Because of Them

Chapter 9

Winnie had heard their entire conversation about her. She had been swaddled up in a blanket on the couch reading a book. It wasn't like she had meant to eavesdrop, she just had good hearing being a wolf.

Wilder was right. What if there were more girls like her? Honestly, she didn't know. All she knew was that place was her whole life. She didn't know anything else, nothing besides the pain and cruelty inflicted onto her.

It would be selfish to keep it to herself. Christian was an Alpha and Wilder his head warrior. There was no one better who could correct the situation.

She pretended to go back to reading when she heard their steps. Her heart was already going a million miles per hour, and she tried to take a few deep breaths.

"Winnie," Wilder called, almost scolding her. "You should have told us you were feeling anxious."

They could read her like a book.

Christian took her hands, sitting beside her on one side. Lex sat on the other, squishing her in between them.

"I heard you," she said, her voice a little breathy. "I want to tell you."

"You don't have to," Christian whispered, pushing some hair out of her face. "Focus on breathing, okay?"

She concentrated on the rise and fall of her chest, and the feeling of safety from being so close to her mates.

Wilder was left out, sitting in the recliner by himself. She wanted him close, too. She moved to the floor, patting the space beside her. They all crowded in. This was way better.

"I don't know much," she admitted. "My mom died while I was baby. I was sent to live with my aunt who sold me when I was thirteen. I don't know anything about the group who had me."

"What did they do to you?" Lex asked. His fists were clenched tightly, and she reached for them, gently relaxing them by tugging his fingers free.

"Anything they wanted," she murmured.

Christian was the one that snarled, startling all of them.

Winnie thought she'd be scared, but she wasn't. She reached for his hand, running soothing circles with her thumb.

Christian didn't calm down, though. She reached for him, running her hand from his cheek down to his chest right over his heart.

He bent his head, nuzzling her cheek with his. He sighed, forcing his shoulders down to relax.

"How did you get here?" Wilder asked.

"I followed the stream," she mumbled, looking up at him. "Two or three days I think."

Christian gave her one last nuzzle, his lips grazing her cheek, before he stood.

"Are you coming with me?" he asked Wilder, who nodded in response.

"You're going now?" Winnie asked.

"Yes," Wilder said, without an ounce of uncertainty.

Lex pulled her into his embrace, and she relaxed in the warm comfort, stuffing her face into his shirt.

"You're in charge," Christian muttered. They could feel his anger, such an extreme emotion for someone usually so put together. "Don't burn the house down."

"It'll be fine," Lex said, tossing a wink down at Winnie who felt a smile pull at her lips. Talking to them didn't hurt nearly as much as she thought it would. She knew she could get through it.

"Please be careful," she whispered.

Wilder took her from Lex. His hug was so much different. He stroked her hair.

"We'll be fine, princess," he said. "We won't be gone long. Be good for Lex."

She nodded, turning to Christian. She reached for him, and he pulled her close.

"I just want you to be safe," he whispered.

She rubbed his back. "I am safe with you three. Please be careful. Be your typical, rational self."

"I will. I have to keep Wilder in line."

Winnie gave a little smile. "Promise?"

"With all of my heart. We'll be back before you know it."

Lex took her back into his arms. The pressure of tears became so intense that she hid her face in his chest again.

Lex glanced up at Christian and Wilder who gave him a wordless nod. Lex tried to convey so many emotions without saying them out loud. He needed them to be okay, to be safe. He would miss them.

He felt Winnie's tears, and once he heard the front door click, he moved them to the couch. He stretched out on the couch, placing her between his legs.

"Don't cry," he whispered. "They can take care of themselves."

"I know," she sniffled, smearing her wet cheeks with the back of her hands.  "But I'll miss them, and I've never talked about what I went through before, and-"

"Easy," he said. "All of the emotions are just bubbling up?"

She nodded, laying down, and pushing her face into his neck. She tried to match her breathing with the rise and fall of her chest, but she kept thinking of being beat within an inch of her life. She would lay there after they finished, hoping she would just bleed out.

She couldn't control her spiraling thoughts. She whimpered.