"I swear, Ava, do you see the way some of the women look at Isla? It's like she has the fucking plague." Erin grumbles, stomping a booted foot and taking a clothespin from my outstretched hand. "Inbred backward bitches," using the pin, she raises it to clasp the corner of the bedsheet to the washing line, the white fabric flapping in the wind.

"Seriously, who still hangs their laundry outside? What are we, fucking Amish?" Erin continues with her rant as I pass her another bed sheet. I know what she means in regard to Isla. Except for Siobhan, Reagan, and Eileen, most women either avoid her or openly sneer at her as Caitlín did. Before heading outside to do the washing, we noticed some of the younger girls, Roisin being one of them, outwardly make fun of her inability to talk back, calling her 'dumb mute' and 'mongrel'. I have to thank Eileen, for her suggestion that we do outdoor chores. Otherwise, Erin would have most likely tried to knock one of them out.

Handing Erin another clothespin, I shrug, chuckling at her Amish comment, "I have no idea why they treat her like that. This whole clan doesn't make sense." I reply, my voice becoming more serious, "I have more questions than answers at the moment, and the more I ask, the more questions I have." Looking at the basket, which is nearly empty, I turn and face the window that I know Isla is sitting behind and wave. "I think, no, I know, something is going on, and I may need your help to tie Liam down so we can get the right answers."

"Honey, you get the rope, and I'll happily tie him down." She supplies, wriggling her eyebrows suggestively, then adding, looking mockingly affronted, "Girl scout style, I swear." Then tilting her head and biting on her bottom lip, she adds. "That boy could do with a little dominance to put him in his place."

Laughing, I continue handing the wet laundry to Erin, "What about the Adonis?"

"Adonis?"

"You know, tall, muscular, blonde, and hot as hell. Thor's younger brother."

"Ah, Shay, now that is one beast I would love to have in straps, and this time I do mean BDSM style." She adds, her eyes taking on a dreamy look, polished nails tapping on her chin. "Wonder if he would let me make him my bitch?" Laughing, I raise my face to the sky and take in the limited sun peeking from behind clouds, hoping and praying that the linen dries in time before they freeze to the washing line. Note to self, purchase them two heat pump dryers, and have them shipped express when I return home. I mean, who doesn't own a dryer in this day and age - Amish???

"Maybe." I ponder out loud, placing my index finger on my lips in a contemplative manner, "You can be quite persuasive when you want to be."

"You know it," she smirks at my response then sighs, stretching for the line. "However, my powers don't seem to work as well here. Each time I try to get some alone time with Shay, something or someone gets between us. I swear, other than the whole dog thing, this place is so fucking weird, almost Stepford wives with fur, and don't even get me started on Roisin."

Piquing my interest, I stare at her, eyebrow raised, and wait for her to explain.

Understanding that I want to know details, she lowers her voice and whispers conspiratorially. "Well, the first night I was here, she was all up in my grill about understanding my place and that the men were off-limits to my kind. Like being a dog woman makes her so high and mighty. No offense," she adds before trailing off.

"None taken, so how did you respond?" Knowing that, Erin would not have taken that comment lying down.

"Well, I was more concerned about you and your welfare to give a shit about her comment, so I just gave her my look and walked off."

Her look, or should I say, resting bitch face, is scary. But still, it's not like Erin to not retaliate to someone marking their territory, so I prod, "And?"

"And nothing, I promise, I've been on my best behavior. I haven't even given anyone a cheeky hand job. But still, other than Shay, the men and even the girls give me a wide berth. It's like I have something wrong with me or something."

Pondering Erin's comment, I chew my bottom lip. "What makes you say that?" I ask, then add. "Well, other than the obvious?"

"Well, it's clear that some of the people here have issues with outsiders," she replies, emphasizing the words, 'some' and 'outsiders'. "It's like they're too good for me or something. I don't know. Maybe it's a breeding thing." She jokes, but her tone speaks otherwise. Rejection is a sore spot in Erin's life, and as confident and outrageous as she is, feeling like an outsider cuts her deep.

Moving to my girl, I wrap my arms around her, hugging her close, and whisper in her ear, "If they can't see the amazing, strong, independent women you are, then they don't deserve you, or me for that matter. Once I get this mating thing sorted, we can both get the hell out of here."

"Not sure if they'll let you go that easily, you know, CULT, and all that!" Erin retorts with what is supposed to be a joke, but I can sense a slight tone of concern in her voice.

"Well, aren't I lucky that I have the toughest bitch in town as my BFF?" I reassure her, kissing her on the cheek and moving back to the now-empty basket, lifting it, and placing it on my hip.

"I may be tough but, I don't know Ava. I don't think leaving here is going to be as easy as you think."

Sighing, I turn to look back towards the main house, mulling Erin's words in my mind. Maybe she's right, but...

"So, have you heard anything more from the nuns about releasing your records?" I ask as we walk along the grass.

"Not really, well nothing of substance." She replies, "Apparently there was a fire, or some other bull shit along those lines, and it happened not long after I was taken in by the Mitchells." Frowning, Erin runs a hand along her face before dropping it to rest on her hip. "My record, 'allegedly'," she air quotes, "was either damaged or misplaced. They're still looking into it, but I'm not holding my breath."

"That's no good, babe," I offer, knowing how important it was for her to understand more about her biological family.

"I know, but there's only so much I can do," Erin replies, sounding defeated as she moves behind me.

Hearing a mobile ringtone, I swivel back to my friend and confirm that it's coming from Erin's pocket. Reaching her hand inside, she takes out her iPhone and looks at the screen. Frowning and shaking her head, she curses. "Shit, babe, I've got to take this. I'll meet you inside once I finish."

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah, just work stuff," she waves, flicking her wrist, "I'll only be a second. Better take this though, reception is shit here." Turning, she walks away, moving towards the trees, and answers, her voice too far away to be heard.

Nodding, I make my way towards the porch, looking back for only a second to see Erin's form disappearing into the woodlands before heading inside. The kitchen is bustling with chatter, food, and delicious smells tickling my nostrils when I enter. Handing my basket to one of the girls, I make my way over to Eileen. Reagan mentioned earlier that Eileen's mated to her and Liam's uncle, and is considered to be Siobhan's second. "Washing is done. What would you like me to do now?" I ask the petite, blonde woman with delicate silver streaks lining her hair.

"Aye, Ava, where is ya little friend?" Her soft Irish lilt flowing as she speaks. For someone so gentle-looking, it surprises me that she has such authority over the other women. Something tells me she's a bulldog under all that delicate, pale flesh.

"She had to take a call. Work." I quickly add when Eileen raises a pale eyebrow.

"Aye, well, lunch is nearly ready. Why don't you go upstairs and freshen up? The lads will be back shortly."

Deciding a few moments by myself would be heaven, I thank Eileen and head back upstairs to my room.

************************************************

Washing my face with water from the basin and finger combing the knots from my curls, I take a moment to survey my reflection in the mirror above. My eyes seem lighter. The usual deep brown of my irises now flecked with gold, like the other mated women downstairs. My hair seems shinier, and my ordinarily pale white skin has taken on an almost translucent shine. Great, I look like Belle or whatever the chick's name was from that vampire movie. Weren't there wolves in that too?

Shaking myself out of my thoughts, I move back into the bedroom and leap onto the massive bed, letting the sun shining through the windows warm my body. Closing my eyes, I allow my mind to drift.

<Doe.>

Griffin's voice floats into my thoughts. Too tired to block, I allow him a sliver of access. Our minds are connecting.

<Doe.>

I can feel his relief as our minds meld together.

<My Doe, I can feel you again.>

My heart clenches as I feel him. The emotions coming from Griffin are intense, but I can limit their impact, only allowing a small portion to enter my consciousness.

<Come back. I can't control them without you.>

<Them, who is them?>

<The voices, Ava. HIS voice. Only you make them stop.>

<I don't understand Griffin. Who?>

I can feel him become agitated. He's pacing, I think. Opening our connection up a bit more, I can see him, his shirt ripped, bloodstains down his torso.

<You need to come home,> voice contorting, becoming bestial, <before I MAKE you come home.>

Anger, there's so much anger now. I don't know this person speaking to me. Where's my Wolf?

<They can't keep you from me, MATE. YOU. ARE. MINE.>

I cut the connection in fear, even though part of me is screaming to keep it open, and close the door in my mind. I miss Griffin so much. Sitting up, I hear shouts and crying from downstairs. How long has that been going on?

Pushing myself off the bed, I open the door and head downstairs. The sight before me is utter chaos. One of the men, a tall blond guy, maybe Thor's brother, Killian, I think? He's slouching on a chair, his upper torso sliced open. Deep gouge marks separating the flesh, blood seeping everywhere.

The women work in unison to patch him up. However, from my viewpoint, I can see his skin begin to knit together on its own accord. Watching with a mixture of horror and fascination, I almost fail to see the other three men in similar conditions. Erin is off to their right, looking pale.

Moving to her side, I whisper. "What happened?"

Turning to me, her eyes surprisingly bloodshot, she swallows, her throat bobbing. "I was, I was on the phone, umm." Her eyes darted around the room, landing on Liam. "Um, I ran into, ah Liam and we, we heard shouts, cries and we ran, well Liam ran, and I tried to but couldn't keep up." Shaking her head, she continues, "It was almost a massacre. Ava, I, I..."

"It was Griffin," Liam's voice cuts in, "well, his beast," he adds, mumbling and moving to stand beside me, allowing Erin a reprieve. "He's demanding we give you to him, and if not..." he trails off looking towards the men.

"Ava," Erin murmurs, her tone hushed. "Apparently, from what Liam said, he was unstoppable, crazed, and then his eyes glassed over, he said your name, and only then did he stop attacking and ran off."

The mind connection.

"I connected with him," I murmured back, then quickly added, "but only for 30 seconds."

"Well, love, that second saved their lives," Liam adds, his body pulsing with uncontrolled rage. "Feck, I didn't realize how strong he had become."

"But aren't you the same? How could he take on four or more of you and still come out on top?" I ask, continuing to watch the women fuss around the men while the others pile inside.

"Aye, Griffin, he is like us, but he's also different, his wolf is stronger, Ava, and there's no reasoning with him when he lets the beast take over." Confused at Liam's statement, I continue to stare at Killian's chest, which is now whole and smooth, not a mark in sight.

"Liam." Siobhan interrupts, placing a hand on her son's shoulder. "Why don't you and your Da take the men outside? Give us women 15 to clean up now that the lads are healing, before we sit for lunch. We can discuss Griffin after we eat."

Nodding, Liam reluctantly moves towards the others, calling for them to follow him as he heads outdoors.

I notice that Shay isn't with them and wonder if he's okay. Has Griffin hurt him too? Are there others worse off?

Siobhan, her face full of sympathy, rests a hand on my shoulder, drawing me into an ample office space just off the main lounge area. Erin follows closely on my heels, my mind spinning in the realization of the monster I'm tied to.

Shutting the door behind us to ensure privacy, she waves us to take a seat before moving to the large oak desk and resting herself on its end. Dropping into one of the two brown leather chairs positioned in front of the desk, I wait for her to talk.

"Aye, had a feelin this would happen," sighing, she drops her shoulders in exhaustion. "Ava, Liam is correct in saying that Griffin is different. His father, ya see, was our old, natural-born Alpha, and with that came gifts. His bloodline is what you might call pure, and Griffin is the same. They're larger, faster, and deadlier than a regular werewolf. They have the power to control others if they so choose to do so."

I pale, the blood draining from my face, my heartbeat increasing, and an overwhelming sense of dizziness taking over. Siobhan, noticing my distress, moves in front of me and presses her warm hands on either side of my face, her soothing voice telling me to breathe. Breathe in, breathe out.

I can't. They can't stop him. I can't. I need time.

Breathe in, breathe out.

They can't protect me. If I stay here, he will hurt them.

Breathe in, breathe out...

So dizzy, I feel sick, I'm going to, fuck not again. Fucking, FUCK, stupid, weak... ARGGGG!

"Ava," Erin cries, and everything goes black again...  

Cheers to my readers - and my new ones... I hope you are all enjoying the story. Your likes and comments have been a massive drive to keep this book going :)IMPORTANT NOTE - next chapter will start moving into some scenes that may cause triggers in some readers - I will do my best to ensure that there are warning in the sections applicable...I will hopefully post the next chapter in a few days - COVID working from home can be distracting from my job as an inspiring novelist (Bahahahahaha), but cheeky comment - the more likes I get, the more inspired I am to post