~James POV~
Avery was still recovering from having been basically suffocated and Natashas remedy had also taken a toll on her strength. So when Avery stood up I knew she wasn't going to be able to walk.
I got to my feet the second she stood and quickly caught her in my arms.
Natasha gave me a quick nod and I scooped Avery up in my arms. I realized that this was the second time I had carried her like this. Not that I mind. Neither did Blade, he was going mad in the back of my mind from having our mate this close to our body.
I held her tightly to me as we walked back to the house.
" You can't tell her, James. She can't know." Natasha looked at me with determination and sadness mixed in one. Her dark brown eyes spoke volumes about the emotions she felt.
I looked down at Avery and saw her still body, limp in my arms. Her beautiful face with dried patches from the tears and her red nose from the cold.
She had been through so much. And regardless of what we wanted, much more was to come. Avery was a pawn in a game she didn't choose to play. She was the key player in a war that a young girl should never have to fight. This wasn't her choice but rather the faith she had ben handed.
" I won't."
As we walked into the house, Alex, Amber and Trish were standing by the staircase. When they saw Avery in my arms, Amber mind liked me
'Is she okay?'
'She is for now. Meet me in my office in fifteen minutes.'
They all bowed their heads and I walked Avery up to her room.
I removed the comforter on her bed and gently placed her down. As I let go she released a groan and fluttered her eyes open.
" James?"
"Yeah, it's me. You need to rest." I gently caressed her cheek and sat down next to her on the bed.
"I didn't like it." I was confused by her statement.
" Didn't like what?"
" Sofia touching you. I didn't like it." A smile made it's way to my face and I grabbed her hand.
" I know. I'm glad to hear you say It though. It won't happen again."
" Good." She smiled back at me and closed her eyes. I placed a soft kiss on her forehead. At first she stiffened but as I held my lips there for a second, she started melting into the touch and relaxing.
" Goodnight, lo-" No. I was too soon. I couldn't say it.
Soon enough perhaps. When she knows who I am to her.
" Goodnight, Avery."
" Night." She was already half asleep so I quietly got of the bed and put the comforter on her before walking over to the door and switching of the light.
I carefully closed the door behind me and made my way to my office where the others were waiting.
I walked in to the office and all the ranked members were standing there and bowed their heads as I walked in.
"Please sit. This will take a while." I gestured with my hand for them all to take a seat and they did.
When everyone was sitting down I started briefing them on everything that had been said and done today. Amber and Alex already knew but the others didn't and it was their right to know regarding things happening within the pack.
After I had laid all the cards on the table and they all knew what it was that was going on with Avery they were all sitting wide eyed and staring at me. Except for Amber and Alex who knew almost everything already, they were mostly looking around the room skeptically and we wondered whether or not we had broken our friends.
Fucking hell, say something.
"Uhm, yeah I don't what to say." Trish spoke. Her eyes were still so wide I was worried they'd pop out of her head and her mouth was hanging open.
"SHE'S BEING CONTROLLED BY A WIZARD?" There we go. Jackson so diligently said. Or shouting may be the proper word for it.
"We're all werewolves in here dude, keep your fucking voice down." Alex, being the asshole he always was, kindly responded.
Jackson glared at him and Alex didn't budge. I was surrounded by children.
"Enough." One word and their focus was back on me.
"Good. Yes there is a wizard out there controlling Avery's mind. However, Natasha has managed to block him out for the next twenty-four hours. Tomorrow afternoon she will be putting a barrier inside Avery's head in order to keep the darkmagic out. It won't be permanent but it will buy us some time to find the wizard responsible."
Their eyes were now normal and they had gained back color to their faces. This pack was the strongest one in all of the United States, possibly even the world. But one thing we didn't have much experience with was magic. However, we didn't become the strongest by being afraid and hide away. No, we researched, prepared and attacked. This time it would be no different.