The sun streams in the open window as Chris stirs under me.

"No," I mumbled in protest. "It's too early, stay with me."

He just chuckles running a hand across my bare, exposed back. "I'll be right back," he whispers. "Go back to sleep."

Despite my protests, he pulls away and kisses me lightly before throwing on a pair of sweatpants and slips out the door. I stay on my stomach and snuggle into his pillow, nodding off to the breezes gentle caress on my skin.

Somewhere half-asleep I barely hear someone come in. I almost don't feel the hair stand up on the back of my neck in warning until it's too late.

On instinct, I flip over clutching the blankets to me as chaos erupts. My elbow catches someone in the mouth as I bring my knees to my chest kicking him back across the room. He slams into the dresser cursing as he hits the floor.

Terror grips me as I reel trying to make sense of things. So many people are spilling in and wrestling as shouts and growls ring out.

The man I kicked recovers and staggers to his feet, a murderous look in his eyes as he wipes the blood from his mouth. He snarls as he stalks towards me, eyes locked on me. I scurry back, desperate for space and unable to break his stare.

Chris roars at the door as he tries to break through the men with Jude at his side. With a final push, they make it through tumbling to the floor.

"What is the meaning of this!?" A woman's voice cuts through the chaos as everyone freezes.

"She assaulted me, I'm taking her into custody!" the murderous man growls.

"Is that so?" The woman asks quietly, her outward demeanour is calm, but make no mistake she is dangerous. My wide eyes are locked on her as she decides my fate. My heart threatenss to burst through my chest at any moment.

"You can see it with your own eyes, she drew this blood," he spits, wiping his bloody lip and showing her his hand.

Her cold blue eyes narrow at him as she looks around. She isn't particularly tall, her short silver-grey hair stands out in sharp contrast to her purple and black uniform. Light wrinkles line her face, but the woman is fierce and dangerous, of that I'm sure.

"Do not forget to whom you are addressing," she warns dangerously. His anger tempers immediately as he apologizes.

"What I see is a terrified woman in her bed defending herself from you!" Her anger and energy is nauseating as she rips into him. "It is clear that you assaulted her first, so should we be placing you in custody?"

"B-but I was just carrying out orders," he stammers as the colour drains from his face.

"I was there when the orders were issued, you were to talk to the Alpha and Luna here, not sneak into their bedroom like some degenerate! When you wear that uniform you are a representative of this council and will accord yourself to the highest standard." She has gathered herself but her energy still seethes barely in control. "All of you, outside!"

Her eyes narrows at my attacker. "I will deal with you later," she growls.

"Go," she says to Chris as she nods to me. Everyone else leaves the room except for herself and Jude. Chris is on the bed in an instant wrapping me in his protective embrace.

"Apologizes, I'm speechless. Please take a moment and meet me downstairs, we have things to discuss." Her tone is sincere but formal, I couldn't help the sense of dread that hangs over me.

With that she heads out with Jude, closing the door and leaving me and Chris alone. I let out a shaky breath as I tremble in his arms.

"I'm so sorry baby, I had no idea he was up here." I could feel the emotions rolling off of him. Concern but mostly anger, though worry was creeping up.

"Who are they and what do they want?" I whisper, struggling to calm my heartbeat down.

"Council. I won't know until we speak to them, but it's never good when they show up," he replies, his concern clear. "Take some time to calm down, Judes gonna stay with you, I need to go down and find out what this is about."

He looks at me asking for permission to leave before kissing my forehead and reluctantly getting up. He throws a t-shirt on and takes off but not before Jude sticks his head in.

"I'll be right outside if you need me," he offers.

"Don't, please just come in," I ask, feeling a bit panicked.

"Ok," he replies stepping in and locking the door. He hesitates, on any other day Jude locked in the bedroom with me naked on the bed would set Chris off. Given the circumstances, I'm hoping he'll let it slide.

"Give me a minute," I said gathering the blankets around me and disappearing into the closet. I quickly get dressed and pull one of Chris's hoodies on for good measure.

"Who are the council?" I ask stepping out of the closet and grabbing my brush.

"A step below royalty, they were formed to help the royals with the administrative side of things. Really without a royal family, they run everything. There's no one to appeal to if you don't like their rulings." Judes' revelations do nothing to calm my nerves.

"So what's going to happen to me?" I whisper as my fear grips me again.

"Nothing," he growls. "Chris won't let them take you. It wasn't your fault, he should have never been up here."

"Who's the woman?"

"She's one of the eight council members, she took your side so I don't think there's anything to worry about." He says not to worry but that's all I feel coming from him.

"If you're ready we should probably go down and join Chris." I simply nod and follow him out the door.

"Let's go," a council guard says grabbing my arm as we leave the room. I gasp and freeze at the sudden unexpected contact.

"Let her go if you want to keep that arm," Xavier growls from behind us.

"I need to escort her to-"

"Then lead the way," he says dangerously as he crowds the guard back. "She already has her escorts." Once the guard lets me go Xavier settles in beside me covering the opposite side of Jude. The guard grumbles but sets off down the hall.

A moment later we're heading into the private dining room. There's a squad of purple and black clad guards in addition to the guy I hit and the Councilwoman. His uniform is slightly different, maybe he's an officer or something.

We go straight to Chris who wraps himself protectively around me. Jace, Sara, Nate, Liam and a few of our other warriors are there as well. The room feels like a powder keg ready to go off.

"Perhaps we should send out everyone to have a bit more of a relaxed conversation?" She suggests and Chris nods.

Everyone except Chris, the woman, and the angry man leave. He stands there glaring at me the entire time.

"What brings the Council to our doorstep?" Chris asks, his tone is professional but anger rolls beneath it. "We have always supported and abided by their call."

"I'm afraid things really fell out of hand," she apologizes. "The squadron was on their way back from council business so we made a stop to discuss your petition." I just sit there listening to her talk and have no clue what it's about.

"That's what this is about?" Chris growled. "He attacked my mate because-"

"Chris," I whisper, desperate to calm him down. "I'm fine, everything's okay."

"Okay," he scoffs.

"Chris," I warn. "A lot has already happened, let's just relax a bit before we say something we may regret."

She sits back watching us as he calms down, her eyes unreadable. I desperately want her to leave and take them with her, but she clearly isn't done.

"So why is it that you wish to skip this year's conference?" She asks.

"It's all in the petition-"

"Tell me," she commands cutting him off.

He sighs leaning back in his chair. "There's too much going on here yet for us to be gone for a week."

"Nonsense, it's just a week, a pack the size of yours should manage just fine," she chides.

"As you are aware we just had a major conflict with a considerable rogue force and were set up by New Moons Alpha." Chris states.

"Yes I read the report," she muses clearly recalling it. "Curious that you didn't claim New Moon as is your right?" She asks almost accusingly.

"I'm more than happy with my pack as is. We were allies before Rob's treachery, but his head warrior is a good man, and is working hard to sort the pack out." Chris says with a shrug.

"So you intend to make him alpha?"

"Perhaps, we haven't decided anything yet, but that's a prime example of why I'm needed here," Chris says with finality.

"And yet," she starts, eyes shifting to me, "it's not the real reason is it?"

"You mentioned that you recently found your mate? And has she has accepted you?"

When Chris doesn't say anything I realize I'm in the spotlight now. I simply nod not really sure what that meant, but I did choose Chris.

"I see no mark?" She says skeptically.

"I can't mark her." I don't know why, but hearing him say that filled me with shame and longing.

"And why not?" She asks dumbfounded.

"Humans apparently don't take marking well. My brother asked the Guardians for their records and they show very few instances of human mates, but marking killed most. I won't risk her for that." I hear the determination in his voice but I catch the longing in his eyes, it does bother him.

"Are you sure she's your mate?" She questions earning a growl. "No offence dear, just digging to the bottom of things. I mean you're pretty enough and you clearly have a way with him," she trails off.

"Yes, she is my goddess-given mate. I knew it before I ever talked to her, there's no mistaking the pull of the bond." Chris says softening as he looks at me lovingly.

"And you?" She asks eyes narrowing at me.

"Yes," I whisper.

"Did you feel the bond also?"

"Yes, it scared me at first... I didn't understand it, but then it excited me. I've never met a man like him before," I say honestly, smiling up at him.

"Kevin?" She asks, apparently, that's creeper's name.

"It's true, they are bonded, I could feel it. In fact, that's what I was doing when she assaulted me," he digs.

"I was sleeping and a strange man was hovering over me almost touching me, I freaked out!" I snap. I can feel the rage rolling off of Chris again.

"How was I supposed to know he'd just bedded you?" He dismisses.

"The fuck does that have anything to do with things?! I was in the safety of his bed, you should have never been in there. You could have just knocked and I would have come out, dressed, and answered any of your questions." Now it's Chris's turn to calm me down.

"So it's settled then? You are true mates, so what if she's human, the goddess gave her to you, the others will accept it," she says dismissing him.

"Councilwoman, she's very new to our world, she just learned we existed, you're asking too much," Chris pleads.

"I can see and understand your hesitation, but you have responsibilities to this council! Being the alpha of one of the top five packs comes with a certain level of commitment. The current rogue situation is one of the key topics that are being discussed."

"I understand that. In the petition, I've assigned Alpha Eric of Crimson Dawn as my proxy-"

"It won't do, you need to be there to go over the attacks and answer questions on them." She cuts in leaving no room to dispute, and yet...

"Fine, but let her stay here in my absence-"

"That is not how this works and you know it. Besides she was involved in both battles, she needs to be there with you."

"Absolutely not," he bolts up, seething. "I will not have them-"

"Nothing will happen to her and she will be with you the entire time, you have my word on that," she cuts him off again. The energy rolling off of each of them is stifling, leaving my head spinning.

"Furthermore, I have arranged for your accommodations to be next to the Guardians. It's a large house suitable for your stature, and will accommodate a larger party than normal." She pauses letting this sink in. "This is far more consideration than any are normally afforded. Your petition was denied, I suggest you take it." That dangerous edge is front and center now, begging to be unleashed by a challenge.

"That's very gracious of the council, Still Waters accepts the terms and will be there," he replies formally.

"Excellent." She nods. "I'm glad we could come up with an amicable solution." She smiles but it never touches her eyes... she's hiding something.

"That still leaves you a month to get things ready and bring her up to speed about us." 

Yup, I definitely feel like a kid at the principal's office.

"As much as I'd love to stay for breakfast, I really must be off. Again my apologies for how Kevin acted, I am truly sorry for any upset he's caused her." She was at least sincere there, such a strange woman.

With that, she turns and leaves with Kevin falling in behind.

Chris wraps me up tightly squeezing me to his chest, breathing in my scent. I can feel his turmoil as he fights to regain control. Anger, confusion but also fear... It terrifies me whenever something scares him.

A moment later the door burst open as Jace, Jude, Xavier and Sara rush in.

"The fuck was that about?" Jace asks with a worried look.

Chris just stands there holding me. Everyone stares at me, anxious for answers, but I didn't understand what just happened. I'm clearly missing a giant piece of the puzzle.

I push against Chris' chest but he just pulls me back tighter against his rumbling chest. I feel the energy shift as everyone steps back.

"They threatened what is ours," he growls out.

"Fuck," Jace whispers as he steps back further.

"Chris, relax, it won't be that bad. We'll go sit through this conference thing and it'll be okay. We'll be home before you know it." I'm not sure what else to say, it doesn't sound like it's optional.

"Your house or here?" He grumbles.

I push back harder and he finally releases me. His eyes are deep brown, and he's pissed.

'Oh shit.'

"Excuse me?" I ask, confused and annoyed.

"Never mind," he grumbles.

"I don't understand-"

"You're right, you don't understand," he snaps cutting me off. "You're like a lamb led to slaughter sometimes, your ignorance is going to get you killed."

I stagger back under the weight of his words. It's true there's so much for me to learn but he doesn't have to be cruel about it.

"Cyrus," Jace cuts in. "Too far man."

I pull out of his grasp and head for the door.

"Don't you dare walk away from me," he growls.

"Give her a minute," Jace pleads, stepping in the way.

"I just need some air," I say dismissing his demand.

"Jess," he warns.

"Please, I'm just going to the garden," I say not waiting for permission.

"Go for a run before you say something else you'll regret," Jace suggests.

I hear Jude fall in step behind me as I get to the door. "Alone Jude," I snap, but he relents and stays inside. I hear the front door slam as Chris takes off.

A moment later I'm settling down on a bench by the water fountain when I hear someone coming down the path. I groan. why can't everyone just leave me alone for five minutes?

"Why is it every time I want some space you show up?" I grate out as they stopped in front of me.