SWNOVELS Chapter 25
Rae POV My legs sprint across the valley to the shelters, avoiding the bodies of both vampires and wolves lying around. The casualties on both sides are considerable, and I selfishly wish that none of the wolves lying around belonged to my pack. I £0 to an abandoned house and gather some clothes to cover myself, black trousers and a white tank top, leaving my fee bare. I go outside to continue on my way. I stop as I see Logan sitting on the floor with Dannia's head in his lap. They're both covered in blood and dirt, but while Logan only has a few scratches, Dannia has a nasty cut on her abdomer -Is she..? she’s fainted, her heart is still beating, it will be a while before she regains consciousness and can get up, but time and rest will bring her back to her feet. He interrupts me before continuing with my question. I nod gratefully at his words. “What happened? she was defending the shelters when I arrived, we fought back to back, but she threw herself against three vampires wh were trying to attack one of Jason's warriors by surrounding him, she took out one, the warrior took out another, but the third attacked her from the side and inflicted this wound. “Where is the bastard? I blurt out angrily. Logan's eyes transform into those of his wolf. He died in my claws, screaming and writhing like a worm. A cynical smile tugs at my lips. -Good. -And Maurice? -Dead. Logan nods as he looks at me seriously. Are you okay with that? I shake my head. He died too soon, I wish he'd begged. “What about Jason? He looks up and looks around. I grimace as my mind races for an excuse. He's busy with his wounded, what about our numbers? Logan shakes his head and my heart breaks a little. -As far as I know we have at least fifteen dead and I don't know how many wounded, I know it's a high number for what we're used to, but Golden Moon's dead are close to fifty and the vampires are up to at least eighty, this war has cost us le than the other sides. I groan at his last comment. Just because we have the fewest casualties doesn't mean we should be happy about those fifteen. 1 didn’t mean it that way Alpha. He says in a regretful tone. I nod my head. Ym going to walk around, let me know if you see Golden Moon's Beta approaching. -Do you need anything? I turn my face away so he doesn't see the glint of hatred in my eyes. 1 just don’t want to start an argument, also let me know if you see Jason. Logan looks unsure of me, he knows me too well, and he knows I don't usually avoid my problems. He knows me too well, and he knows I don't usually avoid my problems. I nod in thanks and continue my way with quick steps, I spent a lot of time talking to Logan, every second that passes is a second that Jason can wake up and hunt me, because even if I'm his mate, (for the moment), the instinct to protect our puppies is always stronger. And I plan that this time no one can stop me. I get to where the Golden Moon survivors are, several of them turn away and duck their heads when they see me, but mo: of them are absorbed in the task of tending to the wounded or searching for their families. The minutes pass and I begin to despair at not finding her, true I have never seen her, but I am sure my sense of smell would warn me if it is her, she must have a sweeter scent now that she is pregnant, plus she must have the scent of my mate intertwined with hers. Earth, mint and masculine cologne. That's Jason's scent, a prick pierces my heart at the thought. Hysteria works its way through me and just as I'm about to start snarling at the first person in front of me I see the Beta's mate in the distance, helping to dress a wound and she has a syringe in her hand with what I assume is medicine or morphine. I rush to her side, and with one sharp movement I pull her away from the crowd. She doesn't stop whining until I finally release her once we're out of hearing range of the wolves. “What do you want? -Careful how you talk to me. You're not my Alpha anymore. A wry smile lifts the corners of my lips. True, but I'm still capable of killing you without anyone daring to defend you. She pales and takes a step back as she stands in a defensive stance. “You wouldn't dare, I'm pregnant. I grimace, why out of the blue was everyone expecting puppies, don't they have better things to do than produce offsprin An idea begins to form in my head. Tell me, what would you be willing to do for your child? He Lifts his chin in defiance. -Whatever it takes. I nod, satisfied with his answer. “You know, the mark of the damned is hereditary, the cub you carry in your womb will be born with it, and he will be despised by our kind as you all are, doors will be closed to him, he will have no opportunities, even if he has a mate from another pack, he will most likely be rejected. The woman's eyes flash with indignation. “What are you getting at? I relax my lips and swallow saliva to cool my throat. -If 1 were to tell you that I could remove the tattoo from your cub’s body, forgive him, and let him live the life of a normal wolf, tell me, would you pay the price I'm asking for his release? Doubt crosses his features as rejection becomes tangible in his gaze. It's your fault he has that damned mark in the first place, why would you remove it in exchange for a favour? 1 don't owe you any explanation for my actions, just tell me yes or no, you just said that you would do whatever it takes for your son or daughter, this is an opportunity that no one else is going to give you, and that I don't intend to repeat. His posture gradually declines. “What do you want from me? First tell me if you accept or not. He thinks for a moment before nodding. ~Your puppy's freedom for simple information is all ask. He eyes me cautiously. “What do you want to know? simple, I want you to tell me the name of your Alpha's pregnant female and where she is. Alarm crosses his eyes and so does caution. “Why do you want to know that? A growl escapes my throat. -1 told you I don’t owe you an explanation. I won't betray Jason, he’s my friend and my Alpha. She says firmly, the mention of his name is enough to drive me mad, so with speed I slam her against a tree as I hold her throat, not enough to stop her from breathing but enough to make her feel threatened. She moves the hand still holding the syringe to stick it in my arm, with my free hand I remove it and let it drop unimportantly. My silver eyes disappear and Luna's white ones appear, my fangs lengthen and my posture becomes menacing. 1 won't allow you to call him by his name in my presence. “You're crazy, you're no one to forbid me that. One of my eyebrows arches. 50 he didn't tell you, how interesting. -Tell us what? I spit angrily. My lips curl into a smile. Tell them we're mates. The woman blanches. “That's a lie. “It's not, you can ask your partner if you want, I'm pretty sure he's aware of it. After a few seconds, her eyes open and her mouth opens and closes and opens again, trying to find the right words, but they don't come. -Now that you know, tell me, where is the female carrying MY mate's puppy? Hind be TELL ME. I shout close to her face, she closes her eyes in fright as she stammers. she’s hidden under the mansion, in a basement, Jason left her away from the shelters knowing the vampires would attac them first, she has at least eight wolves protecting her. As those words leave her mouth my grip on her throat loses strength and I release her, she begins to take a deep breath her eyes remain closed. My eyes scan the floor, and I bend down to pick up the syringe I dropped. I squeeze it to remove the liquid it contained, once empty I carefully stick it into one of the veins in my forearm. Lissa, if 'm not mistaken, chooses that moment to open her eyes and see what I'm doing. I draw as much blood as the syringe will allow and hand it to her. -Here. -What is this for? He says as he grasps it with trembling fingers. “The magic of my blood is what caused the tattoo, so it can remove it, when your puppy is born, cover the tattoo completely with the blood, and inject him with the rest, when the blood dries clean his arm and he will be free of the tattoo. -And why should I inject him with what's left over? I shrug my shoulders. -It's a very painful process, our blood has high healing levels, so this will prevent him from getting hurt or trauma, you ca not give it to him and remove another tattoo, but I warn you that the pain can kill him if it's not strong enough, no matter he's a baby or an adult. She nods very seriously. “Why are you doing all this? “1 never break my word. 1 don’t mean me and my puppy, I mean the Alpha. I turn my face away. -1 hope you and your family live a long and happy life. I say before I disappear without letting him say anything. I head towards Jason's mansion. The mist that pushes me to attack the female is slowly dispersing, and just as a bit of lucidity begins to clear my mind th smell of my mate with another very feminine one, raspberry, vanilla and perfume, clouds my mind and my eyes are all re again. The wind whips my body but I don't feel the cold, I remove the hair that is in my face, I'm a few steps away from the entrance of the mansion, and everything is strangely quiet, I don’t even bother to see if the door is open or not, I kick it open and the knock echoes all over the place. The mansion is completely dark, without any lights on, a distrust grows in my chest but I'm not intimidated, I take a deep breath and step inside. But before I take a second a hand grabs my arm from behind and pulls me flying until my body whips into the front garde I raise my head and look angrily at the person standing between me and the mansion. I stand up and my stance is attacking. -Move aside. I snap at the Beta of Golden Moon. -Make me. He replies imitating my stance. My face becomes serious as I shrug my shoulders. As you wish. And with nothing more to say, I attack him. Py FREE