The War 2

Astrid’s Point of View

The Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack did not hesitate to storm into the middle area of the vast farm, intruding on the only wooden house sitting there, radiating nothing but fury, which anyone would not want to mess up with, otherwise they would taste hell.

Alexander and I remained still, standing up in our direction as we watched the Alpha. I could feel my heart racing so fast and loudly because of the mixed excitement and triumphant feelings that filled my chest.

Finally, I waited long enough for my plans to fall into the right places, and seeing the Alpha chasing after the fake cursed werewolf gave me a powerful hope.

"We should go, Astrid, before the Alpha decides to kill us," Alex remarked, with his ragged breathing.

I shook my head, disagreeing with what he suggested.

"I can’t, Alex. I want to witness how the Alpha will end Linda’s life, " I replied.

"Astrid!"

"I waited long enough for this to happen, Alex. I can’t afford to miss it," I blurted out, grinning from ear to ear.  "Aren’t you interested in witnessing the fruit of your hard work?"

Alex coughed a bit, looking at me as if he could not believe what I had just said. Shaking his head, he then said, "I am not having fun seeing people die, Astrid. I helped you, yes… because I wanted to protect you and your family."

"Then you better watch the outcome of all your efforts. Linda will die now…" I glanced back at the wooden house.  "I’ve never been so thrilled like this in my entire life."

"Astrid, how could you say that?"

I smirked and chinned up as I waited for the next event to happen.

Loud cries of despair were the next thing I heard. It was followed by a loud growl, like a thunder strike. A woman continued to let out a scream of fright from the wooden house. A few seconds later, the Alpha’s wolf went out of the house. In his mouth was the body of Linda. She was still alive, screaming for mercy and trying to escape from his bite, but to no avail.

My emotions ran so high. I focused my gaze on them as I waited for the exciting part...

The Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack did not disappoint me. He shoved her against the wall of the house, which created a loud impact that made the entire house fall apart. Linda’s body fell on the muddy ground, and she cried in so much pain. Alpha Gregory roared. It was as if he had called a storm as the rain suddenly poured.

"Astrid, come on!" Alex shouted at me.

He held my arm and tried to drag me, but I shoved him away.

"Not yet, Alex!"

My eyes were widening, anticipating the next thing that was about to happen. While Linda was crying both in despair and pain, Alpha Gregory stomped on her back. Even from afar, I could hear how her bones cracked and tore apart from her inside. I laughed in excitement.

The Alpha ended her misery by taking her body once more using his filthy mouth, and with one strong bite, Linda’s body was torn into pieces.

It was a satisfying end that I had been waiting for. I let out a shriek and laughed out loud.  Her blood was shed on the ground. Its scent was mixed in the air as I inhaled heavily.

"Fantastic…" I murmured happily in between my laughter. I did not know that witnessing something like that would actually satisfy me to the fullest. I turned to Alex and shook her arm. "Have you witnessed it? He killed her without breaking a sweat! It was so satisfying!"

On the other hand, Alex looked at me with the utmost disbelief.

"Astrid, please get back to your senses. Let’s go!"

He tried to drag me again. I could have sworn that I would never have moved on from what I had witnessed. Still laughing, I gave the farm one last look and walked with Alex.

"Didn’t you like what you witnessed?" I asked him.

Alex muttered a curse and eyed me angrily. "For goodness's sake, please stop asking me that, Astrid. Our lives are already in danger and you are still creeping me out!"

"I am not creeping you out. You are only too soft!"

We ran our way back to the village. It was as if there was a great bloodbath on our way. The road was filled with fresh blood that came from the dead bodies of our pack mates, and even if the rain was pouring down to somehow wash it away, the blood still stung my nostrils.

The movement of the air changed. It felt as though something had sprinted above us, and the next thing I knew, the Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack descended in front of us, blocking our way with his huge wolf form.

I smirked when I saw both the satisfaction and fury in his eyes. It was so evident that my expression radiated delight in that instance.

"Were you content that you were able to kill the cursed werewolf yourself, Alpha?" I asked. My voice was oozing with confidence.

Alexander held my hand tightly, squeezing it as if he was motioning me to stop being so friendly with the Alpha of our rival pack. But I simply ignored him. This werewolf in front of us would have to take Atasha, whatever happened.

"I do." His wolf made a low growl. "If not for your help, that low-life bitch would have caused something worse."

I laughed. "I am glad you killed her, Alpha. She deserved it. The cursed ones have no place in this world. They will only bring misfortune to every pack. They deserve to die!"

"Astrid, stop it!" Alexander said through his gritted teeth.

I saw the contempt in his expression when I glanced his way, but I only laughed at that.

"Impressive…" The Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack then shifted into his human form after saying that word.

Without breaking our eye contact, he walked toward me. He raised his hand, the back of his palm touched my cheek and for a moment my entire attention was drawn to him.

"Your aura smelled of bravery and wickedness, young pup. I like it," he remarked in his deep tone of voice. "State your name."

"My name is Astrid Greene, Alpha…" I responded as I gazed intently at him.

"Your behavior is admirable. How about you come with me to my territory? My son would be  delighted to have a slave like you…"

"What did you say?!" Alexander snarled beside me.

He drew me into his back in one swift motion, shielding me from the Alpha. My eyes widened as the realization hit my senses.

Shit...

This was not part of the plan!

"I am going to take her and you have no right to stop me, worthless mutt!" Alpha Gregory said, and this time his growl grew louder.

"No, Alpha. She is my mate. I won’t allow you to take her away from me!" Alex shouted at him.

"Well, then I guess, you deserve to die!"

"Astrid, run!"

I clutched my hands tightly, shaking my head, still stunned by how things turned out this time.

"Run! Don’t look back and just run!" Alex screamed before he fought the Alpha, preventing him from getting any closer to me.

I gasped, then swallowed the lump in my throat. I nodded at Alexander.

I started running away, sprinting down the road filled with blood, unhindered by the fallen trees and dead bodies. The thunder-like roar of the Alpha echoed in my head, and I plugged my hands into my ears as I could not take it.  I heard Alexander scream in pain, which made me stop.

I looked at them from afar. My eyes widened and I sucked in a breath as I witnessed how the Alpha beat him without remorse. Blood streamed from Alex’s eyes and mouth, and all he could do was let out a scream as the Alpha strangled him in the air.

"Alex!" I cried.  My heart raced so fast as I watched him being beaten to death.

But even though the bond between us was strong enough, something in me kept telling me to go on, to run away and stay out of the sight of the Alpha.

I shouldn't be the one he has to take. It needed to be Atasha. That was the last thing that had to happen so that my entire plan would be fulfilled.

"Astrid, keep going… keep going…" I murmured to myself.

Tears pooled in my eyes as I took another look at Alexander, and then I spun around and sprinted to protect myself.

The rain continued to pour, which was somehow a good thing as it would erase my scent from the road. Now, that the Alpha targeted me, I could never risk even the tiniest smell of myself.

I did not glance back once and continued to run for my life.  At the same time, I kept whispering a prayer, hoping that the Alpha would not be able to follow me.  It was as if my plea was answered, as I was able to arrive in the village without a single Crimson Moon warrior blocking me.

Everyone in the neighborhood was in deep terror. Loud screams could be heard everywhere; people were running back and forth, and some houses were already burning on fire.

I caught my breath and ran towards our familiar house.  As soon as I pushed the door open, I fell on the cold floor, hot tears blurring my eyes as I could not contain the worry I had for Alex. I could never really get away from this sick, strong mate bond.

I stood up and immediately closed the door, then I ran toward the window and closed the curtain too. Stepping back, all I could feel was terror and anxiety.

"Papa?" I called my father, but no one answered.

I checked their room and it was empty. I could feel the sweat forming in every part of my body, thinking that something might have happened to my father.

"No… it can’t be…" I took several deep breaths.

My gaze went to the stairs, and it was the only moment that I thought about Atasha. I ran upstairs until I reached the attic. When I opened the door to it, I saw my twin sister sleeping soundly in her bed.

I gasped and let out a chuckle of disbelief. The entire land was already in chaos, yet the real cursed werewolf was still asleep, too ignorant about what was happening outside.

"I will make sure that the Alpha will take you instead of me…" I said through my gritted teeth as I clenched my hand.

I inhaled sharply, offered her one more glare, and closed the door of the attic.

I had to find my father first, and then I would make sure that the Alpha would be aware that Atasha was here. He would think she was me, due to the fact that she was my mirror image.

I sprinted downstairs and grabbed a shawl scarf to hide my face. Then I went out of the house to try to find my father.

"Papa!" I called as I ran from the left side of the village, hoping that I would see him there, but no. All I saw was the dead bodies and the remaining people who were running for their lives.

I shook my head and ran on the other side of the village. My hopes were ignited when I finally saw my father. He looked terrified, his face was pale, and he did not seem to be in his right mind.

I ran to him and hugged him.

"Papa! I am glad you’re safe!" I then released him and held both of his hands. "We have to escape from here now!"

"No, Astrid," he said as his gaze turned to me. "You will be coming with the Alpha of the Crimson Moon pack to save our land."

It felt as though my heart was hammered when I heard him say it.

"What did you say, Papa?" I uttered it in disbelief.

"You have to come with him," he responded firmly and in an instance, his expression changed. "You will come with them!"

"No!" I cried. "It should be Atasha! Not me!"

I stepped back, completely dumbfounded by what was happening. I swallowed the lump in my throat and ran away from him.