Moon Marked by the Goddess

Seven

It's dark, I can't see anything and I'm falling. A scream in trapped in my throat. Then I hit the ground, and surprising it's just a slight stingy I feel on the front of my body. The fog in my brain is lifting and I can hear an alarm. Wait, the alarm, we're under attack.

Opening my eyes, I realize I'm on my bedroom floor tangled in my black flat sheet. I pull the blanket off, and quickly get up. Running to my dresser I grab, a tshirt, socks, and shorts. I grab my bag beside the dresser and throw them inside. Then I find tennis shoes in the corner and slide them on my feet, not bothering to change out of the tshirt and pajama shorts I have on.

I toss the bag over my shoulder, opening the bedroom door I run out directly into my father. "What in the h*ll are you doing. Get back in your room. You're staying." He growls out. He's got sleep crusties in his eyes, and is wearing pajamas as well, with a bag tossed over his shoulder. I assume it contains clothes to change into after his shift.

"I'm going with you. I've been training since I was 14 like everyone does, I'm ready." I huffed out and follow him towards the front door.

"You've been training in human form, not wolf, go to bed."

Stepping between him and the door. "I was chosen for a reason. I can't sit back and watch as my home is attacked!"

He looks me over. "Alright. You can come." Shaking his head he steps around me opening the door and heading out. "Moon Goddess, you've given me a handful." He mutters to himself. I follow him out of the apartment, and down the flights of stairs. My dad pushes the front door open, and we step out. The sun is just rising. So it can't be much later than 5:30am. Outside we run into my uncle, and Jackson.

"You want to ride to the northern boarder with us?" My uncle tells out before we make it to my dad's pickup truck. Jackson gets in the passenger seat, closing the door before my dad can respond.

"Uh, yeah sure we can come with you." My dad hollers back. "I hope this won't bother you, but it makes sense to go with him." He lowers his voice so only I hear the last part.

"Yeah it's fine." I say, but I don't quite believe it. We make our way over to his SUV, and get into the backseat. The Alpha climbs in last, and shoots Jackson a quick look, then starts the vehicle and we peel out.

"The northern patrol unit is already there. They've stated that a group of dark wolves crossed over and ransacked the gas station, the attendant was wounded, he's unconscious, but alive. They broke into several homes right along the boarder. There are a few dead. About half of the unit is following the wolves, and the other half are going through the destruction, helping the families." My uncle states, grimly. I'm seated right behind, so I can't see his face, but I imagine he's taking this news hard.

No one says anything for a while. I am having this nagging feeling that I need to go to the families. I feel like I can help them, but I don't know how. I don't have any medical training. Other than basic first aid, and CPR. "Can you drop me off with the unit that stayed behind, I think I can help the families, then you all can continue on and help the other unit." I say, placing my hand on my uncle's shoulder.

"Yeah, that sounds good. I was wondering why my brother brought you along you're a little young to be seeing action." My uncle's reply sounds like he's relieved I'll be staying back.

"Why come if you're too scared to really help out? What could you even do to help anyone?!" Jackson turns to look me in my eyes, as though he's won something.

I see my father mouth open, like he's going to say something, which I imagine would be a major overstepping of his rank. I grab his hand and look him, mouthing "He's not worth it." Surprisingly I don't feel any pain from his insults, just determination to prove him wrong.

My uncle's head turns toward Jackson, and I can see his eyes look intense but he doesn't say anything. Jackson turns around and looks out the window.

After a few more minutes of silence, and watching the scenery change outside the windows. My uncle stops in the road. To the right of the vehicle are three of our warriors, they look familiar, but I do not know their names. "Be safe, you guys." Then I climb out of the backseat and close the door behind me.

Walking over to the three men, they acknowledge me with wary eyes. "We're unsure why you're here, but the Alpha has told us to watch you, and keep you safe as you interact with the families." One of the men says. He's just a little taller than me, so I'd guess about 5'10 with sun kissed skin, he has a bit of stubble on face, and deep brown eyes. He looks to be in his late teens or early twenties.

"Um, okay thanks. Can you take me to them." He turns and starts walking to the single story family home behind. It's made of brick, the front door is laying on the floor right across the threshold of the home. I place my bag on the ground outside the door, and follow the men inside.

Once inside all I can smell is blood, and I hear soft cries. We walk past the destroyed living room, that has overturned furniture, broken lamps, and and knick knacks strewn about. Then down a hallway, and into a room. There's a young child, no older than 3 or 4 in the corner. Her night gown is wet front her tears. In front of her is the body of an older woman, presumably her mother. The woman whom I'm sure was once beautiful, is covered in blood, her pale blue eyes wide open, seem to be staring into my soul. She has several deep lacerations on her body. I kneel beside her, grabbing one of her cold hands. I close my eyes, willing the Moon Goddess to guide me. I hear a soft humming then realize it's coming from me. I feel the familiar itching across my skin signally my wolves desire to come out. I let the feeling overtake me. After the shift, I hear a collective gasp from everyone in the room, but I have to focus on the woman in front of me. My wolf form gets closer, then I feel a sharp sting on my face. "No, leave my mommy alone! Don't hurt her again!" Smacks pelt on my face one after another by the small child.

I'm going to help her. Please give me a chance.

The child throw her arms around me and breaks down into a sob. "Please."

One of the men that escorted me grabs the child and pulls her back. Then I lean down to the woman, and my wolf hums as she licks the wounds on the front side. Looking up toward the other two men, they rotate the woman, and process continues on the backside. The wounds seem to be closing, quickly, much more quickly than any wolf regeneration I've ever seen.

Then I feel a coldness come over my body, and I know my wolf has left me naked, in a room full of mostly strangers. Looking the woman over I see all the wounds on her backside are completely closed, I quickly turn her over with some help, and the wounds on the front are closed as well. I pull her body up to me, and begin humming the same tune my wolf was.

"She needs blood." An unfamiliar voice says. I look up to see Rupert, and a woman with him that can't be much older than 40, her complexion is much like mine, and she has long dreadlocks falling down her back, with gold beaded accents. She hands me a knife. I take the knife feeling as though I can trust her. I slice into my palm, only feeling a slight sting. Then I bring my hand to the womans mouth, as I continue to hum. My blood trickles into her mouth, and around her lips, down her chin and onto her chest. We stay like that for a few minutes. Then I feel her mouth latch onto my hand, and take several deep drawals.

Her eyes open then she pushes me away spitting blood, which mists onto my face. "Stay away from me!" She screams as she backs up. "Please you can have anything, just don't hurt us."

The mystery woman steps forward. "Dear, we aren't here to hurt you. Rylan just saved your life. I need you to calm down and take it easy. You need to go to the clinic, and get a blood transfusion. You've lost lot of blood."

At the mention of my name my head snaps to her. How does she know who I am I've never met this woman. I then turn to Rupert, he's handing me the bag I left on the porch. "Get dress, I was hoping you'd meet Senna under better circumstances, but we have much work to do. We can't help them after they've been dead more than about an hour. The soul usually refuses to come back." I look between him and Senna confused. They look to have about 30 years age difference between them. They couldn't have been Moon Marked together.

"Rylan?" I turn toward the voice. It's the woman I helped, the color is coming back to skin, and she's holding her child fiercely. "You're the Beta child. Thank, thank you for whatever you did." She says. "Thank you for keeping me here with my daughter."

"Of course. I'd do anything to help my pack. Please let one of the men help you to the clinic so they can check you over." Her appreciation makes me feel awkward, I'm not sure how I knew what to do, but I'm happy I was here to help. I dig into my bag pulling the shirt I packed out of it, and pull it over my head. It falls to my knees. I also cover my feet in the socks I have. I didn't pack an extra pair of shoes. I planned to take mine off before shifting if I needed to, they are in tatters on the floor near me. I stand to put on my shorts, then throw the empty tote bag over my shoulder.

Looking up at Rupert. "Okay let's go." He turns and starts out of the room, with Senna right behind him. The warrior that spoke to me follows behind them. The other two staying to help the woman and her daughter to the pack clinic.

Once we make it back to the living room, the warrior turns and picks me up bridal style with no warning. My breath catches in my throat. I've never been held like this before, and my face gets hot. Ig he notices my blushing, he doesn't say anything. He starts to step through the living room over the debris and broken glass. Once outside, he puts me down gently, to prevent me from tumbling onto my butt. "Thank you, uhh?" I stop, not knowing his name.

"My name is Vincent, and no problem. We need to head to the next house. They broke into two more homes, there are three more bodies." Three? I don't think I have time to do three more.

"Rupert go to the home with two bodies, and I'll help Rylan with home she's in." Senna says.

"Why don't you help him, then it's one person for each of us." I say turning my attention to Senna.

"I don't have that gift, but I can help you with turning the body, while Vincent, I think he said his name was goes to help Rupert. If he doesn't finish both, and you still have the energy for another. We will go and you can help him. Let's move it. We are short on time. The attacks started about 45 minutes ago."

Vincent points out the house for Senna and I to go to, which is two down, on the same side of the street. Rupert will be right across the street. We separate and head off to complete our tasks.

We end up saving the three, Senna and I arriving as Rupert is starting on the second body. I helped him with completing the ritual. Once it's all over. I put my clothing back on, that I remembered to step out of prior to the transition.

I'm feeling very light headed and when I stand, the world sways. I start to fall, and Vincent grabs me. He carries me outside to get some fresh air. The blackness soon pulls me under, and I'm out cold.