"What do you mean our kind" thundered Simeon, his boots crunching on rubble as he stepped towards Caillum.

"Back up Simeon," she spat, pushing through the brick wall that was her family and stepping between them.

Jana knew what Caillum meant when he said their kind. It was a touchy subject, one that she didn't want Caillum to start on because once he did the bitterness and resentment that sat close to the surface would over flow.

In Caillum's eyes rogue wolves were a different kind of wolf, they were immoral, they lacked loyalty and they were primitive. They held no respect for anyone but themselves and so seeing their kind, alongside the female whose callous treatment of him had helped carve those views- it would cause a bloodbath if she let it.

"Jana move out of the way" barked Blake, appearing from nowhere with a red face plastered with anger. 

She automatically backed up a step into her brother, her head thudding against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her neck and pulled her to his side.

"Speak to my sister like that again and I'll gut you like a fish," threatened Caillum, a chilling smile falling across his face as he patted motioned to the silver knife attached to his waist.

"Don't you fucking thre-"

"That's enough," interrupted Jana, her hands coming up to keep the two males apart, eyes cutting as she gave Blake a dirty look before she completely dismissed them. She could see Caillum was on the edge, one push and he would go careening, knife waving as he acted first and thought second.

He was a dangerous male, he was often underestimated because he was human but he had been trained hard since young. When Khan had been training him, he had treated Caillum as if he were Wolf, as if he could heal within the blink of an eye. He was always covered in bruises but it had been liveable when Lian had been there to console him.

He had only turned sour once she had left.

"We need to get Carina to a healer, that's more important than this" she spoke only to her brother, Simeon forced to the back of her mind because that male was always second place and not because she made him but because he chose it.

Caillum reluctantly nodded his head as he stomped off into what was left of the tree line, a mask of fury painted across his face in flickers of red and pink.

He was mad.

"At least we get to see mum," grinned Kai, eyes alight with excitement as he thought of Vanya. His happiness was infectious especially at the mention of Vanya. She couldn't remember the last time she had seen her, a few months maybe and that seemed like forever.

Vanya had been away at her infirmary/school helping to heal the world. She had converted the plot of land gifted to her by the family a few years ago. It had been transformed into a secure healing ward that encouraged physical and spiritual wellbeing, it also doubled over as a school in which students were taught to be healers and to challenge their minds.

It was a lot of work but it was something she loved doing, Vanya was a good person one of the best Jana knew.

"Your mum is going to go batshit" sing songed Roark as he scuffed Kai's hair before running  off, the younger boy hot on his tail as he screamed profanities at Roark.

"Jana" her head whipped around to see the crumbling wall that was Simeon, her heart cracking even as her lips turned into a thin line.

"Now isn't the time Simeon, but let it be known if any of your friends ever step to my family again I will dismember them. Okay?" that cold grin sliding across her face as her head tilted to the side but her tone was jovial as if what she was saying was a joke but he knew it wasn't.

His throat bobbed as he thought her words over and then his mouth was opening to say something but Jana didn't want to hear it.

She just wanted to go home.

Turning her back on him she made her way to the transporter, Sliding into the large silver doors and heading to the back where she saw Kyle. He sat in one of the chairs with a comatose Carina in his arms and Zaiyla beside him seeing to Carina's wounds. They hushed her away when she offered to help, telling her that they had everything under control and so she reluctantly left them.

She took a seat by the window and stared out, her mind elsewhere even as her ears twitched with every little word Kai and Roark said. Back and forth they went rubbing each other over and over again. Mocking each other and then snorting in humour as one said something particularly good and then they were at it again.

Round and around in circles they went, just like her and Simeon.

There was no start or finish to a circle it just kept flowing, one smooth roll after another as the cycle kept moving. She was stuck in this cycle, the cycle with Simeon, circling and circling as she tried to find the exit.

She would have been lost in the continuum of it hadn't been for her family, they were her home.

Metal clinked and then Caillum was sitting beside her, "What's got you thinking ladybug" his big hands stroking against her messy hair.

"Hmm," she murmured, "just this and that."

But he knew better, how could he call himself a brother if he didn't know Jana better than he knew himself. Sure she was distant but so was he, there had been a worlds divide between them for so long but he knew her like the back of his hand. 

"I can see your brain working ladybug," he snorted, leaning into her as he flicked her nose.

"Hey," she whined, flicking him back on the arm, he barely felt it with the ripples of muscle that corded his arm. It lead into a flicking fight with the two of them swiping at each other viscously which then led into a play fight with Jana winning with a solid deck to Cailum's chin.

His lip oozed a little blood but he only grinned harder, Jana always was too rough when it came to play fighting. The few times he had sparred with his little sister he had come out with bite wounds and scratches, this paltry wound was nothing new.

"So how long are you staying with stinky for" loudly whispered Roark his head bobbing to Simeon's large body stepping onto the transporter and taking his seat. The aircraft taking off with everyone on it.

"I'm not staying"

"Pffffft" guffawed Roark his hand waving in the air as if what she was saying stunk, he clearly thought she was lying but she wasn't.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, Jay but with the way he's staring at you I doubt you are going anywhere" he chuckled, his head bobbing in Simeon's direction again.

Her head twisted to the side as she tried to discretely look at him, her eyes popping wide as she quickly snapped her head back, pink climbing across her neck. His eyes had been dark pools of liquified metal, flecks of red and silver in his orbs as he stared at her like she was his last meal. His jaw tensed and nose flared as he payed no attention to what his friends were saying.

Roark shot her an 'I told you so' look, his eyebrows arching and making him look so much like his father.

"Especially with that pretty shiner on your neck" chimed in Kai, motioning towards the still sore mark on her neck. Her hands automatically reaching up to cover the wound.

"I'm going and that's that" she growled arms folding in defiance as she glared at her two younger relatives.  Cousins, nephews, brothers, the title was always shifting for her but they were her family and as annoying as fuck no matter she called them.

"Alright sour puss" snorted Roark.

Her hand jabbed out as she clipped him on the arm, his mouth popping wide as a tear trailed down his cheek. Biting his lip he held onto his arm as if that would stop the pain she had caused. His lip wobbling as he tried to stop the wheeping whine that was rising through him.

"Pussy" she huffed.

//---//

The sun had long since set when they finally exited the transporter, darkness climbing over the fringes of the sky. The transporter glided to a halt, their sore bodies trudging from the depth of the craft and exiting into the camp.

Golden fire glow sparkled around the camp, fires casting a bright beacon home as their weary bodies trudged inside. Then a few people were rushing to them, arms open wide as they dragged them into their embrace. Pushing them forwards towards a number of tents restructured for the purpose of this.

"Most people are sleeping" stated Jene matter of factly, his slightly withered hand crooking as he motioned for them to come towards the tents.

The flap opened and then Jana's eyes were watering at one of the most amazing sights she had seen all day.

"Vanya" she sighed, air whooshing from her lips as she staggered towards her and then abruptly halted in her steps.

"Don't say it Jana, I don't want to discuss it" she sniped, her hand waving dismissively as if she had the final say in this relationship.

"So you don't want to discuss the elephant in the room" her voice quivering as she realised her mistake the moment Vanya's eyes darkened to an impossible dark blue, so dark they could almost pass as black burning pools of anger.

She was definitely angry.

"Did you just call me an elephant," her jaw clenched as her hand clenched onto her waist,  hip popping out.

Roark snickered at that, his hand trying to cover his mouth to quieten the sound but it was too loud. Kai sent him a sympathetic look before some inanimate object was flying through the air and knocking him in the head, "ouch" he grumbled but he soon shut up when Vanya sent him a furious glare.

"Wow, easy mama. No one is calling you an elephant but fuck Vee, your pregnant?" Jana's hands were up in a defensive manner as she slowly stepped towards the livid female, she was normally a calm pregnant woman but it seemed that this time things were different.

"I don't want to discuss it Jana, I'm pregnant and miserable" she sighed, her eyes dampening with suppressed tears.

"Okay, everyone leave, me and Vanya need to talk," called Jana, gripping a teary Vanya by the arm and leading her through the flaps.

Kai meandered over to his mother, his head ducking as he pecked her soft cheek and squeezed her into his chest. He whispered something in her ear that had her smiling up at him. He had grown so much, he had been her height a few months ago but puberty was hitting him strong and now he was nearly a head taller than her. He was becoming a man but Kai was still the same sweet little boy she had first met.

"Love you Kaiser" she murmured kissing his cheeks before she let go and went inside the tent. He didn't leave until Jana had reassured him that his mother would be okay.

"Vee" hummed jana, stepping through the flap and making her way over to the furious pregnant woman.

"Jana, I'm fucking pregnant and I still haven't forgiven him," She spat, her hands balled up in anger as she wasted no time in releasing her emotions.

She was furious at him and herself, one tiny mistake and now she had the world on her shoulders and so many choices to make.

"It doesn't matter, a baby is always something to be happy about Vee," they were her very own words. Words she had used to help women give birth to innocent children begotten by corrupted actions and immoral men.

"Of course it matters! Winter wasn't Carson's, he had nothing to do with her birth but this baby.. this baby is different"

It was different because Vanya had entered into something that she clearly wasn't eeady for, something that she clearly didn't want or maybe she did and the fear of loosing someone else was what stopped her. Or worse yet, the fear that she would loose herself to this bond, to this same male who had hurt her so deeply was still prominent in her mind years later.

"It was just one moment, one small slip and now I'm stuck. I love this baby but I'm just not ready Jana, I can't be his mate.. I'm not even ready to be a girlfriend. I'm still grieving for Meilan" her hands were shaking as she clutched her small bump, tears sliding down her cheeks as thoughts of her husband filled her mind.

Such pain, such bitter, bitter, sweet pain. Meilan. He was perhaps the love of Vanya's life, the man that had caught her heart even when she had feared that there was nothing left to give romantically.

He had turned up at the door of her Healing and training centre. He had been strong then, no allusion to his illness but somewhere down the line when hearts had begun to beat in sync he told her. His skin had begun to pale but with his already light complexion it was passed off as restlessness until his strength had begun to wane.

She had tried for years to heal him, every remedy potion and medicine tried, every book, journal and scribe was read. She had exhausted all her resources and her body in those last few months but death had still come for him. In his last months he had hardly been able to breathe alone. He had died peacefully in his sleep, his daughter and wife laying with him as his breath eased in their sleep. Some old world diseases were just too persistent.

He had come into her life and soon after he was gone. Like dust on the wind, Meilan disappeared from her life and not by choice. No death took Meilan.

Death always took the unwilling.

"Vanya," Jana sighed, wrapping her arms around her sister. Her small baby bump making the hug uncomfortable but she clung to her anyway because they both needed it.

"You may not be ready for whatever comes between you and Carson but change is always inevitable. Change happens whether we want it to or not. However, you have a male that has dedicated most of his life to you. If you aren't ready just tell him" her hands stroking through long blonde silky strands, they practically melted through her fingers as she soothed her sister.

"I don't know all that has gone on between you two but what I do remember is that he respectfully bowed out when you met Meilan. In fact he grew to love that man just as much as we all did."

They had all loved Meilan, he had been a sweet and caring man. He had been a teddy bear, big, soft and cuddly, he had made Vanya happy like no one man ever had. Together they had a beautiful life with a beautiful daughter. He had loved Kai as if he were his own and had understood Carson's dilemma. He had been such a kind man that even Carson couldn't dislike him and he had been hell bent on hating him but he couldn't. Not with Meilan.

He had been a beautiful soul that the gods had missed dearly and so they had taken him to the place beyond the voids. Meilan was in their eyes now.

"Carson has waited gods knows how many years for you, I'm sure he'll wait more if that's what you need" and he would because at some point Carson had royal fucked up and now he had dedicated his life to trying to rectify those mistakes.

"I don't know what I need" she sniffled, wiping at her damp eyes, this baby was playing with her emotions.

"And you don't have to, all I want you to do is take care of yourself and that baby," her hand rubbing against the small bump that would only continue to grow as the life got stronger.

It was a bittersweet moment, to be here and rubbing at a swelling belly that was not hers and would never be hers. It was hard but she was happy for her sister, she would not let any of the negative emotions manifest. Not about this, never about family.

"Believe it or not but I didn't actually come here to cry on your shoulder," she sniffed, chuckling lightly at the situation.

Of course she didn't, Vanya had come here to give back to the world, to help heal and save lives but she needed her break and now she was having it. Vanya's head lay on Jana's shoulder, blonde hairs intertwined as they just hugged each other and listened to each other breathing.