Intertwined: her three mates

14. Rescuing Team

Maximus 

So, now I just need to get inside it. I sigh. I decided to try to face the Werewolf King by myself, at first. I will warn the others about Lea's whereabouts, if and when it is necessary. Coming by myself is risky, but it also has its advantages. They won't see me as a threat, at least not as they would see a group formed by 3 kings and their main commanders. The last thing I want is a war to take place, especially having my child in the middle of the battlefield. So, I decided to use the diplomacy that we Elves are well-known for. 

One of the werewolf patrol-officers, in charge to guard the Royal Pack's borders, came in my direction. Soon a couple of other officers came too. Some of these guards shifted to their wolf forms and stood in a defensive stance. 

“What are you doing in the outskirts of the Royal Pack territory?” The sturdy man asked me. 

“I am here in peace and alone. I would like to have a word with your Alpha, it is very important and something of his interest.”  

The man looked distracted as if he was mind-linking someone. Soon, a dark-haired bulky man came. He looked much more relaxed than the guards. He had a boyish and smug attitude and a commanding aura. He probably has a leadership position in the pack. 

“So, what is the matter you want to discuss with my Alpha?” The man asks with a grin.

“It is about Lea,” I answer. His stance tensed at the mention of my daughter's name. 

“I am not here to take here by using force or tricks. I am honestly only here to talk. Your Alpha King will be, surely, interested in what I have to say.” I explain and the man sighs. 

“Come with me.” He utters motioning for me to enter the pack territory, I am escorted by more than 20 werewolves, in human and wolf form, to a place I suppose is the Alpha's or the Pack House. 

We walk in absolute silence, and their eyes look hazy, they should be mind-linking others and maybe even gathering reinforces. Wolves are very territorial, and protect their pairs and their packs fiercely, especially regarding other species. Even though at some point of the war we fought against each other, there wasn't any feud between wolves and elves. We were on good terms, as good as it could be only a few months after the end of a bloody war that involved all species. 

We arrive at a huge white house and enter it. They lead me to a spacious office, where a very tall and muscular man was waiting. He has a very strong and dominant aura and is still like a statue, a very gloomy expression on his face, and his arms are crossed in front of his chest.

He must be the Alpha King, Richard. I bare my neck slightly and avoided eye contact showing the wolf that I´m not questioning his dominance and am there in peaceful terms. 

“What you have to say, Elf?” He asks in a deep and husky voice. His eyes were glowing dangerously. 

Werewolves' eyes glow when their wolves are taking control or when they are on the verge to shift to their wolf form. A glowing-eyed wolf, especially an Alpha one, was not to be provoked. They could react in a very instinctive way, the wolf was pure instinct and just had 2 goals, protect what was theirs and eliminate any threat. Those instincts were multiplied tenfold when it came to protecting their mates, as it is in this case. Since I am certain that my little Lea, is to be his mate. For sure his wolf was already crazily protective of her. 

“I am Lea's father… and I want to come to a deal, a compromise with you. As I said, I am here in peaceful terms and I wouldn't do anything to endanger my daughter’s safety or your future mating with her.”

“What?” A short woman that was behind him asks startled. I haven't noticed her before, the presence of the Alpha King overcrowded the room to such a level that just now I noticed that the man who escorted me here and the short woman, a she-wolf, were also in the office. 

“I mean that I won't hinder or do anything to stop your mating with Lea when the right time comes,” I said calmly. 

“I took her to keep her safe and avoid that anyone drives her apart from me.” He says, more to himself, a bit more calmly. As if, his wolf side was trying to justify his acts to his human and more rational side. Probably abducting his child mate was a conflictual question for him. 

“I won't drive you apart or hinder the Goddess plans. That would only hurt Lea.”

“We really didn't know what to do. We didn't want to take the chance of letting the wizards keep the future Luna from Alpha Richard. They could do so since her mate is not from the same species.” The she-wolf says.

“I don't know what the wizards would do. I can't talk for them. But Lea is my daughter and I guarantee that I won't let anyone separate her from her mate. I am sure her mother will think the same. We only want Lea to be happy and being without a mate is….” Suddenly my calm and diplomatic demeanor was ruined, this matter always puts me on edge. “No one will force her to be apart from her mate.” I sighed, trying to contain my own emotions. “I can take a blood oath on that. I give you my word that I will make sure that no one will forcefully take Lea away from her mate.”

The Alpha seemed much calmer after hearing me. I told them that Lea goes to my villa, in the Elf Realm every week and he could visit her there once a year before she comes to age and after that, they could just have a normal mating and do what he and Lea agreed upon. 

I also urged the 3 of them to don't reveal my identity to anyone. They understood that keeping it a secret was in the best interest of Lea and would help to keep her safe. I told them that my older daughter and her mates would come for Lea soon, also in peaceful terms – I hope the King of Hell and the smug King Avalon don't go mad and start a battle as they have done, more than once, before. Alpha Richard agreed to let Lea go, he was not happy about it, at all. But he knew it was the right thing to do. 

I left the Royal Pack and after some time I told Elric about Lea's location. I gave Richard a bit more time with Lea, as I have promised him. But not much time, I knew how worried Liv and the others were and that Mel just could recover totally after Lea is back to her. 

  ~ * ~

 3rd Person POV

Richard agreed to let Lea go, even though it was difficult for him, his wolf and the man as well wanted to keep their mate near them. But he knew she is a child and she needed to be with her parents, her family and develop her witch powers to be who she was born to be, not only his Luna but also an enchantress. A hybrid enchantress Luna. 

Letting her go was the best way to provide for her, provide what she needed emotionally, her family, and her people. But he and his wolf would always keep their eyes on her and make sure she is always safe. 

His wolf would be restless staying so far away from what was his, Richard just hoped that seeing her once a year would make it a tad better.

Sarah was quite worried about her King and Alpha, she was afraid that staying away from Lea would make Richard the brooding and somber wolf he was until days before when he saw Lea for the first time in the ball. Maybe he could get even worst, knowing his mate was out there but he couldn´t be with her, he couldn´t protect her and take care of her. The 9 years of wait would be a huge hardship for her Alpha and probably for their Realm too. 

  ~ * ~

As soon as Elric got Maximus' information about Lea's whereabouts and situation, he shared her location with the others. They immediately flashed to the border of the Royal Pack.

Arriving there, Elric sees a border patrol officer-wolf passing by. He motions for him to come closer, the man obliges, wide-eyed to see the unlike group on the outskirt of his pack. 

“We are here to see your King,” Elric says in a serene but firm way. 

The poor wolf, in his human form, looks startled at feeling the power emanating from the 3 almighty kings. He simply nods and mind links his pack mates that someone is coming to see their king. 

He motions for them to follow him, seeming at a loss of words due to the overwhelming feeling. If they were attackers, the wolf's behavior could endanger his pack. He would have all his packmates as good as dead, literally. 

While they are walking, Liv looks at her mates and says, “I was thinking mates, maybe we don’t need to listen to that old lady, maybe she’s bananas.” 

“What?” Elric asks confused. 

“I mean she may be more cuckoo than a clock factory,” Liv replies. 

The Elf King raises a brow at her even more confused. 

 “She’s bat s**t crazy!” Liv says impatiently. 

Laius chuckles. His little mate had spunk. Mated life promised him a lot of fun, he thought. 

 “Liv! she’s a very well respected and powerful elderly enchantress. One of the oldest ones.” Avalon says narrowing his eyes at his mate. 

“Well, she’s old as dust. That I get. So maybe, just maybe, she used to be powerful and blah blah, yadda-yadda. But now she’s...” Liv adds. 

“Livia!” Avalon growls in a warning. 

“Okay, okay.” Liv pouts. 

Elric looks at her lustfully. How he wants to kiss that pouty lips.  

  ~ * ~

Richard already expected their visit. He walks to the front door of the Pack Mansion with Sarah and Lea. 

When they are close to the group, Liv snaps enraged “You brute, you kidnapped my sister!” as she tries to lunge towards him, but Elric holds her by her waist. 

“Calm down dear, we talk first,” Elric says serenely.  

“We don’t talk to children’s abductors” Liv protests, trying to get free from his grasp. 

Lea jumps in front of Richard and Sarah, taking a protective instance. 

“Stop Liv! Please don’t hurt them. They are my friends!”

“What?” Liv asks shocked. 

“I haven’t kidnapped her... she’s to be my mate...” Richard utters. 

Lea looks at him with wide eyes and asks in a gasp-whisper: “Mate? ... but I’m a kid”

“It is just when you grow up. You don't need to worry about it, for now, hon.” Sarah explains, squeezing Lea's hand in reassurance. The little girl still looks confused but nods at her. 

"Well, mate or not... you still Lea-napped her! ... you can’t just take people, using the excuse that they are your mates... that’s total bull.”  Liv flashes an annoyed look at Elric, who still has two firm arms around her waist keeping her from launching at anyone. 

“Let go of me!” Liv hisses. 

“Are you calmer now?” He asks without losing his hold on her.  

She snarls at him and he lets her go with a sigh, she whimpers unconsciously at the loss of contact with her mate but shakes her head at this feeling. Liv reaches for Lea and she comes closer to her older sister. 

“You are even more of a psycho than my mates! That’s an achievement!” Liv tells Richard with a scowl.  

"Why are we psychos, Sugar?" Laius asks. 

"Well... one of you molested me, the other one put me on house arrest for 2 years and you all spanked me." Liv answers. 

“But you liked it, Kitten!” Laius replies with a smirk. 

Liv covers Lea’s ears, which earns her a confused glare from her little sister. 

“What is mollyst?” Lea asks.

“It’s a typical dish from the... Pixie Realm”. Richard answers swiftly.

“That seems weird” she utters rubbing her chin with her small hand. 

“Yeah... it has a bitter taste,”  Liv says, giving Elric a pointed look.

Elric shakes his head. 

"Mates, attack him!" Liv utters looking between her mates and Richard. 

Her mates exchange looks. 

“NOO!” Lea screams.

"Lea sweetheart, kidnapers are not our friends!" Liv tells her little sister and Lea frowns at her.

"Can’t you be a bit reasonable?" Elric asks. 

"What’s the fun of it?" Liv replies with a mischievous smile. 

"As I said, I’ll be her mate and I’ve talked to her father. It’s all sort..." Richard starts. 

"Wow! Mr. Invisible has paid you a visit?! Have you actually seen him?" Liv cuts him off, surprised that her father has shown his face and revealed his identity to the Werewolf King. 

Richard looks at her confused.

"So, all that is needed for him to reveal himself is a little kidnapping act, I’ll let my mother know about it." Liv chuckles humorlessly.

"We are taking her home. I don’t want to breach the fragile peace that we’ve recently reached, but if it is necessary..." Avalon states. 

"It’s all sorted out... you can take her home." Richard agrees, even though letting Lea go is really hard for him and his wolf. 

Richard gets closer to Lea, as Liv flashes him an annoyed look. He goes down to his knees to say goodbye to his future mate. “Goodbye, Lea. It was really nice to meet you. I hope to see you soon.” 

She smiles sweetly at him. “See you guys” he kisses the top of her head and inhales her scent deeply, bringing comfort to his wolf. “Bye Sarah,” Lea says, waving her hand.  

“Bye, Lea.” The she-wolf replies, waving her hand too. 

The Wizard King chants something under his breath, takes a Rune out of his pocket, and places it on the grass floor, opening a portal where all of them go through. 

In a matter of seconds, they arrive at the Wizard King's castle. Liv takes Lea’s arm and looks at her, “Let’s go to see mom... you really scared us!” 

She turns to look at her mates.

“Thanks for helping to rescue Lea” she utters. 

The 3 of them look at her in awe. None of them saw that coming, their rebel and sassy mate saying thank you. She chuckles at their shocked faces.

"Does that mean you’re not mad at us anymore?" Avalon asks. 

She shrugs. “Maybe, let’s see.” 

Liv starts to pull Lea with her, but the little girl turns around and looks at her sister's mates curiously.  “Wait! I have seen you guys before. You are ALL my sister's mates?” She asks looking at them with wide eyes. 

Laius chuckles. “Yes, little girl.” She flashes him a toothy smile. 

Lea goes towards Elric and looks at him trying to figure something out. “I know you. You are my dad's friend.” Elric scoops her up and she giggles. “What is your name?” She asks him. He answers her and then she turns to Avalon. “I know you too, you are the owner of this castle. I saw you at the Ball.” 

Avalon smiles “Yes, I am. Do you like my castle?” 

"Yes... but you could change somethings." Lea utters with a coy smile. 

Avalon chuckles. “What are your suggestions?”

“It could be pink… and we could have some unicorns.” The 3 men laugh. “and a big room with many pillows for Liv and I dance and sing.” Lea giggles. 

Liv smiles at her. “So many good ideas.” 

Lea asks Elric to put her down and walks towards Laius, looking thoughtfully at him, trying to figure out who and what he is. 

"What is your name? What are you? You are not an Elf, right? Are you a Werewolf, then?" Lea asks curiously, looking intently at him. 

Laius chuckles. “My name is Laius. I am not an Elf, nor a Werewolf. I am like a demon.”

Lea's eyes grow wide and she gasps. “But you are not sooo scary… just a little.” She says, making the 4 of them laugh. 

"You don't need to be scared of me, little Lea. You are my mate's little sister. So, we are friends." Laius replies with a smile. Lea smiles back and takes a closer look at him. 

“I like your eyes. They have a funny color, it's like chocolate red.” Lea comments, making Liv chuckle. 

“Is Liv still afraid of you all?... My friend Ainhoa from school told me that mates bite, I think she is afraid because of this… Just don't bite her and she will be nice…” Lea tries to whisper to the 3 males only, without Liv listening to her, but she fails. The 3 men laugh again at the little girl's antics. 

"It will be hard not to bite her," Laius mutters under his breath. 

Liv is a bit embarrassed. She doesn't want her mates thinking she is afraid of them. It is not true, at least not exactly true. 

"I hope she is not afraid anymore, then you can start having babies," Lea adds, making them laugh again and Liv snarl. 

"How many babies are you talking about, Lea?" Elric asks with a smile. 

"Hum… 5," Lea answers tipping her chin. Elric chuckles at her reply and Liv shakes her head.

"Let's go, Lea! We need to see mom." Liv takes her little sister's hand and tugs her gently, wanting to cut off the conversation and anxious to check on Mel. 

Lea waves goodbye to her sisters’ mates and goes with Liv. They go to their mother's room, where Mel is still sleeping. Having Lea with her and out of danger makes the blood spell effects wear off, but it has taken quite a toll on her and her body is still too exhausted for her to wake up. 

Liv whispers to don't wake their mom up, “Are you okay Lea? Were you scared?” She cups Lea's face and takes a good look at her. 

Lea whispers back, “I am fine. I was scared just for a bit, then I saw that Richard and Sarah were nice and I didn't need to be scared.” 

Liv hugs Lea tightly. She was quite afraid for her little sister. 

Lea decides to stay there and sleep beside her mom, hugging Mel to make her feel better. Liv only stays with them for a while, making sure Lea and Mel are okay, and then she goes back to her room.