I awoke with a start. I was breathing heavily as I recalled the dream.
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes and I wrapped my arms around myself; trying to recreate the loving embrace of my mother's arms.
It had been a shock to finally meet her, to see her, and hear her voice. She was everything I had ever hoped for in a mother and more.
But there was something I couldn't forget.
Someone was going to die.
I glanced over at Valen and admired his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful and serene in his slumber.
My heart clenched at the thought of losing him. I traced his cheek with my finger.
"I won't let anything happen to you," I vowed before getting up and exiting our tent.
I wasn't surprised to see that I was alone. The sky was still black and a chill surrounded my body. I clutched my sweater and wrapped it tighter around my body as I sat by the smoldering remains of a forgotten fire.
I stared into it as the faces of everyone I loved flashed through my mind's eye.
Valen.
Von.
Artemis.
Aislinn.
Anton.
King Ruben.
Queen Stella.
And finally, Aunt Maddie.
Tears were flowing steadily down my cheeks now, leaving cold trails as the dripped into my lap. It dawned on me then how much love I really held in my heart for all of these people.
Artemis and Aunt Maddie were always my biggest supporters, my shoulders to cry on and the one's who always wanted to see me happy.
They had always been my family, but now, my family had grown. In such a small amount of time, these people had opened their homes and their hearts to me; allowing me to fall into a comfort and security I had never known.
I would be forever grateful to them.
I promised myself that I would do everything to keep them safe.
I glanced up at the sky once more, trying to determine when dawn would break. I sighed, knowing that it wouldn't be long now.
I heaved my body up and climbed back into the tent with Valen, snuggling close to him and closing my eyes for one more brief moment of peace.
***
Snowflakes danced lazily in front of me. Sunlight was just beginning to peak over the horizon, casting a brilliant golden hue all throughout the valley.
The first snow, so pure and clean, was soon to be tainted red.
I adjusted my stance and glanced at Valen out of the corner of my eye. His hulking black frame stood waiting and ready.
Von flanked him on his left, with King Ruben on my right. Behind us were Aislinn and Queen Stella, who were also flanked by two other warriors.
Anton was farther back in the woods, leading the other warriors into a circular formation. We weren't going to allow anyone to escape.
We were ready.
I caught Von's gaze and could see determination gleam in his eyes. He was practically vibrating with the need to be reunited with his mate.
"Are you ready?" I asked Sienna.
"Of course. You better not be doubting me."
I cracked a small smile at her snark and turned my gaze back to the gates.
Just a few more minutes now and the shift change would begin.
I held my breath as we waited for King Ruben's command.
The main gate opened and new warriors began piling out, taking over the previous guards' posts.
"Now." King Ruben's voice rang clear through the mind-link.
Valen, Von, and I shot out first, pushing our legs to maximum speed. Von let out an ear-shattering howl as we approached the confused wolves of Moonlight pack.
Their confusion quickly gave way to fear as they saw the next onslaught of our warriors approaching.
Their fear didn't last long though, and I watched as they quickly sprang into action.
Wolf after wolf appeared as they shifted and ran into the valley to meet us head on. I heard a howl come from inside the gates and knew that they had signaled our arrival.
Perfect.
Now, we just had to stay alive long enough for the gates to reopen and we could slip in.
I curled my lip up as a grey wolf ran headlong at me. He was much larger than me, but I knew this wouldn't be a challenge.
I snarled at him as I slowed my pace and reached out to Selene. I felt the mystical tethers attach to my back as I called upon my abilities.
The wind began racing, sending the delicate snowflakes into dizzying flurries. I dug my claws into the Earth, feeling the roots and the rocks that were buried underneath.
Without a second thought, I directed the root directly in my path at my attacker and watched as it spiked out of the ground and impaled his heart.
Blood trickled out of his mouth and his body became limp as the light slowly drained from his eyes. I felt a pang of pity knowing I had killed once again.
"Focus," Sienna barked at me.
"Now is not the time for remorse."
I shook my head to clear it and looked to Valen. He was currently locked in a battle with a sandy brown wolf.
They were circling each other menacingly as they growled and showed their fangs. I saw movement from behind him and watched as another wolf tried to spring on him from behind.
"Valen! Behind you!" I called out through the mind-link.
Panic seized my heart as the wolf landed on Valen's back and knocked him off balance.
He quickly righted himself and launched at the new attacker. This wolf was small and stood no chance against Valen's bulk.
His jaws ripped into it's side and a wet tearing sound could be heard as he pulled away. The wolf whimpered in pain and tried to get away, but he wasn't fast enough.
Valen caught it by it's back leg, chomping down hard. Bones cracked the wolf dropped to the ground. He quickly ended it with a bite to the neck, effectively snapping the bone. He turned back to his first attacker and the onslaught continued.
I was filled with horror as images of the night Aunt Maddie died flooded my mind. Darkness began to grow in the corners of my vision and my hackles raised once more.
I growled and scanned the field for my next target. My eyes landed on a dark brown wolf that was backing Aislinn up against a tree. She was trying to be strong by snapping her jaws at him, but I could see the fear in her eyes.
I took off toward them as the wind raced even harder. It was getting difficult to see through the snow now, but I used that to my advantage.
Rage clawed at my heart as I stalked my prey, silently moving behind him. He could sense my presence, though, and he whipped around looking for me.
I stood still and let my white fur blend in with the blizzard I had created. I watched with glee as his fear leaked into his expression. I crouched low and crawled to him.
Once I was right in front of him, I stood tall. His surprise would have been comical had I seen it for more than a moment.
The darkness tickled in the back of my brain and I latched onto his throat, feeling his hot blood pool in my mouth.
I savored in the feel of a fresh kill for a moment, before tearing his throat out and tossing his body away.
I walked toward Aislinn to make sure she was okay, but her expression was terrified. I sniffed at her to let her know I wasn't going to hurt her, but she whimpered in response and turned to flee back toward the pack.
I stood there and watched her go, confused as to what had just happened.
Was Aislinn afraid of me?
I didn't have time to ponder long, because Von howled once more to signal our opening.
The darkness began to subside and I was able to think clearly once again.
I joined Valen and Von and we made our way into the gate.
But nothing could have prepared us for what was waiting on the other side.
Author's Note:
Alright, the beginning of the fight scene! What do you think? Did you like it?
What's behind the gate? Will Indigo give into the darkness?
Comment and Vote and let me know!
Xoxo,
CrimsynIris