adjective ~ protected from and not in exposure to danger, risks or threats
I made my way over to the twins once again, smiling at them in greeting. Felicity turned to me and gave me a cute smile as she left the game they were playing.
"Is it time to go?" She wondered.
"Have you been checked over?" I asked, scanning her.
She nodded. "That lady did."
I chuckled at her eagerness to leave. I didn't blame her. She had seen and heard things no child should ever have. She was brave, braver than she realised.
"Listen up!" Phoenix boomed.
All of us fell into a silent hush and I turned to face him. He stood to the side, his bare chest tempting me in the moonlight.
"People who have been categorised please group up, one dot to my left, three dots to my right. Find a buddy and stick to them whilst we organise you onto the buses." He announced.
Women began to mutter as they huddled into their respective groups. I glanced down at Felicity's hand in mine to find one dot, and lead her over to them. I noticed it was the group of healthier women and was glad when I saw the twins follow. I couldn't wait to talk to them, to console them in private.
Once the groups had gathered Phoenix walked to the front and had a muttered conversation with one of the warriors. Lyra thankfully left my side to join them but I stayed beside Felicity.
"One dot group please follow Miss Johnson onto the first bus. Three dots please follow me. Find a seat, and get comfortable. It's going to be a long drive." Phoenix finalised.
We all began to move and I followed the crowd to the first bus. There were about fifteen women in this group compared to twenty-three or so in the other. I couldn't it make out clearly in the scurry of footsteps.
I helped Felicity into the bus and sat her down on one of the comfy-looking bus seats. I had to re-strap the belt as there were strange boxes all tied down. Her eyes were already dropping as I smoothed her hair down.
"On your chair, you shall find a box containing things to make you comfortable. A blanket and pillow, a drink, some savoury snacks and hot pads-you just crack them and they warm up." Lyra spoke softly. "Your seats do recline so I suggest leaving an aisle between each other. The drive is around four hours."
I heard the numerous sounds of excited chatter and rustling as the women began to shuffle through their items. Felicity's warm eyes stared up at the box in my hand in wonder and I gave her a gentle smile.
I unwrapped the gift, pulling out the snacks which she declined. I helped her recline her seat, thankful it wasn't stiff as my strength was nil to nothing. She cosied down with the neck pillow and I tucked the blanket around her. She gave me a sleepy smile as her eyes drifted and a content grumble rose in my chest at her safe comfort. Cel was as pleased as I was that she was safe and sound.
Once I deemed she was sorted I turned to see the other women doing the same. Small sighs of satisfaction filled the air and I smiled at the feeling of peace. We were getting out of here.
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The bus rumbled to life, shaking the floor I stood on. The lights inside dimmed as the fans blew a gentle warm breeze. I gave Felicity a last glance before I made my way off of the bus, thanking the driver who was so happy to drive them to safety.
I climbed down the last of the steps to see Lyra waiting for me. A few of the warriors climbed on the bus after me, filling in some gaps to keep the numbers of us all spread. Lyra had brought about ten men with her and mixed with the mass of our pack they spread out well as support. Thankfully none were badly injured. I was grateful for that.
The doors slowly shut behind me and I exhaled slowly.
"You alright?" Lyra questioned, her hand coming to touch my shoulder.
I flinched slightly but nodded. "Just exhausted."
"I don't blame you, you're badly injured. Come, I have a car for you ready." She smiled.
I furrowed my eyebrows but let her lead me away from the two buses. I glanced around as the last woman climbed onto the bus, Phoenix inside helping them to their seats. His eyes glanced at me but he only gave a smile before going back to his task. One woman collapsed on the stairs, crying out in pain. He immediately moved to help her, gently coaxing her to his comfort. The Alpha in him would be able to sway their emotions to settle even with their nerves.
We stopped beside a large black Range Rover and I eyed the height of it in shock. I had never been around a car so tall, I felt short now.
Lyra shuffled nervously beside me and I turned to face her. "I'm sorry we started so...tense."
I chewed my lip, thinking over whether to be truthful or not.
"To be honest... I didn't like you hanging around Phoenix and I got jealous. But when I found out what was going on with you, I should say sorry. And thank you for not challenging me on the spot." I have a short laugh.
She smiled at me, rubbing her elbows. "I honestly would have, if you were not worthy and Phoenix did not want you. But I see how much he cares for you, and I would not want to put him through what I have to in a matter of days."
"Days?" I gasped.
She frowned and nodded. "Saturday I have to have the mark of my mate's killer."
My chest ached in sympathy. "I'm so sorry, I wish there was something to change this."
She shrugged. "The King's laws. The King's packs sacrifice a lot to be protected by him. We serve him and the werewolves beneath us, but it costs us in other ways. To be strong and have no weakness..."
"Mates are weaknesses no matter what," I mumbled.
I was weak. I would be Phoenix's weakness. Anyone who wanted the pack or the title would have a chance. I was not trained to be a warrior. I wasn't sure how it would go down when it was globally known I was a weak healing mate. I hoped my blood would save the fights; that being a Lycan would save me. I hoped.
Lyra sighed. "He's a good man, just power-hungry..."
'I don't think she's so sure of the lies she spouts.' Cel mumbled.
I agreed, she was easier to read than she thought. I glanced behind her to see my brothers climb into a chauffeured truck and gave them grateful smiles. They shook their head at my advance before they began to climb into the back.
'You stay there. Go to sleep, we shall see each other again.' Leo's voice floated through my mind.
See you there. I whispered.
I caught the back of Sean and Primrose climbing into a car together, driven by one of Lyra's warriors. He had her by his side, as she gazed around frazzled. She didn't see me, clinging to her mate as he eased her into the back seat.
I was snapped into the present when Lyra spoke again.
"Anyway, come on. Get in. You need rest, I will handle the child's bus, for now, my Gamma has the second." She chuckled dryly.
I gave her a soft smile but bowed my head in a nod. She opened the back door for me and just as I went to jump in, I was lifted into the back seat. The tingly warmth settled my racing heart when I realised it was Phoenix behind me. He let out a small chuckle but placed me on the cool leather seat.
He leaned away, the towering height of the car was nothing compared to him. I swallowed as he smiled at me and gently shut the door. He and Lyra exchanged brief plans before he came round and climbed into the other back door.
Once he was sat, he buckled himself in and I watched him shuffle around the middle seat. There were a couple of bags of things that he moved to the ground. His dark eyes flashed to me and I smiled in response.
He pulled out a box of what looked like medicine and a bottle of water. He popped two pills into his open palm and unscrewed the lid of the bottle with his fingers.
"Take these, the small amount of anaesthesia I got you with will wear off soon." He murmured.
I eyed them, clenching my jaw as their unfamiliarity overwhelmed me. I didn't like taking pills, being drugged too many times put me off the idea of them.
"What are they?" I asked.
"A strong wolf pain medicine, something my healers concocted and formed into capsules." He smiled, "They contain natural elements as well as human codeine."
I sniffed them but I knew they would be safe and swallowed them down with a wince. They tasted somehow gingery but I drank some more water to appease the taste. He took it from me and screwed the cap back on when I finished.
I smiled up at him and watched as his dark eyes scanned my neck. He moved and grabbed hold of my thigh in one hand, his other coming around my back. His large hand encased the flesh, and I squealed when he dragged me closer. I was pressed against him as he pulled me to his side.
He grunted slightly but I happily obliged and curled my legs up onto the other seat, setting my head on his thighs. He moved and placed a blanket over me, not that I'd need it against the warmth he produced.
He tucked me against him, a low growl leaving his throat the same way mine had with Felicity. I smiled at the gesture, feeling contentment through the bond.
"Get some rest." He murmured, his left hand snaking over my hair to brush it away.
I nudged my head to get comfier, closing my eyes as his fingers ran along my temple. I sighed, satisfied with the climax of today. I was injured badly, but I felt comfortable and safe knowing we had defeated the wolves. Once well-rested, we would debrief in the morning.
"Where are we going?" I asked when the driver's door opened.
A man's scent invaded the cabin and Phoenix greeted him gruffly. His hand in my hair moved to stroke down my cheek and jaw, tickling the skin. Goosebumps rose on the surface and I repressed a shiver. His touch felt so good, so gentle for such a large rough man.
"The palace."
I froze. "The p-palace?"
He hummed, in a bid to settle me. "The King is insistent on us going to him. He wants to speak to the women, to guide them apparently."
"They should be going home," I muttered. "They have people who miss them."
He sighed, stopping his caressing of my skin. "He is the King. I can't go against his order. Besides, he has the best medical teams both physical and mental and it is all at his expense for just a couple of days."
I grumbled at the annoyance. The women and girls should be healing and going home, not being dragged to be poked at under scrutiny.
'Something's strange about the King.' Cel huffed.
I agree. I hummed.
'I bet he's only taking them to not look so bad. To take pride in saving them.' She growled.
Maybe. I muttered, glancing up at Phoenix.
Was the King that bad? Or were we overthinking it? Nerves crept up on me, would I be safe there?
"Settle my mate," Phoenix's deeper voice soothes me and I shivered when I found Ares looking down at me. "We got you."
His arm curled around me, securing itself around my waist, his fingers interlocking with mine.
I knew I'd be safe, I had Phoenix and Ares right beside me.
The car shook to life and began to drive off, the buses ahead of us. A couple of other cars and trucks were behind us and in front of the first bus, securing us in and leading the way.
The moonlight shone through the sunroof and I gazed up at it in wonder. Mother Moon had witnessed everything tonight; the slaughter of her own creation. The carelessness and abandonment given by her kind. She shined in all her glory still, watching over us.
A strange warmth ran through me, my hazy sleepy medicated mind absorbing it greedily. I closed my eyes away from the state of the moon to take in the strange effect. It tickled at my senses and settled my heart, comforting my soul.
Phoenix pressed a kiss to my temple in response to my sleepy state, and I smiled to myself.
Safe. I was safe...
•••
Hey all!
Wow was it me or did this weekend feel like forever since I updated?
Hope you all had a fantastic weekend, ive missed you all!! I got some good time spent with my boys over the weekend and treated them to a maccies thanks to the money i have made from my patreon. My 5 year old is now obsessed so thanks guys xD I blame you hahaha
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