ANSWERED PRAYERS

16 FEBRUARY, TUESDAY, EARLY MORNING

Daisy's fervent prayers were answered by the goddess, to the detriment of the rest of our team though.

"Oh no." Barry said.

"We're dead." Torque said.

Cobra reappeared, apparently to warn us, but he arrived barely in time before the Blue Demon Warriors rode into view.

Todd was kneeling by his mate... And then a cry... a small and weak and very angry cry of a baby.

"No..." Todd said, but not because of the baby in his hands. His mate stopped breathing, "Jennifer! Jennifer! No!"

{She was just too tired.}

Daisy ran out, "Mama, mama!"

And just because no drama was complete without a phantom, Mate approached the family, but in his mask and cape, so he was the death god in their sight.

Like seriously? Why did he have to play Halloween?

And as if the costume wasn't enough, he had half the infamous Blue Demon Warrior Army at his heel.

"No..." Todd said again at the sight. Todd was shaking so badly, I could see it from far.

I ran out with Jack, pushing the little boy into Cobra's arms.

I had to stop Mate before he did something crazy like snuff the whole family out.

Desperate times called of desperate measures, "Bell!" I jumped at him and he caught me by reflex as usual.

"I'm so glad you're here!" I gave him the widest smile I had, a la Principal Laura when she wanted something, "You're actually just in time."

If I pretended like everything was okay, maybe it would be okay.

I had to wriggle to make him put me down this time though. I pulled him by his hand to the woman, "Quick, heal her."

"She is dea-"

I put a finger on his lips, "Sleeping. Wake her up."

"She is human..."

"Just try!" I urged. It's not like it could get any worse for her right? And then I remembered what resurrection looked like, "Gently though."

Mate growled. He took the woman's hand. I could feel him borrow my wolf power. Come on, woman, wake up!

"Call her." Mate ordered Todd.

"What?" Todd was too stunned with grief, "Just take my life too...take us together."

Luckily, Daisy was a bright child, "Mama wake up! Mama wake up!"

Jack followed suit, "Mama. Mama... Hungry!"

Which worked. Nothing like the cry of hungry pups to get their mama out of bed in the morning. At least that was what my Mama used to say when we woke her up on weekend mornings.

The woman suddenly sighed a breath and then another.

Todd immediately pressed himself to her side, "Darling? My darling!"

My dad called Mum his darling too.

"I can't promise her mind would be intact." Mate said darkly.

What?

But Jennifer, the human woman, or Todd's darling, and the pups' Mama opened her eyes and sat up, "Todd? The baby! Is the baby alright?"

"The baby?" Todd looked around, as if suddenly realizing he had forgotten something.

One of the warriors had wiped off most of the muck and returned the baby in a towel. It was a dark blue towel, the exact same shade as like the rest of the warriors... There had to be at least 50 demon warriors surrounding us.

But the rogue family didn't seem to notice the irony, they were wrapped in each other's arms and the glow of a new addition.

"Okay, I still need to get them home safe." I folded my arms and considered my next steps. An alpha's job is never done.

"No." Mate said, "You are coming back with me."

I shook my head, "Please? Please Bell? You can go back first. Take the army back with you too. And the Special Team. I think Cobra is hurt, can you heal him too? And then go back to base. I'll bring the family over the border, and then I'll see you at home later."

Mate growled.

"Please?" Puppy dog eyes, yes I was that desperate, "This will be the last time. I'll never ask anything of you again. Please? For me?"

I think I've learned trick or two about making my mate do something he absolutely didn't want. Thanks Jennifer! But Mate wasn't as easily fooled as Todd.

"Liar." He said, but he was smirking now, and I could feel his wolf relent.

"Thank you." I hugged him without thinking. He stopped breathing altogether for a moment. And then I started thinking again and quickly pulled back before he could react.

"Oh yeah, can I borrow money for the cab fare?" Hahaha...

One day, maybe we would look back at this and laugh. Mate's face was priceless. He took out his wallet and handed me a few large notes without a word.

I can't believe he was letting me get away with this.

And then he made the signal for everyone to retreat, and after a cloud of smoke and dust, the drone of the motorbikes faded away.

I went over to the family and gave Todd the money.

"What?" Todd looked shocked.

"For the cab." I said. I put my arms around Jennifer, "Come on, let's get you guys in a cab and off to your brother's."

It was a little crazy sending off the team. I had to support Jennifer and carry Jack. Todd carried the baby and let Daisy ride on his back. 

We made it to the Main Road. It was completely empty and I mentally kicked myself for assuming we could easily get a cab.

No cabbie in his right mind would stop here, especially not for rogues...

We waited for half an hour. I was seriously starting to worry. It was very nearly dawn. Maybe there'd be more traffic later in the day, but I didn't think the family could hold out much longer.

"Goddess please send us a car." Daisy prayed.

And then just as the words left her mouth, a familiar blue merc appeared around the bend. It glided to a halt right in front of us.

Ki got out, glowing and smiling at the same time, "Good morning goddess. Might I be of service?"

Ki! I never imagined I would be so happy to see anyone before in my life!

I very nearly hugged him.

And the Alpha car! Why didn't I think of it earlier?

"Who are you?" Daisy asked.

"I'm the goddess' moon." Ki smiled, "Please allow me to take your family to a safe place."

At this point, I felt sure the family would follow Ki to the Green Packlands if he led them there. Ki had that kind of Pied Piper charm.

Or perhaps it was his glow... I knew he was using his power to sustain their physical function, but he just looked all glowy and magical... like an angel.

The family got into the car. I took the passenger seat with Ki, who handed out bottles of water the moment we buckled up. Then he input the address Todd recited to him into his GPS, and we were on our way.

For the first time since picking up this rogue family, I felt safe and knew we were going to make it. 100%.

As we drove, the first light of sun tinged a blush across the sky, "I'm going to be late for school, aren't I?"

"Not to worry, your uniform and bag are in in the trunk." Ki smiled.

Cool.

Todd's brother lived in an apartment near Winderhill Station. As we approached, everything got more and more familiar. I realised when we got off the car, that we were just the next building from Zara's apartment.

Todd's brother brought his two teenagers to come down to meet us. They looked a little taken aback to see the rogue family get out of our car.

The brothers embraced, and I recognized the two teenagers from school.

"Hi." I said.

They took a step back, but then they nodded a bow. Daisy hugged me from behind, "Thank you, goddess."

And then she swiped her tears and snot on the back of my oversized shirt. Omo. (I am the alpha. I can take it.)

"I'm not the goddess." I turned and knelt in front of her to explain, "My name is Sam."

Daisy looked wholly unconvinced.

"I go to school with your cousins." I nodded towards them in an attempt to prove myself.

"Oh." Daisy said. She looked at her cousins. They nodded, but so reluctantly, it was like they'd rather not have anyone know we went to the same school. Hahaha.

It looked like it was an "oh" moment for the other adults too. They couldn't have possibly believed I was the goddess right?

Did they think the goddess walked around in oversized t-shirts, sweatpants, and cross trainers? Because if it was too dark to notice just now, it was pretty obvious now in the early morning light.

Maybe I should just go before this ended up as one of those awkward moments.

"Oh." Said Jennifer, after the initial "oh" had passed, she looked at her mate, "Let's name our baby Sam!"

She tenderly smiled as she looked at her newborn, "Baby Samuel, because the goddess heard our prayers."

Yeah.

For some reason, I felt tears push at the back of my eyes. I quickly blinked and backed off.

"I got to go, or I'll be late for school." I waved, and then I gave them my widest smile, "Bye."

To the two rogue teens I called out, "See you later in school!"

Because wth. If I could make friends with a vampire who drank packet blood. I could make friends with rogues that just wanted to live a normal life.

Ki opened the car door for me, I sank into the plush seat, "Ki, I know you brought my stuff, but I just want to go home. I'm going to wake up now and then go to school late. Is that okay?"

"Of course, goddess." Ki smiled his usual smile.

"Thanks Ki." I said, "Thanks for coming out for us."

"You are always very welcomed, goddess." Ki smiled, "But it was your Luna who sent me."

I looked carefully at Ki's smile, "And...?"

"And what, goddess?" Ki asked.

"And what else are you thinking but not saying?" I demanded.

Ki laughed. Ki's laughter was very rare. Even though he was always smiling, he seldom laughed out loud.

"Your Luna. He has changed." Ki smiled as he drove, "I think love has changed him."

What? And what was that supposed to mean? But the next thing I knew, I had woken up in my own golden clamshell bed, with Sabre jumping up and down on one side, and Mum sitting next to me on the other, "Oh Sam! Wake up... Oh good, you're awake. You're late for school!"

I sat up and looked out at the sunlight streaming through my window. I was very late!

Mum straightened and reached out for Sabre, "I have to get Sabre to school. Eat whatever you find for breakfast. Ki is still driving back. He has left your school bag at your desk."

Oh. Whew and wow at the same time.

"I know you're busy dear, and Alpha work must be overwhelming, but please keep your mindlinks open sometimes!" Mum tried again to catch the bouncy Sabre. Sabre laughed and dodged her grasp.

"I know mum," I grabbed the naughty red head and wrestled her down. She laughed, "Tickle me!"

So I did.

"No! Stooooop!" She begged. But of course I didn't stop immediately. I tickled her just a bit more before releasing her.

"But if I had my mindlinks opened, I wouldn't be able to do this right?" I grabbed Sabre again and assaulted her with tickles, careful to handle her a little more gently since she was human and all.

She squealed and laughed and kicked. She did not hold back at all. Ow.

Mum laughed, and took back her charge, "What's gotten over you suddenly, Sam?" But she didn't wait for my answer. She was busy shepherding Sabre out of the room.

"But I want to play with Sam!" Sabre protested.

"Sam has to go to school, and so do you." Mum shut the door.

I sighed happily, still sitting in the middle of my lovely golden clamshell with the smell of lemons.

I dropped back into my sheets... Oh, I stank though. I smelt like rogues and wow... Wth was I rolling in back there?

Shower and change! I'm late for school. And so incredibly happy - for my safe home and family, for my pack, my wolves, my mate... for hot showers, and fresh bread... and the myriad things I've taken for granted on a daily basis.

Today, I will be thankful.