Chapter 2

Max: Hello, my dear readers! I was very excited about the reviews I got so, without any further ado, I give...okay that is just stupid. Just enjoy and leave a comment, letting me know what you though. I am especially glad that I am not moving to fast for you guys. Enjoy! :)

Skyler woke up, early, the next evening with a very sore chest and heavy heart as she remembered her discussion with Dimitri, the evening before. She took a few deep breath's and went into the bathroom to wash her face. Then, as she finished, she began to cough so hard that it hurt her throat and chest. Skyler gripped at her chest as the coughs were wretched out of her.

Oh no. Gabriel, Francesca, Tammy and-worst of all-Dimitri are not going to be happy. Was her first thought as she leaned against the countertop for support.

Then, just as quickly as it started, the coughing stopped, leaving her panting for air as she pulled her tusseled hair out of her face.

Skyler? Are you alright? Dimitri ask, concern was thick in his voice.

I'm fine, Dimitri, it was just a small cough. It was nothing. Don't worry. She soothed him, sending him her warmth, feeling the darkness in his soul. She felt him sigh heavily.

That cough did not sound-nor feel-very small, Skyler. He said, catching the memory of the cough. Skyler cursed at herself, but she knew that lifemates could not lie to one another, no matter how hard they tried.

Well, it's gone now, so you don't need to pester me, Dimitri. I have to get ready to go to work and explain to my co-workers about our trip to the Carpathian mountains. As soon as she mentioned the Carpathian mountains, she felt her stomach clench in anticipation as to what she may find.

Dimitri felt her instant distress and sent her a flood of warmth.

Do not fret, Skyler. You will be here so soon, you won't even remember packing your bags.

God forbid. I like to wear clothes, Dimitri.

Dimitri gave her an image of snapping his fingers. Darn. And I thought I could convince you, otherwise.

Skyler laughed at his attempt at sarcasm-even though she could feel that he was half-serious-and cleared her throat.

Don't go anywhere, Dimitri. I want to show you my work.

I don't plan on missing it, Skyler. And-I noticed from your memories-that one of your females is close to her time.

Yeah, she's due within the next week or so. But, I think we might be wrong on that.

Wolves can be full of surprises, can't they?

Skyler snorted and nodded as she walked out of the bathroom. You got that right.

Dimitri gave her the impression of a frown. And, what is that supposed to mean?

Oh, nothing. Nothing at all. But, Skyler was fighting a laugh as she went back to her bedroom so she could pick out her clothes for the day and shower.

Very convincing, Skyler Rose. Dimitri said with a laugh, then paused for a moment. I must go, now. Gregori wants me to focus on this new task he is assigning to me.

Then you should do exactly as he says until I get there. Then, I will boss you around, alright?

Dimitri laughed. Should I be afraid?

Skyler grinned. Terrified. Petrified. Completely shook down to the very core of your bones.

Dimitri laughed, again. Then, she felt a mental caress on her face, as though he was running his fingers down the length of her face.

The moment you get here, Skyler Rose Daratrazanoff, I am going to wrap my arms around you, and never let you go.

Skyler sighed heavily, wishing that she was already there, with him.

As the connection weakened, she tried to focus on getting to work on time, but her mind was filled with what she may find in the Carpathian mountains. Skyler, slowly, finished her shower and got dressed, her eyes were sullen, already looking very unhealthy. Instead of being worried, she put on a cheery facade as she met her loving, adoptive parents downstairs, with her younger sister, Tamara.

"Good morning, Sissy! Are you going to work today?" Tamara, who was five, asked, bouncing in her chair. Skyler nodded.

"For a little while, Tammy. I need to go check on my wolves and see how they are doing. I especially need to explain to them about our trip to the Carpathian mountains." She turns to her parents. "When are we going to start packing?"

"As soon as you get home, Skyler. We already picked up the plane tickets and our flight leaves at 3:00 a.m." Francesca said, handing Skyler a plastic cup, filled with hot coffee. "Do you want us to pack your things for you? So you can stick around the sanctuary a bit longer and you can meet us at the airport?"

Skyler was about to say 'no', when she thought about it. It was a twenty minute drive to the sanctuary from her home, which made it an hour's drive to the airport from the sanctuary. Having an entire hour to herself, where she didn't have to keep up a facade for her family and she could talk to Dimitri.

Skyler nodded at Francesca, then added, hastily, "If you don't mind, Mama. I mean, it would be easier to just meet you all there instead of having to drive back."

Gabriel wrapped his arm around Skyler's shoulders and pressed a kiss to her temple. "Don't worry, Skyler. You just focus on helping those abused wolves back at the sanctuary and we will pack your things. Let us know if you want to bring any miscellaneous items. Like books or music."

Skyler smiled up at her father. "I want to bring my violin, of course."

Gabriel rolled his eyes. Ever since they bought her that thing, she has never parted from it, but she had an amazing talent for the violin so he did not question her.

"Consider it done. Where is it?"

Skyler ran a hand through her hair. "In my car?"

Gabriel chuckled, he should've known. "Alright, get to work and we will meet you at the airport by 2:00 a.m."

"Alright, Papa. I will see you all, then."

Once she had kissed all of them goodbye, Skyler walked out to the front padio, where three vehicles were parked: one was a silver, 2005 BMW convertible, which was Francesca's car. The one parked next to it, Gabriel's car, was a black 2005 Ferrari F430. Then, Skyler's car, was a yellow with black racing stripes, 2010 chevy camaro coupe. It had 304 HP with a V6 engine and got 29 miles per gallon.

Skyler pulled out her keys, and clicked a button that unlocked the doors. The car answered with to clicks and she jumped into the passenger side, started the engine and sped away. Leaving some dust and exhaust smoke in her wake as she sped to the sanctuary. And, while she was doing all of that, she shared the image with Dimitri.


Once Skyler reached the sanctuary, she was greeted by Suzie, one of her co-workers, who looked hazzardous and as though she was in a hurry.

"Hey, Suzie. What's wrong?" Skyler asked, placing her hand on Suzie's shoulder.

"Skyler, it's Larka. She's in labor, now!"

Skyler was, instantly, focused. She strode into the front doors, firing questions at Suzie.

"When did she start showing signs?"

"About an hour ago."

"Is she pacing her pen?"

"No, she just laid down when I left to get you."

"Okay. Let's go."

And Skyler, followed by Suzie, ran to Larka's pen, which was in the back room where she wouldn't be disturbed and she could relax. Once they reached Larka's pen, Skyler ran into the pen, leaving Suzie at the gate, and strode to Larka's side and began to stroke the beautiful five year old.

"Easy, girl. It's alright, Larka. You'll be alright. I'll help you bring your pups into the world. Don't worry. Okay? Come on, girl." Skyler soothed her as she moved down the the she-wolf's back end, where she noticed the head of one of the newborn pups was stuck.

Oh, no. Please let this pup live! Skyler prayed as she urged the she-wolf to push. Soon, the small pup was out and was coughing breath's. Skyler let out a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness.

Six pups later, Skyler was helping the very last pup be born as the other seven suckled. Once she saw the pup's head, she waited for the she-wolf to push, but, to her dismay, she didn't.

"Come on, Larka. You have one more to give life to. Come one, girl, push." she urged the she-wolf, rubbing her hand on the she-wolf's hip. "I know you're sore, but this is the last one. Come on, girl."

Then, the she-wolf pushed one more time, but the pup was only half out, and it wasn't moving.

Oh, no. She's too tired to continue. But, if she doesn't keep pushing, they will both die. What am I going to do?

Skyler, Dimitri was there, feeling her distress, You can pull the little one out, yourself. It is half out, yes?

Oh, thank God, Dimitri! Yes, the last one is half out, but-

You can pull it out the rest of the way. Trust me, sivamet.

Skyler paused for a moment, her hands underneath the tiny wolf pup, ready to catch it when it came out, afraid that it would break if she touched it. She swallowed.

Help me save the little one, Dimitri. She decided, at last.

Put your hands, gently, on either side of the pup and pull. The she-wolf will feel the pressure, but she must understand that it is vital to save this pup. Hurry, Skyler.

Skyler nodded seriously, and did as Dimitri said and placed her hands, as gently as she was able, around the pup's midsection, took a deep breath and pulled.

It was harder than she thought, pulling the small pup out of the she-wolf's body. It was like pulling it out of a brick wall, but she didn't give up. She would not give up on the pup, or Larka. So, she pulled, even while Larka struggled with the pain. Then, to her relief, the pup was finally free of his mother's body. Skyler toppled backwards, the pup in her arms and snuggling against her chest for warmth. She smiled happily as she sat up so she could look at the pup. It was definitely the runt of the bunch, it's tiny body fitting in her hands, but it was lively. Yapping uncontrolably as she held it close, not caring that the goo all over it was ruining her shirt.

Dimitri, I did it! She said, happily sharing the image of the squirming runt.

She felt Dimitri's smile. I knew you could, Skyler.

Skyler, gently, soothed the pup and attempted to put it with it's brother's and sister's, but Larka snapped at her when she tried to put the runt to her side.

Dimitri-? Skyler asked, upset that Larka rejected her pup.

Larka doesn't know that the runt is hers, it is covered with human scent and she is in pain from the labor. You will have to find milk replacer for the little one; he needs the colostrum if he has any hope of survival.

Skyler nodded seriously and turned to Suzie, who was still sitting at the gate.

"Suzie, get me a bottle filled with milk replacer for this one. Larka refuses to have him at her side." Skyler said, standing up with the squirming pup. Suzie nodded seriously and ran off to get the bottle.

While Skyler waited for Suzie, she held the little young wolf-which was, definitely, male-on her lap and worked at cleaning him up. She spoke with Dimitri while she worked, asking for some advice while she was at it.

I hope I'm doing this right, and not hurting him, Dimitri. Skyler said as she rubbed down the runt. Dimitri soothed her.

You are doing fine. Newborn pups can be associated with teenage humans when it comes to cleaning; completely rebellious, even to their mothers.

Skyler rolled her eyes. Like you weren't rebellious towards your parents a time or two?

Dimitri was silent for a moment, before he said, Never, in the time that they were still with me, was I rebellious to them in any way. I was the perfect son.

Sure. Whatever. Anyway, She said, before he could argue, What should we call him? We should give him a name.

Dimitri thought for a moment, then said, How about Vlad?

Skyler frowned, Vlad?

Yes, Vlad. After Mikhail's father, our last prince who passed so many years ago, who was a fine leader at his prime.

Suzie came up and handed a small bottle to Skyler, so she could feed the pup. Skyler smiled down as the pup fed vigorously.

Alright, Vlad, it is. She agreed happily as she watched Vlad feed.

You know, Skyler, Dimitri said, you might have to bring Vlad with you to the Carpathian mountains.

Why, Dimitri? Skyler asked, confused, I was going to leave him in Suzie's care while I was away.

No, Skyler. He knows you as his mother, and Vlad will not take well to another trying to feed him. He will not accept another person trying to care for him, Then, she felt a half-smile through their link, from Dimitri as he spoke half-serious and-to her distress-half-sadness.

Vlad only wants you to care for him, Skyler, because you are the only one who truly can. He loves you and only you. No one else will ever be good enough for him, not in a million years. Wolves stay with their families their entire lives, because that is the only way they can live. The only way they want to live at all.

The more he spoke, the more the tears flowed down her face as she fed Vlad, because she knew that he wasn't talking just about wolf-behavior. He was referring to himself and the pull of lifemates and to the two of them being together. As the tears flowed, she forgot that Vlad was in her arms, because she felt a soft licking on her hand as the pup snuggled against her belly for warmth. She smiled and set the 3/4 empty bottle down and stroked the young wolf's fur, soothing it to sleep with a soft lullaby with her voice.