Chapter 3. A Fated Ambush.
Over the next week that followed the birth of Fenrir Cerberus Lykos, all four other females had successfully delivered their children. The camp had been alive for the past four days with jubilation. Allison had the quickest of the labors and delivered a beautiful little daughter whose screams could wake the dead. Allison and Julian decided on the name of Faith. The other females and children were all resting peacefully following their deliveries.
Shepard left the following morning after he arrived. He informed Drogo that he had intended to go back to his investigation and hunt for the valley and any information he could acquire about the True Lord's army along the way. He would meet up with the clan in a few weeks at the winter cave system and would update them with any information he was able to find.
Drogo woke up early on the sixth morning after Fenrir was born and made his normal pot of coffee in the fire that was still left over from the previous night. Fenrir was asleep peacefully in his baby blue bassinet next to Luna while she slept. Once he poured himself a cup of coffee he went back inside and wrapped his treasure up in warm, soft blankets and took him outside to sit by the fire while he rocked his son back and forth. I wish moments like this could last forever.
It gave him some time of peace and serenity where he could spend a few precious moments with him, without everyone else trying to steal his attention. He began singing then. He sang of journeys far and wide of the excitement of things to come and traversing new obstacles. His soft deep voice filled the campsite as he sang his tale to his son. He infused his mana into his voice, the swirling red energy gently billowed out around them.
His voice picked up a magical quality. It allowed him to paint the images of his song into the minds of the others. Other members of the clan that were moving around stopped to listen. They closed their eyes and saw through Drogo's use of magic the vivid imagery that he painted for his son through his song. Halfway through his song, a beautiful high-pitched voice joined him in perfect harmony as she sang along with Drogo.
The voice added her own mana flow and magic, intertwining them together through perfect synchronicity as the images and the tale grew more vivid. Younger children from the pack ran over and took a seat in front of Drogo by the fire. Their delighted faces focused on listening to the tale.
Eyes were closed as they swayed gently back and forth, enjoying the harmonious music being sung by their powerful alphas and leaders. The children listened as the song turned into tales of the pack shifting and running through the forest as one. The trees passing by as the pack became one single mind, one single entity in the joys and freedom of running through the woods.
Drogo turned his head to see Luna step out from the tent, her hair disheveled and clothes a wrinkled mess. She smiled sleepily at him as she continued their soft melodic song, their mana blending perfectly through their song. Proof of their deep emotional and spiritual connection as husband and wife.
Their song soon filled the entire campsite with a blend of peace and harmony. The other members of the pack would never admit to this, but many of them purposefully woke up early every morning since Fenrir was born. Just to listen to their alpha's singing together in harmony with their child. It brought them all a sense of comfort. It gave them a feeling that so long as they were all together, there was nothing they could not accomplish.
As their song finished, a few of the adults threw their heads back, shifting into their were-wolf forms. A blend of beautiful were-wolf shifters filled the open campsite. They threw their heads back and let loose howls of joy and peace. The sound punctuated the silence of the forest in a final note of community as the magic from Luna and Drogo ended along with the song.
Luna walked over and placed her soft warm hands lovingly against her husband's hard, muscled back. "Today's the day we pack and head out, isn't it?" Her voice was quiet and unsure, filled with subtle apprehension. I hate that we have to do this constantly. Why cant' we just live in peace? They had to pack the tents, bedding, solar gear, technical equipment, everything into the wagons and saddle the horses. It took hours of work just to get everyone ready.
Drogo sighed and rubbed his hand through his shoulder length hair. He nodded at her, his voice soft but weary. "It is. We've taken a large enough risk staying here as it is. We need to hurry and get to the mountain caverns before winter sets in and snow makes the passes inaccessible."
He disliked these trips as much as she did. But it was a necessity to keep their clan safe. They had to constantly move from area to area to avoid detection by The True Lord's Army. The extremist group would stop at nothing to hunt down and kill every alpha bloodline shifter.
She reached down to take their happy, smiling son from Drogo's arms. "Go, do your duties and I will tend to our son and the other females." She instructed as she stepped into her role as Alpha and mother.
He stood up from his seat and placed a gentle, tender kiss to Fenrir's head and then to his mate's lips before he walked away and began packing their belongings and equipment up.
A few of the younger males hurried over to Drogo's tent as he headed back inside. He raised a hand in greeting as they stopped in front of him. "Alpha Drogo, please allow us to help you pack. Our tents and gear are already packed and ready to go." One of the males said. He had long blonde hair that fell past his shoulders as he greeted his Alpha.
"Ah, Carlos. Thank you, much appreciated." Drogos's reply was warm and appreciative as he nodded to the group in front of him. He stood back and watched with pride as they grinned in response and headed into the tent to begin packing up the belongings.
Luna walked in, making sure to stay out of the way as she grabbed some soft fabric and wrapped it around herself and her son, making a carrier for him to lay snuggled against her chest while she moved around the camp and helped who she could, where she could.
Her first stop was the tent closest to them, occupied by Julian and Allison. She knocked on the post to announce herself and waited a moment. "Hey, you guys decent?" Her call was quiet and respectful as she waited for a reply.
"Yeah, just getting packed up." Allison's exhausted voice called back as the tent flap opened to reveal Allison standing there in jeans and a T-shirt. She had Faith in a similar sling design to Luna. Despite her fatigue, Allison smiled warmly and stepped in for a side hug as she saw her friend.
Luna smiled wide as she hugged her back and stepped into the tent and peered down at Faith. "Good morning little bit, has your momma been treating you well?" Luna's voice was playful and teasing as she bopped Faith on her tiny button nose which caused her to scrunch up her face and let out a tiny squeal which caused both women to giggle.
"Careful-she's going to end up stronger and more spoiled than that crotch goblin you have against her chest." Allison's eyes twinkled with mischief which caused Luna to laugh as she shook her head.
"Being more spoiled is not the bragging right you think it is." Her tone was warm and teasing as she looked around and noticed that most of Allison's gear was already packed while Julian didn't appear to have even started.
"Yeah, I know. That oaf hasn't even started, always procrastinating." Allison's voice was filled with irritation at her mate's lack of preparedness.
"Well, lets get this done, Drogo wants to be on the road before noon." Luna instructed as she shook her head and went to start throwing things randomly into their travel totes.
"Julian can't complain when he can't find anything. He should have been here to pack his own stuff." Allison's voice called out from the side as she began pulling the totes out of the tent she had already packed.
By the time the sun was high over the sky the convoy stood ready for departure. All the children were loaded into wagons, their belongings safely locked down and the quiet thrum of engines soon filled the former campsite.
Seraph walked back towards the rear of the convoy as he surveyed their former campsite. He closed his eyes, whispered a prayer to Koray in appreciation for their peaceful time at the camp site.
Then he focused on his aura. The blue energy swirled around him as his eyes glowed a faint golden light. He extended his arms, palms facing the campsite and used his control over earth magic to repair the damage to the natural landscape, removing all traces of their existence over the past few months.
"Everything looks well done." Drogo's voice called out from behind Seraph as he approached their speaker.
Seraph turned and nodded to his alpha. "Anyone that stumbles upon the site should have no idea we were even here." He lowered his hands and the blue mana that was swirling around his body faded away and the glow in his eyes dimmed, returning to normal.
"Alright, everyone!" Drogo called out to all the waiting people in front of him as he turned to face his clan and the convoy. Head's leaned forward, ears pricked as all the men capable of fighting paid rapt attention to their Alpha's command.
"We all know what we have to do. We all hate this trip. Unit's two, three and four. You will be providing security around the convoy as we travel. Constant patrol sweeps." Drogo's voice was deep and rich as he issued the first set of commands.
Several members of the pack stepped forward as they received their orders. Each of them a skilled and seasoned fighter. They'd done this trip many times in the past and not once had they encountered any enemies while traveling to the caves. They intended either way, to make sure the convoy was safe and protected.
"I know I don't need to remind you all, but I will anyway. We have many fresh, newborn cubs to look after on this trip. New mothers who are still weakened and exhausted. So, it is of the utmost importance we stay on our guard now more than ever!" His eyes glowed a faint red as he used his mana to enhance his voice.
Julian nodded as he stepped up. Fire and determination lit his gaze as he looked at his Alpha. "My unit will be providing protection for you and Luna while we travel. We can't afford to allow anything to happen to the little bit." Julian grinned and gave Drogo a brother's fist bump.
Drogo nodded, his face grim and determined as he looked out at his clan. Soft lullabies could be heard from the mother's trying to sooth and calm the children down. The feeling of magic and wonder could be felt up and down the convoy as everyone began going to their positions. These were the people he had sworn his life to protect.
The tension was palpable as the convoy headed out. Their formation was a rather simple, but effective one. The vanguard was filled with younger, but experienced fighters that would take turns scouting ahead for any obstacles and trouble. Behind them would come the women and children. The women would keep the children occupied and their minds off the risk of the travel. Squads five and six would hang around the center of the convoy to provide additional protection for the pack's most vulnerable members.
The third section was filled with the fastest members of the pack. The squads with enough speed to react and could be at any section quickly to help as needed should danger appear. The rear of the guard was filled with a mix of the older male warriors and their best fighters. Their job was to prevent anyone from getting a jump on them from behind while they traveled.
In theory it was a tight nit formation that covered every angle of attack an enemy could come up with. The combat units nodded, having received their orders and quickly went to their positions as the convoy moved out.
Julian's unit followed Drogo to the wagon Luna, Fenrir, Allison and Faith were in as they drove through the forest. She smiled warmly at Julian and Drogo as they took their seats in the wagon. She leaned against Drogo's side as he sat next to her, Fenrir nestled sleepily against her chest as she maneuvered the wagon through the thick forest.
It was a beautiful cool afternoon as they started their journey. It would take them one or two days to cover the 60 kilometers of terrain that laid between their forest campsite and the safe cave system under the mountains nearby. They had to move slowly in order to navigate the densely populated trees that filled the forest and to avoid gathering attention from the nearby cities and towns as they made their move.
While they traveled, Drogo focused on his mana, the red energy faintly swirling to life around him. He inhaled deeply as he once again began to sing. It almost felt like tradition that their travel would be accompanied by song and stories. It didn't seem like much, but it kept the children from driving their mother's insane with their restlessness.
He would infuse his songs with magic, painting vivid imagery into the minds of the children. His song was about the journey ahead, the world they lived in. The hopes and desires of the pack for the children to grow up strong and powerful. Luna and Allison shared a look, each of them grinning as they closed their eyes.
The images Drogo painted with his song were of a large, healthy clan in a beautiful valley. Free from war, from being hunted. From fear as they lived out openly and freely. Allison opened her eyes as they glowed with a faint golden hue. Green energy swirled softly around her as she joined in the song. Her pitch matching Drogo's in a beautiful blend as the song grew in the minds of the pack.
Shortly after Allison joined she elbowed Julian in the ribs. He let out a grunt, and with a sigh his own mana flared out around him. Bright green in color he joined in the revelry as both Beta's continued their tale with the song. Children could be heard up and down the caravan laughing with joy as the images became like a movie through their mind. The magic infused song lifting the hearts and minds of the clan throughout their travels.
One final voice joined their song. Luna's mana swirled around her, beautiful with dark red colors as her angelic voice merged with theirs. Like a symphony from angels the four of them continued their tales and songs. Together, their mana's blended and the primal ancestral spell fully took hold. It connected the hearts and minds of the entire pack as one single entity; united in a single purpose, to protect the pack against a world that would see them extinct and eradicated.
The magic was infectious as it spread out to the entire pack. Even the children took notice that it was different from the normal songs sung. This was something more ancient, more primal in nature. It spoke to them on an individual and personal level. Without even being told, the children quieted down. They didn't understand exactly what was going on, but each of them could feel the power and magic in this song and the images in their minds.
The ritualistic spell took root in their hearts. It quieted their minds and eased the apprehension all the adults felt as they made the travel through the woods. It brought about a sense of peace and comfort through their stressful time that everyone appreciated. The care and effort their Alpha's always took to ensure the happiness and safety of the clan did not go unnoticed and underappreciated by the entire clan.
Even the older warriors, seasoned from years of fighting and protecting the clan felt the tension leave their bodies as they kept watch around the convoy, gazes focused out through the trees that enveloped them like a tight hug. They did not drop their guard and maintained a focused watch, but the fears that lingered in their hearts about losing their loved ones began to fade as they felt the ritual magic's effect.
Each member of the clan felt connected on a primal level as they all listened silently to their song. Eventually other members of the clan joined in, summoning their own mana and including their hopes and dreams into the song. Children looked up at their mothers in quiet confusion as they joined in. They didn't understand what was going on, only the emotions they felt deep in their hearts.
Drogo would begin to sing at random times throughout the journey, as the children would run around in between the wagons when they grew too restless during the trip. Usually, Luna would join in. The rest of the caravans that could hear their beautiful music would listen quietly and sometimes join in during one of the songs. Fenrir mostly slept against Luna's chest in the sling she made from strips of soft cloth. Though she would lay down in the back of the wagon occasionally when she had to feed him.
As the hours ticked by into the late afternoon, there was a loud crack followed by a deafening boom that came from the rear of the convoy. Screams of panic and pain interrupted the communal song. Voices called out in alarm as more cracks echoed throughout the forest, one after another.
One of the elder warriors that was stationed at the rear of the convoy tried issuing a warning through their comminator but was silenced with a bullet between the eyes. His eyes rolled into the back of his mind as the blood sprayed out from the wound and his body crumpled to the ground.
The rearmost wagon was engulfed in flames as the family inside it was burned and killed instantly from the explosion, the women's scream for help suddenly cut off.
Drogo cursed as he issued a command for two of the squads to fall back and reinforce the rear of the convoy. Julian jumped to his feet in response as he issued commands to his personal unit to stay around the wagon that Luna and Allison occupied.
"Vanguard forces return immediately and help protect the convoy. We are under enemy attack!" Drogo called into his communicator as he jumped to his feet next to Julian. He scanned the situation behind them as he witnessed un unknown amount of enemy forces all garbed in white cloaks materializing out from the dense forest. He paled in realization that the enemy forces outnumbered the clans warriors.
How can they get such a large force through the forest unseen or unheard? Drogo growled deep in his throat as another wagon exploding, killing the occupants inside. Members of the defense forces jumped into action as mana swirled around them and large earthen barriers sprang up from the ground providing what protection they could.
Drogo, infuriated by the deaths piling up around him summoned his mana. The normally calm swirl of dark red energy was a chaotic explosion around him. Even Julian was caught off guard by the sudden display of power. Drogo's eyes glowed a deep rich red as his entire body shook and trembled. He threw his hands out and added his own defensive spells to the earthen walls the defenders had already erected.
Thick heavy stones wrapped around the earthen mounds, increasing their height and sturdiness as Drogo shifted into his full were-wolf form. The air around them grew heavier as the shifters in the convoy felt something powerful and primal awaken inside them and they all grinned with the meaning. The defenders paused for a moment, temporarily safe behind their erected defenses as they felt the surge of electrical energy flowing through them. The wind picked up, blowing strong between the trees as an ominous whirlwind was whipped up around them. Even the gunfire and explosions seemed to pause for a moment.
Whispers flew between the attacking forces as they felt, rather than saw the change in the air. They noticed the previously calm air in the forest begin to whip up into a fierce wind that blew around them. None of them were shapeshifters, but each of them could feel in the bottom of their heart; that something ancient and powerful entered the battle. A few soldiers took a hesitant step back from the defensive barriers, only to be gunned down by their squadron leaders.
"Anyone who attempts to retreat from these filthy animals will be eliminated for their cowardice! Remember our holy mission!" One of the commanders called out to his forces.
"We exist to exterminate every shifter from the face of the planet! We will not stand by and allow these filthy animals to pollute the human race!" Another commander called out as they rallied their forces and prepared to continue their assault and extermination mission.
The members of the defense forces grinned; board smiles on their faces despite the seriousness of the threat they faced. Hope entered their hearts at the realization. Their Alpha was pissed and out for blood.
Thick fur, blacker than the moonless night manifested over his body. His bones crunched and detached from their tendons in response as they elongated into long and limber limbs. He clenched and opened his hands as razor-sharp claws grew from his nailbeds.
Julian paused next to him as he heard the low gutteral growl coming from his friend and brother. His knees shook slightly, almost giving out as his entire body had the urge to kneel in front of a true Alpha. A bead of sweat slowly slid down Julians face as he witnessed the transformation.
This wasn't a normal wolf transformation, but rather something straight out of the legends of old. Drogo's appearance and display of complete Alpha authority shook Julian to his core as Drogo's mana expanded around him, pressing down on everyone nearby. He flexed his own mana, infusing his body with strength to avoid crumbling down to his knees in the presence of such a monster.
Julian, Allison and Luna had to increase their own mana output to counter Drogo's. They infused their mana into their very bodies to strengthen them against the overbearing presence of Drogo's form. Every breath was a struggle under the oppressive weight of Drogo's mana and fury. With each passing heartbeat his mana expanded around him, visceral in its path. Expanding and retracting, as if a physical response of his own heartbeat. It grew in size and energy until it could almost be heard.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Each beat of Drogo's heart was witnessed by the physical storm of red energy around his body that was now encompassing the wagon he stood on. The wagons in the convoy groaned and creaked under the pressure Drogo was emitting. Trees groaned and branches snapped off, falling to the ground in a crash as they felt the weight of his fury.
This is why true Alpha's were so feared in the world. They had the power to affect nature around them. Why they were hunted and exterminated to near extinction. His rage and hatred seemed to be fueling his growth to unprecedented levels.
Drogo's mana, a deep rich red, that was previously swirling harmlessly around him during the communal, ritual song deepened and shimmered in the air around him as steam flowed off his body during his transformation. The muscles along his body enlarged and grew in response to his increased size, putting out an intense heat. His mouth elongated into a canine snout filled with white fangs as he raised his hackles in a vicious snarl of rage and hatred, his head turning from side to side as he took note of their situation.
He threw his head up towards the sky, opened his jaws and let loose the most horrifying howl anyone had ever heard. Shockwaves of power flew out in every direction as he infused his mana into his voice. The force of the shockwaves impacted against the stone walls and they cracked under the collision and continued through the stone as if they were made of paper.
The shockwaves from the howl passed through the enemy forces, causing many of them to drop their weapons out of terror. Their bodies shook and they covered their ears in a futile attempt to block out the sound. The commanders gritted their teeth as they witnessed a large portion of their army succumbing to this howl of fear.
"Damn it you apes! Do you wanna live forever?" One commander shouted through the howl, using his own mana to make his voice heard as his body shook. He too was fighting the primal fear that was building up inside him.
The shockwaves continued flying out from Drogo in tune with his heartbeat, the combined force disorientating the enemy forces.
"All defenders, form up around the convoy wagons, use your magic and summon walls of stone to provide a second layer barrier around us." Drogo's voice, deepened into an almost demonic cadence spoke into his communicator.
I will not allow this to be the end of the Lykos clan. Not on my watch damn it. Drogo swore as his warriors quickly reacted to his commands. Giant walls of mud and stone erupted into the sky, dwarfing the convoy wagons below, providing them with a modicum of temporary shelter.
As he finished with his howl of rage, the enemy seemed to gather their courage and the assault began anew. Bullets slammed into the wall as magical attacks impacted, blasting off sections at a time.
Luna's eyes glowed red as her own wolf was begging to shift and be let loose. She felt the primal connection to him through their mating bond and blood. She wasn't just any wolf, she was an Alpha's female and mate, powerful in her own right. Faith and Fenrir cried out in their mothers' arms as more gunfire rang out along the forest as the unknown enemy forces attempted to break through the rock walls.
Drogo looked at his mate and saw the same horror, fear and rage reflected in those beautiful depths. Her jaw was clenched tight, and a vein protruded along the side of her temple. They had to protect Fenrir and the other children. They had to survive this no matter what, and by the gods they will.
"Go! Take Allison and lead the other women and children to safety. If you reach the caverns the other clans will protect you. I will take the men and fight off the attackers. We will buy you as much time as we can." He instructed his wife, his heart heavy with the likely result of this fight. The chaos and bangs still echoed all around them. More gunshots meant more shifters were killed by the minute.
Luna wanted to argue. She knew he most likely wouldn't survive. "Kill them all and let the gods sort it out." Her voice dripped with hatred and venom as she gripped the scruff of his neck and pulled his lips down to hers in a searing kiss. She poured ever ounce of love and passion into the moment as her hand trembled against the scruff of his neck. Something told her this might very well be the last time she gets to do this.
Drogo growled low in his throat as he kissed Luna back. He knew the chances of them surviving an assault of this magnitude with women and children nearby would be almost nothing. But by the gods they would not just roll over and die.
Drogo breathed her scent in one last time, lavender and lilac. Her favorite shampoo. He forced himself apart from her as he lifted his hands and flooded the landscape with his mana. A violent tremor shook the forest, causing many to lose their footing and stumble as massive tunnel twenty feet wide appeared in front of them made of stone and earth. Balls of flame were placed on the ceiling to light their way through as he continued to harden and strengthen the walls with his magic. He forced the tunnel to extend for miles, providing them with the safest way out of this that he was capable of. Julian stood by his side, arms outstretched as he combined his own mana with his alpha's, adding strength and durability to the tunnel. His own mate and child would be taking this path as well after all.
Drogo turned towards Luna. "You will lead the women and children down the tunnel and to safety. We will kill everyone that attempts to get past us. Go now, while you have a chance." His order was beyond arguing or reproach as he cupped her cheek in his paw of a clawed hand.
Luna nodded and closed her eyes. She focused on her mana flow and felt the burning sensation fill her body, the primal instinct in her heart from the mating bond as her mana fueled her shift. Her physical size grew like Drogo as her bones cracked and shifted under the skin. Her deep red mana swirled around her throughout shifting. A powerful symbol of her status as an Alpha Female.
Beautiful red fur manifested over her body and her eyes turned a dark red shade, mirroring her mate. She growled low through her fangs as she glanced over her shoulders to see every female wolf and child over the age of eighteen also had shifted. Their shifted form would give them greater physical strength, speed and stamina for the run ahead of them.
Drogo turned to see his Beta, Julian by his side already had shifted. He stood head to chest next to Drogo, covered in beautiful rich brown fur. "We lost Seraph, and some children." Julian spat out in anger as a message came across his communicator from one of his soldiers. "Ashlyn didn't make it either." Julian reported on the first early casualties that could be confirmed.
Drogo's hackles rose as he let out a vicious snarl. Seraph was their messenger for the gods. The children were too innocent and caught up in this horrible game of war and violence. Ashlyn was barely fourteen. All this loss and devastation and for what? Because they were different? Because they were shifters?
Drogo's rage was nearly blinding as a dark red color filled his vision from the sides as he listened to the reports. An explosion occurred near the back of the caravan as a section of the rock wall had been blown down and men in white coats with an anarchy symbol started pouring through. A hail of gunfire and magical blasts sent forward.
"Listen now and listen well my brothers. We are the Lykos were-wolf clan. Ours has the bloodline of the last royal wolf. We will not allow these fools to come into our midst and think they can kill us with impunities. So here are your orders." Drogo paused for a moment as another explosion and another section of the wall came crashing down. "Kill them all. Hold nothing back. If they get past us now, it will be your mates and children that will die next. We are wolves! We protect our clan and kin above all else!" Drogo called out. He threw his head back and let loose a mighty hunting howl. His words and actions caused the other members to join in. They were united on this day, for they all had the same goal.
Stall for time.
Their combined howl was something almost ethereal in the sound it made that filled up the forest around them. Something so hauntingly beautiful that promised pain and retribution on the ones that attacked them. As a well-trained unit the male wolves all moved out in groups of three. For a wolf may be strong, but the strongest wolf does not hunt alone. The only problem was, they appeared to be outnumbered five to one in this battle. His wolves fought bravely and savagely.
As the battle progressed, they were taking down a lot of the opposition. However, for each victory, they paid for it in the blood of their fallen pack.
Drogo went from body to body as he used a blend of his magic and his savage physical abilities to cut down any enemy that stood before him. His claws razor-sharp and now stained red as he tore through the enemy like a hot knife through butter. He used his size and speed to eliminate every threat that he faced.
He fought with only Julian at his back. They were the only ones allowed to fight in a group of two. As physical and savage as Drogo was, Julian was the opposite. He used his vast reserves of mana to provide the magical support to Drogo's physical assault. Julian threw magical fire blasts and gusts of powerful wind at their enemies, slicing them apart with the magic infused attacks. The two of them fought side by side without even the need for communication. Together they left a trail of bodies behind them, blood drenching the ground.
There was a reason, Julian was his Beta. A perfect brutal warrior that mirrored his own style. Gunshots, magical blasts, and howls of pain and suffering filled the forest around them as both forces moved to annihilate the other. Trees crashed down to the ground; the forest was burned with flames and grenades detonated leaving chunks of scorched earth in their wake.
Drogo landed in a crouch after his latest kill. He looked around and spotted a man with short blond hair that stood in spikes. His white coat had the same anarchy symbol displayed in red on his back. Blood covered his coat in a random pattern, evidence of his kills. He turned and spotted the pair of wolves heading his way and threw them an evil grin, pearl white teeth against his tanned skin. He appeared to be leading a group of them that attempted to get around the fighting and go after the women and children that were in the tunnel.
Drogo let out a feral howl and charged at the group with Julian coming in from the side. A standard two-man pincer move. They'd done it a thousand times and didn't even need to communicate with each other. The blonde man saw Julian first by random luck as he dodged a fire blast from another nearby wolf. He threw a black electrical trap on the ground. Something about it set Drogo on edge. He had a bad suspicion about what it was and before he could tell Julian to pull back the box opened and emitted a powerful electrical surge that expanded into a spider-web-like field, trapping everyone nearby inside it with the current.
Drogo cried out in alarm as he lunged forward, claws extended, intending to rip the blonde man's throat out. Shit this isn't good, Julian's vulnerable! The enemy commander glanced once at Drogo, taking note of the Alpha were-wolf charging straight for him, before throwing him a wide grin. Julian was snarling, the sounds horrifying, like a wild beast caught in a hunter's trap. He was struggling with every fiber in his being. But the electrical surges were locking down his nerves and preventing him from focusing on his mana to escape the trap.
Allison, Faith, please forgive me.
A quick headshot silenced Julian's screams of rage and anger from the electrical surges that coursed through his body.
The commander jumped to the side as Drogo landed where he stood a moment ago. He was laughing hysterically as he watched the large black wolf in front of him without a care in the world.
No, my brother! I will fucking kill you, you daft bastard!
Drogo let out a pain filled howl as he glared at the man in front of him. He could feel it through the magic of the pack bond. His Beta male was dead. It was like a knife severed off a limb from his body. He could no longer feel their connection through the pack.
He would kill this blonde-haired man next. He would kill him if it was the last thing he did. His mana exploded around him. Chaotic wind whirled around the battlefield. This was not going to be the end of his clan. His rage was igniting fully as his mana hurled stone, trees, dirt, and bodies around him in a whirlpool of death and destruction.
He focused his mana and an armor of flame manifested itself around his body. Swirling hues of red, yellow and orange forced physical plates of armor covering his limbs and torso. The wind from his mana caught the fire and became a swirling tornado of death, heat and flame.
"I will burn you all to ashes!" Drogo roared in his blind fury. His claws now fully covered by the flames of his armor were thrust forward, piercing the chest cavities of the men that dared to stand in his way. Their gasps of pain, shock and fear filled Drogo's ears as he pulled his hands out, the still beating hearts of his enemies clutched in his hands. Their bodies slumped to the ground as he snarled in the direction of the blonde-haired man.
Several of the enemy forces stopped their fights as they witnessed what looked like hell on earth coming from the large black were-wolf. None of them could move an inch, the weight of his mana and the maelstrom of power that emanated from the wolf prevented them from doing anything.
One soldier lost control of his bladder as he struggled to finish the wolf in front of him. He lost his concentration as the wolf snarled and clamped his jaws around the man's neck, ripping it out and letting the enemy soldiers blood coat his white fur.
The blonde-haired man watched everything around him as he kept his eyes on the large Alpha predator in front of him. He felt the weight of the wolf's mana and watched the fire tornado pick up and throw the bodies of the fallen all around, igniting their corpses as they were consumed by the magic.
He jumped back, his physical abilities enhanced with his own mana as he barely avoided a lethal strike from the black wolf. But he failed to move fast enough as he felt a burning sensation down the left side of his face, from the temple to his chin. He was sure that damned wolf managed to slice his face, but at least he was still alive, although he could smell the pungent odor of burning flesh as his face burned and stinged from the strike.
"Die you filthy animal!" The unknown man shouted as he threw another black device like the one that captured Julian. The box landed on the ground a few feet from Drogo. Drogo tried to jump to the side and dodged it. But the black box opened and the spiderweb like trap activated, filling the area with an electrical field that shut Drogo's entire nervous system down.
His mana was low. His body was injured and fatigued from the fighting. The electrical surges that went through his body locked up his limbs and prevented Drogo from doing anything in response. He struggled as hard as he could. The flame tornado fizzled out and the wind died down over the battlefield. Enemy soldiers glanced over as they felt the sudden loss of that overwhelming pressure.
Drogo had to stop this man. He had to protect his males. They were dropping by the minute from the overwhelming numbers. He had to get to Luna. He had to get to Fenrir. His son, who was destined to be the next leader of their clan and according to that prophecy, either save or doom the entire Alpha shifter clans.
The last thing that Drogo noticed, was the sudden scent of lilacs and lavender as a single gunshot rang out through the forest and ended the life of the current leader, and Alpha of the Lyko's pack.
Moments before, Allison felt a stabbing pain in her heart as she lost the mental connection through the pack magic with Julian. Without asking, she knew that Julian had fallen in battle. Tears spilled from Allison's eyes as she let out a choked sob. Faith, nestled in her sling against Allison's chest let out a soft cry, as if she too knew that she lost her father this day.
Luna let out a loud gasp as she felt a searing pain piercing through her heart. It caused her to stumble forward, and she extended an arm to brace herself against the stone walls of the tunnel. Her other hand was placed over her chest. It was as if someone just ripped her beating heart from her chest.
Allison looked at Luna and tears flowed down both females' faces. Their males were gone. They could feel their mated bond gone from their hearts. As Luna threw her head back and let out a banshee cry of a howl, Allison joined in. They let their loss and anger fill their voices as they grieved for their mates.
The explosions and gunshots behind them were quieting down. As if the fighting at the start of the tunnel was nearing its conclusion.
"If the fighting is ending, then we must hurry. There is too much ground to cover to escape fast enough." Luna said as she steeled herself. She wasn't just a mother now; she had to be the Alpha of their pack and clan. With Drogo gone, it fell onto her to lead their people to safety.
She would greave later, if or when they survived this ambush. Right now, there was a battle to win.
Several of the female warriors came running back towards Luna and Allison. "My Alpha, my Beta. You are both new with a child, you must escape while we buy you some time." one of the women said as tears filled her eyes and stained her fur as well. This was the midwife that helped deliver Fenrir into the world.
"No, if our combined males could not stop them, what hope do a couple of female warriors have?" Allison her head as she looked at them. These strong, brave fools.
Before Luna had a chance to give any orders, a section of the tunnel exploded and more men in white coats came charging in. They were led by a man with spiked blonde hair and a deep gash down the left side of his face.
Gunshots and magical blasts rang out through the tunnel as the True Lord's Army opened fire on the women and children gathered there. The sound of the enemy soldiers shouting and launching their renewed assault was almost deafening in the tunnel.
Luna responded with a snarl as her mana flared to life around her. She would not stand by and watch her people be butchered. She threw her hands out and a combined wall of fire and earth manifested from the ground between themselves and the attackers, blocking the entrance entirely.
This would by them a few precious minutes. She turned to Allison and the other females, and her voice was grim, but determined. "Run, focus all your mana into your legs and give every ounce of your strength. We have the advantage with speed, and we must flee!" Her orders were strong and absolute. None of the females present bothered to argue as they all turned and quickly left the area.
Only Allison remained by her side. Ever determined to defy Luna's commands. "Damn it, I told you to flee!" Luna snapped at her Beta as Allison just scoffed. She turned to face the wall of swirling flames wrapped around the earthen stone that Luna had summoned. She added a gale force wind that stretched the width of the tunnel and another earthen barrier in front of that. Combining three of the fundamental elements in one defensive barrier.
"We both know that I would never listen to such a stupid command Luna." Allison's voice was cold, a final determination to fight by her sister's side no matter what.
Luna wanted to argue, to see her best friend and sister flee to safety with the children while she stayed behind to fight. But it would be pointless. Allison would never abandon her, no matter what the order was.
There's no way we can survive this. Without Drogo, Julian and the other males, our forces are more than cut in half. Is this part of that damned prophecy? Is this the start of the coming war Fenrir is supposed to end?
The worlds of the prophecy slipped back into her mind as a feeling of what to do filled her. She used the last of her magic and dug a hole into the ground at her feet. She took little Fenrir out of his sling and placed him gently inside it. Then she covered the hole up and made sure there were a few discrete openings for air to come through. She looked at Allison, who nodded and attempted to do the same thing.
The only problem was, by then, the powerful magic wall Allison and Luna had created was shattered. Stones went flying as the fire and wind spells were dissipated and the gunfire resumed. A stray round clipped Luna's beta in the back of the head as a raging fireball ignited her body and the child against her. The corpse that was Allison and Faith crumpled to the ground, a black charred mass of burnt flesh and fibers. The smell stung Luna's nose and brought home a final note of death to her mind. None of them were going to survive. Luna's scream of anguish and horror filled the tunnel as she turned to see the scarred man grinning at her as she snarled viciously at him.
"Oh, don't you worry love. You will join your friends soon enough," the man said. Before Luna could lunge for his throat, he threw a device at her feet that emitted a powerful electrical surge that overtook her body. The pain was indescribable as he walked up and pointed his gun at her. The last thought that went through her head was hope that her son might still somehow survive this massacre.