Chapter 25: CHP.25-Decisions

We had spent the past two days organizing the pack. Preparing for Titus' attack at any time. Everyone was on constant alert, a rippling tension seemed to have settled over the entire pack. I had woken up to Zeke already out of bed every day, and today seemed to be no different.

The sun had barely risen yet Zeke's side of the mattress was cold, suggesting he had been out for quite some time. I sighed as I felt the empty sheets, gazing out the window. Dark clouds decorated the sky as the wind whipped through the trees. Shaking them so that their orange leaves fell towards the ground.

I curled my lip in distaste at the weather. It seemed to match my mood. Miserable.

I rose from the bed, quickly showering and changing before moving to get breakfast. I had just entered the kitchen when Dion rushed in panicky. My heart immediately sinking as I knew the words that would leave his mouth.

"They're here. Get the girls and go down into the basement. I'll organize the pups."

"What about Zeke?" My heart rate quickly accelerating at the thought of not getting to speak to him before he left for battle.

"He knows, he's moving the pack into position." I nodded. I was disappointed I wouldn't get to see him but my feelings weren't the main priority right now. The priority was ensuring everyone's safety. Dion turned to leave but I quickly stopped him,

"Dion," he spun to face me, "be careful, look after him for me." Dion stepped towards me, engulfing me in a tight hug.

"I will." I nodded at him as he released me. I moved into motion, heading to gather the females. Serenity exited her and Diesel's room just as I entered the hallway. Her appearance seemed relaxed, as she was still casually doing up the button on her pants. But something seemed different. Her smell.

I halted in my steps, inhaling her scent deeper as realization struck me. Her scent was mixed with Diesel's. I shifted my eyes to her neck. No mark. But they must have still had fun last night. Her cheeks blushed as she saw where my gaze was aimed. I blinked before reeling my focus into the present.

"They're here. We need to get the girls and head into the basement." Serenity's eyes widened, immediately her body tensed. We moved down the hallway quickly, knocking on the door of the sister's room before entering. Lilly was seated in the corner of the room, in a comfort chair, staring out the window. Her knees huddled into her chest. The bags that sat under her eyes indicated she had not slept much, if at all.

Willow and Avery rose from the bed into a sitting position, they seemed dazed as they pulled themselves from their sleep. Their eyes looking at us in question before realization lit their faces at our stressed body positions.

They both quickly jumped from the bed, moving to get changed. While Lilly remained seated, her face grim as she continued to stare out the window.

We moved back through the house, entering what had previously been a garage and opening the trap door located in the very corner. Zeke had shown us this room the day after Titus had fleed. It was glass so it hid scents, while it's lock from the inside meant penetrating it from the outside was near impossible.

I let the girls enter first, climbing down the steel ladder. I followed suit, shutting the trap door and making sure to lock it. The pups should be in a separate bunker in a separate house. They wanted to keep us separate so if something went wrong and we were found there was still a 1/2 chance the other group could getaway.

I was grim at the thought. Knowing what would happen to us 5 females if something were to go wrong. We wouldn't have Zeke or his pack to protect us this time.

I pushed the thought from my mind.

I had wanted to help Zeke fight, to partake in the battle. But he insisted having us on the field would only be a cause of distraction.

I was pulled from my inner monologue as my feet hit the concrete floor. The bunker was a few meters underground. There was a bunk bed on the left side of the wall, a bathroom off to the right. A small dining space with a cupboard, fridge and stove pressed against the far wall. The space was small. The room was no bigger than a few meters wide, and I had to work to calm myself down from a claustrophobia attack. But it was the safest place we could be right now.

Avery was already settling into the bed, willow tucking in beside her. Serenity was going through the fridge, sussing out what food was within it. Lilly was seated on a dining chair, staring at the table in front of her.

I walked over to Serenity, scanning the fridge with her. I pulled out a glass jar of milk. Going through the cupboard I pulled out a box of cereal. Mixing the two in a bowl I settled on the table and begun eating. Serenity sat beside me, settling on the same breakfast.

The loud crunches of our chewing were the only sounds heard around the bunker. Avery and Willow seemed to have fallen back asleep. I took my time with my cereal. I could sense there wasn't much else to do otherwise.

Eventually draining the last bit of milk from the bowl I sighed. I decided to make use of the bathroom to relieve my bladder. Entering the small space, it had a toilet, a small sink, and a cubed shower. I was about to sit down when I heard a shout from outside the door, followed by a growl and loud thud. I immediately moved, pulling my pants up I threw open the door.

Serenity was on the floor while Avery and Willow were beginning to get off the bed. Lilly was missing.

"Where's Lilly? What happened?" I ran over to Serenity who began to lift herself up, holding her elbow, her bicep had been sliced open by what seemed to be claws.

"She's gone up. Said she wouldn't let a war take place over her, I tried to stop her but," Serenity lifted her arm to finish her sentence.

"Fuck." I immediately took off, moving toward the ladder as I began to ascend it. I wouldn't let her play sacrifice.

"Where are you going you can't go out. It's too dangerous!" Serenity exclaimed as she slowly rose to her feet. I looked down at her,

"Lock it after me. And do not let them go anywhere." I nodded at the two girls who seemed to be unsure of what to do. Avery looked keen to follow me while Willow looked as though she wanted to cry. Serenity looked at me in desperation, before a calm settled over her and she nodded. I knew she didn't like my instructions but she would follow them.

I turned back and continued up the ladder, throwing open the hatch and climbing out, making sure to close it behind me. Her scent was fresh as it moved through the house. I quickly followed it, pushing my legs hard. If I could get her quick enough I could bring her back without interference.

But the more I ran through the corridors the more distant her scent seemed. She was faster than me. And I began to panic at the thought. Making it to the front door, which was thrown open, I could see her lithe figure moving across the open field and into the wooded area. Toward the top of the territory, and where Titus would be entering from.

"Lilly!" I yelled after her my voice echoing across the open space, but she did not stop. I cursed under my breath before continuing after her.