Her Reign

Chapter 23

ALESSIA

Rogues are attacking, Jaxson and the others stormed out. I barely made it down the stairs before they were out the door and shifted. Shredding their clothes, as soon as they hit the ground, they all ran towards the trees. 

The guards that stayed behind to protect me, shifted as well. They were on high alert, looking around for any threats.

I could hear the mind links of my warriors. There were many rogues, and they were attacking the small group of teens that were hanging out by the lake. They were greatly outnumbered so all they could do was stay alive until back up came.

I felt so helpless right now. My daughter asked if they could go to the lake. I gave her permission if she took five warriors with her. Damon and the other young alphas were there as well, along with some of the smaller children. If it were a normal rogue attack, they would have handled it without any issues, but this was a calculated attack. There was a purpose for it, and I believe the target is Alena. 

I’m not supposed to shift due to my pregnancy but right now, I’m tempted to. I couldn’t imagine anything happening to her. It’s the worst feeling in the world having to choose between Alena and my unborn child.

I turned towards my warriors and ordered three of them to run towards the fighting. They hesitated because their job is to protect me but right now Alena needs help more than I do. Besides, there are children with her. As Queen, it’s my job to protect them.

After the three warriors left, I started running towards the trees. My two warriors ran alongside me. I held my hands on my stomach to protect my belly from bouncing too much. As I ran, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to protect everyone including the one I’m practically holding in my hands.

I’m jumping over fallen trees and ducking under low branches. Even though I was running quite fast, I felt like I wasn’t going fast enough.

As I got closer, I could hear the screaming from the children. I can hear the growling and whimpering of wolves getting hurt. My heart felt like it was stuck in my throat. It was becoming harder to breathe. I felt slight pains in my side due to the ligaments being pulled from running.

Why did they have to be so far away?

I jumped over a large dead tree. My foot got caught on the root that was sticking out and I fell. Right before I hit the ground, I managed to get my hands up to brace my fall. I was able to protect my stomach, but my body fell forward causing me to hit my head on the ground. I pushed my hands into the ground causing my body to flip over, landing on my back. I must have hit my head on something because it stung. I felt blood running down the side of my face.

My detail was right there beside me, but it happened so fast, they couldn’t prevent it. They both kneeled next to me, looking for injuries.

“My queen, are you ok?” One of them asked.

“I’m fine. I didn’t land on my stomach. I just bumped my head a little. Help me up.” I said, reaching my hand up to grab their fur.

They helped me to my feet. It took me a moment to clear my head and then I started jogging. I started to go faster, and my warriors were right on my sides. They couldn’t get closer unless they were touching me. Jaxson would kill them if they let anything happen to me.

I jumped over another downed tree. This time being a little more careful. I could see wolves fighting. I stopped, wiping the blood out of my eyes. I’m getting ready to order everyone to stop fighting when a terrible pain shoots through my stomach. It caused me to fall to my knees. I put my hand on my stomach, rubbing it to soothe the pain but then I realized that it wasn’t my pain I felt. The pain moved to my chest. It was Jaxson. He was hurt. I couldn’t help but let out an agonizing scream. It hurt so much. 

I’m on my knees trying to breathe. I felt like my chest had been sliced open. I’m trying to concentrate but my vision is getting cloudy and it was difficult to breathe.

The two warriors by me are now fighting rogues. They are doing everything possible to protect me but when they kill one, another replaces them.

I tried to get up, but I fell forward. I looked up and saw Alena. She is fighting a wolf. I could see blood all over her clothes. It's coming down her arm and she also has a cut on her forehead. He jumped at her. She dodged it at the last minute. She had a knife in her hand, running it across his neck. The wolf dropped to the ground.

 She looked up and saw me.

“MOMMY!” She screamed.

She took off running towards me. There were wolves charging her, but she managed to get out of the way. I was watching her and didn’t notice a wolf coming towards me. He was running, ready to attack. I turned to face him, unable to do anything because it all happened so fast. I closed my eyes, bracing myself for the impact but it never happened. 

I looked up and saw Alena fighting that rogue. She punched him in the snout then kicked him in the side of the chest. He stumbled before getting back up. He charged again, this time she was knocked down on her back. He dug his claw into her shoulder causing her to scream. He snapped at her neck, but she pulled away. She grabbed the wolf, wrapping both arms tightly around his neck. Her legs around his body. She was so close to him; he couldn’t attack her. They tumbled across the ground. The wolf was trying to break free from her hold. He was frantically trying to bite her while she was trying to tighten her grip, either to suffocate him or snap his neck.

I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I couldn’t blink. I couldn’t breathe. The pain was still so severe. I’ve never been so terrified in my life. Suddenly they both hit the ground hard and neither of them were moving. I began to crawl towards her. I started screaming. 

“NO! NO! ALENA!” I screamed.

The wind started picking up. I couldn’t hear the growls and screams anymore. The only thing I was focused on was my baby lying on the ground with a wolf on top of her. He was huge. You could barely see her body. You could only see the top of her head, arms and feet. She laid there, not moving.

I couldn’t get there fast enough. I prayed and begged that she was ok. She must be. I can’t lose her. Images of the first time I held her in my arms. Her first steps. The first time she called me momma. Her smile when she woke up in the morning. The sound of her giggling at something. Her telling me she loved me.

Her whole life flashed in front of me. I could slowly feel my heart breaking. This can’t be happening.

“ALESSIA!” I looked up and saw Jaxson running towards me. He’s holding his side. Blood was running down his bare chest. He has severe wounds, but adrenaline is pushing him to run faster.

He ran, falling in front of me. He grabbed me in a tight hug, but I kept trying to push him away. He wouldn’t let me go. He pushed my head into his chest. I can hear him crying. I looked up at him, tears running down his face. He stood up and stepped back, looking at the two warriors who were guarding me.

“GET HER TO A DOCTOR NOW! Pick her up and carry her! GO NOW!” He ordered.

“NO! I CAN’T LEAVE MY BABY! MY BABY! ALENA, PLEASE BE OK, PLEASE WAKE UP!” I screamed.

I was fighting them. I was screaming.  I didn’t want them taking me away from her. She needed me and I wasn’t there. She came running to help me. She saved me. This can’t be happening.