Notes:
    A familiar face from Rose's past shows up.
Warnings: depression

Ryder's wolf form^^
    As the days passed, Rose grew increasingly depressed due to the situation with Victoria and nothing seemed to make her feel better. She had basically become nonresponsive. 
    Merlin was starting to grow very worried because not even their children could cheer her up despite their best efforts to try.
    One day, something weird happened.
    As usual, Merlin awoke with the dawn, preparing himself for his daily duties. He kissed his beloved mate but did not wake her, knowing she hadn't slept well since the news. He headed off to do his daily duties, letting her rest.
    Rose woke up a few hours later and resigned to just lay in bed as usual when an unexpected visitor showed up.
    "This is pathetic!" A voice randomly piped up.
    Rose barely lifted her head, more than a bit surprised to find Elisa standing there, watching her, scoffing at the Omega Vixen's current appearance.
    "What do you want, Elisa?" Rose asked, too tired and depressed to sound angry or accusatory.
    "For weeks now, we've been told that our great Omega Vixen, the pride of our Alpha, has been on bedrest and is not to be disturbed. Yet, all this worry and panic that has been caused within all the packs, even those who barely tolerate the new order, is because its Pack Vixen is a whiny bitch! Pathetic!"
    Rose growled a warning. "You don't know me, Elisa. You don't know what I've been through!"
    Elisa rolled her eyes. "All this over an Omega you don't even know, that is not even of our pack?" Elisa's words were cruel but they gave Rose the ability to rise from the bed of furs and rush towards the offending Omega. "It's my duty! Don't tell me how I should or shouldn't act because I followed our mother's wishes!"
    Elisa snorted. "Following the orders of another is not your responsibility! Being here for us and standing up for your people is!"
    "I AM STANDING UP FOR MY PEOPLE! I'M PROTECTING THEM! IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO JUDGE HOW I DO MY JOB!" Rose shouted, cornering her rival.
    Suddenly, the ambiance of the room changed. Elisa smirked. "Atta girl." she spoke, quietly.
    Rose's confusion was palpable, unsure what those two small words might have meant. The moment of confusion gave Elisa time to slip from where Rose had her pinned and head towards the den entrance. 
    Once there, she stopped. "Whatever I think of you, Rose, I know you are a good person and a damn good Pack Vixen. Letting someone else control your ability to do your job, however? That is pathetic in my eyes. Be upset if you must, but in private, and continue to do your job."
    Rose turned to her, a mixture of anger, frustration, and confusion making her curious of something. "What do you want from me, Elisa?"
    Elisa turned too. "What do I want from you? Nothing. But what I and everyone else in this pack needs is your leadership and guidance. You mated the Alpha of the pack. It is your responsibility to take care of it now as you promised that day at home tree. No one else but you and Merlin. 
    "So quit moping. Get up, shower, dress, and go out there and do your job!"
    With that, she swept out the den, leaving Rose to think about the weird advice and pep talk she had been given by the one she swore hated her the most.
                          * * * * *
      After a shower under the falls and dressing in a silken gown that fit her figure, Rose felt much better. She wandered out to the glen, taking a moment to let in a breath of the fresh air and watch as the afternoon sun bathed the countryside in beautiful golden light. Then she moved forward, looking over at everyone doing their daily duties, occasionally offering her insight and advice, receiving happy smiles from her pack, all glad that she was well once again.
      "Rose!" She turned to find her mate rushing towards her. "What are you doing out and about, my love?"
      Rose rolled her eyes at her overprotective Alpha. "I can take care of myself, Merl. Besides," she paused, noticing Elisa watching from over the rise, and continued, the next part directed towards the aforementioned Omega, "I thought it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself and take care of my pack."
     Elisa sent Rose a rare smile at her words. Rose then turned her attention back to Merlin. 
     He was smiling. "Well, as long as you're sure then, love." With that, he pulled her into his arms for a much awaited passionate kiss. She melted into it, missing the possessive side of her Alpha. Moments later, they broke the kiss and Rose turned her head back to Elisa on the rise.
   She was no longer smiling. With a shrug of one shoulder, the blond Omega shifted and ran off, leaving Rose to turn back to Merlin, but he was now distracted by Adam. 
    When had he shown up?
    Merlin looked grim as Adam asked, "What do you suggest, Alpha?"
    "I'll go, along with my second. Stay a good distance behind us and, should anything go wrong, alert Alpha Cenred."
    "What's happened?" Rose asked, worried by the tone in her mate's voice.
    "A few rogues have arrived at the border, asking for an audience."
     "Let me come." Rose quickly responded. 
     "No." Merlin answered, firmly. "I'm not risking your life, especially not when you are overdue to have our pups."
     "Why not?" 
     "Because it's not me they want an audience with." He paused, his baby blues searching across the glen before landing on her again. "It's you."
                          * * * * * 
    "I'm coming." Rose answered, chasing after Merlin. He had already signalled Arthur to follow him and the other Alpha had already shown up, heard the quick rundown, and was currently following his little brother.
     "I thought I told you no." Merlin warned.
     "And? Since when has that ever stopped me?" Rose asked, defiantly.
     Merlin growled low in his throat. "Rose please..."
     "Whoever these rogues are, they asked for me. I'm coming to see what they want."
      Merlin let out a breath. "I'm not gonna change your mind, am I?"
      Rose folded her arms across her chest. "Nope."
     Merlin sighed. "Fine. But stick by me at all times."
     "Like that'd be a problem." Rose laughed.
     "And if I tell you to run, don't argue."
     Rose tilted her face up to her mate's, acting as if she was going to steal a kiss, then touched a finger to his nose and said,"Deal," before turning and trotting off ahead.
     Merlin shook his head, quickly following her.
                          * * * * *
     The trio shifted into wolf form as they headed for the group of rogues.
     A small group of them stood off to one side.
     At the head of them was a rather large wolf the side of Sam but slightly smaller than Nyx. The wolf's fur was very thick, a dark brown in color. He was heavily scarred, one ear badly torn, several deep scars over one eye.
     But it was the eyes that bothered Merlin. One was gold, the scarred one a pale white.
    Was this the wolf Mother Lupa had warned them of?
    The wolf then shifted into a tall man, a mop of dark brown hair, his (now) hazel eyes focused on Rose. That look alone had Merlin growling low in his throat, pushing his Omega behind him, protectively. The other were didn't even seem bothered by Merlin's response.
    "Who are you?" Merlin asked, the growl still in his voice.
    A long pause followed Merlin's question.
    Then...the other Alpha finally spoke. "I'm looking for Rosalia Wilde."
    Rose gasped from behind Merlin. "And what do you want with my mate?" Merlin asked, the protective side of him showing through as he held her.
    "That is between us."
    Merlin growled. Rose placed a hand on his shoulder, slowly and cautiously stepping around her Alpha, moving towards the other one.
    "And what business would be between us?" She asked.
    "You don't recognize me?" The mysterious Alpha asked incredulously.
    "Should I?" Rose fired back.
    The Alpha shook his head, a small sarcastic smile spreading over it as he looked back up.
     "I understand. It's been a long time since we last saw each other." He stepped forward slowly but a low growl from Merlin made him stop in his tracks. "Remember the glen? I taught you how to shift. To run. We used to drive old man Evans crazy."
    Rose's eyes widened. "That's not possible! You're dead."
    He chuckled. "And until recently," he said, moving closer again, "I thought the same about you."
    "Ry?" She asked.
    "Hey Rosy Posy."
    Rose rushed forward and threw her arms around him in a hug. "I missed you."
    Merlin cleared his throat. "Mind enlightening us, love?"
    Rose rushed back to her mate, kissing him deeply before turning her attention back to the other Alpha. "Merl, this is my brother, Ryder. Ry, this is my Alpha, Merlin."
    Ryder stepped forward, hand held out. Merlin took it, clasping their arms together in their customary greeting.
    "My apologies." Merlin said, quietly. "I was informed all of Rose's family was murdered by hunters."
    "And, unfortunately, that is very true. Luckily enough for me, I was out hunting with Viktor and Vincent." He gestured towards two large, dark brown wolves, both as scarred as he was. His expression turned to one of pain. "All these years, we believed we were the only ones to escape." Looking up at her, his smile returned. "But now we're back together again, little sister."
    "And what are your intentions?" Merlin asked, still a little on edge as he thought of those two different colored eyes of the man before him.
    "Well," Ryder began, "I wish to spend some time with my sister and allow my friends and family a place to stay. We've looked for Wolf Haven for decades." Merlin exhaled sharply and Ryder sighed. "I know our mother has warned of the wolf with two different colored eyes but I am not he."
    "Mother Lupa has spoken to you too?" Rose asked in surprise.
    "Only once. She warned me of the war. Then she told me my sister needed me and pointed me in the correct direction. And here I am."
    "Adam!" Merlin called. Adam appeared next to Merlin, his long trenchcoat flowing in the breeze. "We'll be camping out here for the evening. Ask Beta Audrey to prepare some lunch for us."
    "As you wish."
    Adam shifted into his enormous wolf and raced off. Ryder whistled. "Big boy, ain't he?" He joked.
    Merlin looked confused.
    In answer to Merlin's confused look, Ryder added, "I mostly like men."
    Rose snorted in laughter.
                         * * * * *
    As Merlin, his brothers, Ryder, and his friends prepped for camp, a beautiful female Omega appeared next to Ryder, a young male following behind.
   The female's raven hair was pinned to the top of her head, her catlike eyes gleaming, matching her fancy dress. She walked with purpose in her steps, showing her confidence in her Siren status. In wolf form, she was unusually large for a female with black fur that had golden tips.
    The male Omega following her was handsome with his dark hair and dark eyes, covered in a long black robe. He was a caster with enormous power and part fae besides. He too, had black fur when in his wolf form though he was small for a male.
    "Rosy Posy, Merlin, meet my mates. This is Serafina and Gideon."
    Serafina moved forward. "Rosalia, how wonderful to meet you at last!" Serafina said, throwing her arms around her sister by mating.
   "Rose please."
   "Call me Sera." Serafina said with a smile.
    Merlin stepped forward and took Sera's hand, kissing it.
    Gideon moved forward, reluctantly, accepting a handshake from Merlin and patting Rose on the back gently, instead of hugging her.
    After camp was prepared, Ryder introduced the rest of his pack. Aside from Ryder, there were nine Alphas. Including Serafina, there five Omegas, three of which were teens, and only one other adult. There were four Betas, only one of which was an adult, and two Gammas. In the pack, there were six teenagers, three of which were Omegas and three Betas.
    Viktor and Vincent, Ryder's friends from his old pack, were twin brothers, both Alphas. Viktor was tall with shoulder length black hair and piercing eyes while Vincent had hair like a field of wheat and gorgeous blue eyes. In wolf form, Viktor was a dark brown in color with black tips. Vincent was a golden blond wolf in his other form and medium size. Lila, a beautiful young raven haired Omega, was mated to Viktor. Oddly enough, she was a bright red in color in her wolf form and quite small.
    Then there was Spirit and Shadow, twin Alpha siblings. Spirit was a beautiful red haired female Alpha with a mysterious air about her. Like Rose, her wolf form was white, although she was a bit bigger than the Omega Vixen and had blue streaks in her fur. Shadow was a male Alpha with black hair who had a dark air about him but nothing that would be off putting. His wolf form was pure black with red streaks in his fur, the same size as his sister. Both were fire elementals.
    It was clear immediately that Gabriel was an Ancient, an Alpha with golden brown hair and a pure gold gaze, large golden wings sprouting from his back. In his wolf form, he was enormous, only slightly smaller than Michael who was half a foot taller than Adam.
    At his side was a young Alpha, either in his late teens or early 20s, named Cameron although he went by Cam. His black hair was swept off to one side, his eyes green and piercing, tall and imposing looking despite his young age, large black wings that were partially torn, some feathers missing. In wolf form, he was almost Adam's size, pure black with silver in his fur.
    Then there was Grey, a tall male Alpha with blue hair and dark eyes, wearing a suit. He was a lux, a type of light bringer that could keep away dark and evil presences. In wolf form he was gray in color and quite large.
    Quill was a tall Alpha with shoulder length dark brown hair and eyes, wearing dark clothes. He was a shapeshifter that could turn into many forms, choosing mostly large forms such as wolves, panthers, leopards, dragons, phoenixes, alicorns, and the like. His wolf form was sleek and beautiful, black in color.
    The only female Alpha, aside from Spirit, was a tall female with bicolored hair, red on one side and black on the other, covered in tattoos. Her name was Thorn. In wolf form, her fur was a mixture of black and red and only slightly smaller than Nyx.
    The two Gammas were quite different in appearance, personality, and skills.
    Alice Angel was a beautiful young woman with white hair and beautiful blue eyes. She was a caster, seer, healer, reanimator, and resurrector. In wolf form, she was white as a ghost and very small for a wolf, a bit smaller than Rose.
   Geoffrey was an older were with silver and white hair and beard, usually in robes, old and easily annoyed. He was a man of immeasurable intelligence, that much was obvious from the large wagon of books he carried with himself. In wolf form, he was a medium sized silver wolf, about Gaius and Granny's sizes.
    Gasper was a teenage Omega with blond hair, big eyes, and a permanent pair of fangs. In wolf form, he was quite small and light yellow in color. Despite his small size in both human and wolf form, he had the power to freeze time.
    Sefa and Kara were both teenage Betas. Both still looked innocent, the former with medium brown hair, the latter with curly black hair. Their wolf forms perfectly matched their human forms, both small, the color of their fur the same as their hair.
    Kai was the other teenage Beta, older than the other two with wavy dark brown hair and pretty blue eyes. In wolf form, he was about Will's size with dark brown fur.
    Finally, last but not least, was Pandora, a teenage Omega. She was energetic and an oddball--Ryder said she was clinically insane but perfectly harmless and sweet. Her hair was bicolored like Thorn, except with pink instead of red, although she usually changed her hair colors often varying from pink and black to purple and black to blue and black to white and black and so on and so forth.
    She was also, apparently, an age regresser/little, preferring to wear little onesies or frilly pink dresses, her hair in pigtails or otherwise. In wolf form, she was very small, barely bigger than the pups in Merlin's pack, her fur mostly black with other colors mixed in from the number of times she dyed her hair.
    Hours passed as the group camped, eating, chatting, and getting to know each other.
    As dusk began to fall over the horizon, the group prepared to settle down for the night.
   Merlin and Rose decided to turn in early, as Rose was very tired from the day's events and her overdue pups. Merlin took Rose into a tent, separate from the rest of the group and laid her down, trying to make her as comfortable as possible.
    It's become second nature for him to roll her over onto her side, one hand on her large belly, and enter her from behind. It's a comforting gesture and it helps in the middle of the night when his craving for her gets the strongest.
    Tonight, he needs her now. Slipping into her, he gently pumps in and out, rocking against his beautiful mate as they start to drift off.
    Before his knot has a chance to swell and fill her, however, they both suddenly wake up in shock!
    "Merl, it's the pups! They're coming!"