-•-

It was on that day ten years ago that the Death Stalkers Pack was cleansed, purged, and those left that did not choose the life of a rogue...they were given a chance of happiness with the Imperial Stars Pack. Diccan was the only one that Rakkon allowed into our pack. He was integrated and very shortly, he'd already proved his strength, loyalty, and worth.

With Keir's eighteen birthday today, Rakkon and I have planned a fun party for him to enjoy himself with friends from not only our pack but the Imperial Stars Pack. At the far end of our territory, we have everything set up at the lake. Tamra helps me with the last of the sodas, setting them in large containers filled with ice.

We sit on one of the picnic benches, side by side while we watch our sons readying to head into the water with their friends. They've all grown so much; Fern, Laressa, Ferguson, and Knox are playing Marco-Polo while wading in the deeper parts of the lake.

"It always amazing me how quickly time passes," Tamra releases a sigh while leaning back against the table.

A light smile plays on my lips as I reply, "Our children are a physical representation of the passage of time."

Without them, we tend to lose and drown in our stream of life before we realize where the current has taken us.

My fearless son is the first between Coen and him to leap from the very tall cliff face that borders the edge of the lake. Coen doesn't hesitate the second his friend sets the bar, the two of them horsing around as they eventually join in on the game with the others.

Rakkon draws my attention when I catch glimpses of members from the Imperial Stars Pack arriving. Standing to my feet, I walk over to where he is, feeling his warmth encase my being as his arm wraps around my lower back.

Alpha Victor is the first to greet us, a smile on his face as he asks, "Alpha Rakkon, Luna Ashling, how have you been?"

"Well, thank you," I reply while Rakkon chuckles at the young pups rushing forward toward the lake.

Rakkon furrows his brows a moment when Luna Lucinda makes her way toward the two of us...

...though she carries a small bundle in her arms.

My eyes widen and I'm excited for her as she reveals the small pup. She beams with pride as she introduces, "This is our son," she pauses a moment when Alpha Victor draws her closer to him, "Christopher Regan."

"He's precious," I reply, seeing how he coos for his mother and she's quick to give him her full attention. The pup reaches up, his tiny fingers brushing the bottom of the locket Luna Lucinda wears around her neck.

"We have information regarding the Primordial Snare Pack," Alpha Victor cuts the bright bubbly air of the new pup, my eyes averting to Rakkon.

Rakkon's voice is even when he asks, "They were the only pack attacking the Silent Stars Pack, even after the aid of your warriors?" He pauses a moment and asks with concern, "Are they still at it?"

Alpha Victor releases a sigh and gives us grave news, "Regrettably, yes. However, I met with Alpha Carter after the recent attack that left the grounds in utter ruins."

Luna Lucinda's voice is soft as she adds, "Their territory is now claimed by Brennon, Alpha of the Primordial Snare Pack..."

While her voice trails off, Alpha Victor states, "Silent Stars Pack has become another sister pack to us through blood. They're currently residing in our territory until we can figure out what the best course of action is."

Rakkon rubs his chin and asks, "Why would they so adamantly attack?" He then asks with more confusion, "Why would they continue their assault on pack territory if they knew you were providing support? From what I know, they don't attack just to gain an increase in territorial expansion."

Rakkon is right. Over the years, we'd learned more information about the Primordial Snare Pack. Their defense is their greatest offense and weapon. Alpha Brennon, at least prior to the late Luna Dahlia's passing, kept to himself and his pack was quite peaceful with others.

What sparked the relentless attacks?

It couldn't just be due to the Luna's passing...could it?

"Dad? Mom?" Keir's voice draws us all from our thoughts.

I'm quick to turn around while Rakkon shakes his head, trying to figure out what we all want to know. Keir is standing with Coen and Knox, and Laressa. My gaze lifts for a moment to see Fern and Ferguson are still in the water and by the looks of it; they're holding their breath in a contest between the two.

Luna Lucinda and Alpha Victor take that moment to go on ahead and grab something to eat with the lunch buffet set up. Keir's eyes hold mine while he asks, "Is it okay if we go for a run?"

Nodding my head, I reply, "I don't see why not." I turn to Rakkon and finally pull him from his thoughts, "Rakkon?"

Rakkon turns to Keir and looks over the small group before stating, "Don't go too far and be back within the hour."

"Uhh...Alpha, how are we going to know the time?" Laressa asks Rakkon with the growing teenage attitude, but thankfully she isn't as sarcastic this time around.

Keir is about to say something, to save her from embarrassment, but Rakkon beats him to it, chuckling, "Therein lies your options...stay behind or make sure your internal clock is set correctly."

Laressa swallows hard, taking down with it her pride, "Yes, Alpha." She averts her gaze and bows her head for a quick moment, skirting away with Knox while Keir and Coen remain behind. Rakkon takes his leave, wandering around while greeting those who've been away for a while from the Imperial Stars Pack.

Coen glances to Keir, but my son nods at Coen and he's quick to join Laressa and Knox. Keir walks a few steps toward me and asks, "Mom, are you okay?"

Furrowing my brows, I reply, "I'm fine," I see Keir look at me a little harder and I ask, "Why would you think anything is wrong?"

Keir doesn't want to appear rude, his gaze flickering to Luna Lucinda near the tables. Alpha Victor is fixing her a plate while many of the females are fawning over Christopher. It occurs to me then what is running through Keir's head and I soon realize what he's referring to when I feel our minds link...

The pup.

I shake my head and a soft smile tugs at the corners of my lips. I walk a few steps closer to Keir and wrap my arms around him, his arms encompassing me back.

Your empathy and compassion are the greatest gifts to this world.

He squeezes me tighter for a second and then we separate to arm's length. He tilts his head to the side, a smile of his own gracing his lips.

I love you, mom.

I love you more, Keir.

I nod in the direction of his friends and future beta waiting by the tree line near the lake.

Now, go have fun with your friends and enjoy your birthday. Don't worry about your old mom.

Keir gives me this goofy look before I smack his shoulder and nod again, "Go on and have fun."

"Thanks, mom," Keir grins before turning on his heels and running to meet up with his friends. I can't help but shake my head, folding my arms just beneath my chest. That boy is in tune with everything one...an amazing alpha he will be.

Tamra's giggle surrounds me, turning my head to see her walk up beside me. She nods at the group that is slowly leaving our sight and asks, "What was that about?"

"That was everything Rakkon and I've raised him for," I release a small, but happy sigh.

Tamra nudges me and asks, "Did you want to eat anything before we cut the cake in an hour?"

"I'm fine, thank you," I reply, the breakfast I'd eaten earlier was filling enough.

"Then this plate is going to go to waste," Rakkon's voice sounds from behind me and I cup my hand over my mouth in an attempt to not chortle at his gesture. Turning around, I see he's made one for himself and one for me.

Ilyas calls for Tamra and she's gone from my side in the blink of an eye. I'm left standing there with Rakkon, staring into his eyes while I reply, "Well...you know I'd never turn down anything you offer me."

Rakkon arches a brow, "Is that so?" A gleam shimmers across the surface of his irises, while they briefly flicker to a golden hue. His voice is deeper, stepping closer to me while saying, "I suppose we'll have to test that out later."

"Cheeky," I smack his chest and he chuckles.

"Can't blame a guy for trying," Rakkon smirks, the two of us walking toward the table that Ilyas and Tamra are seated at.

"There's always tomorrow," a light smile plays on my lips and Rakkon kisses the side of my head. We sit across from Ilyas and Tamra, discussing about the multiple meetings that are set for next week with neighboring packs. It'll be daunting, but I'm looking forward to Keir being formally introduced as an adult to other packs and their alphas.

Ilyas admires, "Keir's come a long way," he draws Rakkon's gaze.

"He has," Rakkon nods in agreement, Tamra smiling at me while I swallow another bite of food.

It'll be time to cut the cake soon and for Keir to make his birthday wish. I often wonder what it is he wishes for, because even when I ask he always tells me that it won't come true if he told me. Superstitious, but I love him dearly.

It's not just to me...

...it's a link to everyone in the pack.

Rogues.

That's Oakley's mind link, a shift in the air obvious at the threat.

"Ilyas, gather those with pups and head back toward the lodge," Rakkon begins to spout commands while rising from his seat. Everyone from the Nightshade Prowlers Pack is looking to their alpha for further instruction.

It's an entire pack, it's equally as large as ours and-

There's a few second pause, my gaze shifting between Ilyas who has already started gathering together those who cannot fight. Others are moving closer together, waiting and listening for the rogues to make their presence known, but also-

Vamp-

Exhaling sharply, I feel the center of my chest pulsate the moment Oakley's connection fades, the loss creating a ripple effect among the pack.

The next orders come a second later when Rakkon says, "Narkis, Diccan!" They're before us a second later, "Create a perimeter while we start the fall back to our defenses."

"Rakkon," I speak and he turns to me, my fear spiking a second later, "Keir."

Rakkon nods and reassures me, "Keir's already contacted me. He and the others are on their way back and should be here any moment."

I catch sight of Luna Lucinda with Christopher in her arms, the Imperial Stars Pack also helping ready to respond to an attack. She's with the other females who have young pups or are pregnant, elite warriors surrounding them as the caw of crows can be heard from the deep forest.

Alpha Victor takes his spot next to Rakkon while they walk a few steps away, closer to the lake as the last of the stragglers are brought into a group. He asks Rakkon, "What happened?"

"Rogues," Rakkon nods and continues when they come to a halt, "Oakley was killed while linked with the pack. It's not just rogues, but an entire pack that rivals our own."

Alpha Victor glances behind him, watching those gathering and moving to safety. He then turns to Rakkon and asks, "A rogue pack? I thought the whole point of those choosing the life of a rogue was due to not wanting to adhere to pack social structure and hierarchy."

"He mentioned, what I believe to be a vampire among them," Rakkon lifts his chin, and as I walk next to his side, feeling the death-like stillness in the air, he states, "this is unfamiliar territory for us."

It's true, that the vampires keep to themselves behind the shadows of society, living cordially among other species...

...so why would Oakley have mentioned one?

Diccan shifts his head to the side, the warriors holding their posts while continuously observing the area, most of the packs having been evacuated.

"Keir..." I whisper under my breath, "...where are you?"

"He'll be fine, Ash," Rakkon reassures me, though his irises tell another story when his wolf comes forward.

I hear it too.

The snapping of branches and trees, the emerging of wolves between the trunks...they move slowly, cautiously with precious movements to the edges of the lake. The warriors of both packs shift their positions, coming to gather near the closest striking points. What causes me to furrow my brows is when they come to a halt. Their movements cease, their stares haunting.

Footsteps echo off the rocks as a tall man walks among the ranks of the wolves. His hair is light blonde, his green eyes staring directly at Rakkon. They hold nothing but malice, an intensity that makes me uncomfortable. When the man comes to a halt, his hands in his pockets, I can see the blood that has saturated his clothes. His lips part to speak, catching the glint of light reflecting off his fangs...

...vampire.

"Rakkon Wood I presume?" The man speaks directly to my alpha.

We haven't had any quarrels with them...why does he walk among the rogues?

Keir, where are you?

I can't ignore the unnerving gut feeling that's rising within me, my heart beating fast as I know I'm not the only one to feel the command and power this vampire radiates. Why though? I've seen vampires before and they're nothing in comparison to the one that stands before us.

We're almost back, just two miles off.

Approach from the south side and head to the lodge.

Mom-

Keir, it's dangerous, please go.

"How strange," Rakkon replies to the man and says, "you know my name, yet here I am, so rude of me not to know yours."

"I don't care for the cocky bullshit attitude that comes with alpha territory," the man replies quickly, the wolves around him raising their haunches. The man removes his hands from his pockets, tilting his head to the side while stating, "Though, you've confirmed all I need to know."

There's no verbal command given, yet the wolves surrounding this man charge at us head on. The air catches in my lungs, my eyes growing wide with shock and fear as the man shifts before our eyes...

...though his fur is white.

"Diccan," is the one word that leaves Rakkon's lips before he shifts. Warriors are quick to follow his lead, charging right at the oncoming threat. Alpha Victor is by his side, the first blood drawn on a wolf from the front line. That's all I'm able to see before Diccan is before me.

"Let's move," Diccan nods in the direction of Keir and his friends. They are heading closer to the path, though they are also frozen in horror, watching the carnage that disturbs the once still silence.

I shake my head, "I won't leave Rakkon-"

"Luna-"

"Diccan, move, I-"

Diccan grasps hold of my upper arms, bringing my gaze to meet with his as I couldn't pull myself away from those who are fighting. He looks me straight in the eyes and tells me, "This is Alpha Rakkon's orders-"

"Mom!" Keir calls, but that only diverts the attention of wolves off on the sides, redirecting their attention on Coen, Laressa and Knox.

Laressa screams and backs up the second the wolves launch themselves at the group, but there are warriors from Imperial Stars that intercept them. A scream is ripped from my lips when I see a wolf charging head on at Diccan and I, though within just a few feet of the two of us, it's brought down and sideswiped by Narkis' wolf.

My breathing is hard as Diccan doesn't ask this time; he simply turns me around and holds onto my upper arm. I'm running to keep up beside him, reaching Keir and the others before Diccan orders, "Stay together and run hard to the lodge."

Coen nods as he and Knox shift. Laressa is still shaken up, shifting a moment later as Keir remains where he is. Diccan is moving forward to set up a group run, the snarling and howls filling the air. Keir's looking into my eyes as he asks, "Mom?"

"I-" though, a second later, I feel as though I've been hit in the chest by a train. It's not a moment later that everyone feels it...though they'll never feel the intensity I do, because it's enough to bring me crashing to my knees.

The air leaves my lungs, my eyes wide with incomprehensible fear. A rush of pain...

...a pain I've never known.

I've never felt like this, an intensity that rips through my body and leaves me weaker than I've ever been before. A part of my soul, a shard of my heart leaving a hole that overwhelmingly can never be filled...a void that etched itself and burns through my being.

He's gone.

I'm shaking violently as a scream tears from my lips, the tears falling down my cheeks as my hands grasp the ground in front of me. My gaze is lifted, drawn directly to the large white wolf that continues to tear apart and disgrace Rakkon's lifeless body.

Diccan kneels beside me, grasping my shoulders as he urges me to get up. I can't though, the weight of everything compressing on my shoulders makes it impossible.

The warriors fight and take down the rogues, though they are outmatched when they defend themselves from the white wolf. My heart beats fast, almost like it's about to give and I'll fall to only wake and find Rakkon's soul elsewhere.

Why?

"Why?!" It's another scream that leaves me, though I'm barely conscious to the fact I'm not the only one screaming.

Alpha Victor's wolf encircles around us for a moment, snapping his jaws while Diccan yells, "Keir!"

A sharp breath leaves my lungs as I spot my son...his wolf takes over him and I know I'm going to lose everything...

It's too much for my heart...

Darkness clouds my vision. There's a silence that surrounds me, not wanting to shatter it, but when it does, I can distantly hear a soft call, "Mom?"

"Mom?"

"Mom?"

"Mom?"

A soft breath of air leaves my lips, my eyelids slowly fluttering open. A warm hand is on my cheek, a thumb brushing over my skin.

It's the moment I see Keir's golden irises...

...tears flood from my eyes uncontrollably as sobs rake through my body.

•To Be Continued•