Kate dropped the gun and it clamored to the carpet with a heavy thud. Her eyes widened as she gazed at the male bodies entangled in a pool of blood and for a heart-stopping moment she dared not breathe.

Only when Ronan shoved Danny's dead weight aside did she release a sharp exhalation.

  Julie shifted beside her, reaching down to retrieve her 40' Smith & Wesson from the carpet to return it securely to the small of her back.

  Ronan staggered to his feet, clutching his side as he gave Danny a quick, hard once-over before raising intense, burning eyes to her. The amount of space dividing them could not alter the impact of that smoldering stare and Kate would have held it for all eternity if not for Julie's sudden grip on her arm.

  "Are you okay?" her friend asked with concern glimmering in her cerulean eyes.

  She tore her gaze away from Ronan's to peer at Julie, managing a small nod of her head, "Y-yes." She stammered.

  Julie shook her head, "I'm not buying it. Come on, you need to sit down." She let Julie guide her by the arm into the bedroom because she seemed powerless to do anything else, realizing she was shaking.

  She sat down on the mattress and watched as Julie disappeared from the room, abandoning her to the sudden horrifying realization of what she'd done.

  Her ex-boyfriend lay dead at the bottom of her stairs. She had killed Danny. She was a murderer.

  A large shape filled her doorway and she lifted teary eyes to Ronan – and gasped. The amount of blood on his shirt snatched at the remaining color in her face as she staggered to her feet.

  He rushed forward and gripped her arms gently, "No, sit down, baby." He said softly, easing her back down onto the mattress, "I'm not hurt."

  The mattress dipped with their combined weight as Ronan reached out to tuck tendrils of hair behind her ear.

  A breath shuddered through her as she spared the doorway a glance and then peered back at him, "Your friend?"

  "He'll survive."

  She felt some relief – relief for Luna. But that relief was short-lived as unimaginable grief and guilt assailed her. It wrenched at her heart, making her chest ache something awful as she fisted the blankets beneath her. "I killed him, Ronan, I killed a man."

  "No, sweetheart," Ronan reached over and cupped her chin to gaze fiercely into her tearful eyes, "He was dead long before he walked through that door."

  She frowned at him, "What do you mean?"

  The silver in those eyes softened in their brilliance to a gentle gray, "The amount of drugs and alcohol in his body would have essentially killed him. It was only a matter of time."

  "But it didn't – " she started argumentatively.

  "No," he interjected, " – but the change would have. He was bitten and humans are not meant to survive the bite of a werewolf. His body was already fighting the transition, and with the combined toxins, it worsened his condition. You simply put him out of his misery."

  "Not that the bastard deserved it." Julie growled from the doorway.

  Kate and Ronan raised their eyes to cerulean daggers, "He deserved a prison cell, Jules." Kate contested.

  "Hah!" Julie threw up a hand, dismissing the statement. "You and I will just have to agree to disagree on this one, babe." She paused, and then added, "Oh, and don't you dare cry for that asshole." And then she dipped from the doorway.

  After a few moments of silence, Ronan said with a grave edge to his voice, "I did not want this life for you, Kate. I was going to let you go."

  She met his intense gaze, that silver burning with discernible pain that he struggled to conceal. "You would do that? You would let me go?"

  His expression hardened but the clarity of that pain intensified that silver gleam, "If that is what you wish." He replied gently, and then added dismally, "I would see that you were well taken care of. I will ensure that Luna helps you through the change."

  Kate arose to her feet and he followed promptly, reaching a hand out to her as though to steady her if she stumbled. She met the intensity of his stare, and despite the pain reflected there she could see the hardening resolve, his determination to let her go – in spite of his own suffering.

  And he would suffer. She knew that. She felt that in her heart and soul because they were – as one. Their souls threaded together. If he let her go, it would be the hardest decision of his life and ultimately – it would destroy him. And he was willing to accept his fate, without her, so that she may find happiness.

  But could she truly go on living without him? She had lost so much in her lifetime. And now she had lost her to heart to this man.

  "What if – " she started, pausing to meet his eyes, " – what if I don't want that?"

  His eyes widened with a flare of surprise and – hope, as he took a step toward her, "What are you saying?"

  She lowered her gaze, "I'm frightened, Ronan."

  "You need not be." He answered firmly, "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. I would give you the life you were meant to have. I love you, Kate. I will give up everything to keep you. I will relinquish my title to Micah. You need only say so. And you and I can go anywhere in the world. Away from this place, away from all the pain it brings you."

  She gasped, meeting his eyes once more as she asked incredulously, "You would give up the pack?"

  He stepped closer and she noticed his fists curled at his sides as though he longed to pull her in his arms. "Yes."

  Kate shook her head, "No, I would never let you do that." She avoided his eyes once more as she turned her gaze away, "I'm such a mess, Ronan. How could you want me? I'm broken in every way."

  He was suddenly in front of her, cupping her face to raise her eyes to his and the raw emotion glinting there brought more tears to her eyes, "How could I not want you?" he asserted, "You're not broken, Kate. If only you could see yourself through my eyes. You are the strongest, most beautiful woman I have ever met. And you're mine."

  "I'm a coward." She croaked, "I tried to take my own life. What kind of woman would do that but a cowardly one?"

  "A frightened one," he answered honestly, "And fear does not make you a coward. You are far braver than you give yourself credit for."

  She leaned into him and he wrapped his arms tight around her, folding her warmly against the breadth of his chest. "I love you, Ronan. I don't want to ever be parted from you."

  His arms tightened, "And you never will be."

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

    Three weeks later ...

  "Anything on Roux?" Ronan asked of his beta, while curing an arm around Kate's shoulders, pulling her closer.

  He tucked her beneath his shoulder, marveling at the feel of her against him. She fit perfectly, because she was his. She belonged to him. His green-eyed beauty. He could never let her go.

  Ronan knew they had much to work on. Kate was still dealing with a lot of emotional pain, not to mention, she was a newly turned loup-garou. She was pending her first shift come the next full moon. She had relayed her fear to him and naturally she would be frightened. Hell, it was a terrifying ordeal. But he had assured her that he would see her through it, all the way, just as he would see her through her emotional pain, day-to-day.

  He recalled that moment when she had disclosed her vision to him after her death.

  Her death. It still shook his very soul to realize just how close he'd come to losing her. He had lost her. And he knew that he would not have survived her loss. A mate was not meant to live without its intended. He surely would have succumbed to his own death – or worse, madness.

  I saw my family. She had divulged to him. And my son. She said this lastly with a slight tremor in her voice.

  Ronan couldn't imagine the magnitude of her grief or what she must have felt in that moment, to have seen her child only to be ripped away from him. Her pain was surely tremendous. And he thought for certain that she would come to resent him and this life. But she had assured him at that time that she would never regret her decision.

  I don't think I will ever release the pain I hold from losing my child. But I know something now that I hadn't realized then. What I saw was assurance, that my son was with my parents, and they were okay, he was okay. And they were saying goodbye.

  "Ronan, did you hear me?" Micah commanded of his attention.

  He blinked and peered across the table at his beta who was scowling at him.

  "I said Roux's whereabouts have not been discovered as of yet, but I have news that will surely peak your interest."

  "And what is that?" Ronan asked, sparing his beta and Luna, who sat across from Kate, a meaningful glance.

  "It was one of us that lured those vampires here."

  Ronan frowned, straightening in his seat but keeping a firm arm around Kate, "How do you know this?"

  Micah lounged deeper into the booth, mirroring Ronan as he wrapped an arm around Luna, "It would appear that Sabine has been conversing frequently with her sister."

  At the mention of Lorelei, Ronan's blood flared red-hot with rage and he said on an ominous growl, "Where is she?" he demanded coldly.

  Kate reached across the table and gripped his fist to calm him, "Ronan, you cannot think to harm her."

  He tried suppressing his rage as he turned to gaze at her, "You nearly died because of her."

  "Correction, she died." Julie suddenly appeared at their table, balancing their food on a large silver tray that they had ordered thirty minutes ago, "If you ask me, the bitch deserves to die."

"Shouldn't you be working, Bennett?" Ronan snapped, "Who said you could eavesdrop?"

  She cast him a pointed, cerulean glare, "Excuse you, ass. I am working. And just for your snide remark, I made sure Campbell cooked your steak just how you like it – well done." She snapped with a smirk.

  Ronan and Micah glowered.

  Kate and Luna giggled.

Julie narrowed her eyes at him before turning and sauntering off.

  "You were saying?" he asked Micah, shoving his plate away with a scowl.

  "Lorelei lured that vampire here that attacked Kate. She also brought the horde to Asheville. She is responsible for Roux's disappearance."

  "But why would she do that?" Luna asked beside him.

  "What other reason than to get back in Ronan's good graces? Maybe she thought she was doing you a justice by ridding you of your threat to the pack. Perhaps she thought you'd give her a second chance."

  "No way in hell." Ronan growled. If there was any truth to this information, then Lorelei not only had betrayed the pack in more ways than one, she was also conspiring with vampires. But why? And if Nico was captured by fangers, then where did they take him? And was he still alive?

  He and Nico had their issues, but he could not forsake his brother to a bunch of bloodsuckers.

  "We must find Nico's whereabouts."

  "What of Lorelei?"

  Ronan pinned Micah with a glare, "Find Sabine and coerce Lorelei's location from her."

  "You know she won't easily betray her sister."

  "Then Sabine will become a traitor to this pack. Perhaps you should remind her of that when you find her. I'll not have Lorelei roaming freely about. She is a threat to this pack and a threat to Kate."

  "As is Kura," Micah added, "You killed her mate. She will seek revenge now that she knows Kate still lives."

  "And I will see to destroying her if she so much as harms a hair on Kate's head."

  "Stop it," Kate exclaimed suddenly, her green eyes flaring angrily, "Stop talking as though I'm not even here. Do I not have a say in this? You respond to violence with more violence? How is that resolving anything? Can you not sympathize with the woman? She lost her beloved."

  "Kate, I understand your logic, but Micah is right. She will seek to harm you to get at Ronan. She is unpredictable." Luna advised.

  "If Kura tries to harm you, I will do what is necessary to keep you safe." Ronan affirmed before pressing a hard kiss to her temple.

  She pursued her lips but Ronan knew his little beauty would dispute this later. He was certain of it, but for the time being she let the matter fall.

  "I have to get back to work. My lunch hour is up." She scooted from the booth and then turned to plant a brief kiss on his mouth. "I'll see you later?"

  He returned her smile, "I won't be going anywhere."

  She cast him a disapproving frown, "Ronan, you cannot stay here my entire shift to ensure my safety. Larry will certainly object to your brooding presence and you'll likely scare off the other customers."

  "Until all threats against you are eliminated, I'm not leaving you alone for a second. Besides, Bennett owes me another steak."

  Micah chuckled and Kate wagged a finger at him, "Do not encourage him."

  Luna turned and lightly punched her mate's shoulder, "Agreed."

  "Ouch!" Micah feigned injury, pouting to gain a kiss from her.

  Kate smiled, exchanged a longing glance with Ronan, and then stalked away.

  Once she was out of hearing range, Ronan turned back to Micah, "Find both women."

  "I'll speak with Sabine." Luna offered, "She is simply torn on what to do. It is her sister, in which she'll firmly believe she's betraying, which is no easy task."

  Micah nodded, "You speak with her then. Perhaps you could convince her better than we can."

  Ronan then asked, sparing a glance to ensure Kate was gone. "What of Horner? How will they rule it in court?"

  "Most likely self-defense," Micah stated, "He broke into Kate's house with the full intent to inflict harm."

  "And they suspected nothing at the morgue on his appearance?" Luna questioned.

  Micah shook his head, "No, death will bring one back to its true form. He was human, therefore appeared very much so upon inspection."

  "But Ronan wounded him?" Luna noted, "Surely there had been marks made from his claws, his teeth?"

  He smirked then, "I told them Kate's dog took a chunk out of him."

  "Kate doesn't have a dog."

  "Sure she does," Micah's eyes glimmered amusingly as they settled on Ronan from across the table.

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

  Later that night, at Ronan's loft, Kate padded barefoot to the refrigerator to retrieve a Granny Smith apple, recalling a mirrored moment just as this, while donned in one of Ronan's oversized t-shirts.

  She bit into the apple and felt a sudden warmth at her back before Ronan's arms circled her waist, reeling her against his chest.

  "You know, we don't have to stay in the city." He said gently as he rested his chin atop her head.

  Kate turned in his arms, relinquishing her apple to the center island as she wrapped her arms around his neck to gaze lovingly into those silver-gray eyes, "I like it here, besides this is where your business is. I couldn't take you away from all that."

  He reached up and grazed her cheek with his knuckles, his eyes settling hungrily on her mouth, "I'd give it all up if it meant your happiness. I know how much you love that house. We could return to it, live there, if that is what you desire."

  Kate's heart swelled against her chest as she turned her face into his hand, pressing a soft kiss against that callused palm, "What I desire is standing here before me. The house is beautiful but I simply moved there to hide from Danny." She paused as a tremor in her voice belied her sudden fear, that pain still plaguing her. "You brought me here at my worst. I feel safe here – with you." She affirmed softly.

  Ronan stroked a thumb across her bottom lip, "You are safe and will always be safe with me," he leaned down and pressed his forehead against hers, "I promise that I will strive each day to ensure your happiness. You will be happy again."

  She leaned back and captured his face between her hands, "I am happy, Ronan. The happiest I've ever been." And she meant that. She had never been happier. She'd found the love of her life. She'd found her purpose and that was – him.

  But he knew that the loss of her child was grave. And so he said, "I know that having a child could never replace the son you lost, and know that it never will, but I promise that you'll have children again, and you'll be a wonderful mother to our boys."

  At the mention of her son, Kate felt that familiar ache in her chest, but it seemed to diminish with every day that broadened the horizon, and for the first time in a long time, she felt a flare of hope for the future.

  "Boys?" she said with a sudden smile.

  Ronan grinned a toothy grin, "Indeed."

  She returned his grin, leaned up onto her toes, and captured his mouth with a soul-searing kiss.

  His arms tightened lovingly and protectively around her, drawing her up against his chest. "You are forever mine, my green-eyed beauty."

  "And you mine, Mr. Gray Eyes."