Connor told my dad that we're postponing when we'll be leaving. Dad didn't really understand, but he also didn't argue. It just means I'll be around longer.

Thanksgiving is today,  and I have no idea how I'm going to sit through this dinner. Everyone staring at me, worrying about me. The entire pack eats together on Thanksgiving. Why did I have to be born to an American pack? Why couldn't I just have lived in England? Then I wouldn't have to deal with Thanksgiving.

"Sophie?" I hear Connor from inside my bedroom and open my bathroom door for him to come in. He walks to the doorway and leans against the frame. "You almost ready?" He looks amazing in his button up vest and khaki pants. The crisp white shirt rolled up to his elbows just makes him even yummier.

"Yeah, just answer me this." He nods, looking at me intently. "Does my hair look better like this, or down?" I tried to put my hair into an elegant bun, but I don't think I quite succeeded.

Connor walks up behind me and places his hands on my waist. "You're beautiful no matter how your hair is." He kisses my cheek but I lightly touch my hair.

"Are you sure? Maybe I should try a different style." He groans and kisses my mark. "Stop trying to distract me,  Connor."

"Baby, if it bothers you that much, just wear it down. I promise,  if anyone's looking at your hair, they're gay,  or a girl." He says. "Besides, you look amazing natural. It's more down to earth, like you are."

I smile at him and decide to take his advice. He is my mate after all. I begin to take out the pins in my hair and he smiles before kissing my neck. Once I'm done, he picks me up and sets me down on the counter. He stands between my legs, but I know he won't do anything unless I ask him to. "You're going to stay with me the entire night." I nod my head and Connor looks at me. "Hunter has this place on lock down, but I still don't want you to be out of my sight."

"I know Connor. You don't have tell me how important it is." He rests his hand against my cheek and I close my eyes. Ever since I got back, Connor hasn't left me alone. He takes care of everything. I know it's tiring him out. "Why don't we just go straight to sleep after dinner?" I open my eyes to stare at him and he gives me a small smile.

"I wish, but your dad wants us both present, the entire night."

"What if you just go upstairs to sleep?" He scowls for a second then shakes his head.

"I'm not leaving you downstairs to deal with both of our dads. You have enough problems controlling your own. Controlling mine too, it's impossible."

I give him a knowing look. "That's not why you don't want to leave my side." I take his hand in mine and kiss his palm. "Connor, I'll be with my dad. He should be the one person you trust to protect me more than anything."

"He didn't do that great of a job protecting his house, or his territory."

"They were his allies Connor. You can't expect him to have known they would try to hurt me. We don't even know how they knew about me." He growls, and I sigh, giving in. "Fine. Don't go up to your room after dinner. Tire yourself out to the point where you can't protect me anymore. I don't care." I would jump off the counter and storm away, but he has me firmly set on the counter. Instead, I cross my arms and look away from him. Childish, I know, but that's exactly what he's being right now.

"Soph, don't be like that. We get the same amount of sleep. Besides, I won't be able to sleep without knowing where you are, and how you are." He says as he places his forehead on my shoulder.

"You're in my head now, remember?" I grab his face and look into his eyes. "I'll never be far away, and you'll know the second something isn't right." He grumbles to himself, trying to pull out of my hands, but I hold him there. "I know you don't sleep when I do. If you did, you wouldn't look as exhausted as you do now."

He can't lie to me. Not right now, not like this. I can clearly see the exhaustion through his eyes. The need to sleep, but the inability to think of anything else but me. "I'll go to bed after dinner, but only if you convince your father to let you come with me."

Damn protective ass Alpha. "I'll try." He nods and gives me a soft kiss before lifting me off of the counter.

"Good. Then let's go to dinner." He says as he grabs my hand.

I never thought I'd be the kind of girl to allow myself to be doted on, but Connor is just so loving and caring. I don't think I'd ever have the heart to tell him to stop being this fluffy teddy bear for me. And I know it's just for me.

********

Halfway through dinner and we almost had a fight, and not between who you'd think.

"I can't believe you're still following her around like a lost puppy. She's a female. You're the Alpha. She's supposed to follow you around." Connor's dad still has a problem with me, no surprise. I'm a powerful alpha, and he doesn't even know about my tigress.

"Dad, that's enough. I don't want to hear another word about it." I can feel Connor's anger, and it bites at me too. What is this man's problem?

"Of course you don't. She probably has you wound up so tight. Not giving you any, son?"

"Herb!" Connor's mother stares at her husband, shocked.

"What? If he wants her, he should just take her. Like I did with you when we first met." His father continues to eat,  and my dad begins to fume in his chair. Thankfully, he remains seated and quiet.

"I'm sorry." I stand up from my seat. "I feel like you have a problem with me and I'd like to address it, now." I stare down at the man, and he lazily glances at me through the corner of his eye.

"I don't have to tell you anything. You and my son are not mated, therefore, I still outrank you."

Let me at him Sophie. My tigress says calmly in the back of my head. She isn't angry, and I feel a warm surge go through my body. I give into her, but only so she shows through my eyes.

"Herb, if I may call you that, I don't want to pull the rank card, but, if you wish to push it, we can see who wins." He looks at me, a hint of shock in his eyes.

"I'm an alpha, and you are just an Alpha's daughter, not even the heir to your pack. I obviously outrank you."

I was holding her back some before, but I can't stand his arrogance. I release my hold and my nails turn into claws. I feel my teeth change and know that she's very close to emerging. I am in my own house, but this is a family dinner. I can't let her go all the way. She'll shred the room apart.

"I am more than just an Alpha's daughter. You'd be smart to realize that."

"Herb, she was kidnapped. What would you do if I was kidnapped, and hurt?" He growls and glares at her.

"You'd never get kidnapped."

"Because you are always with me. Now he is always with her. He's just like you Herb." She places her hand on his arm and he grumbles. Her head turns to me and she smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry dear. I'm hoping he understands now."

"Don't speak for me." He says in a grumpy tone. He lifts his head to look at Connor. "I'll stop downing your mate, but only because if anyone talked about your mother, I'd rip their head off." She kisses his cheek and he grumbles, but keeps the rest of his comments to himself.

Connor grabs my hand and I look down at him. Sit down baby. You don't need to go all feline on them. I honestly don't know how they would react to that.

I nod and sit back down. The rest of dinner is pretty normal. Greyson and Rachel talk about their unborn child, both of the mothers in the room fawn over Rachel, it's a pretty normal dinner.

Once it's over, Connor stands and holds out his hand to me. I take it and stand beside him. My dad looks at us and raises a brow. "And where are you two going?"

I give him the sweetest smile I can manage. "Connor is exhausted from watching over me, and I told him he needs to get some rest. He agreed, but only if you allowed me to go with him."

"Hm." My dad looks at the both of us, eyeing Connor. "I guess I see no problem with allowing the two of you to get some rest." I mentally thank the goddess. "Although, I thought you'd want to see Lillian and her family." He takes a sip from his glass. "Oh well. I'll tell her you were too tired."

Oh that devious old man. I look to Connor, begging him with my eyes.

You know where I stand. He readjusts his grip on my arm. Right beside you.

I sigh but look to my dad. "When are they coming over?"

He looks down at his wristwatch. "They should be here any minute now." I groan.

I love my best friend, and dad knows I'd never miss the chance to be with her. I turn to Connor. His face looks tired. He's exhausted. I can't let him stay up. "Call us down when they get here. I'm going to go change." Dad nods and Connor walks behind me, ever the observant protector.

We get up to my room and I lay down on my bed. Connor sits, but doesn't lay. "Lie down Connor." I pull for him through our bond and he does, but he's still tense. "Relax." I place my hand on his arm and sit up so I'm leaning over him.

"I thought you were going to change."

"I am. Just, take a quick nap while I do, okay?" I plead with him and give him my best puppy dog eyes. Kinda hard, cause I'm a cat, but it still works.

"Alright, but only while you change." I nod and kiss his cheek.

"Close your eyes." He does, and I get up and off the bed. Halfway through changing, I hear him lightly snore. A smile slips onto my face. I quietly slip out, chancing one last glance at my sleeping mate. I couldn't let him stay awake all night. I'll be safe. Hunter has doubled the guards on me, and there's no way anything bad could happen on a night like this. It's Thanksgiving.

Downstairs I hear the lovely voice of my best friend and run to her, encasing her in a death grip of a hug. "Whoa, you'd think we hadn't seen each other for years." Lily laughs and hugs me back. "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner. Where's Connor?" She looks around and I remember his sleeping face.

"He needed sleep. I left him to get some rest." She nods and smiles at me.

"You look like you've been cooped up far too long. Alpha Desperte?"

He looks to Lily. "Yes Lillian?"

"May I take Sophie for a run?" He pauses, thinking it over.

"Yes." Lily and I squeal excitedly "but, bring Hunter."

I nod. "Got it. Let's go." I grab her hand and drag her outside to one of the guest homes set up for the rogues, although, they don't smell like rogues anymore. It's weird. I knock on the door and Hunter opens it, bowing his head.

"T-Sophelia. What do I owe the pleasure?" He was gonna call me tigress, but I guess he doesn't know Lily.

"We wanted to go for a run, and because Connor is resting, dad told me that you have to come with us." I say, smiling.

A bright smile shines on his face. "Of course. I'd love to join you. Just give me one moment." He closes the door only to reopen it seconds later, holding a crossbow and a sword.

"Are we expecting danger?" Lily asks, worried.

"She was taken earlier this week." Hunter says, justifying his weapons.

"Yeah, I know, but is this really necessary?" She gestures to the large weapons.

"Are you a fighter?" Hunter asks her, seriously.

"Well, no, b-"

"Then I will ask you not to tell me how to protect her. Now, you want an escort, then I take this." He pats it lightly and I place a hand on her shoulder.

"Hunter takes protecting me very seriously. Best not to argue." She nods and I clap my hands together. "Welp,  who's ready for a brisk run to the valley's edge?"