*“I fight so that those who cannot will never have to live in fear.” ― Kat Kinney*
***Kiya***
Neron tapped my nose once with a finger, smiling, before walking back to the girls. They stilled when they sensed our approach, straightening their posture.
“What happens now?” Aiyana asked, reaching toward Alana’s uninjured hand.
“Now?” Neron clapped once while grinning. “Now, we get you two ready for bed.”
“But, we don’t have pajamas.” Alana gestured to her maid outfit. “We can’t sleep in this.”
“We’ll figure something out.” I remarked as I head to the closet in search of a couple of shirts for them to wear.
“I can’t wait to get out of this dumb thing.” Alana grumbled, yanking at her collar. “It’s stuffy.”
Aiyana giggled.
The next ten minutes went by smoothly. All four of us were out of our outfits into comfortable pajamas, or in the girl’s case, makeshift pajamas. I walked out of the bathroom after removing my makeup to see the girls flooding in Neron’s t-shirts. Aiyana wiggled her arms to flap her sleeves while Alana slid her arms inside the shirt and waddled around like a penguin. Neron’s shirts were so big on them that the hems covered their feet. I repressed a giggle as I went to my bed and fluffed the pillows.
“Alright, little penguins. You two will sleep here tonight.”
They hurried over and climbed in, delving under the covers. Aiyana made an ‘O’ with her lips when she ran her hand over a pillow. “Is this silk?”
“Yep! The pillowcase will protect your hair from split ends.”
She frowned. “What are those?”
*Oh, I have a lot to teach her about her hair*.
“Wait…” Alana squinted her eyes in suspicion. “Why does your room have two beds, Luna?”
“Uh…” I looked to Neron for help, who was just slipping on a thin shirt for bed. “It’s complicated?”
“You and the Alpha are married. There should only be one bed.”
***MARRIED***?!
Neron choked on his spit, coughing up a storm while my cheeks burned like lava. The girls crossed their arms and furrowed their eyebrows, sparing glances between Neron and me while I adjusted the bonnet on my head, trying to come up with an answer.
“Well….” I squeaked.
“Alana, they don’t have those married rings!” Aiyana pointed to my bare hands.
Alana jerked her head toward Neron. “Shame on you! You’re supposed to marry your Luna!”
Neron’s jaw dropped as his face cosplayed a tomato. “I—”
“I-I’m not a Luna, dear.” I jumped in quickly, running a hand through her thick, fire-colored hair. “Please, just call me Kiya or Kiki.”
“But you’re *like* a Luna.” Alana tilted her head to the side. “You should be one.”
“Wait, they don’t have the mate mark thingy on their necks, Yana.”
“I forgot what they’re supposed to do.”
“Make them kiss a lot?”
“Okay!” I shrieked, only because Neron was seconds away from crawling into a hole. And I was about to go with him. “Bedtime!” The girls leaned back on the bed, pulling the covers up to their necks. I switched off the lights of the suite and shuffled under the covers on Neron’s bed.
“See! I knew they’re married!” Alana exclaimed.
“Go to sleep!” Neron and I yelled in unison. The girls laughed. They fell asleep after a few minutes. I covered my face with my hands, laughing to myself. Neron raised an eyebrow with a smile, turning on his side to face me.
“What’s so funny?”
“Kids are so nosy.” I moved my hands, propping one under my pillow as I looked up at Neron. “It’s amazing how comfortable they grew around us already.”
“Children notice everything, especially the people who protect them. They trust you.”
“They trust you too.” I reminded, poking his chest. “You stopped Jackson from attacking. They noticed that too.”
Neron exhaled through his nose, lazily wrapping an arm around my waist. I shuffled closer to him, propping my head under his chin. There was only one word I can describe this feeling: under the covers and in his warmth.
*Home*.
“They’re going to be okay, Kiya.” Neron whispered, rubbing circles on my back through my tank. “We’re doing the right thing, even if it’s risky.”
“I know.” I closed my eyes. “Thank you for protecting me from the big bastard. I would’ve blown my whole cover if you hadn’t acted.”
“I’ll do anything to protect you, Kiya. *Anything*.”
Lulled by the quiet hum of the air-conditioner, I fell into a peaceful sleep caged in warmth from the covers and the alpha holding me tight.
----------------------------------------------------
The morning started off great. Neron, the girls, and I ate our breakfast together since we requested to eat in our suite. Since the girls didn’t have any other clothing, they dressed back in their original outfits after the shower. Neron and I packed our things in our bags and suitcases. Our flights leave later this afternoon. He made quick work to purchase last-minute plane tickets for the girls, and I spoke with Anthony on the phone about the entire situation.
Neither of the girls had pack marks. In technical terms, they were rogues. *Captive* rogues. Anthony told me rogues can travel to and from places as they please because they aren’t bound to a pack. Jackson doesn’t have any claim over them because they aren’t connected to his ‘family’. The girls were just ‘guests held prisoner’. And with their parents out of the picture, it made things easier. This meant that Neron and I can take Alana and Aiyana with us back to Onyx Moon without risking pack conflict.
It was the best news we’ve heard. The inflated ego and selfishness of a man proved to be his undoing.
The four of us left the suite with the girls hopping on their heels beside us. They’re so happy to be coming with us. Neron mentioned Lupin, and their excitement grew. I made a mental note to introduce the two to Ivory and Ebony. We were waiting for our bellhop to come and take our luggage when, out of nowhere, a booming, angry voice filled the hallway.
“**I’ll be damned if I’m letting you take those brats away**!”
Fuck.
*Trouble was on its way, and it was coming fast*.
Alana and Aiyana nearly jumped out of their shoes, instantly seeking refuge behind Neron and me, when Bastard Jackson stomped toward us with Luna Liberty running up behind him.
“Honey, please—!”
“Shut the hell up, woman. Know your goddamn place!”
Liberty clammed up, but not without tears brimming her eyes. A snarl tore from my throat and a deadlier one from Neron. Jackson tried to get within a foot of me and the girls, but Neron was quick to shove him away from us.
“Step the fuck back!” He roared at him. “I won’t hesitate to break your arm this time if you try something.”
Jackson’s face darkened as he bared his teeth at Neron. Artemis almost jumped out of my skin with her claws out and ready to make their mark. “Those girls are mine. Taking them away is grounds of a kidnapping!”
“Since when?” I asked, crossing my arms. The girls’ hands gripped my shirt tight, burying their heads in the curve of my back. “They don’t have pack marks, so they don’t belong to you. They aren’t obligated to stay and can leave whenever they want, and you can’t do shit about it.”
“They were *given* to me.”
“You pay off a debt, right? And you mistreated them.” I narrowed my eyes. “Is there something you want to confess, Alpha Fuckface?”
Jackson glared at me with uncontained hatred, but I didn’t flinch. I stood my ground and kept the girls out of his reach, ready to protect them by any means necessary. Neron stood between us, using his big body to shield the three of us. Liberty looked at me from behind Jackson, her eyes pleading with me.
‘*Help them*!’ They said. ‘*Get them away from him*!’
“Does it make you feel good to hurt defenseless women and girls?” I accused, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “You must be a weak little man to put your hands on the defenseless. I don’t know whether to pity you or cuss you out.”
“You know nothing about me, bitch.” He snarled, pointing a finger at me. “These baseless accusations will get you hurt.”
“Threaten her again and **you’ll** be the one who gets hurt.” Neron declared, his veins pulsing in his neck. Gold flashed in his blues from the corner of his eyes. Onyx was primed and ready to attack just as much as he was. “No matter the circumstances of how the girls got in your possession, they’re have no obligation to stay with you. Your actions last night told me what I needed to know in how you truly treat them.”
An audience was gathering behind us, heads poking out from the other suites. *Perfect*.
“Correcting their behavior, you mean? You don’t know discipline when you see it, boy.” Jackson leaned into Neron’s face. “Or else you wouldn’t let your plaything talk out of turn. What kind of man are you?”
“Better than you.”
“Do your allies know how you mistreat your Omegas?” I said, loud enough for the entire hallway to hear. “I would hate for you to lose important alliances if they find out the man they’re helping to protect loves to abuse women.”
Jackson stiffened, straightening his posture. *I got him right where I want him*. I nudged the girls behind Neron and stepped forward, unable to hide the glee from my face. “I also know that you have a lot of investors and investments around Miami and Tallahassee, particularly in ones who support local organizations that help women and children escape abuse. The irony is astounding—you don’t put your money where your mouth is.”
“You wormed your way into my personal life?” He accused me. “Your audacity holds no bounds.”
“The records are public, asshole. You should try googling your own name next time. You’re quite the donator.” I flicked my hair behind me. “This must be so hard for you. You’re so used to women being beneath you that one talking back to you threatens the little power you have.”
His muscles buckled. He ground his teeth harder. His hand twitch, no doubt wanting to slap the crap out of me. I wasn’t poking the bear; I was stabbing a pitchfork up its ass. Liberty shined a smile to me, a genuine, dazzling smile. It must be the happiest she’s ever been.
“Threatening the big guy takes a lot of balls.” Jackson laughed, crossing his arms. “You think you can take me down?”
“Ask your back. I hope it didn’t hurt too much from last night.”
He scowled, and I almost laughed. “You’d be more likable if you learned your place.”
“Oh, and I supposed you’d teach me with slaps to the face and beatings, right?”
Liberty winced.
“You want the brats?” He arched an eyebrow. “Fine. Take them. They’re useless, just like their damn parents. But, if you think you can threaten me or my pack, you’re sorely mistaken. You don’t have hope on this earth to do that. You can’t take me down, little brat.”
“Maybe, maybe not.” I shrugged my shoulders. “Neron and I will take the girls with us; to get them out of your hair, if you will. But, if I were you, I’d invest in something else. I’d hate for this little spat to get out and you lose the money funneled to your pack.”
“You can’t do a damn thing.”
“You wanna bet?” Neron pipped in with a grin. “I’d have no problem taking you down myself, Jackson. It’ll be fun.”
“An infant alpha taking me down?” He scoffed. “You don’t have a chance.”
“*Actually, he does, and I’ll be by his side helping him*.”
Jackson whipped around to see Anthony and Dimitri walking up, flanking on either side of Neron. Three alphas were shielding the girls and me from the monster. I couldn’t hide my grin. Alana and Aiyana looked at me with curiosity and fear, and I nodded back at them. They returned my smile, skittering back behind me. Alesia and Lyria snuck up from behind and pulled Liberty to the side for a very hushed conversation, slipping a note in her pant pocket.
“Consider our alliance rescinded.” Dimitri barked at him. “And if I were you, I’d be more careful about who you sell your sorry-ass proposal to. I rather cut off my left nut than to ally myself with a man who hurts children.”
“You’ll take that brat’s words over mine?”
“All day, any day.” Anthony narrowed his eyes. “And this ‘brat’ is my little sister. If Neron doesn’t tear you a new asshole, best believe I’d be the one to do it. Watch your mouth and watch *your* fucking place before you end up on the wrong side of my claws.”
Jackson was outmatched, outnumbered, and outwitted. Going against a single alpha was one thing, but three? The bravado he had earlier misted away like steam, leaving nothing but the pathetic man underneath. His eyes scanned the surrounding area to spot the audience scrutinizing his every move. *Caught red-handed*. He shot me a deathly glare once again, and I returned it with a shoulder shrug.
*I’m protected, always*.
Alana and Aiyana are under **my** protection. Starting today, that is and will be the norm.
The big bastard huffed harshly through his nose, grinding his jaw behind his lips. Luna Liberty walked behind him, docile and quiet, like he wanted her to be. Jackson left without saying a word, dragging her with him. My concern grew exponentially when their bodies disappeared from the corridor.
Anthony put a hand on my shoulder, squeezing it lovingly. “We’re going to get her out. Her situation is a more difficult because she is in close proximity to Jackson, but we have a plan in place. I have allies here in Florida too.”
That brought some relief to my heart. “I just don’t want her to bear the repercussions from this.”
“Unfortunately, there is a risk she might.” Alesia said. “Men like that are volatile and unpredictable. If this plan goes smoothly, Liberty should be at Garnet Moon by the end of this week, the latest.”
“Well, whatever you guys have planned, I trust you.”
“And what about Jackson?” Neron asked. “What’s stopping him from doing this to another girl?”
“Also, a difficult situation, but…” Dimitri smirked, his pale blue eyes glowing. “I think we can knock him down a peg or two. It’ll take some time because Jackson has friends in high places.”
“Kiya?”
I peered down at Aiyana gently tugging at the back of my shirt. “Does this mean we’re coming with you and Alpha Neron?”
“Yes.” I responded, running my fingers over the cornrows I braided into her hair. “You and Alana will come with us to Oregon.”
The girls cheered. Neron and I shared triumphant smiles. Today, the good guys won and saved two innocent lives in the process.
Our bellhop came not long before carrying our luggage to our limo. We made it to the airport in less than an hour, got the girls’ their boarding passes, and we were on our five-hour flight back home in no time. Alana and Aiyana were in their seats ahead of us, watching a Disney movie with their headphones in. My focus was out the window, watching the wing of the plane slice through the clouds.
“Are you okay?”
I turned to Neron sitting beside me and nodded. “Yeah, I’m okay. You?”
“I’m good.” He leaned his head back against the rest and smiled. “It’s funny, actually. We came to Miami with nothing but our luggage and we’re coming home with two children.”
“And a key chain.” I grinned, holding up a rectangular key chain that read I love Florida with a beach behind the lettering. The word ‘love’ was replaced with a heart. “I promised Nuria I’d get her one.”
“Ah, so that’s why you ran to the gift shop ten minutes before boarding.” He laughed. I grinned, shaking my head as I looked back at the window. A realization suddenly hit me, forcing my smile into a frown.
“I’m glad we got Alana and Aiyana out.” I began. “But there is the Apophis situation we have to worry about. I don’t think I can relax yet.”
One thing down, a million more to go. None of this was truly over until the threat of Apophis stops hanging over my head. I felt an arm snake around my shoulders, pulling to rest against Neron’s arm. My head found its home on his shoulder and I sighed, muscles relaxing.
“You told me to take things one step at a time, right?” He asked. “Well, we just have to do the same here; take it one step at a time. We’ll figure out Selene’s message, the visions, and come up with a plan of action just as we made one for the girls. Now, we can do it in the comfort of our home instead of a hotel across the country.”
“You have a point.” I chuckled. “Once the girls are settled, I’ll chat with Phoebe and Violetta to see what we can do.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
It’s a plan, but it is better than nothing.
Just five more hours until we get back to Onyx Moon.
Then, the ***real*** challenge begins.