Chapter 45: Chapter 45

SCARLET

I come up behind Ethan as he stares out his wall of windows. With how high up we are, we can see over the large wall that now surrounds our borders.

I see the large numbers marching toward us. There are way more people than we were expecting. According to Cassia, there are only about a hundred witches in her coven. But there are thousands marching toward us.

I look over at Ethan, and he looks just as surprised as me.

He pulls me closer as he tries to calm himself before turning his attention back to the army that is heading in our direction. Scanning over them, his eyes flicker with recognition.

“Look,” he states as he points to one of the groups who has banner-men holding large posts with gray banners.

I adjust my eyes as I bring my wolf to the surface while I strain to see the banners. There is a large blue circle on the gray background and a silver wolf howling in front of it.

“The Silver Shadow Pack,” I breathe out.

He snarls before his eyes glaze over, clearly mind-linking the pack with the new developments. “Come on. We need to get into position,” he states before taking my hand.

He leads me down the elevator and out the front doors before we are helped into one of the black SUVs. We immediately begin zipping through the city streets as we make our way to the east wall where the main gates are.

“Ethan, someone needs to warn the packless. They’re ready to help.”

Ethan told me of his intention to let the packless join the packs belonging to him and his brothers. With everything going on, we haven’t been able to start initiating the plans for that.

However, many of the fighters were eager to help when they heard about the upcoming siege. They started training with the other packs’ warriors and were included in attack strategies. I was excited my people would finally be part of a pack again and no longer have to scrape by.

“Don’t worry, I have warriors on it. Those who want to fight will be by our side,” Ethan says before kissing me on the cheek.

Soon, we are pulling up to our destination. A guard comes around to open my door before helping me out. He bows to Ethan and me while murmuring, “Alpha, Luna.”

Ethan and I both nod to him before walking up the stone steps that lead to the walkway at the top of the wall. We pass multiple soldiers, all of whom bow like the first. After Cassia showed up and informed us of her coven, Ethan called all of the packs together to let them know.

Along with going over all of their plans and delegating tasks to make sure reserves were stocked and weapons made and everything else, he introduced me. He wanted everyone to know that my protection was of the utmost importance. Plus, he knew that his pack would inherently want to protect their luna.

He still wants to have a formal mating ceremony, but we will be waiting until the threat has been dealt with. However, now everyone knows that I’m their future luna and Ethan’s true mate.

Except for a few she-wolves who were clearly jealous, everyone has been incredibly welcoming and respectful. The wolves that lived in the pack house had already figured out the news way before the announcement and the others were accepting and excited.

As soon as we reach the top, Ethan and I walk over to the Lieutenant that is commanding this section of the wall. “Alpha, Luna,” he greets. “So far, they haven’t made any moves to attack. They have stopped moving and seem to be waiting, though we have no idea why yet.”

“Do you think they can sense that there is magic protecting us?” I ask.

He looks over at me. “It’s certainly possible. The witch didn’t mention that, though.”

I nod before looking back out toward the waiting army.

“And what of their numbers?” Ethan questions.

“The witches seem to be together in the center. The number we were given looks to be correct. Unfortunately, the Silver Shadow Pack sent quite a few of their military companies to help them. Our scouts counted twenty companies of about two hundred wolves each,” the lieutenant answers.

The two men continue their discussion as I walk up to the edge of the wall, resting my hands on the cold stones as I look out across the flat terrain. They stopped at a good distance away, and I can’t help but wonder what’s happening.

Suddenly, a loud male voice booms out all around us as though coming through surround sound speakers.

“We have come here for only one person. We don’t wish to cause any of you harm. Hand over Miss Scarlet Denton and save yourselves. Save your pack. We just want Scarlet,” it states in a calm and commanding tone.

A chorus of growls and snarls seem to erupt around the entire perimeter and even among the city where the civilians are taking shelter. “You have until dusk, or we will attack your city, and no one will be spared.”

Ethan grips my hand as he looks out at them with an expression full of determination. His eyes are narrowed, and his lips pressed into a thin line. I can feel his alpha aura radiating off of him and know that he’s doing his best to hold his wolf at bay.

“I should have left you with the women and children,” he mutters, and I shake my head.

We already had this argument many times leading up to today. I refused to stay hidden away with the others that are incapable of fighting.

I have my own magical powers, and I’m sure they are going to be needed. I’m sure I can help. Cassia has already stated that her enchantments won’t be able to hold up indefinitely against her coven.

“You know as well as I do that it’s best for me to be fighting alongside you. If we weren’t together, we would both be distracted and worried about the other. And this way I can help Cassia with my magic. I’ve been training all week. You’re going to need me, and you know it,” I counter, and he grimaces.

“How did I get such a stubborn mate?” he inquires with a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

My own grin widens as I look over at him. “You’re just lucky, I guess.”

“Scar!” A familiar voice calls out. I turn and see Will reaching the top of the wall before coming over to me and giving me a brief hug before turning to Ethan and shaking his hand. “Alpha,” he greets as the rest of his group catches up to him. “So, nothing’s happening until dusk now?”

“So, it would seem,” Ethan replies grimly. “Cassia will continue walking the perimeter and reinforcing her spells for as long as she can. Other than that, looks like we will just be playing the waiting game for a couple more hours.”

Will nods and then approaches the side of the wall to look out at our opponents. “Is there any way to sneak up on them? Take them out before then?” Will asks as he turns his gaze back to Ethan.

“Unfortunately, no. Cassia said they would have set up their own protection spells. There’s no way we’d be able to get anyone near them undetected,” he answers.