C84

DAY ONE

Indianna was woken by Kal's snores, they were soft, but she had been struggling to sleep the whole night and now all she could focus on was Kal's heavy breathing. She sighed and turned over, trying to get comfortable which was rather hard with her bump. She was now looking at Greyson as he slept. He seemed so peaceful. His face was so calm and serene, she wished that he didn't have to wake up to the hell they were in.

Greyson's eye twitched and Indianna knew that he was no longer asleep. He reached out, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest, resting his chin on her head and one hand on her stomach. *It's early, sugar, you should be asleep, not perving on me while I sleep.*

Indianna chuckled slightly. *Sleep doesn't come easily these days.*

*Try,* Greyson pleaded. *It's 2am. You need your rest.*

*So do you.*

*I'm fine. I'm swapping watch duty with Oscar soon anyway.*

The rest of the previous day was spent waiting anxiously for Oscar, Kirstie and Mac to return with more of Rogue's men. They managed to bring back two more that were branded and freed from Rogue's control. They were then sent back out but would be ready at a moments notice to help defend the pack against Rogue. Now, the pack members were taking it in turns watching the grounds outside the pack house for any signs of an attack. The men that they had managed to free from Rogue's control had sworn they would mind link Greyson when they heard that Rogue was coming, but they weren't risking being caught unaware.

Indianna sighed and snuggled into Greyson's chest. *So, hold me until then.*

Greyson had left Indianna asleep on their mattress that they had brought down into the basement a few hours later. He dressed silently and made his way up into the house. Oscar was sitting outside on the front steps. Their exchange was silent, Oscar stood and let Greyson take over. Greyson sat down where Oscar had just been seated and his eyes scanned the trees. He was watching for any slight movement, listening for any footsteps or sounds.

An hour later he was still alert and he heard movement in the house. His dad, Mark, was taking over from Harry who had been keeping watch at the back of the house. Once Harry was downstairs in the soundproof basement there was silence again and Greyson continued to watch and listen. He didn't move, twitch or yawn for three more hours.

He sensed her before he felt her. Arms wrapped around his neck and soft lips kissed his cheek. Tingles filled Greyson's body and any tiredness he was feeling was wiped away from just one touch from Indianna. "Morning," she whispered.

Greyson leaned into her touch, reaching his hand up and tangling his fingers into her hair. He turned and pressed his lips to hers. He would never get bored of her lips. They were so soft and delicate. Every kiss felt like the first.

"How long do you have left?" Indianna asked.

"Half an hour."

"I'm going to help Laura with breakfast for everyone," she told Greyson. "Most people are still asleep."

"And why aren't you?"

"Because." Indianna walked in front of Greyson and took his hands, placing them on her stomach. He felt it move immediately and smiled at the thought of his children kicking. "They're making it impossible for me to lie still for more than half an hour."

"I'm sure you can forgive them," Greyson chuckled, spreading his fingers across her bump, feeling the imprint of a heel push on Indianna's stomach.

Indianna smiled. "Of course. I'll see you in half an hour."

Greyson let his hands fall from Indianna's bump and she returned to the house. Laura was already in the kitchen, cracking eggs into a bowl. She smiled when Indianna entered. "Hello, dear. How is he out there?"

"He's good. He'll be finished in half an hour." Indianna opened the fridge and pulled out multiple packs of bacon. Luckily, they had a mountain of food left over from Christmas dinner so they wouldn't have to worry about running out of supplies anytime soon. Between the two of them they cooked breakfast for the pack, carrying trays of bacon, eggs, beans, sausages and toast downstairs to the basement.

Mattresses were scattered across the floor, sleeping bags and duvets covered everyone who were still fast asleep. Laura flicked the light on and very quickly people stared to rouse.

"What," Kal called, poking his head out from underneath a duvet, "is that gorgeous smell?"

1

Kimberly who was sleeping next to him reached out her hand and covered his mouth. "Shh," she groaned. "I'm trying to sleep, idiot."

"Laura!" Kal's yells were muffled. "I love you, woman! You too, Indie!"

"If people were sleeping they aren't now," came Harry's grumpy voice as he rolled his eyes at Kal from across the room. Brooklyn was snuggled into his chest, his arms wrapped protectively around her. He pressed his lips to her ear. "Stay in bed, babe, I'll get you some food."

"Help yourselves everyone. We need to keep our energy up!" Laura instructed and Indianna and her placed the trays and plates on the floor. "I'll go and get the cutlery, Indie. Make sure you eat."

One by one the pack members got their breakfast and returned to their makeshift beds to eat. Indianna took a plate and made her way over to Oscar, Kirstie and Mac.

"Hey, Indie," Mac smiled. "How you holding up?"

"I'm good. How was it getting out of the tunnels yesterday?"

Kirstie smirked and bit into a piece of toast. "Piece of cake," she said. "Rogues men aren't on the lookout as they think we're all trapped. It's easy to get around unnoticed."

"Do you think you'll manage to bring back more men?"

"We're going to grab as many as we can today," Mac nodded. "We've been in contact with the rest of the pack as well and we'll be getting them back tomorrow. There's quite a lot of them scattered around town so it's going to take some organisation to get them here undetected."

"Once everyone is back then the humans, children and elderly will be going with you and the girls," Oscar said. "The rest of us will stay and fight."

Indianna pursed her lips and stared at her plate. "Don't remind me."

"I'm surprised my brother managed to convince you to leave," Kirstie said. "I mean, I completely agree, but there's no way in hell I'd leave my mate." She glanced at Mac who smiled at her.

"I know that he's right," Indianna sighed. "I need to look after them." She rubbed her stomach. "But I can't help but think they are safer away from all of this?"

"We need the numbers," Mac said. "And we did talk about leaving those who can't fight where they are, but Greyson said we had no way of knowing if Rogue would come for them too, just for being members of this pack. We thought not to risk it. We'll get everyone back here and then get everyone who needs to be away from the fight gone."

Indianna felt slightly better about leaving knowing that they would also being taking the more vulnerable pack members. In her mind, she was not only protecting herself now but also her pack. The thought of leaving still make her heart want to crack, but she thought of her children and her pack and it softened the blow a little.

"How much time do you think I have left with him?" She asked, her eyes locked on her plate. She was pushing around a piece of bacon with her fork.

Kirstie sighed and placed her hand comfortingly on Indianna's leg. "It'll only be a matter of days."

Indianna felt nauseas.

"You'll see him again," Mac said confidently.

Indianna wished she had his optimism. She didn't want to get her hopes up only for them to be crushed, but at the same time she had complete faith in Greyson.

But Rogue was even more frightening than before. Now he had nothing to live for, and Indianna and Greyson had so much.

"Don't cry," Kirstie said firmly and brushed a tear away from Indianna's cheek. "You need to eat."

Indianna sighed and nodded. She ate the rest of her breakfast in silence while Kirstie, Mac and Oscar discussed their plan for the day.

Not long later Indianna heard his voice. "Kirstie, why does my mate look upset?"

Indianna looked up as Greyson crouched in front of her and stole a piece of toast from her plate, taking a bite.

"Don't blame me, you dick. This is all you," Kirstie said dismissively.

*Hey.* Greyson cupped Indianna's cheek, frowning.

"I'm fine," Indianna sighed and shook her head.

"Don't lie to me," Greyson said.