Chapter 85

Amelie

“Are coms up between packs?” This is it. The day of reckoning has finally come.

“Yes, Luna, everyone is connected.” Magen gives me a nod and waits for my call.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I hate being the center of anything, but now was not the time to falter. “OK. Let’s get everyone connected.” With a few keystrokes, the wall of monitors lights up. “Hello, everyone. Our warriors need our eyes, ears, and prayers. Our central team will be watching the action, but we will need your help as well. Thank you all for joining virtually this evening. Let the Goddess be on our side.” I have three monitors on the desk in front of me connected to Gideon, dad, James, Riley, and Logan. We spread out all the ranked members joining the raid, so Marcus went with my dad and James. At the same time, Tyson and Uncle Lucas went to one of the separate off-pack faculties together. Some of the Luna’s and ranked females are also joining the raid. To help with monitoring, we have our IT team and two members from each pack watching. We have backup units, transports, and medical personal ready. This is the most extensive operation in Druit Guard history.

It’s left the Packhouse eerily empty. It’s just the ranked females of my team, the Omegas, and the IT team that don’t double as warriors and, of course, all the children. I decided to help keep the kids distracted. We are having a pack sleepover in the great room of the Packhouse, a little summer camp. All the Omegas and the teenagers are camp councilors until everyone comes back, and we planned out games and activities. The last thing we want is all the kids to start to worry about where their parents are or what’s going on. Plus, we needed to focus on the task at hand. So many lives were at stake.

Rose and Daisey did have a vision, but all they could see was a large white wolf and a lot of blood. They said it did not make them sad that there was a lot of blood, and the white wolf didn’t get hurt. Our only guess is that the white wolf is part of our raid, and the blood was from the death of a member of the New Moon Alliance.

It’s almost midnight, and all the teams are getting in position. I watch the monitors on the desk in front of me. I know I have nothing to worry about. They are all strong, but you never know, and I’m still scared. This is my family, and they are putting their lives on the line to save overs. It’s dangerous. All I can do is pray. “Selene, please, I beg of you, let no one be harmed, and this end without loss of life. Please.” My whole body is tense, and there’s a gnawing in my stomach that’s making me nauseous. It is made worse by the fact I can’t talk with Gideon; I can only feel him through the bond he’s too far away. Although we have cameras streaming, the sound is only one way.

I look at the time in the bottom right of the screen, only five minutes left before the raid. I look up and see all the members of my team glued to their monitors as well. I’m glad Marcus is with Dad and James at the Death Valley pack. It will give Jordan some closer. Logan and Riley are at the Kentwood Pack. I know James and Riley are strong Alpha Heirs, but part of me still sees them as little kids. They would follow me around, asking me a million questions as kids do. I will always watch over them. No matter hold old or big, they get I’m still their older sister.

I look up at the wall of monitors, and it looks like everyone is in place. It’s seconds until midnight. I take deep breaths and try to stay calm. I don’t know if I want to scream or throw up more. “It’s time. There they go!” Shay jumps to her feet. “Come on, Ty baby. You got this!”

I’m holding my breath as I watch the movement on the monitors. The cameras are mounted body cam style to harness, front and back. The harnesses are made of durable nylon and elastic so the wearer can shift without losing it. But that means we are seeing what they see and not the faces of our loved ones. I wish I could give words of encouragement right now, but my mouth won’t move. My jaw is clenched as I see the Blue Crescent Packhouse come into view, and the confrontation starts. I see Frank Noland take down two attackers. Then I see someone coming from behind on Gideon’s back cam. “Gideon behind you!” It comes blurting out of my mouth all of a sudden. I watch as my mate is attacked from behind. I’ve never felt this helpless before.

My cheeks feel wet, and I realize I’m crying silent tears of fear. Gideon makes quick work of both wolves he’s fighting, and the surprise attacker didn’t faze him. I look over at Logan and Riley’s screen, and all I see is carnage. I always forget how intimidating Riley is now. He’s only a few inches shy of Gideon and just as broad. He’s only 19 and hasn’t filled out yet, but he’s bigger and stronger than many adult male wolves. It doesn’t make this any easier to watch. They were making their way to the Kentwood Packhouse as well. They are almost inside. The fighting is about to get even more intense. They will have to fight in human form in the house, but they will now be fighting the ranked members. Logan goes in first. It’s pitch black in that place. I can’t really see anything on the camera.

A sudden whimper dawns my attention to Dad and James’ monitor. I expect to hear many noises while the fighting is happening, but I never wanted to hear a whimper and not that whimper. I know that whimper all too well. It’s James, my baby brother. “Dad, get to James!” I want to reach through the screen and shove the wolf off my brother. “Dad, where are you? I know you feel James’ pain.” All I see is a mess of fur and blood. “Fight James!” My scream is shaky and shrill as my eyes sting with tears. “NO, please, goddess, don’t take James.” Suddenly the other wolf is ripped off James, and I see a sandy brown wolf snap its neck.

Jorden jumps to her feet, “Yeah! Marcus, you got him. You killed Beta Bryant!” I look at Jordan’s monitor and realize it was Marcus who saved James. James was still young, and he was fighting an experienced Beta. I don’t know how I will ever be able to thank Marcus enough for saving my brother. I slump down in my chair. My eyes start to dry. I wipe my cheeks with my sleeve. I take in a shaky breath and let it out.

I know he’s injured, but he’s alive. He will heal. I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I’m a wreck, and I already feel so tired. I look back to Riley and Logan. They make quick work of the Kentwood Packhouse. It seems like dad made his way back to James. He’s going to be OK. I see Marcus with them now, and it makes me feel better. I look to Gideon’s monitor.

I can’t believe my eyes. My hands cover my mouth. Nox is holding a silver knife to a women’s neck. She utters one word, and it confirms who I thought she was. “Daddy?” It’s Lacy Noland.