Chapter 64

Sapphire

This battle was costing too much. We had to act before the damage was irreparable. When I saw Hunter heading for Phoenix I knew it was up to me and Crystal.

"We have to stop them." She looked at me and nodded. I didn't know how much power I had, or if it would be enough. But I was going to give it everything I had. Crystal looked determined. I felt the wind begin to rise and whatever she was doing seemed to be working. I thought back to the child that was in danger. I thought back to when Diego took Crystal. Suddenly water droplets began to gather before me. The wind Crystal had created was moving towards Phoenix and Hunter. I willed the water to do the same. Right before my eyes a storm unlike any I had ever seen began to take place as the elements combined.

"It's really working," said Crystal in amazement. A large burst of wind knocked them apart sending them flying in opposite directions.

"We did it," she said out of breath.

"Yeah. I guess we did," I sat down to catch my breath. It took a lot of energy to try and control the water but with some practice I knew I could master it.

Crystal sat next to me and I watched as Phoenix and Hunter were carried off. We had only paused what happened. Not stopped it. River was right. This would get worse before it got better. Neither Hunter nor Phoenix would be very happy when they woke. Especially if they found out we were the ones who attacked them.

"Now what?"

"I'm not sure. At least we bought some time to figure it out."

We sat thinking until we were joined by Diamond and Jewels.

"That was awesome," said Diamond, smiling. "I can't wait to find my mate and see what my powers will be."

"The way things are going you're going to need them, soon," Jewels said.

"We have to come up with a plan. We have to do something so that when they wake up this can be over," I said worriedly.

"I have an idea. It's crazy and potentially dangerous. But I don't think we have a choice."

"Tell us," I said eagerly.

"We'll try anything," Crystal said.

"Well I read somewhere that when battles like this have no clear winner they can be taken to the Council so that a decision can be made. It's risky. We are risking potential exposure. But if everything works out this feud can end once and for all. A trail can be had and the true alpha of the pack can be decided."

"Do you think it will work? Do you think Phoenix and Hunter will go for it?" I asked curiously. It was a long shot but if it worked maybe we could all move on.

"If we follow proper protocol they won't have a choice. We just need enough signatures from both parties to make it official. I have the paperwork."

"When did you have time to- Nevermind let's get to work. I'm sure everyone here will mostly likely sign."

We split up into groups and began collecting. I came across a she wolf around our age who seemed more than curious.

"You're going to send these to the Council?" she asked.

"That's the idea." I explained.

"Sure I'll sign if it means this is over. I have a cousin who is the leader of the Council. I'm sure if I contact him he can expedite the process."

"That would be great." I told her excitedly. The sooner we could get this over with the better.

"I'll go call him and get back to you."

She left and I continued collecting by the time I was done I knew we had more than enough.

"Are you sure you guys want to do this?" River said appearing behind me. Luckily he had been unscathed doing the battle.

"I don't think we have a choice."

"There is always a choice. You taught me that." I looked at him in admiration. He was becoming the man I always knew he could be.

"We have to do this. I know it may not go as planned but it's worth a try."

"What if you end up on trial instead? There are people here who saw what happened. I'm your mate and I'm curious. You still haven't explained all this to me, but I'm not stupid. Whatever is going on here is more supernatural than even our species. You know just as well as I do that people fear what they don't understand. If this gets out-"

"I know. Jewels thinks the same thing about risking exposure but I believe it's worth it. We all do."

"I hope you're right."

Xander

The phone rang as I was preparing to hear the next case. Being Council Leader meant I had to decide what was right and wrong, good and bad. It was my job to protect the entire species. Trails were a way to ensure that things were kept fair. That nothing was out of control. Lately there has been an upsurge in pack battles and wars. Usually that wouldn't be much of an issue since it was in the nature of alphas to dominate and become powerful. But I felt something was off. Like some of these incidents might have a connection.

"Speak"

"Hi Xan"

"Julie, I'm about to hear a case I don't have time for this right now."

"I know you're busy, I just need your help. You'll probably be hearing about things soon anyway. There was an attack." That caught my attention. Julie was my younger slightly annoying cousin. The fact that no one mentioned an attack on her pack angered me.

"Are you okay? How is Aunt Tracy and Uncle Kevin?"

"Everyone is okay. The pack was attacked by a group of rogues. I don't have all the information but there are some she wolves her collecting signatures to prevent a future war. I was hoping you could help expedite things."

"Was the attack random?"

"No. Like I said I don't know all the details but from what I understand the rogue who attacked us believes this territory to be rightfully his."

I had heard of this group of rogues who operated like a pack. They were strong and several territories felt threatened by them. For years they had managed to survive and no one had been able to disband them. If this was the same group something had to be done if they were bold enough to attack. There might also be some type of connection to the breach on Diego's territory recently. It was our job on the council to be aware of all major threats. When Diego's territory was infiltrated it caught all of our attention because it is one of the most powerful. He hadn't requested we step in so we thought it to be under control. My guess is it wasn't. Now Phoenix whose territory was even stronger than Diego's had been attacked. Something didn't add up.

"Of course. Get me the documents immediately and I'll handle it from there."

"Thanks I knew I could count on you."

"Was there something else?" She paused. She never paused so her silence meant there was more she hadn't told me.

"No. Not really. I mean I'm not exactly sure but-"

"Just tell me."

"Well something strange happened. It's actually the reason why there was no clear winner during the battle."

"What was it?" I asked curiously.

"There was this freak sort of storm that came out of nowhere. It seemed to be controlled in some way. Like it's sole purpose was to separate alpha Phoenix and his attacker. I was isolated in the area that they were in. I was really weird. Then before that the ground shook and some flamed appeared then disappeared."

There had been a rumour of a strange occurrence on River's territory. Now I knew I had to get to the bottom of this.

"I'm on my way."