Time jump:

Alex needed to clear her head of all the current situations. She wasn't through one thing when already three more came barging towards her. The thought of simply picking up and leaving had crossed her mind more than once. But in the end, the hold Gibbs had on her, was more than enough to stop her.

Closing her eyes, she searched for her connection with Nathan. It was still there, but it was weak. With a heavy sigh, she sat down on a fallen log. 'Nathan please talk to me. If only to yell, but please.'

The was a moment of quietness before he finally spoke. 'What it is Alex?'

'Hey!' She released a breath of relief. 'I am sorry. I don't know what came over me.'

'I am a little occupied at the moment.' His tone was short.

'Nathan I-'

'Enough!' His growl clearly echoing in her mind. 'I am currently trying not to lose the little advantage I have here. Talking about whatever the fuck happened with you and that asshole, is not helping right now. So unless I don't die here, we can talk about this later.'

Alex closed her eyes, trying so hard not to let the tears fall. She knew there would be consequences. Kissing another man, regardless of what or who he was, was a stab to her mate's heart. She screwed up and it was going to take some time to make up for it. Once you damage the bond between mates, it was nearly impossible to heal. Running her hand through her hair, she sighed. "I really screwed up."

"I am sure it's not that bad."

Alex jumped from her seat, growling at the man standing before her. "You must be incredibly stupid to show up here."

"Stupid?" He chuckled. "I see it as more of a lucky stumble upon."

Alex growled as he stepped closer to her. "Did Elijah send you?"

"No, like I said a luckily stumble upon." With a snap of his fingers, a few other wolves broke from the cover. "But I am sure he will be thrilled." Seeing the struggle between fight or flight behind her eyes, he smirked proudly. "Don't make this harder than it needs to be Alex. You may get lucky and take out one or two, but in the end, you will fail."

As much as she wanted to fight, her hands dropped to her stomach. She couldn't risk the possibility of her pups being harmed. "Lead the way, Josh."

"Atta girl."

She wasn't sure how long they were walking. But it's been a while since she smelt anything familiar. Somewhere along the way, a few more wolves joined them. Josh had placed a sack over her head, preventing her from seeing where they were going. Not that it mattered much, she still had her sense of smell. Someone grabbed ahold of her arm, jerking her back to a halt.

"Pull me around one more time and I will castrate you." Alex growled, pulling her arm out of their grip.

A growling chuckled sounded off behind her. "I don't remember you being so vulgar."

"Elijah." A pair of hands reached for the sack, ripping it off. "Wolf napping a new hobby of yours?"

"From what I was told you came of your own free will."

Casting a glance at the wolves behind her, she scoffed. "Well, it was either that or get my throat ripped out."

Elijah walked closer to her, gripping her jaw in a vice grip. "You and I have an issue to settle." Alex refused to reply, keeping her eyes set on his. "You walked out on me Alex."

"You can't expect me to choose you over my mates." Alex replied. "I would never pick anyone over them."

"I wasn't giving you a choice." Elijah growled, gripping the back of her neck and pulling her into a kiss. Alex growled into him, biting down on his lip as hard as she could. "Goddammit Alex!" Elijah pulled back, wiping the blood off the already healed wound. A dark look entered his eyes. Alex growled at the hand full of hair he gripped. "Do not believe for a second I will let such action go unpunished." As he raised his hand up to strike her, a low growl invaded their senses.

Alex still disoriented by the pain, tried to find the source of such a growl. It did something to her. It was deep and loud. A sense of power radiating from it. Her eyes scanned the tree lines, hoping whoever it was they were here to help her.

Elijah's eyes slowly ran across the woods. The growl was close and getting closer by the second. "Who's there?!" Getting more response, he sent one of his men.

The man cautiously walked towards the growl, disappearing into the seclusion of the trees. It was quiet, even the growls had stopped. In a matter of seconds, there was a loud roar, followed by the sounds of a screaming man. Everyone froze at the sounds coming from within the darkness. Screaming and yells for help screeching in their ears. Alex flinched at hearing something rip and the man gurgling to his death.

Alex glanced up at Elijah, his eyes fixated on the now silent woods. She could feel the adrenaline waving off him. Prying her eyes off him, she caught movement from the corner of her eye. A pack of large wolves broke from the cover of the darkness. They had Elijah and his pack surrounded. Alex didn't recognize any of them, which confused her even more. No pack would attack another without cause. Either they believed he was the alpha in the region or they had a vendetta against him. Looking at each one, she noticed the alpha wolf was missing.

"You have made a grave mistake." Elijah growled. "Leave now and I might just spare you your life!" The wolves held their ground, clearly not fazed by him. "Very well, jo-"

All eyes turned to the sound of footsteps approaching them. "You never were one to strike fear in others."

Alex squinted her eyes in an attempt to see the owner of the said voice. 'That voice.'

"Who are you?!" Elijah released his hold on Alex, turning to fully face the unknown man.

"An old friend of yours." A menacing growl followed. "I am here to settle a debt we both have."

Elijah took a step forward, jumping back at the yellow and white wolf lunging herself forward. "Stop hiding behind your pack and show yourself!"

There was silence. Alex was both confused and conflicted. That voice was sending her in a twirl. It was like a distant memory in her mind. A key to unlocking memories she refused to think about. And that scent, it smelled like home. Pack. She wanted nothing, but to run towards it and bury herself in it. 'Who are you?'

'That question is really hurtful.'

Alex was stunned. 'Ho-Who-Who the hell are you?!'

He chuckled deeply. 'You really have grown little wolf.'

'Little wolf?' In that moment, the memories lock behind the door were released. Her life as an innocent naïve pup. Her mother and siblings. Her alpha carrying her in his arms. Her father the only person ever to call her little wolf.

Flashback:

"Alex, don't wander off too far." Her mother called out to the little pup. "Stay where I can see you."

Alex yelled back an okay, but her focus was already on the rabbit a few feet from her. It has been a month since her first shift. And much to her mother's approval, she would stay in her wolf's form as long as she could. Pouncing a few feet from the rabbit, she took off chasing the animal. So, invested in capturing the rabbit, she hadn't realized how far into the woods she'd gone. Taking a sharp turn, she came to a halt as the rabbit dove into a burrow.

"Not again." Huffing in defeat, she turned around only to pause. "Crap, where am I?" Sniffing around for a familiar scent was impossible. Due to the zig-zags, she did with the rabbit, her scent was all over the place. Knowing she was lost, panic kicked in.

Without realizing she was doing it; Alex took off running. No destination, no thought, no guide. She just ran in hopes of getting a scent or seeing someone that can help. By nightfall, she had fallen to exhaustion. Her little body was no longer able to hold her up. She refused to give in. A sleeping lost wolf was an easy target for anyone looking to harm them. She fought herself, forcing herself to keep her eyes open. The sound of footsteps approaching had her heart pounding against her chest. The scent was not familiar to her.

"Isn't that Clay's pup?" A female spoke.

"I believe so, that red coat is a no miss." A male laughed. "What the hell is she doing out here?"

The female approached her, grabbing her by the scruff of her neck. "I don't know, but Alpha Damon is going to love this." Turning the pup to face her, she grinned. "You have no idea just how much you fucked your pack."

A male sighed. "May, stop fucking with her, and let's go. The last thing I need is her father fi-" He froze at hearing a low deep growl behind them. Turning around slowly, he nearly pissed himself at seeing the red wolf stalking towards them. "May, drop the pup."

May held the pup to her side, pulling a knife out. "No way."

"Don't be stupid." He snapped. "Drop the pup."

"It's only him, Dean." May hissed. "Two of us. We can take him."

Dean gapped at his mate. "Are you fucken retarded?!"

May ignored him, slamming the pup into his chest. Dropping the knife to the ground, she shifted. Alex's father gave her no chance. The moment she finished shifting, Clay was onto her. Grabbing the back of her neck, he slammed her onto the ground. Taking her throat in his mouth, he bit down breaking her windpipe.

Alex was stunned. She had never seen someone die or get killed. Let alone see her father kill someone. His mouth dripped with saliva and blood; eyes pinned on the man still holding her. She was suddenly placed on the ground. Glancing over her shoulder, she watched Dean make a run for it. It was then a few of her packmates appeared, taking Dean down to his death. Turning back to face her father, she was suddenly very aware of how much bigger he was than her. His eyes glaring down at her with both relief and disappointment. Crouching down to lay on her stomach, she bared her neck at him.

'What were you thinking leaving our lands?!' Clay snapped.

'I-I didn't know I had.' Alex whimpered. 'I wasn't paying attention.'

'Do you have any idea what would have happened?!' Clay knew she was probably too young to completely understand, but the fear was fueling him. 'Had I not arrived when I did, I would be telling your mother something else!'

'I am sorry.'

'Not good enough Alex!' Clay snapped his teeth inches from her face.

Alex jumped back in fear. Scrambling to her feet, she took off running. Ignoring the calls from her father. She knew this would only make matters worse, but her fight and flight had kicked in. She couldn't fight him, so she opted in doing the latter. Finding a small hole in a tree trunk, she crawled in. Her father had never done anything like that before. He never yelled at her. It was always her mother that reprimanded her. But then again, she rarely saw her father. He was always away with the pack. She could count in one hand the amount of time she's seen him in her six years of life. Hearing the pounding of his approaching footsteps, she pushed herself as far into the back as she could. She watched as he laid in front of the entrance.

'Forgive me little wolf.' Clay spoke in a low tone. 'I didn't mean to snap at you. That was my fear and anger talking.'

Alex frowned. 'F-fear?' Her father never got scared.

'I nearly lost you today. Had I arrived a second later, I would have not been able to save you, Alex.' Clay shook that thought from his head. 'You are too young to understand this little wolf, but losing you would drive me insane.' Seeing his pup, pop her head out he chuckled. 'You and your mother are the only two I care for. If anything were to happen to either of you, I would be lost.'

Alex crawled out from the hiding spot. The scent of fear waving off him. It felt wrong smelling such scent coming off him. Pushing his muzzle up, she curled in between his front paws. 'I am really sorry.' Nuzzling into his chest, she inhaled his scent. She swore to herself, never to be the one to cause her father fear.

End Flashback:

Her eyes adjusted to the man standing a few feet from them. He looked no older than the last time she saw him. The alpha stood at 6'1, jet black hair with salt and pepper sprinkled, a short-maintained beard. His dark hazel eyes glaring at Elijah. He stood with a slight lean in his stance a grin on his lips.

"Clay."

"Dad."

Elijah took a few steps back, not believing what he was seeing. "How? My father killed you."

"Yeah, about that." He chuckled. "When trying to break someone's neck." Clay was quick to grab one of Elijah's men. Holding the man up to his chest, he gripped the neck. "Make sure you always hear a..." He squeezed down on the windpipe, hearing a snap. "Pop." Letting the body fall to the ground, he walked closer to Alex. His eyes falling on the bruise Elijah's hand had made on my arm. "I am going to give you the chance you once gave. A five-minute head starts. Then my pack will hunt you down." His thumb grazed over the bruise. "Starting now Elijah."

Alex heard him and his pack take off running. Clay's pack pacing behind him, itching for the hunt. Clay kept his eyes on the bruise almost as If it was fueling his rage. He stood that way before letting the pack run. "D-dad?"

Raising his gaze to hers, he gave her a sincere smile. "My little wolf."

Alex couldn't contain herself anymore. Lunging forward, she wrapped her arms around his neck. Inhaling his scent, she let out a cry. "You're alive. You're really here." She refused to let him go. She never wanted to let him go.

"I'm here Alex." Clay whispered, his arms holding her just as tightly. "I can't believe I found you." Trying to pull back, he was met with her steel grip. "Let me see you." Reluctantly she loosened her grip. Pulling back enough to see her face, he pushed her hair back. Cupping her face, he gave a watery laugh. "You look so much like your mother." Giving her a kiss on the forehead, he pulled her back into a hug. "I thought I'd never find you."

"Don't let go please." Alex whispered.

Clay pressed a kiss on the crown of her head. "Never again."

They stood embraced in each other's arms for what felt like hours. Clay spotted his pack trotting back to them. Alex still refused to let go and to be honest he didn't want her to. In a way this was reconnecting the bond, they both thoughts was lost. Their wolves once more finding each other. Seeing his mate give him a smile with her eyes, he chuckled. Without breaking the hug, he bent down and picked his daughter up in his arms.

Alex didn't care where he was taking her. All she wanted to do was be by his side. Soak in his scent. Ever since she had lost her father, a part of her was never filled. Derek tried to help fill that hole, but he never could. A father's scent is unique to a wolf, just like a mother's scent. They were the ones that always protected you. Held you when you were scared. His scent was giving her a sense of protection and love her mates would never be able to give. Nuzzling into his neck took her back to her puppy years. Her mother always did say she was a daddy's girl.

Clay made his way into the house. Pushing the door open, he kicked it closed behind him. Making his way towards the couch, he carefully laid her down on the couch. Picking her head up gently, he sat down. Once she was settled with her head on his lap, he incautiously ran his fingers through her hair. His fatherly gaze fell on her sleeping features. It had taken him years to find out where she was. When Derek told him what he had done, he nearly twisted the alpha's neck. He knew she would have many questions and he will answer any and all of them. But at the moment all he wanted was to hold her for as long as he could.

"She looks a lot like you." A dark-skinned female whispered, handing him a beer.

Clay smiled. "Is that a good thing?"

"Depends on who you ask." She chuckled.

"I have spent so long looking for her, that now that I have her-" He sighed.

Molly ran her fingers through his hair. "Clay it's going to take some time. Remember, she thought you were dead. If for any reason she wants space and time, you need to give it to her. Don't rush the healing process. You have your daughter back and she, her father. That's all the matters."

Taking her hand in his, he gave kissed her palm. "I know darling."

"Well, that and your grandpups." Molly grinned.

Clay looked up at her with a confused look. "What?"

"You were so caught up in the moment, you didn't hear the heartbeats." Molly took his hand, placing it on Alex's belly. "I'd say she is about two months in. If they are from another wolf, she has two months to go."

Clay was mesmerized by the unborn pups squirming. They would push up against his hand, almost as if knowing who he was. "I'm going to be a grandfather." He exhaled an excited breath. "Holy shit."

"Where is she?!

Both alphas turned towards the door at the sound of a loud growl. Clay gently raised her head and laid her own once more. "Stay with her." The happy and grinning father was no longer in view. Opening the door, he walked out to the porch. Overlooking his pack, his eyes landed on three males. "Can I help you, gentlemen?"

"Where is my mate?!" Nathan growled.

Clay realized this was his daughter's mate. A sly smirk appearing on his lips. "Who might that be?" Leaning casually forward on the porch rail, he waited for the alpha to speak.

"Don't play stupid with me!" Nathan was not in the mood. "Her scent is all over this place! Where is she?!"

"You know for being an alpha, you have the worst manners." Clay teased. "Usually, one will come in peace. Ask to speak with the alpha and not make a fucken scene."

"Forgive us, but it has been a stressful day for us." Eyal spoke. "I am Eyal Lavine. These are Aaron Hotchner and the loudmouth is Nathan Stark."

Clay gave him a slight head bow. "Clay Winters." He bit back the chuckle at seeing the look in their eyes. "Now that we know each other, who is your mate?"

Nathan swallowed the lump in his throat. "Alex Hale." He cringed at the growl.

"My daughter does not carry the Hale name." Clay would never allow that.

Aaron frowned. "Daughter?"

A look of pride beamed from the Alpha's eyes. "That's what I said."

"Clay." Molly popped her head out the door. "She's awake."

Walking towards the door, he gave the pack the okay to let them through. Stepping into the living room, he took a seat by Alex. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders and kissing her on the temple. "You okay?"

Alex grinned. "Never better."

"Alex?" Nathan rushed into the room, skidding to stop at seeing clay beside her. He wouldn't admit it, but he was scared of the alpha. "Are you okay?"

Standing from the couch, she hesitantly approached him. "I am really sorry Nathan; I know what I did was-" She gasped at suddenly being pulled into a tight hug.

Nathan buried his nose into her neck. Her scent finally calming him down. "I don't care about that Alex. I was worried sick." Pulling back, he gazed down at her. "Why the hell didn't you call for me? The moment Elijah had you, why didn't you call for me?"

"You-I-" She took in a deep breath, composing herself. "Nathan you were in the middle of a fight. I couldn't just call for you."

"Yes!" He snapped. "Yes, you could and should have. Alex had anything happen to you, I don't know what I would have done. I would have dropped everything for you. That was just a turf battle." Pulling her into a hug, he sighed. "I can always get my lands back Alex. But if I lose you, I will lose you forever. That's not something I am willing to tempt faith with."

"I am sorry."

Nathan glanced at her 'Father', giving him a slight nod. "Thank you."

"None needed." Clay chuckled. "Now how about we all sit down and have a chat."