Tobys cabin

[Sophia D'Vart]

She takes a deep breath. Then another. "If I told anyone I was turned, I'd lose my job and we'd be homeless. I didn't want that for him. Steve threatened to report me as a feral if I didn't join his pack. And then it just... it was easier to do what he said, to let him handle things. He was the Alpha, you know how it is."

[Dixon]

"What he did was illegal, I know you feared for your job but that's why we have the laws. They prevent the forced from repercussions....still, you did what you needed to survive and for that I'm proud of you. What happed to you should have never happened, it was abuse. I will argue your case to the council, they'll want you to either enter a shelter or submit to the care of another pack until you can control your powers and work through what happened to you. As far as Jamie goes he will need to stay with tobys pack now. He's one of them now he needs to learn how to be a wolf. Once he's mastered that his options open up again but for now he'll need to stay here. As for you if you'd like to stay near Jamie, I'm willing to take you into my packs protection. Toby and I have a joint pack, each our own but still together. You'll be able to see him and interact with him given he wants to see you." I say calmly

[Sophia D'Vart]

She hesitates. "Can I sleep on it? There's a pack of tigers an hour away that also might take me."

[Dixon]

I'll reach out, but mate theft is a very serious crime."

[Sophia D'Vart]

"He's my  son. And he's underage. You kidnapped him. If that's not enough mitigating factors..."

[Dixon]

"It's not." I say flatly "in pack law Jamie stopped being your responsibility when he took the bite, in the eyes of the law what you did is punishable by death, Toby is pissed with you but he spent the last hour arguing for your life. The council has already decided, you either take protection, go to a droning shelter or face the death penalty. Sophia, I understand why you did it, but they don't care! The laws the law and right now most of the council is running on instinct. They want you dead so no one tries this again. They want to use you to send a warning.... Sophia let me help you. Let me take you into protection. I can help you start over, and stay close to your son. You've been through a trauma, please Sophia let me help you."

[Sophia D'Vart]

Her eyes narrow. "I'll fucking kill all of you. What's one more death sentence if I'm already sentenced? That way Jamie will be safe."

[Toby]

"He is safe you fucking idiot!" I roar "he's safe from everyone but you!"

[Dixon]

"Out." I say flatly. Glaring at Toby who huffs and walks out. I turn back to Sophia. "Stop it." I sat calmly looking at her furring up. "Take a breath Sophia. Good now another. You want to protect your son. I get that. I happen to know for a fact that Jamie very much wants you to be safe. Two days ago Jamie asked me to look out for you. He didn't trust Steve and was worried he was hurting you." I pull out the papers from my bride case and hand then to her. Jamie's report for sanctuary and protection for his mother from Steve. "He was very worried about you. He wants you safe, Sophia, he wants you alive! He still needs his mother. He loves you very much, and he needs you safe and alive."

[Sophia D'Vart]

"I can't just hand him over to be a stranger's fucktoy!"

[Dixon]

"Their not fucking" and surprisingly it's not a lie, "Toby wants to wait, let him choose. We're not all like Steve. Toby might not act very mature but he has a very strict moral compass, he agonized over how to tell Jamie about their mating status, about how to give him the bite. He's a lot of things, but he's not some monster who would hurt Jamie." I look over at the cot for a moment and turn back "as far as strangers, I'm Sargent Dixon Andrews us special forces, liscanced social worker, I'm engaged, no kids, small pack of five mostly veterans, I like roses, I'm a natural born wolf, what else you need to know"

[Sophia D'Vart]

"What would you do if my ex stole away one of the kids you were trying to protect? Said ancient Fae custom means they ate the wrong food and now they get to be married off to some faerie prince and never go home again?"

[Dixon]

"Make a deal so they get to come home. Work with them and their customs." I say calmly "but I've lived with magic my whole life and was trained in its history so I'm an outlier. Still I understand your point which is why I'm trying to work with you here."

[Sophia D'Vart]

"I've seen firsthand how you weres treat your mates. Not my Jamie."

[Dixon]

"We're not all like that. Talk to Mala, and Tova. See if they have the same experience" I say calmly