Mira could hardly prepare for the way the memories began to filter through her mind in the face of her old childhood home. This visit was, bittersweet. If only it could just be that, a visit. These circumstances were hardly how she wanted them to meet Tet for the first time or vice versa. Yet this had been a long time coming. Hadn't she met his family in less-than-ideal circumstances too? Perhaps there really was no such thing as ideal. Yet she could not ignore the dangers they faced here. The potential cost to her boyfriend and her just by being here. It hung heavily in the back of her mind. As she sat upon her bed she felt as though she never left this place, Tetradore being the very anchor that reminded her where her home truly was. Maybe that was why she felt that pull to share her experience with her boyfriend when the thoughts that surfaced were so fresh. It was hardly a story full of flowers and yet the notion that he might have wanted to learn what she had endured in this town... a glimpse into the lunatic that Nolan really was. Perhaps it had little importance now. It was in the past. Even though she stood dead centre in the museum of it, it was her present and future that mattered. How much easier it had been for the she-wolf when she had come to terms with that.

She let a smile play across her lips, admitting that she hadn't ended up worse for wear. Not even in the slightest. She was more than content with her life with him. Golden eyes lifted to meet his emerald eyes as a soft grunt left Tetradore's lips in response, his displeasure clear. That he wished to keep it that way. That reply in itself was clipped, snared in the dark undertones of what could happen if they failed. The response drew a short-lived frown from her features before his questioning turned tactical. Seeking out any facts to flesh out an enemy he had never met. How she could only wish she had more information to give him. It had been years since she lived here and she had no connection with the pack she left behind the mere moment she left this town behind. She had gotten rid of her car, her old phone, anything to cut ties from the wolfpack. If only the rumour that she had died, stuck. All it offered her was a short-lived reprieve that simply could not last. She told him that Nolan liked to keep the pack close. That meant most of its members lived on the property he provided. Those numbers offered strength too. To meet Nolan there would be close to suicide.

A soft sigh left the Were-king's lips as he grew silent as if digesting the information that she offered him. Several long minutes ticked by before he finally asked how much her father's debts were. That she could not say this time just how bad it was. No one knew, no one but the man himself knew how much he had put on the line. Mira admitted the last time that they had nearly lost the house. She couldn't help that she let her fingers play with the frayed fabric of her jeans. She simply could not help the sickening feeling of just how bad it could be now. Another grunt left his lips, knowing what still had to be done. She had to face him.

Somehow it felt impossible, the task that lay ahead. The emotion of it caught her unawares, amongst the cocktail of memories and the reality they currently faced crushed down like a forceful tidal wave. This was bad. Worst of all, she had brought this trouble onto him. She hadn't noticed the way her boyfriend crossed that space, only suddenly felt his fingers reaching toward hers that were clenched so tightly into fists, simply yielded to his. She allowed him to pull her into him as he drew her into his strong arms and enveloping scent that made her feel safe. He said nothing as he did, and she was grateful to listen to his heartbeat as she allowed the weight of her head to rest upon his muscular chest. It felt calming, even more so as his lips pressed to her forehead in a tender, reassuring gesture. He had to know that he offered her everything she needed, his understanding and support in a way she hadn't known she did. It was only then that he spoke. His voice was near painfully sweet despite how deep it rumbled through her, his fingers brushed away a stray strand of hair. Soon it would all be a bad dream. Those words caused her molten golden eyes to meet his gaze just a little. There was no room for doubt in him. How guilty she felt for bringing him into this and yet at that moment he was like a balm to the ache that cracked within her. She did not expect for him to say more but those words suddenly filled her with such strength. "Okay." She whispered, softly like a trace of a breath into his chest. Not only did she believe his words... she believed in him. "Let's do this." How she wished she could simply just be within his arms and yet it was time.

It was then that her boyfriend released her from his comforting embrace. She straightened, giving him a definitive nod before Tetradore reached for the door. The only prompting she needed was to stride forward. She reached blindly for his hand as crossed paths with her mother. "Where is he?" She asked, her mother didn't hesitate nor question.

"Out the back.. I think he was on his phone."
Mira continued forward with clearcut purpose toward the glass sliding back door, opening to walk out into the porch and down those steps and into the grass that she crossed to reach the shed. She was met with the smell of cigarette smoke which was odd. Her father had not smoked before. A frown creased upon her features. She gave Tetradore's hand a squeeze before she released it.

"Dad?" She questioned as she peered into the shed's open door.

Her father was inside, startled, clearly unaware of his own surroundings.

"Mira!" He turned abruptly, stepping out from the small shed, quickly putting out the cigarette and crushing it beneath the rubber tread of his boot. Something seemed changed about him. He looked from his daughter to Tetradore where his gaze lingered.


He seemed edgy, those nerves on display that reminded Mira of a trapped squirrel. This was hardly the man she remembered.

"This is Tetradore, Dad." She eyed both men, noting the obvious strain between them all.

He nodded in the direction of her boyfriend. Now wasn't exactly the time for pleasantries.

"Look, we need to talk. We need to know how bad it is this time." Her father was hardly prepared for the directness of his daughter.

"Mira.... I.. it's not.."

"No." Mira silenced him from whatever excuse he might have said.

"How much do you owe Nolan?" She asked again with a frown.

"You don't understand Mira. I had to find a way to pay for your sister's schooling. It was the only way... I..." He licked his lips anxiously, eyes darting toward Tetradore to Mira again.

"How much? We need to know so we can help."

"I have it under control..." He offered stubbornly.

Mira sighed, knowing that was hardly true. She wasn't sure what emotion flashed behind her father's eyes but she swore it looked like fear. He looked solely upon her boyfriend and attempted to clear his throat.

"Tetradore... You know.. It is a man's job to provide for his family. I know what you must be thinking. You both need to understand I only did this because I was trying to do what was best. You will only understand one day if you ever have kids of your own." His voice cracked, under the weight of extreme guilt. "It was the only way." Yet even he wasn't sure he believed that as his shoulders slumped forward.

"No it wasn't, Dad. There were other ways. There always has been." Mira uttered softly as she saw the pain on his face.

"Mira..." She could hear the edge of worry within his voice. "It's not safe here.. Nolan knows you are here. It is why I couldn't greet you earlier, he called. Word got to him already that you are here. He wants you to go to him to talk. I told him.. no, to leave you out of this. Not on my life, that this was between him and me. He just laughed me off. I think he means to try something." He turned to Tetradore, a flash of sadness and what seemed like desperation sparked within his hazel eyes. "You need to go. You need to take her away from here and don't look back. I have made many mistakes in my life. It's time I set them right. Please tell me you will do that.. Nolan, he is worse than he was. He will not relent."

mira ramos