Nova runs until she reaches the edge of pack territory and only stops because she doesn't have permission from the alpha to leave. She paces the boundary as the sun goes down.
“He’s going to come after us,” Nova states. “Or patrol will find us.”
"I thought you said he couldn't hurt us because he's our mate?" Lia asks from deep inside Nova's mind.
"He shouldn’t want to," Nova replies. "That is not how the bond is supposed to work."
"I know he was mad I wanted to finish school before being marked and Tyler's party…"
"Yes, Tyler," Nova says and takes off in a full sprint. “We will be safe there.”
"We don't have permis
"That son of bitch!" Tyler growled after she told them what had happened and how she never was really comfortable around her mate and his family. He’d been pacing the room for most of the story. He had been livid when he saw the bruises on her neck and wrists. The details just had him more on edge. Valens had wanted to keep her here the last time she was there. Well, his wolf was getting his wish now. No way they were going to let her go back to that psycho. He would probably kill her, and Tyler was not going to let that happen."Tyler," his mother, Luna Colette, cautions before looking at her son's friend. "You will be safe here.""Nova thinks they'll just try to blame it on the fact I said I wanted to wait until I graduate to be marked that it stressed his wolf. They are going to blame me or sweep it under the rug. But she also knows James and Lun
Lia and Tyler enter the Alpha’s office to find Alpha Maxwell and his team deep in discussion. “Good, you’re here,” the Alpha says when he sees them. “First thing first.” He gestures for one of the men to give her a box. Lia takes it from the man and sees it is a new phone. “You got me a new phone?” She lets Tyler take it from her and turns it on. “Charged and ready to go,” Tyler nods. “Nice, Dad.” “Thank you, Alpha Maxwell, but you really didn’t need to do that, sir.” “It is for your safety, Lia. I assure you. You are our guest. And since we cannot rely on a mind link to ensure your safety, my Luna and I agreed that you should have a way to communicate beyond face-to-face interactions. You may need Tyler’s assistance to get the contacts of the people you know you can trust back home, but it should put your family’s minds at ease to know they have a way to contact you. Although I would limit the number of people you contact.” “Of course, sir. Thank you, sir.” “I also need to
Lia listens to the phone ring as she attempts to reach her brother. She is surprised when it isn’t Nash that answers the phone.“Briar?”“Lia! Thank the goddess. Are you alright?”“Why do you have Nash’s phone? Where’s Nash?”“Nash is sleeping. Riley went to wake him.”“Riley is there too?”“Of course we are. Nash called me when you never came home. Word had gone through the Warriors that George was on the hell path because you ran off. He was hoping you had reached out to me. By the time Jael got ahold of him, we were already on our way. Lia, what-”
“Who was that with your brother?” Tyler asks. “Believe it or not, that was my sister, Briar, and her mate, Riley,” Lia says. "I sent you pictures when I was visiting them." "Because James sent you there to get away from that jerk." "While he recovered, yes," Lia nods. “So James has never liked this guy. He knew he was bad for you,” Tyler asks. "George nearly killed him. That is when he sent me away. I had fallen asleep at the pack house, so James put me in the delta suite. I had a nightmare and woke up not sure where I was. I had a panic attack, and Axel, George's wolf, went ballistic. Broke down James' door. James was more focused on protecting me than himself, and Axel nearly ripped his leg off. He hit an artery
"Please, make yourself at home," Luna Colette smiles at her as they enter her office. She leads them to a small seating area next to a window where a coffee table holds what looks like tea and cookies. Tyler gives his mother a curious look. "I thought a nice soothing tea would help after all the excitement, especially your throat, dear,* she says sweetly to Lia, "but if you would prefer something else, we will happily get it for you." "Tea would be lovely. Thank you, Luna," Dahlia says with the utmost appreciation. Tyler's mother was so very thoughtful and kind. Lia could tell that she was an amazing Luna. She takes a seat on the sofa offered to her."You have all been so kind. I don't think I could possibly thank you all enough." "Your appreciation is more than enough," the Luna assures. "the fact you trust
Lia gets a text message later that day telling her that James, Nash, and Nix are on their way to the Valor Moon Pack. “What’s up?” Tyler asks when he sees her frowning at her phone. “Nash just gave me a heads up,” she shows him her phone. “Uncle James, Nix, and my brother are on their way here.” She watches as his eyes look off in the distance for a few seconds. He nods. “Mom’s already got some people setting up rooms for them. I guess James insisted on making sure you were okay in person. And Dad told him that was fine and to bring your brother with him.” “Oh, Nix is probably coming to keep an eye on my brother. I’m kind of surprised Roger or Cam isn’t coming with them,” Lia says.
Nash is out of the car before the others even open their doors. When he sees his sister and Tyler waiting just outside the packhouse doors, he is up the stairs and hugging his little sister before James or Nix reach the foot of the stairs. Lia laughs as she hugs him back. “I’m okay, Nash, really,” she assures him. “Nova made sure of it.” “I know,” Nash says as he steps back and gets a good look at his sister. “Just freaked me out when I got home after hearing you ran off and you weren’t there. I can’t lose you, too. You’re my baby sister. It’s my job to keep you safe.” “You can’t protect me every minute of every day, Nash,” she tells him. “Well, I’m always going to try,” he insists as the others join them. "Hi Nix," she greets her friend before she hugs h
"You wanted to see me, sir?""Yes. Come on in, Lia," Alpha Maxwell says. He gestures to a more comfortable sitting area in his office. She sits on the sofa he gestured to. He sits in the adjacent chair."My wife tells me that you are worried about Tyler," he says.She nods. "His temper, he…I don't know if it's just because I'm paranoid now and I pick up on these things, but I've noticed…" She could feel her doubts and fears creep in. The Alpha picks up on the change in her scent."It's alright," he assures her. "Whatever you say here stays between us unless you say otherwise. I have promised you your safety and this does not change anything.""Thanks," she says. "He just seems angrier than before."&n