The Fire and Loss

 The blaze flared into the sky. The night filled with smoke and sparks. The stars disappeared in the haze and glowing embers. The historical saloon hotel was shaded by the inferno roaring behind it. The life Lynexia had known and loved, devoured by coruscate.

 Lynexia stood at the edge of the woods and watched two figures being pushed through the ruins of the entrance to the saloon. They were covered in ash, and they were pale with fear from the building, disappearing inside again.  A crack was heard through the screams and flames, and another window exploded.  The roof began to buckle as more smoke and sparks sprayed the night sky. 

 In the mountains of the wild west of Wyoming, the old town sat several miles from civilization.  Though perfect for the pack, there was no way for emergency services to reach them in time.  The isolation doomed them to fight for their lives alone. 

Through the desperate cries and screams, Lynexia heard a female voice cry out.  It was hard to make out words through her hysterics.  She said things like, “they did it on purpose. '' and “why! '' then there were intelligible words.  Lynexia didn't care to listen to the female.  She watched the blazing town burning to the ground. 

“Get her out of here! Ronan has a truck waiting. “ A female voice commanded.  “More vehicles are being brought around.” A male voice added.  Lynexia could normally identify every voice of the pack, but tonight she didn't care to even try. 

“Watch your backs.  This could be a full assault.  They might be waiting to pick us off as we flee. “ A male warned.  Lynexia heard the others heading for the waiting cars, but she could not move.  “Head for Oklahoma, '' Lynexia's mother commanded.  “We will meet at the MacIntyre ranch.  Our cousins will take us in.” She added. 

A hand grasped lynexia's shoulder.  “Nexi. '' Her mother, Sarina, panted beside her, “Aunt Azura is waiting in the RV.  Where's your father? '' she questioned, the panic rising in her voice.  Lynexia's eyes overflowed with tears, and she pointed towards the Saloon. “He's still in there? Sarina questioned.  Lynexia nodded, “Marcel and Niccolo haven't come out yet either. “ Lynexia found her voice.  Sarina looked to the inferno saloon in horror.  'Camus! “ Sarina yelled and tore off towards the burning building.  “No!  Mom, don't leave me here! '' Lynexia cried out.  She grabbed for the older woman, but could not gain a hold. “Wyett get nexi out of here!' Sarina called over her shoulder.  Arms wrapped around the young female and held her in place. “Let me go, wyett! '' she demanded. “No, the alpha line cannot be lost. “ He defied.  “I can't lose them. “ Lynexia cried. “I won't allow you to go in there.  I will not risk losing you, either,'' she responded, refusing to free her.  “They swore to protect us all.  Even if that meant sacrificing themselves. “n wyett reminded.  '' I can't be orphaned.  I need them! “ Lynexia responded.  “The alpha and Luna are saving us.  You should not be here. “ Wyett stated. 

 “The Luna must be with her mate.  An alpha would never abandon his mate. “Wyett said.  “What about me?  They would just leave me alone to fend for myself? “ Lynexia questioned.  Will not be left alone.  The pack will take care of the Luna princess.  Soon you will come of age and find your mate.  Then you will understand. “ Wyett replied.  “Now, we must go.  There is nothing more we can do, “ he commanded.  “You are not my Alpha, nor are you my father. “ Lynexia pulled from his grasp. 

She collapsed to the ground in tears. She stared at the growing flames, waiting for her parents to emerge.  They would run to her and take her away from this place.  Wyett tried to urge the young female to leave, but she continued to refuse to move.  He remained with her to keep her from running in after her parents. 

 Shadowed figures emerged from around the back of the building.  Lynexia perked up but was met with disappointment.  Niccolo's assisted a slight young female who could barely walk from fear.  Marcel cuddled a wailing bundle close to his broad chest.  The figures approached the trees where lynexia knelt. 

The victorious flames roared as it claimed its prize.  A loud crack, like thunder, broke through the night.  A beam burned through and the roof completely collapsed.  Sparks sprayed out of the top of the Saloon.  Lynexia took off towards the hellfire.  Wyett followed and tackled her to the ground.  He drug her back to the woods.  “daddy! “ Lynexia howled as they crossed the tree line. 

Wyett pulled a struggling and screaming young female through the woods to the waiting RV.  He forced her through the door.  He jumped into the driver's seat and took off down the dirt road.  Niccolo held the slight young female who was rocking back and forth, silently crying.  Marcel soothed the infant in his arms.  Aunt Azura held tight to the howling and fighting lynexia. 

After fourteen hours on the road, lynexia calmed down and fell asleep.  Aunt Azura put her on the bed in the back.  Wyett pulled onto the MacIntyre ranch.  The sun had started its descent in the sky.  A small group waited for them on the front lawn.  He got out, followed by the others, but they left lynexia sleeping in the back.