The reactions to the beheading were very mixed. Thane looked at the scene somewhat sadly, but mostly was impassive. The Blue Moon members looked horrified, disgusted, and bewildered, whereas the Blood Lake pack members extended their necks towards me in submission and respect. Gwen gave me a thumbs up.

Cain, however, looked at me in... desire?

I have never been more attracted to you than I am right now, he mindlinked me, and his words shocked me. I was under the impression that he didn't like my violent tendencies.

Don't be so surprised, mate. You don't know the things I've done when you aren't around, He warned me, and I remembered that he has quite the reputation for being a bloody Alpha.

"Everyone may leave. Thane, you may take Jennifer's body and send it back to your pack for proper burial." Cain commanded loudly, although his piercing dark eyes never left mine, sending a warming sensation throughout my body.

Soon, everybody cleared out and it was just Cain and I. Jennifer's blood cling to me like a second skin.

Cain stalked towards me slowly, making the tension rise. "You know why the Moon Goddess chose you to be my mate right?" Cain asked softly, and I didn't respond, knowing he wasn't looking for an answer. "You are the strongest she-wolf I've ever met. You will make the pack more powerful. The pack respects you, and they don't respect anyone else but me."

I didn't answer as Cain finally reached in front of me. Suddenly, he swooped me into his arms. I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I exhaled loudly at the sudden movement.

"I always thought I would have wanted a submissive mate. Someone who would have respected me and instantly accepted me," Cain said, and it made my heart drop into my stomach. "Everything you are is so much better. The Moon Goddess knew what I needed more than I did, and I am forever thankful. Despite our rocky start, there is no other wolf I would rather have be my Luna," Cain finished, looking at me intensely. For some reason, his words made me tear up. I felt more accepted in Blood Lake than I did in Red Crescent. In Red Crescent, I felt like a tourist attraction, something for people to marvel at. At Blood Lake, I felt like they respected me as a person and as a warrior.

Cain used his wrist to wipe off some of Jen's blood from my mouth. He bent down to kiss me, and I responded eagerly, kissing him back with intense passion. The fight had my adrenaline boosted, and I knew that there was nothing stopping me from finishing the bonding with him right here and now.

Suddenly, Cain pulled away, making me growl at him.

"We have to go to the hospital," Cain said as a genuine smile overtook his face.

You look awfully happy about someone getting hurt, I remarked.

Cain's smile didn't falter, even though he rolled his eyes. "It's not a death. It's a birth."

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

I looked at the bald alien inquisitively. He really was a small little guy. Maybe a girl, it's too hard to tell with babies.

Rose, Carter's mate, held the pale dude as he looked around curiously. He didn't seem too fussy for a newborn, maybe they aren't so bad after all.

I spoke to soon.

As if the little devil spawn heard my thought, he began crying.

Rose looked exhausted, after all, she did just shove a whole human-ish thing out of her privates. Carter reached for the baby, who somewhat quieted down in his father's arms.

Carter looked at the little guy as if he was looking at his whole world. He held him close as if he would never let go, and I felt as if I were invading on a very private moment.

"She's beautiful, Carter," Cain told the new father, who beamed at him. Tears glistened in his eyes and it made my heart clench against my will.

"It's as if my life just started," Carter said, full of wonder. He rocked the baby gently, pulling the blanket around the sleeping tyke tighter.

Cain has set me down when we got into the hospital, but he had his muscular arms wrapped around my waist. He squeezed me when Carter spoke.

"I know what you mean," I looked at Cain when he said that and his eyes shone with happiness.

Carter held out the baby, which Cain accepted immediately. The baby looked puny in Cain's overly large arms, and I was impressed with how gentle he was. I wasn't aware that Cain knew how to be gentle.

Cain smiled down at the baby warmly. "I can tell she'll be strong, Carter."

Carter was full of pride when he responded, "That's all I could ever want for her."

I smiled at the sight of Cain rocking the baby. He looked so domesticated. Cain offered the baby to me, and I shook my head no. "It's good practice," He said, which made me narrow my eyes.

"Please, Luna. It would be an honor for you to hold our baby," Rose's delicate voice piped up. Her mousy brown hair was messily scattered all over the pillow, and her face was pale, except for the dark circles under her eyes. How could I say no to that?

I sighed, and held out my arms, half expecting the baby to wail as soon as I held it. To my surprise, the baby opened its eyes and opened its mouth to scream, but then instead giggled.

I looked at Rose in surprise. "She can feel the nurturing bond of the Luna already," Rose warmly told me. I didn't feel that nurturing, especially with Jen's residual blood dried all over me.

I have to admit, there's something precious about babies. They're so pure and signify a new beginning. They haven't yet been tainted with the horrors of the world, which contrasted heavily with my lack of innocence.

I rocked the baby for awhile before handing her back to Carter. Rose looked like she was about to fall asleep any second now, and who could blame her. She looked like she had a rougher night than I did.

"What did you name her?" Cain asked.

"Lily," Carter looked at his mate adoringly, and it was easy to see where the inspiration for the name came from.

Congratulations, Carter. You're going to be a great father. I told mindlinked him and gave him a rare smile. He was incredibly caring and loyal, little baby Lily was lucky to have a father like him.

Carter smiled and nodded at me respectfully. "Congratulations on winning the challenge. I wouldn't want anyone else to be our Luna," Carter's words eerily echoed Cain's earlier sentiment. "I can't wait until one day you give birth to the future Blood Alpha."

My smile faltered sadly. Cain quickly changed the subject, knowing the conversation would upset me. "We'll let you two enjoy your alone time with the pup. Let us know if you ever want us to babysit her. I'm sure Ares could handle it," Cain joked, making Carter laugh.

"If Lily is half as strong as Ares is, I'll consider myself a very lucky father," Carter smiled and continued cooing at the baby.

Cain and I said our goodbyes and left the hospital. I gratefully accepted Cain carrying me, not wanting my feet to be so cold in the snow.

I'm happy for them, I told Cain, who smiled. They really have it all.

"You can too, little mate. I'll give you everything in the whole world, you only have to ask," Cain said as he pressed his warm lips on to my forehead that already was starting to freeze from the cold.

I want to go through with the Blood Ceremony, I told Cain, who sharply inhaled.

"What?" He asked in shock, halting his steps.

I want to be the Luna of Blood Lake. It's what I was meant to do, I earnestly told Cain. Him and Carter were right. I was strong. I deserved the Luna title more than anyone else, and I knew I could make significant changes to Blood Lake, starting with training women to be warriors.

Cain threw me 10 feet up into the air, making me squeal in surprise. As soon as he caught me again, he placed a quick kiss on my lips. "Thank you, Ares. You are everything the pack needs. Everything I need."

His words made my face burn.

"The ceremony will be next week. We can talk about the details as it gets closer," Cain promised, and I could feel his elation through the bond.

Little did we know that the ceremony would not occur next week.