Marcus's blood ran cold as he glanced at his sleeping mate, feeling the familiar feeling of the white-hot anger that rose in his chest. It was wrath; an emotion he had felt just once in his life, when Scarlett had shown up on his doorstep. It was anger at the family that dared claim to carry her noble blood in their veins, anger at the council who claimed to have her interests at heart; anger at the world that dared kick her when she was low.
This time, it was anger at the thought of any creature, be it a mosquito or a werewolf, that dared try and lay its filthy paws on his beautiful mate. Granted, neither of their omega mates, be it Aylin or Delilah, were delicate or weak, as their appearance might suggest. However, that did not mean he would tolerate even the mere thought of anyone harming his mate.
"When is the meeting?" He spoke the devilish glint in his eyes and his voice of steel the only things that hinted at his state of mind.
He was going to bathe in the blood of his enemies soon, and he would enjoy every damn second of it.
Since they invoked the devil, it was only fitting to pay a suitable price, no?
"The meeting's in two days. Call your allies, and tell Mom and Dad what's going on, we'll need their input on this. Anna can come too but don't forget to bring Delilah. Can Jonathan hold down the fort till you get back?" Scar asked, her voice still showing signs of irritation.
"Yeah, we have nothing to worry about on that front," Marcus said, cooling his bloodlust in case his mate sensed it.
"Good. We can't afford to mess this one up." Scar said, making the situation hit home for the man. If they messed up, this wasn't just the pack territories or members he stood to lose, it was his fated partner as well.
He couldn't afford to take this lightly.
"I'll keep that in mind, Scar, don't worry." He said, reassuring the female on the other side of the phone.
" Okay. I hate that I had to drag you into this, but I appreciate it, Jack." She said, her gratitude towards him evident in her voice.
" What do you mean 'drag' me? I told you, I'm coming with you no matter what. If we die, we die together." He said, his tone adamant.
"Yes, Jack. I'll see you then." Scarlett said, cutting the call.
Marcus stared at his phone for a few moments before raising his eyes to once again rest on his mate's sleeping figure.
He sighed, running a hand through his golden locks in frustration.
He was going to have to inform her somehow when she woke up, but his priority was informing his family of the development.
Tonight was going to be a long night, he could feel it.
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Nox was seated in her home office, Aylin in her lap, asleep, as she listened to the Cethins' report with great attentiveness. It was imperative that she heard every detail so that she would know what to expect.
" This plan was only put forth two days ago, and we have evidence and confirmed sightings of the target at the banquet." The leader of the Cethins, Jade, spoke.
"That means that the target changed and battle plans were switched that fast, yet none of them were flustered?" Nox asked, her tone incredulous. The only thing that was keeping her from slamming her fist on the table was her sleeping mate in her lap.
The omega whined softly, turning herself slightly before burying her head in Nox's neck with a contented smile on her face.
"How long was this plan in the works?" Nox asked calmly, tightening her hold on her mate.
"We have reason to believe that it began soon after the last battle. The plan shifted because they seem to believe that the Luna and the Luna of the Oriol pack are weaknesses. Otherwise, the plan would have commenced during the banquet." Jade said, her tone blunt and direct.
That meant that this plan was in development for more than half a century. She almost smiled. The perpetrator was so obsessed with her that he still couldn't give up on her after that long? Damn. What a joy, really.
She stood, Aylin in her arms as she spoke.
"Get the warriors in the hall. Have Veronica, Hayes and Jade posted around the Luna. Not a single rat gets past, we clear?" She said, walking out and heading to her quarters.
"Crystal, Alpha." They spoke, Jade following Nox as Balor went back to gather the warriors. He mind-linked the Hayes couple and gave them their Alpha's instructions.
Nox turned to Jade after placing Aylin on the bed and tucking her in.
" Stay with her, the other two will stand guard." She ordered, no room for any objections.
Jade nodded, staying in the room as Nox left, staring at their Luna. She had the same mind as Nox. Whoever threatened the pack Luna deserved to die in the most gruesome way possible.
The Hayes couple arrived soon and both Veronica and her mate took the liberty to search the area, looking for any signs of bugging or intrusion, but being very careful to make sure that their scents did not longer on the items they searched, given how territorial Alpha's were, especially with a mate involved.
They knew their Alpha's temper, and could only risk so much, otherwise, they'd be torn limb from limb, and neither wanted such an experience.
It was one thing to anger Nox on a normal day, and a whole other story to anger her when she had a mate, especially an unmarked mate. No one needed an education to know which one would put them in a casket faster.
Thus, they stayed with their Luna, faces as somber as a graveyard, bodies taut and ready to spring to action: Their role of the sleeping Luna's protection taken immensely seriously.
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In the hall, Nox sat atop a podium, gazing down at her warriors with the temperament of a ruler. However, her warriors, who had fought many a battle with the Alpha could tell that their Alpha had some anxiety. However, they could not pinpoint the exact cause. Knowing their Alpha, they were just about to find out.
"Dear warriors of the Midnight Pack, I called you here to share some somber news. The times of relative peace and tranquility have been shattered.
The vermin that rose against us more than half a century ago have risen again with renewed strength. These creatures caused the untimely deaths of our brothers, sisters, our mates." She paused, standing from her throne-like seat and moving towards the edge of the podium.
"This time, they have come to once again rob us of these beloved people. The only difference between us then and us now is that in addition to all of you, I now have a mate to protect as well, a fact that is undoubtedly known by the enemy." She paused again, gritting her teeth, the veins on her neck bulging in her barely- repressed anger.
"Due to this new varriable, the vermin changed their tactics. The creatures, with courage that I myself know not where they found; dare plan to harm your Luna."
At her words, the entire room erupted, indignation and vexation on the tongues of all present as they vowed to protect their Luna with their very lives.
Seeing the positive changes Aylin brought to the pack even with just her mere presence made the pack protective over her, mostly so that their Alpha can finally get the happiness she deserved in all this mess.
"I am happy and proud that you all are ready to lay down your lives for my Luna. However, do keep in mind that you all have families to return to, so don't be reckless." She warned fondly and the room grew warmer at her words.
"In two days, our allies and the Oriol Pack and I are going to discuss the battle plans. I want the head of every group of warriors present at this hall without fail. You may leave now."
Saluting the Alpha, the warriors trooped out of the meeting hall, the waves of anger in their hearts rising significantly.
How dare those vermin try and destroy the tranquility their Alpha had barely managed to grasp, now that she finally had a mate? Those creatures committed a sin, and it was up to them to dole out their punishment.
After Nox watched the warriors walk out of the hall, she rushed to her quarters, heading straight for her room, where she knew her mate slept. Upon seeing that her mate wasn't in bed, Nox paused, Nier rising to the surface as her aura darkened, her nails turing into claws.
"Scar?" Came Aylin's voice; " What's going on? Is something wrong?" She asked, walking out of the bathroom and putting her hands on Nox's face, unknowingly soothing the Alpha.
In their mind-link, Nier rushed over to Aruna, quickly settling down in a protective circle around their mate, content. Nier began to lap at Aruna, grooming her lovingly.
Nox did not answer Aylin's question, choosing to follow her wolf and dragging Aylin to the bed, caging her in a tight but comfortable embrace.
Aylin relaxed into her mate's embrace but did not shake off the feeling that something or someone had deeply unsettled the Alpha. She was hesitant to question Scarlett, not sure if she could meddle in her mate's affairs. However, from all she had seen from Scarlett, the woman wouldn't lie to her or keep her in the dark. As she pondered what step to take, Nox pulled her chin up gently, forcing the omega to look up.
"What are you thinking so hard about, little fairy?" She asked, her brows knitting in concern for her mate. Aylin smiled. What had she been so afraid of?
"I am worried about you Scar. You seem so tense today; is something wrong?" Scarlett frowned and she could feel the wrath pulsing in her veins; ever- present.
" There will be a war soon. It's going to be large and dangerous. Especially for you and Delilah, since you two are the targets this time." Nox said, gazing at her mate.
Aylin pondered her mate's words. No wonder she was being overly protective, even in her wolf side! It was because Aylin was in danger. That also explains the guards posted at her door, that consisted of a woman she'd never met before that introduced herself as Jade and the Hayes couple. She thought it was unnecessary, but if she was one of the primary targets in an all out werewolf battle, then she was not so sure if the precautions they took were enough.
"What do you plan to do?"
"There's a meeting in two days with the allies of both Oriol Pack and Midnight Pack to discuss the enemy's movements as well as plan for how reinforcements are gonna be distributed. You will also attend the meeting, as both the acting Luna and a potential victim."
"Alright. I don't know how much help I'll be, but I'll do my best, Scar." Nox smiled at the omega's enthusiasm.
"Don't worry, you're perfect." She said, gazing at her mate lovingly.
"You're just being biased because I'm yours!" Aylin pouted indignantly, turning her head from Nox.
Because she did this, she did not realise the way in which Nox's eyes darkened at the action.
Nox grabbed Aylin's arms, trapping them above her head with one arm, before trailing her other hand down Aylin's side. As if a switch had been flipped, Aylin's pheromones flooded the room, invading Nox's nose and fogging her brain. She positioned herself between Aylin's thighs, feeling the wetness at the apex with her free hand.
Aylin mewled at the sensation, arching her back in a bid to create more friction between them. Nox placed feathery kisses along Aylin's neck, before licking her scent gland slowly and sensually. Aylin moaned, grinding onto Nox, who could feel herself swelling at her little omega's ministrations.
She grabbed Aylin's hips with both hands, grinding down forcefully on Aylin, releasing moans and groans from them both. Nox gently bit at Aylin's scent gland, feeling the shiver of pleasure that buzzed through her mate through the mate bond. She lifted her head, just barely brushing her lips against Aylin's as she spoke.
"Now, now, my disobedient little fairy, what did I say about you pouting those pretty little lips?" Aylin shivered at the husky tone of her mate and something told her that this was not over, not by a longshot.