The Alphas' Legacy (Alpha Eyes: Book 3)

Chapter 21

He took my hand and pulled me towards the closer of the two side doors. It opened into a smaller room with a queen-size bed, desk and chair, and a couple floor lamps that matched the ones in the main room. While simple in design and decoration, it still had an element of 'home' to it.

I stepped past Van into the room. Now that I'd made up my mind to try to sleep some more, my body seemed to get on board and accept the weariness of my mind. Each step weighed a little bit more, so I was dragging my feet by the time I reached the bed. I fairly collapsed onto the blanket and buried my face in the pillow.

The mattress moved a little, and I peeked up from the pillow to see Van settling himself on the other side. Even my wolf perked in surprise.

He's... staying with us, she gawked. ...like with us.

I can see that, I shot back. Are you going to keep me awake with all your obvious observations? We really should sleep if possible.

Sorry... I just didn't expect him to stay on the bed with you.

You're really not helping, I sighed.

Van looked over at me and smiled slightly. "Try to sleep. I'll wake you up if there's any news. Okay?"

I nodded and shifted to my side so my back faced him. If I was going to sleep, I couldn't have him in my view if I opened my eyes. My wolf would probably have some distracting comment that would keep me awake.

"Everything will be all right, Zoey," Van whispered behind me. "I promise."

Van

Van? Are you still awake?

Van flinched awake for the second time as Stitch bugged him through the mindlink. As much as he loved his best friend, the guy was forming a habit of wakening him out of the deepest sleep. He normally didn't mind if he was the only person in the room, but now there was someone else being affected.

Van?

Van forced his eyes open and arched his back a little. Smooth, cream-colored ceiling; only lamp light... The bunker. Right. Without windows, there was no telling what time it was. He could have been asleep for five minutes or five hours.

Something moved next to him, part of it pinning his shoulder down. He turned his head to look, and froze to find Zoey nestled against his side. Last he remembered, they were facing opposite directions. Now he lay on his back with her curled against his side with her cheek on his shoulder. Even more surprising, his arm was curled under her and holding her to his side.

Van?

Yeah, Stitch. I'm awake.

Awake and quite confused.

The intruder is gone. We were right: it was a contract scout from Midnight.

Van inched his arm out from under Zoey, slowly sliding towards the edge of the bed. That's what I feared. And? How did it go?

Just as we planned, Stitch answered. He looked around but didn't seem to find anything. After about an hour, he slinked back to the border. We found a patch of woods that isn't regularly covered by patrol. We're changing the patrol route to keep an eye on that area.

Fully free, Van swung his feet to the floor and eased himself to his feet, careful not to let the mattress move too much. So the coast is clear? We can come out?

Patrol is still finishing a final check of the borders, but it should be clear in about an hour.

Okay. Let me know when it's clear to come up.

Will do. How's Zoey?

Van turned around and did a quick 'lycan scan' of the girl still sleeping. She's sleeping for now. She was pretty wound up when we first got down here. Thankfully she's not claustrophobic or triggered by confined spaces, but the knowledge that someone from Midnight might find her sent her into a mental spiral.

We'll take her through a formal debrief when you guys come out, Stitch said. She seems to appreciate having all the facts, so we should tell her everything that went down and what we do next.

Van ran his fingers through his hair and puffed out his cheeks. Of course. It's best to keep her informed. Thanks, Stitch.

I'll be in touch soon. In the meantime, get some more rest.

Like that was going to happen...

Now that he knew the end of their bunker stay was near, he wouldn't be able to fall asleep again. And after waking up so close to Zoey, he definitely wouldn't. How had that even happened? Why had he laid down next to her in the first place? A few images of Zoey with fear-widened eyes flashed through his mind. He'd taken the responsibility of staying with her, and somehow it turned into a sleepover.

He shook his head and shuffled out into the main room. His wolf must have been pushing hard to protect Zoey. It was the only thing that made sense. Yes, he would protect her; but what he'd just discovered made his head spin a little. Mates usually did cuddly stuff like that, and Zoey was not his mate. His wolf must have stepped in.

You're upset that Zoey feels safe? I thought that's what you wanted, his wolf huffed.

I do want her to feel safe. I need her to trust me.

So then what's the problem? I softened your edge so she wouldn't be so freaked out. You're welcome, by the way.

Van scrubbed his fingers through his hair and grabbed the two mugs off the counter. His mother would expect him to clean up after his 'stay,' so he'd do that in the time left. With Zoey still sleeping, he could also sort a few things with his wolf.

Calming someone down is one thing. Acting like their mate is another.

Oh please, his wolf muttered. If I'd acted like she was my mate, she wouldn't have had any space to freak out. You would have been right there holding her from the get-go.

Van set the mugs in the sink and braced his hands against the counter. He should be thankful that his wolf held back. Depending on how much Zoey remembered, he'd probably have to explain his actions, and he didn't want to confuse her by negating anything he'd said or done. Aside from what Zoey might think, he would have Stitch and his mother to answer to as well. Best to just accept what had happened and keep moving forward.

Let's keep the 'comforting' to a minimum, please? he finally sighed. I have enough on my mind, and I don't need you adding confusion to the mix.

Fine, his wolf huffed. But I will not hesitate to step in if I see a need. Just because you don't like her doesn't mean you have to stonewall her.

Van shook his head and set to scrubbing out the mugs. The task gave him a temporary distraction, and he welcomed the chance to think about something else. He would deal with Zoey and what she might think happened when the time came. There were a lot bigger questions to be solved.

How had anyone slipped into their territory without notice? Had Midnight deliberately sent someone into lycan territory, or were they simply checking everywhere for signs of Zoey? Would they send someone else to search again? Had his team lost their advantage, or could they still move ahead as planned? How would this scare impact Zoey? What lost progress would they have to recover?

He set the mugs in the dish drainer and shuffled to the couch. Digging his phone out of his pack, he dropped onto the couch and opened a new note in his phone. He'd formed a habit of recording events that stuck in his mind or things he couldn't quite explain. Since things were recorded when they were fresh in his mind, the details were most accurate and vivid. He usually stewed over things and went back to his notes later. Bringing Zoey down to the bunker—and everything that happened afterwards—was certainly an event that would need to be revisited when his mind had cleared.