Unwavering devotion [Complete, 18+]

CHAPTER 18: CHOICES

"SO WE ARE IN AGREEMENT? THEY WON'T TAKE LONG TO FINISH THEIR SEARCH so it could be any second that they are down here to check." I asked trying to hide just how nervous and scared I was that it wouldn't actually work.

Aaron nodded his head, followed soon by the others gathered around and I sighed in relief: we might just be able to make it out of this alive. Turning around I noticed as many others similarly sought their loved ones for goodbye and I hoped that it was for good for any of us, but I knew some may not make it back. Although it was selfish I just hoped that it wasn't me as I took my beautiful but scared mate's face into my hands, gently stroking away the evidence of tears. 

"I love you Belle. I know you must have so many questions and I'll try my best to get back to you so that I can answer them but please just keep safe until I return. Promise me you will do anything it takes for you to be safe. I can't live in a world without you, now that I have found you."

She hiccupped, tears spilling from her eyes more replacing those I swept away. I stared into her eyes until she nodded her head. Bringing her face up to my own, I slowly placed my lips against hers savouring the feel of her lips and body pressed so closely against my own. We fit together like a puzzle, if we survived this I was not going to let anything tear us apart ever again. I'd rather rip out my own heart. 

"See you in a bit," I said trying to make light of the situation and I smiled as she let out a short peal of laughter. She pulled me back down forcing her lips back against my mine, pulling back only slightly to suck on my neck. I stroked her head smiling as I realised what she was doing though she didn't know just how much it meant to me. 

"Now you belong to me, you have to come back." I chuckled as the serious look on her face broke. "I love you," she said before coming down from her tip toes, kissing my bare chest just over my heart. 

"I love you too." With one last squeeze I pushed her back towards the huddled women, children and men unable to fight. She glanced back at me just as she slipped behind the small number of men we had decided to leave to guard them just in case. Disappearing from view we were about to embark upwards when a high pitched voice called out. 

"Wait, we want to fight as well."

I eyed the small group of strong willed girls as the rest of the men turned away shaking their heads in dismissal. Anger grew in the eyes of the female who spoke out and her fingers formed fists at her side. 

"We can help." She asserted but was met with similar mutterings about not being strong enough. I could see the same spark as I saw in my sister and knew that no good would do with just dismissing them as they could help. 

"I see the same thing that I see in my sister who I have seen with my own eyes take down a man larger than me." Her eyes glistened with hope which quickly dashed as I continued: "but you have an even more important mission, helping to protect our mates and those who we hold most dear to us. Please keep them safe." I kept eye contact with her and her shoulders eventually sagged and she acquiesced standing by the other men. Bowing my head slightly in thanks, I followed those who had already started up the stairs. 

The door to the basement was slowly opened and after checking that it was clear, those before me exited onto the ground floor. Met with no resistance and hearing no-one inside at all, not even the sounds of snoring, I soon developed a bad feeling. Where was everyone? I asked myself and Aaron who had maneuvered to my right side only to look at me sideways obviously thinking the same thing. Moving aside a curtain slightly I swore as I saw what would greet us: at least fifty adult shifted weres who from what I could tell circled the whole property. They weren't men who had been starved and from what I'd heard had no concept of the word mercy. Glancing around my shoulders sank as I saw my sister struggling in the hold of the only one who wasn't shifted. As I watched as the mutts orientated themselves around him I presumed that he was the leader. The leader who had made me sister bleed only moments before.