The Golden Prodigies

Chapter 47

Hunter made his way around the werewolves too, ignoring the blood on his face and the mud on his body. He told everyone not to panic but to be prepared to protect themselves if any threat came their way. Hunter said to them that angels were no longer on their side, and no matter what, Jacota was on the winning team. He didn't tell them how the tear had grown to be so big, or how heaven's downfall was caused. The werewolves wanted solidarity, and Hunter was trying his best to provide it.

In the back of his mind, he worried about Jacota, Sam, his pack, his parents. There seemed to be too much going on that everything turned into one blurred mess. The only thing he had to think about was the well-being of his family and the werewolves.

"Hunter." Anthony's voice trailed behind him, stabbing him in the ear like an unwanted fly. "Hunter." The voice got closer until a hand rested on his shoulder. "We'll keep the werewolves here, and get as many as we can to turn up. We'll need all the help we can get if the angels are coming."

Hunter stopped and turned towards Anthony. Werewolves buzzed all around them from the excitement of being among Anthony and Hunter, but they soaked up one another's adrenaline and fear, sending out ripples of anxiety and panic.

"Look," Anthony said in a hushed tone, "I know you're angry at me, but we need each other right now. We're all in danger. I don't know if I could live if something happened to you or Sam and we weren't on good terms."

Hunter eyed some nosy werewolves who tried to listen to their conversation. "You should have told us this years ago. I need time to get over it. Just give me space." Hunter shrugged his dad's hand away and moved through the crowd.

Anthony lost sight of him almost immediately, like a raindrop landing in the ocean. He turned back and pushed his way towards their home to check on their supernatural guests. Panuleon and Oliver were injured, and Oliver needed a lot of medical attention until the angel woke up. Anthony wasn't sure what to offer them, but dry clothes and food could be a start and help to make everyone feel better, especially the humans.

William was wiping the mud from the bottom of his walking stick when Sam returned to his side. "Hey," William said, catching the sorrow in the werwolf's eyes before he tried to hide it.

Sam never hid anything from William; it was those around him that made him wear the mask. Their relationship has always been incredibly open and honest. If they couldn't share secrets with each other, their trust would be thinning, and when it came to werewolf bonds, faith was crucial.

"Hey." Sam pulled a stool over for William to sit down on, who had been leaning against the wall on one leg. "Are you okay?"

"As okay as I can be." William sat down, and Sam stood in between his legs, needing a moment with his mate. "I know you're thinking about the Rayson's, but we can settle that after we save the world."

Sam chuckled and nuzzled himself against the human, wishing he could turn into a wolf and feel William's fingers scratch under his chin, just the way he liked it. "I think heaven needs more attention than my family problems right now." He blocked out all of the noise and allowed William's scent to drench his own. The human always smelt of honeycomb. Sam couldn't get enough.

William wrapped his arms around the werewolf's lower back, despite being in their wet clothes from the rain. "Can you carry me upstairs? We need to get changed."

"Of course," Sam whispered, hovering his lips millimetres away from his mate's, remembering how they felt. He freshened his memories by kissing him softly. In the middle of the kiss, Sam picked him up. William clung to him like a monkey, remembering to grab his walking stick.

William then closed his eyes and pretended that it was just another average day. He had spent the day reading or doing physio, and now he was going to spend time with his favourite person, watching a film, messing around, or telling stories. In his mind, everything was calm, but in the real world, everything and everyone William loved was in danger. Still, he tried to pretend that life was good because he might never get another chance to feel so relaxed in Sam's arms.