You are everything to me. I will protect you and care for you.

Alanis POV

I open my eyes, and I am alone. Alpha Sebastian is not here. I get out of his bed slowly. I feel like last night was a dream. Being with him makes me happy. I walk through the kitchen looking for him, but he is not in the house. I wonder where he went without telling me. Well, he is the Alpha; he does not have to tell me anything.

I notice a man who I think is Raul standing outside the front door. Why do I have a guard? Did something happen? I hear some talking and see Alpha Sebastian out on the front porch. I am waiting for him. I do not want to go out, and I only have on his shirt. It would not be appropriate for me to go out like this.

I watch him from the kitchen talking to Raul. He finally comes into the house to speak with me. I wrap my arms around him and realize immediately that something is wrong. "What is it? What is going on?" I ask him.

Alpha Sebastian hesitates. I can tell he does not want to answer me, and it is not like I can force him to tell me what is going on that is so important. I notice more guards coming to the house. I become frightened. I begin to shake as he holds me. What is going on?

"Alanis, listen to me carefully. I do not want you to be afraid. Julian and you will be staying here with me a few days under constant guard, okay. I should be able to figure out what is going on in a few days. I need you to trust me," Alpha Sebastian says. His words and facial expressions are so severe. I am trying not to be afraid.

I nod my head and listen to him speak. The words sting my ears as now I am trapped again. I am trapped in a house with guards and no way out. The thought of being under someone's watchful eye is almost too much for me to think about right now. I want to scream, but I know I can trust Alpha Sebastian. I know he is only looking out for me and wants me to be safe.

"I understand, Alpha," I say to him. Alpha Sebastian looks at me strangely.

"You are not my prisoner, Alanis. You can come and go as you want, but you will need a guard or me when you leave. I do not want you to feel trapped," Alpha Sebastian says.

I nod my head. I remove myself from his embrace and walk away. "I am not trying to do you any harm. I am trying to protect you," Alpha Sebastian says.

"I know that. It is a lot to take in, that is all, and you are not telling me why. I trust you, but I need to know the why of this situation. Please trust me. If you want me to be your wife, do not treat me like a scared little girl. You need to treat me like a woman you trust and want to marry. Please tell me what is going on," I say to him.

I look up to a commotion coming into the front door. Julian is raising hell with two guards. She is beaten and bruised. I run to her. "Julian," I say.

Julian looks at me and touches my face. "Now, Now, no worries. I am fine, just a little banged up, that is all," Julian says.

I look back to Alpha Sebastian as I hold onto Julian. "I understand and will follow your request," I say. He could have just told me someone hurt Julian. Something in his eyes tells me there is more to this than he is saying. I help Julian to a bedroom and help her settle.

"I brought you a bag too," Julian says.

"Good, all I have is my dress from last night," I say.

"How was last night?" Julian asks. She looks at me standing in front of her in nothing but Alpha Sebastian's shirt.

"Nothing happened, we only talked, and he said he wants to marry me," I say.

"He told me that he is in love with you. How do you feel about that?" Julian asks me. I sit down at the bedside.

"I am not sure how I feel. I love being around him and talking to him, but how does he know I am the one for him. He could have any wolf here, but he wants me," I say.

Julian pats my leg. "I can tell you one thing, little wolf, you are the one for him, and I am happy for you both. After last night, I will never go on another date again," Julian says.

I take in her words. "Joshua did this to you?" I ask her. Julian nods her head.

"Well, he tried, but I kicked his ass. I guess I can fight in heels after all, but he got a few good licks in on me," Julian says.

"What did he want?" I ask Julian. No sooner than I get the question out of my mouth, Alpha Sebastian comes into the room.

"I think I should be the one to tell her," Alpha Sebastian says, stopping Julian from telling me what is going on with Joshua.

"Okay, then, someone please tell me what is happening?" I ask the two of them.

"Joshua is part of Alpha Jordon's pack. Alpha Jordon is Alpha Raymond's son," Alpha Sebastian says slowly.

I sit at the bedside, stunned by this. I know what happened. "He came for me. Is that what happened?" I ask.

The two of them are quiet for a moment. Alpha Sebastian sits down beside me. "I will protect you with my life," he says.

Julian puts her arm around me. "Me too. Nothing will happen to you as long as I am alive," Julian says.

"I do not want to put your pack in danger. What if Joshua comes back for me, or what if Alpha Jordon comes for me?" I ask.

Julian and Alpha Sebastian look to be debating to tell me more about the situation. "What is it?" I ask.

"Joshua is detained at the pack jail. I am going to talk to him and see what in the hell is going on, and there is no need for you to worry about anything. I am taking care of it. You are safe," Alpha Sebastian says.

I get up from the bedside as I burst into tears. I grab the bag Julian packed for me and go to Alpha Sebastian's bedroom. I need to put on clothes and try to breathe for a moment. Alpha Sebastian follows me.

"I should leave. I will be nothing but trouble for you," I say to him as he stands in the doorway, watching me change into my clothes. The words I speak change his expression. Alpha Sebastian closes the door and pulls me into his arms.

"You are my mate. You will not leave me. You are everything to me. I will protect you and care for you. Now, I do not want to hear any more of this crazy talk about leaving me," Alpha Sebastian says.

Alpha Sebastian kisses me as tears stream down my face. "I love you, Alanis. You are safe with me," he says. He holds me until someone knocks on the bedroom door.

He lets me go to open the door. I wipe my tears away quickly.

"He is ready for you, Alpha. Liam is with him at the jail. No one will speak to him until you get there," Raul says.

"I will be out in a minute," Alpha Sebastian says sternly to Raul.

He closes the door and pulls me back into his arms. He holds me and kisses the top of my head. "I love you, little wolf," he says. With those words, I feel safe.

I know I have to trust him in this situation, but I hope he understands I need him to trust me too. I can handle whatever is happening. "I love you, too," I say.

Alpha Sebastian leaves the room to handle Joshua. I sit down on the side of the bed. I do not cry; there is no time for that. I have to be strong.