Chapter 6

WREN

I’ve been camped out here by the village for almost a week now. Still, there’s no sign of Raven. I figured she’d at least come and sit with me. I can only assume Lucius is keeping her in the camp.

There’s no way I’m leaving, so it’s just a waiting game at this point.

Lucius does seem to be breaking a bit. The other day at the lake showed that. He seemed a tad less aggressive than normal. Don’t think I didn’t notice his arousal either because I did.

He also didn’t threaten me in his usual way either. Instead, he just left. I wonder if he’s accepted our standoff for now. It seems like it.

As I watch the village from afar, I can see movement. They seem to be in a hurry.

I stand and watch as some women and pups hug the men and walk off to a different part of the forest. The men turn back into the village.

I’m curious to know what’s going on? Is this some job the women and children can do or is something happening that requires the women and children to leave.

I decide to check it out. It’s probably going to get my ass kicked, but I feel like I can help.

I walk along the dirt path into the village. Men are running here and there barking orders. Some women that have been left behind are preparing their pups for a journey. They look worried. The older pups look scared. I’ve seen those faces before.

Someone’s coming.

The men are running with weapons and seem to be preparing for a battle. I walk through the center as they run around me. They’re so focused, they barely notice me.

“Wren? What are you doing here?” Curtis was stockpiling some supplies.

I look around as men rush past. The last of the women rush their pups out of the village. “Curtis, what’s happening?”

He walks up to me. “Nothing we can’t handle. Now you better get out of here before Lucius sees you.”

“Curtis. I can help.” I insist.

“No! You can’t!” Lucius comes up the path from the back of the village.

“Yes, I can, Lu.” I place my hands on my hips. “I’m a trained fighter. I can help you.”

“I don’t need your help. Get out of my village now.” He glares at me.

“Why do you have to be so stubborn?! I’m trying to help you!” I yell at him.

“You wouldn’t understand. Now, go!” His arm points past my head.

“Fine. If the tables turn, you know where to find me.” I turn and walk out of the village toward my own camp.

I spent the night watching and listening to the village. It was eerily quiet. Usually there’s some noise coming from it.

The evacuation seems to be done. I guess they are waiting for whoever is coming or whatever is going to happen.

By daybreak, I was in the woods collecting firewood when I heard the growls.

From behind a tree at the edge of the clearing, I saw them. Eight snow white wolves running through the grass with a very large brown one right up front. Three of the wolves had saddle bags. They shifted and dressed and entered the village.

I recognized those wolves. The Dragons are here.

I sneak around the tree line up to the village and slide myself cautiously between two houses. I get myself close to the center square. I see Lucius and some men standing in the square and opposite him, I see a dark brown-haired man with the evilest eyes I’ve ever seen. He’s standing with a blonde-haired man who looks very smug. Actually, all Dragons are smug until we smash their faces into the floor.

But this guy. He looks like the type that would help you, but then snap your neck without a second thought. His expression gives me the shivers.

I crouch behind a rain barrel as I listen. I’m trying to assess the situation.

“Lucius.” The evil man starts. “We have a treaty. We give you protection, you give me your men.” The man adjusts his suit lapels and shirt sleeves.

“Fuck your treaty. We have no men to spare.” Lucius spits.

“You can’t be hostile to me, Alpha. I don’t like hostility.” He tilted his head down slightly, glaring at Lucius.

He steps closer. “You know, I still have 2500 under my command. I can bring them down on you and you wouldn’t even have a sliver of a chance.” The man steps even closer. “The only reason I keep Torrent’s treaties alive is because, honestly, I think you’re cute with your little Tarzan life here. It’s……. entertaining.” His voice was filled with cockiness.

“You don’t get rid of us because you know we’re stronger than your own men. Without us, you would be more devastated than you are now.” Lucius' fists were balled at his sides. His jaw clenched.

The man ticked his head quick. “True. You are more agile and stronger than most Dragons, but your numbers are pathetic. You’re becoming more trouble than you’re worth. That’s why I’m changing the terms of our agreement.”

“You can’t do that.” Lucius grits.

“Oh, but I can.” The man closes the gap on Lucius. “I own you, Alpha. Without Aurora, your people would suffer. Without us, the other tribes would annihilate you. Without me, Lucius, you wouldn’t even be Alpha. Remember that.”

He stared down Lucius with those evil eyes.

“What are your terms.” Lucius asks reluctantly.

“Today, I want four of your best fighters. I also want breeders. Six to be exact. Unmated. They must be prime women.” The man grins. “Then I want the pack.”

“Never!” Lucius growls.

The man tilts his head again and punches Lucius right in the jaw. Sending him to the ground. I had to cover my mouth to stop myself from making noise.

Lucius rubs his jaw. His men start to step forward and he puts his hand up to them to stop them. He lifts his head and shoots daggers at the man.

The man crouches down to Lucius' level. “I’ll give you three months to get your affairs in order. In three months, this pack becomes Dragons either my choice or by force. Anyone who fights against us will die. Do we have an accord?”

Before I could stop myself, I jump from my hiding spot. “No! We don’t!” I stride into the center of the village. My lips in a snarl.

The man looked shocked at the sight of me. Lucius looked like he was about to rip my head off.

I stop and cross my arms. “This pack will die before it becomes Dragon filth.” I spit.

The man stands. “I’m sorry. I don’t believe we’ve met. Xavier Black.” He bows. “You are?”

I glance at Lucius as he gets to his feet. “Don’t.” He warns me then turns to Xavier. “She’s no one. Just a pain in my ass that won’t go away.”

Xavier smiles. He runs his thumb across his bottom lip as his monstrous eyes travel up and down my body. “Well then, if she’s nobody, we can take her off your hands right now.”

I squint my eyes. “You’re not laying a hand on me.” I grind.

“Sweetheart, I don’t think you realize who it is your challenging.” He grins.

“Oh, I know who you are. You’re Dragon scum. I’ve been fighting you my whole life and I’m not about to stop now.” I take a step closer. Balling my hands into fists.

Xavier looks to Lucius. “She’s feisty. I like it.” He turns back to me. “What’s your name?”

I step closer. Lucius protests. “Don’t!” I hold a hand up to him as I challenge the man. “I am Alpha Wren Miller. Oldest daughter of Alpha Duncan Miller. Helena is my pack and if you or any other Dragon asshole even thinks of touching one hair on any of my people, I’ll tear your head of your shoulders faster than you can blink.” I don’t falter in my stare as I challenge the evil eyes in front of me.

Xavier laughs. “You?...The Alpha heir to Helena. You?” He almost doubled over.

I smile and laugh with him. “Yes, I am.”

“Darling. Run along. Let the men speak.” He gives me a condescending look. Waving his hands to shoo me away.

I chuckle and arch my brow at his chauvinistic gesture. I turn and look at Lucius and the men behind him who are not too happy right now.

I turn back to Xavier, still chuckling as he stares at me. I nod.

In a split second my face changes. I drive the heel of my hand up into his nose. I stab four spots on his chest with two fingers and spin around him twisting his arm. I finish with him bent over in front of me in pain and dripping blood into the dirt. I have two fingers pressed to the base if his skull.

His men make a forward motion. “Ah!” I stop them. “Any closer and I press this spot, cutting off all circulation to his heart. He’ll be dead before he hits the ground.” I give them a serious look.

They back off with their hands up.

I lean to Xavier. “Now. You will leave this village. Empty handed. You will not change the treaty and you will find your fighters elsewhere. Do I make myself clear?”

Xavier just groaned.

“Answer me!” I demand.

“Yes!” He yelled, shaking.

“Good.” I run my fingers down his spine and drive my knuckle in between two vertebrae.

Xavier screams in agony, but he can move again.

I let him go and step back. Not taking my eyes off him.

Xavier turns. Rubbing his neck. His men look confused, but then turn with him.

“Xavier.” I call to him.

He turns back.

I eye him menacingly. “Leave quickly.” I snarl.

Xavier and his men jog out of the village and tear through their clothes, shifting. The run off into the clearing. Pouncing into the tree line.

I turn slowly to Lucius who practically has smoke rising out of his ears.

“My house. NOW!” He pointed to the back of the village.

With my mouth small and my head held high, I march with him down the path to his house. He throws open the door and grabs my arm and throws me inside.

“What the fucking hell was that?!!” He yelled.

“Helping!” I yelled back.

“You started a fucking war, Wren! I assume you heard. He has a fucking army! You fucking put us all in danger!” His arms were flailing and his face was red.

“No! What I did was stand up for my people! We can fight him, Lucius. I’ve dealt with these assholes for years!” My chest was out and my breath was heaving.

“They’re my people, Wren! Not yours! I’m the Alpha here! You fucking embarrassed me in front of my pack!” His yelling got louder.

“Somebody had to do something, Lucius! You weren’t going to do anything!” My voice started to have a little growl in it.

“I was trying to not piss him off so much that he brings 2500 fucking dragons down on our heads!!” His head looked like it was about to explode.

“So, you sell our pack out?! Turn us into Dragons? Fuck you, Lucius! If you think I’d stand by and let you destroy Helena, you have another thing coming!” I was raging mad now. The Alpha in me was starting to show.

His chin came out and his lips curled. “You are not this pack! You are so far from being Helena it’s not even funny. You sure as hell ARE NOT THE GODDAMN ALPHA!” His eyes were on fire.

“I’M MORE ALPHA THAN YOU WILL EVER BE! AT LEAST I HAVE THE BALLS TO STAND UP!” I scream back.

He runs a hand through his hair and turns around. I can hear his breath forced out his flaring nostrils.

He turned back. “You need to leave. Now.” He glared at me.

I crossed my arms. “No. I’m not leaving. Not now. Now that I know how deep you are in this thing. You’re going to need my help.”

He stomps to the door and opens it. “I don’t need anything from you.”

I nod. With my head held high, I walk out the door. I turn to him as I walk by and stop. “You may not need me, Lucius, but this pack does. I’m not about to let anyone get in the way of that. That includes you.”

His face scowls as I confirm that I mean every word with my expression.

I head back out and to the village.

“Wren!” I turn and Curtis jogs up. “That was….um wow.” He rubbed his neck.

I shrug. “Just a little trick I learned on a mission. It only paralyzed him. The heart stopping thing was bullshit.” I smirk.

“I…uh…Thanks.” He stops and I stop too.

“You’re welcome." I bow my head.

“Look, I know you and Lu still haven’t come to terms, but if there’s anything you need, just name it.” He smiles.

“I could use a visit from my sister. I won’t take her. I just want to spend time with her.” I reassure.

He nods. “I’ll see what I can do.” He leaves to help the men straighten up.

I walk out to my campsite at the other end of the clearing. Thinking that yeah, I may have poked the bear a little too hard, but it’s not like I’ve never had the odds stacked against me before. I can call in reinforcements at any time. Get the Unit out here and wipe out the rest of the Dragons. There’s one problem. Lucius and the other packs. I’m sure none of them would want to cut off their treaties. I need to get them on board before I call the Alliance. I need a counter offer that will make them want to give up the Dragon treaties.

I may have to go to the council. But first, I have to make sure my sister is safe and well before I leave.

****

The stars are out now and I’m cooking my dinner on my fire.

I hear a rustle and spin in my seat.

Raven enters the fire light.

“Raven.” I breathe. Smiling as I get up and hug her.

She hugs me back. “I brought some food and an extra blanket.”

“Oh. You didn’t have to do that.” I took the plate and blanket from her. “Sit. Please.” I offer her a spot next to me.

“The Alpha’s in bed. I snuck away. Curtis gave me your message.” She warmed her hands against the heat of the fire.

“I just want to spend some time with you. It’s not like Lucius is going to let me live with you or you with me, so we might as well take the time we do have.” I wrap my arm around her.

“It’s not fair.” She looks down at her fingers. “I love it here, but I love you too. It’s not fair that I can’t see you.” She mumbles.

“I know, Raven. Lucius. He’s a hard man. Probably because he’s had to live so hard for so long. But he cares about you. I know he keeps you safe. I thank him for that.” I brush the hair from her face and tuck it behind her ear. “Maybe someday he’ll forgive me and we can see more of each other. Right now, he’s angry and he’s trying to punish me. I don’t think he realizes how much he’s hurting you too.”

“Yeah.” She stands. “I should get back." She thumbs over her shoulder.

“Stay.” I grab her hand. “Just for tonight. We can have a camp out.” I grin.

She smiles. “I’d like that.”

We ate and talked and talked some more. We eventually had to turn in. Sleeping side by side wrapped up in blankets on the floor of my tent.

“Wren?” Raven asks quietly. “Do you think we’d be here if mom and dad were alive?”

I give a half smile. “I don’t know. I know we’d all be together. Dad would make sure of it.”

A tear rolls down her nose. “I miss them.”

I wipe her tear away. “I do too.”

I cuddle my baby sister and drift off to sleep. I think this is the first time in ten years where I didn’t have a single nightmare.

To have her to hold again was a dream come true. I never thought in a million years that I’d look into my sweet baby sisters face again.

I wonder now, who else is out there. Waiting for us to find them. Waiting for us to hold them. Waiting for us to tell them that from now on everything’s going to be ok.