73

POV – Kai-Lea
Dad, Kallen, and Stuart rushed off, leaving me with a daunting task that felt like an anchor weighing me down. As alarms blared throughout the packhouse and lands, a cacophony of chaos erupted around me. The sounds of panic mixed with the howls of warriors prepared to defend our home. My heart raced as I pushed through the turmoil, herding everyone to safety. I focused on a group of older wolves tasked with watching over the small pups. Their wide eyes and trembling forms reminded me of the innocence we were desperately trying to protect.
“Stay close! We need to move now!” I urged, my voice cutting through the din. Just as we thought we had a moment to breathe, several rogues burst into the bunker, their faces twisted with malice, hungry for destruction.
“There’s no time to shift into me,” Asena growled within me, urgency lacing her voice. “But I am here.” My Lycan emerged, anger surging through her, a potent force that coursed through my veins. I could feel her power radiate from within, wrapping around me like a protective shield.
With newfound strength, we fought back, ensuring everyone was behind me before unleashing our fury on the rogues threatening our family. Each strike I delivered was fueled by rage and desperation; the thrill of battle ignited a fire within me. I dispatched the last of the group, feeling a rush of victory when a piercing scream reached my ears. It was Mom.
Fueled by adrenaline, I tore through the remaining rogues, their bodies crumpling beneath my strikes as I raced toward the sound of her cries. The sight that greeted me sent a chill through my heart. There she was, pinned against the wall, desperately trying to shield Gussie and Chellea, who lay unconscious and bleeding at her feet. A surge of desperation filled me, pushing me to the edge of my abilities, and both my Lycan and Asena sensed the power of my third soul bubbling to the surface, urging us to act.
The air crackled with energy as every rogue began to rise, weightless, before being hurled into one another with bone-crunching force. The sound of snapping bones echoed in the chaos, and I felt a rush of satisfaction as some fell, lifeless, from the impact. Each movement became a dance of destruction as I focused on protecting my family.
Just then, Dad and the others arrived, surrounding us in a protective formation. Their presence brought a wave of relief, and together we charged forward, a united front against the remaining rogues. My family was my strength, and together, we were unstoppable. When the dust settled, only one rogue remained alive, and we swiftly took it down, securing it for questioning later.
Once the last threat was neutralized, we shifted back, the air heavy with the aftermath of battle. The taste of victory was bittersweet, tempered by the fear that still hung over us like a dark cloud. Dad sprinted to me, urgency in his eyes, as we rushed to Gussie and Chellea. Mom held them tightly, tears streaming down her face as she cried for her beloved daughters, her voice a haunting melody of grief.
“Gussie! Chellea!” My voice cracked as I knelt beside them, desperately assessing their injuries. Their faces were pale, and I could see the faint rise and fall of their chests, but it wasn’t enough. “Please, hang on!”
The collective growl of every wolf present reverberated through the air—a primal sound of grief and anger that shook the Earth beneath us. We knew every pack within five hundred miles would hear our mourning, a warning to those who dared to threaten us. The bond we shared as a pack surged with unyielding strength, echoing our determination to protect what was ours.
Once Gussie and Chellea were stabilized, we moved the injured to the hospital wing, where the need for more staff became painfully evident. The atmosphere was charged with tension and fear, mingled with the smell of antiseptic and the sharp tang of blood. In the days that followed the attack, allies from every corner came to our aid, bringing not only their support but also their medical personnel, ready to help us heal.
The hospital wing buzzed with activity as wolves worked tirelessly, their faces grim yet determined. I saw familiar faces among the crowd—warriors from our neighboring packs, their expressions reflecting the weight of the situation. They had come to support us, to stand alongside us in our darkest hour. But as the adrenaline faded, fatigue crept in, leaving me feeling hollow and drained.
I paced the hall, my thoughts a chaotic whirlpool. What had we done to provoke this attack? What had gone wrong? My mind raced, searching for answers that eluded me. Mom and Dad had instilled in me the importance of protecting our territory, of ensuring our pack’s safety. Yet here we were, under siege, facing a threat I could hardly comprehend.
The nurses worked diligently, their hands moving with practiced precision as they tended to the injured. I caught snippets of conversations around me, fragments of fear and determination intertwining in the air. “We need to fortify the borders.”
“More patrols are necessary.”
“We can’t let this happen again.” Each statement hung heavily in the atmosphere, echoing our collective anxiety.
In one corner, I spotted Kallen and Stuart, their faces etched with concern. They were strategizing, their voices low yet filled with urgency. I approached, feeling the bond we shared—big brothers to Gussie and Chellea, protectors, and now, leaders. “What’s the plan?” I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil swirling within me.
Kallen looked up, his blue eyes reflecting the seriousness of our situation. “We need to regroup and reassess our defenses. This was a coordinated attack, and we can’t afford to be caught off guard again.”
“Right,” I replied, the weight of leadership settling heavily on my shoulders. “But we can’t let fear control us, either. We need to show them we’re strong, united.”
Stuart nodded, a determined expression crossing his face. “We should also interrogate the rogue we captured. He may know why they attacked and if more are coming.”
The decision was made. We would confront the rogue, demanding answers. I felt a surge of resolve. We couldn’t let this moment define us; we needed to fight back, to reclaim our strength.
As we prepared to interrogate the rogue, a heavy silence fell over the room. My heart raced as I steeled myself for what was to come. This was more than just a battle for survival; it was a battle for our future, for the safety of our family, and for the very soul of our pack.
When we finally confronted the rogue, his defiance was palpable. But I could see the fear in his eyes, the realization that he had underestimated us. With Kallen and Stuart by my side, I felt an unyielding strength flow through me. We were not just any alphas and luna; we were a family, the Royal Alphas and Luna and we would do whatever it took to protect each other.
As I met the rogue's gaze, I spoke with conviction, “You will tell us everything, or you will wish you had.” The room crackled with tension as we prepared to extract the truth from him, knowing that every second mattered in our quest for answers.