Bradley was frantic with worry. Trishanna was pale, her skin cold to the touch. James was just as concerned, pushing open doors for them to pass through as they headed towards the medical bay. Lorenzo was not in, busy visiting females who were homebound. Nicole was there, but her baby bump made examining Trishanna difficult, but her assistant helped in getting her hooked up to the various machines. Bradley wanted to drag the doctor back, but James grabbed his hand. Lorenzo was the pack's doctor, not the Alpha's, so he had a duty to all. Besides, Trishanna was stable for now. James reached out to his pack's doctor, asking him to come over. Maybe he could help Lorenzo with some of the earlier pregnancies and minor injuries. Bradley needed to find another doctor to keep on staff, so these kinds of things would not happen in the future.
Both men kneeled at Trishanna's side, their concerned hands offering comfort, even though they weren't sure she could feel it. Thankfully, Lorenzo arrived, and soon he shooed them from the room so he could examine her. They stepped out, James asking someone to check on Charles. A few minutes later, they came back with the report that he was well, with the nanny, playing in the nursery. James nodded, confirming that the guards were still stationed outside the room. The man nodded, and he dismissed it, glad to know that even though their bonding ceremony was still not done, the members of Goldmoon now treat him like a second Alpha and rarely hesitate or confront him.
His eyes went back to the door where his mate lay, his mind churning on what had happened. Trixie and Bruno came rushing down the corridor, her face filled with worry. Bradley intercepted her, calming her down. He knew that she felt like she was failing as a guardian, but he assured her that he was glad she was here and not drifting somewhere else in the world. Bruno laid a hand on his sister's shoulder, their twining powers able to calm her. They all took a seat, waiting for any news about the Luna.
Trishanna was finally able to reach the horizon. It felt like it took her days, yet it could have been seconds; time didn't seem to exist in this weird space. She wondered where she was and how she got there. As she neared it, she realised that it was like a wall of light, so taking a deep breath, she held El tighter as she crossed over to the other side, unsure of what she would meet. When she opened her eyes, she was in a clearing, the sound of a small stream trickling nearby. There were trees around her, not as thick as a forest, maybe woods of some kind. She laid El onto the moss-covered ground, and she sat beside her. El's breathing was much better, and Trishanna was sure that she would wake up soon. She pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around them. There were no birds in the trees, no wind tickling the higher branches, but there was no sense of danger either. She wasn't sure where she was, but it was better than that other place. Speaking of which, when she swivelled her head, there was no indication of where that boundary was. It was like she was transported to another place with no connection to the other. What the hell was going on?
A noise at the elbow indicated that El had woken up. Trishanna turned to look at her counterpart, her gaze looking for any injuries, but finding none. "How are you feeling?" she asked. El slowly got to her feet, shaking herself. She then stretched, ensuring that she had her full range of motion. "My body feels fine, but..." she drifted off as she inhaled the air. "Where are we?" She asked, looking around. Trishanna shrugged. "I'm not sure. Do you remember where we were before?" El nodded, her body shivering with the memory. "Yes, and I'm glad we got out of that space. If we didn't, we could have died." Trishanna hugged herself, wondering what was going on. "We need to get back. I have a bad feeling that this was a distraction, and our pup is in trouble. Get on", and with that, Trishanna did not hesitate, but grabbed a handful of fur and jumped onto El's back, both of them running through the woods to a destination they did not know how they knew would take them back to their mates and their son.
Malik was disgusted with himself as he held the sack over his shoulder. This was the lowest he had stooped to, and he hated his commander even more. If he had to describe the size of his hatred and disgust, it would be a large as a dragon. He wondered if there was enough forgiveness in the world for him. The bag shifted, a tiny sound breaking his heart. How did he stoop so low? "I'm sorry" was his whisper, even as he made his way towards the study. Bile filled his throat, and his hands did not want to knock on the door. This was wrong on so many levels, but he needed to continue to be the 'loyal' servant, so the plan could take place. Disobedience or any change right now will only cause everything to fall, and they would fail, no one ever getting a chance again.
Lorenzo assured the Alphas that Trishanna was stable and just sleeping, but Trixie needed to see her. There was something off about the way she just fainted, and she wanted to confirm. James allowed it, knowing that right now it was better to be paranoid than too trusting. Trixie stepped in, Bruno behind her. They made their way to her bed. To the normal eye, she looked fine, a diagnosis that she was just highly stressed, quite believable, but Trixie tapped into the powers which showed her the remnants of the dark magic attack. She rushed towards her, laying her hand on her head and chest, her powers pulsing, entering Trishanna to purify her. It took a few minutes, but when she was done, Trishanna was much more relaxed. Trixie searched for El, and her sigh of relief was palpable. The wolf was there, just weakened. She turned to the Alphas, "She was attacked, dark magic. The same kind from the night she gave birth." James strode forward, his mind clear, his eyes showing that he would kill anyone who dared to attack his mate. This time, however, Bradley slumped to the floor, against the wall, his heart and mind racing. How was he going to protect her from something he can't see or even feel? His thoughts churned, and Bradley was feeling himself lose the battle in his mind. He felt like a failure. He thought that if he amassed enough wealth, his business was successful in both human and shifter standards, that he would be untouchable and his mate would be safe, but how could he fight against magic? He slumped forward, knees to his chest, his hand in his hair, cradling a head that felt like it was about to explode from the weight of failing his mate and child.
Child. Where is Chip? Is he under attack right now? Bradley got up, turned and dashed off, his heart pounding. Is Chip okay? Please be okay. That was the only thought racing through his mind, for if they would attack Trishanna, then Chip would be the next target. He heard the footsteps of others behind him, James and Sammy for sure. He made it up the stairs and down the hall, but when he neared the nursery, the sight made him and his companions halt. On the ground lay the two guards tasked with protecting the child. Bradley leaned down, checking for a pulse on the one nearest him, while keeping his eyes on the door. He felt relief as a faint pulse was found in the unconscious man's neck. His wolf was on guard, his hackles raised, ready to fight, but the fight left when he entered the room. The nanny lay on her side, a wound on the head that slowly leaked blood into the children's themed carpet, her red blood almost the same shade as the red pattern beneath her. Eyes swinging to the crib, but he knew that he would not find what he sought, for there was no trace of Chip. He inhaled, and the faint scent of his pup's fear coated the back of his throat. His wolf growled, ready to shift and follow the person, by where, how? Their scent was not perceived in the room, as if they had no scent at all.
James choked sob came from behind him, and Bradley's chest tightened. As much as he saw Chip as his own, he knew that no matter what, the connection would always be just a bit stronger with James. He could only imagine how he felt, and he turned to embrace the man who was now his brother, feeling the same hopeless despair. Sammy stood at the door, Bruno next to him. One look and he took off, shouting orders, commanding that the pack be in lockdown. Bruno said that he would get his sister and left the two men comforting each other, taking strength, for they would need to be strong for their mate when they broke the news to her.
A small groan from the ground reminded them that their pack still needed them. James pulled back, wiping his eyes although his nose was still red. The two men looked at each other, not as Alphas, but as men whose wife and child have been placed in danger. A nod was all that was needed to communicate that no matter what, tonight was the night that they would put an end to whatever this threat was. James helped the woman to sit in the rocking chair as Bradley called for help for her and the two guards. After they were escorted to the medical bay, Trixie appeared, her face filled with worry. "I was able to find faint traces of the same magical energy. If we hurry, we can follow it, but Alphas, please know that I'm not sure what will happen. However, I will help you with all that I can. Just give me a moment, because I want to cast a protective spell over the Luna."
"Alright, while you do that, we will gather the men." Trixie nodded, running down the stairs. James turned to Sammy, who had returned, "Get ready." And with that order, he left to mobilise the warriors. Bruno stepped forward, and Bradley asked him to ensure that all weapons and some supplies were organised, since they weren't sure where they were going or for how long, but he was not returning without his son, and without putting an end to the threat once and for all. Bruno bowed and left, ready to carry out his orders. James headed back to the small office he used when he was at Goldmoon, reaching into one of his desk's drawers and pulling out a gun loaded with silver bullets. It was his father's, and he thought he would never have to use it, but now the nice gloves were off. It was time that he lived up to the title of the Alpha of Bloodmoon.
Trixie made it back and waved her hand, opening the door to her library. She thought of the book that had the spells for protection, something she'd practice a bit on Bruno whenever he had his more dangerous, surveillance jobs. Of course, he never knew that. It came floating to her, and she snatched it, heading back to Trishanna. Trixe stood over her, calming her racing heart, and began casting the higher-level spell, enshrouding Trishanna in a darker purple cloud that seemed to hover just around her. Sam came in, his mind racing. He could see it, but when Lorenzo walked in, he appeared normal, meaning that thanks to Trixie's powers bonding with him, the spell should be invisible to others. Trixie stumbled a bit, he body weak as she had to use more power than she thought she would. She needed to recharge, and a quick tryst with her mate would do, so would a few days of rest, but that was not possible right now. She dragged Sam off to a closet, tugging at his pants. He tried to resist, but when she explained why, he was willing, although it was strange to him. However, Trixies knew just what to do to get the job done, and in a few minutes, she was back to full power. They left the room, she with a smile on her face, Sam grumbling that his performance was a fluke and he would make it up to her when they returned.