Chapter 33

The dew on the grass chills the bottom of my feet as I walk around the smoldering remains of the camp fire. The sun isn't over the horizon yet, but the sky is blotched with bright yellows and pinks indicating it's soon to be appearance. Based on the silence other than the tweets from the birds in the near by trees no one else is awake yet.

My heart has been pounding in my chest since my eyes opened and my brain caught up to what day it is. Dread spread through my veins like ice numbing me to the core. Our time is limited, but there is still time for last minute attempts of peace. The only question is would Ivan be willing to compromise? There has to be something he wants that would stop his destruction, but his only motive has to be power which is certainly something we aren't giving him.

Have I considered sacrificing myself to save everyone else? Of course. But at the end of the day Ivan can't be trusted, and I know he isn't one to keep a promise. If I handed myself over there's no guarantee that he won't proceed with his army. Plus there is no reason why he would want me in the first place.

"Don't do whatever you are conjuring up in that little head of yours." I roll my eyes looking over my shoulder to see Jasper approaching. He looks a lot more refreshed today than he did last night. His eyes hold a carefree glint to them, which stuns me considering today holds more weight than yesterday did.

"You have no clue what I was thinking." I attempt to defend myself, but I have yet to figure out how Jasper always see right through my bluff. I sit down on the damp log facing away from the camp looking out to the empty field, and leave enough room for Jasper to sit if he wants.

"Knowing you it would have involved disappearing without a word." He plops down next to me casting his piercings lie detector look. I turn alway letting my hair create a curtain so it'll hide my warm cheeks. "I knew it." He chuckles angering me a bit. My temper is very short today, but I think it has something to do with the stress weighing me down. "I'm glad you didn't do it." His crooked smile is infectious, and it hard not to smile despite our possible imminent doom.

"Me too." I lean my head against his shoulder staring at the empty field. There is no way that they don't know we are here waiting for them, so it's making me nervous that we haven't seen any sign of them yet. "They should be here already." I mumble more to myself. "Knowing them they're burning our packs to the ground." It isn't as big of a deal as it sounds because we anticipated it happening so we all made sure to hide everything that was crucial. Packs have had to rebuild from the ashes before at this won't be the last time either.

"None of the packs have been ransacked. My guys would have informed me if they had." I lift my head off of his shoulder glaring at him. We agreed that he would only let his pack help by watching over those who could not fight. I should have know he wouldn't listen since he's defied me on every other decision.

"Why must you fight me on everything?" I'm drained from the constant state of anxiety since we arrived here, and the knot in my stomach making me second guess every choice I've ever made.

"Someone has to." He chuckles nudging me with his elbow playfully. Moments like this make me wish his parents were around so he could just be a regular kid, who doesn't have to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. I sigh nodding my head knowing he has a point. Everybody needs that one person to push them to test their boundaries and patience, and I'm really glad Jasper's my person to do that.

The sun has finally risen up over the tree line illuminating the expanse of the field, and heating the air. Jasper and I fall into a comfortable silence while admiring the view, and memorizing this one carefree moment just in case it's our last. It sort of reminds me of the night I met Jasper when we both sat on that rock, and I spewed almost the entirety of my life's story.

A movement in the trees far ahead catches my attention. Blowing it off as a deer I don't think twice until a line of council member step out of the tree line. Jasper tenses up next to me, so I know I'm not just losing it.

"Everybody up!" I scream grabbing Jasper's hand and pushing him back towards the tents. Quentin races out of our tent frantically searching the area until his eyes connect with mine. He visiblely relaxes for a second but then he looks over my shoulder to where the council and their men are slowly lining up across the field.

"They're here." He hides the terror in his voice well, but unlike our pack over the mind link I can actually see the despair swirling in his silver eyes. I don't hesitate dragging Jasper with me over to Quentin. I'm the one that went to him for help, so I'm the one responsible for keeping him safe.

"Shit." Della swears stumbling out of their tent followed by a emotionless Aidan. If I didn't know him I would be concerned by his demeanor, but this is just how he is when it's time to lead his pack and be an Alpha. I've always admired his ability to hide his true emotions with one look.

"It's time!" Ryder steps out of his and Fletcher's tent with a wild look in his eye ready to give commands. Growing up we always practiced for situations such as this one, but never in a million years did I anticipate standing with my family as we fight for our lives.

"The warriors are ready." Carl stops in front of Quentin and I panting from running and gathering all those who agreed to fight. "We are ready." His words ignite a deep feeling within myself. A part of me I always try to suppress, and it's one that scare the living shit of me. It's a bloodthirsty one.

"I don't want to go." Victoria cries wrapping her arms around Della. Troy stands off to the side with a backpack hanging off his back. My heart lurches at the scene unfolding in front of us all. Aidan's harden exterior is cracking with every sob coming from Victoria, and Della squeezes her eyes shut for a second before turning back to her children.

"I know you don't, but you have to. I promise when we get back you can chew me out, but right now I need you both to be brave. Troy protect your sister, and Victoria protect your brother. I love you both so much." A single tear runs down Della's cheek as she leans forward pressing a kiss to both of her kids foreheads.

That fire inside me burns brighter with every second I watch my family being forced to say goodbye. Aidan says his goodbyes but I don't have it in me to watch, and I have to bite down on the inside of my cheek hearing Victoria yell at Troy to let her go.

"Focus." Fletcher steps in front of me forming a small circle with all of us. Jasper's to my right and Quentin my left. Oliver is next to Quentin and Carl is next to Jasper. My dads stand across from me quickly joined by Della and Aidan. "This isn't going to be a walk in the park, and realistically a few of us are going to get seriously injured." I grip Quentin's wrist suddenly feeling lightheaded. "But the most important tactic today is going to be trust." Della scans the group zeroing on my flushed cheeks.

"You need to trust each other that you can handle your own on that field. Tessa if you are constantly worried and looking over to Quentin to make sure he's okay you will be vulnerable, and there is no room for that during war. You will end up dead." Her blunt words tear at every layer of my self control. The fire is heating my whole chest at this point and I'm scared.

"They're ready." Even Emeric looks grim as he and Melody join our circle. All of them look between each other sharing some sort of secret look. They have all been through battle before, but that doesn't mean us younger adults haven't seen our fair share of the horrors this world has to offer. We've been trained to fight, taught every day isn't guaranteed, and lived through attacks. Every single aspect of our lives has molded us to withstand the worst of the worst, and today is our test.

"Look for weaknesses, holes in their defense, and don't ever hesitate." Ryder cautions making sure all of us heard.

The heat in my chest is seeping down to my stomach and snaking it's way up my throat. My heart pounds so loud in my ears I almost can't hear what they are saying. Most terrifying though has to be the fact that Quentin isn't noticing or feeling it either. As mates he should at least feel a hint of what is consuming me.

"We know they are cowards, and they are going to fight like ones as well. Watch out for dirty shots, and hidden weapons. The rogues may seem intimidating, but don't think you haven't been trained by one." Aidan smirks peaking over at his mate before finishing up his words. "We are a strong ass family who has been to hell and back whilst picking up a few new additions along the way. We all have our strengths and weaknesses, but we know how to play off each other. They've underestimated us in the past, and we're are just going to have to prove them wrong again."

"Let's go kick some corrupt ass." Emeric cuts in with a wicked glint in his eyes. Seeing my whole family almost emotionless before me is difficult. It's not that they truly don't feel something right now, but they know they can't let their feelings take over.

Quentin slips his hand in mine, and turns hearing back to where our pack is waiting. The subtle hints of terror are what hit me the hardest. Some bounce their leg anxiously, others chew on the inside of their cheek, and most clench and unclench their fists at their sides.

Clouds obstruct the sun casting a dark shadow onto the already agonizing day. The atmosphere among the crowd is high strung as we lead all of our packs down the small hill across from the council. Leaving a generous amount of space between us and the council doesn't help the fact I feel as though I'm standing inches from Ivan, who stands tall with a his notoriously cocky smile.

"We are not here to fight." Ivan's words mixed with his belittling tone infuriate me. He takes a step forward raising his hands motioning to us all. "None of you should lay your life down for such nonsense." He has the audacity to chuckle. "You all know my we are really here." His way of dancing over sentences stringing everyone along almost sounds like a riddle.

"Stop beating around the bush Ivan. If you need to stall until your backup shows just say it. We'll wait." Della crosses her arms across her chest while mine start to feel a bit numb. The fire is spreading fast, but my mouth can't seem to form the right words.

"Miss Hale." Ivan starts condescendingly, but Della stops him in his tracks.

"You can call me Luna." The authority in her voice ripples throughout the field, but Ivan continues on as if she didn't even speak.

"Don't you find it odd how the only two living descendants of Blake Hale have lead you all here to fight a war you never saw coming until they told you that you did." I want to punch him so hard in the face, but I'm rooted to my spot. "We will give you one more chance to see clarity in your mistake, but only one." He holds a finger up as if he's speaking to children, and most of the other Alphas and Lunas don't take too kindly to it.

"We aren't backing down. You've destroyed packs and killed innocent people for your own twisted and selfish reasons. Just admit are no better than Blake, and attempt to fight us with your army of brainless soldiers." Alpha Elijah spits the words out like venom, and the anguish behind them hits me right in the chest adding fuel to the fire.

"Are you done?" Ivan's composure starts to crack as irritation rings clear in his tone. Searching the crowd I find the one person who I believe I can still save, Luna Katherine. She stands slightly behind her mate, Evan, shifting her gaze from the ground to Ivan. I stare at her trying desperately to catch her attention, and she must feel someone watching her because she finally looks up.

Her usual warm brown eyes are dull with huge dark circles underneath them. She doesn't even try to hide the sadness swirling in her eyes. I can't make a motion towards her without Ivan or someone else from the council seeing, so I plead with her silently.

"Please." I mouth to her praying that she'll listen. As a Luna I know that it's nearly impossible to step away from your pack at any time let along on the battle field, but her decision could change the course of today.

I suck in a sharp breath when she takes small step forward. It's barely noticeable but I still see her getting close to making the change. She just needs another push, but with my limbs frozen and unable to say anything I do the next best thing. I squeeze Quentin's hand as tight as I can without breaking eye contact with Katherine. He looks down at me for a brief second to see what's wrong, but quickly catches on and follows my line of sight.

"We can help." He whispers so quietly my ears almost don't pick up on it. Another step forward has my legs wobbling as the fire reaches my knees. She steps around Evan moving out of his reach before he can even process what's going on. Luckily she was standing in front next to the council so there isn't anyone else that can stop her now.

Ivan falls silent as he zeros in on Katherine walking across the field. Evan lurches forward to try and catch her but two of Ivan's men grab him by the arms holding him back. Everyone simultaneously holds their breath waiting for the command, but no one makes the call.

"Do you honestly think that one more on your side evens it out? Why don't you ask yourself how many of yours have been on our side this whole time?" Ivan's cocky smirk morphs into his chilling sinister smile. For a moment the fire inside me freezes over as a chill runs down my spine.

"I'm sorry." Her lip wobbles, and the tears start streaming down her face. My hand slips out of Quentin's as I look around her to Ivan who is staring at someone to our left. Dread churns in the pit of my stomach as I turn my head to see who he's looking at.

"No." I breath shaking my head. My dads growl viciously as well as all the warriors behind them processing the betrayal. "No!" I yell stumbling forward ready to storm over there and murder him myself, but Quentin wraps his arms around me pulling me into a hug that is more to hold me back than to comfort me. "Why?!" I scream at the top of my lungs over Quentin's shoulder. I feel the exhausting concoction of overwhelmed and numb at the same time.

"I'm sorry." Asher takes a step away from his dad and the rest of Black Moon. Fletcher grabs ahold of his arm pulling him close and whispering something in his ear, and by the way his face pales I know it wasn't threat. It was a promise.

"When?" Having this situation unfold in front of every pack and the council isn't ideal, but I need answers now. How could someone I used to think I was in love with turn around and side with the same people who want us dead?

"Since the day you moved away." The fire crackles with fury burning brighter than before. Asher can't even look me in the eyes for the entirety of his answer. Brandon, his dad and my dads Beta, steps forward with a heartbroken look on his face. It doesn't make any sense how can Asher do this to his family?

"Why son?" Brandon chokes up watching as Ryder motions for two high ranked warriors to each grab one of Asher arms. I think back to  every time I talked to and saw Asher, and one particular phone call sticks out. He was the one who called me right before our attack which distracted me from the start of it, and I have no doubt now that it was intentional.

"What about when you and Carl were drugged?" I keep the specifics to myself already feeling as if my privacy had been violated for the past few months. Was it all fake? Him wanting to rekindle our friendship was just an act. Asher looks sheepishly to Carl, who is barely holding his anger back by a thread.

"You son of a bitch." Oliver stops Carl before he can get too far. Asher was the one who drugged Carl durning our meeting that night. The shouting and yelling falls silent but only for me.

"Why?" I shout again moving his focus from Carl to me, but unfortunately Asher isn't the one to answer

"Because he learned the truth." Ivan's wispy voice travels across the space gaining all of our attention. "Your father and mother worked for Blake, and it isn't a coincidence that you were then adopted into what's remaining of the Hale legacy." Immediately the whispers and mummers of the warriors from every pack except my own spread just like the fire within me.

Whipping my head back to Asher for confirmation my heart aches at the guilty expression adorning his face. He believed their lies over his life long best friend. I go slack in Quentin's arms as the fire fully consumes me paralyzing me for a second.

"Tessa!" Quentin keeps one arm wrapped around my waist while using his other to tilt my head up so he can look at my face. Focusing on his silver eyes I place my feet back onto the ground, and welcome the fire instead of letting it control me by pushing it down.

"I'm okay." I push on his chest slightly so I can see Asher clearly again. He isn't struggling against the warriors hold, and isn't looking at the council or Ivan either. So what is he waiting for? He says something to Fletcher but it's too quiet for me to hear.

"Not happening." Fletcher bellows, and raises his hand to motion for the warriors to take Asher away but he hesitates. I suck in a sharp breath as both of my dads turn to me looking for direction. Ultimately I know it isn't my call, but I'm thankful that they are letting me have a say. I don't have time to deal with Asher right now, so with a single nod he's hauled away.

"Don't allow this to distract you from why we are here today. You all know my story, and you know who my family truly is." Stepping forward I turn my back to the council only addressing our group. "I was welcomed into a family who didn't care about a persons past nor did they know my own, and they have loved me as one of their own ever since." I look from my dads to Aidan, Della, and Emeric. "And I plan to fight alongside my family if it means that those who come after us won't be subjected to the same anguish and terror we have." An electrifying buzz hums within our group as everyone's anticipation builds. "I won't force any of you to join me. You each have had and will always have a choice, and I certainly won't judge you for your decision. Just remember who are fighting for, and I don't mean along side of. I mean think of that person or people who are your driving force." I look over to Quentin letting out a content sigh while thanking the Moon Goddess for giving me the opportunity to find and love him no matter how short it was. I also look to my pack who has help me grow into the woman I am today. They will always be my center that keeps me grounded.

"Fight for freedom, love, and justice! Fight for those who can't fight with us! Fight for those they have taken from us! Fight for your kids and your family! Fight for those who have yet to witness this world!" I shout thinking about my mom who I know would be standing right next to me if she could. She saw the darkness and fought against it which cost her life, and I will always be appreciative that she kept me safe so I could fight against the same darkness to end it once and for all. I turn around looking Ivan dead in the eye while taking short steps backwards.

"The Moon Goddess is looking down on us today, so let's make her fucking proud!" I huff stepping into my spot between Quentin and Carl. The fire blazes in every fiber of my being, and I feel like I can take a deep breath for the fist time. Ivan squints his empty eyes at us letting out a ferocious snarl.

"Now!" He commands, and a sea of rogues pour out of the forest behind him.

***************

Song: Love and War by Fleurie

I'm so so so sorry that this chapter is super late. In case you didn't see my announcement I was dealing with the most frustrating writers block I've ever experienced for like four day. It was so hard because I knew what I wanted to write I just couldn't get the words out. I tried my hardest to make this chapter descriptive enough so it felt like you were there with them, and felt everything they were feeling. Was anyone expecting the Asher reveal? I really tried not to make it too obvious, but I still am curious if anyone picked up on it. I'm so excited for you all to see the rest of this book, and everything I have planned for the last book! I also wanted to add that the mafia romance I was debating whether or not to start posting, I am going to after this book is finished. I'll make an announcement in a week or two with more details, but I just wanted to let you know in case you like that type of story. Lastly I just want to thank every single one of you that leaves such sweet comments. I'm sorry I don't always reply it's hard for me to put my gratitude into words, but I really do appreciate it. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and if you did don't forget to vote and comment! Stay safe and healthy! Until next time.

~Stella Gordon