War Declaration

Sitting on the edge of the cliff, Kreed tilted his head up toward the sky, staring at the cloud. The gentle evening breeze swaying his robe and caressing his bare face. It was full moon tonight and it was almost time. He needed the peace and quiet to think. He didn't know what to expect but he knew things were going to change if they were to succeed in taking Tessa.

As much as he would hate to admit it, he felt drawn to her. It didn't help that they were now bonded. He knew his desire to get her back went beyond his promise to Silas. That sacred him. He was scared about how she could alter their plans. He had made a promise, a promise to a brother. One he wasn't going to break.

He exhaled slowly, shifting his gaze to Damien's now broken mask. "I wish you were alive and here brother. I am going to keep my promise to you and I won't let anyone stand in the way.....' He paused and then sighed. "Not even Tessa"

He tightened his grip on the mask and then stood up, staring down the cliff. "The days of the werewolf world are numbered"

He put on his new mask and then began making his way to their hideout cave. He walked through the woods, trying to rid his minds of thoughts that contradicts their plans. Soon he arrived at his destination. He walked into the cave, getting to where the others were waiting.

He stopped in front of them, staring at them as they stared back at him silently. "The sun is setting. It is time" He announced

***

Emptying the gin bottle, Derek made a soured expression. That was the third bottle and he was nowhere getting drunk. He glanced out his bedroom window and saw that the full moon was slowly coming out already. They could all feel the effect. As much as they would like to shift and go running freely, they had something more important to do.

The other members of the pack were happy with his father's announcement. They were relived with the fact that they were about getting a new Alpha. But he knew the truth. None of them was ready for what was about to happen, for the storm that was heading their way.

Derek felt conflicted still. With all the information he had been given, all the secrets and truth he had been told, he still didn't find it easy to pick a side. He found himself more angry toward Kieran and his father than Tessa. His love for her outweighs everything else. Realizing her real root and clan didn't change his feelings for her.

He didn't know if he was ready to let her go yet. He didn't want to betray her and he didn't want to betray his father either. He was the only family he had left and one he was hundred percent sure had his best interest at heart..He couldn't phantom how he was suppose to choose between the love of his life or his family.

Derek plumped down on his bed, messing his hair that was untied. He had a weight on his shoulder and so little time to deal with it. He caught a scent of his father just before he heard the knock on the door and the door pushed open.

Alpha Maynard stepped into the room, looking around, his eyes lingering on the empty bottles on the floor. "If this is your answer to everything then you truly aren't ready"

"What am I supposed to do? You are asking me to choose between someone you know I've loved all my life and you. You're asking me to help you betray and end her. How can I kill the woman I love?" He questioned, looking broken and lost.

"This would hit harder if she reciprocated your feelings. Ask yourself, will she choose you when she finds out that he's still alive? She's already chosen him once before what stops her from doing that again in the future?'

Derek fell silent, thinking about it deeply. He had no proof she would actually chose him based on his decision.

"She's one of them Derek, not one of us. She can't be our Alpha. You have to accept the fact that you lost her already. What is most important right now is this pack, us, our future. There are many she wolves out there you can make your mate if you don't find your actual mate"

"I love her father, I have always...."

"Get rid of your feelings son. It's the only way you'll survive this war. She's a means to an end. I raised you better than this. Love is the least weapon I expect to take you down. Now get ready, it's time" Alpha Maynard concluded and walked away, leaving him there to his thoughts.

Derek gripped the bottle in his hard so tight it shattered in his grip, piercing into his palm. He stared down at his bleeding palm. It was a pain incomparable to the one his heart at that moment.

***

Cassie stormed into the underground hall over to where Nate was, grabbed him and pinned him against the wall aggressively. "What the hell are you doing Cassie?!" Nate asked with puzzled look, looking over at all the wolves pouring into the hall who were staring at them confusedly.

"What the hell is wrong with you Asshat?"

"What are you talking about?" Nate questioned, still confused about the whole situation

"I mean your little thing you have going on with the beauty mark Beta. What are you trying to do? Get close to her so you can shoot your shot at the Alpha's daughter?"

"No I'm not...get off me" He forced her grip off and then straightened his clothes.

"Oh really? Because that's better than what I think you're doing. What happens in their pack is not of your business" She quarreled

'Sorry, she's sick" Nate flashed a smile at the wolves in the hall staring at them. "This isn't the place for this. Not right now" He whispered to her and then walked away.

***

"Are you sure this is the right time for this Tess? I mean with all that's going with you and what I found out, It might be best to hold back for now" Vee said with a concerned look and worried voice. Something felt wrong about it, especially if all she found out was true.

"I'm fine Vee. I have to go through with this. No matter the outcome. I can't let my father down. I have to step up and lead the pack" Tessa replied, stopping at the entrance of the hall.

"And about what you told me yesterday?"

"We will talk about it later" She forced a smile before proceeding further into the hall.

Vee stood there watching her friend walk down the hall. She had a guy feeling something wasn't right. With the news Tessa broke to her, she was feeling overly protective of her best friend. She still couldn't wrap her head around the fact that Tessa was pregnant. Pregnant with Kieran's child. And there was the news about there being a probability that he's alive and the leader of the Black Lotus.

It was a twist she was still trying to phantom. She couldn't imagine what Tessa must be going through mentally and emotionally. Her unborn child being the child of the enemy, an enemy she's in love with. Her life couldn't get any more complicated.

"Hey, are you alright?" Nate's voice snapped her out of her reverie.

"Sorry" She shook her head back to reality. She was oblivious of his presence even though he came straight at her and was now standing in her front. "My head is just a little messed up right now"

"Is it about what's going on?"

"Yeah...and more. I'm sorry we'll have to talk later. I have to be beside Tessa"

"I understand" Nate bobbed his head.

"Thanks" She smiled and walked away.

***

Alpha Maynard glanced at his son who just walked into the hall with a smile as he watched him climb up and took his seat beside him. He then looked around the underground meeting hall and it was packed filled with every member of the pack. Everyone was excited to welcome their new Alpha.

The full moon was out fully and it was time to get started. As soon as the Alpha is welcomed, it is to be followed by the whole pack shifting and storming the woods under the full moon. The atmosphere seemed lively and cheerful. It is the most lively everyone had been since the Alpha's death.

Alpha Maynard looked down at Tessa who stood at the floor of the hall, waiting for his introduction. He nodded at her as her eyes met his. He stood up and cleared his throat loudly, ushering in a wave of silence. He waited some more before proceeding.

"Wolves of Blue-Blood pack welcome! It is full moon tonight and apart from it being an anticipated night for us werewolves, it is the night where we get a new Alpha for our pack. An Alpha who will lead us through this coming war and usher in a new dawn for us. We all know what happened to our Alpha, Alpha Darius. It is a tragedy and we pray the moon goddess accepts his soul"

"Hummm" He paused as everyone hummed in response. A way of praying and agreeing to his prayers.

He looked over at Tessa and then nodded at her. "Step out Tessa" He instructed.

Tessa stood up from her seat, flashing Vee a smile before proceeding to stand at the middle of the hall. She looked up at Alpha Maynard and then at Derek, smiling warmly at him. Derek immediately looked away, feeling guilty. She didn't think much on his reaction and shifted her gaze back to her father's right hand Beta.

"We all know Tessa Darius. The only daughter of our late Alpha and the only heir. She's the next in line to being our Alpha..." He paused as the whole pack cheered happily, agreeing to his statement.

After the cheering died down, he kept silent still, looking around the hall and then sighed. The silence was so loud that they could hear wolves howling in the distance, an intense one but none thought much about it. "She would be our Alpha no doubt, if only she was one of us" He announced.

Everyone began staring at each other confused and muttering between themselves. Tessa's shocked expression didn't go unnoticed either. She swiftly exchanged glances with Vee who was already on her feet with same look on her face. Tessa looked up at Derek who didn't seem all that surprised and then shifted her gaze to Alpha Maynard who had an emotionless expression.

"You must be wondering what I meant by saying that. Well, let me explain. During the cleansing years ago, our Alpha, Alpha Darius came upon a crying child, a baby girl. With how worried he was about not having a child and heir by his luna, he decided to do something wrong and against morals and take that child for himself after murdering her family. As much as I tried to object, the Alpha had made up his mind. He brought the child back secretly and raised that child as his. A child from Direwolf clan, our enemies. That child his Tessa!" He broke the news.

They all gasped, startled by the bombshell and too stunned to speak. "Th...this...this can't be real, this can't be happening" Tessa muttered under her breathing, her body trembling from the effect of the news. Vee looked over at where Nate and his twin where seated and saw the same look on his face but Cassie appeared to be smiling excitedly.

"I know you all are startled and shocked but the truth always seem to have that effect. She isn't one of us and therefore can't be our Alpha. She's one of our enemies and therefore shouldn't be let to roam around freely either. She would be placed under arrest until a decision is made. But it doesn't matter anyway. Her clan is treasonous and she shares the same fate with them and the punishment for treason is...death" He stated

The whole place almost descended into chaos with the effect of the sudden news. Everyone was surprised and overwhelmed. They began arguing amongst themselves, voicing out their own opinions. Tessa on the other hand was silent as tears streamed down her face.

"Silence!" Alpha Maynard ordered. "Of course we will give her a proper trial, prove the truth and then carry out her sentence. For now....seize her!' He ordered.

Derek sat out on his chair. He had been avoiding her eyes since the whole thing started. He looked down at the guard wolves as they reluctantly made their way over to her. "You can't do this!' Tessa cried out. Derek saw the hurt in her eyes and his heart broke. He couldn't take it anymore, he gripped the arms of his seat tighter. He was about to stand up and object when they heard loud howls, echoing into the hall.

The hall fell quiet instantly, wondering what was happening. A thick fog crept into the hall, swiftly filling up the whole place and hindering their sights. Everyone looked around confusedly, wondering where the source of the fog and howls. From entrances of the hall came the thickest fog which ended at the center of the hall where Tessa was standing.

They heard loud cries and sounds of bones breaking. Alpha Maynard stared at the centre of the hall intently and could see silhouettes of some persons. Derek joined in standing at the edge beside his father, wondering the same thing as the others.

The fog cleared off from the center of the hall, leaving behind the Black Lotus group standing behind Tessa. The guard Betas who were about to seize Tessa were all on the floor. All four of them dead. The pack was taken aback by their presence. Curious but afraid, they all began moving away from where they sat, putting some distance between them and the devilish group.

Tessa swiftly turned around and came face to face with Devil Eyes who was standing directly behind her. All she saw was his eyes behind his mask. She looked around at the other five members behind him. She was about to say something when Kreed hit her tactfully, knocking her out. She fell on him. "Tessa!" Vee and Derek called simultaneously. Kreed picked her up and placed her across his right shoulder and then looked up at Alpha Maynard.

"If it isn't the Black Lotus. You have come for one of your own, haven't you?....Kreed!" Alpha Maynard called loudly with a smirk on his lips.

"Your ambition can't be contained, can it? Maynard" Kreed called back calmly.

"Of course not" Alpha Maynard replied. "Not until we cleanse you all away like we did your clan"

"Very well then. I HEREBY DECLARE WAR ON YOU ALL!! THE SECOND GREAT LYCAN WAR BEGINS NOW!" Kreed Declared just before a thick fog swept through the hall again. Just as fast as they had appeared, they all disappeared with the fog, taking Tessa with them.