The room was quiet. None was sure of what to say. Desmond sat at his desk while Penny stood at his side. The Elders seemed deep in thought as well. It has been an hour or so since the battle in the forest. Everyone still trying to digest what all occurred... what they witnessed.  

Colton ran Belle back to the pack doctor while the Beta gathered his wife doing the same. Jane had a mild burn on her rib cage but it was more painful for her to transform back due to it. Belle on the other hand has not woken up yet. Penny called Grace to inform her of what was going on. She was thankful Grace kept the other girls at home. She did not wish to stir up any more questions from the Elders. Grace however said she wouldn't be able to keep them apart for too long. The girls were inseparable which Penny would have to agree with. 

Knock Knock

Everyone stood as the door open revealing the pack doctor. The woman giving a bow before straightening back up. 

"How is everyone?"

"The children seemed to be fine. They were more concerned over the future Luna and Beta Jane. Our female Beta is resting now but she should be fully healed in a few days..."

She trails off while everyone continues looking to her expectantly. "And Jezabelle?"

"Our future Luna has drained herself of her energy. She woke up trying to choke one of the nurses momentarily before collapsing again. She has a strong grip." Penny smirked picturing it. "Alpha Colton has requested we move her to his chambers. I agreed as long as she continues to rest."

"Will she be okay?" Penny questions out loud. The pack doctor hesitates for a moment. 

"Based off what I know of witches, yes... she will be. Please keep in mind, I do not know their physiology like I do ours."

"Thank you" Desmond says. The doctor bows her head and exits while Desmond turns hugging Penny. 

"We are no longer concerned on her capabilities." Penny grins momentarily. "However we do still have to deal with the repercussions of the attack." 

Penny's grin dropped. Were they seriously going to blame her for doing exactly what they asked?!? She takes a step away from Desmond towards the Elders. All eyes train on her. 

"What exactly do you mean?" She says with as much calmness as she can muster. Her hands clasped together in front of her. 

"We will need to speak to the head of the local Coven and make sure this doesn't turn into a war. Although Ms. Roman's actions were heroic... They also may result in a larger issue."

"Would you have rather allow her to let those witches kill our infants?" Penny says as her eyes begin flickering yellow. 

"Of course not... But their could have been other means rather than killing them."

"ARE YOU-"

"Penny" Desmond says cutting her off. Penny locks her jaw and leaves the room immediately. Fully aware of what may have been said if not for her husband. The door shutting with a loud bang. She stomps away from the room as she heads to the infirmary. 

All the Elders follow her figure until she exits turning back to the Alpha. Desmond standing their with a stone cold expression. His eyes barely containing the rage within them. His eyes moving over each one of them before speaking. 

"Jezabelle Roman saved members of our pack tonight. She did what was necessary to protect them and I will NOT condone her for her actions. She is a witch. She killed ones of her own kind tonight while protecting an entirely different species in the process. She has proven herself tonight and I will be DAMNED before I allow you to turn this into something to hold over her head. She is a Luna by birth right. No one, not even you will take that from her."

He gestured for the door, and the Elders hesitated. Wanting to speak up but one glance at the pure golden eyes told them to let it go for the night. They would still need to speak about this but turned and left for their rooms for now. Desmond didn't hesitate strolling out to find his mate. He could feel her anger still boiling and it was causing his own emotions to go on the defense. 

Her scent having him find his way to the infirmary. His wife now sitting by a lying Jane. His Beta lying beside her on the cot. Penny's eyes snapping to him as did the Beta couple. He walked in taking a seat beside Penny. Jane looking to him. 

"Did everything go okay with the Elders?"

"As well as can be expected." Desmond said with a humorless chuckle. Jane gave him a pitiful smile. 

"I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for that girl." His beta growled coiling her tightly to his chest. Jane smiled gently up to him before rubbing his arm. "She was sensational Alpha."

"I know Jane... I know." Desmond said. Penny already ready to kill someone. 

"She is the most powerful witch I have ever seen and yet they still question her."

Everyone goes quiet going back to the fight. Jane remembering how it looked encased in the frozen ice. It was a protective shield she had never seen before. Then she remembers something turning her gaze to Penny. 

"I thought witches only could carry one gift?" Penny nods her head understanding what she is questioning. 

"From what we have learned of witches... that is supposed to be true. Only a few very highly gifted witches have been able to carry multiple powers."

The beta looks up at his alpha who looks deep in thought. "Ms. Roman was able to manipulate all four elements."

Desmond sighs before nodding. "I have a feeling that's just the tip of the iceberg with that family."

**********************************************

Grace continued pacing back and forth in her living room with her other three daughters remained seated on the couch with hands linked together. Grace couldn't believe what Penny said. The nerve that not only did that man attack his daughter but members of the Coven did as well. She called the only one she knew that could intervene. 

DING DONG

Grace stopped and walked to the door. She took a deep breath before opening the door. Silver eyes instantly connect with hers. She opens the door allowing him to come in. He begins walking in as she closes the door before following her back to the living room. He stops momentarily seeing everyone sitting on the couch... all but one. 

"Good Evening Ladies..." He says cautiously. All the girls look to him with a range of emotions. The red eyed daughter has narrowed eyes and looks as if she will lunge at him if not for the large doe eyes holding her arm. The youngest of the girls looking at him with hope. The last one scrutinizing him to determine if he is a threat. His eyes turning to the woman who requested him here. "Grace, what is going on?"

Grace turns a glance to her girls before turning back to Thaddeus. "Did you know that their was an attack on my daughter this evening?"

Thaddeus' eyes going wide in surprise. "Absolutely not"

Grace searches his eyes before nodding her head believing him. Thaddeus looks to the girls and can see that the brown eyes and golden eyes trusting him however the red eyes are still prominent showing she doesn't trust him... not yet. He turns back to Grace. 

"What happened?"

"I received a call earlier from the Alpha Tate's wife, Penny. She said that during the full moon run 5 witches & warlocks attacked Jezabelle and the children of the pack."

Thaddeus runs his hands roughly through his hair taking a deep breath. He knew that Charles left earlier but he was not aware that others went with him. How could anyone attack innocent kids... no matter their heritage. Kacia stands up making Thaddeus' eyes go to her. Her eyes flickering yellow but what was more prominent was the aura she exudes. It was strong, like Alpha strong. She stood poised looking him directly in the eyes. 

"I am trusting you... for now."

The doe eyes stand up next clutching at her sister's hand before giving a small smile and one small nod in agreement. Grace stands to the side smiling gently at their matureness even in the current circumstances. Tara turns to look down at her eldest sister. Thaddeus' eyes following her line of sight. 

Nessa can feel everyone's eyes on her but she can't make her mind up... not yet. She is fully aware of how this warlock feels for her mother and wants for him to prove his worth... his acceptance of all of them. She slowly stands up taking her sisters hand making Tara smile at her. Her eyes going back to their pitch blackness before looking to the warlock.

"I am aware of what your true intentions are here." Her eyes flickering momentarily to her mother. The movement not going unnoticed by Thaddeus who feels his lungs constrict. "I trust my sisters' judgement and my mother's. That does not mean I trust you yet."

He looks to the ground and gives one head nod. Kacia tugs on her sister's hand which in return tugs on Nessa. All three leaving the room letting the Thaddeus absorb her statement. Grace sighs as drops her head feeling the weight of all that has occurred tonight finally pull her down. She feels the tears well up and in an instant, warm arms surround her as she sobs for the pain she is feeling. Her legs buckle but she remains upright in his strong hold. Her hands coming out to cling to his shirt. 

Thaddeus stands holding her as she crumbles in front of him. His mind and heart at war. His heart hurting seeing her like this while his mind wants to kill those responsible. He knows without a doubt that this will come to a tipping point. He will have to choose either the Coven or the Romans. The Coven would never accept all the daughters and Grace would never leave them... He would ask her to. He warned the Coven that they could not harm the Romans since their was no prominent evidence against her. They agreed but now their actions speak differently. He can feel his blood boiling but the urge to comfort Grace overpowers his urges... for now. 

Grace inhales deeply enjoying the scent of his cologne. She can feel her body relax against him as her arms coil around him and her head rest against his chest. His own arms wrapping tighter holding her body to his. His cheek laying on top of her head. 

"I will make this right Grace... I promise you."

She lifts her head looking with blurry eyes with hope. Thaddeus smiles before leaning forward to kiss her crown. Grace allowing the moment to bring her the comfort she needs as her eyes close. Soft words falling from her lips, "Thank you Thaddeus."

Thaddeus feels his heart warm realizing she is trusting him. She is trusting his word to make things better and that speaks volumes. Peaking over her head, she finds the pitch black eyes already trained on him. He holds her gaze before she turns and walks away. His body relaxing wondering why she chose to walk away but thankful regardless. 

"Damn it! MOM!"

Just like that, Grace instantly retracts and takes off running up the stairs. Thaddeus falling on her heals. They come to a door that has only one daughter in it. Nessa turns to her mom whose body goes rigid realizing what has happened. Thaddeus standing there confused until the dark raven haired vampire answers his unasked question.

"My sisters have left to go to Belle."

"I apologize, but why is that bad?" Thaddeus ask looking between the two. The dark eyes slowly turning red. 

"The Elders are at the Southern Crescent Pack. If they discover my girls, that could lead to a lot of problems."

He understands but still wanders why they would have left without their sister here. Nessa seems to understands. 

"They would be able to track my smell the moment I enter the lands."

Thaddeus turns to find Grace white as a ghost. He doesn't think as he wraps an arm around her rubbing her arm. He turns back to the red eyes who appear to be glaring at his contact with her mother. 

"I will go now."