9

"What's up with you and Sigurd?" Astrid asked Derik.

"It's complicated and I don't want to talk about it." He growled. Astrid was amazed that he could look so much like Sigurd and yet be so different.

"Okay. Fair enough. Are you and Sigurd siblings?"

"Twins. He's five minutes older." Derik sighed and seemed frustrated.

"Is that why you don't get along?"

"No. That's because of a woman." He scrubbed his face with his hands.

"Let me guess. You were in love with her and he slept with her."

"No. She bewitched him so that she could get his blood for her spells and potions. She almost bled him dry and when she wasn't doing that she was sacrificing pack members to summon demons, or selling them on the black market." He looked sad. "We all tried to tell him and he wouldn't listen. He was different. Not himself. Finally he snapped and went after me when I tried to kill her. Luckily he was weakened from her blood letting. But one thing she was doing that I hadn't been aware of was injesting his blood. It made her stronger and she healed almost immediately after every strike. She nearly killed both of us that day. She was able to take me hostage and used me for her own benefit. It was a week of hell. Sigurd and I haven't been the same since."

"I don't blame you for doing what you thought was best. None of it was your fault."

"Thanks. But I still find it hard to not blame myself. I'm sure Sigurd blames me. And Liam blames me for letting her get away."

"She's still alive?"

"Yeah. After all was said and done I couldn't kill her. I knew I should but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I still don't know why and it's been almost a full year." He lapsed into silence as he thought back to a day she was sure he would rather forget. Suddenly he slapped his knees and smiled at her. "Snack time. Let's go get something to eat. I'm thinking burger King or Hardee's. You should come with me."

As soon as they got back from burger King Sigurd was in the kitchen with an older woman "Where'd you go?"

"Burger King." Derik said dismissively as he tossed the bag in his hand at Sigurd and left the room.

"Are you okay Luna?" She asked.

"Gertrude! I told you not to bring it up!" Sigurd half growled at the woman.

"It's okay Sigurd." Astrid said with a gentle smile. "I'm okay now. I do have a minor concussion though."

"I'm glad it's nothing serious." Gertrude sighed in relief as she filled a large bowl with what smelled like gumbo and passed it to Astrid. "You look half starved. Eat this honey." There was something about Gertrude's sweet southern drawl that made Astrid feel safe.

"It smells delicious. Thank you." She smiled warmly at Gertrude and took a large bite. It was perfect and Astrid ate as much as she could. She laid her head on her arms at the table and closed her eyes. Sigurd was looking over some papers and talking with pack members as he ate. Astrid drifted into a comfortable sleep next to him.

She wasn't sure how long she had been asleep but woke up to Sigurd gently shaking her shoulder. "It's dinner time." He said with a gentle loving smile.

"Really? I almost missed it?"

"Actually you missed it by a couple hours. The doctor said to just let you rest." He stood up and gently took her hand to guide her through the dark house. "Come on. We'll get you something."

"Okay." Astrid felt strange holding his hand. The warm jolt she usually got from him wasn't there. "Just let me take a shower first." She groggily insisted. His hold on her hand became painful.

"No! I want to show you something. Come with me."

"Baby are you okay?" It was as if she was hearing him from far away.

"You're hurting me Sigurd. Please, let go." She begged as she tugged on her hand.

"Come outside! It's not safe in here!" They passed a single glowing light and he turned to her.

"Sigurd! Your eyes! There black!" She gasped and tried harder to pull away.

"My wolf knows it's not safe here! He's trying to take control! I will take you somewhere safe!"

"Luna! What's wrong?" Derik's voice broke through her fogged up mind.

"Derik! Help me!" She sobbed desperately. "Sigurd's hurting me!"

"I am Mavdra. I am Derik's wolf Luna. Turn around. That is not your mate." Astrid spun around and saw a wolf standing in the middle of the hall. It was black except for the white streak above it's left eye.

"Run Baby! I'll hold him off as long as I can!" Sigurd shouted at her as he shoved her in the direction of the stairs.

"Luna. This is a dream. You are safe. But Sigurd is very worried about you. You need to wake up."

"I-I can't." She whispered. "Mavdra help me!"

"You have control here. Take us somewhere you feel safe." He stepped closer. "Where do you feel safe Luna?" She closed her eyes and when she opened them again they were back in the bedroom. The silver moon light streaming in through the widow gave the scene a peaceful feeling. Sigurd was sitting on the edge of the bed, his ice blue Full of concern.

"Baby doll, is everything ok? You look terrified." He said as he stood and reached out to pull her into his warm embrace.

"All the places you could have taken us, and you chose here. This is your safe place and nothing can get you here. Don't ever forget that." Mavdra said soothingly.

"Is this Sigurd real or was that other one? I don't know?" She sobbed into Sigurd's chest.

"They are both real. And in a way they are not."

"How is that possible?"

"The Sigurd that hurt you is the embodiment of everything you fear will come to pass. This is how your conscious mind sees him. They are both very real and not real at the same time. You needed him to comfort you. So your unconscious mind has provided the most comforting version of Sigurd that it could to place here." He sighed. "This Sigurd is just a dream and so is the one that hurt you. The real Sigurd can't get to you. He is being blocked by something."

"I don't understand." Astrid sniffed. "How come you are able to be here and he's not?"

"You and I have a special bond. The gamma bond. It means that I am able to break through your minds natural defences in order to help you. From here you can wake yourself. I will stay until you are ready to do that."

"Mommy? Who are you talking to?" She turned to see a small boy with jet black hair and bright green eyes.

"No one darling. Mommy got scared but it's okay now. We're okay now. The danger has passed." She said and felt a warm sense of love towards the child. She knew beyond a doubt that this was her son.

"No! Who is that wolf Mommy? I don't like him being here!" The boy snapped angrily.

"Sweety. What's your name?"

"I don't have one yet." He pouted. "Are you trying to change the subject?"

"Why don't you have a name yet?"

"You haven't given me one. Who is he?" He demanded.

"Even before they are born, alpha's are extremely territorial." Mavdra informed her. He is probably the one blocking Sigurd from reaching.

"Let me in Baby!" The nightmare Sigurd shouted as he pounded on the door.

"Pound all you want little witch. You won't get in." A mischievous smile spread across the boys face and Astrid was reminded of her father.

"Desmond? Is there someone else inside my mind?" She asked.

"Yes. She won't let Daddy in and I tried to call to him. He can make the bad witch go away. I want the bad witch to go away mommy."

"Mavdra will protect us from the witch Desmond. No need to worry. She can't get us in here."

"Astrid, wake up please." Sigurd sounded as if he was about to cry.

"I have to go Desmond. Daddy is scared and I have to let him know we're okay."

"Okay mommy. I love you." The room was already fading away.

"I love you too Desmond sweety." Astrid mumbled as she woke up. She looked around and saw her dad and Sigurd leaning over her.

"Baby doll." Sigurd sighed in relief and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I was so worried about you. Don't ever scare me like that again."

"I'm pregnant." She said suddenly as her conversation with their son came back to her. She placed her arms protectively over her belly. "His name is Desmond." She informed them as she stood up.

"Maybe we should take you back to the hospital, Astrid." Sigurd sighed. "Come on. Let's go."

"Actually Sigurd, witches are able to communicate with the soul of unborn children that holds their line. Did you speak with him, Astrid?" Desmond asked.

"Yes. He has your smile daddy."

"We desend from a line of very powerful witches. My mother was very adept at healing spells and potions." A crooked smile lit his face. "You named him after me?" Astrid nodded. "I'm honored." He put a hand over his heart and she saw tears of joy sparkle in his eyes.

"Wait... I'm a witch?"

"Yeah. Witches come into their powers when they are marked by their other half." He informed her. "Tiana can teach you some simple stuff if you want.". She nodded in agreement. "Sigurd, start running. I'm definitely going to shoot you."