The subs are clearing up the fallout of a long night of battle, so we are pretty empty in this great hall now. Varro and Darrius are gone, and the hybrids too. Outside is eerily quiet and as a new day dawns, it feels like last night weas nothing but a flitting dream. The witch has vanished into thin air and that is still grating on my nerves.
The sun began to rise about an hour ago and like we expected, turned all the remains of our enemy to dust as they blew away on a gentle wind as if they were never lain there at all. Leaving only our own dead to contend with. Leaving the hanging sadness and silence in the area around this desolate place as we begin the long process of bringing this valley back to something resembling a home. Taking away the evidence of our battle and leaving only the pain of the fallout. I need one thing to go better today so I feel like this all wasn’t so pointless.
“Jasper.” I call out with hesitation and only a half-formed plan in my head, but it’s like grasping at straws. I have to take the plunge and go for it. My brother is on top of the to do list, because it’s one of the problems which is right here in front of me now.
Both Colton and Jasper stop their combative narrative at one another and turn heads this way with a look of ‘what?’. So similar in build and pose, booth oozing subtle aggression as they hit head on with equally stubborn personalities.
“Go help Carmen scout outside and take in how much damage has been done to the perimeter fences and overall buildings now it’s light. She knows this place well and was part of the permanent patrol. Get her to pick out immediate repairs needing taken care of.” I try not to give away any kind of expression and look deadly serious, seeing Colton narrow his eyes at my absurd command. He already sent Meadow out to scout and report on damages that need fixed first. And with our Vampire war now hanging to a peace treaty, it’s not like we are in any imminent danger that requires the fences anymore.
“I’m sure it doesn’t take two, she can probably do it alone.” Jasper digs his heels in, bristling up with attitude, eyes narrowing at me, but it only serves to push the stubborn little sister out of her hiding place.
“Like it or not, now you’re in this pack and by my side to command. I am your Luna, and you were told to protect me. Do I have to make my mate alpha tone you to fall in line? I’m tired and hungry and I want to go home, so help and we can do that before sun’s fully up. Do your part!” I grit my teeth, knowing this isn’t likely to win him over. He never responded well to bossy and commanding in the past, but he always did have a soft spot for me and wrapping him around my little finger used to be my forte.
“Whatever.” He ‘pfffts’ under his breath, throws his arms down to his side and marches off towards the main door, sulking visibly and with a glare that could melt steel. It seems despite his standing against my mate, I do have some more sway at times. There’s hope for him if I can play his heartstrings a little more. He obviously still cares enough about me.
I link Carmen quickly and tell her to meet her patrol partner outside the front door pronto. If I tell her who it is, she’ll run. It’s better to let them thrash it out face to face. She will find out soon enough and I know she won’t disobey me, even if she doesn’t want to be around him.
“You really think that’s going to work?” Colton is by my side in a flash, his own fatigue waving my way. Catching my hand and yanking me to him with that edge of possessiveness because we haven’t had physical contact enough lately.
“No, but it’s a start. We have to keep throwing them together, so it breaks down his defenses. Much like what happened to you. Weakened by your love of me when up and in your face.” I turn and jab him in the abdomen with my pointer finger, smiling naughtily at his ‘oooft’ response. Smug with my immature plan.
“Hey, that was completely different. I wasn’t against you being my mate, in fact I more than wanted it.” He rubs his stomach and bops my nose with his thumb in a cute boy gesture. His dimples come out to play as he smiles softly at me.
“Tomatoe, Tomato…… He needs to keep being affected by the bond, so he stops acting like a schmuck. This is the only way to get them side by side.”
“My mates a devious one, isn’t she?” Colton slides behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, nuzzling his chin into the crook of my neck and settles himself comfortably around me before eliciting a heavy sigh. The familiar haven, and it makes my skin goosebump all over from his touch. Never will I ever not have a full body reaction to my gorgeous other half. He’s part of my soul.
“I can’t believe it’s over. It doesn’t seem real yet. I feel like we’re dreaming and I’m yet to wake up.”? He sighs again, somewhat bereft. His body deflating slowly, his energy waning and I am more of a pillar to prop against than a hug. I can feel his very essence fading away and a sign that my warrior needs time to rest and recharge. He carries so much on his plate and a night of crazy battles and self-healing while being weakened by a weapon have taken their toll.
“Except when we wake up, we still have funeral rites to carry out in the droves. A valley to begin to rebuild and a pack split across two homes. It’s not really the end, but just the beginning.” Mt heart bleeds at that thought. That the worst is over in terms of danger, but the emotional battle is still ahead of us and may be worse than what last night was.
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