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Gently, they eased a shaking Ava to accept more healing tea. But rage simmered in both their eyes as they soothed their traumatized packmate. None were safe, it seemed, while Cyrus walked free.
Distraught, Ava dissolved into gut-wrenching sobs. Before Derek could intervene, Iris had gathered the blanket-wrapped woman into her slender arms, rocking gently and murmuring soothing reassurances.
"Shhh, now, let it out, Ava. You're safe. I've got you …" Iris smoothed stray blonde locks back from Ava's tear-stained face, her expression etched with concern for her friend.
Gradually, the wrenching cries quieted to hitching breaths. Iris brushed the lingering tears from Ava's cheeks with a tender thumb. "There now, I'm here. Do you think you can tell us what those monsters did when you feel up to it?"
At Ava's hesitant nod, Iris helped her take slow sips of water, keeping a comforting arm wrapped securely around the distressed woman. She shot Derek an imploring look over Ava's bent head, and he stepped forward, exuding calm stability to cushion them both. Finally, Ava found her voice again, still raspy with tears but steadier as she recounted the ambush.
“I-I was just walking with the pups when we were attacked out of nowhere," Ava rasped, fresh tears spilling over.
“The pups?”
Iris made a soft, soothing noise, cradling her closer. "Please, Ava. You have to tell us what happened."
Haltingly, face pressed into her friend's shoulder, Ava elaborated on enjoying a sunny woods outing with the children before violence shattered the peace without warning. Vicious fangs and claws descending so fast …
Derek tamped down the fury howling inside at hearing his innocent pack young had been terrorized. He waited with outward patience as Ava recounted the stabbing pain she feltbefore passing out. Now, who knew where the stolen children were or what horrors they may be enduring?
Once again, Iris met his eyes over Ava's bent head, equal amounts of rage and fear swirling in their shared gaze. As much as he wanted to rain hellfire down on Cyrus’s head, he knew the children had to be the priority. Cyrus could wait. Once Ava was tended to, revenge would descend like an avalanche on those who dared injure Derek's pack.
"Th-they took the pups!" Ava managed brokenly, hands fisting Iris's shirt as fresh sobs racked her frame. "Emma … L-Lucas and the others, I tried to shift to protect them b-but it happened so fast."
"Shhh, it's all right, Ava. Just breathe," Iris soothed, tone infinitely gentle as she smoothed back Ava's disheveled hair. "What's important now is that you're safe, and we will get the children back, I promise you …"
Derek was already messaging for his beta, not wanting to waste another second. Phone in hand, he was sending orders and coordinating his forces.
"You weren't there, oh, the screams …" Ava shuddered violently. "Their little faces, I can still see … And Lila was taking care of the kids with me. I have no idea what happened to her. Maybe they killed her like they tried to kill me."
Iris pressed Ava's head tenderly back against her shoulder, cradling it there while Derek looked on somberly. "I know, love. I know," Iris whispered into her hair. "But try not to dwell on what's past now. You need to regain your strength. We'll make it right. I swear to you."
Iris continued rocking Ava's quaking frame, whispering comforting words too low for even Derek to distinguish. But, eventually, the woman's ragged sobs softened to exhausted whimpers.
Derek crouched beside them after sending one last message to Mason, his features compassionate. "Rest now, Ava," he rumbled. "We'll keep you safe." At his steady tone, her swollen eyes finally drooped closed.
With utmost care, Iris lay Ava atop the pillows, brushing tangled blonde hair back from her face with sisterly tenderness. Derek regarded his gentle mate, his own fury carefully restrained despite his wolf’s growls deep inside him.
He waited until Iris had tucked a blanket around Ava's peacefully sleeping form to steer them both silently out of the room. Back in the hall, Derek pulled Iris against him, embracing her tightly as much for his own anchoring as comfort.
Derek's glacier-blue gaze stared coldly over Iris's head at nothing. An unforgivable offense had been committed. Innocent children had been terrorized on his sacred pack lands. The Alpha wolf raged for vengeance even as the man grieved.
Derek gently steered Iris from the guest room into an empty study down the hall. As soon as the door clicked shut, Iris crumpled against his chest, composure fracturing.
"The children, oh, God …” Iris choked out, hands flying to her mouth in dawning horror. "Emma, Christopher, little Faye … what the hell has Cyrus done?" Anguished tears spilled down her cheeks.
Derek instantly enveloped her in his formidable strength, expression thunderous yet touch infinitely gentle. "Hush now, we will get them back safely," he soothed grimly. "Then we’ll destroy anyone who played any part in stealing our young." His cheek pressed fiercely to her hair. He allowed Iris a long moment to just sob against his shirt.
Finally, she pulled back, dashing the lingering tears away sharply. Her healer's eyes had hardened into flinty jade. "We should notify the other caregivers straight away. They'll be out of their minds with fear for the missing babes."
Derek nodded. "I'm having Mason round everyone up for a meeting. We'll get the whole pack after the missing children." He squeezed Iris's chilled hand. "Try not to envision the worst just yet. Cyrus is scum, but even he has no reason to harm innocent children. He’s trying to send a message, but we'll locate wherever he's secreted them away to soon enough."
Iris's jaw tightened. "If one hair on their heads is harmed further, there will be no force on this Earth stopping me from ripping that roach-hearted cretin's spine out slowly."
Despite the gravity, Derek huffed faintly in pride. There was his fierce mate's ruthless protective instinct. She would move mountains to protect their small, vulnerable members, and God save anyone who attempted to hinder her.
FOURTEEN
IRIS
