AN: Thanks to Annette Curtis Klause for the setting and most of the characters. And, as far as my rant goes, thank you all for replying to it, but I did not watch the movie. And I will not watch the movie any time soon. Maybe when I can rent it, I will. I just find it disturbing that an author can have so little control over their own vision. I can't imagine watching my stories being so messed up like that. As always, please read and review with lots of feedback. I will answer all questions regarding my story. And, if you've liked my fanfic so far, tell your friends! So, without further ado…

Chapter 11 (Part One)

When she was three months pregnant in November, she was happy to see her features change. Now, at five months, Vivian had grown tired of having a weight upon her. Two more months to go. Just two more months. I can do this, she thought, easing onto a lounge chair outside. Not that she didn't love the fact that her expected date was nearing. Loup-garou pregnancies were shorter than the average human's, due to their rapid healing process and other abnormal bodily functions. In human terms, she would be six or seven months pregnant already.

Self-assessment time. How do I feel? Fat. My ankles may be swollen. I want a steak dipped in ice-cream. And, oh yeah… I'm also more of a bitch, apparently. "That's me. Queen Bitch," she said, taking a sip from the bottle of water. Ulf looked up from where he was seated, raised an eyebrow, and snorted. "Shut up Ulf."

"I never said anything, my queen." Vivian hurled the bottle at him, but also laughed.

"What's going on?" Vivian didn't turn around as Gabriel walked towards them. The tepid January air was a welcome change from all of the winter recently, not that he didn't love his snow-bunny just the same year round. The alpha-male watched Ulf pick up a plastic bottle from the floor, and knew what had happened. "What did you say this time?"

"Nothing! I swear! She called herself the Queen Bitch, and I had to agree." Gabriel suppressed a very strong desire to laugh. The effort caused him to have to look away and pretend to cough.

"It's not funny, Gabe."

"I know babe." Ulf nearly died. Gabe and babe, together forever, right? It was sickening. "Alright Ulf, you're free to go." Ulf got up from his lawn chair and left the two outside in the backyard, alone.

"I just wanted some fresh air, and somewhere to throw away my water bottle. I hate the taste of water. I hope you know that." Now Gabriel was free to laugh, and watch his mate grow increasingly redder faced. She was prone to mood swings and irritability recently, but he could deal with it. He merely picked her up, ignoring her various protests, and sat down on the lawn chair, with her in his arms.

"Why are you doing this to me? I feel fat, you know. I'm probably crushing you right now. I am crushing you, aren't I? Let go."

"Nope. You could never crush me. And I like you this way. … Or any other way, for that matter." Good answer, wolf-man, she thought, smiling. "As for the water business... I'm sorry. I can get you some flavored water, but you need to be well hydrated."

"Gabe, I'm having a baby. Not a fish. And-" her sudden short gasp for air was a signal. He put his hands on her belly as fast as he could. There. He could feel his child, their child, the second best thing that had happened in his life, moving. Jacob was a bad boy. Just like his father. And no matter how miserable Vivian was feeling, having Jacob kicking and moving around inside her, already bursting with life, was enough to make her peaceful and happy.

"Hey baby," he said softly. Vivian imagined the rumble of his voice was as familiar to their baby as it was to her. And she heard him humming some silly little tune, until her eyes closed and she fell asleep. He was happy then, lying with his wife and their child in his arms, watching the sun go down behind the curtain of forest trees.

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Adam wrung his hands while looking around the inn for his big brother. He walked to the living room to check. Even before he entered, he could smell the scents of those in the room. Vivian's scent was the strongest, because of her nearing pregnancy. It was pleasant, like flowers, but also warm, like fresh cookies. I don't blame Nate for obsessing. That scent is maddening. He shook his head and walked in. "Hey have any of you guys seen Nate?"

"Nope."

"Sorry man, I have no idea."

"Nah."

"Haven't seen him." The rest of the Five were unreliable, as usual.

"Did you check outside? He might be going for a run." He nodded at Gabriel's direction, as a sign of gratitude, and left the loup-garoux to watch their gory horror flicks and laugh.

Adam crossed the floor to the lobby, blushing as the triplets called him to come over and join their group on the couches.

"Hey Adam! Over here! Yoo-hoo!" A sigh of relief swept over him when he caught them wearing name tags. Apparently he wasn't the only one who couldn't tell them apart yet. Maria, Mercedes, and Monica, he noted. "We were wondering if you wanted to hang out with us today."

"Uh, I can't. Not today. I'm looking for my brother. Have you seen him?"

"Yeah, I saw him outside just a few minutes ago. In the backyard." He looked at the one named Monica, wondering if she was telling the truth or not.

"Oh shut up, Moni. He was checking the mail in the front yard. And that's the truth." Mercedes seemed to be the most trustworthy of the bunch. Maria was just a giggling mess.

Nathan suddenly stormed in through the front door. "Where's Gabriel?"

"Why?" The all piped in at once.

"He's in the living room with the rest of the pack."

"I need to talk to him. Adam, tell Gabriel to meet me in my room. Sorry ladies, this is a private matter."

"Fine." The girls were actually silent and cooperative as Adam left the group. Vivian seemed to have been awoken as he walked in, and Gabriel clenched his jaw. "I haven't seen your brother Adam. And next time, walk in a little less like the world's going to end."

"Uh, sorry. Nathan wants to talk to you. He said to meet you in his room."

"Why?"

"I dunno. But I think you should know." A strange look came over Gabriel's eyes. He did know what was going on. Vivian didn't. As he left them, Adam watched his queen get up and walk to the stairs, probably to her room.

Oh moon goddess. Please let me have gotten this wrong. He's not keeping anything from me. We have no secrets. Nothing is wrong. Nothing at all. Finally she found the thing she was rummaging for in a daze. Her mind went blank as she flipped open his cell phone.

The screen lit up and she pressed a few buttons to get to his text messages. He had been using that feature a lot more often recently, but she hadn't thought much of it until just then. Vivian's face felt hot as she looked through the most recent texts. Most of them were just business. Shipping orders. Grocery lists. And scattered in the list were a few random texts from his sisters. Then she read the name of the sender she was looking for.

Sender: Nathan. Subject: blank

Sender: Nathan. Subject: blank

Sender: Nathan. Subject: blank

Sender: Nathan. Subject: Leave at seven.

Sender: Nathan. Subject: blank

There was something going on. Something she wasn't being informed about. Vivian growled as she opened the most recent message. It read, "When are you going? The pack needs you to be there soon. I shall join you as soon as I can." Going? Going where?! Her eyes became blurry with tears as a story unfolded before her own eyes.

Nathan had been keeping in touch with the pack he had come from. They were receiving strange threats. Nathan had wanted to leave sooner, but something had delayed him. Someone from the other pack was killed. Nathan had to leave soon. Then she read one from Gabriel to Nathan. "Don't worry. I promised to take care of this pack, and I will. I'll leave at seven, as promised."

The screen blurred in her palm. She didn't hear him come in, because in a fit of rage she had knocked the contents of her vanity mirror to the floor. "Viv?"

Her eyes were drowning in tears, and her hands clenched in fists trembled at her sides. "Fuck you." His cell phone was on the floor, the screen still lit. Gabriel had the common sense to close the door behind him.

"I can explain."

"Then start." Vivian picked up the cell phone from the floor and held it close to his face. Her hands were trembling. "Why the hell wouldn't you tell me about this?"

"Viv, please. There's no need to get mad." He grabbed her hands and gently pried the cell phone away, still holding on to her slender wrist.

"Oh, there isn't? Well good! I'm so glad. And here I thought you were about to leave. Oh wait, you are." She snatched her arm away. Her voice was raspy as she fought back the tears that already were streaming down her face.

"Vivian, please let me explain-"

"No! I don't care! It's not right. You can't leave me."

"I'm not-"

"The fuck you're not!" She raised her hand, but put it down at her side. There was no use getting physical. Her pregnancy was wearing her down already, and she wouldn't have had much of a fight left in her. "I read them Gabriel. You're leaving! You're off to be the hero. Well fuck you then!"

"I have to." He wasn't yelling back at her like usual when they fought. He was quiet. That made her nerves stand on edge, and her anger to swell up inside her.

"You have to what? Go? Leave me? Potentially get killed? Yeah, you probably do." Vivian paced around the room, trying to slow down her furious heartbeat. "Fuck!" She took a few steps back and sat down on the single seated couch, putting her face in her hands to catch a breath.

"I promised."

Her eyes were blazing as she looked up from behind her hands. "You promised me first, Gabriel. And I don't care if I sound like a selfish brat. It's not right Gabriel. You can't leave again! Not this time." She watched his broad shoulders fall slightly as he kneeled down in front of her. "Don't. Don't you touch me."

"Vivian! I'm sorry. I wouldn't ever do anything to hurt you."

"You already have." Golden eyes searched blue ones for answers, for feelings, for remorse or resolve. But the blue eyes were calm, almost lucid even.

"I'm not going to fight you on this one, Viv. And I'm not going to yell. And I'm not going to discuss this. I have to leave. I just have to." She reached her arms out, and held his face in her hands. "Why? Why now?"

"I don't know. But I won't rest until I am sure I can keep safe as many people as I can. And right now a lot of things are going on that aren't making my job any easier. That's why I have to leave." Gabriel got up, placed his hands on her waist, and in one fluid movement had her in his arms. Again she felt thirty pounds lighter. He sat her down with him on the giant couch, feeling her heartbeat slow down.

"Why can't I have you all to myself?"

"You do."

"Liar." They didn't make eye contact, but just looked across the room at the view of the reserve from their windows.

"Viv, you have to know I do everything for you and for Jacob. You two are more important to me than anything. I have a duty, yes. But before my duty to my people, I have my family. I have you. Por siempre." Forever.

"Gabe, you have to tell me these things. I can handle it."

"I know you can. But you probably would have found a way to talk me out of it, or get someone else to go. This is just something I must make sure for myself. For our pack's sake."

"I understand."

"Good."

"Gabe?" He finally looked at her eyes.

"Yeah?"

"I really did hate you for a minute there."

"I know. That was the most angry I've ever seen you get."

"I'm sorry. I'm so selfish."

"Good." He kissed her, and all of her fears melted away.

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Outside the door, the softest sound was uttered. A curse word. The voice went downstairs and to his room. Everyone had gone off to bed. Just one spirit would still be up at this time of the morning.

"Nate, what's the matter?"

"Them! They're fucking unbelievable!"

"What?"

"He's leaving her, pregnant and all, and now they're fine with it."

"That's a good thing, right?"

"Wrong! Shit! She was supposed to hate him."

"She can't. She's his wife." Adam's eyes were wide. His brother could be irrational at times, but this time he seemed honestly insane.

"I know! Fuck!" Nathan threw himself onto the bed, shoving the pillow onto his face. "Whatever. A minor setback."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh cut the crap, Adam! You know! What do you and I have in common? And don't say we're siblings, because I will deck you." Adam's jaw set and his face became grim as he sat down on the chair across from the bed.

"You and I… have problems."

"Yeah, big problems. Vices. Addictions. But we can't have them, right?"

"Right. Because it's wrong. Because we're stronger than our vices and addictions. Because if we ever get what we want, we'll be worse off than before."

"Wrong! Shit, do you ever get tired of all of that saintly crap?" Adam shook his head. "No worries little brother. There's still hope for you yet. So, I've gotten Gabriel out of the house for a while. A wild goose chase, if you will. And then-"

"You're ridiculous."

"No. Brilliant."

"Whatever. I'm done with this." Adam got up and left the room as quickly as possible. The full moon was slowly disappearing from behind the trees. Nathan was less sane during this time of the month. And lately his desire had grown stronger. Adam was afraid, but just hoped his brother's plans would fail, as they always did. He borrowed Vivian's phrase, for strength. Oh moon goddess, let everything turn out fine in the end.

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Vivian was withdrawn the next day as she clung on to her husband, smelling his rich, strong scent. Manly, and soapy, and musky and clean all at once. "I'm not going to cry. But you'd better be back soon. And call me when you can."

"Promise." Willem wasn't sure what all of the drama was about. Gabriel had left before. He dismissed her tears as being caused by her pregnancy, and held onto Emily's hand tighter. His new girlfriend made him happy.

Gabriel kissed her softly, then passionately, as if wanting to capture her essence. A second later he let go, and got on the bike. "I will be back, sooner than you think. I promise." She nodded and watched him leave. Jacob kicked and she held on as the rest of the pack walked back towards the inn. All except Aunt Persia. "Something's bothering you, girlie."

"Oh, its nothing."

"I may not be your mother, but I am not blind either. Come here." The old woman walked over to the swinging chair hanging in front of the inn and sat down. "And whatever is bothering you, I just know everything will be fine in the end. It always is. But for a positive outcome, one has to be prepared."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"You have to prepare yourself for anything girlie."

"I am. I've been reading books, and-"

"Not that. Your pregnancy is perfect. But there are dark clouds looming on the horizon, and we must be prepared."

"What do you know, Aunt Persia? Have you seen something?" Her tone was hushed and anxious.

"I don't know anything yet. But I've been thinking about this for a very long time. You have the gift, girlie. Ever since I showed you how to foresee, I've known."

"But I haven't foreseen anything in a very long time."

"Your inner eye closes into itself when you are with child. A lot of energy is used up. It's only natural. But I've come today to ask you a question." Vivian looked around, wondering why the woman's voice was so hushed. "The spirits have made my decision clear."

"What decision?"

"If you choose to accept it, I want you to be my successor. I want you to be the next healer." Vivian gasped, and Jacob kicked in the same instance.

"Really? Me?"

"The spirits have chosen you. It's up to you to answer their call."

"I… I will. Of course I will." Oh moon goddess, what are you doing to me?

"You cannot tell anyone else in the pack until the time is right. Not even Gabriel. There are certain laws we have to follow in this process. A healer is chosen once in many generations." Vivian nodded. In all of her years she had only known Aunt Persia as the only healer in her pack.

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Inside the house, the rest of the pack gathered around the dinner tables for breakfast. Vivian's mother and Tomas had returned to spend a few days with the pack, and to annoy Gabriel's sisters. All of whom where hanging out with the rest of the Five and Adam in the living room, watching TV. Nathan was in his room, brooding or something, as usual. Just then, Emily walked in.

"Give me the remote." She snatched it from the arm rest and pressed 31. Channel WWNE came on, with the day's breaking news. The brunette on the screen was reporting on the latest story. "And we have just received word that a village on the skirts of the Green Mountain National Forest was attacked by a grizzly bear. Two men were killed, and one was severely injured. No word yet on the condition of the man, and park rangers are already hard at work tracking the dangerous beast." The screen blared green with a map of the reserve.

"That's where Gabriel's going to."

"Oh moon goddess!"
"Maria, please!"
"Both of you shut up!"

"That wasn't a grizzly attack, was it?" Vivian's blood ran cold as Nathan walked in, and caught his breath. He hadn't planned for a real danger to be at the pack he had just sent Gabriel to. Adam's eyes met his, and they were wide and afraid. Oh Nate, what have you done? Her nerves were on edge again, but she had to be brave. For her pack. For Gabriel. It wasn't the first time something like this had happened. The first time, she had thought she was the grizzly bear, devouring innocent humans.

"That's enough. Gabriel can handle himself. But I want to send some of our strongest out there. He may need the help."

"I'll go," Nathan said, almost too suddenly. Vivian nodded and braced herself as she got up from the couch. There was a lot of work to do.

AN: I'm sorry if I made you all wait too long. Life's been hectic. But I hope you liked this chapter, and are excited about the next one. As always, please review!