The Moon’s Shadow

To the victor

Eric looked between Michael’s and my face in horror. Clearly this was not the outcome he had predicted. The tan color of his face began to pale and his giant body shook. The last words he uttered before the world went dark were “ I yield.”

His body tilted from side to side leaning to and fro. Before Eric’s head could land in the grass, I quickly leaned over to cradle his head in my arms to prevent him from further damage. He may have pissed me off, but I believe he learned his lesson. Mercy was to be the order of the day.

Michael stood abruptly and huffed in frustration before turning to look at me. His face was set in a grim frown and arms were crossed over his chest.

Motioning for Eric’s beta to take care of him, I stood, ready to defend my actions. It’s clear Michael thought I took it too far.

“ He had it coming.” I shouted. I highly doubt anyone could make me regret my actions. His sexist pig face fueled an anger in me that made me want to burn the world to ashes.My heart felt like it was going to beat out of my chest.

“ You need to calm yourself and take a deep breath Amber. This is not going to end well if you don’t.” Michael lectured.

“Fine.” I stomped and roared like a toddler throwing a tantrum. I know he’s right, I just don’t like it. I may have been a bit petty but I guarantee Eric will never make this mistake again.

Turning away from him, I clenched my fists and closed my eyes. Taking in deep breaths, I counted back from 20. 20…19…18…17..

I can feel the tension slipping from my body little by little. In its place came radiating pain. Cuts and bruises littered my arms and rib cage. Hugging my arms around my middle, I tried to keep the pain under control. I can feel shadow beginning to heal the wounds, but judging by the blood pooled where I had been standing, it would take a while. This is gonna hurt in the morning. Despite being injured, I wouldn’t show weakness. Not when I just carved out my victory from flesh.

Turning to Eric’s pack members, Michael threw out the command to have Eric taken to the pack hospital immediately.

“ You too Rambo.” Michael stomped over to me and started steering me with his hands on my shoulders. Despite adamantly denying needing medical attention, my brother wouldn’t hear it. He led Eric and his group towards the hospital. I clenched my teeth with every miserable step. Pretty sure I might have overdone it a bit. But I’d never admit it.

It’s an 8 minute walk to the hospital, and the staff met us outside. The three story red brick building with large Palladian windows left us all in its shadow as the nurses and doctors assessed Eric’s condition. Quickly they wheeled Eric into the building on a stretcher followed by his beta and delta. Left behind was one female doctor looking at me expectantly. Laughter danced in her eyes taking in my abused body. Her smile easily put me at ease, until I saw those that stood next to me. The few warriors left behind stood still looking at their feet, wondering what they should do. Fear and uncertainty cloaked them as they took in the surrounding area. Michael was trying to push me through the doors following the doctor, but I mind linked Jacob to take these warriors for some food and rest.

“ Don’t worry. You and your pack members are welcome here. You are under our protection and no one will harm you here. Gamma Jacob will be arriving in a moment to take you guys to get food and rest up at the pack house. You are guests and friends here. Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything. I’ll make sure you are appraised of your alpha’s condition when we hear something.” I reassured Eric’s warriors though they still watched me with cautious glances. I could tell they had some relief from what I’d said, but still confused by what was going on. Michael gave them a reaffirming nod at my words.

As soon as Jacob was close enough to help lead them to the pack house, Michael and the pack doctor named Emma led me to an exam room. But not before I heard them ask Jacob if they could borrow some clothes. Shadow cackles loudly in my mind while I was bring lead away.

“Amber, Amber, Amber. We have to quit meeting like this.” Emma tisked leading me through the door and over to the exam table. Her lithe frame towered over mine at 5’ 9” and she brushed back a few stray blonde strands that had fallen from her bun as she put her stethoscope in her ears and against my chest.

“Take in a deep breath for me.” She instructed .

I attempted but winced earning me a disapproving look. She then produced a blood pressure cuff and checked my blood pressure. Pumping the cuff up slowly and listening to my pulse, I could tell she was concerned as she lowered her stethoscope and loosened the cuff, sliding it off my arm. Her brow furrowed tensely while she scribbled notes on her clipboard. She then grabbed my arms turning them over to check the cuts and bruises, satisfied with what she saw. Then she lifted my arms and checked the punctures under my shirt, instructing Michael to look away. She poked and prodded with her cold gloved fingers on my side making me hiss in pain. Finally finished with her examination and placing my shirt back down, she asked Michael to go to the nurses station for a pair of scrubs for me. This isn’t his first time doing so, so he quickly scurried out the door with purpose. Releasing a deep sigh, and a slight smile on her face, Emma asked me one thing. “Why?”

“ If you have another way to make alphas not be assholes, I am all ears.” I replied in a teasing tone. “Besides, you should see the other guy.”

“ I have. That’s the problem, you keep me way too busy with these alphas always challenging you. I gotta say, you did a real number on this one. He must have really pissed you off.” She giggled, lighting up her blue eyes.

“You know how these alphas can be. Woman are weak, men are superior.. Blah Blah Blah Blah Blah! You would have ripped him to shreds too. You know I understand and respect that some women just wish to have that submissive role, but to assume a warrior is weak due to their gender?! He had my blood boiling.” I whined.

“ If it wasn’t for the war with the rogues right now, I would have helped you finish him off. Sitting there acting like women are just breeders. I hope his pack members learned something today.” Michael chimed in popping through the door with a pair of navy blue scrubs in hand.

“ Yeah, that not all monsters are men.” I laughed.

Both Michael and Emma chuckled as well.

“ Nothing is broken but I need you to get some fluids. You’re healing just fine but you lost a lot of blood and we need to help your body boost your volume.” Emma said seriously.

“So I’m gonna have to sit here with a needle and a bag. Great!” I rolled my eyes and commented sarcastically.

“Relax you big baby. 30 minutes you’ll be right as rain.” Emma chastised “I’ll go get the supplies since our nurses are busy with our visitor.”

“Thanks Emma.” Michael said with a tender look in his eye. He continued to watch Emma with a tender look even as she walked out the door. Quickly I changed into the scrubs in the attached bathroom and came back to michael looking deep in thought.

“ Brother dear, why..”

“Don’t even start Amber.” Michael groaned. No matter how many times we have this conversation, it still ends the same. “ You know why it’s not going to happen.”

Even through his bitching, I can still see the pain and heartache rippled across his face.

“I’m sorry. I know better than most why. I just want you to be happy too, ya know?” I whispered out remorsefully.

“I lost my chance at happy. I won’t mess up her’s just because im lonely and attracted to her. She might still have a mate out there, just waiting for her.” Michael sighed.

“ But you don’t know her story. Hell, I don’t either and she has only been here for almost two years. Who is to say you are missing out because you aren’t giving her the chance. The worst she can say is no.” I encouraged him. I hoped this would be the day he truly listend to me.

“ I tell you what. You start putting yourself out there and I will too.” Michael dared. He knew that for the same reason I won’t try to find a mate, he wouldn’t either. It seemed neither of us truly had a choice.

Before I before I can even try to reason with him, we hear Emma coming back towards the exam room and I know that we’re done talking about this. I laid back on the uncomfortable hospital bed in defeat, awaiting the iv. I’m a tough wolf but I hate needles, so I searched the room for a distraction. I nearly jumped when Michael put his hand in mine to comfort me. I simply looked up into his eyes and mouthed thank you which he just nodded. A chill started up my arm from the saline drip. I shiver slightly, but am quickly covered in a warm blanket my brother draped over me. After I’m all set and comfortableish, I don’t miss the soft look Emma threw Michael on her way out. There may be hope for them yet.

“ Sleep. Goodness knows you need it. Then we will go see to Eric.” Michael set himself in a chair next to me and messed with his phone. Probably checking for some crazy fancy shoes. Yawning, I felt my eyelids get heavy and I slowly let them shut, giving way to nothingness.