Chapter 78 Ambush pt 2
Lucian
'On our way.'
"Malachi! The front needs reinforcements!" I looked around until I saw him heading my way.
"We need to get in the barn, Gamma Lucian. My people can do that while you go up front," Tristan said. I narrowed my eyes at him. I didn't want to take the risk that there was something in the barn that would hurt our cause.
"Fine. Malachi, take twenty of the Crescent Moon contingent and head to reinforce King Cian and Alpha Duncan. I'll keep ten, and the ten from Blood Moon while we clear this area, then join you." He nodded, turned, yelled, "Let's move out!" and took off at a run towards the front of the pack, warriors behind him.
I turned back to Tristan. "Lead the way. But know, if this is some kind of trick, you won't make it out of this pack alive."
His eyes, calm as ever, met mine. "No trick, Gamma. I promise you I'm on your side."
We took off at a jog, heading for the building he called the barn. We had to pass the barracks to get there, but most of the forces were up at the gates. Or so I thought. Just as we rounded the corner, a large group spilled out of the back of the building.
"Tristan, you traitor! We should have killed you years ago!" There must be at least thirty of them, and I heard more coming up behind us. Tristan slid to a stop, sneer on his face.
"Daniel. Isn't it time for you to die?" At that, he shifted and leapt at Daniel, clamping onto his shoulder and yanking him to the side. I lost track of him after that as three warriors surrounded me.
"Give it up. You're outnumbered on our territory. You won't make it." They tried taunting me. I just smiled. Lunging toward the one with the big mouth, I slashed my blade across his neck. One down, two to go. The other two were smarter and backed up out of reach. One shifted; his mangy brown wolf was barely tall enough to reach my chest. He snapped at me, saliva dripping from his canines. As he tried to herd me towards his partner, I sidestepped, slicing down his face. He howled as he felt his eye burst and the skin open, blood flowing, then growled and came at me harder. Another wolf joined their group, forcing me back a step. I spun, trying to keep my eye on all three men, when I saw yet another wolf joining their circle. I had to get moving somehow before they managed to get me completely trapped. As it was, the barracks were almost directly behind me, so I had limited options. I kept my blades moving, swirling, preventing the wolves from actually landing a hit on me, but I was still limited in my actions. All four of the warriors had shifted now, snarling and growling as they worked together to pin me. One sank his fangs into my calf as he snuck up from the side. Just as I thought I was going to go down, Tristan's large black and silver wolf pounced. He knocked the wolf down, rolling across the grass with it, fangs buried deep in its neck. With a yank, he tore out its throat. He immediately jumped back in and engaged another wolf, leaving me with the last two.
It was time to shift, and I let Iason come forward, roaring as he did so. I leapt on top of the closest warrior, teeth clamping down on the back of their neck as I shook hard. Bones cracked, and the wolf went limp as its neck broke. That left one remaining. I stalked over to him. He was looking left and right, tail tucked, trying to find a way out. When he saw there was no hope, he rushed me, snapping at my ear. I lunged and added yet another body to the growing count.
Shifting back, I looked at Tristan. We were both naked, covered in blood, panting. I held my hand out to him. "I owe you an apology."
He gripped my hand in return. "No, you don't. I would be just as skeptical if I were in your position."
"Still. You have it. Thank you."
We turned and took in the carnage. There had to have been over sixty Blood Moon wolves in the attack, but most were dead now. Our warriors moved among them, ensuring none could come after us again.
"Now, let's get back to it so that we can get up front. Lead the way."
The group of warriors that joined Tristan from Blood Moon grimaced and looked at each other. They obviously knew something we didn't, but moved forward. We crossed the distance to the barn. The breeze was coming from this direction, and it carried a muddle of scents. I felt a growing sense of dread in my stomach. Tristan reached out and grabbed the handle on the door closest to him, swinging it open. A wave of noise rolled over us. Some were sobbing, some were yelling, but all of them were in pain. I nearly fell to my knees when I finally saw clearly.
People. At least one hundred, maybe more. Shackled in silver, covered in dirt, crying in despair. Collars at their throats, leashes attached to posts. This was where Alpha James kept his so-called stock.