-Pa, are they gone? -was the question of a trembling Noa, who was hugging his brother Nicolas.
Hades did not speak, he was mortally tense. He had his cubs behind him and he wouldn't risk losing any of them, let alone any of them getting hurt....
His thoughts were interrupted when a flash of white flashed past him and the next thing he knew he was tangled tooth and nail with precisely one of the leopards.
A collective groan of exclamation was heard at the scuffle, one that was far from pleasant. The leopard might be smaller than the alpha, but he made up for it with agility and violence. Moreover, he was using all his strength to bite and tear at Hades' skin.
Leoxi was not worried about his brother. The latter, despite the spectacle, was only getting minor scratches, while the wolf was really biting the feline hard. But there was more to watch out for and that was that he knew there was one more leopard, and with his paws full, his brother couldn't keep an eye out.
So Leoxi braced himself for any surprise attack. He wasn't the Commander of the herd for fun. But a whimper from Hades, when his shoulder was hit by one of the leopard's paws, threw him out of focus for a few seconds.
Big mistake.
It was at that moment that the other leopard attacked and went for the head of the youngest of the cubs. What they saw was a spotted reflex coming fast towards them, towards Noa, towards his tender neck.
So Rodrigo acted fast and stepped in to protect his brother, not caring how strong the impact would be or if he would die from it. But it never came.
Rodrigo didn't know when he had closed his eyes and hugged Noa, but when he opened them he found Leoxi rolling like a wild beast next to the leopard and he had to swear he had never seen him like that... so out of control.
He felt Nicolas' arm wrap around them both and pull them to him. He was trembling too. They were all terrified watching as the two wolves fought hard in the face of the intruders. And neither seemed to back down making the fight more violent.
But Hades had no intention of letting his sons witness that scene for long. He smelled fear in them, so he used his power and moved extremely fast catching his enemy's throat between his teeth and squeezed. He received several scratches from the feline, still, he would not let go. It wouldn't.
Only a long minute later the leopard fell limp on the ground leaving Hades' mouth full of repulsive blood, but it was not over yet. His brother was still fighting with what seemed to be the strongest aggressor, to keep him away from the cubs, who had all retreated together.
Hades ran towards the feline and climbed on top of it biting its neck. Leoxi took advantage of the animal's distraction and also attacked the lower part of the neck, to finally kill the beast, which gave quite a fight before falling.
Neither of them let go until they were sure it would not move again. And they gasped, covered in minor wounds and blood, both their own and others'. Leoxi reached over and licked his brother's wounded shoulder to help with the bleeding, but the scratch had been deep and beastly.
-Let's get back quickly, you need to heal- the alpha told him before raising his head and howling, announcing to the guard that they were on their way to the area of what had happened.
Hades thanked his twin and limped over to his four sons.
Noa was the first to fall to his knees before him and hug him gently, bursting into tears. He was shaking and pale, as were the others. Alan copied him, only he was cautious not to hurt the alpha's injured shoulder. Nicholas dropped to the leafy floor breathing heavily and paler than any of his brothers. Hades licked his hand to let him know that he was, also, looking out for him.
Rodrigo for his part did not know what to do until he felt the muzzle of Leoxi against his hand and that the wolf was sticking to him. He reflexively knelt down and hugged the wolf. He was also trembling, only he barely let out the tears that the elder wiped away by licking them at the corners of his eyes.
Hades looked at the scene and sighed with relief, glad that all his children were safe.
***
Nebraska rushed out the door of the mansion when she smelled her family and the image almost made her trip and fall. Yes, her four children were intact, not a hair out of place, as far as damage was concerned. But she couldn't say the same for her husband and brother-in-law.
-Are they all okay? -She began to check each of her children. First Noa, then Alan, Rodrigo and Nicolás, and finally she approached Hades with shock, -But how could they do that to you? And to you? -she looked at Leoxi.
-It's just a few scratches- Hades played it down, although when he raised his shoulder he let out a groan.
Nebraska looked extremely worried and sent for Caesar as she led the twins by the hand, almost pulling them towards a room. Her sons followed.
***
-They really are a mess. First the queen, then you guys. You never let me be happy to see you unharmed. What a curse you guys have on you- Caesar complained as he finished bandaging his alpha's arm.
Noa was crying against the alpha's thigh in a disconsolate cry that not even Nebraska had been able to calm. And that prompted Alan to follow suit a little later.
The omega ran a cold cloth over Nicolas' face and helped him drink water, then checked on the condition of her son Rodrigo. She kissed his cheek and hugged him.
-Thank you for protecting your siblings- she told him after learning that he had been the one who had taken care of Noa.
Rodrigo only smiled slightly after receiving such praise from his mother. Noa moved from crying against her father to hug Rodrigo and end up crying against him. A scene that to the others was even funny, but the older ones knew it would be an important step in the younger ones' relationship.
-Brother, I'm going back to my room- Leoxi announced to him after finishing his cures, -I'm really exhausted, and despite today we'll repeat the outing. That part was really good.
Hades nodded and leaned back against his wife who was next to him.
Leoxi walked out feeling his body really hurt. He would need to rest all night for his wounds to close quickly. He had too busy a schedule to take two days off.
-Leoxi- the voice he heard made him turn around. He reflexively relaxed the hard expression on his face.
-What's wrong, puppy?
-I'm not a puppy- Rodrigo approached him, -I just wanted to thank you for helping us today, for protecting my brothers.
Leoxi was silent for a few moments and cut the distance between them, draping his arm over his youngest's neck, causing it to crash against his chest. Rodrigo stayed still against him.
-I wouldn't lie to you if I said that, yes, I protected them all, they are part of my family too, but there was something that got me out of control and that's why I wanted to kill that leopard- he whispered intimately in his ear.
-What is it? -Rodrigo's voice echoed against the wolf's chest.
-Think for yourself puppy, think well, and you will know.