“I’ll protect him,” Freja said, kissing Hunter’s cheek.
“We’ll be leading the werewolves. But we’ll be just over the dip there.” Hunter motioned to where the werewolves were now shifting and getting ready.
“Sons.” Asher looked at his three boys. “Fight conservatively. Don’t take any unnecessary risks.” He then looked at Brody. “The kelpies are fighting alongside you. I think Chelsie insisted on that. Rowan is here to lead them.”
Brody smiled and nodded his head. “Don’t worry, Dad. We’re all going to make it.”
They each took turns hugging their parents, then each other. “Just another day in the Chain family paradise.” Chasen chuckled and squeezed Brody’s chest hard. “No dying this time, alright?”
Brody chuckled and nodded. He then grabbed Hunter by the head and pulled him into a hug. “Stay safe, little brother.”
“I’m not so little anymore.” Hunter chuckled.
“You’ll always be my little brother,” Brody said with a warm smile.
“Take care of yourself. I want both you and Hunter at the after party.” Reiya squeezed her arms around Chasen tightly and he hoisted her in the air, twirling her from side to side.
“Love you, Ray Ray.” Chasen set her down gently as the vibrations of the incoming army began to make the ground tremble beneath them. He placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. He felt reluctant to leave her and Brody’s side. With a deep breath, he released her and looked up at Leviathan. “You take care of yourself, too. And you …” He then turned to Xander. “You keep my baby sister safe. You’re a dragon king, so I’m depending on you …” he croaked out quietly.
“Don’t worry about her. She’ll stay safe by my side.” Xander looked at her brothers and then Asher and Lita as he said this. He then turned to Levi and gave him an affirmative smile. He would protect Reiya no matter what. He wanted Lila to stay by his side too, but she’d insisted on fighting next to Dex since Ciana would be by Reiya.
He looked beyond Levi to where the dragons were assembling. They were all shifting as well. Ciana was giving Dex one last hug goodbye. He also needed to see Lila before the war began. “Please excuse me for a moment.”
Lita hugged and kissed all of her children, including Freja and Lee. “I know I shouldn’t be expecting miracles, but I hope we don’t suffer many casualties. And I need you all to make it through this. I love you all. You’re all my family. Now, let’s push all of our buried anger forward and rid the world of the army coming for us. Don’t hold anything back. And remember to trust in yourselves and your hidden strengths.”
“And if either of you two boys lose to a hellhound, I’m going to appoint new guardians.” Grayson smirked at the two bear cubs he helped raise.
“Easy there, old man. I worry you might break a hip while fighting,” Brody teased back, and Grayson chuckled lowly.
“You just better hope I don’t outdo you out there. Time to see what a real guardian can do.” Grayson winked and grinned widely.
“Alright. I need to get going and rally the packs. See you for dinner.” Hunter smiled widely at everyone as he walked away with Freja and Chasen.
“Look after yourselves, too. Be careful out there.” Asher clasped Caden’s arm, then looked at Garrett and Caspian.
“Hey, don’t worry about us. You’re the weak fairy king, remember?” Caspian teased his old alpha.
Asher chuckled. There was a time in his young life when he thought fairies were weak. That was before he knew anything about guardians and the fairy world. Man was he naïve.
“Like Hunter said, see you for dinner.” Garrett winked at Asher and Lita. The three left their former luna and alpha and headed down to join the werewolves as they followed their Alpha King into battle.
“Come on, Leet. We need to address the fairies as well,” Asher said quietly. They both looked at Reiya and Brody, who were talking with Levi. “We’ve raised them to be strong and taught them the best we could. Let’s believe in them.”
“Mmm. You’re right. That’s all we can do,” Lita whispered before they too went to perform their duties.
“I’m going to go heckle Weston some more. Let him know how much more suitable it is for him to die because he has no mate to leave behind.” Brody chuckled and headed toward the young king, leaving Reiya to have a moment alone with Lee.
“No matter what, we’re going to live through this. I won’t lose to Mephisto. I don’t want you worrying about me,” Lee said, wrapping his arms around Reiya, pulling her deep into his chest.
“Our lives are connected. I know you’ll give it everything you can in order to win,” Reiya said quietly. She wanted to tell him about their child. She knew he deserved to know. But not now, not on the brink of war. And not before she entered the black hole. She didn’t want him worrying any more than he already was.
“I love you, Reiya. My fairy,” Lee whispered and lifted her face to his. He leaned down, pressed his warm lips against hers, and gave her the softest, sweetest kiss. She was his reason for living. His heart belonged only to her. And he would love her for the rest of their lives and beyond.
Hunter paused and pulled Freja to the side. “Don’t get yourself killed trying to protect me, Freja. If I’m in danger, don’t worry about me. I can handle myself.”
Freja giggled and shook her head. “Is that what you’re going to do if I’m in trouble?” She watched as a wry grin formed on his mouth. “That’s what I thought. Don’t be telling me to do something you have no intention of doing. We fight together. Side by side. Protecting each other.”
“I love you, Freja.”
