*Play Song*

To say we weren't scared would be a lie. We were terrified.

     It was hard getting up that morning, a pit in our stomachs as we could feel the weight on our shoulders. Suiting up in clothing that was easy to move in, two black trench coats adorning mine and Ky's shoulders. He had grabbed my face before we walked out his bedroom door, kissing me desperately as I could feel the fear leap from him and into me. He was gaining reassurance as his mouth moved against mine, taking one last taste of my tongue before pulling away. Muttering "I love you" between panting breaths as his forehead pressed hard against mine. "I love you too," I whispered and he smiled. He was reluctant to open the door, placing a kiss on my forehead before taking a deep breath. A nod of the head, a grasp of the hand, and the door opened with the familiar click.

     They heard this speech a thousand times before. Standing before them as me and the betas stood at Ky's side while he spoke. Hands behind backs to hide their fidgeting, our nerves. We looked at their faces, peering over a sea of vampires and werewolves who finally learned how to fight as a unit. It's been a long couple of months, it wasn't easy, it's never easy especially when one is training werwolves and vampires how to fight together. Let alone get along. But now here we stand, a family who would put their lives on the line for each other. I listened as Ky finished the speech for the a thousandth and one time.  

"We can't promise that all of you will come back home. We can't even assure that you won't be injured or disabled. There are no prizes. No awards or medals. All I can promise you is that when you fight today you fight for your freedom, for your future, and," He grabbed my hand, peering down at our clasped fingers before looking back at the crowd. "Our future. If that is not a good enough reason for you to fight then this is your chance to leave. No one will judge you, I will not force you into a fight you have no motivation for. This is your last chance."

Nobody moved. Not even a flinch.

"You all completely sure? There is no turning back from here."

Still as statues.      

"Very well then."

     It's time. We shifted, signaling the rest of the werewolves to shift as well, massive bear sized wolves of different shades standing amongst a crowd of human like creatures. The vampires immediately smiled at our form, some trying to resist the urge to pet while other's ask for permission. I saw Amber give a kiss to Sebastian's soft furry cheek. I smiled before remembering what this was all for. Ky threw his head back to the sky and howled, the rest following in response as we began to move forward. The crowd parting like the Red Sea as me and Ky walked side by side, the betas following behind and the rest falling in formation when we passed them. Our heads held high as we broke through the tree line, leading a line of werewolves and vampires itching for a fight. This was it. 

     The forest was eerily quiet today. Not an animal to be seen or a chirp to be heard. It felt agitated, tense, as if it knew, it always knew. We didn't make a sound as we walked through trees and brooks. Not even trying the occasional muttering of words. The soft crunch of feet against snow was the only thing we dared to produce, afraid that if we were any louder the forest would explode with anger.  I looked at Ky, his jaw clenched tight as all his muscles were stiff, the most unpleasant look on his face. I nudged him, licking his cheek in hopes it would relax him, it only worked for a second. We were already here.   

     We paused before stepping out onto the vast snow covered meadow. Giant dark trees filled with darkness covering all angles as our breaths created a fog that dissipated after every breath. We stopped halfway across the field, our small army fanning out behind us as we took the front line. Feeling our hearts pound out of our chest as we tried our best to calm our breath, standing tall with our heads held high. We waited. And then...our ears twitched with the growing sound of running. Fast, inhuman running. We held our ground as the running got louder and closer, honing in on us as a few wolves behind us lowered their heads and bared their canines. A low growl erupting over the snow. The vampires crouched by their sides, ready to attack as they flashed their fangs and hissed. I took a step closer to Ky as they were nearly upon us, practically at the tree line.    

     Dante Knight was the first to break through. His eyes burning against the snow as his head butler and Delphine Black followed closely behind. The rest came out like a stampede as they came out of different areas of the tree line. Shooting off like fireworks as they glided across the snow like arrows, they were running so fast that they had to skid to a stop. The snow exploding at their feet as Dante was the one to set the distance, standing twenty feet away as the other's stopped behind. He ran his fingers through his hair as he took in the scene that was before him, narrowing his eyes on the vampires in our group as the one's behind him were restless. 

"I see you have a few of our own." Dante shouted, eyeing what he deemed traitors as his companions hissed. Their fangs glistening in the sun.

Ky said nothing, their eyes locked in a standoff. Dante made a 'tch' with his lips.

"Want to get down to business I see," he laughed before his face became serious and twisted. "Well I'm sorry to disappoint, but I have just one question for you before I let myself get the chance to rip your head off."

"And what question will that be?" Ky replied, snapping his jaw in intimidation.

Dante smirked an evil, menacing grin. "Which one of these mutts is your mate Ky Severs?"

Ky growled as his lips pulled back to reveal his canines, "That is none of your concern!"

"Oh on the contrary my dear friend it is," he retorted, his eyes brighter than ever. "You see it's the whole reason why I'm here and I know you're not dumb enough to leave her at home, she would be too easy of a target if you did. My troops could have easily killed her while you're stuck here, focusing on me. And besides any sensible up in coming Luna wouldn't let innocent strangers fight for her safety without fighting along side them. She would feel too guilty and simply couldn't handle the lost she caused while she ideally sat by. Right?"

Ky snarled, his head low to the ground as his lips trembled with each growl. Ears pulled back, nose scrunched in anger, teeth bare.

He laughed, "very well then, if you don't tell me maybe I'll just kill any female werewolf I lay my hands on. I'm bound to kill her at some point. Let's see, maybe I'll start with her," he pointed to Sakura, "Or her," Alice, "Or maybe that one standing behind you." A women I did not know. "Doesn't matter to me if their innocent or not the one I'm looking for. They're just mutts in my eyes, the less of them the better. But I know you care about them, with your loyalty and all that bull shit wolf ideologies. Honestly, I can't wait to rip out every female's thro-"

"Enough!" I snarled as I took a few steps forward, my body dissolving into the women he was more familiar with. Into the women he tortured. I stopped a few feet in front of Ky as something unfamiliar flashed on Dante's face. A smile of relief gracing his lips.

"Serena Havenmoon, is there something you'd like to say?" The way my name slipped off his tongue was different than all the other times. A name he would only use when he was tired of the word "mutt".

"I will not put the safety of my own skin above the ones of the innocent. I will not allow you to talk to my pack that way." My blue eyes burning through my evergreen.       

He was taken back by my words. His eyes wide as he tried to process what he just heard. Letting it sink in before his face went pale. "W-What are you saying?"

Why do you sound so scared? "I'm saying what you wanted to hear."

Dread. "Are you telling me that you're..."

"Yes," Ky took a step forward. "I am Ky Sever's mate."

It was like the wind was knocked out of him. His hand grasping his hair nervously. "You're lying." He laughed, "You're sacrificing yourself at her mercy! I swear you betas would do anything for your leaders!"

I grabbed the collar of my shirt and pulled it to the side. Revealing Ky's mark as his head stood above mine, his growl sending a vibration through my body. "I am not lying," Dante's body flinched from the sight of my mark. His hands balled into fists. "I am Ky's mate, I am the one you want."

     Dante's lips hung open before closing them with an angry 'tch'. Looking down at the snow as if he was trying to contemplate something. Like he was almost changing his mind. The man I recognized as Dante's head butler placed his hand on Dante's shoulder, waking him up from his mild coma with a gentle "sir". Dante jumped, slightly losing his composure as he nodded to his butler before looking back at me. I have never seen so much fear in my enemy's eyes before.  

"Change of plans," he said. Pausing as I could feel the hair on the back of my neck rise. Watching how his fellow vampires got lower to the ground, ready to lunge. "Kill Ky Severs, I want the girl."

     Hell broke loose. We got separated. Vampires and werewolves bounded from their places as they collided. The sound of scuffling snow, whimpers, snarls, snapping jaws, cracking of bones and twisting of heads filled the ears. Shifting as a vampire came at me, catching them in my jaws before throwing them to the next wolf, hearing the distant scream. My head whipped around, searching the field in between lending aid to our allies. I had just head butted a vampire off one of our own vamps when I saw Ky ripped a vampire in two, blood covering his dark black fur and teeth. I noticed he was about to be surrounded, ready to run to him when I notice Jason and Daren joining the fray. Snapping their jaws and slashing claws as they protected their Alpha, a momentary smile coming to my eyes.

"Serena," I heard my name in a whisper. In a voice that had only recently became familiar to me. I looked towards the sound, watching as Dante snuck off into the nearby woods. A growl rising in my throat.

This was the only way.

"Jason, Daren, Stay with Ky. I'm going after Dante."  I mind linked to them. Running towards the area of woods where Dante slithered into.

"Serena you can't!" Jason linked back.

"That's an order Jason! They are after Ky, I'll be fine!" I was at the forest edge. Peering through the trees as I waited for any sign of movement.

"Serena-" I cut off the link between us. Listening and watching carefully as I stood absolutely still. Blocking out the war scene going on behind me as I took one very small step into the shadows. My heart beating in my ears.

     Everything went silent. My heart in my throat before I saw what I believed to be a flash of movement. A second later he dashed from one tree to the other. Got you. I ran after him, dodging  through trees and bounding over rocks and gliding beneath fallen limbs. Kicking up snow with every step as I was nearly upon him, biting at his jacket. My muscles were on fire as my heart pounded out of my chest. It was like following a rabbit. Quick and limber. He threw a fist full of snow into my eyes, making me shake my head as I skid to a stop. Landing in a small divot of earth as I almost rammed head first into a tree. I wiped my face with my paws, looking up quickly as my eyes dashed from tree to tree. Fuck, I growled, I lost him.

     Or so I thought. He landed on my back, making me whip my head around as I tried to catch him between my teeth. Missed. I barrel rolled, crushing him under my weight as we wrestled like wild animals, fighting for dominance as each tried to gain the high ground. He punched me in the nose hard, a slight whimper coming for my throat as we rolled again. Scratching and nipping as we rolled, I was about to grab dominance when he punched me in the ribs and then another swing to the face. I stumbled back as he wasted no time to grab my head and pushed me to the ground. Sitting on my neck as he held my jaws shut, holding me in a position where it was easy for him to snap my neck. The two of us still as all that could be heard was the sound of our heavy breathing. Panting as fog formed from our noses and rosed into the air. It was cold. It began to snow.

"I'm not going to kill you," he said and I began to struggle. Trying to get out of his grasps as his hand only tightened on my jaw, pushing me farther into the snow. I stilled as his hand glided through my soft fur, his fingers playing with the strands before grabbing onto my shoulder. "But I will not hesitate to hurt you."

     I growled as I shifted, my body diminishing from his grasp as it took him a second to process what was happening. He was too slow. I kicked him in the back with my knee before hitting him in the face with an uppercut and then a right hook. He stumbled off of me, cursing as he held his jaw in his hand to ensure that I didn't break it. I lunged myself onto my feet, grabbing him by the collar before I slammed him back against a tree. A groan escaping his lips before I wrapped my hands around his neck, needing to restrain myself from squeezing.

"Why won't you kill me? Why did you change your plans at the last second! What was all that torment for!" I screamed at him, my body was burning as I bared my canines at him. He grabbed my wrist, holding it firmly as he just left it there. Leaving my hands on his neck while his thumb stroked my skin.

"I want you," he said clearly, looking right into my eyes. My body went cold.

"W-what?"

     He ripped my hands from his throat, pushing me back as I stumbled. "I want every inch of you. Your body, your hate, your love, your loyalty. I want it all and I will take it by force if necessary!" He lunged at me, my feet moving to the side as I dodged his attack. Wasting no time to retaliate in a round house kick before he blocked it by grabbing my leg, pulling me down to the ground. I groaned as I fell on my ass, rolling over as he missed me by seconds, his fists burying into the snow. He hissed in anger as I got back to my feet, placing my fists in front of my face, ready for a fight. It was almost like a dance as we threw punches, dodging attacks as we twirled out of the way before retaliating with a kick or a knee to the stomach. I had got him in the head with my elbow, he cut my lip with his left hook, my blood seeping into the white snow. I spat when I tasted my own blood, wiping it from my face as he watched me closely. Again. I grabbed him by the shoulders as I head butted him the forehead before kneeing him in the groin. I fell to a crouch, dodging his punch as I swung my leg with a spin, watching him fall on his back before I tackled him. Straddling his hips as I pinned his hands above his head. He hissed up at me, taking in the view before I growled back down at him. Our eyes burning.         

"Did you think it would be that easy?" I snarled, catching my breath as my fogged mingled with his. His chest heaving.

"Nothing is easy with you," he retorted, looking up at me with that mixed emotion in his eyes. Knowing that he was implying to his heart felt confession not too long ago. I scoffed, burying my nails into the snow.

"You don't know anything about me!" I shifted back into my wolf form. My paws crushing his hands as they disappeared under my size. Shoulders tensed as I pulled my lips back, revealing sharp canines that were close to his face. Ears pulled back, hair standing on end, trembling lips.

"If you give me the chance..." He pleaded, his voice dying off as I saw something flicker in his eyes. A vengeful anger sneaking in with the desire, a twisted malice hiding behind feelings of passion. A monster in human skin. I saw everything he had done and everything he will do if he were to get out of this alive. All the pain he will inflict and all the anger he rose within me. I growled a low and menacing growl.

"YOU HAVE RAN OUT OF CHANCES!"

     My jaws have clamped down hard, sinking in skin and bone. Predatory growls mixed with human screams. Hearing the gushing of blood as I tasted it on my tongue, my teeth. Feeling it on my face as I twisted and shook, hearing the snap of bone before the ripping of skin. I pulled, head from body before throwing it to the side, hearing a loud thud with a splash of red against snow. Blood dripping from my mouth and into the icy white, a fallen rose in the dead of winter.

     I had forgot to mention one important thing. Vampires are like bees, they can sense when a royal has been killed, kill the leader and the whole swarm stops. I knew that when I killed Dante Knight his vampires would fall to their knees with mourning and ours would tell the werewolves to stop their fighting. And that's how I found them as I hid in the shadows, the enemy frozen and the werewolves left in disarray. I howled from the tree line, all eyes turning to me as some hoped for the latter. They muffled their grief as I stepped into the light, shifting back into my human form. As a woman caked in blood and flesh, wearing it like war paint as it only covered one side of my face, the winner of the spoils. 

The enemy looked upon me with fear, as if I was some kind of alien. Only the allies and the people I love looking upon me with suspense and relief. 

"As you know by now your leader is dead," I shouted. My voice carrying over the snow like a falcon gliding above. "You have no more reason to fight. This war is now over."

     Our side erupted with joy, clapping and laughing, shouting cheers of victory. Their moment of happiness and relief was short lived as they focused on the tending of the injured. Carrying the bodies of the fallen above their heads, moving in procession as the distant sound of mourning rose over the pines. Martyrs amongst common men. We will have a service for each and every one of them, I will make sure of it. I watched the enemy slunk back to where they came from, their heads hanging low. I tensed as I noticed Dante's head butler coming towards me, a few men following behind him. They moved slow, their hands up in surrender as they kept their heads bowed. The way they moved wasn't threatening. In fact it was very omega like, as if they knew our traditions. The head butler fell to his knees before me, keeping his hands above his head and his head below mine as he only dared to move his eyes up to look at me. The stance of submission. We locked eyes for a long minute, a silence hanging in the air. I sighed.

"He's in there," gesturing my head back to the place where I left him.

"Thank you Madam," he exhaled, standing up as he told his boys to move. They paid no attention to me as they dispersed, only the head butler remaining as I walked passed him.

"Make sure he has a proper burial," I whispered as I left him behind. He hesitated before I heard him run into the woods, ready to retrieve his master.  

     I took in the silence. Standing amongst a battle ground as individuals collected the wounded parts of themselves. Blood stained earth, massive amounts of carnage freezing in the snow to be long forgotten. A means to an end. I have never felt freer in my life. Is this how easy breathing truly is?

     I was on the brink of tears when we locked eyes. A massive black wolf trudging his paws through the snow as he walked towards me. Blood sticking to his once soft fur as his blood red eyes shook me to my very core. My bottom lip trembled with a soft whimper. My alpha. My mate. My Ky. I ran to him with everything I had within me, gliding over snow like it was nothing as he stopped. My heart making my body pulsate. He shifted as he watched me, ready to catch me in his arms as my fingers reached for him. I couldn't get to him fast enough. His face a mix of relief and desperation. We collided, his arms wrapping around me like a bear trap, unwilling to loosen, unwilling to release. I clung to him, balling the back of his shirt with my fists as my eyes looked at the sky. Watching the snow fall. Feeling my tears run. Ky didn't say anything as he buried his face in my neck, breathing in my scent as his tensed shoulders became loose. He pulled back slightly, smothering my face in kisses as they were gentle reminders: We're here. We're safe. I'm so glad you're alive. We're free. I love you.   

     I grabbed his face and gave him a long, sweet kiss. I love you too. When I pulled away, Ky buried his face back into my shoulder, where I felt something cold and wet dripped onto my skin. I stiffened, hearing the occasional sniffle and the tightening of his grasp. Was Ky Severs crying? He's never- His body trembled against me and I couldn't help but to hold him tighter. He wailed softly against my skin, feeling the need to comfort him as I couldn't resist my own tears any longer. There we were. Two bubbling messes crying their eyes out in the falling snow. Tears of relief, of joy, of pain, and then a sniffled laughter. The wiping of eyes and a smile that has been long out of practice. It was over.

It was finally over.

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"The Show Must Go On" by 2CELLOS