From The Ashes

Chapter Forty

It took all of the willpower I had in me to not charge into battle right then and there.

As if he was sensing what was going through my mind, Valen shifted his weight and pinned my body down to make sure I didn't give away our position. 

"You have to control your emotions right now, Indigo," he told me over mind-link.

I realized then that clouds were forming in the sky and the wind was picking up. I closed my eyes and willed myself to calm down. When I opened them again, I stared out at Alexander. 

His face no longer held an arrogant smirk. Now, he was frowning toward the forest. He must have expected us to have shown ourselves by now.

I snarled as he lifted his hand and smacked Artemis across the face, leaving a red handprint behind. She didn't make a sound, but fresh tears leaked down her face.

I heard Alexander growl as he turned to say something to the other warriors, before throwing Artemis to the ground and stalking back into pack lands. 

"Indigo, Valen, we have just been briefed by Von. We're about two miles away from your position now. Come and meet us," King Ruben commanded before blocking off his link. 

"If I move, you need to follow me and stay by my side. Do you understand?" Valen asked me. I nodded my head. He shifted his weight and I was free. 

"Go to her!" Sienna yelled at me, willing my body to run toward my best friend. 

"I can't! Not yet! We need help." 

"Then go. Hurry!"

I glanced one last time at Artemis, who was now being dragged back into the gate, before turning around and following Valen back to our camp.

We took off sprinting into the forest, using our noses to track the direction that Von had gone. 

After a few minutes of running, we were met with a group of wolves consisting of Von, King Ruben, Anton, and three other warriors.

I knew from training classes that they were formidable opponents and I was glad they had been chosen to come along. 

"More will join us soon. Tell me what you know," King Ruben demanded.

I looked to Valen and he jumped into explaining what we had witnessed after Von left.

Von snapped his jaw and growled loudly, sounding more threatening than I'd ever heard before. His whole frame shook as he tried to reel in his anger.

"Those bastards are going to pay," he snarled. 

"In time, my son. We need a plan of attack. They clearly still have the jump on us." King Ruben soothed. 

"How is that possible?" I asked. "Aren't Celia and Seraphine still locked up?" 

Anton and King Ruben exchanged glances. 

"What am I missing?"

Anton stepped forward to answer. 

"They escaped this morning. When we went to their cells to continue with interrogations, they were gone." 

"You have got to be kidding me." I groaned.

"This just makes everything a lot more complicated." 

"Indeed. But, we were able to track their scents heading toward Moonlight pack lands, so we have reason to believe that they are there now." 

"How much time before the rest of the warriors are here?"