Lillian was on cloud nine.

She couldn't remember the last time she'd been so happy. She floated through the field to Robert, who spent no little amount of time exacting his revenge by teasing her.

"So," he wiggled his eyebrows as soon as she walked out of the shed in her work clothes, with a straw hat this time. "How's Alpha?"

Lillian grinned. "He's delightful. How's Jasmine?"

Robert scowled. "You're no fun," he grumbled.

Lillian chuckled and patted him on the back while passing him by. She had been on the receiving end of so much teasing in her past, the harmful kind, that Robert's well meaning jokes were a welcome breath of fresh air.

"No really, though." Lillian crouched near him with her own basket and scissors. Lettuce was better picked up so early in the morning when the leaves were still crisp, or so Robert had taught her.

Robert sighed, his hat hiding his face from Lillian's view. "It's not easy, you know. I'm still fighting against myself. Jasmine doesn't give two cents about all my worries about dominance. The problem is me. It's more difficult to fight something within than it is to fight someone else."

Lillian hummed. She had a feeling he needed someone to vent to more than advice. Not that she could give him much. She had barely spent a couple of months here, she was by no means the best person to dish out advice about dominance and mate courtship.

And vent he did. Robert rambled on for about ten minutes while their hands were busy. It was the longest she had ever heard Robert speak. Lillian offered him a good ear.

By the end of it, Robert sat back on his heels and looked at her in silence, his gray eyes clear under the shade of his hat. "You know, you're going to make a good Alpha."

Lillian sputtered. "Pff. Yeah. No. Nope. I'll leave the Alphaness to Noah, thank you very much."

Lillian could barely manage the twins. A pack of wolves? Yeah, right.

Robert laughed. "Don't worry. You won't be asked to take over Alpha's job overnight. You'll grow into it."

Lillian pointed to Robert, then to the plants. "As your future alpha, I command you to do your job and stop talking nonsense."

Robert's laughter rang about the field.

But his words brought up an entirely different subject to the forefront of her mind, one she had not given much thought to ever since her discussion with Noah on the evening of Game Day.

Would she want to turn into a vampire? That was the only way to turn herself into an immortal and avoid breaking Noah and the twins' hearts. The twins would be okay, Lillian knew. Hopefully she could be in their life until they were grown men.

But what about Noah? Lillian knew by now that mates were for life, that very few people who lost their mates managed to form another mate bond in their lifetime. The loss was heartbreaking, Lillian could see it from the constant sadness that hovered in the corners of Jennifer's eyes whenever she was lost in thought.

And in Noah, as big and strong as he was, there lurked a deep grief and a sense of loss in the most hidden parts of his soul. She'd seen glimpses of the pain and darkness in his eyes at times. And try as she might, she couldn't bring herself to abandon him because of her aversion to immortality.

Lillian sighed and looked at the lake as she and Robert resumed work in easy silence. Who would've thought that she'd be clinging to life when only years ago she'd been on the brink of giving it up?

Lillian squinted at the lake. "Hey, am I imagining it, or is the lake receding?"

Robert's head popped up from behind a row of green. He grinned. "Yep, it is. About time. It's going to turn into a pretty meadow by summer."

Lillian wiped her sweaty brows, her eyes on the sparkling water. Deciding the fate of her own humanness would have to wait. She would give herself more time to enjoy glorious life as it was right now. The rest could wait.

*** **** ***

"So who's the lucky one?" Lillian asked, stretching her arms.

Kate could barely hold back her grin. They were in a ring in a corner of the training grounds, away from everyone else. This late into the afternoon, pack members spilled into the grounds, either to watch or to train. Lillian would start sparring today.

"I had a really hard time recruiting a volunteer," Kate said, referring to picking up Lillian's sparring partner.

"I know I'm not that scary to fight," Lillian told Kate. "So why?"

"It might have something to do with your mate," Kate mumbled.

Lillian squinted. "Aha. Do tell me more."

"He kind of told us to go easy on you," Kate said. She hurried to add. "Don't be mad at him, it hasn't been the easiest time, what with your injuries and the kidnappings and everything."

"And I'm human," Lillian added.

Kate shrugged. Lillian sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, she wouldn't stand a chance against a wolf in a fight. They were just stronger, faster, and more well trained. "Oh, I am going to be mad at him. But that's neither here nor there. Who's the brave soul who decided to risk the alpha's ire for the sake of my training?"

"Here he comes," Kate said, turning halfway.

A warrior came closer, separating from the crowd. Broad-shouldered, black-haired and kind-looking. He smiled when his eyes met Lillian's.

"Blake?" Lillian asked.

"Hey, I hope you'll go easy on me." His crooked smile put Lillian at ease.

"Bake here is still in his trial period," Kate said, slapping the other warrior on the back as he stood beside her. "So he's not going to chance Noah sending him back to his old pack by putting a scratch on you."

Lillian snorted. "That's exactly why he shouldn't be the one fighting me. I need someone who's not afraid of Noah."

"We're not afraid of Noah," Blake said. "We're afraid we'll hurt you. That's why no one really volunteered."

"But you did."

"Yeah. I was actually responsible for training young juveniles back in my old pack, so I know a thing or two about holding back." He winked.

"Alright," Lillian slowly nodded, glancing at Kate. "Should we begin?"

Kate stepped out of the ring. Lillian didn't think they'd need the entire space of the ring. Blake could literally run circles around her.

"Alright, kids," Kate said. "Like we said before, Lillian. If you can, always avoid a direct fight with an immortal. If you can run, do it. However, there might be circumstances where you have no choice but to fight. This is what we're training for. We're taking it easy today, Blake. I just want her to get a feel of what a fight is like."

"Got it." Blake nodded, his smile melting away.

Lillian took a shaky breath, her heart racing. Her muscles were rigid ice. She forced herself to move first, otherwise she would stay in place until Blake ran her over.

Lillian blinked, and Blake was in her face. Lillian was not proud of it, but she squealed. Blake's knuckles gently touched her cheek.

Lillian stumbled back, only weeks of strengthening her muscles kept her from falling on her butt.

Ugh. That was so embarrassing.

Blake gave her an apologetic look and stepped back.

"Come on Lillian. We weren't braiding each other's hair during our training sessions."

Kate's joke pricked the bubble of Lillian's nerves. She threw Kate a glare and took a deep breath. Okay. She had to start somewhere. Stop over-thinking.

Lillian leaned on the routine Kate made her perform until she dreamed about it. She lunged forward and made the first move.

Blake easily dodged her punch. Her next kick connected to his side, but she might as well have kicked a rock. Her leg hurt. Instead of hopping away on one leg like she wanted to do, she put it on the ground and swung a left hook, putting her weight into it.

Blake, no doubt realizing now that her human strength was laughable, didn't dodge. He simply guided her fist away with the back of his hand, as if swatting a fly.

He reached with his hand as if to grab her, but Lillian jumped away.

"Good," Kate said.

The fight, if it could even be called so, went on like that until Lillian collapsed on the ground. Not from Blake's attack, because he didn't even touch her, but from sheer exhaustion.

"You're not bad," Blake said, giving her a hand to help her up. "You're just..."

"Human," Lillian finished, stumbling to her feet. He was trying to be nice, bless his heart. Blake rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.

"You're inexperienced," he said. "There are a lot of humans who could hold their own against immortals. But those are usually well-trained individuals with years of experience and a superior athletic build compared to the average human. You'll get there, but it's going to take time."

"Thanks Blake," Kate said.

"Anytime you need a sparring partner, you let me know," Blake said. "I'll be glad to help."

"Thanks." Lillian gave him a winded smile.

He walked away after a salute to Kate. Lillian wanted to lay down on the ground and sleep right then and there, but she must preserve what was left of her dignity. Fortunately, very few people were interested in their fight, rightfully so; it was very underwhelming. So no one witnessed her fall from grace.

"Hey, brighten up. You did well enough," Kate said, throwing Lillian a bottle of water. Lillian caught it with a trembling hand.

"You're not the one who fell on her ass," she grumbled before draining half the bottle.

"Blake is right. You need time and training to become a good fighter. Your body is already adjusting quickly. Hell, a few weeks ago you couldn't even throw a proper punch."

Lillian sighed. "You're being awfully nice this fine evening."

Kate chuckled. "Shut up, you idiot. And stop comparing yourself to other pack members, they're immortals. You're doing well. Besides, it's not like you're going to stay human for the rest of your life."

Kate's last words rang in Lillian's head on the way back to the cabin. She took a less-traveled path winding by the lake. She wanted a clear head and a few minutes of solitude to mull over... everything.

Turning into an immortal... Lillian sighed. Who would've thought she'd be considering the idea so seriously.

Her neck prickled.

Lillian stopped. It felt as though someone was watching her. A chill pebbled her skin. The woods around her were growing dim, the decreasing water of the lake murky under the gray dusk. She looked around. In the distance, voices and laughter rang, settling her heart. She was in the middle of the pack. No one would hurt her here.

She rubbed her arms, her eyes swinging from shadow to shadow. The sensation of being watched slowly vanished. She shook her head and continued down the path home.

"Are you all done?"

Lillian jumped ten feet into the air, her mouth open in a silent scream. Putting a hand on her poor heart, she gave Noah a withering look. His amber eyes looked dark under the growing shadows.

"Are you trying to kill me?" she said. "Because I don't know about you all, but humans do get heart attacks."

He had the nerve to look sheepish. Separating from the shadows, he closed the distance between them. "Sorry. Are you okay?"

Lillian blew out a breath and pushed her hair back. She was hungry, her sweat had cooled down to an icy layer, and still a little freaked out. Not the best combination.

"If I don't get a shower and food in the next minute, I will not be responsible for my behavior," she said. "Other than that, I'm doing fine."

Noah grunted, his warm fingers brushing her own. "How did the sparring go?"

Lillian groaned. "It sucked. You may have to reconsider your courtship if you don't want your mate to be a weak ass fighter."

His lips twitched. "You can be a weak ass fighter. I'm good enough for both of us."

"Very humble of you."

Her sorry mood was quickly lifting. Lillian closed the distance and hugged him. He froze for a fleeting moment before his arms wrapped around her, swallowing her small frame.

Noah flooded her senses. His earthy scent, his steady heartbeat, his sturdy chest and the rise and fall of his breath. Noah's scorching warmth chased away the bite of the evening cold and of her impending decision. She missed him, and she had only seen him that morning.

"So, I heard all about how you scared pack members into not sparring with me."

He cleared his throat, his arms tightening. "I didn't scare them into anything. I simply cautioned them to be careful with you while fighting."

"Was there growling involved in that cautioning speech of yours?"

He hesitated. "Maybe."

Lillian shook her head and leaned back. "You need to learn how to deal with me getting hurt."

His chest rumbled. "I will not do that. I cannot do that."

"Then how am I going to learn?"

"You can learn and stay safe," he said.

Lillian gave him a bored look. She rose on her tiptoes and kissed Noah. This was one argument she wouldn't be winning very easily. Lillian gave up this battle, plenty of days to win the war.

*** **** ***

Noah's hand squeezed Lillian's. The twins pounded up the steps of the cabin ahead of them. He could still feel her taste, and he wanted more.

Lillian was generous with her affection, whether with her pups or with other people she cared about. Those people included him too, much to his joy. She didn't spare her smiles and hugs and kisses. Touch was an essential part of her life. It was as if she craved it. And maybe she did, growing up as she had.

The twins opened the door and barreled inside the cabin. Noah stopped. Lillian frowned at him from the door steps. "Did you forget something?"

"No," he said.

"Well, then, get in," she pulled him inside as if it was the most natural thing in the world, as if he had every right to be there. She bent down to untie her shoe laces. "It tends to get cold if we leave the door open too long."

Without even looking, Lillian called out, "Elijah, Ezra, do not touch the chocolate pudding in that fridge, young men!"

Elijah and Ezra, who'd been sneaking to the kitchen, froze. They stared at their mother's back in utter astonishment.

"I told you she has eyes in the back of her head," Elijah whispered in a voice too low for Lillian to pick up.

"That's stupid," Ezra replied just as quietly. "I checked yesterday, she only has hair."

"Well how does she know-"

Noah wiped the grin off his face before Lillian straightened. She went into the kitchen. The twins glued themselves to her legs.

"Moooom," Elijah said.

"Nope, dinner first." Lillian ran her hand over the twins heads then pulled a covered tray out of the fridge. "Your Nana Jennifer made us her delicious lasagna, and we won't have it go to waste."

Noah moved. "Why don't you go shower, I'll heat it up and watch over the twins."

Hands still holding the dish, she looked at him like he was a saint. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. Go."

"You're a lifesaver." She kissed his cheek and gave him the lasagna.

Noah looked at the twins after their mother hurried to her room. They didn't look bothered by her display of affection towards him. The twins took turns climbing up a stool near the sink and washing their hands while Noah moved about the kitchen.

They spoke to him about their day and hounded him with question after question. Noah's heart threatened to implode from the amount of love he felt. They had accepted him so willingly, sharing their lives with him and bringing their light into his dreary world.

By the time the table was set and dinner was served, Lillian joined them, looking fresh and less tired. Her scent, mingled with coconut shampoo, drowned Noah's nose. His arms twitched with the need to hold her tightly and bury his nose in her damp hair.

They had Jennifer's Lasagna accompanied by the twins' lively chatter. Noah would give anything to have the rest of his evenings spent this way, with love and laughter and warmth.

Long after the twins settled into bed and the kitchen was clean, Noah and Lillian sat on the steps of the front porch side by side. Lillian, bundled up in a pink robe and a blanket, peered at him. "Are you really not cold?" she asked.

Noah shook his head. "I'm fine."

She shivered and pulled the blanket tighter around her. It was nearly summer. Noah wondered how she'd deal with the winter nights here. He made a mental note to buy sets of winter clothing appropriate for humans.

"I wanted to watch your first sparring session, but I had a sudden important call."

She snorted, scooting closer until her side touched him. "You didn't miss much. Blake literally ran circles around me until I collapsed on the ground. The poor guy didn't know what to do with me. What was your call about? Any news from the Council?"

Noah wrapped an arm around her shoulders. She sighed and settled her head against his shoulder. Noah's body relaxed at the feel of her tucked safe in his arm. "The Council will convene in a few days. I got a call from Arthur."

"Arthur as in Arthur?"

Noah smiled. "Yes. Arthur. He wants to come visit before the Council."

"Wow, I didn't know you guys were that chummy."

"We're not, particularly. His mate made the decision. Elle is... fond of me, so to speak. It bugs Arthur a great deal."

"Because you guys are friends?"

Noah debated whether to tell her or not. Decided he should. "I might have had a little crush on her before."

Lillian looked up at him through narrowed eyes. "Aha."

"Before," he repeated.

"Hmph."

Noah smiled. Lillian rolled her eyes, but her own lips twitched up. "I'm glad my vexation is a source of great amusement to you."

Noah kissed her head. "Elle is... you'll see when you meet her. You two are a lot alike, in many ways. I have a feeling you will be good friends."

"When are they coming?" Lillian asked.

"In two days time. They'll be staying in the pack. There are some guest cabins a little ways from mine."

"Out of the pack village?"

"Yes. Out of the pack village. Only the most trusted are allowed in the heart of our pack."

"And Arthur is not one of them?"

Noah sighed. "It's complicated. Arthur is a man of great honor. But being responsible for the mass of vampires in the Americas, being one of the most powerful immortals in the world, his priorities might not always align with ours. It's always best to be cautious."

Lillian grinned and settled her head back on his shoulder. "Well, I can't wait to meet them."

--- ---- ---

Hey guys!

How did you like this chapter? Leave your thoughts! I appreciate your comments and votes.

Also, who's excited to see Elle and Arthur again? They're coming in the next chapter!

Much love & happy holidays <3

M.B.