Colton

His eyes snap open and he looks around to find himself laying in his room. The sun light is barely coming up through the curtains in his room. Glancing over, his mother is sitting in a chair next to his bed. Her head lying on the side of the bed as she sleeps. He looks around trying to recall how he got here. His mind is fuzzy. He remembers his date, the attack, him leaving the scene, his return due to Belle's pain, the last was Tara teleporting him home. He doesn't remember anything. Holding his head he groans which snaps his mother awake. Her green eyes quickly focusing on him as she cups his face searching his face. 

"Hey, you're okay"

He nods his head still trying to focus. His chest is burning but not with pain like last night. He rubs it absentmindedly not realizing his mother is watching his actions. She stands up and goes to the door. He looks to her confused as she smiles slightly. 

"She needs you" With his still lost gaze, she continues. "The pull in your chest. She is wanting you... Go"

He finds his balance and realizes he is still dressed from last night. He tugs on his shoes and kisses his mother cheek heading out his bedroom door. Making quick to the front door, he gets outside and feels a presence running up to him. Glancing back he finds Jake trying to catch up to him. 

"What are you doing Jake?"

"What else... Going to see the Roman sisters with you."

Colton stops and turns to put his hand on his chest. Jake raises a brow waiting for his best friend to explain his actions. "I'm serious Jake, why?"

A pause stretches out before he answers him. "I care about them"

Colton studies him for a moment trying to see any sign of deceit before nodding his head. He turns back around and continues his run to their home. The sunrise is shining in the sky when they arrive at the door. Jake goes to knock when the door flies open. Tara standing there grinning. Colton watches as Jake's eyes soften seeing the little sunshine they have come to adore. She jumps wide arms to wrap around them both. Both boys smiling and chuckling as she releases them. She pulls back and in a flash is flanked by two other Romans. Nessa and Kacia both have narrowed eyes on Jake. 

Jake gulps seeing the other sisters focus remaining on him. Colton pats his shoulder and gently pushes through the sisters. They allow him to move through them. He turns back to his best friend to give a smirk before bounding up the stairs. He hears Jake yell traitor followed by some giggles. Their voices fading away as he makes it to the door that has a delicious scent wafting from it. He knocks on it gently and hears a soft come in. Opening the door, he finds his beautiful mate still laying in bed with her eyes looking tired. 

Belle smiles weakly at her incredible mate. She tries to lift her body but fails miserably. The evening's events still having a toll on her. He is quick to her bedside making her reach for him. He understands and sits on the bed facing her before leaning down to press a gentle kiss to her lips. They both stay like that for a moment before the clearing of a throat pulls Colton back. Standing in the door way to what he presumes is the bathroom is Grace. A towel in her hands as she smiles amused at him. 

Colton couldn't help but scratch the back of his neck in nervousness. Grace however just walks over to kiss Belle's head and shocks Colton by kissing his forehead as well. She leaves without any words. His eyes remaining on the door for a moment surprised by her actions. She didn't seem concerned with him in here. 

"Colton, come lay with me."

Her voice was hoarse but he was quick to pull of his shoes and crawl in the bed under the covers to pull her form to his. A content sigh leaving her as she laid her head in the crescent of his neck. Her breath fanning his neck making a shiver run down his spine. His arms wrapping around her protectively and the tightening like vines. Her leg found it's way between his and he smiles enjoying the position. 

"Mine"

"Yours"

They fall asleep with no mind to the others in the household. Jake has since been invited to the backyard with the sisters. All the girls doing a morning run. He is surprised to find the sisters leave him with Tara and take off on a full speed race. Jake stays in step with Tara who huffs and puffs. He smiles at her realizing that she doesn't normally due this. He encourages her which is enough for Tara to continue. 

Grace stands at her kitchen looking out to the woods in her backyard. Her eyes looking out for her girls. She glances down at the clock realizing she will have to leave for Hell's Belles soon. A sigh leaving her lips as the door bell rings. Her mind trying to recall if she was going to have any visitors today. She goes to the door and gently pulls it open. Her body going rigid and eyes opening in surprise. 

"What are you doing here?"

The man can't help but look upon Grace in fascination. He has had a feeling since she left him yesterday. While he was studying her, Grace couldn't help but look over his features as well. His dark thick hair with a trimmed beard. His eyes a silver she is not used to seeing. She can tell there is much to the man but fears the power she feels rolling off of him. 

"May I come in Mrs. Roman?"

She grips the door knob and nods slowly. Thaddeus walks in getting a strong whiff of the house. It was mixed with many different scents. She walked around him and led him to the living room. She sat down in a chair while he glanced around the room. There were many photos on the wall. It was clear that this home was filled with love. His fingers lingering on a photo of four young girls. He wonders how long Kacia had been a part of her family or if the other two were the girls from last night. 

"Please have a seat Thaddeus..." She left it open in a question form. He turned finding her sitting with the sky eyes studying him. 

"Steele. Thaddeus Steele." He walked over to sit down on the couch. The scents once again wafting in his nostrils making him glance down to the couch that held the strong scents. 

"How can I help Mr. Steele?"

Thaddeus eyes snapped up not caring for her formality but decided against correcting her currently. Grace couldn't help but feel slightly timid under his gaze. He was an attractive man, there was no doubt. However, this man tortured his daughter last night... Something she will never be okay with. 

"Is Ms. Roman doing okay this morning?"

Grace felt like she was slapped with that question. Why on earth does he care how she is?! Thaddeus could see her surprise. In all honesty he wasn't sure why he came this morning but felt the urge to. After a moment, Grace gathered herself and answered him. 

"She is resting now, she will be okay."

Thaddeus' went into deep thought while nodding to her. His hands linked together as he leaned forward elbows resting on his knees. 

"Mr. Steele, may I-"

"Thaddeus... please."

"Thaddeus" Grace says above a whisper. Thaddeus hums in reply enjoying the sound her voice with his name. "May I ask you a question?"

His eyes lock with her and he gives a gentle nod. 

"What is your gift?"

Her eyes searching his for answers. He can't tear his eyes away and gets lost in her tender yet intrigued gaze. 

"I was gifted as a Manipulator."

At this Grace stiffens. She has heard of these. They are not very common. A Manipulator can control multiple things from other people to what people see. He was able to invade minds and make them live their fears. 

Thaddeus can see her fear, it is the typical reaction when he mentions his gift. He was lucky to still be alive. His original Coven believed he was too powerful and considered stripping him of his gifts. He left his whole life behind to travel here where he created a home and was taken in to the Coven he now oversees. He continued studying her not caring for her reaction. Grace broke out of her trance and cleared her throat looking down. 

"I have to continue investigating the event that occurred last night."

"I understand that."

Grace held a blank expression and as much as Thaddeus tried he could not figure her out. Her face voided of emotion making him realize that this may have been a bad idea. Although he still feels the need to smooth things over. 

"Grace, I am-"

"What are you doing here?!"

Grace and Thaddeus both snap their eyes behind them to find two young woman standing there. Thaddeus' can't help but study their eyes. One set of yellow eyes he recognized from the previous evening, while the other pair were blood red. The most peculiar part was they were holding hands... A vampire and a werewolf? He glanced back at Grace who was slowly walking to the pair. Their eyes flickering between natural colors and their other color. Grace's gentle touch cupping each of their cheeks. 

"It is okay girls"

Grace can feel their defenses are high and tries to calm them as best she can. She leans forward kissing each on the forehead allowing the girls to relax and return to themselves. Their eyes staying trained on her as she turns around to Thaddeus. He was standing there and once again was studying her. 

"I think you should leave Mr. Steele."

Thaddeus feels a pain by the formality but doesn't push it. He nods his head as the girls keep their eyes trained on him. Walking around them, he walks towards the door before turning taking a final glance back to look to the gifted witch that has made him entranced. 

Grace releases a breath as the door closes. Her body reacting to him unlike all others. She shakes it off and turns to her girls instantly taking them in a hug. They hold her back just as fierce. 

"What did we miss?"

All turn to see Jake and Tara standing there with a tilt to their heads. They almost look like twins with their confused gazes. Grace just shakes her head before releasing the girls, kissing Tara's cheek and walking upstairs to check in on Belle and Colton. She opens the door softly to find him protectively encircling her. Her small form hidden away from anyone as she curls to him. Her face was snuggled into his neck. Grace couldn't help but smile for a moment hoping that their happiness continues like this. She closes the door gently before making a solemn vow that she will protect this family... No matter what.