Welcome Home Mate
Chapter 81

ROXIE

Huw showed me the way to Lilly, who was in front of me, holding her younger sister's hand.

I could hear her cry as she held her sister's hand tightly.

I said softly as I stood before her. Lilly looked up at me, but her tears flowed down her face. She moved toward me and wrapped her arms around me.

Her sister looked up at me and c****d her head to the side. "Where is mama?" she whispered.

I couldn't say anything.

I could feel eyes on me, which made me look around. Pack members were looking at me.

I looked at Huw, who was staring at some members.

"You all can come out," I said as I looked down at Lilly, who was now looking up at me. I gave her a small smile.

I looked up and noticed that most of the people there were Lilly's age. Some were older, but no one said anything.

"I am so sorry for your loss," I said.

"How would you know how she feels?" shouted a girl who came up toward us. Lilly moved back and looked at the girl. "Luna Roxie saved me from rogues, and so did Huw," she said and looked up at me. "I think we can trust her."

Bex moved in my head and came closer. I could feel her uncertainty and sadness for Lilly wash over me. We know how she feels about not having a parent around.

I looked at the other girl, who frowned. "I don't," she said. "I think we all should be rogues and have done with this place."

I looked around and noticed a few nodding, agreeing with her.

Bex stayed close but never showed herself.

"Please," I said. "We want to help. I want to help."

The girl looked at me and c****d her head at me. "You're a Luna," she said, but her gaze went to my neck. "You don't bare the alpha's mark; how is that?"

I knew this would come up. I didn't want to tell them the truth. "I only discovered Alpha Lex was my mate a few months ago, and we didn't have time to mark each other."

The girl stares at me with a frown. "You lie," she said. "We all can spot a liar."

I stared at her for a few moments but let out a low sigh and let go of Lilly.

Bex was up on all paws, growling. I ignored her. I couldn't let her take over; everyone here has lost someone or has been hurt; they don't need a protective wolf right now; they need a Luna.

"You don't have to believe me," I said. "I am his mate, and we will mark each other, but it has been hard as your old alpha was after me and another luna."

The pack members looked on, some were shocked, but I continued. They need to know the truth.

"Alpha Trevor was a bad alpha to you," I said, scanning every face standing before me. "Alpha Lex is not like him; trust me on that. He will want to him you, save everyone, and make you all feel safe from harm."

I looked toward the girl who spoke earlier. "As for I don't know how Lilly feels," I said. "I do. I lost my mum when I was ten. A rogue killed my mum, and I watched it happen; it even brought on my wolf."

I could feel Bex move in my head, but she went back slightly. I knew she would come forward if I needed her, but I didn't. This was my story to tell.

There were a few gasps, but I stepped forward, looking between them.

I felt the urge to tell them what we would do, and I was going to make sure we did something for them.

"Let us help you," I said. "I believe we can become a better pack with all of you with us. We lost many pack members due to the attack the alpha brought upon us and many lost families and loved ones like you. We can all grieve together and unite as one." There was silence, but I carried on. "Alpha Lex runs a tight pack," I said. "You train every morning, and you will have jobs to earn money. No one will go without, and I will make sure every one of you will get home, even if you have to live together as one." I looked at Lilly, who gave me a small smile. Her little sister stared at me, but I noticed Huw bend down and pick her up, her little arms wrapped around his neck, as she nestled into his neck.

I couldn't help but smile when his eyes met mine.

He smiled, but his eyes went blank, and I knew someone was mind-linking him.

I looked back at everyone. Their eyes were on Huw and Lilly's sister, but some looked back at me.

"They need more convincing," blurted Bex in my head.

I looked at them.

"I will train you," I said. "I know all about fighting and can show you what I know."

More murmurs could be heard, but the girl before me looked unconvinced.

I sighed.

"I will ensure you all get whatever help you need," I said. "I won't let any of you fall because I will catch you if you do. I will help you in any way I can, and I won't leave you. I am your Luna, someone you can come to about anything. And I mean anything." I looked at them, but I could feel a hand on my shoulder.

I looked over it, and Huw smiled at me. "We need to go back to the pack house," he said. "Alpha Lex needs your help with something"

I stared at him and gave him a slight nod.

I looked back at the pack members. "I know my mate gave you three hours," I said. "Please return to the pack house; let me know what you decide. I will support you in any way I can."

I looked at Lilly and smiled. "Do you have anything that you need to take with you?" I asked her. Lilly looked at me, but her eyes went behind me.

I knew she was looking at the girl.

I sighed. "I can help them," I said. "Alpha Lex and I will do anything and everything in our power to ensure everyone is safe."

I placed my hand on her arm, and she looked back at me. She stared for a few moments before she turned her attention to Huw. "Can you look after my sister?" she said. "Her name is Daisy." Huw nodded and leaned into Daisy, falling asleep in his arms.

Lilly looked back at me and smiled. "I need to get a few things from our house, and I will meet you at the pack house," she said.

I nodded.

I didn't want to leave her on her own, but her eyes went back to the others that had formed around us.

"Let me talk to them," she murmured. "I know they will all want a better life. I think I can persuade them."

I stared at her but looked back behind me.

Most of the pack members were staring, but some were huddled together. They were scared, and fear was the main emotion within this pack.

I needed to let Lilly try, at least.

"The young pup knows what to do," murmured Bex. "She will help them see that we are not a threat."

I couldn't help but look back at Bex; her eyes bore into mine. But something was there.

"What do you make of all this?" I asked.

Bex stared at me and sighed. "I think the same as you," she said. "But we can't force them to come with us. Maybe mate has had better luck."

I looked back at the pack members but then turned my attention to Lilly.

I smiled.

"Okay," I said. "Be by the pack house in an hour if you can. We will wait for you."

Lilly nodded.

I turned and walked away, with Huw and Daisy following me.

As we moved away, whispers could be heard as we walked further.

I looked at Huw, his eyes were on me, and he smiled. "You are one truly amazing Luna," he said. "I know you don't want to leave them behind, but Lilly saw what I saw with you, greatness. I believe she will get through to them." I stared at him in disbelief.

Huw chuckled.

"Hard to believe what I said about you," he said, which my eyes widened. "How?" I asked, but he shook his head. "I guessed," he said. "As I said, I heard the rumors about you, but I also have eyes, and seeing is believing more than anything." I looked in front of me.

I felt like I wanted to cry.

There was too much going on here, and it was getting to me slightly.

"Who mind linked you?" I asked as we came closer to the entrance of the forest. I looked at the pack house.

No one was around as we walked a little faster.

"Your Dad," he murmured.

I was about to say something, but as we approached, my father came into view and stepped out of the pack house, carrying someone.

Who the hell was that? I wondered, which made Bex move closer to the surface as my father looked at me. His eyes widened. "Bex," he whispered.

I closed my eyes and stared back at her.

Her eyes bore into mine as a low growl rumbled through her chest. "She smells like mate," she said.

I frowned.

"Bex, calm down," I murmured. "You don't know what is going on."

Bex stared at me, but before she could say anything. I moved her back with everything I had and placed a block on her.

This mate bond has a lot to answer for, especially concerning Bex and my feelings. I shouldn't feel jealous, and Lex won't do anything.

I sniffed the air, and Bex was right; Lex's scent was on whoever was under the blanket.

I opened my eyes as my father placed a young girl on the steps.

Her eyes widened as she stared back at me.

I knew who she was, but how could she be here in this pack? She was meant to be back home with her father in her own pack. "Malia," I said. "Is that you?"

I could feel eyes on Malia and me, but I didn't care.

What the hell happened to her?