Amber

I was worried about Devon, and I couldn't get the thought out of my head that something was wrong. Stalking around the house, I wished he would return and tell me that my worries were all ridiculous. I feared that they had underestimated the hunters, but then again I might be overestimating them based on my own feelings of powerlessness while in their control.

My best attempts at trying to be a useful pack member failed, because I couldn't keep my mind on task. Terry gave up on me, gently suggesting that perhaps I could use some rest after the trying week I'd had. He wasn't wrong. It had been eventful, and he didn't even know the things that had happened in private.

I missed Devon, and that little bundle of surging emotions in the back of my mind was not making it better.

And then the freed prisoners arrived, along with a couple of wolves, one of whom I recognized as a pack member, because she had distinctive colouring. I hurried forward. "Please tell me what was happening when you left," I begged.

"Of course, Luna. Silvia, Arthur, Megan and several others were extracted. When I left they were planning to try to free the rest of the hunters' prisoners and planning to destroy facility."

"Thank you."

Then, because I figured it was probably my responsibility, I ensured that all the prisoners were taken to the pack clinic. Dan had barely spoken to me, having carried Megan off already. I followed them there to see if I could help out.

"Of course we could use an extra pair of hands, if you have time, Luna," Doctor Mansard said agreeably when I offered. He set me to dealing with the children, which I liked because they were the least intimidating of the prisoners. The little werewolf had fallen into a deep sleep, so I turned my attention to the other two.

The little green-streaked pair of fae had refused to be separated, but I had at least managed to coax both of them to sit down on the clinic bed opposite the little wolf. They huddled together defensively.

"What're your names?" I asked them.

They both looked at me through wide, hollow eyes.

"I just want to figure out who you are so that we can get you back to wherever you belong. We don't mean you any harm."

The silence stretched between us.

"I understand if you don't want to talk. It's okay, you don't have to. I don't know what the hunters did to you, but I bet it wasn't nice. I lived with them for a long time. They weren't very nice to me and wouldn't let me leave. I was lucky though, because I was rescued by a nice werewolf, and he keeps me safe now." I just hoped he was also safe now.

My story didn't seem to have too much impact on the children, but it didn't seem to bother them, either, so I just sat there, hoping that they would get used to me and open up eventually. While I waited, the young werewolf in the other bed whimpered. I rubbed her back, hoping that she wasn't dreaming about the hunters.

Eventually the young pair fell asleep, too. I was almost dozing in the chair myself when Oliver's voice came into my head. "Amber?"

"What is it, Oliver?"

"Just to keep you updated, we're sending all the wolves we can spare to help with the attack."

Fear stabbed at my chest. "Is it going badly?"

It took him a second to respond. "I don't have all the details."

"Please tell me."

"It's not going great, but they're not losing. Devon is still alive, but the hunters managed to get reinforcements we did not anticipate."

His words barely comforted me. I would feel relieved when Devon was back and by my side, and when all the other fighters were safe as well. I decided to stay in the clinic and help throughout the night since the bed just seemed depressing without him in it when I knew his life was on the line. I stayed with the children, or checked on the others.

Dan was sitting beside Megan's bed. I slipped in quietly and took a chair against the wall. "How are you holding up?"

"I don't know," Dan said. "She hasn't woken up yet."

"Sorry, Dan."

He shrugged, as if he hadn't spent days frantically searching for her, only to find her unresponsive.

"Do you need something to eat?"

"Hope you're not offering your blood, since werewolves taste awful."

"I didn't know you'd heard." I hadn't seen him even once since my painful shift, so much had been happening.

His smile was half-hearted. "You're the luna, Amber, and werewolves talk."

I sighed. The werewolves in my pack talked way too much for my liking. "I'm still not used to being the centre of attention."

"You'll have to get used to it, because I doubt it's going to change."

I cringed at the thought, but he was right.

"I've heard you called the werewolf huntress."

"I'm never going to escape the hunters, am I?" I asked, and the memory of them reminded me that my mate was off fighting them right now. I wished I was a warrior so I could go and support him, but chasing him down would only be foolishness since I had nothing to offer in a fight but vulnerability.

I had to trust that Devon could get himself back to me.

"So, did your mate turn you into a werewolf when he bit you?" Dan asked, half jokingly.

I chuckled a bit, although it was more of an attempt to keep up spirits than real humour. "That's what I asked, but apparently that never happens. Everyone claims I had a suppressed wolf all along."

"And your wolf isn't suppressed anymore?"

"Maybe. If I do have a wolf, she's the meekest thing ever."

"She might come out of her shell in time, like you did. Even since I've known you, you've gotten more assertive."

"Maybe."

"Definitely."

We sat in silence for long moments, lost in our own thoughts. He broke it. "I know I probably don't need to ask this of you, but I'm hoping you'll give Megan a break when she comes out of this." I heard his voice catch on 'when' and I felt a twinge of pain for my friend.

"I was never planning anything against her except maybe avoidance, Dan."

"I know, but I needed to hear you say it."

I nodded, and then I left Dan to his watch.

I cycled in to the other rooms, looking over Devon's sister and mate and the others, before returning to my silent vigil in the children's room.

I needed Devon back beside me so that I would know he was safe. I didn't think I could bear losing him.