"Stay with me and you'll be OK."

"I will be fine, Walker," Roxie told him, "I've been alone for so long now anyway."

Walker took her hand as they drove along only to be intercepted by another car blocking the lane. Walker tried to go around, but his father leered at him from the passenger's side, another car pulled up with Norman and Valentina inside.

"Let her go, Walker."

"Why?" Walker asked as he stepped out of the Jeep, "I am just driving her to the meeting."

Archibald hissed as Roxie stepped out of the vehicle. She had changed before leaving his guest house so there was no evidence of her painting.

"Roxie, get back in the Jeep," Walker growled.

"Don't make this harder on yourself, Walker," Roxie said as he stepped towards her, "Not today...you've done enough."

He was flush with her now as her body begged to be consumed by him again.

"Roxie.."

"Walker, please. Don't make him mad at you," Roxie begged.

"You care about that?"

"Of course I care about that. I don't want him to hurt you..."

Norman cleared his throat and Roxie moved away from Walker as Archibald smiled.

"At least she's a smart girl," he scowled as Roxie climbed into Norman's car.

Walker watched as they drove away, leaving he and Archibald to face off.

"She's right, ya know," Archibald smiled, "Don't make this hard on yourself."

"Or what?"

"You know what happens when I'm angry. I'm already in a pissy mood that you went after a Weeper."

"He attacked her."

"And?"

"And? That's not what we're about. We don't do that to our women," Walker narrowed his eyes, "Isn't that right, Dad?"

Archibald straightened up as more of his coven rolled up, "Of course, son. I'd never—you'd never.."

Walker knew what he'd done to her, though. His guilt was consuming him and he didn't know why. It had come on so quickly—his remorse over the little mouse.

"We'll meet you at the auditorium," Archibald nodded as Walker jumped in his Jeep and sped off, Roxie's scent consuming him.

Jupiter's Den and the Weeper's were the only two covens allowed to convene over the crime that took place. Victor was there and he wasn't happy. They'd healed him before heading to the "trial" so he didn't look at all ill.

Of course, Roxie was healed, too, and the only word that mattered was that of Walker Wells.

"Yes, I let her go and she willingly got into the car with Victor Crown," Walker said, eyeing Roxie who was staring at her hands, "We had an argument and I think she felt safe going with Victor."

"Why is that?" Golanda asked, one of the presiding judges of Myrtle.

"Victor has never messed with her before as far as I know," Walker said, trying with all of his might for Roxie to look at him.

"Miss Reynolds? Is this true?"

"Yes, your honor," Roxie looked up and nodded, all of the them seated before the judges in the first row while the covens were seated a few rows behind them, "I thought Victor was going to take me to school to get my car and then he didn't. He went in the opposite direction and attacked me."

"Your cleric has come forward to admit to healing you and Mr. Wells has stated that he found you in a cubby at the abandoned warehouse, yes?"

"Yes, your honor," Roxie answered.

"Mr. Crown? Do you have any words?"

Victor sighed, "It's Walker's word against mine so no."

"You're admitting to harming Miss Reynolds?"

"I am, your honor. I accept my punishment."

Roxie looked to Walker who was still staring at her. All he could read was the same thing he was thinking—this was too easy.

"Very well. We have a confession already signed by you, Mr. Crown so we will convene and come back with within the hour."

Victor was taken by guards to a separate room and the covens dispersed for a break.

Before Walker could go to her, Suri was already soothing her daughter. This would be bad for them even if it wasn't at all Roxie's fault. It would just be another thing for the town to be absurdly mad at her about.

"It'll be OK, darling," Suri said, embracing her child, "I have faith."

"They already have a confession and my word," Walker said, coming up to them when he couldn't take not being near Roxie any longer, "He won't hurt you again."

"Why did he hurt me this time?"

"Because of me."

Roxie frowned and turned to her mother as Walker's shoulders sagged and he made his way back to his seat. He was losing all semblance of himself.

It didn't take long for the judges to come back in favor of Roxie and because they had their own system of law and Roxie was still alive and competent, Golanda asked her what she wanted from and for Victor and then they'd proceed.

Roxie stood up, her legs wobbly, hands shaking. Walker wanted so badly to hold her and let her know everything was fine now—they'd found Victor guilty and they could move on.

"I-I want an apology from Mr. Crown and I-uh, I think that he should be imprisoned for what he's done to me and maybe others."

Victor didn't flinch, but he knew he'd have to give in to her demands soon.

"You don't want him killed or exiled?" Golanda asked, "With this type of crime, I assure you being exiled might be better. He's never to come near you again if that happens."

"A year in prison with the others should be sufficient—especially when they learn of his crime."

Walker smirked, Victor paled and the other members of their den mumbled amongst themselves.

"Does the defendant's father have anything to add?"

Robin Crown stood up and glared at his son.

"I stand behind you, Victor, no matter what you've done. I love you."

Roxie didn't hold anything against Robin for that. She knew in her heart she'd still love her child, too.

The proceedings were over and Victor was whisked away to spend a year in Temperance Reformatory—an underground prison right outside of Myrtle, in MayBell.

"I need to be alone," Roxie said, as Suri hugged her close to her bosom, "I just need—I need to get something from my locker and then get my car. I'll be home later."

"Honey, you really shouldn't be out right now. It's dangerous for a Weeper with what just happened. They won't take kindly to what's happened to Victor Crown."

Roxie shrugged, "Then they can find the same fate as Victor Crown. I love you. Save me some lasagna."

Suri looked around and didn't see Walker or his father so maybe she could rest easily.

"OK...just be safe. Please leave your phone on and come home soon," Suri pleaded, "I can't lose you,too." She couldn't, but she also couldn't tell her adult daughter what to do.

Watching her leave, Roxie made her way through the deserted halls—her thoughts were racing. She should have let Suri take her home, but she needed some time to think.

She knew she shouldn't have trusted Walker to stand by her. He was probably home—in his big shower, washing his toned body, and making sure the remnants of the day drowned away.

Her shoulders gave and she sighed, her breath hitching as a cascade of auburn hair fell over her shoulders.

She was almost at her locker when she looked up and saw Walker standing there.

"Think you could get away from me that easily, mouse?"

Roxie stopped in her tracks and looked around.

"I thought you left."

Walker grinned, "I said I wasn't going to leave you."

"You really shouldn't be here, Walker. You're going to get yourself into too much trouble."

Walker shrugged, "I came to make sure you'd be OK. I don't think you should be alone now."

"Oh?" She made it to her locker, merely a foot between them.

"I want you, Roxie," Walker whispered, "I need to be in you."

Roxie felt her core burst with desire. Who was this man?

"Well, I.." Roxie bit her bottom lip and smiled, "Why?"

"Fuck, I don't know. Don't make me beg for it."

"Maybe you should beg for it. You made me beg to,-"

He was on her in a beat, his lips devouring hers—something she swore she'd never do again until she found her mate. Moaning into his mouth, Walker lifted her up as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

"Over there," Roxie nodded to the janitor's closet.

"Been there before?"

"No, but I know you have," Roxie narrowed her eyes at the thought of him with another woman.

"Oh, I'm going to fill you up tonight, baby girl," Walker kicked open the door and stepped into the room, fiddling around for the light switch and slamming the door shut behind him. In an instant, Roxie's shoes and bottoms were off, her panties pushed to the side and Walker's cock plunging into her.

Settling her on top of one of the tables, Walker continued to fuck her at a brutal pace—in and out and out and in—sweat building on his brow and the sounds of their heavy breathing giving way to the slap of flesh as Walker's balls hit her ass over and over again.

"I feel it coming, baby..." Walker groaned as Roxie's walls closed in on him and she let go—wailing out her release and Walker's own came barreling through.

"Shit..." Walker buried himself so far inside of her that Roxie yelped in pain, "Fuck, I'm s-sorry..." Walker hissed as he came, making sure that all of his juices stayed inside of her.

Roxie legs dangled on the sides of the table as she leaned her head against Walker's chest and he placed his head on top of hers, breathing in her scent. He kissed the top of her head and winced as he softened and pulled out.

"I'm not going to stop doing this until we're on that ballroom floor, mouse."

Roxie looked at him and smiled.

"I thought it was just until graduation...that's when this would end."

"What's two more days?" Walker panted, trying to catch his breath as he held her still.

Roxie thought about Walker and their obvious reluctance to using any sort of protection. Only mates could breed with each other.

"Right...what's two more days..?"

Walker knew this was a problem—she was a problem. Sleeping with the enemy was a problem, but knowing that he'd one day have to live without her?

That was a problem, too.