Ariel's POV

"Welcome home!" Parker's happy voice sing songs as I walk through the door.

The hospital kept me for a little while, and it was a relief when they finally said I could go home. Raphael had been out for a few days before he had come to visit, and he's slowly recovering. Every day looking slightly better than the last.

We were supporting each other's recoveries... though, mine almost done and his still had lots to go. Raphael lost so much weight, and all his pride. He lost so much both physically and mentally. And I am doing my very best to fix it.

I caught Raphael up on everything that had happened, he gave me constant loving, we saw that the pack was okay... we acted like mates. And it was beautiful.

But both of us, everyday, felt each other's fear. Because we still knew that alpha was out there. And we've experienced first hand what he had done.

I look at the island as I walk into the kitchen and I think my eyes bulge as I see the amount of presents and desserts.

"Blaire kind of told the pack about how much you enjoy cake..." Justin smirks.

"And all the other desserts you enjoy." Parker adds with a smile.

"Oh my gosh... I'm eating cake for dinner!" I giggle as I go look through everything to find something yummy.

I think the goal now is to forget about the alpha and pray he doesn't make a return. And enjoy the cake and the gifts and the company of my friends and my mate.

I find tears starting to spill down my cheeks and I quickly try wiping them away.

"Ariel?" Parker exclaims.

"It's... it's nothing." I say, wiping away the tears, Raphael comes over and places a hand on the small of my back.

"I feel it too." He whispers to me and I smile a little up at him.

"Can we have the house to ourselves?" I ask the boys.

"Of course," Justin nods while Parker wiggles his brows.

"I know you wanna do the dirty!" He says as Justin starts pulling him out. "You get real nasty tonight, you's deserve it!"

Raphie and I laugh as they leave and I shake my head a little. "I love them."

"Me too. And I'll never be able to repay them for how they've taken care of you." Raphael sighs.

"Shh... I wouldn't mind doing a little dirty." I smirk up at him and we head up to share the big bed I had spent too many nights in alone.

***

"What do you mean?" I whisper, squeezing Raphael's hand so hard I think I break it.

"You're unable to have children Ariel." The pack doctor says ever so gently. "The silver... when it poisoned you... it damaged lots of organs. Your body cannot produce eggs. You can't have children Ariel, I'm so sorry."

I sit with Raphael, the day I thought would be the day I was told I was pregnant ended up being the day I was told I could never have children. My tears speak for me and Raphael holds me so tight and I can hardly hug him back.

My chest hurts, my heart hurts for the children I'll never have. All ruined by a single entity. A single person whose goal was to kill me to get to Raphael. They sure did a hell of a job killing my soul because I think it died when the doctor said those words.

I know Raphael is upset by it too, but I don't think he'll ever feel the sadness I do. The happiness a woman is supposed to feel when she's carrying, the pain she goes through, watching a baby grow into an adult, one you nurtured. All taken away by one vengeful wolf.

Over the next few days, my pain turns to anger. Rage coursing through my veins.

"We're hunting that alpha." I tell Raphie as we eat breakfast he had made, with some help.

"You want that?" He asks, looking me over where I sit.

I look him dead in the eye. "Raphael, we are going to find the man who's brought us so much pain."

It's a little while before he nods. "I agree. I do think it's time we strike back."

I smile slightly. "So we're doing this?"

"Yeah. Yeah we are." He chuckles and I hug him tight.

I feel bad to put our wolves back into such rigorous and demanding training, but it turns out they seem to enjoy it. Or at least most of them. Some wolves simply couldn't do it.

So Raphael and I work even harder, we set up individual training plans for each wolf. Something everyone could achieve yet it still pushed their limits.

Parker was always improving and it made my heart melt when I realize how hard he's trying.

"Raphael... thank you... for assigning Parker as my guard." I say as we watch them fight.

"You figured it out?" He asks, wrapping an arm around my waist. "Well, I knew you would. But I always knew you could take care of yourself, but guards are customary."

I nod. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I watch as a panicked woman runs up to us. "Al-Alpha!"

"What's wrong?" Raphie asks as I rub her arm a little.

"You have to come see this." She runs off and we follow quickly.

We get inside the pack house to find one of our girls cowering in the corner. Her arm is hidden as it's pressed to her stomach and she's shaking so bad. She's absolutely terrified.

On the wall, written in what I assume is her blood, has the words, 'stop trying, you'll never catch me.'

"Get her to the pack doctor." I say at the growing crowd of people then I turn to Raphie.

"We'll talk in private." He says softly and I nod before looking back at the wall. How did he do this? We're all here... she must've been poisoned because her link was severed. But how did someone do this to her? It didn't smell of rogue... Or another pack. Did we have a traitor among us?

We go to his office where I break down into tears. I can't believe... Raphie hugs me tightly and I cry into his chest. Why? Why must he strike us down? I know we were riding against him, but hasn't he caused enough damage?

I wail as I think about everything he's done, including my unborn child.

"Raphie I don't know how much more I can take..." I whisper.

"You look at me," Raphael growls, taking my face with both his hands and I look into his gaze. "You have gotten through so much. And you have fought your fears. And you have learned to love me. And you have done so much. You can't stop here. You have so much more to do... we... we have a family to raise! We can adopt! We have a pack to run! Revenge to be had... it's part of life Ariel. And yours has been a lot harder than some others, but you're still here. And I know you'll keep going."

I look at him and hug him tightly. "We can adopt," I sniffle.

"Yes. We can adopt... And we'll adopt as many as you'd like. Human or werewolf." Raphie smiles. "Now... do you think you're able to talk about what happened?"

I nod, some of the pain in my chest lifting. "Yeah... Yeah." I sit on the couch.

"They were smart and used a blind spot in the cameras... and there's no evidence of anyone entering or leaving. But it for sure wasn't the girl herself..." Raphie sighs, sitting at his desk.

"And no scent was left..." I clench my hands into fists.

"We can go into her link and check her memories when the drug wears off," Raphael mutters. "Then we'll see."

"Where is she now...?" I ask slowly.

"Why? Pack hospital probably."

"We have to go there. Now."

"What why?" Raphie follows me as I start to run there, half sliding down stairs and flying out the door.

No... We made a mistake. We made a big mistake. Please be...

I stumble as I feel the pain. No! Raphael feels it too, his pain reflecting on our bond. "We're too late..." I whisper, my heart breaking.

"No," Raphie growls angrily. "NO!"

"Raphie..." I whisper. "She's dead."

He runs past me and into the pack hospital while I sit on the ground. My heart hurts, my chest pounding. She's dead. The poor girl. We should have thought about that sooner.

I scream out in pain. Why did the moon goddess have this all happen to me? What did I do wrong in life to deserve this? My pack members are dying... Eventually Parker finds me and gently helps me up, taking me back home.

"It's okay. He's going to pay for this." Parker promises.

I nod a little and look up at him, his face tear stained. "Did you know her?" I whisper.

"She was the one who supported me when I found out I was mated to Justin," tears spill back over his cheeks. "She was there when it happened, and when I ran away, she's the one who told me it was okay, and that I'd be accepted in the pack... and... she was so pure of heart."

I hug him and we cry for our lost pack member together. Someone lost a family member, someone lost their friend. Why do people need to be killed for one wolfs actions? Why is this world so corrupt?

I scream into Parker's chest, my emotions and thoughts opening to Raphael at full force. His come right back. So much pain, anger...

Once I've calmed down, Raphie returns. He hugs me tightly, kissing my forehead.

"We will find him." Raphael says softly. "I promise. Before we adopt our pup, he'll be gone."

"A-adopt?" I question, looking up.

"Of course. You want children don't you?" Raphie asks.

"Yes... yes!" I bury my face into his chest. Despite my pain and anger, happiness surfaces. We'll still have children... and alpha blood or not I'll love them all the same. I will. I cannot wait to see what little werewolf we raise. I don't care boy or girl, I'll be happy with any child. Anyone I can call my own.