Moonlight trickled down through the canopy and a nearby creek flowed gently in the background. Crickets sounded their nightly calls and he felt the fur shift next to his leg. Opening his black eyes, he looked down at his anchoring mate and slid his hand through her coat. Her movement drew him from the sleep she provided and he looked around their camp. Her father was nowhere to be seen once more and he let out a sigh.

Tomorrow they would be walking back into the ruins and the confrontation was going to push Kara's limits. She was physically worn out from this trip and her mental strength wasn't close to full strength. Too many nights she had protected him from the agony his body still endured to ensure his healing at the expense of her own sanity. The restless sleeping gave clear signs she was close to a mental break. His hand stilled in her soft fur and he sought her mental protection.

It was weaker tonight than ever but still holding most of his pain at bay. He took a deep breath and shoved just enough of a hole through her barrier to take some of the load from her. He could feel her stirring enough to protest but kept himself exposed. The extra pain was numbing but he knew he could sleep with it if she didn't carry it all. His fist clutched fur and he slowly released it as he succombed to another wave of sleep.

His senses woke once more to a hand on his shoulder and the scent of warm blood. The smell he had become too familiar with and his hand caught the offering. He drew the cut up to his mouth and drank the warmth until he reached that edge of awareness. It prevented him from taking more than a day's treatment but still she was left weak. Closing her wrist with his tongue he slowly looked at her and she wiped the blood from his mouth.

He licked her fingers clean and she burrowed her head into his strong neck. The steady pulse echoed in her ears and she felt his arms secure her in his promising warmth and safety.

"You know this has to stop."

Kara closed her eyes and nodded. She couldn't risk the exposure around their people any more than he could. His body had acclimated finally to the third DNA source and the healing was slowing to a healthier pace. Fingers slid through her free falling hair and she opened her eyes. Their company's presence broke through the quiet morning and she felt the hold tighten around her.

Michael revealed himself and she looked up at Joseph. His eyes were leveled with the man but his arms slowly released her. She stood up and expanded her senses while he rose to his feet. Michael studied him as she checked their surroundings and nodded.

"You are healing."

"That surprise you?"

"No. Your shady past probably explains it."

He looked away from the man and saw Kara slowly glance back at them. She was pale from the transfusion but ready to walk home despite the mental onslaught she would endure. He caught her hand and felt the steady pulse. His blood chilled and his hand tightened around hers. Kara saw his eyes darken and felt the three approaching presences.

Her free hand rested on his arm and she said "We don't have to stay."

His eyes remained on the shadows in the surrounding forest and he growled "You two go."

Her green eyes remained on his hard face and she felt the squeeze on her gripped hand. His mind pushed her out completely and she let out a sigh. Reluctantly she looked at Michael and started walking. The man looked back at Joseph before following his daughter into the nearby shadows. Joseph took a calming breath as they left and waited.

His baby brother revealed himself and then slowly the two long forgotten parents walked out of the shadows. Naomi sat in her wolf form staring at him with Maximus in human form in front of her. Joseph held his father's gaze and his jaw tightened.

Damon stepped in front of both parents and said "You look less dead."

His eyes settled on his brother but he remained silent. This man had touched his mate and threatened his son. He didn't trust himself around him and the two parents behind him left him more on edge. Maximus cleared his throat and Damon stepped aside.

"I thought it was time to meet."

"Why?"

Naomi's ears went up at the darkened voice and a calming hand settled on her head. She looked from her mate to her first born. Her baby boy stared back at them with utter hatred and detachment. If she could summon her old form she knew she could reach him even just for a second. Maximus looked down at her and shook his head.

"Your mother wants to hold you Joseph but to do so could kill her."

"You two died a long time ago."

Damon's growl was loud in the quiet camp and Maximus waved him off. Joseph was right and they had to bare it. He had witnessed what should have been their deaths and then been taken away to endure who knows what by the government. Leon saved the pup for them but they never sought him out. Naomi's wounds took a long time to heal and by the time she felt safe enough to search for their pup he had been on his own far too long and was grown.

"Just hear us out Joseph. That is all we ask."

His eyes shifted to the side and Maximus saw the blank look slip into those black orbs. His jaw tightened and he turned his back on them without a word. A black wolf ran away from them and into the shadows. He raced to the waterfall and slipped into the ruins. The arguement took place at the stair base and his family surrounded the two disagreeing parties.

Shifting to his human form, he walked up to Zeke and the man shook his head. He was allowed inside and found Leon staring down Michael with Kara behind her father and Emily standing off to the side. Joseph joined his mate and she took his nearest hand, lacing their palms together. He could feel the emotions pounding against her mind as she naturally flooded into his.

"How long has it been like this?"

She glanced up at him and said "Since we arrived. They only spoke a handful of words before Grandpa started examining him."

"Your mother?"

"She can't do a thing until he determines the man's fate."

"This is her husband."

Kara sighed and said "He died. That changes everything."

Joseph watched Leon finally break eye contact with Michael and look at them. He let out a sigh and nodded once.

"The man can stay but will be under constant supervision while he is here."

Emily stepped forward but he shook his head "No. One of Zeke's. You are biased."

Her eyes flashed but she held her tongue. Slowly Michael turned back to Kara and nodded. He was a welcomed prisoner as far as the law was concerned and she stepped in front of him.

"At least let my mother share her quarters with him."

Leon studied her tired eyes and looked back at his daughter. Emily waited patiently for his answer but was still visibly annoyed with his protective approach. Letting out a sigh he nodded and she stepped past him. Michael took her extended hand and she led him up the stairs. Leon watched them disappear and looked back at his granddaughter.

His hands settled on her face and she felt his mind drive through hers, ensuring her thoughts were only her own. She held her private life behind an impenetrable wall and let out a sigh when he released her. Joseph pulled her away from the man and she leaned her forehead against his back. He could feel the failing mental strength after that attack and his growl filled the area.

"I had to guarantee she was still of her own thoughts."

"You know she is nothing but loyal to you."

Leon sighed and said "I don't trust that man and he summoned her. I needed to know he didn't plant even a seed of doubt in her."

His growl deepened but the hand on his arm kept him from speaking. He wrapped an arm around her waist and walked her passed the man. They climbed the stairs to his quarters and she took a seat on his bed. Her head rested in her hands and he watched as the fire flickered with different intensity levels.

"Dad?"

Mikhail slipped into his room and wrapped his arms around his waist. Joseph held him at his side and ruffled his hair.

"Is Mom okay?"

"She's tired."

Mikhail hugged him again and walked over to the bed. He wrapped his arms around her and rested his cheek on her shoulder. Kara caught an arm and looked up at her mate. Slowly she nodded and he slipped out of his quarters. He found Zeke and Griffon waiting on the other side of the flap.

"Is she okay?"

"She's reached her limits."

Zeke let out a sigh and asked "What about you?"

"I'm fine."

"You were rather pissed when you came inside."

"Ran into three unwelcomed visitors."

Griffon chuckled and asked "Damon still sizing you up?"

He shook his head and let out a sigh. Leaning against the nearby railing, he looked down at the other residents walking towards the waterfall.

"Maximus and Naomi wanted to talk."

Griffon settled a darker gaze on him and asked "What? An apology?"

"Maybe. I left before we got that far."

Zeke raked a hand through his black hair and said "I'd give them one more chance. If not for you, for Mikhail and for Kara."

"I don't trust them."

"Why you should? You thought they were murdered when you were a pup."

Joseph looked at his oldest brother and said "Look how long it took for me to tolerate you."

Griffon chuckled again and said "That last scuffle did seem to settle things."

Zeke shushed him with one look and sighed "Joseph, this is your call but they are your parents. They gave up all family to raise you and you were stolen from them. Imagine how they felt losing you. Imagine how you would feel if such a thing happened to Mikhail."

"Or if Kara was ever taken from you again."

His eyes snapped back to Griffon and the man shrugged. That hit an old fear he didn't want to ever endure again. Letting out a groan, he raked both hands through his hair and let out a sigh. Zeke smirked at his surrender and nodded before dragging their brother away. Joseph watched them leave and walked back into his quarters.

He found Kara resting on the bed with Mikhail in her arms and ran his hand through her hair. She stirred just enough for him to feel her with him and his mouth grazed her temple. Silently he left his quarters once more and descended the stairs. The waterfall echoed loudly in his ears as he walked through and he silently headed towards the clearing his brother had first revealed himself.