Four Mates And A She Wolf
81

As the enforcers led Cassie away, the atmosphere in the clearing began to shift from tension to relief. Avery stood with Shane, Sean, and Romeo, her mind replaying the events of the trial and the sense of justice that had been served. The crowd, though solemn, seemed ready to move forward, accepting the Alpha's decision and looking towards a more secure future.

But just as Cassie reached the edge of the clearing, something changed. Her pace slowed, and a strange, desperate glint flickered in her eyes. With a sudden, furious motion, she lunged toward one of the enforcers, her hands seizing the spear he carried. The move was so unexpected and swift that it took a moment for anyone to react.

"No!" Avery shouted, instinctively stepping back as Cassie turned, weapon in hand.

Before anyone could intervene, Cassie hurled the spear with all her remaining strength, aiming directly at Avery. Time seemed to slow as the deadly projectile flew through the air, and Avery's mates moved in unison to protect her. Shane leaped forward, but the spear was too fast. Sean tried to intercept it with his body, but it was already too late. The spear struck Avery, grazing her side and causing a sharp, searing pain. She staggered, clutching her wound, her eyes wide with shock and pain.

The clearing erupted in chaos. Pack members surged forward, their expressions twisted with anger and horror. The enforcers immediately subdued Cassie, wrestling her to the ground with a force that left no room for resistance. She struggled briefly, her face contorted with a mixture of rage and despair, but she was quickly overpowered.

"Get her out of here!" Alaric's voice thundered over the chaos, his normally composed demeanor shattered by fury. "Now!"

The enforcers hauled Cassie to her feet, dragging her away as she screamed obscenities and accusations. The sound of her voice faded into the distance, but the fury of the pack remained, a palpable force that simmered in the air. Shane, Sean, and Romeo were immediately by Avery's side, their faces etched with worry and fear. Shane pressed a hand against the wound, trying to stem the bleeding. "Avery, stay with us," he said urgently. "We need to get you to the healer."

Avery nodded, her vision blurring slightly from the pain. "I'm okay," she said. "It's not too deep."

Miranda, the Beta, pushed through the crowd, her face pale with concern. "Clear the way!" she shouted. "We need to get her to the healer, now!"

The pack members quickly parted, creating a path for Avery and her mates. With careful, urgent movements, they helped her to her feet and began to move towards the healer's hut. The crowd followed at a distance, their anger and worry a tangible presence in the air.

Inside the healer's hut, the scent of herbs and salves filled the air. The healer, an elderly wolf named Elara, immediately took charge, her skilled hands working swiftly to examine and treat Avery's wound. "It's a clean graze," Elara said after a moment. "She's lucky. It could have been much worse."

Avery winced as Elara applied a poultice to the wound, the herbal mixture stinging slightly but bringing immediate relief. "Thank you," she said, her voice steadying as the initial shock wore off. Shane, Sean, and Romeo stayed close, their eyes never leaving Avery's face. "We should have been quicker," Sean said. "We should have protected you."

"You did protect me," Avery said, reaching out to squeeze his hand. "I'm okay, thanks to all of you."

Elara finished bandaging the wound and stepped back, her expression softening. "She'll need rest and time to heal," she said, looking at Avery's mates. "Make sure she doesn't overexert herself." "We will," Romeo promised.

Avery lay back on the bed, exhaustion washing over her. "I can't believe she did that," she murmured, her mind still reeling from the attack. "Even after everything..."

"Some people can't let go of their hatred," Shane said quietly. "But she's gone now. She can't hurt you anymore."

The pack members gathered outside the healer's hut. Alaric and Miranda soon joined them, their faces grim as they addressed the crowd.

"Let this be a reminder," Alaric said. "We must always be vigilant. Betrayal can come from those we least expect. But we stand together, and we protect our own."

Miranda nodded in agreement. "Avery showed great courage today, as did all of you. We will heal from this, and we will grow stronger. But we must never forget the lessons we've learned."

The crowd murmured their agreement, the anger and fear slowly giving way to a renewed sense of unity and resolve. They began to disperse, returning to their homes and families with a newfound determination to protect their pack and each other.

Inside the healer's hut, Avery's mates stayed by her side, their presence a comforting balm. They talked quietly, sharing their thoughts and fears, their bond growing even stronger in the wake of the day's events.

Avery listened to their voices, feeling a deep sense of gratitude and love. She had faced danger and betrayal, but she had also seen the strength and loyalty of her pack. And as she drifted off to sleep, she knew that together, they could face anything.

The next few days passed in a blur of rest and recovery. Avery's wound healed steadily under Elara's careful watch, and her mates ensured she didn't overexert herself. The pack continued to rally around her, their support a constant source of strength.

One afternoon, as Avery sat outside the healer's hut, enjoying the warmth of the sun, Alaric and Miranda approached. Their expressions were serious but kind, reflecting the weight of leadership and the care they felt for their pack members. Alaric said, "How are you feeling?"

Avery smiled. "Better than yesterday". "That's wonderful. You're a brave girl."