Chapter 27: Chapter 26 ~ The Battle

Jay’s P.O.V

The afternoon sun beats against my thick fur as I run besides Penny through the forest heading towards the battle ground. Our paws pounded against the forest floor with thuds sending the nearby wildlife scattering.

I growled lowly in the back of my throat as the sounds of war began to get louder and louder. The adrenaline was pumping through my veins pushing me to run faster to get to my pack quicker to protect them from harm.

I could clearly hear the growls and the clashing of bodies coming from up ahead, with a new found determination I shot through the trees like a bullet and rammed into an unsuspecting rouge. He landed on his side with a crack and didn’t get back up.

One down and about hundreds more to go.

A menacing growl escaped my upturned lips as I stalked my prey; the growl was also a way of alerting my pack that I was here. I stayed low to the ground so as three rouges circled me. If I stayed low they would think I was smaller and weaker making me look like an easy target but boy were they in for a surprise. I kept my ears pricked to listen to their next move and my eyes never left them.  I stayed rooted in place as the rouges started to tighten their circle closing in on me. One of them growled and launched at me but I dodged and took out the rouge that happened to be in my way. Now there was just two circling me. They decided to go for a different tactic this time as they both charged at me, one aiming for my neck and the other my back. I managed to avoid getting my neck ripped to pieces and killed the rouge but I wasn’t so lucky in avoiding the attack to my back. His teeth sank into my flesh; I howled in pain and rolled over onto my back to get the rouge to release his hold. I put all on my weight onto his muzzle that caused him to release his hold on me; he was momentarily stunned so I took that opportunity to sink my own canines into his neck crushing his windpipe. I dropped him to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

I quickly scanned the area looking for my friends and mate. I couldn’t find my friends amongst the hundreds of bodies but I did manage to find Cameron holding his own up against a group of rouges. I stared at him in awe as he went from one rouge to another; he looked so graceful yet terrifying. I admired him some more when I noticed a mud coloured rouge sneaking up behind him.

“PROTECT MATE!” My wolf screamed at me, panic was evident in her voice. I didn’t need to be told twice. I charged over to Cameron. The wolf leapt and before he could connect with Cameron’s body I intercepted him knocking him to the ground with me on top. I snarled at him before I ended his life.

“Stay with mate.” My wolf ordered. I wasn’t about to argue with her because I didn’t want to leave his side now that I’d found him.

I looked over my shoulder and my eyes immediately connected with my mates, I could clearly to the pride he had for me but worry and fear was also present. I trotted over to him and licked the side of his face affectionately.

“Thanks sweetheart,” he licked me back. “But next time please don’t scare me like that again.”

“I’ll try not to.” I said nuzzling his neck making him purr.

“Stop it Jay,” his voice was husky. “We’ve got a war too win!”

I snapped out of my lustful mood and stood side by side with Cameron, his tail kept hitting me in the face as I watched my targets approach. I learnt that you should never make the first move as it gives your opponent time to assess your weaknesses or time for them to figure out how to avoid your attack, which could end up with you dead.

They were approaching fast and didn’t show any signs in slowing down. I got into a defensive stance waiting for their attack. I braced myself as one of them barrelled into me sending me rolling across the floor away from Cameron.

“Jay!” He shouted worriedly.

“I’m okay Cameron just keep your focus on the rouges!”

I felt a sting on my right cheek and then my left. I was being clawed.  I jumped up from the ground and swiped my own paw which connected with the she rouges muzzle, blood dripped down from the lines on her face. She howled with rage and tried to swipe at me again but I was ready this time. I grabbed her paw in my mouth biting down hard until I heard multiple cracks before I let go, she could no longer put any weight on that foot so I went for her left should ripping out flesh. Blood gushed out of the large wound and she went down to the ground, she was breathing heavily and whimpered. She looked me right in the eye and I could see the hate she had for me and my pack o without a second thought I ended her suffering.

It felt like eternity had gone by as I fought off rouges by Cameron’s side and it looked like their numbers hadn’t even decreased even though they had. I could clearly see that we were winning if I went by the number of dead rouges that littered the forest floor. I also found some of our own lying lifeless in their own pool of blood, when and if we get out of this they will receive a proper burial.

My stomach was starting to feel funny. You know that feeling where you can feel water swishing around in your stomach and makes you feel nauseous? Well that was how I was feeling at the moment but I pushed through it taking down rouge after rouge after rouge.

I was becoming tired and I just wanted this all to end, I hadn’t used any of my powers yet as I didn’t want to reveal myself just yet and I feared that it would make my pack more vulnerable but I think it was time to use them. But first I had to get my pack and the other packs out of here.

I opened up my mind to all of the packs.

“I need you all to leave!” I commanded. I knew no one was going to agree as I was answered with a chorus on no’s. “You have to do as I say. You need to trust me.”

They were quiet for a moment and I could hear the gears turning in their minds.

“I trust you Jay.” Penny was the first to respond.

“Then I need you all to leave.”

“Are you sure?” Alpha Sage asked.

“Yes.”

The alpha’s sent out a command to their packs telling them to retreat and to trust them. I remained where I was and I watched as my family and the other packs retreated into the forest disappearing, leaving behind confused rouges.

Cameron appeared in front of me and just stared into my eyes.

“Cameron you need to go.” I whispered.

“I know.” He sighed. “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

I shook my head no.

“Please come back to me Jay.” He sounded like he was about to cry. We nuzzled up against each other and then he took off in the direction everyone else went in. Once he reached the forest line he looked back over to me with glistening eyes then he disappeared.

I surveyed the area only finding rouges left behind.

“Are you ready?”  I asked my wolf.

“You bet I am!” She replied eagerly.

“Well here goes nothing.”

I positioned myself with my four paws equally apart so I wouldn’t fall to the ground and began to collect particles from the air into my body. I was shaking as the fire within my stomach started to make its way out, by now the rouges had noticed that I was still here and they were all staring at me in confusion.

The fire was building rapidly waiting to be released but I need it to grow bigger if I wanted to wipe out all the rouges. Flames were dancing around my body with tints of reds, yellows and oranges. I could feel the red streaks in my fur start to glow and my eyes burn. The pressure in my stomach was unbelievable and I just wanted to let it out but it wasn’t time yet.

The rouges were too shocked to move as they stared at me with horror and awe. If I could I would’ve laughed at their faces. The pressure kept on building and building as the flames surrounding me started to grow forming a giant ball of flames around me. I was starting to tremble from both the power and pain; I was also quickly exhausting myself.  My whole body was about to give out.

“NOW!” My wolf commanded. My eyes flicked open and the ball of flames shot off in all directions killing off the rouges in waves. The best way I could describe it is when an atomic bomb has been deployed and my flames were like the after math of the explosion.  The rouges were dropping to the ground like flies.

I was breathing heavily and all of my muscles were aching in protest, my legs were shaking and I fell to the ground with exhaustion. The flames died out and all that was left was the dead bodies of what once used to be the rouge army.

I was so tired. I had never used my powers like that before and I didn’t even know I could do that but then my wolf was the one that told me about it and there’s no arguing with her.

I had to block everyone out of my mind to concentrate and I really needed to contact them but I was just too tired to do anything. My chest was rising and falling at a fast pace, my heart was pounding against my rib cages and the adrenaline that was flowing through my veins was gone, making me feel the full force of my injuries I had sustained.

I stared up at the sky watching the clouds float by just thinking about what our lives will hold for us now.

We were free and we didn’t need to worry anymore.

We were free.

That was my last thought before I succumbed to the darkness letting my body rest to heal itself.

~ Cameron’s P.O.V ~

I can’t believe that I was leaving my precious mate behind with an army of rouges. I should’ve stayed with her to protect, who knows what will happen to her. I was such a coward. My wolf hasn’t stopped whining since we left Jay in the clearing.

“Will you shut up already?!”  I angrily shouted at him. I was starting to get a headache.

“Mate. Mate. Mate.”  He kept repeating.

I groaned. There was no way to get through to him without our mate so I guess I was just going to have to deal with it.

I managed to catch up with the packs that had come to a stop just a mile or two away from the pack house. When I reached them they all looked at me and I shook my head telling them that I hadn’t convinced Jay to come with us. A large amount of wolves whined and collapsed onto the floor to wait and see if Jay would return. I watched as some paced and others just looked around with blank expressions, you could clearly see how much Jay meant to each and every one of them. It was unbelievable and it made me burst in pride for my mate.

I was about to make my way over to the triplets when I felt the floor beneath me shake, sending me tumbling to the ground.

A blast of warm air whipped around us, dancing around before it completely disappeared. I had no idea what was going on but then it clicked. Jay!

I scurried to my feet and took off back in the direction from which I came; back to the clearing, back to where my mate was. My heart was pounding in my chest with anxiety of finding Jay, my mate, alive.

The trees were nothing but blurs in the corner of my eyes as I picked up more speed, I was going so fast that it felt like I would take off into the sky. I could see the tree line up ahead and I wasted no time in charge out then coming to a halt. Dead bodies were scattered across the clearing, no one was standing. I started to panic and my wolf whimpered as we couldn’t find our mate. I forced myself to calm down and sniffed the air looking for Jay’s scent. I got a waft of blood and rot but then just behind it all I picked up her scent. I put my nose to the ground and let it lead me to my mate.

I sniffed around dead bodies after dead bodies then I found myself standing over Jay. I fell to the ground beside her with my head buried in her neck whimpering thinking she was dead, I was brought out of my depressing thoughts when I felt her heart beat against my muzzle and I could hear her faint breathing. I yipped with joy knowing she was alive, however, once I looked over her body I knew she wasn’t out of the woods yet. She was bleeding quite heavily and I had no doubt that Jay had used her powers to kill off the remaining rouges.

I shifted back not caring that I was stark naked and lifted Jay into my arms pulling her close against my chest. Her fur tickled against my chest as I moved as fast as I could heading towards the pack house. Along the way I met up with everyone and as soon as the saw Jay in my arms they were relieved but panic and worry was still evident in their expressions.

Penny who was now back in human form was dressed and made her way over to me.

“Is she okay?” She asked glancing down at Jay in a motherly way.

“She’s alive but she needs help. Her injuries are still bleeding and I think she was the one that caused the ground to shake and the gust of warm air.” I replied trying to ease their minds. Nothing else was said as we jogged/ran back to the pack house.

When we arrived the pack doctor, Angie, was already waiting outside of the infirmary. Penny must have linked her beforehand telling her we were on our way. Other wolves were carrying more injured wolves in and were being instructed to lie them down until the women could attend to their injuries. I was lead into a room with Penny and the others following closely behind and told to lie Jay down on the bed.

“I’m going to need you to get her to shift back Cameron so I can tend to her injuries better.” Angie said softly. I nodded my head and bent towards Jay’s ear.

“I need you to shift back for me sweetheart, please. We want to help you.” I whispered into her ear stroking her head. I felt her body tremble beneath my fingertips; instead of fur I was now stroking skin. I grinned when I saw that she had shifted back, she was going to be okay.

“I’m going to have to ask you all to leave especially you Cameron; I don’t want you to snap at me when I’m tending to her injuries.” Angie said in a firm voice. The others left without complaint but I was reluctant. “Cameron please, I can’t help her unless you leave.”

I kissed Jay on the forehead before I left the room and sat down in the waiting room with the others. I knew she was going to be okay but I couldn’t stop the tears that I was holding in from falling.

“She’s going to be okay,” Penny whispered putting a comforting arm around my shoulders. I nodded my head unable to say anything. I could’ve lost her today and just thinking about that made more tears stream down my cheeks.

We waited for what seemed like days to me but it was only a couple of hours. The door to Jay’s room creaked open and Angie stepped out looking surprised. I jumped out of my seat and rushed over to her.

“Is she okay?!” I asked frantically.

Angie nodded, “Jay is fine. Her wounds have stopped bleeding and are healing nicely. All she needs is some rest and she should be awake soon.”

I let out a relieved sigh, “that’s great! Can I go see her?”

“There’s something you should know before you go through that door.” She stepped in front of me.

I growled. I wanted to see my mate!

“What is it?” Penny asked for me.

“Jay’s pregnant.”

The growl that was in the back of my throat died down immediately and I stopped breathing. Jay was pregnant with my pup. I was going to be a dad.

“But I thought you said all the tests came back negative?” Penny asked confused. My ears perked up at that.

“What are you going on about Penny?” I asked.

Penny sighed, “Jay was being sick and she told me that she was late for her period but when we went to Angie for some tests they all came back negative, so I don’t understand how this is possible.”

“I think I can help with that.” Angie smiled. “I think that somehow Jay’s wolf was able to hide the fact that she was pregnant to protect her child for when she was in battle, and when it was over and the danger was dealt with her wolf didn’t have to hide it anymore.”

“So she was pregnant the whole time?” Leon asked. Angie just nodded.

I was still in shock as I absorbed the information. I couldn’t believe I was going to be a dad! I was feeling lots of different emotions shock, panic, worried and happiness. I was so happy! We were going to be a family! I was going to do everything in my power to protect my mate and my unborn pup.

“Can I go see her now?” I asked impatiently.

“Of course you can.”

I didn’t hang around. I was in Jay’s room in a flash taking her hand in mine; I drew small circles on the back of her hand. She was lying on her back with her arms at her side and her hair spread all over the pillow. She was breathing normally now and I could see that her wounds were almost completely healed. I skimmed over her body with my eyes until they stopped on her stomach where our pup was growing inside of her. I took my other hand and slowly rubbed her stomach.

“Daddy’s here baby and I love you so much already and so does your mummy, although she doesn’t know yet.” I chuckled. “I can’t wait until you’re brought into the world and lying in my arms. Daddy will always protect you and your mummy.” I kissed her stomach and then I kissed Jay’s forehead. I scooped Jay up into my arms and lied us back down on the hospital bed. I fell asleep with my beautiful mate snuggled into my chest and with one hand placed securely on her stomach.

~ Jay’s P.O.V ~

It was dark, very dark but I knew I wasn’t dead. How could I tell? I can tell because I can feel the sparks tingling through my skin from Cameron’s touch and if I was dead I wouldn’t be able to sense his presence.

I moved slightly in my sleep trying to get more comfortable but my aching body protested and I hissed in pain. It wasn’t as painful as before but it still hurt. I twisted again and opened my eyes to come face to face with Cameron’s worried eyes.

“You’re awake!” He smiled wide giving me a soft peck on my lips. I giggled but it turned into a groan, I was aching.

“Do you want me to get you anything or do you want me to go and get Angie?” He asked still beaming but worried none of the less.

“No, I’m fine I just want to cuddle.” I blushed. Cameron chuckled at my red cheeks.

“That’s fine with me.” He pushed me over slightly so he could have more room to lie down on the bed; he then proceeded to wrap his arms around me pulling me right up against his chest. He nuzzled his face into my hair and took a deep breath, breathing in my scent before letting out a sigh. I immediately knew there was something wrong.

“What’s the matter?” I asked positioning my head so I could look at his face.

“I don’t know how you’re going to react.” He smiled sheepishly.

“Just tell me!” I smiled.

“Okay,” he hesitated. “We’re going to be parents!” I was stunned. Cameron was beaming down at me with pride shinning in his eyes. I was going to be a mum? But I thought I wasn’t pregnant, I voiced my confusion to Cameron.

“It was your wolf, she was hiding the baby from us so that he/she would be protected in the war and once you killed off all the remaining rouges she didn’t see the need to hide it anymore. I brought you back to the pack house and hours later Angie was telling us you were carrying my pup.” He smiled. I rested my hand on my flat stomach and just stared, our pup was growing inside their. A huge smile spread across my face as I turned back to face Cameron.

“You’re going to be a daddy!” I said excitedly.

“And you’re going to be a mummy.” Cameron matched my excitement.

I couldn’t be happier than in this moment right now with my mate and my unborn pup. We won the war! I still didn’t know what our death toll was but I assume we escaped with more casualties than deaths. I no longer had to worry about a mass attack and I could now get on with building a life with Cameron, my mate.

“We’re going to be a family.” Cameron smiled leaning down towards me.

“This is our future.” I whispered leaning up to meet Cameron half way. Our lips met in a sweet, passionate love filled kiss. A kiss that sealed our future.