_Unedited_
We walk for what feels like three days after which we finally surround the south west boundary of the Silver Wood's. We stand at least a few kilometers away.
"Split!" Xalvador mind links everyone and immediately the pack divides into four neat small groups, headed by Xalvador, Liam, Beta Axel and the pack trainer and running in directions to cover an area of a curve. The discipline this pack has is really remarkable. Not one foot of the warrior wolves is out of sync. Well... that is obvious the fear of the wrath of the big bad Alpha.
I follow Xavier as we steadily near the pack boundary. We find groups of 3 wolves standing together at a distance of every few centimeters. Xalvador growls and the entire pack moves at once. I follow Xalvador's lead trying to stay as much as uniform I can with the others. As we attack aggressively, the Silver Wood's find no chance at preparation. In seconds we have them crumpled on the floor, their heads off their bodies. Its a gruesome sight for me for I have never seen this much of blood shed before. But now is not time to hide in my own blanket of comfort. I was the one who decided to come here so I guess I need to endure it.
We enter the pack land, moving with the same ferocity and the lack of knowledge of the attack of the Silver Wood's benefits us. A huge wolf pounces on me as he smells I am a female but I easily overpower him, biting it in the side. Xalvador is easily tackling three big wolves and within minutes he has them crawling and wincing on the ground. Our side is almost on the victory when a Liam howls in pain. I snap my neck to him when another shrill howl comes from behind. I don't what happens but suddenly there are howls everywhere. I see around frantically to see a new army of wolves but I am shocked to the core to see that they are moving unbelievably fast!
They are 2, 3 or may be many. I just can't make out any thing. One second they are here an the other they are gone killing and attacking another wolf from our side. One of such super fast bites me into the neck and I claw him on the side. He escapes and disappears and suddenly, all I can hear is the wolves from our side groaning and howling in pain.
"Retreat!" Xalvador mind links and all of us scurry to move outside the pack border. Though this seems like running away we really don't have a choice. None of us what is going on here. When we all land outside the pack boundary, I whimper as I see only 15-17 of us return. Even from those 15, more than half are bruised and hurt in a very savage manner. Xalvador's wolf approaches and takes in the scene, growling in frustration and loss.
We all shift and get clothed. And the first thing I hear is woman wolf wailing loudly, straddling a dead wolf.
"My mate! No! Get up Ross. You can't be dead! Get up!" The cries woman cries uncontrollably and I wince at her sorrow. She just lost her mate in front of her own eyes. She beats her chest with her fists as her cries turn louder. I run up to her and caress her back.
"Please calm down. You are very weak right now." I attempt, not really good at consoling people. Especially when they have just lost their other half.
"He is gone Luna, He died. He was killed!" She wails as her body falls limp in my arms. We both are bleeding right now but that doesn't hurt as much as this woman's pain. I tighten my arms around the woman and caress her arm to calm her down. Her cries don't stop until she faints. I panic and immediately a wolf comes running to us, offering her some water. The woman, who's name I learn is Mary gains slight consciousness but I can tell she is still terribly shaken.
"Its okay. Sleep Mary. I'll take of you." I whisper soothingly as she gives into the fatigue and closes here eyes again. I look up to see Xalvador taking the scene around him, his face set in a grim expression. Everyone is on the ground, some tending to their wounds and some to the wounds of the others. I sigh in relief as I spot Liam safe along with the pack trainer Marcel and Beta Axel.
"We will retreat!" Xalvador commands gruffly and its clear to hear frustration and hurt in his voice.
After a tiring and slower journey of five days we return back to the pack house. The entire atmosphere is thick and tensed. There are whispers all over about the incident.
I lay Mary gently on her bed and once again look at now lifeless body and face. She looks so broken. Is the mate bond that powerful? I sigh as I leave her room. I rush to the open grounds where Xalvador is discussing the entire incident with the other wolves. Almost the entire pack house has assembled, Elizabeth standing beside Xalvador.
"Alpha something is not right." Elizabeth says and Xalvador gives a curt nod.
"Yes." We have lost so many warriors today. Its grieving." Another wolf from the crowd speaks.
There are whispers and hushes as the crowd debates and discusses when a defiant voice speaks,
"Alpha we think you were too over confident! You took this attack lightly because as we see until now, Silver Wood's was a weak pack." A dark, muscular man speaks from behind and many whisper in affirmation.
"Yes, you should have been cautious! We have lost our family because of your inefficiency to defend your pack." Another voice joins in. Xalvador stays silent as if in deep thought.
"How could you go let them die? You should have at least brought back their bodies. They deserve to be buried in the river because they died warriors!" This time a woman speaks.
"It was really irrespon-"
"Wait!" I don't know what comes over me but I just blurt out the word before thinking. The crowd parts as I walk ahead to address them properly.
"How can you just sit here and blame your own Alpha for the loss of his own wolves?! If he had taken the attack lightly, he wouldn't have gone himself. The attack was planned. We were halfway in the pack land but then the most bizarre thing happened, about which you already know of. Yet, you are all accusing your Alpha. Can't you see he himself is bruised badly? Leading a pack for a journey of days is not an easy job. He has not slept since four nights because he was up guarding the bruised warrior wolves. Do you not know how to acknowledge and respect the actions of the Alpha? We have lost someone and we are all in utter sorrow.
But now is not the time to sit and blame. We need to find out what gave those wolves just speed and agility so as to kill so many of us so fast! Please, I request you all to understand the delicateness of the situation and help each other to investigate the matter!" I say maintaining eye contact with the crowd. One by one, the wolves lower their eyes and nod in agreement. The woman from earlier speaks,
"I apologize Alpha. I was so grieved by the death of my son that I rose to disrespect you." She says and Xalvador shakes his head.
"I understand. I will avenge the death of your son and everybody's loss. You all have my word." He says and gets up, walking stiffly to his office.
"Xalvador wait!" I call out and run after him.
"You need to rest. Working right will not yield any good. You are exhausted. Take some sleep and that will help you to reach the root of this problem." I explain, gazing at his huge dark circles and his tired face.
"She is right Alpha. You must rest. A tired mind does not bring any fruits." Elizabeth adds and Xalvador nods. He walks to the room and Elizabeth motions me to follow him. 'He needs you right now' she mouths and I head after him, taking a breath.
As he lays down on the bed, I see his eyees lost somewhere in thought. I lay beside him, moving my hand on his eye lids so that they close.
"We will sort this out Xalvador. Sleep for a while." I whisper and he sighs, his heart beat getting even by every second. I close my eyes too, resting as his arm wraps around me pulling me close.
A light knock startles me and I immediate run to open the door, in order to not wake Xalvador. I am surprised to find Maisie standing outside, looking uneasy.
"Maisie what's wrong?" I whisper.
"Luna I am sorry for my behavior earlier. But right now I must show you something. Please accompany me." She says in a rushed tone and I'm left confused.
I really apologize for such a delay in posting the chapters. I kinds am stuck with a lot of study and work these days so I barely get time. I'll definitely try harder next time to post the next chapter as soon as possible. So just bear with me.
I hope you all liked this chapter. Please ignore or at least forgive the typos since I didn't get time for editing this chapter. I'll do it soon I promise. Thanks and keep reading nerdies!