They were aware of her safety, having witnessed Cullen exit the room with her; he had her lifted off the ground by the waist and swiftly exited the room. She was now pressed against the wall, with him employing his entire body to shield and protect her in the event of any escalation into the hallway.
While Mason, his son, confronted Alpha Kaiden in that room, Caelan and Hudson yearned to join the fray and confront him. However, the overwhelming Alpha Aura enveloping Mason, coupled with the weight of four bodies restraining him, rendered him immobile at that moment. He recognised that without his father’s aura suppressing him, they would stand no chance of containing either him or his beast.
He only calmed down after Lark had repositioned Mason. Redirecting his focus to Daisy, who stood across the hall with a concerned expression, he sensed Hudson withdraw and was finally permitted to rise. Mason escorted him to her, as if he required repeated encouragement to approach her. He yearned to be in her proximity.
I observed the faint reddening on her neck at the location where that scoundrel had been preparing to mark her. I was seething with rage but concealed my emotions from her. It was not the appropriate moment for her to witness my anger; she had sufficient challenges to contend with without adding him to the equation.
He extended his hand and grasped hers. “Everything will be fine,” he reassured her gently. She remained silent, merely standing there, engulfed by her emotions.
Mason directed the pair away, gently nudging them down the corridor. He recognised that the man was attempting to separate him from Alpha Kaiden. The man began to regain consciousness and was utilising Daisy to assist Caelan’s departure. At that moment, Daisy’s willingness to hold his hand was inconsequential; her grip was surprisingly firm, and she did not glance back at Alpha Kaiden. Daisy positioned herself between the two of them.
Caelan retained her hand, while Mason positioned himself on her opposite side, his hand resting on the small of her back. Neither had obtained Maurice’s consent for her departure from the hospital, yet she would be more secure in a room with a lockable door. Caelan desired to place her in his suite, but recognised that this would provoke another dispute with Kaiden.
Contemplated placing her in the Luna suite; however, this could present a problem, given her indecision. As she was technically a Luna to both parties, he resolved to confine her to her room on the first floor, which, at least, featured three locks and a reinforced door.
Neither Jayden nor his wolf would gain swift access to that room.
All three turned to their left upon hearing the sound of intense copulation, witnessing Alpha Anthony forcefully mating with Lydia from behind.
“Do not observe that,” Caelan declared, deliberately averting her gaze. She found it unnecessary to witness it.
“But isn’t that?” she attempted to glance back at the two Alpha-blooded wolves. “Lydia?”
“It is,” Caelan affirmed. “Do not look and do not listen.”
“But Caelan?” He discerned her apprehension regarding what she observed and perceived.
“He is her Mate. Accept it. Both possess Alpha lineage, contending for supremacy within their connection. She will be well once she yields to him.” Although it appeared harsh and aggressive, he understood that Lydia likely relished every moment. She derived considerable pleasure from being dominated and submissive in the bedroom.
“Are you certain?” she continued to glance back, concerned that Lydia was in peril while they remained inactive. She observed Mason obstructing her view of the two copulating in plain sight.
“Indeed, I am quite certain. The man will not harm his Mate or Lydia.”
Mason struck him on the back of the head, glaring as he commanded, ‘Silence,’ through the mind-link.
“Lydia what?” Daisy enquired, shifting her gaze between him and Mason.
“It is quite arduous,” Caelan sighed. He was reluctant to broach the subject with her, wishing to avoid implanting the image of himself and Lydia in her mind, although she was aware of their past relationship.
“Oh,” was her only remark on the matter. Anthony and Lydia’s copulation could still be discerned, despite their invisibility; it seemed to have transitioned from aggression to pleasure, a development to which he reluctantly acknowledged relief. It was probable that she had now been Marked by her Alpha and had submitted to him.
Upon entering the pack-house at approximately 2 AM, I stated, “I will escort you to your room; we shall discuss your relocation once everyone has departed.”
“Where shall I be relocated?” she appeared somewhat apprehensive to him.
“To a more secure location. You will have guards from this point forward, Daisy. I will not permit Kaiden to assault you in that manner again.”
“Very well,” she acknowledged, indicating that she was not inclined towards that option either.
He was somewhat taken aback that she did not contest, “I apologise for his actions towards you; he had no justification for that. We had a pact, and he has now violated it.”
“An agreement?” she enquired, her tone reflecting both curiosity and a hint of annoyance to his ears.
“Indeed, you were unconscious at that moment. Mother will provide you with all the specifics. The arrangement stipulated that neither of us would Mark you.”
“Indeed.”
Upon arriving at her door, all three turned at the sound of Lydia’s cries to be released. Alpha Anthony carried her over his shoulder as he ascended the stairs to the first floor, both he and Lydia completely unclothed, en route to his room. He acknowledged the trio with a nod, indifferent to their state of undress.
He wore a smirk, appearing quite pleased with the discovery of his Mate. Lydia gazed directly at them as he turned down the corridor. She struck him vehemently, yet a broad smile adorned her face, suggesting her happiness was merely a façade.
Caelan observed that she wore a decorative silver filigree around her neck. She opened Daisy’s door and gestured for her to enter.
“Observe, she is entirely content,” he remarked with a smile directed at her.
“Feigning anger,” Mason chuckled, “She appears to be enamoured with her new mate.”
Daisy shook her head, indicating her lack of comprehension regarding the woman’s display of anger towards her mate. She frowned and said, “I don’t understand.” She directed her gaze at Caelan, seemingly seeking an explanation for the girl’s behaviour.
He refrained from elaborating on Lydia’s preferences; it was highly probable that she was provoking her Mate to impose punishment upon her, an experience she would undoubtedly relish. She appeared exceedingly content, in fact. At least the girl had discovered her Mate, thereby ensuring that her father could no longer arrange a union with someone she disliked or wished to avoid.
“Please take a shower, Daisy. Mason and I will remain here until you are settled in bed, allowing you to rest. I prefer that you do not leave this room without an escort. It is also probable that mother will visit your room during breakfast, providing an opportunity for the two of you to converse.”
Daisy glanced from him to Mason and then, somewhat apprehensively, back to Caelan, who smiled directly at her. “That is why Mason remains here. Proceed; you will be safe. Hudson and I will maintain our boundaries, I assure you,” he reassured her.
