Owen

I watch as Grace's rigid body relaxes. My arms tighten around her as she melds into me. I breathe in her scent, tainted with the dark magic her body was flooded with. The scent begins to clear and her eyes open. Eyes that were once flooded with black smoke are now clear and beautiful as they always are. My hand skims down her body, settling on her stomach. My mind still reeling from her revelation as well as what just happened with her mother. I take a few deep breaths, my eyes caught by Gavin running across the pack towards Liam. Gavin helps Liam to stand and Liam pulls him in for a firm hug.

"You alright?" I call across the field.

"Yeah." Liam answers, his eyes skimming the new tree warily.

"What the fuck did you do, love?" I ask, my voice full of awe and concern as I look up at the tall tree, standing proud and full of foliage.

"I trapped her inside. She can see out, see the whole pack, but she can't move. She's frozen and will be for all of eternity. She will watch as our pups grow, generations of our children ruling this pack. The immortality she once craved above all else will now be her curse." She says quietly, her eyes tracing the tree. I am in awe of her power, but hope to never see it again.

"Will the baby be ok? With the magic you used?" I ask, my gaze searching out hers. She nods and steps towards me, wrapping her arms around me.

"The baby will be fine. I would never put him in danger." She says quietly and I pull her away to look at her.

"Him?" I ask and a warm smile spreads on her face.

"I'm just assuming." She says with a shrug. "Aren't Alpha's firstborns usually boys?" She asks and I chuckle a little, pulling her back into me.

"Usually, yes. But nothing about us has been the usual." I say, my voice full of teasing humor. She laughs a little, nuzzling her face against my chest.

"You're right about that." She murmurs and pulls away as Gavin and Liam approach us.

"That was fucking crazy." Liam says, still eyeing that tree like he expects it to come to life at any moment.

"Yeah it was. Please tell me shit like that doesn't happen all the time." Gavin says, tucking himself into Liam's side and clinging to his shirt.

"It doesn't." Grace says with a chuckle. "What was the deal with the bucket of water?" She asks Gavin and he shrugs.

"I got it to put out the fire, but Owen had it under control so I chucked it at the crazy bitch instead. I was hoping she'd melt." He says with a smirk and Grace breaks out into laughter. Liam and I don't get the joke, so we stay quiet, holding our mates close, grateful that they are alright.

"So you're pregnant, Grace?" Liam asks with a warm smile and she nods.

"I am." She confirms and both men encircle her in a hug.

"You'll make the best mom." Gavin says and Grace gasps, pulling away from them and taking off down the sidewalk at a break neck pace. Liam and Gavin look at me confused, but I just shrug and hurry to catch up to Grace.

"Where are you going, love?" I ask her as she climbs the stairs for the packhouse.

"To find my sister." She says with firm resolve and my body goes stock still.

"How are you going to do that?" I ask as she grabs her witch box.

"A summoning spell. Blood to blood." She says, grabbing herbs from the box. I put my hands on hers to stop her frantic movements and grip her chin, asking her to look at me. Her eyes meet mine and I can see how desperate she is for this to work.

"Baby, you just used a huge amount of magic. Don't you think you should wait? Maybe till tomorrow? Give yourself a little bit to recharge and relax." I plea and her bottom lip trembles as her eyes fill with tears.

I instantly feel like an ass.

"Normally I would agree with you, but it won't take long for them to realize that Elena is dead. Well, basically dead. She is no longer in power and that will put Cora in danger. I need to find her, Owen." She says, her voice breaking on a sob. I nod and pull her into my chest as she collects her emotions.

"Ok. What do you need from me?" I ask and her eyes go wide with disbelief.

"Really? You'll help me?" She asks and I scoff.

"Of course. Whatever happens, we do it together." I say, my hands gravitating towards her stomach again as if with a mind of their own. She notices and gives me a sweet smile.

"Thank you." She whispers, pulling me down to kiss me gently. "Stir this." She says, handing me a wooden spoon as she mixes things together.

"I don't know if this will bring us to her, or her to us, so we need to be prepared." She says.

"To infiltrate a coven of witches?" I ask and she nods.

"How will we get back?" I ask and she sighs.

"We should probably figure that out first, huh?" She says defeatedly and I nod.

"Yes. I don't think they'll appreciate us breaking in and stealing one of their own." I say and she sighs.

"I honestly don't think they'll care. They all hated Elena, I doubt they hold much affection for her child. They never did for me." She says sadly and my heart aches at what she must have went through as a child.

"It will be different here for her." I say, running my fingers through her hair. "She will be loved, have a real family." I say and Grace nods. She fills a glass vial with the potion she made then begins another.

"This one will bring us home." She says and I wait patiently for her to finish her magic.

Once she finishes the potion, she fills a few vials and hands one to me.

"In case we get seperated." She explains and I nod, reaching down to twine my fingers with hers. I give her a reassuring squeeze and watch as she takes a deep breath before she begins to chant.

"Blood to blood I summon thee. Find my sister, bring her to me."

Grace throws one of the vials to the ground. I hear the glass shatter and the next moment I feel a lurching sensation as grey smoke clouds my vision. The scent of burning herbs fills my nose and I crinkle my face in disgust. I cough a little as I breathe in the fumes and wave my hand in front of my face. I blink a few times as the dust clears and look around me. I hear Grace let out a sob next to me and look down at her, but she's looking at the room we're in. Although it's more like a cellar.

Cold, stone walls, one window, a heavy door, a few toys litter the ground and there's a small bed with a threadbare blanket and pillow. Then my eyes meet those of a little girl. She has the same color eyes as Grace, but her hair is a striking blonde. I look back at Grace and she has found the little girl as well.

"Who are you?" The girl asks.

"Are you Cora?" Grace asks gently and the girl nods, her eyes wide and wary.

"Then I'm your sister." Grace says, moving slowly towards the girl. I cling to her hand, not wanting her to leave my side but she gives me a small nod, ensuring me she'll be alright.

"My sister?" Cora asks and Grace nods.

"Yes, sweetie. I came to save you. I want to take you home with me. Give you a real room. A home and a family." She says and the girls eyes go wide and hopeful, a small smile on her face.

"Really? You promise?" She asks and Grace nods. "That mean lady won't come back and make me learn magic anymore?" She asks and Grace shakes her head.

"I can teach you magic, if you want. But I won't force you." She says and Cora's smile widens. She jumps off the bed and I see she's wearing just a nightgown that looks much too small for her. She runs towards Grace and flings herself into her arms. Grace's shoulders heave with her sobs and my heart grows impossibly larger at the sight.

In the next moment I hear shouting from above and the sounds of heavy footsteps running. The sounds get louder and I hear a key rustling in the door.

"We must have tripped the alarm. We need to go." Grace says, her eyes wide and fearful. I nod and take a step towards her just as the door flings open. I grab her hand and throw the vial as she clings to Cora with her other arm.

Another puff of smoke and an uncomfortable falling sensation and we land back in the pack, right in front of the tree. Grace smiles down at Cora and lifts her, carrying her towards the tree.

"Look at the newest member of our pack, Elena." She says with a smirk. She pulls Cora back into her arms, holding her close as she sways a little.

"You're going to be so happy here, baby girl." She murmurs.

I walk up to them and wrap my arms around them both, already willing to die for the little child in my mate's arms.