Luke's P.O.V.

I looked up from the leather bound journal as there was a knock on my bedroom door. My wolf growled as he sensed my father's hostility. I closed the journal and looked at the door. "Come in," I said tonelessly, disguising my own anger.

Dad opened the door but remained in the doorway, his eyes were those of his wolf as he assessed me laying down on my bed. "I believe you have something of mine," he said evenly.

I held up the journal so he could see. "This? It's a page turner isn't it? Especially gripping and miraculously has all the answers to our problem with the Nightwalker pack within these pages," I said so sarcastically Ana would be proud of me. I stood and bared my teeth, "We had the answers all along and you kept it hidden from them," I hissed.

Dad growled, "I kept it secret because I didn't know what we are up against."

"So my mate needed to get hurt for you to bring this out?" I rumbled as my wolf rose to the surface. "You've seen the bite wound Alpha Ashworth has, how it bothers him. You knew exactly what we're going up against and you kept this hidden."

Dad growled, "There will be a meeting at the end of the week and everything will be revealed and plans will be made. Don't forget, they have kept their own secrets."

I smirked, "From you." Of course Anastasia would tell me everything, her brothers also started including me in their decision making.

Dad sighed, "Give me the journal." It wasn't a command that I was bound to obey.

I looked over at him, "I think I'll hold on to this. I know a couple of people who would want to read it as well."

Dad stepped closer snarling making me stand up, baring my extended canines, my wolf dangerously close to the surface. "Hand it over, now Luke," he ordered with his Alpha voice.

Most of the command rolled off my form and angered my wolf. "Make me," I growled.

Our heads snapped up as we heard howls in the distance. I recognised Seth's and Bryan's wolves, they were on patrol today. I swore loudly and hurried downstairs and sprinted out the back door as I shifted.

Rouge, Bryan huffed, on the west perimeter. Putting up a good fight. I opened my mind to the men on the west border who had the rouge wolf cornered and were attempting to chase him off Blackwell lands but the wolf was stubborn and not budging.

I was faster than my father and reached the clearing just in time to block the rouge black and white wolf from crossing the border. I growled and kicked him back sending him careening over the small stream. It was ten against one, there was no way this would end well. Dad growled and bared his teeth, giving the rouge one more chance.

"Stop."

My head whirled around as Anastasia's voice cut through the cacophony of growls. She walked through the ankle-deep water of the stream. I rolled my eyes when I saw that she was bare footed, as usual. She bowed in respect to my father before facing the rouge.

I felt her reach out to me and I saw what she was thinking, memories of late night surveillance and prediction. Dad's wolf growled again, furious that she was defying him.

"Hello Richard," she said calmly. The rouge wolf was taken aback that she knew his name, "where is Daniel and Penny?"

Richard's wolf turned to the east where two figures emerged. One was a tall but stocky man with brown hair and his arm around his tiny and visibly pregnant mate.

Anastasia smiled, "Hello, I'm Anastasia Ashworth."

"You already know who we are," Daniel replied gruffly.

"Yes I do, and I know why you're here," Anastasia replied. She looked at Penny, "How much longer before the baby is due?"

Penny looked up at Daniel, unsure if she should answer. Daniel held her protectively and motioned for her to answer. "The healers at the McDonald pack estimates that the baby should be here next week."

Ana smiled but I felt her longing and a pang of regret. "I extend the same hospitality that the Blackwell pack as given us to you."

I snarled loudly and jumped to Ana's side as Dad grabbed her arm, wrenching her around to face him. I broke his grip and advanced on him, snarling and growling, outraged that he would hurt her. Her brothers entered the clearing, surrounding the Blackwell members, making them pull up their defences. If it came down to a fight, there was no way they could win.

"Peace," Anastasia said clearly, sounding just like her father. She placed her hand on my neck to smooth my hackles.

"You are in no position to offer up our resources to these mongrels," Dad spat, his wolf livid.

"She's not," Mom's voice cut through the clearing. I looked at her in shock as she stood near a Pathfinder, dressed for the occasion, "but I am." She skilfully navigated herself to the stream where we were. My mother rarely got directly involved in pack matters such as this. Ana and I bowed our heads in respect as she joined Dad's side.

"And you," she said, her wolf coming to the surface, "do not forget Anastasia is a Luna and a woman." Dad's eyes flared but said nothing. "Anastasia has informed me of their arrival. Once she brought to my attention that Penny is due to give birth soon, I made the arrangements." She looked at the couple, "Penny, you are safe here. We will give you the best medical attention and everything necessary for you and your baby."

"Your Alpha tells us otherwise," Daniel growled. "We're not safe here."

Mom and Dad locked eyes. Their battle was fought mentally as Mom argued her point. Anastasia's fingers knotted in my fur as she watched. I pressed my nose to her hand, trying to calm her down.

"Guards, stand down," Dad said lowly. There were a couple yelps of disbelief but they relaxed never the less. The Ashworths relaxed and watched as the rouges crossed the border. Ana helped Penny across and I watched as Daniel and Richard inclined their heads respectfully to her. I loved how people naturally gave Ana the respect she deserved.

Daniel looked at Richard who was still in wolf form. "If it is alright, can my friend run beside us? Just until we reach the hospital."

Mom smiled, "Of course." Everyone watched them carefully as Mom got into the driver's seat and Penny and Daniel slipped into the back seat. Dad ordered two guards to run with them, just in case. As the car disappeared, Dad rounded on Ana again.

"Listen here," he growled making me bare my teeth and her brothers closed in on us, "don't you ever pull a stunt like this again."

"Or what?" Ana countered. "You will punish me? You have so much more to lose than I do. We have our own plans and agenda, it's not my fault my father kept it from you. We were just returning the favour."

I smirked as I saw Dad blanch slightly. It wasn't only I who was reading the journal, I had Ana mind linked in the background. Ana smiled, "Do unto others as they would do unto you Jonathan. Whenever you decide to come clean, we will too but until then.." She shrugged and brushed a hand through her hair.

Dad curled his lips but did not reply knowing that he was in the wrong as well. He shifted and members of the Blackwell pack left. Ana's eyes glazed over as her brothers talked to her before they left. I gave Ana privacy as she shifted.

Luke, she breathed as our wolves nuzzled each other. My wolf growled in content as her wolf ran her body under my muzzle. I had to restrain my wolf as Ana's wolf exposed her rump. Lust and the need to dominate was mutual between us but we managed to control ourselves.

Come here nelipot, I called to her as we moved out of the stream.

I stand my ground that nelipot isn't an actual word, Ana murmured before sitting down. Our wolves purred as they cuddled each other.

It's on Urban Dictionary, I argued making Ana laughed.

I focused on her regret and longing as she watched Penny and Daniel. Hey, we're together now, I murmured to her. Ana didn't reply and I dug deeper into her emotions. My breathing hitched when I realised she wanted more.

Ana, I breathed, slightly breathless from the waves of lust and need coming from her. Do you think now is the best time?

Ana whined, No. There is a higher chance of me becoming pregnant from our first time mating. I silently cursed the Moon Goddess for that. For those who were ready, it was a blessing, for others, it was a problem. And that's the last thing we need right now. If by some chance I do get pregnant, I can't fight and my pack needs me to help tip the scales.

I grumbled in agreement as I rest my head on top of hers. How about, after all this blows over, we go somewhere. Just the two of us, Ana and Luke. No pack responsibilities, no threats, just us.

I'd like that, Ana smiled as she licked my cheek. We lay there for a while, just watching each other thoughts and what happened during the day.

I'm sorry that you and your Dad fought, Ana said softly.

I'm not, I huffed, I can't believe he kept that from you. Not that I don't love having you here, but for the benefit of your pack. This battle could have been over a long time ago.

Ana rolled onto her back, What are we going to do? When we when and our pack moves back home? I know I have to leave, but....I don't know....

I rolled onto her, effectively squashing those thoughts and her. I grinned as Ana's wolf scrabbled to push me off. I laughed and rolled over. We'll tackle that when that time comes, I pinned her down. Let's enjoy the time we have now.

Ana's wolf raised her head with the intention of pinning me down but before she could, we were interrupted.

Luke? Mom's voice sounded in my head.

Yes?

Can you and Ana come to the hospital? Daniel and Richard would like to speak to Ana.

Ana specifically? I questioned. Mom nodded and pulled back. Ana's wolf whined as she wiggled underneath me, trying to gain my attention. Stop that, I snapped quietly. You're needed.

We're needed, Ana replied before catching me off guard and pinning me. I rolled my eyes as she let me up and with one last look, we bolted off. Ana's wolf whimpered in annoyance as I passed her but I stopped, waiting for her to catch up before we ran together, side by side.

Mom had left clothes at the hospitals back entrance so we shifted and walked in, hand in hand, following the three unfamiliar scents. I pulled Ana to me as we saw Daniel and Richard outside a room where Penny lay on the hospital bed resting.

"She's going to be alright," Ana said, noticing how Daniel's eyes were focused on the machinery.

He looked at Ana, then me. I tightened my grip on her as his eyes drifted to our marks then to Ana's arm.

"You're hurt," Daniel stated. Ana held up her arm for him to see. The violet marks were stark against her tan skin but she wore her scars like bracelet.

"Not seriously," Ana replied. "Other people have been hurt much worse."

"You got that right," Richard said. He was a buff man with shaggy blond hair. "Why are you helping us?"

"Who can turn away a pregnant woman?" Ana replied cooly.

"He's right," Daniel replied hostilely, "what do you want from us? Us to join a pack?" I pulled Ana to my side.

"Nothing of the sort," Ana replied. "If you would like to join a pack, we won't turn you away but you are under no obligation to join the Blackwells or the Ashworths."

"Then what you do you want?" Richard growled. I faced him, baring my extended canines.

"Your help," Ana said, looking at Daniel. "I know you hate Maximus Kali and everything he stands for. We are asking for anything or everything you know to help destroy him."

Daniel looked at me, "You're the Blackwell boy."

"Luke Blackwell," I extended my hand for him to shake. "Nice to meet you."

Daniel and Richard exchanged looks. "We will help," Ana and I smiled, "but we won't work with Alpha Blackwell, we want to work with you." They looked at me.

"Agreed," I answered. Ana was elated. "Any concerns, suggestions or anything else, you can talk to me, or Anastasia."

"Daniel?" Penny's voice made the four of us look up. We nodded as Daniel and Richard entered the room.

I took Ana's hand and we walked out of the hospital, the both of us lost in our mutual thoughts. I looked up and realised that our feet had led us to the pier on the lake

"It's the beginning of the end isn't it?" Ana said, looking out at the placid water.

"I think," I said to bringing her to the edge of it, "it's the way to a new beginning."

Ana looked at our reflection in the water. "Stay with me?"

I pulled her to me and tilted her head up to meet my gaze, "Forever."

Ana smiled and tip toed. I groaned as her lips met mine. I immediately took control, creating a fast pace and dared her to keep up. Ana moaned as I pulled her closer and tilted her head. I kissed and nipped down the soft skin of her neck until I reached her mark. My mouth descended on it and I sucked hard. Ana moaned and went weak kneed, making me tighten my arms around her. Ana nipped and sucked at my neck until she brought my lips back to hers.

"Forever."