"Let''s go." As I stepped outside, I was greeted by the sight of the press gathered outside. Cameras shed, and reporters shouted questions, but I raised a hand, signaling for silence.


    "I appreciate you all foring on such short notice," I began "I have an important announcement to make." The press men held their microphones to my mouth, eager to hear what I had to say.


    "As of this moment, Elise is untouchable," I dered. "Anyone who dares to harm her will have to answer to me."


    The crowd was filled with murmurs and hands shot up as reporters fought for my attention. I pointed to one of them to answer. "Alpha Ferris, why are you making this deration now? What has happened to prompt this?" she asked me.


    "Elise has been hurt. I will not stand by and allow it to happen again. She is under my protection now, and I n on taking her with me when I return to my pack." The crowd became filled with murmurs of questions, but I raised my hand once


    more.


    "That is all I have to say on the matter. Thank you." I said. I turned away and entered back inside, ignoring the shouted questions and the shing cameras. As I stepped inside, the door closed behind me.


    "Is there anything else you need, Alpha Ferris?" Rafael asked me.


    I shook my head "No. That will be all." Elise will not be hurt again. Not if I had anything to say about it. I had made my promise, and I intended to keep it. Elise would be safe.


    And anyone who tried to hurt her would face my wrath. I would start by bringing her back to my pack, where she would be safe from harm. No one would ever hurt her again. Not while I was around.


    ****


    I tried to focus on the words in the report before me, but they blurred together. No matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting back to Elise. I sighed closing the report booklet and rubbing my temples. I needed to find a way to calm my thoughts, to center myself. But how could I, when the woman I cared about was in pain?


    A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts. "Come in" I said. The door opened, revealing Elise. My breath got caught in my throat at the sight of her. Elise walked in with a determined look on her face.


    My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her beautiful face, but I forced myself to remainposed. "Elise," I said "What brings you here?"


    She bowed her head "I need to talk to you," I nodded, gesturing for her to take a


    seat.


    "Of course. What''s on your mind?"


    She remained standing "I want to thank you for protecting me so far. But I need you to understand something. I don''t want you to take me in out of pity."


    "What do you"I heard about your announcement. You see, I''ve been through a lot, a lot that you can''t imagine and I can take care of myself. I appreciate your help, but I don''t need your pity. If you''re


    offering me protection, I need to


    know that it''s because you believe I


    deserve it, not because you feel


    sorry for me."


    I stared at her in shock. She was strong, stronger than I had ever given her credit


    for.


    "Elise," I said, "I''m not doing this because I pity you." She raised an eyebrow "Then why? Why are you so determined to protect me?" I hesitated. The words I wanted to say got caught in my throat.


    How could I tell her that she had been on my mind every moment since we met? That the thought of her in pain drove me to the brink of madness? How could I tell her that I cared about her more than anyone?


    I cleared my throat "We''ll discuss thister. I have a meeting now" I got up and left the room, leaving Elise looking at me with a stunned expression.