The next few days passed by in a blur of activity, and Blake spent as many seconds as he could spare by Hannah's side. When he was with her, his preoccupation was all consuming, and he could barely remember a time in his life when he had been more happy. When duty called him away, he felt his wolf's need to be close to her constantly, and there were many occasions where he found himself drifting away from the task at hand to seek her out.

It didn't help that everyone around him watched his heightened restlessness with open amusement, the pack-link constantly alive with a steady hum of gossip, all centred around the Alpha and his new Luna-to-be.

But he couldn't help himself. He found himself fretting constantly... Was she happy? Were the pack making her feel welcome? Was she pushing herself too much? Had she eaten yet? A thousand inconsequential worries rolled around his head, impeding his ability to concentrate on anything for very long.

Jeramiah had been right. After surviving for days on little food and less sleep, Hannah had been running on fumes. Her involuntary shift and the calories burned during her time as a wolf had simply pushed her system over the edge. Food, fluids and twelve hours of uninterrupted sleep had fixed the majority of her problems. But not all of them. Her wolf, and her memories remained mostly absent.

“It's not like before,” Hannah reassured her mate. “I can feel her now. I just can't talk to her. It's like I'm feeling two sets of emotions at once – hers and mine.”

“What is she feeling now?”

Hannah thought a moment. “Relief mainly. It must have been very frightening to be alone for so long.”

“For you too.”

“Yes, but that was different.” She frowned, struggling to put the complicated emotions into words. “I didn't know who I was, or what I was missing. She did.”

It was Doc who finally solved the mystery surrounding her wolf's sudden reappearance. Deep in his grief, he continued to perform his duties in his usual stoic manner, tending to the injured Blackridge warriors, and chasing away the hypochondriacs that came in search of gossip.

It was with some difficulty that Hannah had related the events surrounding Jenni's death, carefully distorting the truth to reveal only that they had faced a rogue, and Jenni had saved Hannah's life, losing her own in the process.

When retelling the full story later to Blake, she left nothing out. Even the knowledge that her silence had allowed Simon to steal the weapon that almost killed Marcus. But still she pleaded with Blake to keep it between themselves and allow Doc to grieve in peace.

“What good will it do?” she asked him. “Except to further wound a man who's already lost his daughter, and forever taint his memories of her. She’s dead. Let everyone assume the letters came from the rogues, and let her rest.”

During her last visit, Doc had a confession for them both. “Your uncle came to me to discuss your condition. He asked many questions about your memory and the likelihood of its return. Indeed he went to great lengths to reveal how inconvenient it was that you didn't remember your mate.”

“I bet he did,” Blake muttered. Never had he been so furious than the moment he'd discovered the true nature of Macleiry's intentions. If he hadn't already been dead, Blake would have been relentless in his desire to hunt him down.

“He was specifically interested in the medication I prescribed for your headaches,” Doc continued. “Wanted to know if they would play any part in your memories return. I believed they might, and for this I owe you both an apology.”

“You don't have anything to – ”

Doc raised a pacifying hand. “Oh, I do. I believed that in giving your mind time to heal, your wolf would be able to return of her own volition. It never occurred to me that the pills might have been working against us by suppressing your headaches, which we now know was your wolf trying desperately to break through. Still, as a result of my own miscalculation, Macleiry made one of his own.” Doc reached out and placed a small pill bottle on the table. “He left this behind.”

"I forgot to take one the morning I was kidnapped," Hannah remembered. "I was so nervous about meeting them."

"Yes. And then Fenrik took you, followed by your uncle. By the time your wolf finally broke free they'd have been entirely out of your system.”

“Leaving room for your wolf to wriggle.” Blake murmured.

“Then on top of that were the Macleirys themselves. Every detail they revealed had the potential to trigger your memory.” He turned to Blake. “I'm afraid I kept that part to myself rather deliberately. In my defence I was worried that if they knew her memory might be triggered by talking about her past, that they would bombard her too much at once.”

To his surprise, Blake smiled. “ If you'd revealed your suspicions, Macleiry may have been inclined to watch what he was saying... or avoid Elmwood altogether, I'm guessing it was just as much of a trigger.”

“Yes.” Doc turned back to Hannah. “In all... a perfect storm in the making.”

“He would have been furious to discover that he played a such a large part in his own demise,” Hannah murmured. “I find that very... satisfying.”

“And her wolf?” Blake asked.

“She may never return fully.” Doc advised. “Have you tried shifting again?”

Hannah nodded. It had been extremely difficult, and taken several tries before her wolf caught on to what she was trying to do.

“What’s it like?”

“Like standing in front of a mirror, only I'm the reflection and I have no control... I couldn't shift back until she wanted too either.”

He nodded as though it was what he had expected to hear. “Once you're mated Rothan will be able to assist with that.”

Blake frowned. “But Hannah will never be present when she shifts? It will always be her wolf, the... other Hannah?”

Doc pursed his lips. “It's probably better to stop thinking of them as two separate Hannah's. Their new bond is much closer to a rogues duality than anything else. But no, she'll most likely never have control when in her wolf’s body any more than her wolf will be able to take control in hers.”

“Can you be content with that?” Hannah asked him in a quiet voice, her vulnerability clear. “Mated to a handicapped Luna? Will the pack accept it?”

Rothan growled. They’d better.

Cupping her face gently between his hands, Blake looked deep into Hannah's eyes. “I would have taken you as a mate with no wolf at all, you know that. The pack would have accepted you... they did accept you. Never believe you are lacking in anything important to us. Ever.”

Watching from a distance as Hannah navigated her new position, became Blake’s favourite pastime. Constantly reassuring himself that she was still safe, and poised to head off any difficulties she may face dealing with certain elements of the pack.

You think she needs our help? Rothan had chuckled. They adore her. And those that don't, know better than to make their disappointment known.

As the Solstice grew closer, Blake became more determined than ever to put the drama of the past few weeks to bed. Dylan had been found alive, but suffering from multiple wounds courtesy of his father, and was released to return to Scotland on Hannah's insistence. Blake protested, eager to see him punished for his role in the deception, but Hannah stood firm in her decision.

“Your ability to forgive after everything you've been through astonishes me,” Blake observed. “First Jenni, now Dylan.”

“Neither of them were evil,” she replied. “Just weak. And manipulated by people stronger than they were. Both of them tried to redeem themselves in the end, and both of them paid a heavy price.”

He snorted. “Jenni lost her life. Dylan just lost – ”

“His true mate,” she cut him off. “And me, and his father, and whatever dignity he carried with him. I hope it works out for him, I really do. He was a victim too, in a way.”

She didn't see him before he left. His betrayal would forever lurk behind their interactions, an ugly shadow that no amount of light could banish completely. Later, she would turn to Blake, and stare into his eyes with a charming intensity. “We will never favour one of our children over the other,” she demanded.

“Never,” he agreed, wrapping his arms about her. “So... there will be several children in our future then?”

She pouted. “Not if you don't want them.”

“Of course I want them, you impossible woman!" He caught her lower lip in a gentle caress. "I want them very much indeed."

Marcus watched his Alpha's struggles with mild amusement, quietly stepping in to complete the less important duties, and taking as much of the burden off his shoulders as he could manage.

He insisted on taking charge of the clean up, both at the Craggs and the monastery. Within a matter of days all evidence that either had been occupied had been erased. Any curious humans would see only what they expected to see, neglected ruins – overgrown and tragically vandalised by trespassing youths.

Alex, in contrast, observed his friend's courtship with quiet bemusement and chose to keep out of his way as much as possible, occupying himself with their warriors; strengthening the borders, doubling their training and working hard to undo the damage Simon had caused with his betrayal.

He ventured often into no mans land, leading small patrols in the continued search for Meagan and the remains of the rogues, often joining forces with the Elmwood warriors Kaden sent for the same purpose. But no trace was ever found of either, leading them all to conclude that their foe had moved on to safer pastures... for now, at least.

But only Blake could negotiate the tentative new alliance between Elmwood and Blackridge.

Despite their careful planning, Elmwood had suffered devastating losses. Seven had died as a direct result of their explosions, a further twenty nine at the hands of the rogues, and Jeramiah reported nearly thirty more with injuries either as a result of the destruction of the lower village or the fire.

There was no denying that an alliance with Elmwood was vital for the region’s stability. The set up at the Craggs had only been possible because of Syrus and the deliberate neglect of his duties. Even so, it proved exceptionally difficult for Blake to leave Hannah again, even if it was only overnight.

Kaden was proving to be a very quiet, serious man, made even more so by his recent experiences. Though young for leadership, he took time to think every decision through, and wasn't afraid to ask for advice in areas he didn't fully understand.

Much to the astonishment of all his wolves, he proved very hands on as well. Throwing himself into the clean up efforts side by side with his pack, clearing fallen trees, and assisting where he could with those displaced by the attack.

So used to a long line of Alphas that kept a careful distance from all but the highest ranking pack members, the villagers didn't know what to make of him. Neither did the socialites who were rapidly discovering that he was never where they expected him to be and, if they wanted to talk to him in any capacity, they were expected to get their hands dirty and pitch in.

Blake’s visit proved no exception. Unlike his previous negotiations, all the meetings with the new Elmwood Alpha were outdoors. No lavish decorations, opulent feasts or gaudy demonstrations of power. Just two leaders working together to create an alliance and rebuild a pack.

"Tell me," Kaden asked during a pause in their work. "Did you ever plan on honouring the promises you made last time?"

Blake paused, a flagon of cider half-way to his lips. After a moments contemplation, he took a quick drink and cast a wary eye upon the young Alpha. "The promise of an alliance with Elmwood? I think I'm just about managing navigate that."

Kaden raised his eyebrows. "I was thinking more along the lines of your agreement regarding my sister."

Blake's eyes widened, concern clear on his face. "I miscalculated your father's commitment to getting his own way," he admitted. "The Macleiry's were a complication I never saw coming. Had Syrus failed to keep his word..."

"You'd have been under no obligation to honour yours," Kaden concluded with a nod. "What would you have done if he'd actually sent her to your borders?" He chuckled at the wariness in Blake's eyes and took a swig of his drink. "Don't look so worried, I have no intention of holding you to any promises made with my father, I'm just curious."

Blake frowned. “I would have stayed true to my word.”

“And you would have mated her?”

“I would have considered her... I worded my promise quite carefully,” he confessed. “Truth be told, I had half a mind to offer her sanctuary.”

“Then you have my gratitude,” Kaden said with a smile. “I would have hated to see her mated against her will.”

By the time they were done, an alliance far stronger than any the packs had enjoyed before was in the making, and both Alpha's concluded their talks feeling confident they were in a good position for the future.

“I'll be around, should you need any assistance,” Blake agreed, enjoying the way the calculated looks on several nearby socialites shrivelled and collapsed.

Kaden didn't even bother to hide his grin. “I appreciate that, and send me an invite,” he added. “I've always wanted a seat at one of the Hunter's Solstice Dinners.”

Far from moping about pining for his return, Blake returned to Blackridge to find Hannah preparing to relinquish all claims to her pack in Scotland. While he’d been gone, she’d kept Barnaby busy sorting out all the legal paperwork, and he walked into his study to find her pen poised over the final documents, ready to sign.

“Are you sure?” he asked, worry creasing his brow. “Lachlan is your pack. You'll be giving up so much.”

Hannah put down the pen, a serious but earnest expression on her face. “From everything I've learned in the last few weeks, Scotland holds very little but painful memories for me. I think I'm happy not reliving more than I already have. There's nothing left for me up there.”

He stopped her hand before she could reach for the pen again. “Are you sure?”

She looked up at him with a smile that made his legs grow weak. “Yes,” she said, her Scottish lilt soft and melodic. “Scotland is Eleanor's home.” She curled her fingers around his hand. “My home is here.”

“How does your wolf feel about that?” he asked cautiously, revelling in Rothan's unrestrained joy.

Hannah tilted her head thoughtfully, carefully assessing their blended emotions. “I think she's... content.” She gave him a wicked look. “If you're still worried, you could always ask Rothan to talk to her on our mating night? I'm sure she could ease his troubles quicker than I can.” Then she burst into peals of laughter as she watched his eyes flicker wildly.

Blake closed his eyes a moment, wrestling his over-excited wolf into submission, before glaring at her in mock-admonishment. “Little hellion, you did that on purpose.”

“You better believe it,” she smiled, leaning forward to brush her lips against his. The feeling sent tiny shocks running down his spine.

***

For Hannah, the days flew by, and by the time the first guests began arriving for the Solstice, she’d begun to settle into her new role as a Luna.

Asher was amongst the first to arrive, and was swift to help himself a cold glass of something vaguely alcoholic, and recruit Hannah to help him persuade Blake to accept his latest proposal.

“You still want to take Issac for training?” Blake smiled. “You’re persistent, I'll give you that.”

“He has a certain talent for intelligence. I’ll return him as a fully fledged intelligence officer. It's a win win.”

“How long?”

“Two years,” Asher confirmed. “He’ll only be gone six months longer than Amara.”

“Amara?” Hannah asked, struggling to keep up. “Where's she going?”

Blake shrugged. “Shadowcrest for eighteen months to train with Ethan's warriors. Didn’t I tell you? She requested it, and I have no objection to her honing her skills, especially if she's going to be guarding the Luna.”

Hannah gave him a look that spoke volumes. “She's going to be what?”

“Didn't I mention?” He grinned. “She volunteered. Something about her wolf insisting on it.”

Oh, for Goddess sake. “But I don't need a... a... bodyguard! "

“Have you met you?” Asher interrupted with a chuckle. “Besides, it's tradition, required or not.” He turned to his brother with a look of mild curiosity. “Who's doing the job until she returns?”

“Liam,” Blake grunted. “He's unmated so... no distractions from his duty.”

Hannah rolled her eyes and drew their attention back to the task at hand. “What are we getting in return?”

“We need a replacement for Simon,” Blake said, smiling at her use of ‘we'. “And Ash believes he has one waiting in the side lines.”

“He's a good fit,” Asher insisted. “All the right credentials, a skilled trader... And he wants to transfer.”

“Why?”

Asher shrugged. “He has three daughters. The eldest is close to her first shift and he feels your school would be a better fit.”

“Why?” she asked again.

“Ash's pack is smaller than ours,” Blake explained. “They can’t cater for their older pupils, like we can. In Darkmoon, they go to the human school.”

“Isn't that dangerous?”

Asher smirked. “It's... exciting. But the school sits within my borders, and everyone’s in on the secret. They all hail from the town, which fortuitously also sits within my borders. Her father worries more about inappropriate dalliances with the ahem... wrong species.”

Blake raised an eyebrow and Asher shrugged in return.

“We all have ours little foibles, I suppose.”

She left them to it not long after that.

It was late on the eve of the Solstice that Hannah awoke from a fitful sleep. Not from a nightmare, more a memory – one that refused to be ignored. Two wolves that stood in a burnt clearing, and a feeling of dread that left her drenched in a fearful sweat. Full of an intense and persistent need to share the details with Blake, she roused her mate-to-be from his bed.

Blake was surprisingly receptive to the late interruption, and listened to the fragments she could recall with a furrowed brow.

“Can you describe them?”

"One was large and grey." She frowned. His fur had stuck out in every direction, uncontrolled and wiry. "And he was deformed."

"Deformed?" Blake asked sharply, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes." The memory was sharper now. "One shoulder sat higher than the other, all hunched up near his neck. He looked lopsided... I don't think it affected his movement though." She strained to remember.