\[Serenity’s POV\]
I stare straight ahead, taking in Forrest, who sits on the ground laughing. His arm is bleeding, and even from where I stand, I can smell his blood, and to my surprise, it makes my mind hazy.
What is that? I hiss, trying to make sense of what is happening. What the hell am I smelling? It smells delicious, and I want…
No. I hiss inwardly, shaking off the desire that I’m feeling. There’s something off about that blood, something scary, and maybe it explained the way Maverick was acting.
As this thought hits, I peek behind to find him lying motionless on the ground. He’s in his human form, and I’m almost certain that he won’t be able to shift again, not after biting me and ingesting my blood.
Was it you? I silently growl, turning my gaze back to Forrest. It was, right?
I’m certain he understands me given the smile that spreads across his face and the way he lifts his hands and claps.
“You’re a smart one.” He huffs, slowly rising to his feet. “And it seems that you may be immune to my blood.”
His blood. Was that what I was smelling?
Moving forward, I inhale and confirm that is exactly what it is that I’m smelling, and the minute I understand, I’m expanding my senses, connecting with those who are slowly moving in to help me.
‘STAY BACK!’ I order, knowing if they got too close, then they could end up like Maverick. ‘DON’T COME ANY FURTHER!’
At my words, I feel waves of confusion coming from my companions, but they obey my orders, and they don’t move any closer.
Now it’s just you and me. I think, focusing completely on Forrest, who is starting to shift until where he once stood, is a large wolf that is just a bit smaller than me. Did he have a death wish? Did he really think that he would be able to stand a chance against me?
No. Something wasn’t right about this. Even if he was a delinquent at the academy, he wasn’t stupid.
Eyes widening, I hear a snarl rip through the air, and when I turn, I find Ezekial heading toward us with my father in his grasp, and from the mania I see in his eyes and the way he thrashes in an attempt to break free of Ezekial’s hold while his gaze stays locked on Forrest, I know what he is planning.
‘DAD!’ I gasp as Ezekial releases him, and he rushes forward. ‘STOP!’
He doesn’t respond, and I can almost feel a wall between us, and it's so startling that I'm left shocked for a moment.
'Dad,' I try again, hoping that I was just imagining things, but finding that I wasn't.
Dammit! With no other choice but to attack my own family, I move, rushing forward and slamming into him before he can get near Forrest. I don’t know what the hell that bastard’s blood can actually do, but all I can see in my head is Maverick’s crazed form.
“That’s it.” Ezekiel laughs, watching the whole scene.
You bastard. I hiss inwardly, attempting to gain dominance over my father, who doesn’t even attempt to go easy on me. Having others fight your battles. You’re lower than low.
I won’t let you win.
It’s that simple. I can’t let Ezekial or Forrest get what they want. If I did, I knew that my pack and those I care for would be doomed.
‘DAD!’ I yell again, continuing to fight with him. ‘PLEASE COME TO YOUR SENSES! WAKE UP! IT’S ME, SERENITY!’
“He can’t hear you anymore.” Ezekiel points out. “He has already had a small taste of Forrest’s blood, and now he wants more.”
As his words drift toward me, the sound of paws hitting the earth reaches, and before I can even make a move, my packmates are swarming us, throwing everything into chaos.
Instantly, I’m trapped in an ocean of fur, teeth, claws, and the overwhelming sickly sweet scent of Forrest’s blood, which draws all those around me toward him.
Dammit. I hiss inwardly, jumping up to avoid being trampled and then watching in horror as my packmates swarm Forrest, their mouths open in anticipation for the sweet blood that he is offering.
Too many. I think, watching the scene. There are too many for me.
Never in my life have I felt helpless; even as the female heir of Emerald Moon, I never once felt like there was no hope or that I couldn’t do anything, but while I watch the scene unfolding in front of me, I can’t help but think, this is too much for me.
‘Retreat,’ Mahogany orders, joining me in my turmoil. ‘Take Maverick and get back to New Moon.’
‘But…’ I begin, though I know that what she is saying is the best move. ‘What about all of them?’
‘They’re safe for now.’ She tells me. ‘But the others who are fighting at the packhouse aren’t.’
Eyes widening, I realize that she is correct. Whatever was happening back in New Moon’s pack house was a distraction so that this despicable scheme could come to life, and if I just stood here watching, then I would be leaving the others as sitting ducks until it was too late.
A war between my heart and head starts to take place as I know that I should warn the others, but I don’t want to leave those who would be here suffering.
In the end, I don’t get the chance to make a decision before someone is slamming into me, their arms wrapping around me, and I’m encompassed by a warmth that soothes me.
‘We need to leave.’ Maverick’s voice announces in my head. ‘There are too many.’
‘I know,’ I whisper, taking one last look at my companions and even my father, who is now mixed amongst them. ‘Let’s go.’
I don’t wait for a response before I’m kneeling and Maverick is climbing onto me, and then we are moving, rushing forward until the scene taking place on New Moon’s background startles me.
‘They’re all gone.’ I hiss, looking for those responsible for attacking. ‘So, it was a diversion.’
Idiot. I think, unable to stop from blaming myself for not realizing that something was off sooner, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. For now, I needed to get everyone inside and then explain things and plan our next move accordingly. Now that the tables had turned, we didn't have room for any more errors. We were in a battle of life and death, and I had no intention of losing more warriors than was necessary.