Chapter 22 - The Battle Ends

Dominick, Titus, and Aaron looked on in horror as the being moved closer and closer to their mates. It was taking everything inside of them not to run over to the three women. They calmed down when they saw the women look at each other; that was when they realized their mates had a plan.

Jasmine, Brandie, and Kaleigh had the being right where they wanted. They were spread out into a triangle, and as he got to the center, they began chanting. When their eyes and stones began glowing, the being stopped to stare at them.

The being swung around, looking at the three witches, realizing he had moved to the center of their triangle. He felt the power of the stones seeping into him like needles. He yelled in pain as he watched his entire life flash before his eyes. The being realized he had underestimated the magic of the Emerald Stone witches.

That was when the Moon Goddess' surprise happened. As the Emerald Stone witches chanted, the twins' bellies also began glowing green. All those from the pack looked at them in shock. The energy from the three adult witches and two unborn witches was so powerful that everyone in the vicinity felt it.

The being got excited when he saw Jasmine and Brandie's bellies. He knew that meant they were pregnant with more Emerald Stone witches, and he would be even more powerful if he could get their stones. As he tried to move closer to them, he realized he couldn't move.

The more he tried to slither around, the more stuck he felt. The being didn't know what was happening until he felt the ground shaking below him. To his horror, the ground began opening, and he started sliding into a massive hole. This was not how the battle was supposed to go. He was supposed to win and have the power to conquer all the worlds.

"No, you can't do this to me. I'm supposed to be the one with the power. You have no right to overpower me. I am the being, and I will take over everything." The being kept screaming in his gravel voice as he slid further and further into the hole.

"You're not welcome in this world, but the devil will welcome you in his. It's time for you to rot in hell." Kaleigh screamed at the being as he disappeared below the Earth's surface. Once he was gone, the hole closed back up as if it had never been there. The screams of the being still echoed in the air long after he was gone.

The Fallen Eagle pack didn't move at first. They continued watching the three witches as they returned to their normal state. When the glowing had stopped, everyone in the pack began cheering.

Some of the pack members that had been injured were assisted to the pack hospital. Dillon and Alanah were among the wounded as the being had dropped them rather roughly from twenty feet. Felicia and Gage helped them to the pack hospital with the others.

It was over, the battle had been won, and the being was gone. As the pack celebrated, the three witches went to their mates. Aaron and Titus were almost scared to touch the twins after what they had seen from their bellies. That image would be burnt in their minds forever along with the being going after their mates.

"What in the world was going on with your stomach?" Titus looked at Brandie in astonishment.

"Our daughters helped destroy the being. Even though they're not born, they have a lot of power. I could feel her inside and the energy she was emitting. It was amazing." Brandie rubbed her belly as she smiled at Titus.

Titus, on the other hand, was feeling a little strange. He was still getting used to the magic of his mate, and their daughter would be just as strong, if not stronger, with her magic. It was a little overwhelming for him. How would he know what to do with a little witch running around?

"Titus, what's wrong?" Brandie looked at him with worry as she saw him frowning.

"Brandie, how am I going to raise a witch? I have an idea of what to do with a little pup, but I don't know what to do with a witch. If she's anything like you, she'll come out stronger than me already." Brandie smiled as she wrapped her arms around her mate.

"Titus, you'll be fine. You won't be raising her alone; I'll be there with you. Together we'll raise our pups to be strong, wise, and caring. Remember, our children are a reflection of us." Titus kissed her forehead, feeling a little better. Of course, she would be with him.

The three couples walked around the pack grounds to see the damage. The giant demons had killed about twenty warriors in all. They would have a mass ceremony for the ones they lost once their families had been notified. Other warriors were laying the deceased in rows and covering them with blankets.

There was some damage to the pack house, but it was minor. Some of the other homes on the grounds had been completely destroyed, so Aaron told those pack members to move into the pack house until they could rebuild. It would take time, but a fresh start would be good.

People were gathering the fallen trees and stacking them up to make a fire. The warriors that had been killed would be placed on the fire during the memorial ceremony. It was decided to do the memorial at sunrise.

While waiting for sunrise, everyone went into the packhouse to eat some of the post-battle food that had been prepared. After barely eating due to nerves from the upcoming battle, everyone was starving.

Jasmine looked around at her pack members with a smile. They had accepted her and Brandie with open arms. When their family came from White Raven, they accepted them as well. She was proud of her pack and her family.

She saw Gavin and Hannah sitting in a corner, kissing. It looked like the stress of the fight had gotten to them. Jasmine smiled, Hannah had told her and Brandie that she had been doing everything she could to get Gavin to make love to her, but he refused until they marked each other.

Jasmine also spied her parents sitting with her little brothers Logan and Chase at a table in the back. The boys had been told they needed to keep the children and elders safe by staying in the pack house with them. Logan knew it was an excuse, but he went along with it to make his parents happy.

Aaron walked up behind Jasmine and placed his arms around her, so his hands rested on her baby bump. He loved his mate so much that sometimes his chest ached to be away from her for even a few minutes.

"What are you smiling at, my lovely mate?" Aaron kissed her temple and breathed in her intoxicating scent.

"I was thinking about how happy I am here with you and our pack. Everyone has been so kind; it's been a breath of fresh air."

"They love you, my Luna."

Aaron wanted to sneak Jasmine away for a minute because he had something he wanted to do, and he wanted to do it now. He took Jasmine's hand and led her to his office.

"Aaron, what are we doing in here? The memorial will be starting soon." Jasmine looked at him in confusion. She knew he would want to be there to respect the fallen. She gasped in surprise when he got down on one knee and took her hands in his.

"Jasmine, I know we're supposed to have our commitment ceremony soon, but I would rather have a wedding. I love you with all my heart and want to scream it to the world. You have so much strength, courage, love, and grace that you make my heart overflow with pride every day. Jasmine, will you take me not only as your mate but also as your husband. Will you marry me?"

Aaron reached into his pocket and pulled out a large diamond ring set in platinum. Surrounding the large diamond was tiny emerald hearts. It was the most beautiful piece of jewelry Jasmine had ever seen. She could barely focus on the ring because of the tears flowing from her eyes.

"Of course, I'll marry you, my Alpha mate. I love you too." Jasmine threw her arms around his neck and kissed him before he could even get the ring on her finger.

Brandie and Titus were in the Beta office a few doors down. Titus was nervous because he and Aaron agreed to ask the twins to marry them tonight after the battle, but he was worried he would mess it up. Titus wanted it to be perfect for her.

As Brandie was about to ask Titus why he brought her to his office, she saw he was down on one knee, looking up at her with fear in his eyes. Brandie smiled and placed a hand on his cheek.

"Yes, I'll marry you, Titus." He let out a gush of air and looked relieved.

"Brandie, I wanted to make your proposal perfect, but when I saw you looking at me, I couldn't find the right words. Your beauty and kindness take my breath away, and I love you so much, Brandie." Titus felt like he was stumbling over his words as he looked at her.

"Titus, just knowing that you want to make me your wife is all the perfect I need. You're perfect, Titus, and I wouldn't trade this proposal for anything in the world. I love you." Titus opened the box with a ring that was identical to Jasmine's. Brandie squealed in delight when she saw it making Titus laugh as he picked her up and swung her around.

Aaron and Titus had enlisted the help of Dominick and Kaleigh to pick the perfect rings for their daughters. Their parents had insisted they would love for their rings to match. So they had taken them at their word and designed identical rings for the girls.

Once the couples returned to the dining hall and shared the good news, it was time for the memorial service. Everyone went outside with the families of those who had been lost. Aaron, Titus, and the warrior's families said kind words about each warrior lost. It was an honorable service as the sun rose above them, promising a better tomorrow.