A/N thanks for your reviews and support.

bjq: thanks for your review my friend. Thank you so much. I hope you like the update.

Ruby's POV

In the two days since her return to Wolf Lake things had gone almost back to the way they were. She was allowed to wander the house and the grounds. Though she could not leave the grounds without either her father, Tyler, or Sherman.

Currently she was sitting cross legged across from her father. They were sitting in the forest just outside her home. The sun shone down upon them but she barely noticed. Her breathing evening out gradually as she tried to slip into her mindscape.

Ruby could feel his gentle prodding on her mind. Trying to get her to open her mind to him. It was the first step in recreating the bond with the pack. Her father first had to accept her back into the pack. While easy enough in words both wolves had to truly mean what they thought for it to work.

Slowly as she drew a breath in she reached back. A familiar connected sparked between them. She could feel the alpha call that every clan head had. For the first time in years Ruby felt her own wolf stir.

She heard her father's voice say gently in her mind, "That's it Ruby. Breathe in. Face the demon's of the past. They no longer hold sway over your actions."

Images of her sister's lifeless eyes flashed before her. She wasn't strong enough to save Amanda. No matter how hard she tried she could not change the past.

The pain that came with seeing her sister was enough to force her out of the calm. The bond between her and her father quieted slightly. She felt something run down her cheeks. When she lift her hand to touch it she realized they were tears.

Amanda's death was not something she allowed herself to come to terms with. Warm arms encircled her and she was pulled close to her father's chest. His gentle pine scent trying to calm her but the built up emotions would not go back in.

Feeling like a child she buried her face into her father's shirt. He said gently, "What happened with Amanda wasn't your fault, Ruby. We did everything we could to save her. You did everything you could. Sometimes even our best isn't enough to protect those we love."

She could feel his love and affection through the pack bond. There was still a lingering pain at the thought of Amanda but he had come to terms with it. Something she needed to follow. As the white wolf of the pack there would be those she lost because their hearts werent strong enough. She would do everything in her power though to save them.

Slowly the tears faded but the pain remained. She knew it would never really go away but it would abate slightly.

Pulling away from her father she found his tired grey eyes watching him. A small smile turned up her father's lips.

Then she pulled completely away. Willard let her go with the slightest bit of hesitation. With his condition there was only a little time left. Then a new alpha of the pack would be chosen.

Many wolves were placing their lots with Tyler. With her return things were looking better for him. While not married by pack or human laws they were close. Before she had left they were even closer.

Footsteps and a familiar scent alerted her that she was no longer alone with her father. A hand entered her vision and without hesitation she took the calloused hand. Ruby was then pulled to her feet where she met Tyler's ice blue eyes.

For a moment he held her and it felt like when they were kids again. Then she stepped back noting the hurt that flashed in his blue eyes that was swiftly hidden.

Ruby said softly, "I'm sorry Tyler."

It wasn't the first time she apologized to him. There was little doubt in her mind it wouldn't be the last.

The blond wolf sighed before reaching out. His hand cupped her cheek gently as he replied in his scratchy voice, "We will get through this, Ruby."

Ruby ever so slightly leaned into the warm touch. Tyler's ice blue eyes warmed slightly at it. There was still a lot they had to talk about. More they had to work through but they would be okay. At least eventually.

Carefully she slowed her breathing and relaxed her posture. Tyler eyed her warily. The last time she had done this she threw him across his living room in an effort to escape. Taken by surprise he had been unable to stop her.

That night she had run, run without the intentions of ever stopping. The pain of losing her sister and her fight with Tyler had been too much.

She reentered her mindscape. Willard reached out through the bond curious about her actions. She had been hesitant to agree to this at first. Now she was willingly entering her mindscape.

Ignoring her father for the moment she focused on the man before her. The bond was still there faint but still connected her to Tyler. Carefully she reached out across it to him.

He started in surprise. Blue eyes wide with surprise met her green. She waited for him to reach out to her.

Carefully Tyler reached across the bond. Their tenuous connection solidifying. She could feel his hesitation and love.

People liked to think of Tyler as nothing more than a monster. Someone who looked down upon humans as lesser beings.

This was true. He didn't like regular people but he didn't kill them. Unless it was in self defense.

She let Tyler feel her uncertainty and fear. It was the first time she let anyone in. She felt more than saw Tyler move. Arms encircled around her. Once more she was pulled to a warm chest. This time it was that of her mate.

Willard moved to go back to the house and give them space. He knew that she wouldn't run. Even if she did Tyler could easily catch her. Without being able to flip she wouldn't get far running from him.

Tyler rubbed his cheek against the side of her neck. He was scenting her trying to get rid of John's scent.

A small part of her wanted to fight him on it. The part of Ruby that didn't want to return to Wolf Lake.

The larger part of her that wanted to accept the scenting. That was the part of her that she followed. Leaning up she placed her chin on his shoulder and rubbed her cheek against his neck scenting him.

There was a hum of contentment that went through their bond. It was calming for her. She felt as if things were starting to right themselves.