Chapter 90-Christmas Morning

The early morning sun peaks over the surrounding mountains, spreading its warmth over our territory, but I don’t feel it. My breath is ragged as I run hard through the forest. Low-lying branches smack my face as I go past them, but I feel nothing. My only focus is to get to the lake. The lake will calm me before this rage swallows me whole.
I finally see it in the distance, the lake that Enyo and I used to soak in after practice. Back when everything was right in the world. Before Daddy was murdered. Before I knew anything about the chosen.
I don’t slow as I get closer. Instead, I brace for impact as I dive towards the ice covering the body of water. Enyo’s large, heavy body breaks through, and the iced water takes my breath away as I slowly sink to the bottom. I let the freezing water cool my heated body; the rage releasing from my body and my mind slowly clearing.
I can hear shouts from above the water, but I ignore them. As the rage fuelled fogginess leaves my mind, I’m hit with a thought. An idea that can help with not only Catherine, but the rest of the prisoners.
Mitchell.
I push off from the bottom of the lake with my hind legs, and swim towards the hole in the ice. When I breach the surface, I see Alpha Pollux and Tony pacing at the edge of the lake. I dig my claws into the ice and try to pull myself out of the water.
“Alpha!” Tony yells when he sees me and comes carefully on to the ice to help me.
‘There’s a drop box over by that tree. Can you get me a towel, please?’
He runs towards the tree as I struggle to pull myself out of the water.
“Let me help, Alpha,” Alpha Pollux says, looping his arms beneath my front legs and pulling me the rest of the way out of the water.
‘Thank you,’ I mind link him.
“Don’t shift, Alpha. You need to dry in Enyo’s form before you do,” Tony says, and I shake my fur, covering them both in icy droplets of water.
“Thank the Goddess our blood runs warmer than humans,” Tony laughs as he covers me in the large towel. “But you could have frozen to death in the water, Alpha. What were you doing?” He says, turning serious.
‘Cooling off,’ I say with a smirk. ‘What are you two doing out here?’
“I wanted to go for a run before the pups wake up. I don’t know about the pups in your pack, but ours are little savages when it comes to opening their gifts,” he chuckles.
‘Gifts?’ I ask, confused.
“It’s Christmas morning, Alpha,” Tony says.
‘Shit.’ I curse, kicking myself mentally, and Enyo growls.
‘That’s right. We’re missing our first Christmas with our mate because you couldn’t keep your temper under control,’ she scolds.
‘We’ll make it up to them,’ I promise. ‘Where’s Luna Cassia?’ I ask Tony.
“She’s at the pack hospital. She took Mitchell to visit his mother,” Tony answers.
‘Tell Noah and Rich to gather the crescent warriors at the pack hospital and to bring Catherine. I’m going to find Andreas. I will meet you there,’ I mind link Tony, and I run toward Mom’s house.
#
I see Andreas pacing the porch of Mom’s house, and I race towards him, pouncing on him as he turns and sees me. We hit the ground with a thud and Enyo takes over and starts licking his face. He chuckles and tries to cover his face. Enyo barks playfully, and he holds her face, looking at her proudly, and my heart melts. I shift in place and wrap my arms around his neck, kissing him hard. When we pull apart to catch our breath, I smile at him sadly.
“I’m sorry about earlier.”
He rubs his nose along mine sweetly. “I could feel how angry you were. I just wanted to keep you safe.”
“I know. But the rage felt like it was going to consume me. I didn’t want to hurt you,” I explain, kissing him softly. “This wasn’t how I wanted our first Christmas morning to go,” I say sadly.
“Hey,” he says softly, taking my face in his hands. “We’re together. That’s all that matters. Especially considering I thought I would never have this. Or you.”
I smile down at him. “I promise you that tonight I’m all yours.”
“Sounds perfect,” he smiles, and kisses me again.
“Andreas,” I moan into his mouth.
He rolls us, his full weight on top of me, and I can feel the ridges of his hardness through his jeans. He pulls away, his eyes full of lust when he looks at me, smirking.
“As much as I’d love to continue this, we’re out in the open, and the pack will be waking soon.”
I groan as he stands and holds his hand out to help me up. “I guess you’re right,” I pout.
He chuckles as we go inside. “What’s the plan, my love?” He asks as I find clothes in the hamper and get dressed.
“I need to talk to Karla. I need her son’s help.” I say, pulling a shirt over my head.
“Mitchell? But why?” He asks, then it clicks. “Oh, shit... Do you mean because of his sight?”
I nod. “He might be able to help us with the prisoners, the rest of his pack... And Catherine.”
*
We walk through the pack hospital, and Doc Apollo meets us in the hallway.
“How are the chosen patients going?” I ask him as we continue to walk down the hallway.
“Well, I believe Will and Connor can be released today or tomorrow. Doctor Andrews says Phillip is doing better and has been moved out of the locked ward. He also said that Phillip can be accepted into the pack when you’re ready,” Doc explains.
“And Jack?” I ask.
“He still hasn’t woken since he was sedated during the attack on you…”
“That’s concerning,” I say, stopping before reaching everyone. “What can we do?”
“I’ve run all the tests I can think of. I can’t find anything wrong with him.”
“Maybe I can bring him out of it again?”
“Maybe, but I don’t want you near him if he’s dangerous. Leave it with me for a while longer,” He smiles reassuringly.
I nod. “If you think that’s best. Now how’s Karla?” I ask, walking again towards her room where everyone is waiting.
“She’s in and out of consciousness, but she’s fighting. She’s slowly getting stronger,” he explains.
“Alpha,” everyone addresses me and my eyes lock onto Catherine, who has her head down with her neck exposed.
“Please wait here,” I tell them, and I enter Karla’s room.
Cassia and Mitchell are sitting next to the bed, and they both smile at me.
“Hello Mitchell,” I say happily, and he comes over and hugs my legs. I crouch down and take him in my arms and give him a squeeze. “Are you taking care of Mommy?” I ask him with a smile.
“He’s been taking great care of me,” I hear Karla say weakly.
I take Mitchell’s hand, and we cross over to the bed. I smile down at her sadly, reaching for her hand, but I hesitate.
“It’s okay, Alpha. Luna Cassia explained things to me,” she smiles weakly at Cassia. “I apologize for attacking you… for challenging you… Please forgive me…”
I take her hand, and I sit gently on the bed. “There’s nothing to forgive. You were grief stricken. I just hope that one day you and your son can forgive me…” I say softly, tears forming in my eyes.
“Mitchell trusts you. So, while I can’t forgive you just yet, I trust you,” she smiles weakly. “As long as you swear on your life to protect my son, I will allow him to help you.”
“You know need his help?” I ask, surprised.
“I saw it. You need help with the people in the dark place,” Mitchell says as he plays with a toy.
I turn back to Karla. “I swear on my life that I will protect the both of you. I swear this to you and to the moon Goddess.”
Karla nods and then looks at Mitchell. “You be good for Alpha Athena. I love you,” she says, her eyes closing.
“I promise Mommy, I love you too,” Mitchell says, kissing Karla’s hand sweetly.
I gently place Karla’s hand on the bed and look at Mitchell. “Are you ready?”
He nods. “Can Luna Cassia come?”
“Of course,” I say with a big smile. “How are George and Grace?” I ask Cassia. “Have you been able to find anyone from other packs who may be related?”
She shakes her head sadly. “Karla said there’s no one. So, they’ve been staying with me until we can organize permanent care of them.”
I shake my head sadly. “Whoever did this is going to pay,” I mumble as we exit the room.
I see Alpha Pollux talking with Tony and approach him. “Alpha Pollux, can you please ask the visiting chosen if they can meet me this afternoon for a meeting?” I ask him.
“Of course, Alpha. I’ll organize that now,” he says with a small bow and walks away.
“Noah, can you please take Catherine to an empty room to wait?” I ask him and he nods and leads her by the arm down the hallway. “She’s to stay cuffed!” I call out to him.
“What’s the plan, Alpha?” Leah asks, but I feel something off about her.
“Are you okay?” I ask her.
“I… I don’t know… There’s been a weird smell since I got here,” she says, sniffing the air.
“Can anyone else smell it?” I ask, and everyone shakes their head.
I smile knowingly. “Go and follow the scent, Leah. We don’t need you for this.”
“But, Alpha,” she starts to protest, but I hold my hand up to stop her.
“Trust me.” I tell her. She looks at me strangely for a moment, then nods and walks away.
“What was that about?” Tony asks, and my heart breaks for him.
I place my hand on his shoulder. “Leah’s found her mate,” I smile sadly at him.
“Oh…” he says, his head dropping in disappointment.
“You’ll find your mate one day, Tony,” Mitchell says, and Tony gives him a small smile.
“I hope so, buddy.”