Mark of the Goddess

Chapter 6 - The Power of the Mark - Part 2

Tesla’s POV

I pushed my exhausted legs to go faster as they began to ache. The Vargs seemed to tire too, however, the infected were not far behind them. They seemed to never tire. I panted as my lungs burned and my ribs formed a sharp pain from the running. My legs were shaking as I fought to keep myself upright. I can’t stop. I had to lead them away from the Pride borders. As much as I wanted to contact Skald and Tally, I knew I couldn’t. I needed to save my  energy for running and possibly fighting. On a normal day, I wouldn’t have ran away from Varg, but the fact that they were being controlled by vampyre hybrids and had infected allies was more than I could handle. I really got myself into a bad situation this time. Those damn lionesses will have a field day with this. 

I couldn’t run anymore, so I opted for walking as fast as my legs would allow. I could hear my own heartbeat pound in my ears. Looking around, I realised that I had no idea where I was. This area seemed to be untouched by anything other than the local wildlife. A thought hit me as I zig zagged around trees. Looking for anywhere to hide and hunker down for a bit to regain my energy. I could hear the Vargs footsteps as they quickly approached my position. I snarled in frustration. I’m so useless right now. I’m so stupid. How could I have been so careless?! 

I heard the Vargs slowly approach me. Many eyes surrounded me as I froze. There was no way I could run right now. My legs wouldn’t allow it and these Varg knew it. One lunged at me. I dropped to my belly as it leapt over my head. Another soon took its place. I rolled over and kicked my paws into its stomach. The Varg yelped as I pushed it off to the side. Rising back onto my paws I was met with another Varg’s canines on my shoulder. I immediately turned and clamped my jaws into its shoulder and ripped its skin off. It let go of me as it screeched and howled. I flung the flesh to the side as I turned to see the alpha Varg. It approached me slowly. 

I bared my fangs at him. Challenging him. Not my best move but I didn’t want to show weakness to this creature. He snapped his jaws at me as if he was speaking to me. I snarled and growled in warning. He stood less than a foot in front of me, with his head hanging low. I could tell he was getting ready to pounce. So I readied myself. He let out a loud roar as he darted to my left. I swung my rear around, so my face was facing him. Is he testing me? 

The alpha stalked around me, and I followed his movements. I did not want him to be behind me in the least. The alpha lunged at me and I at him. Our fangs met flesh as she tore into each other. I ripped and tore any flesh I could get a hold of. He was ripping fur out of my skin and possibly the skin along with it. Our snarls echoed through the forest as we rolled on the ground. I locked my fangs on his arm and bit down hard. I could feel his bones scrape against my teeth. Twisting my head a bit, I felt his arm snap in my jaws. The Vargs yowled in pain as he released his hold on the skin on my spin. I refused to release my grip on him as I shook my head. He went for the back of my neck. Luckily he only managed to grab a hold of the skin and not anything major. He shook his head furiously. Trying to get me to let go. I reluctantly did. He flung me over his head . 

I landed on my side, but quickly regained my stance. My lungs and rips felt like they were going to burn right off my body as I fought for air. The Varg howled in pain as another Varg approached him. This one was roughly the same size and build, although this one was lighter. It attacked the injured alpha. That’s when things turned for the worst. Smaller Vargs began to leap and lunge at me. I got nipped a few times but somehow I managed to dodge most of the attack. 

That’s when a gurgled bear growl erupted through the chaos that was unfolding. I couldn’t help but look in the direction that the sound came from. The scent of infection filled my nose now, and I couldn’t help but back away. All the while dodging attacks and occasionally flinging a Varg off me. I saw an avian of some sort flap erratically around a tree. It was misshapened. Like it was only half shifted. More infected were-beasts began to emerge from behind trees. I was using what energy I had left to keep from fainting. I couldn’t run. My legs are shaking furiously now. My breaths were ragged and my body protested at me forcing it to stay standing. I forced my legs to move backwards, to get as far away from the approaching infected. 

A scent overpowered all the foul scents that surrounded me. It was like a cinnamon roll that was freshly baked. It was so sweet and seemed to fill me with more energy than I thought I had. I looked around at the mound of Vargs attacking each other for the right to their desired positions in their disgusting pack. None of them were really watching me and the infected practically had no mind of their own. Their rancid smell could not overpower that of this new smell that entered my nose. As these things grew closer I could now see bubbly boils filled with pus and blood speckle their bodies. The whites of their bones show in various places on their skin. I took this chance to dart around the very large pack of Vargs. 

With my new found energy I sprinted towards the scent. Thankfully for the strength it had given me. I ran a few yards until I was at the top of a boulder. I looked down to see lionesses from the Pride, a few bears, two avians soaring over them and a few wolves. All being led by Skald, Tally and L.J. I sighed with relief. In my moment of serenity, I felt jaws clamp down on my shoulders as I was forced off the boulder by the force behind the sneak attack. 

I tumbled across a few dead branches with the body keeping a hold on me. I yelped and snarled as I did my best to snap and grab at any sort of flesh that I could get a hold of. I felt my fangs pierce flesh. As our tumble came to an end. I ripped a piece of flesh off of whatever attacked me, and flung it to the side. I noticed the deep dark purple of the disfigured mark. It was the alpha Varg. I could hear my rescuers roar and snarl. This filled me with enough energy and motivation to leap at the Vargs shoulders. I shook my head and dug my claws into the Varg’s side. He finally let me go, which was a mistake. I ripped and tore at the Varg’s flesh. Digging into his body as I relentlessly attack this creature. His blood soaking my fur and stinging my wounds. 

I looked into his eyes as I went for his muzzle and bit down as hard as I could on it. I could hear him struggle to breathe as I squeezed my jaws. His bone met my fangs as his muffled yelps and cries for help erupted from his nose. I swiftly bit down harder until bits of bone, flesh, and blood filled my mouth. I completely took off his muzzle. Without thinking I howled with victory. Filling the air with my victorious battle. A battle I didn’t think was possible. 

I turned to see my allies either run past me or approach me. My heart felt like it was going to stop when I saw a wolf that was mostly dark brown with specks of grey, tan and white. He was panting as he came to a stop just in front of me. He looked me over in awe with those golden-silver spheres. One word entered my mind. Mate! Before I had time to react as Varg came out of nowhere and attacked him. I didn’t hesitate as I leapt at it from its blind spot, attacking it. MINE!! I snarled over and over again in my head. Ripping and tearing at the Varg as if it were something far more powerful than its alpha. I turned back to see my mate standing in front of me and the rest of his wolves surrounding me. Skald and Tally approached either side of me, protecting me. I felt a sense of strength return to my already exhausted body. 

I saw L.J. use his powerful paws to take down an infected wolf with a snarl. I yipped at him. He turned his attention to me and nodded with relief. That’s when I felt the ground begin to vibrate briefly beneath my paws. I looked around at the faces that surrounded me. Everyone was still for a moment. I felt this before when I was in the Varg den. I howled for everyone's attention and bounced on my front paws. Erging everyone to follow me out of the forest. Luckily most noticed me as I turned to run towards the direction that they all came from. 

Skald and Tally kept up with my speed as we all weaved through the trees. The sound of a rumble sounded again as another sound followed. This sound of trees breaking and falling. It felt like an eternity for us to be back in the Pride borders and out of the forest. I waited until everyone who was not a Varg or infected came out of the forest line. 

We were all panting. That’s when I noticed that the Vargs were keeping a distance from the forest border. No one wanted to shift back. Fearing that they’d be left vulnerable. That’s when the ground began to rumble beneath us again. The smell of infected earth filled my nose. Trees were breaking and falling as something took heavy steps. What the hell is that? I yipped at whoever listened. Hoping they’d know what I was doing. The Vargs wouldn’t attack. They were retreating. Leaving us to deal with whatever was coming. I did not dare shift, but a few others did. “What the hell is that stinch?” “What is that?” Questions and concerns began to rise. I looked over at Eldwin to my right and L.J. to my left. L.J. nodded his head and my mate looked at me in confusion. I only did this once and it caused us to be free of Vargs for a month. Let’s hope that what I am about to do will work.

~~

Eldwin’s POV

When Tesla gave me a tender look with her silver orbs, I admit I was a bit confused. We couldn’t pack link just yet, but just her look alone made me feel at ease. It almost empowered me. She took a few steps forward. She steadied herself and lowered her head. As she lifted her head, her beautiful howl surrounded me in bliss and comfort. Her howl quickly turned into a warning howl as a soft light glistened at the Pride border. Her howl ended with a low and territorial growl. It just about made me keel over. 

I have never heard a howl like that! So powerful! Alex said through the packlink. She’s the perfect Silva. I couldn’t help but hold my head up high in pride. Once her howl was done the footsteps and rumbling stopped. Tesla took another step. Waiting and listening. She looked a bit wobbly, so I walked over to her and let her know that I was there If she needed me. She didn't look at me but I could see her eyes glowing like two moons in the sky. She was perfect in every way. My goddess here on earth. My true reason for living. My attention was cut short when a guttural roar filled the air from the forest. I had never heard such a roar. It held a power of its own that literally brought us all onto our bellies and knees. All except Tesla. 

A large foot crushed a few trees as a Mountain Troll emerged from the darkness of the forest. My eyes widened. I watched Tesla take another step forward. What is she doing? Then when she lowered her head, I knew. I forced myself up and stood by her side. My howl in tune with hers. As if on cue, Alex and my warriors followed our leads. I felt her power course through my veins. Filling me with ease and calm. Determination and protection. The barrier glistened in the moon’s graceful light as the troll stopped in its tracks. Unable to cross the barrier that my beloved, myself and my few pack members enforced. Our howls slowly stopped as Tesla shifted to her bare human form. Her body radiates beauty and power. I was in awe of her. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her as her body began to glow with a soft silver glow. I had never laid eyes on someone more beautiful than she was. She was the embodiment of a goddess. 

“Fae montis. Audi vocem meam!” Tesla’s voice sounded slightly different than when I had heard it from Skald and Tally’s. It sounded magical and intimidating. I knew she was speaking in Latin, but I did not know what she was saying. “Qui sublatus est anima tua?!” The troll stood there for a moment, pondering her words. Trying to comprehend. “Exaudi me!!” The troll took a step back at the power behind her words.

“Mooooooorrrrsss,” It’s sickly voice spoke. That’s when I noticed that it was infected. It began to back away from the invisible barrier. It was similar to the one that was reported by one of my warriors back in my territory. My heart slightly sunk. Were we the ones that brought this poor Fae here? Tesla’s body lost its angelic glow. I shifted so I could take her hand in mine. This was all unexpected and I didn’t even know someone could hold this much power. Her body trembled as she swayed. Just as I was about to grab her hand, she began to fall. I caught her in my arms and held her nude frame close to mine. I took in the sight laid out before me. Even without the angelic glow she had a few seconds ago, she still graced me with the glow of her perfection. There was silence in the air. 

“Damn, Tessy,” I heard L.J.’s voice break the silence. “I’ve never heard or seen anything like this.” He leaned down to examine her. “She’s very weak.” I just trailed my fingertips gently down her cheeks, before rising up with her in my arms, bridal style. I turned to look at the hoard of were-beast fighters. They were all bowing before Tesla. 

“She’s not just marked by the goddess,” one of the avians spoke shakily. “She is a goddess incarnate. She holds the key to everything.” I looked down at my little lily. What have I gotten myself into?