War At The Gates

The first explosion shook the palace before anyone could finish sounding the alarm while Ross continued to feel the floor tremble beneath her feet.

Windows rattled. Servants screamed. Outside the Pack walls, wolves howled. Not the ordinary howls of pack communication. These were war cries.

Ross stepped toward the nearest window. Beyond the palace walls, the night sky was glowing red. Fires. Too many fires. Another explosion rocked the kingdom. Ross gripped the windowsill. "They're here."

Nash appeared behind her, already dressed in battle armor. His usual smile was gone. "They crossed the northern defenses faster than expected."

Ross turned. "How many?

"

"We don't know."

"Where is Knox?"

"Preparing the warriors."

As if summoned by his name, a roar shook the palace. A massive black wolf emerged from the courtyard below.

Ross's breath caught.

It was Knox.

His wolf was enormous. Black fur covered his powerful body, and his golden eyes burned beneath the moonlight. Even among the strongest wolves in the kingdom, Knox's beast was feared.

The palace guards immediately stepped aside as Knox lifted his head and released a terrifying howl. Hundreds of wolves answered.

Ross watched warriors gather in the courtyard. Weapons. Armor. Wolves. Chaos. Then Knox shifted back into his human form.

Within seconds, he stood before his warriors, tall and imposing, his face carved into an expression that made everyone around him straighten.

"Protect the northern gate," he ordered. His voice carried across the courtyard. "If they breach the second wall, fall back to the palace."

A warrior stepped forward. "What about the civilians?"

"Get them into the underground shelters."

"And the Luna?"

Knox's jaw tightened. "She stays inside."

Ross's eyes narrowed as a guard immediately came toward her.

"Your Highness, Alpha Knox, ordered that you remain in the palace."

Ross stared at him. "I heard him."

"Then please—"

"I said I heard him." The guard bowed and hurried away.

Ross looked toward the battlefield. Something inside her was pulling her there. She couldn't explain it. The moment the first attack began, that strange ancient sensation had returned. It had been beneath her skin. Beneath the palace. Now it was stronger. Something was calling.

Ross turned away from the window. She went to her room. She changed into dark trousers and a fitted battle tunic. She pulled her hair back and strapped a dagger around her waist.She had no wolf. That didn't mean she had to sit helplessly inside while her kingdom burned.

She opened her door to see Nash standing there. He stared at her. Then at the dagger. Then at her clothes. "No."

Ross raised an eyebrow. "No?"

"No."

"Nash."

"Absolutely not."

She walked past him. He followed. "Ross, I am begging you. Please reconsider this terrible decision."

"I'm going to the battlefield."

"Exactly."

"I won't stay here while everyone else fights."

"That's admirable."

"Thank you."

"I wasn't complimenting you." Ross glanced at him. Nash sighed. "Do you know what Alpha Knox will do if he discovers you're outside?"

Ross continued walking. "Probably yell."

"Yes."

"And?"

"He might kill me for allowing you to leave."

Ross stopped. Nash nearly walked into her. He pointed at her. "That is why we should turn around."

Ross smiled faintly. "You're afraid."

"I am extremely afraid. I have always respected fear. Fear has kept me alive."

Despite herself, Ross laughed. Nash shook his head. "You think this is funny?"

"A little."

"You're impossible."

She opened the palace doors. A cold wind rushed over them. The sounds of battle were much louder now. Ross stepped outside while Nash followed reluctantly. "If Knox discovers you outside, we're both probably going to die."

Ross looked at him. "Then you'd better run faster than me."

Nash stared at her. Then he burst out laughing. "That's your plan?"

"Yes."

"You'll leave me behind?"

"Of course."

"You really are becoming dangerous."

Ross smiled. "Keep up."

They ran.

The northern battlefield was less than a mile from the palace, but it felt like they had entered another world. Smoke covered the sky. Fire burned along the walls. Warriors fought everywhere. Wolves collided in brutal combat, claws tearing through armor and flesh. The ground shook beneath their feet.

Then, Ross stopped. Her eyes widened. This wasn't an attack. It was an invasion.

Knox stood at the center of the battlefield. He had transformed again. His massive black wolf tore through enemy soldiers with terrifying speed. He leaped over one attacker, landed behind another and sent the warrior flying with a single swipe. Even surrounded by enemies, Knox looked unstoppable.

Nash stared. "Remind me never to annoy him."

Ross glanced at him. "You annoy him every day."

"Exactly. I'm very brave."

A warrior suddenly rushed toward them. Nash drew his sword. "Stay behind me."

Ross reached for her dagger. "I can fight."

"I know."

The warrior lunged. Nash blocked the attack. Ross moved beside him. Together, they pushed the attacker back. Then a deafening roar came from the northern gate.

Ross turned. The outer wall had fallen. Hundreds of enemy warriors poured through the opening. Then hundreds more. Then more. Ross's heart stopped. Nash's humor disappeared.

He slowly lowered his sword. "That's..." Ross stared at the endless army emerging from beyond the broken gate. "...far more soldiers than our scouts reported."

The battlefield seemed to freeze. Knox's massive black wolf turned toward the gates. Even from a distance, Ross saw his golden eyes widen. The enemy army wasn't retreating. It wasn't slowing down. It was still coming. And there were thousands of them.

Nash whispered, "We're surrounded."

Ross stared at the approaching army. For the first time since the attack began, something inside her stirred violently. The ancient presence beneath her skin awakened. Her eyes briefly flashed silver. And somewhere beneath the palace, something ancient answered.