Love and Deception

Chapter Nineteen

Noah

Noah surfaced from the deep calm waters he had been floating in. It was a peaceful waking and he let himself stretch long and leisurely before opening his eyes. Doing so gave his mind all the time it needed to remind him of his last few moments of consciousness. He sat up with a start and looked around in confusion at the walls of his bedroom in the condo. The large window to his left was letting in a painful amount of daylight for his unadjusted eyes. He held a hand over the window as best he could while he blinked around the instant tears that had formed from the assault. How had he gotten here? How long had it been? Was Lucius dead? Carlie…

He reached through their mated bond and found her content and hazy presence exactly where it should be. She was asleep as well. Though clearly not with him. He growled softly as he looked at the rest of his empty bed. There was no way he’d been that injured. He reached out again and tried to find Luca through their bond as well. She was probably sleeping with him. Though if she was at the hospital and he was here he was going to be pissed. He wanted to be with her damnit. They’d spent enough time apart. He was able to locate Luca in his mind but only faintly. Like a soft little firefly darting in and out of his peripheral vision. He frowned again. Had Lucius managed to bury him in his own mind again?

“You’ll feel him more when he changes for the first time.” The other male voice in his room had him startling and growling. Not that it was his smirking Uncle Alex’s fault. Noah hadn’t noticed anyone else was in the room with him. “You’ll be happy to know that you are quite well, though I wouldn’t recommend any more strenuous tasks for at least a week. Your bones and muscles are reattached but could us a little bit of downtime to rebuild their strength. You’re right side skeletal frame has been reset with minimal rebreaking. The laceration to your lung and kidney have repaired themselves. And you’re body seems to have replenished the blood you lost.” Jesus how long had he been out? That sounded like he’d been close to death. “Closer than any of us would like.” Alex nailed him with a hard pointed look. “Carlie tells me Lucius hit you with some sort of spell. That would explain the silver-like poisoning in your bloodstream which prevented you from healing on your own until it was removed.”

“Is Carlie here?” Noah scrubbed a hand down his face feeling a little bit of stubble. He’d been out for at least a day.

“Ari was here waiting for you when the other sorcerer brought you and Elizabeth here. She’d already sent for me and thankfully I hadn’t left the area yet.” He held up a hand at Noah’s frustrated huff. “Carlie is sleeping with Luca in his new room. Her injuries were superficial and nearly healed by the time I got here. Though the exhaustion is taking its toll.”

“Is Elizabeth alright?” Alex grimaced slightly before disappearing again behind his doctor mask.

“She will be. Emmeline is here.” Noah grimaced this time. He was in for it as soon as he left his room. “That sorcerer hasn’t left either, despite what must no doubt be the most hostile group of individuals he’s ever been surrounded by.” Noah couldn’t help but smirk. He wasn’t so sure Wade ever cared about that if he felt he needed to be there. Or he could have just been way more stupid than Noah gave him credit for. “Your father brought Luca home when he joined us here. Carlie was very relieved and has been holed up with him in his room since she returned. They both apparently needed a prolonged rest.” Noah couldn’t help the smile that crept onto his face at that news. His mate and son were here in his home. His extended family seemed to be as well but who cared about that? “The witchling would like to speak with you. Should I tell him your feeling up to it?” Alex was a little too observant sometimes. Yes he would like the excuse to avoid Emmeline for a little while longer but he wanted to be with his family.

“Sure.” He could let them rest for a while so he could deal with the aftermath. Maybe he’d even be able to lower the occupant ratio in his, no their, home before they got up. He wasn’t surprised they needed some space from all of them. Alex patted his shoulder before leaving and made a nod as soon as he opened the door. Wade was visible a moment later. He entered and closed the door behind him before speaking.

“Noah. I want you to understand that I had no idea he was planning to take Elizabeth. I tried to get her out as quickly as possible but the threat of Lucius needed to be neutralized. I was the only one with magic to fight him off.”

“Wade, chill. I don’t blame you at all. I know you did what was needed.” Wade accepted it with a nod but his face didn’t seem to catch on to the program. He was sure that the majority of his guilt was at himself and therefore there was no way Noah could ease it. The best he could offer was a distraction. “So how did it finally go down? I know I took a chunk out of him but after that?” Wade eyed him warily and took a deep breath.

“Well, Lucius and I continued our battle. Though with his wounds he was forced to be on the defensive. He tried to deflect some of them at your sister and Carlie, who had left you to protect her. He may have gotten one or two in but she didn’t seem to be in any pain when it was all done. And Elizabeth remained unconscious until long after we arrived back here. But as we fought Carlie was able to see an opening and wounded Lucius deeply enough that I was able to ensnare him in a paralytic hold. After that I dispensed with his sentence and got us all out of there.”

“Dispensed his sentence how?” And could he just say hot damn but he had a fine ass mate? Protecting his sister and taking down her former friend and captor? He had every intention of showering her with compliments and bragging about her to anyone who would listen but right now he needed the details. He needed to know Lucius had met the end he deserved.

“I trapped him in a psychic spiral where he relived the pain of his victims on repeat. Basically.” Noah barked a laugh. Damn. So he’d actually done what he had originally planned.

“And that will take him how long to die from?”

“He’s already passed on.” Noah blinked a few times then shrugged and let it go. He didn’t need to know anything more about magic than he already did. However Wade knew that was officially his business. Noah was washing his hands of magic and sorcerers in anyway that wasn’t a casual sense. “It took me some time but I’ve removed all of his dark artifacts and books. They’ve been destroyed.” Wade seemed to be beating around the bush. Hesitating over something that he either was afraid to ask Noah or didn’t want him to know at all.

“Spit it out, sorcerer. I think you know me well enough by now to know that I’ll handle whatever it is better sooner than later.” Wade’s brow rose.

“Like the time you almost killed me at your sister’s house?”

“Which time?” Noah returned with a wide grin. Wade chuckled with a rueful shake to his head.

“I just…” He started then seemed to lose his nerve. He cleared his throat after a moment and tried again. “When Lucius and I were duelling after you were knocked out there was a moment. I felt something look our way. Something that doesn’t live on this plane. Something ancient.” He looked deeply shook by this experience and probably the most afraid that Noah had ever seen him. Even after Noah himself had raked his claws down his arm. “It didn’t do anything but watch but still. I’ve never done anything to gain the attention of something like that. My wand certainly has never been used in any kind of magic that would be connected to that level of otherworldly being. And I highly doubt Lucius was the one because whatever that was could have easily intervened on his behalf and we would all be dust. I just don’t know how or why it was there. Or what it means.” Noah had a feeling he did but he had no intention of sharing it. He shrugged instead and clapped Wade on the shoulder, jarring him out of his deep contemplation. On purpose.

“If it’s something you think you might not want to be fishing around in then you probably shouldn’t. We’re all good now. You can go back to doing whatever it is that you do when you’re not chasing and killing rogue magicians. I’ll be enjoying establishing my new family. It’s a win for everyone.” Wade smiled quickly. Clearly he wasn’t interested in letting it go. “So….when you say wand….” Wade’s eyes rolled and Noah knew he had the distraction he was after. Also he had some prime teasing opportunity that he wasn’t going to let pass without a single comment. “Is this like a euphemism for your d**k or we talking like straight up Harry Potter s**t?” Wade’s aggrieved sigh was more than enough answer for him. Noah laughed loudly and proceeded to pester the sorcerer with all sorts of questions, some serious, some not so much. It had the desired effect of relieving the tension and moving the conversation into safer zones. Not to mention Noah truly was grateful to everything Wade had done for them. This was the only way he figured that either of them would be comfortable expressing that.

Carlie

Carlie awakened when she felt Luca stir in the bed next to her. She still wasn’t used to the idea that Luca’s bed was the size her old one had been. And an exponential amount more comfortable. She also wasn’t used to sleeping next to him again. Feeling his warm little body pressed into hers and twitch as he dreamt of whatever he was dreaming of. They were home. The overwhelming reality of the changes in her life had finally crashed in over the last twenty four hours and she was still having trouble believing them. Everything was different. She’d taken part in killing Lucius. Luca was awake, well not at that exact moment, but he was no longer in a coma. They were both safe and sound with Noah and a house full of his family members.

Which brought her back to her guilt. Every time she looked at the faces of Noah’s family she couldn’t help but be drowned by the emotion. Especially when the conversation turned to hushed tones as they discussed the damage done to Elizabeth’s mind. Whatever hell Lucius had trapped her in had caused irreparable harm apparently. She was only allowing her twin near her. Everyone else was attacked. And she hadn’t shifted back to human since she’d roused the night before. Not that Carlie had dared to go see her. Alex had said that a few of the scratches would leave a scar. Apparently one of the only things capable of permanently harming a werewolf was another werewolf. Or in Elizabeth’s case, herself. Carlie was well aware that every time Elizabeth saw those scars she would be reminded of the experience, and who had put her in the situation in the first place.

How the hell was Carlie supposed to face those people? How was she supposed to take a place in their lives after such a deep betrayal? No one had said anything. No one had even given her a stray glance. They might not have known but she was certain that Alex did. She’d been glued to Noah’s side until the doctor had pronounced him out of the woods. He’d asked her questions about the fight and how the injuries happened, to both Noah and Elizabeth. She was sure her guilt and shame had been deafening to his telepathic ears. Not that he said anything. The silence somehow made her feel even less worthy of being in this house. In their presence. And after they had already done so much for her and Luca.

Ari had been here when they arrived, though how she’d managed to get there so quickly was still a mystery to Carlie. Erik had arrived shortly after Carlie with Luca in tow. She hadn’t been brave enough to ask how he’d managed to get him released. She was a little worried that he’d scared them until they did what he wanted. Or forced them. Neither of those were an option she was entirely comfortable with though she couldn’t argue with the results. She figured she’d wait until they’d left before calling the hospital to “follow up” on Luca’s care there. If they left. The parents were still staying at Noah’s cousin’s home but Alex was staying in a guest room to be close and Emmeline, Elizabeth’s twin, was curled up with her. According to Ari they were probably going to be like that for some time.

Ari was sweet as always, trying to pull Carlie into conversations and then insisting on her getting rest with Luca. She made sure to keep him entertained while Carlie struggled to adjust and deal with everything that had happened. She’d even gone out and bought everything that Erik hadn’t brought from her apartment. Watching the large elegant man handle the flimsy boxes had been an entertaining distraction. The barely concealed look of disgust he’d displayed while Luca unpacked his familiar things only added to the humor. She was sure that a slew of updated belongings would be showered upon Luca at his next birthday. Probably Christmas too. The longer she spent in Noah’s home the less of a problem she had with the idea.

She had originally thought that the wealth and privilege would change her and Luca for the worse. Yet she watched Luca as he seamlessly moved his home and accepted his large new family. He showed no immediate signs of change and his grandparents still treated him like she imagined any grandparent would treat their child. They deferred to her judgement on important things, though she was fairly certain she’d seen Erik sneaking him an extra treat after dinner last night. Though again, wasn’t that was grandparents were supposed to do? And Ari had only bought essential things he’d needed while Carlie and Noah recuperated. She may have added a new toy and a new movie but again, grandparents prerogative. All in all she was confident that they could in fact find a balance.

Luca stirred again, this time stretching and blinking rapidly as he woke up. He smiled when his eyes found her face. “How did you sleep?” She asked. His smile widened. “Good! My new bed is the most comfy ever!” Carlie chuckled. Whenever he’d been asked if he liked something new that was pretty much his response. He was already scooching himself to the edge of the bed after a quick hug and a kiss to her cheek.

“Where are you going?”

“Breakfast with Nana!” She laughed again as he took off at a run as soon as his feet hit the floor. He wrenched the door open and nearly collided with Noah who was clearly just about to knock. “Hi Noah. Bye Noah.” He called the last over his shoulder as he headed for the staircase. Carlie listened to his quickened little footsteps with a rueful chuckle while Noah raised a brow and then shook his head.

“How does he have that much energy already?”

“Oh he’s been storing that up all night. And there is plenty more where it came from.” Noah shook his head again and moved into the room to sit beside her. Thankfully he closed the door as he did so. She’d been hoping for an excuse to stay in bed for a while rather than face his family and here he was, providing the perfect one. “How are you?” She asked, reaching out to touch him as soon as he was close enough to do so. The instant relief that flooded her body as soon as the contact was made was a new pleasure.

“I’m good. Alex said I should take it easy-ish for a week but everything’s back to where it should be.” Another wave of relief crashed over her. “How are you?” She thought about that for a moment and then gave him a shrug.

“Anything physical has healed. And the rest...I imagine it will take some time.” He nodded sagely but still used his large hard to encompass both of hers. He used the other to trace the line of her jaw and exert enough pressure to force her eyes to his.

“Nobody blames you Carlie. For any of it.” Her breath left on a rush and she shook her head out of Noah’s grasp. Frustration trickled down their bond but he held himself still.

“That’s bullshit Noah. I’m a big girl and I know I f****d up. I don’t mind taking it.” He sighed heavily.

“Don’t take that s**t on Carlie. Lucius made his own choices and used you. Everything with Elizabeth was forced on you. Magically. Even Wade said there was no way you could have fought it any harder than you did. Hell he was impressed you managed to be able to keep a clear head.” Carlie didn’t really respond. Of course he would say something like that to appease Noah. And of course his family would say those things as well. It still didn’t change the reality of what they really thought. The festering distrust that would always live in the back of their hearts and minds. They would accept her for Luca and Noah’s sakes but she would always be outside the group. Noah got a grip on her chin and forced her eyes back to his. “Lucius was a very powerful, very bad man. It took two full grown werewolves and a sorcerer whose job it is to hunt down rogues to take him out. A process I hear you had a key role in.”

“I took her there Noah. She’s never going to be free of what happened to her and it’s my fault. You’re not going to convince me otherwise.” Noah’s exasperated sigh reverberated through the room.

“Will you ever be ‘free’ of what happened? Will I? No. They will be painful memories we’ll carry for the rest of our lives. Like the five years we each spent believing the other to be dead and gone. We’ll carry them but we won’t focus on them. Neither will Elizabeth. She’ll have external scars as well as the emotional, sure. But she’s a lot more resilient than you, and several people in this house, are giving her credit for.” She still wasn’t buying it, though what he was saying did make a small amount of sense. “Trust me, woman. I know my own family.”

“What about Emmeline?”

“Oh her rage is solely for me. As the elder brother and strongest wolf here, minus the parentals, it was my duty to ensure that her precious twin was insulated safely from harm and generally oblivious to all evil doings. I failed egregiously in my duties and therefore have earned her well placed ire.” He sounded like he was parroting the words which made Carlie smile. “Again, trust me. She’ll cool down once she feels I’ve learned what it is she thinks I need to understand.”

“Has she met her own twin though? I’m pretty sure Elizabeth would have tried to help you storm the castle if she hadn’t been dragged there.” Noah grinned.

“Exactly. Which, by the way, still would’ve been my fault for being unable to refuse her and force her to do what I want.” He rolled his eyes. “Emmeline loves people with her whole being. It’s very hard for her to process the fear of losing them. That tends to take the form of a vicious verbal lashing.” He shrugged. “Healthy? No probably not. But it does help understand where she’s coming from.” That also made a decent amount of sense. Carlie sighed and let her head fall forward until it connected with Noah’s shoulder. His scent immediately flooded her nose and sent waves of calm cascading through her. “I know it’s gonna take time. I’m just saying don’t distance yourself before you give them a chance. They’re just happy we’re all safe and sound. Even Em. Who loves Luca by the way and is insistent he can be no child of mine since he’s so adorable.” Noah’s eyes rolled again. Emmeline maybe was just one of those people that lived loudly.

“I’m really happy to be home.” She said with a deep contented sigh. She could feel the happiness radiating through their link.

“Me too.” They sat quietly together for a few more moments, soaking up the love and comfort that would now be a daily occurrence after so long without it. They finally moved and looked towards the stairwell when they heard a softened child like shriek and then a deep rumble accompany it. Noah smiled. “Perhaps we should head down there and try to wrangle them. Under the pretense of breakfast of course.” She smiled a true heartfelt smile, linked her hand in his, and headed towards the stairs. Towards their family. Together at last.