Dean and Joey are still working on their relationship. It's not always easy, considering Joey had recently been brainwashed into trying to kill Dean and the rest of the pack. He can't ignore his instincts, however. He loves Dean. They're mated, and the sex is amazing. Dean is the alpha in their pairing, and in order to help his mate heal he needs to put aside all his feelings of inadequacy for failing to protect his mate. He's going to see to it that the men who hurt his mate suffer. There will be consequences for hurting Joey. Joey doesn't want Dean to go. He wants to be normal, enjoy being mated to the man he's loved since before he knew it was love. Dean's alpha nature will not be put off though, and when the attack finally happens, Joey will be left behind, but Dean will take his heart with him—whether or not he comes back.