3rd person’s POV
It’s been three weeks now since the last encounter with the rogues, The Bloodmoon Pack didn’t slacken on their security, and training.
Their Scouts haven’t gotten the exact location of the Rogues, Dimitri and warriors work tirelessly to ensure the security of the pack is not breached.
Kate had been busy with her training, with the help of Lia, her coordination and communication is now getting better.
Dimitri stood in the training yard, his hand folded to his chest as he keenly watch the move of the warriors, he and Louis had personally took over the training of the young warriors, they need to be ready and they will be the target of the rogues if the rogues attack. Louis bark out orders, correcting the errors they are making.
Dimitri head to the other end of the training yard where Kate is training with Lia.
You are too slow, he said through mind-linking Kate as he watch her movement.
THREE DAYS EARLIER
The meeting had just come to an end, Dimitri and Louis stayed back in his office, Louis had informed Dimitri earlier he needs to discuss something with him.
“We don’t know when the rogues will attack again, since we don’t have information about their location,” Louis said. And since the last capture of the three rogues by how scouts who gave them information about the Werewolf hunter organization, the rogues haven’t surface anywhere.
“Yes, It has also been bothering me as well,” Dimitri responded. Maksim seem to know how to cover his tracks that is why we didn’t find out his existence during the last battle against Zeus.
“When are you going to mark Kate,” Louis blurted out the question by cutting Dimitri off. Which brought an abrupt silence to the office.
Dimitri’s brow furrowed, “I will I just want to get this off my front,” he said.
” But hope you know you need to mark her before the next attack from the rogues,” Louis said, we don’t know what they are planning right now that make them go silent and we must be prepared in every way.
“But what does the rogue attack has to do with me marking Kate?” Dimitri asked. She is already training and I have been monitoring her and ensure Lia make necessary corrections and I will also ensure I keep my eye on her whenever there is an attack.
“But why don’t you want to place your mark on her, are you still contemplating on accepting her?” Louis asked.
” I am not contemplating, I just don’t want any distractions for either of us,” Dimitri interjected.
” There’s no distraction in placing your mark on your ma, it would rather keep her safe,” Louis said. To answer your question, ” why marking her, is important for the battle
Mind-linking Dimitri, and you placing your mark on Kate will help her be able to communicate with us in the pack because once you claimed her, she will be part of us, Louis said.
“Oh Moon Goddess, how did I forgot that,” Dimitri said, I will do the needful.
The day came to an end so fast, and the night crawled in. The sound of the chirping insects creates a beautiful rhythm to compensate the silence that befell the night.
“How is the training with the young warriors,” Kate asked as she climb up the Bed, hope they are improving well.
“Yes they are,” Dimitri replied.
“And how about you?” He asked standing up from the couch then strode to the Bed.
“We don’t know when the rogues will attack again and I need you to be prepared,” Dimitri said locking gaze with Kate, so that you can communicate with the rest of us through mind-linking, I need to claim you as my mate and place my mark on you.
“Oh okay,” Kate said, and when will that be, she asked her heart pounding hard against her chest.
Tonight, Dimitri replied.
***
PRESENT DAY
The sun fell below the horizon, transforming the Bloodmoon Pack’s territory into tones of rich crimson and gold. A peaceful, spooky silence fell over the area, the type that usually precedes a storm. Kate decided to take a break to rest, and she sits on the chair resting while she watches Dimitri who is now sparring with some of the younger warriors. She loved his ability-fluid and forceful, each action perfect and lethal. It was a sharp reminder of the power he had as both Alpha and Lycan King.
Over the last few weeks, their friendship had grown stronger. They’d overcome obstacles, battled with betrayal, and bolstered the Bloodmoon Pack’s defenses together. Kate felt more at ease today than she had ever before, and her bond with Dimitri is more apparent now. However, a nagging worry tugged at her thoughts, as if something awful was on the horizon.
She did not have to wait long.
A piercing and urgent wail rang across the air. It resonated over the southern border, disturbing the evening’s tranquility. Kate’s muscles tightened as she recognized the sound: a warning.
Dimitri paused in mid-spar, his eyes glowing gold as he turned to face the source of the voice. Although his voice was low, the desperation was clear. “Rogues.”
In an instant, anarchy ensued. Warriors panicked, transforming into wolf forms and dashing for the southern border. The pack had planned for an assault at any time, but this was unexpected. The rogues had selected the ideal time-just as most of the soldiers were at the training yard.
Kate’s pulse pounded as she instinctively searched for her inner power. Her wolf stirred within her, and the bond grew deeper with every passing day, her skills had improved since the training. And now she understood she needed to utilize them.
Dimitri looked at her, his features hardened with concentration. “Are you sure you can do this,” he asked.
Yes I can. “I can help,” she persisted, meeting his gaze with conviction. “You need every warrior we have right now.”
Dimitri paused for a time, caught between his protective impulses and the facts of the situation. Eventually, he nodded. “Stay close.” I don’t want you too far from me.”
Without saying a word, they both head out of the training yard-Dimitri stayed in his human form and Kate transformed into her sleek, silver wolf form. They rushed together toward the southern border, the wind roaring over their them as they run through the wild.
As they approached the boundary, the noises of warfare became more audible-snarls, growls, and the smash of bodies tearing into one another. The smell of blood mixed with the strong, bitter odor of fear and violence.
The rogues had struck forcefully, exploiting their greater numbers to overcome the pack’s defenses. Dozens of rogue wolves flooded the southern border, their eyes glittering with bloodlust, attacking mercilessly. Bloodmoon warriors battled courageously, but they were outnumbered and struggled to maintain the line.
Kate and Dimitri charged into the conflict, rapidly turning the tide of battle. Dimitri tore through the rogues with ruthless accuracy, his claws and fangs tearing through fur and skin. Every punch he delivered was fatal, sending rogue after rogue plummeting to the earth.
Kate battled beside him, her moves quick and purposeful. She didn’t have as much experience as the other warriors, but her instincts led her. Her wolf’s strength raced through her veins as she avoided a rogue’s strike, turning around to sink her fangs into his side. The rogue yelped in anguish and collapsed at her feet.
The warriors of the Bloodmoon Pack gathered around them, their spirits buoyed by the presence of their Alpha and Luna. However, the war was far from done. The rogues were persistent, and their numbers seemed to grow as more of them emerged from the forest’s shadows.
Dimitri’s voice boomed out across the pack link. *”Hold the line!” “Do not let them break through!”
Kate sensed the power of his order and pushed herself even harder. A rogue sprang at her, teeth bared, but she sidestepped just in time, ramming her shoulder into him and knocking him into a tree. Her wolf was ecstatic, enjoying the excitement of the fight, but Kate kept focused. She knew they had to get through this-there was too much at risk.
As the fight goes on, Kate’s acute eyes saw something different. Beyond the frontline, hiding among the woods, she noticed a small number of rogues who appeared to be hanging back, observing rather than engaging in the conflict. They weren’t attacking; they were simply looking, as if waiting for something.
Her instincts told her that something was not right.
She instantly linked Dimitri. “There is something going on. There are rogues observing us. “It does not feel right.”
Dimitri, who was now hacking through another rogue, ventured a peek in the direction she indicated. His roar reverberated across their relationship. “They are waiting for something.” Be cautious.
Before Kate could answer, one of the observing rogues made an unexpected action. He raised his head and howled, a high-pitched, unsettling sound that sent shivers down Kate’s spine. And then, with the next pulse, everything changed.
The rogues, who had been standing back, pushed forward at once, but did not assault the warriors. Instead, they went straight for the interior of the pack, avoiding the frontline totally.
“They are aiming for the heart of the pack!”
Kate was terrified when she realized what had happened. This attack was a diversion. The true aim was not the border, but the pack itself. The rogues were attempting to get past their fortifications and into the vulnerable center of Bloodmoon land.
“We have to stop them!” Kate’s desperate appeal resonated over the pack link, her pulse racing in her chest.
Dimitri, who was well aware of the seriousness of the situation, grumbled in agreement. “Fall back to the pack house! “Protect the young and the elderly!” His words echoed across the link as he and Kate broke free from the frontline and raced toward the center of the area.
Kate pushed herself harder, her paws slapping the earth in a flurry as she and Dimitri raced to the pack house. Behind them, the surviving Bloodmoon warriors tried to keep the rogues at bay, but the gravity of the situation could not be overlooked.
When they arrived to the pack’s primary grounds, the situation was complete mayhem. A number of young wolves and elders were being led into the protection of the pack house by a few courageous warriors, but the rogues were closing in quickly.
Kate did not hesitate. She sprang into the fray, her wolf howling as she ripped into the nearest rogue who had broken through. Blood coated the ground, and the stench of iron hung in the air as she battled with an intensity she had no idea she had.
Dimitri was a force of nature beside her, his Lycan form tried to take control but he get a hold of it, in order for him not to lose control, In his human form, he is dispatching any rogue who dared to approach. Despite their combined might, the rogues remained unrelenting.
One of the rogues pounced at a little pup, jaws bared in a ferocious growl. Kate’s pulse raced, and she rushed in front of the dog, absorbing the brunt of the attack. The rogue’s claws slashed over her side, sending anguish through her body, but she didn’t falter. With a ferocious snap of her fangs, she ripped into the rogue, knocking him to the ground.
Kate endured the discomfort as blood flowed from her hairs. There wasn’t time to linger on her wounds. She could feel the weight of the pack’s survival resting on her shoulders, and she refused to let them down.
As the conflict continued, Dimitri roared through the pack connection. “We are expecting reinforcements. “Hold the line!”
Even as he spoke, Kate realized they were running out of time.
Just as they thought they had a minute to recuperate, Kate noticed someone lurking at the edge of the trees. A towering, intimidating man watches the conflict from the shadows. His gaze met on hers for a fleeting moment before he fled into the darkness.
Her heart skips a beat. Who could that be.