A/N: warning for violence. It gets pretty graphic so if you can't handle blood or heavy violence you might want to skip some parts of the chapter. If you want to skip you can skip until the ———. If you have questions about what happens during the part you skipped (I mean it's a pretty important part) send me a pm and I'll give you a basic, not violent summary.

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*Anna's POV*

My heart was pounding out of my chest as we got closer and closer to Adam. I wasn't sure what I would say to him when I saw him again, but I'd do anything to calm him and stop him from going rogue.

I see Isa check her phone and soon after, Will changes course. Jace and Jasper follow. I assume Adam texted them.

Eventually, the wolves slow and we get off their backs. They shift and put on some clothes we were holding for them as they ran.

Isa runs towards me, "They're at his old den up ahead. Alpha Adam and Alpha Ray are discussing strategies there."

I nod and with a determined face I start moving forward. When we reach the clearing the men are in a heated debate. So heated, in fact, that they don't see us approach. The wolves around them though all widen their eyes at my appearance as I clench my fists and stride forward.

Along the crowd I see Marcel and some of my students. Apparently they have been searching for me as well. I smile and nod at them and they all bow in respect.

"How dare you even suggest that I am behind this?!" I hear Ray yell.

Adam just growls in reply, "I have reliable sources telling me my mate is on your land."

"Why would I keep your mate on my land?" Ray asks.

"Because you're a sick fuck! How about that?" Isa speaks up.

Both men look at us and both of them widen their eyes when they spot me. Both men are shirtless, and are only wearing either boxers or sweatpants. I smile at Adam, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "Anna." He whispers.

'I'm home.' I link softly, and soon after that I'm engulfed in a hug.

"Thank the Goddess." Adam whispers in my hair. I return the hug while my strong façade breaks and I burst into tears. Adam tightens his hold on me, "I've got you." He shushes me.

I nod into his chest, "I love you."

"And I love you." Adam says as his voice breaks.

"Where do you think you're going." Will speaks up, breaking Adam and I from out trance.

Alpha Ray is trying to back away, only to be cornered by Jasper, Jace and Will. "Step aside, Beta." Ray spats.

"And why would I?" Will says with a deadly tone, "I have different things in mind."

Adam looks at me, "What did he do to you?" he asks, his voice calculated and calm.

I let out a breath before speaking. I know I have to be careful not to make him lose control, "He wanted me as the new Luna of his pack."

"You what?" Adam snarls, his eyes darkening and full of anger.

'Adam, Cade, stay calm. I'm safe. You can't lose control just after we've been reunited.' I link, hoping it will work.

His hold on my tightens, 'Don't worry, I'm never leaving you again.'

"You didn't have a pack anyway." Ray confesses, "She would be better off with me."

Adam growls again. "You tried to take my mate away from me?"

Ray clenches his jaw, "You're a lost cause. Rogue Alpha." He scoffs, "You have no future."

"My mate is my future." Adam speaks. He takes in my appearance again and grumbles, "Are you bleeding?"

I shake my head, "There is some blood on my shirt but I'm fine." I reassure him.

Adam nods before giving me another hug. He holds me tight, but at the same time his hands are careful, as if I'll break. He takes in my scent and I can feel his grip on me tighten.

We break our hug once we hear something happening around us. Ray is trying to get away, fighting Will and Jace as he tries to reach the edge of the clearing. Thankfully, a lot of the pack members are around the edge as well, looking at their Alpha with disappointment and rage.

Ray assesses his situation before realizing that there is no escape. Will grins, "Nowhere to go, Alpha." There is clear mocking as he calls Ray by his title.

Ray growls and looks at his pack members, "Let me through, I am your leader! Your Alpha!"

The pack members don't move, and Ray lets out another snarl. He then faces Adam and I. Adam stands in front of me protectively and Ray narrows his eyes at us, "It's all your fault!"

I can see Adam shaking with rage, worrying me. "And how is this my fault?" Adam basically snarls. His voice is deep, showing that Cade is on the surface.

Ray doesn't answer. Instead, he jumps at us, claws out and ready to fight.

Adam snarls and pushes me back before meeting Ray head on. He avoids Ray's attack.

I feel my breathing speed up as I realize that this is not a playful duel. This is a battle between Alphas, and it won't be over until one of the two either gives up or dies.

Someone takes my hand in theirs and I look to the side and see my sister with equal worry on her face. She squeezes my hand, reassuring me, and I try to keep the tears out of my eyes.

Ray shoots forward again, and launches towards Adam's chest.

Adam dodges with careful precision and lifts his leg to kick Ray in the stomach.

Ray let's out an 'oomph' before stumbling back. Adam wastes no time jumping forward and landing a punch on Ray's jaw.

Ray collects himself and claws at Adam again, but Adam once again dodges before he pushes Ray back.

Ray growls and jumps forward, shifting mid-air and raising a claw.

Adam steps back but my heart sinks as he loses his footing and falls backwards, Ray's claw digs into Adam's shoulder and Adam snarls in pain.

I gasp as Ray lifts his claw above Adam's throat but Adam is smart and pushes his own claw into Rays stomach. Ray howls in pain and Adam manages to kick him off.

Adam gets up on his hands and feet and starts shifting as well. His cut gets covered by dark, glistering fur as Cade takes the lead.

The two wolves clash again, Ray using his claws, Cade is fast and dodges before jumping at him from the side and chomping down on his shoulder.

Ray tries to shake Cade off him but Cade has latched on and isn't letting go easily.

Ray starts clawing at Cade's body, wherever he can reach. Cade however, still doesn't let go. He has a tight hold on Ray, and his teeth sink in deeper with every slash.

When Ray does manage to shake Cade off him, Cade manages to tear a piece of flesh away with him, which he is now holding in his mouth. He spits it out and lets out a warning growl. It's a gruesome sight, seeing how the wolf is missing a piece of flesh, but Ray doesn't seem to want to give up.

Cade slowly circles Ray, I can see Cade's fur glistening. He's clearly bleeding from the slashes, but he doesn't let it show.

Cade lowers his head and snarls as Ray charges again, he manages to knock over Cade. Cade ends up on his back and Ray jumps on top, trying to go in for a killer move.

I can hear myself scream and Isa has to hold me back, as I try to reach my mate.

Cade let's out a menacing growl before he kicks Ray in his stomach and turns the tables. Ray is now on his back and Cade is on top, slashing at his stomach.

Ray howls in pain and tries to shake Cade off, but his body fails him.

Cade keeps slashing and then goes for the throat. His teeth sink into Ray's neck and I hear a sickening snap. Ray's body goed limp after that.

Is it over?

Cade snarls again and keeps slashing, slowly mauling the unconscious wolf in front of him. My heart starts beating faster. Why isn't he stopping?

I glance around the room and see Will and Jace staring at the gruesome sight with wide eyes. Some of the pack members have looked away, but most are staring as well.

Isa squeezes my hand, "He's not stopping." She whispers.

I nod and then shake myself from Isa's grip. If he's lost control then I'm the only one who can stop him.

I approach quickly, but carefully. I know about enough about the mate bond to be confident, but I also know that once a wolf goes fully rogue, they won't hesitate on killing their mate.

"Cade?" I call out.

Cade doesn't reply at all, he keeps clawing at Ray's body.

"Cade stop!" I yell. My heart is slamming in my chest, and Cade still doesn't respond.

I clench my teeth and take another step closer. I could now reach him if I wanted to, but I remain cautious.

"Cade, Adam, it's over! Please stop!"

This time, Cade let's out a growl. He doesn't turn around though. He sinks his teeth back into Ray's neck, or what's left of it at least.

I gulp and decide that yelling at him won't work. I take a leap of faith, and jump forward, hugging Cade's body.

Cade flinches and growls, but I stand my ground and hug him tighter.

'Cade, please. It's over. I want to go home.'

Cade let's out a grumble, but he finally slows down.

'I love you Cade, Adam. Please, come back to me now. Let's go home.' I link, tears are streaming down my face at this point.

Cade faces me for the first time, finally putting a stop to clawing at Ray's body.

His eyes are wild with anger, and he's breathing in shaky breaths. 'Mate.'

My eyes widen at his voice, and I give Cade a weak smile through the tears, "Yes, I'm here. Please, I need you."

Cade lets out another grumble, but this time it doesn't sound angry. Instead, it's a needy sound. A desperate sound.

Cade moves forward and buries his face in the crook of my neck. His nuzzle is wet from Ray's blood, but I couldn't care less knowing that Cade regained control.

'Mate.' He grumbles again and I let out a choked sob.

'I'm here. I love you.' I repeat through the link.

'I love you, mate.' Cade replies and I start sobbing harder.

We stay in that position, linking each other reassuring words. Eventually, Cade let's out a snarl, making me freeze in place.

"I'm sorry, Alpha," It's Jace, "But we should take care of this."

Cade nods but doesn't move. He keeps his head firmly in the crook of my neck and let's out a low grumble.

He's clearly still on edge, so I decide to speak up. "Can you take care of..." I trail of as I see what's left of Ray.

Jace cringes, "I will, Luna." He glanced at Cade again before he sighs, "Maybe the two of you should head home."

I frown, "What about everything that happened?"

Jace gives me a smile, "I'll take care of it for now. You and the Alpha both need rest."

Will approaches us, but he remains at a distance which pleases Cade. "Isa and I will help out too.

Isa nods, "You need food, medical attention, a bath and rest."

"Thank you." I say. I then look back at Cade. 'Let's go home.'

Cade grumbles again but then nods his head. I carefully stand and Cade keeps his body pressed against mine.

I look over the crowd, "Thank you, for searching for me."

The wolves all nod and some smile at me. I smile back and then look at Cade. Cade slowly takes a step forward, but he makes sure not to lose contact.

I nod at him and take a step as well, and we head home together, my hand on his back.

---

The road home was slightly awkward. I'm grateful for Cade's dark fur. It hid the blood well enough. Me though, my sweater was coated in the red substance, and I hope no police will arrive at my front door any time soon.

When we arrive at our apartment tears spring in my eyes. I've never been so happy to be home. "I'm home." I say, my voice breaking halfway through.

Cade lets out a whine and I smile at him. He hasn't said a word yet. He hasn't linked, he just made sure we stayed connected as we headed home.

I look over his body and stop myself from cringing. "We don't own a bath, and you definitely need to wash up."

Cade whines again, "I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

Cade clearly doesn't agree with this plan, but he eventually steps towards the bathroom. His steps are slow, and his eyes remain on my face.

"Want me to get you some clothes? Or will you stay in wolf form?" I ask him. I know that Cade is still on edge, and him being the more instinctual and wilder side, he's probably hell bent on staying with me and protecting me.

Cade freezes in the hallway and I can see him battle with himself. He then let's out a frustrated growl and jerks his head towards the bedroom.

"Clothes?" I ask and Cade confirms with a stiff nod.

I head towards the bedroom, making sure I keep the door open for my mate. I grab the first pair of shirt and pants before leaving the room again. Cade still stands in the same spot, worry edged on his face.

He relaxes slightly when he sees me again, and I pass him and open the bathroom door. After placing the clothes on the sink I turn to Cade again.

"Want me to stay outside?" I ask him.

Cade let's out another whine and slowly walks into the bathroom. I stand by the door, my back to him. I'm not afraid to see him naked, but I am afraid to see him covered in Ray's blood.

Minutes later, I hear Cade shift, and the shower turns on shortly after that. Adam takes a quick shower. Just enough to wash the blood off him, but not enough to fully wash.

The shower turns off again and it's not long before I feel the arms of my mate surround me. "Anna." He says, his voice coarse and deep.

I turn around and face him, "Hey."

Adam let's out a relieved sigh and then he bursts into tears, hugging me tight. "I thought I lost you." He mutters into my hair.

I smile sadly, "I'm here. I knew you'd find me."

Adam takes a moment to collect himself before he looks at me, "Welcome home, my Luna." Adam whispers tearfully before pulling his lips to mine. I return the kiss eagerly. I've missed him. So much.

Adam breaks the kiss and smiles down at me, "Do you need to eat anything?"

I nod softly. That power bar has done its job but it isn't enough to sustain me the whole day. Adam leads me to the breakfast table and takes out some pans. He quickly cooks up some eggs and places them down in front of me on a plate.

I dig in hungrily, making Adam chuckle slightly. The chuckle doesn't last long before his look darkens, "He didn't feed you, did he?"

I look up and shake my head carefully. "He said he wouldn't feed me unless I agreed to letting him mark me."

Adam growls, "I should have known. Mateless Alpha's are just as bad as rogues."

I give a sad smile, "I'm here now, Adam. I'm safe." I remind him.

I finish my plate in record time. Adam places it in the sink and leads me to the bathroom again.

He lifts my shirt and growls at my badly bandaged stomach. Adam takes off my shirt and then takes off the bandages and cleans the cuts. "It's not infected." He says as he sighs in relief.

I smile, "I'll heal. Maybe not as fast as you, but I'm strong." I say. It's quite amazing that Adam isn't showing any pain. He might have already healed.

Adam nods, "Can you shower by yourself?" he asks.

I'm about to say yes when a thought enters my mind. It's a bold one, but one I believe I'm ready for. Truth it, I've been ready for it for a while. Being kidnapped made me realize how much Adam truly means to me. He's the world to me, and I love him more than anything else in this world.

I take a deep breath to gather my courage before looking Adam in the eyes, "Join me?" I suggest.

Adam gulps and I see the gears turning in his mind. "I don't know, Anna. I-"

I shush him, "Adam, I love you so much. Being away from you has made me realize that even more." I look down to the floor, "I'm sorry for not completing the bond. I didn't know you were fighting this entire time."

Adam quickly speaks up, "Anna, I would wait for you until the end of time. I don't mind how long I'll have to fight if it means you are the reward."

I smile and look at him, "Thank you, but you don't have to wait anymore."

Adam raises an eyebrow and I open my mouth to tell him the words I've been afraid to ask him for weeks, but I know I'm fully ready for now.

"Adam, make love to me."

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Meh, I'm not good at writing fight scenes.

Thanks for reading!