Page 88 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

A ntsy. Fidgety. Pacing. Jumpy. This was what was rolling through Lita as they made it to their next campsite.

Mira was on alert. She was sending out the warning growls, darting back and forth.

The hair on Lita’s arms was raised. Something was wrong.

She wasn’t the only one who could feel it.

She felt Asher go on high alert, and she saw the noticeable shift in attitudes.

Something was wrong. The only sounds they could hear came from the nearby river and waterfall.

Not even the birds greeted them. Lita held Chasen and Rosa carried Brody.

The two boys were suddenly on edge as well.

Asher walked up to Caspian, and they shared a knowing glance. Then, she felt it. She felt the disconnect. Asher had her blocked out. She didn’t like this at all. What was he hiding from her? She knew he didn’t want her reading his thoughts about something. Why?

Lita looked around the quiet woods. Nothing. There wasn’t anything there, but clearly something was. She could feel that something had set its sights upon them. She held on to Chasen tightly. She had to make sure their two defenseless little boys were safe.

A swift breeze swirled around her, swaying the grass and tops of the trees.

The breeze slithered with murderous intention.

She shivered from its chilling touch. The centaurs and Cedar wolves began to slowly move around her, strategically encircling her from the outside danger.

She scoffed in her head. Whatever was coming, they were going to need her.

This was not one of those moments where she needed to be protected.

It was the time for her to help protect the ones she loved.

Tsk tsk tsk… you shouldn’t have left the safety of your pack … princessssss.

The hissing sound of Abaas sounded in her head. She immediately straightened up and glared toward the forest. She could feel him. She handed Chasen to Rosa.

“When the time comes, create a diversion, and take the boys and run. I won’t let anyone follow you,” Lita commanded Rosa. She could see the girl was nervous but nodded in understanding.

Haven’t learned your lesson yet, I see? Lita shot back angrily. She could feel his presence, but she still couldn’t see him.

“Prepare yourselves. It’s Abaas.” Lita shifted into Mira, wanting to be ready. Her party members turned and stared at her sudden transformation. Asher was instantly at her side, as well as Grayson. The men all shifted into their feral animals.

Asher, when the moment comes, we make sure no one follows Rosa. I told her to flee with the boys.

You go too. Please.

Asher! I’ll be followed. I need our boys safe. They won’t continue to chase after her. We only need to make sure she isn’t followed, Lita growled into Asher’s head. This was about making sure their two babies weren’t caught up in this fight.

Fine. But if I tell you to run away with me, then do it! Bo nuzzled his head into Mira’s side and stared off into the woods.

Lita mentally rolled her eyes.

A loud growl rippled in her head. You damn slut! You’re pregnant! I can smell the stench on your body.

Lita growled as she tried to pinpoint his location. I told you I would never be yours.

I guess I’ll just have to keep you and your daughter when she’s born, Abaas’ disgusting voice sizzled out.

Mira snarled loudly, drawing the attention of those around her. She was having a conversation that they couldn’t hear.

You’ll never touch her. I’ll rip you apart.

HAHAHAHAHA! I love your sass. I will create a world that only exists for the strong. You could exist in it, princessssss. You would be welcomed by my side.

Mira's gaze was fixed on an area in the distance. There. That was where he was. You assume you’ll be able to create such a world. It will never happen. I will stop you.

Abaas cackled in Lita’s head. It isn’t just me you have to stop. You are no match for Leoric, demon of the deep. Or my father, Mephisto. It’s too late for this world. There is no army in existence that will be able to defeat what is coming.

There is a power at work that you demons cannot possibly understand. It will be your downfall.

Abaas’ wolf walked into view. He looked at Mira smugly. The centaurs raised their weapons defensively as Grayson took a few protective steps forward.

Say goodbye to your friends, princessssss, for tonight … you will be embraced by the dark. Abaas let out an ear-piercing howl. The moment he did, wolves started peeking in through the forest line. There was something else, though.

It took a few commanding steps into view, setting its gaze on Grayson, its fangs dripping and its eyes glowing red as it glowered at him. Lita knew this creature was here to fight her guardian.

“It’s a hellhound. They’re impermeable to fire,” Brad said almost breathlessly. “He had to have dragged it out from the deep. Damn, this just got real serious.”

Bo took a protective step in front of Mira, leaning his body into her.

He wanted to get his mate and unborn pup out of there.

This was gearing up to be a fierce battle.

For once, he really wasn’t sure if they would win.

At the very least, he needed Lita and the kids to live.

Getting her to leave while he created an opening would be impossible.

She would never just leave. This was going to be tricky.

Lita looked at the monstrous hound. It was smaller than Grayson’s bear but larger than their wolves. It looked incredibly dangerous. She wanted to protect Grayson, even though he was there to protect her.

Don’t worry about me. I can handle this thing. The problem is Abaas. I don’t want you two near him. Grayson’s voice rang in both Asher and Lita’s heads.

This couldn’t be helped. With Grayson unable to fight Abaas, that only left Bo and Mira who could fight him.

Grayson, don’t worry about us. You just take care of what’s in front of you.

Please. Don’t get distracted, Lita begged him.

She was afraid they would be a vulnerability to him.

They could pull this off. Lita knew it. They could win, but it would take all of them.

Lita linked with the wolves and Grayson. We can win this. All of us need to do our part, though. Trust in each other.

The demon wolves fanned out as they got closer. The anticipation of the battle was rising, the tension building up as both sides were bracing for what was to come.

In a blur, they attacked. Wolves charged forward. The hellhound leaped. And Abaas waited.

The battle had begun. Mira ran in front of Rosa, prompting her to flee with the boys. Rosa blinded the wolves as she ran off with the children.

Seraphina! Lita yelled. Instantly, the fiery phoenix entered the fray. Don’t let anything pass toward them!

The wolves began to recover from the blindness as a fiery wall spread before them, allowing Rosa and the two children to disappear into the woods.

Mira lashed a whip of fire over the wolves as she leaped into them, fighting a group of wolves with the aid of Seraphina.

She felt fangs begin to sink into her side but were suddenly removed as Bo ripped into the wolf’s neck.

Blood poured everywhere as its body sank to the ground.

He attacked without mercy, giving a death sentence to everything he encountered.

Abaas growled and looked off in the distance. Suddenly, he was racing in the direction Rosa and the children had escaped. The fiery wall had no effect on him as he dashed through it.

Bo raced after him. Mira tried to as well but was surrounded by another batch of wolves.

They kept coming, no matter how many she fought off. No matter how many she burned. Even with Seraphina, they kept coming, like lambs to the slaughter.

That was it. They were a distraction. Abaas was letting them be senselessly slaughtered. His objective was to kill Grayson and Asher.

Mira looked over at Grayson. He had blood dripping from his body and was panting heavily.

The hellhound was showing no signs of stopping.

Caden, Caspian, and the centaurs faced off with more wolves.

Another group lunged toward Lita. And behind her, she could hear the sounds of two wolves clashing. Bo and Abaas were battling alone.

She needed to get to Bo. She needed to help him.

Abaas was powerful. He might not have come from an alpha line, but he had original demon blood in him.

Who knew what dirty tricks he had up his sleeve.

This was the reason for the disconnect. Asher didn’t want her to feel his pain.

He didn’t want her to know how badly he was being injured.

He’d planned this from the beginning. He already knew he was going to fight Abaas.

Desperation rose inside her. The sounds of fighting echoed in her mind. The need to protect rose inside her. She had to protect them. She had to protect him!

At that moment, when things were looking bad, they suddenly became worse. Charging down toward them was another small band of creatures. They were imps, creatures of darkness. The situation was becoming grim.