"I have no idea how much time that we have in between or even if Mistress Hemlock was telling the truth." I finished, my throat hurting from explaining the entirety of my quick encounter. "Goddess, I'm not even sure how to approach this."

Alexander rubbed his forehead, the dull ache in the back of my head telling me that he most likely was experiencing a full-blown headache.

"There's a couple of things we can do, but I would say that the smartest thing to do at this point is to contact other packs. And other than that, prepare." He finally decided.

"What if we sent someone in? Infiltrate their base and kill them quick and easy from the inside? That way we aren't putting our own pack at risk." Farren suggested offhandedly.

Harmony shook her head. "No way, not only would that put Ti and Cassandra in another bout of danger, but we would also be the ones attacking, but if we let them come to us, the position of victims will be different. Both routes will end up in a war between us, we may as well take the ending that will portray us in a better light."

"I agree with Harmony," Alexander finalised. "Preparation and alerting other packs, that's all we can do. Vance, Farren, if you could I need you to get training started, just to pull all of the troops together, I don't want to be wasting any time. Myra, we're going to need as many healing potions and salves as you can make. Harmony, can you head out and alert as many businesses as possible, if you have time, perhaps the hospital and things like that as well. The more everyone is prepared the better, even if it's just a quick warning."

Harmony nodded and was the first to move, sending out a line that the rest of the others followed as they filed out of the door.

"What about us?" I asked, leaning against the table.

Alexander pulled out a piece of paper, a range of numbers written all over it, "We need to start making phone calls." He grabbed a pen and spilt the amount of the numbers in half, "I'll dial the first half and you call the second."

"Are we being stingy on the information?"

He shook his head, "No. Well, tell them the basics. About the situation, what's going on and what we may think will be their next move will be. If they ask, expand but if not, don't worry about it."

We pulled out our phones and carefully situated the paper in a place where both of us could see it.

I started tapping the numbers into the pad, "Hi, this is Cassandra Verano, Luna of the Bloodlust Pack, am I speaking to Angelino Bellimo?-"

Phone call after phone call after phone call, my voice as friendly and kind as possible as I delivered the seemingly devastating news. Many had a similar reaction, that they would be aware, increase their guards and should we call on them, they'd be on our side. I'd never felt more professional in my life.

I had moved a seat down from Alexander, just to try and give us some space so that we weren't talking into each other. I kept my calls short and sweet, while Xander seemed to always end up talking for at least five minutes per person. The vein in his neck was sticking out prominently as he grew more and more concerned.

"Of course, we'll keep you updated on what's happening. I can't guarantee that the call will be from me but when anything new comes up, you'll be the first to know. Yep, bye-bye, we'll talk soon." The moment that I pressed the red button, I let my face fall before stretching myself out.

"Goddess some of them love to talk," I groaned.

Xander chuckled, "Oh tell me about it. My phone bill is going to be through the roof."

I tapped my finger against the table, "That was the last one, everyone seemed pretty much completely onboard and on our side."

Xander sighed, "For the most part, same as well. The biggest issue was just trying to get in contact with the Fae lord and Siren Queen. For some reason, I've been gifted with a direct line to their places of residence. However, it seemed that it wasn't as direct as I assumed. Getting in contact was unbearable and trying to get them to take it seriously and understand was even harder. I got through to them in the end, but I wouldn't be relying on them too heavily, I think that Fae lord was completely drunk and just pretending to listen if I'm being honest."

I placed my hand on his, "We've done what needs to be done. Now it's just about preparing for the unseeable."

He gulped, "I'm not sure what I would have done if we hadn't taken Circe, if we hadn't gotten even that scrap of information out of her. I've never done anything even similar to this, neither has my father nor my grandfather. I think I'm even gladder that I have you."

"It's confusing," I admitted, "And sure, we're playing a waiting game in a situation where none of us have any experience. We'll get it done, and we'll win. I know that for sure."

Before he could reply, Alexander's phone ran again. With a sigh, he picked it up and answered it.

"Alexander Cain, Alpha of the Bloodlust pack speaking." He said, slipping back into his Alpha persona. "Who am I speaking to?"

I couldn't hear what was being said, but Xander's face fell as the name came forward. He nodded his head and hummed every couple of seconds, actively listening to what the person on the other end was saying.

"Of course, that will be no problem on our end. We can organise accommodation for the night if you needed. Yea? Alright, well we'll see you in a few hours. Thank you, bye."

He hung up the phone and immediately groaned. "We have an official Pack Elder coming to visit us to discuss the situation, most likely to ensure we aren't dooming the werewolf race."

My eyes flickered, "Where are they coming from?"

"He's coming from some southern pack, I can't really remember. But he's one of the top dogs, practically the leader of all the Pack Elders. I usually can manage to fend him off, but not this time I suppose."

"We have the information and we have the plans. If he's coming to cause problems, we'll shut him down." I promised.

Alexanders expression went dark, "Good luck with that. He's a real piece of work."

-----------------------------------------------

Alexander and I were standing at the very edge of the pack, awaiting the arrival of the Pack Elder, Dionte West.

I could hear the slow thrum of paws against the Earth, meaning that whoever this man was, he was only moments away from arriving at the pack.

"We just have to be respectful," Alexander said finally, "He kind, explain the situation to him and then get him out. The quicker the better."

I raised my eyebrow, "So what if he's rude. We don't want to risk making enemies in such a fragile time."

"We just need to be careful, He's got a way with his words, but he's slimy" He grimaced. "But-"

A wolf slowly came bounding over the shrubbery, jumping over a large log and area of greenery. As the wolf approached us, it shifted back to a human form mid-jump.

He lowered himself into a bow, "Alpha Cain, Luna Verano." He shoved his hand gracefully out in my direction, "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Respectfully, I took his hand, "Thank you, I hope your trip was pleasant?"

His eyebrows bent, "Oh yes, as good as it could be, I suppose. Now, Luna Verano, as the Alpha would already know," He stopped to wink in Alexanders direction, "I don't like to waste time, so. The sooner we can jump into it the better, are you planning to have this discussion anywhere in particular?"

Xander shook his head, "I figured we could take a stroll through the pack, keeping us on our feet, keeping us moving. I'm sure you understand Elder West."

His eyes sparkled, "Of course." He moved himself to be standing directly in between the two of us, "Now tell me, why do you think this is going to be such a big deal?"

Xander gritted his teeth, "We've been up against the organisation for years, you know that. We know the damage they can cause and the amount of damage they've done to us in the past. Countless have died and packs have crumbled just from their interferance. If they are planning to make their final attack, one that has the intention to completely run us over for good. I think you would be very stupid to think that it isn't a big deal."

The Elder raised his hands up in surrender. "A valid point, and that I do understand, but how do we actually know that this is happening? What if you're just setting us up for nothing?"

"We've been very clear that this is the information that we have received from an inside source, yet since the connection isn't loyal, we don't know where or not it will actually be true." I cut in, once again repeating the situation. "We've left it up to other packs in terms of whether or not they choose to believe us, however, I trust our source, therefore, I trust the information."

He held up his finger, "Ah, but there it is, who is this source? How can we trust that information when it hails from a mystery?"

"We hold the right to keep information private," Xander said, starting to get bored and making it painfully obvious. "We acknowledge the fact that you've come all this way for not only the benefit of your pack but also the wolves. However, we are not obligated to tell you everything. We have given you the basics of information over the phone and you've chosen to come out and interrogate us further. That's fine, but you must respect the fact that we don't want or need to tell you everything."

I was glad we were walking because I knew that if we weren't, this situation would be much more unbearable.

Dionte tightened his lips. "Of course, Alpha Cain. That is all well and goof. However, I just want to be sure that this is worth it, that perhaps you aren't overreacting or Goddess forbid, are secretly working with the Organisation and this is all a setup!"

Alexander stopped, "Never doubt or question my morals. Ever. When it comes to my pack, my family, I will never care about anything more. I have to say, Elder Dionte if you continue to speak to me in that way, I will have to ask you to leave."

Dionte cracked a grin, "You can not blame me, you are mated to the Nightstalker, and yes I know about your Luna's secret identity, her scandalous past with the Organisation. Though, don't ask me to explain how I know, as you must respect the fact that I don't want or need to tell you everything."

Xander's lips tightened, "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into. If you were smart, you would shut your mouth right now. We're trying to have a serious informational discussion with you, at your request, and all you can do is shout insults and accusations."

"But I'm right," Dionte checked with a raised eyebrow. "She's the Nightstalker."

A low growl, "She's my mate, and you will end with this natter of Luna Verano unless you wish to find yourself dead in a ditch."

"You have no evidence that this is legitimate, one has to assume that by partnering ourselves with you is only endangering the rest of us!" Dionte said, his face going red as slowly but surely, his voice got louder. "How can we trust you?"

"Well, your leaders seemed perfectly fine with what we had to tell them," Xander raged, "Do they even know that you're here? Or perhaps the one with ulterior motives is you rather than us."

"Oh so now you're accusing me? What on Earth could I do? I have no connections with them at all, let alone the means or motivation to alliance myself with them! I don't even know the names of their leaders of Goddess sake!"

Alexander's whole body seized up, "You're lying."

Dionte paused, "What do you mean? I have no clue what you're talking about."

I surveyed him carefully, "Yes you do. You're lying." I stepped forwards and quickly wrapped my hand around his neck and lifting him only a few inches off the ground.

Immediately, he started to squirm, clawing his fingers against my hands in an attempt to force me to drop him.

"What's about to happen Dionte, tell me now before I throw you against the wall." I threatened, staring deep into his eyes I felt him cower beneath my gaze. I squeezed a fraction tighter.

Suddenly, his wrist started to blare, a loud ringing sound erupting from his watch. I felt him try and go to stop it, but through my own arms, he was unable to reach it.

I glared at him some more before An embarrassed, guilty look came over his face as he shrugged, "Whoops?"

It was slow, but nevertheless, the ground started to heat up, it becoming intolerable to stand still. Tendrils of smoke were floating away from the tips of the blades of grass and dainty disappearing into the air.

"I think it's best, Luna Verano, that you let me go." He croaked.

I huffed, "Oh no, you're staying right here. Tell me what's going on."

Dionte clamped his mouth shut, a signal that he was obviously done talking. And so, I walked over to the nearest building and smashed his body against the wall.

His body wobbled, but that seemed to do the trick.

'They've been building tunnels," He wailed, "That's all I know they've been building tunnels."

I smashed him against the wall one more time, knocking him out for good.

If they had been building interconnecting tunnels that ran through the underground of the back, and the ground was getting unbearably hot, there was only one thing that it could mean.

Fire Dragons were beneath us, and they were trying to set us alight.

---------------------------------------------