Claire’s POV
After hearing about the leak, about how Leo was in active danger, and how Gideon was too far away to get back in time to help. I knew I had to go help.
I had already been conflicted about staying, when what I really wanted was to be at Leo’s side. Ivan’s warnings had struck me though Gideon could have been setting me up.
That idea had held me back before, when I knew there wasn’t much I could do, even if I had gone to Leo’s side. I wasn’t a healer. Other than simply being there, I didn’t know I would have helped.
This was different. This was about protecting Leo from an outside source. That I was experienced with and well–practiced with. If I went, I could help, I could keep Leo safe and fight off those who wanted to hurt him.
I couldn’t stay away anymore.
Ivan didn’t understand, and as I packed my bag, he stood in the doorway, watching. “This could be a trap. He could be getting more desperate, and with that, his lies could becoming more extreme.”
“I’m aware,” I said. “But it doesn’t change anything for me. If Leo needs me, I will be there, and that’s all there
is to it.”
Ivan sighed. “Peter is still healing. He can’t go with you this time. But I insist you take other warriors with you. A full group, as many as you’ll need. They can help you protect Leo if he really is in danger, or they can protect you and bring you back if it’s a trap.”
A little surprised, I stopped packing to look at him. “You are really going to let me go?” I was going to go anyway, but I thought I’d have to fight for it a little bit harder.
Instead, Ivan seemed to have given very soon.
He didn’t smile, but the corner of his mouth quirked upward just a little. “I know better than to argue with you when you set your mind to something.”
I gave him a bigger though still soft smile. It was wobbly, like it would fall any minute. “I already feel like I’m failing Leo. If I don’t go, I’ll have myself entirely convinced that I’m a terrible mother.”
“We can’t have that,” he said. “When you are the best mother that I know.”
“Thank you, Ivan. Thank you for understanding.”
“I only hesitated because I want you to be safe,” he said.
“I know.”
“I’ll gather the warriors,” he said and stepped away.
No sooner had he gone out through the doorway than Nova came bouncing in. “Mommy! Where are we
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Chapter 136
going?”
“Angel. I told you. You have to stay here and be good for Uncle Ivan.”
20 vouchers
She pouted. “But I want to help. If you are going to see Leo, I want to be there! I won’t be any trouble. I promise.”
“I’m sorry, Nova. But you can’t come this time.”
“But I’m worried about Leo too!”
“No, Nova.”
“But, Mom-‘
“No!” I raised my voice, something that had never happened before. I didn’t mean to, even in this case, but the stress of what was happening to Leo hurt me deeply. I didn’t mean to take it out on Nova. “Nova…” I said, immediately softening.
She shook her head, her tears rising. Rushing out of the room, she ran to her bedroom, where she slammed the door closed behind her.
Later, after packing, I went to her door and knocked. I didn’t want to end things on a bad note. But she didn’t answer, clearly ignoring me.
“I love you, Nova,” I said through the door. “I’ll be home soon.”
Heart heavy for more than one reason, I said goodbye to Ivan and entered one of the cars that was going to take us across the border.
We’d made it about twenty minutes past the border when I began to hear noises from the trunk. At first, I thought it was the luggage shuffling. But then, after a few more thuds, I thought it might be someone alive.
“Stop the car,” I said.
Exiting, I went to the trunk, popped it open, and found Nova. The little stowaway had hidden herself in the
trunk.
“Nova!”
The little sneak seemed smug, so happy with herself. “I’m here now. You can’t send me away!”
“Watch me,” I said, my rage at her disobedience warring with my fear for her safety. It was more than I could deal with, as my nerves were already stretched to the limit.
Turning to one of the warriors who had also exited the car, I told them, “Take Nova back to the pack house. Spare one of the cars.”
“I’m going with you!” Nova shouted, scrambling out of the trunk. “I don’t care what you say!”
“You are not,” I told her flatly. “You are going to be a good little girl, go back to the pack house, and wait.”
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Chapter 136
“Not
“Yes,” I insisted.
Tear welled in her eyes. Her body seemed to shake with emotion. “I hate you” she grumbler
20 vouchers
She’d said it very softly, but it had been enough to strike through my heart. “You don’t mean that.” I said, but the damage had been done.
She turned away from me in a huff. “I’m walking back!” she announced and started her trek.
I looked to one of the warriors.
“I’ll go with her,” they told me then jogged to follow along behind Nova.
I wanted to make things right with Nova, but I couldn’t waste any more time. Every second we spent here was a second Leo was in grave danger. I had to get to him as soon as possible, even if that meant leaving this broken with Nova for now.
She was my darling daughter. She had to know that. When Leo was safe, I would return and we would fix things. Like we always did.
“We have to press on,” I said, when I noticed some of the other warriors standing around looking at me.
They moved at once, and before long, we were back in the car, pressing forward.
Nova’s POV
I was annoyed with my mom. I had been so mad that I had told her I hated her, but I didn’t think that was really true. Really, I loved her a lot. I was just hurt.
I wanted to see Leo, and I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t let me come.
The warrior escorting me stayed quiet as he walked behind me. It wasn’t until I heard a sharp gasp and then a thud, that I even thought to look around.
The warrior was flat on the ground in the middle of the road. A pool of blood was forming around his body.
I was pretty sure he was dead.
From the shadows stepped a few strangers, including one holding a gun. It had some kind of thing on the end that must have dampened the sound.
“Some challenge this turned out to be,” said one of the strangers to the other. “I thought we were going to have to sneak into Ivan’s pack to steal the girl. I didn’t think we’d find her just walking down the street.”
“Stop squawking and grab her,” said the other, the one with the gun
They wanted to take me? Kidnap me?
I wouldn’t let them. I was my mother’s daughter, a born fighter!
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Chapter 136
“Not
“Yes,” I insisted
Tear welled in her eyes. Her body seemed to shake with emotion. “I hate you she grumbled.
2200
She’d said it very softly, but it had been enough to strike through my heart. “You don’t mean that, I said, but the damage had been done.
She turned away from me in a huff. “I’m walking back!” she announced and started her trek.
I looked to one of the warriors.
“I’ll go with her,” they told me then jogged to follow along behind Nova
I wanted to make things right with Nova, but I couldn’t waste any more time. Every second we spent here was a second Leo was in grave danger. I had to get to him as soon as possible, even if that meant leaving this broken with Nova for now.
She was my darling daughter. She had to know that. When Leo was safe, I would return and we would fix things. Like we always did.
“We have to press on,” I said, when I noticed some of the other warriors standing around looking at me.
They moved at once, and before long, we were back in the car, pressing forward.
Nova’s POV
I was annoyed with my mom. I had been so mad that I had told her I hated her, but I didn’t think that was really true. Really, I loved her a lot. I was just hurt.
I wanted to see Leo, and I didn’t understand why she wouldn’t let me come.
The warrior escorting me stayed quiet as he walked behind me. It wasn’t until I heard a sharp gasp and then a thud, that I even thought to look around.
The warrior was flat on the ground in the middle of the road. A pool of blood was forming around his body.
I was pretty sure he was dead.
From the shadows stepped a few strangers, including one holding a gun. It had some kind of thing on the end that must have dampened the sound.
“Some challenge this turned out to be,” said one of the strangers to the other. “I thought we were going to have to sneak into Ivan’s pack to steal the girl. I didn’t think we’d find her just walking down the street.”
“Stop squawking and grab her,” said the other, the one with the gun.
They wanted to take me? Kidnap me?
I wouldn’t let them. I was my mother’s daughter, a born fighter!
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Chapter 136
I tried to kick and shove and punch to the best of my ability
But I was only six.
25 char
Within only a few seconds, I was bound and gagged, hiked over one of the stranger’s shoulders, and carried off into the woods.
Tears in my eyes. I couldn’t even scream.
田
AD
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16.06 Thu Jan 20
Chapter 137
Chapter 137
