Chapter 24: Chapter 24

The days became one of routine as the blizzard raged on. Sleep, wake up to Dominic and make love to each other, go down for breakfast, train Forest Paw in the pack gym that Blue thankfully connected the underground tunnel to last year, eat lunch, train Scarlet as the new head tracker of Forest Paw, dinner with Dominic, my brother and his family, sleep and repeat. Being trapped inside all day was making me anxious, my nerves on end as a foreboding feeling kept creeping in. Dominic did his best to keep me sane, using the nights and morning to exhaust my jittery mind. Chocolate also seemed to be able to keep me calm as when ever I felt like my nerves were about to fry, I would find a chocolate treat to enjoy.

By the seventh day of being trapped inside with everyone, Mia tried her luck at attacking me with everyone present. I promptly put her drunk ass down, causing more broken bones than the first time I fought her and sending her to the pack hospital. Blue disappeared for a few hours, Forest Paw and Blood Moon wolves alike staying away from me with my guard up and mood unstable from the sneak attack before. Dominic brought me food as I preferred to stay in our room, my body filled with unease. I was happy for the TV mounted on the wall, Netflix becoming my best friend with shows to binge watch. The next morning I felt calm enough to go to breakfast where Blue announced Mia becoming an Omega that will be sent to another pack for attacking a guest. No one but Leo protested this, cursing his father for making the decision without consulting Leo. This prompted Blue to threaten Leos status as Alpha before he stormed off to his office away from his screaming son. After that, I kept my eyes glued to the weather station, ready for this blizzard to be over so my pack and I could return home.

It was the night of the tenth day when the news channel broad casted a breaking new report, everyone rushing into the living room to watch with anticipation. We were all ready to stretch our legs once again.

"Great news!" The weather man states, his face cold from the winter air on the screen with a huge smile. The camera pans to the spot above the weather man’s shoulder, light snow falling under a street lamp that has all of us watching with child like excitement.

"The blizzard is over and clean up will take place over the next few days. We have received about five feet of snow so for all those children wanting to go outside and enjoy the snow days for the next few days, stay safe and make sure your parents know where you are at all time. Stay away from roads as plows will be working hard at clearing roads and side walks." This was the announcement we needed as everyone cheers happily. Judging from the report, the front door to the pack house would be snowed in, our best bet to head outside would be through a window on the second floor. Scarlet is the first to leave the group, her feet pounding up the wooden stairs with everyone following after her. The two of us reach the bay window at the end of the hall, this spot being the largest window on the upper second floor where we would be able to enter and exit in both wolf and human form. The two of us manage to pull the window open only to struggle with the storm shutters. Dominic and Zack push their way to the front of the crowd, having Scarlet and me step aside while they rush at the shutters, moving the wooden pieces out of the way where we are greeted with the cold air of a quiet night. Snow falls slowly in the air, the blizzard now gone.

I rush out the window, jumping off of the roof much to the shock of my mate, and shift mid air landing in the snow in wolf form. I hear Zack chuckle, motioning for Dominic and Scarlet to go out next, the two landing beside me. Dominic’s ice like fur instantly blends into the snow, causing me to lose sight of him as I hop my way farther away from the pack house.

[You look like a bunny on fire Amberle.] Dominic sends through our pack link, causing everyone to laugh. I roll my eyes, sniffing the air trying to find where Dominic is. It was hard to move through the five feet of snow, but I felt like I was on his trail when I find myself being tackled. Ice blue eyes stare into my own. Dominic kisses my snout, sending tingles of pleasure into me as he nuzzles against my body.

[Anyone want to play tag?] Miles calls out, everyone voting a unanimous yes as long as he is it first. Dominic and I quickly bound away, making sure to put as much distance away from the group of wolves as I invite Zack, Abby, and Scarlet into our link to play. We were like pups once again, tackling and running away from each other. Many colours of wolves continue to pour out from inside. Those who were asleep getting the news that the blizzard is over. Even Blue came out, his blue just as easy to spot as my one flame like fur. Reason why I hated winter is that it was hard to conceal my wolf form.

Lease turned out to be it after being tackled by Scarlet’s black wolf. I knew that my friend is after me next, my paws having a hard time getting away from her when Dominic tackles me first, causing the pursuing she-wolf to back away with a knowing smirk. Dominic’s wolf is about twice the size of me, his body intimidating when we stood side by side.

[Lease, you're still it, I am taking Amberle some where.]His voice fills the link, getting a few wolf whistles from everyone. I was about to protest but Lease's reply came quickly.

[Okay, make sure to create future alpha pups for the pack.] I roll my eyes at her cheerful tone, watching the young tracker run off in another direction in pursuit of her next victim. Dominic gets off of me, his tongue lolling out to the side like a tamed puppy as he leads the way away from the pack house and towards the forest. A few times I find myself losing Dominic, his fur blending in with the snow perfectly. I was envious of Dominic, having the best fur to blend in with during winter or under water.

[Grab my tail Fire so you don’t lose me anymore.] Dominic sighs out, finding me waiting under a large oak tree waiting for him. I wag my tail happily, licking his snout before taking his tail gently between my teeth. The two of us head deeper into the forest, the snow on the ground easier to manage with the branches from the trees catching majority of it. We come across a small lake just inside the pack border, a waterfall frozen in time with ice above it. I though we are going to stop here, getting ready to release my hold in Dominic when he continues to move, guiding me behind the frozen waterfall where a cave is hidden. There we settle down, away from everyone else where we can be alone without worry.

[We’re safe here, you can fall asleep.] He says, resting his head over my neck. A yawn escapes my muzzle and I comply to the exhaustion I feel. My anxiety is gone now that I am able to move about, the threat of being so close to Leo and Mia in the same pack house gone as well. Closing my eyes I let sleep take over.

…

Something licking me causes my eyes to flutter open, Dominic’s face coming into view as he sends another kiss to my muzzle before nuzzling my neck.

[Morning.] He mumbles into the link, his teeth nipping at my mate mark. My skin shivers from the pleasurable sparks he causes before I push his big furry body off of mine and stretch, my paws chilled from the cold air.

[Morning Ice. We should probably head back to the pack house.] reply with, my tail swinging happily behind me. I watch as he sighs dramatically, his body flopping back to the cave floor as he lets out a groan.

[We are finally able to stay outside. Can we go back later?] He whines into our link, making me roll my eyes.

[We can make Christian and Camile watch over the pack when we get back and go for a vacation like Miles and Concra.] I suggest. This seems to be the right words as Dominic bounds to his feet, pressing his flank against mine and coating my fur with his scent.

[Fine, but you have to tell everyone back home you’re my mate.] That is something I had no problem doing. I felt proud being the Alpha female of the pack I call my family. I couldn’t wait to go home and be able to tell everyone about how Dominic and I became mates the day of his birthday, to have the ceremony making me an official leader and to be able to party with everyone. Dominic and I leave the safety of our cave, walking side by side through the forest. As the Forest Paw pack house comes into view, I am about to bound away towards the open window. But something makes me stop. My fur stands on end as I sniff the air, the wind thankfully blowing towards us. Tasting the air I instantly start gagging, burying my snout into Dominic’s fur as I try to hold down the bile that wants to spill from my stomach.

[Soulless are in the territory. Get everyone ready to fight!] I link the pack, Dominic growling as he pushes me towards the safety of the pack house where back up will be coming from, ready to fight. I hear the alarms begin to sound, Blue probably hitting the emergency button to get the vulnerable into the bunkers for their safety so the rest of us can fight. The wolves in Forest Paw were much stronger than before, but even I know they were no where near ready to face a large group of Soulless. What made this situation even worse is the five feet of snow covering the ground that would hinder our fight and cover the scent of our enemies. This is not a good time.

My paws push faster towards the pack house, wolves spilling out from our only entrance and exit. The only good thing about the blizzard we just had is the fact that the house is sealed tightly. A Soulless will not be able to make it past any of us to enter the pack house. I quickly leap onto the roof, pushing past the wolves who try to exit the building to head up the stairs and into the room Dominic and I share, shifting quickly to put on my Tracker gear. I make sure my weapons are in their right holster, sheath, and pouches as Dominic enters, putting on his own battle gear.

“Stay safe Fire.” He says, pulling me close to him and kissing me passionately. Then he is gone, needing to manage every wolf into battle formation and leaving me teary eyed and breathless.

‘Please keep him safe.’ I pray, brushing away the unshed tears from my eyes before I rush down to the second floor and out onto the roof. Wolves were surrounding the pack house facing every direction as we wait for the Soulless to attack. The air is still and quiet, no one daring to move or breath too loudly. Some were already in their furs, their muscles tense ready to shred into the enemy with their teeth and claws. Others were in their own form of battle gear, weapons at the ready to battle. Leo stood at the back of everyone, his cocky attitude replaced by fear. At least he is here ready to defend his pack.

The sun is high in the sky when the first scream sounds, Soulless rushing out from the forest as the battle commences. It is clear that the amount stated when Forest Paw asked for help is at least tripled the initial number, the wolves coming out of the trees like a plague. All that matters now is our surviving.

I stay between the roof with our only entrance and the ground below it, swiftly ending the life of any Soulless that tries to slip past. Their black blood tainting the snow and lifeless bodies begin to pile around me. Cries of pain and the tangy scent of fresh blood drift to my position and a sinking feeling enters my gut.

[Lease, how many enemies are there?] I link the she-wolf. Lease is the best when it comes to scouting, able to quickly sum up any number of enemies when it comes to a battle. I listen as she ticks off the numbers in her head, her link open to the pack as I continue to kill Soulless, helping an injured Forest Paw wolf and sending her inside to be treated.

[Sixty-five alive, twenty-five dead.] My friend's voice rings clear as I kill off another Soulless, wincing as its claws sinks into my thigh before it dies. I grimace at the total knowing Lease is never wrong with her tally. We need to finish this battle and fast. Welps, screams, and whimpers sound around me mixed with the thudding of bodies falling dead to the blood coated ground. The intent of the Soulless clear, they are here to kill, and it is clear that this is becoming a loosing battle. My wolves knew to check in every ten minutes happy to know that no one has died yet, my pack going strong. The problem lies with Forest Paw who Lease informs me that five are dead and twenty more are injured. An hour passes, then another, Forest Paw wolves congregating underneath the window and using their training to tag-team the soulless. Scarlet and Greg greet me at the window, guarding our only way into the pack house and giving me the go ahead to head into the fray of battle. I quickly head inside, taking off my uniform and stuffing it into a corner to retrieve later before shifting to my fur form and leaping out into the battle. My claws instantly sink into the throat of a soulless, killing her instantly.

[Lease, how many?] I question, needing an update.

[Forty-five alive, forty dead.] We are just over two hours into the battle, almost half of the enemy dead but I though we would have killed more by now. Anger rises inside me and I use this to help fuel my fight as I race towards the nearest Soulless. I quickly tackle a she wolf, her body sturdier than expected as we tumble to the ground. My claws rake against her side, black blood now coating my flame like fur. She tries her best to throw me off of her, her crazed mind making her movements jerky and unstable. My teeth quickly sink into her throat, ripping it wide open and ending her life. Her companion tries to tackle me, but I move quickly, dodging to the left before rounding on this new enemy and knocking him to the ground. Before he can get to his feet, I pounce onto his neck, using my weight to snap the bone. In this moment I am rage, I am furry, and I am an Alpha wolf, using every bit of my strength to bite, shred and tear apart any Soulless that stands in my way.

[Amberle, are you okay?] Dominic’s voice enters my head, relief filling me knowing that my mate is alive.

[I'm fine, where are you?] I reply back, sinking my teeth into another Soulless and ripping his head off. It feels like this battle is never ending, wolves in some form of combat all around. We needed this to end and soon.

[By the forest west of the pack house. I found their leader.]

[On my way.] I turn around, ready to run to help my mate and manage to dodge a Soulless, her teeth aiming for my throat and just grazing my skin. Anger radiates off of me with the fact that this bitch tried to kill me, and I quickly lunge for her, my jaw closing around her hind leg as I snap the brittle bone. She falls to the ground with a whine, her paws swiping out at me in hopes of causing any form of injury. I push her flailing limbs out of the way, sinking my teeth into her jugular and effectively ending her life as I tear her throat open. With her dead, I quickly run towards the forest, my one thought getting to Dominic and making sure he is safe. Along the way I kill another two Soulless, shocked to see Leo helping me in ending both their lives before he rushes towards the East side of the pack house. For a pathetic excuse of an Alpha, he is skilled with killing Soulless. My paws continue their path towards the west side of the pack house, my thoughts prayers for Dominic to be alive and safe. As I round the corner of the building I spot signs of the battle now ended, black and red blood coating the snow-covered ground. I make a mad dash towards the tree line, spotting Dominic just inside the forest with five strong looking Soulless surrounding him. His fur is covered in both red and black blood, the scent of his own mingling into the air with the stench of decay, informing me that he is injured. Anger continues to build inside me with the injuries on my mate and the fact he on the losing end of this fight. I manage to reach him just in time to tackle a she-wolf intending on ending Dominic’s life mid air, rolling to the forest floor and quicky ripping out her jugular in the process. One done, four to go.

I can see the relief in my mate’s eyes, knowing that help has arrived and that with the two of us working together, we can win this and hurry back to the others.

[Lease, enemy count!] I call out into the link, rushing to Dominic’s side and helping him fend off the next wave of attacks from the Soulless in front of us.

[Twelve. No, ten left.] Lease replies back. This meant that there are six others excluding the four in from of Dominic and me. The two of us get to work, springing from our spot in front of the tree and rushing the Soulless. Our bodies move as one in a fluid dance that months of training and trust has refined us into. I would attack, hitting weak points and dodge the now injured Soulless as Dominic ends its life. This worked for the first two we attack as one, their warm dead bodies behind us as we face off against what looks to be an ex-Alpha and ex-Beta, their turn to Soulless recent with how clean their fur is. Dominic distracts the Alpha, giving me a nudge to battle the Beta. It is hard to focus on the enemy before me when my mate is fighting someone else, but I keep my focus. This Soulless Beta is fast, just barely dodging my attacks as my claws, and teeth graze his skin. He has little to no injury that I can see, causing me to feel frustrated. Each attempt at attack pulls me further away from Dominic, and that’s when it hits me. He is trying to separate me from my mate.

[Who is near the west side of the pack house and can be there asap?] I call out through the link.

[Miles and I are, we are on our way.] Christian calls out. Relief fills me then Miles rounds the corner of the building, his grey wolf spotting me instantly as he rushes towards the Soulless I am fighting. Christian is hot on his trail, hit beige wolf covered with blood and wounds. I return my focus on the Soulless in front of me, keeping his attention on my body as I continue to attack. I needed to keep him busy long enough for Miles and Christian to take him by surprise, it would be our only chance at defeating him.

[Take core of this Beta, I’m going to help Dominic.] I link, ducking out of the way just in time for Miles to tackle the Soulless to the ground and turning my body towards the direction I last saw Dominic. I catch sight of the dead bodies from our earlier kill, Dominic and the leader of this Soulless pack missing. The trail of fresh blood send me into a panic the moment I recognize the sent as my mates. His injuries are worse than before, and I have no clue where he went. Following the trail, my paws carry me through the trees. Bare bushes have their branches snap, indicating a battle took place before hand as fur from both Dominic and the Soulless is left tangled in the brambles.

Then I spot them.

Dominic is cornered into the face of a large cliff with no where to go. Backed up against a rock and a hard place, The Alpha Soulless paces back and forth, his lips pulled back over his gleaming fangs in a snarl. I push of the ground faster, Dominic’s eyes meeting mine before I tackle the white wolf before me, my teeth biting into the back of his neck getting a good grip. Black blood oozed from fresh wounds I intuitively know are inflicted by my mate as the leader struggles against my grasp, his hind legs kicking at my underbelly and breaking the skin, but I hold on tight. Dominic limps towards us, his body moving quickly as he lunges at the trapped wolf, his teeth sinking into the trapped wolf’s throat. The bone beneath his teeth snap and the wolf stops moving, his hind legs falling to the ground.

Backing away from the body, Dominic falls to the ground panting. I rush to his side, carefully licking his wounds clean. The battle is over, and this means our job is gone, we can go home now.

[I’m fine Amberle.] Dominic sighs out into the link, his own tongue flicking out to lick at the wounds on my stomach. A cooling sensation follows, Dominic’s cleaning starting the heling process for my wounds.

[Never, EVER, go off on your own like that again Dominic. I am not ready to be a widow.] I growl out, head butting my mate and letting out a relieved sigh. I know Dominic is just saying he is fine to stop me from worrying, but the fact that he hasn’t moved since collapsing tells me that he has lost a lot of blood.

[I won’t, I promise.] Dominic reassure, nuzzling me gently as he whines, kissing my muzzle. I wait for Dominic’s breath to even out before suggesting we head back to the pack house and see the damage caused. The two of us walk back slowly, Dominic leaning against me. Blood had stopped oozing from his wounds, his healing kicking in and another wave of relief washes over me. We will both need some rest after today and he will definitely need a check up with Forest Paw’s pack doctor before we head home.

[All of them are dead.] Lease’s voice rings clear into the pack link, a cheer from everyone causing me to wince.

[Good. Separate our dead from the Soulless and burn them, have the snow removed. We don't want to scare the pups.] Dominic takes control the pack house coming into view with cleanup on its way. Wolves from both Forest Paw and Blood Moon work together, a pile of dead Soulless forming closer to the forest as Dominic and I pass wolves who give us a relieved smile, happy to see us still alive. We reach the window where our only entrance and exit is, pack doctors rushing about to check on everyone.

[Get yourself checked out please. I’ll be in our room getting cleaned up.] I tell Dominic, nuzzling his neck gently and giving him a quick lick before I spring upwards, leaping onto the roof and climbing inside. I shift back to my skin form, happy to see my uniform and weapons still in their hiding spot as I pick up the bundle of clothes and make my way up the stairs and into my room.

With the anger and adrenaline gone, my stomach begins to churn and I throw my clothes onto a chair just inside the room and rush towards the bathroom, just making it to the toilet where the toxic blood, gore and fur from the Soulless that managed to be swallowed into me during the battle fall into the toilet bowl. After what feels like an eternity of throwing up and having to flush the toilet four times, my stomach settles, and I find myself leaning against the counter with no energy left.

“For a strong wolf, you have a weak stomach.” Dominic states, catching my attention as I see him move from his spot leaning against the door frame and limp towards me.

"I have a refined stomach. Anything that isn't food shouldn't be there." I retort with, getting a chuckle from my mate as he helps me up. He settles me on the bench inside the shower, turning to get the water running before the spray begins. Water rains down on me, helping to wash off the blood that has frozen to my body due to the winter cold. We help each other clean off, careful of our tender wounds. The water from our body runs down the drain, the tiled floor a dark burgundy colour from our own blood mixing with the blood from the Soulless. It took forever to get the gore out of my hair, Dominic having to shampoo it three times before my red locks were clean.

With our bodies washed and muscles relaxed I decide to stay in our room, too tired to for socializing. Dominic smiles as I climb into our bed, ready to get some sleep as he dresses. Giving me a quick kiss, he promises to return with food after seeing to our pack mates and making sure that clean up is done properly. I must have dozed off soon after he left because the room is dark when I am awaken by another kiss, the smell of food reaching my empty stomach. As I eat, Dominic informs me that no one died from Blood Moon and that we will be leaving tomorrow to head home. I felt excited, ready to be done with this place. However, Forest Paw lost fifty wolves in the battle, their bodies already being cremated to be sent to their families. I still felt sad as they were wolves I grew up with, wolves I knew. It is inevitable in battle, but with the news of the few who were lost I lose my appetite, passing the plate to Dominic to put aside and asking him to come hold me. Wrapped in his embrace, I find myself falling into another deep sleep.