Chapter Thirty-three

Hayden gathered the clan’s warriors in the common room of the packhouse. The furniture had been cleared out temporarily so that they all could stay and be addressed. The atmosphere was tense and crackling with adrenaline and anticipation. The Half-Moon attacks could start any time soon.

The Vampires were dressed in black Lycra bodysuits, with a utility vest that held their guns, knives, ammunition and mini-explosives.

The Warlocks wore loose linen attires, with a sash slung around their shoulders that held their wands, charms, different vials of potions and herb containers.

Romulus, the head Warlock, was dressed in black linen as opposed to the white that the others wore. He also held a sceptre in his hand.

Adrian, Alexia and Sean, the Hunters were dressed like werewolves. They were attired in military camouflage, with rifles slung behind their backs and different hand guns strapped to their body in holsters.

They all looked anxious, and their muscles were bunched and coiled, ready to spring into action.

Hayden himself stood in front of them, dressed in military finery.

“Today, we have to defend our territory once again from these malignant set of people, hell-bent on destroying us. However, we will give them a run for their money. We will not let them win. We will attack them and keep pushing, until they are decimated and wiped out of existence. Each group of Supernaturals here will have a specific duty that will maximize our chances against them. Let us begin,” he said and paused. He surveyed their faces and their determined expressions.

“Romulus, I want you to stay back at the packhouse. You will be in charge of holding down the forte. Enchant the house and make sure that it is impenetrable. It is where the women and cubs of the pack will stay. They have to be safe.”

“Athena, Lykiaos. You will be at the border of the Clan’s territory. You will cast protective spells on the werewolves defending the border, and you will try as hard as you can to keep them from entering the clan.
Celia, Stephan and Augustus. You will be the next point of contact, together with the vampires. As soon as their first line of soldiers come in, you are the ones to take them out incognito, so as to lessen their numbers before they reach town.”

“Vanessa, you are going to be working with Celia, Stephan and Augustus. Am I clear?” Hayden thundered.

“As glass!” replied the Warlocks and the Vampires.

“Werewolves, you will be on the main battle ground. I will lead you.”

“Yes, Alpha!” they responded.

Finally, Hayden faced the Hunters, “Hunters, together with Ace and his elite squad of 10, you will form a protective, watertight barrier around the packhouse. No one comes in, no one goes out. The packhouse must be unscathed. Am I clear?”

“As glass, Alpha!” they replied.

“Everyone to their places, please,” he said finally.

The warriors marched out of the Common room with the exception of Alexia.

Adrian looked back, “Lexi, come on.” Ace tapped him and whispered something in his ear, then he nodded, and they walked out of the packhouse.

Hayden and Alexia stood, staring at each other. Then, Hayden took a step towards her. She took another step forward and they kept taking steps until they were in each other’s arms. She had her arms around his neck, and his hands circled her waist.

Her eyes searched Hayden’s face, “You’ll be in the thick of battle. What if—.” He shushed her by placing a finger on her lips.

“Don’t. Let’s just have this moment for ourselves,” he caressed her face and brushed a loose strand away.

“Your high ponytail is back,” he commented with a wry smile. She cracked a small smile herself.

“It’s convenient for battle, as long as the opponent is not a catty bitch who will yank at my hair,” she replied. Hayden chuckled. Then he sighed.

“If I had my way, you’d be stashed upstairs, away from the battle and out of harm’s way. But you, Alexia, you’re like a lotus flower. You are so beautiful it hurts, and you’re as resilient as they come. Sometimes, I think that you thrive in hardship, if I didn’t know better that you liked chocolate, coffee, books and rainy days.” Alexia smiled bashfully.

He continued, “I don’t know how the battle will be, but I know that come what may, you’ll emerge on top, and we’ll find our way to each other. I love you, Alexia Luther.”

Alexia gasped, and tears sprang to her eyes. she wanted to speak, but she shushed her again.

“You don’t have to say it now. I want you to say it when you absolutely mean it, and when you are ready. I just thought it would be necessary for you to know. I...” he stopped and inhaled, then continued, “From this point, I don’t think I can live without you. My existence will be bland and colourless without you. And…the funny thing is that…I didn’t feel this much and this intense for Helena. You just—”

The rest of the sentence died in his mouth when Alexia crashed her lips on his.

She moved her hand to his face and held it, and his hands grasped her waist tighter. Then she broke the kiss, brought her arms around his torso, and placed her head on his chest. Hayden brought his hand higher and squeezed her.

“We have to go now, babe,” he said after some time, “Ace just mindlinked me. You’re needed,” said Hayden.

Reluctantly, Alexia let go of him and stepped back.

“I’ll be seeing you soon enough, okay?” He said softly, cocking his head.

She swallowed past the lump in her throat and nodded. “Yes. Yes, you will. See you later,” she said and walked away.

Hayden turned and watched her until she was out of his line of sight. He smiled. Then he sighed and straightened. His face hardened, and his eyes narrowed. His wolf growled and howled in his head, then he smirked dangerously. He walked out of the packhouse.


***

Ken and Delilah stood in front of The Boss. They were dressed in their battle finery as they waited for her to assess and judge their uniform.

She nodded in approval, and the two of them let out the breath they were holding.

“I hope you know what your mission is today, you two,” The Boss began.

“Yes Boss!” the two of them echoed. She nodded, then perched on the edge of her desk, still assessing them.

“Delilah, tell me what you’re supposed to do.”

“I will go into battle, and fight until I meet Alexia. I will make her recognise me, and I will get in her head. I won’t maim her, but I will make sure she is hurt, both body and soul,” Delilah recited.

“And you, Ken?”

“I will fight until I find Hayden. Then I will disturb him greatly, and get in his head. I will also taunt him about his mates,” Ken said.

The Boss smiled. Then she stood up and went to Ken. Her hands slid up his abdomen, caressing as it went. She rubbed his chest, then tiptoed and placed her lips on his. They started kissing very lasciviously.

They made moaning, sucking and slurping sounds and they sucked each other’s tongue and bit each other’s lips.
Their hands roamed.

The Boss’s hand found her way up to Ken’s neck, and his hands slid down and behind until he cupped her ass and lifted her up against his crotch.

“Get a room, you two,” Delilah growled and rolled her eyes.

The Boss stopped kissing Ken just long enough to say, “You’re in my office. You should leave.”

Delilah rolled her eyes again and left the office, “You know where to find me.”

Ken started kissing down her neck. He released her ass to creep his hand up her t-shirt and tease past her bra. His thumb brushed her hard, peaked nipple and she shivered.

“Ken, Ken, Ken…oh…as much…as…I would love to continue this, you…you need to go,” she moaned.

Ken released her and grinned, “Till we meet again, my lady.” He walked out of her office.

The Boss sighed and adjusted her clothes. Then she walked to the window and stared at her troops, preparing to head out.


***

Vanessa and the Vampires, along with Celia, Stephan and Augustus had a huddle-up, discussing the best method for their task. When they were done discussing, Ace called her back, while the rest of the team proceeded to their duty posts.

“What do you want now, Ace?” she asked, exasperated. Ace smiled and drew closer to her.

“Nothing much,” he said and brushed her hair out of her face. Then he cupped the back of her neck and lowered his lips to hers. Her hand lifted and fisted into his camouflage vest as they shared a short and sweet kiss.

“Stay safe, Nessa. I’ll see you after the battle, okay?” Ace said and walked away.

“Sure,” she replied and turned.

Cole was standing behind her, frowning in disapproval.