As soon as Marisol’s voice resonated through the battlefield, earning all their attention, Nicole released the wolf she’d been tormenting, its body dropping onto the floor with a loud thud as she leaped towards her daughter and immediately pulled her into an embrace.
Marisol’s eyes immediately welled up with tears at the warmth of her familiar embrace, overwhelmed with emotion and her chest tightening with the force of it. She couldn’t imagine just how much she’d missed this. Just the scent of her mother so close, mixing with hers, reduced her into a sobbing mess.
She could also feel the concern and worry of her people, her father’s protective presence was like a soothing balm to her soul, but she couldn’t help but feel something different about it.
Nicole finally broke the hug and pulled back to look at her daughter, her own eyes filled with tears. “My baby,” she cooed, her voice trembling with emotion as she took Marisol’s face into her hands. “I’m so sorry we didn’t realize something was wrong sooner. We should have come for you sooner.”
Marisol hugged her mother tightly at the words, basking in the familiarity of her embrace. “It’s okay, Mom,” she assured wetly, “I’m just glad you’re here now.”
Nicole nodded, sniffling loudly, “That witch’s spell deceived us.” She explained, shaking her head in regret. “We thought you were safe. We should have known better.”
Liam’s footsteps drew nearer, pulling Cedric and Caleb along as if they were rag dolls, his grip strong and unforgiving. Marisol felt a surge of fear and anger rise within her as she watched him manhandle her mate.
Unable to contain herself, she cried out, “Dad, stop!”