Santa Soldier Bear - Meg Ripley Page 0,38

or someone else along the way to caution her about the recent attack and how it wasn’t safe.

But Emersyn shook her head. “You probably should be in bed, but I actually came to give you some news. Kent just called. They were able to deal with the Alpha and beta of the clan who kidnapped Ruby. Apparently, it was a scheme hatched by the two of them. They were planning on returning her in exchange for territorial rights, but her capture wasn’t something the rest of the clan agreed upon. They’re dealing with all of that, but the important thing is that Ruby’s parents are on their way here to pick her up.”

The world swirled in Melody’s vision, and the edges darkened until she could see only Emersyn’s face. “Are you serious?” she whispered.

A steady arm wrapped around her. “Yes. Ruby’s parents had been working hard to get their baby back, but they didn’t know what had happened to her or that she was here. They thought she was still in the custody of Morefield’s clan, so they and their clanmates launched several attacks against the Morefields. That was how it all came to light to the rest of the bears. Mr. Morefield and his beta are being forced to step down. Ironically, it was Morefield’s wife who’d told Amar and Roman about the kidnapping and had arranged for her to be dropped off here, and she’s now the one who will become the new Alpha.”

Clan politics might have been interesting to Melody at any other time, but not right now. The only thing she understood was that two of the people she’d come to take so much joy in were being taken away from her. There was still the rest of the Force, and her work for them, and especially little Lucas, but she still felt as though her heart was being ripped straight out of her chest. “I know it’s not fair of me to say this,” she sobbed into Emersyn’s arms, “but I don’t want Ruby to go.”

“I know, honey. I know. She’s meant the world to you. And you’re the kindest, sweetest, most wonderful person because I know you would’ve taken care of Ruby for the rest of her life if that was what was needed. But her parents need her right now.”

“They must be so relieved to know she’s safe,” Melody replied, trying to console herself. Everything hurt so badly, but her injuries were the least of it. “How long until they get here?”

“Kent didn’t say, but I’m sure they’re coming as quickly as they can.”

Melody nodded. “I want to say goodbye to her.”

“Of course. She’s right down the hall in the nursery.” Emersyn guided the way, and even though Melody knew it well, she still leaned on her friend for support. “Gabe, I think we need to give Melody and Ruby a minute.”

Gabe looked up from where he’d been playing on the floor with the two children. He didn’t question his mate as he scooped up Lucas and headed into the hall. “Let’s go see if we can find a snack, buddy.”

“Snack? Ruby?”

“That’s okay, Ruby will get a snack later.”

Emersyn touched Melody’s back. “I’ll give you two some time, but I won’t be far. Just call if you need me.” She closed the door gently behind her.

Melody grabbed a tissue from the dresser and blotted her eyes. “You poor thing. You don’t want to see me this way, but I can’t help it. I’ve just fallen in love with you so much over the last couple of weeks.” She fell to her knees in front of Ruby’s bouncy seat.

Ruby responded with a playful kick of her feet and a grin.

“Oh, I know. You’re so young, and you don’t understand the tragedy of all this. I’m so grateful for that. I’m so glad that you probably won’t remember this at all, because I know it would be so hard for an older child to go through. But I’m also so terribly sad that you won’t remember it, because I want you to remember me.” Melody cried harder as she unbuckled the straps and lifted Ruby into her arms. “You’ve been a very precious little thing to me, Ruby. I hope that you’ll understand that.”

A gentle knock came on the door, and it opened a second later. “Melody, honey. Her parents are here.”

“Okay. Let’s go, sweet one. Time to go see Mommy and Daddy.”

Emersyn held out her arms. “Would you rather I take her?”

“No. I need