Chapter Six
Nyx
Thankfully, I managed a little more sleep last night.
Once again, I stayed up late chatting to the guys, and at some point, I think I fell asleep while mind linking.
The morning sun streaming through the bedroom window woke me, and after having a shower, I went searching for coffee.
Caffeinated to the max, I throw my shoes on, darting out into the blaring sunlight and head to the training facility. I’m scheduled to practice and train today, and I didn’t need to ask Alpha Daxton if I was required to attend. I wanted to.
I’m not sure if it’s the need to keep busy, or wanting to be ready, but for the first time in a long time, I was keen.
Lena and Reese meet me at the edge of the field, both equally surprised to see me.
“My Goddess,” Lena gasps dramatically. “Nyx Stevens on time?! What is happening?”
“Yeah, yeah,” I laugh. “Scary, isn’t it?”
Reese grins. “She has to use up that energy somehow.”
Lena snorts, shaking her head. “Okay, rub it in that you get cuddles while us two are lonely and cold.”
“And not being railed through walls or trees,” I add.
He stammers. “Too much detail.”
“You started it,” I point out. “Besides, Sarah’s been glowing. We know exactly what you’ve been up to, Reesey.”
Blushing, he stutters, attempting to find words. “I… you… what?”
Lena taps his shoulder. “There, there. You still have so much to learn, baby wolf. Just embrace it. Besides, imagine how Nyx is feeling. I knew there was a reason she was fast and good at cardio. The universe was preparing her.”
“You should be thankful I haven’t been concussed yet,” I mumble, laughing as Reese’s mouth pops open in shock.
“I swear I nearly dislocated my hips,” Lena mentions as the three of us start walking toward the facility. “I considered taking up yoga or something.”
Nodding, I spot Alpha Daxton and Beta Alix at the entrance, doing a head count as people arrive. “I need to meditate, learn more patience. Though, to be fair, I think I’m fairly broken in now.”
Beta Alix does a double take as we approach. “Stevens? What time do you call this?”
“I call it seven in the morning,” I answer without hesitation. “6.53am, to be exact.”
“Maverick’s punctuality is rubbing off on you,” Alpha Daxton interjects. “Good.”
“That’s not the only thing,” Lena mumbles under her breath, the three of us breaking out in laughter as the two leaders glare at us.
Quickly, we duck inside, joining the rest of the scheduled pack. Taking our place by the mats, we wait until everyone arrives, the room falling silent when Alpha Daxton and Beta Alix call for our attention.
"Listen up everyone," Alpha Daxton starts. "Now more than ever it's important to be prepared. I don't want to see anyone holding back. Beta Alix will partner you up and you will resume tactical attack and defence strategies. However, please be mindful as to not injure yourselves or your partner."
"This feels ominous," Lena whispers, a frown appearing on her face.
I nod. "I guess they knew all along."
"I used to make fun of the fact we were forced to do this," she replies. "It had been so long since the Great War. Now, I feel like an idiot."
"It's okay," I tell her. "We have a good life. It was natural to assume things would always be that way. At least we are prepared. Imagine the packs who aren't."
"Like the ones who vanished?" Reese asks.
Shaking my head, I give him a sad smile.
"They didn't stand a chance. But this is more than just cosmic balance and divine disturbance.
Packs like the Seventh Circle can't be trusted.
I honestly believe it's because of Alpha Daxton's training that we've been safe.
Most aren't game enough to try. to take us But that doesn't mean there isn't an exception. "
Beta Alix reaches us, pointing Reese in the direction of another pack member while Lena is partnered with Destine.
"Stevens, the Alpha and I agree the best option for you is to practice with me again," he says after the others walk away.
I nod. "Just like old times, eh?"
His lips twitch slightly in amusement. "That's a positive way to look at it."
"Are you scared?" I ask with a grin. "You know—of my mates getting angry?"
Beta Alix snorts. "Well, try not to get your ass kicked and I'll be fine."
"That sounds like a challenge," I mutter, finding my position on the mat. "When have I ever gone easy on you?"
"When have I ever fully been difficult on you?" He taunts.
I scowl. "Seriously? You could just admit that maybe I'm a little special. After all, unbeknownst to us I was a future Luna. It was always in my blood to be strong."
"An attitude like that is what has been your downfall, Stevens. Never get too cocky. That's how people take advantage."
Across the room, Alpha Daxton gives the signal, the sound of bodies crashing into each other and mats ricocheting. We take our time though, circling each other with our eyes locked.
I'm not attacking first. If he wants to see what I can do, he'll need to move first.
Beta Alix watches me closely, eyes narrowing as we size each other up. Finally, he concedes, suddenly launching forward and aiming his fist straight for my head. I duck out of the way with practiced ease, muscle money kicking in.
Distance between us again, he laughs. "We told you before—you can't run forever."
"I'm not running this time," I grin.
He moves quickly again, feigning a punch before his leg swings out toward my thigh. I'm ready though, already anticipating his strategy. My arm loops around his leg as I side-step him, using the momentum to throw him across the mat.
Beta Alix lets out a staggered breath as he gets back onto his feet, nodding in approval. "Good, Stevens. Keep going."
Without breaking a sweat, he charges again. And again. And then again.
Possibly another fifty times. I lose count.
Somehow, I manage to block him at every step, calculating his moves and blocking his advances.
I'm not sure how I do it, whether I actually do have some luna superpower now or if I'm just finally ready. But with each movement, I can already see it playing out before it happens.
By the end of practice, I'm panting but still on my feet. Around me, people are struggling to regain their breath, some limping a little as they start to exit the facility.
"Good job, Stevens," Alpha Daxton says by the door. "Much better."
"Odd way to say congratulations on kicking the beta's ass, but thank you."
"Don't push it," he snarls. "Your alphas aren't here to save you if you give me too much sass."
I wave him off, smiling. "Who said I need saving?"
“Nyx!” A frightened familiar voice screams through my head, startling me.
I nearly fall off the bed, surprised that Reese is mind linking me.
Gathering myself, I quickly answer. “Reese? What’s wrong?”
The panic in his tone does not placate me, his words spilling out fast as his voice cracks.
“Sarah’s in trouble! She’s being attacked along the North boundary.”
I move before his words can fully register, my bedroom door opening at such speed I’m fairly certain either it or the wall is now broken.
Sprinting down the stairs, I’m unfazed by the darkness. My parents are obviously asleep, probably equally startled by the banging as I fly out of the house into a run.
“Mira,” I command, and she’s already two steps ahead of me.
We shift immediately, the sound of fabric ripping in the quiet street before the thundering of my paws against the road creates a fast rhythm.
I act entirely on instinct, barely registering the fact I’m heading straight into danger.
I don’t care though. The only thing I can focus on is Sarah.
Please let her be okay.
We can’t go through that again. The memory of Tyler is permanently burned into my brain. Even though we won’t overly close, it still hurt to lose my boundary partner—our pack family member.
To lose Sarah… no. I can’t even imagine it.
What it would do to Reese…
I end the mind link connection with him, urging him to continue to try to contact Alpha Daxton or Beta Alix. Apparently, he tried, unable to get through which is why he turned to me.
If I wait for someone to respond or detour to find them, it might be too late. I have to move NOW.
Mira sprints toward the woods, heading to the North side of Shadow Creek.
It’s not my usual route but I’m still familiar, my ears straining for sounds.
There’s nothing but the loud sounds of my footing.
I don’t care about being quiet, or that I should have the element of surprise.
Not if Sarah is injured. Whoever is hurting her, and I think we know who the culprit is, they don’t care about being caught.
We’re past the point of secrecy now. Orson is ready to make his move, and if Lydiana’s premonition is anything to go by, it’s happening now.
By the next new moon, blood will spill. Allies will be slaughtered.
With the other alphas absent, it would be the perfect time to attack. We’re not outnumbered, but it’s been proven on one more than one occasion that we’re not invincible or unreachable.
I won’t let Sarah be another victim.
As I start to reach the boundary, my chest tightens as I hear the screeching, yelping and growling of wolves.
Dodging trees, I spot a shifted Sarah cowering on the ground surrounded by three massive wolves, their teeth gnashing and snapping at her curled frame. Her canine pained cries only seem to fuel them on, the sound of flesh tearing.
I only have seconds.
Somehow, Mira picks up speed, going faster than we ever have before. Using the force, we barrel into two of the wolves head first, sending them flying and tumbling away from Sarah.
Skidding along the dirt, we launch at the third, who’s turned their attention from Sarah to see what’s happening.
He’s ready for me, the two of us smashing into each other, jaws wide as I strike fur before he can sink his teeth into me.
Our large frames roll along the ground, momentum separating us.
Quickly, I find my feet, positioning myself in front of Sarah. And then I realize, glancing at the three wolves in front of me, their teeth bared and dripping blood, this is bad.