Roxie glanced up at Walker who was still holding on to her shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"I need..." Roxie stood up, staking a step back from Jadis and taking Walker's hand, "We need some time to process all of this."

Jadis smiled, "You're mates, dearie. Of course, you both need time together now."

Metgar nodded for them to go, "We're meeting at the big tent tonight with Jadis and her crew if you two would like to join. It's OK if you don't...we're not discussing anything important."

"Are you sure?" Walker asked as Jenny smiled, "I mean, I don't want to bail on any responsibilities."

"She's your responsibility," Evans said, nodding to Roxie, "We also start work tomorrow so be ready."

"Great..." Walker rolled his eyes.

Evans sighed, "Hey, we still gotta make a living, brother."

Jadis agreed, "Yes, everything has to remain as normal looking as possible."

"There's one thing you have to do, though," Metgar said, "We need to get Crystal on board,-"

Jaleesa held up a hand, "I can bind her and send her back or we do the smart thing and keep her here. She's clearly not going to want to be under a spell anymore."

"Dante?" Metgar motioned for one of his soldiers to escort Jaleesa to their cells, "Make sure nothing happens, do you understand?"

Roxie stepped in front of Jaleesa, "You won't hurt her, will you?"

"No," Jaleesa smiled, "You are most definitely a beautiful soul, my dear. I won't hurt her. She needs healing."

"I'll go, too," Jenny said, "Marlena, can you stay with Mr. Evans?"

Evans smiled, "Sure she can! We've got some fish to fry!"

Marlena wrinkled her nose, "Ew!"

Laughing, they both wandered off to the canteen together as if they'd known each other their whole lives.

"If I think we should see her later, can we do that?" Roxie asked Walker who was so torn and incredibly upset with his father that he could barely see straight, "Walker...?"

"Huh? Yeah, if you think so..."

Roxie smiled, but it was half-hearted. She knew Walker was upset and now he had to blame his father for the death of her dad.

"Roxie.."

"No, it wasn't you. I always had a feeling..I just...I'm.."

"I know you're mad at me," Walker said, "I feel that deep within my soul no matter what you say."

"I'm...sad..."Roxie nodded, "I love you, Walker. You thought you were saving Maddy, I suppose."

"I also wanted to save you.."

"What?"

They entered their home and settled in on the couch, facing each other and holding hands—concern resounding in both of them.

"I didn't want you hurting anymore, but I hated you anyway—or I thought I did. I was so angry at Maddy for doing that..."

"I am so sorry, Walker.."

"Why the hell are you sorry?" Walker shook his head, "No, this isn't right. Stop apologizing for shit that I've done, mouse."

"I know you're hurting and I'm hurting with you.." Roxie said, "It's right that I feel bad—you're mine and we're in this together."

"I wonder if Eric and Holden are OK..." Walker said, then he glimpsed Roxie, "Shit..-I.."

Roxie smiled, "They're your friends, Walker. I understand. I was even wondering about Oliver."

Walker leaned back, taking Roxie with him as she lay her head on his chest.

"Yeah.."Walker sighed, "I wonder if we should try and warn them."

"Walker, you heard what Jadis said. We don't even know who's crazed and who isn't..." Roxie gasped, sitting up and taking Walker with her, "You don't think..."

"Jadis said your mom was fine, but I don't even know how they know this," Walker shook his head, "Maybe one of their traitors is tattling."

"The Havens.."

"The human Haven's?"

"Yes...that's it!" Roxie snapped her fingers, "But they aren't traitors. They're with us."

"I don't know, babe..humans haven't been completely receptive to our kind," Walker raised an eyebrow and pointed into the room, "And they definitely haven't been kind to witches."

"They're different. Why else would they be the only humans in Myrtle?"

"You're too good, ya know that? Stop trusting so much.."

Roxie's face fell and she pushed off the couch, dropping Walker's hand, "Don't invalidate me."

Walker sighed, "I'm not..I'm sorry..."

Roxie smiled, "This is so overwhelming for us, Walker. I don't know what's going to happen, but I miss my mom."

"I miss Maddy..." Walker said, "I sure hope she's alright."

Roxie nodded, "With the intel, at least we know they're OK now."

Walker sighed, "And I gotta start work with the mutts tomorrow..."

"I ." Roxie moaned, caught off by the fact that she was suddenly very needy for him, "I...I have to..."

Walker chuckled, "It's your awakening, fancy face. If you're with your mate, it happens..."

"It doesn't feel right with all that's gone on.." Roxie sat down next to him again, but Walker pulled her onto his lap, "I don't want to feel this right now.."

Walker kissed her neck and that only made her craving worse.

"No.." Roxie gasped as Walker squeezed her inner thigh, "Walker...I can't..."

Walker leaned back and took in her beautiful face, "Your need is showing in your eyes, baby."

"I..."

Walker nodded. He needed to be understanding towards his mate—even if she was being stubborn.

"I guess I'll be taking a cold shower tonight.." he joked, "But first, if you want to, we'll go to dinner with the weirdos."

Roxie jabbed him playfully on the arm, "Well, if tonight goes well and you behave, I just might give you a reward when we get back.."

"You know what that does to me when you say things like that," Walker growled, shifting in his seat, "I can't go eat with them and have a raging boner.."

"Did you just make a dog joke?"

"I wasn't meaning to, but now we know where your mind is."

"Fuck, I'm never going to get rid of you, am I?" Roxie teased, making her way to the room where her painting sat along with the piano, "What is this? Shoot, I think it got damaged.."

Walker followed closely behind her, gazing at the portrait of Maddy, not even halfway done.

"Oh, shit..I'm sorry," Walker stepped closer and examined the portrait, "That's weird...claw marks."

"It's not claw marks," Roxie rolled her eyes, leaning in, "You're only trying to find ways to hate the wolves."

"What would you call those?"

Roxie pursed her lips together, "Damage. I'll start over—it's OK."

"Maybe I'll get naked and you can do my portrait."

"Do you want that hanging in your grand room?"

"You know what else I've got hanging.."

"Gods...don't do this..I am so hot right now."

Walker settled down on the bench at his piano and tapped on the keys, "I know. I smell it..."

"Will it always be this way?"

Walker studied her face, "From what I hear, couples get used to it, I suppose. I could never get used to fucking you, little mouse. Your pussy, your heart, your mind, body and soul..I want it all."

Roxie smiled, sitting down next to him, "So, are we playing house now?"

"That's the plan until we strike..." Walker turned to her then back to the damaged portrait, "Do you want to start over?"

"I don't want to paint her anymore," Roxie said, "I want to paint you."

"But I'm not paying you to paint me."

"I don't care about the money, Walker, and you know it."

"Yeah, because now you'll have all of my money being my mate, my wife...." his teasing voice trailed off as the realization hit them both.

They were mates—they would be wed—they would have children—and they would grow old together, for better or for worse.

"You can reject me."

"You can do that to me, too, mouse," Walker reminded her, "But I've already told you what I'd do if you ever thought about leaving me."

"Tell me again.." Roxie prodded, knowing she was poking the bear.

"Little mouse, I've..." Walker winced, his hand massaging his side, "I've told you not to test me in your condition..."

"What's wrong?" Roxie said, "Is it a headache?"

"I think my awakening is starting, too."

"I am surprised your hormonal change didn't start."

Walker chuckled, "Baby, I'm always horny for you so I wouldn't have noticed a difference. I guess needing to see you swollen with my babies is a sign..."

"Your head? Sight?"

"I think so..." Walker sighed, "It's passing..Promise you won't hide from me again. I can't take that."

Roxie pulled him closer to her and kissed him on the cheek, "I won't...promise you that because I know it drives you crazy and you need a little punishment every now and then."

Walker tilted his head and smirked, "Do I? By you?"

Roxie blushed, "I...it hurts.."

He knew what she meant. He'd only seen one other person go through a breeding change and that was his cousin. It wasn't something he wanted to see again.

"Let me take care of you, Roxie..." Walker rasped, taking her hand and guiding it to his jean covered bulge, "It doesn't make you a bad person because you need this from me right now..."

"This is so ridiculous..." Roxie whimpered as she ran her tongue over her bottom lip, "I should be grieving or helping them out there—not in here with my vagina practically tossing herself at you."

Walker laughed, "That would be so bizarre—the visual is everything, though."

"I bet you think about it all the time," Roxie said, finding herself straddling Walker's lap, grinding slowly.

"I do, actually. When I wake up, when I go to bed, when I'm shaving, sometimes while I'm driving and I go off-roading because I get too caught up in my daydream.."

"That's dangerous.." Roxie whispered into his ear as he roamed her body with his hands, teasing her as Walker's fingers made their way up and inside her shirt, "These nipples are dangerous, too. How hard are these things right now? Like little diamonds..."

"They hurt, too..." Roxie whimpered, "I have never felt like this..I hate you so much..."

Walker smirked, "So, we're back to hating me?"

"Only because I'm so wet and hormonal.."

"Ahh," Walker smiled and leaned his head back so he could look up at her, "You want me, little mouse?"

"Fuck, I do...it's so wrong..."

"It isn't wrong.." Walker said, lifting her and placing her on the couch, watching as she took no time to kick everything off and letting her clothes and boots fall to the floor, "I want you all the time."

"I'm too wet for this couch," Roxie blushed, as Walker easily dipped his cock into her tight hole, both groaning as he hit the back of her channel, "Might have to clean up...oh my god.."

Walker buried himself so far inside of her and stilled. He placed his forearms on the side of her body, blanketing her. Roxie ran her fingers over his shoulders and gazed up at him, smiling—her want for him was more than evident and it wasn't just her body—Walker could see it in her eyes.

"What is it? What's wrong?" She asked as her amethyst orbs looked into his silver hue, "Are you,-"

"I'm fine, mouse.." Walker said, not moving, "I want to take it all in while I can."

"Stop talking like that," Roxie frowned, "We're going to be together forever, right?"

Walker wanted that—he wanted to be her for all eternity, but what was going to happen to them? Clearly they'd have to fight and then what? Would they even survive it? Why'd he have to treat her so poorly for so long and now? Now he only had a few months with her until they went to war.

"Forever.." Walker smiled, leaning in and kissing her lips, placing his forehead on hers as he began to move again. He wanted to stay connected to her, one body—one heart for as long as he could.

"I love you," she whispered.

"I love you.." Walker said, shuddering above her as she moaned below, "Do you like this? Is this what you want—what you need right now?"

"Yes.." Roxie mewled as she closed her eyes and drank in all of the ecstasy that they exuded, "It's all I want, Walker.."

"This and our four kids?" Walker smirked, pride running through him—pride that made him so happy Roxie Reynolds was his and his only.

"And our little house.."

"You see it, too?"

"I do.." Roxie moaned, "Oh, god...I think...yes...I'm coming.."

Her pussy clenched around Walker's cock as his own orgasm rushed through. He stilled inside of her, his cock twitching as his hot juices splashed into her channel.

"Fuck...Roxie.." Walker panted, but didn't pull out, "A little house and a big,-"

"Shhh," Roxie giggled, "You're so full of yourself."

"Um, right now you are very full of me..."

"I could stay like this."

"Be hard to get around. Can you imagine?"

Roxie giggled, her body jiggling beneath him as Walker slipped out and caught sight of their mess.

"You're right. We need a new couch."

They freshened up and sat on their little porch, taking in the sunset between the trees.

"I could live here," Roxie said, "Maybe not with the wolves and witches, but somewhere on our own."

Walker nodded, "I like that idea. Once my sisters and my mom were gone, that big ass house was so empty—still is. It's..I don't..."

"You couldn't have known he was up to all of this, Walker. He's just a bastard that got away with it."

Walker sighed, "I feel like I should have known—I should have done something."

"You thought you were—you tried. How could you have done or known anything?"

"What about your dad?"

"He didn't die because of his affair with your stepmother," Roxie said, leaning her head on his shoulder, "He died because he knew the truth."

"I'm glad he never told your mother," Walker said as they watched Dante and Metgar come closer to them, "At least it spared her some grief."

"Good evening, Roxie..Walker.." Metgar nodded as Corey, Jaleesa, Jenny and Evans also gathered around them.

"Hi," Roxie said, "Where's Marlena?"

Jenny smiled, "She's with Sarai and Martina, but we needed to come get you."

"What for?" Walker asked, "Is it dinner time? I don't think we're,-"

Metgar held up a hand, "We need to bury your dead, Walker. Connie needs a proper burial."

Roxie nodded, "She does.."

"I got word to Brett, but I don't know how her parents will take this," Walker said, "We can't just send her body back to Myrtle."

Roxie stood up, "Then we give her a burial. We'll do it by the river."

"Roxie..." Walker stood next to her, "Do you want to do this?"

"Walker, she didn't know what she was doing at the end," Roxie reminded him, "I know she didn't like me anyway, but she didn't deserve to die."

Roxie started to walk in the direction of the cells and Walker followed suit.

"Where are we going?"

Roxie grabbed his hand as the others hurried behind them.

"We're going to get Crystal. She's going to want to be there--and I want to ask her a few questions myself."

"It's time for her to start talking."