There were thoughts in her mind that she should make some calls or go over the evidence they had, but as the steady rhythm of his heartbeat filled her ear, Roxie found herself drifting off sleep.  They had not been able to be close together last night, and her body craved the touch of his, even if it was just like this.  She surrendered to the feeling, fighting it would only leave her tired and unsatisfied.  She woke a couple hours later.  Ben still softly slumbered beneath her head, so she was careful to pull herself from the bed.  Her stomach grumbled softly, she had mostly just picked at breakfast because she wanted to focus her attention on the young Marcus and making sure he had a good start to his day.<br/><br/>When she heard the knock, Roxie thought that Allie might have returned until she heard the voice through the door.  Her brow furrowed.  She had not seen Alexander in years.  Several different emotions tried to bubble to the surface.  Feelings of confusion, anger, loss.  She had stood up for him all those years ago and he had walked away from their friendship.  She knew that losing his beloved must have been so incredibly difficult, but his abandonment still stung her in a way she had not fully realized until now.  She opened the door and quickly stepped out, closing it behind her.  If seeing Alexander brought up complicated feelings for her, she had no doubt they would bring up equally difficult feelings for Ben.  For all she knew, Ben might rip the guy to shreds where he stood, after all that had happened.<br/><br/>"Ben's sleeping.  You can't...Alex you can't be here..."  She said, trying to be honest about the situation.  "If he sees you, I'm not sure how he would react.  We're...I'm his mate.  The bond triggered and if he sees you the bond might force him to do something he'd regret, as a move of protection."  That's what Ben had been doing all those years ago, right?  Trying to protect the packs from exposure.  Trying to protect Roxie.  Even though she knew it, she had never been able to forgive him for the brutal acts he had perpetrated against Alexander.