"What do we do?" Katrina asked, looking almost defeated. "Dealing with Miles wanting her is bad enough, but now we have to worry about an angry mob approaching the front gates? How did they even find us?"

"Foul play," was all Jean said, rubbing a sleeping Emily's back.

Garry was biting his nails, his leg bouncing so wildly out of worry that I was afraid his foot would take off from the ground.

Justin growled and shook his head. "I had a certain human approach me while I was out earlier, much past his house, and he warned me of them. Although how he got here before they did is knowledge beyond my own."

"That...Nick has always been a strange man ever since he moved in. We even offered him a place to stay at one point, but he said, 'I ain't the type for politics' and walked off," Katrina said, rubbing her forehead. "Justin... we can't just deny an angry mob. There are pups here, and that aside, Miles might see this as a way to get back at Lyra for rejecting him."

I was sitting next to Justin, leaning up against him for emotional support more than anything. Even though he didn't want to admit, I knew he had a soft spot for me.

Garry growled lowly, his bouncing stopping altogether. "What in the nine gates of Hell is his problem? Why can't he live and let live?"

"He's cruel," Katrina stated bitterly. "And as for foul play, Charlie and Michelle have been spitting venom in Lyra's ear, Charlie especially. But that's not even the point anymore. Justin, what the hell are we going to do?"

We all looked to Justin, who didn't look surprised. But he did look upset. He then sighed. "We're going to have to stage something. When the mob arrives, Miles might give her to them willingly, but state the boys are dead, just so they won't push the issue. My thought is we should let them take her."

Garry and Katrina looked as if they were about to burst, but Justin held up a hand. "I'll head out earlier and get Nick. He's a good tracker and he could help Lyra escape. All I have to do is go to him and tell him of our situation. He rescues her and takes her to his house, since the house is in a thick part of these woods."

I balled my fists, staring at the ground. Was I really helpless? Couldn't I do anything for myself?

No, clearly I couldn't. Someone always had to save me.

"I don't like this," I suddenly blurted, looking at all of them as I stood. "I can't go through with this and I won't! I'm not special and I'm not worth all of this trouble! We need to save Xain and Connor and we need to remove Miles for good!"

Justin rubbed his forehead and said, "While that sounds like a great idea, it is far from a great plan, Lyra. They're still being held for judgment because of their crimes. There is no possible way to outrun the mob and make it to the brothers in time."

"If we leave for them that might worsen the situation among the tribes and humans. We'll end up fighting all over again," Katrina stated, rubbing her forehead.

I gulped, keeping my fists tight so I didn't try to reach out to anyone. If Josh was with them, then maybe I could talk some sense into him, but that didn't count for the others who wouldn't take my word for it.

"What if I go with them but convince them to take me to the other pack?"

Katrina's eyes narrowed. "You think they'd believe you if you told them the brothers' location?"

"If I have to go with them anyway then it's worth a shot," I insisted, gripping the ends of the coat I wore. "If they want justice and revenge, then the pack might be inclined to hand them over."

"And if they don't?" Justin pressed, crossing his arms tightly. "Lyra, you're giving us a lot of what ifs."

"I know," I admitted, "but if there's a slight chance I can do something to save them, or at least keep them alive, then that's a chance I want to take."

Justin opened his mouth, but Jean said, "As much as I don't want to admit it, hiding her could prove to be a much more dangerous decision than just handing her over."

Garry nodded, rubbing the back of his head. "Damn, this sucks. But she's more likely to survive at the hands of her own kind, right?"

Justin looked skeptical and Katrina looked worried. I sighed and hugged myself gently. What would my mates do? What would my brother do? I wasn't sure what the best choice to make was, but I knew deep down that attempting to save them would be worth anymore pain I might go through.

"I've made my choice, but..." I looked at Justin, silently pleading. If he was aiming to become Alpha, then he was smart enough to know what the best choice was. "I don't know you enough Justin, but I know you care about them and have more history with Xain and Connor than I ever will. They would want to keep me safe, but I want the same for them too. Please, you have to let me try."

Justin stared at me before sighing and shrugging. "You're not my sister or daughter. What you do is your choice to make."

I blinked before exhaling. "Right, okay."

"I'm going to see how far away the mob is," Jean stated, walking toward the front door. "Best prepare, human."

I nodded, watching him leaving before noticing Katrina's disapproving look.

She noticed and softened her gaze. "Lyra, if you do this, you might get hurt, or worse. This is a really bad idea, even by my standards."

"Oh, so you have one?" Garry joked, only to duck when Katrina threw a knife at him. Justin rolled his eyes but didn't ease up. I sighed, wishing I could help him, but there was nothing I could do.

"Go get dressed," Justin said suddenly, turning and walking to the door. "I'll find a pair of shackles." He left without saying another word. I glanced at Katrina, who was staring at the front door.

She looked as if she wanted to say something, but shut her mouth instead.

~
*
~

I made sure to wear a thick shirt and put on pants instead of a skirt, using a belt to hold the pants up. I brushed my hair quickly, putting it in a low ponytail before slipping socks and a pair of boots on. I didn't look like a girl, not entirely, but the clothes were meant to keep me warm.

That is, unless they were going to strip me of them and leave me in rags. I shivered, forcing myself to think of anything else other than what they might do to me.

After wrapping up and hiding a knife in the wraps of my underwear, I walked out of the boys' bedroom, approaching Emily, Garry and Katrina. They looked at me, smiling sadly.

"I wish it didn't come to this," Emily spoke, barely holding back a quiver and she hugged me tightly. "I was just getting used to your company too!"

Garry joined the hug, holding the both of us and saying, "Don't worry, champ, you'll make it. We'll be alright in the end, I'm sure of it."

Katrina just looked at me, giving me a hopeful smile as her eyes almost watered. "If things work out, we'll see her and the brothers soon enough," she said, standing up. Just as she tried to approach me, Jean returned with shackles and a rope.

I stared at him, fearful but determined as I stepped back from Emily. I placed my hands together, wrapping one set of fingers over the other. If I was going to be held against my will, then I at least wanted to comfort myself.

Jean hesitated before placing the metal cuffs around my hands, locking them in tight before tying the rope tightly around the small chain. "Does it hurt?" he asked, not looking away from his task.

"A little," I admitted, trying my best not to fidget. "But it's okay."

Jean nodded, gripping the rope tightly before leading me out the door. "They're almost here. Do yourself a favor and don't give them the same hopeful look you're giving me."

I didn't flinch at his familiar harsh tone, but instead giggled weakly. "Reading me like a book again, are we?"

When he didn't respond, I simply smiled. I could hear what was now my family walking behind us, but I didn't turn to look.

I was afraid that if I did, I would cap out and hide in the cabin.

We took a shortcut through the woods, avoiding the front gate until the very last minute. I looked at the top of the gate and saw a faint red glow, trying my hardest not to lose my nerves at the last minute. Many had noticed us and chatter soon built up.

I ignored them and instead focused on the gate, noticing Justin already standing there. He was tense but his face was impassive. I wanted to open my mouth, but something told me that staying quiet was the wisest thing I could do at the moment.

Just as Justin turned to the guards, someone behind us shouted.

"What is going on here?!"

We turned to find Miles approaching us, looking angry more than anything. Justin turned to Miles just as the werewolf got close to his face. "We're giving the girl up, Miles."

"And who told you to do that?" He growled, trying his best to hover over Justin.

Justin simply shrugged. "No one did. I'm doing what is best for the pack, and besides, her lovers have been arrested. Keeping her here will only cause future problems."

Miles growled again, but it didn't seem like he had a response for that. He then turned to me, causing me to flinch. I could feel his eyes on me, but I refused to meet them, and instead stared at the ground in a dejected manner.

Werewolves were starting to crowd near the front gates and I shifted uncomfortably. I didn't want to be seen by everyone in this state.

"Love, what's going on?" Miles' elder mate asked, slowly approaching us.

I looked up in mild shock. "Victoria!" I gasped.

Justin blinked before saying, "My lady, you shouldn't be out in this weather."

Miles didn't say anything, glancing at his wife. Standing next to her was Faye, looking confused. "When your husband storms out of the dining room, one ends up being a little curious." Victoria noted, sounding amused as she rubbed her pregnant belly. It seemed as if she was just about ready to give birth any day. "Miles, I could hear Justin from here. If getting rid of the girl keeps the tribe safe, then that is what we should be doing."

I wanted to smile, but instead started at the gate. I knew Miles wanted me, and in a way, I think Victoria did too. If she did love Miles, getting rid of me would me one of her main priorities.

She then looked to me in pity. "Still....I wish there was a better way in dealing with this. Will you be okay?"

Surprised, I forced myself to nod. "I-I will, ma'am."

Victoria nodded softly, rubbing her stomach. "Open the gates!" she announced, allowing another guard to move her out of the line of view.

I quivered, and then stiffened, forcing myself to be stronger than I was. If Xain and Connor could handle their spirits swapping, then I could handle something as simple as a mob.

The doors slowly opened, revealing a group made out of mostly men. They wielded guns and pitchforks, axes and torches. Most of the people in the mob were dark skinned, which mildly surprised me. The man at the front was none other than Josh's father, James. I shivered, gasping in mild surprise as Jean yanked the chain forward. I fell to my knees in front of the group, looking up in something close to fear.

I could hear protests from Emily and Garry, not sure if they were for show or if they truly wanted to drag me back to safety.

James stared at me coldly before glaring at the wolves ahead of him. "Where are they? Ya can't hide 'em from me, and don't even try!"

"With all due respect," Justin interjected just before Miles could say anything. "They left weeks ago to another pack. They were captured and face trail for assault."

James looked displeased. "An' you es'pect me to believe ya, huh?" The grip on his gun tightened.

Miles spoke up, "I assure you, they aren't here. However, if you're still needing two wolves..."

My eyes widened but I said nothing. Was he really going to give up two wolves, just like that?!

James snarled and said, "Jus' like you beasts ta' trade lives in like that. I'll be takin' her and that's all." He gripped the rope, tugging me to my feet. I was shivering, both from the cold and from fear.

Justin looked as if he wanted to say something, but instead retreated, walking to Jean and muttering something in his ear.

I glanced at everyone, trying my hardest to avoid Miles' gaze. Something told me that if I looked at him, I would break down or somehow, he would know.

"If that is all," Miles said, having an edge to his voice, "then please take her and don't ever come back."

"Ain't gotta tell me twice," James snapped, pulling me away from the gate and down the trail. I yelped, attempting to look back only for the mob to block my view as they stared me down. Terrified, I did my best to keep up with James' brisk pace.

What was he going to do to me?

~
*
~

I forGOT VICTORIA WAS PREGNANT. This is what I get for leaving a story and coming back to it. Well, she'll be having that kid soon enough.

Honestly tho, ya'll ship Xain and Connor with my bby girl, but I lowkey ship Lyra with Justin. Ya'll should feel lucky I don't feel like killing off my boiss

Until the next update~

Nimo <3 #MadMilesMakesMeHappy #FukUMiles #JustinIsMyBae