53

~Veloces~

I winced, the sound of growls and screaming slicing through my ears. I tried opening my eyes, but they wouldn't budge at all. Growls echoed around me, along with cussing and the sound of bones shifting. Are people shifting inside? Why would they shift in such a tiny place? I mean, our butts would be in everyone's face.

"Make sure they don't get to Veloces' room! Our Luna would have our head!" someone ordered.

Well, demanding much? Wait a second, my room? This bed does not feel like my bed, I swear if Vanessa switched my bed-

"No, Vanessa is fighting against Alpha Jeremy's army in the field. Along with the others and two other packs."

What? I tried again and this time my eyes snapped open, I groaned as the light burned them for a second. Once my eyes adjusted to the light I grabbed whatever was on my face and ripped it off. I studied it, an oxygen mask? Then it all came rushing back, the torture, Vanessa's hand holding mine and her crying. My heart hurt as I remembered her voice sounding so lost and scared. Her guilt was laced through every single word she spoke.

I looked around the room, growling when I saw one of my warriors being thrown against the glass. A dark brown wolf with yellow eyes was about to jump on him when another warrior tackled him down. I tore the IVs out of my arm and ripped the heart monitor stuff off before getting out of the hospital bed. I searched the room for some clothes; going out to save my mate with my ass hanging out of a hospital gown probably isn't the best way to do it. If I want to be intimidating at least. I groaned, of course my clothes wouldn't be here.

I poked my head out of the room, shocked by the trashed hall. I kept scanning the area until I found a nurse or doctor or whatever huddling behind a desk.

"Psst." I whispered.

She snapped her eyes over to me, furrowing her eyebrows. "I need some clothes...uh...could you grab some?" I asked.

She nodded, "Size?" she whispered back.

"A small in basketball shorts, and boxers, get the ones that fit everyone. I don't need a shirt."

She scurried off, hiding from any attacking wolf. I waited patiently there, just watching as my warrior fought against a wolf with another warrior helping him. The she-wolf came back and handed me the clothes. I thanked her and closed the door, I turned around to change. I threw on the boxers and shorts then yanked the door open. I ran over to where the two were fighting against the brown wolf, without breaking a sweat I snapped is neck. Both looked at me in complete shock.

"What the hell is going on? Why is my mate fighting Alpha Jeremy?" I demanded, scared for my beautiful Luna.

My warrior, Alex, shifted back. "Alpha Jeremy and Crudelis attacked us a few hours ago. You were in a coma so the Luna and Beta Clayton took care of it. Along with Alpha Blake and his Beta. Oakwood pack should be here by now." he explained.

I nodded and ran out of the infirmary, the need to protect my mate taking over my body and thoughts. I was consumed by anger at the thought of that disgusting man and Jeremy hurting my precious queen. I shifted into my black wolf and darted through the forest, my paws smacking the ground. I burst into the clearing and growled as I saw my father's wolf placing his paw on Vanessa's throat. Her wolf was soaked in blood, claw marks slowly healing as she laid there.

Everyone became silent and stared at me in shock, along with my father. I quickly spotted Jeremy's limp form on the ground, at least one bastard is dead. His daughter was currently sitting on two rogues and growling at them. Is she fighting with us? I know the rogues are with my father, he's the only one to lead them like a damn pack.

"Get off of her." I snarled through our mind-link.

Crudelis bared his teeth and went down to bite her, but I was quicker. I already knew he would do that, the bastard likes to push the limits. I shoved him off of her before pouncing on him, we rolled around on the ground. Clawing each other, snapping at each others faces, and biting each other. I grabbed him by the back of his neck and slammed him into the ground.

If you ever saw Avengers and the scene where the Hulk slams Loki into the ground repeatedly, then you should have a pretty good idea on how I was currently doing it. I then threw him across the field, he slid on the ground, dragging the grass with him. He slowly got up, but wasn't quick enough as I was soon lunging at him again. I dug my teeth into his throat, preparing to kill him when Vanessa's wolf barked.

I turned my head, Crudelis dangling from my mouth like a doll. She shifted back and walked over, a slight limp in her step. I growled, they hurt her to the point of limping!

"N-no, I have something far worse than death. He's going to be begging for mercy." she explained, pulling out a jar.

I tilted my head at the strange green liquid, I looked back at Vanessa and saw her smirking. "Drop him." she ordered.

I dropped his body, letting him fall to the ground in a heap. He slowly looked up, fear in his eyes as they landed on whatever she was holding. Her eyes were black with rage. "Shift, now." she snarled out.

He growled, but I tore off his ear. "Listen to her." I snarled.

He glared at me but shifted back, a scowl on his face. Vanessa then roughly grabbed his jaw, "Veloces, hold him still." she said.

I shifted back and grabbed his jaw, wrapping my other arm around his torso. "Now, force him to open his mouth."

I did as she said, confused as to what she was doing. She quickly poured the liquid down his throat, Crudelis started screaming and struggling as he swallowed it. She nodded at me to let go, I quickly dropped him and watched him squirm on the ground.

He let out a loud scream and clawed his throat, tears rolling down his cheeks. "What is it?" I asked.

"It's a mix of nightshade and wolfsbane, when you swallow at least a cup, it kills your wolf. Slowly and painfully, you can feel it the whole entire time." she explained.

I gaped at her but continued to watch Crudelis scream and writhe on the ground. After about an hour he stopped and went slack, his eyes wide as he stared into nothingness. Vanessa let out a breath and fell to the ground, exhaustion evident on her face.

I ignored the pathetic ex-Alpha on the ground and quickly ran over to her, scooping her up into my arms. She smiled, her eyes lighting up as she saw me. "You're awake!" she beamed.

I chuckled, "Yeah, I am, you need to see a doctor."

"No, I'm fine. Just exhausted from the battle, where's my dad? Is he alright? What about-

"We're all fine, Nessa." Christine said as she walked over.

Vanessa let out a sigh of relief and rested her head on my chest. "You can kill him now, if you want." she whispered.

I glanced at Crudelis, he was slightly alive, but was completely out of it. I looked towards Fortis, "Brother, would you like to do the honors of putting his sad life to an end?" I questioned, knowing full well that he's been wanting to do this since the beginning.

Fortis grinned and walked over, he lifted Crudelis' head before twisting it roughly. A snap sounded as he broke his neck, he let him go and smiled. "He's finally gone." he mumbled. "We can finally relax."

I nodded in agreement before turning my attention back to Vanessa. She was sound asleep in my arms, her wounds healing quickly now. I stood up and turned around, spotting the Alpha from Oakwood. He shifted as he walked forward, a soft smile on his face.

"Thank you." I spoke.

He nodded, "Anytime, is she okay? You have one hell of a Luna there."

I chuckled, "Yeah, she's just tired. I know I do, she's...amazing."

"She fought hard, I'm impressed. Clayton already did the body count. You lost ten warriors and Blake's pack lost twelve, mine lost eight."

"I'll have a funeral for my warriors, we'll bring their bodies back. You can have Jeremy's territory, you'll have to get his mate out of there and see what the rest of the pack is going to do. Along with these survivors." I stated, motioning towards the rogues and other warriors.

He scanned the whole field, "I'll give them the choice to stay with the pack or leave. As for the rogues, they can either join or leave as well."

Most of the rogues shifted and stared at him in shock. I chuckled, I guess they're not used to getting the chance of joining a pack. Blake walked over and looked at his daughter before looking back at me.

"You hurt her." he stated.

I nodded, "I know, trust me, I regret it."

"I know you do, just take good care of her. Alright?"

"Yes, sir."

He smiled and turned around, pulling his mate to his side and kissing her. I kissed Vanessa on the head and walked back towards the packhouse. Clayton and the others were already gathering up the lost warriors. Our doctors ran out of the forest and started to help whoever was seriously injured. I told them that Vanessa was fine, but someone needed to check her ribs. There was dark bruising around them and it concerned me.

My one doctor, Hillery, checked her and nodded. "Her ribs are broken, she'll need to rest for about three days. No movement at all, unless it's to shower or go to the bathroom."

"Okay, thank you."

I hesitated to continue, knowing I needed to check on the pack, but Clayton quickly told me to go back. "You need to rest too, you're as white as ghost right now. You probably had no water and once that adrenaline stops flowing, you're going to feel a lot of pain. Your wounds from the torture are bleeding again." he explained.

I pursed my lips, "I know."

With that, I turned and walked back to the packhouse. I walked in, then up the stairs and through the halls until I reached our room. I carefully placed Vanessa on the bed then got in myself. I gently brought the blanket over our bodies and pulled her close. I kissed her temple once more, my vision becoming blurred.

I tried staying awake until Clayton and the pack returned, I needed to know they were alright, but he was right. I was exhausted already and felt weaker than usual. The darkness was quick to pull me under as I closed my eyes. Gently holding my mate against me so I didn't hurt her ribs.

"I love you." Vanessa whispered.

I smiled, "I love you too."

I then drifted off to sleep.