103

103
Chapter 27 – Island
Eudora’s POV
I kept sneaking nervous glances behind us, looking for any sign of being followed. I could no longer see the shipwreck. We continued to move effortlessly through the water, I was surprised to see Lukas had so much energy to move all of us for so long. My poor baby would surely be exhausted tonight.
Hazel had her arms wrapped around Chip’s back and squinted up towards the sun. I could tell she was thinking the same thing I was. We were about two hours away from sunset and needed to find land. Sharks are most active between dusk and dawn, so I didn’t want to be in the water much longer.
In the distance, land came into view, and I breathed a sigh of relief. I pointed my finger in the direction of the land and hoped Lukas understood what I was pointing at. As we got closer and closer, I spotted what looked like three tour boats sailing away from the island in the opposite direction. One of the boats had a large flag I recognized as the Bahamian flag. I knew the Bahamas had over seven hundred islands and only a small handful are inhabited. I wondered if this was a popular diving or snorkeling location and if the tour boats would return tomorrow to rescue us.
The beach came into view, and we were greeted with loud snorting sounds. A pack of jolly pigs swam out to meet us as we approached. They were unfazed by the two wolves in the water with us and happily followed us to land. The pigs seemed to be accustomed to humans and sniffed around for food. When they realized we had none, they retreated to the far side of the beach with the rest of their clan.
Earl and Chip proceeded to shake out their fur and quickly started sniffing around. I moved towards a dwarf type of tree and sat down below it for shade. I removed the sling that was still hanging around me and laid it down in front of me before placing Lukas on top of it.
“Shift!” I commanded and he shifted into his handsome baby self.
No longer able to withhold my tears, I scooped him up and kissed his little face. “You did amazing, baby. I’m so lucky to be your mommy. You saved us.”
Earl and Chip came in close and looked momentarily confused as they noticed the naked baby in my arms. They lowered their heads and slowly inched closer to sniff him. Earl gave his hand a quick lick and sat down beside me. Chip tried to rub his head on Lukas’ feet and also laid beside Earl.
Hazel reached her hand and cupped Lukas’ head as she stroked the baby. A warm and gentle smile formed on her face, and I realized just how beautiful she is. I looked down at her arms and saw the scars of her past. The type that years of abuse leave behind. I reached an arm out and pulled Hazel into a sideways hug as we cried together.
Randall was a monster who should have been put down long ago. I knew what my first order as Luna Queen would be. I silently promised myself to speak with Alpha Helix LaRue. He had taken over Randall’s old pack and I wanted everyone involved in the mistreatment or torture of Hazel punished.
We sat in silence for a long while. Thoughts of Ranger filled my mind and aching heart. I wondered if the family was able to feel the pain of a severed bond if his wolf was dormant. Hazel stood up and pointed in the direction of thick bushes near the beach. Then she wiggled her hips in what I recognized as a potty dance.
“You need to use the restroom?” I asked and she nodded her head.
Hazel stepped away to take care of business. I looked down at Chip who was laying on his side, snoring. I prayed that the tourist boats would return tomorrow and wondered if I could pass Earl and Chip as family dogs. I smiled thinking about my big and handsome Apollo when he slept like that. After a few more moments, Earl let out a low whine and took off in the direction Hazel had gone. I wondered if Hazel was okay and stood to check on her.
“Hazel, is everything okay? Earl just ran off and I was—”
“Eudora!” I heard Ares call to me.
“Ares?” He found us. Thank God he found us. I let out a deep breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
“Oh thank the Gods! Baby, are you okay?” He rushed to me, and I couldn’t believe he was actually here. “Where’s Lukas?”
“He’s over there, taking a nap on Chip.” I pointed back to our sleeping baby.
“Where did you find the wolves?” He asked looking puzzled.
“Better yet, where did you find the pigs?” Wylder asked.
Ares’ eyes had glazed over, and I knew he was mind linking with someone else. He looked up at the sky and sent a big ball of flames that looked like fireworks into the sky. A small whimpering sound reminded me Hazel was with me and I could see the fear in her eyes as she took in the Alpha King and Beta.
“It’s okay Hazel. He’s my mate. He won’t hurt you.” I moved in to hug her close.
“Hazel?” Ares asked. “As in Tymber’s roommate?”
“Yes. It’s a long story.” I told him, wishing I could mind link him and tell him I would explain later. I didn’t want to upset Hazel by retelling what Ranger had told me. Oh, Ranger! My heart felt wounded again thinking about him, and tears filled my eyes.
“We’ve got time. Ares can roast a pig or something.” Wylder grinned and I let out a soft giggle. He’s always thinking with his stomach.
The sound of a helicopter approached, and everyone turned their heads to look at it. Ares informed us Zeus was going to land on the far end of the beach and motioned for us to move behind a big boulder in the wooded area at our end of the beach. Hazel stayed right next to me, and Earl followed. Ares picked up Lukas and planted kisses on his head. Chip stood up and trotted over to us as well. The helicopter hovered lower and lower, and the pigs finally disappeared into the wooded area of the island.
The blades stopped spinning and the doors opened. The sand seemed untouched and I’m sure Ares used his earth element to keep the sand from blowing around. Mateo and Zeus sprinted down the beach towards us. I turned my head to find Hazel had also disappeared behind a bigger tree and crouched low. That poor thing seemed so afraid of everything and everyone, I wasn’t sure what to think.
“Dora!” Mateo smiled. “Are you okay? Do you need a healing?” He asked, quickly looking me over.
“No, I’m okay.”
“Something smells different.” Zeus said as he hugged me.
“I’m having another pup.” I smiled at him.
“No, not that.” He said as his gray eyes swirled silver. I knew he was moving the wind to carry scents to him. He took a deep breath and looked down at Earl and Chip.
“Those are real wolves. I’ll explain later.” I told him and he let out a low growl.
“Zeus, what is it?” Ares asked.
“Where is she?” He questioned as his eyes turned black. Zion, his wolf was on the surface and was looking over my shoulder into the trees. I heard another low whimper coming from behind the tree and knew he was looking for Hazel.
Earl made a low growling noise and moved to where Hazel was. Chip also followed suit and Zion was not happy. Another growl rumbled in his throat, ready to attack, and I reached my hand to his shoulder.
“Zeus, I need you to calm down, you’re going to scare her.” I tried to use my Luna command.
“Peaches and cream!” Zeus said as he sniffed the air again and looked frenzied.
“I don’t think he’s talking about desserts!” Wylder chuckled.
“Zion. Sit!” I tried again and Ares moved in front of Zeus, breaking his view from the trees. Zeus let out a growl and Wylder wrapped his arms around Zeus from behind to hold him back.
“If you don’t want her to reject you, you’d better slow down and listen to me.” I told him. “ZEUS! You need to listen to me first and I will introduce you.” He stopped struggling and looked at me, his eyes had returned to their steely gray color.
“Let’s go over there and I’ll explain.” I pointed towards the sandy beach. We took a few steps towards the water and Zeus kept looking back over his shoulder to make sure she didn’t escape.
“Relax. We’re marooned on an island, there’s no place for her to run.” Wylder assured him.
“Dora, what’s wrong with her?” Mateo asked.
I told them about the research lab. About Azazel, about Ranger and Hazel. I told them what Ranger had shared with me about Hazel, how she was a slave, and what Randall had done to her. Zeus was a growling mess hearing his mate had been so brutally abused by Randall. I told them how I killed Jeff and the way Lukas attacked him. I explained what Ranger said about Lukas being a lycan and then I told them how Papa Diesel’s brother led us to safety and sacrificed himself to help us escape. I was a blubbering mess by the time I finished and Ares pulled me to his chest for comfort.
“Zeus you have to go slow. She doesn’t trust very easily, but she trusted Ranger. So it’s going to take time.” I pleaded and he looked like he was having an internal struggle within himself.
“We’re going to find Randall, and when I catch him, I’m not going to kill him. He won’t get off so easy. I’m going to keep him locked up in the dungeon and every time I think about what he’s done to my mate, I’m going to torture him, over and over and over again until Zion is satisfied. HE WILL BEG FOR DEATH AND I WILL NOT GIVE IT TO HIM!” He roared.
“Sounds like a plan to me.” Wylder agreed.
“Zeus, he’s yours.” Ares nodded his agreement.
“We still don’t know why Randall is working with Azazel.” Mateo added.
“Eudora, can you please introduce me to my mate. I promise I’ll try to contain myself.” Zeus said as he ran his fingers through his hair.
“Come on, but no sudden moves.” I agreed and we moved slowly to the tree she was still hiding behind.
“Hazel. This is Alpha Zeus Crow. He’s my brother-in-law and Alpha Ranger’s Great Nephew. His wolf has recognized you as his mate and he’s excited to meet you… if you’re willing to meet him.” I told her and she looked out from around the tree to steal a glance. Earl and Chip could sense her fear and hovered close to help protect her.
“Hazel,” Zeus called out. “Hazel, I won’t let anyone hurt you ever again. I know you can’t speak to me and I’m okay with that. Maybe someday, you’ll be able to speak to me through the mind link. My wolf is Zion, and he wants nothing more than to take care of you. We both do.” Zeus looked at me.
“You’re going to come home with us. Tymber is in our pack now and she’s been worried about you.” I tried again. “The one over there with the red hair is her mate.”
“You can bring Earl and Chip with you too.” Zeus offered and she slowly stood up. She looked down and gave Earl and Chip a rub on the head before they returned to Ares to check on Lukas. They had grown attached to Lukas in both his wolf and human form.
Ares released another ball of flames into the sky. “Chris and Conner are on their way. We’re going to need the second helicopter now that we have a few more additions to the pack.” Ares said.
“A wolf pack with real wolves. That’s pretty cool.” Wylder laughed.
We moved behind the big boulder again and Hazel scrunched down behind her tree. Zeus moved towards the tree and stood in front of it, blocking any wind and sand from reaching Hazel as the second helicopter landed near the first. This time Chris, Conner, and another woman I didn’t recognize stepped off the helicopter.
“Mitza, look we found Hazel!” Wylder called out and hugged the woman. I recognized the name from the night my mate and Wylder found Tymber.
Ares introduced us and I noticed Hazel had peered her head out at the arrival of Mitza. Mitza rushed to the tree and hugged Hazel, telling her how Tymber has been so worried about her. Hazel looked a little more relaxed with a familiar face around, but she still kept her eyes averted to the ground.
“So are we going to roast some pigs and have a luau, or are we going to blow this rock and find some real food?” Wylder asked.
Each helicopter seated five people, including the pilot. Zeus and Chris were the only two licensed pilots and there was no way Zeus would want Hazel away from him. Chris, Conner, Wylder, Mitza, and Mateo took the first helicopter back to Miami. We moved towards the second helicopter and Ares lifted me up with Lukas and buckled me into the back seat. Ares placed headphones over my ears and found a smaller child’s set for Lukas. He reached down, lifting Chip and Earl into the helicopter next, they sat down on the floorboard and waited for Hazel.
Hazel quickly scampered in before Zeus could help her and sat down. She tried to buckle herself in but struggled with the belt. Zeus gently reached in, and she sat frozen looking down at her lap, allowing him to help buckle her. I watched as his eyes filled with tenderness and pain looking her over.
“Hazel, I’m going to place the headphones on your head. They’ll help filter out the noise and allow you to hear anything I say.” Zeus said and she nodded her head. With Ares in the front seat and Zeus in the pilot seat, we slowly lifted up and sailed across the ocean towards the setting sun in the west.