Chapter 16. The Shadow Pack
Caleb
Like always I can’t sleep without my mate beside me. Faith is upset and like always it’s my fault. She ran off and cut off her mind-link so I can’t speak to her. I want to be mad about it, but I can’t be. I would need space also if my idiot mate kept belittling the people he’s supposed to be helping to protect.
I’m such an idiot
I wasn’t thinking when I spoke. The words just fumbled out of my mouth like vomit. I was furious about the situation and I still am. I just want to protect Faith and my pack, but I’m torn because hurting those who hurt my pack deeply affects my mate.
It’s not that I still hate vampires because I don’t. But I hate that they don’t respect Faith. Her dad is the vampire king, she’s supposed to be royalty in their eyes and instead of bowing down to my wonderful mate they attack her, and they did it when we were having a great time. Our maybe date ruined.
That's why I want to kill whoever attacked us. I want anyone who’s ever thought about threatening or hurting my mate to regret it. Faith is pure joy and radiance. She deserves the world and I’ll give it to her even if I have to destroy everyone in it first.
Sighing I roll over and clutch my pillow tighter. It smells heavenly like Faith and since she probably won’t be joining me tonight, I’ll pretend it’s her so I can try and fall asleep.
I close my eyes imagining Faith’s beautiful gray eyes, her cute button nose, and plump pink lips. Her body feels so tiny compared to mine which works perfectly when we cuddle. She’s the missing puzzle piece to me.
Without warning, I’m jolted from my sleep. My bedroom door flies open, and I expect to see an angry Faith but instead, it’s a concerned Marcus.
“Alpha, we need you downstairs. A woman and her pups arrived seeking help.”
“Fine, I’m awake. Is she a rogue or from a pack?” I ask slightly irritated.
Normally I’m not woken up from my sleep for miniscule things like someone seeking refuge in our pack. Dallas or our head warrior Alex handles it. They interrogate them and if all goes well, they join the pack if not, we send them packing.
Marcus frowns which makes me suspicious. “Her name is Rachel and she’s from The Shadow pack. She claims they were attacked by vampires.”
I’m shocked. “Vampires? Are you sure?”
He nods. “Yes, she claims they were attacked in the middle of the night, and she grabbed her pups and ran. She was wandering the woods looking for help when she came across a vampire who told her to come here.” Marcus pauses and I’m afraid to hear the rest because I already know what he’s going to say. “Our Luna sent her here before racing towards Shadow Pack.”
A loud roar escapes me. The pictures on the walls shake and Marcus looks terrified as he backs away from me. My wolf forces a shift and I run through my room and jump through my window not worried about the glass piercing my skin.
I land gracefully on the hard ground and begin running to the east where The Shadow Pack is. Everyone must feel my anger because I can feel several people trying to mind-link me. But I keep the link shut off and head towards my mate.
Faith what are you doing?
I keep asking myself why she would run straight into a battle with no help, but I already know the answer. My mate is too compassionate to let someone suffer. If she thinks she can help she’s going to go no questions asked.
But I have no idea who attacked Shadow Pack or why. This could be a trap and Faith could be walking right into it. Vampires attacked us earlier and now Shadow Pack is attacked in the middle of the night, it’s no coincidence. Their our neighbors and allies the vampires knew we would come to help.
I see the smoke first but once I officially cross into Shadow Pack territory, I see the fire. Several buildings are on fire and it’s quickly spreading. A few buildings are already burnt to the ground and the small farming community looks almost unrecognizable through the chaos.
There are dead bodies everywhere and I’m wondering how anyone survived. I shift and grab a pair of jeans off the ground. I keep walking hoping I’ll see a sign of Faith or someone alive but so far, all I see is death.
The Shadow Pack is no longer
The sudden sound of screaming gets my attention and I run further into town. As the screams get closer, I start to panic. But then a bright blue light erupts in the sky, and I know it's Faith and she’s okay.
I race toward the light only to be stopped by a rotting smell and swooshing sound. A vampire around my parent's age appears before me. His clothes are covered in blood and so are his fangs as he growls at me.
“Another wolf, yummy,” he says and I don’t even waste time shifting as I ball up my fists and punch him in the nose.
The vampire stumbles back and tries to lunge for me but I duck and get behind him. I grab him into a headlock but he headbutts me and frees himself.
“That's all you got!” he snarls and I growl right back.
“Stand down or I’ll kill you.” I threaten and he laughs.
“Back down? I don’t think so. I’m going to kill you just like I killed all those other mangy mutts.”
“I wish you didn’t say that,” I mutter and act like I’m going to punch him but instead kick his legs out from under him. Next, I jump on top of him and start punching him repeatedly. He growls and flips us over so he’s on top and I use all my strength to reach into his chest and rip his heart out. His body turns to ashes above me, and I stand up and dust off his remains.
I continue towards the large blue light illuminating the sky. When I’m close enough I can see exactly what’s going on. There’s a large red barn being protected by Faith’s bright blue orbital shield. From where I’m standing, I can hear the faint sounds of the worried wolves inside.
But I don’t see Faith
I can faintly smell her though and head in that direction. When I see her I immediately rush over. She's covered in blood and helping to carry a man who's limping.
"Faith!" I shout and she smiles at me.
She pulls away from the wolf who I recognize as Shadow Pack's beta and hugs me. Her arms wrap around me tightly and I spin her around before I set her down on her feet.
"I'm so glad you're here," she says softly and I cup her face and kiss her, my lips lingering as I pull away.
"Are you hurt? Why didn't you call me to help you baby?"
"I'm not injured." she shakes her head. "I was about to head back home and talk to you when I saw Rachel and her pups. When she said her pack was attacked I ran straight here without thinking. I just knew I had to help after I smelled a vampire's scent all over her, I'm sorry."
I growl. “Where are all the vampires now?”
This time Beta Henry answers. “They're gone. We fought off as many as we could, the warriors and I. Luckily Faith showed up and helped when she did. We were severely outnumbered. They set the place on fire and slaughtered so many people.” he whimpers but continues. “Faith helped get the remaining pack members in the barn and put up some weird blue bubble that kept the vampires out. When they realized they couldn't kill anyone else they ran away. Faith saved us and we all owe her our lives.” he smiles at my mate who’s blushing.
“It was nothing really.” she shrugs, and I can’t stop smiling at my amazing mate.
“It wasn’t just anything Faith, you’re a hero. The world needs more people like you baby.” I grab her hand and kiss it while we just stare lovingly into each other’s eyes.
Beta Henry loudly clears his throat. “Sorry to interrupt but we should probably check on everyone. Our alpha was killed when we were attacked, and I need to make a plan.”
“We’ll help but no need to make a plan. I’ll have some of my warriors sent over with cars and a few nurses so they can administer first aid if needed. My pack is open for you guys. We have open rooms at the packhouse and a hotel for guests to stay at.”
"I’m sure our pack members will open their homes also if needed,” Faith speaks up and I nod.
“She’s right Beta Henry. You’re our allies and friends we’re in this together now.”
“Thank you.” Beta Henry smiles and starts to walk away but I stop him.
“Beta Henry wait!” I shout and he turns around. “Do you have any idea why the vampires would attack your pack? Like whom or what they were after?”
He shakes his head. “No idea. We’re a small community and Alpha Jordan didn’t have many friends. The only people who ever come around are those who want to buy our baked goods or for official alpha meetings.”
At the mention of Alpha meetings, I tense up. I have a theory and I don’t want to be right, but I have to ask. “Who was the last person Alpha Jordan had a meeting with?”
Beta Henry shrugs. “Alpha Raymond of Rivers Bend Pack why?”
Faith immediately locks eyes with me, and she doesn’t even have to say anything because I already know what she’s going to say.
Alpha Raymond lied to us and I want to know why