Saturday evening came way too fast for Jaded. The whole day, he'd either kissed lovely Ashley into oblivion or chased sweet Hope around the place. After he took Hope to bed, she insisted he'd read a bedtime story to her. Little Red Riding Hood was her favorite. He didn't get far, though. She fell asleep after he'd barely read a page. He blanketed her carefully and watched her sleeping with a contented smile on his face. Finally, he tore his eyes away from her and went downstairs where Ashley waited for him in the living room, grinning at him.

»Exhausted, lover boy?« she asked and winked.

»Nope!« He collapsed on the sofa and pulled her on his lap. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tight and started nuzzling her cheek. »I was trained for persistency. I could easily go six rounds in bed with you.«

She slapped his chest and chuckled. »Now aren't you full of yourself?«

»Just a little bit, maybe,« he grinned.

Actually, he didn't have sex on his agenda – not yet. He wanted to know more about Sam. Because no sign or picture remained of him, by which Jaded could tell Sam ever existed. First, Ashley refused. It was still hard for her to talk about her dead mate. Jaded surely understood this but he was curious about Hope's father. He wanted to know more about the male that still owned Ashley's heart after all those years. So finally, she gave in and snuggled up against him on the sofa, showing him photos of Sam on the screen of her tablet. And Jaded liked what he saw! The pictures of them as a couple were beautiful. Enchanting! Especially the one where Sam kissed Ashley's swollen belly. There was pure love shining in the male's eyes. Although the human wasn't in the least what he'd expected. Since she told him Sam was a banker, he suspected him to be all serious – a pencil pusher. But on the contrary! Sam was full of muscles and tattoos, looking more like a badass biker than a banker. A force to reckon with. Someone, who would have protected his loved ones at all costs. Even though Ashley said his tats weren't on display when Sam wore a suit, his appearance was odd. And his hair was a mess of semi long auburn curls which he obviously passed on to his sweet little daughter.

»Oh!« Suddenly Ashley laughed out loud as she flipped through the pictures of her honeymoon on Hawaii. »And here you see Mr. Dumbass stepping on a sea urchin!«

He loved the sound of her laughter and the way her body molded against him.

»Has Hope ever seen these pictures?« he asked and felt Ashley shaking her head.

»I wasn't ready for her questions,« she whispered and turned her head to look up at him with a smile. »But I think I am now.«

Smiling, Jaded tucked her closer. »That's good,« he said. »Hope ought to know how much her father loved her and that I'll be there for her while he couldn't.«

A tear slid down her cheek as she kissed him. »You're really special, you know that?«

He shrugged. »Blame it on my past. Not knowing where you're coming from could gnaw at you. I experienced it firsthand. I don't want that for Hope.« When his girls were moving in with him, he'd hang a picture of Sam on the wall of Hope's room.

»Jaded?« A female voice reached his ears. Although she seemed familiar, she didn't belong here. And Ashley started fading from his arms! No! Don't leave me! I need you! I can't live without you!

»Jaded, wake up.«

A small hand gently touched his shoulder and made him jump. He shot up in his chair and looked around. A hospital room?

»I'm sorry for startling you.« He looked in Trisha's worried face.

Reality crashed in. He was just dreaming about the first day he spent with his mate and daughter. The truth was, an assassin drugged Ashley and Trisha sedated her because her body had frequent involuntary muscle spasms. The medical staff called it an artificial coma.

»What time is it?« he asked, dragging a hand down his face.

»Almost 5 a.m.« Trisha forced a smile. »I suggest you go home and get some rest. You can't do anything for her at the moment. And don't forget about Hope. She needs her daddy now.«

He didn't forget her – not for a second. How could he ever look Hope in the eyes again? He promised her never to let anything happen to her mom. I fucked up big time! He knew he'd have to tell her the truth somehow.

»You were right, by the way,« Trisha went on, »it wasn't only the breeding drug but something else. The good news is, we identified it.«

Jaded frowned. »And the bad news?«

She took a deep breath and avoided his gaze. »It's the one that made Moon go nuts.«

He blinked. Why use these drugs on him? Was he just a random victim or chosen on purpose? »Does anyone have a theory why they targeted me?«

»No, unfortunately not – not yet,« she admitted.

He watched his mate. Machines beeped steadily and she had tubes all over her. He took her hand. It was so cold! »Will she survive?« he asked, his eyes never leaving Ashley. »Please be honest, Trisha.«

She swallowed and bit her lower lip. »Actually, we don't know. Her body wasn't made for dealing with those drugs. And even for you the amount would have been an overdose. Someone really wanted to play it safe. She's got a fifty-fifty-chance. Not more – but also not less. And she's fighting. This might sound strange to you but every hour passing without an occurrence is a success.«

»I stay for another hour or two.«

She wasn't surprised. »Okay,« she said and left.

Vengeance sat in his armchair and watched TV for hours now. Absolutely senseless game shows but he didn't give a shit. He couldn't sleep. Not long after putting Hope to bed, he got the news. The only friend he ever had was in hospital and no one knew if she'd survive. He was… furious! Sad! Desperate! And he felt completely helpless. Every emotion he experienced when his mate was killed washed over him once more! He opened up his harness just a little bit and got hurt again.

»Uncle Vengeance?« a small voice lisped. The sheets in his bedroom rustled and sound of little feet came to his ears.

Turning, he saw Hope standing in the door, rubbing her eyes. He smiled. No! This time it was different. Ashley wasn't dead yet and there was hope. Literally! »What are you doing here, little one?« he asked softly. »You ought to be sleeping.«

Her tiny feet tapped towards him. »I can't. I'm cold,« she pouted.

He picked her up, sat her on his lap, and started rocking her gently. »I couldn't sleep either,« he said honestly.

Sleepy dark blue eyes blinked at him. »Did you think about your mate in heaven?«

He sighed. Partly… »Yes.« He wasn't going to tell her the whole truth. Thank God; or the devil; or whoever was responsible for this fucking mess; it wasn't his story to tell!

»When I'm old enough I'm going to be your mate, so you aren't sad anymore,« she declared and leaned in to him.

His heart melted. Cuddling her close, he kissed the top of her head. »No, little one. When you're old enough to get mated you'll have a young male to love and protect you. Just like it should be.«

»A young male? Like Noble?«

Grinning, he slightly pinched her cheek. »Yeah, it might be him. You like him, don't you?«

She nodded. »He's funny. He makes me laugh when he tries to roar like his grumpy daddy.«

»Grumpy, huh?« he smirked. »Don't let Noble's dad hear that.«

»Especially I like that Noble doesn't like chocolate.«

»Why?«

»Because there's more for me then.«

He chuckled. Life was so simple for her. »See? People say opposites attract.« She snuggled deeper into his arms and he cupped her icy-cold little feet with one of his big hands to warm them. It didn't take long until Hope fell asleep. Or so he thought…

»Oh, grandmother, what big ears you have,« she giggled.

She was in a playful mood. And he loved being her Big Bad Wolf. »All the better to hear you with,« he said in a high pitched tone.

»Oh, grandmother, what big eyes you have.«

He leaned down and his face hovered over hers. »All the better to see you with,« he growled.

»Oh, grandmother, what big hands you have.«

He started tickling her. »All the better to grab you with.«

She squealed and wiggled in his arms. »Oh, grandmother, what a horribly big mouth you have!«

His upper lip curled back, showing off his fangs. »All the better to eat you with.«

She surprised him when she threw her arms around his neck and pressed a wet kiss to his cheek. »Love you, Uncle Ven. You're my very best friend.«

He swallowed and his eyes watered. »Love you, too, little one,« he whispered.

Vengeance's eyes snapped open as the woods on his porch creaked under heavy footsteps. Booted feet! So probably no Wilde Zone residents. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Almost 7 a.m. His gaze wandered to Hope, sleeping in his arms. Obviously, he dozed off at some point. A soft knock on his door followed.

»Ven? You awake?«, a muted voice asked.

»Yeah. Come in,« he responded quietly.

The door opened and Jaded entered the room. They stared at each other for a couple of seconds.

»You look like shit,« Vengeance finally said.

Jaded lifted an eyebrow. »Now aren't you a charmer?«

»Any news?«

Jaded shook his head. »Trisha said as long nothing's happening, it's fine.«

»Huh?« Vengeance frowned.

»I don't understand it either but that's what she told me.«

The silence between them stretched. Vengeance got up and approached with sleeping Hope in his arms. He handed her over to Jaded, carefully not to wake her.

»I'm going for a run. You can talk to her while I'm gone,« he said and left his house.

Bob Savage hung up. What he just heard sounded like a lousy B-movie plot. He drummed his fingers on his desk. Ashley was attacked. That much was true. It was all over the news. But what the inmate told him was still hard to believe. And of course that scum wanted a deal for the information he shared. Unfortunately, there was only one way to find out the truth – by calling the leading Species man-beast and demanding a meeting. A disgusted look appeared on his face.

»Maybe I should get an anti-rabies inoculation,« he mumbled.

Justice and Tiger watched two lawyers catfighting each other and the volume level became uncomfortable for the advanced Species hearing.

»…and Mr. Tiger North is the head of security,« Simon finally introduced him.

»Oh! So this is Homeland Security on Animal Farm?« Bob sneered.

Tiger knew Justice wanted him as a backup because he was dealing with deliberate provocation on a daily basis and didn't lose his temper easily but… There is a limit to everything!

»Why can't I just tear his throat out and stop him from spewing his venom before my ears start to bleed?« Tiger muttered under his breath, his voice unable to catch for humans.

»Because you're not supposed to wipe the floor with a district attorney,« Justice whispered. »However, his attitude has me reflecting that it might be worth the trouble.«

Simon was pissed and paced the room, while glaring daggers at Robert Savage.

»I won't lie,« Bob ranted and addressed Justice, »I'm still thinking that Ashley's made the biggest mistake of her life by getting involved with you and your fellow creatures.«

Justice glowered at him and a muscle in his jaw twitched but he stayed silent.

Simon's face turned unhealthily red. »If you just came to insult my clients…«

»I didn't get where I am by being the nice guy next door, counselor,« Bob snapped. »To me they're just man-beasts! Animals! Period! I don't give a fucking shit who's targeting them. And Ashley's made her bed.« He paused and took a deep breath. »However, I always had a soft spot when it came to children. So I won't sit on my ass and watch that filth dragging Hope into the battle. She's innocent.«

»You're damn right she is,« Justice growled. »And I thank you for informing us.«

»I did it for Hope.« Bob stood.

»I'm aware of that, Mr. Savage.« Justice remained seated on purpose and leaned back in his chair. »Our head of security will escort you to the helicopter to take you back to Reservation.«

Tiger gave him an are-you-kidding-me-look but stood back from voicing his anger. Instead, he opened the door and motioned for Robert Savage to follow him. After the door closed behind them, Simon shook his head and shoved his hands in the pockets of his dress pants.

»What a dickhead!«

Justice raised an eyebrow. »At least he had the decency to let us know what's going on.«

»You believe him?«

»Don't you?«

»I must admit it what he said does make sense,« Simon shrugged.

Justice took a deep breath. »To be honest, I'm blaming myself for the assault. After talking to Ashley about the Gift I should've had the prisoner transported to Fuller immediately.« He raked his fingers through his hair. »Instead I let other things distract me.«

Simon frowned. »How were you to know three weeks would matter? It's not your fault.«

Justice didn't answer. He knew Simon was right – and then again, he was not! It wasn't usual for him to shelve this. But he did! And there was no excuse for it. He had no idea how he should go on living with the guilt if Ashley would die. And additionally, according to Robert Savage, shit was about to hit the fan. Great!