I slowly woke up as the jeep slowed to a stop before it was shut off. I blinked with sleepiness as faint music filled my ears from the headphones. I yawned slightly before the door was practically ripped open. I let out a groan at the familiar scent of the person who had yanked the door open. I was really too tired to deal with Collin's exuberant nature.

"Gimme my sugar!" He growled it playfully before he had my seat belt off and had me in his arms, spinning me around and around. I tucked my head to his neck with another groan. The world spun around me and then suddenly stopped as Collin started rocking me back and forth.

"Collin, I'm going to be sick." I muttered it out and I could practically feel him pouting but he stopped. I felt my eyelids droop again and he shifted me slightly in his arms. I let my arm wrap around the back of his neck and I rubbed at my eyes with my other hand. I pulled out the earphones with sigh, knowing Collin would want to talk.

"Someone is tired." Collin's voice was low and I nodded. I needed more sleep, much more sleep. I rubbed at my slightly achy forehead before I wiggled slightly and Collin set me on the ground. Bits and pieces were coming back to me before a small black haired woman launched at me, wrapping her arms around my chest tightly and burying her face in my shoulder. Collin let out a surprised growl and I held up a hand, cutting off the growl before tentatively wrapping my arms around Bailey. She was scared and I didn't blame her.

"Are you doing okay?" I said the words low and she didn't look up from where she had buried her face in my shoulder but she nodded. I let out a small sigh of relief, trying to ignore the cold that was permeating my bare feet. I already knew how Bailey must have been feeling. I had been in the same position with our bodies unable to regulate our temperature properly. She would need to get in the house quickly before she got frost bite.

"Look at us, an entire pack of strays." Davin sounded overly cheerful as he closed the Jeep's door and I closed my eyes slightly. Bailey trembled against me. I knew it was the fear of punishment that made her so scared. I had been in her place numerous times. What she suffered I had as well but i knew we were in a place where she could be better.

"It's okay, Bailey." I grasped her shoulders and gently but firmly pushed her away. She looked lost, her dark brown eyes wide and glassy as she looked at me. She looked like she wanted to bury her face into my shoulder once more to try and hide from the world. I gave her a tired smile as I blinked slowly. I looked around and saw that Bennett had gotten out of the Jeep, his strong arms crossed over his wide chest. His muscles strained against his shirt and I looked away quickly, my face flushing warmly.

"Who is this new bundle of joy?" Collin sounded eager and I glanced at him, his warm brown eyes twinkling with excitement at the prospect of a new arrival. He reached over towards her and at the same time I pulled her out of his reach, a threatening snarl escaped Davin.

Both Bailey and I jumped at the sudden sound, Bailey immediately latching onto my side, her heart pounding frantically with fear and Collin looked confused. I slowly looked at Davin who's green eyes had darkened slightly, his gaze completely predatory on Bailey. She seemed to notice his focused gaze and squeaked before hiding her face in my shoulder again, her hands bunching the fabric at the back of my dress. I stared at Davin warily, Bennett hadn't acted like that when he had discovered we were mates. It was rather alarming coming from my usually subdued and calm cousin.

"Davin?" Collin sounded concerned and I glanced between the two and shushed Bailey gently, rubbing her back. I was tense and wary as I looked at Davin as he shook slightly. Collin shifted to a slightly defensive stance, ready to intercept Davin if he jumped at us. He looked several heartbeats away from shifting and it made my heart lurch unpleasantly in my chest..

"Do not touch her." His voice was low and deadly and I took a step away from him, pulling Bailey with me and he snarled again. His muscles bunched and I flinched as he leapt forward but to my surprise he was suddenly pinned on the ground. Bennett held him on the ground by a hand on the back of his neck. He looked completely at relaxed as he pinned him down. Davin snarled and Bailey shook violently and I warily watched Davin fight against the grip holding him down.

"Bailey was an Omega. I suggest you stop your oppressive and threatening growling and snarling because you only serve to scare your mate more than she already is." Bennett's words were low and even and I watched as Davin instantly stopped fighting. He didn't submit under the hold but it was if Bennett's calm words had made him see reason. Bennett let him go and stood up, his gaze flicking between me and Davin, as if assessing the threat level for me. It was if his first thought was to make sure I would be safe from harm, the ever familiar warmth of happiness filled me at the thought as well as relief. I didn't know what would have happened if he hadn't been there. Just the thought of it made me uneasy.

"I am sorry." Davin sounded a bit vulnerable as he pulled himself off of the ground and I swallowed as I looked at his remorseful green eyes. "My wolf went a bit chaotic. I did not mean anything by it." He didn't move closer but his eyes were on Bailey as he talked.

He looked pained and I swallowed hard, trying to get my heart rate under control before I nodded slightly. "Please, you need to use patience with her like you need to use with me. Mate or not, she will need time to adjust." I tightened my grip around Bailey in a small embrace before pushing her away again. I looked into her eyes before moving my hands down to grip hers gently. "Bailey, you know what Davin is to you, right?" She flicked her scared gaze from me to Davin before she gave a small nod.

"That's good. He is a very kind man. He is my cousin and he would never hurt you but I know you are very scared right now. This is all very new to you." I glanced at Davin before I looked around, my gaze landing on Amber. Her expression was severe and it looked strange on her face. I had wanted to take her to see Amber but the look on her face wasn't welcoming. "We are going to go to the hospital and get you looked over." I swallowed again before I looked towards my cousin. "Davin, please give us some time to adjust." He took one more lingering glance at Bailey before he nodded and turned away with a pained expression. I flicked my gaze to Bennett only to realize he had been staring at me the entire time.

A hot flush burned at my ears and cheeks as I felt my gaze slide from his. "I'm just going to go inside." I watched as he nodded, his gaze moving to Collin who seemed to finally notice him.

I watched as my friend stiffened with caution and expectation. "That's right, sugar. You brought me a chew toy. Run along and I'll be busy with him. We can watch a movie later." Collin smiled his signature cheeky smile but this time it looked cold and brittle on his face. I just nodded, unwilling to get between the two of them before leading Bailey away from the small crowd and towards the house. I gently tugged Bailey forward. I hated how much she shivered as we walked towards the house, she needed to get where it was warm. The walk was quick as we moved up the stairs and into the warm interior of the pack house. I followed Amber towards the infirmary. I could feel Bailey looking around warily as she clutched the back of my dress in her hand tightly.

The familiar room made me relax slightly as I took Bailey to a cot and gently pulled away from her grasp. Her dark brown eyes were wide with fear and I softly patted the cot.

"Come on. You can sit here while I get everything ready." I watched as she slowly climbed up on the cot before she reached out and grasped my hand tightly once more. She was smaller than me by a few inches but she was much thinner. Not as thin as I had been when I had first arrived but thin enough. I knew a bit about how to do a check-up. I could take her heart rate and blood pressure. I could check her lungs and do her weight. I could do the simple things and leave the numbers for Amber.

I gently removed my arm from Bailey's grasp, trying my hardest to ignore the scared whimper she let out as I moved away. The urge to protect her was intense and it put my wolf on the offensive. She was growling in the back of my mind at the thought of letting anyone hurt her. it was disconcerting for me to have her make such violent sounds. My wolf had never truly growled before and ti was alarming for me. I did my best to shake it off as I grabbed the necessary equipment and a pad of paper with a pen. It wouldn't be official but it would be enough.

Bailey took the prodding and orders better than I thought she would as I put her through the paces I was used to. She was underweight but not nearly as bad as I had been. She had a rattle in her chest that confirmed my thought that she was getting sick. Everything else was a bit low but still normal.

I let out a sigh as I finished writing down her blood pressure. I took the cuff off of her arm and gave her a small smile. "You need a bath. Do you think you could take one without help?" I watched as she nodded, her hair swaying limply around her face, her brown eyes worried. I grasped her hand and tugged on it gently, urging her to get off of the cot. As soon as her bare feet hit the floor I pulled her towards my bedroom. I needed to get her some clothes. Mine would be big on her but they would work until we got some for her.

We moved silently through the house and I pushed open my bedroom door and pulled her inside before dropping her hand. I moved to my dresser and pulled out two pairs of flannel pants, a tank top and a t-shirt. I rubbed my face with a sigh. I just wanted to sleep. I felt like every bit of energy was drained out of me since leaving Tacita. I dropped my hand and threw a smile at Bailey who was staring at the floor. She needed my help more than I needed to sleep.

"Come on. Let's get you cleaned up." I walked over to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, leading her towards the bathroom. I could hear voices in the house and I didn't want to deal with anyone around Bailey with how my wolf was acting. She was feeling very... unpredictable and it was upsetting for me. I wasn't used to her attitude.

Mari, where are you? Jay sounded concerned as I opened the bathroom door and pulled Bailey into it.

Getting Bailey cleaned up. There is no need to worry. I set the clothes on the counter and moved over to the tub. I turned on the water before putting the plug in and looking over my shoulder at Bailey. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach and she trembled.

Stay in there until we get shit calmed down. Jace and Victor are getting into it. His voice held a warning and I gritted my teeth slightly as my wolf snarled in the back of my head. I didn't know where the sudden aggression was coming from and I didn't like it. I wanted to cover my ears and do my best ot drown it out. I had enough of the violence for one day.

Please, keep them out of the house. I couldn't hide the slight growl that went out with the words as my wolf's chest rumbled and I winced heavily. I didn't want Jay asking me questions I didn't have answers to. I closed my eyes and softly reprimanded my wolf, reminding her how much I didn't like such things. She growled but pulled herself further from my mind, hiding her aggression.

Are you okay? Jay said it slowly and I opened my eyes, ignoring him for a moment to focus on Bailey. She needed to get cleaned and dressed.

"Let's get you into the tub." I gave a half smile at Bailey but she didn't look up. I moved over, listening to the sounds of the tub filling with water. "Come on. Out of the clothes." I gestured and slowly she started pulling off the dress. I turned away to check on the water in the tub and turned it off. I looked over my shoulder as Bailey who stood naked, her ribs stuck out slightly and I could see goosebumps covering her pale skin. I gestured her forward. She moved slowly and warily but made her way over to me. I helped her into the tub and she pulled her legs up to her chest, hiding from view.

I let out a small chuckle. "Nothing I haven't seen before, Bailey. But it's okay. I understand. The shampoo and conditioner are right here along with the body wash." I pointed out the items and she nodded slowly.

Mari, are you okay? Jay had an edge of worry to his voice and I let out a sigh as I stood up and moved over to where I placed the clothes. I grabbed the tank top and the other pair of lounge pants before pulling the sundress off.

I'm just really tired, Jay. A lot happened. I shut the connection, blocking everyone out as I slowly pulled the clothes on. I could hear Bailey moving around in the water before the sound of the shampoo bottle opening filled my ears. I gave a small smile before looking at myself in the mirror. There was a hard edge to my face that I knew came from my wolf's aggression and I didn't like it, I wanted it gone but didn't have the energy to fight with her about it. I rubbed at my forehead and ran my hand through my hair. Dark bags hung under my eyes and I rubbed at my face, breathing out slowly. I did it several times until my tense muscles relaxed. I took a step backwards and slid down the wall, closing my eyes.

"Is he-" Bailey's small voice spoke over the sounds of her moving around in the water and I gave small hum of acknowledgement. "Is he a good male?" Her voice was timid and I cracked an eye open. Her brown eyes were wide and her entire form screamed that she needed to be protected. It tugged on me and my wolf in a rather uncomfortable way.

I didn't have to ask which male she was asking about, I knew from the look in her eyes. "He's kind and sweet. He would never hurt you, Bailey, because if he did I would junk punch him so hard he would taste nuts." I heard her inhale sharply at my words before she started giggling. The sound made my wolf instantly relax and I felt a bit better, having her aggression leave us both.

"He jumped at us." Her voice was slightly shaky and I shrugged. I knew what Davin had been feeling. He had been feeling protective and slightly jealous. He had just discovered his mate and Collin, the notorious flirt, had tried to touch her.

I didn't particularly like how aggressive he had been but I understood it to an extent. "He was just surprised to meet you, Bailey. That and Collin is the world's worst flirt. He was a little jealous and possessive but I think Bennett straightened that out." The thought of how easily Bennett had pinned Davin to the ground made me shiver slightly. He was very strong. I had known that but seeing him in action made a shiver of fear or delight, I wasn't sure, run down my spine.

"Bennett is a good man. He's very kind." Her voice was soft and I nodded. I was still proud at the fact he treated the Omegas as well as he did. I wanted to see him, I wanted him to wrap me up in his embrace. I wanted to bury my face in his neck and take in his musky, masculine scent that reminded me of the forest. There was a faint pressure on the inside of my mind and I sighed, letting the mind-link open.

Mari, how is she doing? Davin sounded unsure and it felt a bit strange. He had always been confident and had an answer to everything but he didn't sound like himself. He sounded wary and uncertain, he was lacking his confidence and it didn't sit well with me.

She's okay. I ran her a bath and she's getting cleaned up. I could smell the conditioner bottle open and I closed my eyes again. The urge to sleep was great but there were emotions swirling around in me that made me feel off balance. The need to find Bennett and wrap my arms around him was nearly overwhelming. The pull between us was strong. I didn't like the separation between us and I felt almost too needy at the thought.

Tell her I'm sorry for how I acted. I didn't mean to scare her. I never wanted to scare her. He sounded pained and I nodded, despite how he couldn't see the action.

We were just discussing that. I stared at the cabinet under the sink and ran a hand through my hair. I winced at the tangles I caught on my fingers. I combed through my hair with my fingers, removing the knots as gently as I could.

What did she say? He sounded unsure and I frowned slightly at the question.

"Davin apologizes for scaring you, Bailey. He says he never wanted to scare you." I glanced at the tub and Bailey was rubbing at her arms with a washcloth. I could smell the feminine scent of the body wash. Her hair was twisted up on her head, I could see the conditioner covering the black strands.

"It's okay. I just don't know what to do. Everything is new." The ways she said it made me smile. It was an echo of what I had said two years before. I had hated new and it seemed like I wasn't the only one.

She says its okay but she doesn't know what to do. I stood up and moved towards the cabinet and opened it, taking out two towels and setting them on the toilet. I stared at myself in the mirror again. My wolf whined in the back of my head, wanting to be close to Bennett. I definitely liked her needy better than her being overly aggressive but I also didn't really like her being needy.

Okay. He didn't sound convinced and I sucked my bottom lip into my mouth, chewing on it slightly.

How's Bennett? I hadn't really wanted to ask but I felt like I needed to. I needed to know that he was okay. That everything was alright. There was an inherent need within me to make sure he was okay.

I don't honestly know. The dude has this really cold, emotionless stare that he has on. Davin said it simply and I let my lip slide out from between my teeth. I had forgotten about that. I wasn't used to someone who was that cold with others and i felt a bit embarrassed that I had forgotten it.

Could you ask him? I hated to ask him but I wanted to know.

Are you trying to get me killed? He sounded amused and I couldn't help the smile that crossed my face at his words. There were a few moments of silence before I could feel his presence. He nodded, didn't say anything though.

That's alright. Thank you, Davin. I closed off the connection and rubbed at my bare arms. I glanced at Bailey who set the washcloth on the edge of the tub. She looked at me with wide eyes and I pointed at the towels.

"Those are for you. Get dried off and then I brought you some clothes. They are a bit big but they will do for now." I patted the folded t-shirt and pants before turning to the sink, looking through the drawer for a hair brush.

"You are very kind." Her voice was soft and I shrugged slightly. I was doing what was compassionate, what was normal. I had been in her position. I had people helping me like I was helping her and I wanted to make sure she was taken care of. Someone about her screamed that she needed protection. I wondered for a brief moment if that is what the others felt when they looked at me.

"It's not a really big thing. I was like you, Bailey. I want to help you like everyone else here helped me." I found the brush and I could see her from the corner of my eyes stepping out of the bath and wrapping a towel around herself. I turned and smiled before moving over and passed her to drain the tub. She shivered slightly and I grabbed the second towel and put it over her head before starting to dry her hair. Silence fell between us as I towel dried her hair gently.

"Who is the male with the scar on his face?" Her voice was shaky and I paused slightly, wincing at the thought of Uncle Jace. I knew whose face it had been but the person wearing the mask was no one that I had known. My stomach twisted unpleasantly at the reminder few what had happened in the forest, a faint note of panic striking through me.

"That was my uncle but when you saw him, I can honestly say I have no clue who that male was." my voice was slightly choked with fear as my heart thumped in my chest at the reminder. I breathed deeply, pushing it away as I pulled the towel away from her hair and gently placed it on the towel rack. I moved around her and grabbed the clothes. I stared at them for a second. "I forgot to get you some underwear. I'll be right back, okay?" I watched as she nodded and took the clothes that I held out before I left the bathroom.

The voices downstairs had quieted down some but I could hear faint murmurs outside as I ducked into my room and quickly grabbed some underwear for Bailey. I moved back into the hallway and flinched when I could hear Uncle Jace cursing downstairs. His voice was booming and I bit my lip before I dashed towards the bathroom. My wolf huddled in the back of my head with a low growl rattling in her throat. She was scared of him. Bailey looked at me with frightened eyes as she clutched at her towel. I tried my best to give her a comforting smile but it felt strained. I held out the underwear and she took it with shaking hands. I turned around, giving her privacy to change.

I could still hear him cursing downstairs and it made my wolf's hackles raise up and I rolled my head, trying to get rid of the sudden tenseness I felt in my muscles. I didn't like how wary and on edge that my wolf and I were feeling. I hated that my happy little life had been thrown into disarray because of Tacita. I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face, I wanted everything to go back to being normal. Tears pricked at my eyes as I realized it might take a very long time before that happened.

"I finished-" Bailey stopped herself from speaking and I turned around. She was dressed and I forced myself to smile, even as she stared at the ground with her hands clasped in front of her.

"They are a bit big on you but I figured they would be." I held out my hand before reaching over and grabbing the hairbrush. "Let's get you into my room so I can brush your hair." Bailey hesitated before tentatively reaching out and taking my hand in hers. I opened the bathroom door, my hearing highly tuned to where Uncle Jace was downstairs as I lead Bailey to my room.

Once safely inside I gestured for her to sit on the bed as I closed the door and locked it. I ignored her curious stare as I drug a chair over and jammed it under the door handle. My wolf was still antsy at the thought of being in the same house with Uncle Jace and I honestly didn't blame her, the anger he was letting off was grating and palpable to both of us. it made me shake slightly, my thighs still held the finger shaped marks that he had left on them, a harsh reminder of what happened when he was angry. I slowly moved onto the bed behind Bailey before running the brush through her hair. As I pulled the brush through her hair I could feel her relaxing.

Time slipped by as I gently brushed Bailey's hair, removing tangles and years of stress that had bunched her muscles tightly. After a few more minutes Bailey slumped backwards, her breathing even and slow. I smiled slightly before setting the brush down and adjusting her on the bed. I pulled the covers over her form and my wolf paced restlessly. I frowned as she battered at me, demanding to be released from her confinement. I thought I could ignore her but she just grew more violent, forcing me so much my joints ached and popped heavily. With a touch of fear at her aggression I got off the bed and quickly stripped before I shifted.

My wolf growled low in her throat before jumping on the bed and lying beside Bailey protectively. Despite how tired we both were she didn't move her gaze from the bedroom door. In wolf form the scents were much sharper, as were the sounds. I could feel my wolf focusing solely on Uncle Jace's position in the house. I let out a sigh and curled up in the back of her mind, closing off everything around me. She wasn't in a mood to be trusting and the fact she practically forced the change on me made that abundantly clear.

She was hyper aware of his exact location in the house and she was completely attuned to his voice, the changes in pitch to let her know his mood. All that we could discern was he was still pissed off but the waves of anger had faded slightly. Time slipped by as we focused on him moving around. I was unsure as to how long we stayed there until my wolf immediately went on the defensive as we sensed him slowly moving up the stairs. My wolf uncured from her ball and slowly stood above Bailey's sleeping form, her hackles rising in warning.

He moved down the hall and my wolf lowered her head, baring her teeth, a low growl emanating from her throat. She didn't want him to come anywhere near us or Bailey. A pre-emptive strike against a person who she feared. The sun was starting to descend in the sky and despite the window it was slightly dark without the lights on. She snapped her jaws together, that low rumble growing. I curled up tighter in the back of her head, i didn't want to hear er snarls or her growls. I didn't like them.

"Maricella." He said it softly and the door knob turned slightly. My wolf's reaction was instant. She let out a deadly snarl, the growling growing in intensity as she licked at her bared teeth. Bailey gave a small cry of fear as the sounds woke her up. It only served to make my wolf more aggressive as Uncle Jace jiggled the handle. "Maricella, sweety." My wolf once again snarled loudly, Bailey curled into a tight, terrified ball underneath us and trembled. My wolf's growling grew louder and I felt her need to start pacing restlessly but she didn't want to leave Bailey unprotected.

"Dad, if you can't tell by the growls, she doesn't fucking want you anywhere near her right now. And to be honest, I don't want you near Bailey. Go somewhere else." Davin's voice was sharp and I could feel Uncle Jace's hesitation. My wolf snarled again and Bailey's small hand reached out and grasped one of our legs, her fingers trembling as she clutched at us. It only served to bolster our need to protect her more.

"I need-"

"You need to leave. You won't find a timid Maricella behind that door. You will find a very aggressive, dangerous wild animal that distrusts you." Davin said it a bit softer and I could feel Uncle Jace's regret and hurt but my wolf did nothing but growl louder, the sound bouncing off the walls of my room. She didn't relax until Uncle Jace's presence was downstairs and close to his office. Bailey's fingers tangled in our fur and my wolf carefully stepped over her and padded softly towards the chair blocking the door before nudging it out of the way. It landed on the floor with a clatter that she ignored.

We were aware of Bailey watching us as my wolf used her nose and nudged at the old fashioned turn lock. My wolf's thought process was simple, Bailey was scared and her mate could help. I resisted the urge to protest because I knew it would need to be done at some point. As soon as the click of the lock was heard she moved us back towards the bed and jumped on it. With a huffing groan she lay down beside Bailey, her head in Bailey's trembling lap. With hesitant fingers Bailey started to scratch at our ears. My wolf didn't much care for our sensitive ears being touched but she allowed it for Bailey's sake.

The door cracked open and my wolf stared at it intently. "I take it you unlocked the door because you wanted me to come in." Davin said it softly as he slowly slipped inside and closed the door. "You aren't going to eat me, are you?" He looked at my wolf warily and when he took a step towards the bed a rumbling growl filled our chest. A soft warning for him to keep his distance. Davin held up his hands and grabbed the chair my wolf had knocked over and set it up right before sitting in it. Bailey's hand froze mid-scratch and her entire form stiffened slightly.

"Hey, I'm Davin." He was looking intently at Bailey and my wolf nudged her slightly with her nose. Bailey resumed her rubbing and scratching. "Look, I didn't mean to scare you like that but my wolf got a little freaked out. You were scared and Collin was reaching for you. I'm sorry, its no excuse. I should have had some control over his behaviour." The words came out in a rush and my wolf let a grin appear on her face as her eyes closed. She wanted to nip at Bailey to get her to stop rubbing at her ears but she refrained. She didn't want Bailey scared any more than I did.

"I suggest you stop playing with her ears. She's getting irritated with it. Rub between her eyes and on her cheeks. She likes that." Davin's voice was soft and Bailey's hands stilled on our ears before she did as Davin suggested and my wolf let out a contented groan at the contact. "See? She likes that better. Her ears are sensitive, more than an average wolf's." I could feel Bailey's satisfaction at making my wolf happy. It was easy and safe to make people happy for an Omega.

"My name is Bailey." Her voice was soft and her eyes were on her hands as she trailed them through our fur on the sides of our face.

"That is a beautiful name." Davin's voice was slightly choked and he gave a small sound to clear his throat.

To both our surprise Bailey laughed softly under her breath. "That is what she said too." Her fingers tapped down our nose and my wolf sneezed at the weird feeling, causing Bailey to laugh softly once more.

"Maricella?" Davin seemed to be enjoying the small bit of conversation and my wolf cracked an eye open. He looked eager. His gaze was filled with pleasure and satisfaction at his interaction with his shy and timid mate.

"Yes, she is a very kind female." She returned to stroking our cheeks and my wolf groaned, turning her head so Bailey could reach an itchy spot close to our chin.

"One of the best ones I know." He sounded tentative but it was if Bailey did not sense his unease or uncertainty. It was strange for both my wolf and I to see him without his usual easy confidence. Who knew all it took to throw Davin Theo Lawrence into uncertainty and fumbled words was one tiny Omega?

"She wants to protect me." There was a thread of pleasure in Bailey's voice, as if the thought of us wanting to protect her made her happy. My wolf grinned again before lifting her head and licking Bailey's chin with a whine. Bailey giggled, a smile spreading across her face as she scratched under our chin.

"I can understand that." There was a hidden meaning to his words and even my wolf understood his need to protect his mate with his life.

"Who will protect her? That male wasn't nice to her." Bailey's voice trembled with fear and my wolf whined slightly, nuzzling her neck and licking at her chin again in comfort. My wolf wanted to shake with fear as well but she felt safer with Davin around. Jace wasn't there and Davin was. He would protect us.

"That male is a fool and from the fact that it is Mari's wolf sitting with us and not Mari. I'm guessing she doesn't need too much protecting." Davin was smiling and my wolf tilted her head at him, cocking an ear. She was pleased that Davin believed she could protect us.

"Bennett will protect her. He used to protect me in the pack house. When others would pick on me or call me names he would order them off and ask me if I was okay. He showed me a great kindness when Ingrid couldn't see." Bailey sounded happy and the words put my wolf on edge for what Davin would say.

"Why-"

If Ingrid had seen, Bailey would be punished for it. Bennett made sure she wouldn't be caught or punished for his kindness. I forced my wolf back to say it before I let her have the control back. She didn't fight me, understanding my need to explain it so Bailey wouldn't be frightened by the questions. There was a sudden silence and Davin coughed slightly.

"He is a good male, Davin. A kind male." Bailey said it softly as she wrapped her thin arms around our neck and buried her face into our fur, the conversation over as she shook slightly. The interaction took a lot out of her, I could tell because I had been there as well. Even the shortest conversations always took a lot out of us Omegas.

"Okay. I'm going to go but if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, Bailey. I'm here for you, for anything you need or want." He sounded strained and I knew that he didn't want to leave his mate. His wolf must have been protesting. My wolf bared her teeth and growled menacingly and Davin lifted his hands. "I got it. I got it. I'm going." He left and she relaxed, rolling onto her back, wiggling on Bailey's lap happily. She giggled and scratched at our chin. I pushed forward and to my surprise my wolf allowed me to shift back.

I looked up at Bailey in human form, her hand was tangled in my hair and I burst into laughter at the shocked look on her face. I felt tears in my eyes as I laughed loudly. I rolled over, curling up as I tried to cover myself slightly. Not long after, Bailey started laughing with me. She flopped backwards on the bed as we both snorted as tears streamed down our faces. I slowly crawled off the bed, wiping at my eyes as I gathered my discarded clothes and tugging them on.

"Is she always so pushy with you?" Bailey's voice was threaded with laughter. I could hear her rolling over to look at me as I tugged my tank-top on.

"My wolf? Never but I'm guessing today was just too much for her." I looked over my shoulder before adjusting my hair, pulling it out of the tank top.

"Davin is very handsome." She flushed bright red as she picked at the bed spread and I felt a large smile cross my face at the thought of Davin's reaction to hearing her say that.

"I am not going to tell him you said that because his ego is too big as it is." I watched as a small smile crossed her face. I sat on the edge of the bed and covered her hands with one of my own. "He's absolutely taken with you, Bailey. There is nothing he wouldn't do for you. He's talked about his mate for so long." I smiled slightly. It wasn't a lie, Davin had always wanted someone for himself. He wanted the same bond that Seamus and Angie shared.

"We are a reclusive pack. Never really get out and see others so I am lucky he saw you. I don't know what I would do with a pushy, mean mate to my cousin. I like you much better." I squeezed her hands before patting them gently. I let out a small sigh. "It's safe here, no one can hurt you. Do you want to talk?" She started picking at the blanket once more but I could see her nod. Silence fell but I waited patiently, I knew she would start talking when she was ready.

"I was given to Ingrid when I was seven. My mum and dad died and my uncle didn't want to deal with me. He said he didn't have time for a pup so he gave me to her. I spent I think it was four months in the classroom." Her voice was small, as if she didn't want to be heard. "All I did was cry because I missed my parents but now I can't even remember their faces. I can't remember what they sound like because she took them away from me." Her voice wavered and I nodded slowly. It was the same for every Omega. We stood in solidarity because we suffered the same.

"I told the truth when I said I lied about the Mantras. I lied so she wouldn't hurt me anymore." She sounded pained and I shrugged slightly. I had done the opposite. I had fought and struggled for months before I had finally given in.

"I didn't. I fought her at every turn and it was the worst thing I ever did. She beat me so bad there was a voice always with me, taunting me in my head, screaming at me for everything I did wrong. Is it in your head too?" I looked over at her and she tilted her head at me slightly a small frown marring her features.

"No. I get phantom feelings. A cane to the back, a leather strap on my hands or a slap to the face." She lowered her gaze with a shaky sigh and I nodded. I knew those as well. I shifted further onto the bed and stared at my hands. "How are you so okay?" Her words made me scoff slightly.

There were many things that I was but okay wasn't one of them. I was getting better but I wasn't simply okay and I knew it would take a long road to reach that point. "I have nightmares and troubles with panic attacks. I have serious anxiety. I flinch away from people I know won't hurt me. I am a minefield of triggers for shock and attacks. I suffer from mild post-traumatic stress disorder. I am prone to fits of rage and depression that have been called manic. I cannot look people in the eyes for too long. I have episodes where I cannot stand to see dirt and so I obsessively clean until my hands are raw and bleeding." I stopped and looked at Bailey, her face was pale. "I am not okay but I am getting better. This is a long road, Bailey. I have been on it for over two years and I am still not okay but I am better than when I started." I kept my tone soft and I reached over and grabbed her hand gently, ignoring how she flinched slightly at the sudden movement.

"My favourite word is 'better'. Things will be better now. You will get better. Things are better and I am feeling better. It is a very positive word. It indicates progress." I squeezed her hand gently with a sigh. "The road out of being an Omega is a long and hard one. You will have Davin with you and that will help immensely. I hope his love will serve as a guide to lead you to an easier life and as a rock you can cling to when everything threatens to drown you. I can only hope that he will help you get better." I looked at her as she brushed at her cheeks, wiping away tears I hadn't realized filled her eyes.

"I don't know how to trust him." She glanced at me, a lost look on her face. She didn't know what to do and it hurt me to see it on her face because I was so used to seeing it on my own.

"I don't know how to trust Bennett either but I know he won't intentionally hurt me." I was confident in that fact. He hadn't shown me anything to question that and I doubted he ever would.

"I want to be near him but I'm scared." Her voice trembled and I said nothing as I shifted closer to her before wrapping her in my arms. She sobbed quietly in my arms. I let her cry, knowing that the emotional release was good for her, it would help her to express her emotions. I had a feeling that her road to recovery would be much quicker than mine was. I smoothed down her hair and murmured soft comforting words in her ears.

She would be better, I would make sure of it.