~ Chapter Thirty-Three - Part 2 ~

~ Two Weeks Later ~

It had been two weeks. Two weeks of waiting. Two weeks of preparations. Two weeks of nothing but tension throughout every single territory they had their army in. Katalina had been anxious and jumpy every day since they learned Atlas was coming for them.
Scott came into the pack house with sweat dripping down his face. “They’ll be here either by nightfall or sunrise. Depends on how much the traps slow them down.”
Katalina sighed as she turned to look at Damien. “We need to get the others on the phone.”
Damien nodded. “Let’s go,” he looked at Scott. “Get some rest, Scott. You’re a great warrior, and we’ll need you tonight.”
Scott bowed his head and went upstairs to get some rest.
Damien and Katalina went to the office Damien had at the pack house. Damien sat down behind his desk and pulled Katalina onto his lap. They set up a conference call with everyone. Once everyone was on the call, Katalina cleared her throat. “Okay, now that we have everyone on the line. We have confirmation. Atlas will be at our borders either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. All depends on how long the traps slow them down,” she explained.
There was cursing through each person’s line before they agreed to ready their soldiers and got the others to the safe houses. As soon as they got off the phone, they called a meeting for everyone in their territory. When everyone assembled in the backyard, Katalina and Damien stood on the stage, a baby in their arms.
“We’ve gathered you all here today because Atlas and his army are close. They’ll be here by nightfall or early tomorrow morning. We need everyone who will be in the safe house to gather any belongings you want safe. We’re unsure if any houses will come out of this intact. So, any belongings you want in the future should go with you. We want everyone to be gathered in front of the pack house before sunset. The sooner we get all of you into the safe house, the better. So, let’s move on,” Katalina said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear.
Everyone quickly went home to get their things as soon as possible. Katalina went to their house and ensured she had two separate bags packed for the twins. Once she was sure she had everything the twins would need, she grabbed the twins and made her way to the pack house. Katalina held her twins close as she walked up to the group that was waiting for her. Autumn smiled as she walked up and gently took Seraphina from her. “You have everything they’re going to need?” Autumn asked.
Katalina sighed as she hugged Elias closer to her. “I do. I have enough for them to last for a week. To be safe,” she said quietly.
Autumn nodded in understanding as she reached out and rested a hand on Katalina’s rm. “I will protect them with my life,” she promised.
Katalina nodded with tears in her eyes. “I know,” she whispered.
Autumn stepped closer and wrapped her free arm around Katalina. “Everything is going to be fine, sweetheart,” she said softly.
Katalina nodded again as her throat clammed up from the terror she was feeling. She knew there was a chance they wouldn’t make it and had to have a backup plan for the twins just in case. Katalina sniffled as she pulled away just enough to look into Autumn’s eyes. “Promise me,” she whispered. “If anything happens to Damien and me tonight, you’ll take the twins somewhere safe with Evelyn and Mason.”
Autumn shook her head in rejection. “Oh, nothing is going to happen, sweetheart,” she said in a hoarse voice.
Katalina cleared her throat. “Please,” she said in a scratchy voice. “If the worst happens, take the twins, Evelyn and Mason, and get somewhere safe. Promise me,” she pleaded.
Autumn reluctantly nodded. “I promise,” she said softly.
Katalina nodded and pulled away. She cleared her throat and looked around at the group around them. “Okay, everyone. Let’s get into the safe house. I must go to three other safe houses before it gets dark.”
Everyone made their way to the safe house and filtered inside. Once Katalina was sure that everyone was inside, she looked at her twins. “Mommy and daddy will do everything it takes to keep you safe. We love you so very much,” she whispered as she hugged them.
Katalina held them for another minute before quickly leaving the safe house. She took several deep breaths before concentrating. She put every protection spell she could think of around the safe house. When she was sure they were impenetrable, she used her elemental gifts to build a barrier of roots and stones. She took several steps back when she had that barrier fortified and impregnable. Then, she focused and put a dome of fire around the entire structure, making sure to make the flames harmless to allies and wouldn’t burn the roots.
Katalina nodded once she was done, taking a second to admire her work before she teleported to the other territories to do the same thing. She saved Ryan’s land for last. Katalina went to the safe house and checked in with Evelyn. “Everyone’s inside?” She questioned as she looked around.
Evelyn nodded as she held Mason close. “Yes. I triple-checked. Everyone is here.”
Katalina shoved her hair out of her face. “Okay,” she exhaled slowly before pulling Evelyn and Mason into a tight hug. “If the worst happens,” she whispered. “Find Autumn and the twins and get yourselves somewhere safe.”
Evelyn frowned as she pulled away. “Don’t talk like that, Kat,” she said with sadness.
Katalina shook her head. “I’ve already made Autumn promise me, and I will do the same to you. Promise me that you will do this for me,” she whispered with pleading eyes.
Evelyn sighed, knowing it was better to agree with Katalina. “Okay, I promise.”
Katalina nodded and hugged her once more before going outside and putting up the protective barriers.
Once she was finished, she teleported home to Damien. She walked inside and found Damien in their bedroom. Katalina sighed as she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “What are you thinking about, my beloved?” She whispered against his back.
Damien shook his head as he put his hands over hers. “I think this is happening too soon,” he said quietly. “I want it to be over with, but at the same time…..” he trailed off as he turned around to face her.
Katalina nodded in understanding. “I know,” she whispered. “It wasn’t enough time,” there was a catch in her voice as she rested her head on his chest, over his heart.
Damien ran his fingers through her hair. “Are they safe?” He questioned quietly.
Katalina nodded. “No one is going to be able to get in there. Even if my magic wavers and the two elemental barriers come down, the protection spells are too powerful to be broken.”
Damien held her close and enjoyed the feeling of her being in his arms. Then, Katalina pulled away and gently took his hand in hers. “Come on. I need to try and get some rest before the fighting starts. The four safe houses took quite a bit of energy.”
“I thought you had an endless supply of magic now?” Damien asked in confusion.
Katalina rolled her eyes. “Yes, I do, but it only lasts as long as my body does. And I’ve been through the wringer today, so I’m exhausted,” she explained.
Damien laid down with her and pulled her into his arms. “Let’s get some rest then.”
They snuggled into one another and relished in each other’s warmth until they fell asleep.