Chapter 11

MADDOX

I was losing my mind out here. We had set up our military camp 3 days ago outside Alpha Carson's estate. Every minute that went past was another painful reminder that my mate was trapped inside those walls, and goddess knows what kind of torture Alpha Carson was putting her through.

I was failing. As a mate, and as an Alpha to my pack. The second I had woken up in Alpha Sadler's conference room, I was met with the site of Alpha Sadler and Luna Isabella's dead eyes staring at me. He had fucking killed them in cold blood. My mates parents had been brutally murdered and I wasn't even sure if she knew what had happened.

I took a moment to remember the events of the last few days.

I remember being let out of the handcuff's by a morbid looking Beta, who had just realised his Alpha and Luna were gone. I remember shifting into my wolf and running back to my pack as fast as my legs would carry me. The thing that will stay with me most, is remembering the way my pack had reacted to the news.

I had immediately called all of my pack to my attention, to inform them of the events that had taken place that day. To tell all the warriors to be ready as soon as they could, that we would be leaving that same night. I had asked the elderly, women & children to stay behind, requesting that the retired warriors protect our borders whilst we were gone.

They all refused. It was the first time my pack had ever refused an order from me. A retired warrior had spoken up at the time. I'll never forget his words that almost brought me to tears...

"My Alpha, we do not mean to disobey. But our Luna has been taken from us. Now that you have found your mate, our pack is incomplete until she has been returned to the safety of our walls. You cannot expect us to stay here and wait for you to return. Our Luna needs us. We may not be as strong as some of your warriors anymore, but we are capable and willing to fight. Please do not make us stay behind when our Luna needs us. The dishonour of not being able to do our part for our pack would put us in an early grave."

Another woman spoke up straight after.

"Alpha, I may not be an accomplished warrior but please allow us to join you. The women and children can set up at the camp, and tend to the wounded whilst you continue to battle on. We can make meals, help with resources, and do all we can to help. We refuse to stay behind whilst our Luna needs our help."

The whole pack had spoken up in agreeance and in all honesty, I was so taken aback by their loyalty and resilience, that I did not have the heart to turn down their request.

My thoughts brought me back to the present. I looked around the battlefield to see my pack fighting with me side by side. The elderly had requested to be at the front lines, stating that they had lived a good life and there would be no greater honour than to die for their Luna.

I couldn't believe how blessed I was to have such a courageous, fierce pack. These people were like family to me. Although I was extremely proud of their actions, I also didn't want anyone to have to die for me or Maeve. I was willing to lay down my life for her, but it pained me to see my pack do the same. I made my way to the front of the battle lines yet again after taking some of the wounded back to camp.

I used my Alpha voice to be heard across the battle lines and the walls of Alpha Carson's estate.

"ALPHA CARSON! ENOUGH OF OUR PEOPLE, ACROSS BOTH OF OUR PACKS HAVE DIED FOR THIS CAUSE. IF YOU WISH TO TAKE MY MATE AS YOUR OWN, DO THE HONOURABLE THING AND FIGHT ME IN ONE-TO-ONE COMBAT. NO MORE OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE!"

I don't know why I was wasting my breath, as this was the third time I was going to challenge Alpha Carson. Each and every time he had declined like the coward he was. This time I couldn't even see him standing on the enemy line wall with the warriors. What kind of an Alpha leaves his men to fight his battles for him!

"I ALPHA BAIN, CHALLENGE ALPHA CARSON TO A FIGHT TO THE DEATH. FOR THE HONOUR OF MY MATE! LET US SETTLE THIS AS LEADERS! OUR PACK NEED NOT LOSE THEIR LIVES FOR THIS CAUSE." I declared my challenge non the less and was met with no response.

Although the worm refused to fight me, I was making a point. I wanted his warriors to know how much of a spineless dick their Alpha truly was. I wanted them to know how real Alpha's settled their differences.

I wanted them to know this fight was not my doing, that I was willing to do the right thing for my mate and their lives did not have to be wasted. Every time my challenges were met with silence, I could see the doubt cross his warriors face.

It was dishonourable what he was doing, and his warriors knew this. These challenges were proving to his pack that he was not fit to lead and did not have the pack's best interests at heart.

This was no usual battle. We were yet to come face to face with our enemy. An honourable Alpha and pack, would have met our pack out in the open for a fair battle. These cowards were hiding behind their walls. Because of this we were forced to fight differently. To fight like humans.

Our women and children were back at the camp making shield after shield. Black shields with our packs crest of a lion fighting a snake, etched onto the front. The black was homage to our Luna, I had assumed by her room that it was her favoured colour.

We used the shields to make a shield wall protecting, us from the enemy's silver bullets and arrows. We worked as a united front, taking it in turns to be at the front of the wall using hammers to try and break through the fortress they had created.

Periodically I would shout "DROP."

At this command our pack would drop our shields to allow our archers to fire back at our enemy.

They were falling like flies from their wall. It gave me a little comfort to realise, they were losing substantially more warriors than we were.

As soon as our archers had released their arrows from their bows, our shield would rise again. Protecting us from the enemy. After the last barrage of arrows hailed over them, I felt the body of a warrior drop on top of my shield.

The unexpected weight of their body popped my shoulder out of its socket.

"Fuck!" I grunted through gritted teeth.

"Luca. I need you to cover me." I beckoned to my Beta who was flanking my right, as he always did in a battle.

"I've got you buddy." He replied.

He turned his shield length ways allowing it to shield the both of us. This left our front slightly exposed, meaning I had to work quickly. I dropped my shield and hammer to the ground.

Kneeling down, I position the hand of my dislocated shoulder on the soft earth. Once it was in place I tended my jaw, readying myself for the pain that would follow.

I placed my right hand on my dislocated left shoulder. With one swift shove I pushed my shoulder back into place. There was no time to recover. I instantly picked up my hammer and shield again, signalling to my Beta to return his shield back to its original position. He nodded and returned to my flank.

With every hit of my hammer against the solid brick walls, I reminded myself that once we were through these walls I could be reunited with my mate. My Luna.

I started bombarding the wall with a sense of renewed vigour. The Beta sensed my shift in pace and shouted out to our pack.

"FOR THE LUNA! LET US RETURN HER TO OUR ALPHA. WE FIGHT AS ONE AND WE FIGHT FOR OUR PACK!"

He was met with a cheer as they all continued to ferociously work at getting through the wall. These weren't the best circumstances, but each moment like this with my pack made me swell with pride.

I made a mental note to myself, to make sure I offered a sacrifice to the Moon Goddess once this was all over. To thank her for giving me such an amazing pack to lead.

These people were family, the best family I could want or ask for and I promised myself that I would repay their actions by always protecting them and being the best Alpha they could ask for.

"FOR MAEVE!" I roared, my will pushing me to work harder and harder. We continued throughout the day and night. All of us moving forward with a renewed strength.