Chapter 40

ALEXIS (little after Lacey finds out about the new griffin plan)

For some odd reason, I could always think better in the shower. It was like the warm water helped my brain form new ideas, or in this case, solutions.

I was enjoying the peace until there was a pounding on the door.

"Alexis! Alexis!"

I stopped mid-lather and stared at the door, "What is it, Hudson?"

Instead of replying, he banged on the door again until it broke off its hinges and landed on the tile. I flinched as the noise echoed through the bathroom and narrowed my eyes at him, "Really? You couldn't just wait till I opened it?"

It was clear that he wasn't paying attention to a word I was saying because he casually stepped over the broken door and opened the shower door.

"What the hell? Hudson! You're going to get water all over the floor!" I shrieked as he reached over and pulled me out. He handed me a towel and helped me dry myself off.

"What's going on?" I asked again in vexation.

"Laceycalledagain. Thegriffinsareattackingtomorrowmorning," he rushed out in barely intelligible words, but I managed to get the gist of what he was saying.

My heart fell to my stomach and a sudden bout of nausea washed over me.

Tomorrow.

We had less than twenty-four hours to get everyone who needed to be evacuated out of the pack. That was at least two-hundred wolves.

We were done for.

My wolf pushed through the mind-block and growled at my pessimism.

Get your head together. You're Luna. The pack depends on you.

I exhaled loudly and started yanking my clothes on, "What have you done so far?"

He rubbed his forehead, "It was a good thing we send out the E.A.C. At least ten Alphas and their pack warriors will be here very soon."

I nodded and thanked the Moon Goddess that we hadn't sent it out a day too late. There would have been no way the other packs would have arrived in time.

An E.A.C, otherwise known as an Emergency Alliance Call, was where all packs were asked to forget all rivalries and band together to help a pack in need. And since Hudson's pack was the biggest, there was no doubt that several alphas would step up to help.

Not to mention that if the griffins did become immortal, their first goal would be to take out every other species.

"Come on, we need to start getting everyone to evacuate. Your dad and his pack warriors will be here any minute to help. Breydon asked his Beta to bring in more warriors, and Boston is sending out spies and trackers to keep an eye on all the trails and the skies, in case the griffins decide to fly in."

"And Lacey?" I asked as we raced out of the bathroom and towards the stairs.

"She's on her way. She's flying in and stopping at the boundary. I already told my pack warriors to let her in when she arrives."

"Does Matthew know?"

He opened the door for me and placed a hand on my lower back as we marched down the porch stairs, "He knows. He didn't give a reaction though."

I bit my lip, "That doesn't sound good."

Hudson sighed, "Let's just hope that he doesn't do anything stupid when she gets here."

***

Twenty-five minutes later, Lucy and I were going around to peoples' homes, making sure they had everything they needed before sending them to field where Hudson would direct them from there.

As we came to the edge of Sector Four, Hudson sent out another message through pack mind-link.

All men or women who are elderly, injured, or unable to fight for another reason, report to the field now!

"Prepare for the stampede," Lucy muttered as the pathways suddenly filled with wolves rushing towards the field, carrying all their necessities.

"We should probably head there as well. The other Alphas should be here soon as well."

We followed the crowd to the field, where Breydon, Boston, and Matthew stood there watching all the wolves line up on the field by their sector.

We walked over to the three of them, and I turned to Boston with a curious look,"Where's Hudson?"

"The other Alphas have arrived just now. He went to receive them," he said as he checked pack members off his list.

Suddenly, we heard a loud squawk from the sky and the pack became silent as the griffin landed beside us. A huge grin formed on my face as I made eye contact with a pair of familiar brown eyes.

Lacey.

She shifted back into her human form and ran over to me, "Alexis!"

I glanced at Matthew, who was staring at her without an expression on his face. I internally frowned and hugged Lacey tightly.

"You scared us when you left."

She pulled back and frowned, "You didn't get my note? I explained everything in there."

"What note?"

"The note I gave that pack warrior. His name was Baxter?"

I felt the urge to face-palm. Out of all the pack warriors, it had to be Baxter. It was no wonder we never got the note.

I glanced at Matthew again only to find him storming towards us.

Shit. What was he going to do?

Lacey noticed him right after I did, causing her eyes to widen, "Matthew!"

He didn't give her a chance to say anything else before picking her up and placing her over his shoulder. He looked at me and nodded, "Tell Hudson I'm going back to the house if he needs me."

Lucy and I exchanged a look as he walked away with Lacey yelling at him to put her down.

"Well, she's going to be sore," Breydon muttered with a snort.

"Breydon! He hasn't even marked her yet!"

"Do you really think he's going to let her leave without his mark this time?"

I paused and stared at Matthew's retreating back, "No."

He hummed in response and kissed the top of Lucy's head, "I should probably mark you soon as well. Your next heat cycle is soon."

Lucy rolled her eyes playfully and patted his chest, "How about after the war? This isn't exactly the best time to roll around in the sheets."

"Who knows?" Boston smirked, "If the griffins see Breydon naked, they'll probably faint from horror and make it a lot easier for us to kill them."

Breydon growled at him, "At least my dick isn't the size of a toothpick."

"You've measured it?"

A throat cleared behind us and we turned to face Hudson, who was standing with about six Alphas. He took my hand and tugged me into his side, "Alphas, this is my Luna."

I smiled warmly at the five men and one woman, "Hello. Thank you so much for helping us."

They returned the smile with quick nods before darting their eyes to my chest.

I blinked in surprise, only to realize that they were probably wondering about my heart. Although, it didn't make sense for them to try to stare through my shirt.

Hudson let out a warning growl and they all looked at him.

"Alexis, this is Alpha Beth, Alpha Louis, Alpha Max, Alpha Declan, Alpha Sebastian, and Alpha Chris," he said, pointing each of them out as he went.

"You're Alpha Horris' daughter aren't you?" Alpha Max asked, narrowing his eyes as if trying to recall if he had ever met me.

I nodded, "Yes."

Alpha Louis suddenly bowed before me, "It's a pleasure, my lady."

The grip on my waist tightened as I stared at the bowing Alpha, "Thank you, Alpha Louis. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

While I was a little awkward with the bowing, my wolf puffed her chest out and lifted her snout proudly.

I'm queen. Bow down, bitches.

Then what am I?

Human.

I wanted to roll my eyes at her antics but decided that was a bad idea considering I was in the presence of six Alphas, who might think I was disrespecting them.

"Alexis, your family's here," Boston yelled from behind us. Hudson let go of me, and I quickly ran toward the six figures that were approaching the field.

They were, of course, my family and Sasha and her mate, Antonio.

"Oh thank the Moon Goddess, you're okay!" My mom exclaimed, pulling me into her arms and strangling me with a hug.

Where did I go to not be okay again?

I patted her back gently and let out a sigh. This was going to be a long night.

***

We had gotten almost everyone on their way to the Burlington Pack, where they would be safe for the most part, when a tracker mind-linked us.

Alpha, Luna. There has been a sighting of griffins from both the east and west borders.

Hudson and I froze in our tracks.

"We haven't gotten everyone out yet though," I whispered, looking over the rest of the wolves.

There had to be at least fifty wolves left.

It was taking longer than expected because we had to make sure the path was clear before sending them out in small groups. We couldn't alarm other species by sending two-hundred wolves in that direction at the same time.

"Shit, we need to divert them. We're not fucking ready," Hudson said, looking towards his pack warriors, who were standing on guard.

I looked at Sasha, who was stuffing thick padded armor under her shirt to protect her small baby bump – she was starting to look like she was nine-months pregnant instead of two.

"Sasha. My dearest, beautiful best friend," I called.

She raised an eyebrow as she noticed the look on my face, "Bitch, if you're thinking what I'm thinking then we're thinking it."

We turned our heads to the two motorcycles that belonged to some pack warriors.

It was time to whip out my racing skills again.