" I, as alpha O'Connell, stand here infront of my pack, feeling proud and with immense joy to be blessed with such a precious gift. Ulana is surely my joy and I think I'm obsessed." People laugh at the last part.  " At just 3 days old, she was unfortunately taken from us and my mate, your Luna, was left for dead."

A tense silence takes over then, at the reminder.

" But your luna pulled through, because she is a fighter and a survivor, she is the strongest person I've been fortunate to know." He says, this time his eyes finding me.

" These past 3 weeks were hard, I certainly will not lie. They were a nightmare to be honest because every second that passed, you just didn't know what your child was going through." My chest pains when I think about those 3 weeks and what we had to go through.

I see him blink back the deep emotion, which had been easily expressive through his eyes before he turns to look at everyone else.

" Her return is one of the biggest and most joyous day, to be put into memory. Everything felt right again.

This ceremony means a new beginning for us as a pack. There is new life and as the elder had mentioned, new life means light. I can definetly testify that she is light into our lives." Our eyes connect once again on the last part and I nod with a smile, being in total agreement with his words.

He turns back to everyone.

" I stand here as your alpha, wanting to express gratitude for your commitment and dedication. I want to thank you for your support in those trying times and ofcourse today, which wouldn't have been possible had it not been for you.

Thank you for the love you have shown to your Luna and I, through making today a success, more over to Ulana. I am confident in your loyalty as my people and that it shall also be expressed towards my mate, your Luna and also Ulana.

Thank you for your respect and your confidence in our leadership. You certainly are our backbone.

So, I will not drag things with long speeches, because today is a celebration. All I can say now is, enjoy yourself and have a good day. Thank you."

A round of applause breaks out and Mica comes down the stage, walking our way. Soon he settles down at our table next to me and I give him a smile, in which he returns.

The event continues where the rest of the event is led by entertainment. There are two sets of entertainment, one for the adults and the other for the children. The mood is light and joyous and to see, the amount of ease and lightness through the pack, makes me smile.

The pack members had surely gone all out with gifts for Ulana. My heart melts at the sight of so many well wishers and the sweet messages that came through, even from neighbouring pack leaders. Ulana has surely surprised me by not falling asleep so soon and seems to feel, the light atmosphere around her. She has been quite active today and has been curiously looking around her.

And for her to not get irritated, I took her out of her stroller so that she would get a more wider view of her surroundings. She has attracted so many eyes and now many pack members have come by to our table, just to get a closer first look at her.

Compliments were given for how adorable and beautiful she looks, my heart had jumped when I heard one of the old ladies comment about how Ulana, has certainly taken after my beauty. The lady further more said, that Ulana would surely be a rare beauty and how her future mate, would be the luckiest mate ever.

At the thought of my Ulana meeting her mate, this made me envision her so happy and beautiful, more over powerful, standing beside him and showing the world who she is. I have confidence in her and that she will make me proud, by how brave she will be.

I smile as I look at my baby, leaning towards her and nuzzling my nose against hers. Her small smile never fails to make my heart flutter.

" She really is a splitting image of her mother."

I look at Mica, who smiles at us.

" Oh but I see so much of her father too. So what does that say hmm?" I ask in a teasing tone.

" That she is the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world."

I chuckle, shaking my head.

" Dance with me Belle." I hear him whisper in my ears as I look back at Ulana.

" I would love to but I can't leave Ulana alone."

" I will look after her Luna." Cara says,  coming out of nowhere.

" See?" Mica says, gesturing to Cara.

I glance between them before I sigh, giving in. I hand Ulana over to Cara after kissing her small cheek, before taking Mica's hand and letting him lead me to the center, where pack members are dancing.

" Did I tell you how beautiful you look today?" He asks, pulling me close.

" Hmm, I think you did." I say, smiling.

He leans close to my ear and says, " My Belle, you are the most beautiful out of every female here." I shudder at the touch of his lips on my skin.

' Everybody is watching dear Alpha.' I mindlink him.

He leans back to look at me.

' I think it's good that there are witnesses, I'm neither ashamed of showing affection to my mate.'

'Mica O'Connell - '

' And future Mrs O'Connell.'

He renders me speechless with his interruption and I'm left with just staring into his eyes.

The look in his eyes challenges me to say more but my face flushes, at the flirtatious smirk, that displays on his face.

" Excuse me." We both grow tense at the sound of that voice behind me.

I glance over my shoulder to face Ronan, who I'm aware has just arrived. Everything in his eyes tells me that he wishes to speak to me in private.

Meaning to turn around and completely face him, I'm stopped by an alertness of new arrivals, this making me to glance up at Mica.

" What is it?" He asks.

" Someone is here." That's all my lips are able to release in answer.

His own body grows tense and his eyes glaze over, as he receives a mindlink from someone. The message is short and before I know it, he's looking at me again, this time he's masked his face with a blank expression.

" The elders have arrived, I'll go and receive them." In other words, he is more comfortable if it were him alone, who did that.

I offer an understanding nod, placing my hand against his chest, before I mindlink him.

' Remember my words alpha.'

He nods before turning around and walking away.

I turn to face Ronan, who surprisingly has been patiently waiting for me. I open my mouth to say something yet something catches my eye, Stephanie is seated beside Cara and they are busy playing with Ulana.

" We are family." Ronan speaks up.

I look at him.

" We are." I agree with him.

" I should have known better and acted as such. I was wrong."

" Do you actually believe in the words you speak?" His eyes drop to his feet.

" Now I do."

" Have you forgiven yourself already?"

His eyes snap up to me and what I see is confliction in them. What his heart feels, he expresses through this eyes. He is having a hard time dealing with his feelings towards this.

" I will not do what your guilty conscious has perceived I should act towards you. Everything starts with you brother, you have to deal with you first. "

" Catherine -"

" I can't be like everybody else and act the way they have, when your hand had wronged them. I am me and I can't change that. Accept this fact and my ways or lose sight of who I am by distancing yourself from me."

I walk past him, heading towards my table.

" Catherine!" I stop in my tracks. "Don't shut me out." He pleads.

I glance over my shoulder at him with a soft smile.

" I could never do that brother. You are family and family is what I hold dearest to my heart." With that I continue my way.

Reaching the table, Stephanie and Cara look up at me and I take notice of Ulana, being sleepy already.

" I think the little one is exhausted." Cara says, rising to her feet and coming over to hand Ulana back to me.

" Thank you Cara." I say with a small smile.

" I still can't get over how adorable she is." Stephanie comments, now looking over our shoulders and smiling at Ulana.

I chuckle, noticing the spark in her eyes as she loses herself in her thoughts.

" You desire to have one of your own soon." Her face reddens.

" Well I have thought of it but I don't know if Ronan is."

I reach out my hand to touch her arm.

" Communication is key."

" I know, it's just that....." She trails off, seemingly not being able to find the right words to express her feelings.

" You are afraid of his reaction, to you even bringing it up." I speak the words that refuse to utter out of her.

She sighs. " Something like that."

" She can only understand when she speaks to alpha Ronan." Cara says.

" Speak to me about what?" We all freeze up because of a voice behind us.

We turn to face Ronan, who's eyes are already searching for an answer on our faces.

" Uh I...." Stephanie stumbles on her words, feeling nervous.

" Some matters deserve privacy, especially between mates." I give him a certain look, needing him to be understanding. When he nods, I am relieved.

" Can I hold her?" Ronan asks.

I open my mouth to speak when Stephanie beats me to it. " What are they doing here?"

We all glance to where she's looking at and I see Mica, in the company of two elders. I recognise them from the time they had come here, bringing news of me being summoned by the council.

Elder Kevin and Elder Jonas, I remember them. 

" They've been making their presence felt a little more than usual, don't you think?" Stephanie continues.

" Because an interest has sparked in their territory." As Ronan speaks, I feel his eyes on me.

I look at him and surely his eyes speak volumes. " I missed my CottonCandy." He says, despite what his eyes speak.

I finally hand her over to him and already a soft expression takes over his face, I watch him become distracted by the sight of her, that he totally ignores all of us and walks over to sit on a chair.

When Stephanie turns to me with a raised brow, I simply wink at her.

"Care for a drink?" I ask her.

" Oh, I'm okay for now thank you." She says.

I nod before walking away to get myself something to drink. When I reach the drink section, it is then my body grows aware of the gaze that touches my back.

I ignore it and continue with what I am doing.

" Hello Luna Catherine." A voice says from behind me.

I sigh and turn around to face elder Grayson.

" Elder Grayson." I nod in greeting before walking past him.

" Your wish was respected." I stop in my tracks, my back to him.

I am aware of the meaning behind those words, when I had made it clear that he should maintain his distance from me and respect territory.

" It was never a favour, do not make it sound as such elder." I turn around to face him. " A simple misunderstanding can be the root of distruction."

" Catherine...." His lips utter as he reaches out his hand.

I step back with an inaudible gasp, as my eyes take in the action. His tongue had let slip his bold call of my name, in dangerous territory. The sudden prickly sensation that had transferred from his action to my spine, makes my eyes to snap up to him.

I don't know what look he sees but it's enough for him to take a step back, increasing the space between us. A look of wariness passes through his eyes before he blinks it away, something hidden had sparked through his eyes and fortunately, I'd taken notice of it.

" Elder Grayson." Mica's voice comes through, putting a stop to Elder Grayson's attempt at speaking up again.

Mica stands next to me or more like his body, shields me from full view of the Elder. " We were made aware through last night's call, that your journey here is short. "

" Yes, that is correct." He responds, his eyes quickly glancing to me before giving Mica his full attention. " We wanted to show support to your pack and share our voice of relief with you."

" My mate and I believe that your presence alone has been enough." At the slight edge in his tone, I place my hand on his back and the effect of my touch, releases a bit of the tension that wants to burst out of him.

" Sometimes words are not needed, by just one's presence, it speaks." I add.

" Very true and sometimes a message needs to be heard and received, by the specific person meant to receive it." This time he boldy lingers his gaze on me.

" The council has been heard elder and we are thankful for your support, more over, sharing this joyous occasion with us. You have shown through this action that you value the life of our daughter, that she is not merely just an added factor to the norm of the werewolf nation.

We will forever be greatful for your generous hand as the council, thank you." I say.

" We will take our leave now, we do have other matters to attend to, right my love?" Mica says, glancing down at me and I nod with a smile.

Before any one of us can say anymore, the other elders join us. A few words we share amongst us before we excuse ourselves.

To think that he'd actually said we had other matters to attend to, just to pass on a message, he proves to have meant more than that when he resigns us for the day, right after the elders leave.

We had taken Ulana with us ofcourse and a sense of relief, washed over me when Mica was civil towards Ronan, even after having learned of what happened between us, through the phonecall and felt strongly to react as my mate. I felt proud to once again be proven of the kind of mate he is for me. He hears me and holds to importance the words I speak.

Ronan on the other hand was quite aware of Mica having knowledge, of what happened yet his focus was towards his want, to have a private moment with me.

He desired for us to speak and I reassured him that we will. Rest assured we will. He finally let us go with this knowledge, calming him. A few pack members volunteered to deliver the gifts and things to our home, while Travis, Kylie, Evan and Cara said that they will manage everything, especially with changing things up and preparing for the evening party.

On our way back home, Mica kept on hinting on the day, not being done. I refrained from asking any questions but let him, be the director of his show.

" Thank you so much." Mica says to the last pack member, to leave our house.

A room has never looked so occupied as one of our spare rooms does now, with all the gifts and stuff. Mica and I had decided to do all the unwrapping later on tomorrow, when he has time. In his way, he would have more of an excuse to tear away from work early, in order to spare time with his family, before he leaves soon.

I know that his heart is not in what calls for him outside town, but as the alpha's responsibility to represent his pack, he must meet his duty. I understand that we are still getting used to our new norm, with Ulana back but we can't place anything aside that needs our attention as either alpha or luna.

" How is it that I am the happiest, when I am left alone with you?" Mica says, returning back to the living room.

" Only your heart knows alpha." I say, smiling at him.

He comes over to where I'm seated, before pulling me up to my feet. He leans in and kisses me. My eyes automatically close and I let myself get lost in his closeness and the pleasure, only my mate can give me.

I sigh in satisfaction when he pulls back. My eyes flutter open and I blush, when I notice his darkened eyes, scanning my whole face.

I wrap my arms around his middle, before I say, " my alpha."

He groans from deep within before pecking my lips twice. He sighs as he blinks and his eyes return back to normal.

" I love you." He says, caressing my cheek with his thumb.

" I love you." I feel his heart racing at the sound of my words.

He shakes his head softly as a small smile takes over his face. " I could never get tired of hearing you say that."

" You feel my truth and your heart accepts. This knowledge comforts me."

He surprises me with pulling me into his arms.

" Mica?"

"Let me hold you for a little while."

I grant him his wish and we let time pass, with us in this embrace.

I know that at times, both him and Ryker desire to just hold their mate, to remain in silence and place themselves in that comfort. Right now, they have voiced it out.

After some time, he pulls back from the embrace, telling me that he has something to show me. With Ulana asleep, we decide to let her rest in her stroller for the time being, since we wont leave her unattended at the house. Mica leads us to the backyard, where the sweetest surprise had been waiting for us.

A fairytale themed tea party set I assume, has been created and it is the sweetest sight. Everything before me is the perfect match with Ulana's party and this, is what makes it all the more special. It might look all feminine and not the type of thing, alphas or any males, would give their hand to and involve themselves, but my Mica never gave attention to that.

Instead, he has decided to make this day even more special.

" Mica...." I breathe out.

" I know that the day is near to the end, but it wouldn't feel complete if this hadn't been done."

I feel him turn me around to face him.

" As much as it is all about our Ulana and her proper introduction, to our pack, but in my eyes, it is also about you Catherine.

You gave me the greatest gift. Your strength, sacrifice and courage, is a wonder to me and there is never a day, I'm not amazed by you. I meant what I said, that you deserve a whole lot more and attention, my mate, should take priority.

I wanted to celebrate not only my mate but the mother of my Ulana. You are an amazing mother Catherine, I don't think you realize this. "

A tear slips out as I look into his sincere and truthful eyes.

" No, you are an extra ordinary creation, that a few of us are privileged to know."

" Mica..." I look away shyly at so much praise. I have said it before that he spoils me with his words.

" No my love, truth is what I speak to you." He says, touching my face and earning my eyes again. " You are a beautiful person and a beautiful mother to Ulana."

                            ******

She's here and wants to speak to me. Her mouth moves yet words didn't come out. She's trying to tell me something but an invisible barrier has assigned itself to bring about silence. It had been so long since I've seen her but the feeling of her with me, has always placed reassurance in my path.

At the last moment when I finally was able to hear her voice, even if it was only to hear her call my name, I was pushed to awaken.

Now I am awake.

I feel sweat trickle down my face and I let out a sigh, my body grows a little tense when I take notice of Mica's side of the bed empty. I wonder where he has gone off too and I set my mind to go and look for him. There is a sudden great need to see him.

I move out of bed and walk over to the bathroom, to wash my face. A small frown appears on my face at the sight of my eyes, looking slightly dazed yet I can see properly. It's like I am looking at someone elses eyes yet they are mine. After blinking a couple of times, the feeling of me staring back at my own eyes returns.

I waste no time in exiting the room, finding what just happened to be quite strange, despite having been witness to the strangest of occurances in my life. I first pass by the nursary to check on Ulana, despite not having heard a sound come from her room.

Being satisfied after getting her in a more comfortable position to sleep in, I leave her room. A sudden shot of an ice cold sensation, quite alarming to me, trickles down my spine, right in the hallway.

" Mica!" I gasp out before my mind can register.

My feet, quick in their pace lead me right out of the house in such a rush, one would think I'm chasing after robbers. I get outside and my heart races all the more, my senses heightening as I let them lead me, to where ever Mica is.

My senses lead me around the house,  through the backyard and into the forest.

I have no doubt that I am heading to Mica right now.

My search is not long thankfully and the distance is not great between me and the house, but my discovery is terrifying. My heart has long stopped beating and my eyes have grown wide, due to the sight of Mica standing halfnaked in the middle of the forest, bloodied might I add.

He has killed someone by his hands.

What has stunned me the most, is not only the heart his hand grips, but the colour of his eyes. Mica stands infront of me yet he's not here, he is intune with Ryker.

His eyes should only reflect Ryker yet I see the specks of Mica's beautiful green around Ryker's blue black eyes.

And for the first time, unexplainably so, there is a disconnection between us.