He pulls me to the center of the group. His hands guide mine around his neck, then land his on my waist. The fire cracks behind us. I don't know the next thing, or even how to take the next step. Ares gives me a large smile. My heart skips a beat. The world around us falls apart, each piece dropping to a different dimension. It leaves the world just him and I.

My hips move left and right, his guidance providing confidence. We shift together, and I finally give into temptation leaning into him. He holds me against his chest rubbing into my back. We start the simple shuffle allowing our body heats to meld with the summer fire. Pack members start to float back into the picture. Each of them are smiling, most are watching us hold each other. Tusk stops on the edge. Gerald is holding him close and pecks a kiss on his head.

"My body, I don't know why but I'm so tired."

"Let's get you home, love."

He sweeps me into his arms carrying me through the masses of people. Everyone parts for us, some bowing their heads as we pass. I hear the occasional coo at our cuteness, some snorting at the sight of me. I don't know where all my energy went, moments before I felt amazing and ready to take on the world. Ares seems to be thinking the same thing, his face in a hard line. I poke at his frown forcing it up into a smile. He laughs at my attempt helping me into the house and back up to our room.

The moment I hit the bed, my eyes droop. I feel my soul curl up in the warmth. This is what I need. Ares bends over placing a kind kiss on my head, "I love you."

I groan waving him off me so I can sleep, "I love you, idiot. Come to bed."

"I will soon, I need to say goodnight to the pack."

"No, you need to cuddle me. They can wait." I grumble patting the side of the bed, "You'll leave me tomorrow, let me have some time till then."

"But I'll come back to you. Always." He throws off his clothes and crawls into the bed pulling me into his arms.

"One day you won't, Ares. Even you aren't immune to death."

"For you, love, I'll fight death himself."

~

One Day till the Lunar Ball

The lady working on my dress drags me to the circle podium surrounded by dresses, "Oh honey you are beyond bloated I am going to release the seams a bit."

"Thanks for the honesty I suppose."

"You look dead inside."

I raise my brows at her after she pulls the fabric over me, "Are you always this blunt?"

"Only to Luna's who don't have any idea how to run a pack however everyone worships her. The delta's haven't stopped talking about you while I've tailored their suits."

The deep blue fabric looks nice against my pale skin. I've lost weight since Ares has found me from all the situations, all the things, "I would agree with you, but I'm not as oblivious as I was."

"Pssht. You're worthless, Veronica. You have no bloodline, no strengths or assets. You bring nothing of worth to this pack. The only good thing you might do is bring a pup into the pack. A sick halfbreed."

A snarl comes from deep in my chest, Kill her.

She pricks me with a needle, I toss my hip away from her. She stabs another into me. Rip her to shreds, "You really are weak. Look at you, can't handle a prick."

"I'll fucking kill you."

"You can try bitch." I don't care about the loose seams in the dress. I lung for her, claws breaking through my skin. She screams at the sight. The childs wolf? I swipe my hand at her, she ducks. Her own wolf comes forward attempting to claw back.

The baby goes into survival, and I do too. I dig my claws into the fabric ripping the base off the dress so I can move easier, "At least die with dignity."

I have no idea where this is coming from. This strength. I love the taste of it on my tongue. I'm not defenseless, I'm not waiting on a savior. I can take this cocky bastard that demands respect.

I crouch. I feel the claws break through my toes. Hair goes at the elbows and knees. The seamstress snaps her jaw, teeth descending, "Come at me."

She speeds up running right towards my front. I throw my hand up cutting through her breast and finding the still beating heart. My eyes shift color, my body heaving back as I rip the heart from her chest. She drops, mouth agape. The hole in her chest a deadly reminder of what the child within me will do to protect itself. All the heated emotion leaves me, the fire that was burning gone. The baby knows it's safe.

The heart drops to the ground. I wrap my bloody hand around the cell phone calling Ares. My brain takes all logic out of the mind link, "Hey. I'm on my way."

"Ares- I... I..."

"I know baby. I'm on my way. I have the healer with me. Don't worry."