Twelfth Moon | (discontinued)

Chapter Sixteen

The sound of wolves growling woke me from my wonderful sleep. I opened my eyes, taking in the office I had fallen asleep in. Warm arms were still wrapped around my body, as I shifted around trying to see where the noise was coming from.

"It's okay, the wolves are outside training. War should be happening in a few." Sihtric whispered into my ear.

The memories of the letter came into my mind, the last sentence standing out to me. 'Let the war begin.' I shifted uncomfortably in Sihtric's arms, making my discomfort known.

"What's wrong?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I don't want this. They shouldn't risk their lives, they have families..." My mumbling soft but still loud enough for him to hear. I could feel tears brim my eyes, just thinking about the men and women of this pack dying to protect me.

"Baby, you are the Luna of this pack. The people of this pack will do anything to protect their Alpha and Luna, they love you, they love us." Sihtric smoothed circled along my arms, leaving small tingles behind.

With a sad sigh, I leaned back into Sihtric's chest, letting the thoughts pour in. My mind was scattered everywhere, thinking about war, Malachi, Sihtric and my family. Would they be helping Malachi?

I hope not.

Eventually Sihtric and I got ready, we took our showers and ate breakfast before heading out to the training grounds. Thousands of pack members were out training, running and helping others prepare. Children ran around for the last time, letting their energy free before being cooped up in a room with hundreds of people.

From the corner of my eye I could see something orange fly through the sky, an arrow of fire. There was only one thing that mean, and that was war had begun.

I gathered all the children and women that weren't fighting into the pack house safe-room Sihtric showed me. A panel behind the large fireplace slid over, revealing a staircase that led downwards. Hundreds of children ran down the steps quietly, their mothers behind them while I escorted everyone.

I noticed Oli wasn't among the children as they ran down the stairs. I could feel the panic rising within me, making my overprotective senses step in.

Once everyone got down to the large underground room, I ran back up the stairs, closing the panel behind me. The smell of a metalish substance filled my nose, alerting me that blood was being spread. I ran as fast as I could out of the main doors only to see multiple wolves fighting with each other.

Dashes of brown, black, white, and red were the only thing I could see. Two large wolves were clawing and biting at each other. The size difference pointed out that it was Sihtric and Malachi. Their dark fur and large forms rolling around the battleground.

I darted my eyes everywhere in hopes to find the small child. I was sure to keep an eye out for her way smaller frame amongst the wolves along with her distinctive brown hair. My heart shattered more and more, watching the wolves fight. Hundreds lay dead on the ground with blood surrounding them, their eyes still wide open.

I ran through the bodies, dodging everything and everyone before making it to the Orphanage. I pushed the door open harshly, looking around frantically until my eyes landed on a small child. They were laying on the ground with no movement or signs of breathing.

I rushed over to the child, turning them over on their back, brown hair falling onto my hands. I could feel my chest tighten as I stared down at the little thing in my arms. I checked for a pulse but found nothing.

Tears streamed down my face and my loud scream echoed throughout the pack. I gathered the little girl in my arms, hugging her closely to me.

"I'm so sorry Oli. You didn't deserve this," I whispered into her ear before pressing a kiss to her forehead, my tears falling onto her face.

"Didn't deserve what?" A deep voice asked from the shadows.

"Who is there?" My voice was shaky, the weakness showing through my façade.

"It's Oli." The man said, stepping closer to me and the little girl in my arms.

"Stay back!" I yelled as the doors behind me were thrust open.

I looked back to see Sihtric covered in blood, his dark hair stuck to his forehead. The look in his eyes was deadly, the rims of silver bright, meaning his wolf was fully awake.

"Get away from her." Sihtric demanded, his voice deeper than normal.

"And if I don't?" The other man laughed, his voice full of amusement.

I tried to make a run for the door but my body was pulled back into the strangers hold. Sihtric's loud growl cut through the thick tension, the stranger's hands loosening around me and Oli.

I didn't know what Sihtric did but within seconds, I was pulled into his protective arms and the man behind me fell to the ground wheezing. I looked up at Sihtric questioningly, his eyes were no longer blue, but black.

"Who is he and what did you do to him?" I whispered into Sihtric's chest.

"He's a shifter. He was in Oli's body, once they leave the person's body, the person dies. I used magic to snap his neck. I'm so sorry love." He held me tighter.

My body started to shake, the little girl in my arms was now dead and I couldn't do anything about it.

"I-I...," I tried to form words but I couldn't. The only thing that came out were tears.

"Shh, it's okay. We will have a proper funeral for her, I promise." Sihtric grabbed her frail body and carried her to one of his guards. Before I knew it, she was gone.

"The war?" I choked out.

"It's over, we have Malachi on his way to the cellar. He is going to be restrained with silver cuffs and questioned."

"What about me? I will feel it, won't I?" I asked, worried about the soon to be pain.

"No, you won't because the mate tie between you two is over. Malachi declared his loss at the brink of death and gave you up. You're finally all mine."