Once Upon A Fae

Chapter 21

"I've seen a rich man beg, I've seen a good man sin, I've seen a tough man cry, I've seen a loser win, And a sad man grin, I heard an honest man lie, I've seen the good side of bad and the downside of up, And everything between" Everlast

Chapter 21

Dmitri motioned for his team to follow him to the main house.  Now that the dead were on their way to Shoal, it was time to find out how deeply rooted the rot infecting the shifter nation was in the Crèche.

Faith turned to Dmitri catching his arm.

"Stop. Before we go in we need to plan."

Cupping Faith's cheek he shook his head.

"I do not want you involved.  I want you to take the young to Luch and stay where it is safe."

Faith snorted in exasperation.  Did Dmitri really think that she was going to leave him to face this alone.  And the young were just as involved as everyone else.  They were the proof that things were not right here or in the packs.

"The young and I are not leaving you alone Dmitri. This effects all of us. And how do you know we would be safe in the commissary?  All the team members have access.  If the Team Leaders are involved wouldn't it make sense for their members to be in on it too?"

The guilt ate at Dmitri's soul. If he had not trusted blindly then Lincoln would still be alive. His mates smile would not be tinged with sadness. His young would not scream out in their sleep for help. How could he allow his already hurting female into a situation that could only cause more pain? Give his pups more reason to fear?

But Faith was right. How could he trust the Warriors?  Luch was not strong enough to protect her.  He was still a pup himself.  Where could they go that Faith and his pups would be safe?

"Dmitri, no matter how much you want to, you cannot protect us from the harshness of life. All we can do is support each other in all things."

Pulling Faith tightly into his arms Dmitri sighed in resignation.

"I don't want to see tears in your eyes anymore, only laughter."

"Life is not all laughter and smiles, my mate. And when the joy comes it is only sweeter for the sorrow we have endured. I never begrudge the harshness that happens in life, for without it we would not appreciate the easy times."

Placing her hand on his heart, the reassuring thump bringing her comfort, Faith looked up at Dmitri. His dark eyes were filled with pain and fear. It broke her heart that the men that her mate had seen as family for so many years had hurt him so.

"Let us handle this. You keep your family safe." Gauis offered as he stepped forward. "Once we find out who's involved we can make plans. Until then Dmitri, you don't have to be close."

Faith knew that Dmitri wanted to confront the other Team Leaders, but would instead take Gauis up on his offer to protect her if she didn't intervene.

Pushing away from her mate, Faith faced Gauis and the other warriors.

"You will need us.  We are already involved.  We already face the danger.  Everything that this Crèche faces, so do we.