Eclipsed Hearts

Episode 3

Alliance in Action

Moonshade Valley was bathed in a silvery glow from the low moon overhead as Luna Hartley, Aiden Blackwood, Lucas Thompson, and the triplets congregated in the middle of the forest. In the last several hours, they had organized their plan, gathered supplies, and mobilized Aiden's pack members who stuck by him.

"Now remember," Aiden told the few werewolves who had offered to support their cause, in a firm but hushed voice. "Our top priority is to keep Luna and the kids safe. We need to be ready for anything as Damian and his pack won't think twice about using force."

Lucas gave his assent and cautiously optimistically looked at the werewolves' expressions. His voice firm, "We'll split into two teams," he declared. "One team will distract Damian's pack so that Luna and the kids can be safely escorted by the other."

Luna stood next to Aiden, anxious expectation hammering in her chest. She looked down at the triplets, determination and dread mixed together on their features. A worried-sounding "Are you ready for this?" she questioned quietly.

With determined little fists clasped, the triplets nodded gravely. Remarkably stable for his age, her youngster said, "We're ready, Mom."

Aiden put a consoling hand on Luna's shoulder and looked straight ahead. Luna, this will pass. That much I swear.

Having devised their strategy, the group divided into two teams. Leading the distraction team—which included Lucas and a few of his most adept pack members—deeper into the forest was Aiden. Leading the other team—which included the triplets—along a secret trail toward the edge of Moonshade Valley were Luna and two of Aiden's reliable pack members.

The air was charged as they made their way into the jungle. Luna's pulse raced with anxiety at Aiden and their companions who had stayed behind to face Damian's pack, at every snap of a twig and every rustle of leaves.

Every now and again Lucas looked back, his face serious and worried. He said, "We need to keep moving," in a low, urgent voice. "We cannot run the danger of being discovered in the open."

Luna gave a nod, looking about them for any warning indicators. She asked, a little worriedly, "Do you think they'll be alright?"

Lucas let out a great sigh, his shoulders hunched over in surrender. In such case, Luna. Strong as Aiden is, Damian and his gang are deadly. Nothing is out of our reach.

Luna's mind drifted to Aiden and the struggle going on somewhere deeper in the trees as they sped through it. While she understood they had to put their own safety first, she couldn't help but worry for Aiden and their companions who had sided with them against Damian's pack.

Out of the undergrowth ahead came a low snarl, then footsteps. Luna knew they had been followed, and her heart sped up and her eyes widened with terror.

Lucas moved fast, stepping to shield Luna and the triplets. Urgently whispering, "Stay back," his hand tightened around the knife's hilt.

Not the figure Luna had anticipated emerged from the trees. Damian was staring down at them, curiosity and contempt mixed together in his cold, calculated face.

"Well, well, well," a snide Damian remarked. If Luna Hartley—the lady who dared to challenge me—isn't it. And, I see, you brought my kids along.

Luna's hands shook with dread and rage, her jaw tightened. Give us some space, Damian. You and your pack are unrelated to us.

Damian laughed harshly, hateful narrowing of the eyes. Moon, quite the reverse. Now, you and those kids really interest me."

Lucas moved ahead, his voice forceful but not loud. Damian, you won't put a hand on them. We're not going to let you.

Damian looked between Lucas and Luna, his jaw curling in contempt. Lucas Thompson, you say. Continually the devoted companion impeding real power."

Glancing at her pack mates, Luna could sense the resolve in their eyes as they got ready to protect the triplets and her. Damian, you don't scare us. Should we need to, we will retaliate."

Damian became sly, his eyes sparkling with delight. Oh Luna. You have no concept what you're dealing with. I own you and those kids whether you like it or not."

A loud snarl sounded through the forest before Luna could answer, and then footsteps approached. With determined looks, Aiden and his distraction crew sprang from the trees to face Damian and his group.

Come aiden? Luna gasped, relief rushing through her at seeing him alive and well.

Aiden glared down Damian, his eyes hard with resolve and his mouth gritted. Allow them to be alone, Damian. This finishes right now.

Damian's eyes sharpened with hate, straying to look at Aiden and the other pack members. "Do you really believe Aiden that you can stop me? You and your jumble of misfits?"

Aiden spoke low and deadly, his lip curved in a sneer. We shall see about that.

Claws sparkling in the moonlight, Aiden and his pack members charged Damian and his pack, sending the woodland into an explosion of anger. Aiden battled with a power and ferocity Luna had never seen before, every move well-considered and exact.

Luna was pulled into the fighting as it went on, her own claws out to defend her friends and kids. Lucas was at her side, his motions smooth and elegant as he delivered a well-placed strike to one of Damian's pack mates.

Huddled together behind Luna, the triplets—too young to fight yet full of a resolve that belied their years—saw their parents and friends struggle against the forces of evil, their eyes wide with both dread and wonder.

Every second of Luna and her friends' life-threatening struggle against Damian and his pack felt like it lasted forever. But bit by bit Aiden and his pack started to take the lead, pushing Damian and his pack farther into the forest.

At last, Aiden delivered a hit that sent Damian tumbling to the woodland floor, his eyes wide with disbelief at having been outclassed. Over him, Aiden stood, his chest thumping with effort, staring down at his fallen opponent.

Low and deadly, Aiden yelled, "Leave Moonshade Valley." And never come back.

Fear and rage mixed together, Damian sprang to his feet and turned to run into the night, his pack members trailing closely behind. Watching them go, Aiden silently vowed to defend Luna and their kids at all costs.

The sound of the wind-blown leaves and Luna's heartbeat were the only sounds in the forest as the last of Damian's pack vanished into the trees. Turning to face Aiden, relief and thankfulness flooded her gaze.

Luna said, "Thank you," her voice choked with emotion. "We appreciate your saving us."

With Luna tucked into his arms, Aiden planted a kiss on her forehead. He said, "I promised I would protect you," his voice regretting and loving. And I'm going to keep that word.

Their friends were gathered around Aiden and Luna as they stood together in the moonlit clearing, their hearts full of hope and the knowledge that they could conquer any challenge that stood in their way.