LUKA'S POV

"Luka stop looking at me like that. I told you I'm fine!" Rae huffs and turns back to the movie we're watching in my living room. Everyone is splayed out in their own corner as we watch this action movie and yet I can't help but constantly glance towards Rae. It's been two and a half months since Doctor Ewan allowed Rae to walk around again since her incident. She's been walking fine, though slowly, and she fights through the pain but I still don't think she should be so calm about this. She needs to rest.

"Rae-"

"If you say I need to get some rest one more time I will kick you out of your own house." A chorus of "oohs" and "aahs" sing throughout the living room at Rae's threat.

"I'm just saying you're still healing and-"

"That's it. Get out. Go outside and run or go play with your sister. And when you cool off you can come back and hang out with the cool kids again." Naal, Keegan and Jason crack up while the girls giggle to themselves.

"Rae don't push m-"

"Don't push you? Oh please you've pushed me far enough. Out! And come back when you're ready to behave." My wolf growls at the disrespect I'm being shown by her and my friends.

"Rae I'm not-"

"Out!" Getting up I flash my canines towards everyone in annoyance and leave through the back door. 

To think I allowed her to treat me in such way... it's like the incident has changed her. Made her almost, tougher. Just hearing her before, hearing her attitude... but even beyond that, hearing the happiness that was lying behind that. It makes this stupid walk worth it. She hasn't been as happy as she used to be and I want to say it's because she is a teenager now but I know it's more than that. I don't realize I've gotten farther and farther from home till I open my mindlink.

"Raelynn said you can come back now." Naal tells me through the link, the amusement very obvious in his voice. I scoff at that and continue walking. It feels good to just walk around my pack with no fear and no worries about what may pop out at me. I wouldn't say it's peaceful for I have come to disbelieve in peace but it is calming. Very calming.

"I'm actually enjoying my walk right now. Just make sure she doesn't strain herself." I let Naal know and smirk to myself. I think I'm going to make the best out of this odd punishment. I'm going to visit someone from my pack. It is essential for me to get to know everyone here. Interpersonal skills are crucial for an Alpha.

Closing my mind off to everyone I let my feet guide me. Wherever I end up I will be the best and most respectful man I can be. Outside the forest's shelter of trees I can hear the chirping birds and remember the sun's rays boring down on its occupant, but in here, within the canopy of green there is an earthly silence that is most comforting.

Shaded by various tints of green, the smell of moisture in the air fills my lungs and I expel the air slowly enjoying the slight burn in my chest. The quick scurry of a squirrel running up a tree keeps me alert to my surroundings. In a forest like this, one is never alone. I aimlessly continue down the path directed merely by my senses and happen upon the music of a stream not ten yards out from my position. The abrupt pauses through its endless flow as it hits rock after rock let me know this stream is not man made. I smile to myself at the beauty that Mother Nature can create. Or is it God?

The almighty being that my angel chooses to worship. Could it be him that creates such beauty from mere plants? Little saplings growing into masses of protection to all of its inhabitants. Can he be the one? Does the Moon Goddess have any say in the matter? Or does she only care for own creatures?

Us, the lycans... the werewolves as humans call us. I guess over time we have adopted that name is well. The creatures of the night they say and yet we dwell amongst them during the day as well. I've never really, truly understood human's perspective on what we were until I watched that Twilight movie. Sure there is the Wolfman and all of those other horror movies, but to see us depicted in such a human way, it was almost reassuring. But humans aren't ready for us. They aren't ready to know. Not really. They are way too-

Taking a deep breath I catch the scent of something sweet yet tart with just a touch of cinnamon. Mmm Apple Pie. Following my nose I close my eyes and track down that delicious scent to a small cottage. I walk up to the door and am about to knock when I hear talking from a nearby window.

"Why are you here? Are you crazy? If the Alpha finds out-"

"The Alpha won't find out trust me."

There's a male and a female voice speaking, one light and airy while the other is gruff. Who these people are I'm not sure but-

"Our Alpha isn't pleased with the outcome of the attack." The gruff voiced one says. My body stills at his confession. His Alpha? An Alpha sent the rogues after us?

"I never knew they were such good fighters. They moved with such speed and agility. It was amazing." She says with adoration. The male snorts in response.

"Amazing my ass, they killed almost every rogue we sent. It was supposed to be an easy ambush. Kill the Alpha's family and get out. What went wrong?" The female sighs at his irritation and moves around the cottage.

"They're trained better than we anticipated. They seem to fight in their human forms as well as their wolf, so they were able to take on the rogues either way. What does the Alpha want to do now?" Heavy footsteps follow her light ones and the gruff voice sounds as though he is sitting down now.

"The Alpha wants the family killed. He finds them as a threat and wants them eliminated. He figures they must know more about what is going on then he suspected if they committed what they had. The rogues won't go after this pack again after the slaughtering they went through and we can't just send over our own pack members..." The male trails off and the click of a tongue is heard within the silence.

"I will speak with the person I have here and see what we can do. He's been gone for a while... I'm sure I can get in contact with him eventually. But it won't be easy and it won't be quick. Tell the Alpha to be patient and I will do my best to serve him." The gruff voice grunts and pushes his chair back, causing it to slide against the floor.

"Patient? What does our Alpha know of patience?" He groans and the cottage shakes as he bangs something against the wall, most likely his hand. "Whatever you do make sure you are not suspected. We are running thin on men and with what little we have... we could be overrun easily. It's pathetic really but-"

"But we are not in charge, our Alpha is. We put our trust and faith in him." The female voice seems devoted to this "Alpha" while the male voice seems to be losing hope. I can't stand around here anymore. I need to figure out who these people are now.

"You're right. I need to go before-"

"Before anyone finds out you're here... aww too late." I say to myself as I burst through the door and let my wolf take over.

You are trespassing on Dark Moon territory and conspiring about murdering the Alpha's family that happens to include myself. Give up yourselves now for questioning or be ready to be executed. Looking at them now they seem like a normal couple. The female has dull brown hair that is shoulder length and frizzy. Her doe like brown eyes make her seem innocent, and yet the words spewing from her mouth say differently. The male isn't much bigger than me with a scar from his temple to his jaw. His tired blue eyes are surrounded by bags. He looks almost as bad as she does.

"Young Alpha I don't know what you heard but-"

But nothing. Give yourselves up now or I will tear your heads off. The female gulps and tries to make a run for it but it's the male that gets to her first. He grabs her by the neck and holds her against him before extracting his claws and ripping out her throat. She is barely able to get a squeal out before she is choking on her own blood. Her body drops to the floor with a thud and I eye the male suspiciously. He raises his arms slowly, blood dripping down his left arm and walks towards me cautiously.

"I will tell you anything you want, just spare me." I watch the male carefully before speeding in front of him and grabbing his neck.

You so much as try to run away and I will do worse to you than you have to the female. The male nods quickly and I throw him outside.

Instead of trying to carry him myself I mindlink my father. He will know what to do better than anyone right now. Stepping outside I watch the man slowly get up from his position and stand directly in front of me without moving a muscle. I take this time to get in contact with father.

"Father there is a male here that has trespassed and has been speaking about the rogue attack on us. He has information that you need to hear."

"Where is your location?"Father asks immediately. I give him my location and some trackers on patrol arrive within a few minutes. Together we lead the trespasser to the pack house and straight to my father. Before they go I have a word with them.

"Take in his scent and find out how he got through our borders and where he came from. Do not come back until you've found something understood?" The trackers nod their heads in unison.

"Understood young Alpha." They leave quickly and I walk into father's office.

"Who are you?" Father asks as I remain standing by the door.

The trespasser is sitting in a chair across from my father's desk and I can't see a single ounce of fear on him. But that doesn't deter my father. He is the best interrogator I have ever seen and that is not a biased opinion. Watching father interrogate, with his posture relaxed, his hands folded on the desk and his eyes sharp and examining the trespasser. He is the best at what he does because he knows how to do it well. He doesn't come off intimidating or rude he is merely calm and observant, but always straight to the point.

"My name is Judd Wilson."

"What pack do you reside in?" Judd gulps before answering.

"Blood Moon." I try to reign in my surprise because that would mean that all of our problems are residing just next door.

"Why are you here?"

"Reconnaissance mission. I was sent to find out what went wrong with the attack Alpha Thomas had issued against you."

"It has been over a year since the attack. Why wait so long?"

"Alpha Thomas figured the rogues were still picking their teeth with your bones so he didn't care to rush. He didn't realize they could barely get back to our pack alive."

"How was Thomas able to gather so many rogues under him?"

"Promise of shelter, food and open territory solely for them. For those that had some control over their wolf they jumped at the idea. Others were mainly rejects from their old packs needing a place to stay."

"How many rogues does he have?"

"After the attack less than 200." Father pauses with his questioning and gets up from his desk.

"Why did he attack us?" Judd looks at me as he answers.

"Part of it was because of you guys stealing his pack members but the other part was because of your son. Word got out about his feat against Bo and his men a few years ago. How it was possible for a kid to take on men who used to be mercenaries was unheard of but the fear in Bo's eyes was enough. Alpha Thomas grew fearful of the man that Luka would grow to be. So he wanted to make sure it never happened and with you guys taking his pack members he finally had a good enough reason for an ambush."

"What is he planning now?"

"He is trying to find a way to eliminate your family without other packs getting wind it was him."

"And who are you to him?" Judd looks away and clenches his fists.

"I'm his Beta." This time father can't conceal the shock. His own Beta is betraying him? How bad is it over there?

"It is worse than you may think." Judd says looking at me. I realize I must have said my question out loud so I nod my head for him to continue.

"When Alpha Joshua's health started to fail seven years ago he had asked Thomas to step up for a few things. Run a meeting here, oversee some site building there, you know simple things. Mainly I was in charge while Josh was trying to get healed, but whatever he had... it was only making him worse. Soon he couldn't get out a bed and Thomas figured the responsibility was all his, appointed or not. A few months later and Thomas names himself the Alpha and he's only fifteen. We all laughed at it 'cause he was a good kid. But then people started getting hurt. Badly. I mean limbs were getting caught off for not taking his orders. People looked to me to deal with it but there wasn't much I could do. Instead I went to Josh to see what he could say about it. He had nothing to say... he was dead. I don't know if it was the sickness or his own son but he was gone. His mate was distraught and lost to us and his son was power hungry. Soon enough Thomas was our Alpha whether we wanted it or not. He kept me as his Beta merely because I knew what I was doing but everyone else?" Judd pauses and bites his hand leaving angry red marks in its wake.

"The kid is nuts. He was changing everything. Having trackers go beyond our territory and claim that land. He had enforcers bring in rogues for recruiting and those who didn't obey him? He locked them up. By sixteen we had to officially recognize him as our Alpha or he was going to send the rogues after our families. I have three little girls. I couldn't let them be harmed... so I conceded. I gave in. I was scared. Scared for my life. Scared for my family... scared of losing my title. He had his rogues scope out every pack to find out their weakness, who their heirs were and what their defenses were like. And then two of his favourite rogues don't come back from a mission and he flips. Thomas was-is crazy. He forced people to work all the time. Cut himself off from the humans and any that got too close he'd kill them. He knows how many people are in his pack, what they're doing and where they live."

"So when his numbers started decreasing..." I start. Judd nods completely understanding what I'm saying.

"He and Bo started to formulate a plan even before the members went missing. He wanted revenge and so did Bo. He wanted you gone. There's some kind of potion that the healer in our pack made, a mist that can mask the scent of a wolf temporarily. He made sure it was mass produced for the attack. He wasn't overly interested on destroying your entire pack, just your family. He was hell bent on seeing you dead. But again you surprised him. Rogues trembled in fear at the recollection of your ferocity and that made him even angrier. He's jealous. He's obsessed. He's insane with power." Father and I share a quick look before he speaks.

"What do you want Judd?" He turns to my father and looks him straight on.

"Protection for myself and my family. I killed the woman that was working on the inside so no one else will betray you. I don't need a rank I just need security." Father narrows his eyes at his plea.

"What about the person on the inside the woman was speaking of?" I ask curiously. Judd looks to me and shakes his head.

"I don't know who that person could be. I was never informed and neither was Thomas. It was someone she knew personally but that person must be long gone by now."

"Where is your family?"

"They are waiting at the safe house just west from here. I had the female tell me the route she took to get here and so I followed it. I made sure to mask our scents so no one could follow us."

"And what will Thomas say when he finds out your gone?" Judd laughs at that question.

"He won't care. I have gone against his rule more than enough for him to kill me. He has a new Beta now. One I was just training."

"What do you think Luka?" Father asks me.

"I think this man is scared for his life and his family. He wouldn't be stupid enough to come here and tell us all of this and then betray us. We should allow him into our pack but have him monitored daily just like the others." I say honestly. Father's eyes flicker to Judd before he turns around.

"If anything is to happen on his account, you will take full responsibility."

"Yes father."

"We will allow you and your family entrance to our pack. We will equip you with a suitable job and your children will be enrolled in our schools. We appreciate your honesty and courage in coming here." Judd gets up and raises his hands as if in a prayer.

"Thank you Alpha Gannon. Thank you so much! You won't regre-" I stop him before he can finish.

"There is one thing you must do before we allow you in." He turns to me slowly and a wicked grin appears on my face.

"What is that young Alpha?"

"You must help us infiltrate and take over Blood Moon."

***

"Does everyone understand the plan?" I ask the crowd around me.

"Yes young Alpha." Is their response loud and strong. Father nods at me and I continue my speech.

"Judd has given us the whereabouts to Blood Moon's weaknesses. If we follow through with the plan we will have taken down Blood Moon by morn. There will be no fear. There will be no suffering. They are licking their wounds and we are stronger than ever. Thomas won't know what hit him and believe me we are going to hit him where it hurts." The crowd hoots and stomps in preparation.

"Alpha team will follow me, your Alpha and Judd. Beta team will follow Naal, Beta Dave and Jeremiah. Gamma team will follow Gamma Jo, Jade and John. Delta team will follow your Luna, Alma and Keegan and Kyle. Stick to the plan no matter what. Mourn whatever losses once we have won. We will bathe in the moonlight of our Goddess. We will fight for the members we've lost. We will be victorious!" The crowd cheers and begins to scatter into their groups.

"No matter what son fight on." Father says holding my shoulder.

"Yes father." He leaves to get sprayed with the masking potion and mom hugs me tight.

"Now is the time to focus solely on your mission. Be the leader they need. And come home in victory." She kisses my forehead and leaves to her team. I scan the crowd in excitement at the fight about to occur.

Judd agreed to tell us everything he knew about Blood Moon's borders, defense and fighters. He pointed out weakness and told us who the stronger fighters are. He prepared us for the fight of our lives and we are ready. I watch as Judd kisses his mate and daughters, two of which aren't as little as he said. One girl is my age with brown hair and shockingly blue eyes. She's pretty with an innocence about her that I can tell her father is trying to protect. Her sisters are splitting images of her and yet she stands out.

"Luka." I tear my eyes away from Judd's daughter and turn to Naal.

"Are you ready to tear those bastards apart?" Naal smirks at my question and flashes his canines.

"They won't know what hit 'em." He walks over to his team and claps Jason on the back.

Walking to my team I greet everyone and get sprayed with the masking potion. Isn't it funny that the invention used to attack us is the same thing we are using to attack him? Thomas is too arrogant for his own good.

My eyes catch Judd's daughter again and I almost feel compelled to talk to her, so I do and the closer I get to her the more I begin to notice certain characteristics about her. She has freckles on her face and arms which compliments her pale skin. Her dark hair is such a contrast to those eyes but it works beautifully in her favour. Her eyebrows are thin and straight and her lips are pink and small. And her smile, though quaint, it is perfect. Just like her scent; soft like rose and sweet like honey.

"Young Alpha this is my daughter Zuri. Zuri this is your future Alpha Luka." I take her hand in mine and bring it to my lips unintentionally. The blush that coats her cheeks gives me warmth.

"I've heard so much horror about you from my old pack. I am more than surprised to see you are not the beast they claim you are." She smiles at me and I almost sigh.

"I am quite tame in my human form unless provoked." I wink at her and she giggles. I find I quite like the sound of that giggle.

"I'll be sure not to provoke you then." Judd wraps an arm around her shoulder and ushers her to her mother and sisters. When he comes back he smiles warily.

"Does she not know how to fight?" I ask him seriously. I see now where Zuri gets her beautiful eyes from; though Judd's are much more tired they are still the same.

"She does but she needs much training." I nod and turn to our team.

"When we return all of your daughters will train. It is essential that they know how to fight properly and more importantly, how to defend themselves." I tell him. Judd lines up with the rest of the wolves and looks to me for direction. I step back so I can address the crowd again.

"It will take us a day's run to reach Blood Moon. We will rest and feed in our wolf forms. We leave in ten minutes. Bid your family goodbye till we return."

I observe the crowd from where I'm standing and I swell with pride. Each member here both male and female volunteered to attack. No one was forced, begged or bribed. They not only want revenge, they want justice and they are trained well enough to know just how to serve it. All of my friends are fighting today, even little Yulia who is a vixen with a deadly roundhouse kick. 

Ever since her falling out with Tristan she has become fiercer. I thought it was only a phase due to a broken heart but it seems to be a lasting trait that I appreciate. She's tougher and wiser as she helped us to conduct the plans on how to attack and who should be placed in what team, which is why she is in my team. She lost her aunt and cousins to the attack and I know she wants retribution and I'll be damned if I can't give it to her.

We all want freedom from the looming shadow of Blood Moon. We want to breathe in fresh air without the stale taste of death lingering within our lungs.

"Luka you better come back safe and sound." Rae marches over to me and I meet her halfway not wanting her to walk much more.

"I will be fine. I may be bloody but trust me I will be fine angel." She wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me tight. I hold her close to me welcoming the comfort. The past few weeks we've been setting up this attack I haven't had much time to check in on Rae. Although I did make sure to have her or her parents check in with me on her progress.

"Luka when you get back I want you to train me." The determination in her eyes and her unwavering voice is what scares me.

"Why?"

"Because I want to be able to defend myself." I smile down at her and cup her cheek.

"But you have me and your family and-"

"And my friends and the pack and Ralph and everybody blah, blah, blah! All of that means nothing if I can't hold my own. If I am in a situation in which there is no one else I can turn to what am I to do then? No I need to train and strengthen myself so I am prepared for anything."

"I'm guessing the... incident is what brought this on?" I say sadly. Rae sighs and bites her lip.

"It triggered it yes, but to be honest... I never truly realized the world around me until now. I mean I am a human girl living with a pack of wolves, literally. Sure you guys are nice and sweet and treat me like family but all it takes is for someone to lose control and everything changes. It's like I'm a little bunny among you and I can't protect myself. But I have to. I want to. Luka... I need to." She takes my hand in hers and I close my eyes from her pleading stare.

I don't want her to train. I don't want her to have to fight for herself. I want her to stay innocent and young and protected. I want her to stay as my little Rae... as my angel... but we can't always get what we want can we?

"Alright Rae. You will be trained when I return, but not a moment sooner ok?" Her eyes rise up to mine slowly and she bats her lashes.

"Of course. Thank you Luka." Rae leaves me with a beautiful smile and heads to the bunker for safety. The back of her shirt droops a little and I can see one red angry scar left from Willow's anger. Even on her skin it can't taint her beauty, the little angel.

"Are you ready son?" I nod and roll my shoulders.

"Let's finish this." I howl into the night and my pack members join me. Today is going to change all of our futures for better or for worse. Shifting into my wolf I run past everyone and straight into the woods. Judd is right beside me within seconds and my father is on my other side. I allow Judd to take the lead since he knows the route better than any of us.

Running together we cross our territory and straight into Blood Moon territory. It's the same path that poor family tried to take when escaping from Thomas' wrath. By the time we reach the outskirts of the civilization night has already fallen so Judd leads us to a secluded and sheltered area to rest and feed.

"Leaders appoint someone to stay with your team and choose three wolves to help you hunt. Judd will lead us to where the prey will be. Let's make this quick." Father says through the mindlink.

I choose to stay with the team to make sure everyone is ok and to check on the other teams but my wolf is restless and wants to keep active. I walk around sometimes nipping at the wolves and chasing them around a bit just to keep them active and awake till the food comes. Kyle is with his group so we chase each other around and wrestle to keep up our energy. The leaders come back with more than enough kill for everyone and we feast on the raw flesh happily. It doesn't take long for all of us to finish and soon I am assigning people to keep watch while the rest get some sleep.

***

"Luka are you ready?" Waking up to the stern voice of my father alerts me to what we're about to embark on.

"I am ready." Shaking out my fur I stretch my legs and walk to the front of the group where Judd is waiting. Since he was welcomed into our pack he is now on our mindlink instead of Blood Moon's.

"Follow me young Alpha." I nod at him and he goes forward running at top speed to our destination. We keep to the woods so we are hidden by the trees but I am able to make out little houses beside us. Beta team separates to find the rogues along with Delta team. Gamma team continues to follow us.

We're surrounded by fighters and a few rogues but they seem more surprised than prepared. The wolves recognize Judd quickly and growl menacingly making Judd snort in response.

"They shouldn't be angry with me. I did what I thought was best and if saving my family is wrong then they can all go to hell." Judd tells me through the link.

"Let's give them a first class trip to hell then." I tell him growling low. Judd's head nods and I take a step forward.

"Pay attention Alpha and Gamma team we need to find Alpha Thomas as quickly as possible so I need you to take the brunt force while Judd, father and I go to the pack house. They're not prepared for this fight so use it to your advantage."

Growls are sounded all around me in agreement. Gamma team charges first and battle against the fighters while the rogues stay back and watch the fight. Alpha team is given a clearing down the middle and they attack the rogues allowing us leeway to get to the pack house.

Bloodshed is everywhere and screams and wails fill the morning air and I relish in it. Judd signals father and I to follow him to the Alpha's quarters so I do. We are side-tracked by some fighters but we handle them easy enough and continue forward. Dodging bodies and severing limbs we fight until we break down Thomas' door. Only to find he isn't there. It's as if he knew we were coming because nothing has been touched at all. Growling in frustration I search throughout the area for any signs of him but he is indeed gone. We continue to slaughter the enemies until there is no noise left. Beta and Delta team inform me they found the rogues and recognized some of them from the attack before, confirming that Thomas truly was behind all of this.

When I step into the field littered with bodies and blood I watch as my wolves come back to me all breathing in the scent of victory. Someone comes with Eldimir the only surviving elder from Blood Moon and he bows graciously. His skin is pale and scarred and his face and body is bruised. The poor man.

"I am forever in your debt." He says looking to my father.

Judd, my father and I shift and are handed a pair of shorts from the pack house. I take a look at what used to be Blood Moon and feel no guilt and no empathy. Those that fought against us died and those that were smart enough not to lived. It was as simple as that.

"All of those who wish to remain in a pack and not live their lives as rogues are free to follow us back to Dark Moon. We have more than enough accommodations for all of you. You will not be ruled through hatred and cruelty anymore. You are safe with us." Father says to the shadows where we know Blood Moon's old pack members are hiding.

One by one they step out of the darkness and take a knee in respect. There are a few less than we expected to come forward but those who have come are and will always be protected.

"Judd you have proven yourself trustworthy and for that I am grateful. For all the wolves remaining, we leave for Dark Moon midday. Gather whatever belongings you can and bring your families. Freedom is not far away." Everyone begins to cheer and applaud. Some burst into tears and some shout in joy. They must have been terrified living under Thomas' rule but they will have no reason to fear with us. Even though Thomas is still out there it doesn't mean we aren't safe. He has nothing and we have victory.

I will always have victory.

PICTURE OF ZURI AT THE TOP>>>>