André stood tense, his throat burning, his eyes damp, breathing as if he'd run for miles. She was quiet in his arms again. But he had learned. His grip on her was tight. His hands damp with her blood. His claws still deep in her flesh. Luc, across the way, wasn't even trying to control or conceal his tears. Theo watched Yvonne like she would disappear if he blinked.
"I know you don't know. But how much longer?" Luc growled around clenched teeth.
Before André could think of a reply that that question deserved, the girls went into another convulsion. André tightened his hands and closed his eyes. Feeling his nails dig deeper as one of her feet left the floor in an outward swing followed by her arms jerked up and down. Her arm pushed into his chest then shot forward and the sword fell to the floor. She slumped against him. This was different and frightening. He held his breath until he heard hers.
"The stone on Yvonne's forehead is darkening." Theo said in an odd voice. André and Luc looked over. The smoky grey darkened to pitch black as they watched. Her eyes snapped open and Theo caught the shell in one hand and the stone in the other when she sat up.
"Yvonne." They said her name as one. She smiled. Then focusing on the women in their arms, her smile faded. "We're out." Her voice was rough. "You can let them go."
"Then why aren't they awake?" Luc growled, still holding on tight.
"I think it's part of the spell. Let me open the blue package. I've been told it has everything detailed. But you can let them go, we're out, I swear."
She stood and wobbled. They watched her tighten her lips as she took small, controlled, determined steps.
"We're so glad you're back, Yvonne." André said softly. "It's just..."
She grinned at him. "You're worried about your Mate? She told me. I'm so happy for you." She reached the table and, grabbing the blue package, went back to the bed and sitting down opened it. On the top were note cards. She picked up the first one and read it. "Theo, please bring me the small bag under the table," She requested softly, still reading. "André, Luc bring them to me. You can retract your claws. We're out." She opened the bag and began removing items.
André took a deep breath and did so. He swung her up into his arms and carried her to Yvonne. She ran a cloth over his hand, removing most of Phoenix's blood. Then gently removed the large black sweater and had him hold her arms up and out, dampened a different cloth with a bottle, and began washing away the blood on Phoenix's arm. André looked away and swallowed.
"The note said if you hadn't used your claws one of two things would have happened." She said conversationally, moving to the other arm. "One: You wouldn't have been able to keep a hold of her. Thus losing her forever." She began to apply a smelly salve to the bruises and punctures. "Or two: You would have held her so hard her bones would crack." She began wrapping bandages around them. "The note also points out that we are werewolves. By the time they wake, there will only be pale scars. André, dress her in the blue sweater and put these gloves on her. Luc? It's Eevi's turn."
"By the time they wake?" André asked suddenly looking up from pulling her arm tenderly through a sleeve.
"Yes. In about forty hours give or take a few minutes. I should have looked at the clock when I woke." She began bandaging Eevi's arms. "Luc, the red sweater and gloves. Go wash the rest of their blood off." She picked up the note cards and read some more. "Theo, hand me that mug on the table. I have to drink it. And we are moving to the room next door. Leaving this one locked with everything in it, except this blue package and the little box holding a black stone? Eevi has to make sure it is clean before anyone one else can enter. Oh, and shut the window, please."
Yvonne downed the liquid in the mug, smiling at the pleasant taste. Picking up the package and box she walked with deliberate steps out of the room. The brothers shared a look before following her. Theo locked the door and. with a nod, headed to his room.
Yvonne smiled at the new room. Two beds were turned down. Her favorite plush chair was between them with a large knitted sweater like the ones the other women were wearing in dark purple, leggings, and fuzzy socks on it. A table piled high with books, a reading light, bottles of her favorite water, and snacks was within easy reach.
"I apparently will be the opposite of them. I won't sleep. I have the job of watching over my rescuers. The note says as her mate, André, you'll want her close and that's fine. It just has to be under my supervision. I have detailed instructions on what to expect or do by the hour. So go to sleep. I'm going to read." She pulled a stop watch form the package and set it. "Luc, thank you for all your help. I'm sure you're exhausted. If you can tuck her in, you can go to bed."
Luc's eyes began to sparkle. "Why does André get to stay?"
"Because she's his mate."
He tried not to smile and André had as much trouble. "I know that. What I don't get, is why I can't stay?"
"Because." She finally looked at him. Then down at the woman he held so tenderly and close. Her eyes widened. "Oh." She bit back a smile and rolled her eyes in a good imitation of annoyance. "Fine, I guess you can stay. I'm going to go have a quick shower and change. Have them in bed by the time I'm back."
Luc watched the door shut behind her and blinking, turned to take in the room. "This is the weirdest slumber party ever." He announced as he lay Eevi down.
***
Yvonne shut the door and clicked the lock. Turning she leaned back against it. Still not truly feeling that this was real. True, they were dressed different and both André and Luc were thinner. These were not memories. But it still didn't feel real. Her eyes took in the bathroom and some of the tension drained from her. Her comb and toothbrush were on the sink. In the shower her body wash, shampoo, conditioner, razor, and loofa waited. The towels were her favorite color and warming on the rack. Flowering potted plants were everywhere. Every tiny detail of the room felt like Phoenix's love. Yvonne tightened her jaw and blinked back tears. Turning on the hot water she quickly undressed and jumped into the shower. Letting her tears fall and mix with the water.
She had never understood why humans in movies cried in the shower. Humans' noses were blunt as were all their other senses. They couldn't smell the salt of tears. Or notice the trimmers of emotion. She washed her hair. The hot water soothed her. And her tears slowly stopped. She was happy for her brothers. Especially André. And Phoenix! The joy she felt that she was her new sister and Luna was intense. But the sadness and jealousy, darkened it. And she hated herself for it.
She leaned her head against the cool tiles. "Thank you for sending their mates." She breathed. "Thank you for saving Lorenzo and me. I know my mate is out there somewhere. I do. I'm trying to be patient. It's hard. But I trust you."
A feeling of peace took the last of her tears away. She felt the Moon Goddess's love fill her. Burning away the jealousy.
"Thank you. But could you point him my way soon?"
She turned off the water and stepping out of the shower wrapped herself in a warm towel. Smiling as she checked the time and began to untangle her hair, deciding to join the French braid gang.
***
André held Phoenix in his arms and listened to his brother snore and his sister cry. The hospital wing didn't have sound proof rooms like the other wings did. And as an Alpha his senses where more powerful. He was sure she didn't know he could hear her. He tucked his face against Phoenix's throat and breathed in. Holding her was soothing. Her scent calmed him. But his nerves were still thrumming from the spell. He pulled back to look down at her. Her face was calm and her breathing even. No sign of pain or trauma. The smell of her blood only a memory. He touched his forehead to hers.
The shower turned off and with a sigh he slowly began to untangle himself from the blanket and her. Laying her head on the pillow he covered her gently and stood. As his sister walked out of the bathroom he pulled her into a tight hug.
She started to cry. He held her tighter and felt Luc join the hug. He lifted one arm and looped it around him. Holding both his younger siblings tight. After an interval she pulled away with a misty smile.
"I love you guys."
"Don't scare us like that again. We need you." Luc scolded.
"I'll try not to. Now go to sleep. Luc. You can barely stand."
"It's been quite a week."
"And I can't wait to hear all about it. But sleep first. I'll watch over your girl while you rest."
He kissed her on the forehead and stumbled back to his bed.
"André?" Yvonne's eyes searched his.
"Did she tell you she could have died?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't she tell me?" He turned to look at Phoenix, clenching his jaw.
"She didn't think you'd let her come after me if you knew it was dangerous." His head snapped to her and he opened his mouth. "Don't answer. It doesn't matter because it didn't happen. And that's another reason she didn't tell you. She didn't want you to make that choice. I gave her hell for it. Told her that she had a mate and she couldn't do that. Until we got to her memory where you realized. André, the sorrow she felt." She swallowed. "When I fussed at her in the past for actions that I felt were less then honorable, she'd laugh and remind me she was a rogue. She was a rogue, André. You're going to have to be patient. There have to be scars we can't see. I'm not telling you not to be mad. And you should give her as much hell for what she put you through as I did. But you need to know what you're doing. You need to think what you'll achieve or hurt first. And luckily you have 39 hours to do so. Rest. You'll think better when you wake."
André pulled Phoenix back into his arms. He had been ignoring the truth that Yvonne has just thrust home. His mate, His Luna, and quickly becoming true, his love, was a rogue. And not just a normal one. The Phoenix. She had said that most of the rumors about her were made up, but there had to be truth in them for them to have lasted so. Rogues everywhere were afraid of her and her 'brother'. Packed wolves shook at the thought of meeting her.
And she hadn't even blinked at the men she'd killed. No nightmares. No tears. Or doubts.
He stared down at her sweet face. She truly looked the angel Theo's brother and the twins thought her. But she had been a rogue for at least five years. Since that's when Yvonne first met her. And by then she'd been able to help Yvonne take down an Alpha. Which said longer. She was the Alpha Rogue's Luna and sister.
Would she be able to settle into a different life? He closed his eyes in pain as a question pushed through. Would she ever learn to trust him?