I woke up a short while later, as I felt him lowering me into steamy hot water, and I blinked my eyes open, looking up and giving him a grateful smile. "Hey little wolf," he said quietly, as he settled me between his legs and pulled me back against his chest, "Is that better?" he asked, and I nodded, sighing softly as I felt the heat penetrating through my skin. "So much," I said softly, still feeling sleepy, "Thank you, Finn," I added, and he wrapped his arms tightly around me. "You're welcome, little wolf," he said, sinking a little lower in the water, until it reached my shoulders, and resting his own head back and closing his eyes. He seemed exhausted too, I realised, and I suddenly felt guilty. "I'm sorry for making you worry," I said quietly, "the last few days must have been horrible for you, not being able to find me." He lifted his head then, turning me around and frowning at me, "It's not your fault, little wolf," he said as he cupped my face gently, "You have no reason to

I awoke a few times during the night, with nightmares of being chased, or dragged, unable to move, to find myself with a strong set of arms around me, soothing me, and the triplets' scents surrounding me. I felt them stirring during the night too, reaching for me several times, as though making sure I was still really there. It was oddly comforting, knowing that they needed me, even though I hated that they'd had to worry so much. I couldn't truly understand the depths of what they'd felt when they realised I was gone, and for the two days following, but I could easily see how much it had affected them, and all I wanted to do was be close to them, reassure them, and help wash all of those feelings away. We didn't get much time to ourselves once the following day started though. We all caught each other up on what had happened when others hadn't been there, and then Thane needed to do the same with the Elders, who were naturally very interested in knowing the details of any threats to

"Oh.. I.. uhm, hey Luca.." Jess said awkwardly, looking surprised to see him here, and he smiled kindly at her. "Hey, Jess," he said gently, and she frowned, seeming uncertain, "I came to see Thane, is he busy?" she asked, and Luca turned to look over his shoulder at him. He sighed softly, turning to Dad and Sam, "Cole and Finn will help you get settled in, Laila and I will see you for dinner," he said. They both nodded silently, coming over to give me tight, warm hugs before they followed them out, squeezing past Jess and Luca. "Come in," Thane said to Jess, and gave Luca a subtle gesture to stay also, and he frowned, coming to sit back down. "I.. I just wanted to apologise again," said Jess, remaining standing, "Especially to you, Laila, I should have noticed something long before it got as far as it did." I gave her a warm smile and started to stand, but Thane motioned for me to remain sitting, and I did. "It's okay, Jess," I said softly, "You didn't do this." She gave me an appr

It was the most peaceful sleep I'd had in days, even if it was short, waking up a couple of hours later with Thane spooning me from behind, his strong arms wrapped around me. I sighed contently, and I felt him stir just a little, "Hey, little wolf," he said, still sounding a little bit asleep. "Hey, handsome Lycan," I responded, my voice playful, and he pulled me closer into him, starting to place soft kisses on my bare skin. I couldn't help but smile, waking up with him like this, and leaned back, turning my head towards him until he lifted his and he my lips tenderly. He lingered there for a long moment, enjoying it, then sighed deeply. "We should get up," he said, as though he wished he didn't have to, "We still need to meet Elyanna before dinner." I gave him a confused look, "I thought you were inviting her here for dinner?" I asked, and he shook his head gently. "I thought about it, but it's not ideal, and we said we'd have dinner with your Dad and your brother, too," he said,

Our dinner continued for several hours, as we enjoyed each other's company, until Maggie and the Omegas helping her tonight came up to clear our dessert plates. We thanked them for our dinner, which was as exceptional as Maggie's cooking always was, and stood. Dad and Sam both gave me tight, warm hugs and words of encouragement, before saying goodnight, and as we walked past their rooms I noticed both Jess and Luca nearby, keeping an eye on them.The triplets led me down the rear stairway again, and we headed outside, where the full moon was shining brightly in the clear winter sky above us. We took the narrow path down towards Elyanna's, but veered off before her cottage, heading much deeper into the forest, well out of sight, before they stopped and began undressing. I felt Lisbet stirring in the back of my mind as I did the same, shivering slightly as I felt the crisp winter air on my bare skin. Finn stepped closer, pulling me against him as he kissed my forehead softly, looking i