Two dayster it was finally time to say goodbye to Vaya, Daniel and Carter, standing by the shield, Hazel pulled the dryad into her arms, giving her a warm hug as Justin shook both the warriors hands. ''Now you remember, you are always wee here Carter'' Hazel said sternly, looking at the older werewolf who gave a small nod.


    ''Thank you Luna, it is nice to be among my own kind again and I appreciate the way that your pack epted me without even knowing me'' he replied humbly.


    Puling him into a hug, Hazel answered, ''you are Vaya''s father, plus you took care of my baby while she was at Viktor''s castle, that makes you family'' before releasing him and stepping back. Finally Halle hugged each of them in turn, holding on to Carter for just a few seconds longer than the others, ''I am going to miss you'' she muttered, her throat thick with the tears she was holding in. ''I shall miss you too your Highness'' Carter replied with a smile as Halle swatted at him yfully as she giggled.


    ''It''s time'' Justin said to his daughter as she finally released the werewolf and stepped back.


    Taking Daniel''s hand, Justin stepped through the barrier momentarily, returning alone to then take Carter''s hand, once he had stepped through, Hazel quickly engulfed the dryad in another tight hug.


    ''Take care of yourself youngdy, and that pup'' she growled affectionately, ''oh and tell Carter soon, that man absolutely worships you and he will be thrilled to know that he will be a grandfather'' she added.


    Vaya nodded as she wiped her eyes impatiently, ring at her wet fingers, ''damn hormones'' she muttered as the two she wolvesughed. ''I am going to tell him soon, I just have something I need to do first'' she added as the Luna nodded. Turning around, she saw Justin waiting patiently for her by the barrier, holding out her hand, he grasped it and pulled her into onest hug, ''you need anything, you call us, understand?'' he growled as Vayaughed.


    ''Between Daniel, you lot, Carter, Isabe and Alpha Aaron, I don''t think this pup is going to need anything for her entire life'' she chuckled.


    Releasing her, Justin stepped through the barrier, Vaya taking onest look at her second family, waving as she followed him.


    Once outside, she found herself stood by Daniel who immediately pulled her toward him, slightly anxious, ''you OK? You took a bit of timeing through'' he said quietly.


    Vaya grinned, ''just saying onest goodbye'' she replied.


    Watching until they set off down the hidden path, Justin finally stepped back through the barrier and out of sight.


    ''So, on to your pack now'' Carter said jovially, smiling over at the couple, Vaya shook her head, ''not quite yet dad, we have one more stop before we go home.


    Raising his eyebrows, Carter gave her a surprised look, ''oh? Where are we headed?'' he asked.


    Vaya just grinned back, ''to see an old friend'' she replied cryptically as she held Daniel''s hand and thy made their way through the trees.


    Once out of the mountains, Carter looked around, ''shall we shift here?'' he asked as Daniel looked slightly panicked.


    Vaya kept her face smooth, ''no, we''ll have to go human form dad, there is a human settlement to our left and if they see us in our wolf forms they may attack us and as you haven''t shifted in quite a while I''m worried that something could happen to you'' she replied, keeping her face stoic of emotion to cover her half truth.


    Carter nodded immediately, ''yes that is probably best, we don''t want to draw attention to ourselves, I''m sure Daniel is more than capable of protecting you but I would be a hindrance, we shall walk.


    Danielughed at his words, ''more like Vaya would protect me'' he sniggered, ''she''s the toughest she wolf in all the packs, just don''t get on the wrong side of her bow.''


    Walking happily, they chatted as they wove through the trees, keeping their senses heightened for any sounds of hostile movements.


    The reached the cars by noon, Daniel getting in behind the wheel, Vaya in the passenger seat and Carter in the back.


    Giving her a questioning look, Daniel waited as Vaya quickly mind linked him directions to their destination.


    Setting off, the trio watched the scenery fly by, the car eating up the miles as they stared out at the vast greenndscape, Carter lost in his own world as he drank in the view.


    They spent the night in a small motel, before setting off again first thing the next morning. Carter was getting more and more curious about where they were going but Vaya just kept saying it was an old friend until the werewolf grudgingly gave up asking. Finally, after two nights on the road, Daniel pulled over into a smally by and cutting the engine. Scrambling out, Vaya face lit up with happiness as she grabbed her bag from the foot well and mmed the door shut, ''we walk from here boys'' she said as she started to stride quickly toward a gate nestled in the hedgerow that would give them ess to the vast field next to them.


    ''OK babe, but you don''t need to march there!'' Daniel called after her as he hurried to lock the car and catch her up.


    Slowing up slightly, Vaya shrugged, ''I''m just excited to see my friend'' she replied loftily but did keep her pace more manageable. Making their way through endless fields, Vaya seemed to have boundless energy that only increased, the further they walked away from civilisation. It took an entire day but they finally reached arge forest which Vaya stepped into fearlessly.


    ''Vaya, should we not be cautious? There could be Rogues, I''m pretty sure this is unimed territory'' Carter mumbled, looking around.


    Vaya just smiled, ''yep it is unimed, but no-one in their right mind would try to cause trouble here'' she replied confidently.


    Weaving through the trees, Vaya followed an invisible path, leading the perplexed werewolf, Daniel bringing up the rear,pletely at ease.


    ''We had better camp'' Carter finally said after another hour of walking, ''it''s getting really dark, we don''t want to be exposed at night.''


    the dryad just shook her head, ''it''s OK dad, we are nearly there, we will stay at my friend''s house'' she replied evenly.


    Looking around him, Carter''s brow started to furrow slightly as he took in their surroundings, ''this looks so familiar'' he started to mutter to himself, ''and what is that smell, it''s... he cut off confused whilst Vaya just smiled as she continued to walk.


    At longst the trio stepped out of the tree''s into a small clearing that held a small log cabin, over shadowed by a strong Birch tree. Running up to the tree, Vaya threw her arms around it, hugging it tightly, the tree branches moving slightly, catching at the back of her jumper as if weing the dryad. Carter''s eyes widened, as he took a deep breath in, ''Vanya'' he growled suddenly.


    The door mmed open all of a sudden, casting light down on the group, a tall ethereal silhouette stood before them as she nced around the group. Her eyes falling on the young dryad still engulfing the tree, she let out a small shriek of excitement, ''Vaya! Baby? Is that you?''


    Untangling herself from the tree trunk, Vaya rushed over to her mother, hugging her tightly as the older dryad started to cry.


    ''I haven''t seen you in so long my little sapling, are you well? You look well, I see Birch has given you some rejuvenation'' she babbled excitedly.


    Looking up at her mother''s excited face, Vaya pulled away slightly, ''I brought someone to see you mum'' she replied, cutting across the dryad''s rambling.


    ''Is it Daniel? Of course it is, he would never let you travel alone'' Vanya said excitedly, e on Daniel,e give me a hug'' she demanded.


    ''Mum'' Vaya cut in, ''I brought someone to see YOU'' she repeated, enunciating thest word.


    ''Me? Who?'' Vanya asked as Carter stepped forward mesmerised.


    ''Vanya'' he growled desperately as the dryad''s hand flew to her mouth.


    ''Carter?'' she whispered in shock, secondster, Carter had crossed the path and grabbed his mate in his arms, lifting her from the porch and kissing her forcefully as she wrapped her legs around him, kissing him back with everything she had. Finally pulling away, she gasped for air before punching him in the arm, ''OW!'' Carter moaned but not releasing her,


    ''where have you been? Twenty years I''ve been sat here thinking you were dead, mourning you! But still waiting for you just in case, why did you note back to me'' she grumbled before kissing him again hard.


    Pulling away, Carter rested his forehead on Vanya''s ''It''s a long story that I will happily tell youter, but know that I wanted toe back to you baby, I thought about you every single day'' he whispered as she blushed.


    Looking round Vanya seemed to realise that Vaya and Daniel were both beside them, wriggling out of her mate''s grasp, she ushered the trio into her cabin, shutting the door and going into the kitchen to put the kettle on, Carter following her as if unable to let her out of his sight for a second.


    Daniel looked over at Vaya with a smirk, ''for a tough assed warrior, you sure have a soft spot'' he teased as Vaya blushed.


    ''Shut up stalker, my parents deserve to be together and happy'' she muttered as Daniel pulled her closer to him.


    Soon the group were sat in Vanya''s living room, drinking tea, Vanya sat on Carter''sp as he filled her in on what had happened to him after the Rogue''s had taken him.


    ''I am so d you found each other'' Vanya beamed at her mate and daughter, ''so damn alike'' she added ruefully.


    Carterughed, ''oh no baby, that girl is stubborn as a mule, that is all you'' he replied as Vanya tried to give him a re but failed miserably, her happiness bursting out of her, refusing to be hampered.


    As they all fell into afortable silence, Vaya started to twist her hands nervously in herp, looking up at her immediately, Vanya narrowed her eyes at her daughter, ''what is it sapling?'' she demanded as Vaya gulped.


    ''Uh, nothing, well no not nothing, uh'' Vaya stammered as Vanya red at her


    ''Out with it sapling, you could never keep a secret from me'' she ordered.


    ''I''m having a pup'' Vaya blurted out suddenly as the room went deathly quiet, her eyes widening, Vanya looked at Daniel for confirmation as he nodded hesitantly.


    Squealing loudly, Vanya jumped off her mate and rushed over to her daughter, ''really!?'' she demanded, ''Oh my goddess, I am so excited!''


    Vaya stared at her mother like she was apletely different person, ''you are excited? I''m twenty mum!'' she growled exasperated.


    Vanya waved a hand, ''well obviously I would have preferred you be a little older but your mate truly loves you Vaya and he will be a good father to your pup just as he is a wonderful mate to you'' she replied before pulling the young dryad into her arms. Looking at her father over her mother''s shoulder, she saw Carter''s shell shocked expression, ''you OK dad?'' she asked hesitantly.


    ''I''m.. uh.. I''m going to be a grandpa'' he muttered more to himself than anyone else, suddenly snapping his eyes to his daughters, he yelled, ''that''s why you kept putting off shifting? And you didn''t tell me!'' Jumping to his feet, he engulfed both his girls in his arms. ''I wanted to tell you together'' came Vaya''s muffled voice from within her parents crushing embrace, ''and just so you know, me and the pup can''t breath right now!''


    Releasing her, the dryad and werewolf beamed down at her happily, ''you better bring that pup to see me as often as possible'' Vanya warned, ''I might get weakened away from my tree but I will do it if I don''t see him or her regrly'' she warned. ''Don''t worry Vanya, I''ll make sure Vaya visits you both as often as possible'' Daniel replied.


    ''Both of us?'' Carter asked, turning to look at his mate, a slight hope in his eyes.


    cing her hands on her hips, Vanya red at the werewolf, ''and where else do you think you will be living? Are you seriously telling me that you are going to leave me again?'' she demanded.


    Holding up his hands in defence, Carter spluttered, ''no baby, of course not, but I wasn''t sure if you would want me here'' he added ashamed.


    Vanya stepped up to him, kissing him hungrily, ''I have waited twenty years for you toe back to me Carter, you are not going anywhere! I expect twenty years of making up to me for leaving, starting with when our daughter goes home'' she growled seductively as Carter''s eyes turned ck.


    ''Eww! Pregnantdy in the room people! Does NOT need to hear this from her parents!'' came Vaya''s grossed out voice as Daniel burst outughing.


    ''Sorry babe, but your mum has been waiting a long time, you are just going to have to deal with it today'' he teased as Carter lifted his mate up and carried her toward their bedroom, leaving the horrified hybrid and her mate in the living room alone.