"Why does Harry look like he's going to murder someone?" Brooklyn appeared at the door of the kitchen, staring at Harry with raised eyebrows, looking unimpressed. She was wearing a pale pink stress and her curly hair was styled into a ponytail. Harry's eyes widened at the site of her and Indianna had to agree, she did look beautiful, even when her eyes were still puffy and red from crying. "Harry, what have you done?"
"Why do you always assume the worst of me, babe?" Harry questioned, speaking for the first time since his and Greyson's exchange.
"Because you can be rather rude," Brooklyn said simply and she walked up to Harry, reaching out to take his hands. He visibly relaxed at her touch. "And I can only imagine what you've said to Greyson. He looks like you've just shat in his hands and made him clap."
A chortle came from across the room and Kirstie slapped her hand over her mouth, trying to stifle her giggles. Laura hushed Kirstie disapprovingly, but Kirstie still chuckled into Mac's shoulder.
"You have a way with words, Brooklyn," Harry muttered, but he was looking at Greyson cautiously.
"You don't have to worry, Brooke, everything is fine." Greyson gave Harry a look. "Isn't it, Harry?"
Harry nodded shortly and the conversation was swiftly changed when Kal and Kimberly entered, both looking wonderful. Kal had a pale blue button up shirt that matched Kimberly's skirt and Indianna couldn't help but wonder if Kal had any choice in his outfit. "It smells absolutely divine, Laura!" Kal called. "Do you know what would make it smell even better? If we slip a bucket load of poison into Rogue's food, don't you agree?"
"Kal," Indianna said softly, her voice warning. "Watch what you say, he could turn up at any time."
"I'm just trying to stay optimistic," Kal grumbled.
Greyson abruptly pulled away from Indianna and walked over to the kitchen counter, grabbing a glass out of the cupboard and pouring himself a glass of whisky. He knocked it back in one and poured another, raising the glass to his lips and sipping it this time. He sighed and tapped the counter with his fingers anxiously. "I hate waiting on him," he muttered and he took out a second glass, pouring whiskey into it. He turned and held it out to Harry, eyebrows raised.
Harry approached Greyson, taking the glass and speaking quietly. "Truce?"
Greyson nodded and clapped Harry on the shoulder. "We're all snappy and on edge today. Let's just get through it together."
"Oh, what I would do for a drink," Brooklyn said and pouted, rubbing her stomach. "I would do anything to wake up tomorrow and forget today."
"You two can't have one, but that isn't going to stop me," Kimberly spoke up and walked over to Greyson, holding out her hand. "Pour me one."
Greyson turned to look at Kimberly, eyebrows raised. "Pour your own."
Kimberly rolled her eyes and took the bottle of whiskey from Greyson. "Fine. I-"
Kimberly was cut off when Ace suddenly pushed himself off of the counter and looked towards the door of the kitchen, eyes narrowed.
"What's wrong, Ace?" Indianna asked.
"I..." Ace's skin turned pale and Indianna picked up the sound of his heart racing. His eyes darted between her and the door, panic covering his features. "I can hear Tai."
"But you took her to Ellie's house-"
"And Rogue."
Before anyone had time to react there was a chilling shout from outside and Indianna's stomach churned uneasily. "Oh, little sister! We have arrived!"
Indianna looked over at Greyson for assurance. He threw back the last of his drink and in two strides he was by Indianna's side, holding her hand and walking out of the kitchen with her, ready to face Rogue. Ace was inches behind them, eager for them to move quicker so he could get to his mate.
As they walked through the house, followed by everyone else, Indianna focused her hearing and she frowned when she could hear Tai, sounding like she was putting up a struggle and swearing an awful lot. When they reached the front door and descended the steps Indianna stopped in her tracks when she saw Rogue, Stacey, Raiden and Tai standing on the grass. Rogue was gripping Tai's neck tightly and her arms were pinned behind her back, but that didn't stop her from trying to free herself from Rogue's grasp. Raiden was stood off to the side, eyes cast to the floor, still looking as empty as he did the day that he found out the truth about Brandon. Stacey was next to Raiden, inspecting her nails, her eyes glancing over Rogue every so often, not looking concerned in the slightest.
There was a fast movement out of the corner of Indianna's eye and Greyson dropped her hand to grab Ace who had tried to move past them to get to Tai. Greyson locked his hands around Ace's wrists and held him back, shoving him towards Harry who gripped him immediately, stopping him from moving. Greyson leaned close to Ace, his eyes stern. "Do not be stupid," he hissed.
Ace wasn't looking at Greyson. His eyes were locked onto his mate and he was attempting to pull himself free from Harry's grasp. "She's not safe with him! I have to-"
"You have to shut the hell up and let us deal with this. I'll make sure she's not harmed," Greyson said firmly.
"You don't even like her! You're not going to keep her safe. You-"
"Watch your tone, Ace. I know she's your mate, but I'm still your Alpha," Greyson snapped. "Of course I will make sure she is safe. She is your mate, therefore, she is apart of my pack. Hey, Ace, look at me!" Greyson gripped Ace's chin tightly. "You have my word that I will keep her safe. It's my job as Alpha, and as your friend."
Indianna looked away from Greyson and Ace and took a deep breath, slowly walking up to Rogue who was smiling at her. "Nice of you to join us, little sister. I see that your mate is struggling to control his pack members."
"Jason," Indianna said cautiously and she looked at Tai who's eyes were blazing with anger. Tai didn't looked scared, she wasn't someone who scared easily, she looked furious and Rogue's tight hold around her neck was doing nothing to make her back down from struggling. "What are you doing? Please, can you let Tai go."
"She's a feisty one, isn't she?" Rogue observed.
"Go to hell," Tai spat.
"Quite a temper," Rogue tutted. "Consider yourself lucky that I've not harmed you, girl. I've done much worse to sweet Brooklyn over there when she did absolutely nothing to annoy me."
"J-Jason, Tai has nothing to do with this, nor Raiden-"
"Lies!" Rogue snapped. "Do not lie to me, sister. I know all about these two that you tried to keep a secret from me, and I said that I wanted your friends and family to be here, and considering that this one is your Beta's mate I think she more than qualifies for a seat at the table."
"We weren't keeping them a secret from you. We-"
"That's quite enough," Rogue said simply. "It's Christmas. Today is about family. I do not want to disagree."
"Then how about you let her go?" Greyson approached them and stood by Indianna, standing in front of her ever so slightly. "And we can all go inside."
"Ah, Greyson." Rogue looked Greyson up and down and smirked. "Don't you look the picture of health."
"No, thanks to you."
"Now, now, there's no need for the bitterness in your tone, Greyson. Where's your Christmas spirit?"
"I promise it will fucking flow of out me if you let Tai go."
*Watch it,* Indianna warned.
"She put up one hell of a fight," Rogue said and he leaned in close to Tai, whispering in her ear. "I wonder how long it would take for me to break you."
"You would die from old age before you'd even get me to shed a tear," Tai growled.
Rogue laughed. "Good luck with this one, Greyson. She's not friendly is she."
"Would anyone be friendly after being kidnapped by a raving lunatic?" Tai exclaimed. "Let me the hell go!"
"Please, Jason." Indianna spoke softly. "Let's all go inside."