For the Love of The Guardian

Guarded Secret

Lunch was served promptly. The large room filling with chatter as the plates were set on the table. All talking halted when the sounds of the front door closing rang down the hall. The large door leading into the family room opened slowly. All eyes watched as Sarah walked gracefully into the room, Liam following close behind her. Her gray eyes twinkled and she smiled her best smile, nodding to the Alpha’s as she moved to sit beside her father.

Before she grab her seat, Liam pulled it out for her. His eyes danced as he winked to her and then smirked. He didn’t miss the light blush on her cheeks as she took her seat and he slid her to the table. Liam moved to sit beside her, his knee resting gently against her own.

“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t make it.” Henri looked firmly to his daughter.

“I nearly forgot, but Liam reminded me.” She smiled softly to her father. “He came by the shop to walk me to lunch.”

“Well,” Henri’s eyes moved to watch Liam’s expression, “thank you for ensuring she made it to lunch.”

“Of course, Alpha.” Liam nodded to Henri, respect clear in his actions.

“Well,” Henri cleared his throat, “let’s eat!”

The roast chicken that was served was cooked perfectly. The juices exploded with flavor and were a perfect compliment to the roast potatoes and salad. Sarah noted that most of the males didn’t touch their salad, but a few did. Most notably, the older males in the room took care to eat it out of respect for the chef if nothing else. Sarah glanced to Liam, who was trying his best to enjoy the salad but struggled noticeably. Sarah’s chuckle at the situation caused Liam to set the fork down quickly.

“I think I’m done.” He half chuckled, garnering a smirk from Sarah.

“Really?” Sarah smiled to him, “The tomatoes are amazing! They’re from our own garden.”

“How is the garden going?” Alpha Jacob sat across from Sarah, his eyes watching the interaction of the young pair closely.

“Very well. I am hoping to have plenty of watermelon to share with the Alliance in a few months.” Sarah dabbed at her mouth with her napkin. “Though, to be fair, it wasn’t my planning that made it a success, it would go to Hera, Joe’s mate. She’s got the best green thumb on the estate.”

“Oh?” Alpha Jacob tilted his head slightly, “Who is Joe?”

“That would be the son of my Beta.” Henri chimed in. “I bright young man, just like his father.”

“Oh!” Alpha Jacob’s eyes lit up. “I didn’t realize he’d taken a mate already.”

The two men continued in small talk as the table slowly erupted in conversations. The plates were cleared and Asia discreetly brought Sarah a small cup of coffee, knowing what her afternoon held for her.

“Shall we take a brief break and then convene in the conference room?” Alpha Gene asked to Henri, knowing it would take some time for the group to settle down.

“That sounds perfect, I could use a good stretching of my legs before we dive back in.” Henri stood from his seat, and everyone around the table followed suit. “I would ask that all attend this afternoon’s meetings.”

“All?” Alpha Cage looked to Henri and then to his daughter.

“Yes, all. I would like all at this table to be in attendance. I’ll explain why after break.” Henri walked from the table and Sarah bowed lightly to her father. “Sarah, Liam, a word please.”

“Yes, father.” Sarah placed her now empty cup on the table and followed him out the door. She didn’t miss Liam’s presence behind her.

Henri escorted the pair from the large room, down the hall and up the stairs. Sarah right away where they were headed. The only spot in the whole building that was safe from prying ears, their apartment.

As they walked down the short hallway to the apartment door, Sarah recalled the first time she watched her father sweeping their home for listening devices. “We can’t be too careful.” Her father had told her at a young age. There was always a fear for her safety, that someone would be listening in to get close and know what was going on. The apartment door opened quietly and Henri closed it gently behind them.

The three stood silently in the living room, the fireplace clean and cold. The late spring sunlight moved brightly through the curtains of the window that overlooked the front yard. Sarah watched her father walk across the room and adjust something on the mantle.

“Now that we can talk freely.” Henri cleared his throat, “Should I inquire as to the nature of the relationship with my daughter?” Henri’s cold blue eyes fixed on Liam.

Sarah moved to slide her hand into Liam’s, missing his hand as he pulled his hands into his pockets.

Liam cleared his throat. “I am sorry, Alpha. I had hoped to speak to you privately about this.” Liam gave a half glance to Sarah, noticing the hurt on her face. He never meant to reject her, to put her in that position. Yet he still needed to show respect to the Alpha before him, he has not asked permission yet. “I would like permission, sir, to court your daughter.” Liam’s voice was smooth and confident, hiding well the anxious beating of his heart.

“I see.” Henri said, his expression stone. “How do you feel about this, Sarah?”

Sarah gulped back tears of rejection, she couldn’t help it. The intentional pulling away from her touch pained her. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she looked to Liam, his eyes pained. She knew that look, Sebastian had given it to Asia many times. It was the look of desire. The want to hold his mate and make everything right again. Sarah didn’t intend to ignore her father, but she dove into Liam’s chest. Her mind swimming from his scent, pine and sweet citrus.

Henri smirked to the pair and watched as fear washed over Liam’s face. Henri gave a slow nod to the male, and the relief washed over him as he wrapped his arms lovingly about Sarah. He watched his daughter relax and breathe slowly, a sigh of relief coming from her chest.

“I take it you approve of the suitor?” Henri chuckled, as he cleared his throat.

Sarah lifted her head from Liam’s solid form, her eyes looking into his with adoration. “I approve.” She smiled softly to him.

“I have one thing to ask of you two.” Henri spoke and Sarah spun in Liam’s arms to face her father, “Keep the displays of affection to a minimum during the summit. I don’t want to deal with a fight for your affections.” Henri winked to his daughter.

“Yes, sir.” Liam smiled, kissing the top of Sarah’s head.

“Of course, father.” Sarah smirked. “OH!” Sarah leapt from Liam’s arms and ran down the hallway, leaving both mean baffled in the living room. She rushed back with a brown box, “I have to find Asia! I was supposed to bring this down at breakfast. I’ll see you both at the meeting, ya?”

Henri nodded and Liam chuckled, grasping Sarah by the elbow as she moved to run by. “I’ll save you seat.” He whispered softly, watching her ears turn red from blushing.

“Thanks.” She whispered softly in reply.

Liam’s lips pressed softly to her forehead, in the presence of her father, he couldn’t bring himself to do more. He smiled after her as she left the two males alone in her home. Liam swallowed slowly as he turned to meet the expression of Henri.

“The two of you should have time to talk, when this is over.” Henri walked to the kitchen briefly returning with a glass of water.

“I am sure we will make time as we can.” Liam’s face was held no expression, “May I speak plainly, sir?”

“Of course, Liam.” Henri examined his expression, “I’m no militant Alpha, what’s on your mind?”

“I worried for Sarah’s safety.” Liam exhaled.

“Oh?”

“What I am about to tell you will be a betrayal to my own father, but I can’t betray Sarah.” Liam watched the expression on Henri’s face shift, “My father is working with the elders. He has plans to take Sarah to them, somehow.” Liam’s brow furrowed, “He’s been working with someone in your pack, closely I believe.”

“It’s worse than I had feared.” Henri took a slow drink from his glass and set it on the counter.

“She needs to leave here, go someplace safe.” Liam’s face fell to defeat. “I don’t know if I can keep her safe.”

“You would die trying, wouldn’t you?”

“Sir, I know she’s not of age yet, but I tell you the truth when I say I know in the deepest parts of my soul, she is my mate.”

“When is your birthday, Liam?” Henri asked as though asking the weather.

“What?”

“The date of your birth, when is it?”

“Umm…” Liam tensed his brow and looked to the Alpha, “Winter Solstice, 12th Generation.”

“The night of the Eclipse?”

Liam didn’t miss the change in his expression, “Yes sir. I was born during it.”

“Why wasn’t that information shared?”

“My mother feared my birth would be blamed for the curse, so she kept it quiet.” Liam began to get frustrated, “What does this have to do with keeping Sarah safe?”

“Liam, there is a prophecy of a Guardian that will protect Sarah. Her mother spoke clearly of it. That he would be chosen by the Crescent Goddess, born the night of the curse and carry the mark of the protector.” Henri watched Liam’s brow furrow, “Tell me, do you have a birth mark?”

Liam swallowed and his lips pursed, slowly he removed his shirt and revealed the intricate tattoo that moved across his chest, the center of the display was a dark outlined crescent tinted pink. Liam’s fingertips tapped to the crescent moon on his chest, his eyes watching the expression of the Alpha.

Henri nodded, “A mark of the Crescent.”

“Mom said I was destined for greatness.” Liam pulled his tank top and shirt back on his body. “It always pit my brothers against me.”

“Sarah has the same mark, just like her mother.” Henri moved to the fireplace, his hands resting firmly on the mantle as he stared into the cold abyss. “I believe you are her guardian, Liam. I believe you would die for my daughter.” Henri turned to look at the young man.

“She needs to leave this area, until we can assess the threat thoroughly.” Liam ran a hand through his dark hair.

“Agreed, I have a connection in Koshen. I believe I will be sending Sarah to meet them.” Henri turned to face Liam, “You are the only one that will know where she is going.” His blue eyes were steel and cold as ice, as he glared into the young man. “Do not betray my daughter.”

Liam stared back, his chocolate brown orbs showing hints of gold beneath them. “On my life.”

“So be it.” Henri clasped his hand firmly. “Let’s get to this meeting, shall we?” Henri moved to the fireplace and shifted the object once more, then escorted the young man from the apartment.

“You should know,” Henri spoke as they walked down the hall to the conference room, “Sarah is never on time to anything.”

Liam laughed loudly as they entered the conference room. Sure enough, every male had arrived early and Sarah was no where to be found.

“Shall we get started?” Alpha Gene spoke loudly to the men in the room.

“Let’s give it a few more minutes,” Alpha Jaroth objected, “I know the ladies were bringing up coffee for us.” He pointed to the empty table that was adorned with a blue tablecloth.

“Very well.” Alpha Gene spoke, no malice in his voice, just a sense of exhaustion.

“I find it inappropriate that a female join these proceedings.” Alpha Cage spoke to Alpha Jacob.

“Should your heirs be in attendance?” He questioned him.

“Of course.”

“Then so should she, Sarah is the heir to Azure Rise.” Alpha Jacob spoke calmly to the easily agitated leader.

“Females can not be heirs.”

“They can and she is.” Alpha Jacob corrected his retort and then walked calmly away from the man.

Liam watched the interaction carefully, the sly smile his father gave him sent chills down his back. He didn’t trust his father, more so after knowing who Sarah was to him. Liam felt a twinge of pain at the mere thought of Sarah being injured. His eyes watched his greasy older brother move about the room like a python. With great restraint he fought down the growl the threatened to rumble through his chest.

“Sorry I am late.” Sarah burst into the room, her arms carrying 2 large trays of cookies and behind Asia followed quickly. “One of the ladies in the kitchen was injured.”

Liam rushed to Sarah’s aid and pulled a tray from one of her hands. They shared a quick smirk and moved to lay the trays on the table.

“Who was injured? Is everyone ok?” Henri spoke sincerely to the two women.

“Hera managed to cut her hand.” Asia spoke smoothly, “All is well and she is with the doctor now getting stitched up.”

“I swear that girl is a walking accident.” Sarah chuckled as she moved to sit beside her father, a small plate of cookies in her hand.

Asia chuckled back, “Is there anything else, Alpha?”

“Everything looks amazing, Asia. Thank you.”

“Of course.” Asia gave a low bow and exited the room.

Sarah offered her plate of cookies to her father, who took one with a small grin. Turning slightly, she offered a cookie to Liam as well, who took from her plate. The trio sat enjoying the delicious treat as the others swarmed the fresh tray.

“Shall we being?” Alpha Henri boomed into the room, causing the others to scatter from the table.

Sarah gave a deep sigh and settled into her seat as she listened to Alpha Jacob begin the meeting.

“First order of business.” His voice speaking in rich inflection and tones, “Adjustment of pack lines for the benefit of the Alliance.”

Groans moved across the room like a stadium wave. This is exactly what Sarah was expecting in this meeting. Her hands wrapped about her cup off coffee, hoping the caffeine would be enough.