Bound by Love

36. Rescue

Wren carefully forms a shield around each member in their party. Everyone is in awe as one by one someone's form disappears. They are further amazed when they realize that as soon as they are shielded as well, they can see those that had vanished before their eyes.

Because those within her protection can see each other, Wren makes sure that the energy she's dispersing stays within inches of their skin. After all, it wouldn't do much good if the enemy stumbled into a large bubble of protection and saw them all.

Now that everyone is hidden, they make their way towards Stanley. Using the mind link they constantly stay in contact with one another as they split into three groups to come at the Alpha Reynolds from all sides.

The moment is here. Wren takes a deep breath and steps into the clearing. Just as before, Blake comes out from the mine. This time instead of screaming for Stanley she looks to the left where she knows he will be.

There he is, held by Alpha Reynolds with a knife at Stanley's throat. His face pale with fear, his eyes glassy with tears and his cheeks chapped from where they fell.

However, unlike her vision from before, this time there are others. Unseen and unheard by the Alpha, Blake, or any of there hidden watchers and spies, Wren sees her mates.

Ian is on the Alpha's left, claws out and eyes glowing gold. Gray is to the right, fangs dripping with venom, haltered a living thing on his face, eyes like burning coals. Van is in the center, directly behind Reynolds. His wings are spread wide, his golden sword a hairsbreadth from the unsuspecting villain.

"It will be okay Stanley. I'm here for you." Wren says calmly. Putting every bit or reassurance and love she can in her voice, posture and expression.

"No, Wrenny Wren. Run away." Stan's sweet young voice calls out once again, just as she's heard before. Her heart nearly bursts with the love and pride she feels at his brave and selfless words.

This time she doesn't barter for a trade, her life for his. This time, she turns, and with a speed he could never expect, she faces Blake with fangs, claws, wings and glowing eyes that swirl with the colors of all three of her new beings.

He stumbles back, hands fumbling and loosing their hold on the rope that she now knows is laced with Witch Weed, a plant that has weakening effects on supernaturals.

She snatches that rope from the ground and with the help of her father and mother, Blake is swiftly tied and bound.

She spins on her heel, and rushes forward. The Alpha is still wide eyed and stupefied by what he just saw. But, before she makes it within arms length of Stanley, he regains his composure.

"Stop! You little bitch!" He jerks Stan closer to him. "You may have got the drop on my boy, but I know I have something you love here. You take one step closer and he's dead. I can kill him before you can dare to even try and harm me!"

"But, not before we do much more than dare to harm you." Gray, Van and Ian's voices call out at once.

Wren smirks as she drops her shield. Van brings his sword to Reynolds neck, cutting a fine line in his tan skin. Gray, freezes him with his telekinesis. Ian, digs his claws into the arm holding the knife at Stan and makes him drop it with a clang.

Stan runs into Wren's open arms, and she holds him close as the both cry in happiness and relief. She kneels on the ground, cupping his face in her hands and scanning him from head to toe. Searching for any injuries, hoping that he is alright. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"I'm okay now Wrenny Wren. You saved me." He smiles and his eyes grow large. His voice in a loud whisper. "Wren, you... you have wings! Like a real wren! You also have claws like that big meanie and his son. And your teeth..."

"Don't be scared sweetie. It's true I do have those things but..."

"I'm not scared! Your my Wren. You would never hurt me."

Wren cries some more and brings him in for another hug. She kisses the top of his head. "That's true too. I am your Wren, and I would never hurt you."

The remaining Council members (Victor, Emma, and Helena) and her in-laws come out from the woods with several rogue wolves that were with Alpha Reynolds and serving as his lookouts. They quickly bring them to Van and he puts them all in individual cells of his making.

The golden bars are well known to Blake and Reynolds so they keep themselves as still as possible. Hoping they will not get burned.

Wren picks up Stan and goes over to where her mates, and her parents are standing. Ian, Van and Gray surround her on all sides. The each touch her gently, reassuring themselves that she is safe and unharmed.

"Thank you so much. Thank you for saving Stan. I love you guys."

"We love you too."

Ian moves his hand from Wren's shoulder and tousles Stan's hair affectionately. "How are you little man? Are you okay?"

"Yep! Thanks for helping Wrenny Wren save me. You guys are sooo cool."

Gray smiles at him fondly. "Of course we had to help. After all, your now our little brother too. We love you very much."

Stan blushes and ducks his head closer to Wren. He peeks up at all three men with a tentative smile. "Really?" His voice whispers out. "You'll be my family?"

Van rubs his back gently. "Really and truly."

"Will you take..." Stan is interrupted by a commotion from the direction of the mine.

They all turn as one surprised by what they see.

Aveline, Elowen, and Maeve are pulling out the filthy, bedraggled and struggling Dr. Williams. Maeve has a tight pinch on one of his ears, bending him down t her shorter stature. Elowen has his hand bent in an unnatural angle as she pulls him out from the dark mine shaft. And at the rear, Aveline is holding what looks like a remnant from some mining tool, perhaps a half broken pickaxe. With that bit of wood and rusted metal she is prodding him forward with a swift smack against his backside.

He's yelling and screaming for them to release him but they pay him no heed and soon have him in a panting heap at the feet of Wren. The woman drop their hold and dust off their hands. Maeve sniffs disdainfully at his sniveling form and then looks at Wren. "Is this that low life scum that hurt you all these years?"

"Yes." Wren says sadly, covering Stan's eyes and trying t shield him from all that's going on.

Elowen gets red in the face and kicks him in the nuts. "Y-you jerk!"

Aveline spits on his face and mutter under her breath. "I wish now I'd used the pointy end of that stick."

Maeve is about to put in her two cents when Wren calls out in a rush. "Stop. Please, stop."

She takes a deep breath. "Yes, he did hurt me but he's still Stan's dad. I can't let Stan be hurt anymore than he already has been. While the doctor may have had plans for them to take and hurt me, I doubt he had such plans for Stan. I'm certain that they must have kidnapped them both at the same time, or tricked him into bringing Stan along."

The ladies look disappointed as they nod reluctantly. They step away with one last glare of hate shot at the doctor.

Stan tugs on Wren's hand, uncovering his face. He then cups his hands around her ear and whispers something softly. She swallows hard, face pale and eyes wide. With trembling hands she passes Stan to her mates.

Wren stands over the doctor as he starts to right himself. She kicks him in the face, knocking him back into the dirt where he belongs. Her eyes swirl in silver, gold and red. Her wings spread wide and her hair blows out behind her, a wind that is only on her whips it about. Those around wonder at it's source as not even a single leaf rustles in the trees from this calm day.

The doctor rolls over onto his back, one eye already swollen shut, the other filled with fear as he takes in Wren's new self. With her golden blade out and pointed at his throat she snarls with venom dripping from her fangs. "Have you any last words?"