Page 53 of The Chosen One Universe: Volume One

Henry glanced over at Vaughn and Sam. Vaughn nodded. “It’s okay.”

Then he looked up at Meshaq. “Promise?”

Meshaq looked gutted but he nodded as well. “I promise, little one. It won’t hurt you.”

Henry held on tightly to Meshaq as he stretched his hand out once more. He trembled when he crossed the magical line but didn’t jerk his hand back this time. He breathed a little heavier and a breeze kicked up around them.

“Easy,” Zaire said quietly.

“Mrs. Foote’s magic felt different,” Henry said after a moment. “Yours doesn’t hurt, exactly. It says stay away. Keep out.”

“That’s what it’s supposed to do. It’s a warning,” she explained.

He took his hand back and pressed up against Meshaq. “But what if Mrs. Foote comes back? She won’t stay away just because your magic says to. Her magic is mean.”

“Well, I’m going to have my magic call Meshaq and tell him to come quick. You know how fast he can get here, right? You saw his portal?”

“The fire circle thing?” Henry asked.

She nodded.

Henry looked up at Meshaq. “But what if you’re busy?”

Meshaq knelt down in front of Henry, and they stared at each other for a long, tense minute. “I will come as fast as I can,” Meshaq said. “Your alpha will protect you until I arrive.”

“Shifter magic doesn’t work against Mrs. Foote, though. Ben said.”

Meshaq lifted his arm and untied a bracelet made up of black leather cords from his wrist. The center had a red stone which glowed in the afternoon sun. He picked up Henry’s hand and wrapped the bracelet around his wrist instead. The strap was too big but Henry touched it reverently.

“You are under my protection. I will come if you call.” He didn’t have to promise Henry. The vow was there in his words.

Henry looked up at him again and smiled softly. “You’re big and kinda scary. And you’re really strong. And you have magic. And the goddess protects you.”

Meshaq nodded.

“And you’ll protect my…” Henry paused and glanced over at Zaire before turning back to Meshaq. “My brothers and sisters too?”

“I will.”

“And… my alpha and my Sam?”

“And everyone in your pack. I will come if you call,” Meshaq repeated.

Henry let out a little sigh and flung his arms around Meshaq’s neck. Sam’s eyes filled with tears, and he turned in Vaughn’s arms. His alpha was as affected by Henry’s display of trust as they were. Meshaq looked up at them, gutted as well. He wrapped his arms tightly around Henry and held him tight.

Zaire sniffed and wiped her eyes. “Okay, let’s do this. I’m going to blubber like an idiot if we don’t.”

Henry raised his head but kept his arm around Meshaq’s shoulder. “Okay.”

He turned to look at them, and Vaughn moved them forward as well. Henry smiled as he watched Zaire work, and for the first time, Sam understood the depth of the fear Henry had been carrying with him. But now, he believed he was safe, that the people around him were going to help him. He trusted them.

And so did Sam.