Emily
The moonlight spilled across the forest like silver paint, glistening against the damp leaves and moss. With every stride, my paws hit the ground with rhythmic precision, the cool earth pressing against my pads. The night was perfectly silent and calm, the night that made me feel alive.
I ran faster, the wind slicing through my fur, carrying the intoxicating scent of pine and the distant chatter of nocturnal creatures. This was supposed to be my escape just a quick run to clear my mind before returning home to my pack.
Zale has been on edge all week, and I couldn't blame him. The rumors of rogue attacks were spreading like wildfire, he was currently away meeting with other Alphas trying to find a solution to the rogue and witches' attacks.
Out here, under the open sky, I could almost forget the tension back home. Almost.
A soft rustle to my right made my ears twitch. I slowed slightly, lifting my head, nostrils flaring as I drew in the night air. Nothing unusual just the whisper of wind through the underbrush. Still, my instincts told me something was wrong.
''Too quiet'' I said
The forest wasn't supposed to be this silent.
I continued, slower now, every sense on high alert. The silence pressed against me, heavy and unnatural. Even the crickets had stopped singing.
My wolf Emi stirred uneasily. ''Turn back'', she urged.
I ignored her. I was the Luna. I had nothing to fear. My mate ruled these lands. No one would dare….
The smell hit me then. Acrid, sharp, laced with blood and something far worse.
''Rogues''
A low growl rumbled in my chest as I whipped my head toward the scent, muscles tensing. How had they gotten into our territory? I shifted back into my human form, the cool air biting against my skin; I was fully clothed it wasn't unusual it was one of our pecks as werewolves. I crouched low behind a tree, scanning the darkness. My heart pounded, every instinct screaming at me to move.
Then I heard the crunch of leaves, the unmistakable sound of footsteps closing in.
"Come out, Luna," a voice hissed from the shadows, cruel and mocking. "We just want to play."
My breath caught in my throat in a failed attempt of me trying to hold it in. They were more than one, I could hear them circling.
I shifted back immediately my wolf bursting from behind the trees forward in a blur of white fur and dark sharp claws. My paws slammed against the ground as I bolted toward home, adrenaline surging through my veins. My only thought was Zale, Zale, and the baby I carried.
I ran faster than I ever had before, but the sounds followed snarls, laughter, heavy paws pounding behind me. The metallic tang of blood grew stronger, and with horror, I realized it wasn't theirs. It was mine. They gouged their claws into me again from behind making me flinch and lose my balance at the pain. I stumbled onto something headfirst; I shook my head trying to ignore the immense pain I felt from my gaping wound that lay bare to the cold night air.
''I told you to run didn't I??'' Emi said to me inwardly annoyed by our present position.
''Now isn't the time for a lecture, we need to focus and find a way out of this situation'' I said immediately.
''Can you smell that??'' one out of the 8 rogues that surrounded me stated, making them stop in their tracks sniffing the air. I shifted back to my human form in an attempt to mask our scents, I knew exactly what he was talking about, it was my baby I smelt her and there was no hiding the fact that I was carrying a child in me. This only made matters worse because now I knew definitely there was no bargaining with them. After all, they would do anything and everything in their power to make sure they killed her, and I wasn't going to let that happen.
Oh, it smells pleasant, Mmhmm a baby'' the one I presumed to be the leader stated wistfully.
''A royal baby at that, perfect isn't it? Another rogue stated
''Don't you dare come close to me'' I said with as much power and authority as I could muster up.
''See let's make things easier for you Luna, you have a choice come back with us so our superiors can decide on whether to keep you alive or dead or we can all stay here and have a little fun before killing you.'' The leader said.
I reached out with my mind, desperately. ''Andros! Andros, answer me!''
''Yes Luna''
''I need help Andros I'm currently surrounded by rogues and I'm hurt, please hurry''
''How many are there??''
''8''
''I'll send Grate and at least 12 warriors to you now''
''Please hurry'' I said with so much fear… I wasn't scared for myself but for my baby, and before they get here I'll have to do everything I can to protect her.
''C'mon Luna we haven't got all day you have to make a decision now." One of them said laughing
''And boy am I in the mood to have a taste of royal blood…'' The rogue by my left said eyes pierced directly into my belly.
I could only think about 2 things my mate Zale and my unborn child, I had to fight to save her, I couldn't just give myself up to them they would definitely kill me, being it now or later it was bound to happen. The least I could do was put up a good fight before my pack gets here.
''I'd like to see you try'' I shifted on instinct, bones snapping, fur bursting forth as my wolf surged free. The pain didn't matter now, nothing mattered but surviving.
A snarl split the night, close enough to feel its heat on my fur. I stumbled, nearly fell, but forced my legs faster. Behind me, the sound of pursuit paws pounding leaves crunching, and laughter. Gods, they were laughing.
Pain exploded across my shoulder as claws raked my flesh. I howled in pain, stumbled, and hit the ground hard, air ripping from my lungs.
A rogue loomed over me, drool dripping from jagged fangs, eyes glowing with hunger and hate.
We collided, teeth tearing, claws ripping. His blood filled my mouth hot, metallic but for every wound I gave, he returned two-fold. My wolf was strong, but I was weak. Pregnant slower.
Another rogue slammed into my side, sending me sprawling into the dirt. My wolf snarled launching herself forward as her teeth sank into its neck killing it instantly.
In an exhausted attempt to run another rogue flashed its claws at me sinking them into my hind leg, dragging me back.
I howled, mind-linking with everything I had left. ''Zale! Please!''
''Love what's wrong? I can feel your pain where are you''
''Rogues… there are so many I can't'' I let out a cry as he dug his claws deeper into me. ''They're everywhere, Zale!''
''Stay put! I'm coming! Where are you?''
''The eastern creek… no closer to the river Grate and the others should be on their way but Zale, they know… about the pup.''
''No! Emily, fight! Hold on! I'm leaving now I swear I'll…''
''You can't… you're too far. Don't leave the meeting. They need you… our people need you.''
''I need you, Emily. Please, don't you dare!'' Zale said with so much pain and anger.
''Promise me… promise you'll protect them,'' I muttered but it only came out as a whisper
''Don't you say goodbye to me. Do you hear me? Don't EM''
''I love you so much'' I said making Emi whimper….
I tried to stand but failed my leg was useless, shredded. My body trembled, slick with blood and mud.
The leader lunged for my throat. I closed my eyes. And in that heartbeat, I saw him.
Zale my mate, my love…. His smile is absolutely rare and perfect. The way his hand curved over my belly when he thought I was asleep. The way his voice turned soft when he whispered, "Our future, Emily."
I would never see him again. Never feel him again.
Tears stung my eyes as I forced a broken breath past my fangs.
''Forgive me, my love'' I said with every strength I had left in me.
''I love you, Zale.'' The words slipped out soft as a breath, my strength, unraveling thread by thread.
His roar tore through the link, echoing like thunder, the bite came swift and savage. Fire ripped through my neck, and the world went black.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Grate
''Report, Grate where's the Luna? Did you reach her?''
''Sir'' I swallowed hard, my throat tight as I stared at her still face, her hair matted with crimson. ''I'm here but… It's too late.''
''What do you mean too late?! Speak, warrior!'' he said with a sharp growl echoing through the link.
''She fought like hell… I've never seen anything like it.'' I whispered, more to myself than our omega, my hand trembling as I slowly brushed the dirt from our Luna's cheek.
''Seven, she killed seven of them before she fell.''
''Seven? That's not right against how many??'' he said with a dangerous rumble, grief wrapped in fury.
''Eight… including their leader. He… he got away.''
''He escaped?! How? Find him now dead or alive…''
''Yes sir…'' I said turning to Dale and Toss.
''Dale, Toss gather a search party go after their leader… bring him back dead or alive…''
''Yes, sir they both responded.
I was left alone to stare at our Luna's lifeless body anger coursed through my veins. She was an amazing leader and mate to our Alpha.
Losing a pack member is one thing but to lose your mate is unbearable. And heart-wrenching I couldn't even imagine the pain Alpha was going through let alone how crumbled our pack would be when they hear of her passing.
I was enraged by what had happened, every single last rogue would die for this. I could only imagine the immense pain and anger Alpha Zale was going through, he was away for a meeting to curb the outburst of rogues just for this to happen making matters even more complicated than they already were.
''Grate bring the Luna's body back'' Omega Andros said through the mind link.
''Yes Sir'' I responded, I gently lifted her lifeless body in my arms. I walked slowly into the night towards the pack hall shattered by her death and with every step I took I reminisced on how I was going to kill every rogue I came across in revenge.
I could see the ridge light shine brightly signaling to me I was close to the pack…. I could smell the pack gathered together the muttered comments, anger, rage, grief, sobs, and murmured words of curse and hate that laced in others' voices because of the Luna's death. I slowly placed her body on the cold grass in front of Marcus our pack elder, Huxley our pack wizard, and Andros our pack omega.
''She was pregnant'' Marcus said reaching for her hair, caressing it gently.
''A strong and beautiful princess she carried'' Huxley said placing a white cloth over her body.
''She is to be placed in the infirmary and cared for intensely before Alpha Zale returns'' Andros said signaling a few guards to take her away.
''Every single one of them is going to die for this…'' Andros said with rage and anger in his voice.
''This is just the beginning…'' Huxley said before leaving with Marcus.
''Have you found the last rogue?'' Andros asked me.
''According to Dale, they are on his trail but he seems to know the territory pretty well.''
''Then this must have been an inside job, because for them to attack the border limiting us from being able to reach her, and also knowing the crest river then someone gave them that information.''
''I agree''
''An investigation will be carried out strictly before Alpha Zale and Beta Devon return.''
''Yes sir''
''This should just be between us, Huxley and Elder Marcus, Understood." He said before making his way to the infirmary.
"Yes sir"
I stood there analyzing everything, he spoke the truth in what he said and this was definitely an inside job. And when we find out who betrayed us their entire bloodline would pay the price.