I will be your reaper...

The protectors arrive...

Felix Monroe's POV

The wind brushing against my fur felt like heaven. It had been so long since I was last able to shift and run free. To feel the snow beneath my paws, all these smells I haven't experienced in many years...It was all thanks to Aradia. I owe her my life and as such, will repay it. I have a feeling that she's special. I pray that I can protect her. My sister was special too, once upon a time. She was kidnapped and murdered for her abilities. I couldn't protect her, but I'll give my life for Aradia.

I've been running for a while, occasionally taking snow in my mouth to get water as I ran. How long was it since we escaped and ran? I know Celeste went straight to wherever Aradia was. She was able to feel Aradia more, given that she said Aradia was currently using Celeste's ice powers. The rest of us were quick to get back to our packs and coven to announce that we were alive and wait for Celeste's call. Given how the sun was shifting, It had probably been 2 hours since I had started running. I could smell my pack just up ahead. When I was kidnapped, my oldest son was fifteen, my youngest son was three and my youngest daughter was two. God, it had been so long. Their scent was overwhelming me now. Surely they could smell me too.

I was right. My wife and Luna had already shifted and were running at me full speed, tackling me the moment I stepped over the border. My oldest son, now twenty-two, did the same. It was glorious. I quickly shifted back, as did they, taking the two into a loving embrace. "Father! Where have you been?! Are you okay?!" I nodded, my eyebrows furrowed "I will explain, I promise. I remember being out on patrol when I was stuck with a wolfsbane dart. I woke up in a cell that gradually filled up and last year, they brought in two twins - Silver-white hair. The girl is very much like your Aunt Violet. I gave her my blood bond and have sworn to protect her, we must find the children. We can't let them get captured again" My mate nodded, knowing full well what it meant to be a 'special' wolf. My son also had a rough gist and we quickly went inside to check my old wounds. A doctor came to assess me in the Alpha's office that my son had taken over. I was waiting anxiously for that call...

The Doctor nodded at me "I can see the extent of the torture you suffered...I apologize, Alpha. What a horrid thing to suffer. Goddess only knows how those two children must be faring." The doctor gave me some antibiotics for the silver poisoning and that was when the phone rang. I quickly rushed to grab it "Hello?! Celeste is that you?!" the person on the other end cleared their throat and my shoulders slumped. "Forgive me, you must be Alpha Felix. I am the ex-Beta of the Crescent Lake pack. I've been told to call you and inform you that both Celeste and the children are here and in need of dire assistance. Celeste requests you make your way here as soon as possible." That was all I needed. I gave him an okay and yelled for the Beta to bring around the car while my wife rushed to get me a new shirt. My son gathered his belongings and my two other children that I pecked on the forehead, and we all set off for Crescent Lake.

The drive felt so long. I was fidgeting the entire time even though my Beta had his foot down on the accelerator, and we were going double the speed limit. My wife cupped my hands firmly and looked me in the eyes. I quickly settled down with a sigh. I looked at all three of my children - my oldest, Vince. He looked just like me. My second son, Finney, who was now ten, and my youngest daughter, Vira, who was nine. "Listen closely, children. We're going to Crescent Lake to help two young children. The little girl saved my life and I can return to you today because of her. Do you understand?" All three nodded happily, excited to meet the twins. My daughter sat babbling about how she brought her favourite doll so that Dia could play with it and my son was talking about fire engines. He had brought two for Erebus. Vince looked at me with a red face "I don't...Really know that much about children. But do you perhaps think they'll enjoy the pack specialities I brought for them?"

My heart was so full. My wife had raised three fantastic and affectionate children in my absence. "Goddess...Oh, I'm so proud of these three children. And my wife, also. You struggled alone with three children and an entire pack, I'm so sorry" My daughter put her small hands upon my knees and gave a bright grin "Daddy, it's not your fault! Mummy always said that you would be back and that you would never purposely miss out on watching us grow up! It's those bad guys! I'll kick 'em!" I chuckled heartily. My daughter was such a feisty little girl! She'd get along well with Aradia! I was blessed to have such a family.

My Beta drew my attention from the conversation I was having with my family. "Alpha, we've arrived. It seems the ex-Gamma, Scott, awaits us." I nodded and Scott quickly showed us where to park the car. We all rushed to get out and Scott sighed in relief, "I'm so glad you're here, Alpha Felix. It's a pleasure. Everyone else has arrived just moments before you." Scott led us to the front of the pack hospital where true to his word, four people I have become close with over the years stood, each with their families. A man with stormy grey eyes approached me "Alpha Felix? Were you also held captive and saved by the child?" I held out my hand and shook his own. He was Jessica's father, a fantastic warrior. One of the best among the Alpha's. "Alpha Grey! Indeed. I was kidnapped seven years ago and held hostage. Aradia saved me and each one of us. We all pledged our loyalty to her." The man nodded in deep thought.

"Come, we must go and see the children" Scott gestured us inside, and I was quickly hit with Aradia's scent. I took off running, stumbling over my own feet as I crashed into the OR. "ARADIA! We're here! We found you..." We all quickly surrounded her and knelt, Celeste doing the same. It was obvious that everyone in the room was truly shocked by the situation, but none of that mattered. Only Aradia's life. "I've been healing Erebus in the meantime and have done all that I can. The rest is up to him and the care of the staff here. Dia on the other hand...It seems that using her abilities prematurely has damaged her body. She had already resigned herself to death as long as her brother was safe, so her body isn't particularly keen on fixing itself." Celeste said through gritted teeth. She had no idea how to help.

"Sorry but...I have an idea." A girl spoke up from the back. A long purple t-shirt, black jeans and purple sneakers - casual but adorable. She looked just like her father but with large circular glasses on her face and freckles. "M-My father said that Aradia's mission was to protect her brother. High Priestess Celeste just mentioned that her body won't fix itself. Which, from my understanding means that she's just in a state of keeping her body afloat until she deems that her brother is safe and at that moment, her body will decline, no?" Celeste nodded at the girl and Elder Jaxon frowned at her, confused "It seems so, but what is your point, Mabel?" The girl stepped forward, and her fingers twiddled with her shirt. She was no older than ten. Quite an adorable child. "W-Well, father...I'm saying, I can use my ability to send someone into her subconscious. But... They would have to lie to her and tell her that her mission is not finished. That way, her body will begin healing itself so that she can complete the mission." Celeste's eyes sparkled with glee and Jaxon smiled, picking up his daughter and squeezing her tightly. "Brilliant! My baby is a genius! Goodness, how did I get so lucky?" The child blushed and buried her face in her father's robe. "P-Please put me down so that I can start the spell..." Mabel was gently placed on the floor and trotted over to the beds, pulling the leaver underneath to lower them to her height.

Mabel looked around the room to see who would go in and just as I was about to volunteer, Beta Lily Haven beat me to the punch. "Please, allow me to do it. I was the one who found the children..." her pack members looked away, knowing they couldn't dissuade her. "Are you sure? While Aradia will most certainly lose her memories, you also have a risk of coming back memoryless." Lily nodded and walked forward, causing us all to part for her. She climbed onto the bed and wrapped her arms around the two children, Mabel's hand glowing a lilac colour.

Lily was now fast asleep, cradling the twins like a mother. Celeste gestured for Jaxon to stay here and monitor the situation while the rest of us were escorted to a conference room within the hospital. The room was big enough to accommodate us all and we all sat randomly, rather than in ranks. The situation was sensitive and ranks didn't currently matter. I watched as Celeste stood up and looked around the room.

It was about to begin. The dreaded explanation.