Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 15: A Call to Arms

Maya’s POV

The dawn broke with a chilling breeze, sending shivers down my spine as I stood on the porch, watching the sun rise over the horizon. The colors painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, but my heart felt heavy, clouded with worry.

I had trained hard with the pack, but the thought of the Bloodfangs looming nearby filled me with anxiety. I could sense the tension in the air, even if Leo was trying to maintain a brave front.

As I stepped down from the porch, the gravel crunched beneath my feet. I made my way toward the training grounds, where I could see several pack members already preparing for the day’s exercises. I spotted Jaxon overseeing the training, his demeanor serious as he barked commands at the warriors.

“Hey, Maya!” he called, his expression softening as he noticed me. “Ready for today’s training session?”

I forced a smile, trying to push away the anxiety swirling in my stomach. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied.

“Good. We need everyone in top form, especially with the Bloodfangs out there,” he said, his gaze turning serious. “Stick close to Leo. He’ll protect you.”

I nodded, grateful for the camaraderie, but the weight of my own limitations gnawed at me. “I want to be able to fight, Jaxon. I can’t just rely on him.”

His brow furrowed in thought. “Fair enough. But remember, even the strongest warriors need their mates to support them. Strength comes in many forms.”

I appreciated his perspective, but my determination to prove myself felt unyielding. As I walked toward the training area, I spotted Leo sparring with another wolf, his movements fluid and powerful.

I leaned against a tree, watching him with admiration. He was so strong, so confident. Fenrir shone through him, and I could see the connection between them, a bond that was unbreakable.

But what about me? What did I have to offer in this fight?

“Focus, Maya,” I whispered to myself. Lyra stirred within me, her voice steady. Trust in your instincts. You are stronger than you believe.

I took a deep breath, reminding myself of the strength I had within me. I had faced challenges before; I could do it again.

Leo’s POV

After finishing my sparring session, I noticed Maya standing at the edge of the training grounds, her expression pensive. My heart swelled at the sight of her, but the worry etched on her face made me uneasy.

I approached her, wiping the sweat from my brow. “Everything okay?”

She looked up at me, her brow furrowing. “Just thinking about the Bloodfangs and what that means for all of us.”

I nodded, understanding the weight of her concern. “I know it’s a lot to take in, but we’ll be ready. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I want to help, Leo,” she said, determination igniting in her eyes. “I don’t want to be a burden.”

“You’re not a burden,” I assured her, my voice firm. “You’re my mate. That means you’re part of this pack, and we fight together.”

Fenrir growled in agreement, his voice resonating within me. We need her by our side, Leo.

I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. “Trust me, Maya. You’ll find your strength in time. Just keep pushing forward.”

A flicker of determination crossed her face, and I felt a swell of pride. She was resilient, stronger than she realized.

Before I could say anything more, Jaxon approached, his expression grave. “Alpha, we need to gather the pack. We have an urgent situation.”

I turned to Maya, squeezing her hands before letting go. “Stay close to me.”

As we made our way to the gathering area, I felt the weight of the pack’s uncertainty pressing down. The chatter faded as we formed a circle, all eyes on me.

“Everyone, I know you’ve heard the rumors about Bloodfang activity near our borders,” I began, my voice steady. “I want you to know that we’re taking every precaution to ensure our safety.”

Murmurs rippled through the crowd, and I could sense their concern. “We will increase patrols and fortify our defenses. I expect every one of you to stay vigilant.”

“Alpha,” Jaxon interjected, stepping forward. “We should consider sending a few scouts into Bloodfang territory to gather intel.”

I considered this, weighing the risks. “You’re right, Jaxon. We need to know what we’re up against.”

As my Beta, Jaxon was responsible for overseeing training and ensuring the pack was always ready for challenges. He was the backbone of our operations, and his insights were invaluable. Beside him, Kira, my Delta, had a fierce loyalty to the pack, coordinating our strategies and training the warriors. On the other side stood Bruno, my Gamma, known for his strength and fierce loyalty. He often led the warriors in battle and kept the pack's spirit high.

“I want to join the scouting party,” Maya added, glancing at her.

The pack was silent, waiting for my decision. I could feel their eyes on us, sensing the tension between Maya’s desire to fight and my instinct to protect her.

“Very well,” I said finally, meeting her gaze. “But you will be paired with Jaxon. I trust him to keep you safe.”

Maya nodded, a spark of triumph in her eyes. “Thank you.”

“Jaxon, Kira, Bruno,” I said, locking eyes with my leadership team. “I need you all to prepare a team of scouts. We’ll send them into Bloodfang territory to gather intel. Keep an eye on Maya, and ensure her safety.”

They nodded in agreement, Kira’s eyes glinting with determination. “We’ll be ready, Alpha.”

“Good,” I replied, turning my attention back to the pack. “Prepare yourselves for training. We’ll go over our defensive strategies today. Use the mind link to keep communication open while scouting—stay alert, and report anything unusual immediately.”

The pack shifted into action, the atmosphere buzzing with urgency. I watched Maya, her determination palpable as she joined Jaxon, Kira, and Bruno.

As they prepared to leave, I felt a mix of pride and worry swirl within me. Maya was stepping up, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. But deep down, a part of me still wanted to shield her from the dangers of our world.

Fenrir echoed my thoughts. We will protect her, Leo. She is our mate.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what was to come. We would face the storm together, united in our strength. No matter the challenges that awaited us, I knew we would stand tall.

With Maya by my side, I was ready to face anything.