Azalea

Liam and I sat on the cottage couch. He was still grumpy from dinner, but he'd agreed to let Theodore stay, so I considered it a win. Liam flicked through TV channels. I sat with my legs in his lap, a blanket wrapped around me. Even after all this time together, being apart is hard; I feel better when we're together. He mindlessly stroked my skin, his eyes fixed on the TV, a scowl on his face, while I watched him.

So much had been happening lately; it was hard to breathe. After convincing Liam to have dinner with Theodore, I called Amy; we're having lunch tomorrow. Lemon and I reviewed her inn plans and future ideas this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll be free tomorrow to spend time with the kids and Liam.

"Stop staring, Little Luna," Liam said, his eyes still on the TV. I smiled.

"Are you going to stop me from looking at you, My Alpha?" I teased. He ignored me, continuing to flip channels. I snuggled deeper into the couch.

"It's getting late. When are the kids supposed to be back?" he asked.

"I told Missy and Maddox to return by midnight. They went for a run after dinner, but Missy knows to stay in the trees. I expected them back any minute. It's getting dark" I realized, slowly. I started to get up, but Liam held my legs. He was tense, and I worried.

"Shit," he cursed.

"What?" I asked instantly. He turned to me.

"Stay here," he ordered.

"Liam, where are they?" I panicked. His hand cupped my face.

"The patrols lost them earlier when I focused everyone on the vampire. I'm going to find them," he said, trying to calm me.

"Liam, what if they're hurt? I let them run freely because you always have people watching," I cried.

"Shh. It's okay. I'm sure they're fine; someone will be punished. I'll get them, and Missy. Just stay here. Axel will be outside," he said softly. I nodded, my lip trembling. Liam stood and went to the door. Felix stood there, breathing heavily. Liam glared at him.

"I'm sorry—" Felix started, but Liam pushed past. Felix looked at me; I saw hurt on his face for the first time.

"Felix," I whispered, my voice shaking.

"They'll be found, Luna," he said sternly. He left. I went to the kitchen counter, grabbed my phone, and called Missy. Her phone rang; she was probably still shifted, running with Maddox. More tears fell. If only I could link her; I could send her and Maddox to help. Maybe Liam already had.

For the first time in a long time, I cursed the Moon Goddess.

Liam Jr.

The rogues had been there a while. Leo started crying and shaking, but he remained quiet. We were too far from a tree to jump; it would be too noisy. They'd catch us easily. We're too small, and Leo can't move through trees as fast as I can. I wished Dad were here. He'd get rid of the rogues instantly. He's the strongest wolf; no one can hurt him, not even Uncle Damien.

I inched closer to Leo, putting my arm around him. The sun was almost set. Hadn't anyone noticed we were gone?

"Young man, please don't be alarmed," a strange man said. I looked around but saw nothing. Leo still stared at the rogues. "My name is Theodore. Your brother can't hear me." I looked around again.

"How can you talk to me?" I thought.

"Ah, you have special gifts. Are you the Alpha and Luna's children?" How did he know?

"You're a stranger," I said. Dad said not to give information to strangers.

"Who wants to help you. You seem stuck," the man said.

"What if we're up here on purpose?"

"You're definitely an Alpha's son. I'm not sure how you got here, but I can help you. Those men smell awful."

"They're rogues. Rogues smell like trash."

"Right. Don't move. I'm coming to you." I looked at Leo. I didn't know this voice. I wasn't sure I could trust it, but we'd been here a long time, and no patrols had come. Dad was at the packhouse; Mom wouldn't come to the woods. She might send Felix, but Dad might be angry if he left her.

"Leo," I linked him. "Someone's coming to help. Stay still. Don't be scared. I'll keep us safe." He nodded.

I looked around, waiting. When I looked back at Leo, a man sat behind him, smiling, a finger to his lips. "It's alright, little wolves. Let's get you back to your parents. Your mother's probably worried."

I nodded. Leo looked confused.

"If you climb on my back, I'll get you out of here," the man whispered. Leo looked at me; I nodded. The man turned; Leo grabbed him first. I held on, not wanting Leo to get hurt. "Hold on tight; I move fast," he whispered. Leo squeezed his eyes shut; the man moved. He was faster than Dad. Trees blurred past.

After a minute, he slowed, nearing the ground. He crouched; Leo and I got off. He smiled. "Someone will find you soon," he said normally.

"Thanks," I said.

"What's your name?" Leo asked.

"Theodore," he answered. Leo held out his hand.

"Hi, Theodore. I'm Leo Blackfur. Thank you for saving us," Leo said. I rolled my eyes. Leo didn't know when to stop being polite. Then I heard a growl.

"Dad?" I tried to link him. No response, then wolves burst through the trees. I recognized Dad's wolf.

"Daddy!" Leo yelled. Theodore stood relaxed, unafraid of Dad. Dad shifted; someone threw him shorts. He put them on; Leo and I ran to him.

"Theodore saved us from the bad people!" Leo said. Dad looked confused.

"I think they were rogues. We were in the trees, and I smelled them," I said. He looked at the other wolves; they ran off.

"How many?" Dad asked.

"Six," Theodore said. "The boys stayed put. The rogues didn't expect them in a tree." Dad glared at Theodore. I felt sorry for him; Dad was angry.

"Theodore moved so fast, Daddy! The bad guys didn't know!" Leo said. He decided Theodore was good.

"Thank you for helping my children," Dad said, sounding angry.

"Of course, Alpha," Theodore bowed. "I mean no one harm." Dad nodded.

"Let's go. Your mother's worried," he said. He started walking. Leo waved to Theodore and ran after Dad. I hesitated.

"Go. You don't want to keep your mother waiting," he said in my head. I looked at him, then ran after Dad and Leo.

Liam

"I want the rogues dealt with immediately. They were looking for my pups," I linked the patrols. "The vampire confirmed six."

"Alpha, were the boys found?" Felix asked.

"Yes," I said.

"Alpha, I'm sorry. I should have made sure they were watched. I shouldn't have left them unattended," he apologized. I was too angry to forgive him. I trusted him to keep my family safe. I know he found his mate, but my pups were in danger. Missy should be back any second, calming Azalea. I can't think straight when she's like this. She's been increasingly upset. I worried about the baby.

"Missy and Maddox are dressing. They'll be back in five minutes," Felix linked. I headed towards the inn, the boys following. Leo struggled; I scooped him up. Gavin wanted to find the rogues. I almost left to kill them myself. I needed to calm Azalea. Felix would learn about the rogues soon enough.

We reached the trees; I grabbed my clothes and phone.

ME | Can you send something to the cottage? The boys missed dinner. Also, tea for Azalea.

FRUIT GIRL | No problem. Someone will be there in 30 minutes. Did Missy and Maddox eat?

ME | I don't know.

FRUIT GIRL | I'll send extra, just in case.

Lemon had come a long way from the jealous teenager she was. I still caught her staring, but she was more discreet. She worked hard and respected Azalea; I had no complaints.

"Boys, don't tell Mom about the bad guys. She's worried you ran off," I said gently.

"Can we tell her Theodore saved us?" Leo asked.

"Sure. Just don't mention the bad guys," I said. Junior scowled but nodded.

Leo slid from my arms; he and Junior ran to the door. I heard Azalea gasp and sob. Missy stood beside her, sympathetic; Maddox was confused. Azalea hugged the boys tightly. Missy met my eyes.

"Liam, were there rogues?" she linked.

"Did you tell her?"

"No…"

"Don't. She's just upset the patrols lost sight of you. Leave it at that." I sighed.