---James' POV---

A smile slipped on my face as I saw the young Alpha jog around his car to open the door for his newly found mate. Charles, a werewolf officer on my team, smirked slightly while he jabbed his elbow in Paul's side before he motioned his head towards William, who smiled at Kim.

"Look at that, young love huh." Charles snickered slightly while Paul let out a good-natured laugh and nodded with him. "Makes me remember the time I set my sights in my dear Sophie." Paul mused while looking at the young Alpha pair that walked towards us.

Walter, an older, burly human scratched at his nearly white beard and mustache while gazing at Kim before he shook his head slightly. I caught his attention and raised an eyebrow, silently asking what he was thinking. Walter just motioned his head towards the two younger males of our team, both human and obviously very interested in Kim.

"I've been with the Navy before I signed up for this job but I know true love when I see it. And I also know a potential scuffle arising." He muttered with his slightly hoarse voice. When William caught on to the lustful looks the greenhorns were giving Kim, he growled lowly in his throat while he possessively wrapped his arm around Kim's waist.

A few moments later, another pair of car lights lighted the scene before the rumbling of a car engine was silenced. Kath jumped out of the car, with David close behind her, making me roll my eyes.

"Who the hell are you?" One of the greenhorns, Drew, said, giving Kath a once over while she walked towards Kim. "Friends of Kim, we're here to help her move her stuff. She can't take all of her stuff by herself now, can she?"

Kim rolled her eyes slightly while William walked her towards us. "Mock the blind girl, classic one Kath." Kim muttered under her breath. I walked up to the two young officers and stood behind them, effectively shutting them up. They glanced up at me and gave me a weak smile, which I returned with a raised eyebrow before they finally acted professionally.

"Okay, we're going to guide Miss Hale in her house so she can get her belongings from her home. She must be accompanied by a police officer at all times and her parents are not allowed to interrupt her or prevent the moving. Understood?" I asked, my stern gaze mainly focused on the youngsters of the team.

"Yes sir." The reply from every officer resounded before we all headed towards the front door. Kim handed me the key to her house, before we all stepped in, one of the pack staying outside in case Kim's parents came back and one went inside as we heard voices talking to each other, somewhere around the house.

As soon as the door swayed open, the voices stopped talking before two pair of feet quickly made their way to the hallway. A door directly opposite of the front door swayed open, revealing a dimly lit kitchen and a pair of adults, who looked slightly shocked to see the amount of police force in their homes.

The man, dressed in a black pinstriped suit, fiddled a bit with his tie while glancing around at every police officer, frowning slightly. It was strange, but I could see the resemblance between him and Kim; the basic structure of his face had been softened, molded differently but it was still there.

Dark brown eyes glanced around before setting on Kim, surprise and relief settling in with Kim's father while her mother was glaring at the arm that Will had protectively wrapped around Kim's waist. The look didn't go unnoticed by the wolves, which stood in a slightly defensive stance.

"Mr. and Mrs. Hale?" I stated, hiding the disgust I felt inside; I had heard Kim's story first hand when she recounted it to my brother and his mate. How any parent could disregard their child, no matter how hard the situation, was beyond my mind.

"Yes?" Mr. Hale stated, his voice apprehensive while his wife stepped forth, her eyes widening dramatically. "Oh, you found her! Thank goodness, we had no idea what to do when she ran away. We were so worried! Thank the-" I stopped the woman's blabbering by raising a hand, cutting her off with a short, "Ma'am."

"You better get upstairs and collect her stuff Will." I sent while motioning my head towards two of my colleges. Will nodded and pulled Kim with him, glaring at her parents while he ushered her behind him when Mr. Hale took a step towards them.

"What's the meaning of this? I am grateful that you found Kim after she ran away but what is this punk doing here with her? He's not-" Will nudged Kim gently, encouraging her to walk up the stairs before he snarled at her father. "You mean you drove her away! Instead of worrying about your job and status, you should worry a bit more about your daughter, you pompous ass!"

"Why you little-"

"ENOUGH!" I shouted, snapping the two out of it before I internally flinched when I noticed that Kim had pressed her back against the wall, her heartbeat accelerated. Moving between them so they wouldn't come to blows, I sternly looked at each of them.

Turning my sights on William, I mentally apologized to the Alpha's son while saying out loud, "young man, you'd better refrain from throwing accusations around. You're here to help and escort Miss Hale and you better step to it before I change my mind." Will sighed but nodded shortly before he gathered Kim in his arms and quickly moved upstairs.

Blocking Mr. Hales' path, I turned around and said, "Now, for the matter at hand." I waved towards the seats in the kitchen, suggesting that they should take a seat. Mister Hale grumbled while stomping to his seat while stood there dumbfounded. I motioned for two of my men to go upstairs with Will while I followed the Hales' in their living room.

Charles stepped in shortly after me, closing the door behind the rest of us while Paul went upstairs with one of the greenhorns. "Keep a close eye on him Paul. Will is on edge as it is." I warned him, receiving a chuckle as a reply before he flashed me a mental picture of the greenhorn; rubbing both his cheeks, which were inflamed red with a clear handprint on each of them.

"What happened to him?" I snorted amused, hearing Charles clear his throat to hide his laughter while Paul stated, "Kim and Kath happened. Greenhorn here flirted with them and received a slap in the face before either David or William could react."

"Damn." Charles laughed before we all turned serious again. Mr. Hale was still staring at us, practically fuming on the spot while his wife was looking from one person to the next.

I cleared my throat and grabbed the small notebook from my pocket and flicked to the page I needed. "Let's get started, shall we?" I asked rhetorically, glancing at the ticked off man, who in return slammed his hands down on the kitchen counter while he stood up. "WHO the HELL do you think YOU are?!" He shouted out, making Mrs. Hale lean back from him.

Flipping my wallet to show him my badge, I coldly replied "James Smith, Chief of Police." The Hales' faces paled considerably, but I ignored it and flipped a pen in my hand, tapping it on.

"Now, I'm presuming I'm talking to Mr. Joseph Thomas Hale and Mrs. Suzan Maria Hale?" I clarified, glancing over the notebook while internally cursing the fact that I had to do all the paperwork while I could just mentally debrief with the police station. Both of the Hales nodded, siting back down slowly.

"Right then, " I said while I shot a scolding look at the greenhorn, what was his name? Michael, Mike...Mike, that's it. Anyway, I stared firmly at him when he was practically drooling at the flat screen before he noticed my glare and bowed his head with reddening cheeks.

"Keep the whelp in check, will yah?" I grumbled, turning my attention back towards the parents while I heard some shuffling upstairs and movement in the hallway. They've started moving, good.

"We're here to investigate a call earlier this evening. There's suspicion that this is a case of child abuse." Joseph turned a bright red while Suzan paled and placed a hand on her chest.

"We did no such thing!" they both shouted out while Joseph narrowed his eyes, glaring at the little notebook in my hands. "I can assure you, "He said, slightly calmer, "That we haven't committed such a crime. Kim has been raised well and taken care off."

My wolf growled internally at the lie in that sentence. Sure, Kim was raised of fairly good but the years after she became blind, she was left on her own.

"Really now? According to our data and Kim's interrogation, she's been living in this house, on her own, shortly after her 17th birthday." Charles held up some files and flicked through them. "Says right here that exactly three months after Kim was released from the hospital that you bought a house in Dakota, Minnesota. That's a fourteen-hour trip from here." He added with a suppressed growl, clearly angry at the thought that his Alpha female had been abandoned in the state she was.

Suzan swallowed loudly and muttered something about investing in real estate. I rolled my eyes at that and said, "Ma'am, we have proof that you, your husband and your youngest daughter have lived there for quite a while as you left Kim behind to fend for herself."

She sniffed before tears started to roll down. "You don't understand! You don't know how hard it was and still is to be confronted with the fact that your daughter is handicapped. She would be treated as an outcast in society!"

I shot her and her husband a stern look while I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "So you decide to treat her as an outcast yourself? Your daughter had just lost her sight, most of her friends and needed the support of her family. When she needed you the most, you left her on her own without any sources of life-support other than the bank account you made for her."

The rest of the team seemed shocked and appalled of what happened to Kim and I noticed that I was finally getting through Joseph and Suzan's thick heads. An idea shot in my head and I frowned, "I'm starting to suspect that the youngest Hale doesn't even have a boyfriend. You wanted the bond between the two sisters to weaken, don't you?"

As an answer, both of their heads lowered in shame while I heard the rookie mumble, "Disgusting." I turned towards him with a scolding look, causing him to raise his hands while he frowned at Kim's parents. "Well it is! They just thought about their status, their jobs instead of their family."

Walter stepped up next to the boy and laid a hand on his shoulder. "As a new recruit, you should probably learn to control your emotions kid. Keep your personal view out of it and stay professional." The Hales looked at their feet before Suzan asked softly, "What now?"

I pointed with the pen over my shoulder and said, "Fortunately for you guys, Miss Kimberly Hale has decided to not press any charges."

Joseph Hale stood up slowly, his fists clenched by his side. "Then why are you here?" Walter cleared his throat slightly and said, "Since your daughter is of age, she can legally leave this house."

---Will's POV---

I was still fuming while I helped Kath with clearing Kim's closet out. My wolf was growling when I thought about Kim's parents, how they acted like the perfect family who had looked for their rebelling daughter.

Suppressing a growl, I quickly moved a few piles of shirts in a box and sealed it before one of the officers picked it up and went downstairs. Rubbing over the back of my neck, I looked over my shoulder at Kim, who was collecting her pencils, paints and other art related material.

Her fingers lingered on a foldable easel, a small one that could be placed on a table or that you could take on a trip. I caught her frowning while she shook her head lightly. Without my actual consent, my feet carried me towards her before I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her closer.

"That look really doesn't suit you." I teased while using one hand to ease the wrinkle out of her forehead. Kim jolted slightly before she playfully slapped my hand away. "You scared me! How is it that you can sneak up on me?"

I chuckled slightly, leaning towards her ear before answering, "Heightened senses. You should know...partially." Her face cleared up for a moment before Paul poked his head back in. "Are you guys going to flirt or are you going to help us hard working folks out?"

Kim laughed at that while Paul grinned and moved back downstairs with the next box. "Sorry!" Kim shouted after him before she moved more of her art material in a box. I eyed the easel, which she had put to the side, before asking, "Why don't you pack that too? Are you leaving it?"

She seemed a bit flustered while she nodded. "I don't want to take too much space in." I snorted and picked the easel up before I pushed it in the box. "You don't take space in, we're sharing it. And just so you know, our house is huge. I'm thinking you should have more art stuff."

Right at that moment I got a brilliant idea; I could give her an art-room close to mine, so she could work on her paintings and leave them there to dry. I smirked slightly and let my father know of my idea. The room next to mine was storage anyway.

Smiling happily, I quickly cleaned her closet out, making sure that I removed the last bits of clothing. Just as I was about to check the last drawers, Kim stepped up in front of me and leaned against them. "I'll do these, you can go and...bring my art box downstairs, yeah." She said, a flush starting on her cheeks.

I raised my eyebrow questioningly while I looked between Kim, the drawer and back again. What was she hiding? Slowly crossing my arms in front of my chest, I took a small step forwards. "What are you hiding, love?" Kim flushed a bright red but a determined expression crossed her face while she rose to her full height...still well below me, I could easily look over the crown of her head.

"Private matters so please, a bit of privacy?" she asked just as Kath walked in with the last box from...Victoria secret? My mind was still putting the pieces together but when I saw the bold letters on the box, along with hearing Kath say that Kim hasn't packed her 'essentials' yet, it suddenly clicked and I backed off.

"Of course Love, I'll get your art material downstairs." I said, leaving her to pack her underwear. Just when I bowed down to lift the box, I heard Kath gasp and say, "God Kim, you got to let me borrow that corset for my birthday! David will flip!" My joints blocked and my mouth grew instantly dry.

Corset? Kim has corsets in there?

I audibly gulped before I scurried out of her room, trying to calm my raging wolf and myself down. Paul shot me a smirk when I passed him and I growled lowly. "Don't even think about it." I mentally snarled at him, causing him to tip his hat before he backed down.

"...understand! You don't know how hard it was and still is to be confronted with the fact that your daughter is handicapped. She would be treated as an outcast in society!" My head snapped up while I stared at the door towards the kitchen.

How. Dare. They?

My wolf snarled, eager to learn these ignorant fools a lesson or two while I struggled to maintain shape. Thankfully, I was able to calm down while uncle James lectured the both of them.

His next words however, were enough to set me on edge; even Paul jumped up, but to keep me from kicking the door down. "I'm starting to suspect that the youngest Hale doesn't even have a boyfriend. You wanted the bond between the two sisters to weaken, don't you?" James asked condescending and was rewarded with silence.

"Disgusting." One of the human kids said and I couldn't help but agree with him. I forced myself to walk outside and placed the box in the car before I was joined with David, who held the last box. "Kim's waiting for you." He stated, a soft smile tugging on his lips when I grinned. "Go on!" he urged, shaking his head while he placed the box in his car.

Walking back in, my eyes immediately landed on Kim, who was walking down the stairs while her fingers brushed over the wall, a soft yet fleeting smile rushed over her face before she was in front of me and halted, raising her head towards me with an amused quiver of her lips.

"Ready to go?" I asked softly, smiling at the thought that she would be coming with me, living with the pack and me..."Forget the pack. Our mate, at our side...she has already accepted us and now we just have to get to know each other better." I stated to my wolf, who purred softly.

It was amusing that my inner wolf, who had always been rather distant and grumpy, was coming out of his shell and acting like a love-struck puppy, who was in way over his head. My wolf snorted at that and growled warningly, his growl laced with amusement however. "It's what our mate brings out from within. You can't say she hasn't changed you too William. We hardly even know her and still, the changes we both went through..." his voice died when Kim grasped the hand I held towards her.

Kim tilted her head slightly, her lips curving in an amused yet teasing smile. "Seriously, I could swear that you're smirking right now." I chuckled and quickly cleared the smirk of my face while I said, "Smirking? Me? Nooo, why would you think that?"

She laughed slightly, shaking her head. "Then why are you lying, I wonder?" Both of us started laughing while my arm snaked around her waist, pulling her to my side. The happy, playful mood was quickly broken when the door towards the kitchen flew open and Kim's father stepped out, instantly glaring at me.

"So, she's going to live with you huh? Why are you interested in my daughter, boy?" He sneered, stepping closer while I withdrew my arm and gently nudged Kim behind me. She placed a hand on the small of my back, instantly calming me down...just a bit.

"Well, what is it? Status? Money? That's probably it, some gold digging leach you are!" Joseph Hale snarled while I just stood there; too shocked for a moment to react. "What did you say?" I slowly asked, though calm on the outside, I was barely holding on my control.

Noise erupted from the kitchen when James, Mrs. Hale and the rest of the police force walked out. "Mr. Hale." James said warningly while his eyes focused on mine, assessing the situation.

Joseph snorted, ignoring James while he crossed his arms and pulled his lips up in a sneer. "I'm saying that you're a social climber, using my daughter and our position as a successful lawyer and doctor to climb up the ranks. Or haven't you noticed that Kimberly is blind? But then again, she would just be a collateral casualty if you're out for her money-"

The words weren't even from his mouth before I lunged forwards and rammed my fist straight in the middle of his face, hearing his nose break with a satisfying crunch before I aimed a second punch in his gut.

Mrs. Hale shrieked and ran towards her husband while I stood there, trembling on the spot while I felt the shift taking place; my canines were elongating, my eyes burned as the pupil dilated while I kept hearing those words, along with the sensation of Kim's hand on my back that had cringed away at those harshly spoken words.

Just when I was about to shift, a pair of warm hands looped around my hips and tucked me against Kim's soft chest, while she buried her face in my back. I took deep breaths, urging my wolf to calm down while I placed one hand on Kim's, which were resting on my stomach.

---Kim's POV---

I didn't know why I moved; I just felt this urge to step forwards and sooth Will's anger. When he had leaped forwards, away from me, I had been scared when I had heard a sickening crunch...strangely not for my father but for Will.

Hiding the pain of how dad spoke so lowly of me, I kept my face buried in Will's back when I heard a muffled groan as mom started shrieking towards Will, cursing him loudly.

"How dare you to say that, to even think so lowly of Kim?" Will snarled, his growl vibrating through his chest, causing me to tighten my hold on him. He gave my hand a gentle squeeze as he continued.

"I don't give a damn that Kim is blind! I've known her for only a few days but I can honestly say that she's a far better person than me but I still love her with everything I have." Will took a deep breath while I froze slightly at his confession. That was the first time he said he loved me...

"You'll regret this boy." My dad groaned out, his voice thick and unclear while I heard some shuffling. William laughed at that. "No, I don't think I will ever regret the fact of meeting your daughter and defending her honor, even if it is from the two people who should have been the first to stand by her. I mean, honestly, leaving her behind after she's been assaulted?"

Another shuffle was heard before mom said, "We have our jobs, we can't just give them up-" Will's muscles tensed against my jaw while I closed my eyes with a sigh. "Did she ever ask for that? The only thing you should have done was come home after work every day, ask her about her day and love her for who she is and not what she is. But you just can't see past that, can you?" he snarled.

After a long silence, filled with my parents embarrassment, Will pried my hands loose and turned towards the door, pulling me in front of him. "Where are you going?" Mom asked.

"Well, since you think of your daughter as a burden, I will relief you of it." Will answered, followed by a shocked gasp from mom before dad snapped, "We were asking Kim!"

Sighing, I turned around towards their direction. "Just what Will said, father." I replied, chewing on the name with disgust. "I've heard every single thing you guys said, and quite frankly, I'm sick and tired of staying on my own, thinking that you guys will come home one day."

A sob was heard from my mother's direction and I knew that everything was starting to sink in their thick skulls. Their actions were finally catching up with them. "Please reconsider honey." Dad said softly and I snorted as Will tensed behind me. "No." I replied flatly and walked towards the car, feeling that Will was following closely.

"Please honey, I'm begging you." Mom stuttered with tears clearly in her voice. I sighed deeply and squeezed the bridge of my nose. "I've been begging for the last three years without an answer. It's time I returned the favor." I said coldly before I turned at their direction and placed my hand in Will's. "From now on, I'm thinking of my own happiness instead of thinking about your ego's and social ranks. Oh, by the way, I'm not pressing charges, but I'm not stopping the others if they wish to do so."

At that, a shocked gasp was heard before I nodded in their direction. "Joseph, Suzan. The only way we'll be contacting each other is through court, or if I want to speak with my sister."

Mom stepped towards us before someone stopped her. "How do you think you're going to fend for yourself? You don't have a job." She stated hysterically. I shrugged and said, "Well, it might surprise you, but your broken and useless daughter has managed to become quite the successful artist, who has an appointment with some art-critics tomorrow."

And with that, Will guided me towards his car, ignoring the calls of my parents while he slipped in the seat quickly after shutting my door. "God, I can't wait to file charges against them. You really wouldn't mind if I did that?" I shook my head while relaxing in the soft, leather seat.

"Why should I? They never thought about my happiness when they left me behind?" I stated, closing my eyes for a moment. A hand wrapped around mine, intertwining our fingers before Will's thumb brushed soothing circles against the back of my hand.

"I'll be more than happy to make up for those years of neglect for you." He said, his tone lighter and teasing, softening the tense mood in the car. I chuckled and shook my head slightly. Will sighed theatrically and spoke up. "Sadly, that will have to wait for a moment."

I frowned slightly and turned my head towards him. "How come?" I asked, truly curious, wishing I could see his face. His hand squeezed mine while he stated, "Well, we've got some serious unpacking to do, rearranging the furniture and clothes in my room and get you settled in."

The breath that I had held flew out of me, along with the rest of the tension from the confrontation between my parents, Will and me. I shook my head in amusement while the car turned smoothly. "I do have one question though." Will said, his voice suddenly serious, but laced with a teasing tone.

"What was it that I heard about you having corsets?"

I gasped and turned away, spending the rest of the ride with my head tilted towards my lap, my cheeks on fire while William's booming laughter rolled through the air.