His Retribution

Chapter Eight

Azalea

I knew Liam was worried, but it was just morning sickness. Sometimes it didn’t go away right away. As long as there weren’t any eggs for breakfast today, it would go away soon. I took the clothes Liam brought me and smiled. I ran my hands over the soft, worn sweatshirt. I reached my face up and he bent down to give me a kiss. I stood and went into the bathroom to change. It was too warm for the sweatshirt, so I left it on the bathroom counter. When I came out a few minutes later, Liam was on the phone. I shot a look at the clock. If I hurried, I could get Leo and get down to the kitchen to help prepare breakfast and be there when our guests started to arrive.

“Yes, yes. Let’s talk more later. Thank you, Langston,” Liam said. He hung up the phone and turned to me. “That was Alpha Langston. They also found a group of friendly rogues last night seeking a new pack to join,” he said.

“Do they know where the group came from?” I asked.

“No, not yet. He plans to meet with the group after breakfast. Apparently, Ella had similar ideas on how to handle the guests,” he said. I smiled brightly.

“It’s a Luna thing,” I said jokingly. He just rolled his eyes at me. “I wonder if they are from the same pack?”

“I would say it’s likely unless there is someone systematically coming after packs. But they cannot be anywhere close, or we would have heard something by now,” he said.

“True. How long do you think they have been travelling?”

“I really don’t know, baby. Why don’t we go down to greet them for breakfast? You can go ahead on down to the kitchen. I’ll bring Leo and we’ll let Junior come down when he wakes up,” Liam said.

“You sure? I can go get Leo,” I said.

“I know my Little Luna wants to get in the kitchen. Go ahead.” I closed the distance between us and kissed his cheek. I left our bedroom and made my way downstairs. Just like magic, Felix appeared by my side on my way downstairs.

“Good Morning,” I chirped. He just passively nodded. “Sleep well?” I asked. As usual, he was quiet. I had grown used to him over the past few years and enjoyed his company. I had never learned much about him personally as he was always so quiet. Nonetheless, Felix was family now.

When we got down to the kitchen, Marci was back as well as another she-wolf. One was mixing pancake batter while the other was manning the stove top. There were already bowls of freshly sliced fruit waiting on the counter. “Good morning, ladies,” I said cheerfully. “How can I help?”

“Luna, please sit! We have everything,” Marci said kindly.

“No, please. I would like to help!” I insisted. She sighed.

“Why don’t you mix the batter for us and I will attend to the meat,” she said. “But please sit. Alpha will be so upset if you are on your feet too long.”

“Alright,” I said. I sat down on one of the tall stools and started combining ingredients and whisking the large bowls of batter. In no time at all, the pancakes were finished and Marci was piling up a large platter of sausages. Liam came into the kitchen with a bright-eyed Leo in his arms.

“Mommy!” he cheered. Liam brought him straight over to me.

“Hello, sweetheart,” I said. He reached his arms out to me, but Liam held him firm.

“No, Mommy can’t pick you up. You’re too big now,” he told him. Leo pouted a little. I stood up and kissed his soft cheek.

“How did you sleep sweetheart?” I asked him. Leo gave me a wide smile.

“We should go to the dining room, Little Luna. Jacob linked me a few minutes ago that the group is waking up. We should see them shortly,” Liam linked.

“Leo, do you want to help Mommy and Daddy greet some guests?” I asked my little boy. He nodded enthusiastically. He wiggled to get out of Liam’s arms, so he let him down on the floor. He grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the dining room. Liam chuckled and followed us. Felix followed suit. When we got into the dining room, Damien and Lily were already sitting down. Lucas was playing with some toy cars on the table. Leo ran to him to join his game.

We joined Damien and Lily, standing next to them. Liam wrapped his arm around my waist. “Langston called this morning,” Liam told Damien.

“Oh really,” he said.

“Apparently, he is facing a similar set of circumstances. I told him I would speak with him later this afternoon when we had time to learn more about our guests,” Liam said. Damien nodded.

“Do you think they all come from the same pack?” Lily asked.

“We had this conversation earlier,” Liam said nodding at me. “It’s entirely possible. But it could also mean there is someone systematically decimating packs. It’s too much of a coincidence to have 3 groups over the last 6 weeks arrive at our border in the same manner.”

“We’ll know soon enough,” said Damien. We all looked over and Jacob was leading the new group into the dining.

Missy

I grabbed my backpack and headed downstairs. Junior was making his way down the steps sleepily. “Hey bud, going to get some breakfast?” I asked. He nodded his head. I held my hand out and we walked down the steps together. I took him to the dining room where I was surprised to see Lea and Liam talking with a group of unfamiliar people. I headed towards them, Junior following along. When he eyed Delilah, Lucas, and Leo, he beelined for them. I tapped on Lea’s shoulder to get her attention. Sometimes I wish I could link her.

“I’m going to school early. I will grab an apple from the kitchen,” I told her.

“Do you want us to drive you?” she asked.

“No, that’s alright. V is picking me up,” I told her. She pursed her lips a little.

“Alright. Come straight home after school, though. Okay? And do you want to go up to the Inn with us for the weekend? There are some things I want to take care of,” she asked.

“Uh, sure. Sounds fun,” I said. Maybe Lemon would be around, and I could just hang out with her. Lemon was a human and way cooler than anyone in the pack. She had an awesome sense of style too.

I headed out of the dining room, stopping in the kitchen to grab an apple for breakfast. My phone dinged, telling me that V was probably outside. He said he wanted to show me something this morning before school when he left last night. I jogged out of the pack house and sure enough, he was parked and waiting for me in the drive.

“Hey princess,” he called as I approached.

“Hi,” I said happily. I knew I was lying to Lea, but we would get to school early still.

“So, is the rumor true?” he asked as I got in.

“What rumor?”

“That there are a bunch of rogues hiding out in the pack?” he asked.

What? Were those the people in the dining room this morning? “Uh I don’t think so. We might have some new pack members, but I don’t think we're hiding rogues,” I said.

“Well, that is disappointing. Was hoping for a little drama around here, you know other than you being grounded,” he teased.

“Whatever. So where are we going?” I asked as he took off.

“That, princess, is for me to know and you to find out,” he said with a big grin.