CHAPTER 10: THE RETURN AND THE REVELATION

We'd been on the road for an hour before either of us said anything.

“I’m sorry for waking you up and talking to you the way I did. I just needed you to listen,” I said, then quietly added, “and thank you for coming.” I felt him jump a little and giggled.

I didn’t mean to scare him. I didn’t realize he didn’t know about the microphones. I guess that’s why he never said anything.

“Now I know why you gave me the helmet. I thought it was a waste of time,” he said with a hard voice. Apparently, he didn’t like that I scared him.

“Normally I would agree, but I needed to be able to talk to you,” I replied.

“Where is your team? How did you find the kids?” he asked.

“I would rather wait until I can talk to all of you at the same time,” I said tiredly. We were quiet for a few more minutes.

“I have to admit though, I’m really impressed that you got everyone ready as fast as you did, especially in the middle of the night,” I added sincerely.

“We were away for an Alpha conference. Our Beta took care of the preparations.” We were silent for a few moments before he added, “Thank you for saving the children, but we have a lot to talk about when we get home.”

“You’re welcome. Can we pull over? I need to dress my wound.”

He hit the brakes hard and pulled off to the side of the road.

As soon as we stopped, I took my helmet off and, hopping off the back, yelled, “Dude, what the fuck! There was no need to stop so quickly.” I was pissed—no one treated my baby that way.

“Let me see your injury. Then you are riding in the truck,” Zane demanded, reaching out to me. I smacked his hand away.

“First of all, I can take care of myself. Second, after the way you just treated her, you are not allowed to drive her again.” Who the hell does this guy think he is?

“He is just trying to protect us,” Cece said, not happy with me.

That’s no excuse to talk to me like that, I told Cece.

Realizing she was a little right, I turned to apologize to Zane just as the rest of the guys got out of the truck and ran over.

“I’m sorry, you’re just trying to look out for me. The first aid kit is under the seat,” I said, but my words fell on deaf ears as the others started yelling at Zane for not stopping when I got hit.

They were pissed and yelling, not listening to or even looking at me.

So I opened the first aid kit and found the pliers, medicinal clotting powder, gauze, and tape. I used the pliers to pull out the arrow, poured the clotting powder into the wound, and quickly wrapped it with gauze and tape.

Once satisfied, I put my helmet under the seat, hopped on, started it, and turned to face the guys. Thankfully, it was silent, or my plan wouldn’t work.

“Stop it,” I yelled, and they all snapped their heads to look at me. “He asked if I was hit, and I deflected. He didn’t know. While you were bitching at each other, I patched myself up so we can get back on the road. So, let’s go.”

Then to Cece, I added, Geesh, I feel like their mother, as I took off on my bike, leaving them with their mouths hanging open. We both laughed as they scrambled to get in the truck and follow me.

We caught back up to the buses and passed them quickly. I needed to drive fast to clear my mind, with them following behind.

When I felt calmer, I let them take the lead since I didn’t know where we were going.

We pulled through the front gate at about 8 a.m. Everyone was waiting.

They cleared a path so we could park. As I was getting off the bike, one of the Alphas reached me and helped. I asked if I could address everyone. At first, they said no, but I reminded them that without me, the kids would still be in their cells. They agreed. We walked to stand in front of everyone.

“Good morning. For those who don’t know what’s going on—we found our children, and they are on their way here. I know you’re ready to see your kids, but I need to warn you. I don’t know what they went through before we found them, so please don’t ask them. When they are ready, they will tell you. If you ask too soon, they’ll re-live those horrible moments. Be patient. Don’t smother them. It may take days, weeks, months, or years—but don’t force them, okay?”

Nods all around. I continued, “Also, let the kids get off the bus before rushing at them. We have about three dozen others who need food and shelter—has that been arranged?”

A beautiful older woman stepped forward. “Hello, I am Luna Amelia. Thank you for helping bring our children home. The second floor of the pack house is set up with rooms, and the first floor is cleared if needed,” she said with a soft voice

No wonder she felt familiar.

I stepped aside with her. “Thank you, Luna Amelia, for this—and for nursing me back to health.” Her shocked expression prompted me to add, “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“She didn’t know we could hear and feel everything,” Cece said suddenly, making me jump.

Shit, you scared me. Why were you so quiet?

“I didn’t want to distract you. I didn’t feel like you needed me,” she replied.

Silly animal, I’ll always need you. You’re part of me.

“Aww, you’re important to me too,” Cece replied with love.

“Please, call me Amelia,” she said warmly.

As the kids arrived, parents waited until they got off the bus before rushing them. I moved to the group that clearly didn’t live here. I spotted Amelia and waved her over.

“Children, this is Luna Amelia. She has food and rooms for you. Please follow her, and after eating, get some rest. If you need medical attention, don’t be afraid to ask. I also need to speak with each of you about where you’re from so we can contact your families. Is that okay?”

They all nodded. I watched them follow Amelia.

I saw Zane and the other three men off to the side. I wasn’t ready to talk to them—especially with the feelings they stirred in me. Right now, my focus was the children.

Earlier, you said Mate—what does that mean? I remembered Cece calling them that.

“It means they are your perfect match; the other half of your soul. Every shifter is gifted a mate. Some find theirs early, some later in life, and some never do. You have four. They’re meant to be your best friends, lovers, protectors. They will challenge you and push you to be the best version of yourself, and you will do the same for them.”

“Four?”

“Yes. Most have one. Rarely two. Never four. But since this pack has four Alphas, it would make sense that they would share a mate.”

Great. Four men to keep happy. Ugh, sounds exhausting. I say, both serious and teasing. We laughed.

I stopped on the porch and turned to look at them; four extremely god-like, handsome men. They were all easily over six feet with broad shoulders and a muscular physique.

The first is tan with dark brown high-and-tight haircut. He has brown eyes on a tall face with a long nose and clean-shaven. He smelled like freshly cut grass.

The second sexy man is Hawaiian-looking with dark tan skin, long, slightly curly dark brown hair, green eyes and a full beard with the chin hair growing a little longer while the sides remain short. He is slightly taller and more muscular than the first man. He smelled like spicy cinnamon, and he had a playful way about him.

The third a gorgeous tall and skinny but no less muscular man. He, like the first man, is tan but he had short dark hair with a defined jaw and a 5 o’clock shadow. He had the most gorgeous blue eyes that you can easily get lost in. He smelled of rain, calm and soothing.

That leaves the very dangerous looking Zane. He has very tanned skin and his muscles are honed from rigorous training. He has fierce gray eyes, a defined jaw, and a 5 o’clock shadow. He has a woodsy scent. He is a warrior.

I say to Cece, I’ll admit, they’re yummy. I really need to get laid.

“Yes. They. Are. I can’t wait to fuck them until they scream our names.”

Great. I have a horny wolf now. I though shaking my head.

As the last child entered, I followed.

They picked up plates and sat outside. I checked on each, sending a few to Doc. Amelia and others helped get them settled.

My mates’ eyes never left me. I pretended not to notice.

I approached a girl, about 14, with a toddler beside her.

“Hi, what’s your name?” I asked gently.

“Michelle,” she replied shyly.

“Hi Michelle. I’m Max. Are you doing okay? Need medical attention?”

“We’re okay. This is Cammy, my sister. We’re not from any of the other packs. I don’t know why we were taken.”

“What pack are you from so we can call your parents?”

“Our parents were killed trying to save me. Cammy was taken first.” Then in a whisper she said, “I don’t want to go back.”

Her voice cracked. I knew this needed privacy—and my mates.

“Amelia, can you take the others inside? Leave Cammy here, please.”

I got the Alphas and told them to wait and listen.

“What do you mean you don’t want to go back?” I said, sitting beside her.

“Please don’t make us go back.” She trembled in fear when she saw the Alphas.

I motioned them to step back. “They won’t hurt you. I’d rip them apart if they did,” I say trying to make her feel safe. “Can they come over? I need them to hear. Is that okay?”

Her eyes shift back and forth between them and me before she nodded.

“When you’re ready, can you tell us why you don’t want to go home?” I say tenderly.

She picked at her fingers, took a deep breath, then whispered, “They abuse and rape us.”

I shot to my feet. “Where?” I tried to stay calm but failed. I want to tear those fuckers to pieces.

The Alphas growled. Michelle flinched in terror.

I softened and slowly sat back down. “I’m so sorry. We aren’t mad at you. You can stay here until we deal with them.” The Alphas nodded.

“The Blood Moon Pack,” she whispered after a couple minutes.

She was terrified again as the Alphas growled again. I walked her and Cammy inside to Amelia.

Back outside, I turned to the Alphas. “Who the fuck is the Blood Moon Pack and where can I find them?”

They chuckled.

“I admire your protectiveness,” said the rain-scented one with heat in his eyes. “I think introductions are in order first. I’m Luke.”

“I’m Dean,” said the grass-scented one who is looking just as sexy as Luke.

“You know me,” said Zane bluntly.

I take it he doesn’t smile much, I told Cece.

“That leaves the best for last. I’m Jason,” said cinnamon-scented Jason with mischief in his eyes. “And what’s your name, beautiful?”

They way they were looking at me has my heart pounding in my chest. I start to feel an ache in my lower regions. I clear my throat.

“My name is Maxann. But I go by Max,” I say proud of myself for not sounding breathy.

They smile at me. Damn they have sexy smiles and their voices, oh my gosh. I want to climb them like a monkey and fuck them right here. I have never felt this way. It is a little unsettling.

Luke said, “It’s nice to have finally found you, mi alma. As for the Blood Moon Pack—we’ll make a plan to destroy them later.”

They walked toward the house expecting me to follow. I stayed put. I’m not a follower.

I admired their godlike bodies. They’re too sexy for their own good.

Feeling my eyes on them, they turned.

“Is there a private place we can talk?” I blurted, my mind switched to why I asked the question. Which snapped out of my lust filled thoughts.

I needed to tell them we couldn’t stay. I’m too damaged.

Cece was pissed.

“We can speak in our office,” Luke said.

I followed them inside—to their office on the fourth floor.