A gutted wolf, hanging by his intestines on the front porch.

And then as if someone pressed a resume button the world was no longer moving in slow motion.

"No! God, no! Colton!" Her own screams echoed in the foyer. Men's angry shouts and pounding feet.

"Breathe Meryn, just breathe." Adelaide's voice repeated in her ear. Meryn could feel Aiden's mother's hot tears on her neck. Meryn no longer screamed words, just long, anguished wails. Between one heartbeat and the next her world went black.

*****

Meryn struggled to wake up. When she tried to open her eyes, she realized that they were practically glued shut from sleep. Rubbing her eyes, she turned over. She was in her room.

"Aiden?" She felt movement behind her.

"I'm here." He pulled her close.

The events from the previous evening slammed into her and she began to sob.

"Sweetheart, it's okay."

"How can you say that? He was your best friend!"

"Colton is fine. Mother said you called out his name. Meryn it was just a dog, some poor dog that this psycho used to scare us." He rubbed her arms.

"Colton's okay?"

"Yes, he's fine. When we die, even if we're shifted, we revert back to human form. He was very touched at your concern, though." Relief flooded her. She felt exhausted all over again.

"That poor dog. I heard it Aiden, it was alive when he brought it here. I heard it crying on the porch." That was all it took for a new flood of tears to overtake her.

"I swear to you I will find this guy, he will pay for all he has done."

"Why would he hurt an innocent little dog?" Meryn blubbered. She could easily discuss hacked up bodies at dinner and she didn't care. She never really liked people, but animals? Animals had been her only friends growing up. She couldn't stand the fact that she had stood there and listened to this dog be murdered.

"Because he is a sick fuck and he's toying with us." Aiden pulled her in tight to his body and draped a heavy leg over hers.

"Get some sleep sweetheart, things won't seem so bad in the morning." Meryn just nodded. She closed her eyes, and enjoyed being wrapped in Aiden's arms.

*****

Meryn was on a mission. She was determined to find this asshole dog killer and bring him to justice. As soon as she woke up, she slipped from the bed and jumped into the shower. She managed to get dressed before Aiden woke up. He grinned at her tee-shirt selection for the day. She-Ra princess of power brandished a sword on her chest, making her feel like taking on the world.

"Be downstairs." She said.

"Get back here woman." Aiden pointed to the empty side of the bed. She put her laptop down and walked back over to the bed. Before she could blink his arm snaked out from under the covers and pulled her back on the bed. Laughing, she turned and faced him. His slow kisses ignited a fire in her blood. He took his time and kissed his way down the side of her neck.

"We could always stay in bed today." He whispered before his hand began to climb up her shirt.

"Have I told you lately that I think you're a genius?" She panted. He chuckled. His fingers had just slid inside her bra when a loud banging jerked them apart. Aiden snarled at the door. Meryn rolled onto her back trying to catch her breath.

"What!" He yelled.

"Third couple was just reported missing, this time from inside Lycaonia." Gavriel reported urgently. And just like that, their ardor cooled. Aiden jumped up and began pulling on his uniform.

"Who?"

"Eleanor Canter." Meryn frowned. She knew that name. How did she know that name? The conversation from the sewing circle popped into her head.

"Oh no. Her mother will be worried sick. I met her at the sewing circle Aiden. She was actually nice." Aiden's eyes met hers. She knew he was trying not to show it, but in the end they were both too much alike, they both believed that Eleanor was already dead.

"I'm leaving Colton here. Call me if you need anything." Aiden leaned forward and rested their foreheads together.

"I wish I could stay. I want to show you how I feel." He whispered lowly.

"I know. But we have time, Eleanor may not." She clutched the front of his shirt.

"I love you so much Meryn. I need to claim you soon." She leaned back.

"Tonight." She promised.

"Tonight." He kissed her gently as if savoring the feel of her lips.

"Come on Superman, your unit needs you." Meryn picked up her laptop and took his hand. Aiden opened the door.

"He is more like Yogi Bear than Superman." Gavriel informed her without cracking a smile.

"And you're more like ..." Aiden began.

"Don't. Don't say it. Any comparisons made to certain sparkly vampires will be met with a slow death." Gavriel threatened. Aiden chuckled. Meryn rolled her eyes. They walked downstairs and said goodbye in the foyer.

"Until tonight." Aiden pledged.

"Until tonight." They left and Meryn made her way to the dining room alone. When she walked in Adelaide and Byron were on their way out.

"Where are you two going?" She asked.

"Byron has another council meeting to discuss the new disappearance. I am heading to the Canter's to see if there is anything I can do. Then I'm off to the Council Manor to help set up for tomorrow's ball, though given everything that has happened, I'm not sure if people will feel like celebrating." She wiped her eyes. Byron kissed her hair.