Savior

Chapter 17

chapter17

Isabelle POV

The gathering is amazing. From the food to the dancing and the constant smoldering gazes being shared between my mates and I.

Throughout the party, I've had this feeling of unease. Like someone is watching me. Though every time I look around I see nothing out of the ordinary.. but I know something is.

"Hey, I'm going to go to the restroom really quick." I tug on Sebastian's hand. He nods his head, eyes going foggy before turning back to his beautiful shade of blue gray.

Austin appears at my side seconds later, leading me into the back of the house. I turn around, out of instinct I guess, and I catch the familiar gray eyes again. I stop. Austin and Sebastian turn back to me with questioning looks.

"What's wrong, Princess?" I turn back to them before turning back to the eyes. They're no longer there and I look around in confusion.

Where did-?

"Belle? What's wrong?" Sebastian pushes. They were there.. Unless I'm imagining things.

"I saw..  I saw something- and now it's gone." I rush out. They look to where I was looking seconds ago, before turning back to me.

"What did you see?" Austin's voice going protective.

I shake my head. "It's probably nothing. Let's just-"

Just then, I hear footsteps and my name being called. "Luna Isabelle!"

Sebastian wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me into his front. I turn and see Liam running to us with a piece of bloodied paper. The first two buttons of his shirt are undone and his hair looks as if he has run his hand through it a hundred times.

"Liam." Austin speaks, "What's wrong?" He makes it to us and dives into what he called me for.

"Something is wrong." I look at him with wide eyes. "I felt it earlier, when they were officiating you becoming Luna and Werewolf Queen. But I shrugged it off, thinking it was just my nerves since I'm always trained to expect the worse." He pauses to catch his breath. He felt what I was feeling earlier. Like someone was here.

"I found this in the cells, Luna."

"What were you doing in the cells, Liam?" Sebastian asks, tightening his arms around me. I'm tempted to remove them but he's actually calming my raging mind.

"Earlier this evening, something felt off with everything. Liza kept telling me that I was being paranoid, but I've felt it all day. Like someone was here. Someone was here. I saw Luna Isabelle watching someone so I tried to see what was happening. I've kept close to you all evening. Not invading your space, but watching out for you." He looks to the twins and back to me.

"Someone was here, I know that. I saw a man, I didn't really recognize him, nor did I catch his scent. I knew that everyone was gathered in one place, but I've been trained to spot something out of the ordinary, and this is it." He held up the paper.

"I followed him around the house. I think he saw me because he ran. I lost him through the house until I was back in the kitchen. Thanks to my hearing, I heard something from the cells, which I thought was strange because everyone was outside. Alpha Austin demanded them to be." He hands me the paper but I don't read over it. Instead I wait for him to continue.

"When I got there all of the cells were closed, all except Claire's." I stiffen at her name as Liam regards me carefully. "Claire's cell was empty and in her place was the note." He nods to the paper in my hand. "I grabbed the paper before reading it and running back outside. I got there just in time to see the shadows of two people hitting the break where the trees meet the field. I was going to chase after them, Luna, but I knew it would be wiser to come back to you." He finishes.

I finally look down to the paper. On it is messy handwriting that looks slightly familiar.

Up your game, Mutt. It's about time that the tables have turned.

I've watched you train.

I've watched you sleep.

I think it's about time that I come around.

Keep your guard up.

Cake wouldn't want you to die.

I read over the note once, twice, three times before I go to rip it. Austin takes it out of my hands before I can do so. He used to call Luna Elizabeth 'Cake'. So why would he be saying that? She's-

"Go find Cassy, Austin." I growl out. He looks at me with confusion. "NOW!" I growl out more forcefully. How did he find me? How did he find her?!

I turn to Liam, removing Sebastian's arm from around me. "Take me to the woods, where you last saw him." He nods and turns around to leave. I turn back to Sebastian. "I want you to stay with Cassy and Austin. You three are the only one's I have left. I need you to get everyone inside but don't give them a need to panic. Can you do that for me?" I ask. He nods.

Sebastian grabs my face, framing it with both hands before placing a long, lingering kiss on my lips. "Be safe please Belle. I love you." He mumbles against my lips.

"I love you too." I tell him before I pull away. He leaves in the direction Austin did and makes his way up onto the stage.

I turn around and Liam leads me to the place where he saw the figures. It's toward the front of the territory, where most of the guards are... should be.

"I saw them run this way and through here. I would've followed but I didn't want to take my chances and possibly die. They could have people out here." He mumbles catching his breath. I took off my shoes and sat them down by the tree, before turning around and walking forward into the woods.

"Luna..?" Liam's voice is hesitant. Not meaning to be rude, I ignore him and focus on trying to catch a scent; any scent. I hear him huff before the sound of his footsteps are heard behind me.

I walk further into the woods, my nose practically in the air.

Ellie, I need you to help me. I tell her. She's been on edge ever since earlier when I was in the room with Cassy and has been desperate to go and see what was wrong.

I feel her take a step up, not fully in control but enough so that my senses are all enhanced. She scouts the area, neither one of us saying anything for a moment before Liam calls out to me.

"Luna Isabelle..?" I turn to him slowly and his eyes go wide. I blink, forcing my eyes to go back to their normal color.

"Yes, Liam?" I ask, breaking his shocked silence. He shakes his head slightly before holding up his hand which had a piece of ripped fabric on it. The fabric looks slightly familiar-

"Claire." Liam states, no emotion in his voice whatsoever.

"Where'd you find it, Liam?" He turns and leads me closer to where the border is. There on the ground and tangled in a few vines are shredded clothes, both male and female. My eyes narrow and I take a deep intake of air, looking for any scent to catch.

I growl when I do. He found me. How did he find me? I've kept away from his pack, far away. I've kept Cassy hidden.. So how?

"Liam?"

"Yes, Luna?" He answers.

"Where is border patrol?" I growl out. He looks at me with a ghosted expression. "Liam." I state again after getting impatient.

"They are at the party." he mumbles after a minute. I regard him with a careful look, Ellie at the surface.

"Why were they at the party, Liam? Shouldn't they be doing their jobs? Why aren't they here?" I question.

"Alpha Austin told them to be there. I thought about countering with him for a moment, about the safety regarding intruders. But before I could he waved me off and told me everything would be fine."

I close my eyes and run my hand through my hair slowly before slowly opening my eyes. This is my fault. Had I would've figured everything out earlier, I could've talked to Austin and have people switching out border patrol.

"..Luna?" Liam calls out to me but I don't respond. Instead I swing my fist into a tree that I've been staring at. The force of my punch makes the bark chip and wood flake.

Liam jumps back, no doubt surprised.

I sink down to my knees and drop my head in defeat. "He found me."

I can bet that Liam's face is one of confusion and determination. "Who is 'he', Luna?" He asks after a heavy moment.

I sigh. "Thomas."

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

I call out to Austin and Sebastian the moment I step foot into the pack house. Worried stares greet me. Pack members look from me to Liam with worried eyes.

"Is everything okay, Luna?" Someone asks. I look to the person and see Clara, the woman who helped Cassy and I earlier today in the mall. I give a stiff nod.

"Have you seen your Alphas?" I question. A series of 'in the office' makes its way to my ears. I give another nod and start walking upstairs.

I catch their scents and I follow them past their office and into Austin and Sebastian's room. Cassy is sitting on the bed, out of her dress from earlier and into something more comfortable. Austin and Sebastian are standing, freshly changed also, while they all look over something. I drop the shoes by the door, catching Cassy's attention.

Cassy's head shoots over to me and she takes in my appearance. My hair is disheveled and my knuckles have dried blood over them from earlier. She stands to make her way to me but I stop her with my hand.

"He found me." I state.

She looks at me with visible confusion. "Who?"

"He found you, Cassy." My eyes drift to the floor. "I don't know how he did. I was careful. I made sure no one knew where I was.. No one. Not the trashy oracle from my old pack, not him, not even my first mate. So how did he find me?"

"Isabelle, are you talking about-" I cut her off with a nod.

Silence follows as the boys look to both of us with confusion painted on their features. "Give us a moment please." Cassy requests. Liam hesitates and I nod, letting him know that I was fine. He walks out of the door, but I know that he's close. Ready to protect me at all costs. Austin and Sebastian hesitate for a moment as well, before they follow Liam outside, closing the door softly.

Cassy walks closer to me and takes my hand. "Let's get you changed." I nod and blindly walk into the closet. I walk over to where my clothes are and get me yoga tights and a black sports bra; my go to outfit. Peeling the dress from my body, I drop it to the floor, uncaring if Cassy sees me at the moment. I pull on the sports bra and tights before turning around. Cassy watches me with a weary expression.

I haven't failed her. No not yet. But any wrong move..

I take a step towards her and try to walk into her open arms. My world goes dizzy and I fall to the ground.

The force of my head hitting the ground makes darkness overtake my vision and I welcome it.

`

I'm sitting on my knees at the same place where I saw Luna Elizabeth last time. This time I am looking at a white willow tree.

"Isabelle." Her soft voice meets my ears. I don't dare turn around, scared of what I will see in her eyes.

Disappointment, maybe? She walks around and stands in front of me.

"Look at me, Isabelle." She commands softly.

I bring my head up to look at her. "He's coming again. I need you to be ready, Isabelle."

I shake my head. "I can't, Luna Elizabeth. I-I.."

"Yes you can. You are my daughter. And I know I raised you right, so do not say that you can't do it when you know that you can." Her voice is firm. She only ever spoke to me in this tone whenever I degraded myself.

"Now, get up." I stand to my feet and look her in her eyes. "Think like him. That's your best bet. But also think outside the box. He can't do this by himself, Isabelle. Remember that." She hugs me tightly and I wrap my arms around her.

"I must go, but I will be here when you need me most. I love you."

"I love you." She turns into tiny grains of dust. Before darkness overtakes my vision her voice floats through the air;

'Happy birthday, baby-girl.'

'

"Princess, wake up." Austin's voice sounds so close. I thought Cassy put them out. "Come on, princess. Get up."

I sit up without opening my eyes. Rolling my neck to the right side it cracks. I repeat the action with the other side of my neck before finally opening my eyes. Austin and Sebastian are on their knees in front of me, while Cassy and Liam are standing by the bed watching me nervously.

"I thought she put you out?" They let out a relieved breath.

"You fainted." Sebastian says. My eyes drift over to him. I shake my head, slowly getting to my feet.

"No, I closed my eyes for a minute. Totally fine. We need to have a pack meeting."

"Now?" They ask in sync. I nod.

"Now." I confirm. "Liam."

"Yes, Luna?" He responds.

"Liam, what did I tell you to call me?" I ask, turning to him. He looks at me for a moment before answering.

"Isabelle."

I nod. "Thank you. Liam, I need you to get the guards back at the perimeter. Can you do that for me?" I question. He nods once.

"Yes, ma'am.. Isabelle." I smile sweetly. He walks out of the door, closing it behind him.

"Isabelle, what's going on?" Cassy questions. I walk over to the door and lock it, not that it'll do much.

"He found us. Me in particular." I say. The twins look at me with confusion until it clicks.

"Thomas?" Both questions. I nod. "H-how?"

I shrug. "I don't know how, but I do know that he is not working alone."

Cassy looks at me with apprehension. "How do.." She stops and shakes her head, as if she's scared to ask.

"Cassy, speak up. I can't help if you don't speak up. I have to keep you safe." I tell her, my tone is serious. Now is not the time to keep things back.

She seems shocked by my aggression. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be bitchy. I'm just upset and angry, Cassy. Upset that he found me, and angry that since he did, I put you in danger; 'Cause you're here." I explain.

She nods before starting back up. "How do you know? That he's not working alone, that is?" Her voice sounds slightly accusatory.

"Cassandra, you sound like you're accusing her-" Austin starts.

She shakes her head immediately. "No-no, I wasn't-"

"Then what were-" He begins to counter back but I put an end to it before it turns into a fight.

"STOP!" I growl. They both stop. "I don't want to hear arguing right now. I know because Luna Elizabeth told me. She's told me a lot more than you know, right now." I say, aiming the last part at a gaping Cassy.

Austin and Sebastian look at me with visible confusion. "How?"

I shrug. "What do you think I hope y'all don't think I like blacking out for fun." I say sarcastically. If anything they look more confused than before.

"She only talks to me when I black out; That's the only time that she can. She's on borrowed time though, so we don't talk long." I say. They nod, clearly in thought.

"Call everyone for a pack meeting in the dining area. I think it's big enough. Don't want to take a chance for anyone to be hurt because I decide to call a meeting outside." I tell Austin and Sebastian. Sebastian nods, his eyes going foggy.

I look at Cassy. "I will be heading to the dining area. Please don't go anywhere."

Turning around and unlocking the door, I walk out and down the stairs to the dining area. Minutes later, pack members start filing in with confusion marred on their faces. I wait until everyone is in the room, smiling at all of them. Since I am on the steps I stand over them, able to see all of their faces.

Austin, Sebastian, Cassy and Liam each walk in and stand at the back of the crowd, waiting for me to talk.

Everyone quiets when I cough.

"Thank you." I say loud enough for everyone to hear me. "I hope I didn't worry any of you with this sudden meeting, but I need everyone to be here and to pay attention."

Silence and respect flow through the air. "There was someone here tonight.. someone who I don't dare to mention by name. He got in and out of here undetected, aside from one person and myself knowing. It scares me that he was here and no one was able to notice. So to ease my worries, I want to suggest something. I want to make sure that everyone here is safe, especially the women and pups. I want women to be able to protect themselves and pups if we were to ever have an attack; so I will train you. All of you that would like to be trained. I will not force anyone to, but it is highly recommended." I pause, letting everything seep in.

"We will meet where the warriors normally train. Everyone needs to meet in the morning; 6AM. If anyone is late, they will run. If you are not able to make it because you are attending pups, please let me know. Are there any questions?" I look around. A couple of hands go up.

"Yes?"

"The person from earlier.. are they still here?" I shake my head.

"No, I wouldn't have called you all here if they were. I wouldn't risk putting any of you in danger." I cross my arm over my mid section. I look to another person with their hand up, this time a male. "Yes?"

"Are women going to train with the men?" He questions. I stop to think before shaking my head.

"No. It's not that I don't think that they can't keep up, but I am going to push men a lot harder than necessary. But everyone will train with me before the day ends." I say.

I look to the crowd and see one more hand. "Yes?"

He clears his throat before speaking. "Are we just going to train in the morning? Or will it be late afternoon as well?"

I consider his question. "Twice a day, weekends are break days for all. Unless you wish to train. 6AM in the morning, and 4PM in the evening. We will train for two hours so that those of you with jobs can make it to work in the mornings. As for the evenings, I can rearrange the time if needed."

Everyone nods. I look back to the twins and Cassy. "Any other questions?" No one speaks.

I am about to dismiss them when a little girl, probably no older than 6 makes her way to me. She climbs the stairs with little difficulty until she reaches me.

"Joey!" A woman calls out. I stop her with my hand and a smile. I lower myself until we are almost the same height, me just a couple of inches taller than her.

"H-hi. I'm J-Joey." She sticks her small hand out and I take it.

"Hi, Joey. Do you have a question for me?" I ask softly. She nods her head gingerly, masking a serious expression.

"Can Joey tr-train to?" She asks sweetly. Her smile is contagious and causes one to break out on my face. Her sweetness makes a laugh come out of me.

"I don't know, Joey.." I trail off, looking at her mom.

Her face takes on a crestfallen expression. I quickly pipe back up. "How old are you, Joey?"

Her toothy smile is back as she holds up her hand."5!" I shake my head.

I drop my voice a notch lower and bring our heads closer together. I'm sure that everyone can still hear my voice. "Between you and me, you look a lot stronger than them." I hear a few chuckles in the crowd and it's taking everything in me not to smile and break my serious façade.

She laughs and jumps into my arms. Her mother looks horrified, but I laugh, waving her off. Standing back to my full height with her in my arms, I look back to the crowd of pack members.

"Any other questions?" I ask again. No one says anything so I nod. "Okay, you're all dismissed. Have a good night and don't be late for training in the morning." Everyone disperses out of the dining area apart from Joey's' mom, the twins, Cassy, Liam and Liza. I walk down the stairs slowly with Joey in my arms, going on about something over the moon.

Joey's mom rushes up to me. "I am so sorry, Luna. Joey is a handful." I smile. "I'm Julie."

"Nonsense. She seems like a good pup. Isn't that right, Little Joe?" I poke her side and she squirms in my arms. Austin walks up while Cassy and Sebastian stay back, talking to Liam and Liza.

He casually drapes an arm over Julie's shoulders. "Hey Julie." he says casually.

"A-Alpha." She stutters. I narrow my eyes, tempted to let it go but before can, the smell of her arousal meets the air.

Her breathing picks up, as the faint smell of her arousal does as well. I try to ignore it but I can't. My eyes snap to where his arm is on her shoulder and up to his face.

He realizes his mistake before she does. I give her a fake smile. "Excuse me, I'm getting tired." I turn to Joey. "I'm going to lay down, Little Joe. If you want, we can hang out later." I suggest. She beams, and I smile back. I put her down on the ground and she ran into her mom's leg, holding on tight. I stand back up and smile tightly at Julie.

"It was nice to meet you Julie." I say, as kind as a mate can get in this situation before turning to walk off.

Austin removes his arm and reaches out for me but I move over. "Don't." I say firmly. He tries again.

"Princess-"

"I said don't." It almost sounds like a growl out of my mouth. He drops his arm hopelessly as I walk past him and to Sebastian. He opens his arms when he sees me and I willingly fall into his embrace.

"You okay?" He asks. I nod and lay my head on his shoulder. His arms go around me and mine go around his waist.

"Your brother is an ass." I mutter. He chuckles and mumbles into my hair.

"He can be sometimes." I yawn, turning my face into his shoulder. "Are you tired?" I only nod again.

"We're going to bed. Night T-Cassy. Night Liam, Liza." He announces. I hear them mumble 'goodnight'. He surprises me, picking me up bridal style, careful not to drop me. I bundle my arms in my lap, letting my body relax. We walk past Austin and Julie and I hear her ask him a question that pipes my interest.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Austin replies, "No. Today has just been an off day. Good night Julie." Austin gives me a short look, but I close my eyes, not wanting to see his face. We make it to our room and Sebastian sits me down in front of the bed, making light work with his shirt and pants. Just then I realize; I am in nothing but a sports bra and tights. Sebastian puts his clothes in the laundry basket he has by the bathroom, before walking back over to me. I've noticed, he's the clean one out of the two. Always organized.

He picks me back up, not that I mind, and throws the cover back on the bed before lightly sitting down with me on his lap. He turns off the table lamp he has sitting by his bed and the room falls into darkness.

He rolls onto his side and I slide off of him by default. Throwing his arm over me, he pulls me into him, tucking my head into the crook of his neck.

I inhale his addicting piney, woodsy scent. I let out a slow breath, closing my eyes.

"Don't worry about it, love. Just go to sleep, okay?" Sebastian's voice is low. I nod, throwing my small arm over him and pulling him impossibly closer.

"Good night, Sebastian. I love you." I mumble, getting more tired by the minute.

"Good night, Belle. I love you more." I smile into his neck.

It's silent in the room, the only sound to be heard is Sebastian and I's mingled breathing. I am about to succumb to the darkness when I hear the door open and close quietly. Austin slides into the bed and whispers to Sebastian.

"She's asleep?" I hear Sebastian hum and shake his head. "Princess?"

"Hmm?" I mumble, my voice barely to be heard.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you mad." He mumbles. I nod into Sebastian's chest.

"Can I touch you?" His voice is cautious. I'm glad he's asking though. I shake my head. "Why not?"

I don't bother to answer. "Fine. Good night, princess." I hum again. "I love you." he says.

"I love you, too, Austin."

The room falls silent again for a few minutes, and I think that the boys are asleep. Austin surprises me though. Throwing his arm over my waist and stomach, he lays behind me. I want to tell him to move but I can't. Ellie is even purring.

I smile to myself mentally. I love you too, Austin.

Stupid mates.