Nicolas POV
“Is everyone aware of their responsibilities?” I inquired, my gaze moving over a group of a hundred of my finest warriors standing before me.
We were gathered at the border awaiting Levi and his warriors to arrive. We were expecting their arrival at any minute.
Terra was kind enough to spill every detail of their plans and Zara’s location after the two Betas had their fun.
Ronan took the lead, yet Levi quickly joined in; he was even more determined to get information out of Terra.
A sinister grin followed at the corners of my lips as I recalled Terra’s horrific screams. Terra’s screams soothed every bit of anger inside me like music.
But it wasn’t enough.
I wanted more.
I wanted to hear those same horrific screams coming from those who had taken my mate.
Levi and Ronan eventually came to the conclusion that I should be the one to decide Terra’s fate, and so I did…. She will be executed as a traitor in front of the pack with Zara standing next to me.
“Yes, Alpha!” The group of warriors responded in unison, capturing my attention.
They seemed excited about saving their Luna.
“But we don’t,” Mariana’s voice chimed in my ears, and my attention snapped toward her. She had a group of wolves following behind her, and she didn’t seem bothered by my appearance.
“Mariana, what is the meaning of this?” I growled at her unexpected interruption. She was aware of my intense dislike for interruptions. “I don’t have the time or energy-”
“Alpha,” she cut me off with a raised hand. “I didn’t come to stall you. I came here to offer you my support… all of us came here to help you!”
I could feel Mariana’s strong aura filling the space between us. She wasn’t about to back down. She meant every word she just spoke. She wanted to be part of this.
“You don’t have the proper train-” Ronan cut in.
“These wolves came from far and wide to assist you in your quest in finding their future queen,” Mariana interrupted Ronan and gestured to the groups of wolves coming closer from all directions. “They even brought more support-their Alphas, ranks, and more warriors. With their support, we will succeed in bringing Luna Zara home….”
“How?” I asked, taken aback as more wolves arrived. “How did you gather so many?”
“These wolves are my family,” she said, gesturing to some of the wolves, young and old, standing around her. “They all serve in their packs under an Alpha…”
“Thus, the Alphas should be familiar with your family curse?” Ronan cut Mariana off.
Mariana kept her composure and slowly turned her gaze toward Ronan. Her blue eyes began to darken.
“The curse has been expelled,” Mariana stated, and my surprised gaze snapped toward her.
“What are you saying, Mariana? Did Luna Zara…?” My thoughts trailed off.
Was it even possible?
I knew that Zara managed to lift the curse from Mariana-I have witnessed her wolf with my own two eyes-but I never expected that she had done so for the rest of Mariana’s family members.
“Yes she did,” Mariana confirmed. “She didn’t only break the curse that bound my wolf, but she freed every single one of my family members-from the oldest to the youngest pup.”
“You have our full support, Alpha Nicholas,” an Alpha I didn’t recognize said as he came closer. He seemed to be from the West.
“And ours,” another Alpha said.
“Count us in,” another added.
Soon, a group of fifteen Alphas gathered around me.
“I appreciate the help, but I can’t expect this from you,” I said.
“We want to help, Alpha,” a wolf with a deep voice and brown hair stated.
“We know Luna Zara is our queen,” another added.
“The prophecy says that she will unite the packs.” Another Alpha interrupted me.
“Except that,” another said. “I have never heard of a wolf breaking a curse so intense as the one on Mariana’s family.”
“And she freed the whole bloodline!” a youngish Alpha stated. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when Darrien showed me he could shift. He is eighty years old.”
“That just shows you,” someone commented from the back of the group. “No one was left behind. Even the eldest has been blessed to feel the wind in their fur again!”
“Alpha, we want to help,” Mariana said, taking my hand. “All these packs are firm believers. They know that Luna Zara is the Goddess’ daughter. They are here to serve her.”
I sighed and nodded, giving in to their request. Arguing about the matter wouldn’t help any of us. If I didn’t let them join, they would eventually follow us.
“Wow!” Levi’s bewildered gasp cut through the crowd. He had a group of fifty warriors following him. “What’s going on? Are these Alphas friends of yours?”
“These Alphas are here to help us find Luna Zara,” Ronan quickly enlightened Levi.
“Where the hell did they all come from?” He asked. “Most of them are not from this region.”
“It is Luna Zara’s doing,” Ronan explained. “She helped one of our pack members, and now it gets paid back tenfold.”
“That’s my girl!” Levi chirped happily. “Always helping those in need.”
“So?” Ronan stepped closer. “Will there be some change of plans? Or will we pursue the current plan?”
“Well,” I said, walking toward a flat rock, opening the old map of the territory Zara is being held, and gesturing for the Alphas to get closer. “We surely should be able to outnumber them.”
“If we don’t, I have already thought of a backup plan,” Levi cut in proudly.
I raised a questionable eyebrow in surprise. Did Beta John train Levi in battle strategies?
“Alpha Rick, the Alpha of the Silverado Pack, has called all his alliances to support us,” Levi went on to explain. “They will follow after us.”
“Very well,” I said, turning my attention toward the map.
We had planned out our attack, but there were certain areas we couldn’t cover. With the extra warrior, we should be able to cover all our bases.
“I needed warriors to enter from the North, South, West, and East to create a diversion,” I said, and the Alphas quickly divided themselves into groups.
“Beta Levi,” I said, capturing his gaze. “I still need you and your men to search these tunnels.” I tapped on the map and turned to Ronan. “We will stick to our original plans.”
Levi and Ronan nodded.
“Beta Ronan, you will be taking half our men and searching these tunnels,” I continued. “I will take the rest down those tunnels.”
The other Alphas nodded as they followed my plan.
“Make sure you secure all exits and entrances,” I said, my gaze moving from one Alpha to the next.
“We don’t know how many rogues are involved,” Levi added.
“…or how many Red Howl Pack members roam the area,” Ronan stated.
“Be careful,” I said. “We don’t know what demons are lurking down below. Let the Goddess guide and protect you!”
Will it be smooth sailing in finding Zara? Or will it end up in bloodshed and death…?
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