71

You've stood up for what you believe is right, yet you aren't arrogant or rash about it. You're loyal and determined, even when others mock you for it. Your kindness towards everyone is refreshing after so much selfish rulership we've been subjected to. That is why I told Zander about you. We were sure you would understand his story, and be able to convince Malachi of restoring Siyah Magara to its rightful Alpha. Turns out we were right," he slaps Zander on the back and they grin exuberantly.

I see out of the corner of my eye Hamilton shaking his head in disbelief, while Malachi just stares at them both with an unreadable expression.

My mouth hangs open in amazement, as everything they deduced about my personality is pretty accurate. It's like they knew the type of person I am when I really only saw the truth myself a few hours ago.

Malachi is the first to break the silence, clearing his throat before speaking. "I thank you, Aleczander, for being so considerate and patient. Not many other wolves in the same situation would have acted how you have. On behalf of my father and pack, I am sorry for how things were handled all those years ago, the arguments that lead to deaths and the loss of your pack. I hope we can put it behind us and work together to build a peaceable alliance between us," he offers his hand again, and Zander grasps it eagerly.

"I too pray for an era of peace. With your beautiful Luna by your side, I'm sure we can all achieve that," Zander winks at me, ignoring the low grumble from Malachi.

I feel a blush creep up my neck and stain my cheeks, yet I hold my head up and push my shoulders back, and give a genuine smile in return. I think we are all glowing from this resolution of the tension between us, and the closure Zander has provided about Violet.

Malachi holds out his hand and offers the ring back to Zander.

The rogue turned Alpha looks at it before shaking his head. "You should keep it. She was your sister."

Malachi looks at him sharply, surprise on his features, before he turns his head to me. His eyes search mine, and I smile reassuringly. Malachi turns back to Zander. "She was your mate," and he holds out the ring again.

Zander's face breaks into a smile that is lined with sorrow, before he takes the ring. Holding it up to the light, I see the blue sapphire glitter and sparkle. Then he re-ties the cord around his neck, the ring nestling back under his shirt collar.

"Alright, before you all start kissing each other and embarrassing yourself, I say we head back. Our own pack needs us, Mal," Hamilton says with an agitated edge to his voice.

I wonder briefly what's bothering him as he looks around the clearing, as if he's expecting more rogues or demons to jump from the shadows and attack us. I understand his concern, given the last twelve harrowing hours, but my own instinct is telling me all is fine right now. I put it down to the Beta not yet being at ease with the sudden reconciliation with Zander, the son of his father's killer. This will take some time for him to come to terms with.

I go up to him and lay my hand on his arm gently, and he looks at me quickly, a frown crouched in his cool hazel eyes. They soften when I return something to the palm of his hand.

"Thank you, Hamilton, for the reminder that we always have time to do what's right."

He closes his hand over mine, giving it a brief squeeze as he smiles at me. "I wasn't sure you'd know what to do. I don't even know now if there was anything right in what happened."

"I listened with my head and my heart, and followed God's leading. It was all any of us could've done."

He nods, "You sacrificed everything to save Malachi. You gave your life and saved our pack. That's something only a true Luna would do," he lays his hand on my shoulder.

I push past that and wrap my arms around his waist in a tight hug. "Thanks, Beta," I smile up at him and watch as his hazel eyes sparkle. "You did the same. You nearly died in the fight to protect your Alpha."

His eyes glisten, a dazed expression crossing his face. "I still don't know how I survived."

I pull back and squeeze his hand. "Some miracles remain just that—mysteries."

Hamilton nods, his eyes still glazed over as if he is trying to solve the mystery in his mind. Then he shakes his head, as though reconciling it will remain beyond his understanding. With a smile, he slips his ancestor's watch into his pocket, and I return to my place beside Malachi.

With my mate's arm wrapped securely around my waist, we lead the way out of the protective clearing, and I look back at the large group of shewolves and pups who follow us. Along with the warriors guarding them, we are a large group but have no trouble crossing back over the river and following the small trail towards the pack centre. Towards the devastation we know awaits us, making our hearts heavy with worry and gloom.

I slow my steps until Hendrik falls in beside me.

"Hendrik, where is Devanshi?" I ask the Gamma, having looked around our group of wolves and failing to see my good friend.

"She went back to join the fight, shortly after we met you in the forest. You didn't see her back at the pack grounds this morning?"

I shake my head. "No. Why would she come back? I thought she was helping you protect these women and children."

Hendrik's expression darkens. "She felt her father being attacked."

"We were all being attacked," I respond, unsatisfied with his answer. Rahul is a strong and highly skilled fighter, the head of all guards in Malachi's pack. Why would his daughter go to him when he's been in skirmishes many times?

"I think it was something more. She felt he was injured. Badly. Devanshi was nearly beside herself as she felt pain over the bond." Hendrik conveys his worried emotion with a frown and tense jaw.

My heart spikes. I know we lost many in the fight with the demons. Could Rahul have been one of them? "Then let's hope she got to him in time and saved him."

Hendrik can only nod, and we continue to hurry home.

We haven't gone far when I feel the wind pick up around me, and I turn to my left to sniff for any scents in the air. Malachi turns questioningly to me and clutches my hand tighter. I feel the wind pick up, stirring the trees and whipping my dress around my legs. It isn't a gentle breeze, but a gusty current that begins to roar in my ears like a growling lion. Every sense becomes alert, my claws extending as my legs brace for something.

"Ariella, what is it?" Malachi stops beside me, bringing our entire group to a halt in the middle of the path that wends between the shadowy trees.

"Shh.. don't you hear that?"

He shakes his head, but I don't meet his troubled eyes as mine are scanning every shadow amongst the scrub and trees. A heavy darkness seizes my heart just as a dark body comes flying towards us from behind a large boulder.

I am poised, ready for the attack, and raise my arms to block the blow. The demon tumbles to the ground beside me, but scrambles up in a burst of unnatural speed. His glowing crimson eyes fill my vision as he lunges towards me again, but I move to the left and slash my claws along his neck, my body evading his outstretched arms. His sharp talons grasp at me, but I have spun around to behind his back, my arm wrapping his neck.

From this position, I wrench his head sideways, snapping his spine. With an otherworldly gurgled scream, the demon crumples to the ground before his body is consumed by glowing sparks, then dissipating in a million particles of ash into the rushing air.

I have a second to catch my breath before another shadow charges towards me. I see Malachi leap between us, a battle cry on his lips as he rips the demon to pieces before it can even get close to me. The demon doesn't fall, and even with black blood seeping from multiple tears in the pale skin of his chest and arms, he leaps at Malachi and lands a heavy blow on his chest.

My mate stumbles back from the sheer force, yet gathers himself quickly. Snarling and enraged, Malachi leaps forwards and sinks his canines in the demon's throat. I can't tear my eyes away as I watch my mate, his skin taut and his muscles rippling from the movement, the sight entrancing me. The Alpha lands heavily on top of the demon, and rips his throat out in a powerful motion, his head arching back and the demon finally ceasing all movement.

It should be a ghastly scene, but the moment the demon's less than corporeal body begins to spark and fade, so does all trace of his otherworldly blood. Malachi stands, breathing heavily, and slowly turns to face me. My eyes travel over his muscular body, and I see the faint outlines of wings on his back. Translucent shimmers of what appears to be silver light stretch up towards the sky, the shape of feathers unfurling before snapping once, twice, then curling back in on themselves.

By the time Malachi reaches me and encases my face in his warm hands, his wings have disappeared, taking my breath with them.

"Ariella, are you okay? Did they hurt you?" he searches my eyes frantically, feeling through our strengthening bond if anything is wrong with me.

I bite my lip to stop from smiling too widely. He is an angel! With my eyes lost in his, I nod, "I'm fine. And so are you."

"What on earth is going on? Why have we stopped?" Jayden, one of the warriors, walks up and looks at us as if we're not right in the mind. Hamilton and Hendrik are both giving us concerned looks. I share a silent question with my mate—no one else saw the demons?

"We just killed two demons who were tracking us. Thankfully I recognised their presence before they could hurt any of us," I explain, Malachi's arms wrapping around me as he breathes in my scent. I feel his body still trembling with adrenaline as it surges through his veins.

"Demons? Here? All I can smell is a faint bit of rogue," the warrior scans all around us, but I know there is nothing lingering to evidence the presence of the dark spirits. "You even believe in the myths of those creatures?" he asks incredulously.

Hamilton places an arm around his shoulder. "Man, you have a lot to catch up on. You're never going to believe what happened last night..."

I hear Hamilton recount his version of last night's sad events as we resume our trek back to the town centre.

Malachi looks down at me softly, concern present in his gentle eyes. "You should have let me fight those demons. They could have killed you," he says, his hand rubbing circles where it rests on my hip, and I snuggle into his side, my own arm slung around his waist.

"I'm not that easy to kill, and besides, it's not my time yet. The King has plans for us. A couple of demons aren't going to thwart His plans anytime soon."

Malachi manages to smile at my positive confidence, but I can tell he is rattled from the vicious attack. Who knows how many more demons are lingering in the shadows of our territory? "Still... I can't lose you again, okay? I only just got you back," he says, and the sincerity in his voice sets my heart fluttering and my blood rushing faster in my veins.

I look up at my mate and see adoration shining unfalteringly from his eyes towards me. His strong jaw clenches as we both imagine what demons could have done to me had we not picked up on them, and I pull Malachi closer for a reassuring hug.

It is not enough for him. In one swift motion, he slips one arm under my legs while the other remains behind my back, and sweeps me up against his chest.

I laugh and wrap my arms around his neck as he carries me down the path, yet I don't fight the way he holds me tightly. I'm not injured. I'm not afraid. I'm not weary or close to exhaustion, but I let Malachi carry me. I know he needs this as much as I do, and I settle my head on his shoulder and relish the way he is showering me with attention and sweetness. His lips place soft kisses on my face, and I can practically hear Hendrik's jaw dropping in shock at Malachi's unusual behaviour towards me.

"Yeah man, you all missed a lot last night," Hamilton tells them in a conspiratorial voice, and this time Malachi laughs. His Beta continues quietly, "Those two lovebirds have been inseparable all morning. The story of Luna Ariella coming back to life is going to be one we tell over and over to our grandchildren."

"Speaking of grandchildren..." Malachi gives me a heated look, passion swirling in his bright azure eyes, and my throat suddenly goes dry. He leans over and whispers in my ear, his lips brushing my skin ever so lightly, "We should begin planning our formal acceptance ceremony since you seem so intent on sticking with me. I know I've been pushing you away for far too long, but that ends now. For you to be Luna of this pack, we need to be marked and mated, you know."

His insinuation has my ears heating up and a flush to rise in my face. My hand that is resting on his shoulder suddenly feels on fire, the contact between our bodies igniting flames that smoulder and spark between us. Involuntarily, I pull him closer and he turns his head until our lips meet.

Forgetting our audience behind us, we kiss deeply and slowly, his lips soft yet demanding, yielding yet dominant against mine. The feel of his skin on mine, his arms pulling me infinitely closer against his chest and encasing me in his warmth, is magical, and all thoughts flee my mind as I become consumed with love for my mate.

"I love you, Ariella, and nothing is going to stop us from being together," Malachi pulls back and whispers, the sudden space between us reminding me my lungs are empty. I gulp down breaths of air, and Malachi smirks before placing a kiss on my nose. "Don't pass out on me. Though, I like the fact that I can make you breathless," he nips my lower lip, causing me to growl and press a heavy kiss on his mouth.

"Just you wait till after the ceremony. I'm sure I can make you just as breathless.... when I outdo you in all the training exercises I'm sure Hamilton will persist I continue to do."

We both laugh, throwing our heads back and feeling the warm sun on our faces. The leafless trees tower above us, but they soon grow sparse as we draw closer to the pack centre, and our mirth dies in our throats as we are faced with reality.

Quiet sobs echo behind me, reminding me of the loss some of these women are returning to. Their mates fought to protect our pack, some giving the ultimate sacrifice.

The faces of the warriors we meet are subdued and etched in grief, their bodies bruised and bearing bloodied scars from combat.

One of them approaches us, shoulders stooped and brow creased from exhaustion. "Alpha, it's good you're back. You might want to hear our preliminary report."

"Thank you, Greyson. How bad is it?" Malachi crosses his arms, and I hover by his elbow with a thudding heart, heavy with dread of the news this warrior is about to deliver.

"We've lost twenty seven warriors and guards, including thirteen females. Archie and Robert's mates are among them."

"Hila and Evelyn? What were they doing joining the warriors? They haven't trained for combat in years."

"That's what we tried telling them, sir, but they insisted on fighting. Said they wanted to do right by the pack, and make up for the pain caused by their mates."

"I understand," Malachi responds, brushing his hand down his face as he releases a heavy sigh.

"I personally saw them take down five rogues before... before they were overcome. They did good, Alpha."

Malachi nods and looks off into the distance, the deaths weighing heavily on his mind.

I break the uncomfortable silence. "What about Devanshi? Do you know where she is? Is she okay?"

Greyson turns to me, his dark blue eyes appraising me for a fraction of a moment before he straightens his back in respect. "She's okay, Luna. Only a few minor injuries. Her father, however—"

"Rahul? What happened?" I hold my breath, a heavy stone sinking in my stomach and spreading into my limbs like a paralysing snake.

Greyson only shakes his head, his eyes clouding over. "I'm sorry. We did everything we could..."

I rush away, looking everywhere for Devanshi or anyone in her family. I run past a few broken bodies, their loved ones holding them close and weeping over their departed souls. Small fires flicker on the ground, sizzling out as the cold soil refuses to be consumed any more. A few shattered tree branches and small trunks litter the forest floor as I run towards the clearing where Seneca nearly destroyed her son, the evidence of the attack becoming more evident.

The metallic stench of spilled blood grows stronger, my feet carrying me over stained leaves and twigs.

As the sun climbs higher over the horizon and lights the sky to a brilliant blue, the land remains silent, as if even the birds can't bring themselves to rejoice on so cold and painful a morning. So the quiet sob that reaches my ears is amplified in the stillness, the cracked voice tearing at my heart in a fresh stab of pain.

"Dad, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left your side. I said I'd always fight with you, but I left when it mattered most. Forgive me, Father. I'm so sorry."

"Devanshi!" I rush to my friend's side and fall to my knees, my arms wrapping around her as she kneels in the dirt. She still clings to her father's hand, yet I can't bring myself to look at the cold and lifeless body of Rahul.

"Ariella..." she murmurs against my shoulder, her tears staining my sleeve with salt and dust. "You came back. You came back from the dead. Why can't my dad? Why does he have to die?"

The dark and agonised eyes of my friend cut to my very soul. I open my mouth to respond or at least offer comfort, but no answer will come out.