Three weeks later . . .

"Are you sure that's when they are going to attack?" Derek asks and I nod.

"I spoke with some of the other packs that are part of this and they said the attack is supposed to take place at sundown tomorrow. They plan to use the cover of darkness to attack," Xavier explains.

"Do they know you joined the Dark Forest Pack, or that you are my mate?" I ask him.

"No, they heard that you have found a new mate but they don't know its me."

"Good," I nod.

I spread out the map of my territory and pin it onto the wall. Our territory is twice as big as Blake's but most of it is uninhabited.

"This would be a good time to use our territory to our advantage," I mutter under my breath but Xavier hears me.

"What do you mean?" He asks.

"Well this valley is a maze, my mother's pack used it as their initiation ceremony. The strong wolves would eventually find their way out but the weak would die inside," I tell him, pointing to the valley on the map.

"And here there is a cave system. I was actually trapped there for a week or two, I can't remember exactly how long but it is nearly impossible to find your way back out."

"How is that going to help us?" Hailey asks and I give her a stupid look.

"We can lure the enemy wolves into the cave or the valley and it will be much easier to kill them when they are in a confined area," I explain slowly and she makes an 'o' with her mouth.

I shake my head and my eyes roll in annoyance.

"We will have our fastest wolves lead the enemy into the valley and into the caves where we will have an ambush waiting for them. This will make it easier to cut them down as all the packs in the world kind of outnumber us by a few thousand," I mutter.

"Who are our fastest wolves?" Jace asks.

"Well Amira is probably the fastest, so we can test some wolves against her and then use our two or three dozen fastest," I reason and they all agree.

"How would we get them into the valley? The caves wouldn't be too difficult but they would have to fall over the edge of the valley," Derek points out and I think for a moment.

"Use your massive creatures to scare them over the edge," Xavier suddenly suggests and I grin.

"That is a great idea," I say and he puts an arm around my waist.

"How many do you have?"

"Well I have a snow leopard, lion, cheetah, fox, and my mother and aunt have probably several more. My cousin Shade has a saber tooth tiger and a cheetah as well but I would have to find a way to control them since they are bonded to my cousin, not me," I say.

"Well we need to get moving this since the attack is tomorrow," Jace says and I nod.

"Okay then everybody get working. Derek you make sure the warriors are trained well enough to fight and those who aren't must be very good with a gun or some other long-range weapon. Jace, you test the wolves for speed and make a list of the three dozen fastest, get Amira to help you. Hailey, you make sure the hospital is ready to go and talk to Cameron about taking care of the children," I list off and they immediately rush off.

"What about me Alpha Silver?" Xavier says with a smirk, leaning down so his face is close to mine.

"You are going to come with me to get more of my giant creatures from my mother and my aunt," I tell him and he kisses me softly.

"Okay, I'll race you there," he says and I laugh.

"You don't even know where it is."

"That's where you're wrong, Derek showed it to me the other day," he smirks.

"Fine, we will race there," I say and we head out into the forest.

I strip down and shift, carrying my clothes in my mouth. Xavier's silver wolf comes to stand beside me and I suddenly realize that there is a faint light silver pattern running across his fur, the same pattern as his tattoos.

How did you manage to get a tattoo that shows up on your fur? I ask him and he chuckles.

I don't know, I didn't realize it showed up on my fur, he says.

On the count of three?

Sure. One.

Two, I say and crouch down.

Three! We both say and leap into the trees.

I push myself to run as fast as I can but suddenly see Xavier's wolf beside me and my eyes widen in surprise.

Let me take over! Ira shouts and I growl.

Only for this race, then you better give me control back, I spit and she sighs.

Fine, she mutters angrily. I see Xavier run past me and allow Ira to take control. I feel a massive energy run through my muscles and in one massive leap I catch up to him.

I push myself as hard as I can go and notice that I am keeping pace with him. He gives me a wolfish grin before looking ahead again.

I follow his gaze and see that the entrance to the Mountain is already coming into view. He suddenly rushes way ahead of me and comes to a sliding stop in front of the cave.

My claws dig into the dirt and I skid to a halt in front of him, my eyes wide and my mouth agape.

How did you beat me? I mutter in confusion.

I am a second generation Lycan remember? Plus I have had 100 years of learning tricks to make me faster, stronger, and more agile, he explains.

You better teach me these tricks, I growl playfully and he nudges me with his muzzle.

Don't worry, I will. But now you get to lead me through this maze, I don't really want to get stuck somewhere with one of those creatures.

Derek told you everything didn't he?

Yeah pretty much, he chuckles. I shake my head and leap into the mouth of the cave.

The temperature drops several degrees almost instantly. I feel power surging through my muscles and growl a little.

Ira, you said you would give back control, I snarl.

I did, I gave back some control. This way, it is easier for me to get control but you are more powerful, she says and I growl.

I don't want you to get control easier!

We have a mate now, he can help keep us in check so we don't do anything too stupid, she reasons.

Fine, but you only get full control when it is absolutely necessary, I warn and she reluctantly growls in agreement.

I smile a little, taking a sharp corner with ease. I run through the maze of tunnels easily and notice I reach the Safe Room much faster than normal.

Xavier and I shift back and pull our clothes on. I push open the silver door and immediately see my mother in the kitchen with Lily.

"Raven, is everything okay? I heard about the whole thing where all the packs in the world are trying to kill you," my mother says and I give her a sarcastic smile.

"Oh yeah everything's just great. I'm used to people wanting to kill me by now," I snort and I hear Lily snicker behind her.

"Very funny. Who is this?" She asks.

"This is Xavier Bloodmoon, my mate," I say, just as he puts an arm around my waist.

"Bloodmoon?" Lily repeats, her eyes wide in surprise.

"As in Kaeton Bloodmoon?" My mother asks and Xavier nods.

"He was my father," Xavier says and they stare in shock.

"I didn't know there were any second generations still alive," Lily mutters.

"I am actually the last one since my younger brother was killed a few years ago."

"You must be as powerful as Raven then," my mother mutters.

"More actually," I shrug and they shake their heads.

"Okay. So why are you two here exactly?" Lily says.

"The attack from all the packs in the world is taking place tomorrow at sundown. We want to lure the enemy into the cave system and trick them into falling over the edge of the valley. In order to do that, we need to scare them with our creatures but four is not enough," I explain and they immediately nod.

"We can help, we have our cats and Lily can actually control Shade's cats so that will add four more, plus we have two other foxes that are bonded to Lily and I," my mother says and I grin.

"Perfect."

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

It is almost sundown, is everyone ready and in position? I mind link my pack.

Our Lycans in the caves are ready, Derek replies.

Lycans are covering the valley, archers and snipers up high and our best warriors inside, Jace informs me.

All doctors and warriors with medical training are spread out to help with wounded in the caves, valley and in the forest, Hailey tells me.

Cameron, is everything good where you are? I mind link her.

Yes Alpha, we are currently in the pack prison with several wolves guarding, she says.

Is Aiden with you?

Yes he is, he refused to leave Luke and I.

I feel my heart swell with pride and a smile creeps onto my face.

Luke? I ask.

Yeah, Aiden and I wanted to name him after our first Beta. We thought it would mean a lot to you, she says and I feel tears prick my eyes.

It does. Thank you Cameron, I tell her. I feel Xavier's hand brush across my lower back and turn to see him looking at me expectantly.

"Everyone is in position and Cameron has all the children and non-fighting Lycans in the pack prison. There are Lycans guarding it as well," I tell him and he nods.

"Are you ready?" He asks. I shake my head and pull him down to meet me in a hot, passionate kiss. My fingers tug on his hair as he wraps his arms tighter around my waist.

He has gotten even more muscular since he joined the pack and I absolutely love it. I pull away, gasping for breath and my chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Now I'm ready," I tell him as I allow my face to go completely void of emotion.

He nods and I watch his face turn hard as well. I climb up into the tree and he follows me up. I rearrange all of the weapons in my belt and stare into the trees as the forest grows darker.

Amira are you ready? I ask as I feel a new presence on the territory.

Yes Alpha, we have a dozen wolves, each previously informed of where they are leading them to and another dozen waiting at the Silver Bloods border, she replies.

Maya, are our best warriors in the trees with weapons?

Yes Alpha, just waiting for your signal, she says and I let out a heavy sigh.

Xavier looks out into the trees beside me and I watch as his eyes suddenly turn ice blue. A few seconds later, I hear it too.

Thousands of pawsteps, thundering against the ground in a stampede.

Send the first dozen down, I tell Amira as I spot the line of wolves in the distance. There are hundreds but I see another wave farther back that is much larger.

I see my Lycans drop from the trees and act as if they are completely off guard. They start shouting to each other as the enemy wolves run closer.

They wait until they are only a few dozen feet away before taking off towards the caves. They shift midleap and I watch as the enemy wolves chase after them.

I smirk and Ira lets out a victory howl in my head.

Derek, get ready. They are coming, a few hundred at least, I warn him and he acknowledges before cutting the link.

Hey are you guys ready? I ask and hear a scoff in return.

That is such a stupid question. Of course we are ready, send them over! My mother replies and I roll my eyes.

I see the second wave approaching and tell Amira who has the second dozen Lycans drop down from the trees.

Their act works just as well as they lead them to the valley. My mother and Lily are riding on their cats while controlling the creatures to scare the wolves off the cliff.

I look to Xavier and he is staring out into the trees. No more wolves seem to be coming, but we both know there should be at least several hundred more.

"Where are they?" I mutter and we both scan the distance.

"They are coming from the other side," he says, pointing towards Blake's pack.

"Of course they are," I growl in annoyance and jump down from the tree.

Alphas, we could use some help here, there are a few more wolves than expected, I hear Jace's panicked voice in my head.

I look at Xavier and he nods.

"I'll go help them but you need to get to the other border, I will be there as soon as possible," he says and gathers up his weapons before running off towards the valley.

It looks like it is going to rain, that might help keep the wolves in the valley, I tell my mate as I notice dark clouds moving across the sky.

Well in that case let's hope it rains, he replies quickly.

I grab my bow and M16 from the tree before heading towards the border.

Amira, have the dozen at the Silver Bloods border shoot down the wolves from the trees, there are too many at the Valley, I order and she voices her understanding.

Maya, the warriors are coming from the Silver Bloods border, I tell her quickly.

Yes Alpha, we are attacking now, she says just as I spot the enemy wolves. My Lycans drop down from the trees and I watch as wolves start dying by the dozens and feel Ira try to take over.

Don't shift yet! I snarl at her and she growls back.

Why not?

I want to scare them first, I will only shift when things get too difficult to handle with just my weapons, I growl and she huffs in frustration.

I feel my eyes swirl red as I watch the fighting and my canines sharpen slightly. I let out a thundering growl that catches the attention of all the wolves.

My Lycans immediately use this to their advantage. They kill nearly a hundred before the enemy finally snaps out of it.

They start shouting, gesturing towards me with furious expressions. I grin and pull my katanas from the holder on my back.

The blades are silver, laced with wolfsbane. Wolves start pouring past my Lycans and rushing straight for me.

My blade slices across one wolf's chest and he howls in pain, immediately collapsing to the ground in a fit of spasms as the wolfsbane courses through his blood.

I stab another and blood sprays across my face as I catch one in the jugular. I hear a growl behind me and whip around just in time to shove my katana into a wolf's skull.

I shove the body away, and swing my katanas around, cutting into any nearby wolf. Even a small cut on the paw is lethal thanks to the wolfsbane and silver in the blades.

I drive the wolves far enough away from me so that I can trade my katanas for my bow. Arrows rain down on the wolves and yelps and howls of pain fill the night.

The moonlight shines down, casting harsh shadows on the forest. Light reflects off the fangs and claws of the fighting wolves. I suddenly realize that this is eerily similar to my nightmares.

I continue shooting wolves until I run out of arrows and snatch my whip from my belt. I run forward and practically dive into the battle.

My whip lashes out and the barbed end hits a dozen wolves around me. The end is covered in wolfsbane making it just as lethal as my other weapons.

I suddenly hear a howl in the distance and freeze in my tracks.

"Shade," I mutter and take off into the forest. I push myself to run as fast as I can towards the sound.

Ira is snarling something at me but I ignore her, searching for Shade's familiar figure. The sounds of the battle start to fade as I near the border.

I spot a clearing and there is a vague shadow in the center of it. I burst through the trees and my heart sinks at the sight.

"Shade? What happened to you?" I ask, my voice breathless. Her body is covered in scars and she is much stronger than the last time I saw her.

Her presence is more powerful and I can sense something off about her. I watch as for a moment she seems to be having an internal conflict.

She shakes her head and growls but then suddenly looks at me with a grin.

"What's wrong Raven? You don't like the new me? I'm much more powerful now, I've been training so I'm stronger too. I'm faster, more agile, and better at almost everything," she says and I step back in surprise at her voice.

It is different, definitely not Shade's voice. It is deeper and has a growling undertone.

"What the fuck happened to you?" I growl, my eyes glowing red.

"Well, first I was captured and the people took Crimson away from me," she says and my eyes widen in realization.

Kill her! Fucking kill her right now Raven! Ira snarls at me.

"They gave you a new Lycan didn't they?" I growl and she smirks.

"Yeah they did, her name is Venatrix. And she was created to be a challenger to Ira," she says.

Raven! You need to kill her right now! Ira howls at me. My eyes narrow as I study Shade.

"Stop talking like Shade. I know I am talking to Venatrix," I growl and Shade laughs.

"You're right, you are talking to Venatrix." Her eyes suddenly flash a neon green and Ira screams for me to kill her.

"And what do you plan to do, Venatrix?" I growl.

"I plan on killing you Raven. You and that uncontrollable Lycan of yours. I am going to rid the world of you both," she spits and I snarl.

"Well, you can't kill me from all the way over there."

*********

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