Second Chances (mxm, poly, mpreg)

Lunar Eclipse 0930: Empty Souls

0930 Hours – Dark Moon North

The rapid deployment squad at Dark Moon North was on standby after they received news of the fire at Blackhawk pack. Werewolves and non-werewolves alike were antsy. The word was out that the fire had not been natural. This, mixed with the weakening effects of the eclipse, had everyone on edge.

Ari looked down as little Taryn tugged on his pant leg. He squatted down so he was eye level and smiled.  "What's up, little guy?"

He pointed to the closed bathroom door. "There's something wrong with Rico."

Ari furrowed his brows. "You sure?"

Taryn twirled his hair around his finger and pouted. "He's acting funny."

The little fairy was so attached to his mate.  Like Rico was his mother or something.  "Like how?"

"Like he's not there."

A smile of amusement touched Ari's lips. It was cute how kids interpreted things. "That's probably just his wolf. We're all a little not ourselves."

Taryn grabbed his hands in desperation. "No, no. Not like wolf, like empty. No soul."

The alpha patted his head and stood up. "I'll go check. Why don't you find your bear of a papa. He was sad you didn't stay with him."

Taryn's eyes lit up. "Okay!" He hugged the alpha's leg and ran out the room.

Ari's wolf stared at the door trying to sense anything from his mate. Why was this happening now when they didn't have any of their wolf abilities? Human extrasensory perceptions along with their other senses were not reliable in the least. He took a deep breath, pushing down his nerves, and rapped on the door. He was met with silence although he could hear Rico moving around the bathroom.

"Rico? You okay?"

"Fine."

Ari's frown reappeared. The voice on the other side of the door sounded vacant, far away. "Rico, come out for a second." He rubbed the hairs standing on the back of his neck. Something wasn't right.

The door slowly opened. As soon as it was all the way open, Rico tried to dart passed him. Ari grabbed his mate's arm. Why was Rico being so evasive?

"Baby, look at me," he coaxed.

Rico ignored him and stared straight ahead. What in the world? Tamping down on his anger at the disrespect his sub was showing, Ari stood in front of him. He gripped his chin in his hand forcing his head up and looked into his eyes.

0945 Hours – Dark Moon Central

Chevy and Napalm walked along the forested edge of Dark Moon Central where it met the fields of the neutral zone. They'd been feeling restless all morning since the fire. To work off some of his nervous energy, Chevy decided to walk. He was joined by Flavian and one of the fairies who wanted to check out the flora and fauna their pack had to offer.

They were looking at a collection of mushrooms sticking out at the base of a tree when a nagging feeling settled itself in the back of the pregnant beta's mind. He stood from where he had been squatted down looking, and walked into a clearing a few yards away. He tilted his head toward the sky and strained his human senses.

"Chevy, what's wrong?" Flavian asked squinting.

He held his hand up. The trees seemed unusually quiet. There were no birds singing or chirping. There wasn't any wind blowing through the branches. He couldn't even detect any small animals in the underbrush.

"Beta!" Napalm whisper-yelled.

Chevy turned to his confused companions. "I'm not sure. There's something really wrong."

Napalm rubbed his back soothingly.  "You're just upset about Blackhawk."

"No. It's more than that. I can't put my finger on it." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. Maybe it's just my nerves."

Flavian and the fairy were both looking skyward with a look of concentration.

"Something's coming," the fairy whispered.  "It's big."

A grey blur zipped passed Flavian and the fairy. Napalm ducked as it came towards him and it crashed into Chevy's chest. Chevy held the trembling creature in his hand as a loud roar filled the air.  The beta whispered softly as the dove tried to bury itself in his chest.

Flavian's eyes turned red and his body was covered in white scales. His hands turned into claws with black hook-like talons as his body began to increase in size. They had to step back to avoid being pushed back by Flavian's massive legs. Flames shot down from the sky. Napalm grabbed Chevy and the fairy to him and covered them with his body. They could feel the intensity of the heat from the flames but felt none of the burn.

Flavian's wing pulled back. "Get back to the pack. I'll deal with this." He took off into air, shaking the ground and rattling the trees.  They watched wide-eyed as a grey dragon flew over the clearing.  His roars shook the tree tops.  

Flavian flew straight into him and rammed into his belly.  He roared in anger and whipped his tail around.  Flavian gave a powerful push forward with his wings pushing himself back out of danger while countering with a flame attack of his own.  They slammed into the dark body sending him backward and making him release  growl.  

Napalm grabbed the sub and fairy and took off toward the pack. A rustle of the bushes drew his attention. He grit his teeth as several members of Greystone crossed the neutral zone and proceeded to give chase on Dark Moon territory.

"Oh hell no!" Chevy shouted. His wolf was incensed that someone would dare to come onto their lands and try to take them on. He tugged out of Napalm's grip and turned to face his attackers. His face turned into a snarl as he stared down one of their betas.

"You know this is an act of war," Chevy stated.  

The other beta laughed. "Yep."

"If you know Dark Moon, you'd better just forget aout this and leave."

The invading wolves laughed.

"We can't. Not until we complete our mission."  His eyes fixed on Chevy.  

Napalm stood in front of Chevy.  He would protect his beta and his child at all costs.  "And what's that?" the older wolf snapped.

The fairy gasped behind him as guns were drawn on them.

The invading beta smirked and took out a large hunting knife. "To dispose of one unborn alpha brat."

*I wonder what's up with Rico.

**In case I haven't said it lately, thanks for all the support and for sticking with this story!