The evening began. Anna stayed by my side and we sat around Dillion as he wanted us close, in case something would go wrong. The Alpha of the rival pack was a young man, around his mid-30's, gruff, blonde hair, a watchful gaze that lingered all across the house and a thick, British accent. One thing I noticed during the evening was that Dillion didn't have a British accent, a rather American one.

It rose suspicions, but I didn't tell Annabeth until the night was going to be over as I didn't know how many other surprises we were going to face.

I bought the glass to my mouth and sipped on the drink that was being served around. Anna leaned on the table beside me, her eyes and ears on the conversation between the two Alpha's.

"Thank you for having me here, Dillion."

Dillion chuckled, mockingly. "We both know you forced yourself here, Bernard. I never wanted to see you again after our last meeting." He said in a grudging tone.

Alpha Bernard—another name I hadn't ever heard. What was I even doing at my ruling? I should've been learning about overseas Alpha's and packs while I had the crown over my head. It would've been helpful at this time of need if I knew who I was dealing with.

"Oh, don't be like that. We have a special bond." Bernard head lifted away from the old man and he stared right at us. "You got witches..."

"For my protection." Dillion completed.

"From who? Me?" He laughed, acting like the only thing we feared was him. God. This egoistic man was going to drive me mad if I stayed by here for another second.

I spun around, grabbed the bottle of vodka off the counter and poured myself another drink. My senses heightened, and I choked on the drink as the scent of my mate trailed around the room. What was Luciano doing here?

Anna gasped, her body stiffening and rising from the table. A sparkle of delight crossed her eyes, and she smiled—at Ben, who walked into the room with Luciano.

"Oh, God, why are they here?" I turned my head to the other side, acting as if I didn't know any of these two. Anything small such as revealing ourselves could sabotage Cordelia's entire plan, and she'd drive me back to heaven with her spooky magic.

Bernard bought six wolves along with himself. They were strong, tattooed and muscular. All six of them were circling around us, their hideous glances terrifying me as they looked out for a threat.

Same old pack issues.

Dillion gestured at Luciano and Ben, directing them straight to us. I held my breath back. Did he know?

"Hey." Luciano whispered my ear as he positioned himself beside me, slowly inching his fingers close to mine and trying to touch me.

I gulped the last of the drink and turned to the bar again to get myself another one. The bar was on the opposite side of the sitting room, where the two Alpha's and their men could be found.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice low and soft.

"Dillion called us. I told you, Ben made this story, and we agreed that whenever he needed help, we would come and in return, he'd allow us to stay here." Luciano took in a heavy breath and explained.

Ben.

Crap.

I slammed the glass down on the counter and my gaze flickered around the room, lashing everywhere, looking for Ben and Anna, but they were gone, disappeared, like a light wind.

"Oh, shit, they are gone." I cursed under my breath.

"It's fine. I told Ben I'd cover up for him. Dillion won't notice and they'll be back soon." Luciano assured me while sliding the glass away from my hands.

I watched him make a drink for me. "You should've told me you were coming. I would've gotten ready." I said, brushing my fingers through my hair that I hadn't even combed since last night.

"You're beautiful, Red." He glanced at me and replied before stirring the drink and handing it over to me.

The drumming of my heart began again at his words, and I shied away to the other direction after taking the drink. The grin over his face grew while he stared at me from the distance. I stood on the other side of the room, near to Dillion before he assumed that we were all together and playing a game with him.

That was awful.

I didn't want to hurt the old man in any way and that wasn't the part of the agreement to begin with. Cordelia simply wanted secrets, and that was the only thing we were going to give to her.

Dillion was a sweet man, and I realized that only after today. He didn't misuse us even though he knew we were lost and vulnerable.

"I heard a neighboring pack was attacked a few days back." Bernard said, and I pulled myself out of my thoughts.

Dillion had a stern expression over his face. "I've no hand in that attack, if you're assum—"

"Of course, not. But, I'm just here to warn you, there is someone out there, tearing packs apart and you should look out for you own." There was something more in Bernard's voice, he was clearly the meaning of evil, beginning from the looks he gave and the way he spoke to Dillion.

"Thank you, but I think I'm doing great in that. No one has threatened me till date apart from your presence. It itches me." Dillion replied, rolling his eyes.

Bernard laughed, throwing his head back. "We are almost like Brothers!" His head titled at my side and he continued. "And, Brother's share."

My stomach churned with disgust, and I almost gagged. The air in the room thickened and Luciano jerked on his feet, ready to tear the man who looked at me with lust apart. Dillion's eyes went wide. He gave me an apologetic look before turning a cruel one to the other Alpha.

Before any of these men began, I stated. "I'm married."

"What?" The two Alpha's said in a union, baffled and shaken with the additional information.

Luciano crossed his arms over his chest and smiled at me. "And I have a child." I continued, glancing back at the Alpha's who seemed like they had met with the biggest shock of their lives.

"What?" Dillion shook his head in denial. "But, you're so young. Why wasn't I aware of that?" He asked, rising from the couch out of concern. His tone was rather apologetic and filled with worry.

"It's a long story." I whispered.

"I want to know all of that later." He lifted a finger and lightly nodded before sitting back down with Bernard, who was unpleased with the revelation. "And, Bernard, never think you'll ever get a chance to sleep with any woman around here—married or not." 

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