6. Tiny Ears

“Back to the matter at hand, Mummo or Mum, do Phoenix’s abilities pose any threat to us?” I ask, shifting over to Embry’s warm lap and pull his arms around me, needing to feel his body against mine. Relaxing into his arms I am reminded of the comfort he gave me after my mother’s death.

“She’s a very powerful threat to her enemies, but she’ll ever be a threat to us so long as no one betrays Raven, or Gunnar. Her bond to him is very strong, and she knows these packs are her family, she’ll do anything to protect that,” Mummo answers, after taking a sip of her tea, and I nod in understanding. It makes sense Gunnar would be Phoenix’s biggest trigger since she knows he’s her mate, her instinct to protect him is very strong.

“What if she loses control?” Ares asks nervously, he holds Benjamin’s hand between his and rests his chin on their clasped hands with his elbows resting on the table.

“Her magic is different to a Lycan Alpha, she won’t lose control in the same way. Yes, she can get overwhelmed with her power, but it’s nothing you, or Benjamin, can’t handle. I understand she gets her gift from Benjamin’s mother who was a strong witch. I believe Deborah was quite gifted in protection magic. Benjamin, do you have any of her old belongings, maybe some jewelry?” Mummo questions, she watches Benjamin carefully like she is afraid to upset him. The corners of his eyes wrinkle as he smiles while pulling on a chain around his neck.

“She was a very gifted witch, and she died just before Mai went missing. I wear this, she gave it to me just before she passed and told me to always keep it with me,” Benjamin proudly shows off a beautiful grey stone that flares blue, green, orange, and pink as he turns it under the lights, “she always kept it on her.”

“What a beautiful specimen, this is a powerful talisman, may I?” Mum asks with a wide smile. She reaches across the table as Benjamin undoes the clasp to the necklace, he nods and passes the intricately, wire wrapped, labradorite pendant to Mummo.

“Yeah of course,” Benjamin smiles proudly, he eagerly watches Mum and Mummo, clearly happy to learn more about his mother and her gifts.

“This labradorite has been enhanced with your mother’s magic, she placed very strong protection spells on it, it will keep you safe from all magics. When Phoenix becomes overwhelmed and uses magic accidentally, this will help, she won’t be able to hurt you,” Mum answers with a nod of approval, after she finishes inspecting the necklace. She passes it back to Benjamin who puts it back on, ensuring it is safe and secure.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if your mother has other protection pieces, if you find anymore of her jewelry bring them to Addy or me, and we will be able to determine if any of them are talismans. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has any citrine, or tiger’s eye for focus. Either of these would be helpful for Phoenix as she learns to control and manifest her magic,” Mum adds making Benjamin and Ares look to each other then smile with an eager nod like they’re excited to learn more about Deborah.

“I have a box of my mum’s old jewelry, we will travel with you on your journey to Bloodwrath Castle and I can show you what I have of hers,” Benjamin suggests with a hopeful look, making Mum and Mummo nod eagerly as they smile at the idea of helping.

“Could she ever be a danger to herself?” I can’t help asking, remembering how exhausted she was when she was holding the fire back.

“She is more likely to hurt herself than one of us, yes,” Mummo’s tone is sad when she answers, she watches Ares and Benjamin with concern, knowing it will kill them if anything happens to their little girl.

“How?” The question comes out more of a growl when Benjamin asks it, he takes a deep breath when Ares leans over rubbing his back, trying to comfort him.

“Worst case scenario, she can overexert herself and put herself into a coma if she burns herself out. It’s rare, and given she’s a hybrid it shouldn’t happen, but it is a risk considering the power she has. Another possibility is her magic could rebound on her if she is trying to protect you and becomes overwhelmed,” Mummo’s eyes glisten with worry as she looks to the door when we hear a soft sob, and tiny footsteps run down the hallway.

Worry floods me when I get up before anyone can say a word, I quickly rush out to find Phoenix who had been listening to us talking.

“Phoenix!” I call out down the hall, looking to see which direction she ran to hide in. My heart races, concerned about how Phoenix must be feeling, I focus on finding her wanting to make sure she knows we still love and care for her, regardless of her power.

I follow her sweet honey and rose scent into my room where the twins are asleep with Eya, who is laying on the lounge with my dad.

“Under the bed, what’s wrong?” Dad yawns into the link while looking up at me in concern, and I shake my head.

“She’s upset, can you give us a minute?” I link to my father making my way to the edge of the bed hearing Phoenix’s soft sobs coming from directly under Gunnar.

“Of course, I’ll let Benjamin and Ares know you have her in here,” Dad links, he gets up and picks up Eya who is asleep carrying her out of the room.

“Hi,” I softly speak while laying on the fur covered floor and face Phoenix who is curled up in a ball crying. I hate seeing her little trembling body curled into the fetal position, as the scent of fear seeps from her making my heart ache more.

“I don’t want to go back to da rogues, I don’t want my daddies to send me away cause I hurt dem.” Phoenix lets out a choked whimper, my heart breaks watching her bottom lip quiver as tears fall down her cheeks.

“Come here sweet girl,” I whisper while reaching out for her, wanting nothing more to than to take her worry and pain away. Phoenix instantly moves to my arms and grips onto me as tight as she can while burying her face into my chest. I take a deep breath and let my aura slip out gently, allowing it to calm this wonderful little girl who will always own a place in my heart, and an even bigger place in her fathers’ life and pack.

“Shhh, no one is sending you anywhere, or making you go back to being a rogue. Your daddies would die before they see that happen to you,” I reassure her, knowing for a fact Benjamin and Ares will do anything and everything for their girl. I slowly sit up and rock her in my arms, doing everything I can think of to help her calm down and see we won’t let anything happen to her.

“But I could hurt dem and mysewf, my magics make me dangerous. Mummo says dey need pwotection.” Phoenix whimpers into my chest, letting her fear build, I shake my head sad that she didn’t understand the conversation.

“Everything will be ok. Magic can be dangerous that’s true, but you’re going to learn control and have help. Mummo and Nana will help find someone to teach you. The protection she was talking about is a talisman your Papa already wears, it will help while you’re learning,” I try to explain the best I can hoping it will help her calm down.

“What if dey don’t want me anymore?” Tears fill her eyes and I feel her body shudder against mine. I close my eyes and shake my head as my heart shatters at her fear, knowing she has been conditioned to feel this way.

“That will never happen, there is nothing you can do to make us not want you,” Benjamins hoarse voice comes from the doorway, I look up seeing the tears welling in his eyes.

“We love you Phoenix, you’re the best thing that has ever happened to Papa and I. We will always be by your side and never give up on you,” Ares adds, following Benjamin into the room as they both kneel in front of us. I nod, feeling how anxious they are for their daughter, I speak, “They need you too Phoenix, you make their family whole just like they make you whole.”

“What if I hurt you or da pack?” Phoenix hiccups then sniffles causing me to let out a soft laugh at her wiping the snot from her face. She blushes a little while looking up at her fathers, keeping her death lock of a grip around me.

“Come here, you won’t hurt us and if you do I know it will be an accident and we will figure out how to fix it, together, as a team. Me, you, and Daddy are a team and our own little family, we will always figure it out,” Benjamin’s deep voice comes out soft and gentle when he reaches out for Phoenix, she nods, then cautiously move to his arms.

“We love you Phoenix and nothing will ever change that,” Benjamin softly speaks, pulling her deep into his arms he kisses the top of her head and takes a deep relieved breath as he takes in her scent.

I quietly and cautiously leave the room, giving them a private moment to comfort their daughter. I return to Osric’s office where everyone else is still sitting and waiting.