Early chaos

When I awoke, a guard shook me. As I faced him, I sat up and wrapped the sheet around my body.

"What?" Still groggy, I questioned As I turned to face the soldier, Ethan stirred near me.

He said, "Benard escaped custody," as I moaned.

I said, "I'll meet you down the stairs in five," as the guard hurried out. I quickly went to the closet and grabbed a black tank top, black leggings, and my black sneakers. I ran down the stairs and into the living room with my hair in a disheveled ponytail.

The soldier continued, Mam, he escaped two states over, but we needed to inform you," and I nodded.

Is the council requesting that we follow him? The guard gave me a blank look as I asked.

The guard handed me the phone and added, "Usually you call them." While leaning on the wall, I called Alicia. The thought of Benard's remarks made my heart beat faster. Why did he say he was sorry?

She said, "This is Alicia," and I took a strong stance.

"This is Sarah, and I'm calling for directions after hearing about Benard. Would you like us to help you find Benard? Keeping my voice calm, I asked.

"No, but make sure you let the guards know and keep an eye out. You and the pack are targets as a result of what he stated, Alicia declared forcefully.

I hung up and said, "Will do," while looking at the lead guard. "Tell the remaining guards to maintain their alertness." I declared strongly before returning to my room to wake Ethan.

The guard asked, "What did you want?" He inquired as my hands began to shake in rage.

I said, "Benard escaped," with my voice shaking. Ethan sped up and embraced me, his warmth easing my mounting anxiety. I just have you on my mind.

With unflinching assurance, he declared, "I have magic; I'll be fine."

I smirked and snapped, "If you leave me here alone, I'll be so angry with you. Before I descended the steps and went outside, he put his lips on my cheek. Benard couldn't damage me, so I had to lend a hand. I entered the woods far enough to reach the boundary of our property.

The lead guard replied, Mam, you shouldn't be out here," and I laughed.

I said, "Benard can't touch me," as the guard stooped. Who are you called?

I nodded. "Daniel," he replied.

Daniel appeared to be unwinding next to me, so I added, Daniel, call me Sarah." I kept an eye out for any signals of trouble as I stood next to a tree, my hair flowing in the wind.

---

After a few weeks, everything had returned to normal. Neither Benard sightings nor threats existed. My breath caught in my chest when Ethan encircled me from behind and kissed my exposed shoulder.

"Babe Benard most likely won't be attending, Ethan remarked, seemingly reading my mind.

"I'm still anxious. He knows that you are my one weakness, I moaned, turning to face him with tears in my eyes.

I'm here right now. I won't ever abandon you. I am always available. I had to gather myself before he stated it with confidence. When there was an explosion outside, he grinned as he walked away. I took immediate action and started running outdoors while a group of guards followed me. There was a witch standing there, grinning.

What are you? I hissed as I advanced on her.

"A witch who is aware of your multiple weaknesses Benard has left me a message. Your payment is due, he said. Congratulations on the kid, by the way," smiled the female witch, who then vanished in a cloud of smoke. By "baby," what did she mean? My panic increased tenfold as I sprinted inside the house in search of Ethan.

The question, "What was that?" He asked before he realized I was in trouble.

I screamed as tears streamed down my cheeks, "A witch who works with Benard said I'm pregnant."

He softly placed his palm on my belly and exclaimed, "Oh god." His shocked eyes expanded as he froze.

What are we to do? I don't think I can fight in this state, and Benard is about to strike," I said, my tears reflecting the sunshine flowing in through the window.

I hid my face in Ethan's chest as he murmured, "I'll protect you," and drew me in. He held me close to him as I sobbed as I considered the life my child would lead and the chaos the child would inherit. This is not what I want for my child.

"Mam, an army is moving forward in the north. Daniel replied, forcing me to sit down, "We are outnumbered, but maybe with your fighting skills we stand a chance.

"Daniel, I'm pregnant. I told Alicia that I had just learned that we required assistance.

"Sarah, what's up?" When I had everything as together as I could, I asked her.

"I'm not in any shape to fight, and Benard brought an army. They outnumber us; we urgently need reinforcements, I murmured. Silence followed.

I caressed my stomach, thinking only of my unborn child, and Alicia added, "I'll send a few guys, but they probably won't make it on time."

I begged the caller to hang up: "Please hurry; I'm pregnant." I was aware that the pack was in danger and that we had no chance. I failed in my first true alpha duty and failed to uphold my promise to defend the people. Despite all the obstacles, could they still save us?

"SARAH, GET OUT THERE AND PLAY!" At the border of our property, Benard called from across the clearing. I was in trouble as he approached.