Rollin entered first, his step as graceful as his luscious dark brown hair. A permanent scowl was plastered on his face. He was in black, leather clothing, a sword resting on his back. Una sashayed behind him in a red lace dress with a long train. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places. Unlike her brother, she had a smile on her face, and with that smile she and Joy resembled each other. She waved at the Blue Moon pack members like a queen in a parade.
"It;s good to see ya," she pointed and winked at a few members who turned away in disgust.
Una's eyes met Joy's and she gasped. "Rollin, she actually looks the most like mom."
The man grunted, shrugging his shoulder.
"Don't be like that she's our sister," Una nudged his arm and he glared at her.
"Half-sister," he let out in a low growl.
Joy snorted, the situation feeling rather familiar. "So, that's how it feels?" She muttered.
"Blue Moon pack we come in peace," Una announced. "Here to claim what rightfully belongs to the Blood Moon pack, by blood," she cackled, pleased with herself.
'Looks like the lame jokes run in the family.' Jude spoke into Joys head.
'And this is where they run out.' She drew an imaginary line.
A sharp pain stung both Jude and Joy's minds as a tsk came from Una.
"Bad puppies," she pouted. "No one when speaks when I'm speaking. Even in your heads. Do that again and I'll shrink them."
"What is that?" Joy grunted.
"Magic," Jude answered.
"Stop it Una," Reid warned.
"Fine," she mumbled, releasing them. "But tell your puppies to shut it."
"Una," Rollin growled. "We are here for the half-breed. Let's take her and leave."
"Did you have to bring an army for one person?" Reid questioned. "I can sense your pack right outside my village."
"They're called precautions Reid," Una drawled. "In case you decide to make things difficult."
"And why would we do that?" Reid smirked, then gestured for Joy to step forward. "She is your blood."
Joy gave Jude a quick glance, and his eyes tried to stop her, but she stepped forward. With her chin held high, she stared Rollin straight in the eyes. "Let's go."
Rollin tilted his head, his eyes narrowing at his half-sister. He flicked a finger at one of the three henchman who had followed the twins in. The man stepped towards Joy, a chain in his hand. He used it to bind her hands together, and shoved her to a kneeling position.
Jude clenched his fist behind him, glaring at the man. His mind formulating hundreds of different ways to torture him.
Rollin grazed Joy's cheeks with the back of his fingers, his eyes softening in a way that surprised Joy.
"She does look like mother," he mumbled, then pinched her chin, the scowl returning. "Too bad I hated her," he spat.
"You have what you want," Reid spoke. "You can leave now."
"Why Reid?" Rollin questioned. "Why are you making this so easy? I know for a fact that you, of all people, wouldn't just hand her to me. You put up quite a fight last time my team was here. You killed all of my warriors, and even tried to lead me to think she was dead. So, why are you giving her to me now?"
"She's not worth injuring more of my pack." His expression was blank, his body still, he gave nothing away. "So, do you want her or not?"
"You know the answer to that. But she's not the only one I want." His lip curved into a venomous smirk. "Where's her mate?"
Reid's eyes flashed white for a split second, if Rollin had blinked he would have missed it, but he did not.
"Gotcha," he whispered, his eyes turning a deep red. "I'll force his name out of your mouth if I have to." A scream erupted from the Enclosure, Thelma.
Reid's wolf roared within him, and he shifted as he tackled Rollin. The rest of the Blue Moon pack shifted and howls erupted from inside and outside the village.
"Let her go," Reid growled, pressing his paw against Rollins neck. "Now."
Thelma's screaming stopped, and Reid loosened his grip.
"Temper, temper," Rollin muttered. The red in his eyes deepened and Krii hissed, stumbling back from where he was standing in the back with Jemima, both still human. Jemima's eyes flashed a deep purple, and as she was about to step forward Krii held her back.
"You don't mind if I take this loser right?" He sneered. "Pathetic traitor."
"Let him go," Reid demanded.
"Tell your wolves to stand back." Rollin stood up and Reid waved his hand at his pack. They all reluctantly shifted back to human form, but the three Blood Moon pack henchmen remained as wolves.
Una had maintained her human form, even letting out a yawn. She stepped away from the shifted, snarling wolves, refusing to get herself dirty. Her eyes scanned the area in boredom, and fell on Khaya who was hiding behind one of the huts. Against his father's wishes, he had left the Enclosure where his aunt and cousins were, to see what was going on outside.
"Is this my baby?" She muttered and Khaya let out a whimper, cowering back.
"Get away from him," Jude growled, shoving her back.
"Jude baby," she smirked. "How's it going?"
Jude moved Khaya behind him, a dangerous glare on his face.
"Calm down, I wouldn't harm my own son," she rolled her eyes.
"I wouldn't put it past you."
"Ouch," she huffed. "That hurts my feelings." She wiped imaginary dust from his shoulder.
Joy felt her blood roar a she watched the two converse. Anger and jealousy coursing through her. Her eyes flashed a bright yellow, almost white, and she pulled her hands apart in an attempt to break the chain.
'Joy, don't do anything stupid, control yourself.' Jemima spoke into her head. 'Don't draw any attention to yourself.'
'Why is she talking to him?' Joy grunted, staring at him from where she was kneeling.
He was staring back, his face composed as he subtly shook his head.
"I want the mate too," Rollin spoke to Reid who was glaring at him with a fierce expression. "Who is her mate?"
"I don't know," Reid hissed.
"Wrong answer." The scream from the Enclosure started again. "Isn't Thelma pregnant? So much strain on her body could be bad for the little pup. I'll ask again, who is her mate?"
"You're asking the wrong person." Joy voiced from her position. "Shouldn't you be asking me?"
"I have no intention of speaking to you, half-breed," he spat.
"A half-breed whose power you need," she countered. Her eyes continued to glow brighter as she stared at the Alpha with defiance. "Stop your magic thing, and I'll cooperate."
"What makes you think you can negotiate with me?"
"The fact that I'm capable of ripping these chains apart and breaking my own neck." A red began to fill the white of her eyes.
"Joy stop, don't provoke him," Jemima said.
"I've got this. Just trust me."
"You'd kill yourself for these people? Who aren't even your birth pack?" Rollin raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I would."
Rollin's head cocked to the side, analysing her eyes as they turned scarlet.
"Very well," he mumbled and his eyes returned to their dark brown colour. Thelma's screaming and Krii's hissing stopped.
"Who is your mate?"
"I don't have one," she sneered and her hands snapped the chains as she launched for Rollin.
"Joy, no!" Krii screamed, and Jude's attention fell on her.
Una's eyebrows gathered together, surprised at Jude's shift in attention.
Joy tried to throw a punch at Rollin, who swiftly moved back and pulled his sword from behind him, aiming it at her neck.
"You have time and energy to waste, don't you?" He snarled. "Well I don't. And you're going to pay for this."
He swung his sword in the air. "With..." he paused, closing his eyes. "...the traitor's life." He threw the sword in Kriis direction who sensed it a few seconds too slow. The blade cut threw his chest, piercing his heart.
"Krii," Joy gasped, her eyes returning to their original chocolate brown. "Krii!" She forced her legs to move towards him. Krii's eyes met hers, and he blinked, coughing out blood. He gave a small smile before his eyes rolled behind his head and he fell forward.
"Adonis!" Jemima's scream erupted as she tried to catch him. Her knees fell to the ground along with his body. "No, no, no, what are you doing?" She gritted. "What do you think you're doing?" Her hands trembled, trying to find where to hold him.
"Jem," he coughed.
"Shut up," she hissed, forcing her tears back. "Don't you dare speak to me." She blinked fast and hard, the veins in her neck protruding as she suppressed her scream. "You can-not leave me," she coughed up. "I forbid you."
Though she continued to force them back, a few hot tears slipped through, landing on Krii's face.
"Don't cry my Jem," he breathed.
"Don't tell me what to do," she sobbed, holding him closer.
"I love you, okay?" He breathed and his eyes moved to Joy who was kneeling frozen next to him.
"You'll save everyone, right sis?" He smiled, and his body stilled.
"Adonis please," Jemima sniffed. "Please Adonis, what will I do without you?" She whimpered.
"For every stunt you pull," Rollin grunted. "I take a life. Now, will you tell me who your mate is?"
Joy trembled, tears streaming down her eyes as they searched the crowd for Jude.
'Whatever happens, he can't know you're mates,' Krii's voice rang in her head.
She glanced at his lifeless body in Jemima's arms, then back at the evil Alpha.
"He's human," she croaked.
"Don't lie to me half-breed," he gritted. "I have no patience.'
"You can send someone to go and get him." She dared, trying her best to stick to the plan.
"That won't be necessary," Una stepped forward. "The package has arrived brother, so we should return to our village." She flicked her finger at the henchmen and they dragged Joy with them.
"Joy!" Khaya screamed, trying to run for her as Jude held him back.
"It's okay Khaya," Joy turned to look at him. "I'll be back soon."
Una narrowed her eyes at the exchange but said nothing, gesturing for Reid to lead them to the exit. When they were outside, Joy glanced at Reid who gave her a subtle, reassuring nod, before her mind began to sting and she blacked out.
***
A splash of ice-cold water caused Joy to shut up. Sputtering and coughing as she wiped her face.
"What do you think you're doing?" She hissed.
The man who had splashed her grunted and shrugged, walking away with his empty bucket. She realised she was in a small cell that was outside, because she could see the light of the sun clearly. She stepped on hay and bones, wiping her wet face and hair. A different man, came and unlocked the cell, dragging her out. This time she wasn't chained, probably because there was no way she could make it out of the village.
Said village looked similar to the Blue Moon village, if she didn't know she would have thought that they hadn't left at all. However, this place lacked something the Blue Moon village oozed. Warmth. Though the sun was at its highest peak, the place felt rather cold. She could feel the roots of hatred the village was founded over as her feet scrunched against the bare ground. Her eyes scanned the expressions of the few villagers who were outside. The children laughed and ran around, the adults chatted as they worked, but something was missing.
Joy was shoved into what looked like the Enclosure, stepping into an exact replica of the Blue Moon throne room. Rollin was seated at his throne, the most bored expression on his face. Una was pacing back and forth in front of him. She had changed into a white, long sleeved dress that reached above her knees. A few other pack members, those who Joy assumed to be of importance, were also present.
The henchman shoved Joy to the ground, forcing her to a kneeling position in front of Rollins throne.
"Welcome sister," Una chirped, flashing a pearly white smile.
"I don't really feel welcome. Your idea of a bath is useless, and I keep getting shoved around."
"Aww you poor baby," she pouted. "Tell you what, if you cooperate then I promise to give you the best room in the Domain."
"Cooperate? So that you can attack the Blue Moon village? And for what?"
"The power," Rollin answered. "Isn't it obvious, half-breed. This world isn't big enough for two packs. Let alone two alphas."
"Oh, so you're the greedy twin." She faked an expression of life altering realisation. "And you..." she pointed at Una. "...must be the minion."
"Excuse me?" Una sneered.
"You can't make your own decisions and your brother bosses you around."
"I make my own decisions."
"Yeah right," she scoffed, looking away from her. "I bet you wanted to sit on one of those fancy chairs but he said no. Even though you deserve it," her eyes turned back to the scowling Beta. "I bet you do most of the dirty work even though you try to convince yourself that you don't. The best example would be sleeping with-"
"Enough!" Screamed Una, slapping her half-sister across the face. "I don't like you anymore," she seethed. "So, guess what? No new bedroom for you."
Joy coughed out a laugh. "Did you just slap me?"
"Yes, and..."
The door of the throne room creaked open. A man walked in and stepped towards Una. His hands were on his sides, and he stared straight ahead. He moved like he had no control of his limbs. As if something else was pulling his strings. He had a blank expression on his face and Joy's heart thumped at the sight of his features. Her mouth and eyes widening simultaneously.
"D-Dad?"
***
The Blue Moon village was engulfed in silence, the stench of death contaminating the air. Jemima had been moved to the Enclosure and a few pack members had taken Krii's body to the morgue, the furthest hut from the village.
"This could have been any of us," a young wolf trembled, hugging himself. "It just happened so suddenly. Rollin didn't even hesitate."
"That's what evil does," Jude mumbled, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "It doesn't care."
"Could someone really be that evil?"
"You guys go on to the Enclosure, Alpha Reid wants to address everyone," Jude told them, but he remained, kneeling next to Krii's cold body. His eyes and mouth were sealed shut, a trail of dry blood on his chin.
"Why are you lying there like that?" He asked, tears forming on the surface of his eyes. "Why didn't you dodge? How did you fail to dodge a sword?" He grabbed the lifeless body. "I taught you how to dodge a sword from afar Krii. I told you to always be alert because it could come from anywhere, what's wrong with you? How dare you embarrass me." He released between strained sobs. He could feel his heart tearing apart, bleeding from within. "How could you let this happen?"
'Jude, where are you?' Reid communicated. 'Come to the Enclosure.'
Jude wiped his eyes and nose as he sniffed, standing up. He jogged to the Enclosure, a few of the pack members were leaving the Enclosure, grunting and mumbling.
"What's going on?" Jude asked Reid as he stepped in.
"They're afraid of Rollin. And this power he possesses? No one wants to go after him," Thelma answered, clutching her baby bump. "And I get it," she whimpered, blinking back her tears. "One of the strongest wolves just got stabbed in the heart by a floating sword like he was nothing."
"Well, I'm not afraid of him," Jemima's shaky voice sounded from a corner in the room. "I don't care who goes or who doesn't but I am. I am marching into that village and destroying every last one of them. I will rip the fur off their skin."
"We need a plan Jem," Jude told her. "A strategy."
"Well that's Kriis job," she hissed. "And some of us failed to stick to the plan which cost the planner his life."
"Are you blaming Joy-"
"Yes, I blame her," she cried. "I blame her for what happened because she couldn't shut up. She provoked him even after Krii told her not to. So, I blame her. And once I'm done with the Blood Moon village, I will rip her apart."
"Don't you dare," Jude growled, taking threatening steps towards her. She stood her ground and Reid had to pull Jude back.
"Jude, calm down," Thelma said.
"This wouldn't have happened if you hadn't found her and brought her here. So, I blame you too," Jemima gritted. Her eyes flashed bright green then deep purple. Her canines appeared and she snarled as she launched for Jude. Reid threw Jude to the side and caught his sister, holding her back.
"No, no, Jem, not now." He grunted, dodging her punches. "Thelma, what's that thing Krii does to make her stop panicking?"
"Ummm... I don't know," she snapped her fingers. "He used to just hug her, and stroke her hair think."
Jude and Reid held her on either side, hugging her. She held onto her brothers, a gut-wrenching cry escaping her lips.
"We need to be strong for him," Reid whispered.
"I don't want to be strong for him," she whimpered. "I just want him to be here."
"We will destroy them for this Jem," Jude spoke as the brothers pulled away, stroking her hair and wiping her tears away. "I will do it for you."
She nodded, wiping her eyes. Thelma stretched her hand to help Jemima up and led her to the bathroom.
"So, what's the plan?" Jude looked around the empty throne room.
"They're still in shock. What was that? A floating sword?" Reid rubbed his face with both hands. "Anyway, right now, the best we can do is figure out Rollin's weakness. If we can find that we can use it against him."
"The magic source, maybe. We need to figure out how he does that."
"Rollins weakness," Reid mumbled.
"Boys." Iris walked in, with Channing right behind her.
"Mom. They spoke at once, moving to hug her.
"We came as soon as we heard. Where's my Jemima? And my Joy?" She looked around the throne room.
"Jemima is in the bathroom with Thelma. Rollin took Joy," Reid huffed.
"And you let him?" Channing hissed.
"He killed Krii with a floating sword." He responded. "We didn't want anyone else to get hurt so we went along with the plan. Joy is simply going ahead of us."
"What do you have to say about this?" Channing glanced at Jude.
"I was against it from the beginning. And now things just got worse," he gritted, his eyes turning a deep blue. "He is not only one of the best Combatants in this pack, but my best friend, and they killed him. Right now, they have my mate in their hands. So, I don't really know what to say."
"Fine," Iris shrugged. "What are you going to do about it, Beta?"
Jude glanced at Reid who nodded, giving him the go ahead.
"We proceed with Krii's plan," he instructed. "We will gather all the Combatants and march there ourselves. Attack is the best form of defense in this case. Once we're in, I'll look for where they are keeping Joy, then she and I will shift together."
"I want to come too." Jemima stepped back into the throne room. "I want Rollin to beg for his life."