Crazy Little Thing Called Mate

\TWENTY•FIVE/

- Titus -

I stood there panting, covered in sweat and blood.

I pushed my hair out of my face in a frustrated fashion, I had been at this (torture) all morning with no progress.

"Shackle him." I ordered as I took a towel and wiped my face clean before pulling my shirt back on, "we'll continue tomorrow."

"Alpha Graystone," My Beta Evan sounded. "Your collar."

"Shit...is it blood?"

He nodded, I didn't have time to change just yet. I knew I had to find my wife before meeting with my father.

I had decided to wake up early to try and find my answers as I knew I would be busy with everything else. I knew it would be my only time to myself today. I also found that I actually felt bad about leaving Everest first thing this morning, especially given the fact that I had promised her I wouldn't leave her. It also didn't help that my new father in law was still here, or the fact that two of his sons had come as well.

No doubt they came to discuss alliances, something I personally would have to think about considering, I'm not too certain that I actually need their alliance, but to refuse them may be a slight toward Everest...i'd have to gage her relationships with each of her siblings before signing off on anything.

Come to think of it...she IS my wife, a simple conversation with her, see how she feels about everything.

I finished buttoning up my top shirt before exiting the basement, no doubt I would be back down there through out the day so long as everything else was taken care of.

I locked the basement door and proceeded on my way, I didn't have to go far to find a staff member of the house, "have you seen my wife this morning?"

"Yes Alpha, she is in the formal dining room with her family members."

I nodded and made my way toward the room.

As I let myself into the room I noticed Everest standing and ready to leave, I also noticed the tension filled area as I didn't miss one of her brother's impatient face (brows pulled together a scowl to match before he noticed me).

"Good morning everyone." I greeted the room. "I wasn't expecting such a large gathering this morning." I added to help ease the growing tension.

As I walked toward Everest I took in her stance, every thing about her seemed stiff and I knew something wasn't right. That's why when I finally did reach her I placed my hand strategically on her lower back to silently tell her 'I've got your back,' then I took things a tad further but laying a small kiss upon her lips to tell her, 'I'm sorry I left you alone, but I'm here now.'

"Wife."

"Husband." She replied with the smallest hint of a smile.

This small reassurance that she was fine made me ease up a bit, I hadn't realized I had taken such a defensive stance toward the three Weres in the room. She moved about in her chair now, surprisingly pouring me a glass of water. I noticed a small plate of grapes and figured they were hers, so I helped myself to some.

"It is a pleasure to be meeting a couple of My wife's siblings."

"My apologies," my new father in law finally sounded. "Allow me to introduce to you my eldest son Richard and his brother Ash."

Both of the sons arose from their chairs to formally greet me.

"And to what do we owe this pleasure?"