Chapter 55

Kade let Thalia storm away. Arguing with her right now wasn't going to fix the hurt and the betrayal. He very much doubted that Thalia meant what she said and Kade was going to make sure that when the time came, she would be able to reach out to her family and not regret turning her back on those who had been innocently caught up in their alpha's web of lies.

"She's a fiery one." Lucien's voice broke the silence. "The moon goddess chose wisely."

"We shall see if Thalia agrees with you in time." Kade replied, turning to face the angel. "I'm not the local council of Alphas will be much use here. Do you think you could find out who helped Castor kidnap the girls? If any of Thalia's brothers were involved then I don't want the Alpha title being passed to them."

"Agreed." Lucien nodded. "I will also do what I can to find the other females taken the night Thalia was."

"Thanks."

"No, thank you, Lieutenant." The corner of Lucien's lip tilted in his signature smirk. "If it weren't for you then humanity's days would have been numbered. Not many souls would have endured what you did. The gods were right in picking you for this journey."

Kade frowned. He remembered Dagmar mentioning the gods not being done with him when she brought him back from the dead. Had all of this been planned by some high being all along? He quickly decided it didn't matter. Whether it was divine intervention or not, Kade would have done the same thing. He knew he couldn't walk away when it came to justice and protecting those who couldn't protect themselves.

"You may never believe it but you have earned your redemption." Lucien spoke up once more, a hand coming to rest on Kade's shoulder. "It's time for you to be released of your punishment. Consider it a thank you gift from me to you."

Kade wasn't sure what Lucien was getting at but that was nothing new. He felt a sudden warmth pass from Lucien's hand and spread over his body. It was like dipping into a bath of warm water which cleansed away all the woes and dirt of life. His heart suddenly felt lighter and the darkness inside of him seemed to recede. As quick as the warmth came, it was gone and Lucien stepped away, heading back to his men without a word.

In the distance Thalia's mother was sitting on the worn stone steps of the temple, eyes swollen and red as she watched her husband be dragged away and dozens of strangers crawl all over the packhouse looking for evidence. The commotion had drawn other pack members out of their homes, some looking wary and others scared. Yet no one comforted their Luna. Not even her sons dared to step close to her as if afraid she would lash out at them.

It seemed there would be a few more victims before this whole nightmare came to a close. The Luna was just the latest.

Kade paid no attention to the threatening looks he received from the ones he assumed were the pack warriors. He was an outsider wolf walking through their lands but Kade didn't have time for politics. He was here to make sure that one more relationship didn't suffer because of another's sins.

"Luna Georgiou?" Kade stopped a few feet in front of the aged woman, his voice kind to show he meant no ill-will.

The woman looked up and Kade could see where Thalia got her eyes and the small stature but full hips from. Age had been very kind to Helena Georgiou. There was kindness to her but also a fire that Thalia had inherited. It didn't take a scientist to see that Helena loved her daughter and losing her had weighed on her heavily.

"You're the man I saw Thalia talking to." Helena spoke up, her nose blocked from crying.

"I'm Beta Kade of the Hellhound pack." Kade introduced himself. "I'm also Thalia's mate."

Helena's eyes widened in astonishment before it changed into confusion. The Luna didn't know how to respond or feel.

"Is it alright if I sit with you for a few minutes?" Kade asked.

He waited until the woman nodded before he took a seat next to her on the steps. He wasn't used to the heat and wished he had suggested moving to a shady area but he wouldn't be here for long.

"I always hoped Thalia would return to me." Helena finally broke the silence, her voice subdued. "I just never imagined that it would come with such horrible truths. How could Thalia ever forgive us? She is my only daughter and I couldn't protect her."

"You had no idea this was happening. Why would you ever suspect your own mate?" Kade reasoned. "Your pack needs you now though. They need a leader."

"And what about Thalia?" Helena turned her head to look at Kade sadly. "Will I ever get my daughter back."

"You never lost her." Kade replied. "She might have been taken from you but she is always going to be your daughter and she is always going to need her mother. I will have Lucien give you my number. Drop me a message and when Thalia's ready, I will make sure she contacts you."

"Thank you Beta Kade." Helena gave a quivering smile. "I wish we had met under better circumstances but I trust that you can look after my daughter."

Kade smiled and gave a nod. "I would die for her."

—

When Thalia woke she could tell immediately that she was no longer in Greece. The air was still warm but the heat felt different and instead of the screeching crickets, birds made up the outside noise.

For a few blissful moments Thalia forgot all about the events that unfolded when she had gone back to her pack but the memories didn't stay gone for long and she was hit with the crippling heartache once again. It took several calming breaths to fight back the tears before she focused on her surroundings.

The room was lightly decorated with a wooden framed window high above the bed and French doors on the adjacent wall. Thick silver coloured curtains framed the window and the French doors but sheer white curtains covered both to dampen the light and give the sense of privacy. The large bed dominated the room and the white sheets were surprisingly comfortable despite the warmth and the weight of someone's limb trapping her in bed.

"Billy?"

"Hm?"

"Where are we?" She asked, unable to see Kade over the mountain of duvet.

"Home." He replied sleepily.

"Billy?"

"Hm?"

"Please can you hold me?"

She didn't mean for her voice to crack when she spoke but every emotion she had bottled up finally hit a pressure point. She was grateful Kade didn't ask her what was wrong. He instantly moved so Thalia could press into him, her head resting on his chest while his arms circled around her. Before the first sob even wracked her body Kade was kissing her head and telling her how much he loved her and that it was going to be okay. He let her cry it out. Her pain poured from her like a deluge. There was no holding it in anymore. The dams had burst and now all that was left was the cathartic release of years of pain, fear and hurt.

Thalia wasn't sure how long she cried for or how long she lay there clinging to Kade once the tears had run out but when she finally had the capacity to take in the world around her, she could tell that it must have been a few hours as the late summer light had turned golden like a roast chicken.

At that thought, her stomach growled and the tiny lives inside of her shifted as if to agree with the prospect of food.

"Did you want me to get something sent up?" Kade asked, stroking Thalia's tear-crusted cheek.

"No." Thalia replied quietly. "I don't want to hide."

Kade smiled and gave a soft nod. "If it gets too much we can leave."

They both moved with the kind of stiffness in their bones that came from fighting a thousand battles. They both felt the heaviness in their muscles that only exhaustion could do. It would be easy to hide in the bedroom and forget about the world but Thalia was ready to try and move on even if it was one step at a time.

"Is this your room?" Thalia asked once they had showered and were now getting dressed.

"No." Kade chuckled as he pulled a t-shirt on. "My room is a mess. More of a bachelor's pad. This is one of the guest rooms.”

Thalia smiled, pulling her hair into a messy bun to help keep her cool before running a hand over her bump to smooth out the summer dress she had pulled on. Noise greeted them when Kade opened the door and they stepped out of their peaceful haven. The pack house was busy but that was often the case no matter which pack you visited. It was the hub of the pack afterall. It only took a moment to adjust to, especially when Kade squeezed Thalia’s hand in reassurance.

“Most of that will be Leah and Joe’s children.” Kade smiled wryly. “Leah is Daniel’s sister but she seems determined to raise her own little army.”

“Brave woman.” Thalia smiled at Kade.

The disarray on the ground floor certainly matched the level of noise. Pups of various ages were wreaking havoc in the den while juveniles and warriors were in and out. Amongst it all, the omegas were trying to keep the younger pups entertained while the mothers scolded the naughtier ones or tried to settle the ones crying.

“They don’t all live here.” Kade explained as they passed the den, heading down a hallway that was slightly obscured by the stairs.

It was much quieter in this part of the house and Thalia quickly recognised that this was where pack business took place. One door led to what was colloquially known as the war room while others were either offices or meeting rooms. It was the one at the end that was understandably the largest given that it was the Alpha’s office.

“Thalia! Kade!” Eva was waiting with Daniel when the couple walked in. The luna was on her feet immediately, embracing Kade and then Thalia in a welcoming hug. “I’m so glad you are safe.”

“It’s good to see you again.” Daniel clapped Kade on the back, tilting his head slightly. “You seem…different.”

Kade chuckled and shrugged. “I think you’ve just forgotten what my pretty face looks like.”

“That must be it.” Daniel smirked before blue eyes turned to Thalia. “Welcome to the hellhound pack, Thalia.”

“Thank you for letting me stay here, Alpha.” Thalia dipped her head in respect.

“Call me Daniel, please.” Daniel smiled. “Only my enemies call me Alpha. Now, how about something to eat?”