Jack walked alongside his friends on their way to dinner. His nerves were starting to get to him, showing in the stiff way he walked and the fidgeting of his hands. He'd worn a jacket for this very reason; only to hide his twitchy fingers. He didn't know how to bring the subject up, his voice freezing every time he tried to open his mouth to do so. There were so many thoughts jumbled in his mind at that moment but most of all was how incredibly important this was to him. If the pack didn't approve, he knew he'd be sad but could move on if he had Pitch. If Sandy and North didn't approve...he didn't want to think about that. All he knew was that he'd be crushed. The two older wolves were family to him more than just pack. He wasn't sure he could live with himself if they hated him for this.

He must have been off in his own world, because next thing he was aware of was his face running into a large chest. "Oh. Sorry, North."

The big man sighed. "Alright, out with it."

"Out with what?" Jack shrugged nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about.

Sandy crossed his arms over his chest and gave him his infamous sassy look. Don't play innocent with us.

"I really don't-"

We know you better than yourself. You've been avoiding saying something to us this whole time. Just say it.

"O-okay," Jack gulped. "There was something I should have told you from the beginning. I wanted to but I thought it would be a little too much, what with the shock of everything already going on and-"

"Oh, get on with it, my boy. We're no fragile creatures who can't take any tough news." North motioned for him to continue.

"What I neglected to tell you…" He took a deep, fortifying breath. "Is that Kozmotis is a vampire." Jack looked down at his shoes in the snow, too scared to watch his friends' reaction.

The other two wolves met eyes for a moment with a look before returning to Jack and answering in unison. We know. "We know."

Jack's eyes shot up to them in surprise. "What?! How?!"

Sandy rolled his eyes in response. You set me up on a date with a vampire, remember? Unlike your boyfriend, I could smell what she was instantly. She was the same with me. It would take an idiot not to figure out how you would have come to know a vampire like that and trust her enough with one of us. He gestured between himself and North. Do we look like idiots?

"No! No, of course not. I didn't mean for you guys to feel that way." Jack looked his friends in the eyes. "To be honest, I was too scared to tell you guys because I didn't want you to hate me for it. I know how much the pack, Weres in general, hate vampires. I didn't want to lose you guys." He stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets again with a frown.

"Lose us? Jack, you could never lose us. We are pack. Family. No, we would not have trusted him at first if we had known. You were right to hide it from us. We cannot erase centuries of hatred between our people in a minute and trust them all. But we trust you. And seeing how much you care for and trust him...that we can believe." North put a firm hand on the man's shoulder.

You have never steered us wrong yet. You had leadership thrown on you too young when your father was killed. Even then, your choice to bring us south and join another pack was the right one. We followed you then, and we'll follow you now. If the rest of the pack doesn't agree with us then fuck them. We can split off and be our own pack again.

North and Sandy nodded to each other with big smiles, finding they actually rather liked the idea. "Everything will work out, Jack. Don't look so worried anymore."

Jack sidestepped to avoid another pat on the shoulder. "There's one more thing about him I have to tell you. And it might change your mind about everything you just said."

Sandy stepped forward to pu a gentle hand on his arm. What is it?

"Pitch. He's-" He paused and barely managed to choke out the rest, "Doctor Nightmare."

"What?!" The big man yelled.

Jack quickly pulled the two down an alley and covered North's mouth in an attempt shush him. "I know! I know," he whispered. He looked down at Sandy who seemed to be paralyzed in shock. "I didn't know what to think of it all when I found out either. He's changed. He saved my life when he could have taken it. When we went to go rescue Jamie and Cupcake from the lab. Remember that?"

I knew that story you told us about licking your wounds and recovering in the woods was bullshit.

"It was. I'll admit to that. I was shot with one of his modified silver arrows. It was designed to deteriorate quicker on contact with flesh so it would almost become like liquid silver. It absorbs into the bloodstream, practically burning us alive from the inside out. I should have died. I felt like I was dying. I went down that night, and he saved me and the pups from the others. When I woke up he'd kept them safe for days and had already started work on an antidote for me."

"That doesn't change what he's done to us all, Jack. He's the reason the vampires have been winning so easily!" North argued.

"I know. You'll think I'm just trying to protect him, but I could see it in his eyes. He wishes he could go back and change everything more than even I did. We already had suspected we were soulmates before knowing that. He felt like a monster who'd almost been the cause of his love's death."

"I am glad he felt like a monster! That's what he is!"

"No! He's isn't a monster, North." Jack's eyes narrowed on his friend. "He might have been in the past but not anymore. His eyes were full of a regret so ancient none of us could even begin to fathom what he must have felt. He was doing what he felt was right, trying to protect his clan. Can we really fault him for that? We've killed hundreds of his clan to protect our own pack too." He could see the anger deflate from North and Sandy coming around. "He's a changed man. He loves me, and I love him. He has vowed never to take up that work again or he wants me to kill him myself. He won't work for them anymore. All he wants now is for us to live happily and find somewhere peaceful to live so we can have pups."

Sandy let out a heavy sigh, blowing a stray piece of hair from his face. You're a hundred percent sure of this guy?

Jack nodded. "I wouldn't have set you up with his niece if I wasn't." The short man couldn't help a nod and shrug at the logic.

"And if we don't approve of this? What do you do?" It was rare for North to use his height to intimidate, but that's what he did now, looming over Jack.

"I don't want to choose, North. But if you make me, I will choose him. It will always be him."

The two wolves shared a quick look. "Then it is good we won't make you choose. We trust your judgement, Jack. Do not lead us astray now."

"I won't." Jack felt like a huge weight had been lifted off of him. The stress of it all drifted away, and he felt like he could breathe again.

But now you owe us dinner. Sandy elbowed him in the side with a smile.

"To pay for the stress you caused us, of course."

Jack grinned. "I'll do you one better." He held out the bank card he'd convinced Pitch to let him borrow before he'd left. "Dinner is on Koz. As payment for accepting him into our little group. All we can eat."

"Well, we can't turn down such a kind offer now can we?"

No, no. It would be rude! The three left the alley and continued on their way to dinner.

"There's just one more thing, guys."

"What could it possibly be now? He has third head?!" North and Sandy stared at their friend, almost dreading what other news he could possibly have.

"No. Nothing like that." Jack carefully took off his left glove and held up the hand to them, showing the glinting silver ring. "We're engaged."

Doesn't he know he has to ask for permission to marry you? Sandy pouted but pulled Jack's hand for a closer look.

"Don't act like I'm some dainty maiden who has to have her father's permission before a man can propose," he laughed.

"He is not forcing you, is he? Making you move too fast?" North eyed him suspiciously.

"Not at all. We're actually already considered mates in wolf and vampire tradition." He shifted his collar off to the side to reveal the bite scar he had on his neck. "He has one too that I gave him. It's their way of laying claim to their mates so the rest of the world can see."

The big man huffed. "Seems a little barbaric doesn't it?"

"Not to me. I enjoyed the process thoroughly, and it's more permanent than our way."

Sandy let go of his hand and nodded in approval. I suppose marriage is nothing compared to being lifemates. The sentiment is nice.

"He's also said that if we ever have pups, he wants you two to be godparents."

"He better." North nodded furiously. "There's no better choice than us!"

Jack smiled at his friends, sliding his arms around their shoulders as they walked. "Thank you guys. For accepting all this. I know you didn't have to and it was asking a lot."

You're family.

"We stick with our family."

As they rounded a corner, Jack spoke again. "I forgot one last thing."

I swear, if you say he's half wolf too we're ditching your ass for dinner.

"It's important, I promise. I think I'm going to let him change me." He held his breath and waited for their response, ready to cringe.

"After everything you've told us, we're surprised you haven't already." To his surprise the two didn't even break their stride, leaving Jack behind them in shock. North glanced back at him over his shoulder with a grin.

"Hey! I have at least some sense of restraint!" Jack laughed and ran to catch up with them, his heart overflowing with warmth and joy.

"Your mate is a what?!"

"A Were, Vlad. Please try to keep up." Pitch was focused on typing on his phone, sending rapid replies to Jack's texts.

"You can't be with a Were! That isn't how it's done! For fuck's sake, we kill Weres!"

Pitch put his phone into sleep mode and gave Vlad a challenging look. "You think I don't know that? I am well aware of the title given to me and why. I'm famous for inventing weapons faster than they can defend themselves, after all."

"Good!" Vlad put his hand on Pitch's shoulder in a conciliatory manner. "It's good that you remember that. I was wondering if you were beginning to forget."

"How could I?" Pitch shrugged the hand off. "I am often reminded of the fact whenever I kiss his skin."

"No, no! I don't want to hear it!" Vlad covered his ears and drowned out Pitch's words with an off-key tune.

Pitch waited patiently for him to finish, a bored look seeping into his features. "Are you quite done?"

"No! Listen, Pitch." Vlad lowered his hands and waved them in a sweeping gesture around the lab. "Look at all of this. Your genius, in one little room. A race of beings grateful to you for your services in our defense. The protection of a clan and all that we have to offer. You would give that all up, for some Were whore?"

"Jack is no whore," Pitch growled. "Don't forget who you're speaking to. I began this clan, although everyone in it has forgotten that. I have earned my right to choose."

"No one doubts that. Pitch, baby, think of Toothiana. She'll have to stay with us, and...she is lovely."

With a roar, Pitch picked Vlad up by the neck and slammed him against the wall. "You wouldn't dare touch her. She's too good for you."

"I'm not talking about me, Pitch. Others in the clan, ferals. They'll leap on her the moment your back is turned."

"Then I'll have to keep watching, won't I?"

"Of course. But then, who would be watching your pretty Were?"

Pitch bared his teeth. "You are asking me to choose?"

"If you want to think of it as choosing, then yes. I think the answer is obvious."

Pitch growled and released Vlad. He leaned against his desk, his chest heaving with the pent-up adrenaline rushing through his veins. "You'll have my answer soon."

"You have three days, Pitch. Make us a new weapon, or don't come back."

Pitch glared at him and stormed off, the door almost coming off its hinges due to the force of it being slammed. Vlad snickered and approached the wardrobe with Pitch's weapons, both old and modern. He took one down and admired it thoughtfully. "If you won't choose, then I'll just have to do it myself."

Jack practically skipped into his apartment, he was so happy. Dinner had been delicious. Afterwards, the three of them had gone for a quick run through the woods for fun. Everything seemed to be falling into place. He smiled and made his way to the fridge to eat some of the leftovers Pitch had made him.

"I'm guessing you had a good time," Pitch murmured as he gave Jack's rear a slap.

The Were jumped, almost spilling his food. "Great time in fact." Jack set down his plate and wormed his arms around his lover with a smile. "The accept you. To the fullest extent."

Pitch smiled and kissed the tip of his nose. "Then they accept my desire to have you join me in immortality?"

"Everything. That you're a vampire, we're mated and now engaged, that you were Dr. Nightmare. Everything." Jack dodged the second attempt at his nose and made sure lips touched instead. "How was your night? Hopefully as successful as mine?"

Pitch winced, but schooled his features to hide it. "I'd rather discuss your night."

Jack's brows furrowed as he pulled away a little, watching him suspiciously. "And I'd rather discuss what was so interesting about yours that you'd rather avoid it."

"It was...exactly as I expected."

"Which was..." He gestured for he vampire to continue.

"Predictable."

"What are you trying to avoid here?"

"Nothing."

Jack sighed in frustration and slapped him on the chest. "You are impossible sometimes." He picked up his plate once again and went to sit on the couch.

"They refuse to accept you."

"I thought the plan for tonight was you keeping a low profile and pretending you were still working."

"How can I? They'll expect an invention, and I swore to you."

"But now they know!" He looked at him incredulously. "What are they going to do?"

"Exactly what I told you they would. They've given me three days to decide. My work and my clan, or die with you."

"Only three?" Jack set aside everything to hug his mate tightly. "What'll we do?"

"I don't know." Pitch held him tightly and kissed the top of his head. "If I make you immortal, you'll be immune to my weapons. You'll be safe."

Jack looked at him heartbrokenly. "I'm not ready for that yet."

Pitch nodded. "Okay. And I assume you won't leave your pack and come with me somewhere?"

"Not now that I know there is some hope for us here." He shook his head. "What if we crashed at Sandy and North's? They wouldn't mind us lying low there for a bit."

"That might work. My clan doesn't know about their dens. We'll have a little time."

"Then we should go now. I'll let them know what's going on on the way." Jack darted into the bedroom to gather up the essentials and stuff them into a duffel bag. He threw some of Pitch's things in there too.

"I promise to bring you back here one day."

"This is just a place to live. As long as I have you I'll be happy."

"Me too. My home is by your side."

"It would be nice to be able to come back to a home though." Jack took his lover's hand and pulled him to the door. "I'll drive this time. Your cars are too conspicuous."

"And you drive like an old lady."

"Well, sorry I don't have as much horsepower as you."

"I'm sorry, I won't tease. You drive just fine."

"Nice save. I was almost going to banish you to the bed of the truck for the drive."

"You wouldn't do that to your loving mate," Pitch purred and kissed Jack's cheek.

"Oh, yes I would. It's only a short drive anyway." Jack tossed the duffel bag into the bed and unlocked the truck.

"How cruel." Pitch hopped up into the passenger seat.

"It's not so bad. When I'm not driving I like to sit in the back for fun." He was scanning carefully as he pulled out of the parking lot, making sure there were no eyes on them.

"But if I'm in the back, and you're driving, that's not fun. That's boring." Pitch put his hand on Jack's knee and gave it a squeeze.

"Well it was supposed to be a punishment for dissing my driving. I can't make it fun."

"That's no fun," Pitch mumbled.

"I didn't make you do it, did I?" When they got to North and Sandy's, the two wolves had the garage door open and ready for them. Jack pulled inside, waiting for the door to shut before letting out a sigh of relief and getting out. "Thanks, guys."

"Anytime." North gruffly nodded.

Pitch reached his hand out to North. "I believe I owe you a great deal of thanks."

North took the offered hand in his own. "You are part of our little pack now. If they come for you, they come for us all."

"I know I don't have to tell you that Jack must be protected at all costs."

"Hey! I'm not some pup to be protected," Jack argued, but Sandy and North were already nodding in agreement with Pitch.

"No, but you are my one soulmate, and hopefully one day the mother of my pups. I will protect you."

"Just as I'll protect you, my one soulmate."

"You forget, I am immune to the weapons they'll bring. You are not."

"You're not immune to other things. You have just as high a chance of being injured as I do."

Pitch sighed and cupped Jack's face. "Please. For once, don't argue, don't try and be an Alpha. This is my fault, all of it. I won't risk your life for something that I began."

Jack sighed. "I can't help it. I have to protect my family. We dragged them into this, and I can't let anything happen to them."

"I know, but please. Let me guard you. If I tell you to stay back, to stay hidden, please obey."

"I'll try. No guarantees."

"Of course. When has my little Snowflake ever done otherwise?"

North grabbed the duffel out of the truck and headed inside. "We got the basement ready. You two can stay down there until this blows over."

"Thank you. For all of this."

Sandy waved him off like it was no big deal, looking to Jack to voice his word. "He says that's what family does." Jack took his lover's hand in his and followed the two down to the basement.

"Family? Is that what we are?"

"If you are Jack's mate then yes. If you care for him as much as he says." North looked over his shoulder at them and set the duffel on the spare bed downstairs. "Bathroom is upstairs."

Pitch nodded his thanks. "I do love him, and you because of it. I will fight for you all."

Jack looked down when he felt a tug on his sleeve. "Sandy says he hopes it won't get to that point. I agree with him. I don't want to risk any of us losing a fight. All it takes is one wrong move."

"Then we shall not speak of it now. It is late."

North and Sandy headed back upstairs, leaving the two alone. When Jack turned to his mate, there was worry in his eyes. "I love you."

"I love you, my darling." Pitch kissed Jack's forehead. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."

"I know you will. I don't doubt that."

"Then why do I see such worry in your eyes?"

"Just because you're keeping me safe doesn't mean someone else won't get hurt."

"You have to trust that your pack is strong. With you as their Alpha, I can believe it."

Jack nodded tiredly, suddenly feeling the weight of the world was pressing down on them. "Can we go to bed?"

"Of course, my darling."

After stripping his shirt over his head, Jack collapsed on the mattress. He cuddled close to his mate when Pitch joined him. "I had hoped the world would just let us be. I guess I was too foolish to hope that much."

"We are a mated vampire and wolf. You had to have known it wouldn't be entirely easy."

"I knew, but I still hoped for better."

"I'm Doctor Nightmare, Jack. It would have only been easy if we had kept our true selves secret."

"Even then it probably would have come back to haunt us."

"You would have howled during sex, or I would have bitten you. No, it was never going to be easy. But few things worth having are ever easy to obtain."

"True." He gave a halfhearted smile. "I love you, Koz."

"I love you, Jack. You are my world now."

"And you're mine."