Liam and Gavin had been at odds since they woke up. Gavin, driven by his need to mate with Azalea, was becoming increasingly insistent. Liam knew they couldn't force Azalea; doing so would irrevocably damage their relationship. Gavin's increasingly aggressive behavior was difficult to control. At one point, Gavin nearly took control, teasing Azalea, though Liam hoped he'd masked it well.

"Why don't we finish this and take it to the bedroom? We could put on a movie and eat in bed?" Liam suggested, hoping to tire Azalea enough for a run later, leaving Damien to watch over her. Perhaps some time away would lessen Gavin's intensity.

Azalea smiled faintly, but Liam sensed tension in the kitchen. He spent half the cooking time restraining Gavin, who was determined to mate with Azalea, even if it meant doing so over the kitchen counter.

"Why don't you take these upstairs, and I'll grab some drinks and meet you there," Liam said, handing her the plates.

"Sure," she replied, taking them.

"See you in a minute," Liam began, but a deafening bang at the front door interrupted him. Gavin surged to the forefront, overpowering Liam. Azalea jumped, her fear palpable.

"What was that?" she whispered.

"Go upstairs. Now. Don't come down," Gavin growled. Liam struggled for control, but Gavin, sensing danger, wouldn't relent. Their secrecy was paramount.

"L-Liam" Azalea stuttered, her fear evident.

"I never wanted her to be afraid of us. You need to calm down."

"We don't have time for that. We must protect her."

"Gavin, she's more terrified of you than whatever that was."

"I don't care!"

He turned to Azalea. "Now, Azalea," he commanded. She fled to the bedroom. Liam hoped the Alpha dominance hadn't traumatized her.

"You need to get it under control! She'll never trust us if you scare her!" Liam pleaded, but to no avail.

Gavin stalked to the door, claws extending from his hands. "No one hurts my mate!" he snarled, ripping the door open. Nothing. Then they saw a vase of azaleas—pink and white, like the ones Liam had given her on their date—with a note:

ARE YOU SO SURE SHE IS SAFE? THAT LITTLE FLOWER WON’T BE YOURS FOR LONG ALPHA.

Gavin roared, searching frantically.

"Calm down! We need to contact Damien and the patrol. Let me go to Azalea!" Liam shouted.

"I'll keep her safe. She needs to be mated so no one can take her!" Gavin argued.

"I know! But if we don't want to lose her, we have to do this her way!" Liam's phone rang.

"WHAT?" Gavin screamed into the phone.

Damien's irritated voice crackled, "What the hell is going on? The patrol heard growls."

"Trespasser," Gavin spat.

"Less hostility. What trespasser? The patrol reported nothing unusual," Damien said.

"Gavin, give me back control!" Liam fought for dominance.

Damien's voice cut through the struggle, "Hello? Liam? What's going on? Are you there?" Finally, Liam regained control.

"Yes. I'll send you a photo. Tighten the patrol," Liam said, hanging up. He quickly photographed the flowers and note, sending it to Damien. Damien's immediate reply: "Shit."

Liam needed to find Azalea. He tossed the flowers in the trash and went to the bedroom. He knocked, then softly opened the door, whispering, "Azalea, baby, are you in here?"

Nothing. He checked the bed. Was she hiding?

"Azalea, everything's okay. Where are you, baby?" Still nothing.

"If we were mated, you'd know where she is! You wouldn't have to call for her!" Gavin taunted.

Liam searched, noticing an envelope addressed to Azalea on the bed, with a letter beside it. Rage consumed him as he read it.

"No one will take her from us! Mark her!" Gavin raged in Liam's mind, attempting to take control again.

"I won't let that happen, but you need to calm down! I need more time! Don't you want to meet her wolf?" Liam reasoned.

Gavin was silent. Liam knew Gavin longed to meet Azalea's wolf form, to fully bond with his true mate. But Gavin's primal nature often outweighed reason.

Liam heard a faint heartbeat from the bathroom. He knocked gently. "Azalea, are you in there?" No answer.

"Azalea, I need to know you're okay. Please?" Still no response. The door was unlocked. Using his enhanced wolf hearing, he located the sound in the shower. He opened the door slightly.

Azalea was curled in a ball, her face tear-streaked. As he opened the door fully, she flinched. Liam rushed to her, crouching. Her terror was overwhelming. He reached for her, but she recoiled.

"Azalea" he whispered. She shook her head.

"No one's here; I won't let anyone hurt you," he reassured her. She shook her head again.

"She heard me," Gavin said.

"You idiot! I told you to calm down!" Liam yelled.

"I won't apologize for protecting our mate!"

"But you didn't! You terrified her! Now she won't even let me touch her!" Liam blocked out Gavin to focus on Azalea.

"Baby, why are you scared?" he asked gently. She nodded slightly toward the note.

"I won't let anyone take you from me, baby. I won't let anyone hurt you," he said. "There's nothing to be afraid of, I promise."

Her eyes were red and swollen. He hated seeing her cry, hated her fear, hated the threat against her.

Finally, he stood. "Wait here, okay? I'll be right back." He retrieved the note, thinking his father might be able to shed light on it later, knowing little about Azalea's parents and their deaths. He hid the note.

He made her a cup of tea. He brought an extra blanket and pillow to the couch, knowing he needed to give her space if she was afraid because of Gavin. He wouldn't leave her alone, but he'd sleep across the room.

He wet a washcloth with warm water. He entered the bathroom cautiously. Azalea remained huddled in the corner. She didn't flinch when he approached, holding up the washcloth. He gently wiped her face. She nodded slightly.

He lifted her into his arms; she stayed tense but nestled against him. He carried her to the bed, tucking her in. He gave her the tea. He caressed her cheek.

"You are my whole world, Azalea. I won't let anyone hurt you or take you away from me," he said. Her eyes flicked to where the note had been. She still didn't look at him.

"Maybe we should sleep? I doubled the patrol," he said. She nodded, sipping her tea.

As he moved to the couch, she grabbed his arm. Tears welled in her eyes.

"She thinks you're rejecting her, jackass," Gavin snarled.

"No, baby, I'm not leaving you," Liam reassured her. He knelt. "Sweetheart, please tell me what's wrong?"

She took a deep breath. "Who was the wolf?"

Liam gulped. "That was… Gavin. He's my wolf. When we heard the bang, he took over. It was just a warning, baby, and I promise he'll never hurt you."

"Your wolf took control?" she asked. He nodded. She paused.

"Can I meet him?" she finally asked.