A year passed since Larabee's pack had settled near the town Four Corners. While maintaining vigilance over the area, they preferred the privacy and security of their own land. It allowed them to shift whenever and be free without the fear of being hunted. Chris later on in that year extended their pack when inviting the Wells family in. Vin was partial to Nettie who reminded him of his mother and Casey was around JD's age which would allow him to have someone to grow up around. Nettie was a werewolf as well as her niece. Nettie had the ability to change fully into a wolf, while Casey still didn't know how. Another reason she was marveled by JD. Casey was about two years younger than JD and they got along as young teens usually did at that age towards the opposite sex.

Nathan began to exercise his healing abilities, having been afraid before what the town would do to him. He was only a half-blood warlock, but was still pretty strong. Around the time the pack had brought in the Wells, Nathan met Rain. Rain was a witch, who was actually related to one of the members of the pack Vin was from. The old beta that didn't appreciate the younger betas was her adoptive father, but she left him to find her birth father. When he died she continued on her own until she came across the Larabee pack. No one was surprised at the instant attraction they had for each other, and they were soon married. Rain gave birth to a set of twins at the end of the year and the pack celebrated their new members.

Also being celebrated during that time was Buck's wedding. Inez had come into town in search of a job and a refuge from the hunters that were chasing her. She was a witch, and a powerful one at that. Buck had been asking her for months before she finally said yes. Inez and Ezra ended up becoming good friends, often confiding with one another. Ezra also was Buck's way to talk to Inez, being a wingman for both.

Ezra had thrown himself into investing into the town, specifically the saloon. After saving up his winnings from poker games, he was able to buy the building. Inez became his partner in running it, and serving food on the side. Although he had a place at Larabee's ranch, he kept a bed on the second floor of his saloon. When games ran late in the night, he stayed in town…

That was yesterday night, and Ezra was still lying in bed, on his stomach, relishing the last few minutes before having to get up. The light that did pass through his curtains felt nice on his exposed back. Carefully letting his hearing reach outside his room, he sought out Inez's voice. He found it downstairs talking to Buck. A smile crept on his face as he imagined their faces. While Buck was obviously the man, Inez was the one who was definitely in charge. He didn't want to pry into what they were saying so he was about to tune out again, but then he heard his name and he stopped. He then heard Buck say something about a hunter which drew Ezra up into a sitting position.

Buck and Inez had stopped talking and Buck was heading up the stairs to probably get him. Ezra pulled on his clothes as quickly as he could and wasn't thrown on guard when there was one knock before the door opened. Buck waited until Ezra faced him before beginning.

"Trouble just rolled into town. Judge came in half an hour ago with some marshal. Smells like he is carrying silver and Wolf's Bane. Hunter no doubt."

"Do you know why he's in our town?" Ezra asked, pulling on his gun belt.

"Apparently is the new law around here now."

"What about the deal we have with the judge?"

"Guess he forgot to tell us it was over," Buck said gruffly, "We need to get out of here. I think he might be heading this way."

"What about your wife?" Ezra said with arched eyebrows.

"You really want to be the one to tell that woman she can't handle herself?" Buck asked with a hint of humor.

Ezra thought about it for a second, "Nope." Shaking his head.

Inez was a powerful witch and could no doubt handle herself long enough for them to sneak out.

Buck opened the window of the Ezra's room, looking for an easy way up the roof.

"Where are the others?" asked Ezra behind him.

"Vin and JD are out at Nettie's with Casey. Nate and Rain are at the clinic with the twins. Inez said she'd go over and warn them. Josiah is at the ranch."

"And Chris?"

"Not sure."

Buck pulled himself out the window and used his claws to help him find purchase as he climbed up onto the roof. Ezra followed after him, shaking his head at the thought of himself sneaking out of a bedroom. His own for that matter. Once the two were on the roof did they begin scanning for their alpha. They sniffed the air, trying to find Chris's scent. Buck found it first.

"He's at the Clarion."

"No doubt conversing with the judge about what is happening." Ezra murmured.

"If by 'conversing' you mean spitting vinegar, then yes." Buck said with a toothy grin before leading the way off the roof and over to the newspaper office.

Chris caught the scent of both men before they entered the newspaper office. He didn't divert his eyes from the old man sitting down at the desk. Judge Travis deserved respect from not backing down from the deadly glare the alpha was sending his way. Mary was also in the office, standing over to the side against the wall, her hands wrapped around waist.

"So is this your subtle way of trying to get rid of us?" Chris growled.

"It's not my doing Larabee. The railroad hired him. They want someone official, someone—"

"Human…and a hunter."

"I understand your frustration, but it is out of my hands. I was fortunate to ensure that the safety of your pack is still a part of the new arrangement. Providing that you follow along with the new laws."

"Laws?" Ezra asked with a raised eyebrow. "This new marshal is issuing his own laws now? Does that not seem probable to be biased?"

"Nothing to the danger of your kind as long as you stay out of trouble."

Buck just shook his head in disbelief. Chris continued to growl in irritation.

"Maybe things won't change that drastically once you sit and talk with the marshal. I'm sure he will be understanding." Mary said, trying to alleviate some of the tension.

Ezra caught wind of something nauseating and he let out a low groan. Buck helped him from falling when he began to sway, then he caught the scent too.

"He's coming." Buck snarled.

A couple of seconds passed before the marshal walked in with cocky steps and gave an unimpressed glance over to the werewolves.

"So this is where they ran off to. They're not threatening you, judge because of the new arrangement, are they?"

"There's no trouble, marshal. Chris?"

The blond had stepped in between the hunter and his pack. The Wolf's Bane was effecting all of them, but he was determined to protect them from it and not show weakness.

"I suggest you get out of here unless you are man enough to talk to me without the need of having both silver and that flower with you." Chris growled.

"As if you deserve the curtesy of being treated equal." Bryce scoffed. He glanced over Chris's shoulder at the other men, "I've heard of you lot. Standish and Wilmington; the bastard boys."

"You ass!" Ezra swore colorfully, which surprised the others present. Chris blocked him from getting to the antagonizing hunter, "I will not stand by and let him insult my mother." He growled in anger.

"Don't let him rile you, Ezra." Chris said warningly. He knew all about the way hunters worked to have their kind expose themselves. While Ezra was a master at hiding his feelings normally, it was only surface level. The group learned after a while that Ezra was a pretty emotional guy. Being a werewolf, his emotions were magnified. The only time when he lost control however was on the rare occasion where he felt threatened and baited like now.

"Better get your bastard in check." Bryce said before walking out the building.

Buck, who had been helping to restrain Ezra finally let go. He had had to deal with people like him before. He knew who his mother was, but knew that she loved him and he loved her. She did her best to raise him and that was all he could ask for.

Chris kept a hand on Ezra while the shorter man pulled himself back together again and placed his mask back on. Ezra cleared his throat and bowed his head apologetically towards Mary, "Sorry for saying such vulgar words and for losing my temper."

Mary wished the man wouldn't. He had a right to be angry at the man who insulted his mother. She never met the woman, but figured that Ezra loved her dearly like all the men probably loved theirs.

Ezra walked out of the newspaper office after tipping his hat to the others.

Chris turned to Buck, "Take him out to the ranch and make sure the others in town get there too."

Buck nodded and was soon gone as well.

"I wish there was more I could do Chris, but my hands are tied." Travis said in a way of an excuse.

"Yeah, I see that judge." Chris murmured before leaving.