Against the Black

That bastard betrayed us. As Kaila ran, this was the mantra that played on a loop inside her head. “He got what he deserved.” Elli, her wolf, snarled. They ran with their pack close on their heels. “Keep up, they will notice our absence soon enough. We need to get out of range of their trackers quickly.” Kaila spoke to her pack. Then she asked Elli, “How did it come to this?” Elli just paced in her mind. She was both raging and whimpering in pain. They had killed their mate. Although it had hurt, Kaila had no other choice. She had to protect her pack. They had been planning for Warren Black to attack. They had begun preparations weeks ago. As soon as the first of their neighboring packs fell. The Black Winter pack had swooped in and destroyed the Howling Moon pack overnight. When the news reached their pack, Frank Price, Kaila’s mate and Alpha had ordered the fortification of their borders. While Kaila had overseen pack civilian preparations. Making sure the bunkers were stocked with enough supplies to last months. She had the pack run drills nightly for a week to make sure they would be in the shelter or to their post within five minutes of the alarm being sounded. There was no alarm. There were no shouts or warnings. Because her mate, Frank, had let them in. She was outraged, but willing to hear her mates’ explanation. Turns out, he had been working with Warren Black since the beginning. He knew Warren was saving their pack for last. He knew when they were arriving. He wanted them to come. Frank and Warren had made a deal that Frank would be made a high-ranking member in Warren’s new pack in return for not putting up a fight. Of course, he had to make the pack think he was planning to defend them, Frank had explained. When Warren Black stepped into their territory, it was like the devil himself had come to town. The Moon River pack cowered in his presence. Mothers shielded their babies from his penetrating gaze. It was as if the whole world had gone silent. He announced himself as their new Alpha and they would pledge to him, or they would die. The crowd let out a collective gasp. Whispers swirled through the pack as people debated whether or not to pledge. Frank knelt before Warren, the first to pledge The sight of their Alpha kneeling before the cruel Warren Black made a few in the crowd weep. He pulled Kaila behind him and as soon as he finished binding himself to Warren, he pushed her to her knees to do the same. Kaila was a torrent of emotions. Betrayed by her mate. Terrified for her pack. Unsure of what to do. She finally decided there was nothing she could do if she was dead. So, she pledged to Warren Black and the Black Winter pack. She watched as one by one her pack members were forced in front of Warren to pledge. And true to his word, those who didn’t had their throat slit right in front, for everyone to witness. Kaila watched as some of her pack practically ran to bow at Warren’s feet. While others walked with sad resolve, having decided it was better to pledge than die. And even others who only made their way before Warren because they were dragged kicking and screaming. Those barely made it through the pledge between the sound of their sobs. All the while, Warren stood with a proud smirk on his face. Frank stood next to him, grinning like the Cheshire cat. That was when Kaila knew if she was going to leave, Frank would not be coming. Once everyone was standing in the clearing outside the pack house, and the pledges were complete, Kaila began making her way through the crowd. She offered mothers help with their crying babies and gave soft words of encouragement to the teens who stood huddled together. But she also whispered in each ear to be ready to run. She made her way through the crowd, offering a hug and squeezing the arms of those she passed, offering support to any in her pack who needed it. While Warren gave his victory speech on the pack house steps. “You there, what are you doing?” Warren shouted from his pedestal and pointed his finger at Kaila. “That is my mate. She was Luna of this pack before you brought us into your fold. I’m sure she just hasn’t realized that the pack is no longer her responsibility.” Frank spoke from next to Warren, shooting a warning glance at Kaila. “Come here.” Warren ordered, and before Kaila could respond, she was being dragged toward the pack house steps. She was dumped unceremoniously at Warren’s feet. He looked down at her and then squatted down so he was eye level with her. He studied her face, and she met his gaze head on. “Tell me, were you a good Luna to these people?” Warren asked. “You would have to ask them if they found me suitable. But I did my best and fulfilled my duties as Luna.” She let her voice carry as his did. “Well, perhaps if you still hold their favor, I can make you their Luna once again.” His gaze became a hungry leer as it swept over her crumpled frame. Frank’s face flashed with rage, but he did not move to protect his mate. It took two days for the new moon and for Kaila to put her plan into action. She laid in bed feigning sleep, and when Frank finally laid his head down, smelling heavily of alcohol, she smothered him. Then, under the cover of night, she took her pack down to the bunker and through the tunnels to the outskirts of the pack territory. They waited for Warren’s guards to patrol further away and then they made a run for it. They ran through the dark, putting as much distance between her and them as she could. Killing her mate had almost destroyed her, but seeing her pack betrayed by him hurt worse. When light began to break through the trees, they all renounced their claim to the Black Winter pack, officially marking them as rogues. Warren would have felt them leaving simultaneously and would know what it meant. So they pushed on even faster. They ran for six days, and each day, Kaila prayed to the goddess for somewhere they could make a fresh start, somewhere safe. On the seventh day, Kailas’ prayers were answered. They stumbled up the side of a steep mountain until they reached the top. When they looked out from the trees, they saw a paradise. The valley below was in the shape of a bowl, with mountains surrounding all sides. The far mountain was a steep wall, made of pure Obsidian, standing over a hundred feet tall. It was glassy smooth and reflected the valley it guarded. The Obsidian wall was broken only by a waterfall that poured into a small steaming lake. The valley was lush and green, with fruit trees sprinkled throughout. It was a paradise like nothing Kaila had ever seen. She knew then that the goddess had created this place for her people and she fell to her knees and wept.