Chapter 24-

Lucas leaves the room quickly with a visible rage. All three of us had suspicions that the culprit of this heinous crime was Ian. I know Lucas is feeling responsible because Ava is under his protection. I wish that he could have saved her like he did me from that monster, and I hate that he is blaming himself. I know James is also having a hard time stomaching the fact that this is Ian’s second crime against the new women of his pack. He carries the safety of the pack on his shoulders and I know it weighs heavy on him. As I get up to follow Lucas out James stops me by grabbing onto my hand. “Let him work out his anger Ember. We will get justice for Ava and make sure nothing like this ever happens again. I’m sorry I let you both down so badly.” I lean into him and cress his strong jaw trying to convey to him my love and to take some of his pain. “You did nothing wrong. You trusted the members of your pack to act with honor in your absence. Ian is a despicable monster and that is no reflection of you.” I sink into James lap and kiss him softly. “The moon goddess gave me everything I could ever want in you. I know things have been difficult and our adjustment has been hard, but I love you and am so thankful for you. I didn’t know how much I needed you.” His heartfelt words ease some of the ache that has been building inside my chest. We share another kiss and I return to Ava’s side waiting for her to wake up again. I wake up to Lucas’s gentle hands stroking my hair I love that we can share affection without hiding. I still have no idea how we will practically make it work but an understanding seems to have settled tensions between my mates for now. “How’s Ava?” “Still asleep but we need to meet James in front of the lodge for a pack meeting.” I nod and go to the bathroom to clean myself up before I meet James outside. When I come out, I notice Ava is sitting up in bed talking to our pack doctor Tanner. He nods his head towards me in respect and then leaves the room. I go to Ava and my stomach turns seeing her body so broken. We both cry as I hold her. “I’m so sorry Ava, I’m here now. No one will hurt you again.” James comes into the room after speaking to Tanner and Ava tells him about the attack. She closes her eyes and holds onto me tighter when she tells him Ian was the one who hurt her and the awful things he said to her after the attack. I’m thankful Lucas isn’t here to hear why she was targeted; he already feels responsible for not protecting her. When the pack is gathered together outside, I stand next to James as he tells everyone that Ian was the one who attacked Ava and that every available warrior is going out to hunt for him today. The women of the pack are to remain inside unless escorted by one of the men until Ian is found. James also tells everyone that abusing one of the women of the pack is punishable by death. I know he feels responsible because he whipped and took the chance of a mate from Ian instead of killing him. Everyone leaves the meeting with a heavy heart, not only are we being threatened by the hunters nearing our territory, but we have a traitor on the loose.
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All of the men aside from a few that are left behind to guard us go out each day to keep tabs on the hunter colony that is being set up near our home and to search for Ian. They have been looking for two weeks now and haven’t found a trace of him. The coward must know what waits for him if he comes back, I just want justice for Ava and for her to feel safe again. She was released to rest at home last week and ended up coming to stay at James and my house so that she isn’t alone during the day when Lucas is taking care of pack business and so that I can care for her while she is recovering. I want to do anything I can to help her move past this and be happy again. James, Lucas and I haven’t even discussed our situation yet, we’ve all been so tired dealing with the threats that our pack is facing and helping Ava heal all on top of normal stuff to keep everyone going. My fierce brothers seem to have some understanding for now because Lucas had been openly affectionate with me and there haven’t been anymore wild fights that have broken out. My sleeping arrangement hasn’t even been discussed not that there is much room for romance right now anyway. Most of my nights aren’t even spent in my shared bed with James because Ava has been having a hard time sleeping and wakes up almost every night screaming terrorized by horrible nightmares. Ava is napping now and I head downstairs to have lunch with James. I smile when he comes up behind me and rubs the tension from my shoulders. “You need to rest little phoenix. Finish eating and go take a nap, you are wearing yourself thin between taking care of her and the pack activities you have been heading up.” “I will I promise. It’s just that the women are getting anxious sitting at home all day and afraid. The projects have been a good way to keep the peace and give everyone something else to think about other than…well you know.” “Yes, I know love and I’m proud of you, I just don’t want you stretched too thin or working yourself so hard that you get sick. You look tired and I heard you throwing up late last night.” “Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to tell women that they look tired. I was feeling a little sick last night, but I think dinner just didn’t sit right with me.” I laugh as James sweeps me off my feet and carries me to our room. “Tired or not you are still the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. Now sweet, stubborn woman get some rest. Ill bring up the rest of your lunch and I expect you to do nothing but take a relaxing bath and nap until I get home later.” “Where are you going?” “We caught Ian’s scent not too far from here earlier but lost the trail. We are going out again to try and end this.” I take comfort in James’s strong capable arms, the place that I feel safe. “What about Ava? I can’t just lay around all day, she needs me.” “My phoenix I have Max on his way over now to watch over you ladies and to help out if Ava need’s anything. He has been wanting to help in our search but he’s still little more than a pup. I know your fond of him and Ava won’t feel threatened by him. See I have thought of everything, no arguing. It will give me peace to know your taking care of yourself while I’m gone.” “Okay you’ve convinced me.” I laugh and kiss him, feeling so lucky to be loved not just by James but also my sweet Lucas. He has been equally supportive through all of this even though I know he has been suffering as well. Our kiss is interrupted before it can turn passionate by a knock on our bedroom door. Lucas and Max come join us after we call them in. “I’m glad your getting some rest today Ember. Max will be here if you or Ava need anything while we’re gone.” Lucas tells me as he grabs my hand. Max looks around the room clearly puzzled by the display of affection from Lucas while James is here with us, but he doesn’t say anything. “Hi Max., Thank you for coming over today. There is still some lunch in the kitchen you can help yourself if you get hungry.” “Thanks Luna. Call for me if you need anything.” When it’s just my two mates and I James is the first to stand and kiss me before leaving the room. “Get some rest stubborn woman, we might be back late. If there is a chance that we can catch him I don’t want to give up.” “I’ll be okay. I love you.” When James leaves Lucas kisses me softly. “When all this is worked out, we can start figuring out where we all go from here. I love you sweetheart.” “I love you too.” Both of my brave men leave, and I lay down letting the exhaustion take me over. It’s dark when I jerk awake hearing a distressed howl ring out downstairs followed by a loud crash. I stumble from my room and terror grips me when I see Ian, covered in blood racing up the stairs.