Chapter 44 Traitors
Lee stood there, quietly observing everything.
When he saw Reiya leave and then Xander follow her, he had to go, too.
He was compelled to have his mate in his sight.
He walked out to see her turning into Xander's arms, her face distressed, seeking comfort, and it was hell not being the one to give it.
He was immediately livid. What had happened?
Seeing his beautiful fairy in this state put him in a murderous mood.
He was seething with anger when he asked what was going on.
Brody could see how distressed his sister was and he couldn’t handle it. Taking matters into his own hands, he picked her up and held her to his chest, taking her back to their room for now.
Xander understood immediately what Brody’s intentions were. “Follow me. There’s another entrance we can use so we won’t have to walk past everyone.”
Reiya had been so quiet. She didn’t even fight being carried, which was completely out of her character.
His sister for once seemed very fragile to him.
His instinct as her brother and as her guardian put him in full protection mode.
He wasn’t allowing anyone to touch her right now.
There was an almost primal look in his eyes as he carried her up the stairwell.
We’ll be in the room soon. I’m sorry, Reiya ... I should have been there with you.
Reiya was leaning into his chest as he carried her up the stairs.
He had a protective grip on her. Knowing her brother, she immediately understood his words.
He regretted not being there. She was afraid this would mean he would end things with Chelsie.
Okay ... now she had to fess up and intervene.
She didn’t want him ending something before it barely had a chance to start.
She wanted him to be happy. She wanted him to also have love in his life.
To have more than just her. Grayson had always seemed happy enough.
It was fine if Brody wanted that too, but she knew he wanted more. He wanted a family, too.
Brody, nothing would have changed if you were there. I had Xander with me. I wasn’t in any danger. So ... don’t be stupid, okay?
Brody looked down at her and gave her a peculiar look.
Reiya sighed and then hid her face in his chest. I know, Brody. And I’m happy about it. I hope it works out. I honestly think it’s awesome.
Wait ... what? What do you know? Brody entered the apartment and gently put her down. He watched her as she scrunched up her face, a wave of embarrassment washing over her.
Let’s just say that I wasn’t gone as long as you think before I stopped by the first time. Reiya watched the light switch on for him, his face reddening.
What did you see?
Reiya scrunched her face and nose up even more, shaking her head.
No details. He didn’t need to know details, just that she saw enough.
Before she could answer him, though, she was smothered into a tight embrace.
Lee placed his head down into her neck, gently nudging her marking spot, sending calming vibrations through her body.
The bond she had with him was so powerful that being in his arms and feeling his gentle touches helped her make sense of the world again. It was like getting a dose of rationality. She could think clearer, and her body relaxed into his. She leaned into him, allowing him to comfort her and himself.
Her Lee. No one else existed in that moment. She was in his arms and she felt safe. How did things change so fast? How was it that now she felt like she had to have him? It was intense. She grasped her fingers around him, pushing herself deeper into him.
Reiya could hear the voice replaying in her head, saying that Abaas was going to claim her.
All of her. His horrible plans for her. Lee would never let it happen.
Ever. But what if he wasn’t there to protect her?
What if their relationship was discovered?
She finally had the mate she wanted, but she couldn’t fully enjoy it.
She rested her head on his chest, where she could listen to his heartbeat.
Her relationship with Lee was putting him in danger .
.. and herself. Maybe she should just run and get the Ocean’s Tear.
But what if Abaas was watching and waiting for her to leave?
She had Lee’s strength and support to lean on right now.
So, first things first. She needed to tell them what had happened.
Brody was the only one who knew it was Abaas.
Reiya took in a deep breath and tilted her head upward, meeting with the light blue gems patiently waiting for her.
Her eyes lingered on his face and focused on his lips.
She wished she could just forget everything else and continue to seek comfort in him.
Focus Reiya. This is important. She turned slightly in his arms so she could see everyone else.
He refused to loosen his grip on her, though. Not that she minded.
She looked up at the waiting sets of eyes. “Umm, where to start ...” Reiya said to herself quietly.
“You can start by telling me how in the hell that demon found you,” Brody growled out angrily. This statement set off a rippling effect of growls and snorts. She felt Lee tighten his grip on her arm.
“Well, I guess there’s that,” Reiya chuckled lightly.
“Abaas was mindlinking me, and from what I can gather, he has allies here. He has to. It wasn’t just about knowing that I was here.
He knew about my dragon mate. Someone told him Xander was my mate.
He tried to make it sound like I couldn’t trust Xander, but I know better than that.
” Reiya smiled at Xander, who offered her a small smile in return.
“Then ... well, he plans to take me like he had planned for my mom—”
“That bastard wants you to be his mate and to have his children?!” Brody snarled loudly. Lee’s face was tense, a lethal aura emitting out of him. No one would dare touch what was his.
“Yes. He said that I belonged to him. That I was destined to be his. And ... some other unpleasant things about being intimate with me. He also said he would be seeing my brother soon, that he owed him for killing a few members of his pack.” Reiya paused and looked at Brody.
“I don’t know what to do, Brody. I want to be with Hunter.
I think we need to be with him. What if we would be playing right into Abaas’ hands, though?
But if we don’t go and help ... what if something happens and we’re not there? What if they need us?”
Reiya could see Brody’s hands ball into fists as he thought about their brothers and pack. His face was tense as he tried to sort between his emotions and the right course of action.
“I can’t let you go there, Reiya.” Lee’s voice was calm yet stern.
“What if they need me, Lee? If there are traitors here, is it safer for me to be here? I can’t stand it. I can’t stand any of this. I ...” Reiya hated the inner struggle she was having. What did she need to do and what did she want to do? Were they the same things?
“We send messages to our parents and to our brothers. We will wait for their answers. Until then, Reiya, we do not move. Your parents are still the rulers of Elysia. Hunter is the Alpha of the Black Ice Pack. We don’t move without hearing from them,” Brody said painfully.
It was the correct choice to make when he voided his emotions.
It wasn’t his heartfelt choice, though. He wanted to be there to help his brothers.
Reiya looked at the ground. She clenched her fists together as she struggled with what she was about to say.
She wanted to sound strong, but her voice came out in a whisper.
“Brody ... maybe you should go to them. If you’re there, you can help protect them.
With two guardians ... maybe three, if Grayson is there, too .
..” Reiya looked up at Brody, who was smiling at her as she struggled to say the words.
“No, Reiya. I’m never leaving you. I promise.
Not even temporarily. You need me with you, especially if there is a traitor here.
” Brody knew what she was doing. Just because she couldn’t go help didn’t mean he couldn’t.
She was putting his feelings first, even though it was hard for her.
She was always sweet like that. His precious baby sister.
He wouldn’t leave her side. They would either go together or not at all.
His place was by her side from the time she was born.
“Chelsie, can you relay everything to our parents and then to Hunter and Chasen?” Brody asked in an unusually gentle voice as he spoke to her.
Reiya found it very sweet. She had never heard him speak like that to Chelsie before.
She nodded her head. It seemed like he was also letting Chelsie know that he wasn’t ending things with her.
“Brody, why don’t you walk her out? Make sure she makes it to the pond okay.” Reiya wanted to give the two of them a moment before Chelsie went to deliver the messages.
“Chelsie, one moment!” Reiya pulled herself out of Lee’s arms, which he reluctantly dropped. She ran to Brody’s room and came back a few moments later, handing Chelsie a paper. “Give this to Hunter and Chasen for me and Brody.”
“Everything is going to be fine, Reiya. Your family is strong. I’ll be back soon.” Chelsie looked up at Brody and the two of them left together.
Reiya turned and walked back to Lee. He scooped her into his side, holding her gently against him.
He was furious. There was at least one traitor among the dragons.
And then a demon dared to claim what was his.
He wanted to immediately kill them. He looked up, turning his attention to Xander.
The dragon issue was technically Xander's to deal with, not his. Still, if it was a threat to his mate, he didn’t care.
He had half a mind to hunt this Abaas down right now to at least eliminate him from the equation.
No one dared mess with what belonged to a deity, especially a possessive one like himself.
“We have a real problem here, Xander.”
Xander nodded his head. He was trying to think about this like a leader.
As much as he wanted to start head hunting, he still had to play his role as king.
He had his suspicions, and obviously Clovis was right at the top of this list. But was it just Clovis?
Who all was involved? And was it Clovis for sure?
He needed to observe and wait for the right opportunity.
Even as king, he needed evidence. He would tell a handful that he trusted so they could also keep an eye out.
If something was going on, he would need the help of those he trusted the most.
He looked at Reiya and clenched his fists.
She was under his protection, and one of his own was endangering her.
They led the demon right to her. Deep down, his chest burned with a dangerous anger that he’d never felt before.
Someone precious to him was being threatened, and this demon Abaas would soon find out why dragons were so feared.
“Reiya ... I’m sorry. I can’t believe one of my own .
.. I will get to the bottom of it. I assure you that you’re safe here.
I will make sure of it. I need to meet with Gramps and a few others.
I’m going to put things in motion and get to the bottom of this.
And I also promise you that Abaas is going to die very soon.
He should know better than to come so close to the dragon kingdom.
There will be consequences for his actions tonight.
” Xander was seething, his voice violently sharp.
“It’s not your fault, Xander. Don’t be so hard on yourself,” Reiya said, trying to reassure him. He didn’t need to apologize to her.
“I’d never forgive myself if something happened to you.
It won’t,” Xander said, more to himself.
He looked up at Lee. “I’ll get things started.
Stay here with her until Brody makes it back.
There is much to do.” Xander turned abruptly and left in a hurry, stomping down the stairs until he was out of range.
Reiya turned her gaze toward Lee. She wasn’t expecting the look in his eyes.
His calm, blue eyes were dark, and they stared at her with a hunger and want that she had never seen from him before.
She gazed into his eyes. The look he had was one that made her want to retreat and jump into his arms at the same time.
Her breath hitched as she watched him take a step toward her.