Standing next to the rear door of their vehicle, Daniel looked over at Vaya who had a distant look on her face.


    ''Penny for your thoughts?'' he whispered, making the young dryad start in surprise.


    Shaking her head, Vaya smiled, ''it''s nothing really.. it''s just, when I took Olivia to the bathroom to help her, it didn''t feel weird, it felt.. natural'' she confessed blushing slightly. Laughing, Daniel kissed her temple softly, ''that''s because you are a mum, and that is the kind of thing a mum does'' he replied with a grin.


    ''I''m not a mum yet'' Vaya protested


    ''But you are bing one, your instincts are kicking in to protect pups, no matter who they belong too'' Daniel replied happily.


    Snuggling into the warrior''s chest, Vaya contemted his words silently.


    ''What is the n now Alpha?'' Leo asked, looking over at Justin who was deep in thought.


    ''I feel bad not giving these people a burial, but we just don''t have the time to dedicate to it with Vance''s life in the bnce'' he muttered, his eyes trailing the road back to the pack house.


    Leo nodded understandingly, ''we can return after we have found Agnes,y our kin folk to rest properly then'' he promised.


    Clearing his throat, Viktor gained the groups attention, ''I am thinking it may be time to call in my own folk'' he said suddenly, ''I was reluctant at first, not all of my subjects are as tolerant of other species, we have been persecuted in our time'' he added as he saw the faces of the warriors around him darken slightly.


    ''but needs must, our time is running out and my son, the future Alpha''s mate, needs us to find Agnes and fast, I think we should head north to the Vampire n that resides there, they have arge force that could cover a lot of ground'' he said decisively. ''How far away?'' Justin asked immediately


    ''Half a day if we don''t stop'' Viktor replied, ''they will also provide us with shelter for the night, your warriors will be under my protection, nothing will happen to any of you whilst we are there''.


    Thinking momentarily, Justin nodded, ''lets go.


    Bundling into the cars, Viktor took the passenger seat this time, Justin joining the couple in the back so that the Vampire could direct Leo in how to get to the n.


    ''We try to keep ourselves off the radar'' Viktor said with a grin, ''we tend to find visitors to our ns are not usually there to try and sell us encyclopedias, more pitchforks and burning torches. he said wryly as Leo chuckled, throwing the truck into gear and pulling away from the road side.


    Doing a U-turn, Leo led the convoy back to the main road, where Viktor took over the navigation, giving the werewolf strict instructions on the route to follow to reach their destination.


    In the back, Vaya remained curled up next to Daniel as the future Beta talked in a low voice to the Oak Ridge Alpha, allowing the soft vibrations of his voice to lull her into sleep.


    *********


    Back at the castle, Halle walked slowly into Vance''s room, carrying a steaming cup of coffee that she ced next to her brother on the bed side table. Jason''s chin was covered in stubble, his eyes dark with circles as he remained next to Vance holding his hand tightly in his own.


    ''You need to go and shower Jas'' Halle said finally dragging her brother''s dejected eyes from his mate''s face to her own.


    Halle grinned, ''I''ve actually really enjoyed living here too, despite the fact I missed my family and pack terribly'' she replied, ''but, my brother is just as fun as me, even more so in fact as he is a terrible, and I do mean terrible, tease. He is going to wind everyone up so much you are all going to want to batter him with one of Carter''s rolling pins. He will bring life to this old castle, I promise''


    Giving the teenager a watery smile, Iris nodded, ''I would like that, it''s nice to see the Prince enjoying himself, I have no animosity toward him, I never did. He was not present when my vige was destroyed, he was just an innocent that got caught up in a revenge plot, he lost his mother and now he''s in danger of losing his life over something that he had no control over.'' Wiping the tears that had started to fall from her eyes absent mindedly, Iris stood up, ''I need to go and help Carter I think, the new master is going to need to keep his strength up to help his mate'' she said decisively before heading toward the door toe face to face with a freshly washed Jason.


    Looking down at the terrified girl in front of him, Jason stepped forward and pulled her into a tight hug, ''it wasn''t your fault Iris, please stop ming yourself'' he muttered as he held on to her tightly.


    ''I know, but I just want you to know, I am really sorry young master'' she replied, returning his hug hesitantly.


    Pulling away, Jason smiled, ''oh and by the way, my name is Jason, not young master, not prince, or your highness, just Jason. I you call me anything but that I will not respond and anyone, including my mate over there, who tries to argue it with me will be finding out why I am ssed as the best warrior in Oak Ridge'' he growled yfully.


    ''Pfft, best?'' Halle interjected with a derisiveugh, ''I wouldn''t say best.. maybe fifth from top?'' she said with a mischievous look.


    Turning slowly toward his sister, Jason raised an eyebrow, ''and who is better than me?'' he asked


    Pretending to think, Halle tapped her chin, ''hmm, dad? Graham? Leo? Taylor..'' she started to reel off.


    Growling, Jason waved his hand, ''OK probably dad, even Graham and Leo I will give you, but Taylor? You are cing Taylor above me?'' he moaned pouting at his younger sister who giggled uncontrobly.


    ''OK, you can be fourth'' she conceded reluctantly, ''you are the fourth best warrior in the pack''


    ''Damn right little sis'' Jason replied puffing out his chest as the girlsughed.


    As Iris excused herself, Jason sat back down next to Vance, cing a wet nnel on his forehead as he took the vampire''s hand in his own.


    ''Did you even use body wash?'' Halle asked, ring at her brother, ''you were done in like five minutes!


    Shrugging, Jason kept his eyes on his mate, ''it''s amazing how fast you can shower when your mate isying unresponsive in a bed'' he replied sadly.