Chapter 33

Just as Adler shifted into his wolf form, a few pack members came out from the pack house behind me and escorted me to the living room. Everyone who was in the pack house was all gathered around in the space with nervous expressions.

Bailey was at her mother's house and Delilah was teaching at the school we had in the pack but Caroline was on patrol duty and I prayed that she was alright since I didn't know exactly what was going on.

Everyone in the room looked a bit worried but no one said a word.

"Does anyone know what's going on?" I asked them all.

"We aren't sure yet Luna." One of the males who guarded the entrance to the living room spoke up. "We only know that a wolf was shot but the Alpha hasn't given us any information yet. He only directed us to make sure everyone is safe and secured hence the reason why everyone in the house is gathered together."

"But if someone was shot then I should be out there helping them." I stated as I tried to exit the room but the few guards there blocked me.

'I'm sorry Luna but we can't do that. It's the Alpha's orders since you are expecting and he wants you both to be safe.' The guard mind linked to me since Thane and I didn't get the opportunity to announce to the pack about my pregnancy.

We barely had time to process it ourselves.

'Thank you.' Was my only response as I faced everyone else. "No news yet everyone but the Alpha thought it best for us to stick together and that's what we can do for now to ensure no one else gets hurt."

Everyone nodded and fell into their own conversations about what was going on.

"Luna, come sit." One of pack members, whose name is Maria ushered me over to the empty seat next to her.

I gave her an appreciative smile as I walked over and took a seat.

'You're expecting aren't you?' Maria mind linked to me.

"How'd you know that?" I asked in surprise.

'Your touching your stomach in protection.' She pointed it out and I realized that I was subconsciously doing just that.

"I am." I revealed with a smile and then noticed that she was sporting a baby bump the size of Bailey's which meant she was just over a month pregnant or about two human months pregnant.

'Well congratulations Luna.' She mind linked to me with a sincere smile.

'And congratulations to you as well. Maybe in the future our kids will be friends.' The thought alone of a little Thane running around made my heart warm.

"They sure will be." She said happily as she distracted me from worrying about what was happening.

Before she could delve further into the conversation however I heard the backdoor open loudly and the guards moved away from the entryway to the living room and revealed Thane with a bloody t-shirt.

He sported a poker face and showed no emotions but just from being near him, I knew how he felt.

Anxious, nervous and the slightest hint of fear.

"Thane." My breath caught in my throat as I felt his emotions wash over me. "What happened?"

But he didn't answer audibly, he mind linked everyone and they all gasped at what just took place.

'Atticus is dead. He was shot with a silver bullet by a human hunter.' Was Thane's words as he looked at me.

Along with everyone else who got that message, I was in shock.

I first met Atticus the day I went into the Crypt and now he was dead by the hands of my own people.

I got off the couch and rushed into Thane's arms.

He grabbed onto me and pulled us both out of the room and into his office. He settled us both on the sofa in his office as the tears welled into my ears.

"This is all my fault." I whimpered.

He used his thumbs and brushed the tears off my face, "No it isn't. The only person to blame here is that human Jake and whoever is working with him."

"If I had told you everything before-"

"Then this would've still happened. No matter when you told me Emery, we couldn't have seen this coming." Thane said but I could here the pain in his voice.

I wiped the tears off from my tears, "Why didn't you mind link me? I could've saved him."

He gave me a sympathetic glance, "You're pregnant now love, you have to keep yourself and the baby safe and healing someone wouldn't help that."

"But-"

"No, I don't want you healing anyone until after you make our child and when you're fully recovered after that. Promise me you wouldn't?" I could see how scared he was and had no choice but to agree with him.

"Fine, I promise." I grumbled.

"Good." He shifted me off him slightly so that he can pull his t-shirt off since it was covered in Atticus' blood.

"What about his family?" I asked.

"His wife and daughter knows already. They're both grief stricken but at least they have each other."

"I should go meet them." I said getting off the sofa but Thane stopped me.

"Wait, there's more." He hesitated.

I raised my eyebrows in confusion, "What is it? Was someone else hurt?"

"No." He shook his head and took in a breathe, "The guy who shot Atticus...he left a note." Thane pulled out a piece of paper from his shorts that was smeared in blood.

"What does it say?" I asked dubiously.

Thane unfolded the note and handed it to me.

I stared at the writing and knew it was from Jake, "To Emery and her dog, consider this my declaration of war." I gasped at what I read and looked up at my mate, "Thane..."

"Just continue reading."

I looked back at the letter and read, "After you killed Ian, I thought I would surprise you and your little cult. I would've killed you right before your mate's eyes and then drag him back to town and show the entire village what vile creature you've been living with." Thane let out a harsh growl at that and I could feel the anger emanating off of him, "But my mind was clouded in anger at that time so I gave it a few days and let's just say the clouds has dispersed and I know what I'm going to do to you when I see you again. You, Emery, didn't have the dignity to protect your own friend Ian. So I'm not going to spare anyone in your pack. I'm going to kill every last wolf until you and your dog are the only two left. I promise you.

"So prepare for war Emery Aiken. I'll be there right with you five days from now with a gun to your dog's head." I started to see red when I read that and couldn't help the sudden urge to kill Jake if that meant protecting Thane. "Consider this my warning as I want a fight from your guard dogs...how else would it be fun for my guys and I?" And it was signed off with the words 'Love, Jake'.

I looked at Thane with a worrying expression as fright took over my entire body.

"He got one thing wrong, you're Emery Blackwood." He gave me an unamused smile in the harrowing situation we were in.

"Thane, this note says war." I gulped.

"We can handle them." He said with such assurance that he could've tricked me.

"But they have guns Thane. Silver bullets!" I exclaimed.

"And we have strength and super speed. Trust me love, we could handle this."

"One of them just took out Atticus. How can you be so sure?" I was feeling another panic attack coming on and all this stress wasn't helping me or the baby.

Thane grabbed onto my hand and pulled my body to sit on his lap as I placed my head in the crook of his neck, "Relax love, we could handle this. We will get through this, the pack and all of us. You just need to have faith in us...even if the odds are against us."

"I can't have anyone else getting hurt." I whispered.

"And no one would." He pulled my face to look at him, "We need to be brave and show courage to our pack. If they sense the slightest fear in us then that could be our downfall. We need to be strong so that they are brave enough to fight."

"But I can't Thane, they could kill us." My voice broke.

"Do you trust me?" His eyes held a tornado of emotions.

I gave him a baffled look, "Of course I trust you."

"Then trust me when I say that this would be alright." He lowered his head and pecked my lips, "I need you to promise me that you trust the pack to handle this."

"I promise. I know the pack is strong but I wouldn't be able to bear it if anyone else gets hurts."

"I would see to it that no one does."

"What now then?"

"Now we go tell everyone in the pack about what's going to happen and then you have to tell us everything you know about Jake and the hunters."

"I can do that." I nodded as Thane pulled us to our feet. He went to his desk and grabbed two clean t-shirts. He pulled one on and walked back to me and took my shirt off since it was messed up in blood from when I hugged him. He stuffed me in another one of his shirt and I was drowning in it again but it felt comforting which was a feeling I needed more of.

"Let's go lead our pack Luna." He opened the door for me.

Before I walked out, I placed my hand on Thane's cheek, "I wouldn't let him hurt you. He wouldn't be able to lay a hand on your hair."

Thane smiled at my protectiveness and placed his arm around my waist and kissed my forehead, "I know you will protect me, Luna."

When Thane and I met with everyone from the pack and told them about our impending doom, they were first frightful especially with the sudden news of Atticus' death. But with Thane and I showing a strong and powerful front, they all showed the courage and bravery we needed.

After that, I told everyone about the hunters, which wasn't much. All I knew is that there were a little over two hundred of them but I wasn't entirely sure but I knew that Thane's pack of over eight hundred wolves clearly outnumbered them, even though most of them were children or seniors. Besides that I knew they wield a powerful weapon, silver bullets.

Thane had Nina, the woman who designed my wedding dress, design some bullet proof vests for everyone in the pack. She made it so that they could wear it in wolf form and be less vulnerable to getting shot by a silver bullet. Nina and everyone else who could use a sewing machine got to that as quickly as possible since we needed them for the guards who ran border patrol.

Beau, Lucas, Thane and just about everyone else I knew trained everyday to prepare for the war. Everyone except for the children, elderly and pregnant woman, joined forces for the fight. Thane had to ensure that they were ready and I wanted to help out but he made sure I stayed put in his parents house since it was the furthest from the side of the forest that lead to Fairbairn.

So Thane joined me in his old bedroom at his parents house. Thane and his mother made sure I was secured at all time in the house and that I didn't lift a finger since I pregnant. Luckily I had Bailey with me since Lucas made sure she didn't do anything as well.

It was stressful knowing that I couldn't help but I knew Thane would be distracted if I tried to help so I followed his orders for now.

The only time I ever saw him though was is in the night when he finished training everyone for the day and by then he falls asleep instantly due to exhaustion.

I was concerned that he was pushing himself far beyond his limit but I knew he wouldn't listen to me if I told him to slow down.

And that's how the next five days went by before Jake and his army of silver bullet equipped hunters arrived.

~ Night before the war ~

"This was Thane's blanket when he was a baby." Anne handed me a soft baby blue blanket with some stars printed on.

"This is perfect for our little one." I said hugging Anne as she sat next to me on the sofa in the living room.

"I thought you'd like to have something of Thane's for the baby." She smiled.

"You read my mind." I ran my hand through the fabric of the blanket before I looked up at the clock and saw that it was almost one in the morning.

"He'll be back home in no time." Anne said to me just as I heard the front door open.

And in came Thane and his father Carson.

They were both covered in dirt and scratches and looked worst for the wear.

"Thane," I immediately went to him and went to wrap my arms around him but he held my wrists and prevented me from doing such.

"I'm dirty." He crinkled his nose.

"Never stopped me before." I rolled my eyes at him and he looked at what was in my hands.

"I don't think you want that to get dirty." He pointed out.

I nodded, "You're right."

So I rest the blanket on the back of the sofa and wrapped him up in my arms, "I swear you've worn yourself out before the morning."

"I had to ensure everyone was prepared." He mumbled into my hair.

I pulled back slightly and looked up at him, "And are they?"

He held a determine look in his eyes which sent a wave of assurance over me, "They're trained, strong, fast and the best fighters a pack could have."

"Take it from the words of an old Alpha kiddo, the Blood Moon pack is a force to be reckon with." Carson assured me before he and Anne turned in for the night.

Thane also pulled me to our room where we took baths before getting settled for the night. Well as settled as we can be before the storm that was approaching.

"I told you to go to bed without me." Thane said as he laid beside me and pulled me into his arms.

"Would you be able to sleep without me next to you?" I questioned.

"Point taken." He chuckled for the first time in what felt like ages. "Now tell me, how's our little dude."

He turned to face me and placed his palm over my stomach. I smiled at Thane's content expression.

"Happy now that his dad's here for the night."

"And how's his mom?" Thane's eyes flashed open with a serious expression.

"As good as she can be in the circumstances that she's in." I brushed my fingers through Thane's hair.

"Nothing bad is going to happen love." Thane said with such conviction that I wanted to believe him but I couldn't.

I had a terrible feeling in my gut and I couldn't shake it.

"You don't know that for sure." I whispered but he caught it.

"Nothing's going to hurt you Emery. You or the baby. As long as I'm here, nothing's going to take you away from me." He proclaimed.

"And what about you?!" I exclaimed. "I'll be safe here with the others but what about you?" My voice cracked at the last sentence. "I can't protect you out there and I can't lose you Thane. I can't have him take you away from my side."

I buried my face in his chest as one of his hands stroked my hair and his other wrapped protectively around me.

"Not even the Moon Goddess can take me away from you. Our little pea, you and I are all going to fine. Nothing will tear us apart." He comforted me.

I gazed up at him, "If you don't come back to me in one piece, I'm going to paint your jeep pink."

His face contorted into a painful expression, "Not the jeep love..."

"The mustang too, so you better keep your promises." I stated.

"Protective one minutes and sassy the next." He laughed.

I shrugged, "Pregnancy hormones."

He rolled his eyes at me, "I think it's time for you to go to sleep."

I pouted, "I don't think I could sleep, plus I need a few more minutes with you before tomorrow. We've barely spoken in what feels like ages."

"I don't think I could sleep either to be honest. But I promise as soon as tomorrow is over, I'll spend every minute of the rest of my life with you." He winked.

"Not every minutes, you can be quite annoying at times," I poked his cheek.

He playfully glared at me, "Is that so?"

Before I knew it he was above me and started to tickle me. Gently thought, seeing as there was a baby in the mix.

After he made me laugh I tapped out, "Okay, okay! Stop!"

He finally let me go and resumed our cuddling position, "Good, that's sorted."

"You're right," I started, "you're only annoying ten percent of the time."

He reached his hand out to tickle me again but I cut in, "Wait!"

"I'm listening." He gave me a curious glance.

I bit my lip before I said, "I was thinking-"

"Oh that's never a good thing." He grumbled playfully and I flicked his chest, "Hey that hurt."

I cleared my throat, "As I was saying, I was thinking what our little pea's name will be."

Thane's eyes lit up in excitement at that, "Something starting with T."

"How about something starting with E?" I smirked.

"It doesn't matter love. Once he has your eyes and smile, I'll be the happiest man on earth." He grinned.

I pecked Thane's lips in appreciation, "I'd rather see a mini Thane running around."

"Thane jr. I like it."

"No way. That's not what I meant."

Thane smirked evilly, "I don't know, it sort of has a ring to it."

I rolled my eyes at him, "Maybe Eros?"

"How about Toby?"

"Or Evin?"

"Or Thor?" He pipped in.

"We're not naming our kid after a super hero." I finalized.

"Why not?"

"Because that's like naming him spider-man."

Thane smiled at me, "I don't think that's the same thing love."

"No Thor." I stated.

"We'll see." Thane chuckled.

And for the next half hour we went back and forth with baby names before we both fell asleep before the approaching dooms day.

A/N

Chapter Update: Wednesday

Wow! A declaration of war.

Do you think our pack has it in them to defeat Jake and the hunters? 

Next chapter is going to a hell of a ride with a battle. It's no game of thrones style battle but it's going to be pretty messy.

Song: Hozier - As It Was

IG: @1fandombookgirl

I hoped you enjoyed the chapter!

If you did then please consider:

Voting + Commenting

Read on wolfies, 🐺

-Shania. 🐾