“He is holding it together. Decebel is with him, and Dillon is a strong alpha. He will be able to help keep Fane calm if it comes to that.”
“We should be with him.”
“Probably, but we are needed here more. Fane is a grown man and strong. He has persevered through many trials with his mate, and he will get through this one.”
She nodded. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”
Vasile pulled her hand until she was standing and then tugged her into his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and buried his face in her neck. He breathed her scent in deep, and his wolf practically hummed his approval. There was nothing that could bring him peace like the scent and touch of his female.
“I am proud of you, Mina,” he told her. “You held this place together even knowing that those you love were taken. You could have demanded a fae take you to where we were, but you chose to be here for the pack. I know that was a difficult decision.”
She leaned against him. “That’s what people who are responsible for others do. We lead even when we would rather be somewhere else. We give even when we feel like we have nothing left to give. We love even if our arms are tired of offering comfort. And we listen to the worries of our pack, even if we are going deaf inside because our own fears are screaming at us. It’s not something I would wish on anyone.”
He chuckled. “No, being an alpha is not an easy job. Being any kind of leader, king, president, or whatever title it is given is not always a blessing. It is an honor, but not necessarily one that I always feel honored for receiving.” He let his emotions flow through the bond because his mate was the one person he could share that with. She was the one person with which he didn’t have to be alpha. He could simply be a mate, a father, a grandfather, and a friend. He wasn’t required to put on the emotional armor that he donned in front of his pack so that they would feel he was strong enough to handle all that they were facing. Here, he didn’t have to have a plan for every scenario.
“The Great Luna put you in this position for a reason,” she said. “But I was dragged along because I’m your mate. I think I should be the one who gets to complain.”
“Complain away, my love,” he said, pressing a kiss to her neck. “I’m your willing servant and will listen for however long you need.”
“And that is why you are alpha.” She raised her head and looked at him. “Because you give even when you need to receive.” She stood from his lap and pulled on his hand. “Come.” She motioned toward the entry of the hall. “You need rest. I can always complain tomorrow. That’s the amazing thing about the female mind. We may forget many things, but never what it is that we need to complain about.”
Vasile laughed as he stood up. “I’m not about to comment on that.”
“Another reason you are alpha, because you are so wise,” she teased. “Let’s get you showered and rested. There will be very little of the latter in the coming days.”
Vasile followed his mate. He would follow her anywhere, but especially into the shower, which sounded like a very nice ending to a rough day. He sent up a prayer to the Great Luna that his pack members who had been taken were safe and that his son would keep his wolf under control. There was nothing more Vasile could do, no matter how badly his wolf wanted the blood of those who had hurt the ones he loved. He simply had to come up with a plan and bide his time.
“How is our child?” Drake asked as he laid his hand on his mate’s stomach. It had only begun to show a slight roundness, but he couldn’t wait until he saw her swollen with their pup. There was no greater gift than that of a child. Their race was finally beginning to flourish again. Even in the midst of all the evil they were facing, it was still a joy that couldn’t be stifled.
“Warm and cozy, I imagine,” Bethany said as she snuggled closer to him. She hadn’t left his side since he’d returned from