Ivonne's POV
"Which is why I'm here to stand in for him," I declared and all their attention returned to me, a few with eyes wide as saucers in surprise. "As the Luna of this pack there is no way I'll let my people go into such risky battle alone."
"But Luna, it will best if you stay back," a voice said from the crowd and a some bobbed their heads in agreement while a few frowned. "Rogues has been known to be extremely dangerous."
"Not only dangerous," Jarvis chipped in from my right. "The group of rogues which attack this pack have been known to go for the kill."
"They always target the Alpa and mostly don't fight us," a young blonde haired lady at the front of the line explained. "So going out there is as if you are giving them what they want."
"We aren't just saying this to discourage you," Jarvis went on to say. "But aside from these attacks, a few assassination attempts have been made on the Alpha's life, both within and outside the pack premises."
'That explained why he mostly gave orders with the probability of his death on the line,' Ria uttered in my head as we tried to comprehend what we were hearing.
"Hearing everything from the Beta here it seemed the Alpha knew something like this was coming and therefore precisely indicated that you should be kept safe," Leonardo whom I didn't notice mumbled from the far left of the congregation. "It would be advisable for yourself and the pack if you keep to his wishes."
"It is clear they must have gotten wind of the news Alpha had gotten himself and the Moon pack a wife and Luna," Leonardo went ahead to say.
"Maybe that was why there was a rogue sighting back then," I murmured more to myself but they happened to hear me.
"They must have come to sniff around to confirm if the words on the streets were true," Jarvis told, confirming my speculations.
My eyes widened in horror as it all made sense, a chill running down my spine at the thought that I might be really their target. "So after discovering it was true, they just left?"
"They didn't just leave," the same lady who spoke earlier continued. "They left to restrategize, probably happy that the ruthless and most feared Alph Tobias now had a weakness."
"Exactly," another voice from the crowd let out. "They laid low and took the time to come up with a plan."
"However it appeared they were still a bit scared and hesistant to attack," Leonardo explained further. "Because as the days went by, we didn't lower our guard, it may have seemed so but the pack was totally protected and untouchable as we tightened security."
"I am certain the Alpha's presence too scared them off because even if they managed to infiltrate us like they are doing now," Jarvis uttered.
"He is capable of destroying 50% of them with his bare hands," I finished for him, all the puzzles fittling in. "But if the pack was well guarded and protected like Leonardo here had indicated, how did they get past the security and cross the borders, infiltrating the pack lands and disturbing our peace?"
"The answer would be the same if one asked why they chose to attack now of all times," the blonde lady whom I was starting to think was the lead female warrior elaborated.
"How do you mean?" I frowned.
"The Alpha's absence," Leonardo clarified while Jarvis nodded and the warriors murmured.
"Someone from the inside must have helped them," I let out, a gasp leaving my lips as I uttered the words in realization of what they were trying to tell me.
"And informed them about the Alpha's business trip," Jarvis added. "Because why would they choose now? Especially as the Alpha's absence was kept totally secret and away from the press for security reasons."
"Shit!" I exclaimed and ran my fingers through my hair. The fear starting to creep in.
"So if they can't get to the Alpha and hurt him after all these while. The easiest way would be through his mate and the Luna of the pack," Leonardo gritted, his jaw clenched.
"We wouldn't want history to repeat itself," Jarvis muttered under his breath, however I was able to catch it due to our proximity.
"What do you mean?" I interrogated, turning in his path so sharply it was a miracle I didn't get a whiplash.
"I didn't say anything," he lied, avoiding my intense and inquisitive gaze.
"Jarvis," I called in a warning tone, wanting him to explain his words.
"This is not the time for that Luna," he came close to whisper for my hearing alone. "The Alpha will tell you in due time."
Sending him a glance of understanding I faced the warriors. "It is certain every of you are worried about my safety, however I want you all to understand I am worried about your safety too."
"You all have families waiting for you," I continued, making sure to stare pointedly at them as I spoke. "Each of you are either a brother, a sister, a wife, a husband, an aunty, an uncle, a cousin and a friend."
"My conscience would forever judge me if I allow you all into this battle without putting my own life on the line," I proclaimed, sincerity pouring through my tone.
Everyone had gone silent as I spoke and even if a pin dropped it could be heard. I was glad for the attention I was being given in that moment as for the first time in a long while it felt really good to be heard.
"If the Alpha was here, there is no way he would have left the multitude of you go into battle without him at the forefront," I stated the very obvious.
"But you lack the basic skills of a warrior," the lady declared. "No one has seen you in action or watched you train."
"I apologize about that," I gave a smile. "I've been getting the hang of things and not had time but I promise to do so from now on. That's if we survive this."
"Still insisting on fighting aren't you?" Jarvis questioned in a sigh that indicated his exasperation.
"I am," I proclaimed and just then the sound of heavy footsteps were heard. Everyone turned and we saw approaching shadows. I whirled back to Jarvis and said, "it's now or never."
"Someone hand her a weapon," Jarvis commanded and the next thing a strap was thrown over my head to hang on my shoulder and across my waist.
"When did you get this ready?" I questioned with wide eyes at Leonardo who stood before me, tightening the strap that had pockets. Looking down, I spotted a gun, silver knives of different sizes, silver bullets and silver arrows in each pouch.
"The Alpha said to prepare this just in case," he grumbled after he was done and stalked away.
A grin unconsciously spread over my lips at his words as I felt confident and glad that Tobiad understood my person to this point. It was barely a few months rather his actions told a different story than Lincoln's had told in the years we had been together.
"Group A," Jarvis summoned and a series of about 20 men and a few men separated from the rest. "Head toward the easy corner. I just got info from one of the guards that they were injured and can't stop the advancement from that end."