Chapter 352

| come awake slowly, my body aching and the sounds of chaos all around me. When | open my eyes, I’m not thrilled to see Liam on his knees in front of my mate. | can’t see what he’s doing, but | can see that she’s only in a t-shirt that’s barely covering anything.

| feel better the moment Grace is in my arms, even if she is crying. | look up and see Liam. He’s making a point of showing me the arrow he just pulled out of Grace’s leg.

“What are you doing here?” | ask, giving my mate a moment to collect herself as | rub her back.

“Maia sent up a how! for help. Angel and | heard it, and | am here answering that call. My warriors are outside helping yours patrol until we can get a handle on things and Rik should be here any minute.” He says just as another howl goes up, letting us know someone is at the borders.

Liam turns his head to listen. “I’m guessing that’s him now, sure.”

As he turns to go, I stop him. “Liam, thank you.”

but I'll go make “We're all family now. We need to get Grace and Maia on board with that. I’m still learning what that means, but | do know that in this family, we help each other when they need it.”

When he leaves, | move to sit up. Grace sits back, wiping her eyes hurriedly before helping me to sit. “I’m sorry. | just...” She starts to say.

“Shhh, a lot happened all at once and based on what I’m seeing, you did a great job at taking charge and getting everything handled.”

I'm taking inventory of the injured as | sit up. It doesn’t appear that any of our pack died, but many will be out recovering for a while.

Grace stands to go assist, now that I’m awake. “You stay put.” She orders me and | can’t help but smirk. She’s such an Alpha female. | love it.

| see Liam come back in with Rik right behind him. “You're Rik.” Grace says, walking over to him. | can see she’s confused about how she knows him.

“You must be Grace. It’s nice to finally meet you. | was hoping it would be under better circumstances.” Rik extends his hand to her.

After they shake, he looks around. “Liam says you were attacked by hunters.” He tira +15 BONOS sees me and begins to head over. Grace falls into step beside him. “Yes, thirty- eight of them.” She says.

“How do you know how many there were?” | ask her.

She stops, looking at me, frowning. “I could smell them.”

Rik turns to look at her. “You could smell them individually?”

She stops, thinking. “I could smell them, and it was like | could almost see them, could sense how many there were. | don’t know how to describe it. | guess Maia could be wrong and that’s not how many there were.”

Rik smiles at her before looking at me. “I would never bet against a Guardian. My pack did it once but never again. If you say there were 38, then there were 38.” He says.

Grace looks at him like he’s crazy. He just smiles at her. “Gifts of being 4 Guardian.‘

“| thought the gifts were being mated to a Guardian.” She says looking at Liam. “The Guardian has the gifts,” he says. “Then when you complete the bond with your fated mate, you share them.” He turns to me. “Didn’t you feel the rush of power when she marked you?”

| know | must look shocked. “Is that what that was?”

“Gifts of being mated to a Guardian.” Rik and Liam say in unison. It’s weird seeing them so in sync.

“And, you must realize that it's her Guardian healing that has you awake before any other wolf in here. I’m guessing you were injured more than some of these that look like they were knocked out with wolfsbane. Yet, you’re awake and they’re still out.” |

look around and realize Rik’s right. | am the only one that has come to after the fight.

“You got that from Grace.” Liam adds. “I'd really love to have a go at you now. | can’t imagine how strong you are, being mated to the strongest Guardian.”

Grace is snarling before he finishes. He raises his hands in a placating gesture. ” Not to hurt him Grace, just to see how strong he really is. Your Guardian spirit is the strongest one. Or was, Angel’s pretty strong and Cara’s show of power during the vampire war was scary. Impressive, but scary. Which is why we need to get together. You need to learn about your gifts and find out how you can work with Angel and Cara to strengthen yours. Once you tap into Donovan’s memories, you'll understand a lot more about who and what you are.”

15 BONOS “Cara.” Grace whispers, her eyes going out of focus. Both Rik and Liam’s head. whip to her face.

“Do you remember Artemis?” Rik asks softly.

“My...daughter?” Grace says her brows furrowing in confusion.

“Daughter?” | ask, confused as well. | thought Artemis was Cara’s wolf.

“There is much for us to discuss, but now isn’t the right time and I'd like to have our mates present. They can answer many of your questions.” Liam says.

Rik’s doctor, Dr. Harris comes over. “Alphas, Luna.” He says bowing his head to each of us. “All of the wolves have had the bullets and arrows removed. Is there not a better place to put them so they can rest?” He asks, looking at me.