To Have And To Hold

The Remains Of Devastation And Despair...

Chapter Thirty: The Remains Of Devastation and Despair...

BADRU

“I’m so sorry, Badru.”

“I can’t believe we are to blame for all of this.”

“The witch—she tried to make us kill all of you.”

“She turned us against our own—Igor turned us against our own.”

“I attacked my own Beta. I wanted to kill you and Horacio—how could I have done this?”

How could I have done this? Words filled with angst and misery that I heard over and over from Cassius, Corazon, Callan, Apollo, Aybrek, and Tarkik—all of them still in a partial daze—and all six standing in dumbfounded disbelief at what happened, looking between Auntie’s green shield around Horacio and Loa, who was still lying on the ground beside me and Spiros, so shameful of their actions—actions they held no responsibility or control over—that they all appeared petrified to come near us...

Badru? Badru, please—please say you can hear me! Raven and everyone are on their way but tell me everyone is alright—that you are alright! Auntie said Horacio is severely injured—tell me he’s okay! Luminara’s terrified voice echoed out in my head.

I’m fine, Luminara, don’t distress yourself, love, I calmly replied, I’ll explain more later, but Horacio and Loa were injured. I believe Loa is going to be fine, but I fear Horacio injuries may be severe. Auntie is taking care of him now.

Wait! Loa was there? Where is Father? Is he alright? Luminara shockingly returned.

Mahan’s absence had been of great concern to me as well, as I returned, I haven’t seen your Father yet and he isn’t answering my links. If I were to guess, Sahar placed a spell on the other clearing as well. I’m going to send Raven as soon as she gets here. I’ll keep you updated, alright?

I’m worried, Badru, I just tried to link Father too and he didn’t reply, Luminara anxiously linked back, Please let me know as soon as you hear anything. The children and I love you.

And I love all of you, always, I devotedly declared, peering back down at Loa as I continued to be concerned about her, Horacio, Mahan and our army of men who were with our Alpha...

*********

SPIROS

Taking in a hastened breath as adrenaline continued to race through my veins, I looked around at the horrifying aftermath of Igor’s well-planned attack, feeling fortunate, but ravaged all at the same time. Fortunate that somehow in the melee that ensued, we only had two with bad injuries. Ravaged because Igor’s witch, Sahar, had succeeded in causing great harm to Loa and Horacio—and I suspected had placed a spell on the other clearing, leaving us unable to contact Alpha Mahan or the other men. The worst devastation to me was that Horacio, who I admired greatly and had quickly bonded with, had suffered the most severe injuries...

Suddenly, the voice of my little love—my angel—softly filtered in my mind, Spiros? Luminara said she was able to connect with Badru. I hope you can hear me. Raven is bringing everyone there now, but please, I need to hear your voice and know you are okay—and that Auntie got to Horacio in time.

I’m fine, Anabelle, promise—and it’s so good to hear your voice, little love, I lovingly replied, before regretfully admitting, Unfortunately, it looks like Horacio is badly hurt and Loa was injured as well, so I need to help here, but I’ll explain everything when I get home, alright? Will you update my parents and tell them I am okay, please?

Of course, Anabelle fearfully replied, Please keep me posted about Horacio and Loa, if you can. I love you, Spiros, and I am so thankful you’re alright.

I love you, Anabelle, I wholeheartedly returned, I’ll link you soon—and I’ll come home to you as soon as I can.

************

NICHOLAS

By the time Raven brought Luminara, Anabelle, and Mother back to Crescent Moon and had our inner circle appear in the clearing, wreckage from the aftermath was all that remained. Cassius and his sons were all standing around Guntur, who was brokenheartedly staring at Auntie’s cocoon that based on what Madeline told me, I knew contained both she and Horacio, while Badru and Spiros were with Loa, who was unmoving on the ground as Raven and Talon appeared beside them.

Suddenly, however, Raven disappeared, linking directly afterwards, Badru shared our concern about Mahan and his men, Nicholas—none of us can link them. They aren’t here and I can’t locate them in my visions, but there was definitely a spell placed here, which I suspect is the reason. I’m in hopes they are on their way there as there appears to be no battle fought here. I’m coming back now.

Like Raven, I was in hopes that was the case as well, incredibly worried about the silence from Mahan, especially after what happened here...

“BEAST!” Tink shouted out, immense relief thick in her tone, rushing towards him, arms outstretched, jumping up into my enormous warrior’s waiting arms, “Seriously! You’re killing me, big guy! What did I tell you? No more doing this crap without me—PERIOD! My heart can’t take it!”

“Sorry,” Beast quietly murmured, hugging her tight, “Please don’t be mad.”

“As much as I hate to admit it, being mad at you is impossible right now,” Tink defeatedly sighed out, devotedly adding, “I’m just glad you’re okay, Roly. If anything happens to you, I just—I just—”

“All my heart, forever a lot, Tink,” Beast softly murmured, hugging her tighter.

Her head dropping heavily into his thick neck, Tink stifled out, “Man, I love you!”

I linked with Beast to get more information on what happened as we all rushed towards Auntie’s cocoon with Jace anxiously asking, “How bad are Horacio’s injuries?”

“Not sure about the extent of all his injuries, but I think it’s bad, Jace. Unc was rushing over to help me and didn’t see Tarkik come up from behind. There was blood seeping out the back of his head from the hit. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get that image out of my mind. It was my fault. I got pinned. We were all trying so hard to make sure no one got hurt.” Guntur replied in a despondent daze, his gaze unmoving.

The guilt and despair in Cassius and his sons’ expressions deepened dramatically after Guntur’s words, particularly Tarkik’s. Constance was looking around at them, her eyes wide and heavily glazed, sending large teardrops streaming down her face as she went over to stand in front of Guntur.

Gently cupping his face, she appeared to be sending a dose of her calm through him as she grievously sobbed out, “No matter the outcome, Guntur, none of this was your fault. Believe in our Auntie and the connection that she and Horacio share. You’ll see—just believe.”

“That’s a cool thing you can do, Constance,” Guntur drawled out, his gaze slowly moving to connect with hers, “The calming thing—but I’m not sure that I’m ready to be calm yet. Not until Auntie says Unc is going to be okay.”

Beast had just finished his recollection of what happened—and I was left stunned—both in the lengthy descriptions he gave and what was described to me—Spiros’ instincts and noble actions had enabled a warning of what was happening and allowed Beast remain unseen to wage a surprise attack against Sahar and Arturo—the quick thinking and maneuvers of all our family present saving Cassius and his sons from great harm from Igor’s well-planned attack—a plan of retaliation that we least expected...

Those devastating thoughts were broken by Carson, who worriedly assessed aloud, “So, I’m thinking the calming thing may be just what you need, Guntur, especially since it looks like you’re injured too.”

Pointing down at Guntur’s left leg, where his shoe was stained heavily with blood, Carson knowingly stated, “Based on the amount of blood there, I would say you have quite the gash in your leg.”

“Guntur?” I worriedly called out, rushing towards him, “How badly are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” Guntur defensively replied, limping as he tried taking a few steps back, Constance following him, keeping his face in her grasp as Jace cautiously tried to come closer.

Coming up to stand beside me, Madeline soothingly urged, “Let Jace take a look and make sure.”

Wincing as he took two more harsh steps back, Guntur broke away from Constance’s hold, fiercely shaking his head as he grumbled, “I’m fine. Wounds happen in battle. It’s just part of it.”

Cassius attempted to reason with him, placing his hand on Guntur’s shoulder, “Son, you’re bleeding and limping on that leg, and I’m also worried about your ribs. Celimine will be upset if—”

Jerking sideways to force Cassius’ hand off him, Guntur spitefully replied, “I said I’m fine! Unc and Loa are the ones who need help right now! And I’m not your son!”

Remembering what Beast told me about the battle—that Horacio had suffered his injury trying to save Guntur from Cassius, who was about to make a deadly strike against his daughter’s mate, I compassionately encouraged him, “Guntur, I know you’ve been through a lot and you’re upset about Horacio, but Cassius is only trying to help. We all are. I need you to calm down and let us make sure you’re alright.”

You could see the biting effect Guntur’s words had on Cassius, who backed away from the young Howling Wind, disgracefully admitting what I already knew, “Guntur’s reaction is completely understandable, Alpha Nicholas. I’m afraid his injuries were inflicted by me. Fortunately, Tatiana arrived when she did and stopped me, or I would have—"

Cassius was unable to finish, completely choking up as Guntur inaudibly whispered, “Killed me.”

Remi slowly came up to him, kindly encouraging him in soft tone, “Horacio and Auntie would be upset if you didn’t at least let me stop the bleeding on your leg and check your ribs, Guntur. Why don’t you sit down so you can keep an eye on them while I tend to your wounds until Talon and Raven can take a better look at them?”

Slowly lowering himself down to the ground, it became clear that Guntur was in a great deal of pain and when he pulled up the leg of his jeans, I could see why. There was a large gash in his calf, but fortunately, didn’t appear to run too deep. I was still concerned about his ribs, however—the deeply harrowed look in Cassius’ expression telling me that Guntur had taken a several hard blows from him...

Raven appeared by Loa’s side again and after I asked her to bring forth the rest of The Council, Mattias, and Umar, all our heads turned as Mahan and his men barreled into the clearing from the far side of the dark forest. I was filled with immense relief by the sight of them—all appearing well and unharmed—but my beloved mentor’s eyes were frantic when he saw Loa lying on the ground, instantly shifting, and desperately calling out her name, “LOA!”

***********

TATIANA

Utilizing both the aura and the cocoon gave Horacio’s handsome face a deep green hue as I lowered myself down to gently lay on top of him. Closing my eyes, I directed my magic to continue to enlighten me more about his other injuries while I tended to the gash in the back of his head, relieved when it appeared that the head wound was the worst, but there were several deep fractures on his ribs that worried me, as well as a severely broken left arm.

After my assessment, I placed my hands on either side of his face, whispering my cadenced magical plea, “Heal the body of my beloved—life’s powers, work your magic on passion from above—make him well and whole, then bring him back to me—”

Several of my brimming tears fell onto his face as I fought against the overwhelmed emotions flooding throughout my body to finish my incantation, thickly exhaling out, “For without my Horacio, I would be lost for eternity.”

My words caused the aura to swirl as I felt a surge of my powers expelling out, pressurizing within our confined space—more weight added to healing green that I hoped would have him opening his eyes soon. I needed to see my favorite blue gaze—I needed it more than anything...

*************

MAHAN

My whole body was numb when we arrived in the clearing and I shifted back to my human form. I caught a glimpse of Cassius and his sons, who appeared completely shattered standing around Guntur, who was being tended to by Remi. Tati was tending to someone as well—her green aura shining brightly in front of Guntur—her patient unknown to me as of yet...

But my heart exploded into a million pieces when my gaze fell upon my Songbird—nothing else around me existing—as Loa lied lifeless on the ground with Raven, Talon, Badru, and Spiros surrounding her. Rushing over, I fell to my knees beside her, taking Loa’s hand in mine, brokenly exclaiming, “Tell me she’s alright!”

“First, tell me you and our men are alright,” Badru demanded through bated breath, “We’ve been trying frantically to reach you, Mahan. Raven said there was a spell placed on the clearing.”

“A—spell?” I inaudibly mouthed out, everything suddenly making sense, but only increasing my concern for my love, “Is that what happened to Loa? Someone tell me she is alright!”

“Aunt Loa was knocked unconscious and has more than likely suffered a bad concussion, as well as several scrapes and bruises, but will be fine,” Raven stated with great relief, nodding towards her fellow Crescent Moon, “Thanks to Spiros.”

Badru was kneeling directly beside Raven as I peered around again, my eyes returning to a cocoon of Tati’s green light to my left, confused as I disbelievingly demanded, “Thanks to Spiros? Badru, what exactly happened here? I thought Horacio told Tati to bring the Sorceress Six. Is that who Tati is helping? Horacio? Who else has suffered injury?”

“Mahan? Thank goodness you’re alright! You had us worried sick!” Lorenzo called out as he and Soren hurriedly made their way towards me, “How is Loa?”

“Thankfully, Raven says she is going to be fine,” I anxiously replied, returning my attention to my son-in-law, “Badru? Please—how did all of this happen?”

“Despicable actions have been executed against us all today,” Soren sorrowfully exhaled out, “What Igor did, using your own men in his attempt at vindictive retribution, Mahan—it’s both vile and contemptable. I’m afraid Guntur is struggling greatly having to battle with Celimine’s family and Horacio’s unfortunate injury attempting to help him. Not to mention Arturo’s presence here—something my grandson is struggling with as well. Probably a good thing Tati placed him high in the air, though if Horacio ends up in grave condition, I fear nothing will save Arturo from her well-deserved wrath.”

My eyes wide, I peered over at Badru, incredulously questioning, “Are you telling me that the spell—Igor used our men to do this?”

Nicholas and Madeline were following close behind. Much like mine, Nicholas’ tone reflected his struggle to remain unbiased and calm, grimly pressing, “I’m afraid so, Mahan. And based on Raven’s findings, there was a spell placed on you and your men as well, which is why we haven’t been able to link you. But, while Cassius and his sons are still putting the pieces together, Beast was able to tell me what happened. However, I would like to hear from Badru and Spiros.”

My beloved Beta's words sent me reeling as Badru explained everything that happened— Igor had indeed planned and instigated an attack against my family—by my Moon Stone warriors! He had given orders for Sahar to place a spell on them, knowing they were not protected by Tati in any way, turning them against him, Loa, Horacio, Guntur, and Spiros, while Beast had managed to remain out of sight to wage his own attack against both her and Arturo. It was then that my gaze diverted to the sky to see our two true attackers being held unconscious in Tati’s giant green orbs...

“The spell—that’s why we couldn’t link. Why I couldn’t link—why I still can’t link anyone and neither can our men who were with me,” I stammered out in disbelief, my eyes still on the sky, “Sahar isolated us from everyone, so Igor’s plan of killing Betas from three Council packs, as well as Loa, Beast, and Spiros—our own Moon Stone warriors killing you, Loa, and them—had a better chance of succeeding.”

My tone falling, hardening as the deep-seeded spite I held for them all coursed heavily in my veins, “As always, Igor was prepared for everything. He left no stone unturned in his attack on us—his attack on Moon Stone—on me.”

My gaze quickly returned to the ground, however, when much to my surprise, Badru admiringly revealed that where we had been most fortunate was having Spiros on our team. The Crescent Moon warrior had sensed something was off, remaining in the woods out of sight—and intuitively keeping Beast with him...

Spiros and Beast had somehow remained unseen by Sahar and Arturo. The eagle-eyed Spiros spotting our enemy lurking on the opposite side, alerting our inner circle to their presence just before the melee began, enabling our gargantuan Beast to make his move against them as Spiros took his heroic actions one step further...

The grave error in my judgement and resistance to Spiros’ presence on this mission were never made clearer than when I learned the young man came to my Loa’s defense after she was immediately attacked upon arrival. Spiros fiercely protected Loa after she was rendered unconscious, just before Callan was about to make a deadly strike and remained by her side throughout the battle, valiantly keeping her safe while making every attempt possible not to inflict harm upon my men before Tati showed up, my Loa’s life saved from Igor’s maniacal plan by the noble Crescent Moon...

My stunned and grateful gaze falling upon him, I despairingly admitted, “Your admirable actions today not only prove that I again owe you my deepest apologies, Spiros, but also prove you are the legendary Faizon’s son, who was also well-known and deeply respected for his intuitiveness and courage in the field. Had it not been for your actions—your presence—today, the lives of many Moon Stones and our family would have ended in complete ruins here—including my own.”

Extending out my hand to him, I emphatically stated, “Your Alpha should be immensely proud to have you as a member of his army, Spiros. Your steadfastness, intelligence, strength, and resilience in the face of dire circumstances is both admirable and highly commendable. In fact, a recommendation of commendation will be made to The Council for all you have done, and you have both the respect and appreciation of all Moon Stones for your valiant efforts towards our pack—always.”

“I can assure you that his Alpha is immensely proud of our Spiros,” Nicholas earnestly replied, “Just as I am sure his father and family will be.”

Taking hold of my hand, Spiros firmly shook it, respectfully returning, “While I appreciate all the incredibly touching and kind words, I was honestly just doing my job, Alpha Mahan.” Looking over towards where Tati’s powers continued to glow, he solemnly exhaled out, “I just hope Horacio will be alright.”

Taking in a sharp breath, I ardently returned, “I will say your impressive modesty is something you inherited from your beautiful and gracious mother.” I then followed his gaze, my tone downhearted as I added, “And much like you, I am hoping for the same, Spiros.”

“M-Mahan? W-What happened? W-What’s wrong with H-Horacio?” Loa faintly moaned out, feebly bringing her hand up towards her head.

The spite and anger in my veins were replaced with overwhelming relief as I brought her other hand up to press against my chest, “Loa? How do you feel, my love? Can you open your eyes for me?”

Her long black eyelashes batted furiously as Loa opened her dark brown eyes, dazed and confused as she looked up at me, weakly murmuring, “Where am I, Mahan? My head is pounding, and I can’t seem to remember anything.”

“Just rest easy, Loa,” I gently assured her, pushing away the stray strands of black and white hair from her face, “I’ll explain it all to you as soon as we make sure you are indeed alright. For now, just know that I love you very much and am so grateful that you are alright!”