**Luke''s POV**


    Seeing Theo so broken had scared me. There was no need for the level of violence they had inflicted on him. He was one man alone against a team of fighters. They could have easily subdued him with minimal violence. If these people could do that to him, then what did they do to Harper to get the information from her? She''s just a kid, she doesn''t even have her gifts yet. I hope she gave them the information easily and didn''t try to resist, because I hate to think what state she might be in if she tried to withstand their Interrogation.


    The kids were so brave. When I had pushed open the door to the cinema room, I had a split second of panic when the kids were nowhere to be seen, then I''d spotted Elljali''s small foot poking out from under the seat.


    "It''s okay, you''re safe," I''d told them, and at once 5 little heads popped up from between the seats at the sound of


    my voice.


    They looked scared butpletely unharmed, thanks to Theo holding them back as long as he did. The relief on their little faces when they saw me had brought a tear to my eye. They had run from their hiding spots and all hugged me in a giant huddle, even Joel, who doesn''t like physical contact, and As, who tells us he''s too old for cuddles. This is the first time they''ve felt threatened, and I pray it''s theirst


    I feel the moment that Theo is healed, the relief from Mason and Josie flowing freely through the bond, followed by Josie''s exhaustion. I push some energy her way, not wanting her to draw on Axe and Deacon whilst they deal with the threats upstairs. She will need to rest after such a power drain, but she will be fine in less than an hour.


    Deacon lets us all know the current threat is over, and we make ns to get the kids home and safe. I call my mum and exin the situation, and she quickly agrees to get to our house, ready to watch the kids when we arrive.


    Mason carries Josie into the cinema room andys her down on a recliner chair whilst assuring the kids she is fine and just sleeping. The kids huddle around her quietly. The walks in after them. He''s a bloody mess, but he looks so much better than he did a few moments ago. I stride towards him, intent on helping him to a seat, but when I reach him, gratefulness, pride and relief overwhelm me and I throw my arms around him in a hug.


    "I''m d you are okay. For such a skinny guy, you are one tough badass, you know," Iugh.


    "Thanks for finally noticing," he grins, and he looks terrifying grinning like that whilst covered in blood.


    I''m about to suggest he goes and cleans himself up so he doesn''t scare the kids, but it''s toote, the younger ones are already here, hugging him like the hero he is.


    "I''m okay, your Mum healed me," he reassures them as they cry at the sight of him.


    "Give him some space kids, let him sit down," Mace say softly.


    Sammy takes Theo''s hand and guides him to the chair next to Josie. Jensen hands him a drink and Elijah brings hin a half-eaten chocte bar. Theo smiles at them taking their offerings.


    "I''ll go help pack up their stuff, and then we can get them home," Mason says before leaving the room.


    "I want you to teach me how to fight," As says with a determined look on his face that breaks my heart.


    It''s obvious why he wants to learn. He''s scared and feels defenseless. I feel like we failed them today. We should never have left them like this. We should have taken them home as soon as we knew Harper was missing.


    "Me too," Joel says, his voice croaky from disuse and I almost break down.


    Joel doesn''t talk unless absolutely necessary. He is capable but rarely verbalises anything, so the fact he is talking


    now shows how affected he is by what has happened today


    I want to tell them that they don''t need to learn to fight ye that they are safe, and they''ll learn when they join the academy and their gifts awaken, but that is not what they need to hear right now.


    Of course, when we are all home we will work out a training schedule," I agree.


    Axel stalks into the room, still in his wolf form, and the twins run to him. He instantly turns from arge manacing wolf to a giant soft puppy as he muzzles them with his big head, making them giggle before he shifts back to his human form. He spends a moment with each of the kids, reassuring them and telling them we will be home just as soon as we find their sister before he heads back upstairs to watch our hostage, whilst Deacones down to say his goodbyes to the kids.


    Deacon tells the kids how proud he is of them and that they acted exactly the right way today. He apologises to them for what they had to experience and promises he will make sure the right people are punished for scaring


    them.


    Josie wakes up in time for a tearful goodbye. She holds each of the boys in a motherly hug, Joel and As epting her embrace without a fuss. When Mason returns with their bags, he says goodbye to them before Theo and I take them home.


    When we arrive at our house, it''s a hive of activity. Most of my family are here, as well as Deacon''s parents, half of Theo''s family, Dot and her bonds, and Axel''s brother. They all fuss over Theo and the kids before demanding to feturn with us to the human realm to help find Harper and eliminate the threat to our family. Today''s Bonus Offer