Chapter 136 Favorite?
Caden's POV
The adrenaline fades slower than the blood dries. Everyone is much slower now.
By the time I stepped back into the pack house, the sitting room off the main hall has been converted into triage. Furniture was pushed aside. Clean sheets laid over table tables. The sharp scent of antiseptic cuts through iron and smoke.
"Easy, sit here." one of Benjamin's medics orders as a warrior drops heavily into a chair.
Claws did most of the damage tonight. Long rakes down backs deep enough to bleed, but not deep enough to kill.
The worst cases already gone straight to the packs infirmary. Everyone else will get patched up here. Benjamin moves through the room with purpose. He's checking faces and counting bodies. When he reaches me his shoulders finally sag just a fraction.
"Losses." I ask as I'm taking in the site.
"None." he says. "Injuries, yes. But none dead." Good, that definitely matters.
Coban joins us, blood streaked across his forearms, his eyes are sharp, despite the fatigue.
"North border held." he says. "South took more pressure. But they never broke through." he continued as he was looking around the room.
Benjamin nods. "Clarence overplayed his hand." he said, as he began to stretch out his sore muscles.
"He always does." Coban replies.
We step in to Benjamin's office to assess damage reports. We had quite a few damage damages tonight. We had walls cracked near the southern tower. Two outer buildings were scorched. One post was destroyed entirely.
"Material can be rebuilt." Benjamin says, rubbing a hand over his face. "The intent can't be ignored." he said as he shook his head.
"They came for your head." I said flatly.
"And destabilization." Coban adds. "Dark Sea Pack doesn't move unless there's something in it for them." I said, as I shrugged my shoulders.
Benjamin's eyes hardened. "Then we hit back." he says matter of factly.
"Not tonight." I say. "But soon."
We talk logistics. Routes. Allies. Timing. Where Clarence could be hiding out. Dark sea supply lines. Decisions are getting made. Arrangements are being set.
The women move through the pack house carrying trays of snacks, water, broth, and coffee strong enough to wake the dead.
Sabrina presses a cup into a wounded warrior's hands. "Drink" she tells him sternly, but in a soft voice. "No arguing. Now." she says as she smiles at him.
Tina crouches beside another, inspecting a bandage. "You bleed, like an idiot." she mutters. "try not to do it again." she smirks as she handed him a snack and a coffee.
Roxie hands out protein bars like she's been doing it her whole life.
Trinity moves with purpose. She's checking on her people with one hand unconsciously resting on her stomach.
In the lower levels, the dungeon door slams shut. Anyone captured alive is thrown below with silver shackles, a shot of wolfsbane, and chained with silver to a wall. Questioning begins immediately. We need answers.
Back in the office, the tension finally eases enough for our breaths to return.
Trixie steps in last with a tray balanced on one hip. She sits it down in front of Benjamin. "You haven't eaten." she says firmly. Benjamin blinks then he chuckles. "Yes my Queen." he says as he smiles and shakes his head.
We all dig into the snacks and drinks she brought in. Trixie hands made a cup of coffee and gives me a quick kiss. "Thank you little mouse." I said, as I smacked at her bottom. "Babe, be good." she turns and scans the room once then walks straight to Coban and climbs onto his lap like it's the most natural thing in the world.
Coban's arms come around her automatically as he kisses her temple.
"Guess we know who the favorite it is." Mark smirks while everyone around the room chuckles.
"I see how it is little mouse." I arch a brow as I look right at her. Trixie tilts her head, pretending to consider.
"Your not even sitting down asshole." she says as she rolls her eyes as she teases with me.
"I could have very much sat down." now was my turn to roll my eyes.
"That's not denial." Kevan says dryly.
Sabrina snorts. "Maybe she didn't sit on Caden's lap because he stinks." she said as she shrugged her shoulders.
I looked down at myself and looked around the room. All the men are covered in blood, sweat and smoke.
"I fought a war." I said, as I stomped my foot, trying to act like a child.
"Exactly." Tina grins.
Laughter breaks out low, tired, and real. For the first time since the explosions, the room feels human.
Coban presses a kiss to the top of Trixie's head. She relaxes against him completely. I walked over and placed my hand on her cheek. "I love you little mouse." I said, as I pressed a quick kiss onto her lips.