The rain stopped just as we stepped outside, though the clouds still hung low and heavy, but no water fell. Every pack member had been told, and every family was invited. They were already gathered by the time we arrived at the funeral ground. The crown-shaped tomb waited open, down in the earth, to receive the Alpha king.
When the royal convoy appeared, the sound that rose shook me. Weeping mothers held their children, fathers bowed their heads, and warriors pressed their hands against their hearts. We walked forward to give our speeches.
"Nightfang," Mother's voice rang out as she stepped forward, her face streaked with grief. "Today, we bury your King. Today, I bury my mate. He was your Alpha, my heart, and Riya's father. He lived not for himself, but for you, for this land, for this pack."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she placed her hand flat upon the coffin. "They took him from us too soon. But his strength, his memory, his spirit live in you, in us. Do not bow to despair. Stand, my people. For his death will not be our ruin."
The crowd murmured, nodding, some pounding their chests. I swallowed hard and stepped forward. "My father was the best man I knew. He laughed when he should have wept. He trained me when I wanted to quit. He believed in me when I doubted myself." I swallowed all the tears, "He called me his princess. His Luna-to-be. And he believed in every single one of you too. If you honor him, then honor his faith. Live bravely. Stand tall. Never let his death make you small."
Then I stepped back. An elder hobbled forward, raising his cane high. "The King's death is our wound, but wounds heal. This storm shall surely pass away. Nightfang shall stand strong still."
"United," the crowd echoed.
Guards moved to lower the coffin into the tomb. Drums were beaten slowly, and the air grew thick with sorrow. Then, there came a loud scream. "Make way! He bleeds!"
The drums halted. Pack members looked toward the gate. A soldier stumbled in, his chest and arm soaked in blood. He fell to his knees, panting.
Mother was at his side instantly. She seized his shoulders. "Who did this? Speak!"
His lips trembled as blood bubbled at his mouth. He forced the words out. "Dark… Moon… Valley. Soldiers are in the north. They cut through our men and are headed this way."
The whole pack erupted. "They're coming here!" "They killed the King; they come for us next!" "Protect the children!"
"Silence!" Mother shouted as mothers clutched their babies, men shouted, and warriors unsheathed their blades.
I forced myself forward. "Listen to me! Everyone, listen!" Everyone looked toward me. "Hold your children," I cried, pointing to the mothers. "Do not run wild. Hold them tight and keep them close. Men…" My voice broke, but I pressed on, "carry your families home. Protect them with your bodies if you must. Go together, and no one is alone!"
A woman sobbed, clutching her little boy. A man lifted his daughter into his arms. "Riya is right," one elder shouted, his voice booming. "Stand together! Protect one another! That is the way of Nightfang!"
"Nightfang!" voices rose. "Nightfang!"
"Take them inside," Mother barked at the guards. "Fortify the walls and double the watch!"
I unsheathed my sword and held it close as the elders were taken inside, and guards protected pack members as they were escorted home.
The soldier's warning had barely left his mouth when the gates shuddered. They came like a storm, black steel, blood banners, and eyes burning under dark helms. And at their front, him, the King of Darkmoon Valley.
As people ran helter-skelter, he approached the podium to speak, but we were already prepared with our swords in hand.
"So this is Nightfang's mourning?" His smile was evil. "You thought grief would keep me at bay? You thought I would stand at your walls and bow to your dead King?"
He stepped forward. "No," he said in a low and terrible voice. "I came to finish what death began."
Mother held up her sword. "Not here," she said. "Not while I still breathe."
The Alpha King Darius laughed. "Then you'll choke on that promise, Luna. Run if you wish, cry if you must. But today, Nightfang belongs to me, under slavery, each and every one of you."
A warrior raised his blade. "You will never own Nightfang."
Steel clashed as soldiers poured around them, joined by our warriors. All I could hear were screams and the sound of spilled blood.
"Riya!" a guard caught my arm. "Let's go; I'll protect you…inside."
"No!" I stood my ground. "I'll fight!"
"Your mother said…"
"I am her daughter and the future Luna!"
I ran toward the chaos, tearing through the Darkmoon Valley soldiers.
A woman dropped her child, scooping him back as a Darkmoon sword arced for her.
"Mama!" the child cried. I turned to see him not older than ten, trapped behind a chair.
"Stay close; I'll get you out," I said, rushing forward with my sword to clear the way. "Come here!" He ran into my arms, and I shielded him.
I led him to his mother. "Go!" I shouted at her. "Run!"
"Riya!" Mother shouted. "Stay close!"
"I'm here!"
We fought side by side. Our warriors kept falling, and worry crept in.
"Push them back!" someone yelled.
"They're too many!" another responded.
Mother's cry split the field. I spun to see her clash with the King. "You call this strength?" she spat, driving him back a step. "Desecrating a grave? Slaughtering children?"
He smiled through the blood running down his arm. "Strength is taking what you can, Luna Siarah. And you are in my way."
He was obviously stronger, pressing and pressing, and I saw her knees bend, her breath shorten.
"Mum!" I cried, pushing forward.
The King's eyes slid to me. "Ah. The daughter."
"Look at me!" Mother snarled, shoving him back. "You face me!"
A blade grazed my arm. I spun, slashed, and dropped the attacker, then kept moving forward. We were just a few left.
A warrior turned to me. "Behind you, Riya!" Before I could shift my gaze from Mother, my breath became ragged, then vanished. My lungs seized, and my sword slipped.
"What…" I rasped.
"Riya?" The warrior spun to me, horror filling his eyes.
I dropped to my knees, clawing at my throat. The world blurred, and sounds faded.
"Stay with us!" someone shouted.
Mother's head whipped toward me, terror flashing, then the King struck, forcing her back. I fell sideways into the mud. The last sound was his laugh, and then, nothing.