Shadow of the Eclipse

Chapter 2

Silas stormed towards them seething with anger. If looks could kill, they'd both be dead.

"This ends now! I will not have chaos in my ranks." He turned to Jax. "This behavior is completely inappropriate for a future Gamma. I will not stand for bigotry! Get yourself straightened out, or you will get to explain to your father why you are no longer privileged to be a warrior for this pack!" His steely blue eyes met hers. "The same goes for you. Dissension will not be tolerated! Here, we are a unit. And must work together to be efficient. If we can't do that, then we are weak. I do not allow for weakness. Work this out, or I will have you both assigned to the kitchen!" He growled.

"Yes, sir." they said in unison.

"Both of you can run double laps. Go!" Silas ordered.

Van and Jax did not hesitate and raced off into the woods to follow the course.

River watched Van heading into the forest, and a pit formed in his stomach. He did not like the idea of her alone with that prick. Pain suddenly exploded into the right side of his face as his sparring partner landed a powerful blow. River stumbled back and moved his jaw to make sure it wasn't dislocated.

"Nice one." He admitted to his opponent and spit out a bit of blood.

"Maybe if you were less distracted, this would be somewhat of a fair fight." Rei winked before charging forward to land a kick. River blocked her with ease. He admired her. She had fought hard to become a warrior. As an omega, she would normally be destined to serve in the packhouse. Rei had become good friends with him and Van. Van had sensed a kindred spirit in Rei. Her parents were lost in the war when she was young. She raised her brother alone and worked as a servant in the packhouse. But when the Alpha announced his decision, allowing pack members of any rank to prove themselves, she jumped at the chance to make life better for herself and her brother. It was not easy, and she did not succeed on the first try. But she didn't quit. It was her determination that Van admired most. And River had to admit, it was the same for him. Rei never gave up. She may have been born an omega but she had the soul of a warrior.

Rei tucked a piece of hair that had escaped her messy bun behind her ear. A mischievous glint shone in her hazel eyes. River braced himself, things were about to get interesting.

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Van sprinted through the woods, dodging the obstacles with ease. Jax kept pace beside her.

"Can't we at least trip him?" her panther Kita suggested. Van could sense Kita was just as irritated about the whole situation as she was.

"If only." Van replied. "Unfortunately, I don't feel like scrubbing dishes the rest of my life."

She felt Jax watching her. "What?" she glared while weaving between trees.

"Silas won't always be around to save you." Jax sneered. "You don't belong here. It's time someone made you realize that."

She swerved around another obstacle. An unfamiliar scent filled her nose. She slowed and looked around. There was no sign of anyone. Suddenly, Jax was in front of her. He grabbed her by the arm and slammed her into a tree. He put both hands on her shoulders and pinned her to the spot. She cursed herself for being so careless.

"Consider this a warning, cat." He said smugly.

"How about you consider this..." Van slammed her forehead into his. Jax stumbled back, before he could counter, she kicked him forcefully in the chest. "I don't take kindly to threats. And I will not be intimidated." She stood defiantly before him.

Jax growled, eyeing her. He wiped away the drop of blood that trickled from his nose. She was stronger than he had imagined. He knew looks could be deceiving but only those of Alpha or royal blood possessed such strength. She did not have the aura of either. In fact, he couldn't sense her aura at all. "She's masking it from us." his wolf, Rafe, said in an annoyed tone. He opened his mouth to question her when an unfamiliar scent hit him. He scanned his surroundings. Nothing. He could tell Van smelled it, too. He raised an eyebrow at her.

"You done being an ass or what?" Van said snarkily. "We need to check this out."

"Let's go." Jax grunted and slammed his shoulder into hers when he passed.

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Silas dismissed his warriors. He frowned, scanning the treeline. Van and Jax should have returned by now. There was no sign of them.

"Give them time. They may need to beat the tar out of each other in order to settle this." His wolf, Ash chuckled. But Silas didn't like it.

Van had become the daughter he never had. For the last 15 years he had raised her and cared for her as his own. He had vowed to keep her safe from the day he found her on the border. Just a child, ten years old bloodied and beaten. Clinging to life. He carefully cradled her in his arms, brought her back to the pack, and laid her before the Alpha and Luna.

"Who would do this?" Luna Jade examined the girl. "She is just a child."

"Any sign of whomever is responsible?" Alpha Tobias gave him a stern look.

"No." Silas shook his head. "She is..." He hesitated. Ever since the war many wolves had let hate consume them. He knew he one word could mean her death.

"She is what?" Tobias asked, sounding frustrated.

"A werecat." Silas said in a low voice so that anyone eavesdropping would not be able to hear. Though the room they were in was soundproof anyway. Jade gasped and looked at her husband in shock. Tobias rubbed his brow. Silas didn't want to ask. He was sure he wouldn't like the answer. After all, he didn't believe in punishing those for the sins of their ancestors. "What should I do with her?"

There was a long pause. Silas swore he could cut the tension in the air with a knife. After a few moments, Tobias sighed.

"Take her to the infirmary. Make sure she is cared for. When she is well, we will see what she knows. Until then, look after her." The Alpha turned, beckoning for his Luna to follow, and they left the Beta alone with the girl. He scooped her up in his arms. A child needed to be protected, not treated like this.

"We will protect her." Ash growled in his mind....

Silas' thoughts were interrupted and he was jolted back to reality when an unfamiliar scent washed over him.

"Shit." He muttered. He mind linked his warriors. Rogues have breached our western borders. Delta team with me. The rest of you guard the pack.