"Keep our allies and prepare for war? Who will prepare our men?"

She heard the question and saw the look in her grandfather's eyes. He was seeing how she truly felt and she took a deep breath.

"I will."

Emily frowned and said "Absolutely not."

"Emily."

The woman turned on her father and said "She has been through enough for our people. You cannot expect her to lead scouts outside the safety of our home."

"Mother, I will be fine."

She looked back at Kara and saw the determination on her daughter's face. It was the same look Michael held many times when they discussed their daughter's future and she had a hard time saying no to that face. Kara glanced briefly at Joseph and he gave one nod.

"I take it you won't be far from her."

"No."

She took a deep breath and looked back at Leon. The man kept his gaze on Kara and she slowly turned back to him.

"We can start with small drills at first. We will need to make everyone understand the seriousness of this situation."

Zeke stepped forward and said "We will make sure they understand."

He studied the alpha and nodded once. The matter was settled but he wished he could hold Kara longer. He saw her walking to the door and wanted to hold her back to question her but he knew better. He may be the leader, but if he so much as distressed her he would be dead. She had formed bonds with all of Joseph's siblings but the man himself was the greatest threat if anything happened to Kara.

Joseph caught his studying gaze and they waited until everyone else was gone. He knew the man hadn't known about her plans prior and they needed to lay out their own plan to keep her safe. The man was solely focused on her well-being and he was just grateful the notion of leaving was finally over.

"She hid this from everyone, didn't she?"

His black eyes settled on Leon and he said "Yes."

The man rubbed his chin and asked "When did she develop the ability to hide this stuff from you?"

"Since I got her back."

Leon sighed and wasn't surprised. They needed to know what all she was put through but she kept it locked up beneath layers of protection even Joseph couldn't break through. He was more intune with her though than anyone else and Leon had picked up on the closer connection between the two. He highly doubted this conversation was entirely private and he didn't blame the man.

"Are you okay with this plan?"

"It is necessary. Their attacks are becoming advanced."

"Meaning?"

He took a deep breath and said "They developed a toxin to cancel out our bloodlines and leave us helpless. That is why Angel nearly died."

"And why you couldn't detect her right away."

Joseph nodded and said "It took a month before Kara could pull up her abilites without strain."

Leon rake a hand through his blonde hair and took a deep breath. He had spent many years trying to find a peace ground between their kind and the government but now it looked like all efforts were futile. They had given up discussing matters with him and were targeting the one sole of the bloodline that could destroy or save all of them.

"I need to go."

Leon came out of his thoughts long enough to watch the man leave the room. Joseph walked down the hall and found the dispute down at the bottom of the steps in the courtyard. The men were arguing over something and his brothers were standing beside her as she tried to get through to them. Kara kept her gaze on the worst of the men and worked on connecting with them, calming their minds long enough to explain the plan.

"We cannot leave the women unprotected while out on patrols."

"Only a few will be out at a time."

One guard growled and said "It's futile. If we are going to be safe, it is inside here and not out there. They will hunt us down like animals if we are alone out there."

"We won't be alone."

Another guard looked at her with skeptism and she said "You forget that you can take the form of any animal, not just one. You just have to focus and you can become something less bound by land."

"What are you saying?"

She took one calming breath and said "Not every scout will be on all four legs. Some will be in the trees and some in the sky."

"That's impossible. None of us are capable of holding such forms."

"You have to train yourself. It is possible."

"Show us if you are so powerful."

Hearing enough of their doubt, he pushed his way into the front and stood beside her. The men grew silent and stared back at her with some uneasiness. They had all witnessed how he handled Lucian's weak attempts and didn't want to end up like him.

"The training will start tomorrow. For now, everyone will resume their usual routine and rest well tonight."

The guards seemed more at ease and he looked down at Kara. She was taking in all their reactions but seemed calmed considering the headache she had to be suffering from. He caught her arm and pulled her away from them. She finally turned her green eyes on him and he led her upstairs to her quarters. It was a stress reliever for her to be inside the place she had crafted as her own years ago and he watched her waste no time making her way up outside the temple.

He climbed up behind her and found her taking in the free air. She let it out slowly and looked back at him.

"Thank you."

"They were questioning your position too much for my taste."

She rested her chin on her knees and said "They were right. I have to be able to show them it is possible or else this change will mean nothing."

"Can you?"

A slow smirk caught her mouth and she asked "Want to find out?"

"Kara."

The warning didn't stop her from taking off in a run to the edge of the rock. He felt everything stop when she dropped below his sight and he ran to the edge. Just as he looked over an eagle flew up past him and circled up ahead. He felt the laughter in his head and watched her flap her wings with utter freedom.

What are you doing?

Flying. You should try it

I prefer the ground

Chicken

He watched her tuck her wings in and go into a spiraling nose dive to the ground. She pulled out momentarily before hitting the ground and flew up to him. Gently she rested her talons on his leg and looked up at him with her green eagle eyes. He ran his hand through her feathers and felt the pleasure run through her.

I think we should head in

She shifted back and he saw the teasing light in her eyes. His hand slid through her hair and he captured her mouth with a growing hunger. Her arms wrapped around his neck and he pulled her closer to him. Every inch of him screamed for her but he wanted her safe first. He caught her wrist and walked her back inside the temple.

He sealed up the opening and watched her light the firepit with just a glance. The flames lit the darkening room with shadows and he saw them match the glow in her eyes. He caught her wrist and pulled her to him as his mouth slid over hers. Her mind was entirely open to him when she came to him like this and he entered it as his hunger filled every sense. She wrapped her arms around him and felt him begin removing her clothes.

She stood exposed for him and he took his time examining every inch of her, especially where he knew her old wounds rested. His mouth ran along her shoulder and down her side to the old torture wounds. She curled her fingers in his hair and he trailed kisses lower and her breath caught her throat when his tongue moved between her legs. A low moan escaped her throat as he worked her into a burning hunger of need and she felt her legs shaking as he finally stood. He captured her mouth and she tore his clothes off him quickly.

He lowered her onto her bed and surged into her with agonizing slowness. She needed the quick relief to the unbareable hunger he created but he dragged it out with a slow pace to entice her further. His body worked against hers instead of aiding and it left her wound too tight to breathe. She caught his shoulders when she shattered with her release and he began increasing his pace. He brought her over the edge faster and left her breathless when he finally reached his release.

His head rested on her shoulder and she slid her hand through his damp hair. He didn't say a word but she could feel everything inside him. It was heaven for them and she didn't want it to end. He felt the wall pushing him from her thoughts and looked into her eyes.

"Kara, don't shut me out."

She closed her eyes and said "I need a moment."

He shook his head and said "Just let me see what it is."

Her green eyes lost their light and he saw some of the weariness settling back in. He wrapped his arms around her as he moved them beneath the bedding to keep her cooling body warm. She listened to his pulse and tried to keep her thoughts from shutting him out. He was able to see the darkness that still lingered in her thoughts that triggered the nightmares but detected something more cold and painful.

"What is it?"

She looked up at him and said "It's what was the worst about my time away."

He couldn't see and sense anything but emptiness and cold and looked back down at her. She had become uneasy if she couldn't feel his presence or his mind at least since then but he had never asked about it. Now he knew why. He felt the lonliness and helplessness they had subjected her to with the nightmares that assaulted her. The coldness that had delved deep inside her with each painful image or memory and the feeling of never escaping left him shaken.

"I wish I could have gotten there sooner."

His hold on her tightened and she burrowed into his neck. Right now she felt safe and warm but when she had time alone she knew some would come back to haunt her.

"No matter how many times I tried reaching for you, I couldn't."

He kissed her brow and said "I know. I tried numerous times calling you as I tracked the truck down."

A chill ran through her as the memories began to settle in and he rubbed his chin along her head. She was finally willing to show him the damages still clinging to her and they were hard to swallow. The helpessness and emptiness were so strong he was afraid he may never find a way to rid her of them permanently.

"Promise me if you ever feel like that again, you tell me."

She nodded and said "I hope I never do. I'd been alone growing up to a point. I had lost both parents and raised myself but I wasn't alone. I had you and Leon but when I was with those men, I couldn't find that feeling anywhere inside of me. It didn't matter how many times I tried searching my thoughts I couldn't find it and it frightened me."

His hold remained firm and he looked down into her green eyes. He had to find a way to ensure she didn't feel that way again or else he couldn't ever be her mate. He brushed his lips along hers, easing her thoughts again and he watched her close her eyes. She nuzzled his neck, taking in his steady pulse and warmth, and let them pull her into a content sleep. He watched her succomb to the darkness and prayed tonight would be easy on her.

Young laughter brought her from her sleep and she opened her eyes. Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the ceiling and heard the running paws. Sitting up in bed, she barely braced herself before being tackled and she held the pup to her. He left his wolf form and hugged her tightly.

"Did you have fun?"

The boy nodded and said "Dad was awesome!"

She smiled and looked up at Joseph. He was watching them from the door and she felt the boy slip from her arms. He slipped through the door and he came to her. His hand slid through her hair and he brushed his lips along hers.

Stirring to the growing sensations, she opened her eyes and found the man of her dreams watching her. He looked like he hadn't moved an inch since she fell asleep but she had been aware of him resting with her at one point. His hand slid along her arm and she took a deep breath.

"Morning."

His chin rested on her head and he breathed her in. She sat up slowly and he watched her stretch her spine like a cat. Her hair fell down almost to her hips and he felt her shift as she left the bed. He followed her into the bathing chambers and watched her clean up.

"Coming in?"

He rested on the floor in and she came up to him. He followed the patterns the water ran over her skin before she dressed and he pursued her into the other room. She was lacing up her boots and looked ready for an early morning hunt. He retreated into the bedroom to dress and she looked up at the carvings in her walls. She studied each detail and pulled them up in her memories.

He walked back into sight and she let him guide her out into the hall. The temple was quiet and calm early in the morning and they walked down to the stairs. Their departure went unnoticed and they walked into the forest. She glanced up at him and knew he was searching for enemies before they could do anything else and she shifted when he turned his black gaze on her. He let her hunt down her food and sought out his own when she was resting in the grass after finishing.

He settled down in the grass beside her and watched her enjoy the freedom away from their home. She looked at him and felt the approaching presence from the temple. His eyes narrowed in on the intruder and he let some tension go when he recognized Rafe. The boy was worried about her and she let him join them without a thought. Their friendly bond was very strong and if no one knew the difference, they would be seen as siblings.

He saw the alertness fill her and watched her stand as more appeared from the temple. They were hesitant to be out in the open freely and he felt their emotions pulling on her control quickly. She let him shield the worst from her mind through their connection and he watched the men stare at her with apprehension. They were forced into this new training but they had to understand what is bound to happen.

Show us

She looked at the brave soul and found it Griffon. He glanced at her protector and felt no surprise from him. The pack had vowed to protect her at all costs and this new technique would do just that. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as the eagle filled her mind. She focused on the smallest details and walked away from them.

They watched her start into a run and in a flash she was flying through the air on two wings. Her own elation she kept to herself and Joseph held in the chuckle. The men were amazed and she settled in a branch up ahead.

Just focus on an animal you have seen and focus. It will come to you

Each male closed their eyes and soon enough there was a wide variety of animals before them. Their suprise radiated through her and she watched them test their new abilities. He kept his wolf form as everyone tested different ones and she remained in the tree. Her senses were roaming the area and with her sight, she was able to detect danger easier than anyone below. They spent several hours walking every male through the process and when the sun was setting she was finally relieved of her duties.

The men wanted to keep practicing but Joseph sent them one look and guided her home. Her emotions were raw from all the free ones flying and she needed rest. They walked up the stairs inside the ruins and entered his quarters. People never disturbed them in his and she needed the time away from their people. He guided her into his bathing quarters and she studied it while soaking in the hot spring.

No candles had made their way in but he had an opening that let the moonlight in and she floated in the water, letting her own body keep the hot spring warm and theraputic. He had a towel waiting for her as she walked from the water and he wrapped it around her. He walked her into the bedroom and she sat in bed as he arranged the logs in the fire pit. Before he could think of lighting it, they leapt to life with flames and he looked back at her.

"I think you should rest those gifts."

She drew her knees up against her and he approached. His hand slid through her damp hair and he looked down into her green eyes. He brushed his lips along hers and could feel their bodies responding but kept the hunger at bay. Tonight she needed rest and he had to respect it despite the needs their bond stirred. He drew her under the covers and she curled up in his side.

His hand slid along her warm skin and he rested his chin on her head. She rested her eyes and he felt her mind winding down finally. The weariness was lifting as she let sleep wrap its hands around her and pull her under. He entered her mind as it plunged into the darkness and he held on until he was pushed out by sleep.