"Rook, it's been a while."

Rook snarled and blocked my body with his as a slimy looking man walked out of one of the nearest houses and came towards us.

I peaked around Rook's broad form to get a better look at the man as he stopped in front of Rook. He was shorter than Rook, but not by much. His hair was long and dark and just brushed his shoulders. His eyes were dark and twinkled with mischief. I instantly took a disliking to him.

"Keller." Rook said with little amusement in his voice.

So this was the alpha.

"What brings you to my home?" Keller asked with a cockiness that made me want to slap him.

"I came to speak to you about the werewolf problem." Rook said simply.

"Do tell." Keller smiled and then looked down his smug nose at me.

He sniffed the air and then smiled.

"A sweet smelling human. Did you bring me a homecoming gift?"

When Keller took a step towards me. Rook growled, this time for all to hear and shoved me forcibly behind him. This was the first time Rook lost his cool composure in front of everyone and by Keller's smile, I could tell that it had just cost him dearly.

"This is my mate and luna of my pack and unless you want your intestines spilled all over the ground, I suggest you keep your distance." The anger and dominance in Rook's voice had all of the wolves around us antsy, all except Keller.

"Take it easy, big boy, I was just joking. I can clearly smell that you have marked her." It was somewhat of an apology, but I knew Keller was not joking earlier.

"I just find it baffling that an alpha as strong and as feared as yourself would have allowed yourself to be mated to a worthless human." Keller looked at me with disgust.

Rook took a menacing step towards him, but I placed my hand on his arm, stopping him.

Keller was watching our every movement like a hawk. He then swept his eyes around the circle of the gathering lycans as they came closer to hear the conversation.

"Aren't you afraid that another she wolf will challenge her for the right to be your luna? You know she will die if that ever happens." Keller's eyes landed on Diana specifically and that same bolt of jealousy shot through my stomach.

"It's a good thing that we do not go by packs customs and I'll tell you everyone around, if you challenge my mate, you challenge me. I will slaughter anyone who raises a hand against her."

"Whatever you say old friend, now enough of discussing your puny human. Let's go inside and get something to eat." Keller waved a dismissive hand through the air and I had to bite my lip to keep from telling him exactly what this puny human could do to him.

"Diana, take this poor thing somewhere and get her cleaned up. She looks a mess." Keller kept jabbing Rook's sore spot and I knew it was only a matter of seconds before Rook exploded.

"She's not going anywhere without me."

Rook warned and I saw his scrumptious hazel eyes began to glow. I needed to defuse the situation before Rook's wolf took over.

"I'll be fine, Rook. I could use a bath anyway, it would make me feel better."

I plastered on one of sweetest smiles, hoping it would convince him to let me go. With me gone, maybe Keller would ease up on his taunting. Rook looked down at me and took one of my hands in his. I could tell the sweet act amused Keller far more than it should have.

"Very well. Leo, go with her."

Leo gave a shift nod at Rook's command. I wanted to tell him that a babysitter was unnecessary but I was supposed to be playing the part of a delicate damsel, so I withheld my comment.

Diana motioned for me to follow her and she led me towards a house at the opposite end of the compound, followed closely by Leo.

"You sure are protective of your little human. That's good, you should keep her safe as long as possible." I heard Keller's threat as we walked off.

There was no way we were going to make it out of this place without Rook ripping Keller in two.

"In here, human." Diana said smugly as she pushed open the door and motioned me inside.

"My name is Eve, not human." I said with a little too much grit, but I had no intention of letting her push me around, especially when I wanted to rip the hair from her head.

She scowled at me as I pushed my way past her and into the house.

"You'll have to stay out here. This is a female only house." Diana said to Leo as she blocked the entrance with her body.

"I'll be ok on my own." I assured Leo as Diana closed the door in his face.

I was half expecting for her to show her fangs once we were alone, but instead she motioned for me to follow her. She lead me into a simple, spacious bedroom.

"Towels are under the sink. You can trash those awful clothes. I'll see if I can round up some clothes that will fit you." Diana said without ever looking at me.

Patience was never my virtue and mine was running mighty thin with all of these little insults that kept being hurled my way. But once again, I held my tongue. Diana closed the door and I walked into the bathroom. Inside was a large tub.

I ran the water, shed my clothing and quickly emerged myself into the steamy water. I exhaled as I let the hot water wash away some of my tension. I grabbed some soap and started to lather up, but stopped midway when I heard a low, threatening growl come from the other side of the bedroom door.

"Diana?"

No answer.

I heard claws clicking against the hard wood floor that sounded suspiciously like the werewolf's feet I had heard before at Rook's home. I cautiously stood up from the tub and grabbed the closet towel and threw it over my body. I eased my way out of the tub and slowly walked towards the door.

"Leo?"

But there was no answer again. I had to be out of my mind. There was no way a werewolf would have gotten passed Leo, at the very least I would have heard their scuffle. I must be losing my mind.

As I reached for the door nob, my hand stilled as I heard the low growl again.

"Female. Dominant female." A gut wrenching voice said from the other side of the door.

Shit.