by M. D. Butler
A few seconds later, I hear footsteps approaching. A male opens the door, and my mind goes completely blank. Krix told me to get the women and children, but he didn’t exactly give me instructions beyond that. With the way my head is right now, I need specifics.
What am I supposed to say? How do you tell someone that a war is coming and his mate and pups have to be sent to a protective bunker while he risks his life?
What do I do with the males? Do I tell them to go find Denahi? He was told to get the warriors, but are all males considered warriors right now?
Why am I asking myself these questions?
“One second, sir.”
He stares at me with a look of confusion, and reluctant patience. I mean, I did knock on is door at the ass-crack of dawn.
Being one of the mates of the Lunar Child from the prophecy has afforded us a certain level of respect that we usually disregard, but I’m grateful for it right now. Otherwise, I’m sure I’d be getting cursed out at each house.
Uh, Krix?
Yeah?
What are we supposed to do with the males? Are all of them considered warriors right now?
Shit, I didn’t think of that.
Glad to know that I’m not the only one not thinking of everything.
Send them the Denahi, anyway. He can decide what to do with them. I’ll ask James when I get to him.
Okay.
“It’s time, isn’t it?”
I’m startled by the male’s voice just as I’m about to reach out to Den. I’d forgotten that I was even standing in his doorway.
“Sir?”
“The war. It’s time. That’s why you’re here, right? To round us up, and secure the women and children?”
I sigh in relief that he understands the significance of my visit. Glad I don’t have to convince him that it’s true. Our luck may not hold out in some of the other packs.
“Yes, sir. Jahla has been… taken by someone from the opposing side. We are taking it as an act of war because of who she is, and who they are. Also, the battle that will ensue in order to get her back. We are predicting that this will be the beginning of it all.”
He sets his mouth into a hard, determined line. With a firm shake of his, he says, “Alright, where do you want me?”
Den, where do you want the warriors to meet you?
Apparently, I can’t function right now. I’m usually better at life that this, but I can’t seem to get myself together enough to do simple thinking on my own. I’d usually have gotten all of this information before I’d embarked on this little mission.
The training arena. Send all able-bodied males.
Got it.
“The training arena, sir. All able-bodied males are to report there. I’m gathering the women and children to secure in the bunkers.”
“Good. There’ll be someone stationed there to protect them, right?”
I can see the worry in his eyes, and I completely get it. The best way to wipe out a pack is the kill the next generation, and the bearers of it. The home front is where the sneak attacks happen during wars.
“All of that is be organized as we speak.”
With another quick nod of his head, he turns towards the inside of his house.
“Let me get my family ready. I’ll walk them to the bunkers on the way to the arena so you can get to the other houses.”
“Thank you, sir.”
I’m glad he did that because it’ll make my task easier. I make a mental note to tell the other residents that, too. It’ll give them males peace of mind to know that they personally secured their families so they can focus on fighting.
I move on to the next house with a heaviness bearing down on my heart.
I wish I could have the luxury of knowing my mate was safe. Not even speaking of her being kidnapped right now, and held Mother knows where. I’m thinking about when we’re actually fighting.
These males have the serenity of knowing that their females are at home safe and protected.
Mine will be fighting at my side in this war.
Right on the front lines.
Chapter 5
Krix
I have to stop on my way to the packhouse to center my mind. If I don’t get myself grounded and pay attention to the task at hand, I won’t be able to do what need to be done.
It’s a struggle, but I eventually get my worries pushed to the back of my mind. I hate thinking of her as a worry instead of a blessing, but I have to in order to focus on getting her back. If I’m caught up in her being gone, I’ll never get my shit together.
My wolf and I are at war with each other, but I try to reason with him to keep him from going feral. Can’t go into something like this halfcocked, and full of anger.
I just hope we get there before things get too bad. We’ve all pulled away from the bond just enough to be able to sense each other’s presence. We won’t know if she’s hurting physically or emotionally until it opens back up. Something tells me that my angel won’t let us in if she’s experiencing something that will hurt us, though.
Can’t blame her because we feel the same way.
Fuck! That the exact opposite of what I’m supposed to be thinking about!
I give my head a brain rattling shake, and take a deep breath.
Strategies first. If we plan this right, we can get her out safely.
That thought settles me, and my wolf.
As I make my way to my destination, James, I try to picture the number of wolves that may be on each side. The only ones I know for sure that are against us are Benson’s pack, and maybe one or two others based off of the attitudes of some students at the academy.
Kids are a great representation of how their parents feel about something. I mean, they’re the ones bringing them up in that mindset, you know?
James will know more packs, and he’ll be able to call up his allies. We haven’t even had time to form any alliances of our own.
We haven’t had a chance to do shit!
I push all of my frustrations to the side as I open the door to the packhouse. The door is never locked because everyone is always welcome in the packhouse. James’ office is on the floor, thank the Mother. I’m not in the mood to deal with people right now. There’s too much planning that needs to happen, and I don’t have time to have mundane conversations. Not many people should be up right now, anyway.
Except James. He’s always up with the sun, and it’s rising in the sky now.
I give a quick couple of knocks before opening the door to his office, not surprised to see him already seated behind his desk.
“Krix, why are you here at this hour? Figured we wouldn’t see you boys for a while now that Jahla’s here.”
He gives a slight chuckle that dies down at the look that must’ve crossed my face. I wasn’t prepared for him to mention my angel right off the bat, and I couldn’t catch my reaction in time.
“What’s happened?”
I have to swallow the knot that’s suddenly lodged in my throat before I’m able to respond.
“She’s not here, Alpha.”
“The fuck do mean she’s not here? Did she leave?”
“No, not on her own- “
“What do you mean?!”
“I’m trying to tell you!”
Both of our voices have risen, but I can’t help it. My patience is already thin as hell, and this shit is already hard to get out.
“I’m sorry. This is just really hard.”
“It’s fine. My fault, too. Go ahead.”
“Thank you. J-Jahla’s not here because she was taken. That’s why I’m here.”
He’s quiet for a few seconds, but I can tell it’s only because he’s pissed. Understandable. Someone has come into his territory, and committed a crime against him as an alpha. Not only did someone trespass into another wolf’s territory, but they abducted one of his females. Females are precious, Jahla even more so.
She’s the damn Lunar Child from the prophecy for Mother’s sa
ke.
He takes a deep, calming breath before he continues.
“Are you sure?”
“We’ve been able to speak with Jahla through our bond.” I have to pause because of the sharp pain I feel in my chest every time her name is said. “She confirmed that she was drugged by Benson, and kidnapped.”
“Is she ok?”
She better be.
“As of right now, yes. We’ve all pulled away from the bond so that we don’t distract one another. We can sense her presence, but that’s it.”
We both quietly stare at one another, and I can tell that he’s trying to pick his next words carefully. He doesn’t have to because the guys and I already know what’s going to go down.
“Are you prepared to do what is needed?”
Vague, James, but I’m already ahead of you.
“Forgive me, alpha, but I have already taken the liberty of initiating the protocols. The warriors are being organized at the arena with Denahi, and the women and children are being transported to the bunkers by Mavrin. Cashel is gathering weapons.”
“Damn, just skip the chain of command!”
To anyone walking past, they’d think I was getting in trouble for going over the alpha’s head, but I see the twinkle in his eye. James has been training us for this ever since he discovered who we were meant to be.
“Just wanted to get the ball rolling, alpha.”
“I’ve told you boys to stop with that alpha shit. You’re all alphas yourselves, so it’s stupid. Good job on getting started on everything.”
He stands up, and moves to the bookcase that’s situated behind his desk. Pressing on something that I can’t see, I hear a click before the bookcase pops away from the wall. He opens it like a door, and motions me inside.
There’s a huge room with a big square table in its center. The walls have screens, and the table has a stack of maps. There are crates stacked against the walls, and the lights in the ceiling are focused on the table as he flips the switch.
Huh. This is new.
“Did you tell him to only gather the enforcers?”
“So, you’re going to open a door to a secret room, and go past it like it never happened? What the hell is this, and why haven’t I seen it?”
No way am I not getting this explanation!
“It’s a war room, Krix. Have you lived during a war?”
“Well, no- “
“That’s why you’ve never seen it. Now, you have. Moving on. Answer the question.”
Smart ass.
“Mav asked the same thing about the males when he started going to the houses. I told him to send them all.”
“Good. Every able-bodied male is going to be fighting in this thing.” His eyes glaze over, and I know he’s calling his most trusted men. “Tell the boys to task someone else to do their duties. You all need to be here together.”
Guys, James says to get someone else to finish organizing your tasks. Come to his office at the packhouse. He has a fucking war room!
What?! Like in the movies?
Seriously, Cash. It’s pretty dope. Get here, though. We all need to be a part of planning this out.
Got it.
On my way.
Moving!
Cash really watches too many movies. He watched a military movie once, and the character said he was “moving” instead of “coming”. Ever since he heard why he said it like that, he’s been saying “moving”.
It’s annoying sometimes.
“They’re on their way.”
“Okay. Help me get things set up.”
“Sure.”
We spend the next few minutes turning on the screens, and unpacking the boxes. We’re organizing the maps on the table when the guys walk in with shocked expressions as they take in the room. It only takes a couple of minutes after that for our dads and two other enforcers to enter, closing the door when the last person walks in.
“Alright, everyone. You should already know what’s going down if we’re in this room. Long story short, Jahla’s been kidnapped- “
“What?!”
“By who?!”
“Where were you boys when this happened?!”
Of course, our dads are going to flip out on us. Jahla has become their daughter in the short time that she’s been with us. Hurts to have Cash’s dad questioning us like this, but I can’t blame him.
“She was taken by Benson from her old pack. We all know that thy have shown aggression towards the Mother of All in the past, and I believe that Alpha Henderson knows about the prophecy. I’m sure his son does, as well. For him to have taken her with the intention to do her harm can me only one thing.”
He pauses as he looks each of us in the eye, but we already know the words that are about to fall from his lips.
“This is the beginning of the war.”
Chapter 6
Cashel
Strategies aren’t my thing.
I’m more of a winging it type of guy, but I’m glad that I can be involved. The guys and I are mainly standing back as the big boys bring out the maps, and place white and black blocks in various places on them.
I honestly couldn’t tell you what the hell was going on.
“Boys, I want you to take turns calling the allies that I have listed here.” He passes Mav a sheet of paper that he’s scribbled on since he’s the closest. “Kevin, I need you to go to the training arena. Pick the top enforces down there, and put them in charge of training the men. I want to know who our best three groups of twenty are for the rescue mission.”
“So, we’re only taking sixty men with us?” I know we’re good, but I don’t know if that’ll be enough to go against a whole pack if something goes wrong.
“We’ll also have allies. I know they’ll provide a couple of teams each.”
“So, um… question.”
“Spit it out, Cash.”
I scowl at my dad before I continue. I have a smart remark sitting on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it down. Now’s not the time, Cash.
“Are we going to do something about how she was taken?”
“What do you mean? We’re going to get her back, son, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
I swear, this man is going to make me snap. I understand that he knows I’m stressed out with the situation, but I’m in my right mind.
Well, my version of it.
“No, Dad. That’s not what I’m talking about!”
“What are you talking about, Cash?”
“Alpha- “
“James,” he growls.
“Fine, James.”
“Thank you!”
“Ugh! Anyway! What are we going to do about how she was taken? While you guys plan and get all strategic, or whatever, we can handle that. I can’t sit around, and do nothing. I’ll go out of my mind.”
“We’re not just planning for the war, Cash. This also goes along with getting her back. You boys aren’t going in there alone.”
“What? No, that’s not what I meant, Brandon. What the hell- “
“Watch your mouth, Cashel.”
“No, because you guys aren’t understanding me!”
Seriously, does no one get what I’m trying to say? I look at everyone’s face, and yup. Clueless.
Fuck!
“She was taken from our territory! We’re one of the most secured packs in the nation, and you want me to believe that one boy just walked in here like it was nothing without someone knowing?”
Finally, FINALLY… I see the realization begin to dawn in their eyes. No one else stopped to think of this? Really?
Guess I’m smarter than they give me credit for.
James looks scary, though. He’s legit pissed off. This is a crime against him, personally. He’s the alpha of this territory, so a member of his pack has betrayed him. Hell, someone here has betrayed the freaking Moon Goddess herself by aiding in the kidnapping and potential harm of the Lunar Child.
Damn, why did I have to think of her
getting hurt by him? Now, I’m about to spaz out again.
“Allow us to be the ones to handle this part, James. We need this. Whoever it was broke into our home, and took our mate.”
He seems to struggle with his ability to rein in his anger. Now that I think about it, it might be safer for us to go handle this.
I look to the guys to see if they’ll give any input. Their faces are as stormy as James’s.
Maybe whoever let Benson in is dead no matter what.
Meh.
“Alright, boys. You can handle the… traitor,” James growls out,” but bring him to me when you’re done. I need him to see me see him die. It’s the only way my wolf will be satisfied by the loss of a pack member.”
“Got it. Let’s go guys.”
I’m glad that we have a task again. I know the others feel the same way because I sense it through our bond. I reach down inside to caress the bond that connects me to our girl, wishing that she were in my arms instead of wherever the hell she is now.
It doesn’t seem like it was only last night that she was with us. She’s too far away, and knowing that makes the thread of our bond seem like it’s being stretched too taunt. Our bond is too new for us to be separated like this, and it’s hard to focus on anything besides our distance.
I have to, though. It’s the only way to function until she’s back where she belongs.
With that thought in mind, I follow the guys to the training arena in the woods behind the packhouse. I’m already trying to rule out the possible suspects.
It can’t be a female. Even though we have a few female enforcers that run patrol alongside the males, they’re all pretty rigid. They’re sticklers for the rules, and are always trying to prove their worth since it was only in recent years that females were allowed to climb up the ranks to stand with the males. I can’t see them risking everything, and going against the alpha like this.
It must be one of the males, but who? James is a loyal and fair alpha. He worships the Moon Goddess, and so does everyone in our pack. Right?
Guess we’re about to find out.
Krix opens the door to the arena, and we all walk in behind him. All of the males are gathered around, talking. When they hear the door close behind Mav, everyone turns to look at us. They think we’re about to set up training, but they’re in for quite a shock.
