117. The Night

KIARA

They were both hurting, Alejandro and Aunty Indy.

I knew Alejandro was afraid to lose me... No matter how much he denied it or wouldn't speak of it. Auntie's words about him getting killed and leaving me hit him hard. I had seen it when he stormed out. Even if he raised his walls, I could sense a person"s emotions. His fear… His love… His concern…

It broke my heart seeing my king so vulnerable. He was always the heartless one, or portrayed himself to be, but now that he had finally let himself love… we were facing a witch. One who was powerful and fuelled by dark magic. Strong enough to be a risk to us all…

I was scared too, scared to lose my happily ever after before it had even begun...

I entered my old bedroom after we had spent the last hour with Aunty Indy. Only to see Alejandro standing there with a towel wrapped around his waist, water trickling down his body and getting dangerously low… Goddess, I wouldn't mind being those droplets right now… I licked my lips, my throat feeling dry. My core clenched at how smoking hot he looked.

He glanced at me, strands of his black hair falling in front of his eyes, another one of the things that made me dripping wet…

"Are you just going to fucking stand there, Amore Mio? Or will you shut the door?"

I blinked, then shut the door behind me, locking it before walking over to him.

"You showered already?" I ran my fingers through his wet strands of hair.

"I smelt of burnt onions." He replied with a deep frown, pulling me against him.

My heart pounded as I rested my head against his chest. Desire rushed through me, but more than that, I needed him… his embrace… his closeness… his comfort…

"Hey... What the fuck happened?" He asked, threading his hand into my hair as he tugged my head up to look at him.

I shook my head, making a kissy face, asking for a kiss. He smirked, bending down and kissing me softly.

‘Nothing happened.' I said through the link.

My wolf was restless, and so was I. Girl calm down, I said to her, sighing.

"Doesn't fucking seem like it."

"I just… I'm scared too." I said, fighting back the tears that I didn't even know were building up.

"Nothing"s going to happen, ok?" He whispered, his deep voice thick and husky as he sat down on the bed and pulled me into his lap.

"When I think of the future… I feel sick…like something bad is going to happen." I whispered.

The overwhelming emotions that hit me every time I tried to focus on the upcoming day overcame me once again. He didn't speak for a moment, holding me tight.

"It doesn't matter... Whatever happens… we'll get through it… I promise you, nothing will happen to you. Or to our pup." He said quietly, running his fingers through my hair as he kissed the top of my head. His voice held complete confidence.

"Promise me nothing will happen to you." I whispered, my heart thudding.

I needed that promise, I needed him to tell me. His heart was racing, and it terrified me.

"I promise that I'll try my best to come out of this unscathed. Endora is my mother, and it"s my fucking job to end this shit… but I will give it my all to come out of this shit alive."

His words squeezed at my heart painfully. Crushing me completely. He didn't promise me that he'll be ok… he only promised he'd try… I couldn't speak as he simply held me, his thundering heart felt like my lifeline as I curled against his chest, letting the tears slip down my cheeks.

A King and a Queen. The titles were pretty but never had I realised how heavy the weight of those titles were. It was our duty to protect our people… no matter the cost. Neither of spoke. He only bent down, kissing my wet cheek. I wasn't sure when he made us lie down or when he slipped my shoes off, but the sheer weight of knowing that anything could happen in a matter of days weighs heavily on me... all I could do was clutch onto the man that I loved so dearly…

-----

All Hallows Eve. The night had finally arrived. Restlessness, tension and fear rushed through the wolves. Every man and woman displayed it but one - Our king. My Love, My mate. No matter how vulnerable he felt, that was a side that only I felt and experienced when we were alone. Today, as he stood at the front of the flanks of wolves, ready to lead us to battle… there was only confidence, power and calmness exuding from him.

"Everyone knows the plan. Remember your positions and remember the aim. Don't break ranks, don't panic, and look to your Alphas for guidance." Alejandro spoke as he stood before everyone in nothing but a baggy pair of pants.

Everyone listened, their faces sombre and serious. I could sense their emotions; exhilaration, fear, worry, determination, confidence and pride... mixed with so much more...

Marcel had managed to have his men united under him and, unsurprising to most of us but Marcel himself, his people were ready to join his pack and to be recognised as a pack in their own right. The Rossi brothers were truly an exception. Each one was born to lead, an Alpha.

"Be prepared for the unexpected and for those who believe Selene's watching out for us… then pray to her and ask for fucking strength, because we sure as hell are going to need it." He gave a cold smile looking out at the crowds, I could see him under the light but I knew once we were fighting, I'm going to have to use my abilities to see… I knew what to do, and I'll be making sure to keep a protective shield around me for my baby.

Thanks to Grandma Amelia, Liam and myself, we had been able to pinpoint the exact location where the witch was buried. Liam was very intuitive, he always had been, but he was just calmer and quieter than I was. Working together, we had found the most likely spot and had set up some traps.

2.39 am… that was the precise timing that we would need to deliver the finishing blow. Before she channelled the power in this very area to resurrect the witches. There had been doubt raised several times about Delsanra's words. I think my agreeing with Rayhan irked Alejandro a little too, but everyone knew that it was our best shot. It was a risk that we had to take, and Rayhan had been adamant that this was it.

Once Alejandro had finished talking everyone got ready, some meeting and talking to their mates or families, before those who were not going to fight joined the rest in the safe houses.

The weather was cold and wet. It had rained on and off through the day and now it was just getting colder. I wore leather pants, a polo-neck top with my necklace hidden inside, and a jacket over. My hair was pulled into a tight bun on top of my head, and I carried the staff that Alejandro had gotten for me. I looked at the time on my phone.

1.06 am…

Liam came over to me,

"Hey." I said,

He smiled at me, and wrapped his arms around me tightly, kissing the top of my head.

"It's going to be ok, alright?"

I looked up at him and nodded, my eyes stinging. That dreaded feeling was wrapped around me tightly and no matter what I did, I couldn't get rid of it, that deep, dark, foreboding feeling that was clawing at me getting stronger with every passing minute.

"Cheer up Kia... He's going to be ok." He comforted me.

Twins… I guess we still had that connection.

"I'm terrified." I mouthed to him.

I wasn't scared of battle, nor the enemy, but I was scared for my king, who was going to lead this attack. Unlike stories of kings and princes who rode into battle with others to protect him, Alejandro would be the one protecting the others. He had a full formation in place to protect me… but for himself… nothing.

Liam hugged me tighter, his soothing scent calming me.

"I'm not far from him. I'll try my best to watch his back." He said, very quietly, so no one heard.

I nodded,

"Thank you." I whispered. He kissed my forehead and I took a deep breath, pulling myself together.

I had to be strong.

"Ok, let's get to this." I said, spinning my staff.

I looked over at Aunty Indy. Mom had tried to talk her out of fighting, but she refused, insisting she needed to do this. Dad had initiated her into the Blood Moon Pack, but it hadn"t helped. She was still quiet and I could see the pain in her eyes. Luckily, Mom had persuaded her to fight in the back ranks. We didn't know what Endora's army would consist of either. Marcel had said she had other witches, perhaps… we weren't sure... But if it was witches, then it was going to be extremely hard.

Doctor Callum and Grandma Amelia had prepared some potions and herbs to help against witches, and we had weapons that were made by Alejandro"s pack to fight against beasts like Manangals and Wendigos. Weapons that were going to be used tonight regardless of the enemy.

Alejandro came over to me, a small sexy smirk on his face.

"Come with me." He said, taking my hand and tugging me along.

"Where are we going?" I asked curiously.

"Patience, Amore Mio. We're almost there."

He stopped after a short while and scooped me up bridal style. My heart thudded, and I wrapped my arms around his neck. I didn't want this moment to end. Ever…

He kissed my lips softly as he continued on his way. We were out of the lighted area and I frowned, sensing we were getting deeper into the trees.

"Alejandro…I'm curious…"

"Like I said, patience."

He didn't give away more, and soon I saw a glow up ahead. I looked around curiously until we reached the small opening, and realised we were close to Mom and Dad's house. By the river, where I used to sit and read my favourite books. Under the very tree that I loved.

A smile graced my face as I looked at the fairy lights that surrounded the tree, and on the ground was a circle of lanterns and red petals. Petals that reminded me of the rose he had given me on the night of our marking ceremony, the rose that I had placed between the pages of a heavy book to preserve forever.

"What is this…."

"Just something… before shit goes down…" He gave me that half-smile of his as he gently placed me on my feet in the middle of the circle of lights.

"You know, it looks like you're going to…" I trailed off, my heart pounding as he went down on one knee.

I gasped, feeling a surge of emotions rush through me. I gazed into his dark glittering eyes as he looked at me with so much love that my heart was pounding.

"Not the best of fucking times… but… I want you to know…how much you mean to me. We've fallen in love… We've mated and we've marked one another. But… No matter how much I fucking do, I don't think I can ever show or express what you mean to me… So I thought, why not do what humans do too…?" He took a deep breath and I could hear his racing heart, my own feeling like it was going to burst. "Will you marry me, Amore Mio…? I know you"re young and there's no rush… one day… when you-"

"Yes! Goddess! I'd marry you tonight if it was an option!" I whispered shakily, flinging my arms around his neck and knocking him to the ground.

He let out a breathless chuckle, wrapping his arms around me as he caressed my back, kissing my neck and sending a shiver of pleasure through me.

"I love you…" I looked down at him, meaning it from the bottom of my heart.

"Love you too, Amore Mio…" He replied huskily, before we kissed passionately. Sparks ignited between us, and for a moment, everything was forgotten…

We broke apart and he flipped open the box, to reveal a gorgeous, sparkly diamond ring as we sat up slowly.

"I know it's not the most ideal… but you can wear it around your neck if you want…"

"I love it…" I said softly, and I truly did. Many werewolves got married, but most didn't exchange rings as we would destroy it when we shifted, but I loved it… My heart was roaring as he slipped it onto my finger, glittering beautifully under those fairy lights. "Thank you…"

He looked into my eyes, smiling softly, and I felt my emotions surfacing once more, but this time those tears were a mix of happiness and sadness.

"Tomorrow morning… we're going to feel better, once all this shits over." He said softly, brushing his nose against my cheek.

I nodded, I believed that. I would believe that no matter what.

A distant howl was heard, and we looked up sharply, my heart racing. The signal…

She was here.

Endora had arrived.