Gabriel

The mountains were standing mute. The breeze in the tall trees not even willing to register a whisper as I walked alone. Unnerved with what was to come, I watched dusk cast its pastel hues across the sky, nature's preamble before the Moon would set the stage for the night.

Everything was in motion. I'd gathered every warrior we had. Male, female. It mattered not. For most of the pack, this was a hunger that had been gnawing away at them since the death of their Alpha- my father. That was what was special about our pack. We were family, blood or not, and they wanted revenge for his death. This wasn't just about Miesha, or I. It was about all of us.

Greyson and Nate had done what they could to ensure their strongest were ready. Our combined efforts near doubling what we otherwise would have had since their arrival at Cross Rivers.

We knew Jacob and the Rogues were coming and I had but one request issued to them should he arrive while I said goodbye to Miesha- leave him for me.

The echoes of the silence split me at the seams as I paced towards Neve's cabin. With each impatient tread, I swore I could feel the arms of my father in the wind wrapping around me. It brought me comfort to know I wasn't alone.

I struggled to compose myself, my breath jagged and torn as I called out to him.

Father.

The Moon rising to meet my mourning as she watched her land fill with the quaking cry of her creation.

My chest heaved.

My vision was crystal clear. His face wearing nothing but pride as my beautiful mother held his hand. The vision stole my breath. Standing tall in their grace, I watched them smile. Her hair was her crowning glory, just as if she were young once more, painting a golden gloss over the dappled sky.

Mother.

They were here. For the briefest second it was as if they never left.

It didn't matter how much time had passed, or how much I had aged- I just wanted them back. But tonight there would be more loss.

The pack felt the pain of my undoing. One howl set off the others, one by one the symphony rippling across the valley, until an ode of reckoning filled the fields with foreboding. My people were thirsty for revenge. And it was coming.

Forgive me father.

~

Whipsawing with each bound, I let him break through. Splitting the Earth like tree bark, his paws hit the dirt as he hurtled in pursuit of his mate.

His golden eyes pierced the fields. His vision honed in on everything from the iridescent wings of the dragonfly that swept past him, to the claws of the cicadas that gripped the tree trunks as they sung their evening song unaware.

As he thundered on, he knew what lay ahead. I feel his body buzzing with emotion as he got closer to his other half. His breath humming along with the cadence that flowed from the strength of him.

Not long to go now.

Through the thickets and lurching over the decay of dying trees, he became one with the wild. Blurring at the seams I pushed him further forward as we ran together deeper into the darkness.

Until we stopped.

"Gabe... I'm sorry, I'm sor-""

The second his panic-stricken voice came through our mind-link, I knew something was wrong.

"James!? What's wr-"

Claws ground through the dirt as my wolf skidded to a halt. Steady... Wait.

"Eliza. She..."

Searching our surroundings, his eyes darted across the forest, shackles raising along the ridge of his frame. Baring his teeth, he snarled as if in a stand off with an unseen enemy. Spinning, pacing, his ears pricked in wait before we turned. We have to go back for James.

I let him know our intent.

"I'm coming James, hold on!"

But one step forward.

"No- don't! It's an ambush! They don't know..."

Stop.

"Don't know what?!"

The fear floods me.

"Where you are. Don't come for me, it's... too... late."

Wailing to the Moon Goddess, we howl in agony as she watches the scene unfold from above.

"James!"

She offers no help.

"Tell Clara I love her... and my girl-  I'm sorry."

His fate is final.

"Good bye Gabe... it has been... an honor."

"James!"

Nothing.

"James!"

Silence.

I feel his presence fade as my wolf lunges forward. He takes control, focussed on what must be done. There is no time to grieve- just run.

Ripping through like an arrow we don't stop until we see Neve's cabin. Illuminated from the golden glow filtering out from behind the closed curtains, I stop short of barrelling through the doors.

Sensing my presence, I feel their anxiety heighten as they pick up on the same rolling off from my wolf.

They make no attempt to open the door.

I eye the clothing Miesha has left for me on the wicker cane chair in the corner of the verandah.

Despite my wolf's unease, I shift back in manic urgency.

It won't be long- I'll need you again soon.

His reply was but a whine in protest.

Pulling on the pants, I take a deep breath before I reach for the brass door.

Stepping inside the tension is so thick it is difficult to breathe. The four of us stand in wait. I can't bear to divulge what happened.

Neve moves first.

"Christ... Just say it Gabe..."

My eyes rise from the floor, stepping forward I spit it out.

"Eliza killed James in an attempt to draw us out."

Expressionless, they stand still, as if willing me to take it back.

But I can't.

"It has begun."

Neve's frustration threatens to boil over as she seethes in anger, "I fucking knew she was in on it this whole fucking time!!!!"

Shaking her head, she makes her intentions known, "I will kill the bitch."

There is no doubt in my mind that she will.

Turning to Miesha, she remains standing in unusual silence as she and Adrienne exchange glances between each other.

"I know you are both mind-linking each other."

Walking over, I cup her jaw in my hands. Her eyes gloss over in a look I can't decipher, but I make sure at least, I leave nothing open for interpretation.

"Miesha, you're staying here with Adrienne. I cannot lose you. Please- just listen this once, it's all I ask."

Her gaze is subdued, she makes no attempt to argue.

Our lips meet, and I hold onto the taste of her as if it's the last chance I may have to do so.

Closing my eyes, I peel away from her and head for the door- Neve already waiting with it half open ready for retribution.

My passing words are final as we step out into the night.

"No matter what you hear. No matter what you see. Do not open this door... Do not open this door until it's over."

Shifting from skin under the cloak of dark, I inhale the crisp air... the sharpness holding a promise of what is to come. 

Blood will be spilt.

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