[Eighteen]

*Lana*

March 12th, 2014 

I watch with fear as Landon tackles Trent to the ground, snarling in his face. Stupid boy! I will never seek aid from the pack that murdered my father and half of my pack! 

The Shadow pack stops training, turning their attention to their Alpha. They are in awe. This is the first time they have seen him in his wolf form since the accident. They gather around, however keeping a decent distance away. 

"Landon, it's the only way!" Trent shouts. My eyes dart between my brother and my mate, shaking my head. This can't be happening again! They were just bonding not thirty minutes ago and now their at each others throats again. 

Landon. Please, don't hurt him! I beg. The white wolf looks over at me, letting out a soft growl. 

How could he even consider such a disgraceful idea! He says, his body shaking with rage. I glance at Blondie, pleading him with my eyes to intervene and stop this. 

Landon, you don't want to hurt Trent. Mason says in a calm voice, trying to get his best friend to see reason. 

"They're the only pack with the numbers. They hate the Cossitt pack just as much as we do! They will stand with us for this, Landon!" Trent says. 

Please just shut up. I say to my brother, rolling my eyes. He's really not helping his case in the slightest. 

Trent has a smile on his lips as I say this. Landon steps off of him with a grunt, shaking his head. 

It's not happening. We'll find another way. That is the end of it. Landon leaves, going back to the pack house. I quickly follow after him, up to our bedroom where we both shift back into our human form. He looks at me, his eyes a vibrant blue. His wolf is still present, allowing him to see me. I blush, covering myself slightly but he stops me, grabbing my wrists. 

His eyes take me in, letting out a deep growl. I couldn't be anymore embarrassed. But I had nothing to hide from him. He is my mate. 

"That was quite a show." I say. His eyes flicker up to me. He sighs and releases me, running a hand through his hair. 

"I'm sorry, Lana. I don't have the best temper." I laugh, walking to my dresser to grab a sweatshirt and a pair of Landon's boxer shorts. When I look back at him, his eyes are hazed over. I walk up to him, touching the skin around his eyes. 

He closes his eyes, circling his arms around my waist and pulling me close to him. "It's so frustrating. To see one moment and then to go completely blind." I place a kiss to his cheek and rest my head on his shoulder. 

We just stand in each other embrace, welcoming the comfort we bring each other. If I had a choice, I would never be out of his arms. He makes me feel so safe. 

"Do you want to talk about it?" I ask. Landon steps back and takes a seat on the bed, pulling me to stand in front of him. He holds on to my hands, kissing my knuckles. 

"I just can't do it, Lana. I can't work with the men that killed my father; my friends." 

While I completely understood where he was coming from, I wanted to know what he was planning on doing to ensure the safety of those who are still living. Ninety men would not be enough to break the lines of the Cossitt pack. We would be destroyed, and the Shadow pack will not survive for the second time. 

"I know." I say. Landon pulls me close and places his head on my stomach. I hear him quietly cry and I just stand there, embracing him. He has been so broken and wounded. And just as he starts to heal, he has to prepare for a deadly impact. He is emotionally unable to take this pack to victory. He won't make the sacrifices needed. 

I run my fingers through his soft hair, comforting him as he lets out his pain. "I won't lose you. I won't let Castor touch you. I promise." He lifts his head and takes a deep breath. "Will you promise me something?" 

I nod my head, brushing his tears away. "Of course. Anything." 

"Make sure Natalie lives a happy life. I know she will never be with Trent as a mate, but make sure she does find love and-"

"No." I cut him off, shaking my head. Landon drops his hands, clenching them into fists. 

"Lana, you need to survive to keep this pack running. You're the Luna. It is your responsibility." I let out a growl and throw the nearest lamp to the ground. It smashes into pieces at my feet. 

"My responsibility is to be at our side!" I shout. Landon shakes his head, standing up to walk over to me. 

"I am not asking." I shove on his chest, anger filling my veins. He is so infuriating! How could he speak like this?! I understand he is planning for the unfortunate outcome, but he really wants me to stand on the sidelines? 

I may not be a fighter, but I will fight until my last breath to be with Landon until my last second on this earth. I refuse to live without him. 

"I can't believe you!" 

"The discussion is over. I don't want an argument, Lana." Instead of answering him, I turn on my heels and storm out of the room, down to where my friends and brother are sitting. Trent lifts his eyes to see me, feeling my anger.

"What are you wearing?" He asks. I let out a growl, shooting him daggers. He looks at me with complete shock and fear as I grab his arm and yank him off of the couch. I pull him into the kitchen. 

You need to go to the Prowler pack. You need to ask for their help.

You want to go behind Landon's back? You know that is a pack crime. Trent says to me. 

Do you want to die without even being with Natalie? He lets out a sigh and leans against the kitchen counter, shaking his head. I run a hand through my hair and groan in anger.

We could turn ourselves in. Trent says. 

I shake my head. No. We'd be killed. I can't die.

It's either you or Landon. 

I can't die. It's not just my life I'm worried about. Trent's eyes widen, meeting my stomach with shock. I feel tears of frustration feel my eyes. 

"I can't go to Castor because he will kill me along with my baby. And I can't let Landon go to war without the Prowler pack because he will die without even meeting our child." I whisper to my brother. 

Trent grabs my right shoulder and pulls me into a warm, brotherly hug. I sob into his shoulder, clinging onto his shirt as if it was the only think keeping me rooted. 

I didn't know for sure until Landon placed his head on my stomach. I know it's too soon to be sure; many miscarriages happen in the first few months. But as of right now, I have a child in my womb and I will not let Landon die without seeing his son's blue eyes gleaming up at him. I refuse. 

"Alright. I will go." Trent pulls back, his hands on my shoulders. He looks into my eyes. "I will go, Lana. But you need to tell him. He needs to know." I nod, rubbing the back of my hand over my eyes. 

"I love you, Trent. Thank you." 

"I'll leave tonight. When everyone is asleep." 

* * *

Landon hasn't left the room since our argument. It is nearly ten at night as I make my way up to our bedroom. I open the door, seeing him sitting on the bed, staring blinding in front of him. 

I close the door, walking over to get into bed, making sure not to step on the glass shards from the lamp. I pull the cover over me, laying my head on Landon's lap. He gently digs his finger into my hair, massaging my scalp. 

"All I care about is your safety, Lana." He whispers. I smile, closing my eyes. All I care about is our future with our child. "I will die for you. I will kill for you." 

I reach up and cup his cheek with my hand, rubbing my thumb along his cheekbone. He leans his head into my hand, pressing a kiss into my palm. "I love you so much. But I can't let you go into this battle alone. We need the Prowler pack." Landon frowns. 

"Don't say that, Lana." I know I've wounded him. That was the last thing I ever wanted. But he has to understand where I am coming from. He has to understand that it isn't just us anymore. 

"What would it take for you to ask for their help? What needs to happen?" 

"Nothing. I will never ask for their help. I will sooner die than plea for that vile creatures aid!" Tears well in my eyes as I grab hold of his hand. I intertwine our fingers. 

"Even if you're going to be a dad?" I bring our joined hands to my stomach. Landon is still for a moment before a large smile stretches across his face. 

Tears spill down his cheeks as he leans down to give me a kiss. I sit up, keeping out lips together, looping my arms around his neck. Salty tears mix with our kiss, causing us to part our lips and Landon soon dominates my mouth. His hands clutch to my sides, holding me close to him. 

My fingers grasp at the hair at the nape of his neck. 

"You're sure?" He asks against my lips. I nod my head, smiling slightly. Landon lets out a sweet laugh, giving me another warm kiss before pushing me away so he can lift up my sweatshirt and cover my belly with kisses. "My beautiful baby. You've made me so happy." 

I watch as he rests his ear against my stomach, as if listening for a heartbeat. It is too early to hear it though. 

"If it were possible, I'd say your mother did this so I would do the impossible." Landon lifts his head, blue eyes looking at me. I stare at him with admiration. He is learning to call upon his wolf more easily now. "Well let me tell you, sweet baby. It worked. I will ask the Prowler pack to help. I'll be damned if I die without seeing your beautiful green eyes and blond hair." I shake my head, laughing. He wants the baby to look like me. Well, I want him to look like Landon. 

Trent. Don't go. I don't say anything else because Landon captures my mouth in a breathtaking kiss and take us into a night that would have surely gotten me pregnant if I already wasn't.