The warm evening breeze blew overhead branches and left a flickering shadow slipping across her face. She opened her eyes slowly and stared up at the sight with a sigh. The nap was almost over and she would be forced to return back indoors for the evening. Her hand slid over the swell on her stomach and she understood. The brush against her mind brought a smirk to her mouth and then she heard the approaching chaperon.

Her mother looked at her when she came into view and waited as she got to her feet. The woman had become a rock during the transition and she let an arm surround her shoulders.

"How are you feeling?"

She kept her mouth shut when she wanted to groan and let the woman take her back inside. All of their people were settling in for the night activites while she was forced to return to her quarters. When Emily left her in her room, she took a calming breath and counted to a minute. She shifted into her wolf form and padded quietly through the halls to the courtyard. The place was empty and she let go of her form as she approached the fountain.

Birds were singing their night songs and she sat down next to the cooling water. Her hand slid through the water and she took a deep breath. The peace in this spot always drew her in the evenings and she looked up at the blue sky. The sunset was starting to burn orange and red across the sky and she glanced back into the hall. Her eyes closed for a moment and she broke into the sky with her wings beating on the thermals.

She flew up above their home and slid among the clouds. She wanted to laugh but kept it inside to keep it from filtering through others. As the sun dipped below the horizon, she settled on the ledge above her room and shifted back. She let out a content sigh and watched the rest of the sunset. When only darkness surrounded her, she let herself into her room and closed the escape door.

Her hands slid through her hair, releasing it to fall down her back and her shoes landed by the door. She moved to the hot springs and let her clothes pool on the floor. The water released the tension in her muslces and she relaxed on her back. Her eyes drifted closed and she let everything grow silent, shutting out everyone but the small presence brushing her mind occasional. Taking a deep breath, she let herself sink below the surface and swam back to the edge of the spring.

She slipped a towel around her as she climbed out and carried her clothes back to her bedroom. The fire sprung to life and filled the room with its dancing light. She sat down on the bed and ran her fingers through her hair, working it into a braid for the night. Her eyes shifted to the doorway as the skin slid aside and a black wolf entered the room. She watched him shift as he approached the bed and she met the fiery kiss the minute his mouth took hers captive.

Her hands slid over his covered body and she tugged his shirt off to get to the hard skin. He slid his mouth over her soft shoulder and along the top of the towel resting over her breasts. Her body was screaming for him as she came to her feet and removed his pants. His arms snaked around her waist and he lifted her up with ease. She wrapped her legs around him as he lowered her over him and she threw her head back as the hunger ripped through her with each stroke.

He lowered her onto the bed and took his time unwrapping her. His mouth slid over her skin, teasing her breasts and his teeth nipped and tugged her nipples. Her hands dug into his back and the slight tearing of skin added to the passion. His hips quickened into he was pounding against her and she felt her body coiling and pounding between her legs. He met her gaze as his body devoured hers and she kissed his neck.

Her mouth worked down his chest to a small nipple and she tugged it between her teeth. He shuddered around her and she wrapped her legs around him tighter. Her tightness left his body so hard and throbbing he had to pull out. She wanted to cry at the sudden movement but felt a moan ripped from her as his mouth clamped over her. His tongue probed fast and hard as his teeth scratched.

She dug her hands into his shoulders and felt her hips bucking against him as he brought her closer to the moment of release. The first wave of ecstacy slipped through her and he shoved himself back into her hard and fast. The invasion was like a sword sheathing itself and pierced her to her womb. She couldn't hold back the cry and felt his mouth settle around her pounding pulse as he poured into her. The release broke the resistance and she shattered beneath him.

Her body ached and throbbed but hummed with the satisfaction of his lovemaking. She took a deep breath as her pulse started to calm and looked at him. He was watching a small bead of sweat slip down between her breasts and caught it with his tongue. She felt his tongue work a soothing path over her body, easing the effects of their rough play and the small spark of hunger jumped when his tongue was administered to her sensitive skin. She propped herself up on her elbows and watched his stern administration at work.

She could see the claw marks on his back and waited for him to finish easing her discomfort. Finally he stretched out next to her and she straddled his hips while working on her marks. His eyes fell closed as her mouth slid along each line and he felt relaxation and taming settling in. When she curled up in his arms for the night, he stared down into her eyes and slid his hand over their unborn child.

"Restless today?"

Her hand settled over his and said "No. Just talkative."

He kissed her slowly and she nuzzled his neck. He could feel that small presence reaching to him and breathed her in. When their child would be born was still up for questions. She didn't exihibit the signs of the animal preganancy, nor the human and it left them wondering how long she would carry. Emily had said she had taken all nine months as a human baby would but Kara's gifts let everything in question.

She had started to show after two months and at first they thought it would only taken ninety days but they were into their fifth month and still nothing has cleared up. A small kick against his hand brought his attention back to the baby and she smirked against his warm skin.

"He doesn't like being forgotten."

"You're sure it's a boy?"

She nipped his chin and straddled his waist slowly. He couldn't stop the groan as she took him back inside of her and her hands slid up his chest to his shoulders. Her mouth kissed a slow path from his neck down his chest to his stomach.

"Kara."

The growl made her smirk and she squeezed her inner walls tighter around him. His hands tightened on her hips and she nipped his stomach.

"I'm positive he's a boy."

She watched him stare back at her with pure hunger in his black eyes and worked her invisible path back to his neck. His hand gripped her hair and tugged her head back to expose her throat to him. He rolled her beneath him and forced her to endure the same torturous path. She savored their bodies coming together like this and was a little thankful to the extra hunger she was enduring from her hormones. Some nights she only wanted sleep but then there were other nights where she couldn't get enough of him.

His mouth stilled on over their child and his head turned to the doorway. She felt his body grow cold and alert while fighting to overcome the hunger. He swung out of bed without warning and she watched the wolf slowly leave the room. Her hormones were screaming as she pushed them aside and sat up slowly. She looked for some clothing and found the towel discarded the only option.

"Stay in bed."

His tone was commanding and harsh for once and she drew the covers up over her. Her instincts were telling her to follow him but she could feel his resolve unwavering. She curled up on her side and waited as he guarded the entrance. Her body was starting to grow restless and she felt like she was burning up. She looked at the fireplace and found the flames calm.

"Kara, what is it?"

"I don't know."

He wanted to go to her but he couldn't leave his post until he knew the threat was gone. He could feel the change in her and then all connection was cut off.

"Kara."

Giving up on the door, he moved back into the bedroom and found her curled up on the floor. Her form shifted back and forth between human and animal. He stepped closer and she pushed him back.

"Don't."

"Kara!"

Her body became engulfed in flames and he could feel the third presence screaming. He couldn't stop from pacing in his wolf form and he circled the room, trying to find a way to get closer.

"Emily!"

He bit down on his resolve and ignored the burning of flesh as he carried her into the hot springs. The water started boiling and he steeled his jaw as the heat threatened his body. Keeping her locked in his arms, he held her in a protective position to hide her from the incoming company and tried reaching through the emptiness for her. Emily entered the room with his siblings and Leon and pushed her way into the hot spring.

"Stay back."

She took in the burns forming on him and said "I can help."

Leon drew closer and asked "What's happening?"

"She is going to deliver."

The man shook his head and said "This isn't normal, Emily. Something is wrong."

The woman carefully rested her hands on a bare shoulder wrapped in flames and said "It's Michael's blood. He said their bloodline have painful birthings. They can't control their skills and many women are hurt."

Joseph met her gaze and said "You need to calm her somehow. Our son is in distress."

She nodded slowly and searched for some path to her daughter. Pain responded as she began tracing her down and she forced her will through.

"Calm down Kara. I can talk you through this."

"Make it stop."

"You will be fine. Just breathe."

"The water is calming."

Emily looked at the hot spring and found the boiling gone and only steam rising. She looked back at Joseph and found his focus soley on the woman in his arms. She slowly looked up at him and the fire disappeared from around her. Emily looked back at their spectators and Gabby ushered the men out. Clothes were brought into the room for privacy and the the women left long enough for him to help her to the skin and pile of clothes.

She slid into a shirt and he pulled her hair back as the women returned. Emily looked at him and he shook his head.

The woman smiled and said "You did your part. Now it's up to us."

Kara's grip tightened on his hand and he watched her nod once. Emily took his place at her side and he was pushed from the room. His mind settled with hers, keeping her pain masked the best he could and he found the other men waiting in the room.

Leon rested a hand on his shoulder and said "She will be fine. All of the women know how to bring a child into this world."

Griffon snorted and said "I have never seen this before. You sure know how to pick a mate, Joseph."

His eyes flashed back at the man but he kept silent. He could feel the agony slipping through her but she refused to make a sound. Zeke stood by his side in silent comfort and Ace pulled Griffon into the hall. He kept his gaze locked with the entry to the hotspring and the soothing voices were trying to encourage the child. He felt the moment their son was born and left his companions.

Emily handed him the boy wrapped in spare clothing and ushered the others out of the room. She watched him bring the child to Kara as she finished up and washed her hands in the hotspring. The boy's eyes were open and exploring, reminding her of when Kara had been born.

"Do you want me to clean him for you?"

Kara shook her head and said "I think we need to be alone."

Emily smiled and left them. Joseph settled the boy in her arms and breathed her in. He couldn't stop himself from inspecting her, making sure she was okay and she looked up at him. The burns were healing quickly and she gingerly place a hand on a burn resting on his chest.

"I'm sorry."

He brushed a lock of wet hair from her face and said "I'm fine."

Kara captured his mouth in a slow kiss and he let that comfort root him back to reality. The baby stirred in her arm and she was helped up to her feet. They moved to the hotspring and she took her time cleaning their son and found Joseph watching with a look of protector in his eyes.

"Relax will you. He is perfectly fine."

"He doesn't have a name."

She laughed as she brought him out of the hotspring and let Joseph take him. The man watched her stretch and finish dressing. They moved into the bedroom and the baby was settled in the middle of the bed.

"Mikhail."

Joseph looked back at her and she glanced up at the phoenix carving over the firepit. He met her gaze and she came up to him. Her arms slid around his neck and he breathed her in. He could feel the hunger pounding at her and nuzzled the top of her head.

"I will stay behind so you can go eat."

"I'm sure your sisters would want some time with their first nephew. You need the hunt as much as me."

He studied her for a moment and nodded. He watched her take a seat on the bed while summoning his sisters and joined the two. Gabby trotted into the room followed by April and the two women cooed over the boy. Kara pulled him back as they approached their nephew and she kept a hand on his arm to keep his protectiveness at ease.

April looked back at him and said "We won't let a single hair become out of place."

His growl made her laugh and he was pulled from the room. The walk to the waterfall was unsettling and he let her guide him further from their child. She breathed in the moonlight and looked back at him. Her hand settled around his hand and she waited for his gaze to finally meet hers. She shifted into her wolf and nudged her head against his leg.

He rolled his eyes and settled into his wolf form. She swatted at him and took off into the woods. He could feel her laughter and sense of freedom. It had been so long since she had been carefree and he gave chase.