Santana didn't bother to look up from her spot, stretched out over the three seater in the lounge, legs kicked up on the arm, while threading together another salt diamond necklace as Kurt slammed the front door shut and limped into the lounge to collapse on the rug in the middle of the room. Tossing another necklace into the pile on the floor next to her, Santana smirked at the pained groan coming from Kurt.

He looked a mess, dust and mud covering most of his jeans and t-shirt, hair a mess compared to its immaculate appearance this morning. She looked up at Brittany as she giggled while leaning down to poke at Kurt's stomach, laughing when Kurt swatted her away with a groan.

"Have fun today, dear?" Santana cooed, smiling at the glare she gets from Kurt.

"It was horrible." Kurt complained, rubbing his eyes with the base of his palms.

"But you deflected ten level nine possessions?" Brittany tilted her head in confusion to Kurt.

Kurt groaned, rolling his head in Brittany's direction, "Will you stop spying on me? You've done that for the last four days."

"Well after tomorrow I won't have to." Brittany stated, bluntly.

The reality that Hunter would be arriving tomorrow caused Kurt to swallow hard against the lump in his throat, "Is he still coming tomorrow?"

"As soon as dawn breaks." Brittany sighed, looking out the window.

Santana slipped down from her spot to kneel next to Kurt, placing her glowing green hands over him to heal his wounds, "Don't think about that right now. Just relax."

"Have you finished all the charms?" Kurt asked, sighing gently against her healing touch.

"Got one for every wolf and witch out there. It should help minimise the damage, you can hand them out tonight." Santana sat back on her knees when she finished healing him, pausing before she spoke again, "Has Nathan heard anything from the other clans?"

Kurt shook his head with a heavy, weary sigh, "They're no use. Demons have been attacking them so they're not willing to travel away to help us... some of them told him to just kill me and finish this." He ran a hand over his face, "Cooper was attacked two days ago and he lost half of his clan, so he won't make it... We're on our own."

"Great, and Sue could only spare Adam, Kyle and Azimo?" Santana grumbled, picking out a loose thread from her white lace dress.

"The rest of the hunters have been too busy fighting off the demons elsewhere..."

"Just like Hunter wanted." Brittany smirked, drumming her fingers against the arm of her chair.

Kurt sat up, dusting a bit of dirt off his knee thoughtfully, sighing heavily while staring at nothing in particular. The last four days had gone by too quickly for his liking, with all the preparation he'd hardly had time to relax and he'd barely seen Blaine either. His wolf was going crazy not being able to be with his Alpha so soon after mating, and Kurt echoed that want, but still he stayed away, making sure all his traps were laid and that all the white witches in town knew what they were doing.

He'd also had to prep Adam, Kyle and Azimo when they arrived yesterday on orders from Sue to protect the population left in the town and that's exactly where Kurt made sure they stayed. They were not allowed in the forest and they were forbidden from interfering with Will's clan. Even tomorrow, they were forbidden from entering the forest with their only duty to protect the town and keep the demons and black witches out.

Azimo had fought him, saying Kurt didn't have the right to order him around, but Adam had stood up for him and calmed the irate hunter. Kurt was tempted to tell him to leave if he hated it so much, but they'd already had to lower the barrier to let them in. He didn't want to exhaust the white witches by getting them to lower the barrier again the day before all hell was set to let loose.

"You are still going tonight, right? Because I'm not going out only to come back and find you with your head in a book or shining your pistol again, am I?" Santana smirked at Brittany who was laughing to herself.

"Shining your pistol." Brittany chuckled.

Kurt glared at the both of them, "I am going to the Anderson village... I think I deserve one night off... my last night before everything turns upside down. But I will be back tonight, I want to be here when it all kicks off so I can help the hunters get the villagers to safety."

"Okay." Santana pulled Kurt into a tight embrace, hiding her head in his shoulder to disguise her tears. Kurt stroked her back, breathing in her scent, "We'll be alright, Satan. That demon won't know what's hit him."

Santana smiled, pulling back and sniffing, "I know, but... you know... I can't help my mind going down... that..."

Kurt hushed her, leaning in to kiss her cheek, "Let me worry about that, you just make sure there's a party waiting for me when I get back tomorrow, okay?" Kurt's smile was strained but then so was Santana's.

"I have the biggest party planned for you, so you better be there." She wiped her tears away on the back of her hand.

"I wouldn't miss it."

With that Kurt stood and hugged Santana once more, then walked up to his room to get changed. His hands shook as he roamed his wardrobe for what he felt was going to be his last outfit, he tried not to think like that but it was hard not to with all the pitiful looks he was getting off everyone, the tight embraces and lingering looks. Carefully, he laid the outfit out on the bed, letting fingers slide through the soft material before stepping back with a sigh.

Eyes flickered over to his vanity unit and to the photos which framed it, in particular to the ones of his mother. He'd caught himself doing this more and more over the last few days, and here he was again, approaching the old wood which once belonged to his mother and to the picture he cherished the most. There hidden behind all the others was a photograph he had of both him and his mother as Hounds, laid out in the spring grass of their garden, the sun shining down on their sleeping forms; Kurt snuggled against Elizabeth's belly, whose head was curled round, her black nose nuzzled into the white fuzz of his neck.

He took the picture into the bathroom with him and stared at it as he lay beneath the bubbles of his bath. He had spoken to this picture every night since he got back from New York, just nonsense most of the time, sharing with her what he'd learnt, what he'd done in the day and most importantly, his mating with Blaine. A smile graced his lips again as he thought back to that night, a thin blush crossing his cheeks, until he cleared his throat and turned back to the picture.

"Mom... I wish I could tell you this in person, even just in the Elysium fields, but you haven't turned up there yet. Where are you? Why haven't you been reborn yet? I... I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, I want to say that at the end of the day I can come back here and tell you everything's going to be alright. But... I can't, who knows what's going to happen tomorrow. I want to win, I want to survive and not just for me now, for Blaine... for everyone and for the future of my Hound."

"I spent this morning on a conference call with Sue and Isabelle, going through everything I'd learnt and everything we all knew, just to make sure we hadn't missed anything... and to create a file... so that, if I don't survive, whoever is cursed... is gifted with my soul, can learn what they need to end this. It was horrible, being reminded that I might not see another day after tomorrow, but I have to snap out of it. I need your strength mother, I need Blaine's and yours to help get me through tomorrow. I know you'll be there by my side."

"I know this is why you wanted me to stay hidden, I can see why you wanted to protect me from all of this. In a way I'm glad I have those first few years of innocence to just enjoy my life... even with the restrictions. I will never doubt anything you did for me, because you did it because you love me... and I love you. But I'm glad I did this, I'm glad Blaine helped me to see who I really am and I'm glad I've learnt the truth behind who I am. I feel I can make a difference now, I feel like I've found the reason for everything that's happened me... to us. I just wish you were here too."

"I hope when I next see you, because I know I will, you have to be reborn eventually, you'll forgive me for breaking my promise. I know all you wanted for me was to be happy and safe, but I think once tomorrow is over with, I... Blaine and I can work on being safe and happy... and free. I love you mom... I hope you're proud of me."

Kurt batted away the tears, taking a deep breath to calm himself then bringing the picture to his lips before placing it on the stool next to him. It was then he let loose, let all the emotions he'd been bottling flow, sobbing into his hands and sinking further into the water, his tears flowing down his neck and into the cooling bathwater. He'd be strong on the outside, he'd lead everyone to victory but right now, he needed to do this, to let everything go.

If he was being honest, he was terrified, he was scared of losing... he was scared of dying. He was afraid for Blaine, for all the wolves and residents who'd stayed behind. He had sat with Burt most of yesterday and just watched a game, chatted and laughed about the good times they'd had together... then shared a moment, father and son, which Kurt will hold forever in his heart along with all the other special memories he'd collected. Once tomorrow's battle began, Burt would be the first one he'd make sure was safe.

With wrinkled fingers he dragged himself out of the bath and dried off, his fingers itching to pick up a bottle of lotion, but he wouldn't need that tonight. Tonight he needed to make sure his scent was over as much of the forest as possible, instead he dragged himself back to his room, placing his photo back in its spot around the mirror and squeezed himself into a pair of red skinny jeans with his black court shoes. He buttoned a black shirt with a red trim on the collar but moved his necklace from his neck to around his wrist, wrapping the long chain around a few times, letting the orb hang just below his cuff.

Making sure his hair was styled to perfection, he picked up the bag of necklaces and tied it to his body then made his way out of the house, checking all the locks and walking towards the forest. Once he passed the first row of trees, he slopped his body and morphed into his Hound, shaking out his fur before taking off in a run. Systematically, he rubbed his body against the bark of the trees, making sure to leave his scent. This was one of his last defences, if he could leave his scent over most of the forest, it would hopefully make it harder for the demons and black witches to find him.

It took a couple of hours, but finally he made his way to the Anderson village, but he didn't leave his scent here. This would be where Nathan would protect the women and children from all the clans tomorrow; he'd already left him with a batch of candles to wipe out Kurt's scent once he left and he hoped that would give them some security against what awaited them.

The village was packed with all the clans gathered for this final meeting, including Sebastian and his clan, which explained the growls Kurt could hear. Entering as his Hound, he padding through the crowd, sniffing out the one person he wanted to spend tonight with. Hands rolled over his back to greet him, a couple of the children running over and wrapping their small arms around his neck. He found Wes and David, hunched over a fence, talking to each other in a tone of voice and with an expression which could only mean they were discussing something serious.

Kurt rubbed up against David's leg before nudging Wes with his nose, tail swishing when they looked down and smiled at him, Wes' hand coming down to ruffle his head.

"Hey Kurt, Blaine's over with his father by his cabin... how'd it go today?" Wes asked, eyes asking more questions than Kurt cared to answer.

Morphing back, Kurt smoothed his hair out, untying the bag to hold it in his hand, "Good... I've scented the forest and Santana finished the necklaces." Kurt held up the bag to show them.

"How did your training go?" David asked for Wes.

Kurt licked his lips, looking away slightly, "Alright I guess. I managed to deflect Jesse's possession spells, even a blood possession, but it still took time... which doesn't fill me with much confidence for tomorrow."

Wes noticed the tremble in Kurt's hands, reaching out to take a hold of them in his, squeezing gently, "Hey, you'll be fine. Your control of this has even impressed Sebastian, who has been singing your praises tonight. Though a part of me thinks he's just sucking up. But even so, we're all amazed with your progress and we have every confidence in you. Plus you'll have everyone here to look out for you."

Kurt smiled sadly, "Thank you, Wes. I'm going to go find Blaine." He leaned in to press a kiss to Wes' cheek, pulling him into a hug then whispering, "Promise me you'll look after Blaine if anything happens."

Wes shook his head, holding Kurt tighter, "I don't need to promise you that... that's your job."

Kurt nodded against Wes' shoulder then pulled away to hug David, thanking him for looking out for him then made his way up the path, hugging a few of the other wolves that greeted him, including Trent and Sugar. Arms wrapped around his waist, causing him to drop the bag and squeal in surprise, gripping the strong arms around him.

As soon as he heard the laughter of his captor, Kurt groaned, "Noah! Put me down!"

The laughter got louder as Kurt was finally put back on his feet, allowing him to turn to Puck and glare at the Alpha then slap him on the chest.

"Hey, okay! Ow, okay, Kurt, calm down." Puck sniggered at the Hound, "I just came to say hi... and to see how you're doing."

Kurt sighed, picking his bag back up, "I'm okay, Noah..." Kurt looked down, wondering how many times he'd have to say that tonight.

"Hey," Puck tips Kurt's chin to look at him, "You know I got your back. I am going to stick to you like glue tomorrow. No one touches you without getting my fist in their face."

Smiling, Kurt jumped into Puck's arms, happy to feel Puck return the hug and feel a kiss pressed to his head, "Thank you, Noah. You're a true friend."

"Just remember that tomorrow, okay? You're not alone." Kurt jumped away from the hand that dared to ruffle his hair, glaring at the Alpha.

"I'll see you later, Noah."

Puck waved him off as Kurt continued down his path, spotting Nick and Jeff cuddling together in front of a small fire. Jeff smiled up at Kurt, kissing Nick's temple lightly then standing to pull Kurt into a warm embrace, nuzzling into his neck to get closer. Kurt returned the embrace, fisting his hands into the back of Jeff's shirt, nudging his cheek with his and smiling over his shoulder at Nick, who walked over to squeeze one of Kurt's fisted hands.

Pulling away, Jeff wrapped his arm around Nick's waist as Kurt spoke, "You know you don't have to fight tomorrow."

"We're not deserting our family." Nick held his head high, smiling to Kurt, "There's no way I'm staying behind while you're out there fighting for our future."

"If that demon wins, then our race will be plunged into darkness again, and I won't sit back and do nothing. We're in this together, and I want to be there when you kick that demon's ass." Jeff smirked.

"Besides, we have our own reason to fight now." Nick kissed Jeff, motioning Kurt to the young female wolf, laying on a porch, cuddling with Ethan, "Ethan's mate, Anastasia, is carrying our cub."

Kurt's eyes went wide, staring at the young blonde wolf, mouth slightly ajar, "When? I..." He blinked back his tears, smiling brightly at the pair, "I'm so happy for you two. How far gone is she?"

"I examined her this morning, we'll be parents in two months." Jeff looked so proud as he pulled Nick closer.

"Fifty days to be exact if Jeff examined her correctly." Nick was jumping in Jeff's arms, "I can't wait... so, as you can see, we're fighting for our child's future as well."

Kurt pulled Nick into a hug, "Congratulations, you'll make... horribly, over excitable, annoyingly perfect parents."

Nick pulled away from Kurt, holding his hand and taking Jeff's in his other, who took Kurt's other hand, "We will win. Together, we're an unstoppable force."

"We are." Kurt agreed, "I'd better find Blaine. I want in on baby names when this is all over."

Jeff laughed, squeezing Kurt's hand, "You'll have to beat Riker or Rydel."

Waving them off Kurt chuckled, calling back, "We'll see."

While continuing through the crowd, Kurt smiled to himself, happy for Jeff and Nick and glad to have one more thing to fight for tomorrow. He had stopped himself from thinking about a family with Blaine, but right now, his mind was swimming with thoughts of what Blaine would be like as a father. He could imagine him chasing their small little cub around the village and through the forest, singing lullabies to him at night and teaching him all the ways of being a wolf. He could imagine their child playing with Jeff and Nick's, getting into trouble and causing havoc around the village. He wanted that, with all his heart, but right now, he couldn't let himself fall into those fantasies.

Arching his neck to search the crowd for that tuft of curly black hair he knew so well, a smile crossed his lips when he spotted it. He steels himself from the thoughts flittering across his mind that this might be the last night they have together, instead holding his head high and appearing strong before his Alpha and Nathan, but can see from the dim light in Blaine's eyes that he's thinking exactly the same.

He greets Nathan first, bowing his head to the elder Alpha and allowing him to place a kiss to the back of his hand then turned to Blaine, wrapping his arms around his neck to breath in his scent, moaning happily when Blaine's arm held him tightly around his waist. He could feel Blaine's lips and nose running over his neck, breathing in his own scent and placing a tender kiss to his skin.

"I'm so happy that you're here." Blaine whispered.

"Where else would I be?" Kurt quipped, pulling away but staying wrapped in Blaine's arms, "I missed you today."

The smile that crept onto his lips was mixed with sadness, "I missed you too."

"How's your training going, Kurt?" Nathan asked, reaching out to grip the shoulder of one his wolves as they passed by.

"Good, it's hard to prepare when the demon you're training with isn't as strong as the one you're going to face, but I couldn't be more thankful to Sebastian for helping me like this."

Nathan nodded, "He's not without his flaws... and I'm still annoyed you went above my decision to have him exiled, but he has proven himself to me over the last few days and I hope he won't disappoint tomorrow."

"It is my town, Nathan, and I gave him another chance. He's already gifted you Jesse's strength tomorrow to protect this village. He just wants the wolves to be safe." Kurt pushed his shoulders back as he spoke, asserting his authority, the smirk on Nathan's lips showing he'd noticed.

"And I am grateful to him, but he still has much to prove before I will let him walk freely here." Nathan patted Blaine on the shoulder then stroked Kurt's cheek, "I can hear my Hound calling me."

They watched Nathan walk through the crowd, stopping every now and then when someone calls to him or reaches out. Curls block his view and Kurt smiles at Blaine, enjoying just taking in the beauty of his Alpha in the glow of the fires around.

"I want to get this over with so I can be alone with you." Blaine whispered, hands on Kurt's hips.

"Me too, everyone already knows what they're doing tomorrow so let's hurry this up... I want to be alone with you too." Reaching forward, they kissed, lips lingering, not pressing, not hurried... just taking pleasure in that innocent touch.

As Blaine's breath hitched, he pulled back and howled into the sky, Puck's howl not far behind, then Sebastian's and Will's and finally, Nathan's called all the wolves to attention. Everyone moved towards the centre of the village, Blaine grasping Kurt's hand and weaving him through the crowd to stand with the other Alphas and Hounds.

A nod from Blaine told Nathan to speak, "Brethren, the day is near. Once the moon starts to fade, every single one of you will be expected to stand strong and protect our home and our family. We are prepared, we are ready. All of you have done everything you can over the last few days and I couldn't be prouder."

"When you go out there tomorrow, I want you to remember why we're doing this. We're doing this for our future, for a better future, for a future where we won't have to fear the demons any longer... because we'll have our key... the means to send those demons back where they belong. I have been in talks with the council and we are on our way to accepting the key again, but first, we need to stop this demon who means to bring the horrors of seven centuries ago back to us."

"I know you all stand with me in saying that we will not stand for this, no demon will make us wolves tremble with fear ever again, and no demon will be allowed to touch our key again. These demons have one target, Kurt, my son's Hound of God, who will fight by your side. He won't hide and cower in the shadows, and I don't expect any of you to do that either. He is strong and is just as prepared as any of you, if more so, for tomorrow."

"He comes here tonight, to ask one thing of you and in return, he is offering you an advantage; a huge advantage. The white witch has hand crafted enough salt diamond pendants for each and every one of you, your women and children included... and all you have to do in return is carry the Hound's scent with you tomorrow; not the women and children, just those fighting tomorrow."

"Kurt will hand out the pendants and then you will accept his scent. You all mean so much to me and the other Alphas up here and we don't want to see any of you come to harm... and I hope when the sun sets on tomorrow that we can rise together and celebrate a new dawn."

One after another a chorus of howls sounded around them, the ground beneath them vibrating under the force of their cry. Kurt placed the bag down and untied it, jumping when his hand is grabbed, eyes shooting up to Blaine's now golden ones. Slowly Blaine pulled Kurt's palm to his mouth and kissed the skin before sinking his teeth into the tender flesh. Kurt didn't hiss in pain though, instead he felt his body yearn for Blaine's touch even more, biting his lip to stop himself from pulling Blaine close.

He squeezed his hand tight to force the blood to the surface, watching Blaine lick his lips as he did. Reaching down with his clean hand, Kurt pulled out a pendant and slipped it over Blaine's bowed head, his fingers resting on the tanned skin where the beads lay. With care, Kurt raised his hand to Blaine's cheek to drag it down to his jaw line and over his neck, his eyes never leaving Blaine's as he did so.

As Blaine moved to stand next to Kurt, holding the bag of pendants in his hands, Puck approached to have a similar pendant placed around his neck and Kurt's blood smearing over his neck. Next came Sebastian, both him and Blaine glaring at one another while Kurt placed the pendant around his neck, but as Kurt went to smear the blood, Sebastian grabbed his hand and ran it over his neck and chest himself. Kurt didn't miss the snap of teeth Blaine sent at Sebastian but continued with what was asked of him, doing the same to Will, followed by each of the male wolves and a few of the female wolves who decided to fight.

As the last wolf stepped aside, Kurt felt himself being enveloped in strong arms and gratefully leant into the warm embrace, feeling light headed. Cool lips pressed against his forehead as Blaine pulled Kurt as close to him as he could. Nathan stood tall one last time in front of the crowd.

"Brothers, rest up, tomorrow will be hard on all of us... All of you will be in my prayers tonight."

Slowly the crowd parted around the village, mates cuddling, children gripping to the legs of their parents and the elderly weeping over what their children were to face. Kurt turned from the crowd to bury his head in Blaine's shoulder, the guilt of having so many fight for him already too much to bare without the imagery. He felt his feet moving as Blaine lead him away to a porch he knew well and into a cabin he wanted to hide away in.

The warmth from a fire draws Kurt's eyes up to the flames flickering in the fire place where he's seated, then to the warm hazel eyes of his mate, knelt before him, grasping his hands. They exchanged little smiles until Blaine leant up to press his lips to Kurt's and it was then Kurt felt the tears against his cheeks, but they weren't his. Pulling away, he stared at the tears rushing down Blaine's cheeks from his red eyes until Blaine turned his head away to wipe the tears away but Kurt stopped him, cupping his cheeks and turning him back to face him.

"You don't have to be brave here. Just let it out." Kurt spoke softly, swiping at the tears with his thumbs.

"I just... I want to lock you away and keep you hidden until all this is over... but I know I can't do that. That's what you've done all your life and I won't push you back into that... no matter how much it's hurting to let you do this." Blaine swallowed against the lump in his throat.

"You're right, I won't go back to that. I know this is going to be hard on you, but we'll be alright. I don't know how but... somehow we'll be alright. We can win this." Kurt wanted Blaine to believe him, to soothe the pain in those hazel eyes.

"When this is all over, I want to take you away, anywhere. Name it." Blaine promised, squeezing his hands.

"Paris." Kurt smiled, "I've always wanted to go to Paris."

"Then Paris my Hound will go." Blaine sealed it with a kiss.

"Now I have to survive tomorrow." Kurt couldn't help the little laugh he let out, though he had his own set of tears ready to fall.

"Yes you do." How deep Blaine's voice spoke told Kurt all he needed to know about the meaning behind those three word.

Behind Blaine, Kurt's eyes wander over to the door as Wes stepped in, followed by the Warblers, each of them finding a seat around the lounge, huddling close to one another.

"Everyone just wanted to give Kurt their strength for a moment." Wes explained, smiling to the nod his Alpha gives him.

Kurt watched Nick sink into Jeff's lap, burying his face in his neck while Jeff stroked his hair, Wes had a hand on Trent's shoulder, while David sat at his feet, resting the back of his head against Wes' knee.

Kurt returned his gaze to Blaine as his fingertips traced Kurt's fair skin, a sorrowful smile on his lips visible behind the strong smile he was forcing. He leant into the fingers, closing his eyes, willing himself not to cry in front of everyone.

"Courage." Came a whisper from his mate.

Kurt opened his eyes to Blaine once more, smiling sadly, "Courage?"

Blaine nodded, creeping his hands into Kurt's to squeeze them gently, "Whatever happens tomorrow, I want you to remember that. I want it to push you through all the negative thoughts and the all fears I can see rushing through your mind right now, and I want you to use it to face whatever comes your way... and I'll be right by your side to remind you."

Kurt wiped the tear falling down his cheek away, his shoulders slumping, "I will."

He accepted Blaine's kiss eagerly, another tear escaping, putting his passion and love into the simple touch of lips.

"I should head back." Kurt whispered as if he didn't want to say it, and Blaine heard it, even though he didn't want to hear it.

"Don't go just yet." Blaine was begging him with a whisper of a voice.

"Kurt?" Both Blaine and Kurt turned to Thad, who had stepped away from the group to retrieve a guitar from Blaine's bedroom. He moved to sit on the brick platform around the fireplace, strumming the guitar gently.

"I think it's only fair that, before all hell breaks loose tomorrow, that you join us on one more Warbler tradition." Thad paused in his strumming to tune the guitar, "We always made a habit of singing together before we ventured into something which... didn't sit well with us... just to help, pull us together, lighten our hearts and strengthen our resolve. I think we could do with some of that right now."

Blaine moved to sit next to Kurt, reaching over to squeeze Kurt's hand, a small smile on his lips as he recognised the song. The rest of the Warblers sat back, the atmosphere immediately relaxing, everyone wearing small smiles of appreciation. A squeeze of the hand brought Kurt back to their Alpha as he began to sing.

At the start of the conversation
I didn't have too much to say
I was needing some inspiration
You just got in my way
Took a shot at an easy target
You were too stunned to say anything
You were the unsuspecting martyr
You were not the most dangerous game

Bring my courage back now
Bring it back to me
Tired of being afraid of what I can't change
And I want to be living free

Blaine pulled Kurt's hand to his lips to press a gentle kiss against his skin, eye shining as Kurt took over the lyrics, his voice washing over the room and into the hearts of those around.

Well it could be that I was mistaken
Maybe I deceived myself
But it's hard to understand somebody
Who doesn't want to understand himself
There's an ocean of unlatched windows
And a world of unlocked homes
The only reason anybody could still feel safe
Is most people still knock on the door

Blaine joined in with Kurt, along with Thad and Nick, and even though they were singing as a group, everyone could tell that Blaine and Kurt only had eyes for each other.

Bring my courage back now
Would you bring it back to me
Tired of being afraid of what I can't change
And I want to be living free

Blaine smiled as Kurt voice rose above them all in its crystal clear clarity. Kurt voice did something to him, filled him with love and his own brand of courage, and he'd be damned if he let anyone silence that beautiful voice.

I don't want to be a prisoner
bound in these chains
I don't want to be a prisoner
Just want to be living free again

Though we all return to dust
There's a lot of us
In an terrible rush

Everyone hushed to let Kurt take control of the song, his voice filled with so much emotion that no one dared to interrupt him or join in, allowing Kurt to sing out the song with just Thad's gentle strumming of the guitar to guide him.

Well some take the road to Damascus
Some take the road to hell
I'll take highway 1 to the evergreens
And everything will turn out well

Bring my courage back now
Would you bring it back to me
Tired of being afraid of what I can't change
And I want to be living free

I don't want to be a prisoner
bond to these chains
slave to my fear
Just want to be free again

I want to be free again

Kurt smiled to Blaine, eyes widening as he's pulled out of his chair into a warm embrace from Jeff, wrapping his own arms around his neck, finding Nick behind him, wrapping his arms around the both of them. Wes and David were next to hug Kurt, followed by Ethan, Thad and Trent, and then Blaine, whose arms Kurt eagerly fell into and remained.

"Kurt, you are a member of the Westerville clan, and tomorrow, every one of us will fight for you and with you." David spoke for the group.

Kurt nodded, "Thank you, guys."

"I'm going to take Kurt home now." Blaine informed his men, taking Kurt's hand and leading him through the wolves, who all held out their hands to gently rest them on his arms and back.

Once outside the lodge, Kurt turned to Blaine, a gentle hand on his chest, "Stay with your clan, Blaine. They need you."

"My Hound needs me." Blaine retorted.

"If I let you take me home, I won't be able to let you leave." Kurt whispered, hand fisting in Blaine's chest.

"... and I wouldn't be able to leave my mate..." Blaine whispered, running his hand through Kurt's hair.

"So you see our problem. Stay. Santana has put a powerful barrier around the house, I'll be safe, and I need to be in the town to lead the first defence and you need to be here to lead your clan."

Blaine's arms wrapped around Kurt's waist, pulling him against his own body, wanting and needing the warmth, while Kurt's own arms wrapped around his neck. Silently, they gazed into each others' eyes, memorizing the multitude of colours washed with the heat of the fire and the glow from the moon. Without realising, their lips brushed together, a gasp escaping Kurt's lungs while a moan rumbled in Blaine's chest, but the kiss stayed chaste, sweet and simple. Though simple, so much was poured into it, with Blaine telling Kurt that he would be protected, that he had nothing to fear and Kurt telling Blaine to not worry, that he was strong and would not let this demon win... while both of them tried to express through such a simple touch, how much they loved the other.

Lips pulled away so slowly as if they didn't want to, eyes greeting once more with tender touches and small smiles. Blaine could feel how much Kurt didn't want to go and Kurt could feel how much Blaine wanted to go with him.

"I'll see you in the morning." Kurt spoke softly.

Blaine pressed his forehead to Kurt's, "Count on it."

Ever so slowly, Kurt pulled from Blaine's embrace and stepped down to the ground below, taking slightly rigid steps towards the entrance of the village. Before he stepped through the gates, Kurt sent a wistful look back to the figure still standing on the porch of the lodge. Forcing himself to turn away, Kurt began his walk back through the forest, just enjoying the silence of the night. He knew tomorrow it would erupt with a violent escalade of sounds you should only hear in your nightmares... and who knew what would wait for them after it all died down.