The Broken Wolf
Chapter 146

Locked in the safe room, again. There have been numerous times in my life when I’ve been rushed into the room, sitting in the basement of the packhouse with its fortified walls and no windows, hiding from the danger outside. Usually a warrior would be with me, clearly disgruntled over being instructed to be my babysitter instead of joining the fight. This time, however, is the first time my parents have been locked in with me.

The Lunar Falls warriors saw me as a burden, but Seth… Seth views me as an asset who needs protection. Somehow, that makes the situation feel less terrible. Perhaps that is why everyone wanted Albert to be in my guard, because he was one of the few warriors who didn’t treat me like I was a massive burden to the pack. Sure, they liked me when there wasn’t danger. If I hadn’t been the Alpha’s daughter, I’d surely have been removed from the pack.

“It’s just a precaution, Molly,” Dad tells me, popping a piece of cheese into his mouth. “Seth seems a bit… stressed.”

I chuckle a little, looking up to him. “I know, I can feel it through the bond. It’s almost overwhelming at times.”

“That can’t be good for the pups,” my mom says, clearly concerned.

“You can go right ahead and tell him that yourself if you’d like,” I tell her, raising an eyebrow. The man is so kind to me, but I’d never even think about telling him that. He wouldn’t take it well from anyone.

She looks over at my dad, clearly hinting that HE should. I giggle a little at their facial expressions, especially my dad, who clearly thinks my mom has lost her mind, wanting him to tell the Prince to calm down.

“Celsete,” he says, “that is overstepping. I can not tell the prince that.”

“Randal,” mom returns, and we all know mom only ever uses his name when she wants him to do something. “You will. He likes you. YOU saved his mate. He won’t kill you for correcting his behavior.”

Dad sighs deeply and looks over at me, stifling a giggle at their interaction. “We’ll see. Let’s just get out of here first.”

My parents don’t seem to know what to do with themselves in here as I walk over to the little table I had added years ago and pick up a book I had left for such an occasion. I curl up on the couch in the corner and begin to read, hoping that the time will pass quickly. Unfortunately, I struggle to focus, my mind racing with all the possibilities of what would have caused Seth to send me here with BOTH my parents.

“Will you please tell me what’s going on?” I ask my dad, placing the book down in my lap.

He shakes his head and looks at me sadly. “I was ordered not to. Seth said he didn’t want you to worry.”

“But I’m worrying more by not knowing,” I say, trying to convince him. “My mind is racing with all the possibilities. It’s worse than not knowing.”

Dad sighs and just shakes his head. I know he won’t defy an order from the Prince, causing the situation to be that much more frustrating.

“It was some kids, Molly,” my mom says and my dad snaps his head to look at her. “YOU were ordered not to tell her. I was not,” she tells him quickly and looks back to me. “There were four younger kids, just enough that your brother could feel the breach. One kid wouldn’t have been enough, maybe even two or three. Four though, he can feel that.”

“So we’re locked in here because of a group of kids crossed?” I ask, not following.

My dad sighs and glares at my mom, clearly unhappy with her. “Kiddo, it is probably nothing. I think that it’s likely just some kids who got lost in the woods and accidentally crossed over, but it could also be a diversion to pull our warriors back from the Rogue Pack.”

“So Lily isn’t safe now?” I ask, chewing my l*p.

“No, she is,” Dad says and sits down next to me, putting his large hand on my knee. “Seth decided to have Robert split the warriors we still have on our property and send them to the Rogues. That, however, left less here to defend you if anything happens. We’re locked down here just until the men that Seth sent from the palace arrive.”

I nod, unsure how I feel about all of this. “Seth’s right. If anyone wanted to cause a diversion, sending kids would be the wisest choice. After that article, the entire kingdom has probably figured out that the new law was mine, not Peters. They know I won’t let them hurt a kid.”

“Precisely,” Dad says, squeezing my knee. “It’s not a bad thing. You’re a good wolf, Molly- so kind and caring. They don’t know you yet, though, and would likely assume you to be easy to push over. The kids are being held, but they’re safe. Your brother knows how you feel about it and while I’m sure they are terrified, they are fine.”

“OK,” I whisper, an uneasy feeling washing over me. I try to take a few deep breaths, but the feeling grows stronger, nearly a panic. Seth, I realize. It’s Seth I’m feeling, and it’s intense. He’s panicked and worried, possibly the worst I’ve ever felt from him.

“Something has happened,” I say softly to my parents, unsure what to do. If he’s being attacked, I don’t want to distract him. What if Robbie has told him that we’re being attacked, though? Quickly, I pull out my phone, sending a text message to my mate, asking if he’s alright.

“Here,” mom says, handing me some water and I happily take a few sips. “Take some breaths, lay down. Keep yourself as calm as you can.”

I nod, following her instructions, trying my best to feel calm. It’s nearly impossible, though, as the emotions coming across our bond are just too strong. I can vaguely hear my mom demand that my dad call Seth immediately as I continue to take deep breaths.

“Prince Seth, umm, is everything alright?” I hear my dad say.

“Yes, Molly is alright.

Celeste and I are with her in the safe room.

Yes, yes, we’ll remain here. But, your highness, there is an issue.

I don’t pretend to understand the bond you share with my daughter, but I do understand you both can feel each other’s emotions. Celeste was worried about the stress it could be placing on the pups. I wasn’t concerned at first but whatever just happened, well, it really seems to be affecting my daughter.”

I feel my dad gently place his hand on my arm and he places his phone in my hand. “Here. He would like to speak with you.”

“Hi,” I whisper, completely mortified that my dad called him. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine, Love,” he says softly. “I’m sorry. I’ll try to remain more calm. I wasn’t thinking about the bond, or if the pups could feel it.”

I smile meekly at him, glad to hear his voice. “You are alright, though, right? You’re not hurt?”

“No, Love, I’m not hurt,” he tells me, his voice filled with both kindness and frustration. “I’ve f****d up, Molly. I made a mistake. Physically, I’m fine, but I’ve got to figure out how to fix this.”

I frown at that, knowing it would have to have been something monumental to make him feel this terrible. “What happened?”

“It… I…” he begins, but he stops himself. “I don’t want you to worry about it, Love. I’ll tell you about it when I come back. I love you.”

“I love you,” I tell him before hanging up.

Talking to him did help. I can manage my own emotions as well as what I can feel from him a bit better now, though I can still feel that something is going very wrong at B***d Moon.

“I’m alright now,” I tell my parents and I can tell how relieved my dad is. I don’t even bother looking at my mom as I’m sure she was more worried than he was. “Something went wrong at B***d Moon. He wouldn’t tell me what, though.”

“Better that you don’t worry about it, anyways, Kiddo,” dad tells me with a smile. He offers me his hand and I happily accept it as he helps me sit up. “You should eat some more.”

I nod and reach forward, taking a few more bites of various items. I replace it a little difficult to eat right now, but I manage a little bit more as I read the book, hoping to pass the time. It’s actually pretty good, and I lose myself in the pages. I’m shocked when Dad tells me that the guards have arrived and we can go upstairs, finally. There’s nothing to do upstairs, though, so I shake my head, walking back across the hall to the kitchen.

I’ve barely walked in when Robbie walks in with a large wolf with dark hair and eyes. I know I’ve seen him at the palace in passing, but we’ve not been introduced. “Molls, Michael is going to stay with you the rest of the day. I’ll be sleeping upstairs on your couch tonight so he can leave then.”

“You don’t have to do that,” I tell him but he doesn’t let me continue.

Robbie quickly waves his hand, cutting me off. “I absolutely do. It’s not negotiable. You’ll also be staying inside the packhouse until Seth returns,”

“Prince Seth,” Michael corrects him and I can’t help but snicker at him being corrected.

“Prince Seth,” he repeats, dragging out the first word with no respect. “You’ll also not be eating in the dining room. Oliver will be bringing all your food to you directly.”

I roll my eyes at that. “This is a bit much,” I whine at him, walking through the pantry, pulling items down.

“I’m not the one making the rules on this, kid,” he tells me apologetically as he turns and leaves.

Michael doesn’t say a word. He just stands there, with his hands clasped behind his back, watching me like a hawk, looking away only to check the surroundings.

“Well,” I say, looking at the items I’m holding and then back to the man, “want some pie?”