Aislinn was quickly losing her patience. Her past meant that she could put up with a lot. She could endure endless hours of physical and verbal abuse. She had suffered and withstood numerous years of psychological torture, conditioning and manipulation. She had survived five years in virtual isolation mentally withdrawn and shut down. She could easily deal with threats and physical violence. She had withstood the teasing, ridicule and the demeaning taunts of weak humans without even bending.

But what she was quickly discovering was that she could not handle Sergio Salvatori.

Alpha Salvatori looked like his son. Looking between them it was easy to see where Kaiden had gotten his good looks and impressive build from. Dark, tall and broad the Salvatori Alpha was the epitome of power, strength and masculinity. He had the looks and strength of his son but where Kaiden was just coming into his appearance and power his father had it aged and refined to perfection. There was nothing soft or cautious about the man. He was someone used to getting his way, and expceted nothing less.

Aislinn had met bad men before. She was determined to hunt down and destroy some of the worst of their kind. She would face them down, those that had been responsible for every pain and heartbreak in her life with perfect control. She would not flinch or hesitate. They would elicit nothing from her but cold vengeance.

This was not the case here.

Ten minutes into the dinner it became clear that the hate and rage she felt for those other men was only a pale flicker against the rising inferno of absolute loathing she was beginning to harbor for her mates father. She had only managed to endure the man so far by imaging every possible way she could kill him. At the moment she was favoring disembowelment, courtesy of the sharp blade tucked in her sleeve. Her fingers were itching to whip it out and cut the foul man's tongue from his head.

Since stepping one foot in the door the man had effectively done nothing but criticize, demean, threaten, belittle and make ridiculous demands of his son. She conceded that it had been mildly entertaining when Kaiden had introduced Vance to his father as the Alpha of Pack Silva. He had actually been rendered speechless for a couple of minutes. It had been bliss.

But that incident aside the entire experience had been far less then enjoyable. They were all beginning to be on edge. Having to sit and listen passively as your Alpha is openly insulted while in your house on your own territory does not go over well.

Aislinn knew that Austin and Clay were each only holding on by a thread and at the moment they were both seriously considering breaking Kaiden's Alpha command and jumping the table to throttle Kaiden's brother, Anthony with their napkins - who had been more than happy to aide and egg on their father's non-stop rants. Not to mention he made sure not to miss any opportunity to get in his own jabs at his older brother whenever he could.

And she was almost positive she could actually hear Blair's teeth grinding together from across the table.

Olivia was the least effected by the progressing drama, she was just sitting watching Aislinn expectantly an amused expression on her face.

The Salvatori Luna was doing what she could to try and diffuse the situation but her mate was having none of it. From the little she had been able to observe of the woman, Aislinn found she harbored no ill wishes for the Luna. The woman seemed to be the singular spot of sanity, morality, compassion and decency in the entire pack.

Yes. Aislinn thought as she scanned the table again trying to not hear as Kaiden's father made a rather disgusting suggestion about his son. The Luna and the youngest of the Salvatori children would be excused from the guilt of their father.

Suddenly her head whipped back around to the end of the table where Kaiden sat at the head with Vance on one side and his father on the other. A growl ripped its way out of her throat as the words clicked together. She had ignored most of what she had heard and had tried to block out the rest, as her mate had asked, but this was too far.

She was on her feet, Richard instantly at her side. Kaiden tried to motion her down while linking her to just leave it be. But she was beyond the point of reason - the man had gone too far. She could only be insulted, and have her mate insulted and threatened, so much before her wolf would react.

She was after all, technically the sitting monarch. One of, if not the most dominate wolves alive, and she knew it. Just as it was instinct to submit before the stronger, it was instinct for strong wolves to be dominate; to show their power. Power and hierarchy existed not merely for itself, it serves a purpose. Creating the relationships of responsibility that offer protection, stability and safety.

And Aislinn was feeling the distinct need to reassert said dominance.

He had crossed the line, and she was done playing docile. The insufferable man would learn his place or she would take his head.

Kaiden felt the change in his mate as he watched her gracefully stand from her spot further down the table between Richard and Austin. The rest of their pack and those from Silva felt it as well. His father and his wolves hadn't yet picked up on her movements or the increasing waves of strength coming from her but that would only last for a minute. Blocking out his father Kaiden linked his men as well as Richard and Vance making sure they were alert and ready.

Aislinn brushed her mate's pleas to let it go aside. The only words she could focus on were the ones that had grabbed her attention.

'Listen to me you little f*cking mutt. Not only am I your father but I am your Alpha and you will not disrespect and embarrass me like this. I worked long and hard to get where I am and you aren't going to walk in here with your little tramp and pull it all down now. I support the council therefore you support them. I tell you to heel and you bloody damn f*cking will heel. I don't give a rats ass what you think or feel. You will do what I say when I say it.'

Not only was he speaking to his supposed heir and son but Kaiden was now not only an Alpha in his own right but he was HER mate.

Alpha of the Alphas. King of all wolves in everything but name.

Aislinn wouldn't speak to the lowest pup in such a degrading manner let alone another Alpha. It was unacceptable. She had indulged this absurdness long enough.

"Enough." Her voice was cold and sharp. Cutting through the room like a whip.

Suddenly she had all eyes on her. Kaiden was looking at her worriedly, it was easy to discern his rising inner conflict. Should he stay near the source of the potential threats, in this case his own father and his Beta or move to her side and risk adding an additional target to her head?

"Oh so she speaks does she?"

Kaiden felt a rising growl rumbling in his chest as he took in his father's condescending words and tone. This time he didn't even attempt to hold it back, his eyes flashing black as he glared at him.

"Be careful boy. Don't want to start a fight you can't win." His father's words were delivered without his eyes moving from where Aislinn still stood. Richard and Austin had moved so they flanked her on either side.

Luna Gina and Beta Stephan were up and out of their seats as well. Gina tugging on her mates arm in an evidently futile attempt to get him to back down while Stephan was only adding to the growing tension by staring Richard down.

"You will not threaten my mate in my home again." Aislinn replied calmly her voice cold and emotionless as she easily held the Alpha's stare.

"Or what darling? You would dare threaten your Alpha?"

"You are not my Alpha. I don't care about you and I definitely do not care about your council. What I do care about, is my mate and our pack. So, if I were you, I would choose my next words very carefully. I have had just about enough of listening to your bullshit."

Austin let out a snort at her words, while Richard groaned in obvious displeasure.

Olivia and Blair were grinning like fools as they watched, clearly enjoying the show.

Vance, his Beta and Luna looked like they were in complete shock, staring between Aislinn and Alpha Sergio, unsure what the hell to do.

As much as Kaiden was hoping to avoid an outright confrontation with his father, especially one that would include his mate, he couldn't help but feel proud of her as he looked on. She stood so confidently. Her face displaying nothing expect the smallest hint of amusement, there was no fear, no worry. Through their mate bond all he could feel was annoyance and exasperation.

He chuckled to himself; it seemed his little Royal mate hated politics and formalities! Ha

"Watch your tone b*tch!" Kaiden's father snarled, eyes flashing as his wolf pushed forward sensing the intended challenge held in her words.

Kaiden growled, moving to stand in front of his father, making sure he put himself directly between him and his mate. "Call my mate that again and I will forget you are my father." Kaiden threatened, voice low and dangerous.

"I wish I could forget YOU were my son! You ungrateful spoiled pup!" The Salvatori Alpha roared eyes landing once again on his son, ignoring the pleas of his mate and daughter to calm down.

"Mom take Ciera and the twins outside, they don't need to see this." Kaiden spoke calmly to his mother, never fully taking his attention from his father - who looked about ready to completely wolf out in the middle of the dining room. He had never seen his father this close to losing control before, it definitely spoke to the seriousness of the situation.

If losing control of him and the formation of a new pack was causing this type of a reaction in his father, it meant they were being considered serious threats, and taken seriously; no matter what his father tried to say. Kaiden grinned at the realization; he wanted those assh*les tremblingly in their pretty little beds knowing they were coming for them.

The Luna paled at her sons words. "Please don't do this Kaiden. We're family. You don't need to do this."

"I haven't done anything mother." Kaiden said, throwing a quick glance at her and his siblings. He loved them, but it wouldn't change his course of action - he would stand at his mate's side. He would do anything and take up any role or title that he had to, to ensure he never had to let her go. "I'm sorry mom but he's gone too far this time."

"Kady!?" Kaiden looked up at the familiar nickname from his little sister, tears were streaming down her face and he could scent her fear as she stared at where her eldest brother and father were standing off.

"It'll be okay Cee, just take the boys and mom outside and get in the cars. I'll come get you when I can."

She sniffled once more before her shoulders straightened and set in obvious determination. Now there was the sister that he knew and loved; the bossy and stubborn girl that had managed to survive in a house of boys. "You promise?" She demanded, her voice hard but he still caught the slight tremor that ran through it with her lingering fear.

He nodded at her, hoping she could feel his promise. He would do whatever was necessary to get his sister away from this madman.

"You better you dick! Or I'll tell your mate about the time at the river!" She threatened hotly. He knew she was just trying to push through her own terror and fear and put on a brave front, but her threat still made him cringe. She played hardball.

"I swear Cee. I'll come, but right now you need to get out."

"STOP TELLING HER WHAT TO DO!" His father's voice boomed around the room. "You are NOT their Alpha. I AM."

"Then act like it old man!" Kaiden snapped back unaffected by his father's fury. In the past the power and anger coming from the man would have had Kaiden nearly pissing his pants and running to do anything he could to stop it. To pacify and soothe his father's notorious temper.

Now though he calmly stood in the face of it without batting an eye.

When his father let out another deep growl as his mother and siblings quickly made their way out of the room Kaiden felt his wolf beginning to uncurl from within. He was getting annoyed and irritated at the continued futile attempts at showing dominance. Kaiden could feel how easily he would overpower his own father, one of the top Alpha's in the world, if he wished it.

It was a little terrifying actually, he was still trying to come to grips with his new roles.

"You little shit! I should have drowned you at birth! You rotten little ingrate! How dare you throw everything I have done for you back in my face! You dare ruin ME!? Ruin MY name!? I will have your head!"

Kaiden didn't have time to react before Aislinn was standing in front of him. She planted herself firmly. Her back just brushing his chest, her hands on her hips.

She was such a tiny little wisp of a thing. Barely coming up to his shoulder. Her lean build so slim and slender it looked like she would sway in the wind. While her silky hair danced around her like metal fire. She was an angel.

A pissed off and furious angel.

He almost let out a snort when his father actually took an unconscious step back and away from her presence. The fury coming off her was now fully unrestrained. And it was deadly.

Aislinn looked at the wolf before her with nothing but contempt. He was no longer her mate's father. No he had lost that right with his last threat. She didn't take threats lightly and she surely didn't make them lightly.

"I warned you before not to threaten my mate."

Pulling himself together after his initial show of submission before her, the Alpha attempted to reassert his dominance as he glared at her. "Shut up girly. This is above your head and out of your reach so let the grownups talk."

"Mate I know this wolf is your blood but I ask that you relinquish such ties so I may deal with him." Aislinn voice was ice. Kaiden felt the shift, her wolf was fully out. He was amazed that her power hadn't yet sent them to their knees. Initially reluctant to have her face his father that last comment had him wanting to see the old man eating his words. And having his tiny mate shove him off their territory would be a sweet sight.

"Of course mate. My ties and loyalties are with you and our pack. This man holds no bonds to me. See to him as you view fit." Kaiden said knowing it was all her wolf would need to hear.

"Alpha" Her voice was the same icy tone as before. Cold and menacing and yet filled with power and strength. There was no emotion in her tone or voice but any wolf in the vicinity would have had to be blind and dead (maybe not even then) to miss her rage and unhappiness.

Kaiden's head was immediately filled as the rest of the pack began to simultaneously link or attempt to link with the Alpha pair. Kaiden already knew Aislinn had blocked the links and he did the same right after commanding Blair to take care of it. The pack understandably needed reassurance that despite the feeling of overwhelming fury coming from their Luna she was safe and unharmed.

Kaiden felt his pride and trust spike when Alpha Vance moved so he was standing at Kaiden's right side. Their shoulders nearly brushing so that both of them stood equally and menacingly behind Aislinn. It was a silent but obvious show of support. And when the other's including Vance's beta and Luna moved so they were now behind them as well it only served to reinforce the message. It was a unified show of support, which sent a clear message as too where the two packs now stood.

"You are to immediately and without pause depart my lands. You will take your family back to your pack. You will stay away from my mate and our pack. You will then tell the council what you saw here today. You will spread the word to the other Alpha's. You will tell them how a ninth pack has arisen and how it is led by your son. And then you will spread my message. You will tell them that I am coming. You will tell them how I have already dealt justice to one of you old fools and that they can all rest assured that I will be coming for them as well."

Alpha Sergio flinched as the power of her words and the command in her tone rolled over him. Her words were so powerful Kaiden had to link Olivia, Clay and some of the others to keep them calm as the words bounced around the room. The power held in them was beyond uncomfortable even for them. It must have been downright painful to be on the actual receiving end of the full force of it.

Trying to shake it off Sergio spat at her, his voice filled with hate and venom. "Who the f*ck do you think you are!?"

"It isn't who I think I am. It is who I know I am." Aislinn said calmly.

He might not yet have recognized her but she definitely knew who he was. Quickly she hid the memories that tried to surface at the thought. Refusing to let them slip out and into the light when she knew her mate was still present in her head. Even if he wasn't particularly fond of the man right now, it didn't mean he should have to see what she saw every time he looked or thought of his father.

"Mi devi un alfa debito e lo prendo con la testa." Aislinn's voice took on a melodic quality as she stepped up closer to the older version of her mate. "Qual è il problema bella?"

They looked so similar it was amazing that she had not connected the dots sooner. She could admit to herself, though she didn't particularly like it, that she had probably refused and chosen not to see or accept the resemblance before now. Her mind unwilling to sully her mate with the memories of this man. Physically they looked so startlingly similar, but Aislinn knew now that the only resemblance between father and son was strictly on the surface. Her mate, her Kaiden was nothing like this man. Whatever fears had held her back from seeing the truth before were put aside, she understood now that she would never look at her mate and see the man who fathered him.

Her voice pitched low as she reveled in the emotions that played over his face as she spoke. Shock, surprise, disbelief and then lastly horror. His eyes grew wide with fright as she whispered the words she had heard so many times. The words that would always promise that the most cruel and horrific pain was to follow.

"Non far finta di non volere il mio tocco. Non far finta di non volermi. Sentirai un grande dolore."

"Where did you hear that?" He was pale, his voice shaking as he stared at her with wide fearful eyes. She could hear as his mind tried desperately to deny what her words were telling him.

She cocked her head to the side a fake pout on her lips as she looked up at the towering Alpha with phony hurt filling her eyes.

""

"Chi sei?"

"Non mi riconosci padrone?"

"Impossible!"

"" Aislinn said letting a cruel smirk twist her lips. She let the words hang between them for a beat before stepping back from him.

Switching back to English, Aislinn let her volume resume its normal monotone level. "Soon you will pay for the blood on your hands, that I promise you."