Moving in a week...send help lol. I do not want to pack.

GPOV

With all of the excitement at the house, I could slip out for a few hours. Well, a day, but either way, it needed to be done.

I sat at the table and nursed my coffee as I waited. The dinner was busy but the busier it was, the more private it was. More people meant we would stand out less. Except from what I heard, the Alpha I was meeting was the Mayor of this small, sleepy town. Emily had done what I asked and located Robert. He was holed up outside Poughkeepsie. I called the only pack leader I knew, and he put me in contact with an Alpha in Poughkeepsie.

I knew Rose wouldn't be happy if she knew I was here, but I wasn't taking any more chances. Rose had been hurt too many times, and that night on the cliff was the last straw. I almost lost her that night, the only man I've ever considered to be a true friend almost lost her that night.

I could see myself in the mirror above the coffee bar. I looked as tired as I felt, and I realized that I really needed a haircut. And a shave. The shadow may have looked nice, but it wasn't comfortable.

I looked down when a man slid into the booth across from me, folding his hands on my table.

"Gabriel?"

"Yes. You must be Eli," I said and he nodded, extending his hand to shake mine. I shook his and cleared my throat.

"You seem nervous," Eli chuckled.

"I feel a bit like an outsider. This is your town, your pack," I admitted and Eli nodded.

"Brooks said you needed some help?"

"Yes. Someone has been tormenting my mate from a distance. A spirit user. Some kind of vampire – a Moroi," I explained while grimacing.

"I've heard of Moroi. They usually stray clear of us," he explained, "How is he attacking your mate?"

"He infiltrates her dreams, makes her sleepwalk. He's been sending these things after her. I don't know how to explain it. But I know that if I lay my hands on him…"

"She may not understand the drive to protect," he finished and I nodded.

"It's not just her it's affecting. It's affecting her boyfriend too. And me to a degree but…"

Eli clicked his tongue against his teeth.

"Ah. You have a platonic mating. They're rare. But very powerful."

"I didn't realize they were rare," I said and rubbed my hand over the back of my neck.

Eli nodded and smiled at the waitress when she came by the table, ordering a coffee and a slice of pie. When she walked away he glanced behind him before speaking again.

"It happens in about one in ten wolves. But platonic mattings can be difficult to navigate. Does her boyfriend know?"

I smirked. "Oh yes. And I approve. He's very good to her, and they have a history. But I have to keep her safe. Robert almost made her kill herself in her sleep."

Eli nodded and tsked quietly. "That must be exhausting. I'm sure you've had a lot of sleepless nights."

I nodded. "Thankfully I'm not the only one keeping an eye on her," I said with a chuckle. I knew my mother was around often and Rose was trying to spare my feelings by not telling me, but I knew. I had heard Rose talking to her. It was sweet to know that my mother had come around, but I wasn't ready myself.

"So, how exactly did you know where this Robert was?" Eli asked before something caught his eye and he smiled.

"Daddy!"

Eli reached to the side and scoped up a little girl and kissed her cheek.

"Hi, princess. This is my friend Gabriel. Can you say hello to him?"

The girl turned and looked timidly at me, waving her hand before tucking herself into him. I smiled and looked over my shoulder as a woman approached with a stroller.

"Sorry, she saw you through the window," the woman said with a laugh.

"It's fine," Eli said and set the girl down, "Dad's got to finish up, and then I'll be home. Okay?"

The child nodded and ran over to her mother.

"Sorry. Robert?"

"There's a program I'm part of that helps people that are struggling with their abilities. We have an astral projector in the home. She found him," I explained. Eli nodded and cleared his throat.

"Program? Are you having difficulties?"

"I wasn't able to control my phase until a few weeks ago," I explained.

He pursed his lips. "It's not unheard of. You were orphaned, correct?"

I tilted my head. "How do you know that?"

Eli cleared his throat. "I did a little bit of digging before I met you. Precaution," he said with a gesture of his hands.

"I was thirteen. My father left before I was born. My mother was murdered."

"Sometimes if you don't have a lycanthropy around you during puberty you get stunted. It's not anything to be concerned of. You started to progress when you met Rose, right? Very quickly, almost uncontrollably?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Your mate kicked your system into overdrive. If you had been around another wolf during puberty, it would have gone normally. It's nothing to be ashamed of or concerned about. Within two years, everything will be right as rain," Eli smiled.

"Sounds great," I mumbled. A part of me was glad to know that I wasn't exactly stunted, but another part of me was uncomfortable knowing that Rose was essentially jump-starting a delayed puberty in a sense.

"Can I let you in on something?"

I was pulled from my musing and nodded.

"My father and my godmother had a platonic mating. The thing about those bonds is that the strength is unwavering. Anyone can tell you that what you're asking for is insane, but we get it. We would all go to the ends of the Earth to protect our mates. She'll be mad for a bit, but deep down she'll understand."

I nodded and stood up, shaking his hand again.

"Thanks. It's hard to think of someone having my back like this. Especially another pack."

"That's a common misunderstanding. People think other packs are going to rival at any opportunity. But we don't. We're more inclined to help than rival. And you're only doing what you need to protect yours," Eli said and rapped his knuckles on the table, "I'll let you know when the job has been taken care of."

I thanked him quietly before he left, walking out of the dinner. I could see his wife and children across the street. When he crossed and approached them, he picked up his daughter again.

DPOV

The way things were going at Court, I constantly felt like I needed to be on hyper-vigilant guard. So much so that I was almost booby-trapping my dorm when I was in the shower or sleeping. I felt paranoid. But after what happened with Rose and Robert… I wasn't taking any chances. I didn't want to come back the next morning, but I had to. Three days and I already felt like I was at my wits end.

I set up the bathroom before I started my shower, looking around the room before getting in. I was starting to become paranoid, but I had learned that it was best to be on high alert. I showered quickly, washing my hair and body as fast as I could and stepped out.

I wiped my hand over my face before I stilled, feeling dread creep into my chest as I looked at the mirror. It had steamed over from the hot shower, but I could see it clearly.

Get out.

I looked at the door and the small trap to warn me was still in place. I put a towel around my waist and carefully left the bathroom, checking the main door as well. That one was still in place. That was all I needed.

I scurried around the room, tossing the things I couldn't leave without into my duffle bag. I knelt beside the bed and lifted the loose floorboard under it. I had kept cash hidden here, a little safety net that the Moroi banks wouldn't easily track. I planned on hitting the closest bank outside of Court as well.

Once I had everything, I slipped out of the room. I was alone in the hallway, but felt a hand grip my bicep and pull me towards the wall. I lost my footing and I looked to see who grabbed me. It was a Guardian I wasn't familiar with but recognized as living in the same building as me.

"What are you-"

"Shh," she whispered softly, and pulled me flush against the wall as more Guardians came up the emergency stairwell and the main stairs. I shook my head but watched them go towards my room. I looked down at the Guardian, and her hand was still clamped around my bicep as she watched. When the Guardians broke in the door, she started to pull me towards the stairs.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

"There are more people like me and Guardian Hathaway Jr. than you realize."

"Did you write that warning on my mirror?"

"No," she said as we hurried down the stairs, "I can get you out of Court, but that's it."

RPOV

"What do you mean?" I asked.

Eddie shifted and shook his head.

"We left."

"Obviously," I pointed out but Dimitri's expression made the sarcasm die on my lips.

"Is it just you three?"

"Edwards bolted too. There were a few other Guardians who were helping us, but they've all left. A Guardian overheard one of the meetings and what was being discussed."

I leaned against the counter.

"How many would you say left?"

"Not sure. A bunch of them are probably dead," Croft whispered.

"This is getting so messed up," I whined, and I truly did whine. I was over all the bullshit and the drama. I was partially relying on Adrian for help, knowing who was suspicious, but when he went silent…

"Has anyone heard from Adrian?" I asked suddenly.

"Adrian is in rehab. The doctors have him pumped full of tranquillizers. Ever since the funeral," Croft said and I ran my hand through my hair.

"I thought it was a little strange that he didn't meet me after the funeral. He wouldn't have just gone awol like that," I whispered.

"I got a warning in my dorm," Dimitri supplied and I cocked my head.

"What kind of warning?"

"I got out of the shower and 'get out' was written on the mirror. Nobody could have gotten into my room to write that without me hearing it. Or they would have just killed me.

"I wrote it."

I spun on my heel and squinted. It was hard to make them out, their form was not truly there. Which meant they were weak. Even a brand new ghost would have come through clear unless they were very sick before they died.

"Who are you?"

"The last person you'd expect," he said, his voice becoming more clear. I felt my heart drop as he became clearer.

"No," I whispered, sitting down on the closest chair.

"Who is it?" Croft asked.

I shook my head and tried to keep my eyes from watering as he became clear. He looked as dishevelled as usual, his bronze hair sticking up in the careless way it always did.

"Did they kill you?"

Adrian shook his head. "I did. I knew I was as much of an asset to them as I was to you, and I was better to you guys dead. At least dead, you can still get information from me. They wanted information out of me and were using the medications to do it. This way, they lose a pawn, and you gain one," he explained, "It was quick and painless. I went in my sleep."

"Adrain, I'm so sorry," I whispered.

Adrian shrugged, "Hey, I'm surprised I could stay inside the wards as long as I did. But you should have seen his face."

I scoffed and wiped under my eyes before looking at the others.

"He killed himself. He knew that the Royals were going to use him for information, so he took himself off the board. He wrote the warning on your mirror," I explained, turning to Dimitri.

Dimitri sighed and looked at Croft.

"We don't have a lot of time. The Moroi are closing in on us quickly."

The moon was full and bright in the sky. There were no clouds to dull the light, and it bounced against the water. I stepped out onto the deck and shut the door behind me, sitting down on the top step and extended the coffee mug.

"Here," I whispered.

Gabriel smiled softly and took it from me.

"Thanks," he whispered and took a sip. I smiled and leaned against his shoulder, watching the water lap against the shore. I sighed quietly and was thankful that for a few minutes, everything was quiet. Well, I mean, the water and the crickets and the wind chimes were there, but otherwise, it was silent.

"Can I ask you a ghost question?"

I was surprised at the notion. He usually didn't ask me about ghosts unless it was because he thought one was hanging around, or he felt something.

"Sure," I said sitting up.

"My mom…"

"Yeah?"

"How often is she around?" he asked quietly, "Is she here now?"

I pursed my lips and shook my head. "She comes by now and again. She isn't here right now; nobody is which I'm appreciative of. But I usually see her once a week. When that thing first came around she warned me about it often."

Gabriel seemed hesitant before nodding his head.

"Why do you ask?"

Gabriel shrugged. "I know that there are some wolf things I don't always voice, and I figured there were ghost things you didn't talk about either."

I pursed my lips. He was hiding something. He was being evasive without being outright about it. I tilted my head and tucked his hair behind his ear.

"She likes to watch you sleep," I smiled, "Especially when you do that weird thing where you sleep on your knees."

His lips twitched and he let his breath come out noisily through his nose.

"Thank you for telling me that."

I nodded and reached for his hand. "What's bothering you?"

His jaw ticked. "I did something."

I nodded. "Like talking to an Alpha near where Robert is hiding?"

He turned his head and the shock was clear on his face.

"What?"

"Emily squealed," I said with a shrug, "She was worried."

"Are you angry with me?" he asked, looking less like the man he was and more like a child ready for discipline. I shook my head and stroked his cheek.

"I don't understand it, but I'm not angry. Dimitri made me understand why I shouldn't be."

Gabriel looked back at me. "He did?"

I nodded. "In a way. He said that while he would move to the end of the Earth to protect me, you are almost compelled to. And that I can't be frustrated with the action you've made to protect me."

Gabriel smirked. "I swear, the man is making it hard for you to have sole custody of me in this thriple."

I snorted a laugh and he laughed too, his teeth shining brighter in the night. I sighed and took his coffee mug from him and took a sip of it, setting it back in his hand.

"I can't believe that Adrian is dead," I whispered. Gabriel nodded and wrapped his arm around my shoulders.

"Who is Edwards? I saw your face when they said that she got out."

"She was one of the only other girls in my year. She was a fantastic Guardian," I said as I twirled a strand of hair over my finger, "I like to think that she was my friend once upon a time."

Gabriel bumped my shoulder. "She helped. I think that says something."

I nodded and sighed before my brows furrowed.

"What do you think the Dimitri and Croft were telling the Morio while they were double agents?"

Gabriel's brow rose and he smirked.

"I have no idea."

"It was a lot of crap, to be honest. But you know how the Royals are; they'll believe anything if it's funnelled through the right people," Dimitri said, making us jump, "Your superior hearing is letting you down, Gabe."

We both rolled our eyes, and I looked over Gabriel to look at Dimitri as he leaned against the railing.

"Eavesdropping?"

"No, dinner's ready," Dimitri retorted. Gabriel smirked and stood up, heading towards the door. I stood up too but could tell by the look on Dimitri's face that wanted a minute. Gabriel glanced between us and shook his head.

"Don't take too long. I won't save you food if you're still out here sucking face," Gabriel called over his shoulder as he went into the house, closing the door behind him. I scoffed a laugh and stepped closer to Dimitri.

"Hi," I said softly. He smiled at me and wrapped his arms loosely around my waist, pulling me towards him. I hummed quietly and leaned into his touch, looking up at him while I rested my chin against his chest. Dimitri smiled and kissed the tip of my nose.

"Was there something you needed?" I asked.

Dimitri shook his head. "No. Just wanted five minutes with you. It's a full house," he said. I snorted and stretched up on my toes, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. He smiled against my lips before pulling away, resting his forehead against mine.

"I missed you."

I grinned. "It was less than a week."

"Still. I missed you," he said with a slight shrug. I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly, enjoying the smell of him overwhelming me.

"We should get inside. He really will not save us food," I retorted, pecking Dimitri's lips again. I slipped into the house and grabbed two plates for us, getting in line to get the food that was on the island. As we moved down and I ladled pasta onto my plate, a phone lit up on the counter. Out of instinct, I glanced down. It was Garbiel's.

Eli: It's done. She's safe now. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need to talk.

There was an attachment, but I wasn't going to open it past seeing that message. It felt like a large weight had been yanked off my chest. I felt like I could breathe.

The house was silent and I loved it. but I also noticed that everything was quiet still. I wasn't going to complain. Maybe it was increased warding around the house, but it was nice.

I felt a little giddy myself. I had bought myself a cute little pyjama set, modest and safe to wear in the house with a minor, but it was still cute. And I liked how it felt. Dimitri was already in bed, almost asleep by the way his breathing was. I pulled back the covers and started to slide in, stopping and scoffing to find Nacho in my spot under the blanket. I carefully lifted him out of the way and curled beside Dimitri, slipping my arm over his waist as I got settled.

"Can you feel it?"

I flinched, and peeked over Dimitri's body, raising my brows at Savannah-Mae.

"Care to elaborate?"

"That lightness in the air. That thing is gone from this world."

I smiled. "Yeah. But it's been surprisingly quiet lately."

"We, as in your friends, Stanley and I, have been sort of making a barrier. It's the best we can do. You deserve some rest," she explained and nodded my head at her.

"Thank you."

Savannah-Mae smiled. "You told him I was here."

"He asked. I can't lie to him."

She nodded in understanding. "Kiss him for me. And tell him I'm proud of him," she said before she disappeared. I nodded and laid back down, snuggling close to Dimitri. His hand grazed over mine, picking it up and kissing it softly.

"Sleep well. Maybe you'll even sleep in," Dimitri grumbled. God I wished!