Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination and any similarities to real persons is merely a coincidence

This story is definitely AU. The characters have the same physical appearance as in J.E.'s books; however I have changed ages of some characters. This is a Babe HEA and Cupcake fans may not be happy as Joe is dead as are Frank and Helen Plum. The Plums as well as Joe are not portrayed favorably, they were bad characters in the original and references may be made in this story as to what their actions were in the original story. References may be made to any of the books in the series, so if you haven't read them all, you may want to wait to read this. That said…

Chapter 4: A New Protector

Rafael's POV:

Today Katie had officially been home for a week, even though she was born on December 1st and spent three days in the hospital with Momma and came home on the 4th. It was now 2 days till Mathew's 4th birthday. Momma was going to take me shopping for a birthday present for Mathew while Ella stayed with Katie. I knew exactly what I wanted to get him. The only question is whether Momma would agree with my idea. I was looking forward to going for another reason though too. Aunt Lula and Lillie were going to join us. I had made sure that Lillie knew we had to be on the alert while we were out. We would have Vince and Ram with us today watching Momma's back from human harm. Lillie and I had to be on the alert for unmentionables.

I had just finished getting ready to go out and headed towards the kitchen where I knew Momma was talking with Ella. Ella looked thrilled at the chance to watch Katie while we were out. As I walked towards them I had a sudden thought and narrowed my eyes. I sent out the thought, 'No one will hurt Katie or Ella.' I noticed a white glow around them and was satisfied they would be safe till we got back. There had been two attempts since Momma had come home with Katie. I had felt them trying to storm the building and had sent them away. I looked around the apartment and when I was sure I had shorn up the defenses of the building I made my way towards Momma and Ella.

Momma bent and kissed Katie's tiny head and told Ella we'd be home sometimes before 4 p.m. and then she held out her hand to me and grinned. I smiled back at her and slipped my hand inside hers. We made our way down to the garage where Vince and Ram were waiting for us. Momma and I got in the back of the SUV Vince had pulled up to the door and then we were on our way. We arrived at Pino's and the guys helped us out and then we headed inside. Momma picked the booth at the back that Dad always chose and we slipped into the booth with Vince and Ram taking up the end seats. We had only been there a couple minutes when Aunt Lula and Lillie walked in and made their way over to where we were. Our waitress came over and we all ordered.

We were waiting for our food to come when Lillie spoke up. "Mom and I gots lots of smokin' ideas for my man Matt's party gift."

Aunt Lula grinned at Lillie and said, "We shore do."

Momma smiled at Lillie and asked, "And just what are these ideas you two have come up with?"

Lillie's eyes lit up and she grinned, "Well, we are gonna get somfin small sos we can wrap it lots a times and he won't know what it really is till he gets ta the last damn wrappin'."

Momma looked gently at Lillie and said, "That's a great idea Lillie. I can't wait to watch him open the gift."

Lillie beamed, "Oh Auntie Steph, it's gonna knock his socks off."

About then our food arrived and we dug in. I moaned at my first bite of pizza and saw Lillie's eyes glaze over for some odd reason. When Momma took her first bite, Uncle Ram and Uncle Vince started squirming in their seats and they were readjusting their cargos. When we finished eating we headed for the Quaker Bridge Mall where we would find the perfect gifts. Sure enough, two hours later we all had our shopping done and were headed back to our cars. We said goodbye to Aunt Lula and Lillie and then we all headed back to Rangeman.

When we pulled into the garage I felt it. They were coming. I searched for their point of attack and after a moment I knew exactly who they were going for. My eyes narrowed and I thought, 'Like hell you will. Not on my watch!'

I sensed Momma was beside me as I headed up to the 5th floor. I sent a message to Grandma Ella and had her bring Katie to 5 as well. We exited the stairwell on 5 at the same time the elevator opened and Ella was there with Katie held protectively in her arms. Dad came out of his office and his gaze was searching. Once he found Momma he settled. When our eyes locked he relaxed even more. Dad stalked over till he was standing with his arms around Momma and Katie and I were protectively close by.

There was a popping sound and then a dark figure stood there facing us. Momma recognized him and I heard her telling Diesel the Wulf was there. There was another popping sound and the smell of cinnamon was in the air. Diesel was standing between Wulf and us. I narrowed my eyes as I watched the play between the two of them. There was a sizzle in the air and I stepped forward.

"Why are you here?"

Wulf turned to me and sneered, "You are just a child. Why are they afraid of you?"

Lightening split the air and struck within inches of Wulf. He didn't flinch or move. His eyes narrowed and he nodded, "I guess that answers my question."

Diesel took a step closer to Wulf. "Why are you here cousin?"

Wulf shook his head, "Always putting your nose where it doesn't belong aren't you cousin?"

I took another step forward and my gaze locked on Wulf's. "Answer the question."

Wulf turned to me and smiled. He narrowed his gaze on me. "Caden can no longer protect you. He's put a target on your back and every unscrupulous unmentionable will be out to destroy not just you, but your whole family as well."

I continued to hold his gaze. I was aware of Diesel taking up a protective posture but something told me it was unnecessary. I continued to stare at Wulf and asked, "Are you here to take your shot?"

Wulf's eyes hooded. "No. I don't want the role of King. I like being a bad boy when it suits me. But then you already know I'm here to protect…don't you?"

"Unmentionables don't age as normal humans do." At that moment the elevator doors opened and Lula and Lillie stepped off the elevator and Lillie ran forward till she was standing toe to toe with Wulf. The look on his face told me I was right. I knew the day he had seen Lillie for the first time last year, that he would forever be her protector.

"You best not be hurtin' Rafe. I don't be takin' that bus mista."

Wulf bowed, "I have no intention of hurting your young friend Lillie. As a matter of fact I have come to offer my assistance."

"You here to help us then?"

"Yes ma'am."

Lillie's smile lit the room and the look on Wulf's face was all the explanation necessary. Just then there was a massive surge and the entire building shook as if it were being bombarded by an entire group of unmentionables. Momma and Dad came to stand with us and I harnessed all the energy to rebuff the assault. Lightening split the air and suddenly there were screams. I felt the rage directed my way. I waved my hand and suddenly the building was still and there was no more attack. I was able to get a hint of what they were planning and I sent Diesel home to help Mathew and the girls to stop the attack headed their way. I reached out and touched Wulf. I looked up into his eyes and said, "They will be easy to find because they have all been marked. You above all will recognize the mark."

Wulf's eyes narrowed. "You gave them my mark."

I nodded. "They will be easy to spot when they come back."

Wulf's eyes twinkled. He nodded. "I shall keep a lookout for them."

There was a popping sound and Wulf disappeared. I reached out to Diesel and was assured that they were all safe as well. I smiled. For now we had stopped the attack. They would need to rest and re-coop before coming at us again. At a guess I was thinking they would assemble in mass and come at us during Mathew's birthday party. My eyes narrowed and I couldn't help thinking they'd quit now if they knew what was good for them. Unfortunately this group was not the brightest bunch of crayons in the box. I had two days to plan. I intended to be ready. We had an added ally on our side now. I'll bet they were all smarting right now from that mark of Wulf's.

I turned my gaze up to Momma and smiled, "Don't worry. We will all be safe."

Momma smiled down at me and nodded. "There are still 20 days left till New Year's Eve though."

I grinned up at her. "I got it covered Momma."