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“There is something else,” Damian adds, as I sit up, pulling Aubrey into my arms as I do.
My fresh mark on her neck seems to have calmed her significantly because she is all soft skin, her tail gone, her ears no longer poking out the top of her head.
“What is it?” I ask him, letting my calling roll over her so I can carry her back home without waking her.
“Bianca’s mother called, she wants her daughter back.”
“How does she know we have her?” I demand. We ordered Bianca not to use the mindlink to contact Rhett or her pack. There is no way she would know.
“No, clue. Mother mindlinked to let me know. Somehow word got back to her parents.”
I growl knowing someone from within my staff must have leaked information.
“I screened the staff thoroughly,” Damian states, seeming to know where my mind went.
“Well, not good enough obviously. This better not have gotten back to the council,” I growl angrily.
“It hasn’t, we would have heard about it by now. Besides, Dad has already rounded up the staff and commanded them that no calls are to go in or out by anyone, and that the mindlink is now prohibited to your orders only.” I shake my head, wondering who the snitch is, but reluctantly get up.
“Did he question them?”
Damian nods quickly. “Yes and under command, it wasn’t anyone inside the castle.”
“So that leaves the guard,” I mutter and Damian looks away. Tucking Aubrey closer, Damian moves to take her from me so I can change but I growl. He backs up with his hands in the air.
“Fine, walk home naked.” he states and I start trudging through the forest. Damian grabs the clothes and follows closely, keeping his eyes ahead. “I sent for her parents.”
“Good, how far out are they?”
“Chopper should land in about twenty minutes, that is why I came to get you, besides you being out in the open and vulnerable.”
“I would hardly call myself vulnerable.” I retort quickly.
“You are when it comes to your mate.” I glance down at her in my arms knowing he is right. The castle lights come into view as Damian and I make the trek back to the castle. I would run but I would risk waking her by having to drop my calling. In the distance I can hear the chopper and it doesn’t take long before its blinking lights show in the distance.
Reaching the castle’s long circular driveway, my father is waiting out front with a blanket, holding it up like a shield, he drapes it over Aubrey in my arms and I bundle her up.
“Where is Mom?” I ask him, stepping inside the castle.
“With Max, he was complaining about Marge having to look after him, so she went to settle him.” The sounds outside grow louder and there’s shouting in the distance with the blades of the helicopter.
I glance at Damian. “Bring her parents to the dungeons,” I tell him. He nods and quickly disappears back outside as I head for the stairs passing Marge as I do.
The old woman sighs heavily. “That boy runs rings around me. My King, thank goodness your mother arrived; he wouldn’t stop jumping on the bed.”
I chuckle. “Go get some rest, I’m surprised you’re even awake.”
“I wasn’t until I heard the commotion of your mother rounding the staff up. I came over and offered to watch Max while your parents sorted whatever was going on.”
“I will catch up with you later.” I tell her and she smiles looking rather frazzled like she always does after leaving Max. The boy could wear out my strongest guards. Heck, he runs rings around me.
I head for our room, and the moment I step inside, I relax. Our room is filled with our scents, Aubrey is filthy from our run but I haven’t got time to clean her up right now, and doing so will wake her. Instead, I gently place her on the bed. Moving to the closet I find some clothes, and pull them on before wandering back into the bedroom. Aubrey squirms on the bed rolling onto my side and burying her face in my pillow, her bond seeking me out. I hesitate for a moment, worried about leaving her alone.
The door creaks open. “We’re ready for you in the dungeons.” Damian tells me, casting a nervous glance at the bed.
“Mom?”
“Still getting Max down; he’s refusing to go to bed.”
