"If you get triggered—"
"I know how to come out of an episode," she replied, raising an eyebrow.
Guardian kissed her again and stepped back without arguing the point. I got the sense this was a familiar subject.
"I didn't mean to risk—" I began, but Vienna gave me a wry look.
"Icanmake decisions for myself, you know? Strangely enough, I have a mind of my own."
Firmly chastised, I rubbed the back of my neck. "Right. Of course you do. Thank you again."
She shook her blonde head as I backed up to let her into the hall. "You don't have to keep thanking me, Priest. Like I don't have to ask how you know Luna's scared, even though curiosity iskillingme."
I gave Guardian a surprised look; he hadn't told her?
"Not my secret to tell," he said, holding up his huge hands. "But Vienna can keep a secret. Isn't that right, precious?"
"I've never told anyone's secret," she agreed, curiosity burning in her blue eyes. "She's your mate, isn't she?"
"Yes," I breathed, hardly daring to admit it. "But I can't tell her, not yet. She's been through enough."
And I'd said too much.Fuck!
"With what she saw in that house," I quickly added, saving the situation.
Vienna nodded, something like pride in her eyes. It made me straighten my spine. She thought I was being a good alpha and taking care of my omega, and I was surprised to learn I needed that approval—from both her and Guardian.
If Guard was my brother, Vienna was like a sister to me. Although significantly less kleptomaniac than my biological sister.
"I'll take care of Luna," she assured me. "Stop worrying; you'll go grey."
"Moregrey," Guardian teased, making my stare flatten.
"Just you wait, Guard. You'll have more grey hairs than me soon enough. You're—what—thirteen years younger than me?"
"Fourteen," he disagreed, as if the extra year made any difference.
"Don't worry, son," I joked, "I've got a walking stick saved just for you."
He snapped his teeth, a playful growl in his throat. "Get out of here. Go wake someone else up."
"Or go back to sleep," Vienna suggested, taking a step down the corridor towards the sanctuary. "You look rough, Priest."
"Thanks," I drawled.
Inside, I marvelled at how strong Vienna was. When she'd arrived at the compound, she'd been skittish, afraid to look alphas in the eye. Now she teased and bossed us around as if we were the same designation. It was good to see. Gave me hope everyone else in the sanctuary could find the same strength and peace.
"You're welcome," she quipped. "And you go back to sleep, too, Abbott; you're practically dead on your feet."
Guardian was swaying, I noticed with a smile.
"Thanks again," I said, aiming in the opposite direction. Not back to the chapel to sleep—I wouldn't get any rest until I laid eyes on Luna again—but to the kitchen.
I needed coffee. Lots and lots of coffee.
8
Luna