Kingdom of Wolves: Blackshadow - Page 69

‘I have to go to sleep, my love. Be careful, come back safely.’

‘I will, sweetheart. Good night and know I love you.’

‘I love you too.’

My head touches the pillow and I know no more, but Beta Caleb, who is standing outside listening to the night for any sign of danger, hears the soft snores coming from his Luna, bringing a smirk to his face.

Chapter 34

CONNELL

Someone shaking my shoulders wakes me, and I sit up fast, startled somewhat. Looking into Beta Walim’s face, I shake my head to clear the sleep and run the palm of my hand down my face.

“What’s going on?”

“Sorry Alpha Connell, but Alphas Chet, Lyle, Gabriel and the council members need you to attend a meeting.”

“Okay, thank you, Walim. I’ll be there in a few minutes.” Dragging myself over to a table where bowls and jugs of water for washing are laid out. I pour some of the water into a bowl and splash my face to clear the sleep from my fogged brain.

After finding the portable latrine, I again rinse my hands, then quickly make my way to where everyone is waiting. Walking into the tent, I give the alphas and council members a nod of respect, before taking a place next to Alpha Lyle.

Behind the alphas are their betas and chief warriors. Everyone here has to know what is going to happen if we can’t control the fight that is to come.

Alpha Lyle has left Beta Earl in charge of his pack, and to maintain control of the borders. He has brought warriors, but only a handful as the rest are needed at his pack. We all understand that. Lucas and Eli are two of his warriors that are known to be amongst his best, and they stand behind their alpha.

Alpha Chet has Beta Xavi and Chief Warrior Dixon behind him, both looking ready to rip apart whoever nears their alpha with any show of aggression.

Alpha Gabriel has Beta Thomas and two warriors standing silently behind him. I recognize them as Rathor and Drake, but I’m surprised to see Wallace, the town advisor, standing next to them.

The shifter council is represented by Flint, Ulmer, Porter, Roman, Cinder and Eve. They have warriors with them, but Roul is standing strong behind them, and I grin at Gerry, who had retired. At my questioning look, he grins and states for everyone to hear. “If you think I’m not coming out of retirement to have a good fight, you have to be kidding. We’ve not had an uprising in years, and I’m wanting in.”

We discuss positions and I check the map in front of us, pointing out a weakness on the eastern side. “Here could be a problem, especially if the Blood Pearl Pack doesn’t protect their border as they should.”

Flint growls and we all know Bruno, his wolf, is agitated as we can smell and sense his anger. “She’ll protect her border even if she’s not standing with us on this issue. Trouble being, if she has any issues in the future, she will have to stand alone.”

One of Alpha Gabriel’s warriors runs into the tent and whispers in his ear. Giving him a nod, he runs back out, and we all stand waiting for whatever he is going to enlighten us with.

“The northern border between Blood Pearl Pack and the Northern Sector is under fire. On the sector side, the sector council has their warriors making a stand. From what has been seen, no other packs have joined the sector council. We need to move from our position here and make our way to our side of the border, making sure that Alpha Soren does not break through,” Alpha Gabriel snarls, and before anyone can say or do anything he shouts to his warriors as he leaves the tent, “Warriors, to arms.”

I look at Walim, giving him a nod, and he knows that now it has become real. All the Alphas are marching forward with their warriors behind. The council has taken the lead position, and we, as one, shift to our wolf forms and run for the border.

It has to be a sight to see, and something I hope will never be seen again, because some of these wolves will not be returning and for that I’ll always be beholden. They fight for my Luna, and they fight for freedom, but they also fight for the future of our she-wolves and their fated mate’s bonds. Sacred to us all.

Knight speaks to me quietly in the back of my mind. We fight for mate. Nobody will take her from us. I’ll tear him to pieces and he’ll regret thinking of taking what’s ours.

‘Yes, we will, Knight. Nobody takes our mate, our heart,’ I respond and push forward as we near the border, ready to rip anyone apart.

As the council shifts back in the front of us all, it takes a moment for me to understand what we are all seeing. There are bodies lying in front of the sector council warriors. But looking closely, they are all from the Wolfsong Pack. How an alpha can put his pack through this I don’t understand, and for another alpha’s fated mate, and another pack’s Luna.

We all understand that Hope is his daughter, but he has never met her, and did not know of her. This is greed of the worst kind. It’s not even for the survival of the pack, because the sector council would make sure a suitable alpha took over if it came to that point.

Flint addresses Councilman Ward, who has stepped over to us, covered in blood and looking feral from the fight. He has two other council members with him who Flint informs us all, are Marshall and Bane.

Ward speaks freely, allowing all to hear his words. “Alpha Soren and his Luna are not going to stand down. We have to decide if we kill them or take them into custody. If you can all stand down until we’ve made that decision it would be appreciated. At the moment, please do not cross into our sector.”

We all stand waiting, but the suspense is agitating our wolves. We are killing machines, after all, when we are defending what is ours. Nothing more aggressive than an alpha wolf when in full protection mode.

My eye catches a warrior breaking through the line of sector warriors and heading straight for Councilman Ward’s turned back. Before I can do anything, Knight forces his way forward, and we shift. Taking an enormous leap, we knock the warrior away from his intended target and rip his throat out, spitting a chunk of his trachea onto the ground.