Page 46 of My Pucking Family

I quickly take the rag and run it over India's face, hoping to calm her while Miss Tilly moves to check on her feet that look like they might be bleeding a bit.

“Shhhh, India, you're okay. Can you sit up a bit so I can place the ice pack on your neck, and can you take a drink of this water? They’ll help the panic.”

She listens easily enough and allows me to help her.

“Okay, now, India, look at me. Keep your eyes on me and copy my breathing.”

When she's holding my gaze, I take an exaggerated breath in, hold it for ten seconds, holding my fingers up for the countdown, and then slowly release the breath. We do this together on repeat for five breaths before she finally calms down.

“Thank you for that, Leera. Really. I'm so fucking s-sorry for e-everything,” she begins but starts to lose control of her emotions again.

“Hey, focus. I accept your apology, but we can't help if you don't tell us what's going on.”

While I've been working to calm India on the couch, the men have all gathered at the giant island, giving us space but still listening to what's going on.

“I w-I went home to Z-Zabella. I wanted to c-confront my f-father about what w-we were going to d-do because I wanted s-so badly to be q-queen.” She's barely keeping it together while she gets this out, so I'm just listening and giving her the space she needs. She takes a short break, then a deep breath, and continues, “When I got to Daddy's office, he was yelling. I d-don't know who he was t-talking to because I d-didn't go in. At f-first I couldn't hear, s-so I got closer, and I...” Another small sob escapes her. We wait, some more patiently than others, for her to continue. I can feel Roman’s energy getting prickly.

“What is it, India? Let us help,” I ask softly.

“I just hope it's not too late,” she whispers.

37

On any other day, my patience would have dried up by now. I'm barely keeping it together because, even though Leera is doing an amazing job and I want to see her in action, this isn't how the men and I get information. We don't calm them and ask nicely. After everything she's put Leera through, I should be surprised she's able to be that compassionate with her. But it's just her. It's who Leera is. It's her presence and spirit. She's a Luna down to her soul.

With that thought, I find myself able to relax and wait a little longer before jumping in.

“Too late for what?” Leera asks, offering India another sip of water.

India accepts the water before she visibly works to gatherherself for whatever she has to say. I straighten myself in preparation for the weight of what could have brought her here like this.

She speaks slowly and clearly when she says, “I heard him say that they were working with dark witches. That they will never stop until they've seized control of Zabella, Sabbax, the human realm, and...”

“And what, India? I'm losing my patience,” I snarl before I can stop myself.

Leera narrows her eyes at me before returning to India. “It's okay. What are they planning?”

She looks Leera right in the eyes when she says, “He said that they have to do whatever it takes to complete theprophecy. He said they’re coming for Roman. He said they’re done playing nice. They’ll start killing innocent people, no matter the species, until you do whatever they need for the prophecy to be met. I didn’t even know there was a prophecy. I-I swear, I didn't know about all of that. I thought this was just about me being queen. I had no idea it was more than the throne. I never th...I never thought they were capable ofthis.”

All I can say without losing my shit is, “When.”

She shakes her head. “He didn’t say. I came as quickly as I heard.”

“Why now? You’ve been working with them for a long fucking time, India. I’d say probably just over five hundred years, if I had to guess.” Her flinch answers that question. “You knew he killed her, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I knew, okay! They’ve been training me for this my entire life! I just wanted to be a queen! Yes, I wanted you to myself, but the Goddess had other plans. Obviously. But I don’t know how many people they’re planning to kill or have alreadykilled. I don’t know anything about a prophecy. I don’t know what they plan to do with the power. He said...” She chokes on another broken sob. “He said that since I couldn't do my part, I was no longer needed, and they might as well get rid of me too!”

Now it all makes sense. India has only ever cared about herself and the crown. But she only finally told us what's going on and came to us because her life is now on the line as well.

“Roman, we have to do something,” Leera pleads.

I raise a single eyebrow at her. “Why should we help her? She made her bed.”

“Roman Razboinic,” Leera scolds as she stands to her full height and plants her hands on her hips. “While she is obviously far from one of my favorite people, there is a big difference between wanting to knock some sense into someone and letting then die when we can do something about it.”

“Roman, please. I promise to stay out of your way or help you all in any way I can; just please don't let them do this. I'll be a better wolf. Whatever you want, I'll do it. Please,” India begs.

I snarl to myself at the thought of helping her. After everything she's been a part of,can I really help her?

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