~A Month Later~

Days turned to weeks and too soon a month had passed since Erin had been brought to my clan. My beloved, Arabella and I stood watch over her as she lay comatose in the infirmary. Neither of us could explain the feeling of protectiveness we felt for the young wolf and it only seem to strengthen as we watched over her day in day out.

The clan were wary at first at the thought of a werewolf so close let alone living under the same roof. Per my mate's request I had some of my loyal guards stand at the door of the infirmary when we weren't by her bedside which was rare.

Slowly as the weeks passed the colour in Erin's face came back and her heartbeat strengthened. Any cuts and broken bones finally healed. Just the thought of what those sick did to the girl made my beast angry. I found it rather strange but I have learned over the hundreds of years that I have been on this earth just to accept it.

Erin now looked like she was in a deep sleep. My sweet Arabella took it upon herself to talk to Erin, convinced she will hear every word despite there being no indication of any sort. It breaks my heart every day to see my mate's face fall as a day passes and young Erin remains asleep. She was growing attached and I feared of what was to happen if Erin was never to wake.

It was like any other day. I was in my chamber with my mate in my arms having our morning feed when we both heard the change in the pups heartbeat. With a flash my mate was out the door, with me hot on her heels. Walking into the room where the pup lay I wasn't expecting to see what I saw next.

Erin was sitting up in the bed, her canine fangs bared at the guards who were standing in the room. Her eyes snapped to my mate and then they landed on me. Her tense posture relaxed slightly but her eyes narrowed on everyone in the room.

"Your wolf has finally woken up it seems." She stares intensely as I walk closer to the bed. She tenses and an involuntary whimper passes her lips. Arabella's hand clutches onto my arm in reprimand for scaring the young one.

"Hi sweetheart. It's good to see you finally awake but you must still take it easy. My name is Arabella and you have already met my mate, Lukas. Now I don't want you worrying your pretty little head, you're safe here." I smile down at my beloved who fusses like a mother hen over her newly hatched chick. Wrapping my arm around her waist I listen to her ramblings.

Erin's expression changes to mild shock as she takes in my mate as she rattles on about what happened, what she's missed and how she got here. The guards leave to take their stance at the door. Now that Erin's awake word will spread and something tells me not everyone will be happy to have a breathing werewolf in our midst.

"Now we will leave you to rest my dear." I turn in time to catch Erin yawn as she timidly shuffles herself under the covers as if to protect herself. Bella begins to pull me out of the room when we are both stopped by a small but audible whisper.

"Thank you."

"You're very welcome darling."

My mate grins as we close the door. Once it snaps shut she cuddles into my arms and sighs happily. There is a silent agreement that we are both happy that the she wolf is alive and well.

She looks up and smiles brightly.

"Can we keep her?"

Shaking my head as we walk down the hallway I can just picture how that will turn out.

"Bella, love she is not a pet."

She shakes her head and waves her hands in exasperation.

"Of course I know that. I want her to stay. After what you said you thought happened to her-" She stops and places a shaking hand on her mouth.

"They are monsters. What they did to her? How can someone be so cruel and to such a sweet girl?" Her thoughts cause tears to well in her eyes. I pull her close wrapping her in my arms.

"We will protect her my love. I vow it."

*******************

Word spread easily throughout the mansion sized house and not everyone was thrilled to hear the wolf had survived. Rumours were whispered and for safety of Erin I called an emergency meeting.

Standing with my mate by my side I stare down at every vampire in the large meeting room. I notice many expressions throughout the room. Some look curious, worried, others indifferent and then there's a few with fierce scowls on their faces and I immediately know that they are the ones who are going to be difficult.

"Thank you all for coming....."

Over the next few days my beloved and I visited the young pup, my Bella growing quickly attached. She approached her with slow movements and a quiet voice so as not to startle her. We could sense Erin's unease but she was slowly starting to warm up to us. The coven on the other hand were still wary.

I trusted my people not to harm her after our agreements at the meeting we had but I still had guards standing at her door in case anything went wrong. There are still some of our kind who do not trust werewolves after everything that they have done but I know Erin is different. She is not like the rest.

It's been nearly a hundred years since the terrible betrayal on our kind.Unfortunately history is hard to forget especially when it has to do with our people so I can understand why my coven is cautious. However, the child is no threat. Of that I am certain. She has been betrayed by her kind. We do not know the full story but I am sure with time we will.

The meeting took hours to finish. I listened to everyone who had any doubts, everyone was able to speak their mind. Most were just simply curious of the girl and others were even saddened when they heard that werewolves had hurt their own kind. It was quite unheard of to hear werewolves hurting one of their own, they are a protective breed.

Of course in every situation there are a hostile few. Luckily there were only a handful voicing their thoughts on the safety of the coven and finally agreed to letting the pup stay as long as there are guards with her and she causes no harm to anyone.

If so, well....

Erin was slowly starting to heal. The doctor said that her wolf was dormant and that's why it was taking longer than usual. She was slowly starting to speak more each day,much to my beloveds delight. On this particular morning she wanted to get Erin out of bed and walking around. I knew she was slowly gaining her strength but she had still refused to leave the room. Her silent fear was clear so we did not push.

Erin's POV:

Each day passed with Lukas and his mate, Bella coming to visit me. They seem nice which was surprising considering what they are. I was always taught that vampires are vicious creatures never to be trusted, that they were vicious killers. But everyday they visited me they showed me nothing but kindness and gentleness.

Not what I was expecting.

I was starting to doubt the stories. A part of me never really believed them. I felt that they had probably been changed over time through word of mouth.

I was never allowed to question the story. Vampires were monsters and werewolves were the heroes.

Lukas came to my room one evening telling me that they had a meeting with their coven and decided that I was welcome to stay. I was incredibly grateful for everything they had done and now they were letting me stay?

It shocked and surprised me. I didn't know what to do. I had nowhere to go. My pack betrayed me and now I am left alone. I could run but for how long? I would never make it as a rogue. But could I make it with the so called enemy? I never liked to judge a book by its cover. Making up my mind I tell Lukas that I would be happy to stay even if its only for a few more days until I decide on what I do.

Bella, Lukas' mate, was a sweet woman. I took a liking to her immediately. She reminded me of the mother I have always wanted and Lukas reminded of the father I had always wished for.

Maybe things can be different here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm back:)

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Sinead xx