Losing The Light Of The Moon

Double, Double, Toil, and Trouble, Part II

Chapter Twelve: Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, Part II

ALASTOR

I don’t think I have ever enjoyed dinner as much as I did tonight—and it wasn’t just because of the ring my mother had given me for Vivian—for the first time in an incredibly long time, I was able to just enjoy the company of parents. No lectures, no expectations, no concerns about intended plans. 

In fact, pack business wasn’t even discussed. Instead, we talked about happy memories we had together, several of which I had forgotten about and was glad to be reminded of—all in all, it was a very heartwarming perfect night with my parents. Vivian was very excited to hear about my night as she linked moments ago to check on me and sweetly inform me that she missed me terribly and loved me dearly—just before she wickedly told me that she could have Raven sneak her into our room at Spirit Walker and back into my arms—returning her to Crescent Moon before my parents awoke in the morning. I had to admit, when it came to my Vivvy and her voracious appetite in bed—that was incredibly tempting!

“I didn’t realize it had gotten so late! I can’t believe it’s almost eleven o’clock!” Mother shockingly exclaimed, sitting on the couch in our living room as we continued our evening of regaling old times, “I hope Vivian isn’t too upset that we asked her to remain behind at Crescent Moon and is now finding it difficult to sleep.”

“On the contrary, Mother, Vivvy is quite content having just returned to our room at the main house,” I humorously fibbed before continuing, “Though Nicholas and Talon may not be too happy with me currently.  Apparently, she, Madeline, and Raven were enjoying some girl time at our cottage on the lake, having gathered there soon after I left early this afternoon. They too lost track of time until their mates sent them a subtle reminder that it wasn’t a slumber party.”

In the midst of our laughter, Horacio linked Father and I, I hate to disturb you both so late, but Devlin just informed me that they spotted a couple of suspicious rogues sneaking around our border. I’m headed there now to see what’s going on. I will keep you posted on what I find.

My humored state gone, our alerted eyes instantly connected with one another as Father gave me a slow knowing nod before we stood up, causing Mother to worriedly look at both of us as I replied, Father and I are on our way as well, Horacio. We’ll meet you there.

“What’s wrong?” Mother asked, looking between the two of us.

“Just a couple of suspicious rogues at the border, Mother,” I calmly assured her, “but you how Father and I are. We always prefer to see for ourselves that all is well, especially at night.”

“Yes, a trait I know well,” Mother exasperated out, “And as is my preference, I will wait for you here to make sure you are both home safe before retiring to bed.”

************

Shifting into our mighty black wolves as we exited the house, Father and I arrived at the northern borders of Spirit Walker quickly, listening as Devlin was describing the two rogues to Horacio while they investigated the area where they were last seen.  The twelve warriors in Devlin’s security detail had spread out in sets of four searching for our unwelcomed interlopers.

Found anything? I asked as we reached their location.

Nothing yet, but take a good whiff...they’re here somewhere.  Horacio methodically replied, obviously still trying to decipher where they were.

Taking in a deep breath of air, I smelled them too. Father caught the same scent evidently, as we both turned to our left, slowly walking over towards a set of sticker bushes. Devlin and Horacio followed closely beside us, but just as we closed in, one of our warriors roared out—WE’RE UNDER ATTACK!

*************

TATIANA

I found myself restless again, unable to get to sleep, but tonight felt different than the last and I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that came along with it—a fact that was incredibly worrisome to me.

Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as I centered myself, bringing forth and focusing on the bright green door I had created long ago in my mind—my door of knowledge—a door I utilized as needed to enable my visions the freedom to fruition without any inhibition from my emotions or thoughts. Losing myself in the dark silence of nothingness, I drifted off to sleep only to jolted back to consciousness by the door bursting open as a sea of green crashed down in my mind revealing the deadly reasons I felt on edge...

My eyes instantly snapping open, I leapt out of my bed, desperately linking out before disappearing from my room, RAVEN! Get everyone to the northern border of the Spirit Walker pack NOW! BLOOD HORIZON ROGUE ATTACK!

**************

LORENZO

The warning rang out so loud, it continued to echo in my ears, just as six wolves, an even mix of grey and brown swiftly launched out of the darkness from behind the bushes directly towards us. At the exact same time, Horacio and Devlin instinctively jumped in front of Alastor and I, their fur bristled straight up as ear piercing growls escaped from their muzzles and Horacio furiously linked out to our army, BORDER ATTACK PROTOCOL NOW!

A mere millisecond later, however, as the six wolves were mid-air, two large beams of deep green light streaked like lightning between us before one expanded into a shield over my group and the second erupted in a deafening explosion, emitting such a ferocious force of power that our attackers were blown at least two hundred feet away from us, each of them slammed into a line of large oak trees before falling hard to the ground below, their howls of intense pain heard clearly through our protective barrier.

TATIANA! Horacio’s stunned voice called out in my mind.

Before I could respond, another bolt of green instantly lit up from behind, causing us to quickly turn our heads, wide-eyed in shocked response at we saw. There were eight glowing daggers pointed directly at us, floating in the air and pressing against the thin outer edge of our shield. Before we could blink, the knives flipped to face away from us before they were powerfully sent back into the darkness until they had obviously found their target, as cries of unfathomable pain resonated directly after before the silence of death set in.

Then, out of nowhere, Raven appeared along with Nicholas and the rest of our Crescent Moon family already in wolf form, bolting in all different directions to assist us in our battle as the green shield instantly dissipated into the air allowing us to join them.

***********

JACE

As soon as we arrived at Lorenzo and Alastor’s borders and saw her shield around them dissipate, I immediately linked out worriedly, Mother, where are you?  

Hidden and fine, Mother instantly replied, I’m glad you all got here quickly.  There are forty-seven of them, Jace. I’ll be at the main house on stand-by if you need me, though as they are about to be incredibly outnumbered, I’m sure you won’t need my help.

Opening my link to everyone, I informed them of the number of Blood Horizon rogues as Raven shifted to her wolf while Alastor expressed his deep gratitude for our arrival, then updated us on the locations that needed help as Vivian raced to his side.  Constance, Charlotte, and Carson followed Raven and I as we dashed to the east, bolting towards a group of six Spirit Walker wolves that were fighting against ten of the rogues.  

As soon as we got close enough, Raven’s beautiful long-haired white wolf with bright pink streaks glistening down the ends leapt up into the air, sending two powerful balls of blinding bright pink light out of its paws towards the center that upon impact, enveloped two huge brown wolves, immobilizing them before carrying them to the side of a tree as they viciously snapped and snarled while slamming against their pink round prisons.

Hate it for you, fellas! Tables are turned on being outnumbered! Carson rang out in our heads, I take it those two are being held for Lorenzo and Alastor?

Yes, they are leading the attack and are the ones to question. Kristoff, Luscious, and Arturo are not here. Raven linked over, We will keep them there until they can be interrogated.

Let’s get to it, then, Constance chimed in, Divide and conquer? 

Yes, Goddess, you and Charlotte break to the right, Carson to the left, Raven and I will take the middle, I replied, each of us diverting to our designated areas.

As we continued assisting the Spirit Walker warriors, Raven landed several magically enhanced mighty blows while throwing shields out to protect other warriors.  I had cornered a light grey wolf, ducking his front paw attack while launching my own mighty right hook, hitting him square in the jaw then lunging forward to end our fight with a fatal blow to his jugular just as we were joined by a large group of other Spirit Walker army members.   After their arrival, it was mere minutes and our battle was ended with dead wolves strewn across the grass...with the exception of our two angry prisoners.

We’ve got the leaders and the rest are dead here, I linked out to everyone, Any assistance needed elsewhere?

No, stay with the prisoners. We are headed your way now. Everything else is under control now that Lorenzo’s men have arrived, Nicholas immediately replied, Thankfully, it looks like your mother’s connection to Lorenzo has saved his life again with her vision, as well as Alastor, Horacio, and Devlin’s. Where is Auntie?

Once Raven arrived, she went to the main house to remain hidden, staying in case we needed her, though I think I should have encouraged her return to Crescent Moon, I answered back, But I’m sure Lorenzo and the others will want to speak with her.  . 

I have no doubt they will. We were incredibly fortunate to have her as a secret weapon tonight, Jace, Nicholas thoughtfully stated, Hopefully we can get the answers we need and end this whole thing soon!

****************

TATIANA

I was being truthful when I told Jace that I would be on standby, but my primary reason for going to the main house was the split-second image of Priscilla that revealed itself to me in my vision.  I had come to realize over the years that it typically meant there was a possibility of danger when that occurred, but the final decision of any actions would be made based on how events played out, which is why I was glad Raven and the others arrived so quickly. That enabled me to take my leave and come here to make sure Priscilla remained safe.

While I knew Lorenzo’s army was capable of handling the onslaught that occurred, I saw within my vision that had I not brought help from Crescent Moon, the battle would have ended with several deaths for the Spirit Walkers—a gift from fate bestowed upon me in my vision for those now fortunate warriors—a gift I was incredibly grateful to receive.

And now I stood silently in darkness of the room across from Priscilla, my long black hooded flowing cape concealing me from head to toe. Priscilla was pacing back and forth in the living room as I waited with patience and intent awareness to see what may unfold. There were four guards stationed on her inside, as well as four outside the front, and four in the back. As none of them were aware of who I was, I had to be ready to gently make sure they were all out of my way if the need arose to protect her and not a threat to meafterwards.

I had expected if danger found us, it would come in the form of an attack from rogues who had managed to infiltrate the borders somehow—what I never expected is what actually happened...

A black hole suddenly appeared on the wall of the living room before a colossal man standing over six feet tall charged through the opening towards Priscilla, who gasped at the sight of him as the opening in the wall quickly closed. Before the warriors inside could react, I rendered them unconscious with one hand while discharging a potent blast of my power directly at the intruder with my other. 

Sensing danger, in one fluid move, our dark-haired enemy revealed two daggers that he released forcefully to perfection, aimed at both Priscilla and myself.  Fortunately, my reflexes allowed me to react before the knives got too far. Twisting my hand as I released my own deadly show of force, I stopped both daggers and as I had done earlier, turned them to face the man, taunting him as I aimed them directly at his chest just as he was rendered immobile, frozen in place within my aura.

Everything happened so fast that Priscilla was unable to react at all until after my defensive strikes. With wide eyes, she stared at her attacker shocked and speechless for a moment before she turned and realized her guards were unconscious on the floor in front of me. Pulling her own dagger from a pocket in her dress and pointing it towards me as she seethed, “Judging by the current state of this mongrel, I’m wasting my time with this, but regardless, as Luna of the Spirit Walker pack, I demand that you tell me exactly who you are!”

Slowly walking out into the light, I remained cloaked in my hooded cape, gently answering, “I’m a friend, Priscilla. I work with Raven and Loa.”

“I know of no one working with them!” Priscilla viciously spat, “Reveal yourself! Explain!”

Looking over to find the Blood Horizon warrior staring me down, I steadfastly returned, “As I now know there is a witch involved with our attackers, I’m afraid that’s not possible. It’s best if I remain a concealed mystery.”

“Then I trust nothing you say!” Priscilla yelled out, “GUARDS!”

Knowing I had no choice, I swiftly sent a cloud of green into Priscilla’s face and put our intruder to sleep as the guards rushed in on both sides. 

Circling my hands, I encapsulated myself in a shield and pulled back my hood, my eyes directly on Priscilla as I revealed my face to her, watching as her infuriated eyes turned softer—confirming to me that her memories had indeed returned.

“Stand down!” Priscilla immediately ordered in an authoritative tone, her eyes firmly locked with mine, “Thankfully, it would appear an old friend of mine showed up to assist with this vile rogue. I’m fine and everything is handled here for now, so return to your positions outside.” Before they could move, she encouraged, “I would appreciate these four guards being revived to join them, if you don't mind.”

Flicking my fingers up, the guards slowly came to before jumping up with fear-stricken expressions as their Luna stared at them with a sly grin, “Welcome back, gentlemen. Have no fear, there will be no repercussions from your Alpha. Join your team outside, please.”

As the warriors took in the sight of the unconscious Blood Horizon warrior, their jaws dropped slightly. The knives were still where I had left them—hovering mid-air—their eyes reflecting overwhelming intimidation of me as one guard cautiously asked, “Shouldn't we take take him?”

“As I said, my friend and I have things handled. Leave us—and the attacker,” Priscilla coldly commanded. The warriors immediately did as they were asked, making their way outside and closing the door. 

“I know your presence here means you had a vision—tell me Lorenzo and Alastor are alright,” Priscilla earnestly pleaded, her eyes brimming with tears.

“They are fine,” I immediately assured her, “Raven is here as well our Crescent Moon inner-circle.  All is well, I promise you.”

“That is a tremendous relief!” Priscilla emotionally choked out before walking towards me, declaring with heartfelt sincerity, “It’s been a long time, Tati—I’m so very happy you returned my memories. It is wonderful to see you again! I hope that Persephone and Reina have returned as well.”

“It’s good to see you as well, Priscilla,” I affectionately returned, “And yes, the Power of Three have all returned to Crescent Moon. I’m sorry that you were kept in the dark about everything until now. If it helps, our return has been only within the last couple of days.”

“A discussion to be had with you and Lorenzo later,” Priscilla softly stated as she came to stand in front of me, “As well as the circumstances surrounding yet another removal of treasured memories from my mind.”  

Looking over at our unconscious prisoner, she icily continued, “For now, let us have a discussion with this revolting piece of Blood Horizon trash that infiltrated my home, shall we?”

“As you wish,” I grinned, pulling the hood of my cape back over my head, “I will continue to remain anonymous, of course. I wouldn’t want this witch of theirs to know what I look like should she have an ability to bring forth visions. Only that I am a cloaked bearer of danger and death should they decide to strike against us again!”

Laughing softly, Priscilla nodded before reaching out to hug me tightly, breathing out in immense relief, “It would appear I am in debt to you once again, Tati—a debt that I will never be able to repay.  Thank you for protecting us all tonight.  I would have never survived losing both of my beloved Alphas!”