Shapeshifter

Chapter Twenty-Five: Homecoming

I galloped the whole way back, not stopping except to drink where I found water. The journey back didn't take as long as I thought it would - I hadn't travelled very far those two nights. I arrived at nightfall, and breathed heavily as I walked through the deserted pack grounds. Where was everybody?

I smelt blood, and lots of it. Fear flooded my body and I shifted back. "Hello?" I called out. "It's me. It's Cj!" I received no answer. Shifting into my horse form again, I wandered around, keeping my eyes peeled for any movement and my ears alert for any sound. Still I got nothing but the soft, eerie humming of the breeze, and the chirping of night insects.

The scent of blood was becoming stronger and I followed it. Tingles pricked up my body, another sense telling me what I would find would not be good. Trotting around a building, the pack house came into view and I stopped dead in my tracks. There were a dead bodies around. I shifted back, my hands covering my mouth as a scream ripped from my throat.

Was one of them Sam? Leo or Sebastian? Courtney? Or Sam's parents or Mark? A sickening feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. This wasn't good. The blood wafted into my nose and overpowered everything. It was mortifying. I couldn't breathe. I covered my mouth and nose with my shirt and walked to the first body. He was killed mid-shift.

My insides contorted as I recognised the eyes, and the face despite minor changes. We hadn't started out on the best of terms, but things had calmed down. And we were okay. It was all water under the bridge, and now... now it definitely was. "Sorry," I whispered to Mia's deceased father, Mark's Beta. Standing up, I scanned my eyes over each motionless shadow on the ground. "All of you, I'm so sorry." I continued to walk to the pack house, an imaginary GPS leading me there.

The house looked solemn, aware of the distraction it witnessed. Illuminated by the moon's rays, the shadows below windowsills almost resembled tears. Frowning, I crept inside, half expecting one of Zac's followers to jump out and attack, but nothing happened. It was silent as I drifted through hallways, upstairs, into rooms, and back downstairs. I paused and closed my eyes, allowing my nose and ears to pick up the slightest thing. I heard faint voices, and I smelt wolves.

I followed my nose and came to large doors I hadn't seen before. Pushing them open, I furrowed my brow. Stairs? There was a lower floor? I shrugged it off and continued, quickening my pace. It was dark, almost pitch black, no lights on anywhere, but my shifter eyes allowed me to see fairly well. At the bottom of the stairs, there was another set of doors, only these were locked, barricaded by the door handles with a plank of wood. "Someone didn't want the prisoners to escape." The voices continued, angry voices, and I couldn't work out who they were. But I removed the plank of wood despite the furious words from behind the closed doors.

The voices died down instantly and a strange sensation churned in my gut. Were they Sam's pack? Or Zac's? Who ever they were, it was time I paid them a visit. Pushing the doors open, I jumped in, preparing to fight. It was deathly silent inside the large hall, and brightly lit. I cringed at the amount of light that was suddenly forced upon my eyes. Recovering, I shook my head and peered at many faces I knew. It was Sam's pack. "Cj! You came back!" Mia yelled, her voice shaky. Her face was tear stained, her eyes red and puffy, and I just frowned.

"What happened?" I asked, in shock. I didn't see Sam, Leo or Sebastian anywhere.

Marley stepped forward, her left arm bandaged, blood staining the white fabric. I stared at it. "Zac's pack attacked," my eyes flicked up to hers. "They attacked last night. So many are dead. Mark's injured," she pointed towards the stage. Then she turned back to face me, stepped forward and placed her hands on my shoulders. "He has Leo and Sebastian and Sam."

My eyes locked onto hers and I remained silent and still. Like someone had set off a trip wire, emotions exploded and a sea of anger, hurt, betrayal and hatred, surged from deep within and I trembled - furious. Through the reflection of Marley's eyes, I saw the unforgivingness flash through my eyes. Cold and determined, I was.

Then it subsided as I remembered the bodies outside. "We have to bury them." Marley nodded but motioned her head to Mark. I followed her over and kneeled beside him. "Oh, Mark." I whispered, taking in the extent of his injuries. He was covered in blood, gashes and bite marks. It was horrible to look at. I brushed my hand against his forehead and his eyes slowly opened, catching my eyes, and I saw a flicker of hope.

"Save them, Cj. Save them all." He wheezed. "Don't let them win." I blinked away my tears and nodded.

"I won't let them win." I promised. "We've got to go. We'll be back soon."

Marley collected a few men to help us and we left the house, instructing everyone to stay behind. It took us over two hours to bury each deceased pack member and when we were finished, we stood before their graves, paying our respects. Then I looked up, stared at the fat moon that glared down on us, pictured Zac, and growled. "Come get me, Asshole. You wanted a war so you're going to get it."

Marley put an arm over my shoulder and guided me away, back to the pack house. Some people had started to cook  and an inviting aroma lingered through the house, making everything seem almost... normal. Marley jumped in to help but I lingered to a dark corner and isolated myself. "What are we going to do, Dawn?"

'I don't know. I wish I did. But I don't.'

I frowned. "We'll figure it out."

Everyone grabbed food and took it to the hall, distributing it out to everyone. Marley fed Mark while Mia, her mother and I sat together in silence before Mia spoke. "I'm glad you came back. We'll be okay now. I was so scared and worried before, I thought we were done for. But when you came back, I knew you'd beat them and rescue the boys."

I frowned, there was no guarantee I'd win. I looked down, my demons stirring. What if I failed? Like I always do? "Mia, Cj is strong, amazingly strong. And special. But that doesn't mean she'll beat Zac. We don't know what he has planned and what little tricks he has. We don't know what to expect." Mia's Mum said and I bit my lip. She was right. Fighting Zac was fighting blind. Who knew what he would do.

"She is exceptionally determined and fiery, that will aid her strength. And she is loyal and protective over those she loves, that," Marley's voice broke in. I looked up and our gazes locked onto one another. "That is your fuel to fight. To push on. To protect. That is why you are to be our Luna."

Our eyes stayed connected and I allowed myself to read her mind. She believed in me but she was worried; about Mark, and Sam and the pack. There was nothing much about Leo, Sebastian or me, but I didn't take it personally. We turned up and everything just went downhill. I sighed and looked away, forcing myself to not saying the words, 'it's all my fault'. No use hanging in the past. I had to move on. I had to be brave and strong and fierce. I had to win. I had to beat Zac.

I had to.

For the pack. For Mark and Marley. For Leo. For Sebastian. For Sam.

For myself.

Edited 02/12/2017