Torn

Chapter 62/63 Combined ✓

Carter

I continue to kneel on the grass beside Quinn as he mourns for the loss of his parents. Tears silently fall down his cheeks. My heart breaks at seeing the pain radiate off him. Xander stands behind us in a defensive pose, keeping watch over us in a moment of weakness.

The enemy may not be in the direct area now, but the Lycan's remained. I don't know what is going to happen with them or why they have bowed before me instead of following the orders from the Sire Bond. I'm not sure if we can even trust them, and from the quick peek I got at Xander's face as he glared at them, I'm sure he feels the same way.

Every single Lycan remains on their knees with their heads bowed. Not one of them has moved. I squeeze Quinn's shoulder lightly and lean in to press a soft kiss to his cheek before standing up. I turn to Xander who instantly pulls me in for a tight hug. Brilliant shocks soar through my body where our skin touches.

"Xander... babe... I need air to survive." I squeak out.

"Oh. Shit! I'm sorry, love. I just never thought I would hold you in my arms again. It took everything in me to wait until now to grab you." He smiles at me sheepishly.

"I'm here now. That's all that matters." I look up at him and give him a warm smile, his arms still wrapped around my waist.

It takes me a moment to realize that I have my body pressed against a very naked Xander. My eyes widen and my cheeks burn. Xander chuckles and presses a kiss on my forehead before stepping away and grabbing a pair of black sweats from one of the men still standing around us. I try to look away, I swear I did, but I apparently can't control myself.

Xander growls lowly as he watches my eyes rake over his body shamelessly. His eyes darken and hold mine while he puts his sweats on, before stepping back and wrapping his arms back around me. I lift my arms around his neck and rest my head against his chest, listening to the soft sound of his beating heart.

"I don't know how to help him, Xander." I whisper as I look over to Quinn who is still kneeling by his parents bodies.

"Give him time. You being here, being alive, that will help him. Your wolves will strengthen each other, just like your wolf strengthens my own." He says softly as he holds me tighter.

"Speaking of which, you have a lot of explaining to do."

"Don't I know it. I promise I will explain everything when the time is right." I look back up at him and smile softly. "We need to move their bodies, Xander. We can't leave them here." I whisper and look out at Serena and David's still bodies.

"I know, love. I linked Cole and Liam already. They're making the preparations."

I pull out of Xander's arms and look over at the bowed Lycan's before I made a snap decision.

"Lycan's." I command.

Their heads snap up and look in my direction. They move in one synchronized motion, and it honestly freaks me out.

"You are needed. Shift back and please assist our Beta's, Cole, and Liam. Once they have dismissed you, they will lead you to the conference room to discuss the matters of tonight. Understood?" My voice echoes with authority and my wolf puffs her chest in pride.

The cracking of bones and whimpers of pain echo around us. In mere moments, I went from looking at these horrid, gangly beasts, to naked men and women. They all look so normal and my heart breaks. They had been everyday people before Viktor came in and took that away from them.

"Yes, my Queen." Came their voices in unison and I shudder internally while trying to keep a straight face.

"You trust the beasts?" Xander questions.