Eva POV

Preparations for the battle were in full swing - other than Callum not allowing me to train with the warriors. "Not the job of the future Luna." He told me - repeatedly. But he didn't keep me from my morning runs and daily meditation, I definitely needed that being in this type of environment and with the events that were coming up in the future.

Suddenly I receive a call from Scarlett. Phoebe had another vision. The vision unfortunately showed that the battle was to take place 4 days from now at dawn. Time to get to Blackrose immediately.

Dad came in early to solidify the alliance between Silver Tide and Blackrose officially. I decided to be there for that. I wanted to see my efforts through to the end - with or without Callum's approval.

"Alpha Scarlett and Raphael, we came as quickly as we could." Eva greets first as she see me, Callum by her side and the rest of the crowd behind her...I recognize her parents from the photos I've seen, though I've never seen them in person.

"Alpha Blackrose, I'm happy to finally meet you in person." Eva's dad greets, and I shake his outstretched hand.

"As well you, Alpha Gray. We wouldn't be here without your diligence to keeping peace." I reply.

"I am just happy to help, and that my daughter was available to bring you the message just at the right time."

"You have done an amazing job with raising your daughter. She has become not only a close ally but someone I can call a friend." I flash a quick smile in her direction.

"Thank you very much, she's spoken very highly of you."

"Let's move this meeting to our office shall we? We have much to discuss." I continue, and we head upstairs promptly to discuss not only alliance but strategy, my mate helping shed light on his former packs typically attack patterns while Iris and Jared Williams, counsel elders representing the witches and mages joined us to talk about how they were going to assist and their own fighting strategies.

Getting everyone to Blackrose was a feat in itself. We staggered most coming in by plane over multiple days at different times with a variety of vehicles to either pick them up or rent. A small group from Silver Tide drove in but that was just my brother Asher with some warriors. We wanted to try and keep as much movement of people off of radar as possible - difficult when you are bringing in right around 50 people.

After everyone arrived, training began for the rest of the people that have arrived. We all need to be on the same page when it comes to this battle.

"Sanguis Silence is here, Alpha Blackrose." Romain informs Scarlett.

"Have everyone hold their positions, Gamma Cavalier." Scarlett exclaims while Callum and I maintain our positions in the shadows. I have been practicing my powers for months so I would be prepared for this battle. As soon as I hear that Sanguis Silence has crossed into the territory, I send a simple text to Ethan to alert him Sanguis Silence is here. Silver Tide, New Dawn and Tidewater pack members are hiding in the shadows just outside the territory ready for the signal to edge closer to the battle.

My attention is snapped back in Scarlett's direction.

"Alpha Devlin, I presume." Scarlett hisses.

"The infamous Alpha Blackrose. My, my, it's a not-so-pleasure to finally meet you."

"The feeling is quite mutual - trust me. What are you doing trespassing on my territory?"

"Pack domination." He states matter-of-factly - like he has not a care in the world.

"And how might you accomplish that?" She questions.

"Starts with taking over your pack after we win the war." He smirks.

"You and what army?" She laughs while I inwardly applaud her continued act - like she doesn't have a clue as to his plans beforehand.

"Sanguis Silence and Crimson Edge."

All Scarlett does is laugh hysterically while Raphael comes to stand next to her.

"Raphael Jones, did Scarlett stoop so low as to pick up Simone's scraps?" Alpha Devlin jokes.

With that comment Scarlett let out a ferocious roar as loud as I've ever heard from her.

"He's not Beta LeClair's scraps - he's my mate and if you continue to insult my mate you will leave me no choice - "

But before she could finish, Alpha Devlin interrupted her, "Choice at what? You're outnumbered!" He sneers full of confidence - he doesn't know he shouldn't have.

A young she wolf appears from behind Alpha Cyrus, staring at Raphael with confliction and a hint of betrayal.

"You would stand beside her instead of the pack you were born in? You would betray us...and me?"

It clicks, she's Beta Simone...Raphael's first mate.

"You made your choice Simone, and I made mine. You decided being a Purist was more important than being with your mate." Raphael says tersely.

Scarlett gives me the signal to step forward.

"Oh...a Gray on your side - do you think that will help?" but I see Alpha Devlin pale ever so slightly.

"If I'm here Alpha Devlin, do you think my father is too far behind?" I inquire.

"So, Silver Tide Pack doesn't scare me." He comments boldly.

"Do you know who my mate is?" Of course, I know who he'd say.

And he is predictable. "Yes silly girl, he rejected you."

"Not that one, my second chance mate."

"Didn't know you had one."

"You're intelligence sucks ass then Alpha Devlin." I snicker and motion for Callum to step out.

"Alpha Devlin, meet Callum Walsh, future Alpha of the New Dawn Pack from Virginia."

"So."

"Do you think he would be here without protection for him or me, the future Luna?" I grin wickedly, but continue, "and do you forget my mom's roots?"

When he pales, I snicker again knowing he realizes that some of the Warriors weren't far off either.

Scarlett interrupted our little exchange. "Alpha Devlin, did you truly think I had no allies, and that my intelligence was that bad? By the look on your face apparently so. Tsk, tsk bad choice on your part."

"How can a pack of filthy hybrids have allies?" He sneers.

"Because not everyone is as ignorant as you." She informs him with faint amusement.

"I won't back down." He says confidently.

"As you wish."

Scarlett silently nods towards Romain from a distance, and the Blackrose warriors appear from the trees. Werewolves, vampire and hybrids alike standing together like a giant wall as witches keep hidden up in the trees for covert spell casting.

"Then I will do the same." She states.

A chorus of growls from both sides rings, and it's only silent for a moment before a Sanguis wolf makes the first move.

The automatic flash of harbor gray fur surprises me a little, and the sight of Julian leading the charge sets everything off as both sides clash in a loud cry of snarls and growls. We all immediately jump into the fray, fighting our own battles.

A tremendous roar could be heard throughout the area, and my heart swelled with pride - my family was advancing. Everyone stopped and turned to watch what came from the shadows. Three large black wolves, along with a black wolf with a golden patch on his face, a grey wolf with black and gold patches and a dozen or so other wolves and Warriors emerged. I knew then that Asher and Ethan had joined in the fight as well. I hoped that no one would get hurt, but especially my brothers and Callum. I mean not to sound selfish, but they were my life, well along with Devaney, but I knew she was with the triplets.

After what seemed like hours, the Blackrose alliance has noticeably pushed back Crimson and Sanguis, some of the wolves disappearing from the battlefield instead of falling on it. Along with the witches cutting through the other side's strategy and defending the injured wolves on our side, me and the other Alphas seem to be knocking the competition like rag dolls.

My power of telekinesis being quite helpful in creating obstacles and roadblocks for advancing wolves when too many had surrounded any particular wolf near me. Only once did I use my power of teleportation to get me out of a too scary and tight situation because I knew that my energy medicine would be quite helpful when this battle was over - the damn power too way to much out of me, so I needed to conserve my energy at the moment. Callum and I seemed to be working together beautifully and that made me more confident in our bond.

Finally, a clearing in the battle field opens up to reveal Scarlett and Alpha Cyrus, Sanguis's Alpha looking angry and ragged.

"Enough!!" He yells out, and his side halts in their steps. Curious to see what he's planning, our side halts as well. The silence fills the air, and we all wait to see what happens.

"Let's end this battle right now little girl!!! As Alpha I challenge you for your pack!"

Scarlett's sharp, furious growl overtakes the soft sounds of surprise from the audience we've become. It's difficult to tell what she's more insulted by, being challenged for her title or being called a little girl...but it's definitely a combination of both. Both are high forms of disrespect to her rank.

He's a dead man. My wolf says, and I agree completely.

"You have made a grave mistake, con!" She growls out viciously, and I can feel her power radiating from here, turning dark with her fury.

"You worried about losing your pack to me child?" He sounds too smug considering the circumstances.

"The only way your taking my pack is over my dead body! I accept your challenge!"

Alpha Cyrus immediately shifts into his charcoal gray wolf, and we all stand back out of the way as he slowly approaches Scarlett, her body shaking with rage.

"You're about to see why Red scares the hell out of me Eva." Julian murmurs as he walks up beside me, and just as he does, Scarlett shreds her clothing as she shifts into her wolf, and my eyes widen as I take in her giant form with jet black fur....and blood red eyes.

"Holy Shit..." Callum mutters - I'm sure at the sight of Scarlett's eyes. I can understand what Julian means now...she looks exactly like a insane rogue.

With a loud snarl, Scarlett lunges towards Cyrus without a second thought, the poor bastard standing stunned before he remembers the fight. He barely takes off before she collides with him, both Alphas hitting the dirt hard as they snap at each other.

Cyrus seems to have the upper hand after the initial surprise with his experience, but after a few minutes of fur flying, Scarlett's power and stamina seems to wear him down. She barely flinches as he rakes his claws against her shoulder and tears her skin, and retaliates by knocking him on his back and clamping down on his throat.

With a gurgling sound and a swift jerk of his head, she snaps his neck.

As she stands over his lifeless body, Cyrus's former warriors attack her in anger, but with one loud growl from her they all sink down to their bellies in submission.

<introduction to Rebel>

I looked over the battlefield and my eyes were immediately drawn to a young looking blond-haired guy crying over a girl, I could only assume was his mate. A rugged guy comes running over to him.

"Get back in the battle, Rebel!" The guy commands.

"Why, Patrick? We're losing, and my mate is dead. Everything that Alpha Newport feed us was a lie!" He bellows.

"You shouldn't disrespect your Alpha!"

"He's not my Alpha! I'm sorry Jessica." He cries and kisses the girl. "I, Diederik Jansen cut ties with the Crimson Edge Pack and denounce Alpha Jacob Newport as my Alpha." He declares proudly then runs off.

I feel for the kid and vow to one day find him to see what became of him. Alpha Newport was responsible for too much death and destruction. He needs to be stopped.

Now having control of half of our enemies, Scarlett slowly walks back towards her mate, walking tall despite being in pain from her injured shoulder, not even allowing the slightest limp in her gait. Just before she reaches him though, Alpha Newport tries to come at her from behind in his wolf form...a cowardly move that is interrupted by a large burst of flames appearing in front of him...the source being Raphael himself.

"If you're going to fight anyone, it will be me."

Raphael threatens, flames rolling in his open palms as he stands in front of Scarlett. My father steps forward to stop him before he can attack though, placing a hand in front of his chest.

"Tend to your mate Raphael, I'll handle this coward." Dad says.

After a moment, Raphael nods, and turns to Scarlett to start mending her ravaged shoulder.

"Who are you calling a coward!!" Newport growls, and my father turns to him sharply.

"You obviously. For only a coward would attack an injured Alpha while their back is turned."

Newport growls again, clearly furious.

"Where's your son?" My dad almost snickers.

"Disappeared - the traitor. Your daughter has some sort of spell on him." He sneers.

"Maybe he just grew a backbone. Marie's death doesn't justify your actions." Dad calmly states, but I've never seen dad talk so calmly about someone's dead mate.

"Leave Marie out of this!" Newport fumes.

"Marie was my friend, Jacob - so were you. Why didn't you come to me - I would have helped." Dad pleads.

"I don't need anyone's pity." He spits out at my dad, but from the color of Jacob's eyes you can tell his wolf is taking over.

"Jacob don't do something that we'll both regret." Dad warns.

"I won't regret killing you, you're the reason she died!" He sneers, but I have no idea what he is talking about.

"I couldn't control her feelings, and I never lead her on or reciprocate those feelings." Dad explains, but now I'm starting to understand part of the problem - then I remember something.

<flashback>

I'm heading to my dad's office when I hear him in a heated discussion with a female.

"But I love you Eli." the woman said.

"Marie, go back to your husband and son. I don't love you - I never have. I love Lexi and my kids."

"The woman that came with all the problems, the burdens, the luggage. She can never give you the life I can."

"Go home!"

"Daddy is everything ok." I ask peeking through the door to see him facing Marie, who is now glaring at me.

"Yes, princess, everything is fine." He says as he squats down to look in my eyes.

"Is Zay here?"

"No he's not. Now go play while I finish up my work and we'll go for ice cream later."

"Ok daddy."

<end flashback>

"I've heard enough Eli. Now it's time for you to die just as Marie did."

"Then this is what I have to say if that's your viewpoint." Dad takes a few breaths seeming to calm himself. "As an Alpha, I challenge you for your pack." Dad exclaims boldly loud enough for everyone around to hear - multiple gasps go through the crowd. Just as I start to lunge towards dad, Callum, Julian and Romain hold me back.

"LET ME GO!!" I scream.

"You have to let this play out." Callum whispers in my ear, as tears start to stream down my cheeks.

Just then Ethan appears from the treeline walking briskly up to me - I'm sure that he can feel my extreme emotions through the bond we have as twins. As he gets to me, I pull away from the hands that are holding me and collapse into Ethan's arms.

"What's he doing, bubba?"

"Evan, he's been training for this since before you left to deliver message to Alpha Blackrose. He knew Alpha Newport wouldn't stop although dad always had hope. Dad is ready for this challenge, just have faith in him. Even if dad loses, I'm here, and I can always step up and challenge him for the Alpha position of both packs."

Once I see that dad has won the challenge I turn to see Callum and Julian still standing behind me and Ethan. I step back slightly, so that I am essentially standing between Callum and Julian.

"Je suis content que tu ailles bien." I whisper to Julian.

"Je vous remercie. c'est bon d'être en vie, ange."

"Est-ce mon surnom maintenant?"

"Oui, parce que tu éclaires tant de domaines de ma vie."

I takes me a minute to translate the sentence in my head, and when I turn to respond, Julian has disappeared. I look to my side and Callum is visibly scowling at me but says nothing. At the moment that's good, because I'm concerned that my face isn't betraying me after what Julian just said to me.

When the battle is over I decide to go help at the pack hospital, I'm sure they could use some help. I inform Callum of where I am going. No I don't ask - I told him - none of that macho bullshit was going to help me right now.

After helping the medics with all the injuries and using my energy healing as much as I felt safe, I stumble out of the pack hospital. Standing there I start trying to breath in the smells that I became familiar with months ago.

Suddenly I am breathing in an unfamiliar smell. Before I black out I hear...

"You're mine now, Evangeline."

*************

Je suis content que tu ailles bien. - I'm glad you are okay.

Je vous remercie. c'est bon d'être en vie, ange. - Thank you. It's good to be alive, angel.

Est-ce mon surnom maintenant? - Is that my nickname now?

Oui, parce que tu éclaires tant de domaines de ma vie. - Yes, because you light up so many areas of my life.