Chapter 18

Oh Goddess, Ashton! I watch through the crack as he willingly gets dragged away. “Spread out. Find the girl,” his father tells the two remaining guards. My scent is all over the cave, but I’m not taking any chances. I sprint through the tunnel until I’m safe inside my hollow. I shift, curl up against the smooth rock wall, and hold my chest. I sob from fear of getting caught, but more for fear of Ashton’s fate. Please, Goddess, protect him. He’s innocent. I love him.

I cry out my tears, then after a quick wash, I slip into my stashed clothes. I make it back to my shed and curl up into a ball under my meager blanket to weep some more, all the while praying to the Moon Goddess for Ashton’s safety. I cry so hard and long that I don’t realize when I fall asleep.

My door is kicked open. I startle as Alpha Greg pulls me to my feet by my arm. He says nothing as I’m dragged through our territory to the southern gate. I dare not speak; no matter how many rocks my bare feet step on, speaking would be worse.

The sun hasn’t even begun to rise. Warriors from both packs are lined up in a tense stare down at the border. My mouth falls open; they’re ready for war. “Did you cross into Canyon Ridge Territory, ramp?” Alpha Greg questions me under his breath.

I shake my head. “No, sir. I made a friend in their pack, but I never crossed the line.”

He eyeballs me, knowing I’m not telling the whole truth. “Name your friend.”

I bite my trembling lips. “Alpha. I swear to you. I never once crossed the line. Beta Ashton wouldn’t allow me to.”

He raises his brow at me. “Beta?” He looks me up and down. “Well, isn’t that interesting. Friend you say?” I only nod. “You wouldn’t lie to your Alpha.”

I shake my head. “No, sir. I’ve always answered you truthfully. Even now. I fell in love with him.”

We proceed through the throng of warriors to the very front. “Alpha Meyers. You claim my servant girl trespassed into your territory. Do you have proof?”

Alpha Meyers holds up the shirt I was wearing last night. “I found this in a cave. Do you need more proof?”

Alpha Greg lets go of me and crosses his massive arms over his chest. “I don’t ever recall a cave being part of your territory. If I remember correctly, your territory ends at a river.”

Alpha Meyers growls and steps forward. “How would you know anything of my territory?”

Not even flinching, Alpha Greg pulls me behind him. “I make it my business to know everything about my enemies. Besides, it was your own son that fell in love with her. I’m sure he gave her permission.”

“No such thing. Crossing the border is trespassing. I demand her head!” The warriors of his pack cheer in agreement.

I am shaking with tears running down my face. All Alpha Greg has to do is step aside and surrender me. He’d be rid of me and never have to think of me again. Instead, he’s blocking me from them. “Listen, Tramp. I know you can’t fight. When all hell breaks loose, you better run. If you say you didn’t trespass, you didn’t trespass. This idiot is threatening a member of my pack. I won’t allow it.” He takes a step forward to address Alpha Meyers. “You’ll have to get through us to get her.”

Alpha Greg shoves me away and shifts. I land on the ground and wolves leap over me to join the battle. I get to my feet and run as fast as I can toward the pack house. The sounds of snarls and growls fill the air. I reach a safe distance and fall to the ground. I look back at the absolute carnage of battle. Wolves are tearing each other apart, fur fills the air as does the smell of blood and fear. I can’t tell either side apart. It’s absolute chaos.

The battle rages on, both sides seem equally matched in skill, but the numbers are rapidly shrinking. Alpha Greg shifts to his human form in the middle of a tight group of warriors. I recognize Beta Hunter’s wolf beside him. “You will lose every warrior you have. Surrender! We will not give chase,” Alpha Greg calls out.

The fighting continues with more and more loss of life. My stomach rolls, knowing people are dying. I’m dizzy with sorrow and confusion. Why didn’t Alpha Greg hand me over? Surely, I’m not worth all of this. This is ludicrous. It just doesn’t make sense. Oh, Goddess, please let this end. Please stop the bloodshed. I can do nothing more than plead. “Alpha Myers, please surrender. Please save the rest of your warriors.” I whisper to no one.

The battle shifts, and the Canyon Ridge Pack's numbers are drifting lower and lower. Please, Alpha Meyers. Call it off. End this. Save your pack. Finally, a howl rings out over the battleground. Wolves begin to separate, reforming their much smaller groups. The Canyon Ridge Pack flees. Alpha Greg doesn’t make chase as promised. He howls his triumph then relishes in the acknowledgement of victory from the remaining warriors.

How can you be proud with so much death around? Tears fall down my cheeks as I look over the hundreds of fallen wolves. She wolves begin to make their way to the battleground from the pack house, sobbing for their lost loved ones. The agony is too much for some as their mates lay dead on the ground. They soon join their soulmates by taking their own lives. No doubt the same thing is happening on the other side of the canyon to Ashton’s pack, leaving even more dead. Children are left abandoned, and families are torn apart. All because of me. I wrap my arms around my legs and weep into myself. I never wanted this.

I look up to see Peter kneeling over his mother as she takes her dying breath beside her mate. Oh, Peter. I’m so sorry. This is all my fault. My sobs choke me, and I can no longer breathe. My sorrow grips my heart, but I gladly accept it. I deserve much worse for all the damage done.

The sun begins to peak as more and more pack members wake to the awful sight. Holly and Luna Ciara rush to their mates along with several other lucky women. I feel someone standing beside me. I look up to see Alyssa looking over me with pain-filled eyes. “This is all my fault,” I tell her.

She closes her eyes and shakes her head. “No, my girl, it’s not. This was all due to stubbornness and pride. This was not your doing.” She takes my hand and pulls me to my feet. She shakes her head at me when she notices that I’m deprived of shoes. “Come on, girly. We have work to do. The little ‘uns still need to eat. Biscuits and gravy is easy enough.” How could anyone eat after this? But looking at the celebrations from the victors, I guess they will want food. Although I’m dead inside, I follow Alyssa into the kitchen.