Four.

Four days ago when Eloise awoke she wasn't quite sure what had happened. She remembered Henry being there *in her apartment of all places*, and she remembered shifting. But, then there was only darkness, and she woke up the next day in bed unaware of how she got there.

Char explained to her that he had went a bit dark, *although despite her requests, he would not elaborate.* The result was that both she and Henry had passed out. But, that Henry had disappeared while Char put Eloise into her bed. It was a simple enough explanation and one Eloise could easily accept about her mate; after all it wasn't the first time he had disappeared while she slept.

Then, it only took Char half a day to convince Eloise to seek out Sammy's new pack. As a rogue he could protect her while he was around, but it wasn't possible for him to be around twenty four hours a day. A fact Eloise was relieved about, because yes she loved her best friend, but she had no plans on joining herself at the hip to anyone. A pack would give her standing. A pack would protect their own, and a pack with Sammy, who Eloise had already seen in action force her Alpha mate to back off, would be perfect.

But, first she had to impress their Alpha. First she had to be allowed to join, and with Henry as an unknown factor, she wasn't sure how readily she would be accepted. Still, she spoke to Sammy and Daniel, who seemed to believe Alpha Shane Andrews, would hear her out. Dax agreed to Eloise's decision, promising her a job should she need to return and granting her an overly generous severance package, stating that she was now technically family as more than enough of a justifiable reason to do so.

Now she was in the quiet mountain town of Armitage, walking towards the centre of the local pack's territory, wiping off the sweat that had gathered upon her palms all over again. Sammy was at work with Daniel, they had been staying on site at the sanctuary while she had set up a temporary residence in Sammy's apartment. Despite Daniel's best efforts, Sammy was still holding out on moving into the pack house, claiming she was too old to live in a dormitory. A comment which never ceased to make Eloise laugh and cause rumblings of discontent in Daniel.

Smirking at the behaviours of the still relatively new couple she was beginning to love being around, Eloise hadn't noticed she was approaching the large house. Pausing nervously her hand flitted to her stomach, that little touch was all the courage she needed, she skipped up to door quickly knocking without allowing herself any hesitation. The door opened to reveal a spirited looking red head. Luna Abigail, Eloise decided instantly, and balanced on her hip, was a drooling six month old infant, with the tell tale teething signs of cheeks that were red enough to match his Momma's hair.

"Hi, I'm Eloise," she smiled, her focus more on the little one than on her potential new Luna.

"Hi Sweetie," Abigail answered, taking a deep breath of this new she-wolf's scent. "Come on in, Shane will be down in a moment."

"Thank you."Eloise responded, following Abigail into the house and through to what seemed to be a large sitting room.

Abigail sat on the couch with Harvey on her knee, "Please sit." She instructed, pointing to the couch opposite, "I'm Abigail, and this is Harvey. But, please tell me when are you due? Are you excited?"

Eloise almost threw up.

"How do you... Did Sammy say something?" She asked feeling very claustrophobic all of a sudden, as she perched nervously on the edge of the couch cushions.

"Oh, no, please calm down," Abigail worriedly began, seeing Eloise's distress, "You look as though you want to climb the walls. No, No, none has told.me anything."

Eloise still sat there rigid and unmoving, "Then how?" She demanded, frowning as she internally told herself this was a terrible idea.

"Sweetie, you couldn't take your eyes off Harvey, and your hand has barely left your stomach. But, your scent hasn't changed yet, so you must be early right? I'm sorry if I freaked you out." Abigail explained.

"Oh," Eloise breathed out, her body beginning to loosen at the Luna's explanation. "Sorry," she was shaking her head, "Sorry, I'm just.." Eloise paused to take a breath, before looking up at Abigail's concerned face. "I apparently conceived less than a week ago. It's all still a bit new."

Abigail smiled despite her confusion, "How do you know?"

"Ha," Eloise almost snorted, "Divine announcement," she stated sarcastically, before sighing again, "My boss at the restaurant was a fertility diety. He picked it up straight away. Literally."

Abigail's eyes widened, "But, I thought you worked for Sammy's foster brother, Dax?"

Eloise paled, "Shit, I was trying not to out him." Then her hand flew to her mouth, "Sorry, Harvey."

"It's fine," Abigail stated, "It takes a while to get used to it."

Eloise smiled shyly. "Thank you. I'm sorry again, I'm just nervous, I really need this to work out."

"Well, I would say you are over half way there," came a deep voice from the doorway, "My mate looks quite smitten with you already. I know that look Mrs. Andrews, you're already envisioning play dates and homework sessions aren't you?"

Shane Andrew's alpha aura was strong, Eloise felt it as he entered the room. Though his body was relaxed, and his demeanor friendly, as he sidled into the couch beside Abigail.

Eloise couldn't help the pang of longing that hit her. Not for Henry Gray, but for what a mating between wolves should be. Shane and Abigail were quite clearly two sides of the same coin, their bond evident in the way they moved with one another. They were a complete unit. Just as Eloise's parents had been, just as she hoped when she was younger she would be when she finally found her mate. But fate had other plans, and Mene had paired her with Henry, a man who lost himself in her for moment, and caused her to lose everything she held dear to her.

*And now she was pregnant with his child.*

"I do have some questions though," Shane began, shifting his attention to Eloise. "Daniel and Sammy are this pack's beta couple, but while they asked for permission to bring you here to approach me about joining, they didn't give me many details about you."

Eloise smiled respectfully, "I'm happy to answer anything really, Alpha."

Abigail giggled, "Please, call him Shane, his ego is big enough."

"Really?" Shane asked his mate flabbergasted, "She is a rogue, and is looking for shelter. Has the common sense to use my title, and you are pushing her to break rank already. I swear you will be the death of me." He shook his head in disbelief.

"Please, we both know you will accept her. She is a lone pregnant she-wolf. You are hardly going to turn her away, Shane. This conversation would have ended with you telling her to call you Shane anyway." Abigail rolled her eyes.

Shane deflated somewhat, as Eloise stifled her laughter at the mated pair.

Taking a deep breath he returned his attention to Eloise.

"Sorry about that, and you're pregnant?" Shane looked for clarity.

"Yes, so I am told." Eloise responded.

"The father?" Shane pushed. "I'm sorry if it is a sensitive subject, but is the baby your mate's?"

"Yes." Eloise confirmed, moving her braids from her neck to show them Henry's mark upon her neck.

Shane nodded, a slight furrow appearing in his brow. "Is he also a rogue? He will wish to join you here, I expect?"

"No. I was born a rogue, Alpha. But my mate was part of a pack I joined at seventeen. When he betrayed me I became a rogue a second time and have been ever since." Eloise explained her background briefly, "Henry Gray did not want me then, and when he left me a second time four days ago, I knew his wishes and intentions have not changed."

"Wait a minute," Abigail all but squealed, "You're Sammy's sister in law? That Henry Gray?"

Eloise blushed slightly at the attention, nodding in response.

"Slow down, Abigail." Shane warned.

"What? Why? She is practically family! You do remember it was Sammy who delivered your son after you so helpfully knocked the midwife out?" Abigail countered Shane's objection.

"She is an Alpha's marked mate. A Luna in her own right, carrying the heir to the Red Canyon pack. I need assurances that if we were to take you in and shelter them both, my pack, my Luna and my child would not be at risk. You left one pack before, how can I be assured of your loyalty?" Shane addressed them both.

"Shane!" Abigail protested.

"No, please Luna," Eloise interrupted, "I understand your Alpha's concern. I left the Red Canyon pack because," Eloise steadied herself, "After my mating with Henry, he disappeared. I didn't even know his name, not until, not until two weeks later. Martin Gray was holding a gathering, a gathering where he introduced his son, and the she-wolf from another pack who he had chosen to make his future Luna. Henry Gray, was stood smiling with a beautiful brunette she-wolf. I will never forget how pleased with himself he looked. My adoptive parents found me later that evening, I was broken. I explained it all, and they helped me change my identity and leave. I knew my little brother was safe with them, he would have a good life. But, I couldn't stay, I couldn't stay and watch my mate live his life with another." Eloise swiped at a stray tear. "Henry Gray, does not pose a threat, and has no claim on my loyalty, not anymore."

Abigail gave Harvey to Shane and was beside Eloise in a flash, pulling her into her arms.

"She stays." Abigail stated, looking directly at Shane, daring him to oppose her. "No ifs, no buts, Shane. She stays, I will not have it any other way."

Shane sighed out, knowing he was beaten, "Yes, Darling." Before he turned and looked at Harvey, while he stood up, "Your Momma's heart is so big, little man. So so very big."

Then he walked out the room with his son, leaving his Luna to comfort their latest pack member.