Mine to protect

London

“Hayes, they have nothing to do with this!” Fuyu yelled at him.

Nayeli stared between the two of us, taking a battle stance as he peered at Blaire. He growled at Blaire, but she didn't seem the least bothered; her ghostly eyes remained on a troubled Fuyu, nailing him with soul-penetrating eyes.

“I'm guessing my message has yet to get passed across to you," she said.

“What message?” Fuyu gritted.

“ Ofga es tes mehi Aras mel'h.” She whispered, “Ofga es tes mehi Aras mel'h, Fuyu. All in due time.” She husked before choking on her gasp, her bones creaking as her body ached, cracks echoing in the forest as she twisted and clawed on her face, her gasps growing strained.

The ringing in my head grew louder, making me cry out as blood trailed down my eyes. My body was shaking, and my head was growing heavy. I looked up, my hands stuck to my ear as I screamed out, my voice turning into gasps as my fingers quaked, my lips trembling. I felt like I was going to explode.

Nayeli ran to her, catching her collapsing body on time before she hit the floor. He turned to Fuyu, who was growling and clawing at himself mindlessly, and yelled, “Fuyu, what on earth is going on here?”

“Alpha… A creature has infiltrated the pack. He's too strong.” Another frantic mindlink came.

Fuyu, who was panting heavily, trying to fight against the sharp ringing that though had seized the moment she had passed out, its brutal effects still lingered, turned to face Nayeli, breathing out, “Take her to safety.”

He turned around, and Nayeli gripped his shoulder, his nails digging into Fuyu's skin. “And where do you think you're going?”

Fuyu growled through tight lips, “to fight.”

“Fight what exactly, Fuyu? Look at yourself; you're bleeding, and you've been acting strangely. Are you really in a condition to fight?”

Fuyu smacked his hand away. “My business is not your business, Nayeli. Tell Jax to keep her safe as well. Take her away from here. I'll come find you later.”

“No! You're not walking away from here without telling what the fuck just happened, what that thing in the forest was, and why he's looking for you. What did you do?” Nayeli growled at him threateningly.

Fuyu turned to him with furrowed brows, “what thing?”

Nayeli squinted at him. “He made my skin crawl with dread; he smelled like decay, and I don't know how he did it, but he had Blaire frozen in place, unable to move, and he talked like he knew you... He touched her, and she just…” He paused, rubbing the bridge of his nose in exasperation, before turning to me, “he spoke the old tongue, Fuyu... and we both know that that's not normal, the same way Blaire speaking the old tongue is not normal either.”

Fuyu stared at him for a minute with no intention of speaking a word to him, his eyes blinking slowly as he considered whatever options that was best known to him quietly.

“For goodness sake, Fuyu. It's one thing I've always hated about you. Yes, I get that you're strong and sh*t, but you're not as invincible as you might try to portray. You have your limitations as well as your weaknesses, so it's okay to seek help. You don't have to take everything up.”

Fuyu snarled at him, “My job is my job. I exist to kill and protect, and right now, I have the responsibility of protecting everyone who has pledged their loyalty to me. I will not disrespect my purpose. It's not your job to tell me what to do, Nayeli. Tell that to Jax too.” Fuyu lowered his eyes to blink at Blaire, sighing softly, “She doesn't have much time. Save her and the children; I know you care about them.”

Nayeli swallowed, looking away. “So you knew.”

Fuyu scoffed. “You really underestimate my capabilities.”

Nayeli sighed. “My human has taken a liking to the pregnant little thing for reasons I did not understand at first. But then again, I have come to understand a little bit why he fancies her. She is very fragile and sensitive; she kicks off my instinct to protect. And my human has continued to like her, despite knowing she was someone else's, and she was carrying his babies.”

Fuyu's breath slowed as he took in Nayeli’s sincerity. I stared at Nayeli; the way his eyes had softened as he spoke of the little wolf in his arms—my little wolf.

I felt something stir in my chest. The sight was displeasing to me. She was mine and mine alone; he didn't have the right to talk about her with such admiration. He had no fucking right. Everything about how he was holding onto her was irking me, stirring my irritation, which was funny because I wasn't supposed to be feeling like that at all.

Nayeli looked up, his eyes softening a little as he sighed in defeat. “We’ve always known she was yours. Listen, Fuyu, I know you're not cut out for emotions. After all, we're all beasts, but if you do not want her, you can as well set her free. I promise, my human and I will take care of her.”

Fuyu took a step away from him, noticing my hesitation. I didn't want to leave Blaire with them; she was my pregnant woman. My mate, my kids! But I knew I couldn't do anything about it; Fuyu and I had a duty that came first. She'd be better off in his arms, away from the chaos that was brewing.

“Alpha! We've lost a lot of men; where are you?” I sighed when I heard the mindlink, the cries of agony panting the vivid image of men fighting to hold down the fort. I couldn't let them fight alone.

A wry laugh left my lips as I wiped the blood away from my nose, running my tongue over the corner of my lips. Fuyu was rigid, but something about his stance told me that he was lying in wait.

“What are you doing, Fuyu?” I asked, my voice deviod of emotions.

“Why? I'm waiting for you, of course. I want Jax to take her from here while we head back to the pack. We can always come and get her once we've settled the distress at the pack.” Fuyu replied.

I took one last glance at Nayeli, who stood in wait for our reply. His eyes glazed over Blaire before turning to face Fuyu. “Whatever it is that did this to her is connected with you, so you know she's better soothed to be with me, away from this mess you've gotten yourself entagled with.”

His words were truer than I could have ever imagined. Hayes appears to be very dangerous and powerful, and I had no idea what he had done with her, but taking her back to the pack didn't seem so wise. I didn't want her and the innocent children to become collateral damage to an ancient evil that had existed long ago. I didn't want her to get caught up in something those assholes had gotten us roped in.

I didn't care about her, but no matter how obstinate and unreasonable I could be, I still knew when to do something right.

“Why are you waiting for me, Fuyu? The pack needs us; let's go. He can do whatever he wants with her, for all I care. I have nothing to concern myself with here. Hayes is a bigger issue at hand, and doing away with him is my main concern. I want to make that fucker pay for laying a hand on what's mine—my land, my people, and—" I cut myself off, realising what was about to roll off my tongue: “–let’s fucking go, Fuyu.”

Fuyu remained silent for a second, humming lowly as he went over my words. He nodded at me before taking a few steps backwards before pausing abruptly because we could both feel Nayeli's questioning eyes.

Throwing Blaire one last glance, Fuyu said, “I already have set her free. Make sure she gets treated, and just so you know, I still don't like you.”

Nayeli nodded at us before Fuyu took off like a crazed animal, eager to sink his fangs into skin and tear to shreds, the enemy. His bloodlust was infectious, and though both of us would not say anything about it because both of us were still lost in our own words, unable to decide how to go about the pregnancy, we both knew we wanted to make Hayes pay for making the biggest mistake of his life.

He touched what belonged to me, and that was going to be his undoing.

“Secure the front formation; send guards to guard my room. Mathias and Miller must be kept safe; I'm on my way.” Fuyu growled through the mindlink.