ever think you’d be Alpha?”

          Dash grinned and shook his head. “…not in my wildest nightmares.”

          June started laughing again and Dash nuzzled her. “It’s good to spend some time with you for once.” He said.

          June nodded. “Yeah, it is.” She said.

          Dash sighed. “…June, there’s something we need to talk about. ….about the other night… I can sense it.”

          June sighed and looked away.

          “I want to help you.” Dash said. “I can see that something has hurt you in the past… and as your mate I need to know what it was.”

          June looked at him and shook her head. “…nothing’s wrong Dash.” She said.

          Dash looked in her eyes and they betrayed her instantly. “June, please don’t lie to me.” He said. “I can tell that something is wrong.”

          “Can we just not talk about it Dash?” She asked. “…please?”

          Dash shook his head. “…much as I would like to do that just to make you happy I can’t. When we decided to be mates we entered into a partnership, We’re a team, and I can’t be a good part of that team unless I know what is bothering you.”

          June sighed. “Dash please… let’s just drop it. It’s not important.”

          “…sure it is.” Dash said. “If it’s affected you so deeply that you don’t even want to talk about it then it’s very important.”

          June sighed. “…please Dash…”

          Dash cut her off. “…no June. I’m not going to stop asking you until you tell me. It’s my job to protect you… how can I do that if you don’t trust me?”

          June sighed and shook her head. “I do trust you Dash.” She said.

          “…then tell me.” Dash said.

          June shook her head. “…it’s not that I don’t trust you. I just really don’t want to  talk about it.”

          Dash shook his head. “…June…”

          “…just drop it!” June yelled.

          Dash leaned back from her, a surprised and somewhat hurt look on his face.

          June sighed. “Dash…” she took a deep breath. “Dalchei just wasn’t the nice guy you think he was.”

          A second look of surprise crossed his face.  “…what do you mean?” He asked.

          “…he…” June sighed. “…he used to… to hit me all the time when you guys would come back from patrol all right? Can we stop talking about it now?”

          Dash nuzzled her. “…I’m sorry June.” He said. “…I had no idea

          A tear came to June’s eye. “…no one did.” She said. “…he used to say if I told anyone he’d kill me, so I didn’t talk about it.”

          Dash nodded. “…well… what does that have to do with…”

          “He’d force himself on me alright?!” June yelled. “…are you happy now? I didn’t want to do anything with him because my father was the same way and he used to force himself on me anyway alright?”

          Dash was speechless, unsure of what to say in response to this revelation. “…your father?” He asked.

          June nodded. “You know he was banished from the clan right?”

          Dash nodded. “…yeah, for falling asleep on post.”

          June shook her head. “…that’s just what Aleu and Shadow said to protect me. He was… more friendly with me than he should have been… and they banished him for it. That’s why I was such a loner and only hung out with the girls alright? When I met Dalchei he seemed so nice that I thought maybe he was different, but he wasn’t, and he’d hurt me on top of everything.”

          Dash shook his head. “I’m… I’m really sorry June.”

          “Well you wanted to know, now you do, help any?” She asked.

          Dash sighed. “June… you have to know that I wouldn’t hurt you… ever.”

          June sighed. “I know Dash, but… the past has taught me that I’ve been wrong before… I’m just...” She sighed. “This subject tore Dalchei and I apart… I just don’t want it to happen again.”

          Dash nuzzled her and licked the tears from her face. “…it’s alright June. I’ll never do anything like that to you… ever.”

          June nodded. “…still, the subject scares me… when Dalchei would…” She paused for a moment. “..when he would do what he did all I remember is being hurt and afraid, afraid that he would decide that I might tell someone and he’d kill me. That’s what I associate with that alright? …I just… I don’t want to have to deal with those memories again. It’s in the past and I want it to stay there.”

          Dash nodded. “I understand June, but you can’t. You have to deal with this or it’s going to eat you alive for the rest of your life.”

          June sighed.

          Dash scooted close to her and nuzzled her neck. “June, what Dalchei did to you… it was wrong. …but it doesn’t mean that everyone is like that.”

          June nodded. “I know that Dash. I just… that subject scares me. It reminds me of huddling in the corner of my chamber afraid that he would come home early and have the time to do… that to me.”

          Dash nodded and smiled, nuzzling her. “…well you know… we could make it remind you of something else… of what it should mean to you.”

          “…and what’s that?” June asked.

          Dash leaned over and kissed her neck, nuzzling her gently. “…of the fact I love you, and you love me. That’s what it’s supposed to mean. That we’re mates, one body, one heart, and one soul.”

          June sighed. “…and that I’m second best.” She said. “…like I always am.”

          Dash looked confused. “What are you talking about?” He asked.

          June sighed. “Dash… do I really have to explain it?” She asked.

          Dash nodded. “I guess you do, because I have no idea what you’re talking about, second best to who?”

          June sighed. “Dash, you had a mate before me, and you were happy with her. It’s only because she died that you chose to be with me. Had Steele chosen another target…” She paused and  then sighed again. “I’d just be alone right now, like I always was.”

          Dash shook his head. “You’re wrong June.” He said. “you’re not second best.”

          June shook her head. “Really Dash, had she not died would you have left her to be with me?”

          Dash sighed and shook his head. “No..” He said.