Across Enemy Lines

Chapter 12

Anger, grief and hurt saturated the bond. My heart ached for Jared. I wanted to wrap him in my arms and make the pain go away.

"Miss Chloe? Your momma sent me in here to get you." I didn't even hear Maribel come in. I just nodded at her and got up from the counter, leaving the half eaten sandwich on the cracked plate.

My mother and brother were standing on a platform over looking the mountain of bodies, while the pack fanned out on the looking up, waiting. The crowd parted as I made my way to the platform, bowing their heads in respect. I stood anxiously in front of those who had lost the most.

"We are here to say good bye to our fallen brothers and sisters. Their time with us was just too short, their lives stolen from them… from us. I stand before you now, not as a leader but as a mother,sister and friend. My heart aches with the loss of our family." I looked over the crowd of grave and tearful faces. I could feel their need for answers but I had none to give.

"In this time of great tragedy we must remember to remain strong for those who are still here. In times like these kindness and love are most important. We will now light the fire, sending these lost souls back home to the Goddess."

Joey handed me a torch and I tossed it onto the pile of bodies, igniting a blazing fire. We all watched in woeful silence as the flames burned high then began to settle into a smoldering ash. My sadness was replaced by rage and determination.

"In light of recent events, patrols will go out in pairs. We need to implement a new training program. Ages twelve and up will begin warrior training one week from today. It will begin at 5:00am sharp. We need to become stronger, invincible. This can never happen again. I believe this pack has become too comfortable. This is the first time we've been attack in decades and we fell so easily. We are only as strong as we strive to be. Complacency is unacceptable. We will rise from these ashes and come out stronger. While my father recovers, Jared and I will lead you." Whispers were heard through out the grounds.

"Where's Joe? Did he say this?" A voice called out.

"I said this."

"I ain't havin' no part of this if Joe ain't said-"

"What the hell is this?" My father limped out in his hospital gown. Jared came out of the crowd and put my father's arm over his shoulder.

"Thank you, young man." The crowd parted and Jared walked Daddy to the platform and sat him on the edge.

"So, like I said, what in the hell is all this ruckus? I was tryin' to sleep."

"Joe, she's tryin' to take over!" A voice called out.

"She wants up trainin' at 5'oclock in the mornin'." Another voice in the back said.

My father c****d his head.

"She's my daughter. She can do what ever the hell she wants, I don't give a shit." The crowd grew silent.

"Y'all just don't want to put in the work. Today we got our asses handed to us. Alot of our pack died. Joey, what's the numbers at?"

"We lost 67 people." Joey whispered.

"67. That's alot of people. Alot of good people. We are simple, peaceful… but when push comes to shove I want to be the one to shove back the hardest. Chloe Lynn is right, this cain't happen again. We gotta be ready for no matter what comes at us." My father looked out at the crowd with a somber look.

"Y'all, I'm 49 years old. My time should have done been over, but Chloe Lynn didn't have a mate and Joey was too young. My time is done. I'm done. I'm too old for this shit." An overwhelming sadness swallowed the night.

"Now, Chloe Lynn and Jared here." Daddy said, gripping Jared's shoulder.

"They are willing to step up. I talked it over with Evelyn and we think it's a good idea. We are tired. All we want to do is get old… get fat and spend time with our grand babies that orta be here soon. So… Chloe Lynn come here." I hopped off the stage and stood in front of my father.

"Chloe Lynn Wood, do you swear to honor, love and devote yourself to this pack until your last breath? Do you promise to protect and defend this pack with all your strength?"

"Yes, sir. I do."

"Jared Black, do you swear to honor, love and devote yourself to this pack until your last breath? Do you promise to protect and defend this pack with all your strength?" Jared's back straitened.

"Yes, sir. I do." Daddy extended a single claw. We held out our left hands. My father gently cut a slit in each of our hands and then one in his own. Daddy held Jared's hand above mine then made a fist and let his blood drip onto our hands.

"The alpha of the pack is the head of the pack… smart, clever, resourceful… his job is the steer the pack into a prosperous future. Jared, do you agree to these terms?" My father said looking at Jared.

"Yes, sir. I do." My father turned to me, his green eyes sparkling.

"The Luna is the heart of the pack… loving, kind, gentle… her job is to be the glue that holds the pack together. Chloe Lynn, do you agree to these terms?"

"Yes,sir. I do."

"The head needs the heart to ground him and the heart needs the head to guide her. You need each other to run the pack successfully. May the Goddess hold you, guide you and keep you as you carry this pack into a glorious future." I felt a rush as the pack linked up with Jared and I.

"Now, my ass is goin' back to bed." Jared helped walk my father back to the hospital. I stared out at all the worried faces. I knew they were skeptical of mine and Jared's ability to lead, I could feel it in the link. But amongst the worry and fear was excitement and hope.

"Alright, let's all go get a good night's rest. I know everyone needs it." With that everyone wondered off into the direction of their beds.

I carried myself up the stairs to the room Jared and I shared. I entered the room and threw myself on the bed, not bothering to take off my clothes. My eyes closed and I was out.

"Luna rogues at the southern border!" My eyes snapped open. Jared was already dressed and heading out the door, I was quick at his heels. We raced to the border. We arrived to find three rogues in wolf form.

"Shift now!" Jared spat out using his alpha tone. The largest of the three shifted, the other two coward and brandished their necks. He was a tall man with broad shoulders and dark hair that seemed to wrap around his face and run down his chest. He might have been twenty years old with eyes that were a startling baby blue, but what confused me the most was the fact that they were kind and gentle.

"Why are you here, mutt?" Jared barked out, causing the rogue to flinch.

"My name is Zachariah. We're just passing through. We don't mean any harm." His voice was deep and rough.

"Where do you come from Zachariah?" I asked. Jared stood ridged at softness of my voice.

"We come from upstate New York, The Silver Moon pack."

"Why did you leave your pack?"

"My sister. The alpha wanted my sister." His eyes fell to the ground.

'Jared, I don't think they are part of the rogues that attacked us.' I linked.

'Chloe, I don't care. They're still rogues.'

'Everyone deserves a chance. Talk to him.'

"Rogue-"

'His name is Zachariah.' Jared rolled his eyes.

"Zachariah, where are y'all headed?"

"I don't know, sir. I just needed to get my sister out of there."

"I need them to shift. Can they do that for me?" I asked, gently.

"It's alright, Stephania. You to Mikanos." The two smaller wolves shifted and Jared and I looked at each other. A small girl, no older than fourteen stood beside a boy who was maybe seven. The little boy gave me a bashful smile.

"She's beautiful Zach, like a angel." The little boy whispered.

"Mikanos, shhhh."

"Zachariah, what did the alpha want with your sister?" Jared asked. Zachariah's eyes turned to a midnight blue and a growl rumbled through his chest.

'Jared…'

'God dammit.'

"Come on." Jared muttered, grabbing my hand and walking back toward the back house.

"Sir?" I looked back at a confused Zachariah.

"Well, you can't stay out here. It's not safe. Y'all are gonna come back to the pack house. We will figure out what to do with you later." Jared pulled me gently by the hand. The little boy, Mikanos, ran up beside me and grabbed my other hand.

"Are you a angel? My mom said angels take care of lost souls." He asked. I smiled down at him.

"I guess tonight I am."

"Do you gotta name?"

"Yes, everyone has a name. Mine is Chloe."

"Oh! Zach! Her names Chloe. What's that big guys name?" He said looking up at Jared. I smirked.

"I don't know. Why don't you ask him?"

"Hey, you, what's your name?"

"MIKANOS!" Stephania whisper yelled.

"What? I just asked a question." He mumbled.

"We're sorry alpha, sir. Mikanos didn't mean to be disrespectful." Zachariah said quietly.

"He's not being disrespectful. He's being a kid. Kids ask questions. My name is Jared." He said kindly to Mikanos, who smiled brightly. Mikanos turned around and stuck his tongue out at the other two earning him a chuckle from Jared.

When we got to the pack house breakfast was getting started. I heard a gurgling noise and looked down at a blushing Mikanos.

"When was the last time you ate?" I asked.

Mikanos turned to Zachariah.

"A couple of days." Zachariah whispered avoiding my eyes.

"Well, let's get you all cleaned up and fed. Greg?" A young man with sandy blonde hair spun around.

"Yes, Luna?"

"Please take Zachariah up stairs and find him a room so he can shower and get him a change of clothes. Mikanos will bunk with Nicholas but for now he will follow me along with Stephania. Come on."

"Luna, I really would prefer us not to separate if we can, please. I need to keep them safe." Zachariah pleaded. I felt my heart break just a little at his words. Jared put his hand on Zachariah's shoulder.

"Zach, your safe now. No one is going to hurt anyone here. Now, go on with Greg. Chloe will take care of the little ones." Zach looked between the two of us and finally nodded.

"Good. And Greg, get the boy a razor. He looks like a dirty sea captain." Jared said.