Looking in the mirror I could see Dane's mark. It was beautiful. It was a mountain in grey and two black wolves nose to nose. It had been almost a week since we had marked each other.

This past week has been exhausting. We both agreed that we wanted to live out-side the pack house and Jack gave us land next to him and Felix. Construction was to start next week. In the meantime, Dane moved in with us. Even though our suite was smaller, it was a lot easier moving one person than four.

The best part so far has been seeing Gideon and Dane start to bond. Gideon was ecstatic about training and was up at two in the morning trying to wake Dane up on the first day. And when I mean try to wake-up, Gideon was standing on Dane's side of the bed staring at him. Dane shot out of bed nearly peeing his pants when he opened his eyes only to be met by Gideon's. Funniest thing ever!

By day two, Samuel joined in the training as well. Seth, Sariah, and Daniel had been at every training session watching their older brothers. Gideon had always taking a liking to training but now with some-one to guide him, he excelled. He was strong and naturally agile. Dane said that he had better instincts than some of his grown warriors. Well...there goes my hopes of Gideon doing something safe within the pack.

Ugh...the mark looked great but the black bags under my eyes did not. I had just finished an over-night shift at the pack hospital and I was tired. Dane had taken the pups to training and would keep them occupied until I woke up. I showered, dressed, and made my way into bed. I hugged Dane's pillow next to me and felt my body relax when I inhaled his scent. Darkness took over.

blared thru my link. My body jerked up in bed and my eyes began frantically searching the room. It was empty.

yelled Jack. Something was wrong.

"I'm up Jack. What's go..." I tried to ask but Jack stopped me.

My heart nearly stopped at the thought of losing my mate. My breathing quickened and Katon was whining. How hurt was he? How did he get hurt?

I jumped out of bed, flung the door open, and started to run to the hospital.

I made it to the entrance of the hospital from the pack house when the doors swung open and Jack had Dane over his shoulder. Dane's body was covered in blood.

My heart sank at the sight. Instinct took over and I began shouting orders.

"Follow me" and led them to an empty room.

"Brian...I need your help! Angela and Frank you too" I roared. Brian was another pack physician that had taken over my shift. Angela and Frank were both nurses. Good ones at that.

"Put him on the bed" I ordered.

Jack laid him down. His eyes were closed and his body was cold. I could only pick up a slight pulse "Dane...Dane!" I yelled. His eyes didn't open, he didn't even move.

I rubbed my knuckles hard up and down the middle of his chest. He gave out a small whimper. I quickly looked over his body as the nurses started cleaning off the blood to try and detect more wounds. His torso had a large gash that started from his neck and ended at his waist. Bites marks riddled his legs and arms.

"The front wound is quite deep and will need to be sutured but doesn't look like we'll need to take him to surgery. Angela-we'll need suture kits. Frank—lets turn him slowly to get a look at his back" Brian orders.

I know that his body needed to be examined. I had done the same thing a hundred times to other wolves, but Katon was not pleased that two male wolves were touching my naked mate. I gave off a low growl.

"Caleb. Cut that shit out. Focus on what needs to be done" Brian said sternly. I shook my head and pushed Katon down. I quickly examine Dane's back. A few cuts and what will be large bruises, but nothing that will require sutures. We place him on his back again.

Angela helps me gown and glove up while Frank helps Brian. In the human world, surgery or medicine was not to be performed by physicians or nurses on family members. That was not a luxury we had.

I could only hope that he hadn't lost too much blood.

It took two hours before we finished suturing the cuts. His heart rate had gotten stronger and warmth was returning to his body. Some of the smaller cuts had already started to heal.

"Let's move him to a clean bed. I want IV fluids, a heart monitor placed as well as a continuous pulse ox" I instruct the nurses. Not paying attention to anything except Dane, I jumped a little when I saw Jack and several of the warriors that have been loyal to Dane standing in the room.

"He will be ok" I sigh taking off my gloves. Jack's face relaxes as does the warrior's.

"Where are the pups" I ask hurriedly.

"They're with Felix. No one touched them. Seth and Sariah are a bit shaken up. Samuel and Daniel are with them also" Jack answers.

"What happened?" I inquire. Besides Jack, Dane, and Titus were by far the strongest and most apt warriors. Whoever did this to Dane...it was immensely personal.

I saw the warriors bend their heads down.

"Beta Dane and Nero got into a fight" Jack tells me. Nero? Dane had mentioned him to me a few times. He did not like the new rules of the pack and had been growing more defiant.

"Dane wouldn't just attack without a reason" I counter. There was more to this story.

"Beta Dane was conducting hand-to-hand combat drills. From my understanding, Nero was angry because he had been defeated by one of the smaller warriors. Beta Dane and Gideon were in the circle sparring. The pups were cheering Gideon on. Nero yelled something about respecting the Beta, shifted and started towards them. Before he got to them, Beta Dane had shifted and attacked him. It was a brutal fight. By the time I reached them, Dane had Nero pinned to the ground" Jack explained.

Katon was growling and anger flooded through me. "Is he dead?" I seethed. If he wasn't, he was about to be. You don't go after my children or my mate.

"Nearly. He's been taken to the cells. I will deal with him" Alpha Jack informs me. I knew he added that last part letting me know that I was to stay away.

"I will contact you when he wakes up" I tell the Alpha Jack and warriors.

"I'm going to go check on Felix and the pups" Alpha Jack quietly says.

I nodded as they leave.

I pulled a chair over to Dane's bed and hold his hand tight. His body was bruised and torn-up. He could have died saving our pups. Leaning over, I gently kiss him, "I love you. Thank you" I whispered in his ear. I sat back still holding Dane's hands and place the other one over his heart. Feeling the steady rhythm calmed me down. Even so, I start counting each beat making sure the next one would come when I hear a knock on the door.

"Thought you could use these" Brain remarks as he walks into the room handing me a pair of shoes. I look down at my bare feet and chuckle. I hadn't realized I'd been bare-foot this entire time.

"I'll have Angela bring in a pillow and blanket for you. Don't worry. He'll look black and blue for few days but he'll be fine" Brian reassuringly tells me as he pats my shoulder.

"Thanks for everything Brian. Sorry about earlier."

"No worries. You did better than me. The first time Teresa had to come in and got sutured up, I bit Sam" Brian laughs shaking his head.

"Try and get some rest. I'll check on you in a few hours" Brian lets me know before he leaves the room.

I get myself comfortable next to Dane's bed and feel my eyes become heavy. Dane's steady heart-beat lulls me to sleep.

It's been twenty-four hours and Dane has not woken up. I didn't want the pups to see him like this so Brian offered to stay with Dane while we all watched How to Train Your Dragon. Gideon sat on one side of me and Seth on the other clinging to my arms. Sariah had her arms around my neck and her head on my shoulder. She could care less about the movie. I could feel how scared they were and squeezed them closer to me. By the time the movie was over, all three had fallen asleep. I placed them in our bed hoping mine and Dane's scents would help calm them.

I turn the water to scalding and step into the shower. The water falls over my head and shoulders relaxing me. Not wanting to stay away too long, I quickly finish showering, take care of the rest of my hygiene, and start dressing. I was tying my shoes when Brian links.

I'm on my way.

I quickly link Jack.

I ask.

I'm on my way. Go ahead and go. I'm in the kitchen now" Felix answers.

I tried to calm my breathing as I approached the hospital but my heart couldn't stop racing. Katon was desperate to see his mate.

I run straight to his room but stop when I reach the doorway. I saw my mate sitting on the bed with his legs hanging over. The bandages were off his arms and they were healed. All the fear and concern I had that I could lose Dane slowly leaves and it feels like I can breathe. I don't think Katon or myself would have survived him leaving us.

I want to feel my mate! Katon roared.

Our eyes meet and it only takes a few long strides before I was standing in front of him. I put my arms around his shoulders and pull him to me. I feel his body tense and realize I was hurting him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry" I quickly tell him as I began to pull away. I felt his arms around my waist pulling me back towards him.

"No. Don't let go" he pleads with me.

After awhile, I gently pull back and take his face in my hands. "You scared me" my quivering voice says.

Lowering my head, I gently give his lips a kiss. His arms tighten around me and our kiss grows more hungry. It's been too long since I have felt his mouth on mine. Our tongues quickly found each other and we explore each other's mouth like it was the first time we have ever kissed.

Suddenly he pushes me back. "The pups! Are they okay" he asks frantically.

"Yes. Thanks to you" I said resting my forehead on his.

"They have been asking about you" I tell him. "Are you okay to see them?"

He smiles and nods.

"Before you link Alpha Jack, can you help me to the bathroom" he sheepishly asks.

"Sure love" I say smiling at him.

After I helped him to the bathroom and then to the couch, I link Jack.

On our way.

A few minutes later, we heard the sound of running feet. We look over to see three sets of scared green eyes staring back at us.

"He is going to be fine. You can come in" I say motioning for them to come closer.

Seth runs over to Dane, jumps, and throws his arms around his neck. I could see Dane's face flinch in pain but he didn't make a sound. He put his arms around Seth and hugged him back. Sariah had also made her way over. She was crying and Dane pulled her into a hug. Happiness flooded my body as I saw my mate and my pups together. He placed one on each side of him. He looked over to Gideon who hadn't moved from the door.

"I'm okay Little Beta" Dane said lovingly to Gideon. Gideon runs over and throws his arms around Dane's neck. His little body was shaking and I could hear the sobs coming from his him. Dane held Gideon, telling him it was alright. Gideon pulled back and places his hands on his Dane's cheeks.

"I was worried about you Papa" he says softly. Dane's eyes fill with tears and he pulls Gideon tightly to chest.

I felt tears fall on my cheeks. I look to see Jack trying to hold back tears while Felix was a blubbering mess.

I look over at my mate and my pups. I look over at my family....