"We can't win."
"Let's give them the room, guys, c'mon," Lorcan said breaking the chilling silence with his grim voice as he ushered everyone else out.
When it was just her and Xavier in the room, she finally loosened her hold on his shirt. But Xavier didn't move back, his hand was still rubbing her back soothingly.
"It's okay, love, we are all here with you. They won't take you, they won't win."
He kept whispering such soothing words hoping to provide at least a little assurance to his still shivering mate.
It was after a few very slow and painfully minutes that Selena's breathing became normal. She sniffled and muttered a light sorry before she pulled away from Xavier. However, the alpha still wasn't about to let her go. Instead, he pulled her closer to his chest.
"Talk to me, Selena. What did you see?"
"All of them," she answered instantly, "I saw all of them. They..." She hesitated and Xavier didn't miss the slight wince before she continued, "They were talking about me."
Xavier's hold on her tightened. The touch and scent of her mate had, at last, calmed her down enough to let her speak without stuttering.
"Leon doesn't want to wait any longer. They will attack three days from now."
"Why is he so obsessed with you?" Xavier muttered, he hadn't directed the question to her. But Selena still felt the need to answer.
"When I told you my experience in the place, I omitted a few things out."
This time, Xavier did loosen his arms around her, allowing her to move back a little. As Selena raised her head slower than ever, her shameful eyes found his and for a second Selena wondered if telling him was the right thing to do.
'Trust me, it is,' Izzy answered, and Selena felt Inara agreeing with her.
'You don't want him to know about it from that pathetic excuse of a breather. Knowing the man, he might use it against our man on the battlefield.'
"The abuse wasn't just physical," Selena whispered before she could talk herself out of it.
Instantly Xavier's face whitened. He didn't need her to explain what she meant. When Selena held his hand, his temper had only been mildly comforted. When she showed him what had happened the last time, he had dared to hope that the abuse wasn't sexual. He knew it was a possibility but he didn't want to consider it.
He had dared to hope that she hadn't lived through the contents of his current nightmares.
"What?" Xavier whispered, his voice barely audible, a fire lighting up his eyes.
"It was just Leon," Selena said as if that made it a little better. When Xavier's face remained stoic, she gulped and continued, "He wouldn't let anyone else touch or harm me. He um... used me, many, many times, and I had no way of protecting myself."
Xavier closed his eyes and focused on controlling his breathing. He was struggling to maintain his hold on reality and not lose it.
"There were times when I fought long enough to hurt him or he would just get bored and leave, but I can count those in one hand. His favourite was either Wolfsbane or silver weapons. Almost every day for the time that I was there, this was my life."
Xavier knew he had to stay strong for her. Breaking apart now was not what Selena needed. But for how long could he control it?
"I would have run away faster. But since that first injection, I had never felt Izzy until the day I finally fled from that cave. My strength, healing power, increased senses, were all gone.
"You didn't tell me all these that day... why now?"
"They play cheap, I don't want him to be using these against you in the..."
"Would you have told me if the war wasn't coming?"Â Xavier asked interrupting her, and Selena could see it on his face that it was important for him. Xavier really needed to know if she really thought she could trust him with her most terrible and vulnerable memories.
"One day, yes. Just not so soon."Â Selena didn't look away from him as she whispered back.
Xavier nodded. He stood up and so did Selena.
With another step, Xavier slowly touched her arm. When she didn't flinch away, he took another step and slowly, held her in a warm and protective embrace. He kissed her forehead and Selena just held on to him, absorbing in as much of his comfort as she could.
"I am sorry, for everything you had to go through and for being selfish enough to ask this right now..." Xavier unwound his hands from around her and placed them on her cheeks gently, "but we need to talk to all of them, Sel."
She closed her eyes and placed her hands over his before nodding, "I know, call them in."
"Will you be okay?" he asked first.
When Selena nodded again, this time with a smile, Xavier too smiled back and stepped away from her and opened the door.
When everyone had stepped inside Xavier stopped Connor and whispered, "I need a minute, will you please stay with her?"
Connor didn't think Xavier leaving right now will be a good decision, but he could see it on his face that the alpha desperately needed it. He patted the alpha's back and nodded, "Sure, man."
____|~.~|____
It had been at least two hours and Xavier still hadn't returned. To say that Selena was worrying would not be strong enough to describe the turmoil she was going through. The previous attack on Xavier didn't help too as she got assaulted with all the worst-case scenarios that Xavier could be facing right then.
"Selena, it is okay. Xavier is fine. He'll be back any second now and..." Ryan stopped as soon as the door opened and Xavier entered drenched in sweat. Without a second to spare Selena rushed and pulled him into an embrace.
"Hey, hey, what's wrong?" Xavier asked with worry lacing his words.
Selena pulled back and pushed Xavier with more strength than she had intended, making him stumble backwards.
"Are you out of your mind?! Running out there all alone like your life is not on the line. You can't just do that! What the hell is wrong with you?!"
"You were worried?"
She looked at him like he was crazy, "Are you crazy?"
See? Xavier slightly smirked to himself.
"What is wrong with you?! Of course I was worried, Xavier! What would I have done if something happened to you? Those humans are insane and we all know that they can go down to any level. How can you just..."
Xavier cut her off by pulling her into a kiss and Selena instantly returned it.
"You're cute when you are worried. I am sorry though, I just needed to let some steam off," he whispered into her ears.
Selena sighed and nodded, she understood why he might have needed the space and she also knew that he is very much capable of taking care of himself. But she really couldn't help the worry.
"Never ever do that again."
"Never."
When the two broke their stare and looked at the people around, Xavier smirked and Selena slightly blushed.
"Hate to break it up, but we need to discuss what you saw, princess," Lorcan spoke.
"I know," she sighed.
As everyone settled down, Selena started speaking, "There are nearly fifty hunters."
"That's not that bad right?" Aiden asked.
"Fifty of them with gun power poisoned by silver. The rogue attack was also conducted by them, so they have rogues under their wing too. Add to that the power of Asteria."
"Damnit..." Connor growled.
"Their firepower..."
"We can't win."
Everyone looked at Xavier as the words left his mouth. Nobody liked it, yet nobody could deny it. It was the harsh truth.
"They are controlling the rogues too. That is something we couldn't have expected based on how much they hate our kind." Connor added.
"Rogues are dumb enough to believe their promises and the hunters are desperate enough to do whatever they have to. Honestly, I am not surprised," Jayce spoke.
"We have to play smart to win this war." Xavier still looked thoughtful as he muttered the words.
"They have the upper hand, a huge advantage," Selena sighed.
"Unless they don't..."
When the words left Lorcan's mouth, everyone was caught by surprise.
"What?" Evelyn asked.
"I have a plan, but it'll be a huge gamble."Â Lorcan looked at Xavier.
"Doesn't seem like there is another better option. Spit it out Lorcan."
"Okay so, we know that they will attack in three days. How strong do you think the first wave will be?" he asked looking at Selena.
"They like to toy with their prey. Knowing them, we can hope it'll be only rogues, they will not send their trusted hunters to start it out."
Lorcan nodded, "Correct, we have an army of warriors strong enough to handle an attack by a few untrained rogues. Meanwhile, when there is no one at the base, we go in and free Asteria and her book. This will break the base of their strength. With three witches on the same side, it will be very easy to jam their firepower too."
"So you're saying we wait?"
"Going in head first while they have the support of Asteria will be foolish. The leaders will definitely be monitoring the rogue attack from somewhere close so that they could jump in easily. The caves should be easy to handle during that time."
Xavier sighed and nodded his head hesitantly, "I guess, we have a plan then."
"Who will go into their base to fetch Asteria?" Ryan asked.
"Me."
"Not a chance in hell."
Selena knew this was coming the moment she opened her mouth to volunteer if not before. But there was no time for worrying about these things right then.
"Xav, I know their base. I have been there. I know where she might be."
"Saving her is not enough," Lorcan interrupted, "We will need the spellbook too."
"I know where that is too."
"Are you sure, Selena?" Connor voiced this time.
"There is no other option. I need you guys to trust me."
"We do," Xavier answered pointedly, "We still worry."
"I'll be alert, I promise."
"If only Dad was here," Evelyn spoke, "he could have been a lot of help."
"I know they are alive and well, I can feel that," Xavier assured her.
"Good," her voice shook slightly.
Everybody had the same thought. Where the hell did Damien and Adriana go? But this wasn't the time to dwell on these.
"Ryan, get everyone to be present in the meeting room in half an hour."
"Yes, Alpha."
Everyone left the room, including Selena, who went with Ileana to help her prepare for her departure.
'Do you realize what is at stake?' Zion spoke up.
'I know.'
'Losing this war means the death of thousands of our kind, demolition of our pack and leaving our mate with them for a lifetime of torture.'
'I know, Zion.'
'I don't want her going to their camp.'
'You think I do? With the reasons she gave, I don't have anything solid to ask her not to do this or to send someone else in her place.'
'Lock her up,' the wolf said grumpily.
Xavier scoffed, 'Do you really wanna be rejected?'
The wolf chuckled.
'Just in case, I am proud of you, human.'
'Shut it,' Xavier growled, 'we are not dying by their hands.'
'I know.'
____|~.~|____
When the time of the meeting came, everyone was there. With the death of Kennedy, the whole pack knew that the atmosphere was dire.
"First thing first, I want you guys to know that I am proud of you all. For the last few months, even under the constant threats, the way we have all worked has amazed me and the credit goes to you guys for keeping your faith on me and trusting me to do the right thing."
Everyone cheered, along with Connor, Ryan, Evelyn and the other family members.
"However," everyone became quiet, allowing him to continue, "For the safety of the pack, we have decided to send the pregnant women and the kids to an allied pack for the time being."
The silence continued.
"The hunters don't play fair. We can't send the whole pack, therefore these measures are being taken. The other non-warriors, you guys will find yourselves in the safety bunk if an emergency arises. With the basic training, I am expecting that you all will be able to defend yourself at least until a warrior can come to your aid."
"We won't disappoint you, Alpha."
Xavier smiled.
"For how long will these arrangements last, alpha?" someone from the crowd asked.
"At least two weeks. We are hoping by that time, we will be able to settle the matter." Every whispered among themselves, "My sister, Ileana, will also be joining you guys. She will be the one you will answer to while there."
"Yes, Alpha."
Xavier nodded, "Meeting dispersed for now, the two warrior heads, Seth, Roy, find me in my office."
The meeting only consisted of Xavier and Ryan explaining their plan to them.
Jayce had meanwhile escaped to Aiden's room with his mate. He was in turmoil about sending Nic away.
"Jayce," Aiden whispered as he sat beside the man, "this is the best option for him."
"I know, it is scary though, the thought that I might never see him again."
"Daddy?"
Both of them looked at the door to find Nic there with a frown on his face.
"Hey buddy," Jayce said, making the boy run towards them.
"Why is Awpha packing my bags? Are we leaving?"
Aiden's heart broke for the kid, he had barely gotten settled in this new place and now he was being moved again.
"Hey big boy," Aiden knelt down on the ground beside him and smiled at Nic cheerfully, making him smile back with the same enthusiasm. The bond between these two warmed Jayce's heart every time he saw them interacting.
"Tell you what," Aiden continued, "Your daddy has some very urgent work for a few days. So he won't be able to play with you as much as he did. So for a few days, Alpha Xavier is sending you and all the other kids for a small, fun trip to another pack."
"I don't wanna go all alone!" Nic cried with a frown.
"You won't be alone, baby," Jayce joined in, "There will be other kids, and Aunty Ileana will be there too. You will have a lot of fun."
"You pwomise?"
"Mhmm," Aiden said and held Nic's pinky with his own.
"Can I go choose my own clothes?" he asked all excited again.
"Sure, buddy," Jayce said and pulled Nic in for a hug. The hug lasted longer than expected and he held on until the little boy struggled. With a chuckle from his father, Nic ran off again.
"Hey," Aiden whispered as he now stood in front of Jayce, "We will win, and you will see him again. Don't you give up now."
Aiden wiped off a teardrop from Jayce's cheek and the man wrapped his arms around his mate's waist.
"Yes we will," he said now with confidence, "They took my family from me once, my parents, my little brother... I won't let them take this one. I won't..."
Aiden too wrapped his arms around Jayce.
The meeting had extended longer than expected, the men had a lot of questions and it took Xavier quite a while to explain the whole deal to them. When he returned to his room, he wasn't surprised to find Selena awake.
"I know you don't want me to do this," she said before he could say anything, "And I appreciate that you are not stopping me."
"I don't want you to do this," Xavier repeated, "Every single bone in my body, every single nerve is screaming at me to not let you go, but I know you need this. Just... promise me, that you will come back to me. Promise me you won't die."
"Ipromise," she answered without missing a beat, and it was a promise she verymuch intended to keep.