‘Are you sure you should be out here in your condition?’

Though her stomach was swollen, the wolf still nipped at the shoulder of the wolf next to her. In response, he gently nudged her. They continued going back and forth until a voice interrupted them through the family link.

‘Stop it, are you two children?’ They lowered their heads, but the black wolf continued. ‘Don’t risk the mission because you want to be all touchy-feely.’

‘Sorry, Mavis.’

‘Sorry, Mom’

The forest went silent other than the small footsteps from the wolves. With the black wolf leading the pack with her Fated, the rest circled around the heavily pregnant one. It had been a long journey since she needed frequent breaks and food stops. She could only go so fast with her size.

‘We are so close; I can sense them surrounding us.’

Right to the point, wolves were on either side of the pack, hidden in the trees. Yet, they never stopped. Stopping now would let them know that they weren’t as hidden as they thought they were. It was best to wait for the lead wolf to take them into the pack.

Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long. In one motion, the wolves exited the forest and a dark wolf, as dark as the trees, stepped forward, blocking their path.

As he approached the black wolf, the rest stepped back and hid the pregnant wolf from view. A pregnant wolf was the most vulnerable, they can’t shift or fight with the wight, and their mind is typically focused on the child.

The man shifted first, not even bothering to dress to hide his nudity. The black wolf followed, revealing an older woman, this time, her Fated moved in front to shield her from wondering eyes.

“What do you nomads want, you’re on our land now.”

“We understand, Gamma, but we wanted to see if we could stay. My daughter is heavily pregnant, and I don’t want to risk losing her or my grandchild. We would stay just for the birth and then be on our way. Please, let us seek shelter on your land and have your protection.”

The Gamma didn’t speak, but a gray wolf stepped from the shadows, aiming right at the pregnant wolf. Seeing this as a threat, her Fated covered her and snapped at the stranger.

“Tell him to relax; we just have to make sure this isn’t a trick from enemy packs.”

‘Xander, relax.’

Though it took some patience, the wolf did step back, letting the stranger scent out his Fated. Once he was done, the wolf stepped back and stood by his Gamma.

“It seems she truly is pregnant. The Alpha is willing, as long as you stay in human form.” He stared at the largest wolves, two of which were standing on either side of the woman. “We don’t want to risk out pack members with your tempers.”

Without another word, he shifted and walked further into the woods. The woman followed, leading her pack.

The forest was thick; it seemed like it was evening though it was noon outside the cover of the trees. They continued until the trees thinned out, revealing a lake. Around the edge of the clearing, there were houses, people spotting the grounds, and the beach.

Every pack member watched as the nomads were paraded through the center of the field. On the other end, hidden in the trees, was a small little cabin. Reaching the porch, the lead wolf shifted along while the other wolves dispersed.

“You can stop here. We will have two guards out at the doors, but we won’t enter. Please, ask us for anything you need, and we hope things go well.”

He left, two wolves casually laying in the shade near the house. While two of the nomads waited on the porch, the rest went inside.

“Are we are supposed to fit in here?”

The young woman stretched her arms, inspecting the area.

While it would work for a couple, it was a tight fit for the five of them. Everyone else had shifted, putting on clothes and flexing fingers. There was a kitchen, bar, living room with a couch and a couple of beds. Most likely, there was another room upstairs.

“Be grateful that we even have one.” Her sister walked up, searching through empty cabinets. “It’s better than being stuck in the woods while Gigi has her baby.”

‘Hey!’ The pack flinched as the shout rang through the link. ‘We said no names, we can’t let them know anything about us.’

Both women turned to the now-shifted black wolf.

‘Sorry, Nana.’

Everything stopped when the last wolf whined, curling up on the floor.

Her Fated rushed first, rubbing her side and soothing her while the others circled up.

‘Hey Gina, how bad was it this time?’

The wolf panted before answering.

‘I’m fine. Just another hard one.’

‘I don’t like this Mavis, it’s too close to her labor, and we are nowhere near being done with this mission or getting back home.’

Mavis stood, running her fingers through her hair. It had taken longer than planned to find the pack; her daughter was too close.

‘We can’t stop now, Xander. We are so close to your sisters.’

Xander stopped, staring down at his Fated and taking in some deep breaths. Too much of his family was at risk, he didn’t like it.

‘But we have things under control. Sergio and Atta are at the door, Nora and Sammy and I are here for Regina, and you can finally get this family problem resolved.’ She knelt, putting a hand on his shoulder. ‘Just have patience, Xander’

He didn’t say anything else, just helping his Fated to the bed, sitting on the edge. Nora and Sammy followed, sitting on either side.

‘Don’t you worry, Xixi.’ Sammy laid down with Regina.

Nora followed, running her fingers through Regina’s fur. ‘We will be here to protect and help Gigi.’

Time passed, the sun setting and night falling. Atta and Sergio stayed outside, their large wolf bodies practically blocking the door. Mavis and Xander were preparing dinner as the girls whispered secrets and gossip like school girls. Even though they were on enemy territory, peace filled the cabin. Tomorrow, they would find Robin and Ruby, Xander promised he would.

____

It was cold.

Yet, it didn’t hurt anymore.

She was used to it.

The door creaked open.

Her eyes following as light flooded the room.

A smile came upon her face.

He was here.

Finally!

He said something.

She didn’t care what.

He was here.

A plate was set down, just out of reach.

She wasn’t worried, though.

Like every time, he slipped a piece of bread between her lips, words leaving his own as she chewed.

He left soon after, but her smile never did.

He would come back.

He always would.

He loved her.