C71

Later that day Indianna was in the kitchen with Laura, Kirstie and Mac. There was a comfortable silence as the four of them peeled and chopped vegetables. No one wanted to discuss the reason for why they were preparing dinner. The thought of Rogue sitting at the table, surrounded by her friends and family made Indianna feel sick.

The silence was soon broken when Kal arrived, barging through the door with his arms full of shopping bags. Kimberly followed behind him and they placed numerous bags full of groceries onto the dining table.

"Normally," Kal said, looking at the food with narrowed eyes, "the sight of all this food would make me very happy, however, I'm currently very unhappy. For the first time in my life I am not looking forward to Christmas dinner. Damn Rogue. He's a maniac and now he's a bloody Scrooge as well."

"Thank you, Kal," Laura called, reaching into one of the bags and pulling out ingredients. "And you too, Kim. We should have enough food now."

"Don't worry if you haven't. I'd happily starve if it means Rogue is out of here quicker tonight," Kal grumbled.

"Kal, sweet, we get it. You don't want Rogue here. No one does, stop moaning and suck it up." Kimberly placed her hand on Kal's arm and gave him a look. "We haven't got a choice."

"God, woman, let me complain!" Kal groaned but he grabbed Kimberly's hands and pulled her closer, kissing her cheek affectionately.

"Let's stop the moaning for now, yeah?" Kimberly suggested.

Kal's eyebrows raised and he smirked. "For now?"

Kimberly glared at Kal and hit his chest. "Shut up, you idiot and do something useful."

"Do as your mate says!" Kirstie called. "You can start peeling the potatoes."

Kal made a face. "I consume food. I don't make it."

Kirstie rolled her eyes and pointed to an empty kitchen surface. "Get working, Kalum!"

"What about her?" Kal complained, pointing at Kimberly. "Make her work too!"

"You're such a child," Kimberly said and shook her head. "And I'm going to help. I'll take over from Indianna."

Indianna looked over her shoulder, eyebrow raising. "I'm fine, Kim."

"No, you're pregnant and shouldn't be standing up for long periods of time," Kimberly said sternly. "Go and rest."

"Honestly-"

"She's right, dear," Laura interjected. "You've had a busy day already and tonight is probably going to be stressful. You need to relax while you can. For your health and the babies."

"But we have so much food to prepare-"

"We can get others to help," Kirstie called, her voice stern. "You're outnumbered, Indie. Get your butt out of here. You are carry my niece and nephew and I won't have you straining yourself."

Indianna held her hands up in surrender and stepped backward. "You guys win," she said but she found herself smiling at the thought of how many people cared. "I'll go and rest."

Kimberly grinned smugly and squeezed Indianna's arm when she walked past her. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling good," Indianna said honestly. "Thank you, Kim."

Indianna left the kitchen and exited the pack house. She spotted Harry and Brooke who were sitting on a bench, deep in conversation. Brooke's eyes were red and cheeks puffy, but she was smiling at something Harry had said.

Indianna wanted to wrap Brooke in bubble wrap and protect her from the night that was to come, but she knew she couldn't. Instead, Indianna looked away from Harry and Brooke and went down into the cells underground to where she could hear voices. Some familiar, some not.

Indianna found Greyson in one of the far cells with Ace, Oscar and Tai, who was tending to the freshly burnt brands of three men that Indianna faintly recognised from around town. Rogue's men.

Greyson, who was leaning against the bars of the cell, spoke up. "Gentlemen, please allow me to introduce your new Luna." Greyson turned and locked eyes with Indianna as she came into view. His hands found her waist as she neared and Indianna leaned into his side, their body's fitting together like a glove.

Greyson kissed Indianna's temple. "Sugar, meet the three men who we have successfully freed from Rogue's compulsion."

The three men bowed their heads upon Indianna's arrival.

"I'm glad you are in your right minds again," Indianna said kindly. "And welcome to our pack."

"We are forever indebted to you," one of the men spoke. "Whatever you need from us we shall to our best to provide."

"Your best is what we are going to need," Greyson nodded. "Now, you guys need to get going soon. We are expecting Rogue here tonight and we need you and your scents gone as quickly as possible."

"We have a route through the woods planned that will get you back into town unnoticed," Oscar told them.

"And remember to be careful. The brands will heal slower, even for werewolves. Don't let Rogue see that they are sore."

"We'll be careful. Thank you, Alpha and Luna."

"We will be in touch with further information when we have released more of you from Rogue's compulsion," Ace said. "The end is in sight."

The three men with new found freedoms left with Oscar, leaving Indianna, Greyson, Kal and Tai in the cell. Tai cleared her throat and cast an awkward glance at Greyson. "I should go."

"Wait," Greyson said sternly. "I want to say something to you."

"Greyson," Ace warned, watching him cautiously.

Greyson couldn't help but smirk. "Don't worry, Ace, I was actually going to thank your mate."

Tai raised her dark eyebrows disbelievingly. "You what?"

"You heard me," Greyson said dismissively. "You've been a great help to Doc. We need all the help we can get right now."

Tai and Ace shared a look. They both seemed as surprised as each other.

"But now, I need you to fuck off."

"Greyson!" Indianna and Ace said simultaneously.

"Calm down," Greyson said calmly. "I've arranged for you and your brother and Sasha to spend the evening with a pack member. We still don't know if Rogue knows about you two and it's better if you stay far away from here. Rogue has never encountered Sasha so it's best for her to leave as well."

"What about Alice and Alec?" Ace asked. "Where will they go?"

"They will join us for dinner."

"Kal won't be happy about that."

"No one is happy about tonight."

Indianna sighed and rubbed her eyes. "Rogue said friends and family. Alice is our friend and Kal's family. Rogue knows Alec so I'm sure he would expect him to be there too. You three are the only ones who Rogue hasn't had any contact with. You're safe."

"Safe?" Tai repeated and scoffed. "Yeah, I feel it."

"What pack member will they go to?" Indianna asked Greyson.

"Ellie's parents."

Ellie was a young pack member who had been adopted by a couple after being subjected to horrors by Rogue. They were good people.

"I'm not spending Christmas with some random people," Tai said stubbornly. "Raiden and I will go home-"

"Don't make this difficult," Greyson said sternly. "Do as you're told."

"You're not the boss of me," Tai argued.

"Tai," Ace said gently. He had Tai's attention immediately and her expression softened slightly when she looked at him. "Please. I wouldn't make it through the night if I didn't know you were safe."

Tai narrowed her eyes at Greyson. "I don't like him telling me what to do."

Greyson shrugged his shoulders. "I'm in charge and that's not changing so deal with it."

"Please, Tai. Ignore him. Do it for me."

"Do not ignore me," Greyson said sternly.

*Greyson,* Indianna said in warning. *Give them a break. She's proven herself.*

*She still needs to listen to me. I'm the Alpha.*

*Yes, you're not letting her forget that.*

Greyson smirked slightly. "So, what is it going to be, Tai?"

Tai looked away from Ace and sighed. "Fine."

"Let's go and tell Raiden and Sasha," Ace said softly. He slowly reached for Tai's hand and she blinked, staring at Ace for a few seconds before nodding.

"Are you okay to take them?" Greyson asked Ace.

"Of course. We will leave as soon as they are ready to go."

"Sooner rather than later," Greyson ordered.

"Sir yes sir," Tai muttered as Ace and her left the cells, sarcasm heavy in her voice.

Greyson narrowed his eyes at her retreating figure, but Indianna reached up and touched his cheek, pulling his attention to her. "Grey," she whispered, "get over your ego and come with me."

Greyson's eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me, sugar?"

Indianna smiled. "Oh, you heard me, Alpha. Come on. I need to show you something."

"I do not have an ego."