A Gold Alpha For A Silver Alpha
Moon-Colored Eyes Chapter 27

They look so cute standing there like good martyrs, don't you think they are adorable," I opened my eyes surprised by the familiar voice.

The bloodsuckers were also startled to see Dannia at the entrance of the tunnel, she was smiling sweetly and throwing her red hair back, next to her Noel was pointing a bow and arrows in our direction, along with three other wolves that I recognized as high

ranking

guards.

-But well, we don't want to delay any longer, my Alpha will use me as a trunk to sharpen his claws if his children don't arrive soon to his side", with a dexterity and speed that only she could show, she took out a crossbow from her back letting go a first arrow straight to the skull of a vampire, followed by several others shot by the others "Are you waiting for an invitation, run!

And so the vampires were forced to flee from the arrows that came incessantly in all directions while trying to prevent our escape.

As it was obvious from the warriors trained by my parents, their aim was infallible, never being even close to hit us, I found myself running, still holding Rafael's hand behind my brothers who were opening the way for us. When we were finally arriving with Dannia and the others I turned to see my partner smiling, relieved to be able to leave this hell with him.

His eyes also wandered in my direction, his lips giving me that smile I was starting to become addicted to, but his eyes filled with fear when he saw behind me.

Without me being able to react or avoid it his hands grabbed my shoulders turning us to exchange positions, where I was aware that a bloodsucker had come close enough to reach me, with one of our own arrows in hand he lunged at Raphael's unprotected back driving it into his left shoulder.

Another arrow and Julian's whip are already knocking the leech back but not fast enough to avoid damage.

My mate grunts in pain and stumbles in his steps, I hurry to slip his other arm around my shoulders urging him to keep running.

-Come on love, we can't stay here, just a few more meters and we'll be safe. I ask him with a trembling voice because blood is already coming out in abundance from his wound.

-Don't worry about me, I'm not as weak as I look. He answers but the trembling on his lips does not go unnoticed.

Yet his feet do not falter again as we continue to run.

The warriors run by our side while Noel and Dannia watch our backs, we get out as best we can through the narrow paths, finally reaching the entrance I visualize relieved as never before in my life the warmth of the sun's rays, it takes precious seconds to be able to get us all out.

With an unconscious Max and a wounded Rafael going down a few meters at full speed is quite a challenge, but thanks to the goddess we are able to be sheltered outside that hell hole protected by the daylight.

-Let's go ladies, I want to get down from this nest of parasites as soon as possible," Dannia urges us without looking away from the entrance of the cave from where we can clearly hear the hisses and angry screams of the vampires.

-Are you all right?" I ask Rafael, since he still has the arrow buried in his body.

-I look at him incredulously but he shuts my reply with a shake of his head, turns a little as he can and uses his hands to split most of the arrow leaving only the tip buried.

-We must hurry to get down and take care of that" says Noel who looks at us nervously, my father's Beta tone is full of concern when he tells us "We use silver arrows from the Alpha Rae's special stash" he and I don't share a look because I know very well what he means "The longer the material stays in his body, the more damage it will do, but not at the same time we can't remove it because it will immobilize his arm and he needs it to be able to get down".

-I'm fine," Rafael repeats but beads of sweat begin to appear on his forehead.

Noel shakes his head and crosses his bow over his body.

-Those arrows are not normal, you probably feel fine now but believe me the pain will become unbearable in a few minutes.

My eyes fill with tears as I caress Rafael's face ignoring the dirt and blood covering it.

-You shouldn't have taken me. I scold him gently.

-I wasn't going to let them hurt you," I growl with obviousness and smile to avoid rolling my eyes.

-You should know by now that I'm not like you, silver doesn't affect me the same way it does you, I would have been fine.

Rafael grunts again in annoyance as he grabs my waist with his good arm pulling me to his body.

-You'll never get a scratch if I can help it Juliet, I'll be fine, just a scratch.

I deny exasperated by his stubbornness but moved by his words.

-Stubborn boy. I claim to him.

-Stubborn female. He retorts.

With a small smile I pull his hands to hurry him down.

Going down is much easier than going up, but with each passing minute Rafael's movements become more erratic, his breathing becomes more difficult, sweat soaks him and the speed at which we advance slows down.

Helplessness threatens to drown me as I watch his eyes focus and unfocus, I try to talk to him to keep him focused. I tell him about everything, when I was seven and thought studying Greek with my mom was a waste of time so I hid in dad's office, about how at fourteen I swore I was in love with Logan and we would be mates, how he gently turned me down and told me we could never be a couple that I would understand when I grew up, I tell him about my sixteenth birthday party when my dad warned all the men in the pack that if he found them too close to me he would castrate them with blunt scissors.

I talked and talked, sometimes he laughed, sometimes he asked me questions, but time is unforgiving, and his increasingly long silence made my hair stand on end.

-A few more meters love, just that, we are almost there," I encouraged him, I could already see the floor from where we were, my brothers who were ahead of us were a few steps away from reaching the end.

My heart beat with relief that everything was finally over, but in my relief I was careless, Rafael stumbled being very close to the shore, it was dozens of micro seconds, but I was not fast enough, his body slipped from between my fingers almost taking me with him as he fell.

-I screamed in desperation, the sound of his body hitting the ground echoed in my ears.

I don't remember how I got down the last stretch, I don't remember pushing whoever was in front of me to get there faster, I don't remember when I started crying, I don't remember tripping and slipping in my desperation to get to him.

I only know that somehow I managed to be the one who got to his side first, one second we were both on our feet carefully climbing down while the next he was lying there with his eyes closed, blood coming out of his nose, ears and mouth, his head cradled on my thighs as I begged him to look at me.

Someone approached and moved his body, I grunted in annoyance as he tried to pull him away from me, Dannia held up her hands in appeasement.

-I have to check him, he's still breathing which is a good sign, a fall like that won't kill him but I'm worried about the arrowhead. I explained in a soft voice and on some internal level I knew his words made sense.

But I found myself struggling to push back the urge to rip my mother's Delta throat out with my claws for getting so close to my partner when she was in such a vulnerable state.

Dannia must have seen it reflected in my eyes, because she moved slowly, always implying that she had no malicious intentions, describing to me what she was going to do before she did it, meanwhile I was trying to talk some sense into Casiana who was like crazy banging against my mental walls.

Carefully I half turned my mate's body, and I was alarmed when I didn't see the arrow, Dannia came closer to inspect the wound, Rafael was letting out little noises of pain that broke my soul.

-When he fell on his back the arrow was buried even deeper in his body, I can't pull it out without hurting the nerves around, besides... -for the first time I could see compassion in those ocean eyes, and I definitely didn't like it one bit- It's too close to his heart, every breath he takes brings him closer, he needs help and he needs it now-.

Little hiccups come out of my throat I look around desperately, before I knew it my brothers and the others caught up with us and watched us cautiously and sadly.

Jack was still carrying Max in his arms, but it didn't stop me from holding on to him as if he was my only salvation on earth.

-You're faster, please Jack. Run with him, take him away," I begged my older brother as I had never begged anyone before.

I shuddered a little at how heartbroken I sounded, what a pathetic image I must be portraying right now.

-I'll take him Juliet, don't worry," Jack answered me and passed Max's body to Julian who took it carefully.

My brother dropped to his hands and knees and in a couple of moments his black wolf took his place. He dropped his weight to the ground and with Dannia's help we placed Rafael as best we could on his back, using his torn pants to hold him in place. I caressed the wolf's face as I leaned down to give him a kiss.

-I love him brother, please don't let him die," I asked one last time before Jack nodded understandingly.

He stood up softly and then shot off as if the devil himself was chasing him, I kept watching his silhouette until he disappeared from my sight.

I had plans to transform and take off after them, but they were interrupted by an argument that started behind me.

-It's all your fault! I turned around to replace Diana throwing herself at Leonardo.

Now that I saw more detail, he was dirtier than he first appeared, traces of blood on his neck, his lips, his wrists and his arms. The collar still around his neck holding him captive in that form.

My half-brother barely had time to protect himself before the white-haired woman brought him down, claws out ready to rip him to shreds.

Jace and Noel rushed to pull her away, each grabbing her arms, but the girl kept squirming and kicking, trying to get out of his grip no matter what.

The boys wouldn't let her go even though they were getting a punch or two from her, Julian gave me a look that asked me to stop the whole thing since he couldn't. So I went over to her and had a look on my face.

So I walked over and held out a hand to Leonardo to help him to his feet, which surprisingly he didn't refuse.

-Are you all right? I asked him observing him with a critical eye in case he had an urgent wound.

He nodded his head as he dusted off his clothes.

-If I replace out that because of you they not only attacked my pack, but that you also helped them kidnap the cub and therefore were indirectly responsible for Rafael's injury, I want you to know that I will make you feel pain in ways that will take centuries to heal, is that clear? he mumbled a confirmation, I changed the angle of my blade letting go an accurate hit against the lock to open it- Don't run away again, hunting you won't be nearly as much fun for you as it will be for us-.

I left Leonardo touching his neck, enjoying his newly acquired "freedom", I approached Diana who was still snorting like an enraged rhinoceros looking at me as if I was the cause of all her discomfort in life.

-Rafael is wounded and Max is unconscious, like it or not you need our help but don't underestimate me, if you attack Leonardo or cause me any trouble I will leave you in this cursed forest so you can replace your way back alone and I don't care if Jackson wants to rip my throat out later, do you understand? I say in a leaden voice and the girl squints her eyes lifting her chin in defiance.

I let out a soft growl as my hand catches her chin and I bring her face close to mine, the heat in my eyes confirming that my eyes have changed to my wolf's and I let Casiana's voice mingle with mine as I speak again.

-Did you understand or not? My tone is harsh, but I'm wasting valuable time here when I could be running to my mate to make sure he's okay.

The girl's crimson eyes flash with arrogance, just a few seconds before she can't hold my gaze and I have to avert it.

I mumble in agreement and only when she does so do I signal Jace and Noel to let her go.

Diana shook herself out of the grip clearly annoyed, she looked at Leonardo with such hatred that any male with half a brain cell would have taken it as a warning. But as a clear son of my father that he was, he responded with a mocking eyebrow gesture, combing his brown hair back.

The white-haired girl's hands shook with rage and she clenched into fists, stomped over to Julian and tried to wake her friend up by gently punching him in the face.

I sighed running my fingers across my eyes to get rid of any traces of tears that might remain, I looked at the place we came from, amazed at how calm and quiet it looked compared to the chaos and destruction that was rushing through its bowels. Dannia clapped her hands to get our attention before she began to speak.

-Let's get going, getting back to the pack will take most of the day and I don't want anyone to be anywhere near this place by the time the sun starts to set," she ran her eyes over each of us, conveying more in that way than any words could say, "Let's go at a fast pace without stopping, let me see how fast you wolves are.

And with that we all set off, Diana held Max while Julian transformed and then placed him on top of him just like we did with Rafael and Jack. When we were all ready we started to trot back to where we had come from.

A few meters later I caught Jace standing still in his wolf form, his eyes still fixed on the mountain, his ears twitching and his nose sniffing the air.

Is something wrong brother?

I inquired through the link, I can feel his hesitation and uneasiness in my head as clearly as if he were telling me.

No, not really I just got a little confused.

You got confused?

I thought I had... It's nothing, there are more important things like mom and Rafael.

I nod but don't rush him, it takes a few more moments for him to finish shaking off the feeling of jogging beside me.

He nudges me playfully with his head to tease me, and so we run off side by side.

On our way home.

(...)

We are almost reaching one of the borders of the herd's territory, and of course the sentries detect us immediately, a deep howl announcing our return is heard for miles around.

A layer of peace settles on my shoulders, leaving me free of the uncertainty that has gripped me since we left in search of my mate and his friends.

Noel returns to his human form when we reach the edge of the herd so we run into the warriors protecting them.

-Beta, Delta, Alphas," he says giving a respectful bow before turning back to Noel, "The Alphas are at their residence requesting the immediate presence of their children and both of them. Noel sighs wearily and nods.

-I bet they are," he turns to look at us, giving us a shaky smile, "You guys go ahead, Dannia and I are coming after we return everything we borrowed.

Without needing another invitation, I rounded up our group and bolted for home, eager to see my parents and Rafael.

My brothers' footsteps soon followed me, but they were not nearly as eager to arrive as I was.

As I passed through the territory I was glad to see that life was going on, people were repairing the damage from the attack, and that despite the losses my people were able to stand firm in the face of the storm.

The door to my house was closed, the window that Diana had smashed shut with plastic until it could be repaired. I kept running as I transformed, stumbling over my feet but without stopping I crossed the garden, my hand trembled as I reached out and grabbed the knob to open the door.

Turning it so I could enter I appreciated as never before the scent of home that I foolishly always took for granted.

-Mom, Dad," I shouted as soon as I took two steps inside.

I admired the work of the omegas in keeping everything clean and tidy as if nothing had ever happened.

Two pairs of footsteps sounded against the marble and my parents appeared upstairs.

Mom walked normally as if nothing had ever happened, though admittedly her skin was paler, her hair a mess and dark circles under her eyes that could be seen for miles around.

My feet flew down the steps so I could embrace my mother's body, tears once again hit against my closed eyelids and a hiccup escaped me.

-Mommy," I swear I tried to say something else but that was the only word that came out.

Mommy's arms wrapped around me and with one hand she caressed my head.

-I said, "Now, if you start crying, anyone will think I'm dead, besides, what would that handsome mate of yours say if he sees you bawling like a baby?

-Mom," I complained, breaking away from her only to be met with a mocking smile.

But I didn't have time to ask about Rafael because my brothers were there to steal my mom's attention, both hugging her at the same time while she tried to convince them that she was fine.

-Honestly guys, you doubting both Calliope's and your own mother's healing abilities is starting to get a little insulting," she says with a hint of playful annoyance.

-And while we're all relieved that their mother still has many years left to boss us around," Dad says pulling Julian and Jace away from my mom so he can corner her and give us a stern look, "Don't think we're letting the fact that they left without warning and without asking for help into a bloody leech's nest where they could have died go unnoticed. He finishes with a growl.

My brothers and I swallow in unison, desperately looking for an excuse.

Mom elbows my dad in the ribs and looks at him with narrowed eyes.

-What your father and I want to say is that we are very proud of you honey," she says with an angelic smile that I don't believe at all, "But to prevent this incident from happening again it is obvious that you are grounded for the this of existence. Of course, our groans were not long in coming, but Mom told us off without giving us a chance to defend ourselves.

-It seems to me that there is another matter that requires your attention right now, daughter," says my mother and my heart races.

-Where is he?" I ask with a trembling tone.

-In the guest room, which I will deliberately ignore because it has your scent and his so intermingled," Dad replies, raising an eyebrow in my direction.

My cheeks redden but I don't shake him out of his doubt, advancing to the room where the love of my life is.

The door is open so I enter after a brief moment of hesitation.

Rafael is lying face down on the mattress, his arms crossed over the top to accommodate his head, his torso is naked but covered with a blanket from the waist down, his breathing is calm and I admire how handsome he looks in this peaceful state. I approach the bed leaning back carefully, my hand brushes through his hair drinking in every last detail of his body, over his left shoulder is a gauze square where he was clearly wounded and I swallow saliva at the sight of his scarlet blood.

-Jack arrived before Caliope left, so she was the one who removed the silver tip- Mom's voice was heard from the entrance, but I didn't turn to greet her, my attention focused on my male- It was a tremendous luck that it didn't reach his heart, you know that the silver our herd produces is intrinsically worked with a bit of our magic- Mom gets close enough to feel the heat radiating from her on my back- Yes, he really was lucky-.

-Why isn't he awake," I ask with relief but still worried.

A sigh escapes my mother's lips.

-He's tired honey, his body and mind suffered a terrible trauma, it's not something that many shape-shifters recover from unscathed. With that my gaze leaves my mate and I look at my mother who is looking at Rafael with curiosity. -What do you mean by that?

-The silver was in his system for a long time, Caliope was able to extract it but it didn't repair the damage it had already done, until he wakes up we won't be sure how bad he is, but Julieta you should know that there is a very big possibility that he won't be able to use that arm again. My mother explains calmly without being aware of how my heart crumbles at her words.

-No no no no no, you must be wrong, Rafael is very strong, you said it yourself, there is something in him that is not like the others- I speak abruptly and mom gives me this look of compassion that I have rarely seen- There must be a way to help him- I say with my head looking for a solution, exchanging my attention between Rafael and my mom- What if I give him some of my blood, mom, that must help in his healing process-.

-Your blood is not strong enough to help him completely, maybe in some percentage but not all of it," he explains to me sadly.

-What about yours, Mom, can you help him, for me? I ask on the verge of a nervous breakdown, Mom hugs me immediately.

-Oh honey, I would have done it if it were possible, but common wolves react differently to our blood, if I give him more than he needs I can end up making him worse instead of helping him, the only reason it worked with your father was because he was my mate. -And Rafael is mine, that must count somehow. I ask desperately and my mother purses her lips thoughtfully.

-You're right, it does count for something, but his bond is still very weak, not solid enough to depend on him, if you really want to help your mate you must mark him to make him stronger, so he will be able to resist the flow of energy that my blood will generate for him. Everyone stopped for a second.

Mark him, me?

I'll do it for you, if you don't want me to, don't worry!

Casiana shouts at me but I ignore her because it's not the time for this.

-Honey, I know it's not ideal, but if you're sure you love him and you want to spend the rest of your life with him...".

-I am- I interrupt her and she looks at me as if she doesn't understand the problem then- I just don't know if he is sure- I swallow my saliva with fear running down my spine- I don't want him to hate me mom, what if he wants to wait to know me more before committing to this level, but at the same time I want him to recover as fast and as well as possible-. I lick my lips nervously.

My mother's gaze softens and she squeezes my hands in hers.

-Any creature will be lucky to spend his life by your side sweetheart, and if he has a problem with that just chain him up in your room and don't let him go until he's madly in love with you.

I laughed a little and relaxed knowing that my mother with my family would support me in any decision I made.

Separating from my mother, I dropped to my knees beside the bed, appreciating the long eyelashes that caressed my mate's cheeks, her defined cheekbones, her straight nose and the perfect shape of her lips. Heat flooded my mouth as my fangs grew.

-I love you. I whisper near his ear before changing direction and leaning into his neck.

My hands move him a little to give me a better angle, and with as much tenderness as possible I close my jaws on the place where his neck and shoulder connect, above that damn wound that almost took him away from me.

I think of everything we've talked about as I do so, I remember the taste of his lips, the warmth of his smile, the feel of his skin, the sound of his voice, I think of how it felt to be in his arms for the first time as the bond shimmers and solidifies between us. It feels so real it's almost tangible.

I don't know how much happens as I pull away retracting my fangs, I run my tongue over the tip of one before to open a small wound to lick and cover the small holes I created with my blood so they will heal faster.

When I completely separate from her body my mother wastes no time, she gently removes the gauze covering the wound and uses one of her claws to make a clean cut on her palm.

She drops her mercury blood on the spot and we both watch as her body accepts it immediately.

For a few moments I think my eyes are playing a trick on me because Rafael's red blood begins to reflect silver details, as if it were litmus.

-Interesting," says my mother and her mouth curves into a satisfied smile, after pouring a sufficient amount she withdraws her palm and I witness how both wounds close at a dizzying speed, "I already know who your mate Julieta is," announces my mother, gleaming with satisfaction.

But she says nothing more, leaves a kiss on the top of my head and walks back the way I came, closing the door with her.

And leaving me with more questions than answers.