They wanted to break our bond,  they wanted to leave me bare and in turn let their poisonous hearts and negative atmosphere be the reigning influence into my daughter's life, just like they did with my father and brother.

Oh my Ulana, my most precious, my little butterfly.

Their intentions were clear yet their goal was not met. This I can sense because nothing in our bond has been permanently contaminated. She may be young and still fragile and vulnerable, but she is still able to recognise her mother, her caregiver and her heart. She can feel me as much as I can with her.

My heart pains by thought of my little miracle in the hands of those evil people. I am just relieved that their cunning thoughts, didn't influence their actions, enough to result in ending my baby's life.

Someone knows of my nature and about my true self, they have understood that a part of me is in her, therefore, the bond Ulana and I share is quite special. This person responsible has knowledge of my journey on this earth, they know of my growing years and it is not something new.

They knew of the great effect, her missing would do to us. As I had said that the goal is still unclear to me, but everything is connected. My baby and my father being kidnapped. Many are involved but one is a ring leader.

As my father has mentioned, that they intended to break mine and Ulana's bond, but they couldn't. Ulana is still dependent on me and still recognises, her mother. They wanted to destroy a piece of my happiness and take me back, to that dark place.

Someone knows of us and they know us well. We don't have a clue of who it is at this moment.

None is easily revealed to me without Niana's spoken guidance, she has been way too silent and this surely troubles me alot. Her desire is clear though, that she wishes for mine and Ulana's bond, to be strengthened. Strengthened enough, for no one to threaten it ever again.

I rely on these senses now, making use of the pieces they give me and that land before me, creating a clear path for me, until I am able to make sense of everything.

I never wanted to overwhelm my father with too much questioning, I could sense that too much of it would surely, confuse him. A jumble of words and memories, would have eventually confused us too.

We had to finally conclude for the time being and distracting him, with finally going out and meeting everyone else seemed like a good idea. Mica and I had excused ourselves and I could sense, that what my father had said about those people's intention, of them breaking the bond, had shook Mica greatly.

I could see how its effects caused him to hold Ulana close, I dared not to attempt holding her for the time being, I let him have his time, alone in the room. Heading downstairs to where everyone else was present, heads snapped in my direction, following my every move. I knew that because of their werewolf abilities, they could hear us fairly well.

Ronan is the first, I make eye contact with and his need for us to speak privately, invades my senses.

" I will be right back nana." I tell my nana.

I head outside and Ronan follows behind me. At first, silence befalls us and this gives us time to replay what had happened, earlier in the living room.

" Since I'm the one who usually speaks between us...." He trails off, turning to face me. " I should have known that one day I would be at your receiving end, I wasn't fully aware that it would be this soon."

" I should apologise for what had transpired between us, but I wont. I am held back from even attempting."

" I've done far more worse." He cuts in.

" Our family is deeply affected by all that's happened. We are bound to be emotional at times. Our understanding of everything and how we perceive things together, that's what matters. "

" I hear you, I really do. I just can't help myself from thinking about when he finds out about everything. He'll never see me the same." I can see it in his eyes how troubled he is about all this.

" We'll deal with everything as it comes. The now is what matters right now and unity in a way forward, is all that's best. Can we atleast be in agreement about this?"

He nods.

I place my hand on his shoulder, offering a touch of comfort to him because I know he needs it.

" Ulana takes priority too. I don't ever want you to doubt my word on this, even if at times my actions seem otherwise. But know this sister, Ulana takes priority in my life too."

I nod, rising to my feet.

The door opens then and Stephanie comes out. When her eyes lock with mine, instantly an alertness starts up in my senses. She is still truly affected about what had happened earlier and therefore, anything she may say now or do, in unclear thought, may result in a path of no return.

As she steps forward, her eyes not tearing from mine, it is clear as day that the mate in her, has a great need to get a message across, whether in words or actions.

I walk past her, intending on heading inside but her hand on my wrist, is quick to pull me to a stop.

Her hold is tight and due to her fighting with her emotions, it transfers to the grip she has on my arm, resulting to it soon leaving a bruise.

I don't even wince.

This is nothing compared to all that had been inflicted unto me.

" Steph...."  Ronan calls in warning, he too, becoming alert through the matebond.

" All that's needed to be said for the time being had been done already. There are things we all wish that can be redone, your mate knows this well. Let it not be you, because the after is what we deal with when alone, facing ourselves. " I say, pulling my hand out of her grip harshly.

" One should understand when it comes to one's mate. Lines could be crossed and the consequences are the last to be in mind." She responds, having turned fully to face me.

" Surely." I say through a small smile before I let it slip.

I feel my mate before he comes out through the door.

" In those words, I could have passed on the same message to your mate, but here we are. We are all still breathing aren't we?" He says.

Ronan rises to his feet, his eyes quick to glance at each and everyone of us. Stephanie opens her mouth to speak but unexpectedly to her, I grab ahold of her arm, my grip on hers not wasting time in being harsh, harsh enough to cause her wince to flicker on her face.

She tries pull her arm away but my grip is like a vice and my nails, dig into her skin.

" Catherine -" Ronan says but I ignore him.

" There is a time for everything and now is not the time. We are all in an unapologetic mood and I don't wish to subject my daughter to all this. She is most important." With that I let go of her arm before walking inside, followed by my mate.

My steps faulter as I take notice of my father in the living room, with gamma Evan and nana, she has Ulana in her arms. My father looks up at us and I offer a small smile in which he returns. I am quite relieved that he has found his way downstairs, he is seemingly comfortable around everyone present in the living room.

" Get yourself something to drink my dear." Nana says, her tone having already transferred a message to me.

I nod, heading to the kitchen.

With a glass of water in hand, I find myself leaned against the sink, staring out the window. My eyes close when arms wrap around my waist, pulling me into a chest.

" Mica -"

" We don't have to say anything." He says, kissing my head.

I sigh against him, opening my eyes and just basking in his closeness. He makes me feel extremely calm and almost to forget what ever just happened.

" I have to let you know though. I don't like what all of this is doing to you. This tension is slowly draining parts of you and I hate its effects."

I place the glass down on the sink before turning in his arms.

Looking into his eyes, I can see the worry for me in them. My breath hitches and eyes close once again when his fingers lightly trace along my mark. A shaky breath slips past my lips when I feel his lips touch my mark.

" My Belle." He murmurs against my skin.

My eyes flutter open when I feel him move back.

" We are in this together, always. Remember that." He says, combing his fingers through my hair.

" I know my love. Thank you." He pecks my lips.

" And one more thing. I am your mate first, therefore I wont take kindly to any threat that is passed your way, from anyone. "

I open my mouth to speak but he stops my attempts with another peck, on the lips.

" Now this is a picture our little princess likes to see."

We glance to my nana, who stands at the doorway, holding our little butterfly. My face heats up when I see nana wiggling her brows at me.

" So, our Ulana here needs to change." She says.

" And the alpha doesn't mind taking on the challenge right?" I say with a teasing smile, arching my brow at Mica.

" Well good. Alpha?" Nana says to Mica who playfully rolls his eyes, heading on to take Ulana.

" This means someone gets night duty." Mica says in a sing song tone, winking at me." Come on my little one, time for daddy to change you." He says to Ulana as he walks out.

" You know why I had you come here." Nana says, entering into the kitchen and taking a seat.

I nod.

" Come sit with me Catherine."

She takes my hand after I do.

" I have been unfair on you." She says, making me frown slightly.

" Grandmother?"

She takes a breath before speaking." Such as this, has crossed your mother's path and I don't wish for past mistakes I've been able to identify now, to be repeated. How much you've had to endure can't be compared, even your mother's journey wouldn't be compared to yours and that is why I say, I have been unfair on you."

" Nana, you've never valued my journey or what I had to deal with, any less. You have my best interest at heart, this I have always been confident in. Don't place doubt in yourself now, please."

" No, no dear, don't get me wrong. I am proud to have been able to see you grow up under my hand, even at a distance. But you are a mother now and I need to do different, this is yet another stage in your life in which we have to face together. For the past full months of bearing your baby, adding to the three weeks of your baby being taken away from you, not to mention now, you've had no break.

As much as Ulana feeds off your energy, but she needs her mother most of all. The alpha needs his mate, not half of you where the other is compressed by all she's consumed, even the strainuous. " She sighs,  squeezing my hand gently.

" I'm telling you now dear, that it's okay to walk away at times, to burst out and scream. This time it's no longer you, we should expect to be understanding but us, who should. You are that little girl's mother but to me, you are my daughter.

And I wont let my daughter struggle to breathe, all in the name of being strong. So I want you to grip onto my strength, more then ever now. This time , the strength of a mother to a mother. Do you hear me sweetheart?" She says, holding my face in her hands.

I nod, feeling a tear trail down my face.

I close my eyes as she wipes the tear away.

" Now tell me, did you have that glass of water or were you too distracted by that mate of yours?" She teases.

" Nana." I breathe out through a blush, my eyes dropping to my knees.

She laughs, lightly pinching my cheek.

" Oh dear, you remind me so much of my Elizabeth."

" I'm pretty sure you spared her just a little, from your teasing."

" Not at all. I was far worse." Gosh, she sounds way too proud.

My head picks up and before I can say anything, my eyes quickly glance at the doorway, where Stephanie stands.

" I should go see if Ulana hasn't troubled Mica too much." I rise to my feet.

" There'll be more trouble as time passes, he must be prepared." Grandmother says through a grin.

" Some tea with Stephanie will make you hold off from all this mischief nana." I say, pecking her cheek before heading out, nodding at Stephanie as I walk past her.

" Luna?" Evan's call stops me on the way upstairs.

I turn around to face him, who stands at the bottom.

" Cara will be here shortly." He informs me.

I had sent for Cara, needing her assistance at this time. She, coming over was also a way of getting her close, to her mate. She's always been there for me even before I met my mate and doing this, is the least I could do. I never want any lack to be present in their matebond.

" Thank you Evan. My father and Ronan, they are in one place, please do keep an eye." I request.

" Will do." He says before walking away.

I turn around and continue on my way to my room. Reaching there, a small smile graces my lips as the sight of Mica playing with Ulana, is what I'm welcomed to. Through that smile he wears though, I can still detect through it, his emotions being clear in the matebond, therefore having called out to me.

" You'll surely spoil her with your love."

" She deserves it. She's our light." He says with a soft expression on his face as he looks at her.

" She sure is. " I say, stepping forward. " What we learnt still troubles you alot." I point out.

" It makes it even harder to not question myself and the promises I made to my family."

' My love, please don't blame yourself. ' I say through the mindlink.

He closes his eyes, releasing a sigh.

' The images of what she could have been exposed to, are so vivid and taunting, to even think otherwise. I can't ever see anything comparing to those three weeks of torture ever again. They were hell.' He responds.

I rush over to him, wrapping my arms around him, pulling his head to rest against my middle.

' I know my love. I know.' I kiss the top of his head, running my fingers through his hair. ' But look at her now, you can't help but to smile. She makes you happy and having her before you, is reason enough to make you sigh in contentment.'

I take notice of his lips curving up at the ends, as he trails his finger down her little cheek.

" My most precious." He murmurs.

I smile at that.

" Did you manage?" I ask, my tone teasing.

" Ofcourse. Piece of cake." I chuckle at that, stepping back from him and walking over to pick her up.

I reach out my hand to touch her small one but within reach, I stop mid air due to the sudden weird coldness and tighteness I feel in my throat and chest.

I frown slightly, unclear of what this feeling means and why now, all of a sudden it has occurred.

" Catherine?" Mica calls me, noticing my frozen state.

I take a step back from her and look at her.

" Hmm?"

" Is everything alright?" He asks, with his assessing me.

I offer a small forced smile.

" I will be. I just need a minute, stay with her please."

I head out before he can say anymore, feeling myself in great need of some air all of a sudden. Not being able to determine the meaning behind such a feeling, has me desperately seeking an answer.

What troubles me the most is that it came from my baby. I couldn't even touch her. It's like a form of negative reaction flowed between us, for me to experience a tightness and coldness in my system. Something is not right.

Reaching outside, bursting out the door, I let my feet lead my way. I pay no mind to my surroundings as I aimlessly walk around, in great need of this feeling to wash over and let me breathe.

Seeing my father in conversation with Ronan at a distance, distracts me for a moment, totally pulling me to a stop. I take calming breaths, blinking a bit while my eyes stay trained on them yet my mind works overtime, trying to figure out what this could all mean.

Ronan glances my way and his lips curve up into a small smile yet I, cannot return it. He frowns slightly but I am quick to turn away from him. The sound of a car captures my ears and therefore, it's then I see the car park close to the others.

Cara comes out, looking lovely.

She has been accompanied by one of the warriors. Like always, she is quick to notice me. I had taken notice long ago that Cara has a connection to me, this resulting in her reacting to my presence rather quickly.

I am not given a chance to admire the beautiful reunion of mates when Evan, goes on to meet her, due to that coldness and pinch in my chest occurring again. This time it hits me faster like a bullet, causing me to stagger and gasp in surprise.

I reach out my hand to rub at my chest yet the racing of my heart overwhelms me.

" Luna!!" I hear Cara call out.

My eyes widen then as the fog that hid the answer, to the cause of what's happening withers away.

My senses spark up in high alert, everything screaming one name.

Ulana.

Something is wrong with my baby.

' Catherine, you need to come here now!'

I take off running back towards the house in the middle of Mica's call. There's only been a few times where I've ran like this and today, is one of those few times. I see no one else as I rush to get to my baby, their concerned calls falling on deaf ears and the need to be near her so much greater.

Footsteps follow me in a haste yet I don't look back.

I take two steps at a time and in no time at all, I burst through my bedroom door. The room is occupied by nana, Stephanie and Mica, who has our whimpering baby in his arms.

His panicked and worried filled eyes snap to me as a deep frown, displays on his forehead.

" What's going on here?" Both dad and Ronan say at the same time.

" She's getting warm, too warm." Mica says to me.

My heart drops then as the realization of his words knock me into a now reality, we will have to face.

Ulana is now showing signs of being sick. Her whimpers pain me yet call out to me. I start towards her then, my motherly instincts taking over.

" Don't touch her." Nana's words warn me off, stopping me from taking another step towards my daughter.

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I had just completed my other book and decided to take abit of a break, but now I am back.

I am sorry about the long wait but hopefully, this chapter shall make it up for it.

Tell me your thoughts.

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Thank you once again for the support. It means a lot.😀😀😀😀😀