Shrugging his clothes off, he laid them neatly folded inside a box by the dumpster. 'I'm going to have to wash that a few times.' He'd have someone come pick them up later. Shifting once more Barba listened for the commotion to begin.

The plan was for Angelous to get the attention of the cops. Get everyone's eyes off the apartment for just a second. He had hope for a few seconds, but anything was better than none. Looking around he jumped on top of a dumpster to the top of the wall. Running alongside the top he positioned himself just across the dining room window. Crouching down he perked inside to find Joe forcing Olivia to move towards the window.

A growl slipped at seeing him aim his gun at her. 'Any moment now Angelous.'

'These guys are as dense as a fence post.' Angelous grumbled. 'I've run past them two times and no one has noticed.'

'Jump on the roof of one of the cruisers.' Barba stated. 'Howl when you have their attention.'

At last, the howl wasn't necessary. Barba picked up on the commotion many of the obvious rookie cops were doing. Some yelling 'rabid wolf' others 'shoot it'. Barba rolled his eyes. 'Humans. Why is it that their resolution always revolves around violence.'

Hearing the howl Barba wasted no time in jumping off the edge and through the window. Landing on the dining table he did a quick assessment of the individuals in the room. The moment Joe turned towards him, Barba jumped onto him, knocking him down to the ground. Biting down on the arm holding the gun he shook his head, stopping once he heard the weapon hit the floor. Standing over the man Barba snarled baring his teeth.

Olivia stood stunned for a moment. One second she was facing the end of a gun and the next the black wolf stood over Joe. It took her brain a few seconds to catch on and react. Snatching the gun from Joe's reach she ran to check on the kids. A loud yelp caught their attention. Turning back around she saw the wolf jump back with a knife embedded in his side. Before she could help him, Joe rushed for the gun she held, only to be tackled to the ground.

Barba was both confused and grateful to see Angelous. Grabbing the handle of the knife with his teeth, he pulled it out. 'That's going to leave a scar.'

Angelous growled at the man underneath him. 'Please, let me tear his throat out.' Angelous was not one to resort to violence so easily. He had come to help both alphas. Joe wasn't worth the effort to kill. But now he dared spill the blood of his alpha. That was a crime in their world that was punished by death.

'Back off.' He had spotted Olivia grabbing her cuffs. 'Let the humans deal with the human trash. No point in dirtying ourselves.'

Stepping off the man, Angelous checked on Barba. 'Few inches more up and he would have gotten the lungs.'

'But he didn't.' He wasn't sure how he missed the knife. 'Go home and gather the others.'

Olivia turned as the grey wolf took off. Checking on the kids once more, she approached the black one. Grabbing a rag from the kitchen countertop she kneeled beside him. "This is the second time you have saved my life." Cleaning the wound, she grabbed his muzzle in a gentle hold. So many questions being left unanswered. Jumping at the cell phone ringing she answered quickly. "Fin."

'Liv?'

"Yeah." She had never been so thrilled to hear his voice. "Joe is down and cuffed. You can come in. Only you and the squad, keep everyone else out." She didn't need the questions that would rise upon seeing the wolf.

Barba walked over to the door after hearing footsteps approaching. Ensuring it was only the squad, he stepped back to let Olivia open the door. A growl slipped at seeing Tucker with the group. The man's scent was hidden by everyone else's.

Fin gave Olivia an apologetic look. "How are you?" Grabbing a chair from the dining table, he lead her to take a seat. "Amaro get me some water." Looking at the animal sitting in the hallway, he swore it was glaring at Tucker. "Is that..."

"Yeah." Taking the glass of water, she placed it on the table. "I don't know how he ended up here. Let alone knew what was happening."

"How did he get in?" Amaro asked.

Olivia pointed to the shattered window behind them. "Jumped through the window."

Rollins kneeled in front of the wolf, studying the calm features of the animal. "He isn't the only one to make an appearance."

"What do you mean?"

"Earlier another wolf appeared outside." Rollins replied. "Large grey one. The thing jumped up on one of the cruisers, growling and snapping at the air like a mad wolf. Took of seconds later."

'Mad wolf?' Barba chuckled.

'Only way they would pay me any attention. You would think a wolf walking the streets of New York would be enough.'

'In the city where a zoo animal escapes every week.'

"Captain Benson." Tucker approached the exhausted woman. "What happened here?" His eyes glanced at the wolf. "Friend of yours?"

"Something like that."

"Are you alright?" Tucker reached out to push a hair from her face, jumping back at the sudden appearance of bright green eyes. The wolf stood with his paws on Olivia's lap, growling at him. "Jesus!"

"I'm fine. Just a few bruises and cuts." Resting her hand on the animal's shoulder, she glanced at the kids. "They need to be checked."

"You do as well." Fin gave her a look that told her not to even try and argue with him. "I'll text Lucy to pick up Noah from school."

"Thank you." Being helped up and out of the house, she faintly noticed the number of officers that covered the street. "Did you bring the whole department?"

"Hell, we had Barba here as well." Fin chuckled.

"Rafael Barba?" She raised a brow. "You got him to leave his office?"

"Yeah, all we had to do was mentioned your name and danger in the same sentence." Helping her into the ambulance, he closed the door before she argue the statement.

The only two that didn't see why everyone saw were Barba and Olivia. Ever since the threat of Noah being taken away, Barba had kept a close eye on the two. If Liv was hurt or even close to being hurt, Barba was there. She needed help with Noah and Lucy couldn't. Barba would take him. The man had designated a corner of his office for Noah. If she was ever on deep water with 1PP or the chief, the ADA was the wall between them and her.

"Fin?" Rollins called in a hurried tone.

"Wha-" An animal control vehicle pulled up behind their command truck. "Hey!" Jogging over to them, he quickly blocked the duo. "What are you doing here? This is a crime scene."

"We were told there was a wild animal here." The tallest of the two answered.

"Who called you?" Rollins asked.

"I did." Tucker stood by the door, motioning for the two to move on. "It's in here."

"Hold it." Stopping them once more, he glared at the older man. "That wolf saved Liv. Not once, but twice. As far as I'm aware he isn't some wild animal."

"It's a wolf!" Tucker scoffed. "A wild animal."

"Please your just mad it growled at you." Rollins muttered.

Ignoring the comment, he called the two individuals. "It's in here."

"Liv is the only one calling the shots when it comes to that wolf." Once more they were stopped by Fin. "That animal is not going anywhere."

Tucker's eyes bounced from Fin to Amanda. Looking over his shoulder he found Carisi and Amaro blocking his view of the wolf. "Fine, but when that thing attacks either of you I'll gladly say told you so."

Barba snorted. 'I'm not the wild animal here.' Following Fin's movements as he kneeled in front of him, he took a step back. What was it with humans and the necessity to touch everything? Fighting not to snap at the hands petting him, he slipped past them and out the door.

Barba didn't stop until he was in the familiarity of his home. Slowing down to a trot, he took in the warm breeze. Regardless of his terrible the day started he was able to relax for a moment. Olivia was safe in the hands of her squad. She didn't need him anymore. Finding a shade near the small river that ran through the middle of their home, he laid down with his paws dipping into the water.

'Rafa?!'

Taking a deep breath and exhaling with a growl, Barba slid his head up to see Angelous and Enzo coming his way. 'What do you two want?'

'Adhara and Sierra have completed the trade. They should be here before sundown.' Angelous replied.

Suddenly the alpha was no longer tired. 'Have the pack prepared for tonight.' Standing up he walked over to Enzo. Nudging his head up he examined the bite on his shoulder blade. 'I want pairs doing patrols after tonight.'

'Already done. I have the stronger ones doing the patrols in doubles. The rest are in threes. Also, Alpha Hotchner is coming to New York.' Angelous stated.

Barba's tail began wagging on its own. 'For what?'

'Case.' Enzo jumped around like a pup. 'But it looks like he's going to stick around for a bit. His team is on vacation after this case.'

It wasn't rare for packs to form alliances with other packs. But for two alphas to get along as well as Barba and Hotchner was unheard of. The two have done the impossible in helping each other out. When Barba was in trouble with a rival pack that had ambushed his own, Hotchner and his pack were the ones to come and save them. Throughout the years the two have formed a bond much tighter than any blood could create.

'When is he set to arrive?' Barba wanted everything ready for them. Angelous replied with tomorrow. 'Get the guest house ready. Garcia should be close to her delivery day right?'

'Yeah, Hotch told us she's expecting twins.' Enzo chuckled.

Angelous frowned. 'Didn't they just decide to mate?'

'When have you known Aaron to have patience around that woman?' Barba still recalled the night he called him. The excitement in his voice as he spoke about Garcia. 'I'm surprised they held out this long.'

Angelous turned the conversation into a more serious matter. 'Do you wish to wait for Hotch on the pack trial?'

'No, Aaron will just try and beat me to the bite.' Walking past the two he leads them back to the house. 'Make sure the pups are with the nannies.'

'Done.'

Enzo sped up to walk alongside him. 'Have you read everything he has done?'

'I prosecuted him Enzo, I'm aware of it.' Barba replied.

Angelous caught up to them. 'He means who he's done it to.'

Barba frowned. 'Explain?'

'The young girl he assaulted, is the chosen mate to the beta in Stabler's pack.' Angelous elaborated.

'The lawyer's daughter?' Barba asked, getting nods. 'I picked up on a faint wolf scent, but she doesn't smell like their pack.'

'Well, was the chosen mate.' Enzo corrected. Seeing the look Barba gave him, he explained. 'The beta rejected her after finding out what happened. He said she was tainted with the human's touch and had soiled her. She was a virgin as well. The pack exiled her from the pack.'

Barba knew exactly why he was being told all of this. As if he really wouldn't do anything. 'Go and get her. Bring her tonight. After the pack trial, she will be given the option to join us or leave.'

'Yes, alpha.'


Time jump:

Walking into the precinct he found the squad gathered around Carisi's desk. Walking closer he noticed they were all staring toward the conference room.

"What's going on?" He resisted the urge to laugh at the startled group. "Where's Benson?"

Fin pointed to the room. "Talking to the feds."

"Feds?" Tossing his coat and briefcase on an empty chair, he leaned against the desk and waited. "What's the name?" Not that he needed it. Hotchner's scent was engulfing the entire station. It was one of the few scents that could calm him.

"Hotch-something." Amaro grumbled.

"It's Hotchner." All eyes turned to the group walking in. The blond that had spoken first grinned at seeing the alpha. "Rafa."

Letting her take him into a hug, he planted a kiss on her cheek. "How are you, JJ?"

"Great, Aaron didn't tell us you would be here." She stepped aside letting the others greet him.

"I requested a transfer a while back. Closer to home." Giving Morgan, Rossi, and Emily hugs. He turned to Spencer. "Hey, pup."

"I'm 27." Reid grumbled into the hug. "Not a pup anymore."

"Between Aaron and I, you're still a pup." Turning to Garcia he grinned at the size of her stomach. "Te ves bella."

"I look like a swollen elephant." Garcia joked. "Give me a hug."

"A beautiful swollen elephant." Barba wrapped his arms around her gently. "Aaron been attending to your every need?"

"If by that you mean waking up at 2 in the morning for ice cream and pickles, yes I have." Aaron stared at his mate with nothing but love in his otherwise black eyes. "You grew a beard."'

Barba ran his hand down his beard. "So did you."

"You always did like copying my every move."

Narrowing his eyes at the agent, he nearly growled. "What are you doing here?"

"Can't come visit you?" Hotch asked with a straight face.

"No."

Olivia was slightly confused by the interaction. "This is going to be a stupid question, seeing how it looks. But do you all know each other?"

Hotch had forgotten for a moment they were there. "Ah, yes for some years now. Rafael and I met in my last year of law school. I worked as a prosecutor before joining the FBI. We had a few cases together. And I married his sister."

Barba didn't miss the look of surprise at the mention of a sister. "Garcia was adopted by my parents."

"Angelous said you were coming because of a case." Barba wanted to get things moving. He didn't need the super squad in knowing much about his personal life.

Aaron handed him the file. "Brian Matloff."

"Matloff?" Barba was confused. "That was 6 years ago."

Carisi loomed over Barba's shoulder trying to read the file. "Who is Matloff?"

"The Blue Ridge Strangler." Rollins blurted out, shrinking back at the looks she got. "I remember reading about it."

"6 years ago we were working that case." Hotch started. "Our profile lead us to Matloff. SWAT, Morgan, and I raided his apartment."

"He fell from the roof trying to escape." Morgan finished.

"Slipped into a coma." Barba muttered while still reading the file.

"He woke up yesterday." Hotch stated.

Barba snapped his head up. "That's good." Seeing the look he frowned. "Bad?"

The agent shook his head. "He has Focal retrograde Amnesia."

"You're kidding." Dropping the file on the table he sighed. "Doesn't remember the murders? The burial sights? Anything?"

"Doesn't even remember his name." JJ added.

"So, not wanting to sound like a dick but why come here?" Fin asked.

Hotch glanced at them and back at his team when Olivia answered. "Memory or not he still committed the murders. We will be working with Agent Hotchner and his team in finding everything we can that can help their case."

"After 6 years most if not all of the evidence is no use. There are no witnesses, our star witness OD on heroin in 2006." Hotch said. "All we have is our profile and whatever we can find out about him." He turned to Barba. "I want you to take this case. The lawyer representing Matloff is said to be good."

Barba smirked. "So am I."