Chapter 75

I entered the kitchen with Drax close behind me, surprised to see that my mates were still up and waiting for me, concern littering their features. I walked up to Zane who was closest to us, and hugged him tightly, pouring all of my affection through the bond we shared.
"I've sent as many emails as I could, it's just a waiting game now." I announced, burrying my head in Zanes chest.
"Hopefully we'll hear some good news soon." Zane soothes, rubbing my sore back.
Dean steps forward and kisses my head, "surely some of the packs will come to help, we've helped them plenty in the past."
"Perhaps, it depends what Balthazar has promised them. I just hope that what we are offering is better, or they have faith in their own race." Alexander adds, ushering me towards the table as he grabs me a plate of food. "here you need to eat."
"Thank you." I say, turning towards the door where Drax still stood. "Come and eat something." I tell him.
he nods and grabs his own plate, taking a seat next to me whilst the others watched, still weary of him because of what he had done. Don't get me wrong, I didn't like what he did to me, but he was trying to help us, and while ever the others were here, I felt safe.
"you have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow." Alexander informs me, his eyes on my stomach. "We should know the gender then."
I rub my stomach as I take a bite of chicken, "I can't wait to find out if we are having two boys or two girls, maybe one of each."
"I hope it's one of each." Dean smiles, kissing my head.
"I just hope they are healthy." Nyx chimes in.
I repeat her words to the others, knowing that I agree, I didn't mind what the sex of the pups were so long as they were healthy and happy. That's all that mattered, and I couldn't wait to meet them.
"let's just hope we hear back from the other packs before Balthazar makes his move." Drax interjects, chewing a mouthful of food as he spoke.
I take a bite of my own food, "I have every hope that they will side with their own kind, even if it is for selfish reasons."
"me too, I doubt all of them will leave us to fight alone." Zane nods, leaning back in his chair. "I have a brother in a pack to the south, he's captain in their army, I'll ask him to talk to his superiors."
"that would be great, the more we can get on our side the better, it might not even come to a fight if I can kill Balthazar." I say casually, causing everyone in the room to turn to towards me.
"what do you mean?!" Dean demands.
Alexander stands. "you can't defeat him alone doll."
"if I practice I may be able to, my power scared him when he came here, I saw it in his eyes. He knows exactly what I am and always has, he always planned to use me. I just don't know how." I pause, pushing the food around my plate. "I have to do this, I have to take back my life, take back everything he took from me. I may not be able to bring my mum or dad back, but I can avenge them."
"I think what you are proposing is suicidal." Dean growls, always the first to lose his temper. "you can't possibly win."
"and you continue to doubt me at every turn!" I snarl back, "I can do this, I know I can, I just have to be patient and wait for the right opportunity."
"I think it's a good idea." Drax adds, turning his attention towards me. "If we take him down the rest may refuse to fight, knowing that they can't win."
I nod my head, smiling at Drax, the one I had expected to not agree with me was supporting me. "I know I can do it if I practice. I just have to concentrate more once I give birth."
"I've seen your powers first hand, they are something to be afraid of, if you think you can handle it then do it. I have underestimated you before and paid the price, I won't do it again." My unnatural ally says, making my heart swell with affection for him for the first time.
"are you even listening to yourself? You can't possibly think the outcome will be anything good!" Dean shouts, slamming his fist into the table.
matthew grabs Dean and shoved him back, his voice cold and dark. "You speak to my mate like that again, and I'll show you what I can do."
"are you threatening me Matt." Snarls Dean, his face Red with anger.
Matthew punches him in the face and slams him against the wall. "It's not a threat it's a promise. Don't talk to her like that again!"
"Enough!" I shout, the windows shattering around us, my power pulsing through the room.
"exactly what I said, she's powerful." Drax nods, smiling at me.
"I won't be a part of this!" Dean screams, storming from the room in a fit of rage.
I sigh, hanging my head. "When will he learn that I can do this? That I'm not as weak as he thinks."
"He's scared for you, he just doesn't express himself well, give it some time." Zane whispers, kissing my head as he turns to leave. "I'll see if I can cool him down."
"so the plan is to take Balthazar out yourself?" Alexander asks, watching me closely after Zane left.
"yes, the bloodshed will be less if I do that, and if we don't kill him he will never stop. He'll keep coming and coming until he gets me back." I explain, shaking my head as I think of Deans words.
why can't he just support me?
"go for it Annalise. You are the Red wolf." Matthew says, his voice littered with respect and love. "You can do anything you set your mind to."
"I agree." Drax nods.
"as do i." Nods Zane.
"you have my support." Alexander adds, smiling at me.
with the help of my mates we might just be able to pull this off, we could win. I hope for the sake of our children that we do.
I won't lose anyone else