Chapter 0352

Consciousness returns in slow, painful waves. Every muscle screams in protest as chaotic sounds assault my ears. My vision clears to reveal Sebastian kneeling before my mate, his hands working on something I can't see. Isolde wears only an oversized t-shirt that does little to preserve her modesty.

The moment she collapses into my arms, relief floods through me despite her tears. My gaze lifts to Sebastian, who deliberately displays the arrow he just extracted from Isolde's thigh.

"Why are you here?" I demand, giving my mate space to compose herself while I stroke her back.

"Seraphina sent a distress howl. Evelyn and I heard it. My warriors are outside assisting with patrols until we regain control. Adrian should arrive any moment." Another howl pierces the air, signaling arrivals at the border.

Sebastian cocks his head. "That's probably him now. I'll go confirm."

I grab his arm before he can leave. "Sebastian...thank you."

"We're family now." His expression softens. "We need Isolde and Seraphina to understand that. I'm still learning what family means, but I know this - we stand together when needed."

When he departs, I attempt to sit up. Isolde hastily wipes her eyes and helps me. "I'm sorry, I just-" she begins.

"Shhh." I cut her off gently. "You handled everything perfectly during the crisis."

My eyes scan the wounded. No fatalities, but many will need extended recovery time.

Now that I'm conscious, Isolde moves to assist others. "Stay put," she orders, and I can't suppress a grin at her commanding tone. My Alpha female.

Sebastian returns with Adrian in tow. "You're Adrian," Isolde says, approaching him with visible confusion about how she recognizes him.

"And you must be Isolde. I wish our first meeting was under better circumstances." Adrian extends his hand.

After their handshake, he surveys the scene. "Sebastian mentioned hunter attacks." His gaze finds me, and he starts toward us with Isolde beside him. "Thirty-eight of them," she confirms.

"How do you know the exact number?" I ask.

She pauses, frowning. "I could smell them."

Adrian whips his head toward her. "Individually?"

"It was like...I could visualize them. Sense their numbers. Unless Aurora's wrong about the count."

Adrian smiles at her before addressing me. "Never doubt a Guardian. My pack learned that lesson the hard way. If she says thirty-eight, it's thirty-eight."

Isolde stares at him incredulously. "Guardian gifts," he explains.

"I thought the gifts came from mating a Guardian," she says, glancing at Sebastian.

"The Guardian possesses the gifts initially," he clarifies. "Completing the bond with your fated mate shares them." He turns to me. "Didn't you feel the power surge when she marked you?"

My shocked expression must answer for me.

"Gifts of being mated to a Guardian," Adrian and Sebastian chorus in eerie unison.

"Her Guardian healing is why you're awake before any other injured wolf here," Adrian continues. "Some merely got wolfsbane, yet you're the only one conscious after sustaining worse injuries."

Sebastian adds, "That comes from Isolde. I'd love to spar with you now - imagine the strength from bonding with the most powerful Guardian."

Isolde snarls before he finishes. Sebastian raises placating hands. "Not to harm him, just to test his limits. Your Guardian spirit is the strongest, though Evelyn's display during the vampire war was terrifying. Which is why you three need to unite - to strengthen your gifts through shared knowledge. Once you access Evander's memories, everything will make sense."

"Evelyn," Isolde whispers, her gaze turning distant. Both men snap to attention.

"Do you remember Selene?" Adrian asks softly.

"My...daughter?" Isolde's brow furrows in confusion.

"Daughter?" I echo, equally puzzled. I thought Selene was Evelyn's wolf spirit.

"Much to discuss," Sebastian interjects, "but not now. Our mates should be present for this conversation - they can answer your questions better."

Dr. Whitmore approaches. "Alphas, Luna." He nods to each of us. "All projectiles have been removed. Shouldn't we move the injured somewhere more comfortable?"