In The Beginning, Chapter 120

Daniel POV

I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, as we both lay panting, side by side on the bed, her skin shone as the last rays of sunlight crept back towards the window. Like everything else it couldn’t stand being parted from her, clinging to her silhouette like an aura, she truly looked divine. Her face bright and happy, the smile I adore fighting with a softer more contented one every time her eyes dropped from mine, a soft pink hue to her cheeks.
“What did you mean earlier? When you said to Ben ‘tell Lander and Kasa it’s time.’ Time for what?” She asked, repeating my words back to me, her tone soft, curious and concerned, rather than angry and upset that I had kept another secret.
“We knew if they attacked it would be us first, here, not Oaktree or Sycamore, they want to kill me and take you. With Eric gone, and then our pack decimated, the other packs would start warring over our lands, if Lander and Kasa tried to move to split the lands between them, the other Alphas wouldn’t have a choice, they would become too powerful, and they would end up in a war between our state, and every pack in the states surrounding us. If Ben and I die any of my cousins could lay claim as the next logical heir, it would be chaos. When I asked Hyacinth to visit the packs, I had her put protections on the meeting halls, and schools, so our people could go there to shelter until it was over. This act along with my will, stating that I leave the pack to them, until Maria’s baby is twenty-five should prevent a war, I couldn’t do any more than that... of course that’s if you...” I couldn’t even think about it looking at her, she couldn’t... die, she was a goddess, my chest grew tight just thinking about her not existing. But breathing became painful as the idea of her living for eternity at the hands of Apollo or Zeus. I pulled her into my chest, almost like I could convince myself it would never happen if I erased the few inches of space between us and kept her close. She looked up at me as she put her hand on my chest, calming my racing heart, I chuckled as I realised her little quirk to seek comfort had the same effect on me. I sighed, realising she was waiting for me to continue. “We agreed, if there was another substantial attack, like today, more than just co-ordinated, today was a battle, a real one, the rest were just little skirmishes in comparison. We agreed, if you think of their social structure like ours, none of our men would openly act without permission, and calling in backup. Someone will be aware he didn’t return, that he died today, and they will attack next. Hopefully, we will have enough time for those who can’t fight to leave, and for Kasa and Lander to get here with their men. The Zeta’s are sending their mates and pups too, in another hour or so, you and Hyacinth will be the only females in Applewood.”
“Where are they going to stay? They need somewhere to sleep, and how are you going to explain any of this to the human authorities?” She asked worriedly, and I almost laughed, she wasn’t afraid for herself at all, she was worried about the warriors getting enough rest. Goddess, I have no idea what I did to deserve such a mate, ‘queen’, my wolf intimated bringing forward the memory of her in her crown smiling at me.
“Most of them will go the barracks, but we don’t anticipate getting much sleep, they could attack at any time.” I whispered, stroking her back, my cock twitching to be back inside her as the anxiety that I might have to leave came back, like an itch I couldn’t scratch. “The Zetas will stay with those already here, the men have been organised into groups, the weakest are on lookout, to keep our strongest sharp. You don’t have to worry; I will keep you safe.” I breathed against her skin as she shivered, I moved over her, trapping her between my body and the mattress, I loved feeling her beneath me, her legs ran along mine as she hooked her knees over my hips.
“I’m not worried about me; I know you’ll fight for me.” She gasped against my lips as I filled her.
“You are mine!” We growled, as my wolf joined me, our fangs elongating quickly, thanks to her soft moans with every thrust of our hips.
“I’m yours, ALPHA! I’M YOURS!” She cried loudly as I pounded into her swollen pink pussy, her walls quivered with every thrust. Her fingers moved up my neck into my hair as she chanted, my lips were drawn to her skin moving down from her forearm to her shoulder until they reached her mark. “Bite me... you’re always... stronger after!” She panted and moaned, the tell-tale blush of her impending orgasm moved down her chest, her skin heating below my lips. Unable to deny her anything I let the tips of my fangs scrape her skin as I opened my mouth wider, they slipped into the groove of her mark before I bit down, piercing the skin quickly. She writhed and fought wildly as her whole-body trembled, her own orgasm so intense, it didn’t just trigger mine, but made her fight to get away from it. But my body was immobilised, the sweet, rich, energizing deliciousness of her blood filled my mouth, and her pussy milking me so hard I thought my head my explode, made every muscle flex, like an unbelievably pleasurable version of the cattle prod. I shook the memories of the ship away again; I knew Charlie had picked up on it, as she was avoiding digging her nails into my back, running them through my hair instead, or clinging to my shoulders and arms. It was only after my third long draw that I realised I was taking too much, unlatching my fangs immediately and licking the wound to heal it.
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” I panicked, moving off of her quickly.
“Don’t go...” She whispered, I could hear the exhaustion in her voice, and the fear that I would leave.
“I’ll be right back.” I turned to reassure her, stumbling into the bathroom on weak legs, everything was a little fuzzy at the edges, but the muscles in my back were finally relaxing, the feeling of inflammation and irritation disappearing as I moved to the sink. I splashed some cold water on my face, trying to snap myself out of whatever the fuck was going on with me and ran a clean washcloth under the stream when it had warmed. I grabbed a towel and went back into the bedroom. Charlie was barely conscious, her eyelids heavy with fatigue. “Sleep, I will join you in a minute.” I reassured her, running the warm cloth over her neck, cleaning the last of the blood away, I folded it over, and used the clean side to wipe between her legs. She gasped and whined a little as it moved over her swollen clit and lips, sighing with relief when I pulled it away, folding it again and cleaning her thighs, that were slick with the aftermath of our love making, drying her before moving on. I threw the washcloth and towel into the hamper and grabbed fresh ones to clean myself, before climbing into the bed behind her, moving my body until it was flush with hers. She was fighting to stay awake and grabbed my arm to bring it tighter around her, until her head was resting on one arm, while the other was nestled between her breasts, the palm resting above her heart. She placed her hand over mine as she squirmed, and sighed contentedly, her breathing slowed, and I knew she was asleep. I couldn’t sleep, as I lay inhaling her scent, trying to follow the path of her curls as they entwined with one another. My mind scrambled to come up with a plan to guarantee her safety, without sending her away,
“I understand you need to keep her safe, but it’s just as much her battle as yours. And what if you can’t defeat Apollo without her?” Hyacinth’s question echoed in my head as I felt her tiny body beside mine. There was no denying how strong she had become in such a short time, but she was so small and precious, how could I let her risk herself in battle? I could feel sleep overtaking me, when I heard a car pull up nearby.
“We salvaged what we could from your clothes, and found your phone, it’s all in the car Alpha.” One of the omegas linked me, many of the males had opted to stay, sending their mates and pups to safety before they received orders from their leaders of what they could do to help. I was grateful someone thought about it, I hadn’t. A faint light, growing stronger seeped through the window distracting me.
“Ben?” I linked him.
“Yes Alpha?” He replied, all cheer and teasing absent, he was in Beta mode.
“Report.” I ordered.
“The last bus left forty minutes ago... I sent Maria on the first, it wasn’t favouritism, she needed to be there to liaise with the Beta female, ensure everyone stayed calm... I sent her to Oaktree; the beta male is there as Mia is still... recovering. Lander and his men should be here in an hour or so. I sent Kathy ahead with the first bus to Sycamore, Astrid is kind, she is more likely to help Kathy assert her authority.” He replied, obviously stressed.
“I trust your judgement brother, I would have done the same, and as a pregnant female, she should have gone first, with the pups.” I insisted.
“The omegas have gathered the bodies; they should be lighting them about now. It was the quickest way to dispose of them. We have cleared the roads, so those that can’t fight can still get away if they choose to, there’s a little under a hundred men here that aren’t warriors, they’ve been assigned jobs and areas to maintain until the next attack. We have created a paper trail that will lead human authorities to believe there are military exercises in the National Park, and that our town was paid to act as a base for the soldiers. We had Robert distribute it, so the Police won’t bother us either, they’ll closed down the exit off the highway once we alert them.” He alerted me, working through his mental list.
“Won’t they be suspicious about the short notice?” I asked, he was silent for a moment.
“I put this in the works a couple of months ago, when we found out about the vampires, and their plans. I knew there would be an incident here eventually and I wanted there to be time to implement certain things. The police and other human authorities think that the army isn’t releasing the exact time and date for security reasons, I explained it away by saying the soldiers needed no advance warning to recreate battle conditions.” He admitted sheepishly.
“I’m impressed.” I chuckled, my chest puffing a little with pride in my Beta.
“The Etas and Zetas have found a bed for every incoming warrior, but we still have tents ready to set up in the forest. Our men in the park service have swapped their usual rotas so they will be able to steer humans away and will be setting up a perimeter a good distance from the pack lands. The Pi’s set up a clear fence line where the Park ends, and our land begin, they’ll be walking it daily to maintain it, and keep a patrol in the area. I still think it’s the only place they can come from if they want to spy on us, the trees provide cover all the way south to the pack house.” He continued, my eyes, which had been watching the steady glow of the fire outside to Charlie’s peaceful form, even sleeping she had a small smile on her face.
“I agree, but to keep the warriors rested, have the scouts patrol it at night only. Even a Pi would smell and hear a vampire fifty paces off, the Iotas can join them to make up their numbers, I won’t send boys into battle. The men can be here in minutes using the path through the trees, the Iotas will be tasked with getting every Pi back safely.” I ordered.
“Yes Alpha, but they would take being told they are glorified babysitters better from you.” Ben quipped, he must have received news Maria was there safe, I thought, rolling my eyes.
“Bodyguards, not babysitters, and remind them that once they finish their training, they could challenge a member of the Luna guard for their position, so this would be excellent practise!” I snapped, missing when he could take something seriously, like a few minutes ago.
“Alpha!” A Zeta linked, and my stomach dropped at the fear in his voice.