Awaken

Chapter 19

The fork in her hand fell to her plate as the sound of crackling shook the old inn turned pack house. They had just sat at the table so she could eat her first real food in days, the rest of the pack having already had dinner. Nova's eyes widened in fear as she turned to look at Maverick. He was already pushing himself up from the table and she watched as he, Dennis, Ronan and a few others ran outside to see what had happened.

The smell of smoke hit her nostrils and Nova felt fear rise up from her belly. There was a fire, somewhere close. Instantly, she tried to stand, desperate to find both Alaric and Draven.

Cora rushed to her side, holding her steady.

" Wait Nova, the smoke, it's outside. Let them handle it, you are not strong enough yet!", her sister insisted.

" But the children, Cora, they must all be terrified! The entire house just shook!, " Nova replied.

Biting her lip Cora nodded, gently coaxing Nova back into her chair. " Just stay here, Marla and I will go look for the boys as well as the other little ones ", she instructed, motioning both Marla and another pack member toward them.

" You, please sit with her, keep her calm until I get back. She is not to move ! Marla, come with me, the little ones were out back in the garden earlier after they had eaten, " Cora told the woman.

Marla nodded her head. " Yes of course. Nova please stay calm, we will check on them, bring them back inside, " she assured.

Nova nodded, the intensity on her sister's face enough reassurance. " Play, but please hurry, make them all come inside, " she agreed.

Cora gave her a pat on the shoulder and grabbed Marla's hand as they ran toward the garden. They pushed out the backdoor and she heard Marla gasp.

" Cora look, it's a fire in the middle of town! " she cried.

Cora followed the direction Marla was pointing. Sure enough, flames towered the center of their village, a cart roaring with fire that had begun to spread to one of the shops behind it, and next to the shop was the start of the garden fence. She could see Ronan and Maverick working side by side to extinguish the flames, but it was moving faster than they could keep up with.

Ahead of them, still in the garden she could see Alaric , Draven, Tala and some of the other children , cowering next to one of the torches in the garden. They were crying, the pack members who were with them trying to calm them down.

" Stay there! We are coming to help you all back to the house! " she shouted.

" Marla, go on ahead there's too many little ones that will need help getting back inside. I'll be right there! " Cora said to the other woman.

Marla gave a nod of her head and shifted, running at wolf speed toward the edge of the garden.

Cora watched as she sped away , her arms already lifting to call the rain. As soon as Marla reached the group of women and children, her eyes snapped shut. She called for the rain, centering the small storm cloud over Ronan and Maverick and the heart of the fire that threatened the village.

Overhead the sound of thunder could be heard, and Cora smiled, the sound of it thrumming through her as she began to pull water from the skies to the ground. The first drop hit her face, and her eyes opened watching the downpour unfold. The sudden sound of screaming caused her to jump, and she whipped her head around looking in the direction of the group she had come to help.

Horrified, she watched as first one vampire, then another, and yet another jumped in front of Marla and the other adults. Picking up her skirts she ran toward them as fast as she could muster, hating herself for the first time in awhile for not having been blessed with a wolf.

She heard snarls and growls around her and watched as first Maverick's wolf Havoc sped past her, followed by one she knew belonged to Dennis, the very same wolf that had helped her escape from Prix.

Desperate to help , she lifted her hands, calling the wind to blow in the direction of the creatures that attacked her loved once again.

Marla's wolf stood between both Havoc and Dennis, fighting snapping at the vampires and Cora watched, bewildered as all three bounded on the one wolf simultaneously.

She pushed herself to run faster, coaxing the wind to follow her pattern but it was no use. One of the vampires reached a claw out, picking young Tala up by her chin, and even from a distance Cora could see blood begin to dribble down the young girls body.

Almost at once, Havoc, Dia and Marla's wolf lowered their heads to the ground in a moment of submission. The vampire that had ahold of Tala spun it's head in Cora's direction.

" Stop where you are Luna. Calm the wind! " it hissed at her.

Cora obliged lowering her hands as she moved slowly toward the small group in front of her. Maverick, Dennis and Marla shifted in to their normal forms, backing toward the group of remaining children and adults that still cowered against the fence.

Tala whimpered softly. " I want my Mommy."

" I want my Mommy , " the vampire mimicked. Whipping it's head at Nova and Maverick it repeated the words. " She wants her Mommy. The little fire wolf who lay sickly in her bed. Tell me, does the child know who her father truly is? " this time, the tone was more pointed.

It pointed a clawed finger toward Marla. " You, you're coming with me, any argument, I take the child instead." As if to prove it's point the clawed finger buried further into Tala's chin causing more blood to trickle down. Cora could see the light waning from the little girls eyes.

Dennis stepped forward, his eyes glaring, black as he struggled with his wolf for control. " Take me instead! She is my mate, I freely give my life in her place!"

The vampire sneered. " Isn't that so sweet, you wolves and your mate bonds, so simple, so easy to unravel. TELL THEM TO STAY BACK OR THIS CHILD DIES!" it shrieked.

Confused, Cora looked behind her, relief washing over her as she saw a drove of wolves and bears rushing towards them. Turning her attention back to the vampire , she watched as Maverick linked with someone, and knew he had told the group to stay put.

He stepped forward as well, standing side by side with Dennis , his hands up in a manner of surrender. " Please, take both of us , leave Marla. Surely Jagson would be more happy to have myself, I am of Beta blood, I WAS his Beta."

The vampire flicked his tongue between his lips, seemingly considering the idea. Cora could feel her stomach twisting, none of this was a good idea.

Finally, after what felt like forever the creature spoke again. " No, I do not serve Jagson, I serve Mother, and she wants the woman."

Cora watched as Maverick held Dennis in place, a scared Marla chewing her lip behind them.

The air stood tense for another moment until finally, Marla placed a hand gently on Dennis shoulder. He drew her close, embracing her the bond between them apparent as they locked together in a deep kiss.

When they broke apart Marla approached the vampire, and before anyone could react she pulled little Tala from its grasp , handing her to Cora.

She gathered herself to her full height. “ I will go with you, willingly, but you must give your word my family can return safely inside.”, she stated firmly.

The vampire hissed at her, licking Tala’s blood from its long , razor edged finger.

“ Whatever, go.”, it replied , boredom dripping in its tone.

Cora held Tala close to her, her hand holding the wound on the girls jaw.

“ Marla, you don’t have to do this !”, she cried.

“ I do Cora. We have suffered too much as a pack, we don’t deserve to lose our children because I was too scared of my own fate. Go , now , please. The children don’t need to see this” Marla said to her softly.

Cora bit back her tears, knowing the other woman was right. She gave a small nod of her head.

“ NO MARLA!”, Dennis screamed.

The woman looked at her mate , tears streaming down her face.

“ Don’t forget me, Dennis. I love you, I know the Goddess didn’t bring us together only to be torn apart. Be strong my love,” she whispered to him.

Cora watched as Maverick shifted into Havoc once again. The giant wolf walked toward her, lowering himself for her to get on. She did, and watched as the handful that had been cornered in the garden followed his lead, shifting one by one respecting their Alpha’s mate.

Dennis was the last turn , his gaze never leaving his mates face. His howl carried the pack back to the inn.