Finding Their Way: The Children of Blood Moon

Mission Failed

*Alette POV*

Nothing could have prepared me for motherhood. Nothing. I don't know how Addie handles five, because my three boys are a handful. They are only 10 months old, but they have more energy than I can keep up with sometimes. Especially my little guy, Carver. He was born with issues with his feet, legs and hips.

When he was born, his feet were born facing outwards. He needed surgery to fix them, but I was hesitant for a long time. However, after constant arguments with Damian, I gave in. His legs had been in a cast since, so that he could heal properly.

Then there is the issue of the muscles in Carver's legs having constant spasms. When the spasms start, it becomes very painful for him. It breaks my heart when he cries over the pain, but I thought he would just outgrow them in time. I was foolish to think that way, especially as a healer, or maybe it was because I am a healer.

I had it in my mind that I could heal him, that we didn't need a doctor to help us. That caused serious issues between Damian and me. We fought constantly about my hesitation. He kept accusing me of neglecting my son. One of the worst things you could ever say to a mother.

He had me to the verge of rejecting him and leaving with the boys. He made me feel like I was worthless as a mate and mother.

Thankfully, my mother and sister Asteria talked sense in me. Mom explained that even though we are healers, we can't diagnose the majority of the issues that need healing. It's only after the diagnosis can we start to heal the ailment. I guess I never thought of it that way either.

I had finally taken him to see our pack pediatrician, Phyllis Turner, to see what the problem could be. She said that the spasms were caused by potassium deficiency, and even possibly nerve issues in his hips.

She said he would grow out of it as his legs grew stronger with time. We were told to wrap his legs with a warm heating pad if the pain became too much, and gave us a vial of infant pain reliever. She said if it became unbearable for him, that I could use my healing power on him a little at a time.

From what I am learning, unless it's life or death, our powers should only be used sparingly on small children. We aren't sure what the after effects are for them.

After we learned what was wrong and how to deal with it, Damian and I became a solid team again. Both of us regretted things we had said and how we made each other feel. That wasn't who we were.

Now, at almost 11 months old, he gets around better than the others. My baby boy doesn't know the word quit. He is so strong, and I feel awful that I almost hindered him in his growth.

Today we are partying with my family at Blood Hollow to celebrate Addie and Gunner's alpha status. I am so incredibly happy she got her happy ending with a kick ass mate.

The more I hang around him, the more I like him. Not only does he treat her well, and worships their children, he fits in with our crazy family perfectly. Even Asteria likes him, and she is leery of everyone anymore. Even her own second chance mate.

Gunner and Addie are dancing on the dance floor, oblivious to the rest of us. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed. You can feel love pouring from them.

Damian and I decided to join them, and as we were swaying in time with the music, his phone rang. I took a deep sigh and whispered, "Ignore it..... Please." He did as I asked, and we even danced through one more song.

Once back at our table, I could tell he was anxious about not answering his phone. We have been getting word over the past few months that one of his father's former partners was planning on taking Damian out by assassinating him. He hired someone to track the threat down, and so far we hadn't heard anything.

"It's OK, you can see who called," I said. He shook his head and said it could wait until after we left the party, and that if it was important, they would call back.

It was almost on que, because not long after he said those words, his phone went off again. He looked at me for approval, and I nodded my head, letting him know it was fine. He stood up and kissed my forehead, and walked away from everyone to take the call.

We have been keeping everything on the down-low, even from Maddix. Damian didn't want to involve anyone if we could avoid it. River and Caleb didn't even know. Buck knew, and the elder Declan knew. That was it.

"So, where is my tall, dark and brooding brother-in-law running off to?" Addie asked. I had to laugh at her description of my mate, but she wasn't wrong.

"We had a small issue at one of the new ports, nothing major. He will be back in a minute," I stated. "Good, I have a question I need to ask him. A business proposition, so to speak," she said. I shook my head and told her no business today. It was a party, and all the rest could wait until tomorrow.

She laughed at me, and agreed to my suggestion. She walked away to grab some cake, and told me she would be back.

Damian finally returned, and his face was pale. "Alette, we have a problem. A big problem," he said. I asked if we should leave for home, and he said that home was the last place he wanted me and the boys. It was right then that I knew it was worse than I had thought.

"Tell me," I demanded. He was fighting back his anger, but managed to tell me what happened.

"They torched the pack house, and there isn't anything left of it but the safes in my office. They didn't know we weren't there. Thankfully, all my important documents were backed up onto my laptop, and it's here with me. Buck and Micah were in their cabin, so they were alright. Caleb was badly burned, Alette. River was almost killed trying to save him. I don't want to damper the mood on Addie and Gunner's day, so let's wait until things are about to die down before mentioning this, OK?" he explained.

My hands flew over my mouth, and I couldn't contain the tears. So much for subtlety. Damian pulled me to him, but I couldn't silence my sobs. "We have to go home. Even if it's a pile of ash, we have to go home. They need us, Damian." I cried.

Apparently hearing my sobs, Maddix quickly approached us. "Everything OK?" he asked. Damian shook his head and quietly explained what happened at Spirit Mountain.

"I know you guys want to keep everything quiet, but this can't be one of those situations. Someone is trying to kill you, and I will be damned if I let that happen!" Maddix bellowed, causing everyone to look our way. Both of my dads were next to me in no time trying to calm me down.

Maddix called the family together, and explained what Damian had told him. My mom collapsed when she heard about River and Caleb, and Gunner was there to catch her.

My dad, Liam, was beside himself with anger. "Damian, Alette, I understand your need for privacy in some matters. However, we are family, and we always stand together in times of trouble. This is no different. However, we can't go rushing back half c****d. Not now. They think they have killed you both, and we need them to continue to think this way. I will send Rico and Timmy to Spirit Mountain to attend to our sons. Now, let's fill our dinner plates, and discuss a plan while we eat," he stated.