Page 21 of His Sunshine Baby (The Silver City #2)

“Will it take long?”

“Just a couple of tests, sweetie,” says Abigail. “I just want to confirm since your blood pressure is a bit too low.”

“Sylviana said something as well, that Elena needed to be careful.”

His mom sighs and sits in front of me.

“Elena, she’s right. Once you’ve had a miscarriage, you’re more likely to have another one. If you strain too much, it will be hard on the baby as well. You have to take things easy from now on and get lots of rest, sweetie, okay? It’s for your child’s sake, sweetie.”

I nod. I get it, keeping the baby safe. I’m not losing another child. Danny puts a hand on my knee, with a big smile.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you in check. I know how you tend to get yourself in trouble sometimes.”

I chuckle. I’m glad he’s here to support me, as always. Abigail smiles.

“You better watch the future mom. Elena, no more fighting or shape-shifting from now on. You have to be twice as cautious, for your daughter’s sake. She will do her best to grow, but Mommy has to do most of the work, all right? I will monitor you often, too. You need to come every two weeks.”

“Every two weeks?” I ask, surprised.

“Yes, sweetie,” she nods. “This is a high-risk pregnancy, Elena. So, every two weeks, and if you feel anything wrong, you call me right away, okay?”

Her question is directed at both me and Daniel, but now, I’m even more worried. Is it that bad? I feel fine, honestly, so fine I had no idea I was pregnant until yesterday. But Abigail is a trusted doctor of the pack, and one of the few people aware of my previous miscarriage. I have to trust her.

“Who is the father?”

I turn to my cousin Iris, shocked by her question. Since when is she so blunt? Daniel clicks his tongue.

“Seriously, Iris? Why do you ask?”

“I don’t know. I find it strange that Daniel accompanied you here instead of Levi.”

“I wanted Daniel here, he’s my best friend.”

“You should start paying attention, Elena. That kind of lie won’t get you anywhere.”

What is wrong with her? She sounds almost jealous! I’ve never seen my cousin act like this. Daniel growls at her, annoyed by her sudden attitude, and she leaves the room, still visibly upset. I can’t believe Iris just talked to me like that!

Even Abigail looks a bit taken aback. I turn to Danny.

“ You think she knows something? ”

“ How could she? ”

“ I don’t know, but her reaction… ”

“ Ignore her, babe. She was probably just in a bad mood for some reason. ”

Why do I feel like there’s more to it? Abigail makes me go through some more tests, but I can’t shake off that weird feeling I’ve had since hearing Iris’ words. She’s right, in a way; the list of my lies keeps getting longer, and harder to hide.

A while later, I’m done with all of Abigail’s tests. Her recommendation is still the same, and she gave me some diet restrictions and tips, along with a bunch of vitamins I’m apparently supposed to take daily. Back in the car, I look at everything we got from the pharmacy, completely lost.

“Wait, so iron once a day, the pink ones twice a day and…”

“These two in the morning, two of these daily too, babe,” says Daniel. “Don’t worry, I’ll make you sticky notes before you overdose yourself.”

“Elena is probably the only woman who could give herself a vitamin overdose,” laughs Levi.

“Hey, how about you concentrate on driving?” I reply, a bit offended.

The brothers laugh while I sigh and just throw everything back in the bag for Danny to handle. This is too much organization for me. I take out the envelope and look at my baby’s picture once more. I can’t believe she’s so big already.

I try to remember when I could have gotten pregnant, following Abigail’s calculations. Probably that night at The Rain. Or at his apartment later the same night. Damn, I kind of hope my daughter wasn’t conceived in a nightclub bathroom!

“So? When are you going to tell him?”

I sigh at Daniel’s question. I know who he is talking about, of course, but still.

“I have no idea.”

“Elena, you should hide your pregnancy as long as possible,” says Levi. “If Xavier finds out, he will give you hell. And don't even get me started on your ex.”

“I know.”

I’m freaking out about Diego knowing. I can avoid my uncle and my pack’s suspicions for a while, but if I can’t shape-shift into my wolf form for weeks, or if my belly starts showing, it’s going to be harder. It’s a very small bump for now, but according to Abigail, I’m almost in my second trimester already. I hope the oversized sweaters will cover it for a while.

“Okay, so, for now, only four people know: Levi, Mom, Iris, and me. Do you have anyone else you want to tell?”

“No, Danny. The fewer the better,” I sigh. “For now, I want to make sure I— Wow! Levi, what the hell??”

“Sorry, some wolf just–”

But we all shut up as three other wolves suddenly run in front of the car, headed north, and I recognized at least two of them. What the heck is going on?

Levi quickly parks and we exit the car, kind of lost about what is going on. We are almost back in the Opal Moon territory, but so many wolves are running past us and heading north. I immediately mind-link my uncle.

“ Xavier, what the hell? I just saw– ”

“ VAMPIRES! VAMPIRE ATTACK ON THE NORTH! ”

I exchange a horrified look with Danny and Levi. They probably know, too. Shit, a vampire attack! Why now, of all times? We start following everyone’s direction, Levi shape-shifting immediately and running in front.

“ Elena! ”

I stop walking, surprised to hear Nora’s voice. Looks like someone has improved her mind-linking skills already. How did she get so good so fast? She’s probably miles away!

“ Nora? Where are you? ”

“ On the sea with Damian. What’s going on? There’s too much agitation at— ”

“ The north end, I know! I’m headed there now, we’re under attack! ”

“ Rogues? ”

“ No, damn vampires! ”

She cuts the mind-link, and I want to resume walking, even running to follow my pack, but before I can take another step, Daniel holds me back.

“Elena, hell no!”

“But, Danny, the–”

“Are you kidding me? Mom told you not even two hours ago! No fucking way, girl, back off!”

I bite my lip, but shit, Daniel is right, I can’t go.

“ Elena, where the fuck are you? There are dozens of them! Get over here, now! ”

My uncle’s voice keeps yelling in my head, along with many others. I can sense the attack going on a few paces away, all of my peers fighting hard to protect our territory.

“Come on, Elena, let’s go!”

Daniel pushes me east, and we abandon the car to start running in the streets, not very fast but still at a good pace. Shit, shit. Moon Goddess, why now? We cross paths with dozens of people from our pack, headed north, and humans trying to flee the area. It’s like a movie scene, with people crowding the streets in panic. I have to stay close to Danny to not lose him, and I focus extra hard to keep track of what’s going on.

“ Chris, get the right side! ”

“ Here, three more! ”

“ Watch out for the daggers! Silver! ”

“ Orpheus, here! ”

“ Got this one! ”

“ Anyone seen Isa? ”

“ Look out! You okay, man? ”

“ Help, Jace is hurt! ”

“ Someone catch this one! ”

I’m hearing so many wolves’ voices, I almost can’t keep up with what’s going on in front of me. I didn’t realize Daniel’s grabbed my hand until he suddenly pulls me to the side to avoid a gigantic brown wolf.

“Wait, was that…?”

“Boyan’s sister, yeah. The Blood Moon is here!”

“Yeah, the Sea Moon too!”

“ Elena! Come here, you traitor! ”

My uncle’s voice is like a knife piercing my head. I try to shut it off as he keeps calling me, yelling my name. My eyes tear up. It’s so frustrating! I can’t reply, I can’t do anything but follow Daniel through the chaos.

But the fight is catching up to us. I can feel my pack’s voices getting closer, people yelling to watch the east.

“The Sea Moon wolves are here!”

I see them, running from the waterfront towards us, ready to attack. Not only because of those wolves, but I realize we are going to get caught in the battle whether we want to or not. Daniel’s probably realized this too as he keeps looking in all directions with panicked eyes.

“Babe, we really gotta go.”

“Nora’s at the waterfront too.”

“Nora? Okay, better go this way then,” he says, pulling me to the east.

We try to head in that direction, where I can hear Nora’s wolf, but as we feared, it only takes a couple of minutes until a vampire suddenly runs our way. I jump in front of Danny and send that damn blood-sucker away with a high kick to its face.

“Elena!” screeches Daniel.

I know, I know. But I can’t just do nothing! What’s the point of not fighting if I get killed so stupidly anyway?

Danny stops protesting soon enough, because there is no other choice. Right after the first one, more vampires rush our way, obviously ready to attack. My wolf is ready to fight, but she also knows our baby comes first. I grab an iron pole to defend myself, but even in my human form, I’m a good enough fighter to keep them at bay. Vampires are fast, but werewolves are vampire killers to begin with. And I’m a damn good warrior, too. Using my fists, feet, and pole, I send them to the ground or flying one after the other.

“ Elena! ”

This time, it’s my cousin Chris. I feel relieved to hear his voice among the others.

“ You okay? ”

“ They just keep coming! Hundreds of them! ”

“I know, they are already at the harbor! I’m in the middle of the Sea Moon pack, I think. ”

I can’t even recognize anyone but Danny. I was so focused on defending myself, I didn’t realize so many wolves and vampires had gathered around us in a raging battle. I keep fighting and mind-linking my cousin, worried for everyone.

“ Okay! We got two… no, three other packs helping us here, I think. But seriously, Elena, their numbers… ”

“ I know. ”

It’s the biggest vampire attack I’ve ever seen. No matter how many I fight, it just doesn’t stop, they keep coming at us in hordes. Where the hell did they come from? Vampire clans are never this big in the first place!

Next to me, Daniel is at his wit’s end too. My best friend tried not to shape-shift for the longest time, but Danny is not a fighter like me, or an alpha. He’s getting tired and can barely keep up with his enemies.

“Danny, shape-shift before you get killed!” I insist.

“I’m not leaving you alone!” he yells, out of breath.

That idiot! I’m about to yell at him again, but a sudden new attack keeps the words stuck in my mouth. I don’t know if they understood that I’m the strongest in that area, but several vampires suddenly aim at me, fangs ready to bite and daggers in the air.

“ELENA!”

But before I can get in position, a gigantic wolf suddenly flies over me, and takes out two of them in a flash.

“Boyan!”

The huge brown wolf keeps fighting close to Daniel, and I suddenly realize what a death machine his size is capable of. It’s like sending a tiger into a battle. Boyan’s may be the size of a bear, but he’s much more agile and faster than he looks. I’m starting to get why he’s Nora’s bodyguard.

“Blondie?”

This time, it’s Tonia, his sister, looking at me in surprise. She doesn’t stop, though, and keeps running towards the harbor, probably headed to Nora’s location. But to my surprise, when her younger brother is about to follow, Daniel suddenly grabs his fur and holds him back, whispering something in his ear.

What the…?

I want to ask why the hell he’s exchanging secrets with him in the middle of the fight, when a new bunch of wolves suddenly appear in the distance. Opposite to the harbor we have been pushed to, they are running in the streets, among the buildings, heading south.

“Was that the Rising Moon pack?” asks Danny

“Yeah, and the Gold Moon too!”

If they are headed south, it means the attack is even bigger than we thought! I hear some distressed wolf yelps around us. The Sea Moon wolves are losing ground with us. I try to reach out to my peers from the White Moon and Opal Moon to check the situation in the north, but before I can decide on someone, Nora’s voice resonates clearly in my head again.

“ Elena, are you there yet? ”

“ On my way. But my friends told me there’s a lot of them. Really, a lot. ”

“ Is your pack okay? ”

Moon Goddess, if only. I wish I could be with them! Right when I’m about to answer, five or six new wolves join us. This time, I recognize them. They were at the Jade Moon territory the first time I met Nora.

“ For now. The White Moon is there too and some of the Sea Moon pack warriors joined, as well. But those damn vampires just keep coming. ”

“ The Blood Moon is on their way. ”

“ I figured so. Nate’s guys just arrived too. ”

“ What about the other clans? ”

“ They have to watch out for the other sides of the city. This might be a massive attack. I just saw some guys from the Gold Moon and Rising Moon packs heading south. ”

I’m starting to think Nora might get seriously good at this mind-linking thing, I feel like she’s right next to me, talking to me! I have to focus though, the battle is raging around me. Boyan and Daniel are both staying close to me, our trio fending off the vampires the best we can, trying to keep our position.

Damn, they just keep coming. I don’t even understand why they keep trying to go east, as if they were aiming somewhere specific. We are just at the edge of the harbor, but more and more keep coming, in a rhythm.

Suddenly, I hear screams from the vampires. Many wolves turn their heads the same way too. I can feel it even before we see him.

“ Holy fuck, is that… ”

“ Yeah. The King. ”

The huge, ferocious black wolf appears suddenly, his Alpha Aura oppressing everyone like a dark hurricane. Many wolves completely forget about fighting for a second just to get out of his way. He storms through the battle, killing the vampires within his reach one after another in front of our eyes. He tears them apart like freaking puppets, their limbs flying in every direction. It’s a horror scene. Thank Moon Goddess that monster is on our side.

The King goes past us without giving us a single look. Damn, he is even scarier when he’s fighting, that killing machine.

Next to me, Daniel even shape-shifted out of fear. His wolf took over because he sensed a stronger alpha, I can’t blame him. I really can’t believe the King’s hellish aura.

“ You okay, Danny? ”

“ Yeah, well, much better now that he is going away. Moon Goddess, I swear I was that close to wetting my fur. ”

“ I know. ”

Despite how scary he is, the King cleared a lot of the vampires for us. Even the Sea Moon wolves look like they’re in better shape now that there’s a lot less blood-suckers to deal with, and I can take a few steps back to catch my breath.

I pray silently that my baby can hold on. I’ve been moving around so much. But she was fine so far despite my training, right? I spot more vampires coming, and growl automatically, fucking annoyed and exhausted. Hold on, baby, Mom’s got a few more vampires to fend off.

We keep fighting, and I start to understand why Boyan is still here instead of following his sister to Nora’s location. That idiot is protecting me, just like Danny! Did he tell him? I can barely get my hands on any vampires now, Boyan is like a wall of fur in front of me, while I just have to wave my iron bar around to keep my surroundings clear.

I don’t have time to complain, though, as the vampires keep trying to get past us. Where the hell do they want to go? Are they aiming for the city, to the humans? Why the east? The Sea Moon wolves are gathered with us at their border, but we are now pushed a couple steps into their territory.

Suddenly, several vampires manage to kill one of them, and run past us. Fuck!

“ Nora! Some passed through our defense! They are running through the city! ”

“ What? Where are they headed to? They’re targeting the humans? ”

“ I don’t know, but it doesn’t look like it. They are staying west on the Sea Wolves’ turf! Following them now! ”

I completely forget about Boyan and Daniel and start running after those vampires. Where the hell are they going?

It was obviously a planned attack. There are too many of them, and they are too well equipped. Something’s wrong, even for a vampire attack. I meet up with a group of Sea Moon wolves, but they are too busy to complain about me intruding on their turf. I feel Nora coming closer too, did she shape-shift? Her Alpha Aura is completely different from her mate’s. While the King’s aura is like a dark hurricane, Nora’s is more like a white, silent shadow spreading around. I can’t tell which one is scarier.

I feel her approaching, and stop running to focus on my surroundings. I’m worried because I can’t reach my pack anymore. Moon Goddess, I hope they are fine!

“ Chris! Update! ”

“ Update, my ass, where the fuck are you? It’s a war zone here! ”

“ Chris! ”

“ I can’t even tell you, Elena, there are so many people here! All the packs, almost! But the vamps- Shit! ”

I panic for a second as I suddenly lose our mind-link, like he was pushed away or something. I try to mind-link someone else to check on my cousin, but he is back before that.

“ I have no idea what’s going on, Elena, the water is attacking us! ”

The water? What the hell? I probably misheard.

“ Chris, what? The water what? ”

“ It’s attacking us! For real! Ouch! Anyway, get over here! ”

I feel like the battle is taking a turn for the worse in the north, and I’m dying to go there, but… I try to focus on our position first. We got some rest after the King’s arrival, but now that he’s gone further north, those damn vampires are just going at it again. It’s a never-ending battle! I keep fighting back and trying to get closer to Nora, resisting the urge to shape-shift. So much for no stress!

Suddenly, I feel something like a tingling at the back of my head, a ghost sensation.

“ Elena? ”

“ It’s Nora. I think she’s hurt! ”

“ How would you know, she’s… ”

But I ignore Daniel, turning to Boyan.

“Boyan, get your damn ass to Nora! Now! Leave me alone!”

I try to focus on her, and it’s surprisingly easy for me to locate her aura, even in the middle of that frenzy. Seems like she’s fine, and she’s got back-up too. Did Tonia join her? Or people from the Blood Moon? She’s on the Sea Moon clan’s turf, quite close.

“ Elena! Are you okay? ”

“ Yeah, doing my best. I’m just a few blocks ahead of your position, but the situation’s worse here. ”

I want to keep running in her direction, but Boyan suddenly gets in my way.

“ Damn it! What is he still doing here? Stubborn wolf! ”

“ Elena? ”

Crap, I mind-linked Nora without thinking, reaching out to her is even easier than I thought!

“ It’s Bobo! I keep telling him to go to you, but he won’t leave me! His sister is running to you, though! ”

Maybe Tonia’s already there, but I don’t have time to check. More vampires, always more vampires are coming. I even lose my iron bar at some point, and have to resort to using my fists again. Fuck, I can’t take any hits!

“ Elena! ”

“ I know, Danny, shut up! ”

I finally grab what looks like a wooden pole and use it. Oh, right, vampires don’t like wood, right? I manage to defend myself a bit longer, but this is getting really exhausting. Does it ever end?

“ Elena! ”

I turn my head, and just as I feel it, the white wolf is here. Right behind Nora is Tonia’s big wolf. Damn, it was high time. Finally!

“ Nora! Are you okay? Moon Goddess, you’re bleeding! ”

“ It’s okay. Why aren’t you in your wolf form? ”

“ Don’t worry, I can defend myself fine this way. ”

I forgot people would ask. Thank Moon Goddess we soon get busy enough that I don’t have to explain myself any further. Damn, is it me or are we getting more and more vampires suddenly? Just like Tonia is dead set on defending Nora, Bobo and Daniel are fighting hard to not let anyone close to me.

“ Nora, something’s weird. ”

“ What is it? ”

“ I feel like they’re targeting you! ”

It’s obvious when you stop to watch. All the vampires are almost going completely past us to target Nora exclusively! Tonia is getting tired, even with her brother’s help, and Nora’s defense is close to perfect, but there are just too many vampires!

Nora jumps to the side to test my theory, and as it turns out, I’m right.

She’s their target.

“ Elena, it’s going to be fine. The south is almost clear. They will go and help the White Moon clan. ”

Did she request the Jade Moon’s help? That would explain some things. I nod and try to mind-link my uncle reticently to check on them.

“ You damn… Our river is still attacking us! Our warriors are poisoned, and you are not here, you useless wench! ”

“ Elena, Dad’s right, the water is– Hey!– still slowing us down! ”

I report it to Nora, omitting my uncle’s rage toward me. This is so weird. Water attacking werewolves? Seriously? I take a glance at the sea behind us, but everything looks normal! What the hell is going on in the north? Moon Goddess, I hope they’ll be fine. The King should be there by now.

“ TONIA! ”

I turn my head, realizing our mistake. Nora and I got too caught up in the mind-linking! Tonia is struggling on one side, and Nora is cornered by vampires on another, too far away from us! I try to get to her, but she’s surrounded. Fuck!

I feel the wave coming a second before it does.

“ HELP! ”

“ Nora, don’t! ”

It’s too late. Nora’s mind-link literally hits us, and probably a lot of wolves around too. Holy shit, how did she even…? But before I can take a second to think and run to her, dark shadows suddenly jump into the fight from everywhere. I recognize the familiar piercings and markings.

“ It’s Lysandra Jones! The Purple Moon clan! ”

Moon Goddess, they are the best fighters in Silver City, and right on time to save the day, too! The Purple Moon wolves attack without mercy, shifting the balance, clearing the attackers around Nora and Tonia in no time.

The fighting resumes, even fiercer, but things are looking better for us this time. Suddenly, I realize another wolf joined the fight, the younger Black! He’s side by side with Nora, but before I can wonder what he is doing here, I suddenly hear Daniel’s whimper.

“ Danny!! ”

“ Fuck! ”

I jump in, kicking away the vampire who managed to pin him down. My best friend, in his wolf form, is hurt, struggling to get back up.

“ You idiot, stop trying to protect me! ”

“ Hey, I’m not protecting you, I’m protecting my goddaughter! ”

“ You’ve got to be kidding me! ”

We don’t have time to argue; Boyan jumps in to kill the other vampire who was targeting him. I help Danny up, but thank Moon Goddess, it seems the fight is almost over. The vampires are pretty much all dead or unable to fight in some way, the Purple Moon and Boyan are tearing the rest of them to shreds.

It’s a bloodbath around us, quite literally. Everyone is a mess. I check in with the north but thank Moon Goddess, the nightmare is almost over there too. Nora lets me know the south and east are safe too, the packs are clearing up their territories. Thank Moon Goddess.I turn to Danny and check his leg, but damn, it doesn’t look good.

“You’re hurt... I told you to not shield me!”

“ Danny, you okay, baby? Does it hurt? ”

But Daniel has decided to ignore both me and Boyan. It’s cute to see a two-hundred-pound wolf worry about Danny, but I won’t say that out loud. I start tending to Danny since I’m the only one with my hands available, and get to burning those damn vampire corpses. Damn, it reeks, and there’s a lot to do.

While I’m busy getting rid of them, it seems the Alphas silently agreed to a short meeting there. Lysandra Jones, the Purple Moon Alpha, Patrick Seaver, the Sea Moon Alpha, and Nora start talking, in their human or wolf forms.

“ Elena! ”

I turn around. Damn, The King and… Nate.

“ Elena, are you okay? ”

Damn, does he have to mind-link me when there are about fifty people around? Doesn’t he have a lot of other people to care about first? I nod, trying to avoid his gaze. Damn, I must look like a mess, too.

“The Black youngsters. I don’t like seeing the likes of you in my harbor, but I guess this is what they call an emergency.”

“Indeed. How is the north?”

“We are fine. The remains are being burnt as we speak, and we chased them far enough. The White Moon clan is taking care of whatever is left,” answers Nate to the other Alphas.

Does he really have to keep glancing at me like that? I try to stay close to Danny, acting busy or whatever just to avoid looking at him.

“What was that? They attacked at the south-east too,” the Purple Moon Alpha ponders.

“They struck the north first,” says Nate. “We received the northern packs’ distress call early enough and went to help them, but there were about a hundred vampires.”

“You mean only a hundred? How come the White Moon couldn’t get rid of that? Did they get soft or something?”

I can’t help but growl, Danny too. Is she fucking kidding me? When they only arrived last minute to help? Nathaniel speaks before it gets nasty between us and the Purple Moon wolves.

“It wasn’t only vampires. Something was helping them. I saw the water from the river catching and trapping wolves. Some were poisoned too; there were many victims because of that. Something was definitely off.”

Xavier and Chris were telling the truth. How is that possible though? I exchange a glance with Daniel, just as clueless as I am.

“Sounds like a witch to me,” suddenly says the Sea Moon Alpha.

“A witch?”

It’s the first time the King has spoken, but everyone immediately turns to him. Only the Alphas present don’t seem intimidated.

“Witches are elemental creatures. If a Water Witch was helping them…”

“It would explain how they got past the first defenses so easily,” whispers Nate.

“Then what drove her off? Did anyone get her?” asks Jones.

“We didn’t even see one. Only vampires. But she could have attacked from farther away. I don’t know how their magic works.”

“Send some people to look at the bodies,” suddenly orders the King. “See if they find a witch among them.”

Some wolves depart immediately, and I realize there are a lot more Blood Moon wolves than I thought, too. Moreover, a lot of them look perfectly fine. What are these monsters?

“What about what happened in the south, then? That time, the trees helped the packs. I don’t think a witch would have changed her mind.”

Wait a minute, trees helped the packs? I exchange a glance with Danny. As far as we know, there’s only one Earth Witch in the area! Don’t tell me…

And they can't change their elements, either. What if there is another Witch left in the South?' asks the Sea Wolf Alpha.

“If there is, she helped us. She was on our side,” I suddenly blurt out.

Fuck, everyone’s eyes are on me now. Why did I even open my damn mouth? I was suddenly worried they would turn on Sylviana, and it just happened. Even Danny is giving me the are-you-crazy look. Are they going to overlook this?

This time, I can’t help but glance Nate’s way, and of course, he’s looking at me too, as surprised as the others. Damn it.

“I don’t like the idea of a remnant witch here,” finally says the Sea Moon Alpha.

“Me neither.”

Great, they decided to ignore me, but they are still after Sylviana. What do we do now? I exchange a glance with Daniel again, wondering what to do.

“ I will take care of it! Let me look for the witch! ”

All the Alphas suddenly look at the youngest Black brother, Liam, who’s still in his wolf form next to Nora. Him? Don’t tell me…

“ Elena. Do you think Sylviana might have a thing for younger guys? ”

“ That kid? He’s just a teenager! How old is Sylviana anyway? ”

“ No idea. ”

I’m still dumbfounded while Liam Black is convincing his brothers and the others to let him take care of the witch. Now that I think about it, Sylviana did say she had some sort of spy close to Nora. Could it be that kid? Seriously?

A long silence follows Liam Black’s words, but it’s obvious Nate and his brothers are mind-linking between themselves. Damn, if our theory is right, I hope that Liam kid can get the last word.

“If you want, Liam, you take care of it,” suddenly says Nate. “We have our hands full as it is with this mess anyway... Just ask if you need help. Don’t take on a witch by yourself.”

I guess the kid won, then. The Alphas start talking about what to do with the corpses, and I understand there has been a lot of damage throughout the whole city. Fuck, I didn’t even think of checking in with them! With all that mind-linking, I kind of shut them out.

Once again, I ignore my uncle’s voice, trying to find a friendlier tone. I guess Daniel is doing the same because I can feel his wolf too.

“ Elena? ”

“ Levi. How are things there? ”

“ It’s bad. You should come back, quickly. ”

“ What? What happened? Is everyone okay? ”

“ No, Elena. It’s better if you come, honestly. We are not even done checking on everyone. ”

I feel my throat tightening. Moon Goddess, our friends. Daniel’s ears droop, too, his brother probably told him too. Fuck, fuck!

“ Is your friend okay? ”

I almost jump at Nora’s voice in my head. I nod mindlessly.

“ Yeah, he injured his leg, but it’s going to heal quickly. I’m more worried about the rest of my pack... We lost some people, so I want to go there soon. ”

“ Why don’t you go now? ”

Good question. But I need to justify my presence here before I go back and Xavier kills me. I can’t tell Nora that though.

“ My Alpha wants me to represent him here, see what the other packs will do. It’s only the White Moon and Opal Moon wolves cleaning the mess up there now, so we need to make sure we will get some help. ”

It’s a half-truth, honestly. I take a look at Nate, but once again, he was looking at me already. He asks if I’m okay again, but honestly, I’m not.

“ Nathaniel will help you. ”

Crap, did Nora catch that? I can tell she has many questions, but I’m not in the mood, I’m done for today. Thank Moon Goddess there isn’t much left to say.

The Alphas get back to their usual bickering, before parting ways. I signal to Daniel that it’s time for us to go too, before Nathaniel really insists on talking with me.

It’s a slow walk back because of Daniel’s injury and we are both exhausted. We don’t even try to run while we leave the Sea Moon territory, we’re done running for today. Danny shape-shifted back and he’s a bit pale, though I can’t tell if he’s sick or worried. Levi hasn’t told us what happened on his side yet, and I’m worried about finding out the truth.

“Elena!”

I turn around, but before I can see anything, Nate’s arms are suddenly around me, hugging me tightly. Oh, Moon Goddess. I give in and hug him back too. Why is it that just one embrace from that man makes me feel so much better? He’s half-naked, and I can smell the sweat on his skin… his smell.

His hands on my neck, he steps back to look at me.

“Nate, what about your pack? And Nora…”

“My brothers are with them. I wanted to check on you, make sure you were fine.”

“I’m fine,” I sigh with a nod, “but there have been losses in my pack.”

“I know. I was up there earlier.”

What? Nate helped the White Moon clan too? I only saw the King running there. I check up on him, but despite all the blood on his jeans, he looks completely unharmed.

“Are you okay?” I ask, still checking.

He chuckles.

“Of course I’m fine. Tired but fine. Elena…”

He suddenly looks at me again, very serious. His eyes are so close… I can see the fire behind them shining.

“Elena, I get you need time. But I’m not giving up on you, okay?”

Oh, Moon Goddess. He has no idea how badly I want to lay in his arms and cry at the moment. My heart feels heavier than ever, and the man I love is just in front of me, waiting for me. Ready for me. I put my hands on his face and kiss him, a short but heartfelt one.

“I know. I promise, we’ll talk. I’m not leaving you, Nate.”

He smiles, looking relieved by my words. We hug once more, with his lips close to my neck. I think about my baby, trying to tell her it’s her dad, her father holding us both.

“Babe.”

“I know, Danny.”

Reluctantly, Nate and I part, with one last short kiss. He smiles softly.

“Talk later, Sunshine.”

I chuckle and nod. I haven’t heard my nickname in a while.

He watches us go, staying there with that lonely expression on his face while Danny and I get away. I keep thinking until we are almost back on our territory and exchange a look with Daniel as we cross the border. He sighs.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

“No, Danny, I want to tell him.”

“That’s what I was gonna say, babe, but today, every wolf in Silver City was possibly around. Don’t worry, there’ll be a better time. Let’s deal with this shit at home first, okay?”

“Yeah.”

We get to see the shit at home a few minutes later.

I feel like crying.

It’s the streets I’ve known all my life, the same houses, but they are stained with blood. Lots and lots of blood. Thank Moon Goddess the few bodies are vampires, already burning with that hideous smell of rotten flesh. How many are there?

“Elena? Daniel?”

It’s Ben, who walks up to us. He doesn’t look too good. His left ear is covered in blood, and he’s limping a bit. Plus, he’s got a lot of cuts and scratches.

“Moon Goddess, Ben, you–”

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Trust me, there is much worse. Bonnie is helping Mom tend to the wounded, I was checking if we haven’t forgotten anyone. Come.”

He guides us back to the scene of the fight. People from both the Opal Moon clan and White Moon clan are gathered. I feel my heart drop when I hear it. People crying, screaming. What?

We suddenly see the first wolf’s body. Moon Goddess, it’s a guy from the White Moon… someone covered his head with a white sheet, but I can recognize his fur’s white and gray pattern. Oh, no…

We keep walking, and I recognize two others. Moon Goddess, this one had just begun training, she was so young. This guy was at the club the other day. Daniel’s face drops, I bet he knew him.

“Elena, Danny, I better tell you now… Eric is dead.”

Oh, Moon Goddess, no. No, no, no… I start crying and walk faster to the pack. The atmosphere around us is so horrible. Dust and smoke are flying around, and the streets I once knew are no longer the same. A house has collapsed on one side. There are pieces of wood, metal, and bricks all around. Mud and blood mixed, as the ground was completely turned over by the wrestling tracks. It smells like rust, ashes, and rotten flesh.

We finally reach a crowd, and that’s when I see it.

Several bodies, aligned on the ground. Someone closed their eyes.

I recognize each one of them. Maria, the girl who helped her mother with the shop on Second Street. Krystal, the pretty waitress from the Latin bar. Camden, Adrian, Javier, all kids who trained or used to train with me. Hugo and David, those two were a couple, they used to go dancing at Pepe’s… The young Ava, a friend of Bonnie… and Eric.

Daniel is already crying loudly next to me, and I hear my own sobs among everyone’s. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. It’s like I’m a step away from the scene. There’s no screen, but I’m just not able to look properly. All those lives I knew, and they are gone… just like that…

Someone hugs my shoulders, but I have no idea who, I don’t care. I feel my breath, my heart, choking desperately. My wolf is crying loudly. I can’t look away, I can’t accept it. I can’t believe Eric got killed. Not like that, not so easily, Moon Goddess!

“Elena!”

I turn to face my furious uncle. I can’t deal with him right now. I just want to be able to cry and mourn my friends’ deaths.

But he walks up to me, in a storm.

Before I can say a thing, he suddenly slaps me.

“What the fuck, Xavier!”

I hear people screaming my name and his, and several people rush to us. But he pushes them away.

“Where were you, you little wench! Your brothers and sisters died in battle because you weren’t here! How dare you betray your pack and run away from the fight! Look at what you’ve–”

“You shut the hell up or I swear I’ll kill you, Xavier!”

To everyone’s surprise, that voice was Isabella’s. Eric’s mother looks furious, but no one can ignore the tears on her cheeks, far from dry. She gets between me and my uncle, and pushes him away in a rage, completely out of control.

“Don’t you dare accuse anyone of my son’s death, you bastard! Elena was better wherever she was instead of under your shitty command! You’re the worst Alpha! Any of those children would be alive if you had been able to lead them properly! But the only thing you led them to is their death!”

“Elena was gone! She should have been where she–”

“You can’t rely on a single wolf just because they are stronger, you useless, damn idiot!” Isabella yells. “You would have gotten her killed just like you did with my son! Now shut your goddamn mouth before I kill you! You should be silent and ashamed of yourself!”

“Isa, calm down.”

Orpheus takes her away from Xavier, glaring at my uncle in the meantime. What the hell did he do during the fight? I knew Xavier was a poor leader, but now that I look at him, he’s barely dirty and looks almost unharmed too. How the hell can he be so fine when people died? He should have been on the frontlines!

“What the hell did you do?” I whisper, in shock.

“I want to ask that too, Xavier.”

Clark. My godfather’s furious voice clears a path between him and Xavier, who just literally turned white.

“Clark, I–”

But before he can say a word, Clark slaps him. Not a sharp slap like the one I got, but a violent, powerful one that sends Xavier to the ground with a nasty sound of bone breaking. Everyone holds their breath.

“That one was for laying your hand on Elena, you bastard.”

Before Xavier even realizes, Clark kicks him violently in his stomach, causing him to lose his breath in a ridiculous grimace.

“And that one was for fucking abandoning your pack to hide Moon-Goddess-knows-where during the fight, you scum!”

Now that I look around, people from our Opal Moon clan are glaring at Xavier. I can tell they’re satisfied by Clark’s words. Did he really run away? I can’t believe him!

“Enough! What about Elena?”

I turn around, and see Iris, still half-crying, standing among the pack, glaring at Clark. My cousin looks like a mess, her dress torn apart and covered in blood and dirt. Clark frowns and turns to her.

“Didn’t she abandon the fight, too? We all saw it. Why are you only going after my father! This is so unfair!”

I can’t believe her. She knows! She fucking knows why I couldn’t come! Why I couldn’t shape-shift and fight, Iris knows I’m pregnant! Why the hell is she going after me now? Is she just trying to protect her father, using me to distract Clark from him?

“You little…” growls Daniel, looking at her like he’s about to vomit.

“Elena was fighting further in the east. Can’t you see my brother’s state?” suddenly says Levi, emerging from the crowd. ”She’s covered in blood and ashes as well. She was fighting on the Sea Moon wolves’ territory!”

But Iris just growls at him and goes to her father. I can’t recognize my cousin. Is she just angry because she lost her boyfriend? For a second, I had forgotten about the two of them. She helps Xavier up, and they leave the scene without adding a word. I shake my head. Moon Goddess, all of this is too much.

“What about Chris?” I quietly ask Levi.

“He was taken to the hospital earlier. They say he might lose his arm.”

“What? He was fine when he mind-linked me earlier!”

“He probably acted like he was fine, Elena, you know how Chris is,” he sighs. “How are you two?”

“I’m fine, but Danny needs–”

Before I finish my sentence, Clark walks up to me, looking very annoyed too. He sighs.

“Elena, we need to talk. What were you doing on the Sea Moon territory?”

“We were pushed that way during the fight,” explains Danny. “We just… Holy shit, Elena!”

His face suddenly goes white in horror, but I don’t know what’s… That’s when I feel it. A sudden, sharp pain in my lower abdomen. I look down. My pants are covered in blood, my blood.

Oh, Moon Goddess, no, no…