"Vera." Hamish rushed forward and put his arms around her holding her tight. She felt so good in his arms, warm, alive, fragrant as ever. He stood there a moment just relishing the feeling of her, his hand resting on her lower back before he let her go and gave her a little space. "I heard, is everyone alright?"

"Fine, it was just Marand."

"Marand was here?" Hamish looked confused. "But, I thought it was him, his scent is all over the anteroom."

Vera pushed Hamish away and walked towards the door before she turned around. "That son of a bitch, he was right here." She growled. "And I just let him walk right out the front door."

"Vera?" So that confirmed him. "What happened?"

"Ms. Marand…" She paused. "My father was here, he addressed the council, tried to convince them we needed to destroy Theo."

Hamish's eyes flashed silver a moment as he glanced over to her desk seeing the sleeping baby in her carseat. "They would have to get through me first."

"Settle down papa bear." He could hear that tone in her voice, calming him down from a subtle transformation.

"Sorry I just…" Hamish paused a moment looking down at her. He'd kill, he'd kill a lot of people for her and for Theo. The order be damned at the end of the day, the whole council, hell this whole temple would go down if something ever happened to her because of them. Of course it was the stupid choice, Hamish knew that but if he lost them he'd pick that stupid choice because what was life without Vera and Theo anyways?

"Nobody is going to touch our daughter." Hamish smirked at her, now who was being the protective parent. Funny thing is Hamish didn't doubt it for a second when Vera said that, nobody got in Vera's way, not a damn soul, even Hamish was loathed to admit he stepped to the side when Vera was on a warpath because you didn't want to get trapped on the wrong side of her. Happy wife happy life. That phrase was so much truer with Vera who could do something horrible to you and possibly never even let it cross her mind again afterwards. Woman was gorgeous but she had a mean streak a mile long.

"With you around, god no." Saucey little firecracker she was, actually even calling her a firecracker was a bit of an insult. Vera was high quality explosives, highly volatile. He kissed her quickly not wanting to pester her too much or make it obvious that he was being a bit clingy due to his general concern for her safety. Vera was more than capable of taking care of herself but that wolfish side of his brain never shut down when it came to protecting his mate. Hamish walked over to sleeping Theo tickling her sides and seeing her hardly even flinch. "You have the best guard dog imaginable little girl and it's not me." He smirked at her grabbing her foot as she sucked on her thumb. "Vera really you need to stop knocking her out with magic."

"You keep accusing me of it like I would actually do that to her."

"I know you wouldn't but what is up with her slipping into a coma lately when she sleeps?" Theo used to wake up when you even thought about making a noise.

"That's a good thing Hamish, she's figured out how to put herself to sleep and stay asleep. No more unpredictable sleep patterns." It also meant she slept all night long which Vera was just loving. She didn't miss those midnight and three in the morning feedings at all and come morning when she could function like a normal human being Theo was all bright eyed and bushy tailed and all smiles and laughter.

"We are going after the wendigo tonight." Hamish spoke up looking down at Theo with a little smile. "We have everything we need to banish it, just leaves him with one less weapon he can use against us."

"You need me to help with that ritual."

"I'd rather not Vera, I don't want you there facing up against that thing. It's dangerous."

"Yes, well.." Vera walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him. "So am I."

"I can't argue with that." He took her hand and raised it up so he could kiss the back of it. "But then who will keep an eye on Theo?"

"Maddox."

Oh, that answer made him feel so uncomfortable, Maddox wasn't old enough to watch a seven month old on his own. "Okay, good idea, not a funny joke though."

"We can get that girl again, tell her we are having a date night."

"Well, some date, trapping and banishing a wendigo."

"Sounds fun." She held him a little tighter before letting him go. "So I'll see you tonight then?"

"If you keep insisting on it Vera but this thing is…"

She cut him short resting her cheek against his back and smiling. "I'm not afraid of it."

"Well Vera, I'll be honest with you, that's one of us because I am."

"Good thing I'll be there to protect you then." She knew what they were facing was terrifying but when did Vera even back down in the face of fear?