Coven & Claw

CHAPTER #1

"No one lives!"

Krishun's massive growl sounds in their mind link and a chorus of 'Yes alpha' echoes back.

It's been a while since he has been in a real battle like this one. The stakes are high and his adrenaline rush is pumping like crazy. His wolf is on fire and so ready to be let loose. He can't wait to sink his large canines in his enemy's throats and watch as they lay lifeless.

He stands back for a moment watching his powerful army of strong wolves disappearing into the dark night. All look menacing with frightening expressions on their faces and don't bother looking anywhere else except ahead. They only have one goal. With feet looking like they are barely touching the ground, the Nightsky pack warriors are a perfect breed of werewolves that are descended from the purest of bloodlines. They are huge and strong, all with fur that only have colours the shades of the dark night. The black forest is giving them the perfect camouflage as they descend onto what looks like a poor old village. Everything is quiet. With no one lingering outside and just a few lit lamps in the distance the place looks deserted and peaceful. But looks can be deceiving....

The spring coven is anything but a poor old peaceful village. On the outside it may look peaceful and inviting even to outsiders but at the heart of it, is the most ruthless bunch of witches that are bent on destroying Krishun's and every werewolf pack.

Their feud dates back to the time of the ancients when witches sought to dominate the werewolves. With their power to control nature itself the witches have wanted to bring all packs to their knees but the wolves would not take it lying down. So they fought back relying on the strength, numbers and unity of their packs. With the wolves united the witches were kept at bay for many years. But over time when the heaviness of those wars was long forgotten, misunderstandings arose between alphas from different packs. Their unity was broken and it gave the witches an opportunity to pick them off one by one like fruits on a tree. Many fell and only those that could withstand the witches' attacks remained.

Krishun's pack is one of them, it being the strongest of them all. The remaining alphas are too proud to ask for help and are not willing to help others either. It's each man for himself where this war is concerned and that is why he is here. To end it all for all the werewolves but especially for his pack.

At 500 years old he is the last alpha in his line and he needs to ensure a future for the Nightsky pack which is threatened by nature itself that he can't control. The survival of his pack is tied to him by blood. Once he dies the entire pack dies with him, unless he can have an heir before then. It would have been an easy task if only he could mate with just any normal she wolf. But being of pure blood meant only his mate could bear his child. And unfortunately this truth is not only known by his pack but by his enemies too.

It's the whole reason he is here right now. To end his mortal enemy that has used this against his pack and kept him from having an heir.

His heart fills up with renewed rage when he thinks of all his mates that have died at the hands of the spring coven. Six mates to be exact, each was taken from him before he had a chance to love them the way they deserved and before he could see his own seed flourish within them.

He grits his teeth when he thinks about having only one more chance to save his people. One more chance with his last mate whom he hasn't been able to find even after years of looking. If it wasn't for the whisper from the moon goddess telling him he had one more chance after he grieved so much for his lost mates, he wouldn't have known she even existed.

He has combed the ends of the earth looking for her with no success. And her not being here with him puts her in more danger from his enemies. That thought had frustrated him so much it drove him to get rid of the spring coven to keep her safe.

He descends the hill he had been standing on overlooking the village. He is one with the darkness around him as his huge jet black wolf stalks the village down below. Nothing of him can be seen except his amethyst eyes that are glowing with thirst to claim his victims and to exact revenge for the death of his mates. All his muscles are pulsating with energy to kill every last one of those witches that have left him in misery. Their bloodline ends today no matter how many of his pack's members give their lives for it.

His heart bleeds when he looks at the members of his pack, some that he will never get to see again. But this needs to be done. Every one understands the sacrifice. It's for their pack and their luna.

He is now standing in the centre of the village with his eyes focussed on one little red door. When the first of his wolves claim their first victims he smiles. The village is still sleeping. The element of surprise was their best shot and from what he can see, today maybe the day he has been looking forward to. He can almost taste it. Victory for the Nightsky pack.

His canines elongate as he draws closer to the red door. Behind it is the coven's leader who seems to be sleeping just like her people. With the spring coven's leader gone it will be easy for his pack to get rid of the rest. And how perfect it is that he gets to have that job done. He stands tall with his chest puffed up as he takes in the last breath before breaking the door down. Once he walks through it, this will no longer be an attack but a full fledged war. He moves forward and with one push the door breaks down easily and immediately lightening bolts start flying but he was ready for this. With one swift jump he pins the silver haired woman down. The look of terror and surprise on her face gives him satisfaction. Behind him he can hear all the chaos as his warriors take out their victims. This attack is only meant to last a few minutes no more no less.

"Good to see you Krishun."

His canines sinking into her shoulders and the sound of bones shattering makes the woman scream out in pain. He is not interested in small talk today. The future of his pack is at stake. He looks hard at the woman who looks weak and disoriented already. This is it. He prepares for one final blow to end this wretched species that has been a thorn in his side for so long.

He is about to strike her down when a strange breeze sweeps over him and a whiff of the air has his wolf howling in his head.

"Mate!"

He freezes instantly while he keeps his large paws on his victim. This can't be. It must be a mistake or the coven's ploy to distract him. He refuses to fall victim to their games again. He growls furiously as he opens his large mouth and aims for the old woman's throat but a scream that sounds like it's calling out just for him makes him whip his head to his side and his eyes fall on a bloody figure that is wrestling one of his wolves just outside the room he is in. The rage he feels when he sees whoever that is being attacked confirms it for him. He found her. After looking for so long and today of all days, she is finally here.

"Protect our mate!"

His wolf is the first to react but he is conflicted. On one hand this war is about to end but on the other, without her all this would have been for nothing. It's a decision that he needs to make in a split second but that chance is taken away from him as his wolf suddenly jumps off the woman and heads towards their mate. While his priority is his pack, at this moment his wolf's priority is naturally their mate.

When they get to her side Krishun tackles the wolf that is attacking her. His own beta is surprised at his action and he is about to fight back but stops in his tracks when Krishun gives him a warning. He has no time to explain anything but just turns around to face his mate. He can't contain his excitement at having found her but instead of sparks and fire works hitting him the moment he sees her, he is filled with rage and hate when his eyes find hers.