While part of me understands the progression of things, I hate that same element in rogue ways. Since they are building packs, our small numbers make us a target for them. They believe it is easier to attack us now, and honestly, if our roles were reversed, I would do the same thing.
It wouldn’t take much to over-run our pack. That is why we have the measures we follow. The only thing on our side is that all our men are trained warriors. And while their skills help greatly, our numbers still are too small.
And although I am a man of pride, I still understand and know that there are rogue packs bigger than my pack.
That tiny bit of knowledge makes me worry about the risks, possibilities, and overall future of my pack. Technically, I could ask Kat for help, but I don’t want to run to her every time I need help.
No brother wants to run to their little sister for help. She should be asking for my help, not the other way around. Besides, she just had gifted twins. Kat has enough on her plate on top of the need to adapt to motherhood. I know she’s struggling with that part, my incoming call log is proof enough.
“What do you want to do?” Zane insists, pulling me back to reality, and the fact I hadn’t answered his question.
They are waiting for orders and all of them are ready to follow me blindly. My men are willing to give in to any demand because they know, no matter how fucked Angie’s death made me, my pack is family.
They know I would do anything to keep them safe. I would give my life for any of them without a second thought. I just hope I won’t let them down.
“Nothing. Just stay vigilant while I come up with something.” I announce and hum to myself. My eyes scan their faces when, suddenly, all of them drop to their knees and bare their necks. I am not using my command. Their sudden submission takes me aback as I double-check my aura didn’t slip out.
Zane remains standing. His eyes are set, focused on the door behind me. I raise an eyebrow and glance over my shoulder to see Sage step outside, rubbing her eyes and yawning. That explains their sudden shift in behavior.
A loud, surprised gasp leaves her lips as soon as she spots our men on their knees and necks bared to her. She looks taken aback until her face turns deep scarlet, and she realizes they are on their knees for her.
They may be a rough bunch, but they know to show respect to their Luna. Or any woman at that. There is no place safer for Sage, and since she is the only woman in this pack at the moment, I know they wouldn’t hesitate to kill or die for her.
Sage pauses for a second, staying close to the door and scanning the faces. Her cheeks burn even brighter when she finally walks over to me and slips her hand into mine.
I look down at our clasped hands as she interlocks her fingers with mine. I squeeze her hand gently to reassure her that she is safe, and that I won’t leave her.
Zane clears his throat awkwardly, and my eyes instantly snap at him for ruining the moment. He simply nods toward Sage, who is staring at the men on their knees. Sage tugs my hand, drawing my attention to her.
“Rise,” I tell them when I realize she is mortified that they would take a knee for her.
Right here, right now, I understand that we have a serious discussion ahead of us. She is their Luna, even if she doesn’t realize or acknowledge that yet. It’s something she has to accept, not fight against.
Zane once again clears his throat and his eyes dart to Sage again. I turn to look at her, trying to figure out what the heck he is trying to get my attention for. And then, I see it. The color drains from my face as my eyes travel down her body. Her dressing gown is undone, and her cotton shorts expose her legs and the burns that cover her thighs.
Sage herself is still half asleep, completely unaware. Those details don’t bother me, they’re a part of my mate and her past. However, I know she is self-conscious of them.
I tug the strap and close it subtly when Casen, the little shit, happens to look up, and I swear, the kid has no filter. “What happened to your legs, Luna?” He blurts out like an idiot. Sage looks down at her legs, gasps, and tugs my dressing gown closed. Zane kicks Casen in the thigh and growls at him.
Andrei
“I meant no disrespect. I was curious,” Casen shrieks and rubs his thigh.
Although I’m surprised he has enough self-awareness to apologize, what surprises me more is the reaction from my mate.
Shockingly, Sage growls at Zane for kicking him. “There is no need to kick him! He is just a boy!”
As she snaps at my Beta, I smirk like an idiot. Whatever made her lose it, I’m so glad to see this new side of her. She’s standing up against someone stronger than her to protect a pack member. A true Luna.
However, while Sage is on his side, Casen looks offended now. “I assure you, Luna, I am no boy,” he says, wiggling his brows at Sage.
I know that’s just the display of his silly antics, but I still struggle to hold back the warning growl that threatens to escape me at any moment. But I don’t have to do anything or even attempt to warn the fool, Malik, who is kneeling beside him, smacks him up the back of the head.
A soft, enchanting laugh leaves Sage’s lips as she raises an eyebrow at him and shakes her head. She is acting as if the boy’s words don’t bother her in the slightest.
To be honest, even I find it hard to be mad at the twins. There is something about those angelic baby faces that makes it nearly impossible to ever get angry at them.
In this case, it seems that luck is on his side because even if he upset her, she doesn’t show it and instead answers him, “Wolfsbane.”
Casen hisses and grits his teeth at her sharp answer, and a few of the men cringe.
All of us have rubbed up against wolfsbane in the past and know how painful it is. Poor Casen would probably feel like shit if he knew the extent of how she obtained those burns.