CHAPTER 44

SOLOMON

I kept my promise. She didn't want me to look, so I didn't. But the sounds that I heard...they were horrific. Hearing her cry and scream in pain...and not being able to stop it...it was in agony. I hated hearing her suffer.

I was scared. I was scared for her. I wanted it to stop. Hearing him take her in such a vulgar and disgusting way...I wanted it all to stop. I growled and snarled in anger as I listened. My anger was sky rocketing. I thought my heart was going to explode by how much it was beating. I wanted to rip out of these chains and rip the bastard in half. I wanted him to suffer such a painful death. I fantasised about what I would do to him, how much pain I wanted to cause him and how happy I would feel at the end.

My worry for my mate grew when silence was all that's left in the room. I gulped, as I heard sounds of shuffling. I opened my eyes to see Kendrick. He stood up with his pants on, he turns to me and gave me a smug smirk that I wanted to punch off his face, "Do you see now, Solomon?" He says, "She was never yours, she will always be mine."

He stalks off and slams the door shut. I turn to Ayla. She laid there naked, with her slashed up back to me in total silence.She didn't move at all.

"Ayla?" I called out. She didn't do anything to indicate that she heard me. Worry ate at me. I moved against the chains, "Ayla!" I shouted, but again...she never moved. I didn't know what to do, or to think, except revel in my anger against Kendrick.

"I don't know if you'll hear me or not, Little Wolf," I called out to her, "But I'm here, okay? I'll get you out, I promise you."

AYLA

I heard every word he said. I knew he was being kind to me, trying to comfort me. But I couldn't do it. I couldn't face him after what he had just witness.

I felt so ashamed and so humiliated. My body being abused in such an intimate way is unbearable. But it happening in front of someone you love is even worse.  I couldn't face Solomon. I didn't want to look at him or hear him. He will realise how dirty I really am. I am just used goods now. He'll know that I can't be clean anymore...and he'll resent me.

I felt the silent tears roll down the side of my face. I closed my eyes as I felt every nerve, every vessel...being filled with the utter most pain. I will be alone again. I will be alone with Kendrick forever. He will always be there.

My I didn't move...I couldn't. My body is reacting to the trauma, as well as recovering from the shift. Now I was completely weak. A part of me wishes I may die in this position. That I may be able to fall asleep and never wake up. Milo has Solomon. Solomon may end up hating me, but he could never hate his son.

I was too tired right now. My mind is not with me. My body hurts. I just want to forget. I want to forget everything. I wish I could die, I wish I never existed...I wish I was never born.

XANDER

We marched into the woods. We were almost there. I looked over my shoulder and saw the men. They were finally gonna have the satisfaction of ripping Kendrick's army to shreds. And so was I. He has my brother and Ayla. If either of them are harmed, he will pay. I saw the lights of the pack up ahead.

I had Eddie, Lincoln and Miguel with me in the front.

"Are you sure, you two are good to fight?" I asked Eddie and Miguel.

Eddie winks, "I'm ready. I've waited a long time to kick this bastard's ass. Especially after what happened before."

Miguel nodded, "Same here. I've never met the guy, but, from what I hear, he's a pretty sick asshole."

I scoffed, "You have no idea,"

"So what's the plan?" Lincoln asked as he came closer to us.

I sighed, "We need to surprise them, that's our only advantage. Hopefully Noah will be in time with his back up."

Lincoln curiously asked, "What's he doing for back up?"

I shrugged, "I have no idea. He said he'll take care of it and I trust he will. He's never let me down, he won't start now."

Lincoln jerks his head in agreement. I stood up straight and faced Kendrick's pack, "We don't kill women or children. Remember that. Only the warriors. Are we clear?"

The guys nod there head, "You got it, Alpha," Lincoln said.

I took a deep breath I felt my bones shift, break and reform into my black wolf. I knew the men were doing the same. They were all shifting into their wolves. I looked up at the moon and soaked in it's energy, giving us the power we need. Moon Goddess help us.

We go NOW!

I mind linked the men. I heard them all growl and snarl as I lead the charge into Kendrick's pack. We sprinted as hard as we could. I could some of the patrol's. Their eyes widen in shock and fear as they see us. I leap into the air and bare my teeth. It's go time.

SOLOMON

I stood there, still chained to the wall. Ayla has still not moved. No even a little. I've tried to talk to her every couple of minutes, but there has been no response.

Worry was eating me alive. I wanted to get out of these chains so bad. I needed to help her, "Ayla? Little Wolf? Come on, baby. Please talk to me." I pleaded. I hung my head as I took a deep breath. She didn't respond.

I looked up at the chains. I growled in frustration as I tried to pull against them, but they were strong. They were made for someone like me.

I heard yelling from the other side of the door. What's going on? Screams of pain echoed. "Please, No!" One of the guards yelled. and then silence. What the hell?

I tense as I prepared myself for whatever was on the other side of that door. It burst open and revealed, to my surprise, Eddie and Miguel.

"Guys?" They both saw me and sighed in relief

"We finally found you! We've been looking every where for you!"

I wiggle the chains, "Get me the hell out of these chains so than I can help, Ayla."

Both of the guy looked over their shoulders. I snapped at them and snarled, "Don't look at her!" Both of them got a fright and whipped their heads away from her very naked bodies. I growled at them, "Just get me the fuck out of here!"

"Alright alright!" Eddie said quickly. Miguel went out the door and came back the keys dangling in his hands.

He threw them to Eddie and he started to undo the chains.

"What's going on out there?" I asked them.

"We're doing the best we can, man, but, we're insanely outnumbered. I didn't know how many they actually had." Eddie explained.

He got one arm out, "Where's Noah? He's supposed to come with back up?"

Miguel shook his head, "He never came, bro. We're on our own."

What? Noah never showed up? Impossible. He would never abandon us. Abandon, Mia, Kieth or Tommy.

Eddie finally got me out of my chains. I sprinted across the room and skid to my knees to see my bruised up mate. I gently touched her shoulder, "Ayla?" She still didn't move. Her eyes were closed. I shook her slightly to see if she would wake up.

"What the fuck, Ayla! Wake up!" I shouted at her in Panic. Why isn't she waking up? She's not dead. I bend down and feel her breathing through her nose. She's still alive. Her breathes were shallow though. Her body has shut down. I looked over her exposed body and took off my shirt. I manoeuvred her around gently to put the shirt over her. As I pull the shirt down her body, my eye caught colour. There were hard bruises on her hips. I growled. How dare he fucking touch what's mine.

Once she was fully covered. I softly dug my arms under her and lifted her up into my body. I turned to the boys and nod towards the door, "Lead the way."

XANDER

I ripped the wolf in half and kept moving on to the next. I was panting as I saw the carnage of war break loose in front of me.

A wolf tackled me to the ground. I snarled as he bit my side. I was in my human form. I grabbed the wolf by the neck and squeezed as hard at I could. I yelled in pain as he bit deeper into my flesh, but slowly the wolf loosened it's grip and then I twisted it till I heard the familiar pop sound.

I don't think I've ever been in a battle as intense as this. We were significantly outnumbered, and though none of us have died yet, that'll change soon if we don't get help. Kendrick has too many wolves. They're coming from all angles of the place. I'm not sure if we can win this. My warriors are getting tired, their reaction time will slow.

I can't let that happen. I can't let any of my warriors die. Blood Moon Pack have never backed down from a fight. But this is different. If we don't, there may not be a pack left. I gulped and turned to Lincoln who was fighting off two wolves. I ran towards him to help, my side was stinging. I stood by Lincoln as we fought of more wolves.

"There's too many, Xander!" Lincoln shouted as he fought, "We need to fall back!"

I was about to answer, but then I saw something. Rogues. A lot of them. All of my hope was lost. Kendrick has some how got the rogues to work for him. We weren't going to win. I've never felt so defeated in my life. I was used to feeling the most powerful, but now, I feel so weak and helpless. If we stay, it'll be like a heerd of sheep just waiting for the slaughter.

"Fuck!" I  yelled. I held one of Kendrick's wolves down and shouted, "Get them to-" I stopped talking as a wolf jumped on me from behind. I tried to get it off while I was holding down another wolf. Up ahead I saw a Rogue snarl and charge at me, "Shit." I've killed a lot of rogues, this one is probably wanting some revenge. I waited for pain as the rogue lunged in the air for me. But when I expected pain, I didn't. The rogue tackled Kendrick's wolf from my back. I looked over my shoulder and saw it kill it. What the hell?

Then suddenly Noah jumped out of the bushes, fighting a wolf. He tore it's heart out and threw it on the ground. He came jogging up to me and smirked, "You thought I would really abandon you?"

My brows pulled together, "What the fuck, Noah? Where's the back up?" I asked puzzled.

"The Rogues."

My eyes widen in shock as I looked around. Hundreds of Rogues were piling in. All of them were fighting FOR us. I never thought I would see the day when my biggest enemy was going to be my biggest ally. It was unthinkable.

Me and Noah ran into battle and we all band together to fight our hardest.

SOLOMON

Thank goodness that the pack house was empty. The women and children were probably in the bunkers and the rest of the warriors were fighting. I looked down at my beautiful mate. She laid her head on my chest without moving a muscle. My concern for her was climbing.

Miguel and Eddie were walking in front of us. Making sure nothing was going to Ayla. Every corner we took, they would check it first. I was grateful to them.

I could hear the battle raging outside. The sounds of roars and flesh ripping apart, screams of pain. Everything.

I hold my mate tighter to my chest. I'm not going to let anything happen to her.

Eddie turns to me and whispers, "I'm going go out and scope the place. I'll try find a safe path where you and Ayla can get away."

I nodded my head, "Okay, go."

Eddie goes off quietly around the corner. Miguel chuckles, "I should move back to America, I forgot how much drama happens here, I love it."

I rolled my eyes, "Asshole." I mumbled under my breath. I think he might've heard, but he's my cousin. So I don't care. However, he was the one that vouched for me with Ayla. He's the main reason why she decided to come back. If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have Ayla right now.

I inhaled and exhaled deeply. I wasn't good at this vulnerable thankful stuff, but I know I need to do it.

"Thank you, Miguel." I said gruffly.

He looks over his shoulder and raises a brow, "What for?"

"For talking Ayla into coming back...if it wasn't for you. She probably would have never come back to me."

Miguel was noticeably surprised, but it soon turned to something else, a fondness, "You're family, Solomon. I'm glad she came back to you." He turns back and looks around the corner.

I weight was lifted off my chest. That was done and dust...until Miguel just HAD to ass something, "But also," He said while his shoulders were shaking slightly. Ugh! He was laughing, "I actually didn't know you were her mate so..."

"You really know how to ruin the family vibe, man."

Eddie came back. His eyes were wide and his mouth were open in shock.

Miguel and I looked at each other before turning to Eddie.

"Eddie? What's going on?" I asked seriously.

"The war," He replied quietly, "It's over...We won."

"That's impossible," Miguel argued, "We were getting smashed. How could we have won the war?"

Eddie chuckles, "It was Noah. He brought the back up...a very surprising back up too."

"What was it?" I asked curiously.

"Rogues."

Miguel and I were in a state of shock. ROGUES? Our biggest enemy in our generation. The rogues that we were at war with for years. They helped us?

Ayla groans in her sleep which brought me back reality. I looked up at my best friend, "So it's safe out there?"

Eddie nodded.

I sprinted out of the house and saw men from my pack as well as randoms walking among the dead, trying to find people.

I didn't have time to stop and talk. I wanted Ayla safe and well. I sprinted through the crowd to get back to camp.

"Solomon? Where are you going?" Shouted Xander.

"I need to get Ayla to Mia!" I replied before disappearing behind the bush.

***

I saw the camp and I rushed in. The women gasped, holding their pups close to their chests. But when they saw it was me, they relaxed. My eyes searched the place frantically for Mia. I ran to her tent and shouted, "Mia!"

She comes out wide eyes when she saw a very limp Ayla in my arms. She rushes to me, "What happened to her?"

I shook my head, "I have no time to explain. I need you to take care of her. Do a full body check and everything. I want to exactly what's wrong with her when I get back, Okay?"

She nods her head as she was bringing her supplies around, "Where are you going?" She asked.

"I need to go help, Xander."

***

I ran back to the men to help carry the injured. We had to walk over the fields of dead bodies to check that there were none of our own.

As I was walking, I saw a teenage boy, a rogue, keeping pressure on a wound. My first instinct was to kill him. But knowing him and probably hundreds of others helped win our victory today, I was thankful instead.

I walked up to the boy. He instantly cowers away in fright.

I raise my hands, "Hey, it's okay. I'm here to help you."

His eyes were wide, "Y-you're from the Blood Moon Pack." He stated.

I nod my head, "Yes I am. Do you need help there?"

The boy looks at me suspiciously, and rightly so. "I won't hurt you," I informed him, "You helped my pack today, I am indebted to you."

The boy seemed shocked that I was being so kind to him, but it was true, I was thankful to him and I was in his debt.

***

After an hour of helping, we marched back to the camp. The females and pups came running. Probably relieved that none of the men were missing.

Me on the other hand went straight for Mia was waiting for me at the front of her tent. My steps faltered slightly when I saw she seemed anxious as she was fidgeting with her hands.

She gulped and puts her hand on my chest to push me back slightly from the tent.

"Mia?" I questioned.

She took a deep breath before saying, "Are you calm enough to listen to the results? I did the full body check."

I nodded my head nervously.

"Generally. She's fine. I put some healing salve on her back and wrapped it up. I checked her...inside. There are a lot of scar tissue down there," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, "But," she continues, " From recent events, there has been some pretty big tears found," That fucking bastard, "I've to do very mild stitching to ensure the best healing results."

"Why is she not waking up?" I asked through clenched teeth.

"Her mind is shutting her body down to protect itself. She as gone through years of trauma. It's a defence mechanism. All we can do is wait."

"Thank you, Mia. For everything."

She smiles sadly and walks off to find Noah.

I crawl into the tent to see my beautiful mate, lying their soundly in clean clothes. I sit next to her and grasp her hand and wait.

"Papa?" I heard.

I looked at the entrance to see my son. He looks to his mother and his eyes widen, "Mama! She's back!"

He came racing inside, but I grab him before he could do anything, "You can't touch Mama, right now, Son. She's asleep. She will be in a very long sleep for a while."