Just because she knew those wounds would be healed overcome morning it did not mean that she enjoyed seeing him hurt. Those wounds were deep enough to sting, even though he tried to conceal it. "Yes, but those look painful now." She didn't bother to hide the concern she had over her stubborn boyfriend. "Let me help, after your bath?" She insisted but knew very well that it was his word that would finalize it regardless her desire to help him. Yet even despite the care for his well-being, he seemed to sense that shift in her own demeanour, the distress that somehow waded through to the surface. How those emerald eyes seemed to pierce right through her, disarming her in a way none had ever before. Beneath the weight of that intensity of his stare, there was no way she could avoid it, not that she would ever keep something like that from him. Yet Mira's past was no longer something she could simply brush over. No longer something she could sit idly by when history was bound to repeat itself, something that could have been prevented had she not left in the first place. A burdened sigh left her lips the indication that he was right. Those words soon trailed shortly behind the tail of that breath. There was something.

Anything the Alpha thought in that very moment was drowned out by those muttered words that he 'knew it'. He hardly seemed surprised at all by her revelation, nor concerned, even as his fingers gingerly dipped into the hot water to test its temperature. That intense gaze that had strayed from her for a moment found her yet again as he waited for her to expand. The she-wolf had the floor and how she had no idea how she wished to express what she had uncovered... There was no point beating around that bush. It was then that she spoke of what she had found out from her sibling, the continued problem of her father's gambling. Yet while everyone had their problems, it was the resurgence of her old alpha and his involvement that disturbed her most. She knew how he worked first hand. Always positioning himself in a way where he could simply take what he wanted. Where would he stop this time? Apparently, that meant he was more than willing to take from the Ramos family again. It felt like history was going to repeat itself yet again. How she knew her little sister would not be able to survive in that environment that had forged Mira. But then again, no one ever knew what they were capable of until they were thrown in the fire.

But was this not what she had sacrificed herself to save another innocent soul? What if there was a way to fix this before it came to a head and yet it was arguable that it already was too late. What ifs were dangerous when they circled in the mind, ready to scavenge on any weakness. Even she could not believe her own hopeful words, not truly, but she had refused to become jaded enough to stop. Yet, anything her boyfriend might have thought on the matter was kept completely to himself. His expression entirely stoic and not offering her a hint of what hid behind those intense eyes that were upon her for a moment longer.

He said nothing as his hands drew to his pants to slip down the material from his toned figure to show off his impressive physique. Even then now he never failed to steal her breath as she watched as he sunk into those hot comforting waters. The sound of his own contentment afforded by nothing else other than the warm sensation from the bath. But those simple words he commented so simply. They would go the following day. She watched as he tipped his head back to relish in that comfort of that heat soothe his likely aching muscles, the conversation dismissed for now but the plan had been set in motion, if only it were not too late to undo the damage done.

-The very next day-

Any hope of a low profile was downright shattered when the Venero roared through that small town. The riotous sound of that engine was a statement in that of itself. How she usually loved the sound of it echoing in the marrow of her bones, but in that moment, it might as well have been war drums. How people could not stop themselves from staring at such a magnificent beast that announced their arrival. Most never had seen something like that in the flesh in their lives beyond calendars and magazines. Of course, they stared. Much like they were sure to stare at the Nightshade alpha too. There was no way the pair would go unnoticed and even more likely that one of those many people would already alert Nolan. Especially when her old alpha already positioned himself to run that town, long before the she-wolf even left. By now, who knew how many people he held beneath his thumb. It was a thought she didn't linger on, Mira, focused on that very moment even though she remained entirely vigilant.

It was soon replaced with a new feeling as they pulled into the driveway of that small but incredibly familiar home. It seemed smaller to her now for some reason, even she hardly knew the reason why. That town felt smaller too when she once thought it could swallow her whole.

That car would certainly be enough to shake the very foundation of her childhood home, the thought drew a hint of a smile to her lips. It didn't help that all that rumbling had done was continuously attracted quite the crowd. The car came to a stop, the motor silencing when her boyfriend's voice drew her golden, fiery gaze toward him. Ready? Was she ready for this? That was a complicated question she didn't wish to dwell on. "As ready as I will ever be, but shouldn't I ask you that question? This is the first time you will meet my family. Think of all the things you can uncover about me from my room alone..." She offered him a somewhat wry smile, any worry pushed aside for the time being. She leaned in and kissed his warm cheek, an innocent peck she had stolen before nearly whispering those words like he needed it. "Good luck.." The she-wolf offered before the pair exited that vehicle, the moment his shoes touching that drive way she had once covered every square inch in chalk stars when she was a child.

Yet one thing that was impossible to miss was just how her boyfriend transformed right before her very eyes. The shift from aloof to Alpha of the Nightshade pack was near instantaneous. He exuded that powerful stance as he straightened to his full height, like this town didn't belong to any other alpha other than him.

It was surprising that it was her father who exited the house first. She recognized him near immediately, despite how much he had aged. There were a few extra lines that hadn't been there before, his hair almost completely turned grey. He seemed to look at the car and yet came no further than the front porch and Mira could not understand what made him keep his distance. The two men seemed to look at one another, her father seemed to crumble beneath it.. At least he was about to.

The loud shout of her name for the whole world to hear snared the she-wolf's attention. If that car had not announced their arrival, that was sure to do it. Her sister ran like the wind toward the woman that had barely left the car. The impact caused the she-wolf utter an oomph at nearly being knocked over. She clung so tightly to her that Mira thought she would be unable to steal air for herself to breathe. She melted into that hug from the shorter adoring woman. Her hair was a few shades lighter than her own and her eyes quite a lot darker. "You've grown up, Clarabella." Mira uttered fondly, the old nickname one she refused to give up.

"Stop calling me that.." the other girl whined but her beaming smile went from ear to ear. "Thats him?" She released her sister as her eyes near bugged as she eyed Tetradore as that short embrace ended. "This is the mystery man?"

Mira offered Tetradore a near apologetic look. "This is Tetradore, it is the guy I told you about." She wasn't quite sure of the rules of his name here with her family. This was truly unchartered territory, even to her.

"What kind of name is.... Um, I.. hi. I am Clara. Hopefully dad won't be weird and stand all the way over there forever. He has been weird lately." Mira near sighed at the loudness of those words. Everyone within a mile she was certain had heard her name.

"The whole town knows we are here now." She caught the emerald gaze of her boyfriend before the sound of that storm door opened and closed again. It was all but a matter of when.

That was when Mira's mother exited the home and brushed right by her father and right toward her. She looked softer, her own eyes were far more bronze in comparison than her own molten gold ones. To her, they looked almost sad. What had happened when she had been gone? "Mira." She uttered, the pair of woman exchanged those glances. She parted her lips as if there was more to say and yet she couldn't quite get them out. Tears lined her eyes but didn't fall. She smelled exactly what she had remembered and the she-wolf sighed, returning that hug that did not linger too long even though she felt transported back in time when she was her sister's age. So much had changed. She was not the same girl either. Yet Mira hadn't quite anticipated for her chest to ache like it did. Yet all it told her was that there was no question in this world that she would make the same sacrifice again and again if she had too.

It was like her mother suddenly remembered herself, but she stood in front of Tetradore and Mira could only wonder if she felt the intensity he gave off in waves. "Its nice to meet you, you are the first boy... man she has ever brought home."

Mira drew her hand to her lips before clearing her throat. The sound, at least was enough. "We have gathered quite the audience.. The neighbours will likely be talking about it for weeks to come. Come on let's get you two fed, you two must be hungry after your drive. You can call me Aline and that is Manuel. He will... warm up." She chimed by ways of introduction before she attempted to round everyone inside and away from those prying eyes that watched them from every angle. Mira nodded before they were intercepted by her sister.

"Soo.. You are alpha of your own pack?" Clara barely waited long enough for the questions to begin. "Is it like the one here? No one messes with Nolan's pack." Clara spoke, clearly searching for some kind of information, although there was something in her voice that alarmed the she-wolf. A frown threatened to bloom upon Mira's features. Not even five minutes in and they were already talking about this. "Mira told me you have your own business. I don't think she ever said what, what is it you do again?" Clara questioned as they strode across the driveway and toward the house her parents already disappeared into.

mira ramos