☽ Chapter 40: Flushing out a Disease Part 1 ☾

?Chapter 40 – Flushing out a Disease Part 1?

Ariven and I left the meeting room shortly after forming a plan to flush out Lupus and his Soulless and destroy as much of them as we can. For Rogues not yet turned Soulless, we will take them into holding cells and evaluate their mental, physical, and emotional state and help them find new packs to join or accept them into Hidden Claws, Blood Moon or Silver Crystal Crescent. Amberle even called a few Allies in Harvest Willow and Glacier to see if they could use new members once this operation is complete. They both thankfully say yes and ask her to inform them when these wolves are ready. “Why not take a nap? I will wake you a few hours before the operation so you can get ready.” My mate suggests, leading me up the stairs of the guest house to our room. I intend to dissuade this idea, but a yawn cuts me off, making Ariven chuckle as he climbs into bed and opens his arms wide—his way of saying come join him and cuddle. Deciding he is right and that I need sleep, I climb in beside him and cuddle close to his side. His fingers comb through my hair gently, the soothing motion and the sound of his steady heartbeat quickly lulling me into sleep.

◆◆◆

I sigh as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Tonight, we could lose some good wolves, all because Prince Coro wants to take the throne back by force. My hair is pinned into a bun, keeping it out of my face and harder to grab when the fighting begins. This fight will be pointless if I am caught. “Gem, you ready?” Amberle walks into my room wearing a similar sleek black outfit as me, her fiery hair hidden under a black toque and her bright eyes filled with excitement and bloodlust. She, too, is itching for this fight. “As ready as I can be." I answer, taking a deep breath. "Is everyone else ready?” I question, turning to join my friend as she leans against the wall. “Yes, although Ariven is having a hard time convincing Malachi to stay back.” I sigh at her answer, motioning the she-wolf to follow me as we make our way down the stairs of the guest house. As we near the first floor, a commotion can be heard loud and clear, and a headache begins to form. “For the last time, I want to come along too!” Malachi’s voice is loud and clear, his anger radiating towards me in violent waves causing me to stumble back. I have never felt such hatred and anger from anyone, and it takes a moment to catch my breath before walking into view where Ariven and Dominic try to calm the juvenile down. “Malachi, I can’t allow you to come with us.” I state as soon as I enter into his line of sight. “Why not, Alpha?! I deserve some revenge as well!” He shouts, causing the others in the room to release a warning growl. I let out a growl of my own, directed at the adults in the room, silencing them before smiling calmly at the Oracle before me. “Malachi, you are an Oracle and an asset to Lu—Prince Coro. If he gets his hands on you during the fight, we will not be able to rescue you.” I explain calmly, pulling the teen into my arms and giving him a small hug. “You’ve been through so much because of him. Stay here with the others and rest. You need it, hun, and we can’t risk him getting his claws on you.” His shoulders slump in defeat, his head nodding in compliance finally as he pulls away from the hug. “I’ll listen to you Alpha, but I don’t like this. I have spent six years tortured by that vile man in order to tell him his future.” Malachi states as he runs a hand through his hair. I sigh and pat his shoulder, reassuring him that Coro will receive his just karma. Lena - a tracker from my pack - volunteered to stay behind with some Warriors in order to protect Hidden Claws should this mission take a turn for the worse, and as she is about to lead the teenage Oracle away and to their pack house, Malachi grabs my hand his silver eyes pure-white and golden hair glowing. [Be careful, Alpha. This battle will be one step in the war, but it will not end Coro. You need to come back alive for you and the pup inside you.] He links me, his mouth set into a grim line. Shocked, I intend to ask what the juvenile means, but he crumbles, and I reach out just in time to stop the kid from hitting the ground face first. When I look to make sure he is okay, I realize Malachi is in a deep sleep. “What happened to him!” Mika shouts out as the rest of the group looks on in confusion. “A vision, and an important one at that.” Amberle answers before ordering Greg to help Lena with carrying Malachi to Hidden Claws’ pack house. I stand still as everyone files out of the guest house, wrapping my mind around the revelation that I am pregnant. That bastard kept me locked away without any proper food and beat me when I defied him for seven days. My rage surges and the bloodlust becomes strong. I will kill Coro by any means possible for harming my baby and me. “Geminie, darling?” A gentle hand is placed on my shoulder, the scent of my mate wrapping around me, calming the typhoon-like rage into a simmer. “I’m pregnant.” Shock fills Ariven’s face, his eyes going between my face and flat stomach in confusion. “How do you know?” “Malachi. He gave me a warning from the vision.” “How far along?” “I’d say two to three weeks considering my heat was the perfect time to conceive.” Running my hand across my face, I let out a shaky sigh. For a few moments, we stand there in silence, accepting the fact we will be parents soon enough, then strong arms pull me towards the warmth of my mate, where he places a chaste kiss on my lips. “I know you. I know you won’t run from this fight. But promise me you will be careful. I can’t lose you and our pup.” I see the worry, the love, and the fear of losing us in this battle as Ariven states his words. He has already lost one mate and pup and the fear of losing another set is clear in his eyes. I am happy to know he will let me fight beside my friends and pack, and give him another kiss, this one longer than the first, and pour my heart and soul into it. “I promise to keep our pup and I safe.” I whisper, leaning into his embrace and taking a deep breath of his scent. No matter what happens, my pup and I will make it out alive. We allow ourselves another minute of holding onto each other, me knowing that Ariven needs this to calm himself, before I pull away and we join the group outside. Amberle and Lace give me questioning gazes, and I just tell them I will explain later. Right now, I need to focus on the mission to either end Coro here and now or cripple his power. “Everyone, before we leave, let me remind you all of a few things.” I state, turning to face the crowd of fifty wolves all dressed for battle. “Number one, all Soulless are to be killed. Unfortunately, their instincts have taken control and they are too far gone. Give them a merciful and instant death.” Pausing, I allow the wolves from Hidden Claws, Blood Moon, and Silver Crystal Crescent to digest this information. “Number two, for those in team A—all Rogues who surrender instantly are to be led out and handed to Team B, which will put restraints on them. Witch Cassandra will be here tomorrow to dream walk these surrendered wolves and decide whether they mean harm to the packs or are truly willing to find a pack to join.” I look to Lace, Mika, Amberle, and Dominic, who all nod in agreement before addressing the wolves one last time "Finally, do not engage in a fight with Lupus, who is the First Prince Coro. He has Royal Blood, and any command he gives when using his Royal Command will force you to do it. This may include killing your very own packmates. Run if you see him. Now, everyone, open your links to each other so we can communicate.” With a resounding Yes Alpha, I join the other leaders while small nudges try to pry into the link. Closing my eyes, I pop each bubble, hearing a new voice pop in. [Lena here, pack house is secured and ready to defend.] [Greg.] [Mason.] [Mika.] Each voice answers as we accept each other one by one until everyone is linked. With a nod to the wolves involved, we stealthily make our way through the forest. Amberle and the Trackers take the lead in the trees, giving us warning of Rogues and Soulless on our path that we soon capture and knock out or give a quick and painless death. In minutes we make it to the entrance of Coro’s base and prepare ourselves for this battle. It is time for the operation to begin.