War and aftermath

David pov.

The warriors lined up including Cade and school bullies. They were good warriors anyway. Even though they didn’t like me, they were loyal to the pack. My father didn’t like them, but he had given them a chance on my request because, well, I believed that they wouldn’t betray us.

We marched towards the border. I was anxious about my first war. Me being a lycan, it was not much of a problem to me. I was stronger then the vampires. But I was worried about my father. He was a ferocious warrior and a well trained alpha. But still, he was my rock. I had gotten so far because of him. And I feared for his life. I wanted him to be safe. I didn’t want to put him at risk.

But there was no way that he would back off from a war which had put his pack in danger. So the best I could do was keep an eye on him as we fought. After marching for some time, we shifted in to our wolves and raced towards the borders. We had to arrive at the borders as fast as we could. When we arrived, we were met with a gruesome sight. Vampires hissed and glared at us with their half dead eyes with blood trickling down their mouths. Their fangs and claws were already elongated and they had already killed a large number of wolves. Some of them were sucked dry while some of our warriors bodies were crushed. Their bodies were completely disfigured indicating the bones were broken.

Finn was in his battle mode as his eyes zeroed on our enemy. I let out a ferocious roar that shook the ground as I attacked them. I used my claws to claw their dead hearts out before crushing it in my fist. They tried to use their strength on me, but my lycan’s strength was not a match for them. I was fighting three vampires, clawing and snapping my jaws at them, when I felt one of them wrap his half dead hands around me. He squeezed my body trying to crush it but before he could succeed, I grabbed him by putting my paws behind me and lifted his useless body before throwing him on top of his comrades. Then, I ran towards them before they could get up and with a single strike on their hearts all of them turned to ashes, one by one.

I looked around. Many of the vampires were already dead. Just a few were left. I was proud of my warriors. They sure are brave and ferocious. They never backed off when they faced their enemies. But the sad news was, we had lost a lot of our warriors. My eyes wide widened as I spotted my grand father’s dead body on the ground. “grandpa” I whispered. He must have died in his wolf form and his body must had morphed back after his death. I quickly covered his body to the best I could and lowered my head in respect. He was one of the best wolves I had ever met. I was lucky to have him and grandma in my life. But then, I didn’t have time to mourn over his death, as I was interrupted by an agonising howl. That howl felt too familiar.

I gasped. “Dad!!!” I left grandpa’s body and rushed towards my father. The last vampire alive had attacked him had crushed his ribs with force. The rest of the warriors also rushed towards him, but me being faster than the rest of them, managed to reach him sooner. I roared at him angrily before clawing his heart out and crushing it. The vampire dropped dead, but instead of rejoicing for winning the war, I knelt down beside my father, who was now struggling to breath. He had morphed back to his human form. I quickly cover his body and then, Finn shifted back, allowing me to spend this crucial time with my father.

“Dad” I whispered. We were now surrounded by our loyal warriors. I turned towards them urgently and said as my heart pounded in my chest. “Quick! Call the paramedics.” I ordered and they obliged at once. I turned towards my father who’s body was badly injured. The abnormal shape of his chest could only mean that his ribs were broken. A small tear escaped through the corners of my eye as I studied his badly deformed body. He was wheezing as he struggled to get some air in to his injured lungs.

No. Dad! I cannot loose him yet. I thought as my eyebrows knitted in a frown.

He smiled painfully as he kept on struggling to breath. “I am very proud of you David. And so is your mom.” He said in a weak voice. “Promise me David,th.... that you will take care of our pack after I go.” He spoke with pain. His words only made me worry more. How was I supposed to go on with his support? Even grandpa is gone. Who will I turn to for advice without them? They had been my biggest support through out my life. When the elders called me a curse or when I was bullied by my so called friends, they were the reason why I had the courage to face them. I felt a huge lump form in my throat which made it hard to swallow.

“Dad, don’t say that. You will be fine.” I said, my own throat blocked as my voice sounded more like a croak. “The medics are arriving soon.” I told him as I choked on a tear. He smiled once again. But this time it was weaker and more painful.

“It is of no use David. My time is up.” He said and looked up in to the sky and wide smile spread across his tired face. That smiled made his face brighter and peaceful. It was as if he was ready to go. As if he was at peace. “David, my prayers have been answered. I had prayed that I meet your mother soon. That I only stay her until you are strong enough to take care of yourself and the pack.” He said and I furrowed my eyebrows as he lifted a trembling hand towards the sky. “Marsha. My love.” He whispered.

“What?” I gasped. His gaze was still fixed on to the thin air as if he was looking at something. “Your mother is here to get me David. Sh.... She says hi to you.” He whispered and took in a deep breath before his eyes closed forever. I sat there dumbfounded as his body became completely lifeless. That was it? I felt a ripping pain from my chest. My dad and alpha was gone. I managed to let out a gasp of breath as a soft breeze played teased around me. My eyes started to sting and my nose itched. I was close to tears. Rain started to drizzle, slowly soaking us wet. I felt the wolves around me were grieving. They too must have felt the pain of loosing their alpha.

I felt the urge to shift to my lycan. Finn quickly took over and let out a heartfelt howl. Our fellow warriors followed my suite. They had lost their alpha while I have lost my father and my grandpa. The only support I had through out my life. My pain was far worse than what they have felt. But I wouldn’t be able to mourn for my loss. I will have to grow up and become alpha at this tender age of seventeen. I will have to carry the heavy burden of responsibilities on my shoulders.

It was not fair. But since when was life fair to anyone? And I believed that the strongest of all faced the worst trials. I stood up and faced my pack members. Finn too was feeling depressed but he was one strong lycan. At least, I still have him with me. At least I have found a new best friend who I can count on for the rest of my life. We carried our fallen warriors, including my dad and grandpa. The warriors carried them on their shoulders with utter respect as they continued to grieve for them.

I held my head high as I marched back to the pack grounds. My eyes refused to stop tearing up, no matter how hard I tried to stay strong. I knew I must gather up all the courage I had. After all I will have to face the council of elders I have grown to detest. I am damn sure that they will be the worst obstacle in my path.

The council didn’t make a fuss when we arrived with our fallen warriors, which I was grateful for. We gave them a proper funeral. All of them deserved to be recognised as heroes. They had sacrificed their lives for the safety of our pack. They are martyrs, the highest rank a warrior could attain.

My head was lowered in respect as their coffins were lowered to their graves. I paid the last respects and saluted for them. The warriors left the cemetery one by one as I stared at my father’s grave. I just couldn’t leave.

“Dad,” I whispered. “I still need you.” I said taking in a shaky breath.

Just then, I felt a hand on my back. Startled, I turned around. It was grandma. In my sadness, I had forgotten the pain she must had felt. After all, she had just lost her mate and son. The pain must have been excruciating. I looked in to her eyes which were red and puffy with non stop crying. “David. Be strong like your father. I don’t know how much time I have left. But as long as I am here, I will be with you.” She said as her voice quivered a little. I looked at her. I admired her strength and courage. She had just her other half and here she was, giving me her support. This must be the strength of a true Luna.

I held her hands as I fought back my tears. She shook her head. “David. It is ok to cry. Crying is not being weak. Just don’t let anything control you.” She said and my I hugged her tight. She was the only family left. Tears streamed down my eyes and soaked her dress. I didn’t want to loose her. If I had any control over her life, I would let her live forever.