“Vos non potestis venire.”

I spoke the words again, calm and yet firm, my form standing solidly in the fading light of the day, the last rays of the sun, like a glorious golden shield gleaming against the white of my pelt, seeming to be perhaps the only thing that held him back. It had been years since I’d laid eyes on this creature, forgotten his size perhaps, forgotten just how black he truly was as he stood before me, level with me, the emerald of his gaze so cold and dead against the perfect violet of my own. He didn’t- move. He didn’t do anything, he just stood there like an obsidian statue with his breath rising from his lips like fog, staring as if he hadn’t heard, my own agitation spiking though I kept it hidden, refusing to allow my lip to curl upward or a snarl of aggression to be driven towards him. He is broken. He does not understand, it will do know good but to insight his rage further and I am no fool. I am sevetten years old this day and I might outweigh him, perhaps, I cannot tell for the thickness of that fur. But I am not stronger. Not physically, not anymore and the last thing Aaliyah needs is to hear the shierk and cry of fang on fang as her sire and mate fight out a bloody death. Perhaps my skill and experience would see him defeated, perhaps I am swifter yet I would be a damn fool if I didn’t admit his strength. I cannot afford this fight, but nor will I back down. I cannot attempt to dominate him, yet nor can I offer him weakness. OS I offer him nothing. Nothing except the same words again and again, in the latina, he seems to prefer it though I cannot say why, perhaps Ally speaks to him in such tones. Every fibre in my body wishes to launch at him, to tear him apart and strike him from this earth- but he is not my battle. He is for Malina to decide as they will be, the children coming to the world this night.

“Vos non potestis venire.”

I spoke the words again, calmly, clearly, the creatures eyes boring into my own. Did he even understand? Could he hear me? What the hell had my daughter gotten herself into? I stepped forward, shifting ever so slightly, pressing my weight onto my forepaws as a growl coiled in the black animals throat, yet his own form leaned back, fangs flashing from his lips even as he eased his form away. He remembers. Somewhere in that wretched mind he remembers what was done to him. He won’t cross the borders, not in front of me, at least, not while the sun was at my back, though that was fast descending. I waited, simply stood, stepping forward again and again as his own form slide back, the violet of my gaze following each muscle pulled firm and taught in his powerful form. Hell, he is perfect, a truly perfect male and yet- to look at him fills me with disgust, his body grown only so well on rich meat, a vile sin, disgusting and yet- he is a Father tonight. For whatever reason, by the graces of whatever gods rested above the blackened creature moved away, shifting, moving back into the shadows on the outskirts of the pack, curling himself into the darkness like a wraith, emerald eyes glowing in the gloom. He wouldn’t leave from that spot, that I already knew and for months we were going to have to keep the young ones from this side of the pack. Damn you Ally. I allowed my heckles to lay flat, turning from him, moving away without turning my back until the last moment before I broke into a lope, tearing back across the pack land, seeking the den of my youngest child, my beautiful ‘Littlest Angel’ half hoping indeed they pups would be born before I arrived. Childbirth was never my thing, I’d been physically present within the den only for the births of Ferox and Seraphiel, yet that had been enough. Quite frankly it was horrific and I cannot stand to see my child in pain, bringing my grandchildren to the world. I cannot stand that I cannot help them and indeed I prayed that night I’d find them only well. If Aaliyah died giving life to the spawn of Tobias there would be no hell in which I did not find him.

I slowed my own pace as I approached the den on the outskirts, moving to pause a few feet from the entrance, ears strained forward in the dark, desperately seeking sounds of breathing, whimpering....life. My own whine coiled in my throat as I moved slowly forward, hesitant, wary all the same. I may be her Father but this is her first litter and I am not her mate, females change when they become Mothers, it is an exquisite thing and yet our relationship will not ever be as it was and indeed, should she drive me away, this time, I am willing to allow it- it is her right. I lowered my head, peering into the blackness, the scent of blood and life mingling with her own odour and the unmistakable scent of new birth, tiny, mulling sounds whispering from within as I released a breath I was unaware I had held.

“Aaliyah? Baby Girl, it’s me, are you well? Tell me of them, Little Angel, tell me and I will sit guard for you tonight.”

I moved back, moving to sit at the entrance to the den, not prepared to intrude into the space, even for a glance at my grandchildren, my first true born grandchildren. I smiled faintly as I sat, one ear turned towards the space, waiting to her her voice as my own head incline dupward to the star spattered sky. Zeivah would have adored this moment and indeed she should have been beside me, she should have been with Aaliyah as was a Mother and Grandmothers job. Perhaps she did watch over them, perhaps she was close in some way and indeed in those few moments I wished to believe it so. She would have adored it, it would not have mattered to her in that moment had they been born black or white, red of neon green, my Zeivah would have loved them all the same, she would have liked my cheek, told me not to fuss and sent me back to the den, telling me to keep out of women’s business and I would have gone, secretly elated all the same. But it was never to be. Life is not what we ever truly desire and yet I will not allow such thoughts to taint this night for my Aaliyah. I leaned back against the cool stone, prepared, defensive, ready to send away any who dared come near, save for a healer, filling in the role of Tobias for tonight, for his presence would only bring harm when it should have brought salvation. I filled this role once before, a night many years ago when I sat outside a den in a vale and guarded my newborn daughters, all three, so perfect. Life has come full circle this night and once more a guard a birthing den, though not my own, it matters not, those who rest within it, for this night at least- are under my protection, for they are mine and I love them with every fibre of my being. I will keep them safe, until the day I died I would watch of them. A Father always does.

“Tobias is watching, Aaliyah. He is on the borders, but I can see him. I do not understand him, my darling, but I do believe he knows what has happened this night. It brings me no comfort, but perhaps it will you. He is watching from afar.”

I lifted the violet of my gaze towards the black shadow in the distance, standing atop the border line like a dark angel. He would not cross, that I knew and for now- that was enough. Morning would bring enough problems....