CHAPTER THREE

The night was cool and calm as the pack settled to rest.

I lay in my bed in a deep slumber, tired from all the stress and worries that had weighed me down during this period.

In the quietness, a rustling sound reaches my sharp ears, faint yet consistent.

I stirred in my sleep, a frown formed on my face from the annoyance caused by the sound.

“ Blue” a voice whispered urgently, followed by a gentle shake to my shoulders.

My eyes flutter open, slowly trying to gain focus. Alex stood by my bedside with a tense expression. I had told Alex earlier this evening that I did not want him in my bed today because I wanted to enjoy the quietness and peacefulness of my room.

“ What is it, Alex?” I asked groggily.

“ We are under attack,” Alex uttered.

The declaration hit me like an electric bolt instantly sharpening my sense, my pack was under attack again and I needed to protect her.

“ How many of them?” I asked.

“Quiet a lot, they are larger werewolves. I guess that they are from….”

“…from the Redmoon,” I said ending his sentence.

“ We need to get you in hidden,” Alex suggests.

“ Why?” I shot back, greatly offended by his request. “ I would not be a coward to run away from a fight.”

“ I know that, but I cannot afford to lose you,” Alex said holding both of my arms.

“You won’t,” I answered.

“ Blue. For once, please listen to me. I beg of you.” Alex pleaded.

“ This is my duty,” I answered, picking up my sword.

Since I do not yet possess claws and fangs, my sword was going to do that for me.

Alex nodded “ Stay safe.”

I ran outside to see that my army was already engaged in battle. A figure caught my attention. A man who stood tall and finely built. His eyes locked into mine, a cruel smile playing at the corner of his lips.

As I approached him, my grip tightened on my sword.

“ You” I screamed in anger.

He chuckled, his eyes dancing with genuine excitement.

“ Ah, the fearless Alpha of the Moonlight pack. I have been looking forward to meeting you.” He smiled.

“You will not get what you want,” I said.

“Oh, I think I will.” He shrugged.

“Over my dead boy,” I stated.

“ Well, That can be arranged.” He smiled arrogantly.

His cockiness irritated me and my fingers were itching to strike.

He continued “ I can see you have got a weapon and I am an honorable man. So to be fair, I’m going to fight you with a sword.”

He picked up a sword from the ground and poised to fight.

Without another word, I lunged at him, my sword arcing through the air with precision. But he was quick and dodged my strike swiftly.

“ You are quite impressive. I will give you that.” He said his grin widening.

As our weapons clashed again, he seized an opening, and strike me across my arms.

A couple of minutes later, my arms grew weak and heavy. My vision blurred as my struggle became weaker.

That cocky bastard had drugged me, so much for being honorable. Darkness overtook me as I fell to the ground.

*******

I woke up to find myself confined behind a metal cage. My body ached and I felt a little dizzy probably because of the after-effect of the drug.

I scanned through my surrounding and my heart clenched as my gaze fell on Alex and five other members of my pack in a cage adjacent to mine. Alex's face was badly bruised and bloodied.

“Hey,” I called out to Alex quietly “Are you okay?”

Alex's eyes met mine “ I’m fine, I will live.”

“ Why are they keeping us alive ?” I asked.

The Redmoon pack where know for violently killing their enemies most especially the Alpha of the pack.

“ I have no idea.” Alex answered, his face fell as he continued “ I’m sorry I could not keep you safe.”

“It's not your fault, the Redmoon pack are to be blamed,” I answered.

I heard quiet sobbing in the corner of my cage, I turned to see a little girl around the age of eight hugging her knees, crying.

My maternal instincts kicked in and I felt a need to protect her.

“ Hey sweetie, Come here” I beckoned her.

The little girl met my eyes with a frightened gaze. She slowly got up and walked up to me.

I held her in a comforting embrace.

She kept murmuring something inaudible, as she hugged me.

“ What are you saying?” I asked.

“Mother, I want my mother.” She sobbed even more.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

“ Mira.” She answered faintly.

“Don’t worry Mira, I promise to get you safety to your mom” I vowed.

I needed a way to get out of this cage, I was unsure how but I know my pack members and most especially this little girl depended on me to keep them safe.

The door flagged open and the man who I encountered earlier with two others walked into the room.

“ you” I screamed at him.

“ I have a name you know.” He smiled “ I am Xena Lag, the beta of the powerful Redmoon pack and you are?”

“ What do you want?” I said, gripping the bars of my cage.

“ Oh my bad, I guess you are not in the mood for formality.” He chuckled.

“ The Alpha wants to speak with you. But don't worry, we are not barbarians. You will have a chance to freshen up and eat before you meet him.” He continued.

“ How do I know the food is not poisoned?” I asked suspiciously.

“ You will be more useful to us alive than dead.” He answered matter of factly.

“Fine. But just know that I won’t be cooperating willingly.” I stated, there was no point in me refusing their offer, as I don’t have a lot of options.

“We will see about that.”

With that, the two individuals stepped back, allowing me to step out of the cage.

As I walked out, Mira clung tightly to my dress. One of the guards tried to free her grip from me but I stopped him.

“The child stays with me,” I said firmly.

Xena nodded as if understanding me. I followed them as they led us out of the prison.

Once we were washed, dressed, and fed, I felt strong again and I was ready to meet the man who was behind all her pain and anger.

“Ready to meet the Alpha?” Xena asked.

“Lead the way,” I replied firmly.