Chapter 38-

When my father gets home, we tell him again the whole story including the part where the blood sucker thought Oriel was my mom and how someone named Marcus was after her. My dad was so mad hearing this that he shifted in the house breaking the end table and a vase. Mom had to go to him, brush her hands through his fur and tell him over and over that she was okay before he shifted back. Oriel stands in my defense like I knew she would by telling everyone I told her that we should go back and then to run when we met danger, but I know that I messed up. I will say, no one other than mom and Oriel has enough balls to go against our Alpha and father, but she stood tall and gave him her furry right back. “Enough Oriel!!! You are a child, my child! You will follow the rules like every other member of this pack. Its time to grow up and stop being so selfish, it would break us to have you hurt or worse captured. We are under extreme threat right now and the last think I need is you running around trying to be the hero. You need to learn your place!” My heart breaks when tears fall down Oriel’s face. “Am I not your daughter? Your eldest child? I don’t know why wanting to defend my pack is so terrible. If we wouldn’t have chased and killed him, he would have gotten away. He was stalking the woods close to our house. I know I’m a girl but I’m strong, I’ve been going to warrior training and am as big as most of the boys. I had my dagger and Irvin with me. I’m not weak dad.” I grab her hand and squeeze; I hate it when she cries. “Oriel, princess I know your strong but its not the same as being a shifter. Even Irvin shouldn’t have been out there, especially not without help. I know your heart is in the right place, but I need you to listen to me. I can’t lose you, either of you. Please promise me you won’t run into danger again. I can’t do my job if I’m worried about you. Promise me.” We all see her internal struggle. Its hard for my passionate sister to submit. “I promise dad, but I will always protect my family when I’m able.” I see my dad’s face harden. “James that’s as good as I think were going to get brother. You are both on lockdown and will have extra chores. If I so much as hear of either of you stepping out of this house without permission you will wish for extra chores. Understand?” We both nod and go to leave but I’m asked to stay behind, Cherry gives me a look of encouragement and leaves with our mom. “Irvin, I know you are eager to prove yourself but give it time. You are still young, and I fear for you as much as I do for Oriel. You are my son and that puts extra expectations on you. Please follow my rules. I need to be able to count on you to help keep your sister, mother and brother safe.” “I will dad, I’m sorry I just want to help our pack.” “I know son, but you can do that best by keeping an eye on your wild sister and keeping her out of trouble.” “I’ll always do my best to protect her and our family.” “I know son, I’m proud of you.” I touch my head to both of my dads. I know they were scared today, and it feels like something bad is heading our way. I’ll die before I let someone take my mother from me or anyone else.
When I go to get into bed, I find Oriel already in there. “Aren’t you a little old to be sneaking into my bed?” I ask her with a teasing smile. “I still don’t feel bad about doing it, but I was scared today…I have never killed anyone before.” I get into bed and hold her as she cries. This is one of the things I love most about Oriel she is this strong, fierce and determined person. She is stubborn and quick to anger but she is also so kind and loving and loyal to people she loves. She doesn’t let many people see it, but she is also fragile and hates hurting people. It makes me feel good that I’m the one she lets herself be open around. No matter what comes I will protect her with my life.
Two weeks later:
Marcus:
I lost another soldier yesterday to the wolves. They think they are safe picking us off one by one in the safety of their territory, but each time we breach their boarders and learn weak points in their defenses we are gaining ground. My brother has finally agreed to come and bring fifty of his coven brethren, with his support there is no way that the wolves can defeat us. My younger brother absconded the throne after my father passed. I am the eldest son and the rightful ruler of the European covens but since my father banished me after that unfortunate incident where I let the wolves get the better of me, my father decided that I was not fit to rule. He called me impulsive and foolish, well I hope he turns over in his grave when I decimate the black moon pack. My father was very much of the mindset that all children of the night should be allies and not enemies. I am loyal only to myself and my coven, I could care less about humans or shifters. The only person who I gave my true loyalty to is gone forever, torn apart and burned by that dog. It took a lot of persuasion and the promise that if he did come to my aid, I would relinquish all claim I had on our father’s title. My brother has always been too trusting. I know he grieved our fathers passing and holds family in high regard. After the wolves are taken care of, I will find a way to kill him myself so that I can retake my rightful spot in our homeland. Rowen and his men should be in the village by tomorrow with fifty vampires. With them and the hundred men from the village our victory is sure. I only have about five vampires left in my small coven, but they are worth at least five of the human men that I have. The stupid humans think that we are defeating their greatest fear little do they know that I plan to use them as a reward for mine and my brothers’ loyal men. They think the wolves mean them harm, but their memory doesn’t not reach back far enough to truly fear a powerful coven in their midst. Tomorrow we go to war, and I will finally have my revenge. I’ll start with their whore queen that Ava tells me they share and then when their bodies are weak from devastation, I will cut them down. A pack is weak without it’s Luna, a key piece to my victory.
Ava:
I lay next to Marcus, and I hope that tomorrow brings all that he has promised me. I should be ecstatic, but I feel a weight settled into the bottom of my stomach. I asked that Ayla and I be left behind while they went to battle but Marcus wants us to be there so that the pack knows who betrayed them, he thinks it will add to their pain and I admit that I think it will, especially Ember. I don’t feel bad for telling their secrets or helping Marcus plot their downfall, but I wish there was a way to go about it without killing the women and children. Marcus promised to spare my son and said that he would adopt him as his own son and heir when we move to the castle. It will be good for Ayla to have a sibling I know how lonely she is and how she suffers at her father’s hand. Maybe when he finally has the things he wants he will love Ayla and me again. I wish tomorrow was over and we were on our way to the life without the cloud of vengeance hanging over us. I only hope I’m not also being deceived by Marcus. There is a part of me that fears him and what he is truly capable of. I used to think he loved me, but it has been years since I have felt a loving touch from him. Poor Ayla has never known much from him other than scorn. He tells her that she should have been born of his true mate but that his chance for a child with true power was taken from him like everything else. Maybe with my son at his side he will find room to love her as well.