The second we step into the large office, Micah's attention snaps towards us and he lets out a thundering growl. "Take your fucking hands off my mate."

The wolf holding my arm drops it instantly and I step forward, my body instinctively moving Micah as he walks towards us. "Simply following orders sir," the warrior behind me states. "Your mate would not comply with our directive to relocate her to the pack house and so we had to escalate our measures of getting her here. She was not harmed and we acted within our boundaries."

His voice is bored and monotonous, like he's reading the report straight from an appliance manual.

"Micah sit down, the Superiors will be here any minute." I turn my attention to the end of the room and take in the attendee's, the Alpha is sat with he Beta at his right and an entire team of wolves. There are at least ten men and women either seated or standing, each intently inspecting devices or files.

"They took my dad," I manage, devoting all of my attention to Micah as I stand like an utter fool in my battle star cotton pyjamas. "You've gotta tell them there's been a mistake, you've gotta get him back."

It takes everything I have not to burst into tears then and there and his eyes roll over my face, looking for any signs of injury, only relaxes a fraction when he finds nothing. "I'm sorry, it's okay, I'll sort that all out, you don't have to worry about him."

"He's in prison," I reply, just the mental image of him behind bars nearly enough to shatter me.

He nods and then his eyes cloud over, his head moving to the direction of his father instinctively who tightens his jaw, glaring at his son and then me before his own eyes turn that misty white. "He'll be released within the hour, our Gamma enforcer will be contacted immediately. I'm sorry, Thea, I am," he says, his palm moving to my bare arm.

I welcome the touch, welcome our close proximity if only for the momentary calm it offers me. "What's going on? Why am I here?"

He can't hide the grim expression on his face. "There has been an incident. It's... we just have to meet with the Alpha Superior and that's it."

"I must say, it's good to see you two actually getting along." The noise in the room goes completely silent and we both turn our attention to the Alpha Superior stood in the entrance. I wasn't sure what, exactly, he meant by his words but I had a feeling we were about to find out.

"Alpha Superior," Micah says, standing a little taller as he nods his head with respect.

"Apologies for the late meeting, I was held up in a few other calls. Alpha Silas, did you receive the file?"

"Yes, we've had time to conduct a quick review. I'm sure we can resolve this matter quickly."

The Alpha Superior turns his attention to me and I divert my gaze instantly, my body subconsciously moving towards Micah. "Athena, thank you for joining us, it was a shame you couldn't attend our meetings on Sunday."

I glance at the men behind him and gulp. "I didn't really have much of a choice," I mumble without thinking, my eyes trained on the floor. "Sir," I add, like that makes it any better.

"As you can see, Alpha, my mate was nearly asleep when your men arrived to her home," The Alpha Superior clearly doesn't appreciate Micah's tone, but he doesn't give a damn. "She doesn't need to be here for this conversation—I can personally escort her to my home here within the compound and answer any questions you have regarding that file. It doesn't concern her."

"Neither of you are stepping foot out of this room until I say so, is that understood?" My eyes dart around the room once more, inspecting all the people who might be shifters—most, I'd bet. They could turn into creatures of death within seconds. Micah's hand finds my arm.

"We understand, Alpha." I turn to Micah and he gives me a look that reads we are safe, like he can detect my fear from a mile away.

"Right, please pull up the file contents," he orders to no one in particular, moving to take a random seat at the large table before looking at me once more. "Take a seat."

I don't bother questioning it and follow Micah as he sits near the end of the table, taking my place beside him. "File is ready, Alpha," a woman says and the large screen at the end of the room lights up. I glance at Micah and notice the deflation in his eyes, the doomed preparedness he carries like this won't be new to him.

And then I look at the Alpha Superior, finding his attention trained solely on me. "You can start it."

My attention pulls to the screen and my brows knit as I see myself. It's me, stood outside the sunny green exit of the school hall looking like total hell. "Take it back!" It's a shock hearing my own voice played in front of me, listening to the strangled plea of my words. The camera shakily shifts to Micah.

"Take what back, Thea? Help me out here." His hand finds his temple next to me and he shakes his head, his whole body so tense I'm surprised he doesn't just burst then and there.

"The protest! The protest, the club, the—the stupid dinners and the contract, all of it. Take it back, I don't want it."

It shows him trying to tame me, calm me down and I realise how irrational I look from a third perspective but my words were honest. "Let's just go someplace quiet and talk about this, I know you're upset—"

"I don't want you. Just leave me alone. I'm not going to the stupid principles office, I'm not coming to your stupid dinner with the superiors I'm not doing any of it. I don't want this bond." The whole room listens as I cry and I forget how to breathe.

"Athena that's not an option—"

The screen is paused, ending with a full view of me, my hands moving towards my tear stained face that is pulled in agony. It is silent in the room. Utterly silent.

"Was it published?" The Beta breaks the silence stoically.

"Was it published?" The Alpha Superior laughs, "Was it fucking published? Of course it wasn't. I had my men started trailing those two the second that dinner ended. I know when I'm being lied to and I've seen enough human mates reject the bond to know what this is. The kid who recorded this had his phone swiped before it could get to any press."

"Alpha my son did not lie to you about this bond."

"He lied by admission, was dishonest, whatever you want to call it. Do you understand the treason of lying to your superior, boy? Any of you for that matter?" He yelled, shocking the room to silence. He looks to Micah's father. "We held meetings specifically around this bond and how it had to be positioned for the sake of the pack, I was assured that their bonding was amicable and useful to me. Not to mention her knowledge of those genetic fanatics and their shut down—something very interesting considering she was not in a single meeting about the subject or cleared to have such information."

Micah straightens. "She knew of it before. She was targeted at a university campus and signed up as a member, she found out about it organically and blamed me when they announced their closure. I didn't divulge any further information to her until you forced my hand."

"Were you signed up to attend a protest against the pack?" The Alpha Superior asks me directly.

"She was targe—"

"If I want an answer from you, I will ask you a question." He snapped, those alert eyes training on me. "Were you signed up? It's a yes or no question."

I didn't realise how hard my hands were shaking underneath the table until I tried to control the tremors. "Yes," I mumble.

"Alpha Silas, do you care to explain to me again how under control this bond actually is?"

The stare Micah's father shoots at his son is like a bullet from a loaded gun. "Alpha Superior, her involvement in this is news to me too. I know that my son and his mate have more complications than an ordinary bond, these things take time. It's unfortunate that their conversation was recorded but my son explained the situation to his mate as soon as he could."

"What your son did, is single handedly create thirty seconds of incredibly powerful ammunition for our enemies. I can understand that there are complications with human mates but a public outburst like that isn't just reckless, it's dangerous."

I couldn't move, couldn't muster up any courage to speak despite words ringing in my mind, begging to be let loose. I wanted to yell, ask them all what the fuck this was, where they found the audacity but I couldn't.

Micah, on the other hand, didn't seem to care so much as he continued the conversation. "Alpha Superior with all due respect, we had an argument. I regret that it was in public, I understand the implications of that, but I don't see why my mate had to be dragged out of her home to come listen to this. I apologise if I was misleading about the strength of our relationship but do you see a mark on her neck? Note any signs of us having completed this bond? We are clearly working through this at a slower pace."

"Your mate was brought here to understand the gravity of this situation. If this material had've made it's way into our enemies hands then this would be a very different conversation, but the fact remains that Athena here was engaging with groups that have been flagged by our intelligence, is outwardly opposing your bond and pack rule of law and has not shown a single sign of remorse."

I'm not sorry. "I am sorry," I lie. Because what else is there really for me to say in this position?

"I doubt that, girl. Both of you are in leadership positions whether you like it or not and Athena, as difficult as that may be for you to accept your choices are limited. We are heading into turbulent times and public outbursts like this threaten the very security of this pack."

"But I — I haven't accepted anything, I'm not a Luna." Micah sighs heavily next to me, utterly at a loss with it all. With me. "The protest wasn't even against the pack, its because they were shutting down a department at the university that wanted to study the genetics of the mating bond. You understand the bond through your connection to a goddess that I don't follow—I'd rather take my understanding from medical professionals."

"Alpha Superior, please. It's late, tensions are high and my mate has only learned of the importance of all this today—it's a lot for a person to digest. If we could just reconvene tomorrow or give it a few days, we'll work it all out. I can assure you that Athena meant no harm through her actions and the two of us get along just fine. You have my word that we won't publicly resolve our differences from here on in."

The Alpha Superior looks at me, his keen eyes glancing over my body like a predator. Maybe I look as terrified as I feel because the harshness in his stare dissipates.

"I'll allow you to escort your mate back to your home within pack grounds and we can resolve the matter in the morning. I want both of your phones handed in to security for processing, you are not permitted to leave this compound without my directive. Alpha Silas, I'd appreciate you and your Beta staying."

I lock my gaze on Micah, shaking my head. "This is crazy."

"As crazy as it might seem to you, this is a matter of pack security. Tover, please escort these two from the room." The Alpha Superior says bluntly and my head whips around the room, locking on the same warriors who brought me here.

The second they take a step towards us my body locks up. They are going to lock me in the compound? For subscribing to a newsletter and taking home a pamphlet?

"I don't understand why I'm being punished," I say, my words wavering as tears threaten to spill over my eyes. "I haven't done anything wrong."

"Alpha Superior, there isn't a need for Athena to be held on pack grounds, she's not a flight risk." I'm utterly shocked when Micah's father defends me. "My son has everything under control."

"I've made my orders." And they were final.

The guard escorted us the entire way to Micah's house, right to the front door. I didn't say a word the entire way, could barely breathe as I struggled to keep myself from breaking down.

It's not until the door closes behind us with a thud and we are stood in his hallway, his home, his territory that fully loose control.

My hands shake and I curly into myself, covering my face as tears begin to stream down my face.

"Hey, no, Athena, Athena don't cry," his own hands cover mine in an instant as he gently pulls them down.

"I'm trapped," I mutter under my breath, the reality of it hitting me like a ten tonne truck. "I'm trapped." I repeat, my voice a whisper and his expression turns utterly crestfallen.

"You're not trapped, Thea. It's just for tonight, just until we can sort this all out. This isn't your prison, it's not," he says, basically begging me to believe him. I know why too, because he see's this exact house as our future home, pictures us here with a family, a life, love. 

I glance at the hall, at the framed pictures lining the walls and the various sporting objects, bags and toys lazily living against it's edge. "What if they never let me leave? What does it become then?" I ask, stepping away from him and he shakes his head.

"That won't happen, Thea. The Superiors will leave here within a week and this order will not hold past tomorrow—even my father would agree that keeping you here forcibly does more damage than good. I'm sorry they've done this, I am. You shouldn't even be receiving a punishment over this."

"I don't even know if my family is okay, they took my dad for just trying to stop them from grabbing me—arrested him. I mean can they even do that?"

"Technically... yes." My blood runs cold. "I'll check that he's been released, do you want to give your mom a call? She's probably worried."

That was the understatement of the century. "I can't," I remind him. "They took my phone—yours too."

He nods, "I'll get Joey's, just... hang five in the living room—I won't be long."

I watch as Micah disappears down the hall, his footsteps fading into the quiet tension of the house. My heart pounds in my chest, the weight of everything pressing harder with each passing second. What if they don't let me leave? What if this becomes my life? My hands tremble as I grip my arms, trying to ground myself against the suffocating spiral of thoughts.

I force myself to move, walking toward the living room and sinking into the sofa, wishing it'd magically open and just swallow me whole. I stare blankly at the coffee table, unsure of where else to train my eyes in this room—it all feels so personal, like I'm intruding just by sitting here.

The clock on the wall ticks loudly in the silence, each second dragging on like an eternity. The house feels too still, the kind of quiet that makes you hyperaware of every creak and shift. I press my palms against my knees, trying to stop the nervous tapping of my foot, but it's useless.

I hear the front door open, a jingle of keys hitting a bowl the next immediate sound and my entire body tenses like it knows to warn me. "Athena."

I don't want to turn around, instinct warns me not to but I know better than to ignore the Alpha. I hesitantly turn, giving my attention to Micah's father as he looms in the doorway to the living room, his cold eyes trained on me. "I figured you'd be asleep by now, you've had quite the day."

It's such a casual question but its veiled with so many emotions I can't take it as anything other than terrifying. "I—I'm waiting for Micah."

He tilts his head, studying me like he's trying to piece something together—or maybe just deciding how much of a problem I am. The seconds stretch uncomfortably, the weight of his stare almost unbearable. But eventually he just nods, glancing down the hall before shrugging off his suit jacket, discarding it onto a small table. "Have you eaten?" He asks, moving into the room. His muscles are clear underneath the white dress shirt. Despite his age, he still looks like he could shred someone in half.

I shake my head and he nods. "I take it you're not hungry after all that, I can tell you are fearful, even now." I hate the predatory nature of the assessment, the way his head tilts as he moves to a small liquor cabinet, casually pouring himself a glass of amber liquid. "You really shouldn't be afraid," he tells me as he walks to the couch adjacent to mine, taking a seat as before chuckling to himself. "I'll never understand the fear of a human mate—especially not one brought into a position of power. It's almost textbook how some of you react, like your lives are so easily dispensable. Of course it's almost the exact opposite."

"It didn't seem like that in there," I point out and he surveys me as he sips what I assume is whiskey or some wolf level spirit that'd knock me straight out.

"Well there haven't been many human mates that engage with what could be deemed terrorist organisations under pack law. There's pushing your luck and then there's that." I'm dead silent, fear lodging itself in my throat, choking any other words from escaping. "Though most of the human mates usually start acting up when they realise they have nothing to fear. I've seen a lot—let a lot get away with near murder because of their position, the pack is forgiving when it comes to safekeeping bonds, but mates, mates are forgiving to a fault."

"I'm not trying to get away with anything," I defend, and it's a wonder I can even muster the courage to say that.

"I have a feeling time will prove that wrong. My son loves you, cherishes you as all mates do—you being human only intensifies his care towards you, his instincts to protect. And make no doubt, Athena, he will protect you—come hell or high-water there is nothing that boy won't do to keep you from harm." He speaks with such intensity, such honesty, his words practically hit my chest. "He will turn a blind eye to your actions to appease you, but I will not. This pack is on the brink of entering into something I promise you want no part of and I will do what I must to protect my pack, my family." The way he said the last word told me that he meant Micah.

His son, his heir. The boy I'd seen him glare to more than anything else in my time knowing the guy.

"It was a misunderstanding, I don't want any trouble." I don't want any of it. I don't even want to be having this conversation. I just want to finish my school, spend time with my friends and family and avoid this shit like its the plague.

"And tomorrow you will have the chance to explain that to the Alpha Superior. He will ultimately decide your innocence. You have responsibilities now whether you like them or not and the life my son offers you is something most human girls could only dream of. If I can give you a word of advice, girl, appreciate that."

"I guess all humans aren't the same," I reply, surprised by the edge my tone holds.

He notes it, a glimmer of rage passing through his stare. "Neither are wolves. But if there is one thing you can count on us having in common it's a desire to protect the fabric of our society and the sanctity of the bond." He finishes his glass and continues. "Whatever it takes." He stands up, beginning to walk. "I hope you sleep well tonight Athena, you've got a big day ahead of you tomorrow and if it doesn't go well, then I hope you get used to the place."

"Dad," Micah states from the door, clearly just getting there with a phone obviously in his hand. "What's going on?"

He looks over to me, the likely frightened look in my eyes and then back to his father with disdain. "I was just saying goodnight. The Alpha Superior has requested the two of you in the main office twelve thirty sharp, I want you down at the training yards at first light." The Alpha walks past his son and takes the phone right from his hands. "Her family is fine, and I'm sure after your meeting the Alpha Superior will remove his orders and allow her home. Your mother set up the guest room across the hall from you, I assumed she'd need that," the look he gives Micah as he says that, the utter disappointment... "I expect you on the training grounds at first light."

He doesn't give Micah a chance to respond and walks from the room, leaving us both stood, me in a relative bundle of nerves and him with pure annoyance. He walks towards me quickly and I can hardly react as he wraps in arms around my body, the action so sudden but calming at the same time. I'm shocked for a split second before my body melts into his embrace.

"I'm sorry," he mumbles, his chest deflating with the words. "I'm so sorry."

My fingers grip his shirt a little tighter, stopping him from pulling away like his touch is some sort of drug. And right now, it is. My breathing regulates, my muscles relax and I'm able to at least feel a slight bit better. His apology brings what his father said to the front of my mind, how Micah would defend me to a fault, how I could use my dislike of the bond against him to get what I want—something I never even considered nor would I.

"I-it's okay," I stammer, relaxing my hold on him and he pulls back, eyes searching mine, reading through the hurt they carry.

He shakes his head. "No, it's not. You don't deserve any of this, none of it." I could tell there was more he wanted to say, like there was a speech of truth lingering on his lips.

But I didn't let him, right now I honestly couldn't. "I think I want to get some sleep," I said quietly, looking past him to the hall.

He nodded, those calming hazel eyes still glued on me. "Yeah, of course. Are you hungry at all? Can I get you some water or—"

"No," I interrupt gently, the words spilling out before I can overthink them. "I just... I need some sleep" My voice cracks, but I press on. "I just need some rest." The vulnerability in my tone seems to disarm him, his tense shoulders easing as he nods. "Of course," he says, his voice steady, almost like a vow. He doesn't move closer, doesn't push, but his presence feels like a shield against everything else as he leads the way to the spare room. For now, it's enough to keep the worst of my fears at bay.

—

There was a knock at the door around one in the morning, a soft thudding but I was wide awake and my body shot up with the sound though.

My heart hammered in my chest and I wasn't even sure why, it was just a knock but I couldn't bring myself to respond. When I didn't the door creaked open.

"Athena?" Micah's head pokes through and I can just make out the shadowing outline of his defined body. As soon as his eyes catch mine he glances behind into the hall before walking in, a soft smile on his lips and that same agony in his stare. "I wanted to check in on you, make sure you're alright, see if you could get some sleep."

I push myself up further, rubbing at my eyes as I cross my legs. "I can't," I tell him honestly and he nods, moving to sit toward the edge, a respectful distance away. I'd left the light on in the bathroom adjacent to the room, wanting some form of visibility in an environment that made me terrified.

I nearly gasp as he pulls out a phone from his pocket. "Charlie stole it back," he says with a tired smile, concern etching into his skin as he surveys me. "I figured maybe talking to your family could help you get some rest, to know they are okay."

I nearly break down in tears right then, the emotions running through my body at intense speed. "Yes," I stammer, hands reaching for the phone greedily. "Yes, please."

He gives me the phone immediately, already on the dial page and I waste not time typing in the home phone and pressing call. It's so late but I don't care, I hear the line ring through twice before it picks up.

"Mom?" I ask, my voice breaking and I hear her frantically wake up my dad. He was safe, he was with her, they were fine.

"Thea? Sweetie are you okay," my parents ask together, the phone now on speaker.

I wipe the tears from my face. "I'm okay," I croak, though that was only half true. "Did—did they hurt you?"

"No, no baby I'm fine. I'm fine. Were you hurt?" My dad asks, anger finding his words quickly.

"No," I rush. "No there was just this thing that happened and so I have to stay here until tomorrow until it's worked out. It's a misunderstanding."

"Athena if you don't feel safe you can come home, why aren't you calling from your phone?" He asks.

"Dad it's fine, they took it because of this dumb thing but I'll explain it all when I come back. I just wanted to make sure you were okay," I say, my voice breaking as I try to fight back the sobs.

"I'm okay, Thea. I went to the pack prison and was released shortly after—this whole thing is completely insane and everything we were concerned about to begin with. Once you're home we can sort things out, see what our options are. I know they won't let you be involved with lawyers but maybe we can speak with someone about fixing things."

I glance towards Micah and his tight jaw. He can hear every damn word. "Okay, everything is going to be okay. I think I'm going to get some rest now and we can work it all out tomorrow."

"Okay sweetie," My mom says. "We love you so much, if you need us just call."

"I will, I love you," I say, both of us exchanging our final goodbyes before I hang the phone up, passing it back to Micah.

"Keep it," he says, pushing it back towards my hands. "If you feel you need to call them later."

I nod, gulping. "Okay, thank you."

He gives me a soft smile, one that's more understanding than I probably deserve. "It's the least I could do." Rising to his feet, he starts towards the door. "I'll see you in the morning, Thea. Try get some rest.

Rest. My body feels like a wire pulled too tight, waiting to snap. Rest isn't an option.

The second Micah's hand encases the door knob, opening it just an inch something inside me unravels and panic surges as I blurt, "Micah, wait."

He freezes mid-step and turns, his hazel gaze locking onto mine. My voice falters as I try piece together what to even say while my eyes drift over him, to the comfort his body could offer.

But the words are stuck in my throat like molasses.

"Yes?" His voice is soft, coaxing me like he already knows.

"I just... I—" My breath catches and I feel my cheeks start to heat. How do I even ask this?

Micah steps in, filling the silence before I crumble underneath it's weight. "I can stay, if you'd like. Just until you fall asleep."

I nod hastily, gulping down that anxiety. "Please," I whisper."

He closes the door behind him and crosses the room without hesitation. I shuffle across so he can slide next to me, his body resting over the covers as I tuck myself underneath.

I burrow under the blanket, curling into a tight ball and immediately feel my entire body relax.

Micah's voice is low, a gentle reassurance that wraps around me like a second blanket. "Everything will be okay, Thea. There's nothing for you to fear."

The tension in my body melts away, and for the first time in what feels like an eternity, I let my eyes close. The world feels just a little less heavy with him here.