The Forgotten Daughter

-13- Countdown of sorrow

LANDONS P.O.V

How could they think it was me of all people? I've spent my entire life within this pack, dedicated my heart and soul to protecting our future Luna. Why would I take the lives of innocent children?

But the guards didn't believe a word I said, why would they when the evidence was against me. Instead I was chained up in the putrid smelling cells awaiting the Alpha.

Granted I didn't have to wait long but anytime spent within these cells was too long, the real culprit is still out there.

"Care to explain yourself young Landon?" Alpha Nico asks as he approaches the cell

"Explain myself?" I growl "Explain what exactly? How you failed to round up the rest of the newcomers? How Sylvia had been in my room where Aurora is?"

"So it's true, you did take their lives?" Alpha Nicos eyes begin the flash, Cyrus pushing forwards

"NO!" Knox growls as he too pushes forwards, suddenly not caring that he was indeed addressing the Alpha. "What need would I have to kill them? I went to look for Sylvia after Kane told me she had been in my room. When I arrived the place was pitch black and the smell of blood was old. I opened the curtain and saw them, but before I could do anything about it Clarissa came in and ran off screaming"

A silence engulfed the cells, nothing more than the scurrying of rats to be heard.

"Unchain him and let him out" Alpha Nico orders the guards, not taking his eyes off me for a second. "The rest of the newcomers have been dealt with accordingly. Next time, contact me at once! Now go."

It took every ounce of strength within me not to snap back at him but I knew I'd already pushed my luck speaking to him in such a way.

'We must check our Luna, she is not safe here even if the Alpha believe she is' Knox states, he was always the straight thinker

The sight of a sleeping Rory helps ease my mind and calm my nerves, even Kane's roaring snores from on the sofa brings me some comfort.

This seems like the perfect time to sit out on the balcony and flick through the book Elder Micha gave me. It was a hand written book filled with scraps and notes, most of it was in such poor handwriting that I struggled deciphering many of the words but from what I could make out, this book or more journal, had belonged to our late Luna's ancestors.

It was filled with tips on how to control the magic within, sketches of great mythical beasts and a tattered family tree dating back thousands of years. What captured my interest most was that the start of the family tree held no werewolves, only witches. It also became increasingly obvious that this book ended with our late Lunas mother.

How is it that Elder Micha came to possess such a thing? Luna Talia couldn't have been the one to give him it if it ends before her time, that leaves our Lunas mothers; Oceana. Did Elder Micha even know her?

So many things were leaving questions in my mind.

Over the next few days I tried my hardest to stay by Rorys side, deciphering as much of the old journal as I could and try to prevent what ever it is that was coming to us.

Unfortunately Carn's plan was taking effect. The three children I'd found with Sylvia were in fact children from our pack, they'd been taken from their beds while we were all out hunting for the newcomers that had vanished.

It caused uproar within the pack when the news got out. Despite Alpha Nicos best efforts, he failed to reassure them that both they and their children were safe. Some she-wolves decided to leave the pack and seek refuge from family within neighbouring packs, the fear of losing their young taking over their instincts to protect the pack. It was understandable really, their mothering instincts simply took over and they did what they believed best.

The following day three more small children were found by the lake, again they were taken from the pack. The reality of what was happening must of hit Alpha Nico, he was furious and ordered all mothers and children to stay within the Alpha house with a team of warriors as their guards.

We'd changed all of our station points along the border, retrained our warriors, upgraded our security measures and called in the help of our elites. This should have been more than enough precautions to keep everyone safe.

Yet sadly the Alpha received word yesterday from Ember that two toddlers had been found, laid on a picnic blanket in the wildflower clearing where I'd taken Rory.

There was no clues as to how they'd managed to take the children from the Alpha house. It was as if they'd teleported them out, without a single sound.

I'd read of teleportation recently in the journal from Elder Micha, it spoke of a number of basic spells and enchantments. I couldn't help but wonder if Remi had an old journal or family heirlooms that he too was able to learn his witchcraft from.

It plagued my mind so much that I'd struggled restlessly to get any sleep last night. There were still so many unanswered questions surrounding the entire situation and no where to find the answers. As well as the lingering threat of today supposedly being the last day of Carn's countdown.

I decided to take a quick shower and head out to find Elder Micha, maybe he'd be able to fill in some of the blanks for me. I'd have to get Kane here to sit with Rory again, I'm sure he wouldn't mind though, he seems to be enjoying destroying my high scores on every game I own.

Just as I was drying off I heard the bedroom door open, Knox pushing forward as I rush to open the ensuit door and into the bedroom.

"Woahhh dude, don't you own any clothes?" Kash cringes

"Seriously we got enough sausage at home, put it away man!" Kairo quickly follows

Kane quickly coming behind them both and giving them a swift slap to the back of their heads "You two are ridiculous"

"What are you all doing here? Is everything ok? Did something happen?" I can't hide the worry from my voice as I grab my boxers and put my skinny fit navy joggers and white T-shirt on.

"Relax!" Kane pats my shoulder as he walks past taking a seat on the sofa and flicking the computer on "we're just here to see our sister dribble some more and smash some high scores" he laughs

"That and get away from mum and dad arguing" Kash adds as he swipes the second controller from Kairo

"Arguing? Why would they be arguing?" I ask, Mac and Cece were the most united couple within our pack, I'd never seen them so much as disagree with each other let alone arguing to the point their kids couldn't be in the house.

"Ahh who knows, they've been touchy the past few days, probably just need some alone time. If you know what I mean" Kairo fake gags

"Gross. Hey, while you lot are here do you mind if I take Knox for a run? He's getting a little frustrated, think he needs to let loose" I wasn't lying, he hadn't spoken to me since we got news about the toddlers. He was struggling with idea that our Alpha was putting the future Luna in danger and that danger was getting closer each day.

"Yeah sure things Donny boy, take all the time you need" Kane waves not even taking his eyes off the screen for a second

Walking through the Alpha house you could feel the tension in the air, everyone was on edge. It hadn't taken long before people began to realise something serious was going on but without Rory being awake there was only so much he could tell them.

He'd agreed that it wasn't his place to tell the pack of her true identity without having her permission to do so. Aurora had grown up in the pack, she was known by all as the Alphas niece. Giving them the truth would help them understand the situation, but it would also unsettle the pack. How would they trust their Alpha after learning of his deception for all these years?

'My office. Now' a link from Alpha Nico stops me in my tracks. Surely this can't be good.

There were hushed whispers all around as I walk through the house to the Alphas office, everyone was curious as to what was going on and fearful of what could still be to come.

Very few had been fully informed of the recent events but many speculated.

Before I'd even entered the Alphas office I could feel the tension in the air, pulsating in waves followed by low growls as I cautiously knock.

"Enter" Alpha Nico bellows

Pushing the door open I as finally able to see the mess, the broken furniture, smashed ornaments and torn books across the floor, as an incredibly dishevelled looking Alpha sat slumped upon what remains of his desk.

He looked completely worn down, his hair was a mess and his eyes looked dull and almost sunken. I had no doubt he hadn't slept in days, nor showered by the smell of it. Our Alpha was falling before my very eyes but only he had the ability to help himself right now, he was the one holding all the secrets.

"Alpha?" I slowly approached "What happened? Has there been more developments?"

He let out a low sigh before gently lifting his eyes to reach mine. "No, there has been nothing more. But today is the final day of this disgraceful countdown, so I need you and the rest of the team to be on full alert. No child is to be left alone, not even for a second." The anger was rolling off of him, filling the air with his Alpha aura.

"I cannot let him succeed in whatever it is his plan is Landon" his eyes locked onto mine, almost begging me, pleading for my help.

"I assure you Alpha, I will do everything in my power to keep our young safe. But Alpha, you may wish to truly think of whatever plan Carn has concocted. This started with Rory and I'm guessing it's going to end with her too"

He didn't even get the chance to respond as his eyes flicked to black, his lips curling up in a sadistic snarl. "Do not tell me what to do BOY! I am the Alpha of this pack and you will do as I say, not the other way around!" He growls as he leaps over the desk sending me flying into the bookcase by the door.

As my body hit the bookcase I felt the wood crack beneath me at the impact, yet minimal pain followed, only anger. Anger that our Alpha would lash out at me, I was one of few that had been by his side throughout this messed up situation, that somewhat trusted him despite his secrets and lies. Yet here he was abusing those most loyal.

"Then be an Alpha and look after your pack!" I growl out "Sitting here in a world of self pity helps no one! Your daughter and the children of your pack are in danger and yet here you are destroying your office rather than dealing with the threat! Some Alpha!" I scoff as I turn and leave while he continues to destroy the remaining furniture.

How can such a pretentious old fool be the Alpha, he has deceived this pack for so many year and now when it was all coming back to bite him, he had locked himself in his office in self destruction mode.

He should be out here setting up strategies to find and defeat Carn, training the warriors and protecting our borders.

Instead it had fallen to me and my father to rally everyone together and get some sort of plan in place. We'd had a handful of meetings with the warrior and elites, made split groups for the borders and the children, as well as setting up safe zones in case of an attack.

I just pray to the moon goddess that our efforts would be enough to keep Rory and the pack pups safe.