He had no idea why he was out here in this blistering weather. The wind had picked up since the sun had set and the wind chill made it feel colder. He was in his wolf form so he didn't really notice. His glistening silver coat shimmered in the faint moon light. He was at the edge of his territory. The valley was protected by mountains on three sides. The open side faced directly towards his domain. This eastern border was naturally protected so patrols weren't regular. Once a month someone came and inspected things. Usually it was his beta, his second in command, but his mate had gone into labor. So here he was, alpha of the Red Dawn pack, making his way through lightly falling snow. The closer he came to the valley the more anxious his wolf, Ranger, seemed to become.

What has you so bothered? He asked his wolf.

Our life changes tonight.

With that cryptic reply his wolf faded back into his mind. He was watching and waiting.

The naked trees cast long shadows on the ground as he broke the tree line at the edge of the meadow. The tiny cabin off in the distance was ablaze with light. His hackles went up and a growl rumbled in his chest. Who was this trespasser? His eyes turned from a dark coffee brown to black as his anger brought his wolf surging forward. He made his way stealthily to the cabin. The two feet of snow muffling his approach. He carefully peeked through a crack in the window shutters. There was no glass. This cabin was not meant to be a permanent residence. What he saw made his heart beat stutter.

A very pregnant female was gripping the back of a chair. He heard the wood creak as she applied pressure and breathed her way through what was obviously a contraction. Suddenly, the smell of the ground after the rain invaded his senses. Mate! That is her! My wolf was pounding against the wall I had thrown up. She was beautiful her long black hair shining in the firelight. Her clear, porcelain skin was covered in a sheen of sweat. And then his eyes moved to her belly. He was filled with profound sadness that her first pup was not his own. He shook his head. He couldn't think about that right now. What in the hell was his mate even doing in the middle of the woods alone? With the birth of her child obviously close? He lowered himself back onto the ground and went to the edge of the woods behind the cabin. In the crevice of a tree he found basketball shorts. Shifting he put them on and approached the front of the cabin. He was going to frighten her. He almost didn't care. How could she be giving birth to another mans child? He was hurt and angry. But also worried. He would let her tell her story after all this. Maybe it wasn't what he thought. He also wouldn't let her go through this alone. Bringing his fist up he pounded on the door letting a little of his frustration out on the wood.

Ranger had been so right. His life was going to change tonight.