Chapter 125


    E


    The waiting is horrible.


    I did exactly as Sinir asked and followed the guards to the safe house, taking only a


    few essentials. We left our phones and technology behind, and then I was piled into


    the back of a car and hidden under a nket just in case someone found a way to


    glimpse through the ck out windows. We drove for more than half an hour, making


    all kinds of twists and turns. I’m sure some of it was just evasive driving to make sure


    we weren’t being followed, which worries me more than I’d like to admit.


    As Iy there I realized that Sinir must have been afraid that this attack might be


    used as adistraction for the Prince to make a move against me, and that possibility


    seems more and more likely the more I think about it. Hadn’t the Prince been nning


    a distraction just like this before the Queen died? It’s no wonder Sinir hadn’t


    wanted me to stay at the house even though it’s the most secure building in the city


    next to the Royal Pce.


    When we arrived at the safe house I was relieved to discover it was a veritable


    fortress. It dídn’t even look like a house, In fact, when the car pulled to a stop in front


    of a huge rock wall on the side of a mountain, I assumed one of the guards needed to


    use the restroom or somethíng. I couldn’t have been more surprised when they all


    exited the car and began pressing on the rocks, moving their hands around on the


    granite until they found the right spot and pushed in. It took all four of them, each


    pressing on a specific spot in perfect unison, before the mountain itself opened up.


    The rock wall slid inward, even though it had lookedpletely solid from the outside.


    One of the guards lifted ne out of the car and carried me inside, and all but the driver


    entered with me. Just before the wall closed behind us, I saw the car speeding away


    again. It had all happened in about 30 seconds, and when I look around I’m amazed


    to discover that the interior of the mountain is as luxurious andfortable as the


    mansion. Despite being an actual cave, electricity lights the sprawling rooms, which


    are fully furnished and decked out with amenities.


    When I look back at the entrance I discover a keypad mounted in the rock, but no sign


    of the door. A sh of ustrophobia overtakes me and I worry about how I’ll get out


    again, but I take a deep breath and try tofort myself with the knowledge that no


    one could possibly find me here.


    There are books and games filling the bookcases, as well as a space to exercise, but


    little other entertainment. I investigate the kitchen and find only a pantry full of canned


    goods, as well as a freezer full of frozen food. I decide to try and distract myself by


    baking, thinking that I might be able to wee Sinir home with some homemade


    cookies or something simr. However when I move towards the pantry, my head


    guard Gabriel crosses his arms over his chest. “You’re still on bed rest, Luna.”


    I arch my brow at him, experiencing a familiar rush of annoyance to be bossed around


    by someone who is not my mate. “I can be on my feet for twenty minutes. After that,


    I’ll sit at the counter.”


    He rumbles wordlessly, as if he’s unsure whether or not he should allow me this work


    around. I notch my chin up defiantly, cradling my belly. As if he could ever care more


    about my baby’s well being than I do. I think grumpily. Besides, an extra five minutes


    on my feet when I’m doing something that rxes me.


    “If you’re that concerned then you can bring me all of the ingredients and do the clean


    up.” I suggest slyly, perfectly happy to let him take over the less fun job.


    “Alright.” Gabriel agrees, seeming pleased to have a task. “What do you need?”


    I rattle off a list, and begin opening ingredients as Gabriel collects bowls and


    measuring cups. “Has something like this ever happened before?” I ask after a


    moment, wondering if he resents the fact that he’s trapped here with me instead of out


    fighting with Sinir and the enforcers.


    “Not in my memory.” Gabriel replies grimly.


    Centuries ago this sort of thing wasn’t that umon. Bands of rogues would join up


    and even form coalitions at times. Under a powerful rebel leader, rogues have tried to


    take down entire packs before, but the idea that this is happening in this day and age


    is unheard of.”


    “How bad is it going to look for Dominic?” I inquire, measuring out flour and sugar.


    “Im not sure.” He answers, taking a packet of butter from the freezer and setting it in


    the microwave for me. “If he’s able to prevent the attack entirely he’ll get celebrated


    for protecting the pack, but it doesn’t look good that the rogues felt emboldened


    enough to take him on.”


    “Like people might thing he’s not providing enough of a deterrent to keep them out,


    that he looks weak to outsiders?” I rify, trying to understand.


    “Exactly.” Gabriel confirms. “I can guarantee that’s how the Prince will spin this.”


    “That isn’t fair.” I argue glumly, beginning to cream the thawed butter. “I hate that he


    keeps causing all this trouble but Dominic is the one who pays the price.”


    Gabriel frowns. “Being Alpha is a thankless job most times. When every thing goes


    right no one notices, because he’s just doing his job. But if something goes wrong


    then he gets dragged through the mud.”


    I catch myself growling, “Dominic does everything for his people, they ought to


    recognize that.”


    “I agree.” Gabriel replies, smothering a smile.


    “How long will this all take?” I inquire after a pause.


    “The state of emergency? It could be hours, or days,- depending how serious the


    situation is.” Gabriel exins with a grimace.


    “Do you wish you were out there with them?” I ask, watching his expression closely.


    Gabriel blinks, looking surprised. “Of course not.”


    He answers, seeming amazed that I should even ask.


    “You have to admit this is a lot more boring that being in the thick of it.” As the words


    leave my mouth I realize how insensitive they might sound.


    “I mean I know battle is a terrible thing, but it can’t be easy babysitting me when


    everyone you care about is out risking their lives.”


    Gabriel had been carefully closing the bags and boxes of ingredients once I finished


    with them, but now he goes still. “Do you have no idea what an honor it is to be


    assigned to guard you? The men in this room are here because the Alpha has


    deemed us the fiercest warriors in his guard – the ones most trusted to protect you if


    he can’t. Our positions are second only to his beta.”


    “Oh.” I breathe, processing this information. “I didn’t realize.” This information dances


    through my head, trying to make sense of this. “And you don’t resent the fact that you


    might be hurt for my sake?”


    He shakes his head, giving me a look that says he thinks I’m crazy. “You’re new to all


    this, but you have to understand that without you, the pack is weaker. A pack’s Luna is


    incredibly important sacred not only because she gives us heirs and the next


    generation of Alphas, but because she leads the she-wolves, she is the Alpha’s rock.


    The Alpha might be the pack’s backbone, but the Luna is its heart. Any of us would


    dlyy down our lives for you.”


    “But I don’t want anyone to die for me.”I murmur softly, staring at the cookie batter in


    front of me.


    “of course you don’t.” Gabriel smiles. “That’s what makes you a good Luna.’This material belongs to N?velDrama.Org.


    I find myself blushing, barely able to utter my thanks. Gabriel and I continue baking in


    melting chocte sticking to the baking tray. The other guards appear as the scent


    wafts through the house, and before long I have to confiscate the remaining cookies


    so that there will be some left over for Sinir.


    Soon after the cookies finish, a deafening chime sounds outside, and all the guards sit


    up in surprise.


    “That was fast.” One of the other guards, Sean remarks in surprise.


    “Is that the all clear?” I ask curiously.


    “Yes, but maybe we should wait for Sinir.”


    Gabriel suggests.


    “He told us to bring her home at the all clear.” Sean counters.


    “I don’t know,” Gabriel hesitates. “Something feels off.”


    “We have our orders.” Sean insists. “I say we follow protocol and take her home.”


    “Alright.” Gabriel agrees with a heavy sigh.


    We move into a room I hadn’t noticed before, which leads to a small garage. We climb


    into a waiting vehicle and Gabriel presses a button on something which looks


    suspiciously like a garage door opener. For the second time that day, the mountain


    opens, and we take off into the night.


    Of course, this is a decision Ille to regret terribly. I wish we hadn’t left the safe


    house. I wish we’d waited for Sinir toe for us. If we had, my guards might still


    be alive… and my own life might have gone very differently.


    But we did leave.. we left, and walked straight into the Prince’s trap.