AN:/ So what do you think so far? All known characters belong to SM. POV is the same as the first chapter she is female she will be known for now as the protector or watcher. She has some different powers some come from the council or her companion helping her others come directly from her. One of her powers is that she can shield senses so people don't see, hear, or smell her. This power comes from the council only they can remove it.

Chapter 3

I sat on the beach watching him play football with some of his family and pack members.

Aeris sat behind me on a log watching as well.

He seemed better since we'd arrived two days ago. He'd decided to come down and visit with Grace. Since Holden was doing fine.

She grabbed him wrapping her arms around him. He returned her embrace kissing her on the neck. I wasn't sure what it was about her. She was pretty, sweet yet feisty, but she…annoyed me I guess was the word.

Maybe because I found their relationship utterly foolish. Foolish when at any moment either one of them could imprint. After all, seven of Jacob's siblings had already imprinted and all of his father's pack had imprinted. It was not nearly as uncommon as they had once thought.

Imprinting was an odd thing, but I suppose it would be nice. To have that kind of love for someone.

I quickly cut off that line of thinking. It was pointless if not dangerous to think of things you could never have in a positive way, and love was something I could never have along with passion, possession or want.

It was their business I suppose. After all they had an agreement with each other. I had been there when they made it four years ago. Agreeing that they would never get married or have children. They would just….be together if or until I should say one of them imprinted.

I still found it foolish. Especially for her, she was so in love with him. I couldn't tell about him, he cared for her deeply but I wasn't sure he was completely in love with her.

Aeris reached forward touching my shoulder. Giving me a worried look

I looked back at her and smiled. "I'm fine." I said

She nodded, removing her hand and leaning back.

I turned my attention back to the football game.

I had contacted the council nearly a week ago after Jacob had woken up from yet another one of his nightmares and punched a hole through his headboard. He had been steadily getting worse, edgier and it didn't help that he wasn't sleeping well. He'd also started running everyday sometimes twice a day to keep the aggression down.

I had Aeris work a calming spell on him. It had worked. Barely.

I sensed something and was instantly on my feet. I closed my eyes and scanned the beach.

Found it. I relaxed and turned in the direction I had sensed the presence.

I few minutes later Oran stepped through the tree line along with two people I had never seen before, but I could sense their powers.

Oran approached me and bowed as did the other two standing behind him. I nodded and he stood up smiling, all formality gone.

I smiled back

"News from the council?" I asked monitoring the hope in my tone. We weren't suppose to show attachment or emotion. If I showed to much they might move me. I felt panic at the thought and checked myself. That was a dangerous line of thought especially when I was standing in front of someone who was trained just as I was to read emotions.

Oran chuckled. "Worried huh?" he said eyeing me….well at least it felt like he was, most likely I was being paranoid because of my own emotions.

I kept my face blank, set my tone to worried and nodded. "Yes he's very edgy, aggressive even he could hurt someone and that means a cover up or worse yet a pack member." I felt slightly nauseous. My words felt like betrayal.

Oran nodded solemnly.

"The council wants to see you at head quarters."

I felt a moment of panic, they want to move me. I quickly controlled my heart rate. I was so lucky that Oran didn't have the ability to sense when someone was using. I had a million questions I wanted to throw at Oran. I pushed them all down Oran was a friend but he was absolutely loyal to the council if he thought I was out of line he'd report me in an instant.

Instead I nodded

"The charge?" I asked

"This is Stroster and Rohort. They'll take over your charge."

I nodded

"Are you leaving Aeris behind?"

I felt relief this was an excellent sign it meant not only would I be coming back, but I wasn't going to be gone for long. You never went without your Companion.

I pretended to think about it before I answered, then nodded.

"Yes, you might need her to calm him."

Oran nodded then handed me a set of keys.

"There's a car on the other sides of those trees, clothes and your information in the trunk."

I nodded and he bowed. I turned and headed for the trees.

I quickly grabbed my bag from the trunk and headed back into the woods. Inside the bag was the usual, a change of clothes, a cell, and a purse which had all the usual fake I.D.'s and credit card along with my plane ticket I had five hours till my plane for New York left. Plenty of time. I looked through the wallet acquainting myself with my new identity. I changed into the black button down shirt, black slacks, and heels. I slide on the bracelet, diamond studs, and dark sunglasses. I pulled my hair out of its usual braids and twist and ran a brush through it.

I grabbed the phone and called my Handler to lift the shield. I waited a few minutes until I felt it lift. It was an odd feeling, a slight tingle not completely unpleasant but not really comfortable either.

I closed my eyes and sensed. Parking lot was empty I headed for the car.

It was nice driving down the freeway. The responsibility of having to watch someone gone. It made me slightly edgy though and a bit empty.

I wacked my head against the back of the seat, wishing it was harder.

Dangerous thoughts, dangerous want. I thought to myself

I was getting more and more attached to Jacob.

Who was I kidding I was attached to him.

I sighed. It didn't really matter as long as no one found out. I just had to deal with it now

Besides I'd had pain before, had to push things I wanted so badly I ached down, had to give them up.

Emotional pain was worse though, I didn't understand why or how people did it. Why they even bothered falling in love or forming attachments at all.

Physical pain disappeared and you barley even remembered what it felt like. Emotional pain lasted a lot longer and hurt, almost burned a lot deeper, and years later if you thought of the cause of that pain or if something happened similar it brought it all back.

It was one of my favorite things about this life. The fact that we were not allowed to form attachments.

I knew I was lying somewhat to myself, but I could not afford to be honest with myself about this. It hurt too much.

I shouldn't even be thinking this way. Straddling the line like I was with my emotions. Aeris had helped me push them down, but her power worked like a band-aid or a scab if you picked at it, it would come undone.

I decided to think of something else

I searched my brain for something to hold on to.

Morsen

Yes he would do.

We were together in a way but there was no physical communication between us only a general like and respect for one another, but I was sure it was heading that way. I'd heard through Aeris that he had spoken to the council about us being partners it was all we were allowed to have. No love, no marriage, no children. If we got to emotional we would be separated. It was made easy by the fact that we only managed to see each other several times a year and usually only for a day or so.

If the council gave him permission I would say yes. Even though I wasn't quite sure I was ready for that, but according to Aeris there was no real "ready". It was enjoyable and that was all there was to it.

A few months ago we had been standing outside of the house just talking while Jacob slept. I'd looked over at her and smirked.

"Well Jacob sure sounds like he enjoys it." I had said

Aeris had turned looking at me her mouth hanging open. "Ryan!!"

I'd looked at her slightly worried that I'd said too much.

But then she had laughed shoving me slightly shaking her head. I had quickly changed the subject.

We weren't allowed to discuss our charges personal life. We were there for one purpose and one purpose only to protect them, even from themselves.

When things got intimate I exited the room, but I wasn't aloud do go far and my hearing was extremely good, but I still didn't get the whole sex thing.

I knew about sex in a logical way but I had no knowledge of it in the physical. I had never even been kissed and to be honest it didn't sound all that great to me.

We were lucky that time meant so little to us. Us, having no beginning and no end. No memory of our past lives, of our birth or childhood. Only this life. Only these emotions or lack thereof.

We didn't even really keep track of what year it was.

Morsen was in New York right now guarding one of the elders which meant I would probably be able to grab a few hours with him.

Hopefully he could make me forget.