"I'm sorry, could you repeat that again sir?" I ask the Alpha, my voice trembling. My palms are sweaty. I nervously grip onto my shorts.

"I'm demoting you from your position as Vice Leader of the squad." His voice is hard with a hint sympathy.

"But... but I am still a part of the team, right?" I ask, my voice giving away my anxiety-filled state. I can't seem to mask my emotions. He's hitting me where it hurts.

"No... I'm sorry Lucia but after what happened at the hunter's house I can't allow you to work on the squad. Until I learn I can trust you again, you won't be on the team."

"But sir, we completed our half of the mission-"

"But you stopped Damien from completing his part of the mission. What could've possibly been going through your head to try and protect that thing?" His eyes glaring into me, making me want to back down and feel guilty for my actions, but I don't. The opposite happens, I feel something deep within me grow upset by the fact that he called the baby 'that thing'.

"I didn't realize that it was part of Damien's mission to extinguish the child." I admit honestly.

He sighs and leans his large back onto his chair. It creaks with his weight.  "Even as an excuse it's not acceptable that you allowed that thing to live. I know this is hard for you Lucia, but I have to take certain measure, you must understand that."

"I... I..." My trembling and sweaty hands grip my shorts even more. My heart is nervously bouncing around in my chest. I can't say no to the Alpha. "I understand..."

He wheels around ninety degrees in his chair. His arms reach down and I hear him rustle through some things. A moment later he returns to the desk with a small bag. He places it on the table and slides it over to me. The friction causing it to stop on his wooden desk right in front of me. The bag is plastic, but not see through. I have no clue what's in it or what he is up to.

"In order to keep a close eye on you, I think it best that you work with the maid staff. After a while of working, there is a chance for you to be let back onto the team. This is the uniform you are to wear during work. You will report to Marissa Fey. Starting tomorrow she will show you around and show you what needs to be done. Any questions?"

My hands shake nervously as they reach out and grab hold of the bag. Then my fragile voice asks, "is there any way that I can wait to begin work? It's just that Raymond is very injured and I would like to tend to him."

The Alpha gives me a small and caring smile. "Of course. I will have Trinity talk to Marissa and postpone your first day."

"Thank you Alpha."

He nods his head, acknowledging my thanks. I drag the bag off the table and take a deep breath. I turn to my right to find my father staring down at me. I can't pin point the emotion on his face, but I guess it must be pity with a hint of disappointment. I turn away from him. I shakily get to my feet.

My body moves on it's own. I feel empty, completely and utterly hollow. It's almost like my emotions were stripped away along with my title as Vice Leader. As if my life is a bundle of nothing. Completely empty. I've lost everything important to me.

With the Alpha sentencing me to maid duty, I'm being separated from my squad. My pack. My family. They will be so busy with missions and practice I doubt we will have much time to see each other. It's going to be like they've disappeared from my life completely. 

I exit the office, closing the door behind me. As empty as I feel, I need to tell everyone. After all, I got permission to watch Raymond until he heals. That gives me an excuse to be with my squad for a few more days. Maybe all hope isn't lost. I can try my best to gain the Alpha' s trust back.

First things first, I need to tell everyone about my exile from the squad. My next destination: Raymond's and Ruben's room. With any luck, all the squad members will still be there.

As I continue through the halls, I notice all the craziness going on around me in the pack house. Normally it's white noise and I can easily ignore the shenanigans, but now it's starting to stand out. It's as if I'm seeing it all with fresh eyes. Like it's the first time I've seen people in my pack interact. I watch as two buff men aggressively shove each other in the hall. They grunt and growl at one another. It's blatant just how angry they are, I can read it plain on their faces. I know a fight is about to break out any moment.

I steer clear of the argument. In my human state, I'm not equipped to handle that kind of situation.

Men pass by me in small groups, the largest group to pass consists of four men. I never really acknowledged it before, but people in this pack only have loyalty to a small amount of rogues and the Alpha. In a sense, I'm the same. I have only loyalty to my group members, minus Damien. Even Greyson and Leo are practically family. Yet I could care less about anyone else in this pack, well besides Milena that is. We've grown a small bond that I wasn't expecting.

I continue my observation until I get to my destination.

I open the door, neglecting to knock before entering. I close it softly behind me.

My eyes turn up and scan the room. Thankfully, most the squad is still around, the only ones missing are Greyson and Leo. Rina and Raymond watch me carefully, worry in their eyes. Derek gives me a small smile and Ruben gives me a head nod.

"Hey everyone," I greet the small group.

"What happened?" Derek asks, fishing for knowledge on the situation.

I stare at them blankly. My face reads no emotion as I announce, "I will no longer be Vice Leader of the squad."

Ruben's jaw hits the floor. Tears start to bubble up in Rina's eyes. Raymond shows no emotion. Derek's face grows horrified. I gulp, trying to hold in my own emotions. Fortunately, I feel a lot of nothingness along with the sadness. Therefore, I don't feel the urgency to cry, it's as if I'm in a state of shock.

"You've got to be kidding, right?" Ruben questions.

I shake my head left and right. "No, I'm officially demoted."

"Well at least you're still on the squad," Derek offers an optimistic point of view.

Sadness and hurt surface in my heart, turning it cold and black. I take a small breath before I tell him, "I'm not on the squad anymore. I've been kicked."

"Why?" Rina cries out, her emotions getting the best of her as tears spill onto her cheeks.

"I protected Harvey's and Lauraine's child. The Alpha can't trust me anymore, so I'm being kicked and he's putting me on maid duty."

"Maid duty?" Raymond questions. "Seriously?"

"Yup." I sigh. I strut over to Raymond's bed. I plop my self onto the foot of it. "At least I get to hold off on my duties until you're better."

"Me?" He asks and I nod. "Well then I'll stay injured forever."

A small genuine smile creeps up onto my lips. "Of course I don't want that. Being a maid won't be terrible..."

"Of course it will! You're going to lose your mind doing tedious chores!" Ruben cuts in.

Derek, Raymond, and Rina all glare directly at him. That's when he realizes what he said is only making the situation worse. His eyes widen and he turns to me.

"Uh... uh I mean, at least it's better than being a service girl?" He offers.

Derek slaps a hand to his forehead, Rina shakes her head at his idiocy, and Raymond just glares at his brother. I almost want to laugh at their reactions to Ruben. It's just like old times. He has no social intelligence. He's always blatantly honest because he doesn't know any better. At least he is right. Being a maid is better than being a service girl. Luckily, being a 'mated pair' with Damien was probably the biggest preventer of that.

"You're right Ruben. Plus the Alpha said that I might be able join the squad again. You know, after he gains my trust back..."

"Well at least there's hope!" Rina adds optimistically.

We have some small talk, but everyone feels a bit down. No one really knows how to react. We are all bundles of emotion; filled with anger, sadness, rage, and despair. After a while, a grumbling stomach shakes everyone.

All eyes turn to me. A small blush forms on my cheeks. Oops. I forgot just how hungry I was. I haven't eaten since before we left for the mission. That was so long ago.

Rina lets out a small chuckle. "How about I go make some food for everyone, huh?"

Ruben's eyes widen in delight. "No way, you mean it?"

She rolls her eyes but nods anyway. "Yes, but Ruben I will need your help to carry it all back here. In the mean time," she stands from the foot of the bed and strides over to me. She motions for me to hold out my hand. I do so willingly. After a moment she grabs something metal from her pocket and places the cold material on my palm. "It's my room key. Go wash up and grab some clean clothes. You can stay with me tonight."

My fingers enclose around the cool metal object. A small warmth spreads in my chest for the first time since hearing the news. "Thanks Rina, it means a lot."

"No problem, I'm always here to help, you know that." I nod my head, agreeing with her. She turns to Ruben and he catches on to her cue. They head toward the door.

"See you guys in a bit!" I call out to them.

"See yah!" They respond before they are gone.

I fiddle with the key in my hand. I turn to Derek and Raymond. Both are watching the door still since our companions just left. "Mind if I head out to shower?" I ask them.

Raymond shakes his head, "not at all. I think you need it."

"Agreed," Derek adds, "I'll stay here with Raymond so there's someone to watch over him until they get back with the food."

Raymond frowns, "Jesus. I'm not so injured that I can't take care of myself. You guys are babying me!"

I smile at his flustered state. "Calm down, it just means we care."

His eyes flick over to me, a piece of long dirty blond hair falls in front of his face. "But I hate being babied."

I shrug as he struggles to reach up and push the hair behind his ear. He flinches with every move, causing me to burst out into a fit of laughter. "You hate being babied but I kind of think you need it right now. Just rest up, ok? I will be back soon to pamper you even more."

"Ugh no more pampering please. Ruben already teases me enough."

I laugh and stand from the bed, "who cares what he says, he's just jealous."

I hear him grunt as I walk toward the door, "I mean it Lucia, no more pampering me."

"No can do, see you in a bit!" I holler before exiting his room and closing the door behind me. As soon as it is shut, my face falls.

My facade I've been keeping up completely dissolves. My lips form a sullen frown. My fingers clutch harder onto Rina's key. I feel my muscles finally grow limp. I let out a small sigh. I allow my tired legs to start the trek to Rina's room.

They say everything happens for a reason, but I still can't understand how I got into this predicament?

The Alpha is furious with me. He and everyone else in this pack besides Greyson thinks it would be best if I had let Damien kill that poor child. How could they expect me to do that? Granted, the child's parents are killing machines but that baby did absolutely nothing. Even if I went back in time, I wouldn't have changed my actions.

A small excited tingle spreads through my heart.

That's right. I saved a child's life. Even though I've been kicked from the team, I ultimately did the right thing. I know my mother would have been proud that I stuck to my gut instinct. I'm proud that I did as well. Even though I've been kicked from the squad, that doesn't mean everyone is going to leave me. They are all still my family and they proved that with the way they reacted to the news. No matter what, I will always have their trust and companionship.

So not all is lost.

Even now, I have Greyson by my side. After today's affairs, we've come together again. Obviously it needs to be kept a secret until we ultimately decide on what we want to do but I don't mind. As long as I now have Greyson with me and my family standing behind me, I should feel invincible. There is no need to be upset. I can still train with the crew in secret, I just can't go on missions. Not a big deal.

A small smile spreads on my face as I reach Rina's room and unlock the door. I head in and start gather the resources for a shower. I know I should be sad in this moment, but something in my gut is telling me that it's all going to end up just fine.

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***Author's Note****

I apologize on the slow updates, I've been having some serious writer's block and my work has been super busy because on of my co-workers family members passed away. So I haven't had much time to think about this book (Keep in mind I only write in my free time and my free time has been lacking). So I apologize. I'm really hoping things will calm down and my writer's block will clear. I just don't want to write and it come out really terrible and mess up the flow of the book. So I apologize again, please be patient with me! Love you all, thanks for reading <3

-moonlightmagic444