" Excuse me, Mikayla. But I have to go." Em said standing up and walked out of the den. She didnt care what HUnter would say to her at this point. She had a lot on her mind and she had to deal with it, her way. She glanced over at Hunter before going to lay by the tree she was at with Mikael and put her head on her paws, whining. What have I done to deserve all this suffering? she thought to herself I risked my life to save someone and now we both are in the same possition. I have no mate and my pups no longer are mine. What a fool I have been to fall in love with someone who was lesser than I.

She just layed by the tree all morning and half through the afternoon, when paws came up to her. I know those paws she thought s she looked up at saw Hunter glaring at her. She quickly stood up and looked at him " I know i'm supposed to be helping Mikayla, Alpha.. but her pups are too much for me to handle and they remind me of my own."

Hunter looked at her, before sighing and nodding his head. "Fine... then... go to Clay and see what he needs help with." Hunter spotted Daria and Mikael return home, each with a piece of a doe. "Mikael! You're going to help out MIkayla with her pups after you finish. Understood?" Mikael nodded and he turned back to Em. "I'm sure Clay could use some help with his ingredients." Em nodded and she walked over to Clay. Mikael looked at her as she walked over to Clay and was flush with guilt once again. She looks miserable. And it's my fault... Mikael could only think about what to say as he went back with Daria to get the rest of the deer they took down.

Em sighed as she limped to Clay " ALpha said you needed help, Clay? I dont know how im of help. But I'll do the best I can" Em said sitting on the opposite side of him, just watching for a bit. " And I have a teeny favor to ask you. I know I have to deal woth the pain, but would you at least try and minimize the pain im in? I cant get anything done around here. " I hate asking for help because HUnter will find out about this... I cant let him. she thought. Then she finally went to help him with what needed to be done. At least it was something easy and not too strenuos on her paws or back.

By the time she finished, she left the den and layed down in the sun, just watching everyone go about their business I have to have some time to myself, no matter what Hunter tells me. I may be the lowest in the pack, but that wont stop me.

Mikael finished up bringing the doe back home with Daria, and saw Em lying out in the sun and he wanted to join her, but Hunter got in his way. "I need you to helo Mayakla with her pups. The only reason why Em isn't working on something else is because she needs time to heal. Now go." Hunter pointed his nose at the den and Mikael meekly nodded, taking a long look at Em lying in the sun before entering the den and helping Makayla with her pups, who wanted nothing more than to wrestle and fight each other right now. Hunter walked over to Daria as she buried the last part of the doe. "I honestly don't know what we're going to do with them. If we work them too hard they may run away from us... but I have to punish them for their crimes. What do I do?" Daria stayed silent for a moment, thinking about her response before speaking. "Just keep an eye on them. They are Omegas after all, and I'm sure you're never going to let Mikael or Em become a Beta, so just take it one day at a time. You'll know when they've worked off their punishment." Hunter took a look at Em sunbathing and groaned, knowing that his mate was right. "I still don't understand; how did an Alpha get attached to Mikael?" Hunter said. Daria guessed that her mate may not have been treating her right and that's why she left her heart open for another male. "Maybe... Oh well, nothing we do now, except to put them to work for the foreseeable future." He looked up at the trees and saw that the colors were slowly beginning to change. "Looks like Fall's just around the corner. Good thing we've been hunting quite a bit as of late." Daria nodded and they seperated, continuing on their tasks for today.

Em overheard Hunter damn right im trying to heal, Alpha she thought as she looked up at them. But soon looked away to finish off her sun bathing before getting up and walked around so she could strenthen her legs again. She hadnt eaten for two days, but that was her problem to worry about. She had to think of a way to sneek out to check on her pups. But how would her Alpha now react to that? She surely would be gone before he would even notice. She would try and sneek that night. She was risking her life over and over again, but she could stand no knowing what was happening to her own flesh and blood. She just had to know.

The day flew by as Mikael was moved from one task to another, and thanks to that, he wasn't able to spend any time with Em. Eventually night came and Hunter finally let Mikael rest and eat. After eating some food Mikael looked around for Em, but she was no where to be found. Mikael wandered around for a bit and eventually found her trying to sneak away. "Em! What are you doing? You can't leave here without talking to Hunter first! Where are you going?" He quietly said to her, irritation clear in his voice as he laid low, hoping Hunter wouldn't notice their absence since they were forced to sleep outside.

" Mikael.. I have to find out whats going on with my three little ones. I miss them too much. Lilac better be handling them nicely. I know what he said to me.. if I go back he will kill me. I will risk it. Im just checking thats it." she then added " Hunter can punish me all he wants, but those pups are my family. My blood. He cant keep me away from that. But I'll take what he gives me."

She then just walked off limping away, knowing her punishment will be harsh. But she just had to check on her little ones. She walked to her old territory and sneeked into one of the dens and spotted her pups. Asleep. at least they arent hurt she thought as she slowly headed back to her new territory and pretended that she never left. She closed her eyes and waited things out. Constantly looking at the Alpha's den. I hope he or any other the others saw me leave. she thought.

Mikael waited outside of the den, minute by agonizing minute passed as he waited for Em to return. The longer he waited, the more his mind filled with the possibility she was found and killed by Lilac. Please come back Em, please come back. Mikael chanted in his mind as he looked out. After what seemed like an eternity, she finally returned and Mikael was relieved. She's okay, and judging by her mood, her pups are okay as well. Mikael finally lied down and could go to sleep, comforted by the thought that Em was okay.

Em woke up from her nap a few hours later, feeling better and less sore. She walked up to Mikael and nuzzled him " Mikael. Wake up" she whispered. " So, I went to check on the little ones and found out they were not harmed. I mean they were from my previous mate... but still, Lilac can still kill them if he wanted to, But I wont let him" she made sure Hunter wasnt around " But lets hope Lilac wont come here."

Mikael felt Em's nose push against him and he slowly woke up. After hearing what she had to say, he immediately woke up and stared right at her. "Are you crazy?! There's no way either Hunter or Lilac is going to approve of this! And even if you do get them from Lilac, how do you think Hunter is going to react to this? It's never going to work. Besides, if anyone in your former pack catches you, there's a chance you could be put to death!" Mikael knew that he was effectively asking her to abandon her pups to an unknown fate, but he knew that trying to get the pups out would almost certainly end in death.