Alec

All morning I have had this niggling feeling in the back of my head which refused to go away. Ever since Violet left Moonlight camp for her trial this morning, I have been feeling uneasy and my mind was filled with apprehension. I was disgusted with my behaviour towards her, especially when I failed to see her off to the RedFang border and wish her all the best in her fight. I knew she had waited for me to join her for a while so I asked Gamma Trevor to accompany her in my stead. I felt like a complete and total dick. I had a feeling that she was in danger and I just couldn't shake it. I would forever regret not saying goodbye if the worst should happen.

I had promised Brie that we would leave the camp at 10am as I had agreed to leave with her, but it was almost 10:15 and I still hadn't budged.

Will I regret my decision if I leave her to face the rogues on her own?

Granted, she wasn't alone. Not now that the other Beta's from the remaining packs had joined forces with her. But I had turned my back on her by refusing to join the fight. The fight my entire species were currently apart of, except for the disgraced Beta of Bloodstone.

Guilt.

It was weighing down on my shoulders and it kept me on the bed I was currently seated on in my tent. My mind kept replaying the events of the last 48 hours.

One minute I'm captured by Violet's mate and then I'm on the run to try and find her to warn her about her packs attack. I found out I have another mate, a 'chosen' mate who happens to be a Vampire and then my entire species goes to war with one another.

Rubbing my hands over my eyes I try to alleviate the stress I was feeling. Pressure was building in my mind and a headache was forming, I failed to notice the slight dip in the beds mattress next to mine. I did notice, however, the cool and soothing palm which draped across my forehead. I felt an overwhelming sense of calm settle over me and then the pain ceased altogether.

Sitting up slowly from my hunched position, I turned to the owner of that hand.

Brie.

She was another matter entirely. I still was by no means used to the idea of having her as my mate. Every now and then she would do something which would freak me out and then she would apologise profusely for it and it just made me feel guilty for reacting the way I did in the first place. It's not like it was her fault. She was born this way. This was not at all my dream idea of a pairing and she knew that.

That only made me feel even worse. Especially when she showed me nothing but empathy and kindness.

I had offered to leave with her as I knew that my being in Violet's presence upset her. Especially as my feelings for Violet had not changed. I was still in love with her despite the fact she was pregnant now and there was certainly no way of turning back the clock. But leaving with an actual 'destination' in mind is not something I had even contemplated yet. The guilt was still in the way. Blocking any movement and preventing me from moving on. Both mentally and physically.

"Where is it that you wanted to go"? I asked in an attempt to distract my ever crazy thoughts.

I'm surprised I had failed to ask her that till now. She seemed so determined to leave after our argument last night. But to where she was going was a mystery. In fact, her whole life seemed to be a mystery to me. All I knew, is that we would not be fully accepted here and despite my negative feelings towards this 'match' it was still my duty to put her and her feelings first.

She shrugged at my question and her auburn hair slipped over her shoulder to cover her face slightly. Partially blocking my view of her.

I instinctively reached out and pushed it back behind her ears. The sparks fluttered across my hand as I made contact with her skin and I pulled back just as quickly, cursing myself. Her hair was soft and bouncy. She had naturally wavy hair which somehow always looked perfect.

Too perfect.

It only confirmed to me that she was in fact the 'undead' and not exactly living. I preferred my women unpolished but she always seemed ready for a photoshoot of sorts, without even trying.

"I need to leave the werewolf lands quickly. I had plans to hide amongst the humans for a while and spend time in their company. Maybe to even live as one"

My eyes widened in horror and my mouth gasped wide open. My wolf's protective side reared its ugly head.

"You planned on mingling with the humans? Are you out of your mind? What if they discovered you"?

She turned away from me and rose from the bed. Despite her skin being cool to touch, it was odd how I missed her presence beside me as she put distance between us.

"I never asked you to come. You dont have too if you dont want too".

She flew the words out like a knife. Verbally slicing me as she said it. One thing I realised quite early on about Brie and I, was how much we fought with one another. On practically everything. We were total opposites, chalk and cheese. She was stubborn and impulsive, rash and commanding. But she was also extremely quick to feel emotion like fear and compassion.

When Violet's power injured me last night, Brie jumped to my aid quickly and even faced off against Violet unexpectedly when she realised I had been injured. I smirked slightly at the memory of her standing there with her arms folded in front of her. Her chest raised and her long legs rooted to the floor. The fear I saw in her eyes when she turned to me and asked if I was alright. No one had ever asked me that before.

But she did.

I shook my head at the memory of how easily Violet could have killed her. Brie looked so weak in comparison to our kind and it worried me. Walking fast and sucking on people's blood wasn't exactly a super power now was it?

Deciding to let her win this battle, I conceded and nodded my head.

"If you want to enter the human realm, I will accompany you". I said reluctantly.

She paused and looked down towards her feet.

"If you accompany me, what will you accompany me as"?

It was an odd question but I saw the uncertainty in her downcast eyes. She wanted clarification, transparency as to what this was between us. What I thought this was between us. Whether I had plans to persue the mate bond further. Whether I would embrace it or reject it or continue to deny its existence.

None of which I had the answers too.

"I will protect you and make sure our kind is not exposed in this fanciful little trip of yours".

She huffed and rolled her eyes.

"I don't need a bodyguard"

Standing to tower over her I narrowed my eyes at her challenging tone. My wolf bristling at her attitude.

"Your near death experience with the humans begs to differ. Don't start with me Brie, you won't like me if I'm angry. I said I will go with you and I will. Even if I think it's the most stupid idea in the world. I'll still go with you".

"Ohhh... so you think I'm stupid"?

Her voice increased at the end of her question as she planted her hands firmly on her hips. Drawing attention to her femine curves. Her mouth pouted in response and my eyes were drawn to those lips.

Those pink, plump lips.

Could lips be beautiful?

I certainly have never fallen for lips before. At least I don't think I ever had. I watched as her down turned lips turned up into a secret smile and my eyes made contact with her eyes unconsciously. Unsure by the sudden change in her mood.

"Did you say something"? I asked.

She shook her head and her red curls bounced playfully.

"No Alec, I said nothing" her knowing smile widened and she let out a small giggle as she broke her eye contact with me.

Woooowww.

What's going on here? I had never heard her laugh before but it was almost musical.

With that, I heard a commotion outside of my tent. A flurry of panicked voices broke our conversation.

"BETA ALEC"!

When I heard my name being shouted I zoomed passed Brie and out of the tent on high alert. I almost head butted straight into Gamma Trevor but we both managed to stop just in time. Looking behind him I saw the other Beta's present. All of them looked panicked.

Even...

scared.

"What is it"? I asked alarmed.

A few of the Beta's looked suspiciously over my shoulder and I turned to see a small mop of red hair standing behind me, curiously peeking out from behind my large frame. I automatically stepped in front to block their view of her. Their eyes condemning her where she stood. I heard Brie grumble behind me.

"We know that the Luna had granted HER passage and immunity amongst this camp. But that doesnt mean the rest of us have to agree with it. We will not discuss our political matters in the presence of a Vampire. You yourself might have lowered your standards to consort with their kind, but the rest of us still have our loyalties". Spat Beta Silar of Ironthorn.

My chest rumbled as I growled in warning.

"Its fitting that I don't have to ask you to step outside Silar. But if you disrespect my mate again, I'll rip your throat out where you stand".

Beta Silar looked to his Beta 'cohort' for some mutual support but they all appeared to be far more concerned with other matters to care about our heated exchange of words.

"Enough"! Said Trevor.

"Alec, we may have to abort today's attack and re group". He explained.

"What are you talking about. Violet left today on the understanding you would attack at midday".

He nodded.

"That was before our scouts report came through. The council have moved secretly and are currently travelling with high numbers of rogues at their disposal towards RedFang territory. It can only mean that the council were in on all of this and we are greatly outnumbered".

His eyes were showing his fear and I grabbed his collar.

"She is depending on you to fight today. She and the rest of her pack could die if you don't."

Pushing him away from me I turned to the other Beta's.

"What about your Alpha's"?

"Of course we want to rescue them and Luna Farah. But the fact remains that we are outnumbered almost three to one. If we attack today without further planning, well, its suicide". Said Beta Felix of WhiteFang.

"If the council have sided with the Rogue King or have even been aiding him secretly all this time, then we have no idea what we are up against. We could unnecessarily loose our warriors in a battle where the odds are quite clearly stacked against us". Said Trevor.

I shook my head and began to pace. I couldn't believe this. Violet was counting on this. That's even if she lives through the trial.

"We can rely on Violets power then. The Goddess gave her it for this very moment did she not"? I asked hopeful.

No one spoke but a few fidgeted uncomfortably.

"If you dont go today, RedFang will fall. It is the last stronghold pack amongst our people. If their warriors perish then we really will be in trouble. We have to try".

"I thought there was not going to be a 'we' anyway. I thought 'you' had quite clearly turned your back on your own kind"? Challenged Beta Silar as he sneered at Brie's mark on her throat.

I sent a scathing scowl his way before a cloud of red blocked my view.

"You have to fight today. Your Luna needs you and if you do not, she will die. I'm sure of it. Without her, there can be no hope for your kind to win any battle".

Brie's words hung in the air as the Beta's looked torn by the decision.

"How many wolves are there"? I asked Trevor.

"Almost one hundred and fifty. Maybe more. Not to mention the other 200 which are currently located on RedFang's lands, blocking the border and protecting the training field which Violet spoke of. We'll never reach the trial before noon. Even if we left now, Its hopeless".

"How many warriors do we have"? I asked trying to remove the negative mood.

"190, maybe 200 at a push, and that's including some of the women who have volunteered from your pack" said Beta Eric.

My accusing eyes turned to Trevor in disbelief. He held his hands up in mock surrender.

"They wanted to train and Violet encouraged it so I allowed them too". Said Trevor in his defense.

I threw my hands into the air, completely exasperated at this point.

"We have more than that surely"?

"We do, but those are all we are willing to risk. The other warriors have been sent back to our territories to defend our women and children should we fail". Said Beta Felix.

I shook my head and my chest felt like it just collapsed.

I should have said goodbye.

I closed my eyes to try and quell the tears which I knew were starting to form.

"I cannot fail another Luna". I said to myself.

The other Beta's looked upset by words and I felt Brie's hand on my arm. Soothing me.

"You wont. I'll distract them" she said.

My head shot up to look into this mad womans eyes. Are her ideas ever dangerous?!

"NO, absolutely not"! I exclaimed.

She smiled wistfully.

"If they smell a Vampire their formations will break and it will give you the opening you need to reach the trial. I am fast and can outrun them long enough. I doubt they would be aware of my helping you. It would be unexpected.".

Silence followed suit.

"Looks like we have a plan then" said Beta Felix as he clapped his hands together.

Yes.

I thought.

But not one I liked.

Not one bit!