I sat frozen to the chair, my mind barely comprehending that Michael had shot my father, and the thud I heard was his body hitting the floor. I was barely aware that Zachariah had moved towards me, untied me and asked me repeatedly if I was alright. I couldn't speak, couldn't move. I blinked a few time's trying to snap out of it, but the only thing that I could think of was my father. That he was really going to kill me. I could still feel the coolness of the blade he held to my throat, could feel the blood going down my neck.

Everything seemed to catch up to me at once, and I burst into tears. My sob's so loud that I couldn't hear anything other than my cries. I didn't hear Zachariah speak, but I felt him, holding me to him. I could feel that familiar tingle as he rubbed my back. I wasn't sure what I felt at that moment, honestly, I wasn't even sure why I was crying. I should be relieved that my father was gone, I wouldn't have to worry about being hit or beaten again. I wouldn't have to worry about his cruel words. I wouldn't have to worry about him, but- I wasn't happy, I wasn't relieved. Even though he did all those things to me, said all that stuff I still loved him. I wish more than anything I could have helped him.

I grabbed onto Zachariah's shirt, holding it like it was a life line. Afraid that if I let go, I'd be swallowed by the darkness that was trying to consume me. In the end, the darkness won.

When I woke, the first thing I noticed was that I was back in the room that Karen had given me. I guess Zachariah decided to carry me back here. I sat up in the bed, thankful to be alone and tried to think of what I was going to do now. I couldn't stay here with Zachariah and his family. I just couldn't. The words my father said swam through my head like an annoying fly. No matter how hard I tried to push them away they didn't leave. Everything he said about my mother, about who killed her, not to mention what happened inside my house. I clutched my head, squeezing slightly.

** **

I paced the living room, trying to wrap my mind around what my father was explaining to me. "So your telling me that you did in fact kill Elehna's mother?" I asked for the millionth time. I heard my father sigh, and I turned to look at him again.

"I told you Zach, things were different years ago. Rouges had plagued packs, trying to seek control of the territory. It was a time where a rouge was killed on sight. I took a great risk in what I did. For all I knew Elehna would have been brought up hating our pack, and finding a way to destroy us, but I didn't."

"Why not? If it was such a risk, why did you let Elehna live?" I asked, trying to understand.

"The girl was young, and cheerful, unaware of where she was or what we were.. She didn't seem like a threat, and even though she smelt like a rouge I could tell she was human. But, her mother, was shifted and attacked us without warning.. I did what I had to do to save myself, and those in my pack. Messing with a mother wolf is almost as dangerous as messing with an entire pack of rouges." My father shook his head. "I'm not happy with how I handled that situation, but in the end I did what I had to do. If it had been any other Alpha Elehna would have been killed as well."

I was sure my father was telling me the truth, after all he couldn't lie to his Alpha. I was happy he had let Elehna go, because if he hadn't I wouldn't have a mate. But, I wish there had been some way for Elehna's mother to live. If she had been alive, things would have been so much different. My mate would be happy, and wouldn't have had to deal with being hurt by her own father. "I'm going to check on Elehna." I muttered, leaving the room.

I paused at Elehna's door, knocked once then twice. After hearing no response I entered the room and seen Elehna sitting up in the bed. She seemed spaced out, so slowly I walked to her side and laid my hand on her shoulder. Her gaze jerked to me, then away. "Yeah?"

"How are you feeling?" I asked gently, afraid of how she'd react.

She shrugged my hand off, and as much as I tried not to take offence it still hurt. "I'm perfect. I mean I should be happy right? My father's dead, and I don't have to worry about him anymore." She said a bit sarcastically. "I should thank your father, but then he was the one who put me in this entire situation."

I took a step back, clenching my jaw. She had a right to her anger, but she was taking it out on me. I mentally kept reminding myself that she's been through a lot and that she doesn't mean anything she's saying. "Elehna. We can talk about anything and everything that's bothering you. I'll always be here to help you with anything."

Something seemed to snap inside Elehna, because one minute she was perfectly calm even with her slight attitude to being fully enraged. "I don't want you to be here! I don't want nothing to do with any of you! Your father killed not only my mother, but also my father. He may have been a shit father, but he was mine! He was all that I had left!" She yelled, her eyes flickering between her brown, to gold. "I don't want a mate, I don't. I have seen what happens first hand to those who have mates, and those who lose them. I don't want that! I don't want to turn into my father, or worse if you do!"

I felt as if I was punched repeatedly, she didn't know it, but she was rejecting me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. "Elehna, listen to me. Neither of us is going to turn into your father. I can't imagine what your feeling, I don't know what your thinking, but I do know you care for me. I know you know that I care for you as well, I won't let you fight this alone. I'll help you through it all, I'll be your shoulder, your rock, anything you need me to be. I just need you to calm down, and relax for a minute." I linked my mother, hoping that she could help me calm Elehna down.

"Calm down? I have just been through hell! My father accuses me of getting my mother killed, tells me that not only am I responsible, but that your father killed her. Then, I was tied to a chair with a knife to my throat and let's not forget that your father shot my father like it was nothing!" I watched cautiously as she began to pace, her hands fisting. "Oh! And, I forgot the most life changing event, I'm going to turn into a freaking wolf tomorrow!" She laughed, not an ounce of humor was detected.

I could understand her side, could understand that she was afraid. That so many things had changed in such a short time, but really the only thing that my mind could come up with to help was to let her rant. To let her use me as her battering board. Elehna didn't speak for a while, and I stood there stiffly waiting for her to start up again when the door suddenly opened revealing my mother. I turned and looked at my mother, and I knew she could instantly tell it was bad by the look on my face.

Go on son, go calm down. I'll talk to her. My mother linked to me, her voice gentle and reassuring. I turned and looked back at Elehna, her eyes continuing to flash between brown and gold before turning and leaving the room without a word.