Chapter 156 Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Six

Chapter 156 Chapter One Hundred and Fifty Six
The bed bounced underneath me and my eyes opened quickly. 

Freya was sitting at the top of the sheets, her eyes shining.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sitting up in panic.

"Nothing. I..." The door opened and Sage was running in too.

"Mama? Freya?"

"Baby," I opened my arms, and she climbed in, too.

"I woke up and Freya was gone. I was scared"

"I only came here" Freya said softly as she nestled into my side.

"And she'll always be here. You don't have to be scared of anything. Sage nodded and joined Freya on the bed.

The door opened again and Leo walked inside.

"I saw them coming here" he mumbled at the door and I smiled.

"Come here" he didn't hesitate and threw himself into my arms.

"I was scared" he muttered into my neck.

"You shouldn't have been. I would have been fine"

"If father hadn't gotten there on time..."

"Let's not think about what ifs. I'm fine and they're safe now too" Leo nodded and looked over at the girls.

"They're being extremely nice and clingy with each other," he noted, and I couldn't help but smile.

Freya and Sage loved each other no matter how much they bickered. And now with Salem in the picture.

I looked over at Leo at the thought of Salem.

"Leo. There's something..."

The door opened again and Xander walked inside carrying Zayn in his arms.

"Mama" he whined and I held him against my bosom.

"He was fussy and wanted to see you" Xander explained and I nodded, peppering kisses all over his face.

"I missed you my baby"

"Everyone is here" Sage noted.

"Salem is not here" Freya corrected and I looked at Xander.

"She's asleep" Leo said and Xander frowned. I shook my head, signaling him not to address it further.

The children spent some more time with us and then they left.

As soon as it was only Xander and I left, he came closer.

"What's up with Leo and Salem"

"Good thing you noticed. He had been really...different when it came to her. I don't know if I'm just being paranoid, but he watches her. All the time"

"You don't think...maybe they're mates" 

I scoffed. "That's ridiculous. Salem is ten and Leo is sixteen"

"I marked you when we were younger"

"That's cause it's different"

"Xander is just like I am. The beast..."

"She's a child. And whatever it is, it holds no weight at this point"

"I understand. But perhaps that's the reason he's so drawn to her"

It could become a problem.

I needed to speak to Leo.

"Why do you have that look?"

"I'm going to speak to him"

"Do you think I should do it instead?"

"We can do it together" I reasoned and he nodded.

"Good. But I want to spend some more time with my mate" he mumbled as he kissed my lips lightly and pulled me into his arms.

The comfort of Xander's arms around me pulled me into a deep sleep.

When I woke up again, Xander was still asleep. I put on a simple dress and stepped out of the room.

My feet carried me towards the children's room and just outside Salem's door, I saw Leo. Crouched on the floor, his face buried in his palms. He didn't notice me as I walked up to him and jerked when I touched his shoulders.

Leo snarled but his shoulders relaxed as soon as he saw me.

"What are you doing?"

"I just..." he paused and hung his head.

"I don't know, Mama." his voice was thick with emotion, and I helped him up, leading him away from Salem's room to his own bedroom.

"You know what you promised me those years ago?" His face scrunched up for a moment and then he nodded.

"I'll always tell you what's bothering me?"

I nodded. "But you haven't"

"I don't know how to explain it. Whatever it is" his frustration was obvious as he raked his fingers through his hair.

"Start from somewhere"

"Salem she...her scent draws me in. When the beast awakens and is looking for an outlet, her scent calms him down. I don't know what to do"

"Why didn't you say anything?" I queried and he sighed.

"I did t know how to say it. And I hated it. She was a rogue and.." he sighed again.

"This conversation is supposed to happen with your father Leo" 

But Xander wasn't here yet.

"There are many reasons why your beast reacts to her in this way"

"Is she my mate?"

"I have no idea, Leo. But it could be possible. But she's a child Leo. You have to keep yourself in check”

“I’m trying. But it’s so damn hard. I don’t want her to be uncomfortable”

“We can work on it okay. She has just been through a lot and…”

“I understand” he cut me off.

“I’ll stay away” 

“I don’t mean..”

“Im not sure I have the same control over my beast as Father does. I think it’s best”

“It’s okay Leo” I hugged him.

“Spoke to him without me?” Xander's voice came from the door and I pulled away. 

“You were asleep and…” Xander gave me a pointed look. He clearly disapproved of my solo decision to speak to Leo without him.

“Belinda tells me you’re doing well when it comes to handling your beast”

“I told mama. Her…”

“You feel a strong urge to protect her?”

Leo nodded. “I lost it when she was taken and there was nothing I could do about it”

Xander looked at me.

“What do you think about leaving?” Xander's voice asked suddenly and I stared at him like he was crazy.

“What are you saying?” I asked baffled.

Xander stared at Leo.

“To another pack. Someone I trust. You can train there to be an alpha and have better control over your wolf”

“Xander no…”

“I’ll have to stay away from her”

“You’ll develop control when it comes to her. You’re going to be an alpha. Your control is most important amongst other things. It will be good for you”

Leo stayed silent.

“You can’t do this” I turned to Xander.

“It’s up to Leo now”

“You want to send him away”

“No. I want him to learn control. It’s for his good”

“There has to be another way”

“No. No other way Anna. If Xander cannot control his wolf or beast when it comes to Salem, then we’ll be having a much bigger problem on our hands. Something we cannot correct. This is also for Salem’s safety”

I went silent and Leo sighed.

“I’ll go”