Take The Lead
\[William’s POV\]
Maverick’s voice rings out into the night as I take Denali in. Fuck, she looks rough, and I was certain if Rosco was in his right mind, he would be ripping Jose into a million pieces, but since he wasn’t here, wasn’t that honor left to me?
It would be, but Maverick was right; we didn’t have time to be standing around here. We needed to go to where Serenity was. Although, I was certain that Ellie and Ezekial wouldn’t make it easy.
Now it makes sense. I think, remembering the wolves who attacked me on the road on my way back here. They were set all around the backgrounds to make sure that no one got in and no one got out, but they messed with the wrong fucking one. And I guess I needed to thank them for doing that since it made me call on my elites.
Fate is on my side. I think, feeling a wave of relief. It looks like the goddess knew that I would need these men with me.
Now, I turn my attention to Maverick, who looks about ready to burst from adrenaline and the need to protect Serenity.
“Let’s get moving then.” I tell him. “I’m certain that Serenity doesn’t want to have to wait too long for us.”
“I’ll go with you.” Denali tries, but I shoot her a look.
“You’re going to stay here,” I tell her. “And you,” I continue, turning on Jose. “Get Tristan and Jolene to watch over her.”
“Of course.” Jose responds, nodding. “I will make sure that nothing comes of her.”
“See that you do,” I tell him. “And while you’re at it, get a group together to follow us in a few. I feel that the best thing to do is to attack in waves so that they don’t know what is coming.”
“Understood.” Jose responds. “I’ll make sure that I only send my best.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “Then, shall we get going?”
As I speak, I turn my gaze from Maverick to my men, and when they fall into attention, I feel myself beginning to fall into alpha mode.
“Remember to not underestimate the enemy.” I begin, addressing everyone. “They’ve got a mage working with them, which means that they are capable of anything.”
Honestly, Ellie was the wildcard and the one that I knew we needed to be rid of first. Once she was out of the way, dealing with Ezekial would be easier.
But how? How could we eliminate her without her causing too much trouble or taking too many of my men out?
That’s a problem for when the time comes. I tell myself, deciding that the most important thing for now is getting to Serenity.
“It’s time to move out.” I announce, beginning to slowly shift.
Lifting my head, I let a howl rip through me, and then I’m bursting forward while the others follow closely behind me, except one. Just to my right I see a blur of red that radiates so much power it is almost on par with me.
Maverick. I think, recognizing the wolf immediately. You really were made specifically for Serenity.
Feeling a wave of relief over knowing that my niece would certainly have a good partner, I continue to move forward until we reach the first line of the enemy's defense.
‘Stay alert!’ I call to my men through mindlink. ‘Don’t let them stop you.’
Finished speaking, I throw myself against the wolf closest to me and then attack.
I continue to move, taking out one after another until my line of sight is open, and when I look around, I find the rest of my men following.
Together, we move like this, hitting one line of defense after another as we grow closer to the place that Serenity is being held. By this point, Maverick has taken the lead, which is fine except I know if anything were to happen to him, Serenity wouldn’t allow me to go free.
Don’t do anything stupid. I think, knowing that he can’t hear me. Remember that you have to stick around for the woman you love, just like me.
At this thought, Elise appears in my mind. Not the Elise that is currently alive and just out of arm's length, but the one who I only get to see in my dreams and memories. Just knowing that she was alive and well was enough for me and gave me reason to fight with all that I had.
But then what? I think, realizing that once this was over we would once again go our separate ways. I would return to Onyx Moon, and she would go back to her pack.
I hated the thought of being parted again, but given the circumstances, there just wasn’t any way that we could ever be together again. She was now a child who had her whole life in front of her, and I was slowly growing older.
Fate truly is cruel. I sigh inwardly before the scent of rotting flesh reaches me.
Gagging, I stop and look forward to find that a wall of decaying wolves stands before us. It’s clear that they’ve been waiting, and the minute their eyes come to rest on us, they start to move.
We must be close. I think, surging forward and then attacking. That means that Serenity is close.
Excitement begins to well up in me over having a purpose, and with this purpose in mind, I fight with all I have while ignoring the taste of death that explodes in my mouth and attacks my nose.
Fighting the urge to back off, I continue to fight, taking out one wolf after another, and when a group of them jump on me, I’m snapping and clawing. Attacking with all that I have while they rip at my skin, trying their damndest to stop me.
‘DON’T LET THEM STOP YOU!’ I tell my men. ‘FIGHT WITH ALL YOUR HEART!’
As the words explode from me and reach toward my men, that blur of red from earlier appears and begins to yank the enemy off of me.
Once they’re taken care of, I turn my gaze to his and then nod before we stand back to back and take in the circle of wolves that are starting to swarm us. It was clear that they thought they stood a chance against us, but they were about to be shown that they didn’t.
Good luck. I call into the darkness, knowing that Maverick wouldn’t hear it. I’ll see you on the other side, where Serenity is waiting.