Three weeks passed, and everything had gone back to the way it was. Their family was back together, and there had been no trouble of any sort from any alpha. Dean's kidnapping was becoming only a bad memory. They had heard nothing of Jennifer, and Dean wouldn't even let Alex bring her up. He did everything in his power to forget about her. And Alex willingly let him.

Then, one day, Lucifer entered the house. Alex looked up from where she was sitting on the couch, confused. "Lucifer?"

"Alex."

"What are you doing here?" Lucifer had never come by once in the seven years they had been living there, and Alex couldn't figure out what would drive him to visit now.

"I thought I'd stop by." Lucifer looked down as Sarris ran into the living room from the kitchen. "And who is this? One of the twins?"

Alex nodded, watching her child hurry up the stairs. "His name is Sarris."

Lucifer looked around. "You have a daughter now, don't you?"

"Ashlyn's upstairs," Alex said quietly. "She's sleeping."

"How old?"

"Nineteen months."

"Ah. Congratulations." Lucifer motioned towards the front door. "Shall we go for a walk?"

Alex stubbornly shook her head and stood up, warnings going off in her head. She won't be taken like Dean.

Lucifer frowned. "Alex. Come along. There is something we need to talk about."

"No." Alex took a step back, lips pursed. The back of her legs hit the couch, and she shifted so she could walk around it.

"Alex." The alpha's voice grew deep with authority. "I'm asking you nicely. Please, come with me."

"No!" Alex turned to run, but Lucifer was faster.

He grabbed her arm, keeping her still. "I will not take you away," he growled. "But we need to talk-"

"Dean!" Alex screamed her mate's name at the top of her lungs.

The backdoor flew open, and Dean rushed in, looking around wildly. Seeing them, he rushed forward, roughly punching Lucifer in his face. The alpha stumbled backwards, and Dean protectively positioned himself between the alpha and his mate. "The hell do you want?" he hissed angrily.

Lucifer scowled, rubbing his nose. "I need to talk with her, you dick-bag," he growled. "I own her. It's my right."

"And I don't give a damn." Dean refused to back down. "She's my mate -"

"I won't hurt her," the alpha snapped. "You know that as well as I do."

Dean's muscles relaxed slightly. "I'll go with you."

"No. We go alone." Lucifer held out his hand expectedly, locking gazes with Alex.

She warily stepped forward, taking his hand. It closed around hers, and she saw Dean tense behind her. He growled out a, "Don't touch her," crossing his arms. Alex shot him a glance before following the alpha out.

The museum was closed for the day, so it the outside room was empty. They stopped by the far wall, and Lucifer dropped her hand. Alex glanced back towards her house. "Alex." Lucifer drew her attention to him. "There is something you and I need to talk about."

Alex immediately fell into a defensive pose. "He's mine," she growled.

"I know." Lucifer shook his head slightly. "But others don't think so." He blinked slowly, choosing his next words carefully. "There is something you need to know. The Beta Project has been put on hold. There is not enough funding to keep it going at the present time, and without a mate for Jennifer, the whole project is at a standstill. Dr. Milligan is applying for another grant, but, at the moment, it looks like there won't be enough funds or support for resurrecting the beta race."

Alex balled her fists warily. "So?"

"So you will have to go. It's already been decided in case the grant falls through, which it most likely will. Abel will stay behind. The other five of you will be sold off to other alphas; they'll pay good money for a beta in their ranks. For the time being, that money will allow Abel to be taken care of. He will continue the Beta Project when he comes of age."

It took Alex a second to realize what he meant. Then she felt like someone had punched her in the gut. The ground was gone, and she was falling. She hit the floor, unable to breathe. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening.

She distantly heard loud thumps, and it took her several long seconds before she comprehended that it was Dean, banging angrily on the grass.

"Alex."

Alex shook her head. "No," she whispered, voice absolutely broken. They were going to take them away. She was going to be alone. Again. She looked up at the alpha, a sob catching in her throat. "Please," she begged. "No."

Lucifer shook his head, kneeling beside her. "I'm sorry." He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Alex was shaking. "Please. You - I'm yours! Y-You own me. Please."

The alpha shook his head again. "You know as well as I do that I can't bring you back. Not with the omegas. Although I think I may be able to take one or both of the twins -"

He was cut off as Alex launched herself at the alpha, knocking him over, despair replaced with fury. "You will not touch my sons," she hissed, pinning him against the ground. "I will personally -"

Lucifer pushed her off, towering over her. "Watch your tongue," he growled. "You're still a beta, and I'm still an alpha."

There was a loud crash, and footsteps ensued. Then, a dark shape tackled Lucifer to the ground. Dean wrestled with the alpha, shoving him far away. "I told you not to touch her." Dean stood between Alex and the alpha, fists balled.

Alex glanced back. The door was laying on the ground, broken off of its hinges. "D-Dean," she sobbed, curling up.

Dean was at her side in a second. "What's wrong, baby?" he whispered worriedly, pulling her close. He held her head in his lap, curling protectively over her. "What did he do to you?"

"I didn't do anything," Lucifer hissed, approaching. He paused when a low growl rumbled through Dean's chest, pulling Alex closer. "I told her what has to happen. Without another male beta for Jennifer, the Beta Project has nowhere to go."

Alex sobbed again, clutching Dean. She was going to lose him, she was going to lose her kids - her kids. She shoved Dean off, tearing into the house. She scooped up the first child she saw, which happened to be Sarris. She held him in her arms, almost to the point of pain. Sarris protested, but Alex didn't listen, until a hand came to rest on her shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong." Alex shook her head, clutching her child tighter. Dean's voice grew commanding. "Put him down and tell me what is wrong."

Alex did as she was asked, throwing herself at her mate. "Th-They're gonna take them," she forced out. "They'll take you too. I - I don't want to be alone."

Dean pulled her close, burying his head in her hair. "No one's going to take any of us," he whispered.

"They are." Alex began sobbing uncontrollably. "They're go-going to take our kids. S-Sell them."

Dean tightened his grip on her. "I will kill them if they try," he hissed. "I can, and I will. No one will take our children."

Alex fought to get away from him. "Where are they?" she cried.

Dean let her go. Dr. McGregor's words filled his mind. You've brought this upon yourself, Dean Winchester.

Now he knew exactly what the doctor had meant.