A small woman had her arms outstretched before her and Sam's brain tingled at a memory that eluded him at the moment. He wasn't sure how she did that and if she was a friend. A large man followed her and headed straight for them. As the woman with purple hair in a pixie cut stooped down, he remembered that this was the woman who was with James the day before. Sam growled, not liking Trishanna at the moment, but she was still his intended Luna as long as Bradley was alive. She smiled at him, placing a gentle arm on his shoulder. A warmth traveled through him and he relaxed slightly. She looked up at the man standing next to him. "Stop them, they are her mates and their fighting is hurting her and the pup." He just nodded and strode into the fray. Sam stared shocked as he picked up both wolves by the scruff of their necks like naughty pups and shook them. "Enough!" his voice boomed, and it seemed like it got through the angry haze surrounding the Alphas. He turned, holding them. "Sis, what should I do with them?"
Sam's jaw dropped, SIS? He looked between them, but Trishanna's groan of pain grabbed his attention. "What's going on?" he asked. The woman, Trixie, he remembered from his files, gently examined Trishanna. She stood, "Quick, get her to a bed". Sam wasted no time lifting Trishanna into his arms and crossing over the fallen warriors who just looked like they had the wind knocked out of them. He headed to his room, Trixie close behind. From the corner of his eyes, he could see Lorenzo scurrying towards him. He entered his room and laid Trishanna on his bed. She was covered in sweat and she immediately curled into a ball, her hands cradling her taut belly.
Trixie sat by her side, humming a strange yet calming melody that seemed to ease the pregnant woman's pain. Lorenzo stepped in, his bag in hand, but paused at the unknown woman. Sam gestured for the doctor to proceed and that's what he did. He moved to the other side of the bed and began taking out his gloves and stethoscope. His hands moved over her stomach as he checked both mother's and child's heartbeats, frowning at the rapid pace. He moved lower, checking under the sheet she was still wrapped in but there didn't seem to be any signs of dilation although he thought that could change at any moment. The doctor looked at Sam, concern in his eyes.
There was something like a knock, by a booted foot, and the door opened to reveal the large man still holding the Alphas although now in their human form, towels wrapped around their hips for modesty's sake. When they saw Trishanna on the bed, her groans escaping her, Bradley was ready for round two, but the meaty hand tightened on his arm. "Enough", Bruno said, this time quieter and with a final warning squeeze, he let them go. Lorenzo and Trixie backed up, allowing the two men to kneel on either side of the bed, their faces lined with concern and a hint of fear. "What's happening?" Bradley asked through clenched teeth, staring daggers at Lorenzo as if it was his fault that his mate was still in pain. "What's going on?" Both men were afraid to touch her, fearful that the slightest movement might send her into more agony.
Lorenzo shook his head, "She's in pain," Bradley clenched his jaw even more, "I can see that. What I want to know is why", he growled at Lorenzo. The doctor stepped back, his wolf sensing his Alpha's frustration. "I think she might be going into early labor."
"She's not, at least not yet" the soothing voice came from Trixie. Everyone looked at her. She sighed, "What she is experiencing is similar to a mated bond being threatened by death." At the look of shock, Trixie walked to her brother. "We are not your usual shifters," she began. "My brother and I are the survivors of an ancient world hidden within this one. In fact, our people are the true forefathers of all shifters and our kingdom was ruled by the purest family bloodline. My brother and I are descendants that were called the protectors of this royal lineage, but we were attacked. Betrayed really and only we escaped, thanks to our mother's ability. She opened a portal, and we escaped, as she stayed behind to fight. We believed that none survived, but now, we've found our charge, the only princess born to take the throne, and we were sworn to be her protectors since we were children, and now we have found her, our Princess Annalise", Trixie said this last part, nodding at Trishanna who still lay curled on the bed.
The men frowned, wondering if the woman was high. Bruno spoke up, "It's true, whether you believe it or not. We were sworn to protect her with our lives, a blood oath, and given a brand to prove our loyalty which cannot be broken. How do you think we knew where she was?" James frowned, still doubtful. "You said that what she's experiencing is like a mated bond?" Trixie stepped forward. "Yes, you see, since she is more powerful than a regular werewolf, she was given two mates instead of one of her kind. With the both of you trying to kill each other, it's like she's experiencing the near death of not just one mate but two. Twice the hurt and twice the pain."
"But that doesn't make any sense. Neither of us has mated her. Lorenzo said not to do it as it could cost her her life." Bradley spoke up. "I claimed her as my mate first." James glared at him. "Yet it's my pup that she carries." Trixie nodded in understanding. "Your doctor was right to keep you Alpha Bradley from claiming her, as it would have had dire consequences." Trishanna moaned and everyone's eyes went to her. "What should we do?" Bradley whispered, hating seeing her in pain. "Right now, she needs comfort, but, you have to get rid of your blood lust. She needs you both to comfort her. Together. That is the only way her body will calm down and keep her from going into early labor and possibly losing the pup and her life." Hearing that fact, the two men looked at each other. With a sigh, James was the first one to agree, quickly followed by Bradley. "Great. I would suggest you gentlemen take a quick wash so the scent of blood doesn't make her feel worse and then both of you cuddle with her, offering comfort." When the men hesitated, not wanting to leave their hurting mate, Trixie glanced at Bruno who took a step forward. Bradley and James got to their feet and each left, heading towards their respective rooms for a shower. Trixie turned to Sam, "Beta, I know this is your room. Does the Princess have quarters of her own?" Sam shook his head, still reeling from all the info he just got about his Luna. "Yes, she does. Should I take her there?" Trixie nodded and Sam picked Trishanna up and headed for her room. He linked Bradley to let him know. As he made the journey a few doors down, he noticed that the place was cleared of shifters and people. He glanced at the petite woman walking by his side and wondered if she had anything to do with it.
He laid Trishanna down and Trixie shooed him from the room. She went to the bathroom bringing back a warm wet cloth and began to wipe the sweat from her brow, once again humming the melody, a melody that was the lullaby from their kingdom. She allowed some of her healing power to flow and soon Trishanna's brow relaxed as did her body. She wet the rag and returned, wiping her arms. That's when Bradley and James returned and Trixie frowned at them. "I've managed to calm her, so the rest is up to the both of you. Keep her calm and comfortable. Let her know that your love for her is stronger than your hatred for each other and she will return by morning." With those words, she left the Alphas with their mate.