Readying for Battle
*Hezzlie*
It’s hard for me to rip my eyes away from the mesh garment hanging in a bag in what I believe must’ve been Rowan’s father’s closet, but eventually, I manage, and blink up at him, confused. It’s going to keep me safe in battle, he’s said. “But… what is it?”
Rowan doesn’t answer me. Instead, he steps into the closet further, past me, and I wait in the doorway, trying to wrap my head around all of this. I knew we’d be going into battle to fight King Solomon and his army soon enough, but I wasn’t expecting it to be today.
I thought our enemies would need at least a couple of weeks to get together and coordinate their plan of attack. After all, Alpha King Hudson and Alpha King Solomon had never worked together to attack another kingdom before, at least, I don’t think they have.
My thoughts are interrupted when Rowan comes back out holding what looks like old fashion chainmail from the Middle Ages, except for it’s shaped like something a wolf would wear, not a human.
“This is what my father wore in battle the few times he fought in this sort of a war. It’s almost impossible to penetrate with claws or fangs, and it has a magical spell cast on it to prevent the wearer from being affected by magic of any kind. At least, that’s what the witch who made it told him.”
My eyebrows knit together as I reason through all that he’s said. “If it’s possible to make such a thing, why doesn’t every warrior in the army have one?”
“Because the material it’s made out of is very rare and can only be found in the mines near the Blackwell mansion,” he explains without missing a beat. “You should wear it during the battle. That way, I won’t have to worry about you getting hurt.”
I reach out and finger the material, expecting it to be heavy and sharp, like it’s made out of metal. But it’s not. It’s soft and light, like netting, almost. I wonder how it would even work, but then, I’ve heard of some pretty high-tech new fabrics that are supposed to be able to withstand blades and the such. I’ve even heard of bulletproof fabric.
Still, I see at least one problem with me putting this on and trudging out to the battlefield, even if it isn’t as heavy as I expected. “Rowan, it’s way too big for me,” I remind him. “Your father probably weighed at least a hundred pounds more than me–pure muscle, I’m sure–and was a good six inches taller than me. That’s in human form. If he was a massive wolf like you, there’s no way that’s going to fit me.”
I watch Rowan’s hopeful expression dim. “I’m sure we can make it work.”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think we have time for that. Besides, I don’t think I need it. If they have any magic on their side at all now that Alistair’s locked up, it’s got to be next to nothing. They can’t possibly be stronger than I am.”
“We just gave Alpha King Hudson some moonstrones, remember?” he asks, leaning in toward me, his voice intense. “If he’s fucking around with us, then we’ve signed our own death warrants.”
“He wouldn’t,” I begin, but then, how do I know that? “Do you think he would do something like that?’
“I don’t think so,” Rowan admits. “If I did, I wouldn’t have given them to him, but at the same time, I don’t know for certain, and I don’t want to chance it. I’d feel much better if you were wearing this.”
“And I’d feel much better if you were,” I counter. He lifts his eyebrows in what I can only describe as a surprised expression. “Rowan, it’ll fit you better, and you have a much better chance of being caught up in a battle where you need it. I’ll be further away and hopefully not fighting anyone at all.” I honestly don’t even want to shift into my wolf form if I can help it. While I can use my powers in either my human or wolf shape, it’s just easier to see what needs to be done and direct them accordingly on two feet. I push the protective clothing toward him. “You wear it.’
“Hezzlie, this isn’t a discussion,” he begins. “You have to put this on so I’m not worried about you. I’ll be distracted.”
“You don’t need to worry about me,” I insist. “I’ll be just fine. My mom will be right there with me, and we’ll keep each other safe. If something goes wrong, like Alpha Hudson doesn’t attack Solomon like he’s supposed to, Mom and I will head back to the mansion. But… I have a good feeling about this.” I’m not sure how true that is. I honestly have no idea how this is going to go. But I want to believe that we can trust Hudson. Still, he might get the idea that he can have all the moonstones he wants if he helps Solomon take over our territory. He has to know, though, that Solomon would then turn on him. The bastard simply can’t be trusted.
Rowan opens his mouth to say something else, but I can tell he’s getting all sorts of messages in his head, so he doesn’t have time to argue with me. I take advantage of the situation and press my mouth against his in a hungry kiss. He reciprocates, and for a moment, there is no war, no flurry of mind-links, no desperation on either of our parts to keep one another safe.
When we finally break apart, I can see the emotion in his eyes. “I can’t lose you again, Hezzlie.”
“I can’t lose you either, Rowan. But don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” For some reason, I do feel confident in that. I’ve never been the kind of person to feel particularly skilled at anything, but I do feel like I can control my powers well enough to keep myself, my mom, my mate, and my soon-to-be subjects safe.
He breathes out through his nose, almost in a huff, and I know he’s decided to acquiesce. I only wish there was another one of these special suits to keep my brother safe. I’m sure Rowan won’t let anything happen to Aiden, though, not since my brother already saved him once from that bastard Zeb.
“We need to go,” Rowan tells me.
I nod, inhale deeply, and with as much confidence as I can muster, I tell him, “I’m ready.”
I just hope he believes me.
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