promise? I don't want to regret anything," she said, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Promise. I wouldn't want you to either. When I have you I want you fully aware you're with me. You can trust me, love," I said, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"Thanks," she said, smiling shyly and wrapping her arms around me before taking off.

Alpha, several more showed up with rogues, Gina linked.

I had to hold back the growl.

Rogues? Get back up. Stay cautious. Everyone outside to face them, I'll stay inside with Luna.

I ran a hand through my hair and searched the room until I found her at the bar. She was sipping from a drink and talking to someone. An open window brought the scent of the rogues in.

Now I knew something more was up. Rogues and vamps? Rogues rarely banded together, why the hell would they do it alongside vampires?

I strode over to her and set a hand on her back. She turned to me and smiled, looking at me curiously.

"What?" She asked, her eyebrows etching in concern.

Shit. I needed to control my emotions better. She could tell something was wrong.

"I was hoping to dance with you," I said quickly, offering a smile.

"Oh," she said in surprise, downing the rest of her drink. "Okay."

I held out my hand and she took it. We went to the dance floor and I spun her around before pulling her closer to me. It was a slow song. A good excuse to be close to her while my instincts were screaming at me to get her out of there. If I danced with her all night, I wouldn't have a reason to leave her side. I kept my head next to hers, looking past her at the windows in case anything went by.

"Xander," she murmured, turning my face towards hers. "What's going on?"

"Nothing," I said, spinning her around.

"Don't lie to me," she said, frowning as I pulled her close again. "You really think I haven't noticed that something's wrong? Why won't you tell me?"

"I'm just anxious," I admitted. That at least was true.

"Why? Nothing happened last night so we're probably okay, right?" She asked.

I wasn't happy to be lying to her. I would have to tell her as soon as we were leaving.

"I can't help it," I sighed. "It comes with the job."

"Of being a mate?" She guessed.

"Of being an Alpha with a mate, yes," I chuckled, spinning her once again before bringing her back to me.

"That's all it is?" She asked, frowning.

I hated lying to her. I couldn't say the words so I just nodded but something in her eyes told me she wasn't buying it. Shit.

"You're not too bad of a dancer," she commented, her eyes moving away from mine.

"Wish I could say the same, love," I teased. "I've barely dodged you stepping on my toes."

She rolled her eyes and set her head in my chest.

"No one ever taught me to dance, don't be mean," she said. I could practically see the pout just by the tone of her voice.

"I could teach you to dance," I suggested, gliding my hand up and down her back.

"Do you have the patience for that?" She asked, lifting her head up and looking at me skeptically.

"Of course I do. I'm patient," I said, frowning at her implication.

"You're patient," she scoffed.

I narrowed my eyes at her and moved her into a dip, catching her off guard as I brought our faces close together.

"I am patient," I said, narrowing my eyes. "For you, anyway."

I brought her up into a spin before catching her in my arms and holding her close once again. I could get used to dancing with her.

She smiled and opened her mouth to speak but I missed it as a message came in.

Felipe is hurt

My heart stopped once again. Someone in my pack was hurt. I could feel it now.

"Xander! What's wrong?"

I realized she was trying to get my attention and snapped out of it. I pulled away from her and shook my head.

"Nothing, love. Have to use the bathroom," I lied, turning on my heels and running out of there.

Where is he? Someone else get inside and watch Luna.

Near the back entrance. Katie's already inside.

I turned down a hallway and hurried out the back door. The scent of blood hit me and I followed it into the trees, finding Felipe bleeding on the ground with two pack members around him.

"Someone needs to get him to Anna," I said, dropping to my knees.

"Kaden's bringing the car," Gina informed me.

He had deep claw marks in his chest and he wasn't healing.

"Silver," I spat, setting my hand on his head. "Stay with me, all right? You did well. Don't stop fighting."

He looked up at me and nodded, his breath coming out harsh and ragged.

"A car is too slow," I said, shaking my head. "Someone should carry him."

"It's dangerous to be in the woods right now, Alpha," Gina said, frowning.

"Dammit," I cursed, running my hand through my hair. "How did this happen?"

"We were outnumbered, they came in fast before backup got here," Gina explained.

I growled in annoyance and lifted Felipe once Kaden pulled up with the car. I loaded him in with Chris and they sped off.

Letting Addie go places in public was too dangerous. I'd have to find a way to make her understand that. I couldn't put my pack at risk like this. It would undoubtedly start a fight but I didn't have a lot of choices.

"They're still around," I noted, their scent hanging in the air like a threat.

"Far less of them since backup came," Gina assured.

"Hunt every last one down," I growled. "Leave one vamp and one rogue alive. Someone is talking tonight, dammit. This is an obscene amount of effort to get one person. Is everyone else all right?"

"Yes, Alpha," Gina nodded. "A couple scratches but nothing serious. Felipe is the only one that got hit with silver. We were much more careful after that."

"You should be careful all the time, not just after an incident. Especially when it's vampires. Always expect the worst, isn't that how we train?" I crossed my arms and Gina bowed her head.

"Yes. I'm sorry, Alpha," Gina said, bowing her head. "We were doing our best. It was difficult when we were outnumbered."

"I know," I said, shaking my head. "I'm on edge. I don't want anyone getting hurt. We can't leave the pack undefended either."

Gina nodded in agreement and stayed silent. I was sure she was thinking the same thing I was and just didn't want to say it.

"I know I have to tell her she can't go out anymore," I finally said.

Gina nodded and shrugged. "No one's questioning your judgment."

"I'm glad but I just wanted you to know. I won't be putting us at danger like this again," I promised. "I'll tell her tonight."

"I'll let Leila know to keep a tight patrol and make sure everyone knows who is running and who isn't."

I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to contain the annoyance. I knew what she was saying. They'd keep close watch in case Addie ran away again. She was my mate and I'd do anything for her but this was my pack and I couldn't put them in danger either. If she didn't take it well tonight, I'd have to be okay with letting her feel like a prisoner.

Just until the threat passes. And then I hoped she would forgive me. I didn't know what else to do. She would die if I didn't watch out for her.

"We have it under control out here," Gina said, setting her hand on my arm. "Kaden already has Felipe with Anna. He'll be okay."

I nodded and walked back to the building but the door was locked.

Come get the door.

I sent the message to Katie and leaned against the wall while I waited for her. The door opened seconds later and I slipped inside. She crossed her arms and looked at me expectantly.

"Is he okay?" She asked, her eyebrows knit in concern.

Katie and Felipe had been hooking up for a while. Both were aware they may have a mate out there but the chances of finding them weren't as high since they weren't pack leaders. They had to pass the time somehow.

"He'll be all right," I assured her. "Anna has him." She breathed out a sigh of relief and I set my hand on her shoulder. "It's going to be fine. No more outings after tonight."

"Luna won't like that," Katie frowned.

"Luna's not the only life I need to protect."

I dropped my hand and she inclined her head down.

"You may want to wash that off before you see her," she said.

I looked down and saw Felipe's blood on my hands. I nodded and walked past her towards where I hoped the bathroom was. The place was a goddamn maze of hallways. I turned a corner and found one.

"Xander?"

I stopped mid-step. How could I be so distracted I didn't smell my own mate? I turned towards her and her eyes went down to the blood on my hands.

Shit.

A/N: 

Happy Friday wonderful readers!!! This book is already almost at 20K :O. I'm SO excited!!! You guys are truly amazing. Thank you SO so so much for the comments and votes, they really encourage me to truck on!! :D Drop a comment and let me know what you thought of this chapter!

Ooof, that interaction between Xander and Travis didn't go that bad, right? Just awkward ;)

Uh oh, rogues are involved now? >.>

What about them dance moves? <3

Xander was literally caught red-handed... Hmm... How do you think this confrontation is going to go?

My loves, one of my dear readers took time out of her day to make books covers for ALL my books and I'm FLOORED. Thank you KateMohamed <3 See her beautiful designs below and let us know what you think! :D

And number 2!