Addie POV:

I watched Xander walk out the door and didn't believe for one second he just had to go to the bathroom. Something was wrong and he wasn't telling me what. Why would he lie to me? He told me to be open with him but here he was, very clearly hiding something from me.

It shouldn't hurt as much as it did. I didn't know him that well. We weren't together. So why was it so painful to know he was lying to me? I tried to ignore him and go back to the wedding but I couldn't do it.

This was ridiculous. I was staying at his house and following his rules while he was keeping secrets from me. I wasn't going to have it.

I ended up going out and waiting outside the bathroom but he never came out. Several minutes went by and there was nothing. I started back to the reception when I saw someone. A woman. A woman that looked awfully familiar. Hadn't I seen her at the restaurant last night? I looked at her carefully and her eyes went to mine briefly before she moved on, walking down the hall. It was definitely the same woman, so why was she here again?

She didn't look like a vampire but my paranoia kicked in. I pulled out my phone and tried to call Xander but there was no answer. I sent him a text and after several minutes of no reply decided I'd have to find him myself. I walked up and down the hallways but most were deserted. I was about to give up when I saw him round a corner and head towards another bathroom. Except something was wrong. He was incredibly tense and... was that blood I saw on his hands? I jogged to catch him before he reached the bathroom.

"Xander?"

He froze and turned towards me slowly. I looked down at his hands and yes, there was blood. I sucked in a breath and brought my eyes to his.

"What the hell is going on?" I demanded, crossing my arms.

He frowned and inclined his head to the bathroom before going inside. Was he implying I follow him into the men's restroom? I frowned at the closed door and decided the hell with it, I was going into the men's restroom.

I walked in and he had just opened the last stall, checking the inside. He walked past me to the sink and started rinsing off his hands.

"The vamps were here tonight. Wolves too. Trying to get to you. Someone got hurt," he explained, scrubbing his hands.

"Someone from your pack?" I asked, setting a hand on my chest. Was that why I felt so bad, too? He did say I was connected to them. "Who?"

"Felipe."

Felipe. The one that drove me yesterday.

"Is he okay?" I asked, frowning.

"He will be," Xander answered, turning off the sink and grabbing a paper towel before turning to face me. "There were a lot of them, Addie."

"Why didn't you say something?" I asked, throwing my arms up.

"I was planning on telling you after the wedding."

"You shouldn't wait until after the wedding for something like this," I sighed. "God, Xander, what the hell?"

"What would you have me do?" He said, narrowing his eyes. "Tell you no, you can't go to the wedding you're in, have you trust me even less by making you miss out on a friend's important day?"

"Someone got hurt!"

"Yes, someone got hurt," he growled. "And what would you have done if I brought you home yesterday and didn't let you go to rehearsal or to this wedding? Would you have stayed at the house with me or tried to run away again?"

His question gave me pause. I wanted to say no I wouldn't have, I learned my lesson, but I wasn't sure I would have let him keep me there. It wasn't fair to just answer outright so I considered his question and decided yeah, I would have stayed back if I knew what was happening. The first night I ran away but I understood more now.

"If you told me the risk-" I started but he interrupted me.

"You mean like I told you before you ran away from me?" He snapped, pushing off the counter and walking towards me. "I told you it was dangerous and that they'd come after you but you didn't listen and they came. And you know what? They were there last night too. Killed two of them in the hallway while you were in the bathroom."

"Jesus, Xander," I said, pressing my fingers against my temples. It was so much information, so much happening I didn't even know about. "Why would you not tell me this?"

"Because you don't listen, Addie," he sighed in frustration. "It's like you think I'm making up the threat but I'm not. Tess told me I had to let you do your thing so you wouldn't feel like a prisoner and you know where that got me? Fucking nowhere because you still don't trust me and I almost lost someone tonight letting you do what you wanted."

Damn he was pissed. It wasn't just that. It was laced with pain. I felt something strange that I could only assume was Felipe getting hurt but he must've felt it much more than I did. I didn't want him to be hurting but it also wasn't fair for him to be so pissed off at me when he didn't even tell me what was going on.

"Don't get so mad at me," I said, shaking my head and taking a step back. "You didn't tell me what happened last night and you didn't tell me there were people here tonight. I could've made an excuse. I could've feigned illness or something. I could've got us out early. You're complaining about me not trusting you but you're not trusting me either. You really think I'd knowingly put someone at risk? Of course I wouldn't! It goes both ways, Xander," I said, narrowing my eyes.

"You're right. I don't trust you," he snapped. "Can't imagine why. Can't be because you ran away from me the second you were left alone. You can be pissed at me all you want but the truth is you're stubborn as fuck and if I said you couldn't go to rehearsal or the wedding, you would've tried to run away again and we would be back to square one."

"You don't know that because you didn't tell me there was a problem!" I said in exasperation. "That first night was hard for me, have you even fully thought about everything that happen-" I wanted to point out I'd been through a great shock that night but he was apparently too pissed off to let me continue.

"Of course there's a problem!" He groaned. "They were hunting you in broad daylight, what makes you think they'd just stop?"

"I didn't think they'd try if I was with you!"

"Well they are," he growled, taking another step towards me, trapping me against the wall. "They're trying very hard and I can't do this anymore. I don't want you to feel like a prisoner but I can't do this again. It's too risky. I won't put pack members lives on the line for you to go places. After tonight, you stay at the pack house."

"You don't need to be such an asshole about it," I snapped, pushing him away. "You think it feels good to know someone got hurt because of me tonight? It doesn't. It feels pretty rotten, actually. So stop being such a prick when you never even gave me the chance to do the right thing."

I pushed past him and went out the door, fighting back the tears. I didn't know who was right here. Maybe he was right. Maybe I wouldn't have listened if he told me. It was Tasha's wedding, after all. But he was wrong to keep it from me and had I known they were getting hurt out there I certainly wouldn't have let it continue. I would've found a way to make it up to Tasha because it was her wedding but this was people's lives.

It didn't matter how frustrated I was with him. I was stuck with him for now and I wouldn't let him push me around or hold me running away over my head forever. Not like I hadn't been kidnapped, gagged, beaten, almost raped, killed two people, had a serious wound and fucking discovered vampires and werewolves were real and that I was destined to apparently be with one. I knew he was upset about that night but it's not like I was over it either.

I couldn't let myself get lost in all those thoughts. Pulling my emotions back so I could get through whatever I had to was something I was used to and so I went back to the reception and managed to pull Tasha aside.

"Hey are you okay?" Tasha asked once we were in a corner.

"I'm not feeling very well," I admitted. Well, that was true. I felt like utter garbage that Felipe got hurt because of me. "I'm sorry Tash but I think I need to go home. I feel like I'm gonna puke."

"You're not..." she trailed off and looked down at my stomach, raising an eyebrow.

"Oh my God, no!" I hissed, covering my face. "I'm just not feeling good. For fuck's sake, Tash."

"Had to check," she winked. "It would make sense if you were. Your date is sex on wheels and if you weren't taking advantage of that I would be very concerned," she said, smiling at something behind me.

I turned and saw Xander leaning against the doorframe, watching us. I tried very hard to not be frustrated with him because I knew there was a lot on his plate and I really didn't want to fight with him. Fighting with him sucked. I looked away from him and back to Tasha.

"You're ridiculous. You'll be okay if I go?" I asked, wrapping my arms around her.

"Of course, babe. If I'm being honest I'm kind of ready for the party to end. I want to get in bed with my husband," she said, grinning and glancing back to Alex.

"Hey, it's your party. Get out of here," I said, smiling and pulling away from her.

"Hope you feel better, babe," she said, kissing my cheek. "Thanks for everything today. And thank your man for me again, he really saved my ass."

I smiled and nodded. The smile faded as I turned, remembering that Xander had, in fact, saved her day. I said my goodbye to Travis and then took a deep breath as I approached the door Xander was waiting by.

"Let's go," I mumbled, brushing past him.

He didn't say anything, just followed after me. The second we were outside his hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me against him. I realized now he might've started doing that when something was nearby and mentally smacked myself for not noticing that detail sooner.

"They're here?" I whispered.

"Yes."

His answer was short and his eyes darted around as we made our way to the car quickly. He opened my door and I slid inside. He closed the door but didn't move, I could see him through the window. It was too dark to see anything but I knew Xander did because he tensed. Even from inside, I could hear his growl.

The hair on my neck stood on edge as Xander stayed frighteningly still for a moment before he was gone. All I saw was a blur of motion. Then several more blurs darting past the car.

It was completely quiet and I was frozen in place. What was I supposed to do here? I would need to talk to him about arming myself. I didn't like feeling so vulnerable. I glanced around out the different windows but saw nothing.

I looked out my window and a face appeared, making me scream. I set my hand on my heart because it was just Xander. He went around the car and got in the driver's seat before reaching for me.

"It's all right," he assured, pulling me close and kissing my forehead.

"You're hurt," I said, noticing the tear in his shirt and the blood there.

"It's nothing."

"It doesn't look like nothing," I said, pulling the sleeve back.

But he was right. It was nothing. There wasn't even a mark.

"I told you, nothing," he said, giving me a small smile before starting the car.

"If you healed so fast why didn't Felipe?"

"Felipe was injected with silver," he explained. "It slows down our healing, makes it so we can't shift."

I nodded, remembering how weak Kaden was and he wasn't even injected, he was just chained. I sat back in my seat and stared ahead.

It was awkwardly quiet between us. He sped down every road a little too fast but I wasn't about to complain, considering he might've just killed another vampire. Not just Xander though, I wasn't even sure how many people in the pack were out there tonight for my sake. It reminded me of the girl.

"There was a woman in a red dress tonight that was at the restaurant last night," I said. "Blonde hair. Tall."

"Katie.'

"She's with you?"

"Yes."

I blew out a breath and closed my eyes, trying to remind myself that us fighting about it wasn't going to help anything. He was pissed off and I was frustrated but yelling at each other wouldn't solve anything.

"You can't keep me in dark anymore," I said calmly. "It's my life and I deserve to know what's happening, especially if it means someone else could get hurt because of it."

"Fine," he clipped. "Then you can't be mad when you have to stay in the house because whether you like it or not, this is how things are."

"You don't have to be mean right away, you know," I sighed. "You could give me a chance to respond before getting defensive."

His hands gripped the steering wheel. His jaw clenched and he looked over at me briefly before giving a small nod.

It got quiet again and I didn't know how to fill it so I didn't. I looked out the window and wondered how many people put their necks out for me tonight. I didn't understand all of it but still, I owed them all big time.

Xander pulled the car in front of the pack house and still rushed around to get my door. He set his hand on my back and started to the house but I paused. He looked back at me like he was ready to fight all over again. Damn, he had a temper.

"Don't get pissy. I just want to check on Felipe. That's allowed isn't it?" I said, setting my hands on my hips.

He seemed surprised by my response and his shoulders relaxed a little. He nodded and started towards the infirmary. I walked next to him and once we were inside I saw Felipe lying on a cot, bandages across his chest. He was breathing heavily and Anna was standing over him, injecting something into him.

"How is he?" Xander asked, walking past me.

He stopped in front of Felipe's cot and set a hand on his head. His gesture was surprisingly sweet and gentle given how pissed off he was the whole drive here.

"He's okay," Anna assured. "It'll take a while for him to get the silver out of his system. Cassie is trying to put something together. He'll be fine, he just needs time."

"Anything you or Cassie need?" Xander asked. It was strange to see him this way when he was so angry, still angry, I could feel it like it was melding into me but that's not all it was. His concern was so heavy it filled me more than his anger did.

"I'm fine but check with Cass, I haven't seen her for a while so she's either looking for ingredients or already working on something," Anna answered.

Xander nodded and looked down at Felipe. Felipe's eyes fluttered open and he swallowed before speaking.

"Alpha," he addressed.

"You did good," Xander said, kneeling next to him and patting his shoulder. "Everything's fine. Just focus on healing."

"Luna?" Felipe asked Xander.

I stepped forward and set my hand on Felipe's. His eyes widened and he went to move.

"Don't," I said, squeezing his hand. "I just wanted to say thank you. And I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry for, Luna," he said, his voice hoarse.

I nodded because I felt like it's what he needed but it wasn't true. There was a lot to be sorry for.

"Let me know if you need anything, okay? I'll make it happen," I promised.

He smiled and nodded. "Thank you."

"It would be good for him to keep resting," Anna said.

I nodded and gave Felipe another smile before releasing his hand and stepping back. Xander rose as well, patting Felipe's shoulder before following me out the door.

We stepped outside and the blonde woman from earlier approached, except now she wasn't in a dress, just black pants and a hoodie. She smiled and waved as we came out.

"Hi Luna, I'm Katie," she said, offering her hand.

"Addie, please. Nice to meet you," I said, shaking her hand.

She bowed her head and smiled sheepishly. "Addie, right, sorry."

"Katie's going to stay with you tonight. I have things to take care of," Xander said.

I turned to face him. He was very much on edge. I could feel it.

"Can I do anything to help?" I asked, clasping my hands together.

"Just stay out of trouble," he said, giving me a small smile that wasn't genuine at all.

I sighed and nodded, turning to walk away. I could fight him on it and insist on helping but I got the feeling he needed to cool off a bit. His hand caught mine and I looked back at him.

"Thank you," he said, his expression softer. "For going to Felipe. I know this is... weird for you. But you don't know what it meant to him to have you visit him."

"I'll go back in the morning," I said, nodding.

A genuine smile replaced the strained one. It wasn't very big and you could barely call it a smile but it counted. He nodded and released my hand before walking away. I turned to Katie and she smiled, waving me ahead of her. I walked past and she came next to me, tucking her hair behind her ears and looking over at me nervously.

"You don't have to worry. No disappearing acts, I promise," I said, making a cross over my heart.

She giggled and shook her head. "It's not that. I just... I didn't get to see him yet. Is Felipe doing okay?" I looked over to see concern on her face.

"He's okay. He just needs time to heal. Anna said he'll be just fine."

She brew out a shaky breath but smiled and nodded, continuing towards the pack house.

"Is he a friend?" I asked.

"Uh, sorta," Katie shrugged. "More like a boyfriend I guess."

"Oh. He's your mate?"

I really needed to learn the lingo here.

"No," she said, chuckling. "It's not as easy for us to find mates as it is for Alpha's and Luna's. Not that that's easy either. A lot of packs go decades without ever finding their other half. We just got lucky with you. But when you're not an Alpha or a Luna, you're the only one that can recognize your mate. So you have to be lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time."

"Oh," I said, frowning.

"They do these like mating rituals every year though," she continued. "Felipe and I usually go together. I know it seems weird but we're both aware if our mate came into the picture that would be it, no hard feelings. So we go and hope to find them and if we don't then at least we have each other."

I nodded though I didn't really understand. It seemed ridiculous to hang your life on that. I wasn't about to question it though. They'd been through enough tonight because of me.

"So... uh... What happens at mating rituals?" I asked, afraid to hear the answer. It sounded like a giant orgy.

"Oh, it's not as weird as it sounds," Katie said, grinning. "It's just a gathering of a bunch of packs. Usually one pack hosts a year, countries and packs take turns hosting. So a bunch of weres travel there and hope to run into their mate. Usually at least a few come out of it."

"Wow, that must be a big event," I said, my eyes widening. "What if they're there and there's just too many people to find them?"

"It doesn't really work that way," Katie said, getting to the front door of the pack house before me and opening it up for me to go through. "If you're within a couple miles of each other, you'll smell each other. Then it's just a matter of following your nose and you're naturally so in tuned to your mate, you can track them pretty easily."

"Oh," I said, nodding. I had a lot to learn.

We got in the house and I walked over to the stairs before turning to face her. "I'm just going to go to bed, unless I can be useful somehow."

She smiled and nodded. "I'll be in the house if you need anything."

"Thanks. And um... Thanks for watching out for me tonight. I'm really sorry about Felipe. If I'd known there was danger I..." I paused and sighed. "I hope you know I didn't mean to put anyone in danger."

"I don't think you meant to, Lu-err, Addie. Don't worry about it. No one's holding a grudge," she said, smiling sweetly but something told me she wasn't being entirely honest. "Sleep good."

I smiled back and went up the stairs, my heart feeling heavy. The situation was weird and confusing but there wasn't much I could do to change it, and I'd be damned if I made their lives harder while they tried to protect me. 

A/N:

Hi readers!! Fated hit 25K reads this week and I'm soooo excited! Thank you so much for the votes and comments! <3

Ooof, they had a fight. The last one worked out well in their favor, you think this one will too?

I think Addie's feeling a little determined to take on her Luna role a little more, what do you think?

I'm thinking about starting and Instagram account for my books, would anyone be interested in that?

Until next week my loves <3