War is never pretty. It is never righteous or glorious. War is dirty. It is terrifying. Bloody. Loud and horrific. There is no good side. No winner or loser. There is only the side that lost less, the side that managed to kill more of the other. There are no clean hands in a battle. No innocent pure hearted heroes.

When you die you are no different than the enemy beside you. You bleed the same. Cry the same. Die the same. Meaning, intention, cause, logic none of it matters here. Here all that matters is death. It, the only truth. The rest it matters before. And perhaps it matters after. But at the clash of battle, at the first bash of side against side, with the first death, the first drop of blood it all shrinks away and none of it matters. Why loses all meaning. There is no more right or wrong, good or evil there is only life and death and the struggle to hold onto who you were before it started.

This was no different. They were fighting for the good. It did not mean they were good. Did not mean their actions were good. In the cold autumn air, under the partially hidden moon, there was little that distinguished them from their enemies. Here they were all the same. The only difference was whose team you were on. Tomorrow it would matter. In the light of day good and bad, right and wrong would exist once more. But now they were in the dark, there was no light.

They say history is written by the victor.

War is written in blood.

They didn't have to wait long before it started.

One of Olivia's scouts spotted them first.

Aislinn knew it was starting when Kaiden tensed beside her. Richard inched ever closer so his body was nearly brushing against hers.

Suddenly they heard the sounds of paws and feet echoing through the trees. Taking a deep breath Kaiden caught the traces of their scents on the breeze. Getting stronger as the trespassing wolves made their way closer to them.

Kaiden threw a quick glance over his shoulder at his mate. Richard and his three new guardians, Leland, Emmett and Hugo, stood around her. Not knowing her identity they hadn't been able to take the oaths of the Guardians yet, but they were still taking their duty seriously. Richard had been quick to reassure him that even if they didn't know who she was their wolves would still feel a pull and a need to protect her. Meeting the cool grey of her eyes, he pushed lightly against their bond only to find that like her exterior she had shut down again. He felt nothing from her, a small frown formed as he watched her worriedly. Sensing his unease she shook her head in the slightest motion possible before becoming still once more, letting out a sigh he realized that was all the reassurance he was going to get from her.

Shifting his focus quickly Kaiden looked to the wolf at her side. Richard was utterly calm, a picture of confidence and dominance as he stood towering beside her. He wouldn't leave her side. Kaiden had to trust that. Had to entrust the safety of his mate to him. He had a duty to her and to their people and he couldn't do that and protect her, even if he wanted to.

Kaiden stepped forward with Austin at his shoulder. He pushed all of his fears, doubts and worries away. He had to be calm, ready and levelheaded. Fury and rage would not help him here. Now he had to be an Alpha and protect his pack.

Standing rigidly they watched as Stanley emerged from between the dark trees. A cruel smirk on his face as his beta and third walked at his sides. They were surrounded by at least 30 more wolves most already shifted. Kaiden felt his anger bubble to the surface with one look at the man but quickly pushed it down again before it could be betrayed on his face.

He also didn't let his face give anything away when Olivia mind linked him to say that they had counted at least 50 more wolves hidden in woods nearby the clearing they had decided to wait at. The rest of Fraser's pack had broken off into two groups and were moving to surround them.

Close to 80 against their less than 50. Definitely not the greatest odds.

Kaiden didn't let his mind consider this. His pack needed to feel him confident and steady.

"Stanley I see you have crossed our boundary lines once more and with friends, I was not aware that I had granted you permission?" Kaiden addressed the man not raising his voice knowing that it would carry even though they were separated by close to 20 feet. He kept his tone light and friendly.

"I hear you received my warning? You seem as if you were expecting me?" Stanley replied lifting his voice as he smirked at him once more.

Kaiden didn't let out the growl that wanted to escape. Refusing to let the man get a rise out of him with the casual and flippant comment about the two ex-members that he had tortured and left for dead. Their only crimes being who they loved. Their bodies and pain then used as a sick message. Kaiden hated this man and at the words he felt a flicker of hate and rage dart across the bond from Aislinn. He had to fight his wolf from turning and comforting her. It was difficult but he managed to keep his eyes forward.

"You do work quickly I'll give you that. What grounds has the council so cleverly thought up to sanction a massacre this time?" Kaiden let the sarcasm and disgust drip from his words. No longer attempting to hide his contempt.

"Aw did you want more time to play pack? I like this side of you Kaiden, no more daddy to protect you. Will you beg me to save you? Beg me to spare your precious little mate even as I make you watch as I kill her?"

Kaiden couldn't hold back the growl this time. His wolf begged him to be released, to take this man and rip the life from his worthless body.

"You will not lay one finger on her." Kaiden bit out between vicious snarls, his eyes flashing black. He heard Austin and a few others' echoing growls from around him at the threat.

The alpha across from him finally seemed to take notice that they weren't alone, "Ah well and who do we have here? New faces I see, how quaint Kaiden. Where did you find these traitors who are so willing to fight for you? You think you will stand a chance against my pack? A pack that has stood since the beginning? You are a child. All you are doing is giving me more bodies to lay at your feet. Perhaps I should be thanking you. Oh and I will lay more than a finger on her. One so beautiful, so unique I think I will enjoy her the most." As he spoke his eyes lit up with a gleam of madness. Deranged insanity dancing in their depths as his voice took on a creepy singsong quality that made Kaiden want to grab his mate and get her as far away from him as possible.

"I will give you one more warning Stanley turn around and leave and I will let you live. Stay and you will die, there is no council here, none of your precious allies for you to run behind. I do not want to slaughter any of my kind but I will if you push me, and I can promise that if this comes to a fight it will be your body at my feet." Steel laced his voice as he let the strength of his wolf pour forth, hoping that the foolish alpha would take the hint and turn away.

No such luck.

Kaiden only had a moment's notice, a slight flicker to his left that had him turning to take the flying wolf on head to head. As if that was the cue all hell broke loose.

The Fraser wolves that had been hidden raced from the shadows of the trees. Instantly surrounding Kaiden, Austin, Richard and his men. Stanley's maniacal laughter filled the air as his voice boomed out, arrogance heavy in his voice, "Surrender now and I will offer you a quick death."

Kaiden didn't have the time to respond. He had shifted mid leap as he hurled himself at the grey and brown medium sized wolf that had launched the attack. His wolf was much stronger and larger so it wasn't much of a fight. Kaiden felt his teeth sink into the soft flesh of the other wolfs neck. Coppery blood exploded under his sharp canines, filling his mouth. Kaiden felt a flash of regret as the wolf's body went limp falling onto the bloody earth in a heap. He didn't have time to dwell before he was turning to meet another attack launched by a grey wolf at his back. And so it went Kaiden meeting attack after attack. Most times two or three wolves at a time would come against him.

Kaiden and Austin were the only other two that shifted. Richard and Aislinn's three other guards had simply formed a protective circle around her their backs facing in with her standing still and calm in the center. Their faces were blank and passive even as their eyes cautiously watched the wolves that began to circle them. However none were alarmed in the slightest, this only acted to enrage the enemy wolves further. Seeing the implied insult for what it was. Richard and the three guards didn't even view the other pack wolves as threats worthy of the need to shift. Instead they stayed in their human forms arms hanging loosely at their sides. Howls and furious growls exploded in the chilly night air.

Kaiden and Austin stood a few feet away back to back eyeing the wolves around them. Snapping and snarling at any that had the foolish idea to try and take on the massive forms of the Alpha and Beta. Both were easily the largest wolves in the clearing and in their wolf form, their strength and dominance was even easier to feel. Even being outnumbered it had the attacking wolves glancing around nervously as they took in the blood and fallen forms of their fellow pack members now littering the ground. Most of those left standing, sported some type of injury from the two larger wolves who themselves had barely been touched. After another vicious howl from Kaiden some of the other pack felt the strangest urge from their wolves to submit and cower.

Stanley watching as his pack began to tremble and back away from them began cursing. Shouting and commanding them to attack and kill. Kaiden took the opportunity to send out his own call.

It was only a few heartbeats until the sounds of paws against the hard ground could be heard echoing around them once more. Kaiden watched as Stanley's head whipped up looking around in complete confusion as Kaiden's pack now ran into the clearing circling around what was left of his.

His wolves didn't hesitate before throwing themselves into battle. He had given the other pack the opportunity to leave and he had warned them of the consequences. Part of him knew that these wolves were not the problem and that they were being commanded by a twisted Alpha but right now they were a threat and he couldn't allow his pack to show any mercy or weakness. Now it was the time to teach them what happened to those who threatened them.

Kaiden and Austin jumped forward as Blair tackled a wolf close to him. Their enforcers were quickly behind him, each leaping forward, teeth and claws reaching for flesh. Snarling and growling erupted around them as the sides came together. The sounds of teeth clashing and flesh tearing soon filled the air as the tangy scent of blood, sweat and death hung heavy in the dark. Clay led his Warriors from the opposite side and was slowly but persistently fighting his way through the circle of wolves to the center where Aus and Kaiden were engaged in their own fights.

Olivia had control of the runners and guards. Leading them she had them circling the clearing where the fighting raged on. She was tasked with making sure none of the wolves escaped, especially Stanley and his higher ranks.

It didn't surprise any of them when she linked them that the enemy Alpha was attempting to flee after only a few minutes of fighting. Although they had the numbers, Kaiden's fighters were simply stronger, better trained and far more loyal. It soon became clear that none of the Fraser wolves had come willingly and none had the desire to die for their Alpha. Almost immediately Kaiden had wolves submitting to him, surrendering themselves easily before his bared teeth. Still though there were a lot of wolves who did fight and at nearly two to one it was a bloody and intense battle.

Aislinn had watched as the first wolf launched himself at her mate. Her heart nearly stopping.

Richard feeling her panic had muttered lowly under his breath at her, "Sh Princess he is fine. Look he is unhurt. Your mate can handle himself."

She knew it was true and watching the massive blue black wolf of her mate effortlessly take down the smaller wolf, she could tell that not only was he far stronger but also much more skilled. He fought with a confidence and speed that outmatched the others by a long shot.

She didn't move and neither did her guard as they watched as the rest of the pack joined the fight just as Kaiden and the others had planned. The idea of the surprise attack coupled with them being greatly underestimated was hoped to make up for them being outnumbered.

It all seemed to be going well. The Silverblood wolves were ruthless, working alone and in tandem to pull down wolf after wolf. Working their ways in towards their Alpha while leaving a trail of blood and bodies in their wake.

Slowly the other pack was feeling the strain, they had come in expecting a simple easy execution. They were not prepared for an even fight. Wolves that began submitting, surrendering themselves to her mate and his pack were knocked out. Kaiden had some of the enforcers start to guard their unconscious bodies.

By now most of the circle had been broken and dispersed. Numerous enforcers and warriors had made their way to the center and now worked with Kaiden Austin and Clay to take down the few wolves still fighting.

Kaiden was currently fighting one on one with a larger wolf with a reddish brown coat. He wasn't nearly as large as Austin but it wasn't hard to tell that he was the Fraser Beta, Garrett. He was more skilled then many of the other wolves but he wasn't a match for Kaiden. Blood and gashes slowly began to cover him as his movements became more sluggish. Kaiden only had a few superficial surface wounds and it was clear to see who would come out on top.

It was then that Aislinn noticed it. Her eyes narrowed as she let her senses sharpen pulling her eyes away from her mate and his pack she felt a sneer twist in her head as she watched his back retreat into the dark. Without hesitating she bolted between Richard and Leland's bodies barely noticing as her body knocked against theirs too focused on her prey. She ignored Richard's cries for her to stop, pushing herself forward she flew across the clearing leaping over bodies dead and alive. Only momentarily pausing to kick an enemy wolf who was attempting to sneak up behind one of the new enforcers. Her strike sending him flying backwards into a nearby tree with a sickening crack.

Aislinn didn't wait to see what happened next already pushing them from her mind as she pushed herself to go faster.

He only made it a few hundred feet from the clearing before she caught him.

She didn't slow using the momentum from the to chase carry her, she leaped at his back tackling him to the ground. Rolling forward she leaped gracefully to her feet turning quickly to watch as he shook off the effects of her attack.

When his eyes landed on her she watched as a sick twisted glint showed in his eyes, the smirk that accompanied it made her skin crawl. She didn't give him more time to recuperate instead pushing off she flew at him once more her foot connecting with a satisfying thud into his abdomen earning her a hiss from the man. The power of her kick driving the air from his body.

Shock and surprise flashed across his face, before being replaced by rage. She only had the slight twitch of the muscle in his arm as a warning before his fist was flying towards her face. She easily evaded. Pushing everything from her mind she focused on everything she had been taught. This is what they had made her, what she had been sculpted for. Violence and death.

They traded blows back and forth - hers hitting each time with bone shattering force, drawing blood and pain from him. Her face stayed blank and impassive, even as inside she felt a satisfied delight, as the cocky slimy alpha began to realize just how outclassed he was. She received a few hits, but they mostly glanced off her, using momentum to absorb the impacts without feeling the weight of them. Her lack of reaction only egged him on, she could feel his fury and rage as it began to boil. Sweat and blood covered him as he glared at her hatefully.

He was weakening from his multiple injuries, but she never let herself forget that he was still an Alpha. That meant that unlike those rogues from the motel, he had been trained all his life to fight, and protect his title. Not that he was doing a very good job of it at the moment, of course.

She stilled her attack for a moment as she watched him push himself heavily off of the ground from where her latest kick to his temple had thrown him. He was spitting insults and she found herself with a sick desire to play with him.

"You little b*tch! I will kill you!" He snarled blood dripping from a gash near his temple and from another under his swollen eye.

She stood frozen just watching him, her face blank. This only angered him further as he let out a harsh snarl, his lips pulling back to reveal his elongated canines.

"You would run from your pack as they die, fighting a battle you picked?" She finally asked genuinely finding herself curious as to how an Alpha could act like this.

She thought she saw the slightest flicker of shame and guilt cross his features before it was quickly replaced with disgust and anger. "It wasn't supposed to be this!" He spit out his hands shaking. "I had the councils support, I should already be back receiving my rewards for carrying out their justice."

Aislinn cocked her head to the side as she watched him. It was a pity, all her grandfather had built and worked for left in the hands of men like this.

It was sickening.

"You speak of justice and yet you know nothing of it." She replied calmly.

"I deserve this! This is my land. I am Alpha! I have done everything they have asked, they promised me ..." his words trailed off as his eyes flashed black.

"Ah I see." Aislinn said quietly as she saw the words he wouldn't say.

He looked up at her in shock, his eyes clouded in confusion. "You weren't going to get Alpha. Your father had chosen another." She kept her voice monotone and emotionless, she felt nothing for this man even now knowing why he was as he was. There was no reason that was able to justify all that he had done. She had no pity for him, no remorse for what was to come. The two wolves now under her protection were not the first of his pack mates to feel his wrath, and her family was not the last that he had helped slaughter just to protect his undeserved title and power. He was sick and corrupt.

A growl ripped from him as his body began to shake as her words sunk in. She saw the horror and truth flash over his face, as he tried to figure out how she knew.

She thought he would attack her, at least that's what an actual Alpha would do. Of course he was never supposed to be one so really it wasn't a surprise when he did the exact opposite. Spitting another string of threats and curses at her he turned to run.

Only this time someone blocked his path.