Chapter 17

The air carried the sent of an intruder, and Nicolae set his body firmly in front of Elena's to protect her from the new threat. He was taking no chances on her life after the emotional trauma she had just encountered. He immediately scanned his surrounding area and noticed that two of his strongest safeguards were unwoven by someone powerful. Nicolae knew right away that Gregori, The Dark One, was coming closer with his life mate.

When Nicolae eased on his stance for battle, Elena relaxed her body as well and let go of the image in her mind. Her bones crackled and fur dispersed into the pale peachy skin covered by dark green silk. Nicolae changed as well right before a very intimidating man, and a very small woman with raven colored hair, appeared by the woods edge. Nicolae wrapped a protective arm around Elena's slender figure as a sign of ownership, and Elena quickly noticed that the other Carpathian male did the same to the woman at his side.

The man she saw before them was very intimidating and very large. He carried power on his sleeve like a second skin. She would hate to see anyone stupid enough to mess with him. The woman he seemed to protect was actually the complete opposite.

She had a warm smile and very lovely eyes. She was extremely beautiful and she could see why a man of Gregori's position would protect her so.

But Elena was so average. She would never be able to be the Carpathian woman she knew Nicolae wanted her to be. You are more precious to me than the entire world. Your beauty chokes me every time I look at you. There will never be any other for me. Oh if only she knew that was true. It is.

"Hello Elena. I am so happy to see that you are feeling better. My name is Savannah and this is my life mate Gregori." She walked slowly towards Elena and held out her hand. It took only a moment before Elena realized who she was. Her voice had sounded so familiar to her and she realized that this was the woman who had helped save her life back in the city. She walked right past the held out hand and hugged the woman like a sister would.

"Thank you for saving me. I owe you so much for your kindness." Elena spilled the confession out and began rambling about why she was there and that she was sorry for putting everyone else in danger. Savannah could only laugh as she held up her hands to silence the woman's rambling.

"There is no need for apologies Elena. You needed and I helped you. It was as simple as that." Both women smiled at one another and quickly got lost is conversation. It seemed that after so many years alone and afraid of her power, Elena was able to find a husband and a friend in the matter of a couple of days.

One topic turned into another and then another as the men just stood there dumbfounded with their arms folded across their chests like two grumpy old men. They both just shook their heads and began their own series of banter.

"How can two strangers who have never met before become such trusting friends?" Nicolae spoke his confusion almost rhetorically while he watched the two chatter about modern day technology and the past lives they had before they met their "Cave Men".

"At least your woman listens to you. Mine defies me at every turn."

Both women immediately stopped their chatting and glared at both men with disgust.

"Come with me Elena. Let us give the "He Men" room so their big heads don't crowd each other out of the woods." With that said they rolled their eyes and went arm in arm together down towards the lake for some privacy, giggling the entire way.

Nicolae just watched as the two women walked away. His hand patted Gregori's back and for once was thankful that at least his life mate was who she was. She could have been a lot worse. "Talk about counting your blessings." Gregori just stared at Nicolae and watched as he choked down a chuckle.

Nicolae thought it smart to change the topic as soon as possible. He didn't like the cold look in Gregori's eyes. "So what do we do about our vampire buddy?"

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

When the women edged the bank of the large lake, Elena sighed. Both women had never had friends before and it was completely refreshing to be standing there talking about absolutely nothing. No war or danger could ruin this moment of bonding.

"I'm scared Savannah. I'm scared that vampire will find me and destroy me like it did my parents." Elena's voice crackled when she spoke. Sometimes the truth was almost too much for her. But at least she had another person to talk too that was in the same boat.

"Nothing will happen to you or Nicolae. Gregori may be a bit... overbearing, but he is good at his job." Her eyes turned a dark shade of grey. "But if truth be told... I fear the same thing. Gregori and I just discovered that we are pregnant and it terrifies me that something may happen to me that would hurt our child."

Savannah's hands began to twist in the confines of her cotton t-shirt and a nervous twitch entered her toes. Elena was quick to grasp the woman's hands in her own and a vision bounced into her brain of her child healthy and sitting on the top of Gregori's shoulders. The visions came easier now that she had changed and she was beginning to marvel at her upgraded talent.

"Your child will grow inside you, protected and safe, and when he is born he will become strong just like his father." Savannah gazed into the woman's eyes and laughed, a sob escaping that betrayed her feelings. Elena was a powerful psychic; that much was certain. And now that she was converted she would be a great asset to their race and their family.

"I am so happy I have someone like you in my life now. Promise me we will stay close for always like true sisters." Savannah said to the starry eyed woman sitting across from her.

"You betcha." They both laughed and hugged until Elena pulled away with a perky look on her face. "So have you picked out any names for your son yet?"

"Not yet but something tells me we should get back to those two idiots. I think they are planning the attack without us."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Nicolae's face was like that of stone. The plan of attack will be a simple yet complex one. The Vampire would not suspect such an out front attack. He will be looking for fancy tricks and illusions. But luckily for them, this ancient being has never heard of Gregori or of his type of power.

Both men concurred the idea and shook on it by grasping each others forearms like warriors of Rome. Their heads turned to see two women walk up to them with smiles in their eyes. Gregori just watched Savannah and couldn't help but marvel at how radiant she looked carrying his child. He knew it was only a couple weeks into her pregnancy but already he could see the new glow to her body. Life within another life. His whole world lay in this one woman, which made it all the more important to eliminate the threat and protect her.

"So boys, what's the plan of action?" Elena sounded so sure of her statement that she was shocked when both men looked at her with the new look that she was beginning to loath. The "boy are you crazy" look.

Nicolae walked by her side and tugged on her hair lightly. "You will not be fighting anyone. You will stay here safe and sound." Now it was the two women that glared in response.

"Savannah you are with child and I will not go through this again with you. You shall stay here safe with Elena while we eliminate the danger to you both." Gregori took Savannah by the arm and started to walk away with her. Nicolae waved good bye and sped Elena and himself back to the cave.

"You really aren't going to let me help you are you?" She was hurt. They were supposed to be a team and here he was pretending she was a porcelain doll that could break at any minute.

"I do not think you are a doll, Cara, but it is my duty to protect my lifemate. Your safety comes before all else. And I promise when this new threat is diminished then we will be able to start our new lives freely." He tucked her head under his arm and up against his chest. It flattered him that she was so adamant about protecting him. His wee kitten truly thought herself to be the mountain lion she was earlier that night.

"Come now. Your hunger beats at me."

(Author's Note)

Thank you all for your patience once again. Since school has started up, I will be a little bit slower at posting new chapters...but never fret! This story is slowly drawing to a close. :-(

The new story is great though i promise. Which brings me to my next propostition! I am currently stuck with finding a good name for my lead female character and lead male character...so i have devised a competition of sorts.

I will use the names given to me by one of my reviewers. These names will be permemnant and i will anounce the winner and names of the new characters at the closing of this story! The catch is that you have to review and tell me why i should use the names you pick out.

I need all of your help! so review and the next character could be you!

Thanks again!

Ashley