The ride to the Hospital is silent as Hannibal is behind the wheel. Rana sat in the passenger seat, hands folded in front of her chest and eyes glued on the road ahead. Her jaw was clenched and it was clear that she was not in any good mood.

Will sat at the back, eyes staring out the window as a distraction.

"A book? Are you certain?" Hannibal asked, deciding to break the silence.

Rana had filled them in briefly on what she was told by the woman, who had overheard the discussion between Freddie Lounds and Abigail.

"That's what she told me. I am more annoyed than she was allowed to see her" she explained, leaving some air from her nostrils.

"Perhaps Abigail asked for her?" Will suggested the tension in the car remains the same.

"I don't know and I don't care, honestly. Once we talk with her, I will ensure Freddie doesn't visit ever again" she said, passing a hand through her hair.

Hannibal glanced at her, watching her with the tip of his eyes. He held back the need to smirk, hearing that serious and deadly tone she just used. Rana had a natural for commanding and putting an order, something that was the product of more of just her other nature.

However, due to being ordered around by Jack and working where she did; she often held her tongue or suppressed her more powerful nature. He was glad to see it slowly re-emerging from the cage she had it locked in for so long; all in favour of the humans.

His mind went to the battle against Tobias and how she fought for him. Her image of her with blood on her clothes and skin, while she shot the man down with lifeless eyes...it was kept fresh in his mind and he found it the most intriguing; if not even arousing.

He craved to see more of her, allowing her instincts to take control just like he did. He planned to make that happen, eventually, but he knew that would take a long time to come. One misstep and he could expose everything, ruin whatever image he had formed to the people around him and the skeletons he hid in his closet.

"Perhaps we should listen to her first. Let us not hurry to contain her or we will end up pushing her away from us and towards the hands of Ms. Lounds" Hannibal, the voice of reason, spoke up.

His voice was calm, his emotions always in check; if not void. While annoyed that Freddie was snooping her nose and Abigail wished to write a book, he remained calm and simply made plans on how to handle the situation.

Abigail just needed the right way to be played and led, like a mindless sheep led back in line by a shepherd dog. All he had to make sure, of was that no thunder or wolf would scare that little sheep away and into the clutches of another predator


Hannibal, Will and Rana sat on chairs around a white table, having chosen the one at the most isolated part of the Psychiatric Hospital's Common Room. Abigail occupied the last chair and after a single question, she admitted the idea of the book and working with Freddie Lounds.

"I'm trying hard to be understated when I say this is a bad idea," Will said, tired from everything but yet still agitated by the idea.

"Freddie Lounds is dangerous, Abigail. Staying away from her is the best thing you can do" Rana said, trying to sound calm and not scare her away, like Hannibal had suggested.

She wanted to add the word 'only' in that sentence, for she would not allow Abigail any more chances to interact with the nosy reporter that could expose them all.

She glanced at Hannibal, seeing the faintest of approval for hearing his advice but said nothing else, instead choosing to watch all this in silence, letting it play out.

"She said she wants me to talk about you guys in the book," Abigail said, too naive to truly understand.

"Of course she said that" Rana muttered, leaning back on the chair and folding her hands in front of her chest.

Finally, Hannibal decided to speak; especially after such information was given. "You would be forfeiting your privacy and ours."

Abigail looked at him with some defiance and annoyance. "My privacy's already been forfeited."

"This. All of this will change. Whatever you're feeling now, it won't last. Things change. " Will said, trying to comfort her.

"Yes, things change. For instance, you're here. For a change." Abigail said, making him glance down.

In the passing months, only Hannibal and Rana had been visiting Abigail; mostly Hannibal since Rana was running across the country for missions.

Will, too guilty and still fighting over the ghost of her father, had chosen not to attend any visits. Now, things were a little bit different. "Things are changing for me, too. Doing some accounting for what's important in my life and what isn't. You're important, Abigail."

"Now that I'm writing a book."

"I can't help feeling some responsibility for you. "

"Just because you killed my dad doesn't mean you get to be him," Abigail said, her eyes glowing yellow for a moment as pent-up emotions and anger started to get the best of her.

Will started to struggle with that blunt accusation, which was partially true. He had opened his heart and tried to make her see, but he got stabbed instead when he least expected it. He felt that ache, a part of him even hearing Hobbs laughing at his face.

Rana, who had noticed this exchange, was not approving of the rude tone that the teenage girl had started to obtain. Yet, Will had made mistakes but he was trying and the way she was treating him, was ticking her off.

Perhaps it was her unique upbringing; perhaps it was her nature of what she saw what one could be called 'a pup', acting that way.

"Abigail" she called her name, a warning tone so subtle and yet so prominent at the same time that caused Will's hair to stand on end as a reaction.

Rana had her head slightly lowered, her dirty blond hair falling forward but through them; Abigail could see the glowing red eyes that stared her down; challenged her to continue with that attitude.

Immediately, the girl felt cold sweat down her spine and the yellow in her eyes disappeared just as quickly as it had appeared. Thankfully, she had her back turned on everyone and they were far away, so no one would notice this small exchange.

The female Alpha, though, kept her eyes and her glare; making the teenager cower slightly in her seat, her worry rising along with her heartbeat.

The three of them picked it up but it was Hannibal, who while enjoying the show; knew he had to step in. He placed his hand on Rana's lap and squeezed faintly, a subtle warning to control herself.

At the same time, he leaned slightly forward and addressed the teenager across from them. "We've been through a traumatic event, no one more traumatized than you, Abigail. But we went through it together. What you write you write about all of us. " he explained, subtly hinting at the risk she could bring on their kind as well if they were forced under more eye publicity than they already had.

Abigail looked at him, most of her previous courage having left but some little bit of it remained. "I don't need your permission."

"And you don't need our approval. But I hope it would mean something"

His words made her stay quiet for a moment, thinking it through as her defiance slowly started to soften.

Hannibal noticed and was pleased before he leaned back at the chair; just a little bit. He stayed with his back straight and glanced at Rana, whose eyes had turned normal and were looking at the girl; with a little less authority and harshness.

His hand remained on her thigh, his warmth almost overwhelming her senses for a moment but it helped her focus. She managed to control herself in the end, realizing that the burden of the case and now Freddie; had been getting under her skin.

She glanced at Hannibal and gave the subtlest of nods, the curve of her lips turned up ever so slightly as she remained calm in his presence; his hand not once leaving her thigh.

Her reaction and control satisfied him, along with the effect that he had started to build on her. It was not only Will that had started to open up and trust him more, but Rana did too; even though some prideful part of her did not wish to admit it yet.

Speaking of Will, he had glanced away from Rana when she went into her 'Motherly Alpha' mode; doing his hardest not to react to it. He was surprised when Hannibal spoke next and he did not fail to notice his hand resting on her lap.

He stole glances at them, seeing her reaction and even the micro-expression exchange they had for one another. He did not comment anything, although his mind did bring up something that had struck him odd.

With his senses now heightened more, he had started to pick up that the scent lingering around Hannibal and his things; would often be found on top of her. A part of him suspected that it was from the time she spent in his office during sessions, as she informed them after the attack.

However, now that he saw that exchange; he started to wonder.

The attention of everyone was drawn back to the present as Abigail decided to speak once again, her voice now calmer. "I know what people think I did. They're wrong. Why can't I tell everybody they're wrong? "

"You have nothing to apologize for," Will told her.

" Yet," Hannibal added, making everyone look at him. "But if you open this door, Abigail, you won't control what comes through. Are you ready for that?"


By the time they left the Hospital, the sun had started to set and Will had fallen asleep at the backseat. Hannibal was driving them back to the BAU, so each can take their car and drive home where they could all rest.

There is another silence in the car, this time with far less tension than before. After they had talked with Abigail, Rana made sure that Freddie would not be able to visit Abigail directly; let alone unsupervised.

This had offered some sense of comfort and security, knowing that at least Abigail this way would be more protected. Her lashing out earlier on proved that she was struggling and the last thing they needed, was for Freddie Lounds to push her just enough and for Abigail to expose everything.

"You have taken the role of the mother quite nicely," Hannibal said, deciding to discuss something while Will was asleep and while they had some time before they arrived where they had to be.

Rana glanced from the window outside at him, head turned while resting back at the headrest. There was this mental exhaustion in her eyes that only he could see clearly.

"I am not. I simply stopped her before doing something that could expose us all" she explained, although even she knew that she was not being fully honest.

"It is the role of the mother to control and discipline the pups as they grow, help teach them control. Your instincts are kicking in when you are around Abigail, similarly to how Will's are as well" he explained, making her lift an eyebrow.

"And of yourself? Do not tell me that your instincts haven't kicked in or you wouldn't have gone to such great lengths for her" she added, passively referring to the body of Nicholas Boyle that they all helped to hide and cover.

Hannibal was amused, clearly picking up her hints. Were his own instincts truly working? Partially he agreed that they did.

He had spent years alone, not once meeting someone of their kind. The few times he did, it did not end up good. His position alone and his energy were either challenging or intimidating others, forcing him not to chase after any sort of bond or relationship.

His years spent around humans and their psyche had allowed him how to control and use all of it far better. However, he did not have the chance to truly put them to work until Rana and Will entered the pick.

A potential Alpha Mate and a submissive Beta, it almost felt like a gift from God; even though Hannibal was never truly religious. Now, he had a pup added to the picture; forming the perfect small family...the perfect pack.

What he always lacked, he officially had in his grasp. He worked hard and each thing he did, came back to repay him handsomely. Will was already coming at him, finding some safe space to talk and Abigail was already indebted to him because he hid the body.

Rana was the last that was fighting his influence, trying hard not to fully give him control but he was not going to give up that easily. He was stubborn and determined to complete the picture he had in his mind, carefully made to perfection.

"I never denied that they did. I was there when she was bleeding out in our hands and I have been with her every step of the way. It would not be possible for any of us to leave her alone" he explained, carefully choosing his words to ease any suspicions she might have developed.

Rana hummed in agreement, satisfied enough with his answer. She kept looking at his profile, her eyelids growing heavy as the minutes passed by. She tried to fight sleep but she realized her mind needed a small break if she was planning to drive back home.

"Get some rest, Rana. You are safe" she heard Hannibal say and for a moment, he turned his head to look at her with his bright red eyes.

Too tired to fight any command, her body obeyed and it was not long before she had submerged herself into another lucid dream.