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Chapter 28

For the next couple days I barely left my room for any reason. After the unexpected reveal of my nature to Jasmine and Richard my state of mind fell into even greater disarray. Most of the time I spent sitting on the floor opposite the mirror in my room staring blankly at my reflection with Ranger laying beside me.

At one point raised voices came from the direction of Chase's room as a feminine voice seemed to be chewing him out but I was too absorbed in my own thoughts to care much. Twice each day there was a knock on my door causing Ranger to vanish before it was opened slightly and Jasmine would bring in a plate of food. She would look at me with a soft smile I wasn't quite able to make myself return.

Without saying anything she would set the plate down on my dresser then leave me in peace. My appetite was non existent so Ranger got most of the meals. On the evening of the third day I am again sitting on the floor watching my reflection. Now though I am covered only in a sheet taken off my bed and wrapped around me in place of my normal clothes. As I sit there lost in my head there came louder knock than normal just before the door opened to reveal Richard. Stepping in he was carrying a plate of food which he sat down on the dresser before he turned to look at me with a calculating gaze.

For several long moments he stood there watching me as I continued to stare into the mirror. Eventually he let out a sigh and said, "When Jasmine told me what you really were I was ready to barge in here and try to end the threat you pose to this pack. But she managed to calm me down and convinced me that you've had more than enough opportunity to cause us harm. I still thought you were dangerous up until I came in here just now."

His words drift around inside my head for a moment before he continues, "Now though... Now I just think your pathetic."

Those words cause a small spark of indignation to flare up in my chest as my eyes shift to stare daggers straight at Richard. The change of my expression causes him to smirk a bit as he says, "Oh so there is still a bit of life in there huh? Well at least the big bad demon can still hear us even if he is being a whiny, pathetic, wimp."

With that I explode up from the floor throwing the sheet to the side while shifting into my full demonic form in the process. Before Richard could react my horned and scaled head is inches from his face as the talons of my right claw press against his neck. My wings flaring as far out around me as the room will allow blocking out the fading light from the window leaving us in deep shadow as I growl my words out slow and even, "DO... NOT... EVER... test a demon in such a manner again. Not even me. My patience and control are very limited right now."

I feel him swallow once before he replies, "Someone had to get you out of the little tantrum you were throwing."

It's at this point I realize that not only is Richard not showing any outward sign of fear or surprise, but even his scent has remained unchanged despite my show of aggression. Growling I lower my talons from around his neck and take a step back, "Chase told you what to expect didn't he."

In his first display of unease Richard rubs a paw over his neck before answering, "He did, after Jasmine and I confronted him about your... lineage. Though I admit his description of your scaly side was a bit..." His gazes travels up and down my large form, "...lacking."

With a snort I fold my wings around my shoulders and sit back on the floor, my much larger form still leaving my head just a few inches below Richards gaze. Once I am more comfortable I look back into his eyes and ask, "So why did you feel it was a good idea to provoke a demon like that? I could have ripped you in half without breaking a sweat."

He gives another one of his annoying smirks and says, "Well I doubt I was in as much danger as you proclaim. But someone had to get you out of your funk, Jasmine is too kind to give you the push you needed and Chase... well he's the one who made things worse for you so that left me as the only other person around who knows your secret able to do it."

Rolling my eyes I say, "So you got the job by elimination huh. Still not a smart thing to do."

Shrugging he moves and sits down beside me and says, "Smart or not Ebony we were all getting worried about you. The whole pack is."

Glancing at him out of the corner of my eye before replying, "Even you? Didn't you just say you were ready to 'end the threat I pose'?"

He waves a hand through the air, "That was just to get you riled up instead of staring blankly into space."

After his comment the silence grows between us for a moment before I catch him casting side long glances over my body. Letting out a soft sigh before speaking I say, "Out with it already."

He stares at me for another moment before asking, "Why do you hide this from everyone?"

I turn and look at him with surprise, "Excuse me?"

Waving a hand at my body he says, "Your whole demon dragon look you have going. Why hide it?"

I just stare at him for a long moment before asking, "You can't be serious? Why would I not hide it?"

He looks at me with a confused look before saying, "Well for one it makes you look a lot more intimidating, I doubt anyone would want to mess with something that looks like a dragon. Second, you look cool like this."

Snorting I roll my eyes, "You don't have a lot of experience with mobs do you."

He shakes his head as I continue, "When a group of humans get upset about something the only thing you can do is fight or flee. Being more intimidating only makes them more determined to push the fight option."

Scratching his head he says, "That doesn't make any sense though, why attack something that is obviously bigger and stronger than they are?"

Sighing I lean my head back and look up at the ceiling answering, "Fear causes people to make stupid decisions sometimes. It can make people attack when they shouldn't, run when they should stay, keep things hidden when there's no need...."

I feel Richards gaze lock onto my face as my voice trails off. Eventually he breaks the growing silence by asking, "You were afraid? Of us?"

Lowering my gaze back down so that I can see him with one eye I say, "Not you exactly, but what could happen. I was afraid of causing harm to those who helped me, afraid of my secrets coming out, afraid of...."

Picking up where I stopped he continues my train of thought, "You were afraid of finding a place to belong, that you might be accepted for who and what you really are weren't you?"

Closing my eyes I take a deep breath and nod, "I have been alone for so long that I don't know how not to be alone. The thought of allowing myself to rely on anyone for anything it... it terrifies me to be honest."

Richard sits beside me for a long moment in silence before saying softly, "I can respect that and I think it's one of the most honest things you have said to me since you got here. But there is nothing to be afraid of in allowing yourself to rely on others Ebony, no one can shoulder all the world throws at them alone. We all need help at some point and from what Jasmine has told me you have had a lot thrown at you in a very short time haven't you?"

Silence is my only confirmation to his question so he continues, "Look Eb, I am not the most approachable person around I know, but if you want to talk more you know that I'm here to listen. If nothing else I can give you a different experience. Jasmine is kind hearted and I love here dearly for it, but she's all about making sure people leave feeling happy after her talks. Chase, well he is to easily distracted by trying to get in your pants to really help."

He glances down at my lack of clothing, "When you're wearing pants that is." Tilting his head he asks, "Why are you not wearing anything anyway?"

I wave a claw towards the pile of laundry in the corner, "Forgot to do laundry and ran out of clean clothes and without leaving my room I haven't felt the need to put old ones on to do laundry."

Shrugging he continues, "Well it is your room so if you wanna be naked that's your choice. But what if Jasmine or someone else had come in?"

Shrugging I say, "They would have seen me covered with that sheet."

His eyebrows raise as he says, "You would have risked exposing yourself to my mate?"

I look down at myself before answering his question, "No, Jasmine is not stupid enough to provoke me into shifting forms."

He looks at me a moment before quickly glancing back down again and saying, "Uh huh... Well I can certainly respect why Chase was walking funny for a couple days after you two first had sex."

Reflexively I shift my legs to attempt to block his view, "You didn't hear him complain did you?"

Snorting a short laugh he leans back against the wall and looks up towards the mirror, "No he did not, If anything he was bragging about it, he and Jasmine sure had fun in that conversation...."

His voice trails off as he gets a confused look on his face before asking, "Where did your food go?"

I follow his gaze to see the now empty plate sitting on the dresser before letting out small laugh of my own, "Well it was eaten. That's why you brought it up here right?"

He nods slowly before saying, "Yeah... but you didn't eat it..."

Watching his face as his mind tries to process through the mystery I can see the moment when he comes to a realization, "We aren't alone are we?"

As soon as the words leave his mouth Ranger comes into view just inches from his face, still in his wolf form, and leaves a long slobbery lick up the right side of Richards face. This time he does react in fear and jumps back as far as the wall will allow him as he sputters, "Gah, what the hell! Where... What.... How...."

Suppressing a chuckle I wave a hand towards Ranger, "Richard this is Ranger. He is my..." I glance at Ranger with a smirk, "He's my best and oldest friend apparently."

Ranger gives a soft happy yip before sitting down in front of Richard and panting happily. Richard stares at the large hound for a moment before looking back at me and says, "Just how the hell did you sneak him in here and how long has he been here?"

Shrugging I answer, "He came back with me and Chase from our... trip the other day, and I don't sneak him anywhere he does that himself."

Turning to Ranger I change to a slight scolding tone, "And he is supposed to stay out of sight and not give himself away when others are around without asking me first."

Ranger just rolls his eyes and looks over at the empty plate then back at me causing me to grumble, "You could have waited a few minutes, It's not like your starving to death."

He huffs and lays down with a grumble of a growl causing Richard to ask, "Why are you talking to him like a person, he's just a normal wolf, I mean yeah they're smart but they aren't that smart.... Right?"

Letting out a soft chuckle I answer him with a smug tone, "Oh Ranger's about as much a wolf as you are a deer. He is a hellhound, a rather unique one at that and is just as intelligent as you or I are, probably more than you if you keep insulting him like that."

Richard turns to give me an angry glare as Ranger shifts from his wolf form into his full hellhound form, horns, flames, and all. This gets a full reaction from Richard as he yelps and bolts to his feet yelling, "WHAT THE HELL!!"

Ranger now looking the standing wolf straight in the eyes continues panting with his silly grin before rapidly striking forward and giving Richard another full face lick. Rolling my eyes at his puppy like behavior I grumble, "So much for keeping that a secret."

Ranger just looks at me and huffs as I reply, "You know good and well why I told you to stay hidden. Just because Richard knows about me now doesn't mean he was ready to see you. I shouldn't have even shifted in the first place, I let my emotions get the better of me."

He whines then looks back at Richard who has started to calm down but still has a wary look to his eyes, "Yeah you did scare him you old mutt, even fewer people know about your kind than know about mine."

Letting out a disappointed sigh he looks apologetically at Richard before shifting back to his wolf form. As he does I take the opportunity to shift back to my normal form as well and head over to the pile of laundry and start hunting for the least offending set of clothes. After getting some modesty back on my person I turn to Richard who is staring at me hard.

I raises an eyebrow and ask, "What now?"

For a moment he stares at me long and hard before asking, "Just how many secrets have you been keeping from us Ebony? I came in here just to try and get you out of your room and instead nearly get my throat ripped out by you, see your scaly side, get introduced to... what did you call him... a hell hound? What else are you hiding from us and what other threats do you actually pose to this pack?"

Seeing where he has shifted from being a concerned friend to the role of protective beta I let out an exasperated sigh and say, "From you, from the pack, or from everyone?"

He gives me a calculating gaze before answering with one word, "Yes."

Grumbling wearily under my breath for a moment I answer, "From you personally, a fair bit I'm sure, though you know my biggest secrets which could be a threat. From the pack in general, a great deal which I have been promised would remain secret until such time as I am ready to reveal it. From the rest of the world I hide as much as I possibly can."

With a slightly frosty tone Richard asks, "And Chase?"

I just look back at him and calmly answer, "I have no more secrets from him. He knows everything I am and have done. He has also promised to keep those secrets until I say otherwise or they threaten your pack."

His posture softens a bit as he says, "You mean our pack... I guess if Chase knows everything I can accept it then. For now."

He looks down at Ranger, who has been following our conversation with rapt attention his head swinging back and forth between us, and asks, "Are you hiding any big secrets then?"

Ranger just gives a mischievous smile and winks one eye at Richard before fading from view and becoming invisible again. Richard blinks several times before saying, "Ok there is no way I will ever get used to that, how does he do that and where did he go?"

Smiling as I answer him, "He is still exactly where he was and he is a hellhound, that's one of their abilities. You will never see him unless he wants to be seen and for some reason he seems to like you."

Richard wipes a paw over his face trying to coax his fur back down from the new spiky appearance Ranger gave it, "Lucky me. He won't hurt anyone here will he?"

Shrugging I say, "Unlikely, unless you threaten me or Chase... or try and steal his food. Then he may seriously consider taking more than a few large bites out of you."

At the mention of food Richard glances over at the empty plate, "I take it most of the food we have brought you the last couple days has gone to him?"

Nodding I pick up the plate and the rest of my dirty clothes, "I haven't had much appetite for a variety of reasons."

Richard moves closer to me and says, "Yeah Jasmine had a talk with Chase about that. He didn't tell us what happened on your trip just that you had a major shock of some kind?"

Letting out a snort as I roll my eyes, "Shock yeah you could call it that, mental break would be more accurate. Then his little bombshell..."

He gives a small smile before opening the door for me and says, "She had more than a few choice words about his timing on that as well."

I can't help but let out a bark of laughter, "You mean when she was tearing him a new one yesterday morning?"

He grimaces slightly at my words, "You heard that?"

Smirking I reply, "I think the whole house did, though I was too distracted to understand what was said at the time."

Shaking his head slowly, "It is probably better you didn't to be honest. I have never seen her that hot about anything, and I'm her mate. Granted everyone in the pack knew he was head over tail for you but he had horrible timing in telling you apparently."

Sighing heavily I lean back against the dresser before saying, "That he most certainly did. The trip we went on was actually a summons from a very powerful demon lord who happens to be my grandfather and while there I was told some things that turned one of the most important aspects of my identity inside out."

Richard looks at me with a confused look as he lets go of the door asking, "What could have been so earth shattering to cause so much trouble for you?"

For a moment I consider dropping the subject but a gentle nudge at the back of my mind has me continue, "When I was very young my mother was murdered violently. For most of my life I have been led to believe that I was the one who did it and that I was being hunted by my family to pay for that crime."

His eyes go wide and he opens his mouth to speak but I barge into before he can, "But then my grandfather managed to track me down and gave me a summons I couldn't refuse. So I went and Chase went along to represent your pack. Once we all got to talking and comparing stories it was revealed to me that not only did I not kill my mother but that it was my half brother who was behind it and has been lying about the rest of the family wanting me dead, while lying to them about me and my whereabouts."

As he stares at me I can see the thoughts rushing through his mind as he takes in this new revelation. Eventually his expression softens a bit and I see a bit of sadness in the corner of his eyes before he says, "Well I can sure see that being a big upset for you. I mean it's been a big part of your life, especially after fifteen or twenty years..."

My ears twitch as I look at him, "Excuse me?"

He shrugs, "Well you said when you were young so I figured early teens at the latest since your not much older than your early to mid thirties right?"

That causes me to through my head back and laugh. After getting the humor out of my system I calm down to see his confused expression and ask, "You think I'm barely in my thirties? I haven't been thirty in a long time."

The confusion on his face deepens as he asks, "But... if you're not thirty... how old...are you... really?"

I watch him for a moment before answering, "Chase didn't tell you or Jasmine that demons can be very long lived did he." As he shakes his head I continue, "Well to start very young for me was fifty years old when my mother died and I left home. I have been on the run for over eight centuries."

His eyes widen considerably before he says, "Ok... I can see why such a change in your life would be such a big shock now. Having lived so long thinking your guilty would greatly affect your choices and actions."

Nodding I reply, "See why it has caused me to be the way I am now?"

He nods slowly saying, "I can't even imagine what that kind of shock would have done to me. Hell I can't even imagine what being around that long would do. No wonder you're so afraid of getting close to people."

Shrugging I say, "It's simply a part of my life is all. There are others out there who can relate but we all tend to be fairly solitary in life. Makes things easier, as long as your whole identity isn't brought into question."

Shaking his head before looking back at me with half smile he says, "Well for what it's worth I'm willing to listen any time you wanna talk. I know Jasmine and Chase have offered as well. But sometimes a guy needs to talk with another guy... well another guy who isn't busy trying to get in your pants. Though Chase means well and really does care for you Ebony, he just had bad timing on when to tell you his true feelings."

Shifting the load of clothes in my arms to my left I reach out my right towards Richard, "That he did, and Richard... Thanks for coming to talk to me about this. I really needed that kick in the ass... and the friendship."

He takes my paw in his and shakes it firmly once saying, "Any time Ebony, and you can always talk to me or Jasmine any time you want, you know that right? We care about you just as much as anyone else here and now that we know your big secret you have more people you can go to when your ready to get more off your mind."

Nodding I let go of his paw and head out the door with my laundry, "It's just something that will take me some time getting used to is all."

Before closing the door behind us Richard pauses and asks, "Should we leave this open for Ranger?"

Laughing I say, "No, he gets in and out in his own way when he wants."

That causes Richards eyes to widen before I can elaborate, "Its one of his abilities as a hellhound, nothing you have around here will keep him confined. So its fine to close the door."

Shaking his head as he pulls the door the rest of the way shut he mutters, "This is so not normal... demons... hellhounds... what's next leprechauns?"

Before I can answer a loud feminine yell of pain comes from down stairs. For a heartbeat we stare at each other before Richard yells, "JASMINE!!!"

As he takes off down the hall for the stairs, I drop my arm load of laundry on the floor forgotten as I follow him.

When we reach the stairs I have to immediately step back as Katrina and Jake are both helping Jasmine up the stairs. Jasmine has one arm wrapped protectively around her belly with the other around Jake for support. Before I can say anything Richard steps forward and takes Jake's place asking, "What happened, what's wrong?"

Panting Jasmine manages to get out through hard breaths, "Richard... It's the babies..."

As his eyes grow wide in fear and panic realization strikes me just as soon as she finishes, "The twins are coming... NOW!"

With that she barely holds back another yell of pain.

As Jake and I move to the side Richard and Katrina guide Jasmine to their room as she lets out another yell of pain. Looking over her shoulder Katrina yells out, "Don't just stand there make yourselves useful, get us water, towels, and blankets now!"

Jumping slightly I push Jake towards the bathroom, "You get the towels and blankets, I will go get some pots of water."

With a wide eyed nod Jake rushes off to the bathroom as I move quickly to the kitchen. As soon as I step into the kitchen I notice the not so small pile of dishes left over from whomever has been cooking lately. Grumbling I quickly find the largest pots I can find and start filling them with water before setting them on the stove to heat up more than the tap can manage.

Another scream echoing from upstairs has me cursing at how slow the water is heating. Looking out the door to make sure the coast is clear I trace three small runes on the side of the largest pot with a claw. As soon as the last rune is complete all three flash bright red before vanishing as the water inside begins to steam and bubble slightly. Grabbing the now hot pot of water with both paws I leave the others on the stove to heat the normal way and head upstairs.

Once back in front of Richard and Jasmine's room I kick the door with my foot just as it swings open to reveal Katrina, "Oh Ebony, you got the water quick." She points to the foot of the bed where Jasmine is laying with Richard holding her right paw, "Just set it down there then get out. Your space is much more valuable than your help in here."

Setting the water down I turn to leave saying, "I have a few more pots heating in the kitchen if you need it."

She just nods and sets to work getting the towels Jake had apparently brought situated, "I'll yell if we need anything."

With that I leave the room letting the door close shut behind me as another loud scream escapes Jasmine's mouth.

Back in the kitchen I set about cleaning while trying to distract myself from the sounds coming from upstairs. For a time it wasn't that easy but eventually Jasmine's screams reduced in volume and frequency.

As I was scrubbing a pan the door to the kitchen swung open and I turned to see Chase standing frozen in the door holding it open. For a moment we just stared at each other in silence as our eyes locked. After a moment I turn back to the dishes asking, "Did you need something?"

I hear him swallow as he says, "I uh... I saw your clothes in the hall so I put them in the wash... if that's alright."

Nodding I reply, "Thanks, I was on my way to do that when..."

Another loud scream followed by a muffled grunt interrupts me, "...that started."

I can hear him shifting a bit in place as he says, "Yeah it kinda got everyone's attention."

As I scrub more dishes I keep listening for the door to close but it never does. Letting out a sight I say, "Either come all the way in here and start drying dishes or go see if they need more water upstairs, your causing a draft."

With a slight jump Chase comes fully into the kitchen, "Oh uh... sorry didn't mean to."

Locating a dish towel he moves up beside me on the counter and sets to work drying the dishes I have already cleaned and begins to put them in their proper places.

For several long minutes we work in silence gradually working our way through the pile of dishes. Once during the quiet Jake bustles in looking for more water while returning the one from earlier, now empty. As soon as he is gone Chase breaks the silence, "Ebony about the other night..."

I pause mid scrub and turn an ear his direction giving him my full attention, "What about it?"

He takes a deep breath before saying, "I shouldn't have said what I said. Not that I didn't mean it cause I do... I really do lov...."

Catching himself mid word he freezes for a moment before trying again, "What I mean is, I shouldn't have said it when I did. I made things worse for you when I should have been trying to make it easier. For that I am very sorry Ebony, I never meant to hurt you in any way. Can you forgive me?"

I stand there for a long moment as I go over what he has just said before I resume scrubbing the plate I was working on. Remaining silent I rinse it off then hand it over to Chase saying, "Careful when putting this in the cabinet, the stack leans a bit."

He stares down at the plate a moment then looks up at me, "That's all you have to say?"

I just hold the plate in mid air as it slowly drips a bit of water onto the counter. Eventually he lets out a sigh lowering his gaze as he takes it and begins to dry it. For a moment I stand there chewing the inside of my lip before speaking, "That night was one of the worst nights of my life Chase."

His shoulders visibly slump as his drying slows to a crawl while I continue, "My very core identity has been damaged in a way few can possibly understand. I was... I still am very unstable both mentally and emotionally. You can ask Richard how easily I can be provoked right now. I went to you looking for someone to help me regain some measure of... I don't know... control, peace, acceptance.... Something.

"At first while you were just listening to me I was getting some of it. Then after, when you and I were having sex, I began to really feel accepted and cared for in a way I haven't in a very long time... If ever."

As I speak Chase seems to visibly shrink with every word as his ears flatten and his tail tucks tight between his legs in the strongest expression of guilt I have ever seen on a grown wolf. Taking a deep breath I continue, "Then just as I began to calm down and let myself begin to try and heal just a little bit you chose to say that you love me at the moment when I was at the weakest and most vulnerable point I have ever been.

"I had no way to prepare myself to hear that, nor was I ready to hear it. I got incredibly scared at those words and it caused me to panic. Those words on top of everything else I had heard throughout the day made something inside of me break."

By now Chase seems to be barely holding it together himself as I feel tears begin to gather in my own eyes but I manage to push on, "For the last three days I have gone over everything in my mind over and over again. Each time was just as painful as the first. I have been trying hard to come to terms with this new reality I find myself in. Dae has completely sealed himself away from me, the only other entity in the world who knows exactly what I am going though and he has shut me out.''

Chase lets out a sniff before using the dish towel in his paw to wipe his eyes as he starts, "Ebony I...."

Waving a hand to silence him I continue, "Let me finish."

He gives me a hurt look before nodding once letting me continue uninterrupted, "For three days I have been trying to piece together some fragments of myself with what few truths I know for sure about myself now, and there is precious little truth that doesn't hurt. If not for Richard coming today and giving me a shock I desperately needed I would likely still be sitting in my room lost in my own mind."

I turn to face Chase fully and study his face closely before speaking again, "What I am saying Chase is there is no way I can possibly forgive you for what you did. Not now... not ever."

He visibly winces at my words as a tear escapes his right eye and travels down the side of his muzzle. Reaching up a paw I gently wipe away the tear saying, "I can't forgive you because what you did was probably the most important and vital thing you could have done for me at that time."

His eyes snap open as he looks into my face with a glimmer of hope shining behind the tears, "What you told me that night scared the shit out of me yes, was horribly timed, badly delivered.... and was exactly what I needed more than anything else in the world despite how much it hurt at the time. I can never forgive you for doing that Chase, I can never forgive you for giving me the small bit of hope I needed to keep from breaking entirely."

I feel a smile stretch my lips as I find the courage to finish what I've been saying, "What I'm saying Chase is that I can't forgive you not because you hurt me, but because I love you too. I have just been too afraid to admit it."

For a moment we just stare into each other's eyes before a smile breaks his face and he launches into me wrapping his arms around me in a fierce hug while pressing his muzzle against mine in a very passionate kiss. Taken aback by the sudden attack it is several seconds before I am able to return the kiss and pull him even closer to me with a returned embrace.

I don't know how long we stood there nor do I care. All I cared about was the feeling of rightness that was permeating my entire body. Breaking the kiss I bury my nose in his neck as he does the same to me as we both try and hide our respective tears. Nuzzling deep into his fur I say, "I'm sorry for how I acted for so long. I was just so afraid of hurting someone or being hurt again..."

He rubs a paw over my back as he mumbles into my neck, "No Ebony, I'm sorry for being so pushy about it. I never considered what it must have been like to be alone for so long."

Letting out a chuckle I take a deep breath of his scent intending to say something but freeze. Something about his scent seems... different. I press my nose deeper into his neck and breath in again deeply but can't figure out what is nagging at my mind.

As I am about to ask him the door opens and Jakes voice calls out, "Chase! Ebony! Richard wants you... Are you two ok?"

Chase and I quickly release each other with a cough as Chase says, "Yeah Jake we are. Just been having a much needed talk is all."

Jake shakes his head, "Whatever took you so long I'm glad it's over. But Richard wants both of you to come upstairs, something about Jasmine and the babies."

With that Jake quickly leaves the kitchen letting the door swing shut behind him. I turn to look at Chase asking, "You don't think something is wrong do you?"

A look of fear returns to his face but this times it's the fear of an alpha facing a threat to his pack. Stealing his nerves he turns for the doors and heads upstairs as I follow quickly behind him.