I frowned at him, not liking the way he was speaking. I would have appreciated the offer of help if he had presented it as an offer and not a demand. Hadn't he learned anything in our time together?

I was about to open my mouth and argue but stopped before my lips could part. Sometimes it took a while for me to realize that my emotions were driving me to a disadvantage. Ezra was right, I needed to be educated before I killed myself because I wanted to go for a quick stroll or something. Ryder was offering that with a passion that was hard to find in an instructor. He wouldn't half-ass anything he taught me.

"10," I negotiated.

He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. "5."

I opened my mouth to counter his offer and suggest starting at 9 am instead. Ares had spoiled me by allowing me the luxury of sleeping in since I met him. The thought of returning to waking before the sun rose haunted me.

Before I could get a word out, Ryder stopped me, rising his hand.

"Just know, I had originally planned to start at 6. With each counter, we start an hour earlier."

I considered messing with him and countering until it pushed back into the PM, but I could see he wasn't in the mood to play games, not regarding my safety.

"Fine."

The satisfied smirk that curled his teeth had me gritting my teeth in annoyance.

A loud clatter from the side had me jumping and grabbing at my chest. Turning towards the noise, I watched as Ezra placed a stone that was about the size of my head into a large metal bowl decorated with intricate patterns.

Ryder stepped up to my side with his arms crossed and sighed. "This isn't going to be pleasant," he muttered under his breath, causing my heart rate to pick up in concern for him and what was about to happen. Were blood transfusions painful?

"What isn't?" I asked. "What's Ezra doing?"

Ryder looked down at me with a gentle smile. Like with any unwarranted kindness from him, I found myself growing suspicious. It surprised me when I found nothing contradicting the gentle warmth when I looked into his eyes, easing my suspicion. He gently plopped a hand down on my head and ruffled my hair to my annoyance.

I knew it was a trick.

I tried to swat him away but didn't need to for long since he withdrew with a soft chuckle. "Don't worry, sweetheart, he's just preparing the blood transfusion. Ancient blood doesn't like to cooperate with modern advancements so the process is a little archaic."

I couldn't stop a snort as a thought came to kind. "It's hard to see your blood as rebellious given how cooperative you are," I answered, referring to earlier.

The gleam that was lacking from his smile earlier once again returned. Before I could escape, he dropped his arm over my shoulder and pulled me to his side, trapping me.

He lowered his head, bring his lips closer to my ear. "Anything for my mate. If you need to stick a small glass stick up my ass to feel better, go right ahead."

His words had me struggling to hide a laugh that was trying to force its way out with the imagery his words produced, but the ones that followed in a lower voice had the blood draining from my face.

"It's not like I won't be putting anything in yours."

Another loud sound had me jerking when Ezra slammed the metal bowl from earlier down onto the table. Red liquid sloshed over the side from the force, landing onto the black surface.

Was that...

I took my eyes off the liquid before it could throw me back into memories that had my throat drying.

I pushed Ryder away, my face flaming, but his arm seemed impossible to move. Instead, I focused on Ezra who had thrown a few ingredients into a mortar and had begun grinding them with a pestle.

Ryder's hand on my arm tensed when Ezra lifted the mortar to dump the ground mixture into the bowl he had been taking his frustrations out on. He let go of me and rushed forward before he could.

"Woah, what the fuck is that?"

He grabbed the mortar from his hands. As he pulled it away, a few specks of the ground mixture spilt over the edge and into the bowl, earning another curse from him. He tried to reach in and pick up the pieces, but Ezra smacked his hand away.

Ezra rolled his eyes and grabbed the mortar back from him effortlessly. The sight was amusing, the eye roll was something I hadn't seen in a while. It saddened me how much everything had changed since then. All because of one lie.

Well, there was one to blame than just the lie, but that was the breaking point.

"It removes any toxins or impurities in the blood," Ezra informed him as he dumped the contents around the rock that sat in the center.

Wait, wasn't that rock a lighter colour a few moments ago?

"I thought the stone did that," Ryder countered as I watched the stone darken further before my eyes.

"It does," Ezra said, stirring around with a long metal spoon. "But this speeds up the absorption process."

Ryder watch slightly along with me as the once light grey stone turned a grey that was nearly black. He didn't say anything and backed down. He took a step back, his eyes watching Ezra's every move with suspicion.

I stepped up to him and place a hand on his tense arm. "Don't worry I doubt he'd do anything to harm you. It would end up harming his friends in turn through me," I comforted.

Though the words eased Ryder, they caused Ezra to still mid-action. He cleared his throat and began to busy his hands putting his supplies away.

"You can put your hand on it," he said to Ryder without looking up.

"Already?" He peered into the bowl, I followed.

The blood was gone and the stone near black with a red hue. All that littered the bottom of the metal bowl around the stone were wet pieces of the ground mixture.

"Like I told you, it purifies and speeds up the process." He didn't look up, his chocolate curls covering his eyes.

Ryder gave a reluctant grunt of acknowledgment. When he stepped forward, I dropped my hand from his arm and stepped back, wanting to get away from the blood that had seemingly vanished. The memories of returning to a scene full of it were still too fresh.

He reached down and gave my hand a gentle squeeze before releasing me and taking a seat on the stool the bowl was placed in front of. Cracking his fingers, he wiggled them before bringing them down to the stone.

My heart jumped into my throat when he released a hiss of pain.

"Don't worry, minor discomfort is normal. The stone pushes the purified blood into his veins through his palms. It's not the most comfortable process."

I looked up at Ezra. I hadn't noticed him approach since Ryder was occupying my focus.

I smiled my thanks at him. He returned it with one of his own, but I could see it didn't reach his eyes.

I turned my eyes back to Ryder, wanting to keep watch and make sure nothing went wrong from the short distance I stood at.

"Nea..." Ezra started, his voice sounding unsure.

I looked over to him to find him nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"Is it alright... if I take a look at your back?"

I tensed. His words make my back itch, reminding me of the blinding pain that once existed there.

A barked laugh sounded from Ryder. "There's no need. I already heal-"

He froze suddenly, his body tensing.

"What do you know about her back?" His voice dropped dangerously.

Ezra visibly swallowed, but I had a feeling it wasn't because of the shift that had occurred in Ryder.

"I was the one responsible-"

Before he could get tall the words out, I was releasing a scream of surprise and stumbling back out of the way as a large white blur approached. It hit Ezra in the chest knocking him to the ground.

A growl shook the room.

I gasped when my eyes locked on red. First, the red blood-coated paw that was helping pin Ezra down. Next was the red flowing from Ryder's mouth where his jaw was tightly clamped around his neck.

"Ryder!" I shouted, my eyes widening when he tightened his jaw, causing Ezra's face to twist further in pain.

Did I have to almost die again to get him to stop attacking the man?

I jumped onto his back before I could think too much and talk myself out of it.

Yes, Ezra may have played a part in the event that took place, but he couldn't be blamed. He looked as surprised as I had been when the reason for Zev's sudden kindness was revealed. Turned out it was all an act.

"It wasn't him!" I yelled as I dug my hands into Ryder's fur and pulled, trying to get him to let go.

It didn't work.

"Ryder, if you don't let go, I'll-" my words cut off as my mind went blank. What could I threaten to do that would get him to release him? "I'll never speak to you again!" I threw out weakly, not able to come up with a better threat than the silent treatment.

I didn't know if it was my threat or the harsh tug that I gave his blue-tipped ear, but he released Ezra with a small whine. I grabbed what looked like a lab coat from the back of a chair before pushing Ryder away and pressing it firmly down against Ezra's neck before my eyes could see too much red.

I didn't realize how harshly I was breathing until gentle fingers reached for my hands and Ezra's choked voice reached my ears under the laboured breaths.

"I deserved worse."

I released a breath of relief. Ryder hadn't killed him.

"Even if you do, it's not for you or Ryder to decide!" I snapped after recovering my breath.

"He hurt you."

I snapped a glare towards Ryder who now stood in his human form. His seething words only drove my anger higher. We were here to see if he was alright, not to create more patients.

"So did you," I retorted before rising my hand that bore his mark as proof. Getting bitten didn't feel good.

Most of the time.

His eyes narrowed. He didn't have to say it, I already knew comparing his bite to the damage that had been done to my back was ridiculous. They weren't the same in the slightest.

"Just finish your damn transfusion and then we can go," I snapped at him before turning my focus completely on Ezra.

I could feel Ryder's anger and frustration growing in my chest. He didn't like how I was caring for the one who had brought me harm, but he hasn't. He just didn't believe me.

He watched me for a moment as I fussed over Ezra before grinding his teeth together and wordlessly turning away.

I didn't watch to make sure he continued the transfusion. I was too focused on the problem he had created.

Ezra's hands reached up to grab mine. "It's okay," he tried to calm me. "He didn't get me too bad, just a nick."

He pulled my hands away to reveal a few puncture wounds that had stopped bleeding. I could even see the edges of them slowly healing and shrinking.

A snort sounded in the room. "Contrary to what she may believe, I'm not stupid."

"Well, you've done an excellent job convincing me," I snapped at Ryder.

"You've done well to convince me, too. I thought you didn't want a part of any of this," he said throwing his arms wide. "So why are you protecting one of the men that's helping the one trying to impregnate you? I heard Doc here's been giving pointers on how to win you over."

I tensed. The news wasn't new to me, I had already heard.

I pulled my hands away as it became clear that he was fine.

"You knew."

Ezra's whispered words had me looking away. Dropping the coat I had used to stop the blood that wasn't even flowing at his side, I got up.

Once I was standing, I found myself facing Ryder. The sudden appearance nearly gave me a heart attack. Would it have killed them to be a little considerate and stop with the jump scares?

I fixated my eyes on his chest, not wanting to see his face after looking at blood. I was sure to fall into a spiral none of us wanted to deal with. I could already feel the cloud of worry and fear reforming over my head as the escape from reality that last night gave ended.

"Sweetheart."

The soft tone of Ryder's voice had me clenching my jaw tight. Not in anger, but to hold back the tears that were burning the back of my eyes and throat. I don't know why but the softness in his voice hit me hard, damaging the walls I had built around everything I didn't want to face, like how little control I still had.

With hands free of blood, he pulled me towards him, wrapping me in his embrace. I couldn't let stop tears from silently streaming down my face. All I could do was bury my face in Ryder's bare chest to hide them. There was no doubt he couldn't feel the tears wet his skin.

I didn't have much time to dwell on it the previous night. Ares had done a good job distracting me, but even the pleasant ache that still remained couldn't take my mind off the threat that roamed under the same roof as me.

I still had to see how he was going to react when I saw him next. I had felt a flare from his end of the bond at some point in the night. It was brief, but it was there. He knew what Ares and I had done.

Ryder soothingly ran his hand up and down my back as I silently cried into his chest.

"Nea."

Ezra's voice was what finally brought my tears to a stop, reminding me we weren't alone. I held my breath, silencing the hitches of my breath that came with heavy tears.

Ryder's arms tightened around me as he turned me away from him. "If you're that desperate for death, we can schedule a time and place. Unlike your friends, I have no reason to spare your life."

"Nea,' he continued, ignoring Ryder's threat and focused on me. His eyes met mine as I peered around Ryder's arm. "He told me he wouldn't touch you unless you explicitly wanted it. I made him swear a blood oath."

Ryder snorted. "What reason do we have to believe a word-"

"But," Ezra continued, once again ignoring Ryder and causing his ear to twitch in annoyance. "I know that means nothing to you." He lifted his hand and presented a small, flat, white dot. It was about the size of my pinky nail. "I know it's not much, but if unwanted pregnancy is one of your concerns, then I can help. Contraception."

My eyes widened when his words registered. Ryder felt my immediate jerk in reaction to the temporary ease of mind Ezra was offering. He tightened his arms in response.

"We have no way of knowing if he's offering what he says he is," he warned in my ear, keeping a level head.

"I can get you any kind that you're familiar with and that she would be in control of if you have any doubts."

I looked towards Ezra in surprise, not expecting his help let alone the extra effort to make me feel reassured. When I looked at him, my eyes widened in terror. Not because of him, but who stood just behind him.

"The ones I've heard that are the most effective and easy to use are-"

I lunged out of Ryder's arms, adrenaline pushing my body to do what it needed to before my panicking mind could catch up.

I slammed my hands over Ezra's mouth before he could get a damning word out. The force of my body colliding with his caused him to stagger sending us back into the man who had appeared out of thin air behind him.

"Most effective at what?" Cassius asked with a raised brow as he looked down at us. His hard face showed displeasure.