My arms stayed tight around Raven who was quivering beside me. She seemed exhausted, her breathing ragged and her mood solemn.

I looked away from Phoenix's heavy gaze to observe her body. She wore long fitting clothes but she was thin and seemed so pale. Her dark hair was matted in places and I brushed it behind her ear to hold her face into my chest.

She sniffled, pausing her sobs for a moment at the change of comfort.

"It's gonna be okay," I whispered. "It's over."

She began to cry again and I felt a shift in the air that I could only assume was the magic changing. I inhaled deeply, realising I could now smell the wolves around me. I could pinpoint Phoenix in front of me with Sean by his side. Sean smelt sweaty and aggravated, his pheromones giving strange waves of different emotions.

I could smell my brother and my twin helping coax women out of the cages, and I could smell their fear as the men surrounding us began to close in on the circle.

"Don't," I called. "You're going to scare them."

The men around me stopped in their tracks, cocking their heads in confusion.

I sighed. "They have been trapped for weeks even months, by men who abused them and without their wolves, just take a step back for now. Let the women handle it."

"Yes, Luna." Some chorused.

I held back the blush and need to bow my head at my title, allowing myself and Cel to accept the power they gave me

The few women that came with the pack continued their approach to helping the girls, and I turned my attention back to Raven. She stirred in my arms and I forced her to look away from Steven's decapitated head.

She wiped her nose on her sleeve and hiccuped. "I know I'm not a werewolf but I felt the bond so strongly."

I smiled sadly, "I'm sorry he did this to you, you deserve to be treated better."

She frowned but nodded her head. "He forcefully marked me and it...swayed me I guess, I realise now. When I met him there was an attraction but then he marked me and I guess since it was a one-sided mark and I felt so needy for him..."

I shushed her gently, "You don't need to explain. Mate bonds are powerful things."

At this I found my eyes wandering to Phoenix who was pulling on some cotton shorts. His dark eyes were focused on me as always, yet he was alert to his surroundings. He began to walk over to us, his strides were strong with determination.

Raven glanced up at him through her hair as he stood on the other side of the cage we were next to. She swallowed heavily and dropped her gaze.

"Alpha, I'm sorry."

His jaw clenched and it was silent for a moment. He glanced at her then at me, and I kept the same sympathetic frown as I took Raven's hand.

Phoenix sighed. "We will discuss things when we are safe on pack lands. I assume you have removed the border as well as the scent block?"

Raven nodded. "I have, it was weakening me having it up constantly."

He nodded, glancing around on high alert. "Then it won't be long before recovery gets here."

"Recovery?" I wondered.

He licked his lips, the dark hazel orbs darting to me. "Yes, Full Moon pack is close to here and they are sending buses with aids to help us transport everyone."

"Good." I nodded, although I was hesitant to see Lyra again.

I glanced around the women, my eyes catching Sean in the background. He was acting strange, his back tense and jaw clenched. I frowned to myself as I stared at him, wondering why he was frozen solid.

"Sean?" I called.

His head snapped to me, his pupils blown. His wolf was present, and let out a low grumble when his eyes locked with mine. I swallowed as he threatened me, my eyes widening at his ferocity.

Phoenix turned towards him and let out a resounding growl that caused Sean to falter when their eyes met. He grumbled once more before he dropped his gaze.

I watched as he shuffled on his feet, clenching his fists. His nostrils flared and I found my breath hitch when he began to turn his body around. His shoulders hunched and his nose twitched as he smelt the area.

What was going on?

Like a lightbulb went off in his head, he began to slowly walk toward the group of women that were climbing out of the cages. They were quiet as they did so, small cries of relief occasionally filling the air. Sean stopped suddenly and I followed his gaze to see what had him so worked up.

She was climbing from the large cage, her knees shaking as she pulled herself to her feet. Her black hair was short and ragged and covered in mud. I heard her exhale a short gasp of pain when she stretched to stand upright.

Sean had darted over to her in an instant, going to hold her arm. She jumped in fear, stumbling back as words scrambled out of her mouth. Sean paused, holding his hands out in front of him as he gazed at his mate. She studied him, her body closed in on itself. I knew it was taking Sean a lot of control to not go further but he was holding on, holding back his beast.

"Hello mate," I heard him mutter. "I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. You're safe with me now, forever. Let me help you."

I felt my heart stutter and glanced around to see a lot of our pack were watching the encounter. Raven even stopped her tears to watch as the two scrutinised each other.

Her hands shook, her pale cold body weak in comparison to the towering bulk that was Sean.

"What's your name? I'm Sean." He tried again.

She licked her lips nervously and I caught her brown eyes as they found mine. I gave her a reassuring smile and nodded, trying to convey that it was okay. She turned back to him, and I watched with pride as she began to uncurl from her taught posture. Without her wolf by her side, I knew she must feel exposed.

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"Primrose."

Sean's chest physically exhaled and I noticed his body relax at the sound of her voice. He tentatively put his hand closer to her and she looked down at it in hesitation. She glanced around at the crowd that had formed, each of us holding our breaths as the scene unfolded.

She cleared her throat nervously and I couldn't help but grin as she stretched her hand out to clasp at Sean's. Her long fingers graced themselves around his thick palm as he helped to steady her. I saw her jump as they made contact and Sean let out a resounding purr of content. She shuddered at the noise, her eyes closing for a moment.

I was so proud of her, so proud she found someone like Sean who could bring her out of her rut. She needed someone supportive and strong like him to help her fight her demons. It was perfect, everything seemed perfect.

He took a step further before bringing her into his arms and I took my notice to look away when she shivered against him. I looked down at the dirt on my feet, noticing the blood still dripping.

Oh, I seem to have forgotten I was injured.

Cel whined in my head. 'Mate will help us.'

I followed the trail of blood to eye the knife wound in my shoulder and hesitantly reached out to touch the wounds in my neck. They stung and ached at the contact and a small whimper came from my throat.

The adrenaline must have worn off, the sudden realisation that I was injured hit me like a bucket of bricks.

Pheonix was immediately in front of me, his once occupied mind dismissed. He crouched down to my level, his elbows resting on his knees. Despite the pain, I still couldn't help but marvel at the physique he upheld. His shoulder was so wide and strong, his arms and legs so thick and sturdy to hold himself. His hands were so large as they reached out to caress my jaw.

"How bad does it hurt?" He mumbled.

I winced when he lifted my chin to inspect it. "Pretty bad."

He frowned and nodded his head, holding his hands out to me. I eyed them with hesitance, wondering what he wanted from me. He rolled his eyes and began to scoop me up into his arms.

I let out a small squeal as he held me, looking down on people from his height was always a new experience. It reminded me of the day we met when he carried me from the forest.

"Your mother is just behind you, she wishes to see you." He spoke to Raven.

Her eyes widened in surprise and she hesitated before turning around. They caught sight of each other and Gaia made no mistake as she ran as fast as she could to her daughter. Raven stood still in shock as her mother reached her but she wasted no time and pulled her into her embrace. Raven immediately let the flood gates go as she sobbed in her mother's arms.

Phoenix took his leave and began to carry me towards one of the cabins. The pack have raided them and set up small medical bays for the moment. We entered the dreaded interrogation cabin and I shuddered at the memory of being beaten to the floor.

I sat down on top of a table and looked around with nerves. I hated anything hospital related. I wasn't looking forward to this.

•••

Hi all!!

Been a long weekend waiting for an update aye? Well here it is haha!

I wonder what's going to happen in the cabin when nova & Phoenix are in close proximity ...... 🤗

My phone is fixed, I'm on my new one! It's so clean and shiny it's crazy for a refurb hahahaha

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend, you conquered it, you're here now at the other side of the week! Well done!!

What was the hardest thing you had to accomplish this week?

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