Azalea

I stood on shaky legs, Liam hovering with a concerned look. "I can stand," I said in a dry voice.

"Little Luna, I'm allowed to be worried. Just let me help you," he said. I rolled my eyes but nodded, obliging him. He helped me out of the hospital gown and into some comfortable clothes. Missy had brought some things this morning when she dropped off Azly. Azly was sleeping soundly in a blanket cocoon on the bed while Liam helped me dress.

Doctor Ron said I could go home soon. Everything seemed alright. I was excited to return to the packhouse, even though my sons weren't home yet. Liam had begun filling me in on what happened, but I knew there was more to the story.

Liam helped me finish dressing when Azeron joined us. He gave us a silent nod and stood by the door.

"Really?" I asked Liam.

"Yes, Little Luna. You'll have someone with you at all times until Warwick is dead," Liam said carefully. "He's been here in the clinic, out of sight, the entire time you were unconscious."

"Liam!" I scolded.

"No, Azalea. This is non-negotiable. I almost lost you," Liam said, his expression unrelenting. I crossed my arms, and he simply raised an eyebrow.

"Do you have any reason to believe Warwick will stroll back into our territory to kidnap me again?" I argued.

"I have no reason to believe he won't," he said pointedly, crossing his arms and standing tall—his Alpha stance. I took a deep breath, exhaling aggressively.

"Fine," I said, turning and fussing with Azly, ignoring him.

"Azalea, don't be like that," he sighed.

"Liam, I'm not glass. And you said yourself, Warwick may not even know I'm alive. I've been conscious for a day, and I'm already being babysat," I argued.

Liam closed the distance, his hands resting on my arms. "I can't be too careful with you or the kids. Little Luna, Warwick almost took everything from me once, and I won't let it happen again. You, Missy, Azly, the boys; I won't let anyone hurt my family."

My shoulders slumped. "Liam, Felix has been with me since you brought me to the pack. And now Azeron. I know you want to keep me safe, but at some point, you have to accept that I'll always be a target."

He was quiet, his hands still on my arms. I'd always worried that he'd feel responsible for what happened to me. Being constantly babysat was frustrating as the Luna.

Further discussion was interrupted by a nurse with a wheelchair. "Are you all set, Luna?" she asked kindly. I smiled and nodded. "Why don't you sit here, and we can put Azly in your arms?"

I didn't want to argue, so I agreed.

"The car's waiting," Azeron told Liam.

"Thank you," Liam replied. I was relieved to avoid Liam's eyes; I wasn't up to walking back to the packhouse, and I was already nervous about the stairs.

I sat, and the nurse placed Azly in my arms. I smiled at her sleeping face. No matter what happened, Warwick hadn't taken this from Liam and me. Thank Goddess, our little girl survived.

I looked at Damien, still unconscious, as Liam wheeled me from the room. "Where's Lily?" I asked.

"Miss Lily's at the packhouse," the nurse answered, walking beside us, carrying Azly's diaper bag while Azeron followed.

I needed to get back to the packhouse to resume my duties and check on Damien. I wanted to try my gift on him to see if I could help. Liam and I owed him that much.

Doctor Ron met us outside. "Take it easy, Luna," he said calmly. "Your body needs time; rest as much as possible. No heavy lifting." He leaned in and whispered, "And make sure my nephew gets some good meals and sleep. No one's been able to reach him since we got back."

I hugged Ron. "I will," I said. "Thank you for saving Azly and me." He hugged me back.

Once I was in the car, Azly safely buckled in Leo's old baby carrier, Liam got in the front and Azeron sat beside Azly. He gave me a tight smile and offered his hand. I took it, hoping he knew I loved him, even if we didn't always see eye to eye.

The drive to the packhouse was short. As we turned into the driveway, nearly half the pack stood on the lawn, waiting for us.

"Looks like everyone's ready for their Luna to be home," Liam said. My heart swelled with love for our pack. My eyes misted.

Liam stopped the car. I waited for him to open my door. As he helped me out, Azeron got Azly. When we stepped towards the house, cheering and howls erupted.

"I'm not the only one who needs their Luna, my love," Liam whispered as we walked arm in arm. We stopped on the porch to address everyone.

"Thank you all for welcoming your Luna home. Your love and care for my mate reaffirms my belief in our pack. As she still needs rest, I'm taking my mate to bed. We will stop the vampires and ensure they are no longer a threat to our race!" Liam yelled confidently. His words ignited another round of cheers.

Once inside, I said, "You know I'm not going to bed, right?"

Liam looked appalled. "Little Luna, you need rest. You and Azly can relax and bond."

"No, I need to go to my office. I've been asleep for two weeks, plus the time I was captive. I'm sure there's plenty needing my attention," I said, starting towards the stairs. Liam stayed by my side, clearly unhappy. He looked back at Azeron.

At the bottom of the stairs, we met Missy, Maddox, and Langston.

"Azalea," Langston greeted happily. "I'm so relieved to see you up and about. Missy told me you woke up yesterday."

"Yes," I said. "I'm up and ready to work."

Langston laughed. "I'm sure your mate isn't too happy about that. Surely things are in good enough hands that you can rest more," he said.

"They are!" Missy said quickly. "I've been handling everything since we got back. Austin and Maddox have been helping Dad, too."

I looked at Liam. "You left running the pack to our daughter and her mate?" He gave me a sheepish look. Langston interrupted our silent spat.

"Liam, Azalea just got home, but we need to discuss some things. Perhaps we can meet in your office while the girls go to Azalea's room with the baby?" Langston suggested.

"I'd prefer to take Azalea to our room," Liam said.

"Missy, do we have a swing or bouncer for Azly?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered. "There's one in your office and my room. I was mostly working from there while you were asleep."

"Fantastic. Let's go then," I said. Langston smirked; Liam looked lost. I raised my eyebrows. "My Alpha, what Maddox and Langston need to discuss with you sounds important. Let's get to it."

Maddox gave Missy a nervous look as I started up the stairs. Liam snapped to attention. "Fine!" he said. "But let me carry you. Your incision isn't healed!" He scooped me up, frustrated. I leaned against his chest, patting it.

"I love you, My Alpha," I whispered.

After some fussing, Missy pushed Liam from the room, leaving us with Azly and Azeron.

"Is he our new Felix?" Missy asked, sitting across from me. She placed the bouncer beside my chair. Azly slept soundly.

"Yes," I said, looking at Azeron sideways. "But I suspect much worse." Azeron smirked but remained silent.

"Okay, before we get to pack business, I'd love to hear more about Maddox," I said. Missy blushed and squirmed.

"Azeron, my mate asked you to stay, but I'd like a private conversation with my daughter. Would you mind stepping outside? You can lock us in if it makes you feel better," I said kindly.

Azeron hesitated, looking between us. He sighed and nodded, exiting quietly.

"You know if Dad finds him outside, he'll lose it, right?" Missy said.

"I can handle that pigheaded Alpha. Now, what's going on with Maddox?" I asked.

"So, you know how they give us a class on mates in school?" Missy started.

"Yes," I said, nodding.

"I might have skipped that day with Vlad…"

"Alright," I said, wondering where this was going. I'd slept through that class, thinking I wouldn't find a mate.

"I know the mating and marking process," she said. "But I don't really know what heat is…"

"Oh," I gasped. "Oh, sweetheart. Are you going into heat?"

Missy shrugged. "Maybe? Maddox thinks so…"

"Can you tell me what happened?"

Missy explained the previous night's events. I listened carefully. "I'm sorry, but I think you're going into heat, sweetheart."

"So, what do I do?"

"Are you ready to mate with Maddox?" She shrugged. "Well, if you aren't sure, it's something to think carefully about. You've accepted each other, but it's a big step." Missy nodded. I bit my lip.

"I'm afraid your timeline is running out. Your heat will last about a week unless you and Maddox mate. But it will get worse. Some wolves can't resist a she-wolf in heat, mate or not."

"So are you saying…"

"Yes, you'll attract other unmated wolves with your scent. Their wolves will want to mate with you against their better nature. And with you in the packhouse…"

"There are plenty of unmated wolves around," she concluded.

I nodded. "If you aren't ready, I can help. We can leave the packhouse while this runs its course."

"Will it happen again?" she asked. I nodded. "When?"

"Hard to say," I told her.

"What should I do?" she asked, looking at me earnestly.

I sighed. "Maybe you and Maddox should talk about it? This is a step for both of you."

Missy looked down at her hands. I let her have her moment, watching Azly sleep.

"Missy?" I interrupted.

"Yea?"

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Sure, anything," she agreed.

"Don't have pups right away. Finish high school, enjoy your mate. Find what you want to do. Just wait to have pups, okay?" I pleaded. I was afraid for her. Having pups was an adventure, but we were in a war, and I wouldn't be able to keep her and Maddox out of it.

"Okay," she said, smiling at Azly. "I love my sister, but I don't think I'm ready to be a mom yet."

Liam

I looked at the photos on my desk. This wasn't what I wanted to deal with. I ran my hands over my face.

"He's going to make a move sooner or later. He's taunting us, and we can't wait forever," Langston said calmly.

"I know," I said, pushing the photos away. "Who saw this?"

"Austin, myself, and the patrol that found him. Austin asked them to keep quiet," Maddox answered.

"My daughter didn't see this?" I asked. Maddox shook his head.

"No, but I told her what the message included," he said. I nodded.

"I don't want you two involved, but I'm starting to think I have no choice," I said.

"Maddox has been doing a great job alongside his mate," Langston said.

I looked at Langston with irritation. He doesn't have pups and may not understand that I want my children far away from this. "This is a message that needs a response," I said. "He attacked someone and dumped them at my border. He knows Missy and Azalea were rescued. Have we confirmed who this is?"

"Austin was working on it," Maddox said. "He doesn't think he was from our pack."

"We need to figure out how to find him and stop him," Langston said.

"Yes, we do…" I agreed.