My wide eyes snap to her, uncertain if I had heard correctly yet deep within, I know I did.

No, no Nana....You cant do this to me, not now. I need to hold my beloved in my arms and let her feel mommy close.

Her eyes narrow in warning, forbidding me from letting my motherly instincts to win.

This is not the time she spoke of earlier.

I take a step back, my head hanging low as my hands clench at my sides. In all my life I've had to learn that patience would be my greatest tool but just today, it weighs heavily on me.

" May we be excused?" I speak up, my tone soft yet still reaching everyone's ears.

" Catherine -" I glance over my shoulder to my dad, who wears a look of confusion, his eyes showing concern as he glances at Ulana.

I tell him wordlesy that what I have requested is exactly what I need, especially from him. Relief washes over me when he follows everyone else and in the midst of Cara leaving, I mindlink her, asking that she stay.

" Nana - " I try say, but she cuts me off.

" I repeat, don't touch her. " She says, her eyes narrowing with intensity and her voice authorative.

It's no longer just her who speaks.

" What do you mean she shouldn't touch our daughter?.....That doesn't even make sense right now- Catherine -" he stops short when I take a step back, my head hung low and hands clenched at my sides.

" I can't. Not right now." I let out in a low tone.

" Our daughter needs help, she's sick!....She needs her mother!" Mica says in frustration as he paces up and down with her.

Tears brim at my eyes at hearing my mate tell me what I already know yet can't fulfill, until everything becomes clear in my senses.

"Take her to the hospital now please Cara." I say in controlled voice, despite the thickness of my emotions weighing heavily on me.

I lock eyes with Mica then.

The longer we stare into each other's eyes, the deeper the image sinks into him. I don't need to even mindlink the words, they are there. It is time to trust me with our daughter's life. Time for questioning can be done later.

" Yes Luna." I hear her moving from behind me.

" We will talk." He says in an edged tone before gesturing for Cara to follow him.

I let out a shaky breath as I take a seat on the bed, my chest paining under effect of what just happened. I had to watch my baby leave and that felt like she was being taken away from again.

" Catherine." Nana calls me but I don't respond, silently staring at the door.

I hear her sigh before she comes closer. My body grows tense when her hand touches my shoulder.

" Dear -"

" This is the one time, she's been unfair on me." I let out hurt and frustrated.

" Everything has a reason. You know this Catherine." She says through a sigh.

" But she's my baby." I whimper, trying to blink back tears.

I close my eyes, rubbing softly on the area on my chest, in which is paining

" I know dear, I know."

I sigh, rising to my feet, trying to blink back the tears. I take calming breaths, reigning in all other emotions that threaten to burst out of me.

I turn back around to face my grandmother.

" She comes first always. Remind yourself of that dear, even now -"

" She comes first." I repeat her words, the image of my baby coming to mind.

" Are you ready?" I nod.

" Close your eyes and release all other tension." I do as she says.

I do what she says until I feel myself really calming down and every last bit of tension, leaving me. For the first and last time, I place the image of how I'd seen Ulana before she was taken to the hospital, needing to drown out any sense of desperation or anxiousness and wanting, to receive everything about to be shown or felt, in clear senses without any emotion distracting me.

It comes in like a rushing flood, her energy and presence. It is clear in what I feel that she had been desperately knocking and wanting to be let in, but the amount of stress and tension, had been strainuous on our communication and touch.

I'm in released and relieved form now, everything I have been transported to, is due to my now calm state and clear mind. I have given room for her to communicate better and for her, to show me what I need to know.

An image pops in, an image of smoke coming out of my father's  sleeping form. The smoke is much darker and it comes off through his head and chest. My eyes follow its trail and it guides me to where it lands. I do all I can to hold in my emotions when it becomes clear as day that it enters through a baby crib, Ulana's baby crib.

I try grasp every detail before I am shifted to another scene, in which presses for me to see. Unfortunately I don't last long in watching and my emotions take over, blocking the scene and making it blurry.

I let out a gasp when my eyes pop open.

" Catherine -" I collapse to my knees, my chest and throat tightening.

" Dear ....." The door bursts open, cutting nana off.

" Catherine baby, hey - " I feel Mica's hands touch my shoulders as he lowers himself to my level. " Look at me Belle - Gosh you're shaking." He mumbles.

Nana moves out of the way, giving room for Mica.

I trail my eyes up to meet his, I see him frowning deeply at me, his eyes searching my own face. Looking at him now, having learnt what I learnt pains me even more.

" Talk to me Catherine." He pleads desperately, his need to make it okay evident through the matebond.

I open and close my mouth, wanting to speak and let out something, but I'm held back. It's too hard to say it.

" Cath-" I launch myself to him, needing to hide away into his warmth and comfort, as I try to find my voice again.

I bury my face in his shoulder, needing strength in order to not break down at this moment. He doesn't say anything for the moment, only wrapping his arms around me and holding me tightly, just like I need him to.

" She was forbidden from touching Ulana. She had no choice in the matter." Nana speaks up, deciding to take over. She wants to explain the cause of my actions earlier.

" Why?" Mica asks, his tone rough.

" Ulana is her weakness."

" But also her strength." Mica quickly argues.

" Yes. In this case however, any physical contact would have placed more tension on her. None of what was revealed to her just now, would have been clear.....Too much emotion and stress would have been her greatest milestone now, from receiving information about the root cause of what's happening to Ulana."

He sighs, combing his fingers through my hair.

" And what has been revealed?" I tense up at the sound of that question.

" During Ulana's captivity, she was subjected to unhealthy and negative energy around her. Ulana is a special little girl and therefore feeds off energy around her."

" I have knowledge of this, that's why we as her parents will do everything possible, for her to not feed off it ever again. "

" It wont be as simple if it's still continuing."

" What do you mean?"

Nana sighs heavily on this. " The years in which Alpha Mathews was in captivity, have affected him greatly."

" I am aware of this." He says, his tone letting us know that he nears impatience. " I know that -" he stops short, his body growing tense.

A low growl rumbles from his chest and I pull back from him, my head still hung low, not being able to look him in the eye.

" Do you mean to tell me that my child, my baby has been f*cking feeding off his bad energy?" He grits out.

" Mica -" I try say but he cuts me off.

" She's a baby!" He snaps, making me jump.

" That's part of the reason why it was easy, for her to consume it."

" I can't believe this." He says to himself, still shocked by the news.

I am afraid of what he will do when he finds out about the rest.

" So what do we do now huh?.....I can't let him anywhere near her again. Not now. Catherine...." He tilts my chin up so our eyes meet.

He is quick to feel it. I can't hide it from him, it's evident through our matebond that more information is witheld from him.

" There's more isn't there?" He says, searching my eyes.

Fear as well as pain grips at me, holding me tongue tied.

" It's best that you hear it from your mate alpha."

This is the one time I really wanted her to break the news to him, but I know that she, walking away and leaving us alone, is her giving room to us as mates. She wants us to talk as both mates and Ulana's parents.

At the sound of the door closing, I quickly rise to my feet, taking a step back. He is up on his feet in no time, his gaze scotching and tense.

" Catherine?"

I take steps back, hands shaking as I bite on my lip, avoiding eye contact. He follows my movements until I find no room, being caged between him and the wall. He places his hands on either side of my head, making me all the more nervous.

" Catherine, tell me."

" You need to calm down first."

" I can't....So please, tell me what it is that I need to know. This is about our baby Catherine."

" I know that."

" So tell me." He presses.

I close my eyes as I release the words I've been dreading, for him to hear.

" Wolfsbane has made contact with her."

" Excuse me?"

" Wolfsbane made -"

" I heard what you said and I  - no." He bites off in disbelief.

" Mica -"

" No, no. No." He repeatedly says." NO!" He hits the spot beside me, making me jump.

The tears I've been trying to hold back finally spill.

" A drop of it is in her system and it is part of what's making her sick. She -"

He steps away from me, a wave of emotions crossing his face. His heart beats fast and hard, his breathing coming short.

" How could they do this, How could they do this to my baby!!!.....My baby!!!!!! Urgh!!!" I jump at the sound of his loud growl.

Tears trail down my face fast, having to watch my mate go through so much because of what he's learnt. He is losing control of sense due to the shock and I am afraid, that if he doesn't try take calming breaths, he'll hurt himself.

He grips at his hair while the other hand clenches, his hand has grown pale while his chest heaves up and down. In his mind, image after image plays in mind of how it might have happened, horrible scenes taunt him and I am afraid that soon, they may compress his mind.

" Mica , I'm sorry. Please -" I step forward, needing for him to feel my touch and for it to calm him down a bit.

I open my mouth to speak as I place my hand on his shoulder, needing to offer my comfort yet he spins around as if burnt, this resulting to his hand making contact with my face. The impact is hard and powerful, sending me flying to the floor.

My body hits the floor with a thud, a whimper slipping past my lips. I release a breath before glancing up at him. His eyes have gone wide as they take me in, his face displaying both shock and panic, while guilt grips in his system.

He opens and closes his mouth yet words don't come out. I watch him with my own wide eyes as he looks at his trembling hands, fear starting to prick and prod at him, wanting to take over. My concern for what this could result to, has me picking myself up from the floor, not wanting him to see me on the floor anymore and let the image taunt him any further.

He wanted to help me on my feet, he really did but he is afraid of touching me. I don't want that.

" Mica -" I call him through the mindlink, making his head to snap to me.

He shakes his head, taking steps back from me and creating more distance between us. He is upset and I want to make it okay but I don't know how I can right now.

I jump back in shock when he punches the bedroom mirror, the glass splattering everywhere. The sound of multiple footsteps running up the stairs, reaches my ears. The door bursts open and Ronan is the first I see.

Mica storms off, cutting through everyone at the doorway, leaving me to stare after his retreating back. Ronan assesses the whole situation and just when his eyes scan my whole frame, the main focus being my face, I turn my back to them.

I walk over to the mirror silently, feeling disheartened. I witness Ryker watching the window and our eyes meet, he is quick to break eye contact and take off running,  disappearing into the forest. The side of my face is burning yet I have no desire to attend to it, my worry over him is much greater.

" Catherine." Ronan says behind me and I hear him come closer, stepping on broken glass on the way.

" My baby has wolfsbane in her system." I say, trying to blink back my tears.

His movements stop and silence overtakes the whole room.

I turn back around to face him.

His eyes flash pain and anger as he stares at me. I bite at my bottom lip, holding back my tears. He steps closer and my eyes drop to my feet. He tilts my chin up, forcing my eyes to meet his. I wince abit when his thumb touches my sore cheek, flinching away from his touch.

" How do you expect me to stay silent?" He asks in a low voice.

" The same way he's forced himself to, in the past." I answer him.

He lets out a heavy sigh, trying to calm himself.

" I need to make a call." I say, touching his wrists and removing his hands.

My father storming off grabs our attention, letting us watch his retreating back and the sound of his footsteps thinning as he walks away.

I squeeze lightly on Ronan's wrists, making him to look at me.

" Keep an eye on him please." He nods, kissing my forehead before walking off.

" Sit down dear and let me look at that." Nana says, gesturing to my face.

" Nana -"

" I wasn't asking Catherine." She stops my attempt at protesting, her tone final.

She walks out of the room after, leaving me alone.

I sigh as I make my way to the bed. I make sure to watch my feet the whole time, until I am seated. I reach out for the phone on my bedside drawer before making the call.

" Luna." Travis's voice says on the other line.

" I will need you to send for one of our pack doctors. "

Nana returns, this time with the first aid kit, a small broom and dustpan.

"It's an emergency isn't it?"

" It's Ulana."

" I'll get her right away." He says.

" Thank you."

I hang up before glancing at my grandmother, who is now busy cleaning up the broken glass.

" Let me help you nana." I say, getting off the bed, to go on and assist but she holds her hand up.

" You need a moment. Take it." She says adamently.

I sigh, sitting back down.

" He didn't mean to." I find myself saying, the need to explain pressing on me.

" I know he didn't. Doesn't mean I am not affected by it though."

I stay silent then, not having anything to say to that. I watch as she finishes up sweeping on the floor before leaving and returning a short while, coming over to join me with the first Aid kit in hand.

She gestures for me to turn to face her and I do, letting her look after my face.

" Your father will not be very understanding at this moment." She says.

" I will have to talk to him but not now. Talking to him will only confuse him even more and something needs to be done."

" We've resorted to this now." She sighs heavily.

" Yes."

" I do not wish for a repeat of last time my dear one." Her eyes flash pain as she says this. Her heart reflects how troubled she is by this knowledge.

" It's the only way out for them. Ulana comes first always nana and you know that I would lay down my life, for hers. She is my heart." I explain, a tear slipping.

" I know, I know." She wipes away the tear before wrapping her arms around me.

                             ******

~ The doctors are still looking after her Luna.

                    Cara ~

Those words don't ease me at all. I need to be there with my baby but something needs for me to attend to first. Once I am done, I can focus all my attention on my little butterfly.

Not being near her is driving me crazy and keeping in control feels impossible. This is similar to the toture I had been subjected to in the past three weeks.

My body grows hyper aware of his presence, making my eyes to snap up from where I am seated. The porch steps. Watching him come into view from the forest certainly reminds me of a time, in which I'd waited for him when he'd gone for a run.

I watch him yet again, preparing myself for the conversation that we need to have. Nothing seems to get easier but Ulana being okay and being safe, is main priority.

He stops short right at a near distance, his gaze immediately falling to the side of my face. When I don't break eye contract, he takes cautious steps towards me, testing the bounderies.

I don't say anything but watch him close the distance. Within reach, I lean in closer, allowing his soft coat to touch the side of my face. My eyes close and I let out a breath.

He is sorry. That transfers into my senses and into the matebond.

" I know." I whisper to him, running my fingers into his coat.

We stay like that for a moment before I pull back.

" We need to talk. It's important we do." I say.

He takes a step back, his eyes roaming around my face. I break eye contact, letting him know that we need to have this conversation now. I pick up his change of clothes from behind me, handing them over to him. I wait as he walks off to change.

" He's back isn't he?" I glance over my shoulder.

I nod my yes to Ronan.

" There wont be a repeat of earlier." I let him know.

" How certain are you of this?"

" Ronan." I say warningly.

He lets out a sigh, rolling his eyes.

" I'll remain close." He says, heading back inside.

I turn away, pushing my hair back.

Mica returns and I rise to my feet.

" Mica -"

" I committed a crime against my love."

" Mica -"

" I did something I promised myself, I would never do. I subjected my mate to my hand. Tell me how am I supposed to look myself in the mirror again?" He says, his voice thick with emotions.

" You can. You can Mica because I am looking at you right now. I am looking at not only my mate but the man I am inlove with, the father of my baby." The whole time I speak, I draw closer to him.

" Words can't ever begin to describe how sorry I am. Forgive me my love, forgive me Belle." He pleads, his eyes welling up.

He reaches out his hand to touch my face but retracts it. I close the distance, wrapping my arms around his middle and resting my face against his chest.

He is quick to respond, pulling me flush against him." I don't deserve you." He says against my hair.

" I love you Mica."

" I love you my Belle. " He kisses the top of my head.

" You're one lucky bastard O'Connell." We hear Ronan say from behind me.

We break apart and turn to face him.

" I know." Mica says.

" Where's papa?" I ask Ronan.

" Inside, but I doubt he'll want to see your mate right now." He says, coming down the steps.

A low growl comes from Mica.

I place my hand on his arm, calming him down. " There are more pressing matters right now. Ulana." I remind both of them.

Ronan nods, being serious.

" Her life hangs in the balance." He says.

" And a way forward can be clear for us, if only I deal with something first."

" What is that?" Both ask me.

I release this information through the mindlink, pushing through Ronan's mind so he receives this too.

' I have to relieve my father off the poison that had consumed him.'

I glance at Mica, our eyes connecting and letting him know through them, what I mean.