Luke and Michelle had taken the kids to the cinema, Jas, Coveney, and Ava were patrolling today, and the rest of the pride was waiting for them in the lounge.

Ari and Theo introduced themselves to Tania before Daunte took the floor, summarizing the situation.

"All right, so it's a lot more complicated than we first thought. Good news for you, Tania, it wasn’t your dad who shared your info. One of his contacts saw it.”

She looked visibly relieved.

“Apparently, there's a whole bunch of anti-shifters on a private network. Their security was laughable. We got hold of Kaylie, in Knox's team, and she says even you would have been able to crack it yourself." 

Ian tried not to feel insulted. 

"But at this point, I'd say we're in a Hydra situation. Cut off one head, three appear. A few thousand people saw the posts and offered to drive or fly all the way to Cali to, and I quote, 'teach the bitch a lesson'." 

Ian tried to remain calm, knowing he was watched. God knew Tania was freaking out enough as it was. 

Fuck, his animal needed out; he wanted to tear into something and feel blood on his tongue. His hands were practically shaking.

"I've looked into situations like this in the past. Long story short, the regulars either got a new identity or remained under the protection of the sups. Those who walked away were found in pieces."

They'd always said it like it was, but Ian seriously wished Daunte had toned it down.

"So, what, I'm stuck here for the rest of my life? No way."

"Tania, we're talking about you being burned alive."

"And I totally want to avoid that. But I also don't want to be forced to stay in an unfamiliar place forever. I only have my job at Valley Vets until my uncle is better, anyway. What then?"

Damn her and her independent streak. Most men and women would just have accepted protection without making a fuss.

"I agree; we need to find a solution that doesn't rely on you staying with us," said Rye.

What the hell? 

"No offense, but I can't afford to have enforcers on you for a long time," the alpha added. "Anyone have an idea?"

"We've wiped the info from the site, but it keeps popping back up," Daunte told them. "I say we intimidate whoever is putting her shit online and make an example out of them." 

Ace sighed. "We can't take public action without repercussions unless we're provoked. The PIA may be down, but the shifter council won't have it. The last thing we need is to give them another reason to hunt us down. We can't count on outside help this time."

"So, we make them provoke you," Tania said.

Rye's eyes were set on her.

"You know what you're saying?"

"They want me, don't they? Make them come at me, preferably publicly, and intervene after they've made the first move."

Insane. The woman was insane, there was no other explanation.

"That's the worst idea in the history of terrible ideas."

Ian was thoroughly ignored.

"Might work," said Ace. "We'll speak to Hsu after her movie."

"No way. Guys, she's a regular. They're pretty damn fragile."

Tania was offended, but it was Clari who snorted and replied, "As a former regular, I can attest that we aren't made of porcelain."

"Sure thing, but you still wouldn't have been able to take on a bunch of humans if they came at you."

"The idea is for us to help her before they hurt her," Rye said.

"Sure. And what if they pull a knife and slice her throat in the minute it takes for us to get there? What then?"

At least Tania seemed worried this time. After a second, she cleared her throat and said, "That's a risk. But so is doing nothing, anyway."

Fucking hell.

Ian didn't think he'd ever been this furious. He was pissed at Tania, his pride, his alphas, everything. She couldn't risk her skin like that. She just couldn't. 

Sometime in the next instants, he froze, realizing just how desperate he and his tiger felt about keeping her safe.

Oh hell no. That wasn't possible. He looked at her, and the beast inside him stirred, thinking one word that was shocking and obvious all at once.

Mate.

It rang like a simple truth he wasn't even going to attempt to deny. 

Fuck. He couldn't stay here and listen to their plan about risking her now. He just couldn't. Ian rushed out the door, welcoming the cool air the moment he got outside, and he let his beast burst out of his skin, and ran, faster and faster, putting as much distance between him and the pride house as he could. 

Within an hour, his feet took him right back to where he belonged.