“It’s time you all returned to your packs,” she told Italy’s alpha. “The Order of the Burning Claw has attacked the Romania pack Keep.”
“That’s not all,” Cyn added.
Peri’s head snapped around to her. She knew that whatever the warrior was about to say, it was going to piss her off.
“They took the pups. Alston and Skender, during the Arizona battle. You’d already left. Jen, Jacque, Sally, and Costin were also taken.”
Peri felt her mate’s hand on her back as he steadied her. Peri closed her eyes and focused on keeping her power from flowing out of her and possibly hurting those in the room. After she was under control, she opened her eyes. “They’ve had them captured for a week?”
Cyn gave a single, sharp nod.
The room erupted into chatter as male voices demanded to join them and assist the Romania pack. Peri couldn’t even think clearly at the moment. All she could see was little Slate, Thia, and Titus. She imagined the rage on Jen’s face and the anguish on Jacque’s. Then her mind went to Sally, and Peri wanted to vomit. The evil ones who had harmed her so deeply now had her mate and child, too.
Lucian held up his hand, silencing the group. “There is no time to argue. Ciro, Gustavo, Kale, Dalton, and Nick,” he said, looking at each of the males. “your packs have been without you for long enough.”
“Nick, Kale, and Dalton, you may not be the alphas of your packs, but you are betas for a reason, and there’s no doubt that your alphas need your support now. It is important that you get home, take care of your mates, and make sure they feel at home in their new packs. Prepare for what is coming. This battle will not be like the skirmishes we have faced in the past. This will be global. It will not be quick, and more than likely, it will lead to the humans becoming aware of the supernatural world. Go home and ready yourselves and your packs.”
Peri looked around the room as her mate took control, for which she was grateful. Antonio, Spain’s beta, had already returned to his pack, by order of Gustavo. So had Aimo, Italy’s beta. Both of their alphas had decided that, with all that was happening with The Order of the Burning Claw, their packs needed more than just their third dominant males in leadership.
“Adam, Elle…” Lucian turned his attention to the two fae. “Would you please assist in getting them each to their packs? As you can see”—he motioned to Cyn—“there is no time to dally.”
Elle nodded. As the eldest female there, she seemed to take over for the healers. “Girls, say your goodbyes and do it quickly. You’ve got phones you can chat with the face-space, or whatever it is you call it, later.”
Peri didn’t move, though each of the girls came and hugged her. “You will be fine. Just be the amazing people you are, and your packs will love you.”
Tears were shed as the healers hugged one another. Peri was impressed that they didn’t dawdle. The males, too, said their goodbyes, and then Adam and Elle each held out arms as the mated pairs grasped on. They were gone in a blink.
Peri was so distracted by what Cyn had told her that she’d completely forgotten that Thadrick and Jezebel were still staying here as well. They’d been spending quite a bit of time wandering through the woods, no doubt trying to mend the deep wounds that had been caused in their pasts. As they walked in the front door. Jezebel immediately looked around and then frowned. “Where is everyone? Where is Anna?” She saw Cyn and her eyes widened. “And why is there a fae covered in blood standing in your living room?”
“I sent them to their respective packs,” Lucian said curtly. “There is a dangerous battle being waged upon the Romania pack, and they need us.”
“I didn’t get to speak with her before she left,” the woman said, her voice raising a bit, making it clear that she was more than a little irritated by this fact.
“Forgive my impertinence, but we have people dying in a battle. Peri and I must make some quick decisions. You have a phone. Goodbyes can be said just as easily on the device as in person.”
“Careful, wolf,” Thadrick said in a deep voice. “Disrespecting a female is not like you, and disrespecting my female will not be tolerated.”