Alex sighed as the pine fresh air hit her, she had been far too close to the city for far too long. “Beta?!” a cheery voice came. Alex turned to see the lady from last night, she had been hoping to see her again and compliment her on dinner. She hadn't had a home-cooked meal in a while and that hit the spot. “Hello.”

“Hi, I'm Meridith. The cook/helper. I'm an omega,” the omega says with a bright friendly smile, extending her hand.

“It's nice to meet you omega Meridith, I'm Alex your pack's new Beta,” Alex smiles accepting the handshake.

“You can call me Mer, that's what everyone else does,” Mer shrugs letting go of the Beta’s hand, “So, do you need help with anything?”

“Uh, no. Not yet.” Alex scratches her head looking over the large landscape, “Just enjoying some air before getting to work.”

Mer nods with a smile, “Well get as much as you can, you'll be too busy to get any soon.” Alex turns to the woman with a confused look, Mer points out toward the path leading to the small town made of houses for the pack to occupy. Several people were marching toward the house, all with pleased smiles. “You won't have a minute to yourself. Especially with the children. They are going to eat you alive if they don't climb you like a tree first.” Mer chuckled turning to rush into the house leaving Alex to stumble for words.

“Beta Alex,” Vanessa called, hoping she wasn't disturbing the beta. She had been working up the courage all-day to check on her mate and now was her chance and of course her luck, Alex wasn't answering. “Beta Alex-”

“She’s not in there,” Vanessa froze at the voice.

“Where is she?” Vanessa asks turning to the much shorter woman.

“Being swarmed by the pack,” Mer smiles watching as the Alpha zooms past her.

Vanessa didn't know what she was expecting but it sure wasn't this. Alex stood calmly talking to the adults of the pack while standing as still as she could for the several children climbing her like a tree. “Beta Alex, are you okay?” Vanessa asks with a smile and a nod toward the cluster of children.

“No thank you, Alpha.” Alex smiles, catching a child as they lose their grip, “You have to hold on tighter. Loop your legs around me.” The child nodded and without hesitation looped his legs around the beta as best he could without knocking someone else off. “Now put your hands here.” Alex says patting just above the ball of her shoulder, “You have to find hand holds. If I was a rock or a tree I’d say make one but I don't want to look like Swiss cheese.” the child smiled, doing as he was told. Alex gave the kid a reassuring smile when he asked if she was okay. Vanessa smiled, thoughts of her own kids running around had never really crossed her mind though she didn't have anyone to imagine them with before but now she had Alex. The thought of sharing her mate with anyone didn't seem very appealing, maybe in the future if Alex wanted but for now…maybe just them. 

For the rest of the day, Vanessa tried to focus on her duties but by lunch, she was begging for the day to end or for Alex to walk into her office. Only one came. Vanessa sighed, making her way downstairs for dinner when the sliding glass door to her left slid open. When she turned to face whoever had opened the door she suddenly met with glass. Vanessa frowned, flicking on the outside light her frown deepened. “Alex?” Vanessa asks, sliding the door open.

“Y…yeah. Sorry, I thought you were…” Alex shudders, a bad memory bombarding her mind's eye. 

Vanessa steps through the threshold, instinctively wanting to get closer to her mate. “Who?”

“What?” Alex steps back.

“Who? You said you thought I was someone, who?” Vanessa crosses her arms, who had hurt her mate?

“No one-” Alex shrunk back at the dominance that flowed from Vanessa in waves. Alex took a deep breath, feeling the fresh air feed the flame in her veins. “No one,” Alex says sternly.

“Alex-”

“My personal problems have nothing to do with my duties and it will not affect my duties, so leave it.” Alex growls, a wave of dominance flowing off of her.

“I agree,” Vanessa steps forward, “But they do have something to do with my duties.” Alex frowned in confusion, “As your mate, it is my job to protect you-”

“No one asked you, I know damn sure that I didn't,” Alex yells pushing past the Alpha and towards the dining room.

“Alex,” Vanessa growls, the beta freezes. She doesn't even breathe. “Alex?” Vanessa says much softer stepping closer to the shorter woman, she reaches for Alex’s shoulder, “Alex, I'm sorry-” Alex shrugs her hand off turning to look at Vanessa.

“Don’t touch me.” Alex almost whimpers, her arms raised defensively. 

Vanessa stands frozen, thoughts of what to do racing through her mind. “I'm sorry,” Vanessa steps back, putting a few steps between them. “Can I do anything?”

Alex frowns confused, “No. Just no touching and personal space, please?” Vanessa nods frantically if there is anything she can do to help her mate feel as comfortable as she can. She was going to do it. Vanessa followed at a distance like a love-sick puppy after Alex as the other woman headed toward the dining room.