To say they were shocked was an understatement. They stood hidden in the treeline as sounds of fighting and men dying floated in the gloomy air. The battle did not last long, as it seemed that there were more people against the tyrant than for him, and those for him either got themselves killed or ran off. James gave the order, and they moved forward, their path clear as the heavy work was already done for them. They quickly made their way inside, moving over still bodies, heading up the stairs, but Sam signalled for some of the men to secure the lower floors and a few to surround the building.
They made their way up the stairs, trying to avoid the freshly spilt blood. Soon, Bruno led them to the study, his body remembering before his mind could. They halted before the open door, a standoff playing before their eyes. The man held Chip, still in his wolf form, his whines pleading to be released. Malik stood before him, a handgun pointed at his leader. "Brodrick," his voice hissed with open disgust and rage. "Your time has come. You will no longer hurt anyone anymore." Bordrick's smile was evil and condescending. He shook his head in mock pity. "Oh, Malik, is this because of the weakness of your sister? Maybe it is better that she took her own life and spared me the trouble." Malik gritted his teeth, his mind telling him to pull the trigger and be done with it, but he didn't want to risk hurting another innocent. Just at that moment, Trixie's cloaking spell wore off, and the man's eyes drifted to the now visible visitors. That movement made Malik get distracted for just a second, but that was enough. The man launched at his desk and grabbed his letter opener, pointing it at Chip's neck, but the strangest thing happened.
Chip saw his fathers and his joy was so great that he transformed right there in the man's hand, causing Brodrick to have no scruff to hold on to. Chip fell, but the witch, who was in a corner of the room, cast a spell that caught him and transported him directly to James's arms. With the child no longer in the way, Malik fired his weapon, emptying the chamber into his former leader's body. The man fell back against the wall, his breathing laboured. Then he began to laugh, as if this was the funniest thing in the world. His laughter was so disturbing that James could not take it anymore and, handing his son over to Trixie, he walked forward, pulling his father's gun from its holster before firing one silver bullet right between his eyes. The shot echoed in the room before it fell silent, and just like that, it was over.
Trixie looked down at Chip, her eyes scanning him for any injuries, but thankfully, he was fine. James stood over the man, his chest heaving. Something about him reminded him of his father, the cruelty, the lack of care for the innocent, the disgusting laugh was similar to the ones he heard that shadowed his nightmares. His hand still held the gun, pointed at the dead man, afraid that if he moved, his darkest fears would come back to life. Bradley shifted, one of his men quickly giving him a cloth to wrap around his nakedness as he headed to the mate of his mate. Gently, he laid a hand on James's arm, urging him to lay his weapon down.
After their bond, they had spent many times sharing their past and their fears, growing closer than brothers, and Bradley knew what thoughts raced through his friend's mind. "It's over. He can't hurt anyone anymore." James's hand began to shake, and a choked sob escaped his lips. For so many years he lived in the shadow of his father's cruel legacy, wondering if he could ever escape from it, yet as Bradley embraced his shaking body, he realised the truth, that he was his own man, his own leader and he can build a world different from the one he grew up in, a world so differnt and safe for his son. At the thought of his child, he drew back, a small lift of his lips at the enemy that was now his confidant, a strong grip on each other's upper arms telling of their strength and support. He sniffed, blinking the tears away as he turned to reach for Charles. The little baby smiled, his arms reaching out for his father, knowing that he was safe. Bradley stepped forward, and Chip turned to him, smiling and cooing, his hand reaching out to grab at the finger Bradley held. "We should get him back home. I'm sure Trish is worried sick."
Bradley nodded and was about to give the order to head out when the witch stepped in front of them. Seh looked different, not as old, as haggard as she did a while ago. She bowed to them, Malik and the others doing the same. Bradley and everyone else in his group wondered just what was going on. The witch stood and, with a wave, she transformed into a younger version of herself. Her hair was a silver grey, but her skin was smooth, with only a few wrinkles around the eyes, telling that she was older, but not as old as she had appeared. "I know who you are", she said while looking straight at James. "My sister told me a lot about you, about your pack, about your father." James stepped back, his mind reeling. "Sister?" he asked, his voice trembling, but her words confirmed his thoughts. "Yes, my sister Rose, or as you knew her, Rosie. The omega that lived with your pack." James shook his head, his mind reeling. He looked around at the bodies that lay on the ground, the tyrant that could do more harm, the Second, Malik, his hands fisted as if to say that his internal battle still rages. "This is too much for me to take. Besides, we came for our son, and we should return. His mother is worried sick." The witch nodded and moved aside. "You are right. This is not the ideal time and place. I shall lead you to your realm, but I wish to invite you and those who wish to return with you. I will send you a letter when we have made adequate preparations and repairs." She bowed again and led them away.
Bradley frowned, but his glance at Trixie showed him that she just shrugged, but she did not seem afraid or tense, so he let it be for now. His aunt stepped forward, her whispers reminding him that they still need to be careful. James and Bradley linked their warriors that their mission was accomplished and they would be returning home. A few of them were still keyed up, but the thought of returning with no casualties on their side was a welcome relief. The witch led them through the forest, and soon they arrived at the portal. With a wave, she enlarged it, so they could file through. When Trixie and Bruno met her, she bowed to them. "Thank you for keeping guard of our Princess". Her words made them pause, but she just smiled. "Don't worry, all will be revealed soon", and with that cryptic message, she gave Trixie a small, clear vial with a liquid that looked like brewed tea with the instructions that it was for Annalise, before ushering them through. Bruno leaned forward, asking his twin if it could be a trap, but Trixie shook her head. She felt no malice or desire to hurt, just a familiar pull towards her, like they had met years ago.
In a matter of minutes, they were all on the other side of the portal. Chip safely nestled in James's arms, his body relaxed in sleep. He turned, and the witch smiled and waved before the portal closed. Trixie stepped forward, her hands raised. Bradley stepped forward, his mind still not at rest. "The portal is closed, but not cut off, yet I can sense that it would not be easy to open" At his confused look, she grinned. "It's like if it were an invisible door that was locked, and only someone with the key could open it." She turned back, "I don't think we would have anything to really worry about, but I still suggest having some guards be posted around the area, just in case". Bradley nodded and ordered two of the men to stay behind. They will work out a shift system when they return.
The group made their way back home, the weight of Charles's warm, small body confirming that they really are safe, yet the woman's words unsettled James. Her sister? Could what that woman said be true? If so, then he worried that he would have to give an account of his father's treatment to the old omega. He felt Bradley's gaze on him, but his mind was racing. With a quick shake to get his thoughts in order, he inhaled, focusing on returning his son to his mate. All he wanted was to hold her and take a shower, in that order. He looked down at his son, a small smile on his lips.
Bradley moved, his mind racing with all that had happened, trying to make sense of it. Some things aligned with what Trishanna and the twins shared, confirming that the dead man was her uncle, who revolted years ago, causing her to escape to this realm. Yet why did their realm seem so... downtrodden? He hoped that the danger had passed, but he felt like there were still so many things to unravel. They made it home, the men behind him sighing in relief. He turned, dismissing them for now, but he still wanted reports by tomorrow evening. He knew that many of the men had pregnant mates and all they wanted to do was see their loved ones, so Bradley did not want to keep them back. When everyone else dispersed, he headed to the medical bay, James, his aunt and the twins following him.
They made it to the medical bay, the nursing assistant informing him that the two guards had woken up and were discharged. The nanny was awake, but Lorenzo wanted to keep her overnight for observation. Bradley nodded, glad to know that. He and his group turned to Trishanna's room and entered. She was still asleep or unconscious, her heart monitor beeping just a little faster than it should, but nothing alarming. Her breathing was a bit elevated as well, but still not concerning. Trixie stepped forward. "Alpha Bradley, the witch, gave me something for the Luna. It appears to be some kind of medicine, maybe an antidote for whatever remnants of that black magic in her body." James frowned, not sure, but Trixie smiled at him. "Don't worry. All the way back home, I have been examining it with my powers, and there is no poison in it, but if you want, I would be happy to give a sample for the doctor to check." James wanted to protest, but he looked at his mate lying on the bed like some sleeping beauty, then at his son, who was now awake and looking at his mother on the bed, his body wriggling, hoping to go to her. "Okay, give it to her, but we have to monitor her closely." Trixie nodded and stepped toward the bed. She leaned down, lifting Trishanna's head slightly so she could pour the liquid down her throat slowly. She drank it and Trixie lay her back down, before handing the remnants of the vial to Bradley so he could have it examined. Now they wait.
Trishanna and El would have sworn that they passed by that tree next to that funny-shaped rock at least three times. Were they going in circles? El paused, her nose raised in the air and sniffed. She soon found a small stream and, with another nose check, she took a drink. The water was cool and refreshing, so she drank happily, not even realising how thirsty she was. Trishanna slid off her back, kneeling so she could scoop up some water and drink herself. When she was done, she sat back and wondered just where they were. She was beginning to think that this was another spatial realm like the dark one they were in before, just nicer. El sat down and yawned. She was tired from running around and needed to take a rest. Trishanna wanted to urge her to keep trying to find a way out, but she just said that she needed a quick nap to regain some of her strength. Tishanna found it hard to deny her, so she let her sleep, her hand buried in her fur. Soon her eyes drifted close, the exhaustion catching up with her.
When they awoke, it was now nighttime, and the moon's reflection on the stream made it look like the surface was covered with diamonds. The view was beautiful, and Trishanna wished her mates were there to share it with her. Tears pooled in her eyes, as an ache built in her chest. She missed them, and Chip and everyone else. She closed her eyes, willing the tears away. El's cold nose was a warm comfort. Soon, a light appeared, and Trishanna opened her eyes. A door appeared in the middle of the stream, hovering just above the surface, and she would have sworn that Chip's voice, his lovely nonsensical baby babble, came from it. She quickly stood, yet hesitated. What if it was her imagination? What if it only led them to somewhere else, not a nice as this? Chip's voice came again, the one right before he began to cry, and she knew she had to take a chance. They looked at each other, Trishanna placing her hand on El's neck, curling her fingers in her soft fur so they won't be separated, before they stepped forward. She thought they may have to swim out, but they walked on the water as if it were a field of grass, cool to their feet. They made it, and with a deep breath, they stepped in, both praying that this was the door that would finally take them home.