Twice Awakened

Chapter 21

“Mother?” I was beside my mother looking up to her as she looked past me. A beautiful leather armor that lay across me, tight, but still allowed all range of movement. It had metal strands woven into it making it a beautiful silver. A circular red mark on the left shoulder and purple claw mark on my right. A short half skirt flowed from the middle to my right side. Deep red accents and above my heart lay 3 pins. A beautiful golden Goddess pin, Luna pin, and one I was unsure of. My tiara placed on my head proudly and my bracelet and ring had a matching mate on my left hand. This one, however, the ring was a royal purple, silver and black chains, and the bracelet was a deep red. To complete the armor, a beautiful deep red hilted sword with beautiful designs of the moon danced across its blade lay on my left hip.

“My daughter, Anya, is coming, you are to be at her side, she is to be held at the highest rank. The one who will bring peace to the realm with her mate, you must rise with her. If you go against her, you go against me and punishment shall avail. I call upon every witch, lone wolf, rogue, vampire, dwarf, and all creatures that reside in the Sacred Woodlands.” Turning to see who she was speaking to I saw nothing but beautiful fields and lakes. A smile gracing my face at the beauty before me. She gently lay her hand on my shoulder. She gently caressed my face as I looked at her. Kissing my forehead a light shown brightly.

I was being shook, opening my eyes, everyone was staring at me. I was in Vlad’s arm. My dress replaced by the armor in my dream. She had bestowed upon me her gifts.

“We all saw your mother. I am thankful she is aiding us.” Vlad said

Everyone began shifting the supplies from car to wagon. Howls cascading all over the woods caused us to quicken pace. The guys changing into their armor taking it as I had mine on as a sign. The wagons were a thick wood box on the bottom half, a tent like covering on the top was low as to not catch on the trees, sti;; tall enough to look out from the back. Everything loaded the man handed reins to two horses to Vlad and for the other wagon he handed the reins to Alex. With a nod he jumped on his horse and took off in the opposite direction.

Liz being pregnant and Granny being an elder, both were helped into the rear wagon. I took my place up front with Vlad. Brad and Curtis up front one on each side of us, Mica and Derek took middle sides with Matty and Jonathan between them, and Benni and Adam took the rear sides. We had begun our journey into the Sacred Woodlands.

About three hours in night had fully fallen Granny had taught me my first spell. Ligito Ballio, which produce a light orb mine, floated in front of us while hers illuminated behind us. Minimum energy was needed and if I felt weak I could catch her attention. She would cast some of her charms energies to me.

We remained, stealing side glances of Vlad. He was focused on the path in front of us a five hour flight was a week to walk to get from one end to the other. No roads in or out, very few live in these parts, certain parts said to be haunted, others terrified of what may lurk within. Construction crews had tried taking down parts only to come back to trees through their equipment, others cursed, and some dead with no explanation. The Sacred Woodlands refusing to be claimed by greed, power, or evil. Some lived peacefully, never having a problem.

We halted for a minute for anyone who had to use the bathroom or rest. Going with Liz slightly off the path to help her pee, I became alerted by something moving in the dark. I had spun around ready to take whatever was coming. Glowing pairs of eyes stare at me.

“Liz, RUN!” Liz had bolted as one pair of eyes goes to charge her. Adrenaline rushing through me as I slam against it. Smashing it into a tree. Another tries to get me off guard, only receiving a swift kick to the jaw. My strength has improved greatly. I hear the men call out.

“Anya where are you?” “Anya!” with my name being yelled the attacks immediately halt.

‘Ligito Ballio” Up goes the orb showing at least twenty wolves staring at me. However, as the orb illuminates me the wolves bow and begin to shift back. Men and women staring at me, as Vlad and the knights stand beside me, each wolf before me hitting their chest pledging loyalty to me and my mate.

“I believe your mother’s message has rang clear.” Vlad says. Hitting my chest back their leader approaches. Bowing as he comes near.

“We are lone wolves that made our own pack, we have come seeking you Anya, seeking to help you. Your mother’s message has rung through these woodlands. We will lay our lives down for you. I am Garth Everclear. ” Hitting his chest twice followed by the group “ HYAH” in unison. I nod.

“Then we shall rise, we shall set a base, and train. We shall prevail at all our tasks at hand.” Vlad adds in his Alpha tone. “HYAH” again from the group.

Going back to the wagons with twenty more to the group. We begin again. Checking on Liz, I hop on the back of the wagon, she wraps me kissing the top of my head and making sure I am unharmed. I giggle as she tickles me searching. Sighing from relief as she finds no harm to me. Looking around she seems confused.

“Mother has helped us make new friends I smile.” Liz smiles as hope ignites through her eyes. She nods resuming her place beside Jonathan and Granny. Jumping down off the wagon Benni grabs my arm as I hit a rock and off balance.

“Thanks Benni!” I smile and wave as I run to the front to take my place beside Vlad. Garth had joined us up front.

“I was about to send a search party for you.” Vlad chuckled. “Liz?”

“Yep, had to check her fragile flower was unscathed.” I winked at Vlad. He gently kissed my cheek as Garth chuckled.

“If you are a fragile flower I must be a toad. You packed a wallop on two of the strongest men of the Lones.” His impressed expression gave me some pride.

“When it comes to my pack they are my family. I protect my family with every ounce of my being.” I kind of strut as Vlad grabs my hand. I feel how proud he is of me.

“We shall do the same with the same fire you have inside of you. We can feel the fires in us igniting. As I said we will all lay our lives down for you.” Hitting his chest twice. I smile as my hope spreads through everyone, my fire, my strength, igniting the flames of so many to fight for what is right. My heart full of pride as so many has already joined us.

As we walk more and more come to our aide. After seven more hours, we stop to rest. Doing a quick head count we were up to a hundred and seventy four members of our little army. We set up camp as the sun peaks through the trees, Granny and Liz pulling meet from one of the wagons, Jonathan and another bring a large pot while another brings a bag of rice. Water drawn from the nearby creek helps complete the meal. I eat a bowl and lay on the wagon seat staring up through the trees as the sky turns from dark blue, to purple, to a deep red. Vlad sitting in front of me, I can feel his heart full of pride as he looks out over people resting, helping one another, and bonding. After awhile I drift off for a quick nap.

The knights taking rounds to sleep and ward off the grogginess. I wake to a napping Vlad beside me. Alex standing beside the wagon, nodding to me as he realizes I am awake. Nodding back he goes back to overlooking everything, standing guard. I notice people packing up and go to help out. Some seem shocked as I help lift things, seeing me help the elderly medics up, sending four pregnant women to the wagon. The pack sees I am not just for show, I was for them, helping them, I may be of the highest rank but I had compassion, sympathy, and kindness. I talk to anyone who approached and if a problem had arisen, I found a solution. Vlad was up and helping as well, after about another hour. Everything was packed away. Everyone taking their place, Vlad had walked beside me and whispered in my ear.

“Do you know how f*****g sexy you are?” Shaking my head “ Watching you interact with our people, your smile, your kindness, you were made to be a queen, You have no clue how painful it is to get hard while wearing this armor.” I chuckle at his last comment. Whispering back to him.

“I am sorry that has happened to you. I will be sure to take care of it when we make base.” I smile, looking deep into his eyes. He smiles and kisses me gently before leading me to the front to be beside him.

“READY!” He yells and more repeat as we begin walking. The horses tended to, they seemed rejuvenated after a good rest. Walking deeper into the woodlands, checking the sky it was about noon. We would walk for another eight hours tonight and start looking for good areas to set up a large base. Time was of the essence and we were not wasting anytime.