Silently she slept and his brown gaze lingered on her little face. He met his mate's gaze and rose. The pack would be returning with food and the little one would be able to eat. A gunshot went off and he stared at the underbrush. His mate rose to her feet and stood over the baby. The pack raced into view and his eyes narrowed. The underbrush moved and three humans stepped forward. One lowered his gun and stared at him. His mate let out a low whine and he glanced back at her. She stared down at the child and he approached her. Picking the baby up by the blanket, he stepped past his mate and carried the child out to the humans. Another man put his gun away and watched the wolf rest the child at his feet. Staring at each other, the men spoke quietly and the she-wolf stepped forward. He stepped in her path and stared at her. She looked at the child and he turned his gaze back to the men. One knelt down and said, "Looks like Adrian's daughter." "Mother must of left her safe." The man picked the child up and looked back at the wolves. They stared silently at the bundle in his arms and he shook his head. He never did understand the way the wolves worked. First they stole and killed their food. Now they protect this baby as if she were their own cub. The men withdrew from sight and she let out a low whine. He watched her withdraw into the tree and glanced at the pack. They rested in the underbrush and he walked to the tree. Settling at the entrance, he rested his head on his leg and closed his eyes. The child would be given the human care needed and would some day return to them. ______________________________________________ The door swung open and she jumped into the street. Running quickly, she held the bundle in her arms and headed to the town exit. She glided through the crowded streets and rounded the corner to the exit. Sprinting to the edge of the town, she glanced behind her and found the chase over. Letting out a sigh, she slowed to an easy jog and made her way into the woods. Glancing around, she pulled the bundle closer to her and moved deeper into the woods. Hearing a low growl, she pushed through some underbrush and spotted the old tree. Dropping onto her knees, she laid the bundle on the ground and heard the racing paws. Looking up, she was knocked onto her back and covered in kisses. Pushing the wolf off her, she sat up and stared at the black male. He nudged the bundle and she shoved his nose away. He gave a whine and she shook her head. "Your parents first." He whined again and nudged her head. Wagging his tail, he turned back to the food and she shook her head. Another wolf stepped into view and she looked up. Silently the brownish gray wolf stared back at her and she gathered the bundle. Quietly she approached the wolf and knelt in front of him. He stared at her and she unwrapped the bundle. The raw rabbits laid before them and he sniffed one. Shaking his head, he stared at her and she frowned. "It's the best I could bring you today." A low whine caught her ear and she turned to her right. A white she-wolf approached and she smiled. The she-wolf moved to her side and she slid her arms around the warm coat. Receiving a lick on the face, she met the brown gaze and turned to the mate. "Breck, please eat it. I'll try for something better tomorrow." The wolf snorted and she laughed. She watched him slowly take a rabbit and carry it away. He settled on the ground by the tree hole and began chewing on it. The female picked up another rabbit and rested next to her. She slid her hand over the warm coat and caught the young wolf approaching. Picking up the rabbit, she tossed it at him and he caught it. Running around, he settled between his parents and she kept watch as the three ate. She met Breck's gaze and said, "I can't stay as late. The household is getting really upset about this." Breck stared at her and took another bite out of the rabbit. She smiled and ran her hand through the white coat beside her. The she-wolf finished her rabbit and rested her head on her lap. "I really miss you when I'm gone." She received a low whine and she rubbed her ears. Knowing they had given her up for her sake meant a lot but she still wished she could have stayed with them. Picking up the empty bundle, she bound it into a small roll and got to her feet. The wolves rose silently and she knelt in front of the pup. "Belenus, stay out of trouble." He gave a whine and she smiled, rubbing his ear. She moved to Breck and slid her arms around his neck. He closed his eyes and nudged her face. "I'll be careful. I promise." Slowly she met the she-wolf's gaze and moved to her. Slipping her arms around the warm coat, she took a deep breath and sighed. "Cori, I miss you all the time. I'll be back soon." Licked on the cheek, she stood up and rubbed her ear. Slowly she withdrew from the three wolves and headed back to the town. Silently she stepped out of the woods and entered the town. Moving along the street, she held the bundle close to her and felt an arm catch her shoulder. Whirling around, she knocked the person off their feet and heard the loud moan. She turned to the person and sighed, "Don't sneak up on me." The boy frowned and she helped him to his feet. He brushed himself off and stared at her. "I called your name three times, Aine." "Didn't hear you." He frowned and said, "Thought those wolves had taught you to listen better." She glared at him and he laughed. Receiving a punch in the arm, he shut up and stared at her. She fixed the bundle in her arms and walked off. "Hey! Aine! Come back! I was kidding!" Ignoring him, she made her way to the place she was staying and stepped into the kitchen. Dumping the bundle into a basket of rags, she slid off her shoes and discarded her coat on a corner chair. Silently she walked through the place and climbed the stairs to her room. Pushing the door open, she closed it and walked over to her bed. Collapsing onto the bed, she let out a sigh and stared out the window. The sun was setting but she still had dinner left to receive another lecture for taking off. Closing her eyes, she tried to imagine what it would have been like living with her wolves instead of these people. A rapping noise caught her attention and she sat up. Walking over to the window, she pushed it open and caught the flying rock. Looking down, she saw the boy staring up at her with an apologetic look. "Please come on down and chill with us." "Why should I?" He sighed and said, "I'm really sorry for that comment. It was stupid." Her eyes flashed and she said, "It was." He frowned and said, "Please come down. It would be really cool if you did." "Playing Romeo and Juliet, Aedan?" Looking behind the boy, she saw his friend approaching and frowned. Whenever the two were together, trouble happened and she took the heat for it. Aedan turned to his friend and then glanced back at her. His blonde hair was glowing from the setting sunlight and his muscular body structure had all the girls after him. His friend glanced up at her and winked a blue eye. He blew a lock of black hair from his face and met her with a flirtatious smile. She knew his games. He used his scuplted frame and masculine facial features to win all the girls over. She leaned back against the wall and stared at the two. "I should come down why?" "Cause you and I are due for a trip to the barn, Aine." She frowned and Aedan sent him a smack to the head. "Doran!" He laughed and said, "Don't worry Aedan. I'd never get the chance. You've got her tied up." She frowned and shut her window. Aedan winced and turned to his friend. "You idiot, she won't come out now." Doran laughed and said, "Think again. She likes you, whether she says it or not." The door opened and they watched her slip outside. Aedan let out a sigh and Doran laughed. They exchanged glances and she approached them silently. Doran slid his arm around her shoulders and she shook his off. "Where are we going this time?" Aedan smirked and said, "You'll see." Doran winked at her and said, "You're never going to forget this." She sighed and said, "I didn't think so."