QUEEN OF ROGUES BECOMES THE PROPHESIED LUNA

THE BATTLEFIELD

PAUL'S POV

I can't concentrate. My thoughts are still at Stormridge, and with Lexie. I can't stop thinking about her. I wonder what she is doing right now.

We are in a meeting at Blue Moon, chaired by Alpha Nathan but my mind keeps wandering away. We found Blue Moon in ruins. The once beautiful houses are now razed, and only shells remain. I hear that they have killed many and some have been taken hostage.

Earlier we had gone to the dungeons and found the damage done there as the rogues set free their own. Blue Moon looks like a battlefield.

I think of the good times we would have enjoyed with Lexie and curse the rogues. Their attack here has really spoiled my time. But I am sure that we will be out of here soon and I will be together with my Lexie to run Stormridge pack.

I feel rather stupid for being jealous about Rowan. He was only being loyal to his queen and I am very happy that she has such a good man as her Beta. The person who puzzled me was the old man Garrick.

Even though he denied ever meeting before, I am sure he is the same old man who visited my pack some time ago. He said he was a prophet of the Moon Goddess and he had a message for all the packs surrounding us. I still remember his words.

The chosen one is soon coming. She bears a scar on her face, a mark by the messenger of the Moon Goddess. She comes to restore peace. However, she must heal first. Whoever harms her will face the wrath of the Moon Goddess.

That's all I can remember. But the voice is unmistakable. He is the one even if he denies it a hundred times.

So, is Lexie the chosen one?

“Alpha Paul, what is your opinion on this?” Nathan asks me. I am jolted out of my thoughts. The funny thing is that I have no idea on what to say because I don't even know what they're discussing.

“Excuse me. But can you refresh my memory? Kindly?”

“My Beta Dylan was asking what we are going to do if we find out that Alpha Nate is involved with these rogues.”

“I have some feeling that he is very much involved. He could be the engine behind them. I know a rogue attack when I see one. This one is so organized to be one.”

“I wonder what he knew back at your pack when he told me to come back home quickly. He knew there was an attack.”

“Of course he knew. Now, if indeed he is involved, we will involve the council. He must be dealt with.”

“I agree with you.” He says, but before he can continue there is a knock on the door and someone comes in. I had seen him earlier. He was part of the scouts who were send to patrol the borders earlier this morning. He is trying to catch his breath so that he can talk.

“Alpha, Nathan... They are coming. Many of them... They will be here now...”

Nathan immediately stands. He looks troubled. This is obviously too much for him, but I am here for him. The reason why I left the comfort of my pack.

“How many?”

The scout shakes his head. He can now speak well.

“I don't know, Alpha. Too many. They are coming from the eastern border.”

Nathan looks at me. He doesn't know what to say or do.

I am already on my feet. I am ready for anything.

“How long?” He asks the scout.

“Minutes.” Says the scout.

Nathan turns to his Beta Dylan.

“Sound the alarm now Dylan. Get every available warrior to the eastern gate.”

“Yes, Alpha.” Dylan says as he rushes out.

I follow Nathan towards the door.

“Paul, you don't have to fight this battle,” he says.

I stop and look at him.

“What? So why did I come?”

“You came here to help me. I cannot allow you to be injured because of my pack.”

I almost laugh.

“Your pack is under attack, Nathan. That makes it my problem too.” Besides, you can't deny me the action.”

He stares at me for a moment before nodding.

“Then let's finish this.”

We rush outside.

The sound of the alarm is already spreading through the pack. Warriors pour out of their houses, grabbing swords, axes, bows and whatever weapons they can find.

I look toward the eastern border where the scout said the rogues are. At first, I see nothing.

Then the trees begin to move. One, two, three.

Then dozens of figures emerge from the forest. My stomach tightens.

There are far more than I expected.

“They're here,” Nathan says. I hold strongly to my weapon.

“CHARGE!”

Nathan's command echoes across the battlefield.

Our warriors rush forward.

I follow closely behind them.

The collision is brutal.

Swords clash. Metal against metal.

Bodies hit the ground. Rogues have come here, ready to kill, or get killed. The screams of wounded fighters fill the air.

I cut down one rogue, then turn and block another attack. A second rogue comes from behind and strikes at me.

I duck.

His sword passes over my head, cutting the air. The wake produces an eerie sound.

I drive my elbow into his stomach before finishing him with one strike from my dagger.

There are too many. We are outnumbered. And they fight with vigour. Every time we push them back, more appear from the forest.

I look towards Nathan.

He is fighting like a man possessed. He is dispatching the rogues ruthlessly.

“This isn't normal!” I shout.

He turns towards me.

But before he can answer, a group of rogues suddenly changes direction.

They aren't attacking now. They're heading toward the inner compound. It's as if they want to take control of the pack house.

“They're trying to get inside!”

Nathan understands immediately.

“STOP THEM!”

More of our warriors move to intercept them. The battle becomes even more violent. I fight my way through the chaos, trying to reach the advancing group.

Then I see him.

A tall warrior wearing a dark mask. He is moving differently from the others.

He is calm and moves with mathematical precision. Each and every movement he takes is calculated.

He takes down one of Nathan's warriors, then another. He does this with very little effort, as if he is swatting a fly.

I narrow my eyes.

Who is this man?

He looks towards me.

Even from this distance, I feel something strange.

He isn't afraid. This kind of confidence is very rare in a battlefield.

He starts walking toward me.

I tighten my grip on my sword.

“Come on,” I mutter.

He charges at me and our swords collide with such force that my arm goes numb.

I strike again, and he blocks.

I attack from the left and he moves.

I attack from the right and he blocks again.

Whoever this man is, he is good, very good.

I have fought hundreds of warriors, but this one is different. This is not an ordinary rogue.

He suddenly kicks me in the chest.

I stumble backward, almost losing balance.

Before I can recover, he is already coming at me, ready to strike. I need to stabilize quickly.

I raise my sword but it's too late. His blade tears across my side.

Pain explodes through my body.

I look down and blood is pouring from the wound.

I stagger, suddenly feeling all my energy straining away.

The warrior raises his sword again. This time

I prepare to defend myself with the little energy left. I have never been in this state before, wounded, and still under attack. I prepare for the worst. Lexie.....

Then something distracts him then he looks past me toward the battlefield.

For a brief moment, his eyes meet mine.

There is something in those eyes, recognition.

Something tells me he knows exactly who I am.

He looks at me again, then he disappears into the chaos.

I try to follow him but my legs suddenly become weak.

I drop to one knee, then collapse to the ground.

“ALPHA!”

I hear someone shouting. I can hear several warriors rushing towards me.

“I'm fine,” I growl.

But when I try to rise, pain shoots through my body.

“Get the Alpha out of here!”

“No! Don't touch me”

I push them away.

“I can still fight. I can't leave the battlefield when I am still alive.”

“You're losing too much blood!”

Two warriors grab me, raise me and support me.

I look towards the battlefield.

Nathan is still fighting fiercely and the rogues are still coming.

Somewhere among them is the man who injured me.

Who was he and why did he look at me like that?

Also, why did he spare my life?

As they carry me away, one thought keeps pounding through my mind.

I have seen that man before.

But where?

I close my eyes. Lexie's face appears in my mind.

I whisper her name.

“Lexie…”

Then everything goes dark.

Authors remarks.

Paul is down. Lexie is still at Dark Forest. The rogues are attacking.

What do you think happens next?