Alex frowned, the wave of fear hitting her like a freight train. “Chief?” Alex asked evenly, stepping between the human and the omega, reaching a hand behind herself, and giving Meredith’s hand a comforting squeeze.

“Uh…I…I wanted to talk to you if you have the time,” Bayley sputtered, unconsciously stepping towards Meredith, a protective aura rushing off of her, “Maybe over lunch, maybe you’d like to join us?” Bayley asked, softening her features and trying her hardest to project an aura of safety.

Alex let her shoulder relax slightly as she turned her head just enough to see Meredith’s face, “Mer?” Meredith flinched slightly, her hold on Alex’s hand tightening it was then Alex decided it was best they leave. For Mer’s comfort and the Chief's safety, “No,” Alex boomed, her voice deepening with rage. She didn't know the history between the two but whatever had happened between Meredith and Chief Abbers had the poor omega scared and that wasn't settling well with Alex. She needed to get them home, get Meredith feeling safe again, and Alex’s anger under control. “We have to get home, we've had a long day and we have groceries that need refrigerating,” Alex smiled, forcing every bit of anger down.

“Yes, uh maybe another time?” Alex nodded leading Meredith to the passenger side of the SUV, holding the door open for the Omega. 

[x]

“What happened?” Alex asked softly, gripping the steering wheel.

“She…she’s my mate,” Meredith whispered, staring blankly ahead.

“Did she do something to you?” Alex turned to the omega, “Did she hurt you?”

“No! No, she would never. I just…I haven't seen her since high school. She was a year ahead of me, she moved away before I matured…I thought I’d never meet her, my mate I mean. I was so afraid…what if…what if they were an alpha? I'd have to move to a new pack, a pack I’d know nothing about except for rumors. And what if they were…like your old alpha? But a human…At least with a wolf, I had some sort of baseline. God, what if she wants me to move in with her? There will be no one to protect me if she is like your old alpha-”

“She won’t. I won’t let her harm you,” Alex growled, a coldness squelching her anger at Meredith’s flinch, “I’m sorry…Was she…mean in high school?”

“No.”

“Okay…is she known to be mean now?” 

“No.”

“Okay, good start. She’s protective…he was territorial. She seemed unfazed if not happy to let you go not to say she didn't care but she seemed fine knowing you wanted to go, we should go to lunch with her,” Alex offered, glancing at the omega next to her as she turned onto the pack’s private road.

“What if-”

“I’d be there,” Alex reminded.

“You wouldn't leave us alone?”

“Not unless you wanted me to,” Alex smiled, pulling to a stop in front of the pack house.

“Okay…but maybe we should bring Vanessa or Ollie for backup and to make sure you don't tear her head off,” Meredith smiled, jumping out of the SUV.

“I was not that bad!”