Hey guys. Sorry about the wait. In the middle of moving so I'm doing my best to find time to write.

Hope you enjoy it :)

I sat outside of Elena's window, positioned so that the wind would blow my scent away from the house, and I was far enough in the shadows of the night to avoid being seen.

But I could see her.

Elena was lying on her bed, with her engagement ring in her hand.

She did this sometimes.

She would stare at the piece of jewelry, twirling it around in her fingers while lost in thought, then she would place it back in it's box and close it up in the drawer of her night stand where it remained at every other moment.

Tonight, there were tears on her cheek as she focused on the diamond.

It was taking everything in me not to throw open her window and climb inside her room to wipe the damn things off her perfect cheeks.

But I had a feeling the action would do more harm than good.

Elena wasn't entirely aware that I spent some of my nights watching over her from the roof, and I was pretty sure she wouldn't appreciate the fact.

But I had to do it.

So much had changed between the two of us, especially lately, that I needed to be sure that she was okay when I wasn't with her.

And that she was alone.

My skin still crawled every time I imagined that faceless human that she had been with.

I hated the fact that she had been with anyone else, but more than that, I hated that my actions had pushed her to that point.

Elena didn't hate me, she couldn't, but she wanted to.

This rebellion had been a feeble attempt at severing her emotions, and had done nothing but put us both in a bad place.

I exhaled quietly as she moved beyond the glass, to put the ring back in it's place.

I glanced down at the band on my own finger.

During my first few weeks back, after she stopped giving me the silent treatment, Elena had asked why I still wore it.

It was a simple question with a tailspin of reasons, so I'd given her the most simple one.

"I promised you that I wouldn't take it off."

She hadn't cared for that answer, but still, she never asked me to remove it.

And she'd never brought it up again.

Inside her room, Elena crawled back beneath her blankets and turned off her lamp.

I knew it would only be a matter of time before she drifted off to sleep, and only then would I return to my own room for the night.

After all, Alaric wanted us to make another run tomorrow and it would be best if I was well rested so I didn't lose control of myself.

It didn't often happen, because my mind was able to understand the importance of Elena learning how these trips worked and it could be dangerous for us both if I was distracted.

But ever since the night she bit me, I had been finding it harder to focus on anything that wasn't my mate.

Her lyrical voice submitting to me, calling me Alpha as I claimed her as my own, was something that played in my head like a broken record, drawing me to her.

I was hers and always would be, no matter what the future held.

Elena let out a very feminine sigh as I moved her hair off her neck and placed my lips against the exposed skin.

My hands were on her waist and her body leaned forward, toward our bathroom sink where her makeup was spread out over the counter, "Damon, you know I have to leave soon. Caroline and I are-"

She trailed off as I kissed her neck again, letting my teeth brush over the bite I'd left on her this morning.

"Damon," she giggled, and I glanced up in the bathroom mirror to see her giving me a pointed look.

"You and Caroline aren't leaving for an hour," I reminded her, "The kids are outside playing, and you know how I feel about those tight pants on you."

She laughed again, turning in my arms, "Babe, I promise, as soon as Caroline and I get back, I will come find you and you can do whatever you want to me, but right now, I need to get ready."

I straightened, "Fine. But remember that you did just agree to anything I want. I expect you to hold up that promise."

A predatory spark filled her gaze and she smirked, "Are you gonna make me, Alpha?"

I groaned, "Now you're just teasing."

She winked, then turned back toward the sink and grabbed her mascara.

I leaned against the counter, "So how long do you think this will take?"

"It's just an open house thing they do so the kids can show off their artwork and stuff. Plus you get to meet the teachers and Caroline is wanting to check on Michael's progress."

"And you have to go,why?"

"Because I promised her I would," my mate explained, "And besides, I think it'll be good for me to do some scoping of my own, especially if the twins are going to go there."

I lifted a brow, "I think we still have a little bit before that becomes a reality."

"Maybe not," she argued, checking over her appearance, "Daniel's pretty much got the Change under control and we haven't had a magical incident in a while, so-"

A knock against the door frame cut her off and I glanced over to see Klaus standing near the jam.

"What is it?" I asked, knowing he wouldn't have entered our room if it wasn't something important.

"I was going to see if your darling wife could come heal my son," Klaus frowned, "Preferably before his mother gets out of the shower."

"What happened?" Elena and I asked at the same time.

Klaus appeared to be fighting a smirk, "Skylar, of course. But I'll let the young explain."

I nodded and he motioned toward the door before letting himself out.

I glanced down at Elena, "You were saying?"

She shoved at me, but sighed and headed out of the bathroom.

Downstairs, all three of the young were seated on the sofa in the living room, Klaus watching them with a stern gaze.

Michael had a burn mark, the shape of a small hand print, across his right cheek.

"Skylar Rose," Elena started, having seen the boy's wound as well, "What did you do?"

"It was my fault," Daniel stood, moving between his mother and Skylar, "I dared him."

"Dared him?" she asked, eyeing Michael, "To do what?"

My daughter sat with an unapologetic expression, her arms crossed, "He tried to kiss me, so I burned him."

I felt my eyebrows draw together and even Elena had to blink at that one, "Wait...what happened?"

"We were playing truth or dare," Daniel told her, "It was Skylar's idea, but then she got mad 'cause-"

"No, you started it," Skylar interrupted, "Because you said I wouldn't climb the oak tree and I did because you dared it!"

"Yeah, but you wanted to keep playing after that," her brother shot.

"Because I didn't know you were gonna dare gross stuff!" she insisted.

"But that's the point of dares!" his voice rose, "You weren't supposed to use magic when-"

"Enough," I cut them off, walking forward.

Both of them fell silent, but their gazes remained on each other, glowering.

I had a pretty good picture of what had went down now, and I gave Elena a look, implementing her comment upstairs, "Still sure they're ready?"

She sighed, and faced the kids, "Okay, Skylar, I want you to go up to your room. Now. Damon, can you-"

"I've got it," I assured her, and motioned for our daughter to follow me as Elena started in on the boys.

Skylar was pouting as we climbed the stairs and wasn't too graceful about dropping onto her bed once we entered her room.

Her arms were still crossed.

I frowned and sat down next to her.

When she didn't speak right away, I prompted her.

"You know what you did was wrong, right?"

A weary sigh escaped her and she crossed her legs, "I know I shouldn't use magic...but I told him I would if he tried to kiss me and he did, so I burned him."

I swallowed my smirk and sent up a short prayer that Elena would forgive me.

"I'm glad."

Skylar's head whipped toward me, her eyes flaring, "You are?"

I nodded, "Absolutely. Not that you used magic, but that you stood your ground. No one should ever touch you without permission."

She shrugged, "It was a game. But kissing is gross!"

I couldn't help but laugh, "You remember that."

She smiled a little, "So I'm not in trouble?"

I narrowed my gaze at her, "I guess we can let the use of magic slide this time, but you have to understand to be careful, Sky. If you get used to relying on your magic, or even your wolf, you will be vulnerable when you are around humans. You have to learn how to defend yourself without exposure."

She thought about that, "So next time, I can just punch him?"

I laughed again, "Baby girl, you have my full permission to punch anyone who tries to kiss you. Dare or not."

She grinned, jumping up, "Can we go practice fighting? Without magic?"

I considered the request, then shrugged, "Sure. But let's go out front okay? I'm not sure your mom will appreciate sparring in the house."

She nodded enthusiastically and reached for my hand to lead me out of the room.

Elena was in the foyer when we came down, Daniel and a newly healed Michael with her.

"Go outside with Skylar," she told them, then looked at our daughter, "Your dad will be out in a minute. No attacking each other in the meantime, okay?"

Skylar nodded, and the three headed outside.

I turned to face my mate, "Everything okay?"

She nodded, "It was easy enough to heal. Klaus went up to check on Caroline and to get Will...but we need to talk."

"Okay?"

"I heard what you said," she told me pointedly, "And I don't think punching is much better than lighting people's faces on fire."

I couldn't help but smirk a little, "Kitten, come on...you can't expect her not to defend herself."

"In an attack," she allowed, "But this...she wasn't in danger and she knew that."

"Danger or not, I think she used reasonable force," I said soundly.

Elena rolled her eyes, "Of course you do. I think Klaus agrees as well. He gave Michael a pretty stern talk after I healed him."

Her tone was falling and I reached for her, "Don't worry about it, kitten. Just go enjoy your open house at the school and-"

"And pray our children will actually get to go there without exposing every secret we have."

I chuckled, "It will happen with time."

She nodded, as the front door opened and Skylar ran up to us, "Daddy, someone's coming up the driveway!"

I frowned, knowing that we weren't expecting anyone, and Elena's confused expression told me that she wasn't either.

"Do you recognize the car?" I asked Skylar, starting toward the door.

She shook her head.

I went out onto the porch, and saw both Daniel and Michael in the yard, standing next to each other, watching the car appear in the distance.

A simple grey Toyota that didn't belong to anyone in the Pack.

Besides, it wouldn't be anyone we knew because Mason and Bonnie were away on an impromptu honeymoon, George and Tyler were working a clean up in Jersey, and Stefan and went with Alaric and Elijah to handle an issue with the Chicago Pack.

"Daniel, Michael," I called sharply, and both boys turned.

I crooked my finger and they ran over to me.

"Take Skylar and go upstairs," I told my son, "Stay with Caroline. Michael, tell your father to come down here, now."

They nodded and Elena ushered them into the house before closing the door behind them.

When the young were gone, I looked back out to see that the car had come to a stop in front of the house and the engine was killed.

Slowly, a man climbed out, and mixed emotions flooded me as I realized that I knew him.

Julian, the Alpha of the Chicago pack.

Well, ex-alpha, according to the latest conversation I'd had with Oscar on the matter.

There had been a bit of a disagreement among the pack that had led to the others turning against Julian, which was the reason I'd sent Alaric and the the others to help smooth things over.

"Julian," I addressed, "It's been a while."

He smiled brightly, "That it has. You were Enforcer last time I saw you."

I stepped off the porch as he moved toward the house, "What are you doing here?"

"Since when do I need permission to visit the Supreme Pack?" he taunted.

I hardened my gaze, not in the mood for games, "Since your pack threw you out for treason."

"Treason," he spat the word, finally losing the upbeat expression, "Hardly."

"What else do you call harboring a Mutt for months without the consent of your pack?"

"He was a friend," Julian insisted, "It wasn't pack business."

"All Mutt business is Pack business," I told him, "And you know the law as well as any of them. Mutt's are not allowed to settle."

"I know their restrictions."

"Good," I bared my teeth, "Because if you don't tell me why you are here right now, you're going to have to start following them yourself."

Julian let out a low growl, "You would brand me a Mutt? I was running a pack before you could even make a fist!"

"And that might matter if age was equal to superiority," I spat at him, "But it's not, and in case you forgot, you were stripped of your title."

Julian straightened, "Perhaps...which is why I've come for a better one."

I heard a quiet snarl from my mate behind me and my brow lifted, "You want to challenge me? That is seriously why you're here?"

"We all reserve the right," Julian insisted, "And as Supreme Alpha, I'll change your laws."

Elena stepped forward then, "You realize you're volunteering for suicide."

"She's right, mate," Klaus called from the porch, having joined us outside, "He won Alpha from Alaric."

"I recall," Julian spat, "I also know that you were responsible for the death of Giuseppe Salvatore."

"He had it coming," I snapped.

A small grin spread across his face again, "Yes, I remember…"

His gaze switched to Elena then, and I didn't care for the way his eyes roamed her body, "I'm curious...where are those young of yours I've heard so much about?"

I wasn't the only one growling this time; Elena's warning snarl was as sharp as my own and he had no idea the dangerous territory he was approaching.

"You don't want to go there," I promised him.

"Sure I do," Julian laughed, "After all, with you out of the way, I'll be their Alpha. Two powerful little wolves...one even a female."

He looked over Elena again, "Not too many of those around here, is there?"

"You might want to rethink what you're insinuating," I said stiffly, feeling my wolf rise up, "And back the hell down."

He ignored the warning, as his eyes were still trailing my mate, "It's a shame we haven't had the chance to meet, but I'm not surprised they've kept you shut away here. You are quite the legend...and powerful from what I hear."

Elena's teeth flashed as she brought up her hand.

Fire appeared at the tips of her fingers as her sharp gaze pierced him, "Let's find out."

Julian laughed, "Feisty...It'll be a pleasure to claim you after I've claimed this Pack."

"Don't worry," he grinned at me, "I'll let the young live. Can't say the same for their father."

An inhuman noise exploded from my throat, but just as I lunged toward the male, he flew back into his car, shattering the glass of his window as Elena lashed out in anger.

I didn't pause to worry about getting into the cross-hairs.

Forcing my body into the Change, I landed on the male with exposed teeth, ready to rip into his flesh.

Julian moved just fast enough to avoid my bite and to transition himself.

His wolf was roughly the same size as mine, and of equal weight when we flew at each other.

Instinct ruled over every motion of my body as I went for the kill.

He was doing the same, his claws tearing through my fur as he nipped toward my neck.

Our loud yelps and snarls filled the air as we attacked each other, and soon, a blonde wolf had joined the mix.

Klaus.

As we both came at Julian, who was playing hard defense now that he was outnumbered, I wondered if this was crossing a line.

He had the right to challenge me.

But his intentions were not pure, and he had threatened not only my mate, but also my children...and by association, that put Caroline and her young in danger as well.

This was just as much my Enforcer's fight as it was mine.

We overpowered Julian until he no longer fought back, small whines leaking from his mouth as his body curled into itself.

We had won, but rage still flowed through my veins, demanding that more be taken from the male that had attempted to lay claim on what was mine.

A male that had lost his own title and had all but branded himself a Mutt.

Like the rogues, he would defy the Packs, defy me...and that was unacceptable.

I left Klaus to watch Julian, his teeth his barred in warning, as I Changed back.

Elena was at my side then, her hands coming up to my face.

There was fear in her eyes, for our children, for my safety, and I kissed her soundly in reassurance.

Then I glanced back at the other two, before murmuring, "He's going to pay for this. He has to."

She nodded, her expression full of understanding and a hint of her earlier anger, "Do what you have to do, Damon. I'll stay with Caroline and the kids."

I nodded, kissing her once more, "I love you."

"I love you," she said, and turned for the house.

I gave my attention back to my challenger, and addressed Klaus, "Change back. We're taking him downstairs."

As he followed my orders, I stared at Julian.

I had had only a few encounters with the male and though he'd never been my favorite associate, so to speak, the Pack had never had an issue with him.

Perhaps he'd believed his long standing title would make it so he could not be punished.

An arrogance that he would soon regret.

Ideas for punishment flew through my brain as I recalled my years of practice.

At least this time Elena was completely on board.

It hadn't always been that way in the past; but then, the man had threatened her young this time, and if there was anything Elena would condone torture for, it would be retribution for a threat against our twins.

I glowered down at the wolf whose blood was seeping into the grass.

"I told you to back down," I lowered next to him, gripping the giant dog's neck, cutting off his air supply, "You should have listened."

Elena was ignoring me again, and it was making my blood boil, especially considering I was sparring with her and it was nearly impossible to for her to learn anything when she wouldn't even meet my stare.

"Elena," I tried again, for the millionth time, "You can't keep up this silent treatment forever."

"Shut up and come at me," she demanded, watching my hands instead of my face.

I resisted the urge to lunge at her right then and there in sheer frustration.

"Look, you were told to stay out of the basement. I can't help that-"

She lunged at me instead.

I took her down quickly enough.

She struggled beneath me, so I moved my body where I was able to pin down her knees.

Any other time, she would probably be fighting a blush at the suggestive situation, but not today.

Today she was angry and in hardcore avoidance mode.

"Damn it, Elena," I growled, "Look at me!"

She set her jaw in a stubborn jut and kept her head turned, even as she stopped fighting my grip.

"I told you to stay away. Alaric told you. Your own damn stubbornness is the only reason you-"

"I don't want to talk about it," she snapped, pushing at me again.

"Too bad," I hissed, "Because we aren't going to get a damn thing done if you're acting like a bitch the entire time."

"Excuse me!" she looked at me now, "Who the hell do you think you are?!"

I released her and stood up, "Exactly who I've always been."

"A psychopath," she spat, standing to her feet as well, "A monster!"

"An Enforcer," I corrected her, "If you don't like it, you shouldn't have-"

"You had the guy's stomach pinned open like some kind of dissected frog!" She exclaimed, "You were…"

She trailed off, her skin paling as she recalled the scene she'd walked in on yesterday.

We'd gotten back from our hunt with a Mutt in tow, and Alaric had allowed me full reign to make an example of the real murderer.

He'd suffered before I'd finally slit his throat, but Elena had come down in the middle of my session, despite warnings from both Alaric and myself.

She'd seen more than she had anticipated, and had stormed from the room in a rampage.

The judgement in her stare now made my veins run cold.

"He's no different than the Mutt we killed in the mountains," I told her, "He's a murderer. He broke our laws. He had it coming."

She crossed her arms, "The Mutt in the mountain attacked us. Would have killed us. This Mutt wasn't as experienced. He never stood a chance against you and you were torturing him! Like some kind of-"

"Animal?!" I spat at her, stepping into her space.

She was pissed enough that she didn't retreat.

"In case you didn't notice," I snarled, "I am not human! I never was. So why the hell are you still expecting me to act like one?"

Her brown eyes burrowed into mine, until her gaze exposed my very being.

"Because despite what everyone else thinks, you aren't a monster," she said, her voice calmer now than it had been a moment ago, "There has to be a way to make a point without soaking your hands in blood."

Her words sounded more like a plea at the end, and it brought me up short, deflating my anger some, "There's not."

Her gaze fell, and I watched as she inhaled slowly.

Then she turned for the house.

I sighed, and moved to catch her arm.

"Elena."

She paused, but after a moment, looked back at me.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," I told her, and it was the truth, "I...I can't apologize for what I did. I'm not sorry for that. It is our law...but I'm sorry you saw it. I don't like you having those images."

She stared at me for a moment, then slowly nodded.

I released her hand and when she didn't bolt, I motioned to the yard, "We should still finish training. It's safer for you, if you know how to protect yourself."

She merely nodded again, and followed be back out, but her eyes remained lowered for the rest of the evening.

"Damon?" Elena grabbed my attention as she peeked into the study.

I looked up and motioned for her to enter.

She did so slowly, her eyes trailing to the blood on my hand, "It's done, then?"

I nodded, "Klaus is disposing of the body now. When he gets back, we're going to call Alaric and the others. Have a meeting."

Her brows furrowed as she came over to me, "Concerning what?"

"A new decree," I explained, "To protect not just our young, but the Packs as well."

"I'm listening," she urged.

"The Mutt's are a problem we can no longer afford," I told her, "We give them an inch and they take a mile. They press our boundaries and have us chasing them all over the globe to be sure they are following our rules."

She nodded, "Okay, so what's your plan to change that?"

I reached out and pulled her against me, "Blood. A lot of it at first. But in the end, it'll be safer for us all."

When she simply stared at me, waiting, I sighed.

"I'm eradicating the word "Mutt" from our lexicon. This is not a democracy and Pack laws will be followed by all, or the repercussions will be more than being labeled a rogue."

It was the only way we would survive.

"After today," I told her, "Every werewolf will be Pack, or they will be dead."

So there's that. Sorry if there were any grammar/spelling errors.

This will be the last official chapter, but I will be following up with an epilogue.

Thank you all so much for the reviews and for following this series. :)

P.S: I am still posting for EOV, for those of you who follow it. I've just been focusing on getting Ode finished before the move, since it's so close to the end.

Thanks for your patience!