Do you remember when we had the conversation about mates?" Kaddian asked, watching her to make sure she stayed in this reality.

Kaddian had said her name three times previously to break her from her last reverie. He finally had to get close to her and practically yell her name to get her attention. He desperately wanted to know what she was thinking.

He could tell, from the look on her face, that she was no where close to deducing what he was about to tell her and could not understand why he would bring this topic up now.

"Yes" Lauren Hale's tone was laced with confusion.

Kaddian felt conflicted about where to go from there. He also struggled with whether he should go back to his chair or continue to squat, placing his face so close to hers. On one hand, the idea of being that far away from her after being so close sounded abhorrent, but on the other, he was having trouble thinking this conversation through to the end with her so close.

Finally, he chose to stay and said, "do you also remember how I had explained the Alpha pair?"

"Powerful she-bear" was all Lauren Hale murmured. Kaddian realized he wasn't the only one having trouble focusing.

"That was said, yes. And you remember that you asked me if I had found mine and I told you no?" Kaddian's heart was racing, something he was not used to.

Lauren Hale only nodded.

"I lied" Kaddian said quickly.

"Oh?" Lauren Hale was leaning closer to him, something he was sure she didn't realize she was doing. As if her mouth was on autopilot separate from her mind, she asked "who is she?", then heard the words. Her nose wrinkled ever so slightly, and Kaddian hoped that perhaps it was because she realized that the idea didn't sit well with her.

Kaddian Grayson finally unclenched his fists, something he had been doing since being left in the room alone with her. That was the only way he had been able to keep from touching her.

In answer to her question, he lifted his hand to her neck, tangled his fingers in her soft hair, and gently closed the distance between them to kiss her.

Kaddian Grayson's heart beat was so thunderous and loud that he could hear nothing but the sound of it pounding against his ribcage. He waited for some sign of rejection, as he expected there would be one.

Lauren Hale didn't move at first, but suddenly, Kaddian felt the smallest, softest touch of her hand on his jaw.

Kaddian only slightly deepened the kiss before pulling away to gauge the reaction on her face. He wanted to give her ample opportunity to change her mind.

Lauren Hale sat there for a few seconds with her eyes closed before she whispered, "are you insane?"

____________________________________________

"Check-mate" Sarai said quietly.

Porter Alment sat back in his chair and stared at the board, trying to find the point where he went wrong.

He looked up at Sarai with a smile, realizing that she had undoubtedly beaten him.

"You didn't strike me as a chess enthusiast" Porter admitted.

Sarai shrugged slightly, leaning back into the couch. Her eyes were still slightly puffy, but Porter hadn't seen her crying during the day, which meant that she had been doing it at night. She was wearing her pajamas and had wrapped herself in Porter's trusty gray fleece blanket. It was frayed on the edges and had a hole in a spot or two but it had gone through various moves and hiking trips with him and he favored it immensely.

"Do you want more tea?" Porter asked.

"Yes" Sarai muttered quietly.

Porter picked up her mug and headed to the kitchen. Sarai had realized she found comfort in drinking hot tea, and had almost completely depleted Porter's stash.

Porter was making more tea when Rory walked into the kitchen.

But Porter noticed that the usual pep he had in his step was missing.

"Daggart" Porter said with a nod.

"Hmm? Oh, afternoon Alment" Rory was obviously distracted.

"Everything alright?" Porter felt like he had to ask. It was his career after all.

"Let me ask you a question. I'm an attractive man, right?"

Porter Alment, slightly taken aback by the question, merely stared at the blonde man for a few seconds.

"Yes?" He answered finally, awkwardly.

"Ok, so why is it that the women here have a tendency to tell me no?" Rory raged.

Now they were getting to the root of the issue. Porter Alment smiled and went back to preparing the tea.

"So what did you ask of Lizbet that she denied you?" Porter asked.

Rory looked at Porter, realizing that the man was probably more adept than he gave him credit for.

"I asked her on a date"

"And she said no?"

"Yes! Exactly" Rory sounded incredulous.

"Perhaps that's because she distrusts you" Porter said as he sweetened Sarai's tea.

"I'm the Beta of a Sleuth. I know that things have been... Shaken... Lately but I'm trustworthy enough to go on one date" Rory grabbed a bag of pretzels a began viciously eating them.

"I mean she distrusts you because you first pursued Kyrrian, then her. Lizbet is very different than Kyrrian but she has her own fire. You can't expect her to be grateful you made her your second choice. You have to show her that she's not just a passing convenience" Porter delivered the wise words with a calm sort of nonchalance as he tapped a spoon on the side of the mug of tea.

Rory seemed to ponder that for a moment while he bit into another pretzel.

Quietly, with the presence of a child, Sarai walked into the kitchen wrapped in the fleece and barefoot and gently took the tea from Porter. She stopped to look at him for a few seconds before turning and padding away.

Rory had stopped chewing as stared at the entire exchange, then once Sarai left, exclaimed, "you're not even trying and you're getting the girl!" with exasperation.

Porter glanced toward Rory with a small smile, lifted his mug in an imaginary cheers, then sipped his tea while strolling into the living room.

Rory Daggart sat in silence in the kitchen and tried to enjoy his snack.

____________________________________________

"This is very good, Miss Grayson" Scottlin Reik said as he ate. Kyrrian stared at the Alpha, disliking his formality, but understanding it was due to the presence of Lauren Hale's mother.

"Kaddian made it actually" Kyrrian added.

"Oh, and where is he?" Scottlin asked curiously. Kyrrian noticed he didn't seem the least bit nervous about her brother being here.

"He's with... Sheriff Hale" Kyrrian said shooting a glance toward Mrs. Shue.

"No need to be formal around me honey. I could tell right away. How long have they been dating?" Lauren's mother asked with a chuckle.

"They... haven't been dating" Scottlin admitted honestly.

"Oh? I thought my daughter was just lying to keep me out of her business... There really isn't anything going on there?" Mrs. Shue asked.

"Well..." Kyrrian began, not knowing how to explain the situation, "I wouldn't quite say 'nothing' ".

Mrs. Shue appeared perplexed, as she should be since she had no idea what was really going on.

"Let's just say that Ms. Hale is oblivious and Mr. Grayson is a slow mover" Scottlin Reik finally stated with a smile. His face was so pleasant, Mrs. Shue could do nothing but take that as the best explanation possible.

Mrs. Shue couldn't quite get over how attractive the men of this town were. Perhaps that's why her daughter had stayed. Mrs. Shue couldn't think of any other reason why she might want to remain in this dismal place. Mrs. Shue settled back into her chair and appeared to be quite amused. Kyrrian and Scottlin weren't quite sure what to say or do, so they continued to converse using small talk. Mrs. Shue did not enter the conversation again for while, for she was perfectly content adding the Grayson surname to her daughters first.