The Stubborn and the more stubborn.

"I'm sorry I broke down like that earlier Ned...I have a soft spot for weddings.

I love weddings but hate them at the same time."

"Henrietta...you don't have to justify that, it's okay to feel emotional, you're still processing a huge loss.

Honestly, if My kids were taken from me like that...I'd cry about it for years too."

"Wow...that was a much kinder response, then the one I imagined you'd say." Henrietta replied chuckling, Her eyes were still a bit red and puffy from crying earlier.

"Would you prefer if I was mean?" Ned said sarcastically.

"You know, you're like the closet thing to a friend that I got recently...honestly, I can't trust anyone lately to cry comfortably around them." She said.

"Does your family judge you for crying or something? I thought you're the head of family." Ned replied.

"When my parents died, no one stepped in to take their place, I mean to be the head of family...everyone wanted to avoid the pressure of being the one in charge of family decisions, the weight of that power was too much I guess...so I took the opportunity.

Maybe because I felt weak, or maybe because I was trying to make a change.

The remainder of the family...they all wanted to lead normal somewhat separate lives from each other, some even left the mansion when my parents died.

No one wanted to be the one arranging for family gathering, watching over the family's affairs...or making decisions in difficult times like punishing those members who did wrong in the eyes of the family.

Besides...everyone had, their own little family...a lover and child to look after, I only had one of two so I was an obvious choice for leadership." She explained.

"How's a police officer, and a single parent, the best choice for leadership?" Ned asked.

"Funny right? Everyone voted for me despite that I had three kids out of wedlock that went missing, and adopted a demon child, plus I never got married!...I sound like a terrible choice to lead a family." Henrietta said chuckling.

"Exactly...but I'm curious.

How the hell did you end up fathering 3 kids, and adopted one?...With everything on your plate, that sounded like a lot to deal with already." Ned asked.

Surprised but delighted, "You're THAT interested? how about a dinner together...I'll tell you anything you want." Henrietta replied smiling.

"You're so stubborn, I told you I have a man!" Ned replied, "Yeah, yeah...damn him... who's that fucker anyways! he can't be that amazing!" Henrietta replied back annoyed.

"Don't call him that! And don't be judgmental of a person you have yet to see.

Also, I'm not sure what made you think you have a crush on me, or that I would accept it but trust me Henrietta...you're wasting your time with me."

"I'm aware of that...I'm just flirting, it's harmless! it's not like I actually asked you to go out with me."

"OBJECTION! you just asked me for dinner!"

"I mean...ugh, look Ned, I know you and I don't have the best relationship because of what happened to Muriel thanks to my ungrateful son Leonard.

But this time, it feels like you hate me even more...I know asking you to help cover-up for Leonard's cons, was a big request and a shameful one too, since I'm an officer of the law myself...and I'm supposed to stop those who break it.

But I don't want this one sided hatred between us to continue on!...i genuinely consider you as a good friend Ned!"

"A good friend?! you just admitted to shamelessly flirting with me?

Also...You know what Henrietta? just drive, do what you know best, cars." Ned replied while glancing from his window.

Tightening her grip around the steering wheel, "Ugh!...you act as if you're sitting in the car with a murderer! I really hate this treatment I keep getting from people I like!" She said angrily.

"Henrietta, Chill...you brought this upon yourself.

you're old enough to be my children's grandparent, so stop trying the get into my pants! maybe then we can be good friends." Ned replied.

"As if getting into your pants is possible anymore...you got yourself a mate, and it's obvious that you like him a lot." Henrietta replied.

"You act as if it's my fault? him and are mates, the bond makes us like each other, whether we like it or not...but the truth is, I liked him before our bond, so you have a point.

Maybe you should meet-up with him, I'm sure once you get to know Garrick, you would understand why you don't stand a chance against him." Ned said.

"Huh?...That's a good idea Actually!" Henrietta replied.

Surprised, "I take it back, I was joking, that's not a good idea!" Ned said.

"No, I've made-up my mind...you want me to stop bothering you? let me see that man of yours." Henrietta offered.

"You're kidding?! right?! please say it's a joke!"

"It's originally your idea Ned, so no... I'm not kidding."

...Some time later...

"Henrietta, c'mon what the hell?! I was just hypothetically speaking to make you shut-up!" Ned said as he climbed out of the passenger side of Henrietta's car.

"I appreciate your honesty Ned, but I've made-up my mind." The Alpha woman said as she had already exited her car before him and was walking towards Ned's house, So Ned hurried his steps to follow her.

When Henrietta stood at the Front door, she rang the bell furiously several times in a row, "Henrietta you're being real disrespectful right now, just leave already! you're not welcomed into my house." Ned said standing next to her.

"Forgive me for this Ned, I won't do it again." Henrietta said, "Do Wh-?!" Ned didn't even have time to protest before Henrietta smashed her lips against his.

But at that same exact moment Henrietta did so, the front door swung open.

Behind it was Garrick who was holding Luna in his arms, with Jade standing beside him.

"The fuck?!" Jade said at the sight of the alpha woman kissing Ned.

"Jade, please hold Luna for me, would you?" Garrick said quickly putting the puppy in Jade's arms, before he grabbed Henrietta's collar and punched her Away from Ned and straight to the ground.

"Damn! you don't gotta see that drama, fluffy one." Jade said covering a confused Luna's eyes.

Meanwhile, Licking the blood on her lips, Henrietta stood-up dusting herself and smiled, "Well that kiss is worth the punch, I guess." She said chuckling.

"HENRIETTA STYLE! YOU'RE OFFICIALLY OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND!" Ned shouted, "Henrietta?!..so that's her." Garrick said following Henrietta as she backed away slowly, attempting to put a distance between her and Garrick that was approaching her.

Suddenly, as she examined Garrick with her eyes, Henrietta's smugness started to fade and her smile dropped.

Meanwhile Garrick was Glaring at her, "Don't touch Ned again, next time I'll kill you asshole!

Haven't you done enough! I know Who you are!" he said.

"Hold on...you...You look like her, You look like...!" Henrietta said in confusion.

"Like who?!? did I knock you too hard, your old Brain got damaged?!" Garrick Asked.

"Boy, who are you? tell me!" Henrietta demanded with a hint of seriousness that Ned caught immediately, "Stop talking, you're pissing me off! the likes of you who think they can do anything they like because they're alphas who got some money." Garrick said disgusted.

"What are you talking about?" Henrietta asked.

Rushing to his mate's side, "Rickie, look at me...baby." Ned said to his mate making Garrick turn to him while still glaring, "Breath, you need to calm down. " Ned spoke again.

"How do you expect me to calm down Ned! why did you let her kiss you?!"

"I didn't let her, it just happened so fast and unexpectedly! Henrietta is not in her right mind, she's not worth a minute right now... please, let's just go back inside."

"Not before I teach her a lesson!" Garrick said angrily.

Holding Garrick's hands in his while looking him in the eyes, "Do it for me...let this go, I'll do anything you want...just let her go." Ned said.

"I don't want to let her go!" Garrick said.

thinking for a second, "I got an idea...I Know it'll make you happy, so please listen to me." Ned replied.

Reluctant, "What do you want?" Garrick asked, "Instead of waiting until your graduation, let's accept each other as mates officially on new year's eve, I mean tomorrow...

I think the fact that our bond is still unstable, is making both of us anxious.

Besides, I think it's more romantic to do it, on new year's eve anyways."Ned said, "It'll be few more days before you graduate from the academy and become an official FBI agent...so I wanna welcome you as my official mate as well." He added.

"You...wanna welcome me as your official mate?" Garrick asked, "Yes, think of it as an early graduation gift.

If you wanna show people like her, that you and I belong only to each other...that's the way to do it." Ned replied.

"So...tomorrow's night you and I...Umm, but why so suddenly?"

"I figured why wait more? just because we're tied forever doesn't mean we should take our time in everything, especially not when it comes to accepting each other.

Garrick...I want you more than anything else right now."

"Yesterday...you said you love me."

"I mean it... you took my breath away when I first met you in my office that day, remember? The day Jade punched you."

"I remember, it wasn't that long ago." Garrick replied, his expression softened slowly.

"I liked how forgiving you were, how peaceful your aura felt when we talked...that unexpected kiss we shared that day.

And what I liked the way you felt familiar to me...Truth is, I want us to get together more than Lucius and Aroon wanting to get married." Ned said.

Feeling shy, "You want us to get married?" Garrick cluelessly asked, "Eventually, yes.

I think I've matured enough for that stage... I'm waiting for you to do the same." Ned replied smiling.

"I...want you too...I like being your mate." Garrick said.

"Heh, I'm glad to hear that, Horse face." Ned replied chuckling, "Hey, why don't we go inside now...I'm curious to see how Luna is adapting to her new home.

I'm a cat person by nature, but I think I should give Luna a chance." Ned added.

"Ok, can we hold hands?" Garrick asked, "Even better, put your arm around my shoulder and let's go!" Ned replied smiling.

The two then walked away from Henrietta, leaving her behind still confused standing, as they went back to into the house.

Before she closed The door behind Ned and Garrick, Jade gave a confused Henrietta a finale glance, "I'm not sure what to feel in this situation...c'mon Luna, it's best if we don't anger mom." she said.

...An hour later...

"Is she really asleep? look at her...her eyes are only half closed!" Ned said giggling at Matilda who was taking a nap on the couch.

"She dozed off after we talked a bit...she seemed exhausted." Garrick replied while petting Luna happily.

Suddenly Luna jumped from Garrick's arms and ran to the window, "WOOF WOOF!" Luna started barking nonstop.

"Huh?! Who's...there?!" Matilda woke-up startled, "Luna! what's gotten into you?!" Jade asked following the puppy, "Oh I get it." She said when she looked from the window.

"What's going on?" Garrick asked, "Henrietta, she's still standing outside." Jade replied.

Hearing that, both Ned and Garrick stood-up.

"Are you sure?" Garrick asked, "Yeah! I ain't blind, Sis still out there!" Jade replied,"If I'm stubborn, she's more stubborn than me." she added.