Mistletoe (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 7

I return to the portal. Everyone huddled together. Colt buried in Killian's neck as he cries. Mike held in Braxton's arms.

Hao stands off to the side,m his eyes cast down at the dirt. I approach him, throwing the head of Mosea down at his feet.

"I ended it," I say.

"That you did, Jamie." He offers a half-smile. "I'm sorry for the loss of your Uncle. Killian asked that the Cantu return his body to the Homeland."

"It was the right choice. Allister deserves to lay him to rest." The idea of losing my mate is numbing alone, but to experience it twice. My heart goes out to him.

Killian walks over to us, handing Colt over to Braxton for the time.

"I'm going to bring him to see Dad. Will you get the others back home please?" He meets my gaze, as always his guard fully pulled up.

"I can get the wounded back and assist in their healing, Killian. You and the Luna should not grieve apart," Hao says.

"Hao," I begin.

"From this day forward, I pledge myself to the Silverfang Pack," He says meeting our eyes, "I accept the position of Pack Emissary."

"Thank you, Emissary Hao." Killian says. He looks to me, "Are you ready?"

"In a moment. Bring Colt through." He nods and we walk to the Betas.

Colt latches onto his brother instantly, his sobs turned to pained whimpers. With a final tilt of his head, Killian leads him through the portal. I stand back with the others.

"Mike, don't blame yourself for this. My Uncle," I choke on my words.

"I know. He was a good man." I take them both into my arms, clinging to them for all it's worth.

"You should go, Jamie. We have it under control here. We'll see you when you get back," Braxton says.

I nod wiping away tears. I make my way to the portal and do a double take to see what the ravages of battle brought us. Hao guides the wounded Raiders and remaining Cantu and with the Betas' assistance they all filter away into the forest.

*

I enter the room, heart shattering at the sight. Allister lays across the couch, Colt laying on his chest with Mono nuzzled against his neck. The tear streaks on Allister's face are smudged as he comforts his pups through his own grief.

Bennett stands in the corner in Carlito's arms, crying softly into his shoulder. I meet Lito's eyes and he offers a smile. I don't spot Dad, surely he requested some privacy.

I venture out to the balcony, finding Killian staring out over the kingdom. His arms bare, our pups resting in a carrier sleeping away at his feet.

"Killian," I approach touching his arm, "how are you?"

"I'm fine. I'm ready to go home. I've already packed up the kids." He says not even turning to face me.

"Look at me." Nothing. "Killian, look at me." His breath hitches but he doesn't move.

I grab his face and force his eyes to my own. We hold the gaze with no exchange of words. His eyes are cloudy and his lip begins to quiver.

"I lost Mom. Not once but twice. I failed to protect them both." Killian clenches his eyes and just allows the tears to fall, his shoulders shaking with emotion. Soft hiccups escape his mouth, but besides that nothing.

My heart shatters for my mate. I pull him to the chair just off in the corner and I rest him in my lap despite his size.

"Please bring me the pups," He sniffles. Using magic I glide them over to us. I gently place them between us. "I will not fail the four of you. I swear to every God in the realms that I will protect you."