AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I won’t deny that your actions put both of you in danger.” I opened my mouth to retort, but he stopped me with a raised hand. “Let me finish.” He paused and waited. I kept my mouth closed. “I was going to say that I understand why you did what you did, but I can’t protect you completely from any punishment or reprimand Leo decides on.”
I unconsciously leaned back into Miguel’s warmth and comfort. “Amelia, you know Niko. You know he gathers all the details from every side and uses that to keep us safe, to keep the pride safe, to keep the compound safe.” Miguel moved his arms from on top of mine and wrapped them around my middle. “If Sandoval is out there, we need to know. Are you absolutely positive it was him?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath. The weight of Miguel’s arms kept me grounded and gave me a feeling of complete safety. “Jeff, the one you call Sandoval, and another man I didn’t recognize were the only ones I saw.”
“Okay, that gives us something to start with.” Niko nodded. “But from here on out, you need to keep your bond open. We can’t help you otherwise, and in the event something happens again, Leo needs to be able to reach you.” I could tell that being unable to reach me had really shaken him up.
“I am not sure I can. My parents never nurtured any bond between us. I never learned how anything like that works. It’s been a long and hard learning process. My mental walls are something I do subconsciously.” I paused. “Kat has been helping me over the past year, but it’s been slow and frustrating.”
“You have that mental block down pat,” Niko huffed as a wry smile curved his lips.
I didn’t respond. I wasn’t ready to share that the wall they hit was created when I was small for self-preservation. When the pride bond settled into place, I couldn’t handle all the commotion, and the block was an automatic response.
“Most of us were taught young how the pride bond works after our first shift. How to hone in on speaking to just one person as well as how to broadcast to everyone. Also, that web you feel and mentally see, the center of it is always home, the Alpha. Wherever the leader of a pride settles, that’s the center of the bonds.” Miguel laced his fingers through mine as he helped me to stand. I was realizing he needed physical touch, no matter how small. I squeezed his hand and reached for Niko’s with my other. Niko grabbed it and guided it through his arm, settling it on his forearm as we all slowly started our way down the path.
“I don’t think I was ever taught that, or if I was, it was during the time I don’t remember.” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. I gave the guys credit because they continued walking on as my revelation sank in.
“How long of a span are you missing?” Niko asked. Even out of the corner of my eye, I could almost see the wheels spinning in his head.
“I’m not sure. I have never really stopped to analyze it. I have little memories from my whole life, but a large chunk is just black.” I shrugged.
“Then, even if you were taught, you don’t remember now,” Miguel confirmed. “That just means we will teach you. I’ve begun working with Molly. Now, I’ll work with you both.” He squeezed my hand.
It didn’t take long before we emerged from between the houses and onto the sidewalk that skirted the playground. We were greeted by a little girl sprinting across it to meet me. I let go of my guys and bent down, wrapping her body in a bear hug.
I slowly stood with her. Her legs wrapped around my waist, squeezing so hard that it was difficult to breathe. “Molly loosen up a little. I can’t breathe,” I whispered.
“I’m so sorry, Aunt ‘Melia! I sorry!” her words were jumbled as she cried into my hair. I stroked her back and swayed as we stood there.
“Oh, Molly, all has already been forgiven. There is no need for tears.” I kissed the side of her head and laid mine against it.
Molly pulled back, big crocodile tears still swimming in her eyes. “Really?” she asked. “But if I hadn’t gone to play…”
I placed a finger on her lips to hush her. “Yes, really, little girl, and now you know what happens if you leave without an adult, right?” She nodded her head yes. “And you won’t do it again?”
Molly took her little hand and made an X sign on her chest. “I pwomise, Aunt ‘Melia.”
“Good. Now, dry those tears. We have some baking to do at my house. Maybe Miss Betty can join us.”
Molly’s smile lit up the world around us as her tears turned to wiggles wanting down. She bounded down the sidewalk a few sections ahead of us as we walked back to my house. Betty was outside when we arrived, and Molly, not giving her a choice, grabbed her hand and led her inside.
