Twenty-one.

Eloise sat in silence, mirroring Henry as he absorbed all that she relayed about her experience with Cora. All she could do was wait until he spoke again, her fingers absently threading a frayed thread on the blue comforter laid around them. She spent the time curiously scanning the room that would have once been hers to share. Too much blue for her taste. It felt dark and cold, there was no warmth to it; yet it was still strangely familiar, but that may have simply been because of Henry's scent. Even if she hadn't marked him, he was still her mate and she did wear his. Yes, despite the coldness there was a small part of her that still wished to snuggle in underneath the covers and take a nap, and surrounded by his scent that small part wouldn't mind if he were to hold her and make her feel safe for a change. To feel intimately cared for.

Damn hormones.

But, it would be nice to be a team with him and not at odds she admitted internally.

Eloise was pulled from her thoughts by the shifting of Henry's weight beside her.

"I want retribution." Henry stated coldly, when he finally spoke.

"What?" She asked, feeling confused and slightly caught off guard.

"That boatman of yours, I want is hide as a fucking rug for this." Henry growled out bitterly.

Eloise sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose in frustration. "Are you fucking kidding me Henry? I need your help to protect our daughter and you want to go on a suicide mission against a literal god, who almost... no who has already killed you once? Are you that dense? That ignorant of where your priorities should lie now?"

Henry snarled at Eloise before he could stop himself, his wolf bristling at her insults while it mourned for the loss of part of their child.

"Seriously?" She scoffed, angered more at her own fleeting fantasies, than by Henry's actions and moving to her feet. "Just forget it, I'll protect her myself. I'm used to not having a mate I can't actually rely on, why should this make anything any different? It was really stupid of me to think that maybe our daughter would at least have a father she could count on."

Henry frowned, Eloise's words cutting deeply as she walked out the room without a second glance. It was only when the door slammed that he snapped out of his angry trance, and winced at what had just transpired.

*"Bast?"* He sent out through his link to his brother.

*"Yeah?"* Came the reply a few minutes later.

*"Sammy and Eloise are here. Do not allow them off the territory."* He spoke authoritatively, leaving no room for rebuttal.

*"Got it."* Came his brother's swift reply.

Henry scowled to himself, before adding, *"What? No condescending remark about how I am making a mistake?"*

*"Nope. Why bother? It's not as if you will listen anyway."* He paused, *"I've just seen Eloise run out the front door in tears, and I can smell you on her. What the fuck did you do?"* Sebastian growled at Henry, before cutting off the link.

Henry snarled into the empty room, before crossing to the wall and punching four swift, successive holes in the plaster.

It didn't help, he needed a run.

-----

"El! El! Wait," Sebastian called as he chased after his old friend, "Please stop, El." He pleaded as his hand reached out and caught her arm.

Eloise allowed herself to be pulled to a stop, not that she could go far without Sammy and Daniel anyway. But she had to get away from Henry, the man was an ass and a complete idiot. But his refusal to even acknowledge her plea for help, his complete disregard for their daughter's potential safety over a pathetic revenge craving; a craving that would only lead to more problems. Char was gone, hiding in the underworld, ferrying his souls and dealing with his own guilt no doubt. And Eloise was in no doubt Charon felt guilty. They were best friends and his loss of temper had cost her something beyond precious. She new the boatman would carry the loss personally for eternity. Including the loss of their friendship, because while she understood he would now be in his own state of torment, Eloise could not forgive him for what he had done.

She was shaking, stood at the tree line vibrating with her own overwhelming emotions. Wanting desperately to lean on the comfort that Sebastian seemed to be offering, but terrified to allow herself a false sense of security that may not last. Especially after how she had just allowed her mind to wander over Henry.

Eloise instead pulled her arm free in a huff, then walked six feet away from the pack Beta, before stopping, stamping her foot and marching back over to him.

"Urgh!" she shrieked in his face, with a flap of her arms before turning and stomping another six or seven feet away in a slightly different direction, and letting out another growled huff.

She was struggling to remain still in her angst. Frustrated, fear and anger all mixed together and pouring off of her in waves.

"So, I have two questions," Sebastian began, interrupting her stomping.

Eloise simply paused, shooting him an expectant glare.

"What did my ass of a brother actually do now, and do you want me to *accidentally* let it slip that he wasn't fully toilet trained till he was six?" Sebastian smirked.

"Wait, he wasn't toilet trained till six?" She blurted out in sudden shock, her annoyance deflating.

"Oh, no he was. It wouldn't be true, but I'd spread that rumour for you, if it cheers you up, El." Sebastian smiled warmly.

Eloise couldn't help it, she laughed before, walking up and throwing her arms around Sebastian.

"Gods, I missed you, Bast!" She laughed, remembering how Sebastian always did know how to pick her mood up with just few words.

Sebastian returned her hug, squeezing her gently, while trying to breathe in her comforting scent. "I missed you too, El. So damn much."

"And to answer you, yes. Yes I do want you to let that slip." She smiled mischievously, as she pulled back to make eye contact with him.

"Done," he nodded in response. "I will bring it up at dinner tonight. Stay, and see for yourself." He challenged her.

Eloise gave her head a small shake, "Smooth, Bast, very smooth."

"You can sit with me, and drive him mad by having a good time with his better looking brother." He winked, "And I swear to embarrass him as much as possible. Deal?"

"Fine." Eloise sighed, "It's a deal. But only if you don't help him to make Daniel's life harder anymore."

"Oh, come on. Sammy is my sister too." Sebastian protested. "And that back water Beta is not good enough..."

Eloise growled, cutting him off. "Daniel is a good man, and a great beta. He makes Sammy happy. Leave off, or you will lose the sister you only just found, Bast." She warned him.

"Really?" He rolled his eyes only to be met with a stern glare. "Fine, who am I to go against my Luna's wishes."

"Fuck off." Eloise responded flatly.

"Too soon?" Sebastian teased her, laughing as her upper lip curled back in anger. "Okay, fine," he conceded, his hand raised in front of myself. "Even if the mark fits."

"Trust me, it doesn't. In fact, it chaffes slightly." She responded with narrowed and challenging eyes.

"Okay, okay, you win."Sebastian pleaded playfully. "Instead of any Luna chat, how about you tell me how my brother fucked up exactly this time? I may as well know which of his messes I'm cleaning up."

Eloise smiled, "Well, where on earth should I start?" she asked linking her arm through Sebastian's and allowing him to lead her back to the house.

She ignored the eyes of the grey wolf she could feel watching her. Henry could go screw himself right now.