Eric took Quinn to a dinner where they stuffed their faces with burgers and fries and sundaes. When it was time, he said goodbye leaving her at the airport to catch her flight. Quinn was thankful Eric had found her and that his pack had been so good to her. She might have let herself die right on that floor had it not been for them.

She quickly checked her luggage and boarded the plane. Quinn sat there fiddling with the ring she no longer felt she deserved. She contemplated returning it to him but pushed those thought aside quickly before they overwhelmed her.

Alivia and mom are going to be thrilled. I don't know how I will possibly face Christopher after what I allowed him to go through.

Sigh. I guess I'll worry about it when I get there. Quinn drifted off to sleep, allowing herself to be at peace for at least a little while.

*********************************************

Christopher spent the day avoiding everyone when possible. He couldn't neglect his duties to the pack, but his mind was somewhere else. His wolf was seething and Christopher wasn't sure if he could stop him from taking control. He wanted to tear them both to pieces for what they had done, what she had done.

He made up his mind. If rejection was what she wanted, it was what he was going to give her. If this was her way of telling him that she didn't want a mate, message loud and clear, he thought. I'll save her the burden of having me and she can sleep with whoever she wants.

Christopher was snapped out of his thoughts by a mind-link from Evan. 'I'm heading out with Sarah for the some business. I'll be back in a couple of hours. Take care of the nightly sweep and I'll fill you in tomorrow.'

'Yes Alpha,' responded Christopher as he headed towards the meeting area to organize the team for the nightly sweep.

*********************************************

Quinn quickly deboarded the plane and collected her luggage from conveyer. She walked out into the pick-up area not sure what to expect. She was thankful that it was Evan and Sarah that had come to pick her up. She wasn't quite ready to face anyone else, even her mother and Alivia.

She walked up to them hesitantly and bowed her head. Sarah brought her into a hug which shocked Quinn but she leaned into it. Sarah and Quinn were never really friends but Sarah was always very kind to her.

"Alpha, Luna.. thank you for coming for me."

"No need to thank us. We look after the members of our pack and when one is in need, we do what we can to help," Sarah said with a smile.

"I'm hoping we can talk about what happened tomorrow afternoon after you've had some rest."

"Of course, Alpha. May I make a request?" Asked Quinn softly.

"What's your request?" Asked Evan.

"What happened was very personal and I would feel more comfortable if it was just you and Luna Sarah present. I... I'm not quite ready for everyone to know what happened. I'd like to tell them in my own time."

"Was it that bad?" Asked Luna Sarah.

Tears started to form in Quinn's eyes. "Yeah... it's the worst thing that's ever happened to me," she managed to get it before breaking into a sob. The pair remained silent for the rest of the trip as Quinn tried to regain her composure and having no success at all.

When they arrived at Quinn's house, Evan helped Quinn get her bags out of the car. Quinn thanked them both and waved goodbye. Not sure what to do, she knocked.

"I wonder who it could be at this hour," said Ellie as she opened the door. A huge smile spread across her face. "Oh honey," she wrapped her arms around her daughter in a tight hug.

"Hi mom," said Quinn into her mother's shoulder.

"I thought you wouldn't be home for another four months?!?"

"Surprise... I graduated early."

"What am I doing? Come in!" Ellie grabbed Quinn's bags and ushered her in. "Are you hungry? Would you like some coffee?"

"No, mom, I'm actually just wanting to go to bed."

"Oh, how silly of me! Of course, you must be exhausted."

"We'll talk in the morning, okay?"

"Of course sweetheart, I love you."

"I love you too, mom. See you in the morning." Quinn smiled at her mother, grabbed her bags and headed up to her room.

As soon as she walked through the door, she threw her bags on the floor and and collapsed on top of her bed. She was happy to be home where she was safe.

*********************************************

'The sweep is complete. We didn't find any rogues tonight. Their numbers seem to be dwindling.'

'Good. Thanks for the update Christopher. Come by tomorrow morning. Go home and get some rest.'

'Yes Alpha. Goodnight.'

Christopher closed the door behind him and walked to the kitchen. He pulled a decanter from a cabinet and poured himself a stiff drink. He felt something was different on the territory but he couldn't place exactly what it was.

He rubbed his face in his hands in utter exhaustion. He was tired and worn. He didn't know he could be so angry for so long and it slowly chipped away at him, crumbling the very foundation of who he was. He was losing himself.

He threw back his drink and walked upstairs to his bathroom where he undressed and stepped into the shower. He tilted his head back under the hot water letting it fall all over him, giving him the warmth he desired. Christopher looked down and watched the water circle the drain wishing it would take his anger and worries and pain down with it; just wash it all away.

His wolf alternated between fighting to the forefront in absolute rage and disappearing into the darkest crevices of Christopher's mind.

The beta stepped out of the shower and dried off. He climbed into bed and attempted to fall asleep. He rolled over to his side, facing the window. He watched the moon shining brightly in the sky, taunting him. Christopher wanted to curse the moon goddess for the fate she had bestowed upon him.

You love to see your children suffer, he thought. I reject the curse you have bestowed upon me. I will reject her and I will choose a mate that is faithful, one worthy of the title of beta female. One that wants me.

Why am I not enough?