Chapter 73
CHAPTER SEVENTY-THREE
“You promise you’ll keep her safe?” Chasen asked as he held Jin to his chest. Her small frame next to him made him feel like she was even more vulnerable. He wanted her here and safe, but leaving his mate and unborn child right now was gut-wrenching.
“I promise. She’ll be perfectly fine. Go concentrate on what you have to.” Harley then looked up at Hunter. “Nothing will happen to the Black Ice Pack territory with me here.”
Hunter thanked him with a nod.
“Jin.” Chasen gently lifted her chin. “I love you so much. I’m coming back to you, okay?” He watched her eyes water as she tried to fight off the tears. This tore him apart even more.
“You better come back to me.” Jin offered him a brave smile and reached up to him on her tiptoes. “I love you, Chasen,” she whispered against his mouth.
Chasen responded, moving his lips against hers.
He deepened the kiss, pouring his love into it.
Just in case … just in case he didn’t make it back to her, she would know how much she meant to him.
He slowly pulled apart from her and traced his thumb over her cheek.
He kissed her forehead and glanced up to see Hunter and Freja were already leaving.
The packs were all assembling and meeting up at Elysia, and Black Ice Pack was finally moving out.
“I’ll be back before you know it.” He squeezed her gently before he released her.
“I have to go,” he said in a hoarse voice as he felt his eyes start to blur from the rising tears.
He mustered up his resolve and strength to walk away from her, quickly leaving the area while he could.
He didn’t turn around again so she wouldn’t see him cry.
But then he stopped walking, pausing for a moment.
He turned to the side slightly but not enough for her to see his eyes.
“Destiny,” Chasen said quietly. He smiled, turning his head even more to see Jin, whose tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Let’s name her Destiny. Since it was my destiny to be with you.
” Just in case he didn’t make it back, he wanted to feel like he at least had a small part in his daughter’s life.
He watched Jin smile and nod her head. This was even harder than he imagined.
He looked behind Jin to Harley, who was smiling after hearing the name of his mate.
“Take care of my girls,” Chasen said quietly, then shifted into his bear, running away. Jin would be safe. He knew that. Harley would keep her safe. He just wasn’t sure if he would ever get to see her again—or see the face of his baby girl.
The next day …
“There isn’t anything we can do. Now what?” Asher rubbed Lita’s shoulders.
“I’m scared. I’m so afraid, because I have this really strong feeling screaming at me inside. Gosh, Asher, I’m afraid our babies are going to get stuck inside that hole.” A wet crystal streamed down Lita’s face as she leaned back into Asher.
“As long as Xander is alive, there will always be hope that they can return.” Asher shook his head and forced a smile on his face.
“Leet, we don’t know what’s going to happen.
They might make it back out just fine.” He paused.
“Baby, if I could, I would go in their place. I would do anything to protect our family.” He rested his chin near her neck.
“I wish we could. But there would be no way for us to find our way back out.” Lita shook her head and looked down at the floor. “Mom and Dad are going to keep studying, but I’m sure if there was another way, the Moon Goddess would have tried it already.”
“Come on, Lita. Let’s go and visit with your brother before all hell breaks loose. He came here early to see you. You know how much he misses his ‘Little Leet.’” Asher smiled into her neck, brushing his lips over her sensitive skin.
“Yes, I haven’t gotten to see him and his son Ace much. But after the war is over, things will finally be peaceful. I just hope that we’ll be able to visit with everyone. I don’t know how I’ll handle it if—”
“Let’s not think about it. We already agreed to let them make their own decisions over this matter, right?
All we can do is support them and trust them.
And if it all goes to hell, we’ll be here to pick up the pieces and hold the family together.
That’s our job. Lita. Freja, Levi, Brody, Chasen, Jin, and Chelsie will all need us.
Same with Xander.” He kissed her neck sweetly and wrapped his arm around her.
“Come on, baby. Let’s have a few more good moments.
And when the battle starts, don’t you leave my side for a second. ”
Lita giggled. “You’re the one who left my side last time, remember?”
“Yeah, and I had a siren wanting to keep me as a mate.”
Lita growled. “Glad she was made an example of. If Rowan hadn’t killed her, I would have gone back to do the job.”
Asher chuckled. “I know you would have, baby. I know.”
Grayson, Lita, and Asher left Elysia with the fairies who were able to fight.
They didn’t have to ask the kelpies twice; they were always bloodthirsty and ready for battle.
Others were a bit more hesitant but still rose to the call.
There were many different species gathering—all answering the fairies’ call for aid.
Drew and Ace walked out with them just as the werewolf packs started trickling in.
The werewolves had run in their wolf forms the whole way, making travel much faster.
They wanted to make sure they had time to set up and rest before the demons arrived.
They shifted back into their human forms and began making preparations, setting up their camps.
Hunter, Freja, and Chasen strayed from the gathering packs and walked up toward Lita and Asher. They passed Drew and Ace, who nodded their heads in acknowledgement as they continued back to their pack. Lita hugged both Hunter and Freja, then Chasen, squeezing him tightly.
“Rest easy knowing she’s at home safe.” Lita whispered in his ear. Then in a breath only audible to him, “I bet your brother wishes he could have left Freja there, too.”
Chasen smiled and nodded. He understood what his mother was saying.
He needed to actually be thankful that Jin wasn’t here.
Hunter had the real worry of losing his mate.
Their whole family was fighting against the demons, and he knew they were all nervous.
There was a chance their family would forever be altered after this war.
He glanced over at Hunter, who was holding Freja’s hand as he talked with their dad and Grayson.
He would do his duty as a guardian. It was his job to protect Hunter no matter what, and that was exactly what he was going to do.
“Little cub.” Grayson took a step toward Chasen.
Lita smiled up at Grayson and returned to Asher’s side.
“I know you’ve had a few fights before, but this is going to be completely different.
There’s no holding back here. We can’t afford to offer mercy.
Every enemy we encounter is a dead enemy. No matter what. You understand?”
Chasen smiled. “Yes, Uncle Grayson.”
“We’re going to make sure we get you back to your mate,” Grayson said with a smile as he slapped Chasen’s shoulder.
“Did Mom tell you we’re having a little girl? I sent her a letter explaining everything.”
“Yes, I heard. You’re sure we don’t want to just off this demon?” Grayson asked quietly.
Chasen chuckled. “Actually, I left Jin with him for protection. If anything, I guess I know she has a strong protector.” Chasen said with a small smile. “We’re going to name her Destiny.”
“I think that’s a great name.” Grayson sighed and squeezed Chasen's shoulder. “Don’t get flustered and forget everything I’ve taught you.”
“Hunter, your mother and I have been trying to find another way with this black hole business, but we can’t find anything.
” Asher looked at his son’s silver eyes.
“We’re going to win this demon war. Then you’re going to do what you have to do.
No matter what, we won’t give up on you.
No matter how long it takes, we’ll be waiting for you and Reiya to come back to us. ”
“Don’t worry, Dad. We’re going to make it out of there.” Hunter felt Freja’s grip on his side tighten. He squeezed her back gently and nudged her lightly.
“You’re going to make it out of there no matter what,” Asher agreed.
Hunter could hear the noise coming from the packs, and he turned his head to see what was causing their agitation. The vampire army was slowly coming into view. As he glanced over at the different packs, he could see they seemed a bit antsy.
“I better go keep the packs calm and greet the vampires. I’ll be back shortly.” Hunter turned and looked at Freja. “You can stay here. I won't be long.”
“Nonsense. My place is at your side.” Freja smiled at him, and he grinned widely.
“Yes, it is.” Hunter looked at his parents and then Chasen.
“We’ll be back. Chase, go ahead and stay here with Mom and Dad.
” Chasen nodded, and Hunter and Freja headed toward the vampires.
He wasn’t sure if the king and queen would be there, but he was certain Jester would, at the very least, and maybe Irene, too.
Chasen watched Hunter walk away until a dark shadow fell upon the ground. He looked up and his eyes widened. “Hey, look!”
The sky was covered with large, ancient beasts. The sky monsters blocked the sun as they slowly made their descent. In front were the largest dragons, and on top of a familiar blue dragon was Reiya, waving down at them. The moment they landed, they all took to their human forms.