Liam said, "I know the circumstances aren't ideal, but I'm afraid we won't be able to avoid a war."

Langston replied, "No, I don't think we will. But rest assured, we will stand with you. You're a good man, Liam, and a good Alpha. We can't sit back while your pack and family are targeted."

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate that, Langston," Liam said, glancing at his clock. "We've been talking about the vampire situation for well over two hours now. This has been a lot. Why don't we all head down for some dinner?"

Emma nodded sadly. I said, "Felix should be taking the kids to the dining room any minute now." Emma brightened slightly.

Langston said, "Liam, if it's alright, I'd like a quick word before dinner. I have something for you." Liam looked at me and then at Damien. Oh no.

"Sure," he said. "Lily, why don't you and Emma head down to the dining room? Damien needs Azalea for a moment before dinner, and Langston and I won't be long."

"Liam, Damien is not carrying me down the steps," I said pointedly.

"Fine, I'll carry you down and come back up," he responded.

"I can manage the stairs once," I told him.

"Bed rest," he countered.

"We can do that," Lily interrupted. Damien gave me a sheepish, apologetic look. Lily and Emma rose and left, chatting about the children. Damien hung his head as he stood, aware of my displeasure. Liam helped me stand and I walked from the room with Damien following. He closed Liam's door behind us as I started down the hall.

He caught up quickly; my short legs couldn't keep pace with my larger frame. He said nothing as he picked me up and slowly carried me down the stairs.

"I'll set you down at the bottom if you tell Liam I carried you all the way," he said.

"Fine," I huffed. I wasn't angry at him, really; I just hated the whole situation. True to his word, Damien gently set me down at the bottom of the stairs. Missy and Maddox were approaching, also heading for dinner.

"Hey, you two," I said.

"Good evening, Luna," Maddox said. Missy rolled her eyes.

"Maddox, please, call me Azalea," I said. With his close attachment to Missy, he felt like family. He nodded, but his expression showed his apprehension about addressing me informally. "How was your day?" I asked. We moved toward the dining room, Damien hovering protectively behind me.

"Great," Missy said. "We just got back from a run."

"That sounds nice. Have you had any ideas about your birthday party?" I asked as we entered the dining room. She blushed but was interrupted by Emma.

"Missy!" she exclaimed.

"Luna Emma," Missy smiled. Maddox looked nervous as Emma rushed over and embraced Missy tightly.

"Darling girl, you grow more beautiful every day!" Emma said, holding her at arm's length. Missy's cheeks flushed even redder, but I felt a surge of pride. My daughter was beautiful inside and out.

"How have you been?" Missy asked, trying to change the subject.

"Just a boring old lady. Your birthday is coming up, though. Seventeen is a big one," Emma smiled.

"Yeah, I know," Missy said, biting her lip. Emma finally noticed Maddox, who remained close to Missy. Since Liam had given him another chance to watch over her, he'd been diligently by her side except during training.

"Who is this handsome young man?" Emma asked.

"Oh, this is Maddox," Missy said. "Maddox, this is Luna Emma from Serenity Waters."

"It's nice to meet you, Luna," Maddox said, bowing respectfully.

"Oh, how sweet," Emma said. "Are you two good friends then?"

"Uh, yeah," Missy said.

I explained, "Maddox and Missy are friends, and Maddox is training to become a warrior for the pack."

"A warrior. That's a tough job, young man," Emma said, impressed.

"Yes, ma'am," he said. "But there isn't anything else I can imagine doing." He stood taller, confidence evident in his voice.

"I like him," she said to me, making Missy blush. Liam and Langston finally joined us.

"He has a good head on his shoulders," Liam complimented Maddox. Maddox blushed but maintained his composure. Liam put his arm around my waist, and Langston did the same with Emma.

"Let's stop hogging all the children's time," Langston chuckled.

After dinner, Emma, Lily, and I sat in the lounge. Missy and Maddox took the children upstairs to play before bed, allowing Felix time with Lacey. Liam, Damien, and Langston left the packhouse, saying they needed to investigate something. Liam seemed excited and relieved, so I let him go without question. He was so distracted he didn't even try to discreetly carry me from the dining room.

"So, have you decided on baby names?" Emma asked.

"Oh, we've had a few conversations," I admitted. Liam and I weren't exactly seeing eye to eye on baby names. Junior, of course, was named after Liam. Lily suggested Leo after me.

"Liam is insisting on Londyn for a girl," Lily said.

"Well, that's pretty," Emma commented. I scrunched my nose. I didn't know why all my children were automatically getting L names. Lily laughed.

"Lea likes Magnolia and Emrick," she clarified.

"Or Lycidas," I added. "I just didn't want to pick only L names!"

"Your names are off the wall, Lea," she argued.

"You suggested Levi. I looked it up: there are twenty-four Levis in our pack under the age of five!"

"It's a cute boy name," she said. Emma laughed.

"You'll know when it's time," she said. "Speaking of, how are things going?"

"As well as can be expected. Just need to hang in there until after Missy's birthday, and everything should be okay," I told her.

Liam, Damien, and Langston returned, interrupting our conversation. Liam went straight to me and pulled me up from the couch. He had a confident smile.

"What's going on?" I asked.

"I have a surprise for you," he said happily. I frowned and looked at Damien, who gave nothing away.

"Alright…" I said hesitantly. Liam looked at Langston and nodded. Then, another man entered. He was almost as tall as Liam and Damien, with dark brown skin and vivid green eyes. He had long, braided dark hair past his shoulders and wore simple grey clothing, similar to Felix. He stood beside Langston, hands clasped, bowing slightly to Liam and me.

Liam said with a smile, "Azalea, I'd like you to meet Azeron. He'll be with you when Felix can't be." I looked between him and the man.

"So, no more Robert and Declan?" That earned a snort from Damien.

Liam shook his head. "No, our fathers will be relieved of their duty."

I looked back at Azeron, who was observing me intently. I approached him. He was still much taller, so he looked down as I looked up. "It's nice to meet you, Azeron," I said, extending my hand. I liked him instantly. He'd freed me from Robert and Declan!

"Luna," he said, nodding and taking my hand.

"I insist you call me Azalea," I said. His eyes widened slightly, and he glanced at Damien and Liam. I saw Damien shrug. "We'll be spending a lot of time together, so no need for formality." He simply nodded. My bodyguards were going to be a new breed, it seemed.

Liam put his arm around me possessively. "Langston searched through his best warriors to find us help. Azeron has agreed to join our pack as well."

Langston chuckled, "I always wondered when Felix would find something to tear him away from work. I think you'll find Azeron a great addition to Felix."

"So, Little Luna, are you happy?" Liam asked. I turned to him, smiling brightly. I stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek, needing no words to express my relief at being free from Robert and Declan's watchful eyes.

Missy and I were watching the children play with superhero action figures.

"She seems nice," Maddox said.

"Emma is super nice," I agreed.

"And she really likes you," he commented.

"I think sometimes she wishes she had a daughter," I said.

"Does she only have a son?" he asked.

"No. Emma and Langston don't have any children. Emma can't have pups, I think."

"Wait, then who will be their Alpha?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I guess Langston will just pick someone, right?"

"I bet that's hard," he said.

"I never really thought about it. I mean, I'll never be an Alpha," I joked.

Maddox rolled his eyes. "You might make a better Alpha than you think," he said.

"Now I know you're crazy."

"So, what do you want to do for your birthday?" he asked, nudging me.

"I don't know," I admitted, worried about my birthday because of the Maddox versus Vlad situation. If either turned out to be my mate, I was concerned about the other's reaction. Then I realized something. "What do you want to do for yours?"

Maddox looked down. He was quiet for a few minutes. "I just want to know if you are my mate or not," he finally admitted.

"How about this," I began. Maddox looked up. "I'll let Lea and Liam throw a party or whatever if you celebrate with me."

"Missy, no, I wouldn't…" Maddox started. I shook my head.

"I don't really want to be the center of attention, and everyone will be hung up on who's the mate of the Alpha's 'charity case.' If the party's for you too, it'll be better," I explained.

He smiled. "So, you want me to be your shield?"

"Yes," I admitted. "But also, because you don't have a family to celebrate with now. I want you to feel special, because you're special to me." I stopped abruptly. Did I say that out loud? Maddox's face lit up.

"Alright," he said. "We'll celebrate together."