CH2 - Kyla's POV

That warning howl has sent me into panic mode, but as soon as I feel Dereck’s hand on my shoulder, I realise I need to snap out of it. I’m scared, but I can’t let my pack down and freeze up. I need to be strong.

At first, he just gives me this look of worry, but after a moment Dereck says, “Kyla, I am with you. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. Not just because I am your beta, but because I care about you. I’ll let nothing happen to you. I promise.”

It is now, with his words, that I realise I’ve been holding my breath still and let it out in a restless sigh. “I’ll protect you too, Dereck,” I reply, nodding my head firmly. “No matter what. Together, as always?”

“Together as always,” he agrees, sharing a smile with me. I can’t help but think of how lucky I am to have a beta as trustworthy as he is. He isn’t just a pack member, but my best friend.

“Let’s go then. Hopefully, this is just another small skirmish,” I whisper, but that anxious feeling just won’t leave me alone. As soon as we both shifted into our wolf forms, we bolted straight for the treelines.

Our border is a fair run from the packhouse, but in this form, we can easily cross the distance. As soon as we reach the trees, more of our pack has joined us and they quickly fall in line as we have practised time and time again.

I don’t take my eyes off of our path through the forest as I bark out my orders, “no one fights alone if you can help it! I don’t want anyone getting cornered! We don’t know how many there are yet, or if this will be a big fight or just a smaller one, so be aware of your surroundings!”

“Yes luna!” The others call out to me as we bound through the forest to reach our scouts at the edge of the border.

As soon as we reach our destination, I can see our scouts are already fighting off some of our rivals. I can’t tell which pack they belong to, but there must be at least two others besides our own here.

I almost freeze up seeing the violence, but I know I have to be strong. I can’t let my memories and terror impede me from protecting my pack! Quickly scanning the carnage, I find our scouts and order, “you two, rescue the one of the left, you two, the right, me and Dereck will get the one further in! Now!”

With my orders, the four others quickly spring into action while Dereck and I bolt forward again, snapping at the heels of our rivals that dare to get too close to us. I do not know why they’re here now, but I don’t think they came here for us.

This area of our border is also on the edge of both of theirs. As far as I can tell, our scouts merely got caught up in the skirmish between the other two; but that won’t matter to either side. They don’t want us around any more than they want each other around.

Just as we get to the scout, a large bulky wolf slams into Dereck’s side, sending him skidding along the ground. My ears perk forward as I turn to help him.

“Go to the scout!” He calls over to me while climbing back onto his paws. “I’m fine! I’ll rejoin you in a moment!”

I hesitate, unsure if I should listen to him or ignore him. However, he shoots me a look that tells me where my focus as luna needs to be - and that is on those who are weaker than us.

I don’t want to leave his side, but I force myself to turn back toward the scout in need of my help. Dereck is my beta for a reason. I have to trust in his skill and strength to withstand this enemy for as long as it takes for me to rescue the scout.

As I charge the two ganging up on my scout, I try to push other sounds and distractions out of my focus. If I worry too much about Dereck or the others, then I’ll be vulnerable to attack.

One of the two enemies notices my approach, but it is too late. I sink my fangs into their hind leg and bite down hard enough to draw blood. The coppery taste fills my mouth as the wolf howls in pain and tries to pull away from me.

As soon as the other one realises what has happened, I’ve already given my scout enough time to recover and they take the distraction I’ve given him as an opening for their attack.

Another loud howl escapes the second enemy’s maw as my scout bites down on their shoulder. So far, so good. I let the wolf I held go, then watch them limp away, likely to tend to their wound and pride. Even they deserve some mercy.

“Thank you, luna,” my scout whispers once the other wolf is gone as well. We’re not out of the woods yet, but I’m glad I could get to them in time.

I nod once, then turn back to where I last saw Dereck. I can’t see him anywhere! My hazel eyes dart back and forth, the bodies of wolves biting and clawing at one another. Everything is utter chaos and with so much blood in the air, I can’t find any of my pack!

The scout next to me watches me, waiting for my orders and I know that if I don’t figure something out soon, they will panic and think me useless as a luna. I can’t let this horror play on my mind like this. I have to act.

With a deep breath in, I focus my attention on where the other two scouts had been, but again, there is nothing I can see that would tell me where they have gone too.

“Luna! More are coming from the left!” My scout suddenly warns me, and I turn my attention to the new arrivals. We’ll all die if we stay here! This group alone was bad enough, but whichever pack they belong to will turn the tide of this fight and the rest of us are going to be the losers!

I turn my attention to my scout and bark out my order, “I need you to find the other scouts and retreat! Send out another call for backup! I’ll keep them off of your backs long enough as a distraction, but you have to work quickly!”

They look at me in horror but bow their heads in understanding. “Yes, luna…” they whine softly before darting off. I don’t stray too far from his heels, just so that I can fight off any enemy that might take advantage of a fleeing lone wolf.

I pray to the Moon Goddess that Dereck is alright and that our group can find one another before someone is seriously hurt or worse. The thought of losing anyone else tears my heart apart. I can’t bear to see any more pointless loss of life.

What was this war even for anymore?