**Ariana's POV**Jason is right what if mom got too sick to really talk to me before she thought I was old enough to handle it?Running into our room, I yanked the trunk of my mom's things out of the closet.Opening it, a strong scent hit my nose and it smells like home. My mom's favorite shawl sits on top taking it out, I wrap it around me. Rifling through her things makes my throat thicken with tears, and I don't even know what I am trying to find. It's full of keepsakes things that mattered meant something important to her. A photo album, chronicling our life together birthdays, holidays all my awful school pictures I will never understand why every time that school photographer said smile the most grotesque grimace would appear on my face. Worst pictures ever and she saved every one. True what they say a face only a mother could love. Nothing spoke to me reached out to me. I kept going through it. At the very bottom, a small box rested.It was leather and my mother's name embos

**Ariana's POV**Max was all acting sanctimonious and shit of course we don't have a glitch this ain't the matrix' Asshole! He could have a glitch! He could've moved ..ducked the shoe but, nope! It hit him! He could've caught it nope! See? Glitches! Mine are just more obvious. Jason pulls me back into his lap. "Don't worry, sweetheart! Next time you get excited, just grab my hand and I will glitch with you!" She giggles and says. "Okay..but if we land in the linen closet you don't get to whine about being cramped!" We all laugh.Max clears his throat "Jason... Alpha-hole Mark requests an audience in the morning at nine?" I shrugged.. looking at Jason. "Let him know we will receive him at precisely 9am and if he dares disrespect your Luna .. he won't be leaving!" I laugh at what he said.. then asked "Can I change him into a weasel? A portly little weasel? He'd be soo cute!And, I betcha his Luna would like him then!" We laugh and he tells me no but I can freeze him! We had our pizza

**Jason's POV** Jason linked Jeremy to come to the office.They want to video record the interview so there can be no repercussions coming back on them later and while he got everything set up.Jason had Henry bring Mark up from the cells. They thought it would be good for his reactions to his wife's words to be recorded, as well. Sometimes, those are more telling than any conversation might be!Henry brought him in nearly slamming him into a seat beside Charlotte. He reached over and took her hand but she snatched it back away. That's a tell! Lily sits across from Charlotte and knowing she had already established a rapport with her, Jason was leaving it in her capable hands with Max and Jeremy close to Mark should he try to show his ass!Lily smiles "Charlotte... let's talk about your living mostly in the safe room, the last two months. How difficult that was.. with a nine year old son...huh!? I would have needed him to stay sane!" Charlotte chuckled. It wasn't that bad we had the

**Ariana's POV**Upon waking, I watched Jason walk toward our bathroom and realized he's bigger!Taller.. broader! I started giggling then, jumpingfrom the bed, I ran next to him "Am I taller? Did I get to be bigger, too? Check me! Am I more than 5'? I want to be! Let's measure me!" He laughs at me. Laughs! Telling me he don't think so!? I get dressed my clothes fit the same. The exact same! And he had to link Jeremy to get him new ones! How is that fair!?Even a little? After breakfast, we walked into the conference room and the Alphas had already been seated. Alpha Klaus too one look at Jason and smirked "Good Goddess, bro! You grew into a 'Holy Fuck You're gargantuan' overnight!" And the whole table laughed. Then Alpha Andres asked "Can you explain what's happening? This is a lot more than packs being decimated and Alphas being taken out."I looked around the table, feeling their energy and feeling deceitful because everyone drank coffee laced with truth potion and even Jason d

**Ariana's POV**Walking downstairs, I grab Lily's hand and taking her outside "Would you help me ward our borders? I realize it will require a shit ton of rocks we can spell, but I want to include the town, as well. Bad things are coming and we need... I need our people to be safe! I will not allow any part of my parents' sacrifice to be in vain! "Apparently, my mate and I are responsible for saving our entire species so the best way to do that in my mind, is to begin with our pack!"My aunt pulled me into her arms and whispered "You never have to ask for my help! It is always freely given! I am so proud of you! Of the woman you're becoming. I know your mother is! And it makes my heart happy you have forgiven both your parents."I laugh "Truly! There was nothing to forgive them for! Meeting Jason there is nothing.. absolutely nothing, I wouldn't give up, for just one night in his arms! "I am struggling with Hecate and Selene. I understand the need for my safety! I resent my dad ne