Chapter 21
Daniel pov
The two-hour drive didn’t take as long as it should have. we are all in a hurry to find out what happened on my lands. The closer we got we could smell the smoke. Fire and a big one the wind bring us the rancid smell of melted plastic and burning wood. Hoping for just the buildings and land but fear has a hold on me. Just a few minutes away from the border I smell burnt flesh and a lot of it. Death is heavy in the air as we get closer choking us all. I know that Noah is just as worried as I am about our pack wolves but we are not the only pack here on my lands a lot of men and females from the shadow and whispering winds are here along with many humans that were helping in rebuilding the lands and making it livable again were here.
We hit the border and see the black smoke covering the area. Noah is on the phone calling mayor Jones to make sure he keeps his men there. The last thing we need is for the humans to find a land covered in a death like I am sure we are about to find. The houses close to the border are nothing but smoldering shells. My heart is heavy as I look to Bridget who has her phone out making notes as we drive through our lands heading to the middle where I am sure the worst will be found,
No one is making a sound as we drive through the pack passing what had been the school only a few weeks left in its build now gone just a pile of ash. The playground still smoldering as the chains for the swings dance in the wind. If I didn’t know that just last week this looked like a brand new state of the art school for pre-k to the 7th grade, now reduced to nothing. “as sad as this is I’m glad that I had all the computers and textbooks sent to the shadow pack along with the tablets for the classes rooms and teachers. I wanted to program them all myself.” Bridget says looking at the school tears falling from her eyes.
Isaac and Anthony wanted to come along with us but looking now I’m glad they didn’t. I know they were too young to know what the moonbeam pack looked like 18 years ago and I was young too but I heard what my father and alpha john had said they did and this is a reminder of those words they said so long ago.
We pull up to the main house in the middle of the land. This was to be the center point of the pack a building for all to use and for different therapy's for the younger pups along with some of the offices for the various divisions of the pack. I had expected this to be burned down as well but it's not. The three-story mansion seems to be untouched other than the door is open. Parking in front we all file out of the SUVs looking at the door. “well guys looks like this is where they wanted us to go. Be alert and watch each other six.” Damien says then nods to me letting me know it's my land I should go first. Taking a deep breath, which was a bad idea, I started up the steps. The scent of death is so much stronger now, rolling from the open door to meet me. My heart sinks as I reach the door.
The scene in front of me has me retching and trying to keep what's in my stomach there. The floor once was a warm hardwood now a sea of red and rust. Blood covering everything. Trying to stay standing as my knees threaten to buckle I feel Noah wrap his arm around my waist helping to support me and keep him upright as well. Moving slow making my way into the building fully I see black arrows pointing to the back of the house. Following them, I find the hidden door to the cellar. Bridget had found it months ago and we had plans to convert the dungeon that was done the steps to a safe room for the pups and non-fighting wolves. How did someone know about this door I wonder. Someone I had banished from green lake must have known about this door and told the others. Heading down the stairs to the gutted dungeon I find the bodies of all the wolves that had been here working to rebuild. It's too much for me and I drop to my knees looking at all these wolves. The men are in pieces and the she-wolves have been tied down and violated how do I know this they left things in them. Blood covering everywhere. My stomach couldn’t keep anything down at the sight in front of me. Tears fall from my face creating a clear puddle in the red that covers the floor.
Not only were the wolves here but the humans that had to be here to help as well they were also violated and torn apart. In the center of the room shining bright in the sea of red was a white table. The table was the cleanest thing on my land at this point on the table was an envelope. Not wanting to know what it said but knowing I had to know and so did everyone else. I slowly stood up my knees covered in the blood of the innocence I make my way to the table. Looking down the envelope is addressed to the perverted pretend alpha. So I guess this is for me. Reaching for the envelope slowly not wanting to touch it “STOP” Bridget yells startling us all.
She pushes her way to me pulling me back. “Liam get Bron here now!” she demands not taking the time to use titles not that she had to with alpha Liam as he is her big brother but the way she ordered him was something I had never heard her do before. He looked at her about to say something then saw her face and his eyes fogged over. Thinking we have two hours before she can get here I turn to the men getting ready to have them start identifying the wolves and humans here so we can tell their family. “Damien how did none of the mates or I feel any of the bonds break. Look at this. Every one of them suffered the mates should have felt this I should have felt this.” looking to him for answers that I know he cants answer either. Moving to walk back to the group when a bright light flashed in front of me. Blinded I hold my hand in front of my eyes. The light died and in its place was Luna Bronwyn. “what has a bridge in such a state my love?” but before alpha Liam can answer her she spins looking at the table then at Bridge. Holding her hands up like a shield she yells “get them all out of here now Liam. Bridget I need your help stay with me.” the tone in her voice tells us all to do what she says do not ask questions. As we all file back up the stairs I feel the pressure in the room get heavier making it harder to breathe the longer I’m here. “move it guys whatever she is doing is no joke.” I say to them hurrying them along with alpha Liam just laughs “you don’t even know the half of it. When it comes to here I just do as I’m told.” the moment we all clear the door it slams shut looking in place.
