Robbin's POV
It was rare for Xander to fly with me. He doesn't think a werewolf should be off the ground. That was where they roamed, anyways. But, times like this were different. Xander wanted to come with me. It showed the unity we had together. Why would I fly and he run when we were going to the same place?
The night's wind was chilling as always but still didn't affect me; not when I was heated from them interesting conversation we all about to have. But then again, Ryker stood waiting for us with his entire army. He didn't want to talk.
My body began to numb when I saw Grey lower his dragon, getting ready to land. We were here? Already? I didn't know if I was ready or not. I certainly would rather be anywhere than here. Not because I'm a coward. I'm far from that. I feared the safety of my child and family.
Sure, we have dragons and a fleet of men on our backs, but it only takes one slash, one hit to become fatal. No one's immortal no matter how long we live. Not even me.
Alpha Tristan said they were holding Ryker off on the beach. That could mean they weren't here all this time. The only place they could've directly come from was the Broken Kingdom, but with the storms that sea brought, it seemed unlikely.
The Broken kingdom was always the most isolated because of that. Even fire dragons didn't like going up there because the weather pierced through their heated scales. Only ice dragon riders lived there; completely cut off from the world and the Westerlie kingdom.
Over the tree lines and morning fog, I spotted them. Lined up on the beach was indeed an entire army. They stood in sections, unmoving. Luckily, none of them were shifted into their wolf form, but what really stood out to me was the large red dragon on the front lines.
The sky was still dark when we landed with the light of dawn approaching soon.
Vision landed across from Ryker and I felt his heat burn through his scales. Looks like I wasn't the only one who's angry today.
Xander and I climbed down from him and stood alongside Grey, Alec, and Gus who rode separately. Ryker got down as well and the sight of him rushed fire through my body.
He wore a calm look on his face, his hair slightly disheveled and dressed cozily.
"The last time we saw each other, you were engulfed in flames," he said, stopping ten meters away from us, " I'm glad to see you've kept them at bay today."
"Who knows, they just might make an appearance."
"No fleet of dragons?"
"The last time thousands of dragons were used in a war, a kingdom fell. That's something we'd like to avoid this time around."
My mind struggled to keep my actions calm and collected, but being this close to the man who's responsible for all of the chaos in the world is harder than I thought. I wasn't the only one who felt that way. Xander's fury radiated off of him despite the stone face he presented. I knew he wanted Rykers head on a spike just as badly as I did.
"Why, Ryker," Gus asked suddenly, "Why do this to your own people? We were like family."
Ryker scoffed. "No, you stopped being family the moment your parents decided to give the rogues a second chance."
"And now it's you who gives them a voice. Seems a bit hypocritical, don't you think," I stated. I was glad Xander was silent right now. I don't think he found the right words to say.
"My pack has a purpose. Those radicals who killed my mother and sister slaughtered without reason."
"And that reason is what? All you've done is acted out like a child. Not exactly the message worth sending to the people who chose to follow you, or should I say, forced into your army."
"My reason is to demolish the Northerner throne. It was bad enough when your parents made that foolish mistake, but making a foreigner queen? You're just like your parents, Xander. Weak to suggestion. You could've murdered this girl and be done with it, but you chose to give her value."
My body was ready to burst into flames and end it right there, but I knew it wasn't worth it. As soon as I attacked him, the dragons behind Ryker would strike. And most importantly, our army wasn't here. We thought bringing them would only provoke him more.
"This girl was the princess of the Westerlie kingdom, my mate, and now she is our queen, but I get the feeling she isn't the real reason you've acted out against our country. I understand why Thandililion isn't here. I did murder her after all. The one person I expected to be by your side during this was Remi, but I don't see her. Did she die during the Battle of Wolves?"
Remi? The name was new to me. Xander never mentioned her but by his attitude, she could've been close to Ryker.
"You're right. She did pass away after one of your men ripped her neck open during our escape after the battle. She should've been here to watch you fall."
"She was a traitor, just like you, Gus said, "to think your real motive behind this is jealousy is embarrassing."
"That dragon breather would never compare to her. And no, old friend, it's not jealousy that spiked this, it's the Nightwalker bloodline. You've all made poor choices over the years."
"I get the feeling this won't end peacefully," I admitted.
"No, it won't, Drakon. I have no reason to end this. There will be a war, and a kingdom will fall, but right now, I'm okay with either of you losing. It'll show you what I lost."
"So Augustus was right," Xander exclaimed, "This is jealousy. You foolish man. You're willing to sacrifice thousands of lives for someone who's dead?"
"What would be the point. It's not like she's here to see it all. No, Xander, we're here because of you. Now, we can wait until your men get here, or we can finish this now."
"This can't be the only way, Ryker," I said firmly, "We can avoid the war altogether."
"And do what? Make peace with each other? On in our merry ways and pretend none of this ever happened! It's too late for peace."
"It's never too late."
"No, Robbin, he's made up his mind." Xander placed a protective hand around my waist. "You have until before sunrise tomorrow to surrender. If you're still here when the sun peaks over the horizon, we'll attack."
"That's fine by me. I look forward to your deaths."
I gave him one last look before retreating to Vision with Xander and we flew to Alpha Tristan's pack house. Our army created a circumference around the land, making sure no one would penetrate through them.
I jumped off of Vision as soon as we landed and began breathing heavily. Xander came to my side quickly and clutched my hands tightly, bringing me closer to him. I rested my jeans on his chest and let the scent of him bring me back.
"Remember, the Westerlie army is arriving at nightfall. By the looks of Ryker's army, we outnumber them. And two dragon riders will be here at noon."
"I remember, Robbin, don't worry."
"Don't tell me not to worry! I feel like I'm going insane."
"I won't let him hurt either of you," he whispered into my hair.
"I feel horrible for leaving," I admitted."
Xander pulled away slightly to get a view of my face. "You're safer away from this."
"I hoped so much that it wouldn't come to this. But it's real now. We're going to war."
"We're going to war," he confirmed.
After I said my goodbyes to Gus and Alec, I gave Xander a longing hug.
"Don't die out there," I said as he rubbed my stomach, "I don't want our son growing up without you."
"I'll be safe, and so will you. Your family is already at the castle, right? They'll protect you two."
Xander rested his forehead on mine and I felt as if it was our last touch. "Why does this feel like our last goodbye?"
"Because it is. After this, I'm never leaving your side."
"Okay," I mumbled. Xander began to pull away from me but something in the back of my mind wanted to be said. "Xander, wait," I held his hand tightly, "If something happens,-"
"Robbin don't go there."
"No, please, I just wanted to say sorry. I never was an ideal mate for you. At first, I didn't want to try, then over time, I didn't try hard enough. Our relationship isn't perfect, but just know that our son is a product of us. That's the best thing you or anyone could've given me, and I'm so thankful for that."
I placed a hand on his cheek and he put his own over mine. "Never think I won't come back to you. I always will, my dragon." Xander pulled me into a deep kiss. I horrible feeling told me it'd be our last, so I savored it, letting the feeling of him linger throughout my body, remembering what he felt like.
When it ended, I got on my dragon and looked over the crowd. The Caden pack had been evacuated since it was too close to the war zone, leaving only volunteered men and women to stay behind and fight.
As I flew away, I felt lonely. This war was going to leave a dent on our world. Someone was going to fall and I prayed was wouldn't be the Northerner kingdom or Xander.
By this time tomorrow, it would've begun. The war of wars. The end of the rebel rebellion. It was The War of Wolves and I prayed we'd all see the end of it.