The next few days progressed somewhat normally, well as normal as they can be during a war against the gods. Ryland was in his office most of today trying to get other non-ally packs to come and aid in the war. He was convinced many would jump at the opportunity if it meant getting an inside look at one of the most secluded packs there were. Many pack members have been helping clear the various bodies as well as burying the innocent hostages that were brutally executed by those monsters. I shivered at the thought of that.

I shrugged my cloak on and walked through the numbing cold. I gripped my stomach lightly as I felt sharp kicks. I winced but couldn't help the smile that took over my face knowing the baby was alright. The snow was crunching under my feet, and I pulled my cloak tighter against my chest as I made my way to the training grounds, knowing Jeremiah would be there.

The heavy doors creaked open as I made my way inside. I could hear grunts, and the sound of fists connecting with punching bags. I walked over the mats shrugging my cloak off. I nearly screamed out when Jeremiah was standing next to me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked with a raised brow.

"I want to train, remember?" I spoke crossing my arms over my chest. I watched as his eyes trailed over the scars that will likely be on my wrists forever from the chains. I shrugged my sleeves down to cover them, looking anywhere but him.

"You are pregnant, I don't want to risk anything." He sighed raising a hand to rub his temple.

"No one working for Cade will care, the gods won't care. I need to be able to defend myself." I snapped.

"You're right." He sighed. "But let's not go crazy." He told me giving me a look that told me it wasn't up for debate.

"I know." I told him walking away from him and onto the mat. He just shook his head walking over to where I stood.

"Ryland will be here soon." He told me earning a glare. I love Ryland more than anything, but between everything that happened there and the baby, he wasn't risking anything. This was usually the case with wolves during pregnancy, well except my dad I guess. Mom used to tell us the stories of why dad sucked before we came along.

"He's going to complain about my safety the whole time, why would you do that." I groaned, glaring at him.

"Because, I don't feel like having another broken nose." I just frowned and got into a defensive position.

"I'm sorry he hurt you." I told him before quickly launching myself at him. He quickly pushed me over, he was holding back.

I used my foot, swiping at his ankle, which for once actually caught him off guard. His eyes widened as he fell to the ground with a hard thud.

"I'm sorry for that too." I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my mouth. "Actually, try this time." I told him giving him a look.

"That was me trying, you doofus." He snapped getting up off the ground. "You're better than you think."

"I would pay money to see that again." I jumped at the sound of Rylands voice as he made his way over to us. He walked over and pressed a kiss to my head before bending over to look me in the eyes, blocking me from Jeremiah's view in the process.

"How are you feeling?" He whispered. I gave him a look and groaned resting my head on his shoulder.

"I am fine." I muttered growing tired of the constant coddling. I pulled away from him to look up into his unimpressed eyes.

"I'm sorry, I know you are just trying to help. But I promise I will tell you when something is wrong." I told him leaning up onto my toes to kiss his lips quickly. He didn't say anything but put his hand on my stomach the second the baby kicked. I winced earning a concerned look from him.

"This kid is going to be a ninja." I laughed softly as I felt another kick. "Now go." I tried to shoo him.

He just shook his head in amusement and walked away to sit on one of the chairs near us, to watch. His eyes were trained on me, and he was leaning so far up in his chair, that he must have thought I would simply disappear if he looked away.

I stuck my tongue out at him before returning my attention back to a smiling Jeremiah. He raised his arms in a defensive position, and I did the same watching his feet for any hint of movement. He quickly launched and went to grab me when Ryland shoved himself between us.

"I can't do it." He snapped. Before I could react, he flung me into his arms, somehow managing to wrap me in my cloak in the process.

"You should want me to train." I muttered as he carried me towards the doors without so much as looking back at the dumbfounded Jeremiah. I frowned and sheepishly waved him goodbye.

He kicked open the doors and the cold air greeted us harshly. I shivered and on instinct snuggled myself closer to the warmth from Ryland.

He walked at an inhumane speed, and we quickly made it back to the house. The warmth from the indoors felt refreshing. Ryland, however, did not put me down, instead he waked me into the kitchen placing me onto the counter.

He handed me a jar of pickles earning my immediate forgiveness. I smiled at him and quickly pulled one out, biting into it. I moaned in delight as the sour flavor hit my tongue.

I glanced up at him to see him with the same stare from the training grounds.

"What's wrong?" I whispered, reaching my pickle free hand out to him. He quickly took it and stepped forward, so he was standing in between my legs.

"That piece of shit is still alive." He growled softly staring deeply into my eyes. "We had him." He sighed. "We fucking had him." His voice cracked at the end slightly. My heart shattered to pieces at the sight of his sad and anger filled eyes.

"Ryland." I breathed slowly putting my pickle down and wrapping my arms tightly around his chest.

"This isn't over." I breathed. "I will kill him. I'm not afraid...I won't be afraid anymore."

"I can't lose you." He whispered raising a hand to brush against my cheek.

"He won't get me again. Besides I have the Shadow Queen now." I gave him a feint smile but he didn't seem convinced.

"I don't even want to know." Her voice groaned through my head before I felt her presence disappear again.

He tightened his arms around my waist breathing in my scent.

"Sorry to interrupt." I jumped and Ryland growled. I gave him a look as I turned to see Kolton and Lydia walking hand in hand. Mom stood behind them looking furious and Jake looked bored behind them. I couldn't help the smile at seeing the grump again. I missed him. Ryland carefully lifted me up and placed me on the ground.

Only now did I notice the dark bags under Lydia's eyes. She looked terrible.

"What happened?" I asked softly walking over.

"She's an idiot is what." Mom snapped earning a growl from Kolton. "Oh shush." She snapped at him next.

"What happened?" I asked reaching for Lydia's hands when mom pushed me away gently.

"Don't touch her. The dark magic is feeding on her." She snapped.

"What?" I whispered. Ryland snaked a hand around my waist pulling me against him.

"B-But you said you were done." I whispered frowning.

"I-I am." She sighed. Kolton squeezed her hand.

Mom seemed to notice my confused look.

"The magic won't feast on a wolf, but who knows what it could do to you and the baby, I'm not risking it." She snapped.

"Siphons?" I whispered and she shook her head frowning.

"What spell did you use?" I asked scared for the answer.

"I've been tracking Cade. I-I just wanted to be useful for something." She cried, her body shaking. Kolton was rubbing her back reassuringly.

"She's an idiot, like her mother." Spoke Jake, shaking his head. Mom immediately turned and kicked his ankle earning a wince.

"He seems like my kind of person, why did I get stuck with you and not him." I just rolled my eyes ignoring her.

I missed them so much.

"How have you been tracking him?" I whispered getting back to the important conversation.

"I had enough time to do a binding spell when he was in that rather unfortunate but deserving position." She murmured.

"Do you know where he is now?" I asked her, Rylands grip on me tightening.

"It's as if he doesn't exist." She spoke. "But he's alive."

My eyebrows scrunched in confusion.

"Oh goddess." I breathed. Realization hitting me like a ton of bricks.

"That realm." I turned to face Ryland. "When I saved you in that realm, he's there he has to be." I breathed. "They have to be making him into this monster, giving him this power. T-to kill me."

"Well shit." Jake murmured chugging the drink in his hand.