"You didn't eat at the bar-b-q. And you are too small to miss a meal." Celeste held a bowl of stew out to Phoenix. André smiled at her slow blink before his smile faded. Nine traitors. Nine Crater Moons acting as his pack members, spying, ready to kill a baby, Yvonne, and who knew what else? He lowered his head into his hands, only to have Phoenix come to kneel at his feet. Pulling his hands away, she replaced them with hers, sending waves of comfort from her touch through him. He looked into her beautiful eyes.
"What they did is a death sentence. The council is not forgiving of spies and assassins, as we all know. The Crater Moons' Alpha risked a lot. And now he will lose everything. And any of his pack that are found guilty of helping will be branded rogues, if not put to death. Knowing that, why are you beating yourself up for not knowing? The idea of nine here, even now, after we found them, is surreal. When I mentioned an inside man, I thought one. At most two. Who had been threatened or something and were in too deep. Nine sleepers? No." She smiled at him. "That's beyond even my imagination."
He pulled her into his arms. "Thank you." He closed his eyes, trying to let go of the guilt. Remembering his pack's shock when he explained what had just happened. The screams and jeers at the betrayers who still lived.
She cuddled closer for a second then pulled back. "You didn't get to eat at the bar-b-q either. And you're too big to miss a meal. Split it with me?" She reached for the bowl she had put on the floor beside her and scooped up a spoonful. Holding it out with an impish grinned. André's eyes darkened and he slowly leaned forward to take it.
"Well! We're going to go." Theo said with a muffled laugh. "See you in the morning, Alpha. Luna." And with that he pushed everyone out in front of himself and closed the door firmly.
Phoenix took a quick bite and offered him another one. "This was an exciting day. I wish Yvonne could have been here." She looked over to where Lorenzo was sleeping. "There will be nothing left but ashes of the Lunar Craters when we're done. But there will be so many innocents caught up in this. I hate that." She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes.
André took the now empty bowl and set it aside before pulling her onto his lap. "I'm on the council. And I will insist that a truth seer see each and every one of them. Those not involved and not tainted will be relocated into other packs. I will not let one undeserving obtain rogue status. And when we go to take him down, my men will try their damnedest to keep the causalities to a minimum. No one wants innocent blood on their hands."
She nodded against his chest and tried to stifle a yawn.
"Phoenix?"
"Hmm?" she hummed, her eyes closing as she snuggled closer to his warmth.
"Phoenix?"
He looked down at her. She was fast asleep. Her eyelashes dark fans on her pale cheeks, hair falling around her in a fascinating wave of curls, and her lips tilted up at the corners. He felt more of his heart fall firmly into her tiny hands. Everything he knew of 'The Phoenix' and her, telling him that letting her guard down like this wasn't something she did.
"Theo? I need help. Please come get Lorenzo. Quietly." he called via their link.
Theo opened the door and his eyes softened at the sight of Phoenix. "To your room?"
André stood. "Yes." He looked down at her again. She was so light and so trusting. He shook his head as he exited the room with her in his arm. Her ability to shift from a delicate female, to a warrior, then a laughing tease, to a serious Luna, and now to trusting child was still throwing him for loop.
***
Phoenix went from sleep to awake in a blink and without moving anything but her eyes, took in the room. Early morning light streamed through a wide window with a spectacular view, blue grey walls, gorgeous antique furniture, amazing art, and Lorenzo asleep in a corner crib. A heavy warmth was across her stomach attached to larger heat source cuddled around her back. She relaxed and the arm tightened. She slowly turned until she was face to face with her mate. His gorgeous blue eyes twinkled at her. She couldn't get over how safe she felt in his arms.
"Morning." his voice was husky from sleep.
"This isn't my room." she teased.
He winced. "I wanted to talk to you about our sleeping arrangements last night. But you fell asleep before I could. I need you both close. I don't think I'll ever get over losing him and seeing that knife at your throat."
She looked down at a big blue shirt that covered her and fought a smile. "This isn't what I was wearing."
He winced even harder. "As pretty as your dress was yesterday. It didn't look like it would be comfortable to sleep in. I kept my eyes closed the whole time. I give you my word of honor."
She had to swallow before she could trust herself not to laugh at his stammered reply. "You don't seem to be wearing anything at all."
She tried to sound stern, but looking up at his apprehensive face, she lost the battle, falling away from him as laughter took over. Only to be caught and pulled close. She leaned her forehead against his naked shoulder.
Her laughter flowed around, over, and though him, incasing him in light.
"Oh! Your face. I can't breathe. André. I didn't mean to stress you out. I just assumed the conversation wasn't needed. I mean, you're an Alpha who just found his mate, after waiting for her, me, for way too long. And then had to watch my life be threatened. I didn't think I'd be sleeping anywhere else." Laughter echoing in every word, a huge smile on her face, her eyes met his seriously.
He and his wolf let out a pleased growl. He framed her face with his hands. He slowly leaned in until his mouth was almost touching hers. She caught her breath.
'Do you believe in magic' blared through the room. He jumped back startled. She began to laugh again. And in a quick move, pulled from his hold and padded across the room to where her bags were placed. Giving him a fantastic view of her legs where his shirt stopped just below her bottom.
"Sorry, André. No one calls unless it's important. And Eevi's are often a warning." She smiled at him and slid the tab to answer it.
"Absolutely. No. Kissing." Eevi's voice sounded loud in the room. Phoenix's face fell into the most adorable pout he'd ever seen. Then the words registered.
"But Eevi..."
"You should have told me you found your mate."
"I didn't know until after I called you."
"No more touching. And categorically no kissing until after the spell."
"Eevi." Her pout grew and, he had a feeling, was reflected on his face.
"No. I've sent you an email with how to instructions on the detox bath you need to take and herbal tea you will be fasting with today. I should be there by nine tonight. You need a quiet, stress free day. With no contact at all between you and her brother. Or her nephew. Am I clear?"
"I hate this spell. How am I supposed to be relaxed when he's so close and I can't touch him? Either of them?"
"Phoenix!"
"Okay!"
"Thank you. Drink lots of water."
"Will do. See you soon."
"Bye, Little One."
She tossed the phone onto her bag and stood glaring at it for a moment before turning to look at him with a rueful expression. "It's going to be an abysmal day."
"We really aren't going to finish that kiss?"
"Eevi wouldn't have stopped me, us, unless it was important for the spell. I might have been able to kiss you if you weren't Yvonne's brother. Though probably not. Sorry." She pulled her laptop out and opened it. He stared at it and it's sticker.
"Is that Yvonne's old one?"
"Yep." She smiled at him over its top. Before reading her email. "Could you please have a kettle of hot water and a tea cup or mug brought up here? And a jug of drinking water? And could you also tell your pack I can't interact today. I'm going to be meditating. Because that is something I want to do. Why don't you take Lorenzo down to your office and try to catch up."
"What?"
"I saw the stacks of paperwork. And since there is no touching today, you might as well get as much done as possible. I'll come help as soon as I do this régime of Eevi's. It's for Yvonne. I can, we can, last a day. Even though it's wretched."
He slowly nodded. "For Yvonne."