The valley was blanketed in sparkling, white snow. The grey clouds ambling across the sky heavy with more. Against the edge of the valley, at the end of the meadow a cabin sat. Lights poured like liquid gold from the windows. Smoke poured from the chimney. A hearty fire burning. What little sun had shone that day was slowly disappearing from the evening sky. Stars were awakening from their daily rest. Everything was quite except for the labored breathing inside the small room of the cabin. She'd been hiding in the remote mountain hideaway for many weeks now. He hadn't found her yet so she was hoping that her luck held out. Feeding more wood into the fire she stood and rubbed her large belly. The baby was early. He wasn't due for another 3 weeks but he had decided that it was time. And there was nothing she could do about the timing. She squeezed her eyes shut and breathed her way through another gut wrenching pain.

She arranged blankets in front of the fire and pillows. Making herself a pallet. There was no one else here. She hadn't seen anyone in the few weeks that she'd been here. She knew that she was on some packs land but obviously a remote part that wasn't patrolled often. Probably because of its placement in the mountains. She grabbed the back of the only chair in the room and squeezed until the wood creaked as she breathed though another contraction. They were getting so much closer together. Giving birth was the same no matter what the race. Human, animal, werewolf. It hurt. Even with her wolf gene birth was going to be hard. She continued to gather the things she would need. Clean, hot water. A sharp, sterilized blade. Soft blankets and towels. Breathing through another contraction tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't believe that she was about to give birth. Alone. And not to her mates child. It broke her heart. At least she had been 14 when he had taken her. She knew what to do. Sort of.

He had killed her parents, her brother and her baby sister just to get her. She didn't think that she was special in any way. She still didn't. But he had known something that she still did not. The fear built up inside of her body. She closed her eyes and did something that she hadn't done since the first time he had violated her body 6 years ago. She prayed.

Selene. Moon goddess. Mother of wolves. Please help me. She pleaded with all her heart. She didn't want to do this alone. If the world were a perfect place she wouldn't be, she would have her mate.

Little did she know that the moon goddess favored her more than any of her children.