A Family
ZAIA.
“The antidote didn’t work, but there’s a way.’ Valerie’s words ring in my mind as I look ahead, shaken. No matter how doubtful I felt, I wanted to believe it was the truth.
Everything… was for nothing…
My eyes blur for a moment as she notifies us. She is on the way. My heart is thumping as I reach for the Moon Dust, pouring a handful into my hand.
My aura is whipping around me, a barrier of sheer power, and everything fades away.
Find the leaders…. Find Zade Toussaint, Gaultier King, and Gerard King. I blow the Moon Dust from my hand, watching as it disappears in three different directions.
“Zaia, we cannot split up,” Atticus warns me, as we deflect yet another double attack.
“I know, but we can’t hang back when our men are out there.” I remind him just as two wolves launch themselves at me, but before I can even deflect them, a big black wolf flies over our heads, ripping them apart with his teeth.
He turns his blazing blue eyes on me, growling.
Sebastian…
‘Zaia-‘ he begins, but there’s no stopping the enemy who has to cross the first line of defence.
There’s a lot of them and I have no time to waste as I strike them down, just as Valerie rushes over to us.
“Zaia! Zion said something. There’s a way to heal Sia, but he said you, Sebastian, and your three children are the key. Atticus and I will
cover. Head back and go heal our little princess,” she whispers. Her eyes blazing as she takes a deep breath.
She hasn’t trained like me, but she knows how to use some of her abilities, although she would rely more so on the gun in her hand.
“What do you mean?” I ask, sending two wolves flying as Atticus engages another.
‘I’ll explain on the way.’ Sebastian’s voice comes as he kills yet another wolf before rushing over to me. ‘Get on my back.’
‘I can run.’ I counter pulling my gun out and shooting a man who is about to shoot Atticus.
He doesn’t argue with me, much to my surprise, and I glance back at Atticus and Valerie. “Don’t engage the other two until I’m here,” I warn.
I don’t need to say their names for them to understand who I mean. I break into a run heading back, as Sebastian fills me in on what Zion had said.
It sounds wild, but he knew they were coming, which stands for something. ‘He was so confident when he said the Sable were coming.’
I murmur.
‘You’re pregnant, yet you’re standing there ready to take part in the fight.’ Sebastian says.
quietly.
I frown as we turn the corner and I shoot a stray wolf that is heading our way just as we hear another explosion go off.
‘What do you expect me to do?’ I counter icily.
He growls, but I am not going to entertain him. We reach the safe house and the moment I
unlock the doors, Sebastian shifts and locks the door behind us. I look away from his incredible body and hurry towards the panic room.
‘So, you just won’t talk about this?’ He questions.
‘No.’ I reply firmly.
I glance back when I don’t hear him follow to see him pulling some pants on. Our eyes meet as he ties them, his head tilted as he watches me, and I turn my back on him, walking ahead.
Dad opens the entrance and I step inside, with Sebastian right behind me. Aran is there too, but unlike Dad, who is calm, he looks restless. Seeing the two in the same small space is something strange, as the two never got on.
Perhaps that will change now.
“Mommy! Daddy!” The twins exclaim, and I crouch down, wincing slightly before I hug them tightly.
“Want to tell me your little plan?” I ask Zion. He tilts his head, similar to the way his dad usually does, but just a much cuter, adorable version.
“Well, it’s not exactly my plan, but the Moon Goddess’s.” He says with a cute pout as he shrugs.
“Oh, and what did she say?” I ask, brushing his hair back as Sebastian scoops Sia into his arms.
“She said the three points of the tiqetra have to join… Daddy, Mommy… and me… and Sia and baby complete my tiqetra…” he tilts his head, staring at my stomach again. “But she didn’t say anything else, just that Sia will be ok.”
I glance up at Sebastian, my heart thundering, feeling hope rise within me.
The Goddess would help…
Dad looks between us. “Come together and try to create the connection that is there already, as a family.”
His words are of wisdom, and my heart clenches at his words. But for our children, we will always be there for them, together.
Sebastian crouches down. “So, any ideas about how this would work?”
“I guess. Just do what feels right?” I suggest, remembering how the Moon Dust worked similarly. “Through touch, like when I touched Atticus and Valerie.”
I slowly reach down and begin to unwrap the bandages I had wrapped around my stomach beneath my top.
Zion nods. “We must make it all better… but Mommy, you can’t be angry at Daddy.”
I’ll try not to be. Although to Zion, I simply nod.
Right now, all I care about is making sure Sia will be alright.
“Fuck! Your twin is on a fucking mad rampage.” Jai growls.
Dad frowns, clearly having heard his words.
“Make sure you don’t engage him! He’s powerful.” I warn as Sebastian nods in agreement.
“I will go. Do you trust Aran with the children?” he asks, not bothering to ask via the mind link.
I look at Aran, who glares at Dad and nod. “Yes, he is their grandfather, and I know he’ll take care of them,” I say softly.
Aran looks at me and gives me a small nod. I do trust him. Turning back to Dad, I shake my head. I don’t like this idea. “But Dad…..”
“I need to see my son… perhaps I can get through to him,” Dad says.
“I wouldn’t keep my hopes up. Zade is not one who has a heart.” Sebastian replies.
“But I still need to try,” Dad replies with a heavy sigh before he hurries out.
“Ok, so let’s do this,” Sebastian says, his gaze dipping to my stomach before it turns cold when it falls on my waist. He moves forward, pulling my top a little higher, examining my bandage over my wound, his hand brushing my breast lightly.
“And you’re fighting like this?” he snarls.
My eyes flash as I grip his wrist and force his hand away from me. ‘It’s none of your concern,’ I say through the link.
Our eyes meet and I look away.
“Ok, let’s do this…” I say softly as Zion takes Sia’s hand, mumbling something to her that makes no sense to me, and she nods as both step forward, placing their hands on my tummy.
“Mommy really has a baby…” Sia says, her eyes. sparkling with excitement. “I’m going to help mommy take care of our little baby.”
“Of course you will.” I smile as Zion takes Sia’s other hand, and I glance at Sebastian who holds his hand out to me.
I look down at it, ignoring the pain in my chest, and place my hand hesitantly in his. The sparks course through me and his hand tightens around mine. I can feel his eyes on me, but I don’t look at him, fighting back the emotions that threaten to consume me. He gives my hand a gentle squeeze, the warmth of his hand feels protective…
I don’t need him… but despite all the betrayals, he still offers me safety. He’s….
I close my eyes, placing my hand over the children’s on my tummy and Sebastian places. his over mine.
“We are one,” Zion says softly. “One family, one pack… forever… and ever.”
My eyes flutter shut and for a moment it’s just me and my family…
The sound of the shouting and the shooting fades away…
I feel at peace… I can hear each heartbeat… Mine
… Sebastian’s, Zion’s, Sia’s… and the faint whisper of the baby within me. Quiet but strong Goddess… help us end the fighting, help us end the suffering… help us heal our little angel. She has done nothing to suffer for so long…
Let her run through the winter snow, without me having to worry about her getting ill…
Let her take part in dance sessions that she enjoys, but she can’t because she collapses…
Let her laugh as much as she wants without breaking into wheezes…
Let her cry and scream without overwhelming her body….
Let my Angel live the life she deserves…
Tears trickle down my cheeks, and I can hear Zion’s whispered plea as he begs the goddess.
too.
“Please Goddess, please goddess….”
I feel a surge of a power rush through me and my eyes snap open as a brilliant white light swirls around us. Sebastian’s eyes are blazing, his brows furrowed, his black hair whipping across his forehead…
Zion’s smiling as he stares at the white light that is becoming blinding by the second, yet he doesn’t blink away from it.
Sia has her eyes tight shut but there’s a smile of happiness on her face and I look down at my stomach where the light is emanating from where our hands touch my stomach.
It grows stronger and stronger until it’s swirling around us like an intense tornado before it becomes too intense to see anymore. I feel the pain in my waist ebb away…
I can hear Sia’s heartbeat become stronger and the sparks from Sebastian and my touch intensify.
My breath hitches as the white light begins to fade and I look at Sia, gasping at the smile on her face. Her skin is no longer sallow, her heart is strong and rhythmic, and she is breathing evenly. 3
“Sia! My angel!” I whisper, pulling her close.
“Oh, and Mommy is all ok now too,” Zion says as Sebastian high-fives him.
“You are my hero, son.” He says as we all look at Sia.
“Mommy, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” She whispers, making my heart ache.
Not only did she never complain, but she’s so brave. I smile at her, bursting into a soft laugh as I pull her and Zion close.
“I’m so happy, my angel, I’m so happy…” I whisper as Sebastian caresses the back of her hair.
The roof trembles and reality returns.
“We need to get out there and end this,” I say, feeling stronger and more determined than ever.
Sebastian nods as Aran steps forward.
“I will take care of the children. You do what you must,” He says firmly, looking between Sebastian and me.
“We will,” Sebastian says as he kisses the children’s forehead and stands up.
“But we have to fix things…” Zion says.
“Not yet… after the fighting…” Sia explains to him, “We have to wait.”
I exchange looks with Sebastian as the two begin conversing with one another in that same language that sounds a lot like French.
“I’ll be here,” Aran says as he looks at Sebastian almost hesitantly. “I do, perhaps…owe you an apology.”
Sebastian, who was ready to leave, pauses and looks at his father in surprise.
“You think?” he replies before sighing. “We both said things and did things we are not proud of, but it is in the past. When this is over… we can settle it over a game of chess.’
Aran smiles slightly as he nods. “I think that’s fair… take care of yourself and Zaia, son.” 1
Sebastian freezes before he glances at Aran and nods. “I will.”
I smile softly as the kids giggle while they watch their father and grandfather, and I shake my head slightly.
These two… they are a force to be reckoned with.
I’m about to push open the door when Sebastian reaches over and pushes it for me.
“I had it,” I say quietly as we step out into the safe house and the door bolts shut behind us.
“I’m sure you did.” He replies arrogantly.
I don’t respond, breaking into a jog and just when I’m about to open the door, he grabs me by the elbow and pulls me back.
“Zaia…”
I suck in a breath as he gently yet firmly pushes. me against the wall, stepping closer as he seals. the gap between us. “We need to get out there.” I remind him, attempting to turn sideways only for his chest to block me.
“We do, but I need you to promise me that your will be careful.” He urges.
My eyes flash and I shove him back. “I know how to take care of my kids and I won’t be foolish.” I snarl.
His eyes flicker as he watches me with concern. “I’m sorry.” He says quietly.
I scoff as I unlock the door and step out. “For what? Sorry the list is so long, I’m struggling to keep up.” I counter, knowing that I’m being a bitch but I don’t need him coming here and thinking suddenly I’m going to be ok with him, because that is not going to happen.
He exhales. “I know, I know I’ve messed up, Zaia. I know that… but tonight, it isn’t about us but this fight that we’re in, together.”
“I know. And we’re wasting time by not being out there.”
He nods as I back away from him, Turning, we both break into a run.
“Where is Dad?” I ask as I scan the grounds.
Wolves fight wolves, but I’m no longer able to tell who is who.
“He and Jai are facing Zade!” Justin says, his voice strained.
“And we’ve just found Gaultier and Gerard,” Atticus says, sounding uneasy.
“That you have… or we’ve just found you.”
Gerard’s menacing voice comes through the earpiece.
“And this one is a pretty thing.” Gaultier’s chilling voice whispers, making my blood run cold.
“Don’t touch her!” Atticus snarls.
Valerie!
My heart thuds as I break into a run, hearing the shouts as they clash before a blood-curdling scream fills the air…
