A Chosen Daughter

Chapter 42*E

Turning to the third and final rogue, all Leah could see in his face and eyes was wonder and hope. Her eyes burning and swirling a brighter silver she reads his soul quickly. Here was a man angry at the world as much as himself. Ashamed. Disgusted. Saddened with the knowledge he gave up too quickly, too easily, and will never see this new found hope spring results.

A throat clears interrupting her soul reading. Annoyed she glares at the offender. "Sorry Llluna .... err .... erm" the man stutters and stops sending a pitiful pleading look to Chris. Chris looks from the man to Leah and back, lips twitching. Turning to face Leah, adjusting his hold on the little girl as he does "These pups are from a neighbouring pack I've already contacted the Alpha and notified him, he's coming with some warriors to collect them. He hasn't mentioned any others being missing but I will question him when he arrives" Leah is momentarily surprised he was going, Chris smirks "Fay here is determined no one else carries her!" He informs Leah chuckling.

Leah smiles and looks at the little girl whose peeking shyly at her from Chris' neck. "Is that your mate?" She whispers to Chris. Chris smiles, nods and whispers back "yep! Ain't she something?!" He asks her with a wink towards Leah. Fay smiles and nods. Again trying to study Leah superstitiously. Leah smiles at Fay and her heart tugs sensing how alone this little girl is in life, a small frown forms. Shifting her gaze subtly to Chris, Leah can see he senses it too. "Hey! Fay! Mind if I put u down so I can say goodbye to her?" Fay hesitates "I'll pick you straight back up again after!" Fay nods with a smile.

Chris approaches Leah sending a warning look at the rogue, still on his knees before her. He pauses as he evaluates his expression. Chris raises a brow, while his expression tells the man clearly not to try anything. The man nods subtly. With that Chris shifts his full attention to Leah. "I'll be quick so I can help, escort back any hostages you find, and help where I can with dealing with what's left of the settlement"
"No need" Leah responds calmly. Chris frowns does she not want him to return swiftly? Is her preference still to have more distance from him? He thought they were actually having moments, gaining footage and closing some of this distance. Despair claws at his gut. Reading this in his eyes Leah raises a hand caressing his cheek. His breath catches and immediately his eyes sharpen in on her, as he snuggles into her palm. Leah eases closer raising to her toes. His arms wrap around her pulling her flush against him as he lowers his head into her neck. In his peripheral vision he can see her blush starting on her cheeks. Her breath catches a little as his nose skims the skin of her neck and into her hair. Leah licks her lips "I just meant no need to rush ... Fay .." Leah whispers in his ear " I sense such loneliness from that poor little girl .. I'm not sure why though!" She purses her lips hesitating over her next words. Chris nods against her neck "I sense it too! .... And I think it sweet you wish for her to have the chance to open up about it instead of reading it from her" Leah's mouth drops open. Chris chuckles.

Quickly he snatches both of her hands and checks them, Leah raises a questioning eyebrow but upon hearing his soft sigh of relief when he sees her unblemished hands, her eyes soften with understanding. Then holding onto one hand he scratches first his thumb then hers and joins them together. Leah can only stare at him in shock. "Why?" She thinks to him
"Just in case" he replies, with a small shrug he continues "Michael is accompanying us but I don't feel like he will be forth coming with any info you send .... if you need me link me!" With his other hand he strokes her cheek, looking deeply into her eyes "if you don't need me ... still link me!" He smiles and she smiles in reply. Nodding she agrees and he beams at her.

Raising her hand, he again licks clean her thumb. Placing a small chaste kiss on it after he finishes, then places one on her cheek "stay safe! I Will see you soon!" Leah watches him walk back to Fay and throw her up into the air before asking piggy back or shoulders? Fay's delighted giggle widens her smile further.