Chapter 34: Lines Drawn in Blood

In Redwater, the tension was oppressively heavy.  With warriors honing their blades, patrols double at the borders, and the air charged with the electric charge of an approaching storm, the whole pack was on edge.  Derek Blackthorn had no plans to back down from Jared's ultimatum, which had been a test of his resolve.  

When I got there, the battle room was crowded.  With his arms folded and his golden eyes blazing with icy fury, Derek stood at the head of the table.  Redwater's council members and warriors surrounded him, waiting for his choice.  

He failed to keep them guessing.  

Derek said, "We're not giving up Claire," in a cool but firm voice.  "Wants to fight, Jared?  He will receive one.  

The room echoed with a whisper.  Others are unsure, while others are in agreement.  

With her hands resting against the table, Sienna leaned forward.  Then we require a plan.  They will not fight fairly if they are bringing mercenaries, and Midnight Moon outnumbers us.  

Cassius gave a nod.  "We ought to attack first.  Before they approach our borders, disrupt their supply routes and degrade their forces.  

Derek gave a headshake.  "No.  We make them come to us by holding the queue.  They don't know these places as well as we do.  

Garrick frowned.  "You're prepared to put our people in danger to make a point?"  

Derek's gaze flickered.  This has nothing to do with establishing a point.  The goal is to ensure that no one believes they can use force to subdue Redwater.  We will be fending off opponents for years if we give in now.  

A thick stillness descended upon the room.  

I stood up straight.  "Jared wants more than simply me.  He desires authority.  He would still find a cause to pursue Redwater even if you turned me over.  

Derek glanced at me, his eyes glimmering with admiration.  "Exactly."  

Sienna let out a sigh.  "We then get ready for war."  

The warriors all gave a unanimous nod.  Derek looked over at Cassius.  "Increase border patrols by double.  Make the defences stronger.  We make sure Jared regrets getting into a fight if he wants one.  

Cassius smiled.  "That's something I can support now."  

But even as the warriors filed out, ready to go to combat, I couldn't get rid of the nagging ache in my stomach.  

Jared wouldn't launch a mindless attack.  He was crafty.  Risky.  He refused to be fair.  

I suspected the worst was still to come.  

---  

Later that evening, I stood gazing into the dark woods from the outskirts of the village.  I had a nagging feeling that something was moving just out of my line of sight.  

I heard crunching footsteps behind me.  When I turned around, Derek was staring at me intently.  

"You're tense," he noted.  

"Something doesn't feel right."  

He took a step next to me and looked over the tree line.  "Jared is taking action.  We simply don't yet know how.  

In the distance, a branch snapped.  We both tensed.  

Then—action.  

A shadow moved silently and quickly between the trees.  One more, then another.  

Derek let out a low-pitched growl.  "Scouts."  

A piercing whistle pierced the night before I could react.  An indication.  

Then there was anarchy.  

Derek pushed me away as the first arrow from the trees nearly missed me.  As Redwater warriors charged forward and engaged Midnight Moon spies who had infiltrated the boundary, shouts erupted.  

I dodged, just missing a knife that was bent towards my throat.  The instinct took over.  I struck out, kicking the assailant's knees out from under him after getting him in the ribs with a strong elbow.  

Derek had changed, his great black wolf tearing mercilessly through foes.  However, there were too many.  

Jared had dispatched more than just scouts.  It was an attempt on someone's life.  

A warrior's claws sliced into my arm as he pounced at me.  Even though I was in pain, I persisted.  I yanked free after driving my knee into his stomach.  I continued to battle even though blood was streaming down my skin.  

Derek snapped his jaws viciously, taking down the final assailant.  The bodies of the fallen Midnight Moon wolves littered the ground as the woodland grew eerily calm.  

Breathing heavily, I put a palm to my bleeding arm.  It wasn't an assault.  It served as a test.  

Derek's face darkened as he transformed back into a human.  "Jared was interested in our reaction."  

"And he knows we're ready now."  

Derek's mouth clenched.  This implies that he will attack us more forcefully.  

We both spun around as we heard rustling in the trees.  Slightly alive, a lone Midnight Moon warrior staggered ahead.  He had blood on his face and was breathing laboriously.  

Derek grabbed the front of his armour and strode towards him.  "Share what you know with me."  

The warrior's mouth curled into a gloomy smile as he coughed.  "You believe this was a terrible thing?"  He gave a wheezing, feeble laugh.  "You don't know what's going to happen."  

Derek's eyes became gloomy.  "Then tell me."  

With a knowing and icy look on his face, the warrior's eyes shifted to me.  “He’s bringing her,” he rasped.  

I felt sick to my stomach.  

Derek's hold became more firm.  "Who?"  

The warrior smiled, his fangs stained with blood.  "Lila."  

Then he went motionless with one last rattling breath.  

There was a thick quiet between us.  Just the name chilled me to the bone.  

Lila.  

Jared was bringing more than just conflict to Redwater.  

He was taking his new friend with him.  And she was on her way to me.