118. To Protect

ALEJANDRO

I kissed Kiara fleetingly before we rushed back to our positions. Calming myself for those who were looking to me for strength. I couldn't afford to feel anything but blood-thirst and confidence. How was it that it had all changed when she came into my life? I knew I"d be happy as long as she lived... but I also knew she needed more than just herself to live...Her parents, her brother, me...

For Kiara, we had to win this.

I unleashed my power, opening my link so that I could connect to all Alphas. Alphas, who would then relay it to their packs. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath as I focused, reaching far out into the woods that surrounded us. Honing in on the smallest animal or sound, getting past the hundreds of heartbeats of my wolves.

We were spread out, disguised and hidden, then there were backup wolves far away in case we needed it. There it was, the silent movement of something dark, I couldn't hear any heartbeats or footsteps and my lips curled in disgust. Magic.

‘Those in the northeast… fire blindly in one go. She's there…' I linked the Alpha and my pack members who were holding that position.

I wasn't sure if she'd have a deflecting spell, but we would give it our all.

Silence followed before I heard the sharp wind whip through the trees and the shouts. They had obviously done some damage. I clenched my jaw, feeling one… four... Five men lose their lives. They were the first line of defence…

I was the second.

"We fight for the win, for our loved ones, our packs and to fucking destroy that bitch here and now! Move!" I ran ahead, a blur as many shifted.

Bloodthirsty growls filled the air and a purple glow encircled us. I cast a glance behind me at Kiara, who was running just a few feet behind me. With Elijah, Liam and Rafael flanking us.

I signalled everyone to stop when I saw it, the darkness that blanketed the forest, pushing against my own aura. Her cold, undisguised, sinister laugh filled the air.

"Foolish… To think that wolves can defeat me… It"s good to see you again, son."

-

KIARA

My heart was thudding as I saw the glowing magic blanket the area. My eyes blazed and I let my own aura out, I was not going to let her work whatever magic she was trying to. Grandma Amelia had given me some strange tips, but unquestioningly I was willing to listen to them. Our conversation echoed in my mind.

‘My only worry is that my power depletes fast… Now don't be stupid, like your useless father! I like to think you're your mother's daughter! Draw your power from your source… What source?... Selene's of course…'

The Moon.

I didn't know if it would work, but I intended to find out. The moon was high up in the sky, even if it was the night where witches were at their strongest, the moon was still dazzling brightly.

I heard Endora hiss in annoyance as she turned her gaze to me, her magic pushing against mine.

"You won't hold out for long…" She chuckled.

Throwing her arms up, she began chanting. We moved fast, lunging at her, but her barriers held us off. I couldn't see if she was alone or not; just thick darkness that even my power couldn't penetrate.

I heard shouts and shrieks, feeling several more wolves die. Each one sent a painful, sharp tug through me. We were already losing men.

‘Witches!' Someone from our pack shouted.

"There are about four other witches." Dad said coldly.

"And so much more…" Alejandro growled.

It took me a second to realise what he meant when several… ‘things' burst from the darkness. There was no way to describe them. They weren't wolves, nor were they Wendigoes, but they looked to be a mix between them both. What terrified me most was the intelligence within their eyes.

"Look, daughter of Selene... Look at what I can accomplish!" Endora shrieked.

I didn't have time to reply, springing forward and engaging the first.

‘Alpha Marcel said to let you know that some of the Wendigo's are wolves' that were thought dead!' Someone told us through the link.

We were all inter relaying, making sure everyone was in on stuff. Obviously, it made sense why she didn't make the rogues band together as a pack. Marcel would know if someone was dead or not. Sure, she could use magic, but it would have been harder for her.

‘Leave the Wendigo's to the rest. Let's focus on Endora.' Alejandro's words came through the link as I deflected an attack, blasting the thing back. Unlike the usual mindless, blood-thirsty beasts, this one had the mind and fighting skills of a trained wolf…

‘Got it!' I shouted, cutting one of their heads off.

-

SCARLETT

It was a mess. These Wendigo's were nothing like the others. They were practically stronger wolves… Looking at them standing on two feet… their speed and their agility, I felt sick to say they reminded me of ‘Lycans.' Yes, they weren't exactly like Alejandro, but the disturbing similarities worried me. I could feel the impact of their hits, feel the bond break when we lost someone.

‘Damon! Careful! I do not want Monica coming for me!' I growled, watching him take on two beasts.

‘I can handle myself, Aunty Red.' His confident smile came as he ripped through a Wendigo.

‘He's a big boy Scarlett.' Aaron's voice came.

I shook my head at the father and son. I was about to shift when I felt unease settling in. I sensed her before I heard or smelt her. A witch…

"Ah… take out the leader, the rest will fall…' A whispery voice came.

The next thing I knew, I couldn't see anything as heavy darkness surrounded me.

‘Scarlett!' Aarons panicked voice came.

‘Be careful!' I shouted, only to feel a block. I couldn't hear anyone through the link anymore. ‘Aaron!? Aaron!'

Nothing, I felt something rush at me and barely jumped out of the way. We were in some whirling section of darkness and I could feel the barrier that was stopping anyone from entering. It was then that I finally saw her, her long red hair swirling around her, her gold eyes glowing, and the smile of pure malice on her face.

"One to one is fair, right?" She asked.

I saw the runes that covered her body wondering what they meant.

"Do you really think killing us is the right thing to do?" I asked coldly.

"Who knows?" She brushed off.

She whispered a spell and I lunged at her, she blasted me back, flames wrapping around me, burning my skin. I bit my lip, drawing blood as I dared not let anyone feel my pain. Not my pack, nor Elijah.

I was stronger than this.

I wouldn't scream. No matter how agonising this was, my body was shrieking in agony as I tried to wait to heal myself. I forced myself to shift and lunged at her. She tried to blast me back but she hadn't expected me to be able to shift already. It seemed she didn't realise I was a fast healer. I slammed her to the ground, ready to rip her head off, when I was torn off her and thrown against the swirling barrier. I hissed in pain, feeling as if my entire back had been shaved by jagged sandpaper.

The smell of my blood filled my nose as I stumbled to my feet and lurched at the witch. She sent another blast of fire, knocking me back. How the hell was I supposed to attack her when I couldn't even get close to her?

I got to my feet, my grey fur matted with blood and the strong smell of burnt flesh. My eyes were blazing silver as I looked straight into her glowing ones. The rage and determination ripped through me as I pounced…

-

INDIGO

My heart tore in fear when I saw Scarlett being wrapped in that hurricane of darkness.

No! Not Scarlett! The strong urge to protect her overcame me. I was not going to lose another loved one!

I was rushing towards the darkness, when a strong hand gripped my arm and yanked me back.

"What are you doing?" Marcel growled.

I glared at him. I didn't know him enough to judge, but right now, I didn't need a Rossi telling me what to do!

"Don't tell me what I can and cannot do!" I growled back. "Scarlett needs me!"

He let go of me to rip a Wendigo apart, slicing through it with one of his long twin blades. He was actually an impressive swordsman, something you wouldn't see often in wolves, but right now it was helping against the Wendigo's long dangerous claws that were like twelve-inch knives.

"You can't go." He muttered and I knew instantly someone had told him to watch out for me.

I turned, about to run off when he grabbed me by the back of my shirt.

"What the actual fuck?!" I shrieked, glancing at Dad, who was fighting one of the Wendigos.

Elijah hadn't been happy with him joining, but he had refused to back off, saying he would not stand by when his children were fighting. He also refused to leave Scarlett alone… but now he was tired… I looked around assessing the monsters, so far there were at least thirty… I don't know how she had an army that even Marcel hadn't known of, but she had… I glared at Marcel.

"If you had kept an eye on your rogues, this wouldn't have happened!" I spat.

He frowned at me,

"Really? Seriously? We're going to blame throw now? Not all these Wendigos were rogues... And besides, rogues mean lone wolves. I was not accountable for all of them!" He growled back.

"I'll go to Scarlett!" I snapped, "I don't need a Rossi to tell me what to do!"

He frowned but let go of me. I ran towards the blazing whirlpool, only for strong arms to lift me up as we went barrelling through. A burning pain screamed through me as the heat of that whirling force-field melted through my skin and flesh. I screamed in agony, knowing those arms were protecting me from the worst of it. Suddenly it was gone.

I gasped for breath, my body crying in pain. Realising we had made it in.

"Fuck you all!" The red-headed woman hissed,

I saw Scarlett shifting back to human form, her entire body covered in burns. I could see the blood and melted skin. I looked at the man who was carrying me, and I saw Marcel's eyes blazing as he set me down, lunging at the witch.

"Oh, look what we have here, a Rossi." She scoffed, blasting him back.

He ducked, shifting and sprang at her, this time despite her ball of flame he knocked her to the ground. I took the chance and rushed to Scarlett.

"Hey, you ok?!"

"Why are you here?!" She growled at me, her anger and worry clear in her eyes.

"Because…" I said…

Because you're my sister…

I couldn't say it, I had always pretended she didn't mean all that much to me, but it wasn't true.

"Because I wanted to!" I shot back.

I grabbed one of Marcel's discarded swords and ran towards the witch. A burst of flames slammed me back. I rolled away, getting to my feet only to see Scarlett shifting once again, mostly healed. Thank the goddess for her abilities!

As one, we ran at the witch whilst she chanted a spell, Marcel managed to rip one of her arms off. I saw flames wrap around him as he growled, and was thrown back, the witch fell to her knees. Her runes now glowing.

"How dare he…. How dare you all!" She shrieked.

We blocked and ducked her attacks, but the place was tight…

"Scarlett…" I murmured.

‘I heal well. I'm ending this now!' She said confidently through the link.

My heart thumped.

Everything felt like slow motion from there… The fleeting happiness to fight alongside my sister… A sister I always admired but never dared to admit. My true queen… The look of determination on Scarlett's face… The all too well-known fact that she was reckless… The way she went forward, ignoring the witches" chanting.

No… don't risk it Scar…

The words never formed on my lips as I watched Scarlett continue forward, extremely fast, even when a ball of magic flames was thrown at her, illuminating the darkness in flames. I saw Scarlett knock the witch to the ground, watching the blast rip her off and throw her to the ground.

It was happening so fast… but no… it can't… I lunged forward just as the witch moved her hand back. Magic swirled around it, aiming for Scarlett's chest as she lay there battered in her human form. Her body was shaking as she tried to get up.

Not my sister…

I heard a faint shout from Marcel… The clang of metal hitting the floor as the weapon slipped from my hand… I couldn't think of anything but the fact I needed to protect her, to repay the debt to the woman who had always protected me since I was a child… The one who shielded me from everything, My Queen, my Goddess, my protector… My sister.