Chapter 8

*Aiden’s POV*

These guys are going down. Atlas and I are chasing a group of Rogues into a deep thicket in the forest, and they split up. “Go for the one on the left, I got the right.” I mind link to Atlas, and he nods in confirmation. I run towards my target who is getting closer to the border. Odd, are they trying to retreat? I continue to pursue the rogue and see movement just beyond the border. It’s a woman. She was mid aged, and she is wearing a long dress a satchel tied around her waist. Her hair reaches to her waist and eyes are a bright unnatural yellow. The rogue stopped right next to her and turned towards me with a victorious gleam in his eyes.
It’s a trap. It’s got to be, I have to proceed carefully if I’m going to get out of here alive. I stop in my tracts and observe. The woman goes into her satchel and grabs a small bag of something. Are those herbs? Is she a witch? If she is, I’m in deep trouble. Witches are powerful beings that cast spells and curses. There are very few today because during the Great War, most witches were wiped out. A single witch can take out an entire pack.
She starts to approach me with herbs in hand. I growl a warning to her, but she keeps on coming. Then a great wind picks up and she releases the herbs into it which blow towards me. I try to dodge it, but it is useless. They make contact with my wolf’s fur and caused my body to heat up. My body is on fire and my head is pounding. Then it's gone within seconds. What just happened? I growl nastily at her and try to channel my powers of fire. However, nothing happened. That’s what the witch did, she neutralized my influence over fire. I launch towards her and go in for an attack, but the rogue stands between us. He snaps his teeth and lunges towards me. We collide and I snap at his neck and try to get a grip. Near us I can hear the witch chanting something. Her body is glowing, and the wind picks up again and leaves are blowing off the trees. Her chants become louder and louder till she is shouting. The wolf backs off a good distance then I see a large ball of light being shot towards me. Dodging is useless and hits me square in the chest and before I know it, I completely black out.

*Athena’s POV*

I slowly walk over to Dads still body with pack warriors standing around in shocked looks on their faces. No one knows how to process this situation. I reach him and I turn him right side up. The wounds he suffered were great, there is blood everywhere and he had huge puncture wounds on his neck. His body was lifeless. The man who raised me. The man who taught me everything I know. The man who knew how to make anyone die with laughter. The man who adored his family, is now gone. My father is dead. My eyes fill with tears, and I hug his body. My lip trembles and I release a scream that shook the earth itself. He’s gone. How will I become a great Alpha like him without his guidance and wisdom? How will my family be whole again?
I hear mom’s voice approaching. She catches sight of Dad and her face crumbles. She runs to me with tears running down her face and lips trembling. She takes her mate into her arms and cries into his chest. Her heartbreaking wails cause everyone around us to break into tears. When a wolf loses their mate to death it’s like losing a part of yourself. Your mate is your other half. A void is placed in your heart where your mate once was.
I finally see Aiden in the distance with a blank look on his face. Then it vanishes, and it is replaced with shock and disbelieving, and he runs towards us. He reaches us and he gets on his knees and took both of us in his arms.
“We have to move him, Luna Iris. We need to collect all the fallen pack warriors and return them to their families.” Beta James takes a knee next to us and looks sadly at his fallen Alpha and best friend. I look around and saw all the damage those rogues have caused. There are about 30 bodies of warriors scattered around the area. All mauled and the earth is stained with their blood. It almost looked as if the earth is bleeding. They all gave their lives to protect this pack and their families. Those rogues are going to pay for this. They will pay for taking away so many loved ones.
“Luna, Gamma, we need to discuss this attack and these wolves with our children after we take care of everything.” Beta James suggests gravely.
She takes her head from Dad’s chest and looks to the Beta with bright red eyes and her mascara running down her cheeks. “Very well Beta, we will gather in the meeting hall in an hour.” Mom says with a hiccup and sniffle. The pack house Omegas come with a few blankets to cover the bodies. We take one last look at dad and mom covers him. Beta James lifts him up and carries him to the pack house and we all follow in grief.
All the bodies are collected, and all are returned to their families. Tomorrow we are going to hold a funeral for Dad and all the lives lost. Aiden however has been acting off since the battle. We are all effected by Dad’s death, but Aiden hasn’t said a word to anyone at all. I head to the meeting hall with Mom and Aiden to discuss the attack and these wolves. I have never seen wolves so powerful and dangerous. We walk in and find the Betta and Gamma discussing something with a worried look in their eyes.
“Luna Iris, do you remember a pack called the Lunar pack?” Beta James asks and Mom’s face of grief is replaced with a look of shock.
“Yes, over 20 years ago the Lunar pack was put to death by the head packs of the United States for being too powerful and dangerous. They terrorized packs all over and when they wiped out their neighboring pack gave the justification for the head packs to end the Lunar pack.” She explained.
“The rogues we faced are unlike any other wolf. They were Lunar wolves. The only person who was able to handle them during the battle was Athena, since she is the White Wolf. Somehow some Lunar wolves survived over 20 years ago. My concern Is how many? The group that attack was made up of 30 of them and if there is a pack out there it could be massive.” The Beta explained his thoughts and we all listen intently.
“We should contact our allies and find out if they know anything. We should also contact the Midnight Moon, Blue Moon Guardians, Crescent Raiders, and Eclipse pack to notify them of the recent development and so they have a hand in these decisions.” The Gamma suggests.
“I can contact Alpha Darius Night of the Midnight Moon pack.” I offer and Celeste manages to give me a small smile.
“I’ll contact the Eclipse Pack Alpha.” Beta James says. “I got Blue Moon.” Gamma Chione says.
“Guess that leaves me Blood Moon. We’ll make our calls then I need to make funeral arrangements. Would it be too much to ask for everyone’s help?” Mom asks with sad eyes. “Of course, Iris. We are here for you, and we’ll help you get through this.” The Gamma says and puts a comforting hand on her back. Mom sadly smiles and nods.
I go to my room and pull out my phone and a piece of paper that has Darius’s phone number on it. He gave it to me not long after we danced at the party. I dial the number and on the second ring he picks up.
“Never thought you would give me a call so soon.” Darius says with a husky tone. “Hello Darius, I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” I answer.
“Not at all, what can I do for you?” He asks.
“Earlier today we were attacked by a group of rogues. Have you heard of the Lunar pack that was supposed to be extinct over 20 years ago?” I ask.
“Yes, there were put to death because they were extremely dangerous and wiped out a few packs.” He says.
“Yes, these rogues that attacked resembled these wolves that were meant to be extinct. Unfortunately, my father the Alpha was killed by the leader of said rogues. Our Beta, Gamma, and my mother believe that some survived that occurrence years ago.” I inform him.
“I’m really sorry Athena. I will always be here for your family whenever that may be. Also, if your leaders have reason to believe these wolves are Lunar wolves then the 5 leading packs of the United States should meet.” He suggests.
“Yes, we are all making calls to the Alpha’s of those packs. I offered to call you and inform you. I’ll keep you informed on when we will all meet.” I say.
“Perfect. When will the funeral of your father be? I will make time to attend.” He asks
“We are hoping to have the funeral tomorrow early afternoon. It will also be for the 30 other warriors who were killed during the attack. Thank-you Darius and I’ll see you then.” I say.
“See you then Athena.” He says and hangs up. I hang up my end and take a deep breath. I go back downstairs and find Mom and Gamma Chione sitting at a dining table going over funeral plans.
“I got a hold of Alpha Darius. I told him I will keep him updated on a date for a meeting and he will be here tomorrow for the funeral.” I say and take my seat next to Mom.
“Perfect, thank you sweetheart. Now I think we should keep the service traditional. Granite always favored tradition. So, we should contact a florist for lilies and roses for the funeral pyres. We will hold it here outside the pack house, so we won’t set fire to any trees. Since the child next in line to become alpha is to light the pyre. Both Athena and Aiden will light it. Then we will gather the ashes and spread them out in the river.” Mom says as she is looking through a few floral websites on her laptop. “That sounds perfect Iris. Now we just need to make calls to family and friends who will attend.” Chione comments and looks through her phone for phone numbers.
“Athena, how about you and Aiden set up your fathers’ pyre? Speaking of which I haven’t seen Aiden since the meeting. Could you go find him?” Mom says with pleading eyes.
“Of course, mom, he’s probably in his room.” I get up from my chair and give her a tender kiss on the forehead. Hopefully Aiden is alright, he hasn’t said a word to me in the last few hours.