The Broken Queen

Chapter 7; Kayla Surfaces: PART TWO

Damian's POV:

"I love you too pumpkin" I say looking into her hazel eyes. She is my whole world, and soon, our kids will be a part of that world. "You are the best mate I could ever ask for" she replies lovingly as she wraps her small arms around my neck, her small bump hitting my chest. I smirk before I take control, pulling her closer as our lips met. The kiss was sweet, gentle yet full of passion. I place my hand on her bump and kiss her forehead.

I can't wait to meet our pups. "You will be a great mother Ash; I can't wait to have a family with you. Both me and my wolf are eager to meet our three kiddos" I whisper in her ear with a smile as we part. 'Damian, I need you in the gardens, right now. Dani is in trouble and her life may be at risk. You must come alone and keep it to yourself where you are going. I have already made a cover story with your father. Come find us, quickly. We need to get moving and out of sight' I hear my worried mother through our mind link. My eyes widen for a moment at the thought of someone or something bringing any harm to my baby sister.

My heart starts pounding as I begin to have panicked thoughts and I stand up straight, immediately alert. I'm her oldest brother; her protector and I am largely responsible for her safety and well-being. I clench my teeth at the thought of anything happening to her. Ash instantly senses my change in demeanor and can clearly heart much suddenly racing heart. She looks at me under her full lashes with deep concern etched on her face.

"Baby? What's wrong?" she asks, placing her small hand on my bicep after feeling the change in both my physical and emotional state through the mate bond. "Your heart is racing" My heart hurts knowing I must lie to her, but I will not risk my sister's safety, no matter what. I lean down and gently kiss her cheek.

"Nothing for you to stress yourself and our beautiful pups about my dear, just some urgent business I need to take care of with my mother. I will be gone for a little bit but don't worry" I reassure her. "I need to go now love; I will see you later." I whisper, giving her a sweet peck on the lips before moving towards the door. I don't want to worry her. As soon as I leave our room, I practically sprint towards the gardens.

I receive some weird looks, as I run frantically, drawing a lot of attention to myself. People obviously have opinions about my odd behavior, but don't speak out as I'm doing no harm, and I am their future Alpha after all.

When I exit the pack house, the garden workers are nowhere to be seen. Their Luna must have sent them away for privacy of the situation. Whatever this is about, it's serious. I look around and spot Dani sitting on a bench in my mother's lap with her head resting on Mom's chest. My mother has her arms wrapped around Dani in a protective embrace intending to comfort her. She looks up and we lock eyes for a moment before she leans down and whispers to Dani.

"Cricket, your brother is here. I'm going to talk to him before we leave, okay." Dani slowly nods, letting our mother out of her grasp. I have no clue what's going on, and it's worrying me. Mom gets up and walks towards me, pulling me into a tight hug. When I see her face, I can see concern and a hint of fear in her eyes, even though on the outside, her composure is rock solid. We walk back to Dani, and she leaps into my arms. She's terrified, which sends both me and my wolf Alan on high alert.

Mother had told me we are going to the woods, and we had to hurry. I can feel the heat starting to roll off Dani in waves when I let my mother go and approach Dani, taking her hand. My mother says that she will explain on the way. As we walk, I hear my mother in our mind link again, blocking Dani out. 'Damian, there is a secret I have been keeping and living with for the last nineteen years of my life. It's a complicated one and it's dangerous. I have never told anyone the truth, except for one person from my past, even your father doesn't know. I thought Dani would have another three or four years before this happened' she says, pausing to look at Dani with a sad smile.

I am beyond confused now, and I simply nod for her to continue and clarify what she is trying to tell me. 'Damian, Dani's going to shift soon, any minute now in fact. Apparently, her wolf has been developing and growing stronger for the last year and has finally surfaced. Her name is Kayla' she glances at me trying to gauge my reaction.

'I brought you here, to tell you the truth about everything, but right now, the focus is to make sure Dani gets through her first shift and making sure we keep this a secret. Her fever is already through the roof, we need to get her to the lake, quickly' she continues. I choke on my own spit. 'WHAT!? That makes no sense, your wolf doesn't surface until you turn seventeen, she's too young, she won't survive this!' I exclaim, now panicking. My head starts to spin with different thoughts, questions, and possible outcomes.

Dani obviously knows we are having a conversation through the link, but she keeps her eyes focused on her surroundings, letting us be. Her eyes keep darting around us constantly, as if she's waiting for something to happen. I can't believe she has her wolf already. This is crazy. 'We're here. I will explain everything and answer all your questions after she shifts' our mother says. As I look down, I notice that my mother has a bag in her hands.

'I'm assuming they are clothes for her?' I question, trying to figure out what's going on. 'Yes' is all she says, before going silent. Dani is barely moving at this point, slowly trudging behind us, the pull of our embraced hands being the only thing keeping her moving. She looks ready to collapse. I look straight in front of us and see the lake up ahead. My mother picks Dani up because she can't walk anymore. It frightens me to see her like this, I'm still clueless as to what is happening, but I can't do anything to help in a situation I do not understand.

We both race ahead with Dani as my mother places her in the lake and her skin sizzles in the cold water. I cringe at the sound, feeling sick with the stress knotting my stomach. This is not normal. What the fuck is going on?! Once Dani cools down, she gets back out of the water dripping wet, with her energy restored and a big smile present on her face. 'I would do anything to protect you and make you happy, I care about your life, more than I do mine' I think looking down at her small figure.

Her eyes change from her ever-changing blue ones to silver speckled grey ones, just like in the gardens. They are so cool; they were like Alan's eyes. I step backwards, and she frowns. "Mama, my chest is burning, I think Kayla needs to come out, she's restless and scratching at my skin" Dani says. I lean down to her level. "Dani, who's Kayla?" I ask. "She is my new wolf, Damian" she explains, with a small smile on her face. She seems both amused and confused at the same time.

I just had to ask, still feeling skeptical of my mother, who walks over to Dani, and squats down in front of her, looking her straight in the eye. "Kayla, it's time, you can come out now, we will keep an eye out for you, don't worry" Kayla seems to understand and Dani's eyes flash blue again, a look of pure puzzlement taking over her face for a split second. My goddess, what the hell is she doing? what is my mother she hiding? My internal turmoil towards my mother is quickly interrupted by a shrill scream from Dani.

She falls to her knees sobbing in pain. What on earth? It breaks my heart to hear her ear-piercing screams. The poor thing is clutching her head in her head in agony, struggling to breathe through the pain. I'm about to run forward and wrap her in my arms when I'm pulled back by my wrist. "Don't. She must do this by herself. We can't help her, not yet" my mother says sternly, but looking like she was just tempted to do the same. I feel helpless, and I hate it. I watch in horror as Dani's breath becomes shallow and she shrieks, looking up at the sky. Only her screams fill the silence that had previously surrounded us.