Blood Moon: Lunar Eclipse
Ch23 - Poison

Ariella

I went to try again until Sephora solemnly called my name.

She breathed in the surrounding air as though the oxygen had some sort of hidden aroma.

Her features turned dark; her aura became more potent by the second as though charging her powers, ready to attack.

“There is wolfsbane in the air,” she stated.

“Wolfsbane?”

“When burned, it can emit a gas that lingers in the air. The amount used isn’t enough to harm your kind, but it prevents mind-linking.”

At least now I know why I can’t link anyone in my pack. It’s the wolfsbane. Yet, knowing that didn’t ease my concern. I have no idea if they were safe. The mate bond was still intact; I hadn’t felt any severe pain or break to Logan, so at least there was some good news. But I would only feel something if Logan was near death.

He might still be in trouble…

“It is a smart tactic to use when you go to war. Both sides of the battle will be subject to this, but the approaching side will already be prepared. The other, not so much.”

Based on what Trinity said, Fenrir was the only one I knew who had an endless supply of wolfsbane.

I heard the snap of a twig sound from the edge of the forest. Sephora and I flipped our heads, but the second we did, a large brown wolf launched towards Sephora. She wasted no time in raising her hand and flicking her wrist. I watched as water was magically pulled from thin air, taking the shape of a thick rope and encasing the wolf’s throat. It whined and fell as a snap caused its neck to go limp. He shifted into his human form as he took his last breath.

I was left speechless; Sephora’s control was immeasurable.

She approached the dead form and looked down in disdain.

“The Shadow Pack,” she spat.

“They’re here already?”

“It looks like the war has begun.”

Logan

The Shadow pack appeared out of nowhere. I wondered how they managed to pass the border undetected until I could sense the wolfsbane in the air.

My pack wouldn’t be able to mind-link. That was something we hadn’t prepared for; luckily, I plan for any attack.

I sounded the alarm; everyone was alerted to what was going on.

The children, elderly and unable bodies abandoned their homes and secured themselves inside the several safe bunkers in the pack.

The other members of my pack were standing guard, waiting until the fight began.

I exited the pack house. My Beta’s and Zeta ran up beside me.

Ethan was the first to speak, “Everyone who cannot fight is in the bunkers.”

With everyone inside, we only had to focus on one thing: the battle that was approaching. I made sure the bunkers were securely hidden and the ultra-high, security steel doors were impenetrable, no matter how strong you were.

“We found several fireplaces in the woods burning with wolfsbane,” Hailey added.

I turned to my most trusted circle, “It’s Fenrir. We can’t communicate through the link, so ensure the fight stays in one place. If we can see each other, we can still talk to one another.

“Aleksi, send a text to the pack. Any warriors stay close to the pack house. Tell them to be prepared. They will be arriving soon.”

It was then I heard several hungry snarls coming from the woods. A man walked out, surrounded by hundreds of wolves.

I walked closer, showing him I wasn’t afraid. Glimpsing that smug grin on his face made my blood boil, and my insides churned with disgust.

He killed my father. I promise I will make him pay.

“Alpha Logan Kratos, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Fenrir mock bowed.

“You’re a coward, Fenrir. You don’t deserve the title of Alpha,” I snarled; my wolf was very close to the surface, but I couldn’t shift, not yet.

I heard a chorus of snarls echo behind him. His army of hostile wolves snapped their teeth in my direction.

“I think my pack beg to differ,” he held his arms out wide, his sickening grin never faltering.

“You will die for the harm and destruction you have caused,” Hailey spat from my side, her fingers elongated into sharp claws ready to attack.

“I don’t feel like dying today,” he taunted.

Then, the horde of wolves behind him charged forward. Before long, the ground was strewn red; snarls and breaking of bones were all you could hear. I saw a bright ginger wolf, speckled with strawberry blonde and white, fending off two wolves. Hailey was one of our best fighters, so I never doubted her for a second.

On the other side of me, two wolves with honey-coloured coats were amid the blood bath. I instantly knew who they were from their piercing Caribbean blue eyes: Denzel and Damon.

I was glad Ariella was not here. I could focus without the worry of her getting hurt.

A wolf charged at me from behind. I heard the thud of his paws before he lunged. I turned around, gripping the rabid wolf by his neck and snapping it in two.

I wanted to get to Fenrir, but the coward was standing at the back with several wolves surrounding him. He was watching the carnage with a twisted smile of satisfaction.

I needed to eliminate his army if I wanted to get to him.

I shifted into my wolf; my giant form stood tall above most. Night had completely taken over, allowing my ash and charcoal pelt to blend into the darkness.

I charged at the first wolf I saw, carving his stomach and watching as he writhed on the ground. I kept going until my coat was sticky with red.

I watched Fenrir’s smile broaden as more wolves rushed through the forest.

I never knew he had such a big pack. The number of rogues he had recruited almost doubled his numbers.

But that wouldn’t stop me or my pack.

I kept going, forcing my way forward as more came at me. One jumped on my back, biting down on my neck as another two came from the front. Their paws were ready to strike until I turned around, kicking them with my hind legs. Ethan, in his orange and white pelt, dragged the wolf on my back by the scruff of his neck before finishing him off.

I peered around. My pack was outnumbered by far too many. No matter how long we fought, they just kept coming.

I heard murderous howls surround the pack house as hundreds more changed toward us. Apart from fighting, there was nothing I could do, so I crouched low, bared my teeth and waited until they breached the forest’s edge.

Then something happened…

A wave of water appeared out of thin air, shielding the other members of the Shadow pack from breaching the fight.

I looked to the side, seeing Sephora with a look of determination as her hands extended towards the water shield. Her fingers danced as arrows of water shot from the barricade, crystalising into deadly icicles and piercing the oncoming swarm of wolves.

Only a few managed to breach the shield, but those that did suffocated as a bubble of water surrounded their heads.

I don’t know what would have happened to my pack if Sephora wasn’t here. With her help, we had a chance. But that thought alone was enough to set my blood running cold, and my wolf bristled in agitation.

If Sephora was here, then so was Ariella…

My worst fears were confirmed when I saw bright red hair emerging from the forest. Her eyes scanned the onslaught until they landed on Fenrir, who had yet to notice her.

Her face contorted from concern to one of rage and purpose.

Her aura had changed. It was intense and controlled.

I became mesmerised as red and orange flares coated her skin, sparks flickered from her hands, and her eyes danced with bright and blinding flames.

Ariella approached Fenrir, his eyes shifting from Sephora to my mate, and his features morphed into shock.

I ran to help my mate, but a group of wolves surrounded me, blocking my path.

I would have to get rid of them if I wanted to help my mate.

I tried to mind-link Ariella, knowing full well it probably wouldn’t work. But I had to try.

‘Hold on Ariella, I’m coming…’

Ariella

Sephora was busy holding up the barrier, preventing countless wolves from the Shadow pack from entering the battle.

I could barely distinguish where everyone was in the midst of the fight. Everyone was coated in sprays of red; their forms moved so fast it was difficult to make out who was who.

I looked around until my eyes landed on a man looking at Sephora. His smug face twisted into anger. At least two dozen wolves surrounded him.

He had a large scar over his eye, and his build was both imposing and unsettling. His short hair was peppered with black and grey, and his face held a wicked sneer.

Fenrir.

My anger raged, my chest constricted, and my muscles tightened as I let the flames rise. I slowly walked towards him, making sure to keep my emotions in check.

I had one shot. I couldn’t mess it up. I had to stay in control; otherwise, I could kill everyone here, including my pack.

Fenrir finally spotted my presence slowly approaching. His eyes flickered with remembrance as his feet took a step towards me.

“Freya?” he half-whispered.

I chuckled in a deep and hateful pitch.

“You killed my mother, you killed Enzo, and you have annihilated packs for your own sick and twisted desires. Innocents have suffered at your hands; women used and abused for entertainment. But not anymore; your last day on this earth will be today, I promise.”

“Freya never had a child! I would have known,” he spat, almost disbelieving the words escaping his mouth.

He took a fearful step back; fear danced in his eyes.

Two wolves protecting Fenrir bounced into action. I forged a sharp sword with my flames. Holding onto the handle, I swung it through the air and sliced open their stomachs. I watched as my sword vaporised, and then more wolves from his protective circle bounded towards me.

My body grew lighter, causing my knees to buckle, and I almost lost my footing. I looked at my hands to see the flames dying down. My powers were not at their peak; I hadn’t practised enough to use this much power at once. I only knew how to channel, not how to fight with it.

But I had to push forward; I couldn’t give up now.

I ignored my body’s protests as my flames took the form of a hydra, its heads extended to where my enemies were approaching. I watched, satisfied, as it engulfed the wolves in flames of red and gold.

“Daughter or not, you will die today,” Fenrir seethed.

I smirked, watching as I encased the rest of his surrounding circle in swells of fire.

I took another step forward as ash scorched the forest floor. Fenrir did the same, his face looking more at ease.

“You’re weak. You can’t even take down a few wolves without getting tired,” he taunted.

I pushed out my palm, further ignoring my weak state, and pushed a flame through my hand. It bounded towards Fenrir but was nowhere near my target. He easily dodged and then mocked me with jubilant laughter.

I saw a wolf approach me from behind. His scent belonged to the Shadow pack. I turned around, using the last of my reserve to slice through his throat. I just about managed as his teeth almost clamped down on my thigh.

But I forgot one pivotal thing…

The enemy behind me…

But it was too late.

A searing pain sliced through my side. I turned, falling to my knees as Fenrir’s eyes, as red as a blood moon night, stared back at me. His wolf was in control.

“Wolfsbane is a convenient ingredient indeed. Don’t you think, daughter?” he said the last word slowly; he enjoyed seeing me in pain, blood or not.

“I think it’s only fitting I kill you. You may be my daughter, but you have chosen your side.”

He stripped off his jacket then watched as he shifted into a beast. The same scar over his eye doubled in size. His coat as black as night, and eyes a deep, red wine. His beast of a wolf was tremendous, the same size as Logan, and Logan was the largest wolf I had ever seen.

I felt the wolfsbane slowly seep into my veins. I pulled out the small dagger. It wasn’t big, but the effects of the poison were potent enough to finish me off.

Fenrir approached me; his wolf snarled as spit emerged from his jaw.

This was it.

I was going to die.

I couldn’t ask for help. Everyone else was in the midst of their own fight.

I heard a short whine behind me and turned to face a wolf. His piercing grey eyes gazed right at me as he fought several wolves. Every attempt he made to come closer to me was halted as more and more wolves attacked him.

Logan.

I tried to ignite a flame on my hand, but it extinguished just as fast as I had conjured it.

Logan had fear in his eyes, something I had never seen him display, something he was not allowed to display as he was the Alpha.

I gave him a weak smile and mouthed the words, ‘I love you.’

I never turned from Logan. I wanted him to be the last thing I saw before I left this world.

I heard Fenrir’s growls getting nearer. I could barely lift a hand by this point.

I could feel my heart beginning to slow; my body was shutting down.

If Fenrir didn’t kill me, then the wolfsbane would.