"What did you say?" Walker frowned at Roxie,

"Don't...you...dare..."

"Walker..." Evans stepped in front of Roxie, "Hold up. Listen to her before you react."

Dante and another soldier dragged Niles away while Jenny tended to him. Everyone was waiting for Roxie to let them in on her thoughts.

"It has to be. She's...she's.."

"She's the only one with any real connection here,"Walker sighed, "I can't think of who else would have promised you. I doubt Suri would—or your coven. Hell, they'd rather you be with me."

"That's true. Again, my coven would want me moving up—not down," Roxie said, "No offense to Niles."

Evans chuckled, "I am pretty sure you can offend the guy who tried to kill your mate. Is this all because of the universe thing or Madeline's just a bitch?"

"She must have been angry after my father died," Roxie shrugged, "The painting!"

"What about it?" Walker seethed, "You mean the damage?"

"Yes, the damage! Is it a sign?"

"It could be," Jaleesa said from the perimeter of the village, "May we enter."

Evans smiled, "Why not? Everyone else is here!"

Jenny elbowed him as Jadis and Jaleesa entered the village, followed by their caravan.

"We've brought the painting back and some information, but for now, we must stay here. Our home isn't safe," Jaleesa said.

Evans scoffed, "You can't send like an owl or a cat to bring a message and what about safety? None of us are safe."

"Listen here, boy!" Jadis said, jabbing a finger into Evans' chest, "We've got traitors in our group, you've got 'em..we've all got 'em. They want to take us down so they dwindle our numbers. Can you not see with your fucking eyes?"

"Damn...you remind me of my grandmother.." Evans huffed.

"Good woman ole Wanda was! Never let you get away with shit!"

Jenny laughed, "Evans...you were a bratty child, too?"

"Woman..." Evans narrowed his eyes, "Don't make me take you over my knee."

"Promises, promises.." Jenny smiled.

Metgar agreed to the witch's terms. They would set up their camp along the inside perimeter and, facing out so they could see if an enemy was coming.

"Do you know the witches who are the traitors?" Roxie asked as Walker moved further from her, "Jaleesa?"

Jaleesa nodded, "We've weeded them out now, but some were gone for years now without word. They've come and gone, but we also tracked some of them slinking around Myrtle."

"And Niles?"

"He's telling the truth. Completely taken with you and his possibility of having higher standing."

"But I am no one.."

Jadis balked, "You are most certainly someone! One reason they'd rather you and your beloved wiped out."

"Then why invite us to the ball?"

"Semantics..." Evans said, "It's just a ruse to get you to think everything is fine. I bet Niles was going to take you from here, bind you and keep you locked up."

"I can stop my powers any time.."

"Not with the interference of witchcraft.."

Evans shook his head, "How powerful are you people?"

"Quite, quite!!!" Jadis said, "But that's all black magic like Connie and Crystal were using—which is what Niles is using."

"Is it Maddy?" Roxie asked Niles, "Niles, please, tell me!"

"We'll keep an eye on her," Jaleesa said, "She likes to sneak out in the middle of the night."

"That's not possible," Walker huffed, "My father forbids her from going anywhere not permitted by him."

Jaleesa smiled, "We have eyes on her, like I said. I know what we've heard and what she's doing. She's going to the temple—your temple in Myrtle—but for what? We don't know as we're not allowed in there."

"Neither are we, but we're going to do some jobs that way next week," Metgar said, "We'll snoop around."

"Walker, don't be mad at Roxie for this," Jenny said, "She's,-"

"Just..stop.." Walker shook his head and sulked off, his hands hurting—his face swollen and his heart in tatters.

"It's midday, asshole!" Evans shouted, "We still have to work! Where the fuck are you going?"

Walker didn't turn around. He kept walking deeper into the forest.

Roxie's urge to follow him was cut short.

"I don't need you, mouse.." he mind linked to her, "Stay away from me right now."

She watched him wander off, trying to compose himself.

"We'll get to the bottom of this," Jaleesa assured her, "We're in this together now. The bigger our army, the harder it's going to be for them to win. We've got about three months until your ball, right?"

Roxie nodded, still watching Walker has he faded into the distance.

"We think we've got a plan to strike so tonight we'll be discussing it at dinner," Jaleesa said as a fellow witch brought over the portrait of Maddy which was almost obliterated to shreds, "Any clue who's trying to warn you?"

Roxie sighed and shook her head, craving the touch of her mate.

Jaleesa smiled, "He'll be fine, I promise."

"I guess so.." Roxie cupped her belly and waved to Jenny, "Can we get back to work? I need to take my mind off of things. What will you do with him?" She pointed to Niles.

"Back to the cells." Jenny said, "Are you sure you want to go to work?"

Roxie nodded, "Yes, please?"

Jadis smiled, "Go! You need the break."

Jenny and Roxie made their way back to the dress shop where they worked through the afternoon.

"I can't believe the customers we've had!" Roxie said, "They're all so excited for prom."

"I went to prom with Evans," Jenny said, "We—uh—we had a really good time afterwards."

Roxie giggled, "Sounds like fun."

"Oh, it was!" Jenny exclaimed, "My dad liked him a lot—Mom did, too."

Roxie nodded, "I am sorry about her. I can't imagine now...especially with everything going on.."

"I don't know what to believe..." Jenny said, "If Archibald was involved, why allow his girls to die?"

Roxie frowned, "Seems odd to me, but then again I wouldn't murder my spouse if I didn't need to."

"Didn't need to..." Jenny thought out loud, "You don't think Maddy..."

"I don't know.." Roxie shrugged, "I mean..they said it was Archibald. Said that he wanted to move up in the world, right, and your mom was holding him back?"

"Maddy has the money—she had the status," Jenny said, "We all really just thought it was an accident."

"Those little girls, though!" Roxie folded some fabric, placing it neatly in the drawer, "I can't..."

"I know...." Jenny said, "They weren't allowed to visit me for fear that they'd speak of me."

"Why didn't your mom just stay with your father?"

"They weren't in love," Jenny sighed, "They were good friends and she had me and then Archibald came along and wisked her away—but my father didn't let her take me. She knew that was the right thing because Archibald hates wolves with a passion."

Roxie shuddered. How could a man be so cruel?

"Well, it's almost time to pack it up for the day!" Jenny said, "Will you please come to dinner with us at the cantina?"

"Sure," Roxie said, worried sick about Walker, "I just need to go freshen up."

"I'll keep tabs on your days and then you can clock in next week," Jenny told her.

Roxie laughed, "I don't need to be paid, Jenny. You're giving us everything we need to survive—I should be paying you."

"Nonsense! I will get you in the system soon, I promise," Jenny said, "Need an escort home?"

"No, I think I can manage," Roxie said, "See you at 7?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Jenny said, "Thank you for today. I'm sure it's not easy with everything going on."

Roxie didn't answer. She wanted to go home—but not to her home at Crow's Peak. She wanted her bed in Myrtle. She wanted Suri. She wanted to see the Haven's and moan about the horrible sound her car was making. She wanted to paint. She wanted to be at peace.

She wanted Walker.

Unlocking the front door, his smell didn't linger—he still wasn't home. She tried to link him, but he'd cut her off. Well, that was fine. Her smell would be cut off from him then.

"Two can play at this game, Walker William Wells.." Roxie huffed as she grabbed a quick shower and freshened up, tidying up nicely and actually looking quite presentable when she was done—in the same outfit she was wearing when Walker took her to Seth's party.

She looked at the clock and grabbed her keys and phone before heading out to the cantina. She was halfway there when Walker stepped out from behind a tree.

"Going somewhere, little mouse?" Walker looked her up and down, wishing to the gods that he was inside of her—she looked so sexy in those jeans that truly accentuated her curves, her halter top tight against her breasts, pushing them up slightly, "Dress up for someone, mate?"

Roxie sniffed the air, "You've been drinking."

"Oh, so fucking observant.." Walker swayed, "You're hiding your scent from me. I told you not to fucking do that."

"You deserved it after leaving me today."

"I needed some time."

"I saved your life and you needed some time?!" Roxie frowned, "That's so typical of who you are, Walker. The same person you were before we started this—only thinking about yourself."

"Excuse me?" Walker's eyes narrowed, "Who didn't tell you about your dad and Jesse? Who is saving your ass from whatever the fuck is trying to get us?"

"The Ragers seem to be doing a good job, if we're being honest," Roxie smirked, "How the fuck would you know when..." She looked around the tree and down the path where he'd come from, "Where were you? That's the path to Dante's house. Were you with Crystal?"

"What? No.." Walker rolled his eyes, "I might have stopped in to see them."

"Them? Dante's not there. He's back in the cells with Niles. Try again."

"I don't need to explain myself to you."

"Then we're done here," Roxie said, "I have to meet Jenny and Evans for dinner."

"Oh, are they your little family now?"

"What are you talking about? Why are you mad at me?"

"I'm not..."

"I don't want to hear it, Walker. Sulk on your own time, but don't go behind my back and see your groupies."

"I didn't see her—I talked to her and she gave me a drink so I took it."

"Smart move, tough guy. They tried to kill me, you--and now you're taking shots from them? Wow—I am mated to a moron," Roxie shook her head, "Did you have a good time? She say anything useful? No, I didn't think so. Excuse me, I am late."

He wasn't fast enough to gather her in his arms, though. In a flash she was gone and he was left with his demons again.

"Fuck.." Walker said, his eyes adjusting as he walked back to their home.

He'd only stopped by to check on Crystal and make sure she was wallowing in her pathetic existence. He didn't believe her—he didn't think she was truly honest.

Walker staggered into the kitchen to get some water, but caught himself when he remembered Gordon wasn't with Niles.

"Hmmm... " Walker thought aloud, "That's interesting."

He hated that Roxie was concealing her scent from him, but he deserved it. He'd been such an asshole to her and she didn't need that–she needed him to be the man who would love, honor, cherish and protect her, not take his frustrations out on her.

She'd been through so much and never turned her back on him, even though she was hurting. Too much had gone on and so many things had passed through them.

He knew that he'd love her even if they weren't mated... somehow his heart would never forget what they shared despite what the elders had done... If she'd had their son, he would have been more than happy to provide for them even if he was with another woman...

"Roxie... " Walker found himself in their shower trying to sober up before heading to the cantina.

He decided to look presentable, wearing a button up shirt and jeans that didn't have holes in them, shining his boots before tossing them on.

He shaved the stubble from his face and slicked his hair back.

He didn't look much older than 19—could have passed for early 20s,but he felt ancient.

Heading out, he was half-tempted to pay Niles another visit, but he really wanted to see Roxie.

"Hey, fuck wad!"Evans greeted him as he passed by Walker on his way back to their table, "There's a buffet over there if you're interested."

Walker looked to the food buffet, but then back at Evans' table where Jenny and Roxie sat chatting it up.

He made his way over to their table, looming over Roxie.

"Let's go."

Roxie looked up at him and frowned, "No."

"Come on, Roxie, I'm sorry—let's..go..."

"Walker, don't make a scene," Roxie whispered as Walker leaned into her ear, "Why are you doing this?"

"Because I am so fucking sorry I hurt you earlier and I know your dripping wet for me. I could smell you the minute I walked in. I didn't even need you to let me do it. My awakening is starting and yours is, too—you know what that means for mates..."

"What does it mean?" Roxie shuddered as he nipped her ear his teeth.

"It means if I don't have you right now, I am going to explode and I don't want to make a mess all over the cantina."