Chapter 139: Fallen Warrior

ALEX

Mateo has seemingly brought an entire pack, ranging from hardened warriors to civilians who want to fight for their home.

I see some wolves, their fur graying with age, storming the Spanish palace.

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Ariel blush and smirk at her commanding officer’s words. I smile, too, before turning to Dave.

“Jo and I made a plan. We need to surround the palace and push the enemy inward. From there the warriors can take the palace room by room,” I say. “We’re only looking to injure, not kill, but if you have to, match force with force.”

Dave doesn’t respond, but a small smile stretches across his face.

“With every day passing, I see more of your father in you, Alex,” he says quietly.

“What?” I say, completely nonplussed. Dave’s always been a part of my “family,” but I’ve never seen him display his emotions or say anything like that before.

“I don’t know, maybe it’s just knowing you ever since you were a pup, and thinking you were too young to lead, but you’ve grown into a strong and wise alpha.”

“Dave, I don’t know what to say…”

“You don’t have to say anything, I just wanted to tell you…I know I’ve been hard on you, but it’s because I see so much potential in you.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly, “for everything you’ve done.”

Dave bows his head slightly, then shifts and races off to rally the warriors.

“Shall we?” Ariel says to me, before we both run toward the palace and join the fray.

ARIEL

Alex and I fight side by side, defending ourselves from Spanish soldiers.

As we fight, we scan the area, seeing if Esmeralda is close by.

I hear a piercing scream come from the back of the main hall.

I turn and see Isabella cowering in the corner. Jo is in front of her, trying to protect her, but they are surrounded by a group of Esmeralda’s soldiers, who are baying for blood.

“Alex we have to help her,” I say, before turning and racing off toward them.

I manage to break through the heated battle and join Jo in dispatching the soldiers one by one.

I give Isabella a quick once-over to make sure she isn’t hurt.

“I’m fine, really, just got caught off guard,” she says.

“Stay with her, make sure she isn’t harmed,” I order Jo.

She gives me a curt nod, then wraps her arm around Isabella’s shoulder and shepherds her away from the battle.

I turn back to Alex.

“I haven’t seen Esmeralda in here,” Alex says. “Should we check the gardens?”

I give a nod. We dodge the swarms of soldiers in the main hall, but as we reach the exit to the gardens, we see Mateo being brought down by some of Esmeralda’s guards.

Alex and I leap to his defense, taking the guards by surprise.

Mateo takes the opportunity to free himself and joins us in knocking out his captors.

“Look, over there!” he says. I follow his finger and I see the sparkling jewels of Esmeralda’s dress flowing behind her.

Struggling in Esmeralda’s arms is Isabella. Isabella goes to hit her sister, but Esmeralda draws a dagger, forcing her to be compliant. Jo has her hands full with a group of soldiers, and she won’t be able to get to her in time.

“No, Isabella!” Mateo roars, racing off as Esmeralda drags Isabella away.

We’re about to follow, when out of nowhere, another squad of Spanish soldiers descends upon us.

“Alex!” I shout.

A soldier bludgeons him in the face with the hilt of their gun, and blood pours from his nose.

I try to fight the soldiers, but they easily block my attacks. I can’t fend them off alone.

“Ariel! Alex!” someone else calls out. I look and see General Dave sprinting toward us.

Dave comes in like a tornado, driving back our attackers.

He swipes his claws, pushing back Esmeralda’s soldiers, freeing us.

“Come on, soldiers, get back in the fight,” Dave says with a grin. “War’s not over yet!”

I smile and nod, before hearing a battle cry behind us.

We turn and see one of the Spanish soldiers we knocked back racing toward us.

He’s holding a machete and running at Alex, ready to cleave him in two.

“NO!” we shout in unison, but General Dave moves first. He pushes Alex out of the way, taking the sword head-on.

Blood sprays as Dave is slashed down his front, collapsing at his attacker’s feet. Alex launches himself at Dave’s attacker, eviscerating him with his claws, while I drop to my knees at General Dave’s side.

The sword slash has totally ripped his torso open. His uniform is stained dark red. His eyes are starting to flicker on and off.

“Dave, you have to stay with me,” I say clearly. “This is going to hurt, but I need you to stay awake.”

“I’ve been through worse,” Dave says, coughing up blood. Alex rests a hand on Dave’s forehead.

“Take it easy, Dave. Save your strength,” Alex says.

I rip the top layer of my uniform off and bunch it up on Dave’s chest to stop the copious amount of blood spilling out, but it’s no use.

I’ve never healed anyone this badly injured. Will my powers be able to counteract something this traumatic?

I lay my hands on Dave’s chest, feeling the warm blood run over and between my fingers.

~“Moon Goddess, please. I have to save him.”~