21_Part Of The Pack
1648 Words
Cole POV
“Yes, yes,” Olek mumbles and struggles upright. “I’ll take you. Come.”
“Good,” I smile at Ariella and turn to Olek. “Get into my truck, Olek.”
Preston and I tie Olek to the front seat with silver chains - ensuring Olek cannot break free or attempt a surprise attack.
“Take us to the armoury,” I order Preston. “Ariella and I will get in the back.”
“Alpha,” Preston looks at me with wide eyes.
“That’s impolite,” he whispers.
“It’s also the saver option,” Ariella intervenes and jumps onto the back. “Olek will leap at every opportunity to suck me dry.”
“She’s right,” I pat him on the back. “Olek bites.”
“Great, now I’m dinner. I feel so special,” Preston grunts as he gets behind the wheel and I join Ariella laughingly.
“I ordered the Delta team to meet us at the armoury,” I inform Ariella as Preston pulls away. “We have no idea what we’re walking into. We might need backup.”
“We don’t need to walk into anything,” Ariella replies. “For now, we just need to locate it. We can plan from there.”
“Dark Moon,” I grunt, shaking my head. “It’s Fiona’s pack, she’s Ruth’s best friend. Do you have any idea how often she’s over there? She must know something. Or seen something.”
“She would’ve told you, Cole,” Ariella says firmly. “Ruth might be wild and rebellious, but she’s not stupid.”
“I don’t know,” I shake my head. “Ruth … she has changed, I don’t know my own sister anymore.”
“Give her the benefit of the doubt,” Ariella gently lays her hand on my arm. “She’s your sister.”
“I want to,” I exhale deeply.
“We need to speak with Gramps,” Ariella says thoughtfully. “I don’t buy into this so-called protection plan Olek told us about. This … agreement between them is more than a peaceful arrangement.”
“Do you think Olek lied?” I ask curiously.
“No,” she smirks, shaking her head. “He honestly doesn’t know. When it comes to my blood, he has no free will. He changes completely. One moment he’s aggressive and strong. One drop of blood and he turns into the village idiot.”
“I find that more disturbing than reassuring,” I pull her closer. “The thought of you being hunted drives me insane.”
“Nobody’s hunting me,” she touches my cheek and kisses me softly. “You shouldn’t worry.”
“I can’t help it,” I grin sheepishly. “You’re mine.”
Preston parks in front of the armoury and I help Ariella off my truck. The Delta team looks curiously at us when we approach them.
“Pick a weapon,” I order them. “And get into the trucks. We’re going to hunt vampires.”
Ariella POV
The armoury has me in awe. There are a variety of crossbows, wooden stakes and spears. There are even flame blowers! Whatever you need to kill a vampire, you will find it here. However, what I find most fascinating, is the wall covered with swords.
Gently, I glide my fingers over the blades. The craftsmanship is impeccable. I am so in wonder, that the noise of the Delta team picking out their weapons fades away.
“See anything you like?” Cole’s words make me jump in surprise.
“Why do you have all this?” I pick a sword from the wall. “Isn’t being a wolf enough?”
“We weren’t always wolves, Ariella,” he explains patiently. “We still train with these but none of it has been used in centuries.”
“This one is magnificent,” I balance the sword in my hands.
“Then it’s yours,” he smiles.
Slowly, I guide the sword through the air. I am amazed at how natural it feels. I know exactly how to hold and wield it. I might not remember my past life, but I have not forgotten how to use a sword.
“Ignis,” I command.
“Holy s**t!” Cole exclaims, taking a step backwards when the flames engulf the blade and the Delta team freezes on the spot, staring at me. “How’d you do that? Can we do it?”
“I don’t know,” I swing the sword in the shape of an eight and extinguish the flames.
Cole picks up a sword and balances it in his hand before he intensely looks at it.
“Ignis,” he commands but nothing happens.
“I guess not,” he sighs and puts the sword back. “Which is for the better since I am terrible with a sword.”
“I thought you trained with it,” I pick out a scabbard and put my sword away.
“I trained with it,” he snorts. “I never said I mastered it.”
“I can teach you,” I smile.
“I’ll stick with this,” he lifts a crossbow. “It’s what I’m good at.”
“We should go,” he takes my hand. “It’s getting late.”
The Delta team follows us outside to the convoy of trucks. There is a buzz of anticipation in the air as we get in and drive, following Olek’s directions.
“How chauvinistic would I be if I told you that I wish you stayed home?” Cole whispers.
“Not at all,” I nuzzle closer to him on the backseat. “I feel the same.”
“You wanted to stay?” He looks at me in surprise. “Why didn’t you so …”
“No, silly,” I bump my shoulder against his. “I wish you stayed. I want you to be safe.”
“I’ll find solace in the fact that neither of us is happy with the arrangement,” he chuckles and quickly kisses me.
“Alpha,” our driver, Isaac, interrupts us. “We’re here.”
“Dear goddess,” Cole mutters when Isaac pulls over. “It’s only ten miles from our border.”
“Look,” I point towards the mountain. “See that cave? They’re coming from there.”
In stunned silence, we watch vampires emerge from the cave, and disappear in different directions.
“Shall we?” I look at Cole.
“We shall,” he nods, and we get out of the truck.
“Kill as many as you can,” Cole mind links and I take out my sword. “But don’t break away from the group or follow anyone who flees.”
The vampires notice us and for a brief second, we look at each other before the storm towards us – hissing and fangs exposed.
I lift my sword and ready myself for the impact. My heart is like a drum beating in a thunderstorm and I concentrate on controlling my breathing. A vampire with mad eyes lunges towards me.
“Ignis!” I command, swing my burning sword, and decapitate him.
Adrenaline is pumping through my veins, and I do not wait for the next attack. I run forward and kill two more. The vampires must have realised that I am their biggest threat and they all run towards me.
“Protect your Luna,” Cole shouts and arrows swoop past me, killing vampires on impact.
Cole takes a stand behind me, protecting my back while I kill the vampires in front of me.
The hissing from the vampires is quickly replaced with the metallic smell of blood until the flames of my sword and the wolves’ breathing are all that are left.
“You did it,” Isaac looks at me with admiration. “You killed all of them.”
“No,” I shake my head and extinguish the flames. “We did it, but just for now. There will be more.”
“We should get back,” Cole takes my arm. “We know where the portal is, and we’ll need to guard it twenty-four-seven until we can find Victor.”
I nod, take his hand and follow him to our truck. I am vaguely aware that the wolves are looking at me and mumbling to each other.
“Did I do something wrong?” I whisper to Cole.
“The opposite,” he smiles. “They’re starstruck. A pretty lady with a flaming sword, you only get that in comic books. By tonight, the pack will not only respect you as their Luna but also as their protector.”
“That’s not fair,” I look at Cole. “We fought side by side. It was a team effort.”
“I already have their respect, Ariella,” he leans over and kisses me. “I proofed myself with training and sweating alongside them. I have been leading them for five years, proving that I am worthy. They don’t know you, but they accepted you as my mate and their Luna. To them, you were a pretty face who made me happy. Until now. Now, you earned their respect.”
I ponder his words as we walk, and I am surprised at how good it makes me feel. To be accepted and respected is a gift. I never realised that I felt like an outsider until now. Now, I am officially part of their pack, not just by name, but by heart.
“Don’t kill Olek yet,” I break the silence. “We will need him for more information about Dark Moon.”
“Agreed,” Cole nods and pulls me closer.
- Writer
