The tall one suddenly stuck his hand out, stopping the other from moving forward. Their eyes focused on something or someone behind Bobby.

"You two are a long way from home." The deep growl of Emilian sent both wolves into shock. "Lost again I presume?"

"This doesn't concern you Emilian." The tall one snapped.

Before Nash couldn't understand what happened, one of the wolves lay on the ground groaning in pain. The tall one yelped at being slammed against the hood of the car. Emilian's hand wrapped around his throat.

"It very much concerns me, Jake." Emilian growled. "When you stalk and attempt to ambush a member of my pack, it very much becomes my fucken concern." Tightening his hold on the windpipe, Emilian leaned in closer. "Come near him again, and I will personally tear your throat out. Feed it to your mate, gut her and feed that to your pups. And then only then will I kill them."

Nash cringed at the vivid image he just got from the words alone. Seeing the two men scramble away from Emilian, they took off running. Not once did they look back. "T-thank you for that."

"Don't worry about it." His voice held no friendly tone. Picking up his phone, which had dropped, Emilian gave him a slight head nod. "I'll be seeing you around Nash."

Bobby fought with his inner demon. He felt the animal inside him. The same animal that was currently begging him not to let Emilian leave. "Wait."

The wolf paused, turning his head to the side, but refusing to turn around. "What is it?"

"We are having steak tonight." Bobby wasn't sure what he was doing. "And I just picked up three bottles of wine." He gestured towards the car. "Come join us for dinner."

Emilian raised a brow. "I do-"

"Look you just saved my life." Bobby chuckled. "It's the least I can do."

Taking in a deep breath, he exhaled slowly. "Alright, I'd be happy to."

Bobby knew this was the last thing he should be doing. This was the complete opposite of creating distance. But seeing him leave was giving him a nagging feeling. The thing living inside him particularly howled at the thought of this wolf leaving. He didn't understand it, but after tonight he will break all contact with them.

Pulling into the driveway Bobby parked his truck next to Michaels. Emilian followed closely behind him like a lost puppy. "Try to avoid any subject on all of...you." Bobby cringed at his own words. "I don't wish them knowing and if Athena ever finds out I let a wolf in the house, she'll shoot us both."

"Shoot?"

"She's Sargent with the LAPD." Bobby replied.

Emilian laughed. "Seriously? A fireman and a cop. What the hell was Erik thinking."

"I ask myself that every moment since I met you." Opening the door, he gave Emilian one last warning. "Keep it quiet."

"Bobby?" Athena walked into the living room, stopping at the sight of the stranger. "Uh, hello."

"Hello." Emilian offered a warm smile. He wasn't stupid in making a move. A woman like the one standing in front of him was as dangerous as a mad wolf. "I'm Emilian, a pleasure to meet you."

"Athena." She slowly glanced at her husband, greeting him with a quick kiss. "I sent you for wine and you come back with a friend?"

"More like a stray." Bobby mumbled. "I invited him over for dinner, Emilian is an old friend of mine. I bumped into him at the store." He leaned back, watching her closely. "I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier."

Athena clicked her tongue. "Nonsense, I'll serve the wine. Can you check on the steaks, Micheal might be in over his head at the grill."

"Of course." Just as she turned away from him, he twirled her back around and pulled her into a deep kiss. "Thank you, I'll make it up to you."

"I expect no less from you captain Nash."

"When have I disappointed Sargent Grant."

Emilian waited for her to be out of hearing range, before pulling him back. "Are you two using protection?"

Bobby raised a brow. "I'm sorry?"

"Do you use protection during sex?"

"Why is that important right now?" Bobby asked. "More importantly, why are we even discussing this?"

Emilian was ready to knock some sense into the pup. "Yes or no Nash?"

"Yes." Bobby grumbled. "She's on the pill and I use a condom. Why the hell do you care?" Suddenly he stopped. "Why the hell did I even respond to that question."

"Unless you plan on raising a little Half breed, I suggest you keep using the condom." Emilian said dismissively. "Now, where is that wine?"

Bobby gripped him by the shoulder, jerking him back. "Hybrid? You can't say something like that and simply dismiss it."

"You're the one that said to lay low on the fur and paws." Emilian whispered.

Bobby growled. "Do not turn this on me."

"You two okay?" Athena reappeared beside them, holding two wine glasses. She handed Emilian one and kept the other. Standing beside her husband, she wrapped an arm around his waist. "Emilian is it?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry, it's just Bobby's never mentioned anyone with that name." Athena slowly began her interrogation. "Where did you two meet?"

"We went to the fire academy together." Emilian lied. "I washed out and he didn't. We kept in touch here and there, nothing too extra. I was in town and bumped into him today. I was going to stop by the firehouse tomorrow."

Bobby glared at him. "It's a good thing I bumped into you when I did."

Emilian grinned. "So, Bobby tells me you're a Sargent with the LAPD." Athena nodded. "You ever looked into the Nova case?"

Athena raised a brow. "The mass murder five years ago?" Emilian nodded. "Yes, they never caught the killer."

Emilian hummed. "That's because they were only looking for one."

"You are saying a team did that?"

"That's my theory." Emilian shrugged. "My parents were friends with the Novas. I grew up with their kids. This has been something I go back to throughout the years."

Athena took a small sip of her wine, eyeing the man up and down. She still wasn't too convinced about his. And she hadn't missed the way, Bobby tensed whenever she got near him. He had been doing that a lot recently. Any man that got near her in a too-friendly way and he was right there beside her warning them. The few coworkers she has ever invited over no longer wished. When she asked, they told her bobby was just too intense. And she had to admit he was, even now. He was glaring down at Emilian as he took a step forward.

Placing a hand on his chest, she tapped her finger against him. "Well, if you have any fresh leads, we're ears open. There is a team of detectives that's still on this case, I'm sure they are happy to hear what you got."

"Perfect."

"Hey!" Hen walked in with Eddie trailing behind her. "Look who I picked up on the driveway."

"Great, another stray." Athena chuckled.

"Sorry, I was actually here to speak with the cap." Eddie grimaced. "Didn't mean to interrupt."

"Not at all." Athena said. "Micheals's fiancé got called into surgery. So, why don't you join us? I'll tell Micheal to prep a steak for you."

"Oh, alright. Christopher's with Buck for the night anyways." Eddie stepped over to Bobby, staring between his captain and the unknown man. "Sorry to interrupt, Bobby can I talk to you?"

Getting the hint Emilian gestured to the back. "I will be in the backyard."

Eddie watched the man walk away. Unable to take his eyes off him. "Who's that?" The sole confidence he walked with was mesmerizing.

"Someone I knew back then." Bobby dismissed the subject of Emilian, focusing on his teammate. "What's that you wanted to talk about?"

"This is a last-minute thing and I didn't want to ask through the phone. Christopher's class got word of what it is we do. So for show and tell, Chris wanted us and the truck." Eddie knew planning something like this on short notice never worked. You either got a call or had something else planned. "It's on Friday."

Bobby thought for a second. Friday and Saturday were always the busiest. Calls back to back, but then again this was Chris. That kid had won his spot in the firehouse the first few minutes he had arrived. "We can do that."

"Really?"

"Yeah, besides if we get a call the kids will love the fast action." Bobby placed a hand on Eddie's shoulder. "Relax Eddie."

Eddie hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath until that moment. To others, it might seem simple, but to look Chris in the eye and tell him no was near impossible. "Thank you cap." His eyes wandered back to the stranger who was hovering by the patio door. He seemed so out of place and it didn't help he was as tall at the doorway. "You can call your old friend back."

Bobby rolled his eyes at the knowing tone in Eddie's tone. "Emilian!"

The said man turned on his heels with a grin on his lips. "Am I allowed back in?"

"Don't really have a choice. It's considered animal abuse leaving a dog outside." Bobby ignored the low growl. "This is Eddie, he's a part of the 118."

Emilian shook the younger man's hand, ignoring the static running up his arm. "Pleasure, I'm Emilian."

"Hey." Eddie did the mistake of looking up into his crystal blue eyes. He swore they flashed a brighter blue at one point. "Woah."

Bobby raised a brow, looking between the two. "I am just going to get..." Neither reacting to his words. "Right." Finding Athena in the kitchen, he sighed. "Hello, beautiful."

"Hmm." Leaning her back against his chest, she rested her head on his shoulder. "I didn't think Eddie was interested in dating again after the death of his fiancé."

Bobby looked up to find Emilian and Eddie standing closer than he had left them and laughing. "Huh, neither did I." There had been tension at the firehouse, between Eddie and Buck. Mostly because Eddie refused to acknowledge Buck's interest.

"So this Emilian guy, how much of a friend is he really?" Athena asked.

"About as much friends as a wolf and sheep can be." Bobby snorted. "But he seems like a good guy. A bit annoying, even more so than Buck."

"Now that's saying something." Athena laughed.

"Alright, steaks are ready!" Micheal walked in with the tray of steaks.

"About time." Hen groaned softly. "Don't know how long I could continue watching these two."

"You can always close your eyes." Giving Bobby a peck on the lips, she laughed at Hen's groan.

"Emilian. Eddie, come eat." Bobby allowed Athena to take a seat before he took sat at the head of the table. His eyes followed the wolf's every move. He stood to the side, letting Eddie sit first before he did. This was just what he needed. He knew it wasn't the best idea to let Emilian any closer than he already was. Still, he hadn't seen Eddie laugh that much since Anna. It was a nice change; he was running out of ideas to cheer the young man up. "Let's eat."