Chapter 24 - Sage
Noah took the lead, and I took up the rear, fleeing through the pack lands to get the more vulnerable members to the safety of the Council house.
Along the way, Noah explained to me in short bursts what had happened and how Joe and his wolves had joined the fight.
I felt a rush of warmth at that. Joe had proven, once again, that he was a good Alpha and a good man.
I just hoped that once this was over, Noah could see it too.
But for the moment, we had bigger fish to fry.
I was seriously out of breath by the time we made it to safety, a stitch in my side making it hard to breathe as Noah and I hauled the doors open and escorted the other wolves inside.
Most were locked up in their homes, but some others had taken shelter there, too, and it was fortified enough to keep them safe.
No sooner than we shut the doors, a handful of rogue wolves loped out of the forest, bloodlust in their eyes. All of them were in wolf form, but it wasn't hard to guess that the tall, black wolf was Dominic, because he only had eyes for Noah.
My heart sank as I saw my mate turn towards the rogues. His wolf was right there below his skin, and I knew he had every intention of fighting. But I could tell just by looking at him that he was exhausted. We all were. The pack lands were a mess, and I didn't think we could win another battle.
But I could buy us time.
Once more, I called my magic forward, and while it was sluggish this time around, it still came. I didn't have much left in the tank, but magic was the only thing the rogues weren't prepared for.
That...and I knew that it would be difficult for Noah to kill his former best friend. So if I had to take on that burden, I would.
Noah turned towards me, and his eyes widened. He started to protest, but I didn't give him a chance. The rogues were almost upon us, and I wasn't wasting any time.
"Protect the others." "Not a chance in hell," Noah growled, but there was no heat in his voice.
I didn't reply. Instead, I closed my eyes, focused on the earth beneath my feet, and let my magic pour forth. The light that came from my hands was less gold this time, and more silvery, but it was effective enough
The rogues slammed against an invisible wall, and I was able to keep them there for a few moments, but I knew it wouldn't hold. My energy was waning, and going on the offense made it worse.
I couldn't keep fighting much longer, but maybe I could mount a defense.
"Noah," I called, pulling his attention away from the fight he was engaged in, "If we can drive them out, I can put up a shield."
He didn't respond, but I felt his approval radiating through our bond.
"I need time," I gasped, pushing my hands out in front of me, "Keep them off me, just long enough for me to cast the spell!"
Digging deep, I started to chant the spell, sweat beading on my forehead, the hum of power sinking into my bones.
Noah tried, but there were just too many, and the rest of his warriors were back near the sparring grounds.
As the rogues grew closer to me, I prepared myself to drop the shield spell, determined to go down fighting if that was what it took, but right before one of them hit me, they were thrown aside by a small, sandy colored wolf.
Then, a sooty wolf came around the other side, nipping at the heels of a rogue that dared to approach me.
In awe, I turned my head to see that the Council house doors were open and the wolves that had been hiding inside were pouring out, shifting onto four legs and joining the fight.
No, not just joining the fight...they were protecting me. Noah's pack...my pack...were putting themselves in danger so I could finish the spell.
My magic was fading, but a new rush of adrenaline had it sparking anew, and as I called the spell forward, a thin shimmer of gold formed in the air above me.
It was a small thing, barely large enough to cover the Council house, but it would hold. Slowly, sweat now dripping down my face, I pushed the boundary of the spell out, and out, and out.
Time slowed, and I lost track of how long I worked, but I could hear the battle still raging around me.
At one point, I heard Joe and the Brokenclaw wolves, and then Noah yelling for them to drive the rogues out. Then, Noah screamed, "Dominic, no!"
The anguish in his voice was heartbreaking, and I cracked my eyes enough to see him strike his old friend down, and the rogue lay still.
Noah looked down at Dominic's unmoving body for a long moment, and then his expression hardened, and he led the charge as the pack pushed the rogues back.
God, I wanted to go to him, to comfort my mate, but it would have to wait.
I had so little magic left, but it was almost done. My small shield covered almost all of the pack territory, and while it wouldn't last all that long, it would have to be enough.
My eyes closed again, and I finished the spell, my last few words echoing before all was quiet. As soon as the trance of the spell left me, I was swaying on my feet, and when I dragged a hand under my nose to wipe away the sweat, my wrist came away covered in my own blood.
Laughing and delirious, I sank to the ground, the edges of my vision darkening. I could hear footsteps racing towards me through the forest, but they wouldn't make it before I passed out.
But that was okay. I did it. We all did it.
With the last of my strength, I put a hand to my stomach, feeling a small flicker of the baby's energy.
"You're safe," I whispered, "We're safe. You're going to be okay."
The blackness was closing in, and I let it take me, knowing that I'd done my job. I could only hope that Noah wouldn't be too upset with me.
***
I came to in the same infirmary where I had treated the bear attack victims, and I wasn't alone.
My heart sank when I saw that Noah wasn't there, but Leslie was. The physician smiled warmly down at me as she adjusted my IV line while circling the bed.
"Welcome back to the land of the living."
Her tone wasn't alarmed, and that was comforting, but I had to be sure, "Is the—?"
She already knew what I was going to ask, "You and the baby are both fine. I had to call the Luna of your old pack because I'm not familiar with magic, but apparently, you were just tapped out. Dangerously so...but you'll be alright. Both of you."
I exhaled in relief, letting my hands float down to my belly. "Thank goodness."
While I did feel hollowed out and more tired than I had ever been in my life, I felt surprisingly well, all things considered. When I looked around the room, I took in all the flowers and cards strewn about and frowned. "What's all this?"
"Oh, you've been very popular," Leslie laughed.
"Don't worry, I didn't let a bunch of wolves in here to gawk at your unconscious body, but I didn't accept all of their gifts and well-wishes for you.
I told them to come back when you're awake, but I'll keep that our little secret until you're feeling up to it. "
I blinked, "That's... unexpected."
When Leslie spoke, her voice was serious, "Sage.
..all anyone could say when they brought all these things was how sorry they were for how they treated you, and how grateful they are for you protecting them.
You were already on your way to being accepted as the Luna, but now I think they'll be kissing your feet once you're out of here. "
"They..." I was having trouble speaking, "They really said that?" Leslie nodded. "They did."
As touched as that made me feel, there was one other question weighing a lot more heavily on my mind. "And Noah...?"
"He's waiting outside. He hasn't left since he carried you here, but I made him leave the room so I could have some peace. The Alpha has been walking the floor, worrying about you the entire time. As soon as I give him the go-ahead, he'll be in here."
That made me feel a little better. He was close, at least. "Bring him in."
"Before I do, I have to tell you something.
" Her lips thinned, and I could tell she was uncomfortable.
"You know how I told you I had to call your old pack's Luna to get advice from another magic user?
Well, I asked about the pregnancy, and despite her promising she'd keep the secret, I think she told her husband. ..Alpha Joe."
Ah. I could see exactly how that played out, and it made me go cold all over. "And Joe told Noah."
Leslie nodded. "Yup. He tried to break down the door to see you when he found out, but I made him back off. I just thought you should know that he's already been informed."
"Thank you, Leslie."
With a smile and a pat to the shoulder, Leslie left to retrieve my husband. He had showered and changed since the last time I had seen him, and he looked like he was about to keel over, but when he saw me awake, a look of relief crossed his face.
"You're up," the words came out of him in a rush, almost like he'd been holding his breath.
I tried to smile, but it was hard when there was still so much uncertainty between us. "Yeah. I'm alive, and the baby is alive. That's what counts."
"Yeah." His voice was soft, and he looked away, but not before taking my hand in his. "Why didn't you tell me, Sage? I would never have let you near that battlefield..."
"I know," I sighed, "but the truth is, even if I told you, the result would have been the same. Someone had to put the barrier up."
His expression was pained, "You could have died, Sage." "But I didn't."
"But you didn't," he echoed, raising my hand to his lips, "You stubborn, beautiful thing." Then, he sighed, "We have a lot to talk about. Are you hungry?"