Chapter 46 Moon Ambush
Zayne's POV
“Look after her." I said, shooting Tristan a knowing look. The last time we had this conversation, it didn't end well and I didn't want to be half a day's journey away from her if something goes wrong.
“Got it Alpha," his hand saluting me but I just ignored him, turning my attention to Red, who was holding me tightly.
“I'm going to be back before you know it," I assured her, "and I'll take you on a date.”
Her face lit up at that and I hated how I hadn't taken her on a proper date due to all the Pack business and things I needed to take care of. But that was going to change once this rogue problem was taken care of completely.
“Then you better hurry up and come back." She said, her eyes bright with a mixture of both worry and excitement…much better than how she reacted after I told her last night.
I cupped her face gently, “I will." I promised her, just as Xavier approached us.
“We're ready to leave, Alpha." He announced, and I nodded, putting a small space between us, and even though she was standing in front of me, I was missing her but this was something that needed to be done.
Placing another kiss on her forehead, I turned around , going towards the already opened car. It took everything in me not to turn back and carry her in my arms because then I wasn't sure I would be able to let go.
Xavier sat beside me while one of the warriors drove and the others followed closely behind in different cars.
“Once I lay my paws on this idiot, he'd regret messing with us." Kael growled, pacing around in my head.
Apart from the sounds coming from the car, nobody said anything, all of us lost in our thoughts. My mind went back to my dad, he was the last person I expected to say something like that.
I've always looked up to him growing up, hoping that I would be even half as good as him. But after yesterday, there was no way I was looking at him the same.
“What are you going to do about your dad?" Xavier asked, as if he read my thoughts.
I shrugged, “as long as he doesn't touch my mate." I started, replaying his words asking me to ‘protect her’ in my head. “Then we won't have a problem.” He nodded as he went back to what he was looking at on his phone.
The journey to the northern ridge continued and so far nothing seemed out of place and night was quickly descending but it also meant we were close to our destination. Kael was groaning about being away from Red for this long…that made both of us.
Soon enough, the car came to a stop at the foot of a mountain, since the rest of the journey was going to be completed on foot.
The moment I stepped out of the car, the cold night air hit me-sharp. The full moon was already forming and in less than two hours, we'll get what we came for and the sooner I can get back to my mate.
“This is it,” Xavier confirmed, sliding his phone into his pocket. “The plant should grow near the upper ridge, close to the springs.”
I nodded, “listen up everyone," I ordered and the warriors's attention focused on me. “Keep your ears on the ground, it's the full night, we don't want any surprises.”
"Yes Alpha.” They chorused.
"Good, let's go.”
The moonlight spilled through the branches, illuminating patches of silver moss and the steady mist crawling across the rocks. The climb up the mountain wasn’t that bad, but the air carried a strange hum—like the mountain itself was awake tonight.
Full moon energy.
My eyes scanned the environment for anything that didn't belong. And when nothing stood out, apart from the creeping insects, making sounds in the distance, I relaxed.
We found a cave and we all settled in, the warriors chatting about what they were going to do when they got back. And not long after, they were dozing off.
The next time we opened our eyes, the full moon was up. Its light poured into the cave like a flood, casting a shadow over the wall. For a moment, I didn't move, Kael pushing his way to the surface, staying alert.
“Fuck," Xavier cursed, moving uncomfortably. “How long was I out for?"
“You're up just in time."
We stepped out of the cave, the night felt different. The forest glowed around us faintly. Crickets chirped even louder, the wind carried a faint pulse of energy that made my skin prickle.
“I see it." Xavier said, and in front of us was the Bloodroot Fern fully bloomed.
“Take as much as you can, we move in thirty.” I said and they all got to work, filling the bags with the plants. And for a hot minute, I had no idea why I was worried this wasn't going to go as planned.
Once we got everything we wanted, the journey down the mountain started, but we'd barely gone a few feet when I paused, sensing a presence. My eyes scanned the environment but it felt like I only imagined it.
“What's the matter, Alpha?" Xavier asked.
I shook my head, “I think I saw someone." I replied, and he took a defence position, ready to fight.
But there was nothing, so we continued until a loud groan filled the air and one of the warriors fell to the ground, holding his arm which was now covered in blood, confirming my thoughts…we were not alone.
“Carry him, and get out of here as fast as you can." I ordered, but none of them moved, their eyes not leaving mine.
“You're not thinking of taking them alone, are you?" Xavier asked through our mindlink, not bothering to keep the disbelief out of his voice. “We don't even know what we're against."
“It's my duty…"
“To not die? Yes. But to make sure you return to Luna Alyssa in one piece? It's our duty."
"This is not up for discussion,” I started, "now go.” I ordered, using my Alpha command and this time, no one argued as they ran down the mountain.
I let Kael take over as I followed them closely behind. We couldn't use our cars as it had been messed with by whomever we were dealing with. But as we went, now in our wolf form, the shot increased.
Kael let out a loud growl, “let's show them who's boss."
"Alpha,” Xavier called, sensing what was going on in my head.
My eyes caught sight of one of the people attacking us, his weapon…an arrow of some sort pointed towards us . Even before I decided what to do, Xavier jumped in front of me and I didn't think twice before pushing him away, just as I felt a sharp pain shot through my body as I fell to the ground, shifting to my human form.
“Fuck!" I groaned.
"Alpha!” Xavier called urgently, rushing to my side. "Why the fuck did you do that?”
I didn't have it in me to focus on his tone, the pain becoming unbearable instead of healing as usual. "What's going on, Kael?” I asked my wolf, "why aren't we healing?"
“I'm not sure…I don't know what's happening."
“We'll take you to the Pack doctor, he'll know what to do." Xavier assured me but I wasn't thinking about that, but at my promise to Red to come back in one piece.
Xavier and one other warrior supported me, running back to the Pack house. I was losing blood and I felt myself drifting between consciousness and unconsciousness. I wasn't sure when, but I felt darkness crept in.
I must have been unconscious for a long time because the next time my eyes fluttered open…or maybe I was dead and it was a dream, because Red was staring down at me, her eyes swollen and red, her lips trembling like she'd been crying for hours.
My chest tightened painfully.
Yea, definitely dead.