According to the book, which appeared to be some sort of family registry, there were a few accounts of wolves shifting early, yet none of them as early as Charles. The last few pages were blank, so Trishanna flipped back to the last few names listed, but none of them looked familiar. She turned the pages until one caught her eye. It mentioned Clarie, followed by her offspring, two of them shifting at an early age. Her eyes drifted to Chip. Could he be a descendant of Claire and her family line? But if that were possible, does it mean that she is a descendant as well? Trixie was right; she had more questions than before. Chip let out a huge yawn, and Trishanna took him, heading to the rocking chair. She opened up the bottle warmer and fed Chip, humming to him as she always did. James and Bradley flipped through the book, trying to figure out how the language changed with just one touch from Chip. The two of them huddled with Trixie in a corner, all of them trying to make sense of it. Chip was soon asleep, and she laid him down. This time he stretched out on his side, so she pulled a light blanket over him, stroking his head, before turning and shooing everyone out of the room. The nanny will return in the morning, and all she wondered was if he would shift back by then.
All four of them headed to the main room, Trishanna sitting on the bed, her mind and body exhausted, but she could not sleep. There was too much going on, too much to try to make sense of. James and Bradley wondered if Chip had powers, which he accidentally activates. Trixie tilted her head in thought. "It's possible. The Luna had, but hers were repressed for many years, but it did activate that night when she escaped." She thought more on the matter. I think that tomorrow we should head to the library, maybe bring Chip along, for we don't know what mischief he could get into when we're gone, plus, if his abilities are activating by instinct, that could be helpful." James nodded, and with nothing else to add, Trixie left. Bradley and James walked over to Trishanna, who sat there with a look on her face. They didn't like that she was stresed, so without a word, the helped her undress, before stripping themselves and slideing into bed with her, one on each side, but tonight was about giving her comfort and reassurace, so with their hand gently stroking her skin, they whispered words of love, comfort and assurance that they will get througth this together, their calming minstrations lulling her into a dreamless sleep.
The witch was getting more and more excited as she could sense the impending fall of the current Lord. The fool of a man was so sure of his ability to demand loyalty that he had no idea how many knives were pointed at his back. His Second was crucial in their plans, and soon, almost everyone was ready to reclaim their land and restore it to its former glory. He summoned her one night, but instead of her usual excuses and pleas for more time, some of which had her bleeding when she left his presence, she entered in, her eyes sparkling in her weathered face. The man perked up, sure that she brought good news, and she did, but it was not going to be good news for him. "My liege, I bring you great tidings. At last, the stars have answered and given me sight of the future where victory is surely promised." He laughed, a dark, sickening sound. Rubbing his hands, hands that have caused more harm than any one person should be able to do in one lifetime. "And tell me about the girl." She bowed, "She will be crucial in the victory, my Lord, and I assure you that you will have what you deserve." He nodded, his smile wide as it was predatory. "Tell me when we make our move." She lowered her eyes, afraid that he would see the joy in their depths. In three days, on the night of the new moon. The stars assure me that it is symbolic, and I have no desire to keep you waiting for your rightful reward." The man nodded, calling for his Second.
The Second, Malik, entered, and soon he received orders for troops to be prepared. He dared not look at the witch, so he simply nodded and left to get the men ready for their last battle. Most were on their side, and there were plans for friendly fire to eliminate the others if they chose to be a problem. He shared the news, and they all began finalising their plans. They had many in place, each knowing that if their betrayal was discovered, death was sure, yet they would rather die than live another day under the rule of a madman. Malik left them sharpening their weapons and training. He headed to his sister's grave, a simple marker on her tombstone. She was not buried in their familial burial ground, but she was just tossed into a shallow grave along with several others nearby. If it wasn't for the kindness of his parents towards his neighbours, he was sure he would not even have this little dignity given to his sister. He sat on the ground, his hand gathering the few dry grass that tried to grow. He said nothing for a while, just allowing his thoughts to drift. He recalled her smile, and he focused on that, the memory of happier times, settling over him like a shield, adding strength to his body. He silently vowed that the night of the new moon would mark the end of this life and the beginning of something better, something that resembles the home, the village and life they used to live. He wished that his sister had held on so she could see it, but he did not blame her for wanting to escape. He promised that he would not die until his vow was accomplished. For a moment, he imagined her asking him what he would do after, but he had no clue and dared not think that far ahead. After a long time, he got up and headed back to the barracks, his steps sure as he filled his spine with determination that victory would be theirs.
It has been three days since Chip shifted, and so far, he has not shifted back. They all visited the library, but for the first time, no book came floating forth, bringing the answers they desperately sought. They tried browsing the shelves, but it proved fruitless as there were too many books and too many shelves. Trishanna grew more and more apprehensive as the days came, and even El was on edge. "You need to be prepared", was all she kept saying, but she gave nothing more than that. Trixie echoed her words, telling the Alphas that she could sense a shift in the air, but she was unsure what it could mean, but she knew it was not good. How bad, she could not say. James and Bradley were in constant meetings, trying to rally troops, but with no evidence of any impending danger, most were hesitant to join. Their own scouts and underground connections had no such news, so they chalked it up to new fathers being overly protective, thinking that maybe because of both of them, not being blood related, yet being mated to one woman, that may have ramped up their feelings of doom and gloom.
Bradley slammed his hand on the table, another rejection from a pack, one that his father helped on several occasions, turning him down. Many didn't agree with his mating situation; he was aware that they might find it strange, but he had no idea that it would affect them so much. Trishanna sensed their frustration, and both knew that she blamed herself, but they kept reassuring her that they would not change a thing. Thankfully, Aunt Cynthia came, and her timing was just right. Alexa gave birth a day after Chip's transformation, a beautiful little boy. Everyone was glad that it went well, but Sammy was even more worried. His fatherly protective nature was hyped, so Alexa was not allowed outside. Even Sam sensed it thanks to his bond with Trixie. Bruno pulled himself away from Bloodmoon and Claire, his desire to protect her and his new home fueling his training with the men. Everyone did their best to become ready for a fight they were not familiar with. One day at the training grounds, Bradley and James discussed asking the men if they wanted to step down from this fight, but Sam, Samuel and a few of the others assured him that they were all ready to defend their Alpha, Luna, and everyone in their pack, no matter their status.
There were extra guards, as almost half of the Bloodmoon warriors came over to aid, while the other stayed, ready to defend their home or offer assistance as needed. Trishanna looked out her window, her mind wondering if she had not ended up in Bloodmoon, would things have been different? She looked down at Chip in her arms, still in his wolf form. He sensed her feelings, and a tiny paw rested on her cheek, as if to comfort her and say it is not her fault. She could feel the love of her mates, their voices echoing the same words shining in her son's eyes. Tears fell, but not of blame, of gratitude that she was so blessed. The nanny came in, and Trishanna kissed her son before handing him off so he could get his nap. To say she was surprised when she returned, but Miss Malory was a real trouper, getting back into the swing of things with feedings and baths. She said the good news was that there were no diapers to change as she quickly learnt what sounds meant it was time for a potty break. Trishanna left her son in her capable hands and decided to visit Alexa and her son.
Alexa sat in a chair in her room, nursing a little boy with surprising red hair; no one was sure where it came from, but Lorenzo said that genetics were weird like that. Maybe one or both of them had ancestors with that colour, and the recessive gene decided to make its appearance in this little one. Trishanna leaned in, hugging Alexa, before sitting in the chair next to her. The two women took the time to admire little hands and toes, before Alexa asked, "How are you holding up? My mate won't let me out of this room. I rarely get to take walks, and I have to thank Dr. Lorenzo for that, but only when he's around." Alexa rolled her eyes. "He is so damn overdoing everything, but I know everybody is just tense." Trishanna sighed, leaning her head back, "From what my mates say, it doesn't look like we will have much help from the other packs. No one else has any info about impending danger, and since we don't have any solid proof, it's hard to find leaders who would lend us aid for 'no reason'." Alexa nodded, placing her son on her shoulder so he could burp. "I know my aunt is trying to get the Council on board, but she's having the same challenges. Heck, if I were not a part of it, I would be sceptical myself." Trishanna shook her head. I didn't come here to talk about doom and gloom, I want to know how you are doing. They both looked at the sleeping child, their voice lowering as they talked about the joys and challenges of giving birth, breastfeeding and having over-protective mates driving you up every wall.
Trishanna left Sammy's and Alexa's room forty minutes later, knowing that the new mother should get some rest. Many of the females in the packs will be giving birth soon, so there will be a lot of little ones running around. Maybe she should bring up the idea for a nursery; this way, mothers could get back to their duties, as quite a few of them are warriors. Maybe that's why the men are on edge, knowing that their fighting force is greatly reduced for a good reason. The males' protective instincts are on high alert, so if they could get additional warriors, that would be such a huge help. She wandered around, her mind thinking of ideas, but there was a heaviness in her heart, a cruel voice asking her if they would even survive to make her plans come true. Suddenly, she felt like a cold, dark hand squeezed around her heart, causing her to gasp even as her vision blurred; it was so cold that it burned, her lungs fighting against the darkness. She held on to the wall, yet she still fell to her knees, her body bent, forehead touching the ground as she tried to inhale, but it was like all the oxygen around her was taken away. She panicked, fighting to stay conscious, but the darkness numbed her. Just when she was about to sink into it, the fingers eased, allowing her lungs to expand and her heart to pound. Bradley came rushing in from training, his body covered in sweat. It was so odd that even in her state, she couldn't help but admire how handsome he was. Her eyes drifted close, but not before she saw the look of panic on his face. Trishanna drifted in and out of consciousness, voices all around her. Soon, James's and the doctor's voices were heard. She felt familiar arms lift her, and she was whisked away, probably to the medical bay. She scanned her body, but other than her lungs still feeling the burn of not breathing for a bit, she was fine, yet why did she feel... off? Seh tried to get back to the light that hovered just at the edges of her horizon. Wait, when did she get to this neutral place? She just floated? hovered? Whatever she was doing, there was nothing around her. She frowned, wanting to ask El where they were and if she knew the way back to her mates. She spun around in the space, searching, before she spotted her wolf. She ran to her still form, lying on its side.
"No, no no, " she pleaded in her mind, her feet pumping even though her progress was slow, but she finally reached her. She knelt, examining her dear friend. There was a dark ribbon around El's neck, restricting her breathing. Trishanna saw how shallow her breaths were. She tried to take it off, but her hands pulled back at the sting of the material. It was cold, almost slimy, it looked like it had no form, yet it was solid. She wished she had a knife to cut it, and her hands curled around a wooden handle. She looked down, wondering when the knife appeared, but now was not the time for that. She gripped it and began working it under the ribbon, being careful not to cut El. She worked the blade back and forth, El sometimes twitching or whimpering, but Trishanna did not stop. It took some time, but she was able to free El. The ribbon, rope, whatever it was, fell to the floor before disappearing into smoke.
El coughed, before settling in, her body relaxing as she breathed easier. Trishanna buried her face in her fur, glad to know that she succeeded. She looked around, not sure where they were or how they got there, but she knew she needed to get both of them to the light on the horizon. With a huff, she bent and picked up El and began walking towards the light and hopefully their way back home.