Chapter 42: Fighting Together

Dex looked at the crowd gathered in the clearing. He stood on a stump so everyone could see him. He cleared his throat and everyone quieted down. Emma was just within reach as he preferred her. "It seems that war has come to our doorstep."

Several people looked at each other.

"I didn't ask for this and I don't want it, but we have to defend our territory."

A yell went up in the crowd. He put up his hands to quiet everyone down. "We need to do this together."

He had their attention. "This is a fight for our land, for our way of life. We are being threatened because of what we believe in. I expect them to come at dawn when they think we are asleep."

He glanced at Emma. He took her hand then went back to speaking. "We will spend the night preparing."

The crowd dispersed.

"They're behind you Dex," Emma said.

He nodded, but he was in warrior mode now.

As he'd suspected, Lucien and his troops approached at the first light. Dex had his warriors spread out along the edge of his pack's terri