Born in Fire

Chapter Eight

*Kalama*

           My back rested against Caspian’s flat stomach as we waded in the water of the pond. It had been several hours since we had left the pack house and several more since our wolves had allowed us to take control. Sparks lit up my skin as Caspian’s lips brushed against my neck. “Well, Love?” His voice rumbled against my back. I sighed, I was not looking forward to the talk we had to have, but I had already tried to distract him in every way I could think of.

           “Come on, Kalama.” Ash whispered. I sighed again, turning to face him.

           “I think there are some things you need to know.” He nodded, his eyes studying my own. I let out a breath. “I am the only child of Alpha Phillip and Litta Edwards of the Silver Moon Pack. There were many rumors around the pack about me as a child and as an adult. I wasn’t allowed to play with the other pups and the men seemed to want nothing to do with me.” Caspian kept quiet, his eyes continued to study mine. He had listened to every word. I let out another breath, a lump forming in my throat. “I couldn’t wait to get my wolf and find my mate. My other half. The one person that was supposed to love me. To complete me.” I cleared my throat, “My parents threw me a huge party for my eighteen. Inviting Alphas from many different packs and I prayed to the Moon Goddess that one of them would be my mate and then I saw him. I saw Evan. He made my heart flutter. Ash warned me over and over again and I didn’t listen.” A tear rolled down my cheek. Caspian wiped the tear away.

           “It’s okay, Kalama. Tell me.”

           “Went to live with him a few weeks later. My parents were so happy that I went to a strong Alpha with a strong and wealthy pack and I was over the moon that I finally had the one thing I had always wanted. He listened when I talked and he cared, or I thought he did.” Ash growled. “Six months after I’d moved in, he came home late one night. He reeked of other she-wolves.” I chuckled a little. “I was so angry. I yelled at him, he yelled back and the fighting got worse, until he hit me. He kept hitting me and I blacked out.” Tears were rolling down my cheeks in a constant stream now and I couldn’t control the sobs that escaped my mouth. Caspian pulled me onto his lap, cradling me in his arms. I sniffed. “I woke up a few days later, naked and chained to the bed. He hurt me. He hurt me so bad and I couldn’t do anything to stop him.” I buried my face in his neck, inhaling his rainfall scent. The sobs turned into hiccups. “He kept me for two years. Then one night he came into the room, I could sense the things he wanted to do. I was weak, so it didn’t take much for him to knock me out. I seemed to float for a while in this blackness, then I felt Ash and she had this fire behind her, and then I woke up in a cave, not far from here

           Caspian brushed his lips against mine. “I promise you, Kalama. No one will ever hurt you again. I will protect you and love you the way you should have been loved and protected.” I kissed him.

           “I know you will.” I kissed him again, putting all the love I felt into it and he matched it. The kiss left us breathless. Caspian cleared his throat.

           “Tell me where Evan is.” I opened my mouth to respond, but Caspian’s eyes had glazed over as he mind-linked a pack member. His face twisted in anger. “We have to go. Now.” He jumped out of the water, shifting as he ran. I followed, calling to Ash as I ran. We made it back in no time. I could hear people yelling at the front of the house. Neal and Julie waited at the edge of the yard for us. We shifted, accepting the clothes that Neal and Julie offered. “What’s going on Neal.” We dressed as we ran to the front. Pack members lined the front yard and porch. John stood in the middle, facing another man. Caspian grabbed my hand, leading me to stand next to John.

My heart dropped.

*Caspian*

           I felt Kalama’s fear. It was thick and seemed to coat the back of my throat. I squeezed her hand, trying to reassure her. I looked at the man who stood in front of John. He was around my own height, large in the arms and chest. His blonde hair was shaved and his brown eyes had an anger that I could taste. His eyes focused on Kalama and I could feel her shiver. The other man focused back on me, a snarl on his lips. “Alpha Caspian. I congratulate you. You’ve caught the traitor.” My own anger bubbled.

           “How dare he talk about our Mate like that.” Bay growled.

           “Hand her over and I will collect your reward.” Instinctively, I pulled Kalama behind me. John stepped closer, as did Julie and Neal, blocking Kalama from view. A growl bubbled in my throat.

           “And who am I to hand her over to?” I snarled. The man’s snarl deepened, but he remained calm.

           “Kalama Edwards is a Rogue, formerly of the Blood Moon Pack. I am Elliot Haynes, Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack.” I let out a breath of hot air.

           “Evan Haynes…” My voice trailed off. My eyes landed on Kalama. Fear rippled through her and I finally understood.

           “That’s right.” Elliot said. “My brother, Evan Haynes, former Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack, was murdered, by Kalama Edwards.” A sudden gasp rippled through those in the yard. “It is only right she be turned over and face punishment.” I felt others step up to shield Kalama. I stared at Elliot Haynes.

           “How dare he come into our territory and make demands.” Bay raged. I shared his urge to grab Elliot Haynes and rip his throat out with my teeth. I growled,

           “My Mate will not be going anywhere. Now get off my land.” Elliot stepped up, his eyes level with mine.

           “Think long and hard about this Alpha Caspian. You do not want to be on the wrong side.” I stepped up. We were so close; I could smell his breath.

           “Is that a challenge?” Elliot put his hands up.

           “Of course not. I wouldn’t dream of challenging you Alpha Caspian.” He looked at Kalama. “But who knows what may happen, while she’s here.” I growled, as did everyone who shielded Kalama. Elliot turned, a satisfied smile on his lips. I watched him walk down the drive. I turned finding most of the pack at my back. Jackson, Ben, and their sister Sam had somehow gotten directly behind Kalama, protecting her rear. I looked at Jackson and Ben, gesturing towards Elliot.

           “Make sure he finds his way out of here. Come to my office once he’s gone” They both nodded, following Elliot. “Sam, Julie. Take Kalama to our room. Once she’s secure, Sam I want you in my office. Julie, stay with Kalama.”

           “Yes, Alpha.” They both said, ushering Kalama inside.

*Kalama*

           Shock and fear had numbed my mind. I couldn’t think as Julie and Sam rushed me inside and up the stairs to my and Caspian’s room. I could feel the heat that came with the flames bubbling up inside me. My fingers itched and I saw flames rapping around my hand and up my arm. I rushed to the bathroom, Julie and Sam followed me. I stepped under the spray of cold water, watching as the flames slowly died. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. “What are we going to do, Ash?” Ash growled.

           “We must fight.”

           “I don’t know if I can.”

           “We don’t have a choice. Elliot is just as sick as Evan. He’ll kill everyone.” Images of John and Julie, Miley and Grace came to my mind. Their bodies were broken. Jackson, Ben and Sam lay next to them with unseeing eyes and Neal tried to shield a little boy with the same eyes to no avail. I felt my heart quiver as a bloody and broken Caspian filled my vision. A growl escaped my lips. This is my pack now. I must protect it. I rushed out of the shower, ignoring if Julie or Sam followed. I ran down the stairs, throwing open the door to Caspian’s office. He, John, Neal and Ben and Jackson stood over a table. They all looked at me, shock on their faces.

*Caspian*

           I listened as Neal mapped out the Blood Moon and Black Moon Pack territory. They were a good two-day trip from us by vehicle. My stomach twisted thinking about Kalama, as she ran from the terror, she no doubt experienced from the hands of Evan Haynes. Bay growled in my head and it took every ounce of self-control I could muster to keep him in check. Although deep down, nothing would have pleased me more, than to let him out. To let him take control and allow the bloodshed that would surely follow. Bay mumbled a complaint, but I shut him out, trying to focus on what Neal was saying.

           “I can send two or three of our best spies to scope out the territory.”

“I rather just…” The door to the office suddenly burst open, revealing a soaking wet Kalama. Julie and Sam stood behind her, worry wrinkled their brows. Kalama’s brown-orange eyes were bright with flames. I could feel those flames. They seemed to lick at my skin, but they didn’t burn. I inhaled a calming breath, suppressing my raging emotions. My newfound calm seemed to wrap around the flames, smothering them until they went out. I saw her relax, although she shivered, no longer warmed by the flames that roared within her. She came into the room, to the table and looked at the map we had been studying.

“Brute strength won’t work. Elliot is sneaky. He works in the shadows. It’s how he took over the Black Creek Pack.”

“Excuse me for being so forward, Luna, but what do you mean?” John asked. She pointed to a spot on the map, just a few minutes’ drive from the Blood Moon Pack.

“The Black Creek Pack is a neighboring pack to Blood Moon. They were always at war, because of border issues. When Evan took over for his father five years ago, he sent Elliot to Black Creek as what was supposed to be a peace offering, fresh blood for mating. Elliot rose through the ranks quickly, becoming Beta in just two years. Six months after I moved in with Evan, I overheard them planning how they would overthrow the Alpha of Black Creek.” She shivered.

“How did they do it?” Neal asked. Kalama met his gaze.

“A mixture of wolfsbane and silver. Elliot was feeding it to him with every meal for a year. No longer able to shift and weak from the silver poisoning, it was easy for Elliot and Evan to sneak in and tear him apart. Elliot blamed it on Rogues, but everyone at Blood Moon knew the truth.” I sighed.

“So, he’s the Alpha of two Packs.” Kalama nodded. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck in frustration. “How many?” I felt her shrug, more than saw.

“I can’t be sure, hundreds. Give or take the few I could have taken out during my escape.” I met John and Neal’s gaze and then Julie’s.

“Call a meeting with Mason Blake.” Julie nodded.

“Call Phillip Edwards also.” Kalama said. I looked at her. “I don’t know if my parents will help, I haven’t seen them in two years, but maybe they can give me some answers to this.” The flames in her eyes danced as a small ball of fire swirled in the palm of her hand, before going out. There was a determination in her flaming eyes that I had yet to see. I wrapped my fingers around hers, enjoying the sparks that danced along our skin, as I kissed her fingertips. I held her gaze for a moment, before nodding to Julie.

“Make the calls.”

“Yes Alpha.” she said, already stepping out of the room, her cellphone to her ear. I turned to Ben and Jackson and Sam.

“Ben and Sam. I want you two to stay here. Ben, you will take Neal’s place as Commander of the Warriors until our return. Sam, you will act as his Second. If Elliot Haynes is as sneaky as Kalama says I want someone I can trust.”

“Yes Alpha.” they said in unison.

“Jackson, you will be coming with us. You will be Kalama’s personal bodyguard.”

“Yes Alpha.”