Blood Moon Rising

Chapter 8

The sun was setting over Silver Lake, the trees danced in the light breeze. Jax and a few of the other guys from the pool table were already waiting beside the lake when Kade, Kassidy and Jenny arrived.

'You're lucky, it's quite a warm evening' Jax teased. 'You can undress by those trees, I promise we won't peek'

Kassidy anxiously moved towards the trees.

'Close your eyes' Kade demanded. 'You will keep them closed until I say so'

Everyone nodded in agreement and closed their eyes. Kassidy quickly undressed and tip toed her way to the wooden platform at the edge of the lake. She mind linked Kade

Everyone can open their eyes on the count of three

Kade started counting out loud.

'One, two...'

There was a loud splash just as Kade reached three.

'Open your eyes' he announced.

'God, this water is freezing!' she squealed.

Jax roared with laughter at the sight of Kassidy's head poking out from the water.

'Someone get me a towel' she shivered. Kade held out a fluffy dressing gown as Kassidy clambered out of the lake, wrapping the gown around herself to protect her modesty. The guys stopped in their tracks as an unfamiliar scent carried through the breeze. Kassidy and Kade looked upon their fear stricken faces in confusion.

'Rogues' Jax whispered. 'Quick, Billy get them back to the pack house' he instructed the guys stood next to him 'and Matty, you stay with me, we've got a rogue to catch'

Before they could move, two wolves bounded from the trees and launched themselves at the twins. Kassidy instinctively raised her hand to shield herself and a blue bolt of energy struck the wolves, crashing them back into the trees. Jenny and Jax watched in amazement as the wolves found their feet and pounced again. Kassidy grabbed hold of Kade and shut her eyes tightly. Suddenly they disappeared before everyone's eyes and the wolves tumbled into the lake.

'Where did they go?' Jax gasped.

'Kassidy, Kade, where are you?' Jenny frantically searched the wooded area.

'I can't even track a scent' Jax said, worrying.

'We need to get back to the pack' Billy contributed.

'He's right' Matty affirmed. 'Run, before the rogues catch us'.

Jenny hesitated before catching up to the guys who were racing back to the pack house.

* * *

When Kassidy re-opened her eyes, she found herself in her bedroom along with Kade.

'What the hell just happened?' he blurted in disbelief.

'I, I don't know' Kassidy stammered. 'Where are the others?' her eyes widened as she realised that they might still be at the lake. 'We need to let people know' she shouted just as Karla entered the bedroom.

'What the?' Karla was startled.

'There are rogues by the lake' Kassidy rushed the words out.

'Rogues? On our territory? How did you get here? Kassidy, what are you wearing?' Karla questioned.

'Hurry, Jax and Jenny and some others could still be there in danger' Kade explained.

Karl's eyes glazed over as she mind linked with Konrad.

'Konrad, there are rogues by the lake and some of the pack are there'

He responded straight away.

'I'll send out the warriors'

Kassidy attempted her first mind link with someone other than Kade.

'Jenny, Jenny can you hear me? We are safe in the pack house and the warriors are coming'

The link was silent.

'Jenny, please, are you there?'

A crackling sound broke through followed by a scared laboured voice.

'Kassidy, is that you? We're running back to the pack house, where are you guys?'

Kassidy sighed in relief

'Yes it's me, we're safe just keep running, the warriors are coming for the rogues'

Kade broke her concentration.

'Are they safe? What's going on?'

Karla was now sitting on the bed, concern etched on her face.

'Jenny said they're running back to the pack house. I just don't understand how we ended up back here' they exchanged glances.

'Were you two with them by the lake?' Karla questioned.

'Yes, the wolves lunged at us and the next I know, we're in Kassidy's bedroom' Kade scratched his head, perplexed.

'Oh' Karla uttered 'You teleported!' she shrieked, jumping to her feet. 'Somehow you teleported!'

'That's not all' Kade added, remembering what happened before that. 'Kassidy hit them with a.. a sort of lightning bolt that came out of her hand'

Kassidy looked at him wide eyed.

'That was me?' she was lost for words.

Karla pulled them both into a tight hug.

'Oh my children, you are remarkable' she gushed. 'Now quickly get changed so we can head down stairs and meet the others'.

* * *

They reached the lobby just as Jax and Jenny stumbled through the door followed closely by Billy and Matty.

'Thank the goddess you're okay' Karla sighed in relief as she wrapped her arms around them. Jenny was visibly shaken up.

'Why don't you all come into the kitchen and I'll make us some hot chocolate' Karla smiled.

'With marshmallows?' Jax grinned.

'You betcha' she called behind her as she lead the way.

They sat in the stools along the breakfast bar as Karla put the milk on to boil.

'So what were you guys doing by the lake?' she questioned.

They all looked at each other sheepishly. Kassidy broke the silence.

'I lost to Jax at pool so I was completing my forfeit' she blushed, expecting the wrath of her Luna mother to wash over her. To everyone's amazement Karla laughed.

'Are you boys still doing that?' she asked, shaking her head with a smile.

'I know you want to have fun, enjoy your youth, I've been there' she said 'but please, in future be careful. Word is spreading of my children and there are packs out there who are scared of the abilities they may possess'

Jax nodded, understanding now the danger he had put them in.

'I'm so sorry guys, this was my fault. As the next in like Beta, I should have considered everything first. I'm sorry Luna' he bowed his head.

'Thank you Jax, I appreciate that'

Karla said as she mixed the cholocoate powder into the milk.

'But about the abilities you spoke of' Jax cautiously started 'I think we saw first hand at the sort of power Kassidy has'. He looked to her sheepishly.

Kassidy stared back, dumbfounded. This was all so new to her, surreal, like she had slipped into an alternate dimension.

'I did hear something about that' Karla calmly replied. 'Why don't you tell me exactly what you can remember'.

Jax and Jenny looked at each other, wondering where to begin.

'One second Kassidy was in the water, just as she was climbing out we caught the scent of rogues and they attacked before we had a chance to get away. Kassidy put her hand up and a bolt of...of something came shooting out of her palm and it knocked them back against the trees.' He rubbed a hand over his face in disbelief. 'And then the next second Kassidy and Kade disappeared right in front of our eyes'. He shook his head, amazement dancing in his eyes.

Karla handed out the hot chocolates.

'I see, well it sounds to me like training can't start soon enough. Kassidy and Kade managed to teleport back to her bedroom.' she smiled as she placed the last hot chocolate down in front of Kassidy.

'Wait, you can teleport?' Jax asked in surprise.

'Apparently so' Kassidy offered with a weak smile.

'How did you know though? Like how did you manage to teleport?' he questioned further.

'I don't really know, I just closed my eyes and wished that I was back in my bedroom and then it happened' she shrugged.

'And Kade can teleport too?' he asked.

Everyone stared at Kade.

'No, atleast I don't think so. Kassidy grabbed my arm and then we were in her bedroom' Kade's words were laced with confusion.

'When Kassidy grabbed hold of Kade, she teleported him too' Karla explained. 'It usually takes a lot of practice to teleport others too. I'm amazed she managed it' she added with a smile.

'Don't worry sweetheart, I'll teach you how to control the magic' she squeezed Kassidy's hand reassuringly.

'That is so cool' Matty declared.

Kassidy sat there quietly mulling things over. Was it cool or was it more of a hindrance?

'Now my children are home, they will be home schooled for a while and they'll be having training sessions with Jax and Marco' Karla explained to them all. 'They will also work on controlling their powers with me. Obviously I want you all to have fun and I'm so glad that you both have made friends here but please, no more trips to the lake without warriors'

'I promise, we won't' Kade insisted.

Konrad walked into the kitchen and placed a kiss on Karla's cheek. The others bowed their head in respect.

'Are the warriors okay?' she asked, concerningly.

'They've captured both rogues and have locked them in the dungeons for now, no-one was hurt thankfully. I'll talk to them in the morning'

He looked at his watch, it was 9.30pm.

'I've got some things to take care of in my office, I'll catch you later'

Everyone bowed again when he left the kitchen.

'I better be going too' Billy said, 'I have some homework to finish'

He stood from the stool just as Matty did, who also excused himself. They both thanked Karla for the hot chocolate before leaving the Alpha and Beta families to chat in the kitchen. Karla explained how there is to be a party next month to celebrate Kade and Kassidy's 16th birthday.

'That's 2 days after I turn 18' Jax enthused.

'You might meet your mate' Jenny added, excitedly. She watched Kassidy cautiously, noticing how quiet she had been.

'Are you okay Kassidy?' she whispered, trying desperately not to draw attention to the situation but failed miserably when all heads turned in her direction.

Kassidy sighed.

'It's just a lot to take in. Two days ago I was living as a normal human girl and now I'm in a castle full of werewolves and can teleport and goodness what else'

Kade grabbed her hand in reassurance.

'You're not the only one sis, we're in this together' his smile reached his eyes.

'I know, thank you' she looked around at the concerned faces of her new friends and family. 'If you don't mind, I think I'd just like to go to bed'.

Karla rounded the breakfast bar to embrace her warmly.

'Okay sweetheart, sleep tight'

Kassidy stood up from her stool and smiled meekly at Jenny and Jax.

'I'll see you bright and early for training then' Jax beamed 'Meet me in the training centre at 7.30?'

Kassidy nodded before heading up to her bedroom in the Alpha suite. She checked her phone to find that her mother had replied

I miss you too Kass, how is castle life treating you? Love you, Mom x

She quickly typed out a reply

Taking some getting used to. I have training first thing tomorrow but then I'll call you. Goodnight x

She set an alarm for 7am before washing the days stress off her face in the ensuite sink. Exhaustion stared back at her in the mirror. Her emerald eyes seemed dull and sunken. Changing into her pyjamas, she slumped into bed. A knock on the door disturbed her slumber as Kade peered his head round.

'Come in' she mumbled sleepily.

He moved to sit next to her on her bed.

'I just wanted to make sure you're okay' his eyebrows furrowed together.

'I will be, I'm just really tired' they both sighed.

'Atleast you aren't expected to take over as Alpha one day' he offered.

'You're right, but my mate could be an Alpha of a different pack, a far away pack' a stray tear escaped her eye.

'I'm still getting used to being a werewolf and next month I might have to leave another family all over again'

Kade pulled her into a hug and comforted her until she eventually fell asleep. He gently rose from the bed and crept out of her room into his own, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day.