Evelyn POV
Breathe in and breath out.
I was torn, torn between standing with my mate and my pack members in battle, and remaining with my children.
They needed me, Reuben was right, he could lead our warriors to victory. As an alpha I’ll feel the guilt, I’ll feel any deaths through the pack bond, but I needed to be here for the children. One of us had to be here for the children, and he was right, that person had to be me.
Reuben was dressed for war, and those damn swords were back on my premises. They were like a trigger to me, every time I saw a glint of silver… memories would stir in my mind. Memories that I didn’t want repeating tonight of all nights.
Reuben was the best warrior, the best fighter but I couldn’t help but still worry about him. He and the children were now my everything, and I couldn’t lose him.
He was talking with Nate about battle formation and I had already informed Donnie through the link that he needed to follow Reuben’s orders.
The vulnerable including Beatrice, Harry and baby Harper were being placed in the secure basement of the alpha house, just to be extra safe. I needed to make sure we kept fatalities to a minimum.
“Noah?” I push on the mind-link to Noah as he stands reading up on past battle strategies. My Dad always kept that book here, he always found complete rest hard.
“Hhmm?” He barely looks up from the book to respond to me through the mind-link. He wanted to stay here, to be with Casandra and the children, and I wanted that to. But..I also needed him to be there, to help my mate and be my beta at the fight I didn’t be in. I felt guilty as hell for what I was about to ask
“I know this is asking a lot, but…”
“Evelyn, why do you think I’m reading this. Of course I’m going. I’ve discussed it with Pierce and he is going to stay and help you protect the kids and Liberty.” I turn to see Pierce outside talking to his warriors. Liberty was still upstairs, she was refusing to come downstairs. I was heartbroken for Pierce, he was such a kind soul. I just hoped they could make this work.
“It’s just, knowing you are there, would put my mind at ease.”
“I’m your Beta Evelyn, I would be there with or without you. Hopefully they are untrained and we won’t be out there for long.” He smirks before slamming the book shut playfully and pulling me into his arms. When he lets go of me he places his hand to my forehead, a frown forming on his face.
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Erm…yes, just on edge. Like everyone else.”
My heart breaks even more as I watch Noah first say goodbye to the children and then to Cassandra.
Breathe…just breathe Evelyn.
They will be fine, they are the best of the best, Noah no exemption either.
Reuben takes time to talk to Rex, he pulls him to one side and I can’t hear what they are discussing over the sound of the warriors warming up outside. It doesn’t help that Reuben is making sure to speak in a low tone. He is bent down on one knee, his hand on Rex’s shoulder…Rex nodding, listening intently to his Dad.
Elspeth was already trembling from having to say goodbye to Noah. She didn’t really understand the full extent of what was happening, but she knows it’s not good.
Cassandra was holding her in her arms when Reuben walks over and takes her into his strong broad chest. He seems to calm Elspeth and I hear him say when this is all over she can see Harry.
Everyone walks outside and I’m very conscious of Liberty alone upstairs, none the wiser of what is happening right now.
Reuben stalks over to me, and I’m glad I was resting against the back of the sofa. I don’t think I’d be able to stand by myself right now. Suddenly my throat feels very dry and my heart aches from having to say goodbye. But only for a short time… yes we hadn’t had enough time.
“My warriors are yours to command. I’ll keep my pack link open…please be careful. Don’t be foolish, don’t let her antagonise you. Just get it done.” I try to keep my voice steady but he would be able to sense my emotions through the mate bond. I was struggling to put my block up.
“Evelyn sweetheart, you’re acting like I’ve not been training for this my entire life. I won’t let her win, I’ve let her get away with hell before. I’ll be her own kind of hell now. Pierce and his warriors will watch the lake house, try not to worry.”
He turns to see the warriors ready to leave, ready for his command. Panic starts to hit me square in the chest, which he picks up on.
“I love you, I promise I’m coming back.” He promises to me through the mind-link, his forehead resting against mine.
“I love you too.” I respond before his lips crash into mine, fireworks erupting as his tongue tastes every part of my mouth. As if, contrary to his just uttered words, it could be for the last time.
It’s over too soon, he rips his lips away and walks…walks to battle.
Reuben POV
Walking away from Evelyn was one of the hardest things I have done in my life. She should be fighting by my side as my mate, my Luna and my fellow Alpha. But our children took preference and I couldn’t concentrate knowing they were away from both of us.
This felt the lesser of two evils. I just hope
I’ve made the right choice.
We weren’t as prepared as I wanted. We only had armour and our swords which since Evelyn’s kidnap, I’ve demanded that all my warriors carry at all times.
Other weapons were on the way, and should arrive in the next two to three hours. But we couldn’t wait, hopefully they would arrive at a crucial point of the fight and help determine the result.
“Pierce…” I call out to Pierce, wanting to make peace with him before I leave. He walks over to me, his back stiff and his eyes colder than usual.
“Look, I’m sorry I lost my cool with her. But she was in the wrong.” I swallow my pride for the time being, not liking the inner turmoil I could sense in him.
“I know she was.” He sighs after a lingering pause.
“Can you keep…”
“Your family safe? I’m insulted that you need to ask.” He smirks slightly, he really was a good man.
“Thank you…my friend.”
It had to be fucking raining didn’t it? Lashing it down. It will make the fighting harder on foot due to the slippery muddy ground. Which means, our warriors will have to take the armour off and shift. Shifting will afford better grip from our wolves’ paws.
We were protecting the alpha house, we knew that’s where the vulnerable were taking shelter…and the rest that were unable to fight were together in the nearby homes.
It gave us the ability to keep eyes on the houses to make sure no more fires and to prevent attacks on the buildings.
They would have to come to us, it would waste more time for them to traipse in the rain to us. Giving our warriors more time to bring the back up weapons. I would win this, there was no doubt in my mind or heart. I would finally eliminate the threat to my family.
They soon start to invade the land, Noah growling next to me for his wolf struggling not to attack already. His alpha wasn’t here, for the Silver Moon pack, he was the highest rank. He wanted to act, but I was holding our positions.
They seem surprised to see us in armour, dressed for battle. I was still preparing to remove it and shift, but they looked weak…I don’t think we will have a problem here. The sight of our swords alone has brought fear to their faces.
I look for her, for the bitch that was sent from the depths of hell to torment me. I skim the attack line but can’t find her anywhere.
Typical that she doesn’t have the guts to fight me herself. Where is she?
