Warrior Robbie This new development involving my mate has thrown me through a loop. And this idiot who's turned up here claiming to be her mate... yeah, he's really not helping things. There's something up with him. I can't tell you what it is, at least not right now anyway, but I can feel it, I can sense it and I have a feeling that shits going to hit the fan very soon and he going to be a dead man. "Aria, you have my word as Alpha of this pack that you won't be forced to do anything that you don't want to by anyone. Nor will you be forced to go anywhere or with anyone that you don't want to." Nick's words are soft and considerate and I want to hug him for how he's being with my mate. "Thank you," she whispers as she looks at Nick with tears in her eyes. "She's my mate, she's mine, I own her and you can't stop me from taking her with me. You can't hold her against her will!" Talon bellows getting seriously pissed. Oh well, too bad too sad for him. He takes another step forward and I feel Aria's hand on my shirt start to shake. "Not another fucking step!" I growl causing the guards surrounding him to box him in and stop him from moving any closer to us. "I said she won't be forced to do anything she doesn't want to, that includes being held against her will by anyone!" Nick growls starting to lose his patience with the ass. "Then let her go so she can come with me." He growls as he tries and fails to get closer to my mate." "I don't want to go with him, please," Aria whispers just loud enough for the ones surrounding her to hear. I give her a reassuring smile as I feel her hold on my shirt tighten, her knuckles turning white from her grip. "You heard her. She doesn't want to come with you." I gloat feeling more than relieved that she's not even considering his request. Don't get me wrong, I'd find a way to get her to stay here either way but it's much better when it comes from her. "She doesn't know what she talking about. She is confused. Give her to me, I'll help her to get better." This guy is a fucking joke. "I was going to do this the nice way and speak with you in my office but you're just pissing me off now so guards take him down to the cells. We'll question him there." Nick instrusts making me smile. He starts to shout and tries to lash out but he is quickly restrained by our guards and hauled out of the room. "Ladies, children, I'm sorry for what just happened but I will get to the bottom of it. If anyone knows anything that they think may be helpful in regards to this guy then please come to me, one of my brothers or any of the guards in this room. Even the smallest of information could be of use. We are going to go and deal with this issue and then we will be back to carry on where we left off. Lunch will be served soon." Nick tells the women and children. He turns his attention back to me and my brothers just as Tony, Cole, Ryan, and Warren walk into the room looking almost as angry as I feel. "Let's head to my office before we go and speak to that... man. Aria, I would like it if you would come along too. I promise you will be safe." As always Nick has an instant plan and I'm grateful for it. Aria gives him a nod and a small smile but I don't miss the small whine that leaves her mouth when she has to let go of my shirt to start walking and fuck if that doesn't make me smile. Childish maybe but I don't care. The moment we step outside of the ballroom I see her tense up so fast that I'm surprised that her body hasn't snapped already, and don't get me started on how badly she's shaking. I'd want to help anyone in her position but seeing as she's my Mate, seeing her like this sends my protectiveness through the roof. There's not much of a gap in between us so I take a small step to my left which results in us being so close that we are almost touching. I slowly take her hand not to startle her and guide it to the side of my shirt. This way she can hold my shirt if she wants to without everyone seeing. I don't give a shit who sees, whatever comforts my mate is good with me but I don't want her to feel any embarrassment around anyone she barely knows. Of course, I know that none of the men here would judge her, but she doesn't know that not yet anyway, but she will. and soon. She looks at her hand that I'm holding next to my shirt then looks up at me her face a look of shyness and confusion and I get it. To her, it could look like I'm going out of my way a lot more than the others to help her but to me, I'm not doing enough for her. She shouldn't feel scared in the first place and it fucks me off to no end knowing that she is. "It's ok," I whisper so only she hears or more like she thinks only she hears. I have no doubt that at the very least both Nick and Will, can hear us but they don't show it and I appreciate it. She hesitates for a moment before gracing me with a gentle smile and gripping hold of my shirt once again and I swear I instantly watch her body calm down and fuck if that doesn't feel incredible. She looks to the front and I follow suit catching a small smile on Nick's face. Yeah, he heard and saw all of that. Having my mate this close but not being able to do anything about it is torture and I swear the walk to Nick's office is the longest walk of my life and I have to use every ounce of my strength to hold myself back. Once we arrive at Nick's office everyone piles into the chairs available while Aria decides to stand against the back wall, her nerves still slightly showing so I decided to join her allowing her to keep her hold on my shirt. "I'll be ok if you would like to sit down," She whispers. "I'm good, baby." A small gasp leaves her mouth and I silently curse myself for letting that word slip. I know that I need to watch my words around her but it feels like an almost impossible task. "So… what the fuck just happened?" Shane asks and I'm pretty confident that I can say that no one even knows how to begin to answer him. "Shane, language!" Nick scolds looking directly at Aria. Shane grimaces as he slowly shakes his head. "Shit, sorry, Aria. Fuck, I didn't mean to say shit. Oh, goddam it!" He shouts and instantly Aria bursts out laughing, And as much as I want to punch Shane in the face for making my mate laugh before I do, I can't help but smile at her cute laugh. Her whole face lights up and her eyes hold a twinkle that I know is going to be the death of me. I'm going to be so screwed with this woman. She is going to have me wrapped incredibly tight around her little finger and I couldn't care less. Bring it on I say."It's ok, Beta Shane. I'm used to hearing all kinds of words. Please, don't feel the need to watch yourself around me. I assure you that I'm fine." Her words are genuine and whilst a part of me doesn't want any bad to touch her including foul language, the bigger part of me is glad that she's not offended by hearing it because goddess only knows that my brothers and the guys in this room are a bunch of potty mouths and I ain't much better. "So what the hell just happened?" Shane says before glancing over at Aria with a cheesy smile once again making her laugh. Those two are going to get on like a house on fire I can feel it and I must admit I don't hate the idea. I'm incredibly close to my family and having my mate fit right in would be the icing on the cake for me. "Hell, I wish I knew. Does anyone even know who this guy is?" Nick asks as he runs his hand through his head. The room goes quiet but then my mate's soft voice breaks through the silence and her answer throws me through a loop. "Alpha, Nicholas. While I don't know him on a personal level, I do know who he is." Everyone's attention falls on my mate as Nick signals for her to carry on while my gut twists and already I have absolutely no doubt that whatever she's about to tell us next will result in me ending that prick's life. "His name is Talon Beckham. He's one of the leaders of the... pack, and unfortantly,