~~

Trinity

~~

Just after the maid had come to clear away the dishes from lunch, there was a knock on the door. I could smell the man standing in the hallway.

"Come in Vincent." Reece called out. I tried to move from my current position, as I was sitting across Reece's lap on the sofa near the fireplace, but he just held me tight against him, not letting me move off of him.

"Alpha." Vincent nodded his head in deference before looking at me. "Luna." He sighed looking at me. "It is so good to see you Trinity. I am glad that you're safe." The smile that lit up his face then was bright and happy. I was glad I was able to see him again.

"It's good to see you again too, Vincent." I smiled at him, but for some reason his smile disappeared and his face fell.

"I am sorry. So very sorry."

"What's wrong?" I asked him, frightened by the pained tone in his voice.

"Vincent, has something happened?" Reece asked him, slipping into his Alpha voice.

"No, nothing has happened Sir, I just came to inform you that the Luna's family wished to meet with her. I wanted to make sure that she was up to it first."

"Then what are you sorry for?" I was still so confused by his words and tone of voice.

"I wasn't there to protect you, Trinity. This is all my fault." He dropped to one knee, bowing his head. I could see how much he blamed himself, how full of regret he was.

"Vincent, it wasn't your fault." I tried to console him. "Those at fault have been punished. The one who got away, the mastermind, we will find him soon enough."

"No, it is my fault. I wasn't there. I am your lead guard, the head of your security, and I wasn't there. I am to blame."

"Vincent." I made my voice soothing to stop his self directed anger. "It was your day off. That was why I didn't call you."

"But I shouldn't have been off that day. I have taken too many days lately."

"Vincent, don't you see, I told you to take time off. You have a new baby at home. Your wife and daughter needed you. You did nothing wrong. They would have made their attempt at me no matter what. This was bound to happen."

"You're far too forgiving, Trinity." He looked me in the eyes, I could see his pain in them but also his respect for Reece and me as well. "You're going to make a great Luna though, because you will listen to people. But I also know, you will cut people off who deserve it." He was smiling now.

"That's right, and I'm not cutting you off." I assured him. "You're an amazing guard, and a wonderful friend to have around Vincent. I could never imagine replacing you."

"You're too kind."

I slid off of Reece's lap then, nearly surprised that he let me go. Slowly, I walked to Vincent.

"Please stand up." I asked him. He looked at me briefly, sorrow still filling his eyes, before he did as I asked him. "Don't be sad anymore, Vincent. I'm here, I'm safe, and so is everyone else that I care about. That includes you." I spoke these words with my arms wrapped around his waist. I felt him stiffen in surprise before he started stuttering.

"W-w-what L-L-Luna, what are you doing? A-Alpha, th-this isn't, I mean I don't know-." He couldn't finish his sentence at all. The slight growl that Reece had been giving turned to laughter.

"Well, my mate sure is full of surprises." He chuckled. "Accept her affections Vincent, I won't allow it often." He warned the man. "She's trying to comfort you, don't you get it."

"B-but the Luna is the one who needs the comforting now." Vincent protested.

"I think she will be just fine. Plus, she has me." Reece told him, laughter and dominance waring in his voice.

"She has us all." Vincent corrected him as his arms wrapped around me to return my hug. I smiled a little, happy that I was able to comfort a friend. "I'm so glad you're back safe and sound Trinity." He squeezed me for just a moment before letting me go and taking a step back. He knew that Reece would not be happy if he lingered.

"Oh cool it, Reece, he has a mate already."

"So." He growled at me.

"Honestly, you're like a child sometimes." I snapped at him.

"I definitely don't do things to you that a mere child would do." His voice purred as he looked at me hungrily.

"Calm down Fido, you know what I meant." I heard Vincent laugh quietly beside me, so quietly that I wasn't sure Reece heard it.

"Shall I bring in your family now?" His smile was back again.

"Yes, please. Thank you Vincent."

I watched Vincent leave the room as Reece came up behind me. I could feel him standing close long before he wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"Do you want me to stay while you talk to them, or should I go?" He asked.

"That's up to you, Reece." I answered, not certain exactly how I felt about it.

"I'll leave for now, give you some privacy with your family." He kissed my cheek before he followed Vincent out of the door he just left through.

I didn't have to wait long for my family to arrive. Vincent must have gone straight to them to let them know I was well enough to receive visitors. I heard them coming long before they got to me. It sounded like one of them was running and the others were walking quickly. I could guess who was running. And as his scent was the first one I noticed I knew I was right.

They were getting nearer, and I was getting nervous. I knew I had to tell them what I had learned during my time with the Warlocks. And I knew they would still love me. But a part of me was afraid of their reactions. I just didn't know if I was ready to tell them everything yet.