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The next few hours were spent pacing the security office and listening in on their progress before we heard the words that unclenched our hearts.
“We found her,” DJ’s voice crackled across the radio. “Everyone, wait for Alaska’s signal.”
Niko pulled up the audio feed from the coms they were using so we could monitor the team better.
“We are going to have to work quickly. I can trap Eric for a small amount of time. There are two others in the cabin besides Amelia. Once I have Eric clear, you guys move in,” Alaska instructed.
I held my breath, waiting for more. Lots of shouting, followed by sounds of breaking, gunshots, and then the coms went dead. Niko tapped furiously at the keys, pulling up different frequencies until we heard voices again.
“We have her. Miguel, did you hear that? We have her.”
“Is she okay?” My feet moved before my mind could process where I was going.
“She is wounded, a stray bullet hit her arm, but the wound is through and through and already healing,” Jonah responded. “She’s hungry, tired, and wants a bath. She’s rather grumpy, too.” Jonah laughed, and I heard Amelia’s growl. That one sound sent my heart into overdrive.
“Just bring her home. We’ll take care of her and everything she needs.” I removed the com from my ear, tossed it on the receptionist’s desk, and hurried out the doors, Niko close behind.
“Our mate needs us.” We rushed to Niko’s, changed the bedsheets, cleaned and prepared food for dinner, and then grabbed the softest blanket he owned and went to wait.
Thirty minutes later, we watched as the team emerged from the jungle’s edge. We met Amelia halfway across the open field, wrapped her in our arms, and just held her there.
“Don’t ever fucking leave us again.” Niko nuzzled her, kissing and nipping at her neck.
“It’s not like it was my choice,” she huffed but melted into his touch.
I wrapped the blanket around her shoulders, settling my panther in the process. He was happy to have her wrapped in our scent again. “Come, let’s get you home.”
She pulled back. “I don’t want to go back to my house.” Her eyes flashed with a deep fear I never wanted to see again.
“We aren’t going to your house, pet. We are going to our house.” Niko bit her shoulder sharply. “We need to clean you, feed you, and renew our mark on you in that order.”
Amelia nodded in agreement.
We walked arm in arm back toward the compound. I was careful of her arm, a small pink circle of skin the only indication she had been injured.
“Aunt ‘Melia!” Molly’s little voice screamed. I looked up to see her sprinting across the field, Kat and Kymber behind her.
Amelia stooped down and lifted Molly into her arms, squeezing her tightly. “I’m okay, baby, I’m okay.”
“I’m so sorry you were taken!” Molly cried.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Molly. Don’t cry. Everything’s all right. I’m home.” Amelia snuggled her. “Let’s get you back inside before anyone realizes you are gone again.”
“She’s not alone.” I wrapped an arm around her waist and put a hand on Molly’s little arm. “Look.”
Amelia glanced up to see the pride, every single one of them, filing out of that little side door, cheering as our party of three, now four with Molly in her arms made the short journey across the field to home.
