Arthur didn't raise his voice, but it rang around the crowd, silencing pack members young and old. They all shifted their attention to the vampire lord.

His tone was calm and soothing, as if he was telling a bedtime story and not the tale in which the world had suffered boundless damage and irreversible changes.

"Humans were the only people who walked this earth," he said, shadows flickering across his face. "One day, the monsters of another world opened a portal to our realm."

"Demons!" one of the pups in his father's lap piped in. He couldn't be older than four. His father shushed him gently, and the pup climbed over his father to sit on his shoulders.

Arthur's face lightened. He nodded. "Yes. Demons are the ones who opened the gate. However, creatures other than demons made it through. Angels, along other beings for whom our current world does not have names.

"Vampires and shapeshifters were born from demon and human parents, the fae were born from angel and human parents."

Thankfully, Arthur had simplified the story for the children's benefit, sparing them the horrors of rape and violence the creatures had subjected humans to. The pups would know the full story with all its gory details once they were older.

"And the witches, as you all know, were made by the very first fae king, whose special powers enabled him to turn humans into witches.

"But since you are werewolves, let me tell you the story of the very first shapeshifters."

Everyone leaned forward. Noah, like most immortals, knew the history of their race. But, as Elle said, it was always interesting hearing it from someone who witnessed things firsthand.

"The first Born Shapeshifters were nine," Arthur continued. "Three of them were werewolves. Those three were the originals who made all the werewolves back then. They are called the Born Shapeshifters, and their descendants are the strongest among your race."

"Alpha Noah is one of them!" A small girl pointed out, proud.

Noah shifted in his seat. Arthur glanced at him. "Yes. They are the strongest."

Their wolves were the strongest, which was a double edged sword. The stronger the wolf, the most difficult it was to control its instinctive urges. Noah and Sean had to work twice as hard on their discipline and control growing up, compared to their peers.

Some of the descendants of the Born Shapeshifters were the most insanity averse. One line, specifically, was known for having at least one wolf per generation go insane. The descendants of that line lived down south, their pack known for being extremely insular.

But that didn't mean Noah's line was any less risky. Look at his father.

Noah shook the dark thought away, it had no place near Lillian and the twins. Lillian reached over and put her hand on his, brushing her fingers over his knuckles. He looked down at her to find she was enraptured by Arthur's story, the motion of her hand on his absent-minded.

He flipped his hand and linked their fingers. She glanced at him with a smile and rested her head on his shoulder, banishing the darkness.

"Making werewolves was as difficult back then as it was now. And many humans died in the attempt to increase shapeshifter numbers," Arthur said. "Humans suffered the most during those times. Their numbers decreased, ravaged by wars and the monsters' attempts to change them. It was estimated that only one third of the human population has survived the First Gate. Not to mention the damage done to their civilizations and cultures.

"We, immortals, see humans as weak creatures who want to annihilate us simply because they see us as a threat, and we judge them by that fact. What we fail to understand is that we were the first to commit heinous crimes against them, we might dismiss them as a past we have nothing to do with, but those dark times are a stain against us, something that the humans' collective memory will never forget.

"That, of course, does not excuse human hostility toward immortals. However, most of us fail to remember our own dark history.

"People who are not blind to their history, those who admit to their mistakes, as bloodied and dark as it was, are the ones less likely to perish."

The last part of Arthur's speech was addressed to the adults of the crowd. The words settled heavily on their shoulders. It was very easy for one to focus on the wrongdoings of others, while forgetting one's own crimes. That, as Arthur said, did not excuse any bloodshed, but it was necessary to understand that every action has consequences, whether those consequences are immediate or extend over centuries, even millenia, to come.

Arthur opened the window for questions. Hands shot up in the air. Children were given precedence, and their questions lightened the heavy atmosphere that lingered like a smoke from the fire of Arthur's words.

"So, you're like the aristocracy of werewolves," Lillian whispered next to him, her lips curved in a smile and her words drowned by the assault of childish questions aimed at Arthur.

Noah grunted. "It's not that good of a thing."

Lillian glanced at him with a frown, but did not pursue the subject. Noah knew her enough by now to tell that she didn't drop it, she would probably wait until they were alone.

Ezra and Elijah had long since joined the gaggle of pups who were sitting closer to Arthur. Parents did not rush to hold their children back, and it was the instinct of an animal who was certain of their pups' safety that held them back. Surrounded by pups, Arthur's sharp edges softened. His darkness almost seemed to level off and mellow in the presence of children.

A heavy sadness clouded Elle's gaze. Knowing its origin, Noah felt sympathy for the most powerful couple in the world.

"Can you do tricks?!" One of the children asked, as if he was speaking to a performing magician and not one of the most powerful beings in existence.

Arthur raised his brow. The pup who asked the question, a little boy no older than six, slowly floated up in the air, until he dangled several feet off the ground much to the delight of the other pups.

Squeals and laughter colored the night, and small fireworks of blue flames exploded above the trees, giving the night a sapphire glow.

It was a magical night, one his pack members would tell for years to come.

"You might have ruined your reputation for ruthlessness," Noah told Arthur as he walked the three guests to their cabin.

Lillian had taken the twins to the cabin. The pack's pups were disappointed to see Arthur and Elle go with their tricks. But a promise for more visits pacified the crowd.

"Ruthlessness is not always an answer," Arthur replied.

In the darkness of the woods, Noah saw Elle wipe an imaginary tear off her cheek. She sniffed. "A tear just came out of my eye. To imagine the day when the dark lord of vampires admits not everything could be solved with bloodshed has come."

"I don't see why you're surprised, my love. It's your influence."

"How very flattering."

"You two need to take your show on the road," Amanda said. "You'll make quite a bit of money."

"We'll consider it once my lavish living style depletes Arthur's bank account."

Amanda snorted. "I don't think I met anyone less lavish than you are, Elle."

Elle paused. "Is that a compliment or an insult? I can't tell."

They reached the cabin soon enough. Elle and Amanda went inside. Arthur lingered behind with Noah.

"Your little mate is quite an enigma," Arthur said, looking the way they'd come from, as if he could see beyond the shadowy woods to the pack village.

"Have you ever met someone like her?" Noah asked. Arthur had lived beyond what anyone could hope to understand. If anyone had answers, it would be him.

"There were always peculiar humans across the ages," Arthur said. "I have met a few in my lifetime."

Arthur went quiet for a long minute, until Noah thought he wouldn't speak. But he did. "The fact she had mothered immortal children is something that does not necessarily make her special. After all, humans could carry demon children."

Noah frowned. That was true. "But then why can't other humans carry immortals?"

Arthur smiled a little. "That is something we did not inherit from our oldest ancestors, I'm afraid. It was better, in a way. Otherwise the Earth would have been run over by immortals and humans might have gone extinct.

"Anyway, the reason I brought this up is to say that perhaps the father of the pups is the special one. At least, that is what I surmised when Harvey told me about it."

"And now?"

"Now I do believe that your mate is the special one," Arthur said. "After all, how many immortals can hide their bodies' reactions to fear?"

Noah raised a brow. Arthur smiled. "The physical signs of fear are there one moment and then gone the next. The scent of fear is inexistent. Isn't it a form of magic, in a way? And I bet she has more tricks up her sleeve that you didn't share with us."

Noah sighed. "Perhaps."

Arthur nodded. "Elle and I stumbled upon countless theories in her mother's diary. Many of them require the use of humans. After the Council Meeting, we will go over the records of Elle's mother and try to find what, exactly, has any link to your human. I have a strong suspicion that's where the answer lies."

Noah nodded. "You're welcome to stay here after the Council meeting."

"Appreciated. We will see what the meeting brings to light," arthur smiled. "I have a feeling it will be quite interesting."

*** **** ***

After that, Noah went to the pack house to discuss his brief trip to the Council meeting. The meeting would be held in a compound owned by Arthur, three hours drive east of the pack. Jake and Eva would stay behind to look over the pack while Noah and Sean would attend, along with Lillian.

Noah didn't go to his cabin after that. He knocked softly on the door. Lillian opened a minute later and pulled him inside. "You're late. Your coffee is cold. Let me pour you another cup."

He doubted she was aware of the way her readiness to accept him into her life and house meant to him. Noah closed the door behind him, feeling his wolf settle down at the back of his mind, peaceful in a way he rarely was.

The lights in the cabin were off except for the fireplace. The twins' snores rumbled through the house, the sound bigger than their small bodies.

A blanket pooled on the carpet next to the couch, a mug and an open book upside down next to it. Noah's eyes followed Lillian as she moved through the kitchen. Her hair was a dark curtain around her shoulders, wisps of it curled around her face, eager to touch her soft skin.

She poured him a steaming cup of coffee and moved to the living room. Her glance spurred him to move. He'd been standing there like an idiot staring at her.

They sat side by side on the blanket, their legs stretched in front of them. He accepted the coffee with a quiet thank you.

"Anna's book?"

She nodded, running her finger on the spine of the leather-bound volume. "Yes. It's like no matter how much I read about your world, there's always more I don't know."

"You'll get there," Noah said. "You haven't been in the pack for even six months."

"I hope so," she mumbled. "So what did you mean earlier? When you said that being a descendant of the Born Shifters is not always good."

Noah took a sip of his drink. It singed his tongue and seared down his throat. He welcomed the burn. "Being a descendant of the Born Shifters means we have stronger wolves compared to other werewolves. Our wolves have a very strong sense of self compared to others, they are more difficult to control, especially in situations where emotions or pressure are rampant. And, we run a bigger risk of going rogue compared to other wolves."

Lillian sucked in a sharp breath.

"Insanity is a risk that runs in every immortal's blood. The more power you have, the more you are at risk of losing control of it."

"How do you get over something like that?" she asked, fear clouding the blue. She glanced at the kids' room.

"They will be fine," he said, putting his hand on hers. "We train our wolves from a very young age. When we see pups whose wolves are strong, we pay attention to their education and training. The entire pack acts together to help the family do what's necessary."

A shaky breath left her lips. "Yes. You're right. They'll be fine here. I was just thinking... If those humans hadn't showed up to hunt the twins, if I had let the twins live with humans, so many things would've gone wrong."

Guilt and fear pinched her features. Noah put the mug down and wrapped his arm around her, tucking her head against his chest. "Don't dwell on what ifs. It's useless. The twins are fine, and they will be fine. They have you and me and the pack."

She nodded, breath warming his skin. "Who are the other lines? The descendants of the Born Shifters. Arthur said there are three lines, right?"

"Yes. There are a few packs in Asia who descend from one line, and one pack in Texas. The pack in Texas is very private. There are rumors that they have a rogue in every generation. But those are just rumors. No one knows for sure. They're extremely closed off."

She hummed. Her heartbeat echoed Noah's, and her body slowly relaxed. The orange glow of the fireplace brought out hints of gold in her hair.

"Tell me about turning humans into werewolves."

Noah leaned back against the couch, Lillian settled in more comfortably against him. She put her hand on his bare chest and drew patterns with her finger. It drove him insane. He caught her hand. She looked up at him.

"I'm not a saint," he said. "If you keep doing that..."

"Oh." She bit back a smile, color rising in her cheek. "Sorry?"

He growled. "You're not sorry at all."

She chuckled, and Noah brought her hand to his teeth and nipped at the delicate skin. It was a bad decision. Now he wanted another taste. Before he embarrassed himself, Noah went back to her question.

"Turning humans into shapeshifters is problematic because it requires the human to be on the verge of death. Unlike vampirism, that takes over the body with very little issues. The body needs to be on the verge of perishing in order to accept the shifting magic as a last resort to life. But the process of shifting in itself is violent for a human body-"

"And when that body is on the verge of dying, it's usually very weak," Lillian said, understanding.

"Yes, that's why most shifts end with death."

She shuddered. "How is it done?"

"A werewolf has to bite the human, and the wound has to bleed," Noah replied. "It usually requires more than one bite. Some say that shedding werewolf blood in the human's veins might help. But no one knows for sure."

Lillian was quiet for a long moment, her heartbeat a pleasant lullaby to Noah's ears.

"What about vampires?"

The whispered question lit the dangerous flame of hope in Noah's heart. His arm tightened around her. "It's fairly easy. Vampires can produce a substance, a venom, that the human body readily accepts. The venom is responsible for transforming humans to vampires. I only know the theory of it, I've never actually witnessed a transformation, but the rate of success for transforming vampires is way higher than werewolves."

"I see."

Noah wanted to ask. If she had made a decision, if she would agree to vampirism. He wanted to have her transformed right then, so she could be safe and invulnerable.

But he didn't say anything. It was her decision. And whatever she decided, he would respect, even if the thought of losing her threatened to awaken the insanity that lived in his blood.

*** **** ***

Lillian woke up with a crick in her neck.

A heavy weight was set on her stomach. With a sense of déjà vu, Lillian opened her eyes to see three wolves surrounding her. This time they were all in human form. Noah was sleeping next to her on the blanket, one of his arms pillowing her head and the other thrown over her stomach. Elijah had somehow edged himself between them upside down, his feet near Lillian's head. Ezra was sprawled over his brother horizontally, half of him on Noah and the other half on Lillian. His butt was right over Elijah's face.

Someone farted.

Laughter bubbled up in Lillian's throat when Elijah gagged.

Ezra was pushed unceremoniously away with more force than a five year old should have. Ezra tumbled to the floor near Lillian and sat up, a sleepy frown on his face.

A deep chuckle joined Lillian's laughter. The new sound gave birth to a swarm of butterflies in Lillian's stomach. She looked to find Noah staring sleepily at Ezra, his eyes twinkling. He should laugh more.

Flashes of the previous night flickered in her mind. She didn't remember when she fell asleep, she and Noah had talked about anything and everything under the sun other than themselves and the decision that hovered over Lillian like a cloud. Immortality should not be so difficult to decide. Right?

Hearing Noah's laugh, Lillian thought that maybe she should just stop over-thinking everything and throw caution to the wind.

--- ---- ---

Hey guys!

I hope you're doing well. 

This is a shorter chapter than usual, I know. But the following chapters are getting more exciting, so buckle up!

Also, if you are on Radish, check out the story I'm posting there! You'll find the link in my Wattpad profile or on my Instagram page (username: when_mia_writes) 

Also, Happy new year! 

Much love <3 <3 <3 

M.B.