Origins: Silver Mountain

Chapter Fifteen

Augustus

We had only seen Judeah a couple of times after the chance encounter. We didn't want to draw too much attention to the situation. Lukas had checked in a few times. He sounded like he was doing better after the whole ordeal with the witch. It was a step for him to take accountability for his actions. I was sure he would bounce back. I still worried about Emmeline and prayed to the Moon Goddess that she would be well in time.

The twins seemed to be growing rapidly. Every day, they impressed me with their development. If what Judeah said was true, then we were in for quite a ride.

As I entered my office, I was surprised to find a note wedged in the door. I tugged it out and went ahead to start my day. Rita was right behind me.

"Hi, Augustus. Can I get you anything?"

Since Lukas was gone and her only role was to serve him, she didn't know what to do with her time. I told her I didn't need the assistance, but apparently, Lukas told her to help out anyway. So I just let her be.

"No, Rita. I'm quite alright this morning. Thank you for asking." I gave her a smile, hoping she would leave. She nodded and backed out of my office, closing the door.

I was relieved she was catching on.

As I skimmed through paperwork and grievances from the village, I sighed deeply. The thought of the twins saving this mountain was overwhelming. I couldn't imagine my precious pups taking on such a role. But I often forgot they are descendants of the Moon Goddess. I chuckled to myself.

Why was I so worried? I knew they were capable of many great things. I shook my head to clear my thoughts and continued my work.

A loud knock gave me pause. I stood to unlock my office door. Scoop waa standing there with a bewildered expression. Before I could say anything, he blurted out some unintelligible words.

I frowned.

He pushed me back into my office, closing the door and locking it as soon as he stepped in. He pressed his back against the door and frantically scanned the room.

"You're not safe here."

"What is going on?" I was confused, but made the attempt to mask it.

"Vampires. At the base of the mountain. Too many to fight." He moved across the room to look out of the window.

"There isn't much time." His gruff voice was trembling, which came as a shock to me.

I wasn't sure what I was supposed to be doing. Then I thought of my mate, my pups. I hurriedly left my office, sounding the alarm to signal the looming threat. The bell could be heard across the mountain. All around me were people shuttering their homes and businesses. I shufted, racing to my family to get them to safety.

"Renée!" As soon as I shifted back, I flung the door open. Our home was eerily silent. I listened for the slightest noise and heard not a thing.

I searched the whole house, fear beginning to set in.

"We're fine, my love."

I sighed in relief. She must have felt my fear through our bond. I could only assume she had gone to Judeah.

"Where are you?"

"Safe haven with Sofie. Please come to us. We'll be safe here."

I severed the link, knowing my mate would chastise me later. I was fine since my family was somewhere out of the way. However, I had to stay and fight. There was no choice. I had never been a coward and in the king's absence, someone had to protect our land.

My instincts kicked in almost immediately after I stepped back out of our home. They were near. Since no one could mindlink because we were from different packs, I rushed around to my neighbors to gather them for the inevitable fight. Few came out to assist in defending our land, but I knew we would all die trying. I shifted, my wolf Caesar ready for blood. I howled. The sounds of wolves shifting around me filled the air. I turned to my neighbors and gave a quick nod. They howled in return.

We were ready.

Fortunately, we had already began the training that Lukas had ordered. This wouldn't be easy for the vampires. They would have to work for this kill. There were improvements needed, but we were solid.

There was no time to think as a sudden change in the atmosphere made me shiver. I could see everything through Caesar's viewpoint. He stood on his hind legs and howled, before baring his teeth at the vampire headed straight toward him. There had to be at least 13. This should be easy, I thought to myself.

Caesar quickly dodged the vampire, who I assumed was the Sire. He made the first move before the others followed suit. They were bumbling around, obviously unskilled. They had to be newborns, as their technique was sloppy.

The Sire recovered and lunged at Caesar, grabbing ahold a handful of his fur around his neck. Caesar growled and went for his arm. The Sire yelped and jerked away. Caesar spit the chunk of his arm he left behind out.

The Sire glanced down at the spot where his flesh had been ripped away and slowly looked up at Caesar. I wasn't paying attention to the fighting around us, but I could hear the sounds of breaking bones, blood-curdling screams, and growls.

"Augustus, look out!"

Renée. Her voice caught me off guard. I turned to see her wolf running toward us. With a pounce and a bite, she ripped off the head of The Sire. Almost instantly, the newborns dropped like flies. The fighting ceased. I glanced around to see the damage. There were the vampires laying lifeless. A few wolves were unresponsive as well, as people began checking on one another.

Adelaide came to stand beside Caesar.

"Why didn't you tell me you were fighting? I would have been here sooner."

I didn't quite know how to tell her I didn't want her fighting without sounding like a misogynist. She had recently given birth to our twins and honestly, she had no reason to fight. While she was skilled, she was my mate and the mother of my pups. Expecting her to be out in the middle of a battle would be insane.

I chose not to answer her and instead nuzzled her. Adelaide placed her snout in Caesar's neck.

This surprise attack was a close call. I needed to investigate how they found us. The trouble with Lukas inviting the supernatural to this mountain was the vulnerable state he left us in. Because of who he is, there will always be a threat to our territory.

He doesn't realize what he has done.