" Just thinking about our future, MIkael" Em said with a light smile " But also for Stardust's. She has so much ahead of her. I cant teach her all by myself. She needs a father figure right now. And I have chosen you to help me get through to her that Darkseekers arent what they seem to be. The rude, mean, attacker kind. She's slowly opening up to you, I can see that. I love it. She wants you, Mikael, she just is afraid to admit it."

She stopped at a cliff edge and justw antched the sky. " I want my family to have everything it needs to survive. She's been through too much pain, and love from you is all I ask. She will begin to trust you the mosre you play and walk with her."

She then looked back " Life is short, I know. But we have to be brave when a fight arrives. We have to come together and be strong. Lilac is one of anger and frustration. I know what he will do. I know him all too well...

She let her mind roam as she sat on her haunches, her head on Mikaels shoulder.

Mikael could feel Em resting her head on his shoulders and he looked at the sky as well. "Em, I promise that I will be as best a father I can be for your daughters, to love them unconditionally and to love and care for you, no matter how hard life may get or how weak I may become. I promise I will never abandon any of you, because out of all of the males in the world, you chose me. You chose me and left Lilac, giving up being Alpha so that you can protect your daughters, so I promise I will never make you feel like you chose the wrong wolf to help take care of your daughters Em. Star may not be fully onboard now, but I will have nothing but love and patience for her, despite her hesitancy." He licked Em's ear before nuzzling her, feeling joy in reaffirming his love for her.

Em whined as she sat beside him watching the sky. Then she smelled him. Lilac. " He's here. Lilac is here."

She stood up, fur standing up. A deep growled could be heared from deep with in her chest. " I have something imprtant I must do. Get back to the others. If they ask... dont tell them. But if you hear a howl, come running with the others."

she looked Mikael in the eyes before licking his muzzle and ran off down the path and followed the scent.

" Lilac!" Em snarled. What are you doing in my territory? We told you to stay back from it. "

" I am allowed to hunt here, my dear. I can kill who or what I please. Including you"

he lurched at her and pinne dher down, all his weight on top of her.

" Lilac. You have no idea what.. I-I'am capable of doing. And when I do it, you will go back- back home with a limp and open wounds. I will order them to hurt you."

She had a smirk on her face before she howled. When Lilac wasnt watching her, Em pinned him down and watched for her pack to arrive.

Without waiting another moment, Mikael ran back towards home at full speed, not stopping until he reached the rest of the pack. "HUNTER!" Mikael yelled. Hunter quickly left his den and met with Mikael. "What's wrong Mikael?" He asked. Mikael told him what Em said to him and Hunter immediately understood. "Okay. Clay! Daria! You're coming with me and Mikael. Lilac is in our territory and Em is after him. Makayla, watch over Star and Dove while we are gone." Clay and Daria met up with Hunter and Mikael and they left, leaving Makayla alone with her pups along with Dove and Star. "Makayla, is mommy and daddy going to be okay?" Dove asked her. Makayla nodded and brought the pups inside the den to watch over them. Mikael lead the group back to the spot until he heard a howl. That's Em! Adjusting his course, Mikael went to where the howl came from and found Em, who at the moment had Lilac pinned down. "Lilac..." Mikael said, his voice dripping with venom and anger. "You don't belong her Lilac. Why are you out here?" Hunter questioned him, not in a good mood considering that he had returned to their territory.

" Oh dont worry, Im not gonna harm your mate, Mikael, just letting her remember who the Alpha was before she left me for you. He glared at Em who was whining. " Lilac.. let me go. You did the harm to me years ago. he felt his claws dig into her and she yeped.

" Im returning the favor, my dear. And as for you, Miakel, I can go where I please" it was at that moment when he lost his focus on Em and she attacked him full throttle and bit his leg. " That goes for killing my first ever child, Lilac. The rest wont be pretty"

SHe looked at her Alpha before barking for them to do the rest " I'll know when he's learned his lesson." She stepped back besides Mikael and watched. " get on with it" she said

|

( Now dont kill him... just do the same thing Hunter's pack members did to Em, when she decided to take Mikaels punishment)

They nodded and even though Lilac initially tried to fight back, the numbers game overwhelmed him considerably and he was pinned by Clay and Daria within seconds, leaving Hunter and Mikael to go to work, clawing and biting Lilac. Hunter did it because Lilac was invading his territory, but Mikale did it because of how Lioac treated Em and her daughters. Anger slowly built in his mind as they went, and he quickly wanted nothing more than to kill Lilac for what he has done, but eventually Em signaled that he had suffered enough, and the four wolves left Lilac alone, being reduced to a bloody and weak mess, and even though he would be able to recover from the damage inflicted upon him, the pain was almost unbearable for Lilac.

" That had better teach you about how I felt when you inflicted the pain to me those years ago, Lilac. I suggest you scram and NEVER come back. Or I'll make sure you die."

She glared at her ex mate before walking off, back to the tree that she used as a resting place and wrapped herself around and watched to see if anyone would come and ask for an explaination for what just happened. She was showing her bravery in this pack more than ever and she wouldnt stop.

Eventually everyone returned home, still feeling on edge thanks to Lilac. Mike walked over and lied down next to Em, resting his head on her back. Dove and Star saw Milael and Em by the tree and they ran over, with Dove jumping on and wrapping her paws around Em for a hug, before giving the same to Mikael. Star merely walked over and sat down next to Em. "Don't worry girls. Lilac is gone and he won't bother you again." Mikael said, licking Dove before nuzzling Star. "I said I would keep you safe, and I plan on doing just that."

" Thanks... dad" Stardust said for the first time. Making her smile and nuzzled him " Thank you for everything"

Em was shocked at what just happened " Did you just call him dad, Star? Thats the hugest break Ive seen you have. coem here and cuddle" she said tilting her head. She finally had a family she loved. And the girls had a fater they could finalyl trust. Someone who loved and cared for their safety in the pack

" And mother?" Star said licking her paws " I want to say something to the others later.. but more to Hunter. I rpomised him something and I need to let him know."

" Oh baby girl. You dont have to tell him anything. But it it pleases you, then go ahead. But wait til dinner time. "

Dove chuckled as she nibbled on Miakesls ears before falling on her back right between his paws " Daddy" she chukled pawing at his face.

"Aw come here you." Mikael said, wrapping a paw around Star and nuzzling her, feeling Star paw his face as he nuzzled her. Dove climbed up on Mikael's back and rested her head in between his ears. Mikael saw Dove look down and he laughed as the three bonded, with Mikael nuzzling Star as Dove climbed all over him. "Thanks for giving me a chance Star. That means a lot to me." Mikael said to Star.