64, We are partners

Adina’s POV

“What are you talking about, Sean?” Adina asked.

At the same time, Colin stood up, still holding her, and he and Sean walked out of Colin’s office and into their apartment.

“Sean?” Adina asked again, feeling ignored.

Colin sat her on the couch in their living room and got two bags from the clause as Sean headed for the bathroom.

“Colin, did he tell you what this is about?” Adina asked and stood up from the couch.

“No, but if he says you need to leave, then you are leaving,” Colin said as he headed for the walk-in closet.

Sean came back from the bathroom with two toilet bags. He put in the bags Colin had put out. Colin came out with a bunch of Adina’s clothes and stuffed them into a bag. Adina just watched the two men that were working without saying a word.

“Stop!” Adina finally said. She put enough determination into the word that both men stopped.

Sean was stuffing some of his clothes into a bag, and Colin was walking out of the closet with a bunch of her panties. They both froze.

“Thank you. Now someone is going to explain what is going on,” Adina said, taking her underwear from Colin, walking into the closet and dumping them in the drawer.

Colin and Sean followed her, and Colin was about to reach into the drawer and take the underwear out again when Adina slammed it shut with a low growl.

“Now, gentlemen,” she told them.

“As I said, the message was from my Finnish contacts. They told me there is hardly a rogue left in the Nordic countries,” Sean told her.

“It aligns with the rogue activity we have seen here?” she asked. Sean nodded.

“Then it’s confirmed that they have gathered here. Somehow, they have found out where I am,” Adina said.

“That is why you need to go somewhere safe,” Colin said, reaching for the underwear drawer again. Adina growled again, putting her hand on the drawer.

“Fine, you don’t need panties to survive,” Colin told her.

“You think I will just leave?” Adina asked them.

“Yes,” they both said.

“No,” she told them.

“Adina, baby, you need to protect yourself and our pup,” Colin said in a softer tone.

“You need to be kept safe. We can’t lose you,” Sean agreed.

“And you think I’m the kind of person who just leaves? That I would abandon you, Colin, and our pack, my family? How little do you think of me?” she asked. She was upset now.

“This is not different from what we have always done,” Sean said.

“Isn’t it? Can you look me in the eye and tell me you have no issues leaving our pack behind, Sean?” Adina asked.

“Don’t put that on him, Adina. He would do anything to keep you safe; we both would,” Colin told her.

“I’m not leaving. I can help, and I will not hide away while the rest of you fight for your lives,” she stubbornly said. She was a fraction away from stomping her foot and throwing herself on the ground, kicking and screaming.

“You can’t stay,” Colin said.

“I would like to see you try to stop me,” she said, daring both of her mates.

“Adina, this is not the time for you to be stubborn,” Sean told her.

“This is exactly the right time for me to be stubborn. I have let people tell me I need to run away for most of my life. I have let them convince me that my safety comes before everything else. Well, that stops now,” she said.

“We were going to attack them. Well, they seem to have beaten us to it. Now we will take a stance here. We will not be caught off guard. We have a chance to prepare,” she continued.

“You can’t expect us to be okay with you being in the middle of a battle. You saw what tactics they used. The gods only know what they have in store for us,” Colin argued.

“I’m not going to hide. I have had enough of that. Don’t you think I see the pain in Sean’s eyes each time he has to leave people to fight and get to safety? Don’t you think it weighs on my conscience that I take one of the best warriors away? That I know, I can help, but I leave?” Adina asked.

She was so upset she paced in the small room. She could see Colin reaching for more of her clothing.

“Colin, if you think about touching my clothes so much, I will freeze you. I am not in the mood to be treated like a weak and stupid she-wolf that needs her mates to tell her what to do,” she told him and snapped her fingers. All her clothes in the bag appeared in the closet as if nothing had happened.

“Adina,” Sean said in a warning voice.

“No. This is not negotiable. We are supposed to be partners, the three of us. I didn’t sign up for a relationship where you two get to decide what is best for everyone. Eighter, we do this as equal partners. Or we decide who is the dominant one and let them take the lead. Let me just warn the two of you. If we decide to battle it out, I won’t be holding back,” she stared at them.

Sean’s POV

Sean looked at Adina. He had only seen her this upset once before, and that was when she found out what his father had been doing to him. She had been terrifying then; now, as an adult in complete control of her emotions and powers, she would be even more so.

“Okay, you have made your point, sweetheart. We will sit down and talk about it,” he said, receiving a glare from Colin.

‘She will level this place to the ground if she continues to build her anger,’ Sean mind linked Colin.

‘If that is the way to keep her safe,’ Colin responded.

‘It isn’t. We can’t force her to do anything. The only way we could take her away without her consent was if we sedated her and kept her sedated until it was over. Is that something you are prepared to do?’ Sean asked.

‘No,’ Colin said, sounding defeated.

‘Me neither. She would never speak to either of us again. That is if she didn’t tear us limb from limb when she woke up,’ Sean agreed.

“Fine, we’ll talk,” Colin said to Adina.

“Let’s get everyone and meet in Colin’s office. We will call Cernack so he can be included,” Adina nodded.

They sat at the conference table ten minutes later with Mateo, Julia, Jason, and Clara. Cernack was on speakerphone, and Sean was itching to get this over with so he could get Adina someplace safe.

She was, of course, right when she had said that he hated to leave the battle to others. He wanted to be there. He wanted to kill every single one that posed a threat to Adina, Colin, and their pack. But he also knew that Adina came first. She always had and always would.

Adina quickly explained why they all were there. There was a moment of silence as everyone took in the information.

“My lady, why are you still there? You should get to safety,” Cernack said.

“I’m not going to do that. This is my pack. I’m staying,” Adina told everyone.

“Adina, luna, we appreciate you want to remain with the pack. But your life is important; go to safety,” Jason said.

“No. I have had this conversation with my mates. That won’t happen,” she said.

“We should evacuate the weaker pack members, maybe see if one of our allies can take them in,” Julia said.

Sean and Colin stared at her, as did Mateo and Jason. She had never felt comfortable enough to make suggestions during these meetings before.

“Good idea. There is a friendly dryad tribe near here. Their magic will keep our pack members safe,” Adina nodded.

“We should let people decide if they want to stay or leave. Some might want to stay,” Clara said.

Again, the men stared at the woman that had spoken.

“Good point. We will call for an emergency pack meeting and explain what is happening and their options. We have the shelter, if necessary,” Adina agreed.

Sean looked at the women around the table. Neither Julia nor Clara had for a second questioned Adina’s decision to stay.

“Clara, Julia, you have the same option as all non-warriors. It’s up to you if you go away or stay,” Adina told them.

“She will go,” both Mateo and Jason said.

“I will not,” their mates told them.

“I’ll stay and help Doc at the hospital. I think we will need as many hands as possible,” Clara said.

“I’m staying. I can help Adina organise the civilians left behind,” Julia said.

“Thank you. It will mean a lot to the pack,” Adina smiled.

“What is happening?” Colin asked.

“I think the women are planning the defence without us,” Mateo said, obviously confused.

“Well, you are still trying to talk the luna into going away. She is one of the most powerful mortals, so good luck with that. In the meantime, we will focus on more practical matters,” Julia told her mate. Clara nodded, and Adina smiled.

“Fine, let’s plan this,” Colin folded. Sean sighed and surrendered to the idea that Adina wouldn’t be going anywhere.

They planned their defences. Cernack had a list of how many warriors would be included in the Thorns. He told them they would arrive the following day.

“Me, Mateo, and Jason will divide the warriors between us. That way, we have three moving groups that adjust according to where the enemies come from,” Colin said.

“You forgot to include Sean and me,” Adina said. Sean looked at her.

“I’ll be staying with you in the shelter,” he told her.

“Why would I stay in the shelter?” Adina asked.

“You are pregnant,” Colin told her.

“With all due respect, Adina. He is right. You are carrying the next alpha of the pack,” Clara said, and Julia nodded.

“Okay, that is a valid point. I’ll stay in the shelter with Julia. But that still leaves Sean,” Adina agreed.

“I’m not leaving your side,” Sean said.

“Sean, I’ll be fine, and I’ll be safe,” Adina told him.

“She has a point,” Colin reluctantly agreed.

Sean looked at Adina. He had made a promise to keep her safe. The look she gave him was full of confidence and love.

“Okay,” Sean nodded.

“Good, then we will divide the warriors in four,” Jason said.

“I’ll make some calls to our allies,” Colin said.

“I’ll do the same,” Adina added.

Colin’s POV

Colins stood in front of his pack. He saw the concern on their faces as they looked to him for answers. This was one part of being an alpha he enjoyed the least. He explained the situation to the pack and explained the options.

The evening was spent talking with worried pack members. Many wanted to leave for safety but felt it was disloyal to the pack.

Colin watched Adina and Julia talking to a mother who wanted to ensure her children were safe. But she didn’t want them to feel like they had abandoned the pack. Colin smiled as he watched his mate and her friend convince the woman that it was perfectly fine for her to leave with her children.

At the end of the evening, Colin, Adina, and Sean met up, and they said goodbye to the few pack members lingering in the dining hall. Jason and Clara had left about an hour before and Mateo and Julia about then minutes after.

When the three of them were halfway to their apartment, Colin felt the familiar feeling of a new pack member being added to the pack bond. He looked down at Adina, and she was smiling. Sean was chuckling.

“I’m happy she is finally a part of the pack,” Adina said.

“Jason will have his hands full with her. She is quiet but strong-willed,” Colin smiled. He was happy for his friend.