SLADE

I watched silently as Alexi slowly walked out of the room. Her body hook with every step closer to the door. She didn't want to leave and neither did I want her too. I glanced at my brother to see him clenching his hands into fists. The door click softly behind her making him sigh.

"After the attack at her house, she's not a big fan of thunderstorms," Fury said, glancing up at me.

"The pack is on full alert, nothing will happen to her." I walked towards the window again. The warriors patrolled the borders and around the house.

"We don't know that," Fury muttered, snapping my attention to him. "That first night she was here we couldn't get into her room."

"What happened?" Erik questioned, with a frown.

I explained the run-in with the changelings and what happened after we got her into bed. The more I spoke the darker his eyes seemed to get. We've know Erik since we were children. He was there everytime we found her and lost her. Prince Erik, the ruler of nightwalkers and also the mate of the most powerful hybrid amongst our kind. Erik was the one who helped my brother when he was found. He trained him to control his beast and his thirst. He taught Fury everything he needed to know about being a hybrid.

"This isn't..." Erik trailed off shaking his head, he turned to my brother. "Have you fed from her?"

"No," Fury said. "This is the first time I've tasted her blood."

Nodding Erik ran a hand through his hair. He turned his back on us again as he started to pace back and forth.

"It's not...normal. I mean Alexi is human, humans only have one life they don't get reborn everytime they die. The only explanation I can think of is witches." He paused turning to face us. "It could either be a curse or a spell. Some witches will do anything for protection, especially after the war between our kind. If one is to go to them and ask for help in return for protection, they would jump at the first opportunity. Alexi is a sweet blood, she has a specific taste."

"Her blood tasted bitter," Fury spoke up. "The first time I tasted it there was a big difference between then and now."

"Could that be because of Fury's blood mixed with hers?" I asked, turning away from the window.

"No," he shook his head. "His blood is already out of her system. Let me call Roxy, we can talk about this again tomorrow morning. Beside, I think you mate needs you both with her."

Erik shot us a smirk before walking out of the room. I glanced at my brother seeing the pain flashing through his eyes. Swallowing, I took a seat next to him. I reached over gripping his shoulder tightly.

"It's going to be okay," I whispered.

Fury shook his head, lifting his eyes to look at me. "That's what you keep saying. I have this fear flashing through me everytime I see her. I can barely believe that she's here with us, it feels like a dream, but then I touch her. I hear her steady heartbeat and I know it's real. She's really here brother but we're going to lose her again. I couldn't bare that."

I gave his shoulder a squeeze. "I know, I feel like that too. I want to keep her insight at all times but we can't do that. She doesn't understand everything yet, Fury. The best we can do right now is keep her safe, spend as much time with her as we possibly could."

Fury nodded, standing up. I followed and for a few seconds we watched each other silently. He was the first to move. I hugged him back tightly slapping his back once before stepping back.

"I'll make the hot chocolate and you get everything else ready," he said, giving me a smile.

"Why do you always get the easy stuff to do?" I questioned, getting no answer but his laughter in reply.

I walked out of the study pulling the door close behind me. Walking down the hall, I listened to the conversations and laughter from the pack members. I would've preferred to be alone with our mate in our own house, but right now the pack house was safer. Accepting the greetings from the members with a nod, I made my way towards the stairs. I stopped by the closet to get a thick blanket and some extra pillows, before continuing my way upstairs. Entering our living room, I dropped it on a couch then started moving the furniture. Once I was sure that space was big enough, I walked into the master bedroom to get the mattress. By the time everything was set up, Alexi silently appeared from her room. I straightened, turning around to face her.

She had changed into some clean clothes. Her hair hung loosely around her pale face. My eyes caught hers causing my chest to tighten. Her eyes were rimmed red from crying and her lips still quivered.

"Come here baby." I opened my arms for her.

Alexi didn't hesitate, she stepped forward closing the distance between us. I wrapped my arms tightly around her pressing her body against mine. Her body jerked when thunder sounded above us. Brushing my lips against her forehead, I pulled back guiding her towards the mattress.

"Take a seat there. What movie would you like to watch?"

"Movie?" She whispered. I nodded holding up three DVD's for her to choose from. "The middle one."

Minutes later, I settled next to her under the blankets. Fury chose that moment to appear with a tray. He placed held it out to Alexi nodding for her to take a cup, I did the same. Placing the tray aside, he settled on her left side.

I tried to pay attention to the movie, but her smell was really distracting. She was snuggled between us with one leg thrown between mine and her hand gripping Fury's. I glanced at him over her head, his jaw was clenched. Glad to see I'm not the only one being affected. The movie was almost to an end when Alexi finally broke the silence.

"What's a mate?"