Chapter 125
hapter 125 – E Hears the All Clear
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 a
distraction 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 didn’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 a*sumed one of the guards needed to use the restroom or something. 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 me 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.N?velDrama.Org owns ? this.
“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.
“I’m 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 everything 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 a*signed 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.”
I find myself blushing, barely able to utter my thanks. Gabriel and I continue baking inpanionable
silence, and soon cookies areing out of the oven piping hot, with 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 I’lle 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.