Jared POV             It has been a week since Lily and I settled into our new life.  Lily has made me proud.  She has jumped into her new role as Luna for our Pack and our people love her.  She’s kind and generous to everyone and always makes time when someone is in need.  As I leave her in her office, I kiss her and wish her luck as I know she’s going for an interview later this morning for a teaching position.  I am confident she will get the new position and I know she will be happy delving into her teaching role.             As I settle into my office, I hear a knock on the door.  I was expecting Rick, so I invite him in.  He comes in and slumps down in the chair in front of me. “What has you down, man?” I ask.  “Miranda is away again.  I know she loves me, but I don’t know where she goes when she leaves. 

Jared POV             Standing I move to the bathroom as I hear the shower turn on. Lily hadn’t locked the bathroom door, so I opened it and moved into the room.  What I saw broke my heart. Lily was sitting on the floor of the shower sobbing.  Moving forward, removing my clothes, I step into the shower with her.             Sitting down, I pull her into my arms as she cries out her pain and frustration.  As her sobs soften to whimpers, I stand holding her in my arms.  Letting her feet slide to the floor, I turn her so I can wash her hair.  Massaging the shampoo into her scalp, I slide her back under the water to rinse her hair.  I then add conditioner, letting it sit in her hair for a few minutes.  I grab her favourite soap and start to wash her body.            

 Lily POV             Waking up in Jared’s arms, it comes back to me in flashes.  Not having pups.  It’s the most devastating news I could hear, yet I feel hopeful.  I would do whatever needed to be done so I could have Jared’s pups.  I know Jared also said we could adopt, and I want to do that as well.  There are lots of pups out there abandoned by their parents who would need good homes.             As I lay there watching my mate, I realize it doesn’t matter that he kept it from me.  I understood he was protecting me and the best we could do is be together to make it happen for us.  Stay positive and hope for the little pup we are meant to have.              Moving my hand across Jared’s body I lean forward kissing him on his chest.  As I slowly

Jared POV             Lily had started teaching this week.  She was thrilled.  She had a class of Grade 3 students and she wanted to bring them all home.  I reminded her the pup’s parents may not like that, to which she chuckled.  I loved seeing the excitement on her face talking about all the children and I couldn’t wait until we had a pup of our own.  Lily was going to be an amazing mother.             We had spent the week trying to learn as much as we could about Rick and Miranda’s marks.  Miranda spent much of her time in the library and online trying to learn what she could.  Yes, we do have some underground online sites we can search out all information related to werewolves.  You just need to have the secret access, which select Packs had.            

Rick POV             The night Miranda had finished her first shift had exhausted her.  When we returned to our clothes, I helped her get dressed and carried her back to our suite.  She had already been asleep when I slid her into bed.  She had more fun than she had expected and was looking forward to her next run.             As soon as everyone learned she had shifted, we had agreed we needed to start training her for her protection.  She was a quick study, catching onto the different defense moves.  Today we were moving toward training her in offense.  She had shifted into her wolf a couple times now.  As I had promised her the first shift was the hardest and she was shifting faster and with less pain.  Soon she would be able to shift in motion.           &nbs