The boat slid through the calm water and approached the coastline. Aedan slowed the engine and scanned the beach. His frown deepened and he drove the boat up to the reef shelf. He scanned the water for docking posts and found two down the starboard side. Turning the boat, he drove to the posts and brought the boat to a stop.

Hopping into the cold water, he tied the boat down and heard Belenus jump into the ocean. The wolf swam to the coast and ran further down. Aedan shook his head and turned back to the boat. He climbed back onto the deck and walked to the cabin entrance. Descending the stairs, he found Aine still sleeping.

She was curled up on the single size bed and a blanket was draped over her. Her blonde hair was pinned at the base of her neck. He moved to the bed and lowered his hand to her shoulder. Her hand caught his wrist with iron and she looked up at him. He met the brown stare and pulled back.

"We're docked."

She sat up and pushed the blanket off her. Aedan shook his head when he found her already dressed. She pulled her hair free and grabbed a jacket and her bag. Slipping her shoes on, she laced them quietly and climbed up onto deck. Aedan followed without a word and saw her slip the bag over her shoulder.

She jumped down into the cold water and began wading to the shore. He followed and kept his focus on her moving frame. She stepped onto the dry beach and took a deep breath. Standing on the coastline of the old manor left her feeling at home and yet nervous. Glancing back at Aedan, she watched him reach the beach and walked down the coastline.

They walked in silence and stopped when she entered the woods. She knelt to the ground and placed her bag on the damp soil. She heard the approaching running paws and looked to the east. Belenus raced into sight with old Breck behind him. The alpha walked up to her and she held her hand out.

He sniffed her palm and licked it. She ran her hand along his face and down his neck. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she let his familiar coat calm the racing nerves inside. Belenus gave a whine and she glanced at the wolf. He looked back to the deeper woods and she got to her feet.

She scratched Breck's ear and picked up her bag. Slipping it onto her back, she found her companion patiently waiting and followed the wolf. Breck kept by her side and Belenus guided the path back to the manor. They reached the manor at sunset and she felt Breck retreat back to the woods. Belenus disappeared after his father and she took a deep breath.

"This his place?"

The voice echoed in her ear and she looked to her side. Aedan stood just behind her and was looking at the giant manor. She looked back at the place and approached the doors. Catching hold of the handle, she felt the cold spread from the metal into her body. She pulled the door open and stepped inside.

The place was damp and cold from the lack of use over the last seven years. She stood in the grand hall and let the old memories play out. A hand slid over her shoulder and rested there like a new source of strength. She glanced back at the man and he turned his gaze on her. She turned to the stairs and climbed up to the second story.

Silently she moved down the old south corridor and pushed her doors open. The room was as cold as the downstairs and she dropped her bag by the door. Crossing the room, she fixed the logs in the fireplace and grabbed a match from the mantle. Striking the match, she tossed the flame into the fireplace and waited for the fire to catch.

When the fire took, she stepped back and slid her eyes over the ancient carvings in the mantel. Her fingers slid along each image and she felt the hand catch hers.

"Aine, you should lie down."

She looked back at Aedan and said "Later."

He held onto her hand and turned her to face him. She looked up into his face and found him searching for any signs as to what she is thinking. Slowly she stepped back and looked around the rest of the room. The bed was still unsettled and she fixed the bedding. Touching the blankets, she remembered the last time she had been in this room and stilled her hands.

Pulling away from the bed, she walked to her windows and pulled the curtains back. Moonlight covered her face and she tied the curtains back. She turned back to the door and found Aedan watching her. She knelt next to her bag and dug out her hair tie. Standing up, she left the room and pulled her hair up.

Silently she walked through the manor and descended the stairwell. Pushing the doors open, she stepped outside and let the evening take over. Quietly she crossed the lawn and disappeared into the woods. Her memories guided her back to the lake and she stopped as she entered the clearing. Belenus gave a howl from across the lake and she took a seat on the boulder.

The wolf swam across the lake and came up to her legs. She rubbed his wet face and felt him lean into the caress.

"Glad to be home?"

He licked her hand and looked up. Breck stood on the opposite side of the lake and she felt the old pain return.

"He still protects your mother."

Belenus lifted his head and she watched him splash back across the lake. Breck waited for the young wolf and led him back into the woods. Sighing, Aine watched them disappear and looked up at the dark sky. The moon and stars sparkled back at her and she pulled her knees up to her chest. She rested her arms on her knees and let her gaze be drawn to the sky.

___________________________________________________________

Aedan stared up at the evening sky and let out a sigh. This was the place that beast had brought her. She had spent time here, done things, learned things, and he was intruding on the past. He hadn't expected the eldest wolf to still be alive but he didn't know how much contact the vampire had with the creatures. He left the window and walked over to a chair.

Sitting down, he stared at the growing fire and tried to remember a time when he didn't feel so restless, so useless. He came along to keep her alive but she seemed to be doing fine there. The woman had changed over the years but then so had he. Spending time in jail had left him older and more collected. He didn't let his emotions cloud his judgment anymore and knew how to read other stoic people.

His eyes followed each flame and his body slowly began to relax. He heard the door open hours later and listened to it close. Keeping still, he caught sight of her from the corner of his eyes. She sat on her bed and untied her shoes. They rested by the bed and she stood up.

Silently she shrugged off her jacket and hung it up. She loosened her hair and let it fall down her back. She turned her gaze to the window and took a deep breath.

"Not planning on sleeping?"

She turned around at his voice and found him sitting in her old chair. He kept his back to her and focused on the flames.

"Why are you still awake?"

He leaned back in the chair and said "I don't sleep much."

She walked over to the bed and took a seat on the end. She studied the hardened face and the old look in his eyes. His punishment had made him more in control and yet he was like her. He had a feeling of lonely contentment surrounding him. She had never imagined Aedan to settle for being alone the rest of his life but then she knew her actions were part of it.

"Aedan, come lie down and sleep. No one knows we're here."

He turned his gaze on her and she watched him get to his feet. He crossed the room and removed his boots by the door. She watched as he slid his shirt off and walked to the opposite side of the bed. He sat down and stretched out on his back. She looked back at the fireplace and saw the man again.

He was leaning against the mantle, watching the flames, and she forced her eyes closed. She stretched out on her side and opened her eyes slowly. The image was gone and she let the fire draw her gaze.

"What about Belenus?"

"He's with his father."

"Is he staying?"

She closed her eyes. "It is up to him."

He looked at her and rolled to his side. Staring down at her, he slid an arm over her waist and slid his free hand through her hair. She didn't move or speak. Closing his eyes, he savored her body in his arms and drifted sleep. She listened to his quiet breathing and opened her eyes.

She met the golden stare and saw her approaching him. He took her by the hand and held her before him. His eyes burned down into hers and his hand slid along her lower lip. He brushed his torturous mouth over hers and held her against him. He trailed his mouth down her throat and his fangs pressed inside her shoulder.

Aine forced her eyes closed before her mind could proceed and tried going to sleep. With the moon out she felt restless and knew part of it was being back at this place. She let the hard body behind her push her into a haze. Being this close to a strong body left her uncomfortable and hungry. She slid out of bed and left the room.

She walked down the corridor and stopped at the north wing. Staring at the closed door, she pushed it open and stepped into the master room. The bed held blood stains from his death and torn pieces of clothing still resided on the floor. She leaned against the doorway and remembered the evening she had spent in here before his death. She recalled his touches, his silent stare, and the emotions he stirred in her.

Leaving the door, she closed the room and walked back to her room. Quietly she entered and felt the gaze on her as she shut the door. Looking back at the bed, she found Aedan sitting up and waiting. She felt everything react to the deep hunger in his eyes and crossed the room. Her memories were torturing her body and she sat down beside the man.

He took her into his arms and ran his lips over hers. The kiss promised what she needed and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He lowered her onto the bed and she slid her fingers through his blonde hair. She let his needs push her thoughts out of her mind and gave herself up to him. Each touch left her more relaxed and stirred the old fire to full strength.