Fated

Chapter XXXXVIII: The Blood Moon rises

Adira

Adira's eyes opened at the sound of her alarm, though she was not asleep. Try as she might, sleep eluded her. The blood moon would rise today.

She shut her eyes tightly before turning and snuggling into her mate. A feeling of foreboding was eating her alive. If this was the last time she saw him... well, then, she wanted him to remember them in this moment. Suspended in this second, always in love, always happy.

Adrian's arms tightened around her and he turned, burying his head in her hair and breathing deeply. "Adira..." He whispered hoarsely, and she knew, she knew, he felt it too.

She didn't reply, joining their marks and squeezing his hand.

"Together," she whispered into the silence of the dawning day.

"Always."

A bird chirped and the moment broke. Adrian sighed, before rolling out of bed. "We must hurry."

Adira nodded, turning her head to hide the tear the dropped from her eyes.

---

Adira attempted a weak smile as her friends twisted out of the black and landed in Westwood field. The waning light of dusk made the open field almost spooky. A small breeze rustled the leaves of the forest and Adira knew Drystan was manipulating the wind in an effort to smell any unwanted company.

Amricus twisted back into the black, leaving to bring the last lot of their warriors.

Amor checked her watch, "The blood moon rises in a minute."

The wind flew from the west, rustling strands of Adira's hair, and the wolves took in a sharp breath.

They were here.

She didn't have to wait long. Lyracus emerged first from the woods, confident and arrogant. To his right stood Ethan with a cocky, brooding smirk on his face. Almost in slow motion, the rest of the soldier-wolves appeared, fanning out from behind the Lycan as they walked into the field. Adira's breath caught at their sheer numbers.

Amricus twisted out of the black, landing unsteadily next to Kaifa.

Lyracus's smile dimmed as the wolves began to appear behind Adira. They too fanned out, protectively flanking the Ten. Their energy buzzed through the air, static charge running through Adira's body.

Lyracus's grin grew bigger.

Confused, Adira turned. Starting from the left, she ran her eyes over each pack's warriors as they stood with their weapons drawn. The insignia on their chests gleamed brightly, a silver hue radiating from it. In her mind, Adira ran over the battle strategy, mentally tabulating it before her heart suddenly dropped.

The Eastwood pack had not come. Betrayal.

Cassie cursed under her breath as the soldiers began to realize the same thing. An unease spread over the Packs as they waited, unsure.

The numbers were not in their favor. Not even close.

Adira caught Adrian's hand. Together, always. Even in face of certain death.

She called out, her voice strong, its strength bolstering their soldiers, "Lyracus! This is your last chance to surrender!"

"What do I have to fear, human?"

Adira smirked, "Us." She drew out both her knives and they glinted in the light of the evening. Deadly. Next to her, Adrian growled as he pulled out a sword, his sharpened claws, threatening and deadly. The wolves behind them began to tense as they anticipated the war.