The first thing I said was...

"I beg your pardon"?

I was flummoxed.

Trevor looked mortified at the prospect of having to repeat himself and under different circumstances I might have laughed.

But not today.

"They said they want you to go to them Luna...".

My jaw dropped.

Trevor began to fidget uncomfortably as my eyes narrowed and he rushed to justify their reasoning.

"They said they wish to see you at the entrance to the camp. Without the Alpha of Moonlight giving his consent or protection they don't trust we won't try anything".

"So my father's word means more because he is an Alpha and MY word as the Luna of RedFang means nothing"?

My voice increased slightly towards the end and Trevor gulped. Looking into his shifty eyes I could see the internal hamster working in there. His brain trying to come up with another excuse, or any excuse which would mean I would not have to loose my temper.

Too late.

I held my hand up cutting him off.

"They want to see an Alpha, do they"?

I knew my voice held a challenge as I saw Trevor's eyes widen at the implication.

"Lu Lunna..."

He stuttered as I brushed passed him and out of the tent. I power walked through the camp, totally oblivious to anyone around me. I had tunnel vision and the Beta's who dared to belittle me were right at the end of it.

I watched the men stand to attention as I walked passed and the familiar buzzing in my stomach increased. It had been dormant since my conversation with Brie and I tried to reason with myself recalling the warning she gave me, but her words seemed to have fallen on deaf ears as the only emotion which built inside of me was rage.

The lid was bubbling and I took deep breaths as I walked.

...

I ignored Layla's concerned voice in my head as I walked passed someone who had purposefully blocked my path. Feeling so empowered in that moment I saw nothing and no one. I never even saw their face but they ran to catch up to me once I successfully side stepped them.

"Violet, I think you should let me handle this"! I heard.

The voice was nervous but I couldn't put a name to it. I saw nothing but the entrance to the camp..

the buzzing only increased.

Unexpectedly they grabbed my right wrist and shrieked in pain. The noice breaking me from my trance temporarily. I turned to the owner of it and saw that Alec was now 5 foot away from me, on the floor holding the hand he had touched me with.

I blinked.

When I looked towards his cradled hand my jaw went slack when I realised there was smoke coming from it. The smell of burnt flesh was palpable and a few of the Moonlight warriors backed away from me instinctively out of terror. Trevor ran towards Alec and tried to help him to stand. My vision darkened slightly.

My body had automatically protected me when it sensed a threat a few moments before hand, it frightened me that it acted without me.. without my consent almost. It actively reacted to Alec touching me and he was feeling the after effects of the Violet light and I had no control over it. It failed to distinguish between friend or foe.

The darkness swarmed within me.

When I saw that his wolf had already began the healing process, I turned around and returned to my destination, not stopping to apologise. The power was baiting for blood and not yet satisfied.

The whispers began to form around me, slowly reaching a climax as I reached the Beta's in question. They were talking amongst themselves, totally oblivious to the threat approaching them. As I finally became visible they turned towards me.

They attempted to speak ....

"Kneel".. I commanded.

My Alpha wolf's command spreading out and attaching itself to all in its path like a parasite.

I watched their knees shake and buckle beneath them. They struggled with their wolves to disobey the command but their efforts were futile. I was the only Alpha here and it was about time I got some respect. I was tired of being underestimated or brushed aside.

Their heads kept pulling down towards the ground and they had to place their palms on the floor in front of them to prevent a full kow tow. My command was so powerful I almost had their heads touching the ground. Only now did the power feel sated. I relaxed slightly at their respect.

"I am Violet Hayes, daughter of Alpha Kiron of the Moonlight Pack, Luna to Alpha Dimitri of the RedFang pack and a White Wolf of the Moon Goddess".

They waited in silence for me to continue. I watched their breathing quicken and their foreheads bead with sweat.

"I release you"

As soon as I uttered the words all three of the Beta's shook as the weight lifted. They each in turn raised their heads to look at me.... fear and respect was emanating from their wolves.

"I hear you wanted consent to travel within this pack's stationed camp and I grant it to you".

They nodded quickly but remained on the floor.

"You may rise" I said.

I was bored with their frightened expressions.

"Make sure that is the last time I have to travel to you. As only Ironthorne pack has its Luna the other two packs will answer to me in the interim, that is until your Alpha's find their Luna's. Do I make myself clear"?

The Beta's of Clawthaw and WhiteFang bowed in acknowledgment".

"What news do you have of your Alpha's since they attended the meeting"?

One Beta stepped forward.

"I am Beta Silar of the Ironthorn pack. My Luna attended the meeting with our Alpha and I can confirm that we lost contact with them a few hours after they left our camps. Our warriors have scouted the borders but they are plagued with rogues. RedFang has fallen and we believe Alpha Dimitri also perished along with it. Either that... or he is a conspirator with the rebellion".

I rushed to intercept his statement..

"Alpha Dimitri is innocent.. I can assure you and he is alive... I can feel it. I also believe the other Alpha's are too. We need to form an alliance if all the remaining packs are to succeed in finding them and winning this war"..

The three Beta's looked to one another not quite pleased at the prospect of having to work together.

"You are not each others enemy.. the real enemy is the Rogue King. You will all put aside your differences for the sake of saving your Alpha's".

They all reluctantly bowed their heads.

Another beta stepped forward.

"I am Beta Felix of the Whitefang pack

.. I am concerned for Luna Farah. There have been reports that she might have been killed whilst on RedFang grounds, if this is so then Alpha Dimitri could be implicated or even complicit. Considering the rumours we have heard about the other packs we were hoping you may have some knowledge".

He looked to me with hope in his eyes.

"I believe she doesn't have much time and I know for a fact Dimitri would never participate in the killings of Luna's. The Rogue King however, has created Trials where every Luna must paticipate in a fight by combat for the sake of her pack".

He gasped and looked to the forest floor.

"As we are running low on Luna's these days, I am sure you can join the dots together. Our laws have made us weak and I am working on rectifying the situation so no more innocents need die".

They nodded in agreement.

"Then I agree to the truce"...said Beta Felix.

"Beta Eric.."?

I watched him approach.

"Give me a pen and paper, I will be sending the Rogue King a message of my own tonight".

He nodded and I turned towards the Beta's.

"Our people come before politics, before any council and before any old vendettas you might have with one another. Our survival is what we have to put first. I need each and every one of you to show your allegiance and support for the battle ahead. We need your warriors to win this war. If none of you can handle it, I suggest you leave now, because if anyone betrays us, I'll kill you myself".

They looked to each other first before bowing low in deference.

"I have plans to protect the women and children of RedFang. I myself will go to the Rogue King tomorrow and participate in the trial for RedFang's survival. Can I rely on the Beta's here present to work together for our counter attack"?

When I had their acceptance and they decided to return to their respective camps to prepare for tomorrow, I began my journey back to my tent. As I reached the steps towards my tent I felt a powerful entity enter my mind, followed by a voice.

I knew exactly who it was and the power began to surge within me again.

One thing the power despised was having to take orders.

I was frozen in place as the voice took a hold of my body. Invisble ropes restraining me from any movement. Binding me to the spot. As I waited for its owner to come into my eyeline I was not at all shocked to see who it was.

A VERY pissed off vampire.

"You injured my mate"... said Brie

"He touched me and my power reacted on its own accord. It was a mistake".

"Make sure that 'mistake' never happens again". She said firmly.

"Remove your compulsion on me Brienna"! My voice growled.

"Brie... it's ok". I heard Alec rushing to my aid behind me and saw that Brie's eyes which were once hard when directed at me, turned soft when she looked towards Alec.

I felt her mind control release me and I took a gulp of air into my lungs.

"Vampires"! I scoffed

She ignored me as she rushed towards him.

"I felt your pain through the bond. Are you sure you're alright"?

"I thought you might have left". He said. His voice tried hard not to betray him, but I knew that he was secretly pleased that she had stayed.

She shook her head.

"I came back to see if you were safe".

I watched the exchange between the two silently.

How would Dimitri feel if something happened to me?

Would he care?

I found myself wanting to see him again desperately, the longing in my chest increased along with my fear of losing my father and brother.

Brie picked up Alec's once injured hand to turn it over a few times. Not quite believeing that it had healed so quickly. I saw Alec smile secretively over the top of her head and as he made eye contact with me I grinned and his eyes turned serious.

"Sorry about earlier"... I said genuinely feeling shitty about myself.

He sighed and dragged Brie behind him protectively.

"I've decided to take Brie and leave as you suggested. I think I've faced enough battles and I would like to sit this one out".

I looked down and tried to hide my disappointment. He was right and I knew he feared for me. He feared the outcome and whether I would survive. I guess he didn't want to stay around to see the ending and I couldnt blame him. He had already been through enough.

"I understand and you have my blessing"

I watched him take Brie's hand and saw how shocked she was by him leading her away from me.

As I returned to my tent I felt the loss of Alec leaving. He would have been a great asset to us and he was a dear friend but he needed his life with Brie, and I now had an obligation as the Luna of RedFang to save my pack.

With the alliances made this evening, I might just have a chance to succeed.

It would take some planning in the early hours of the morning when the Beta's and their warriors arrived, but If I played my cards right...

The Rogue King's head would be on a pire this time tomorrow.

Justice had to prevail.

There could be no room for error..

Or weakness.

"Luna... the pen and parchment you requested". I turned to Beta Eric.

I held my hand up to motion for him to stay as I wrote my response.

Handing it back to him I had another thought.

"Make sure this message is delivered to him and be sure to return James' head as well".

He grinned.

"Yes Luna".

"I'm looking forward to my trial".