For the next few weeks, we wandered from place to place by night and took shelter during the daylight hours. More and more the female Lycan, whom I learned was once named Isabel, was weaseling her way into my heart. For though no words passed between us, we understood one another deeply. She knew my fears of becoming a mother for the first time and I knew she did not want to be called a monster. As Lucian would phase back and forth periodically under the moon, he could bring back messages from her for me. Mostly it was encouragement to keep strong for the baby's sake.

Lucian saw mine and Isabel's bond strengthening and it made him very pleased. For years he had been trying to prove that his species were not really monsters and mindless beasts like my father labeled them. I already knew that because of my love for Lucian.

As the weeks progressed, my belly began to grow with the child inside of me. I could feel the child quickening within me, fluttering across my stomach in little waves with a strong kick every now and again. During the day, Lucian would stay by my side and feel our child move within me. There really was life within my womb, a life that Lucian and I had created a life never thought possible.

Finally, after nearly two months of running, we came upon an abandoned castle that could easily be defended. We decided to make it our home for the time being. The Lycans were given free range of the nearby forest as well as access to our castle where the stables were open to them for warmth. Lucian made sure that there was hay spread around so that they could keep warm. The only Lycan who did not wander was Isabel, who stayed by my side as always. I was growing fond of her company as she was loyal and friendly. To make sure she would have a place in the castle, Lucian made a special place for her to sleep by the fireplace outside of our room, which was in the tower. She stayed in her place every day while I was in my room, resting. Many times, however, I would allow her into our room so that she could be near me where she felt comfortable. Being away from me for too long made her anxious. Lucian explained that it was the mothering instinct in her, which I was beginning to understand more and more with my child growing within me.

Throughout the next few weeks, Lucian kept an eye on the exact location of the Death Dealers and my father through Lycan spies. These were quiet Lycans that were swift and lightfooted, which made them nearly impossible to detect, even to immortals. My father was scouring every inch of countryside that spanned from the Coven and miles afterward. I knew that he wanted Lucian dead and the child we had created to be destroyed. He was going to do anything he could to make sure that every part of my life that mattered was completely decimated. Neither Lucian or I were going to allow that to happen. So, we made preparations as the Lycans patrolled should my father and his Death Dealers ever find us, which was not likely as we went as far Northeast as we could get.

One night, around three months after we found the abandoned castle, I was wandering the halls looking for Lucian. He had disappeared a few hours earlier while the sun was still up and I wondered where he had gone. As I walked, I found Raze in one of the halls. I stopped him.

"Raze, have you seen Lucian?" I asked.

His deep voice almost startled me, though I was used to it. "No, not since earlier today. I can help you find him if you would like."

I nodded. "Thank you, that would be very helpful. He just vanished earlier and I'm worried. He seemed so distracted earlier, like something was bothering him."

"I'm sure that it is nothing to be too worried about," he replied, giving me a warm smile.

Raze was like the brother I never had. His protective nature and comforting presence made me much happier. Lucian and I had decided that when our child was born, Raze was going to be one of the child's guardians. Should something ever happen to Lucian or I, Raze would be the one to raise our child. Of course, we had not told him of our decision yet, but we were certain that he would accept without delay. He was as much a part of our family, our new family. Without realizing it, we had created our own Coven of sorts out of the necessity to protect our child. The Lycans looked to Lucian as their leader and I, his queen.

As we walked through the halls looking for my missing husband, I heard something coming from a nearby room. Apparently Raze heard it as well because we both stopped right in the middle of the hall. It sounded like someone was moving things around. I allowed Raze to go in front of me because I had no weapon. We quietly crept down the hall back towards mine and Lucian's room. The closer we got to the room, the louder the sound became. Suddenly, the child in my womb became very active, kicking and squirming about as if it knew something was coming. Gently, I pressed my hand to my stomach to try and calm my child, but it was to no avail as it kept moving about.

We reached the door of the room and Raze threw it open to find Lucian in our room, moving something around. Relief filled my mind as I rushed into the room. Raze excused himself to go back to his quarters.

"We thought someone had broke into the house." I breathed into his neck. "Where have you been?"

"I had a surprise for you," he pointed toward what he had been moving about in our room. It was a handmade cradle, made out of wood. "Our child will need somewhere to sleep, so I thought this would do."

I choked back tears. "Lucian, this is the most thoughtful thing anyone has over done for me."

"You like it then?" He smiled.

"I love it," I replied, wrapping my arms around his neck and kissing his lips.

When we broke our kiss moments later, he bent down and kissed my belly as well. As if the child knew it's father was there, it immediately began kicking harder again. I laughed and pressed my hand to the side. This was my family; my husband and my child, safely growing in my womb. Right then, nothing else mattered but them. This is what was worth fighting for, even if it meant never returning to my father's household.

"My love, the night is young and I have not been outside the castle walls in weeks," I said, bringing his attention to my eyes.

"Sonja, it is not safe out there. We do not know if and when we will ever be ambushed and I cannot risk losing you," he lowered his eyes, "or our child."

Pleadingly, I added, "What if Isabel comes with us? And Raze. I am sure that we would be fine."

He sighed heavily and thought for a moment. I gave him the most pathetic look I could come up with.

"Alright," he conceded and grinned. "But only for a short time, with Raze and Isabel with us."

"Thank you," I said.

We walked out of our room where Isabel was waiting dutifully. I stopped and patted her head softly before continuing to walk with Lucian. She followed us, as always as we went to look for Raze. Once we found him a few minutes later, the four of us made our way to the castle gates. Eli, one of the most trusted of the Lycans and Lucian's friend since childhood, was waiting to greet us. He had been patrolling during the day and was returning to report.

"Lucian; my lady," he greeted.

"What news from the western front old friend?" Lucian asked.

"All is well. There has been no advancement since we last saw the Death Dealers. We believe Viktor is exploring farther North."

Hearing my father's name spoke out loud stung. Had I not fallen in love with Lucian, I might have been out patrolling with my father and the other Death Dealers. I was glad life took me in a different direction.

Lucian's instructions brought me back from my thoughts. "Good. Send Micah and his men to the North. You keep your men patrolling the West." He grasped Eli's arm tightly. "Thank you friend."

Eli nodded. "Only for you brother."

In the past few months I had noticed the great deal of respect Lycans had for Lucian. He was their friend, leader, and brother; willing to pick up and fight just as much as any of them. Their comraderie and loyalty was very admirable. Through Lucian, I had come to know many of the Lycans that were able to go back and forth between human and werewolf. They were decent, hardworking men and I had come to think of many as friends, including Eli. Without question, they had all accepted me as Lucian's wife and beloved, even though I was a vampire and had ruled over them my entire life. However, I knew that they sensed my change in heart as well. No longer did I think of myself as over them, but a part of them. After all, we were all immortals.

Eli went on into the castle as the rest of us walked outside. It had been weeks since I last stepped outside of the walls and it felt good to be out in the fresh air of the night. In the distance, I heard the howls of the Lycans that were patrolling. They were in unison, like a song that was being sung. As we walked, I looked up at the stars. So many nights I had spent outside and never really took notice of them until now. They were twinkling above us in patterns that danced across the sky.

After a while, Raze and Isabel lagged behind to give Lucian and I some space, which I deeply appreciated. Finding alone time with him was becoming scarce and with our child on the way, we knew our time of having many moments alone was drawing to a close. We walked hand-in-hand down the path that went in front of the trees of the nearby forest. I was completely at ease.

"Lucian, do you remember the first time we met?"

He laughed. "How could I forget? You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen in my entire life. And you always will be."

"You fixed the chain of my necklace for me when it had broken during a Lycan attack," I reminded him. It had been one of my first nights outside the castle as a Death Dealer and I had been overzealous. "Your kindness is what won me over. And your eyes."

"My kindness?" he asked.

"Yes, most would have just taken the necklace and fixed it without saying a word. Yet, you promised me that it was in good hands."

"I did."

"Did you just mean the necklace when you said that to me?"

"No; I meant your heart as well," he replied.

"I thought vampires did not have hearts," I asked, smiling softly to imply my playful nature.

He stopped and placed his hand on the side of my face gently. "This one does."

He brought my lips to his and everything stopped. Nothing else in the world mattered right then but the two of us. Moments later, we broke apart and continued walking. We walked until Lucian could sense that I was beginning to tire, which was happening more frequently with the child growing inside of me and constantly moving. Reluctantly, I conceded to retire back to our castle for the night and await the morning.

A/N: Wow, I am really surprised by how many reviews I got for this story. Thank you so much guys! I hope that this chapter is pleasing enough for the time being. Things will begin to pick up here shortly, so hang on just a little longer.