Abigail's POV

　　Coming around slowly, I could feel the ice eating at my bones, gradually melting. Realisation dawned on me that it wasn't just my insecurities consuming me; someone had magnified them, causing my body to become completely overwhelmed and shut down. I wasn't usually the dramatic sort, definitely not the damsel in distress type.

　　The last thing I remember before I apparently lost consciousness was Damiens's face, the noise behind him, a woosh and then the sensation of flying. Turning my attention to the males around me, I felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. I hated seeing them both looking torn up and concerned over me, but hearing Damien tease Jason, I smiled for the small miracles; at least they were getting along- for now. 

　　Hearing Maxwell push me for answers, I sighed; I knew he was right. I owed the people these answers. I know I am being selfish, but I am exhausted; my body feels utterly battered. I just wanted my bed, Netflix and leftover Chinese. 

　　Hearing Jason scold his Father, I sighed, not wanting anyone to get in trouble because of me; Damien joined in, scolding Maxwell in his own way. But I knew he agreed with Jason without saying as much.

　　"As I said, I can get the dungeon ready for you, Maxwell, if you are that desperate to get answers out of this poor girl!" The voice of the man I remember to be Damiens's Dad sarcastically sniped at the pack's Alpha making me wince, not feeling comfortable not knowing what was happening between these two families. I had unquestionably found myself between these two families and their rivalry. 

　　Damiens's Dad moved to stand beside me, unbuttoning his expensive grey pin-striped suit jacket before crouching down. Reaching out to take my hand, Jason's chilling growl made him pause momentarily. The look on his face told me that his 'comforting gesture was more of an experiment than anything warm and fuzzy. 

　　"You are welcome to return to the manor with Damien this evening, Abigail! we will keep you safe for as long as you need." His tone was silken and seductive; I knew his offer was not as genuine as he made out. He didn't want to keep me 'safe' but rather keep me out of the hands of the wolves. 

　　"You can stay until you are strong enough to have the 'chat' Maxwell is so desperate to have with you." He continued oozing charm and power; the way he emphasised the word 'chat' made me tense; looking between Maxwell and Damiens's Dad, I frowned, curious about why they hate each other so much. I didn't want to be dragged any further into this drama.

　　Nevertheless, spending time with his Dad may get me the answers I wanted so desperately where my Father was concerned; I was seriously considering his offer, which given the hurt in Jason's eyes, I guessed bothered him more than he was trying to let on. But Ultimately, Damiens's tight squeeze on my hip- a signal I had learnt to pick up as a discreet warning, put me off. 

　　"Thank you, that's a kind offer, but I have no doubt Maxwell will understand if I put off our conversation until tomorrow. I am exhausted; I just want my bed and some food." Seeing Maxwell nod in agreement, relief crossing his face. "I know how to keep myself safe... believe it or not, I actually managed it for the last 13 months!" I winked playfully, wanting to defuse the tension. 

　　Pulling myself up, I shook away the cobwebs I felt clinging to my brain. "Jason, would you pick me up tomorrow around midday?" I asked sweetly, seeing his smile not quite reach his eyes. He was disappointed I was leaving, which made my heart sink, but I seriously had to escape these testosterone-charged men and their superegos. 

　　"I was hoping to spend tomorrow with you; I had something planned." Damien expressed sadly, running his hands up my back. I could hear the disappointment and excitement, which made me a little curious; what was he up to? I had plans tomorrow, but they involved ice cream and feeling sorry for myself.

　　"Can we do it the day after?" I tried to reassure him, not liking seeing him disappointed. 

　　"It won't be your birthday then!" He grumbled, feeling his fingers slow to a stop, his mood changing quickly. Looking over at Jason, who seemed to be in deep conversation with Archer, I smiled nervously, pushing my luck and pushing into his head, smiling hearing the pair of them talking about my upcoming birthday; Archer desperately wanted to know how old I would be, Jason, however, wanted to play it cool, trying to control his wolves excitement desperately. 

　　"How... " I laughed, turning my attention back to Damien. Shaking my head. "How about after I get back... Dinner?" I coaxed, wanting to ease the guilt that was starting to eat at me. "Morning to rest, afternoon with the pack... Dinner with..."

　　"Damien and I", Damien's Dad interjected, making me nervous. I had forgotten how close he was to me; I had been so absorbed in Jason and Damien that the whole place had slipped away. 

　　"It's a date, princess; you can come for a birthday lunch at the pack house... chicken salad... right?" He winked playfully, making me smirk and shake my head.

　　"Try steak and chips- still mooing!" Damien cut in, running his fingers up my back again territorially. "She nearly ate the whole Chinese clear out last night... after your cheap-skate lunch." Seeing Jason raise a brow knowingly, my cheeks flushed scarlet, making me swat Damien for grassing me up to him. 

　　"Well, if that's everything, gentleman... I am going to get Red home." Damien declared, motioning for Jason and his Father to move to make way for me. Holding his hand out to me, I eyed it carefully. 

　　"I don't need a babysitter; I can get myself home." I laughed, shaking my head. 

　　"For once, will you just do as you're told and not fight me at every turn?" He groaned, rolling his gorgeous green eyes.

　　"Probably not!" I laughed gingerly, holding my hand out to him, letting him pull my exhausted body up; Jason's face seemed to harden, his eyes observing Damien and me. " I can get home by myself, Ace, seriously."

　　"I know, Red, but I want to ensure your door is fixed; you just can't get the staff these days." He mocked, eyeing the pack members carefully, Jason's low growl making me sigh, wanting to defuse the drama again.

　　"Which reminds me, when you pick me up tomorrow, Jason, would you mind not kicking my door down..." I teased, rolling my eyes with a grin. With one arm in Damiens's tight grip, I threw the other up around Jason's neck, hugging him tightly. Taking in a deep inhale of his husky smell, I felt my body relax a little; leaning into his ear, I whispered discreetly. 

　　"I will be 18! Archer." I grinned, seeing Jason's eyes flare up and swim with the beast he held inside, but the lips that smirked at me were all Jason.

　　Giving a polite goodbye to Maxwell and Damien's Dad, I followed Damien outside. Stopping to hug Tommy, who I had noticed had been waiting outside with another male, who I instinctively knew was his Dad- they looked identical, minus a few grey hairs. 

　　"You can keep the T-shirt... it fits you well." I teased with a wink. 

　　"Thanks, Abby. Although this band… is not really my cuppa tea."

　　"More of a Taylor Swift girl, Swiss?" Damien scolded playfully, making me smile at him playfully. 

　　"See you tomorrow, Tommy... Make sure Jason stays out of trouble until then, please." I laughed 

　　"I'd have more of a chance of banging Taylor Swift!" he shouts after me, making me nudge Damien laughing. Turning over my shoulder to give them a final wave, I paused, seeing his Father eye me cautiously. 

　　"He doesn't like me very much", I noted to Damien with a frown.

　　"It's not you... it's me! He is just pissy because my Dad took away his favourite toy." I could hear the resentment in his voice, making me purse my lips. I had so many questions for these guys. 

　　"Oh. Your Dad sounds..."

　　"Like a prick... that's because he is, Red. I don't like him, and I don't trust him... Especially not with you... just to be clear." 

　　Nodding silently, thinking back to earlier, I looked at him nervously, wanting to ask the question that had been eating me up since I first encountered his Father.

　　"Do you know what I am?"