Alphas United: The Battle Before the War

Chapter 5

Lauren’s point of view

I stand listening to Zac beside me. He’s filling the pack in on not only the damage Jacques and his men are responsible for last night, but also about their grand royal scheme. He tells them about Hogan, and how he has set out to dominate and have authority over all packs and our pack is ready to stomp the threat out. We’re aware that there are a lot more members of his pack scattered, but if they eliminate Jacques and his pack, Hogan will never know what happened to them, and they will have decreased his pack by 70. Zac's hopeful he can find more of their packs and keep picking them off.

 First things first though, finish off Jacques. Most of the warriors are begging to come, but Zac’s only going to take 90, for Jacques remaining 60.

Even though I don’t ever take part in pack business that requires any form of fighting, today this seemed different. I wanted to offer my support; my heart was breaking for the families involved, and I wanted to be there to help any way I could… even if it just meant letting them know that we stand with them. All of us. I wasn't expecting to bear witness to witches in action, let alone being present for the execution of 10 men. I know they deserved it and had they done it to one of my kids, I would have been seeking retribution too. I know that what happened to them was punishment, and I agree that it had to be done. Their parents deserve the same justice I’d seek if someone hurt my children.

Was it easy? Hell no! It was brutal. I don’t know if I’ll ever get the sounds of their begging, pleading and screams out of my head. When I think of what happened to two 19-year-old girls last night though, it does help. 

I hate the thought of being seen as weak. Zac is so strong, and the last thing I want is to make him look weak in the process too. 

I always tell myself that he’s so strong to make up for my softness. Although, he’s also capable of such tenderness. The way he tried to shield me today, the way he held me, and even the way he distracted me to get me into the car… He’s so caring. I feel my chest blooming with so much love and adoration for him. I resist the urge to wrap my arms around him while he’s addressing everyone, but my hands can’t keep to themselves and they reach up to his back, and I gently stroke it. 

“Should we wait for nightfall? Give them a piece of their own medicine? Scare the s**t out of them in the dark?” Paul asks.

“No, let’s get this over with. I don’t want them to have a ton of time to plan anything when they realize their 10 guys aren’t coming back,” Zac answers.

“Half an hour. It’s a 20-minute drive, so we’ll be there in an hour. Get something to eat and then we leave,” he orders, and the crowd disburses. He pulls me into his arms, holding me tight. 

“You okay?” he asks for the 10th time in the last hour since the execution and then buries his face into my neck. 

“Yes. I’m okay. I just love you, and I’m proud of you… and I’m just having a moment. A sappy one, thinking about how much I love and respect you,” I admit softly. 

He pulls his head from my neck and looks into my eyes. 

“I love and respect you so damn much. And I’m proud of you too,” he whispers, leaning in, but before his lips make contact with mine, I interrupt it.

“Really? You don’t wish I was more like Lexi? Or any other warrior she-wolf? One who isn’t so weak with all this stuff,” I ask, lowering my gaze to his chest now. I know he said he didn’t want a warrior mate, but I would hate it if I disappointed him. I don’t usually worry about this, but being present today just made me question myself. He shouldn't have had to comfort me in a time like that. I am his Luna, after all.

“Hey, look at me. Are you kidding me? I f*****g love that you’re so soft and tenderhearted. I love that our kids get the sweetest, kindest mother ever. I happen to love being on the receiving end of that kind heart of yours as well. You’re strong physically and even emotionally. I know how affected you were earlier, and you held it together. Even if you didn’t, I wouldn't have been disappointed in you. I’m legit, f*****g mad about you Lauren,” he says firmly, almost like he’s a little pissed that I would even question that.

“And the tea. That’s the truth,” he adds a little calmer. 

“I’m sure it’s worn off by now.”

“It’s still the truth,” he says, raising his eyebrows.

“Okay,” I smirk, and his scowl vanishes, and the corners of his lips curl up.

“I love you,” he whispers. His eyes close and he inhales deeply and I see a calmness wash over him.

“I love you,” I whisper, and move up onto my tiptoes, pulling him into me so I can kiss him. His lips possessively capture mine, and soon his tongue is slipping in my mouth. My hands climb up, wrapping around his neck. His hands eagerly pull me in tighter. Heat is blossoming inside of me. Spreading, lower and lower. 

“Lo, gross. Come on,” I hear Julien whine, and we slowly pull away, but Zac’s unmoved by Julien, as he ignores him and lifts me off my feet, holding me in his arms. He buries his face into my neck and playfully starts nipping at my ear and neck. It’s playful, and it tickles, but it’s also very arousing. I try to hold back my laughter, but it’s no use. When I feel him laughing too, I’m giggling and also swooning. 

“He looks very intimidating right now, doesn’t he?” I hear Julien chuckle, and a female voice starts laughing. Cora. When he finally lets me go, I greet them. 

“Hey, guys!” I beam. 

“Hey!” Cora smiles. I look up to Zac, and he’s staring at me, smiling and I feel my stomach dip. 

“How’s Maxwell sleeping?” Zac asks when he finally pulls his eyes off of me, his hand rests on my shoulder and he gently massages it. Maxwell is Cora and Julien’s youngest, and just 2 months old. Their oldest Jolie, is 3.5 now.

“He doesn't,” Cora scoffs. “Speaking of, I’m going to run home and have a nap for an hour before I pick them up,” she groans.

“Walk me home?” she asks Julien, and he smiles, slips his hand in hers, “Of course, sugar!” 

“You should eat something. You’re probably starving. It’s been a few hours since you ate,” which is a long time for him. 

“Oh, I’m hungry all right,” he says with a mischievous look in his eyes, as he leans down giving my shoulder a playful bite. 

We head to the kitchen together for an early lunch, even though it's not where either of us wants to go. Then I see them off. It’s always a nerve-wracking experience to say goodbye to him when I know he’s going out to fight, but I’m not as nervous as I usually am. The fact that he’s only fighting 60 rogues against our 90, and he’ll be home in a few hours makes me feel better about the whole thing.

Zac’s Point of View

It’s a little after 11 am now, and the sun is shining bright and there's a slight breeze, but it’s a warm day, especially for October.

We’re not playing stealth, not one bit as we drive right into the large field filled with tents. We had to drive 5 minutes off the beaten path, so we were concealed from the general public. I have 90 warriors as well as 3 warlocks that Alicia sent, but I don’t recognize them from earlier. 

 I park my Escalade, and before I even get out, I see Jacques and his band of assholes start to approach the 20 or so vehicles that my warriors arrived in. He looks pissed. He’s a big guy, but he doesn’t strike me as someone deserving of the title “Alpha.” His long blond hair is in a ponytail, with a bit of a receding hairline. He’s probably around 30, but his face is scrunched up, making him look older. He’s mad. Good! I’m f*****g pissed too! I hop out and make my way to him without hesitation. 

“Zac,” he greets me. He knows I’m an alpha, and given we have no personal relationship, that’s a sign of disrespect.

“Jay,” I nod, and I see his nostrils flare. Ha! Mission accomplished.

“What brings you here, and with so many of your men?” he continues. He has a smug look on his face, and I can’t f*****g wait to wipe it off. 

“We had an agreement,” I growled. Enough beating around the bush.

“Since when do our kind care about witches?” He scoffs.

“This area is my responsibility. If you make trouble for anyone, I have a problem with it. Also, the girl you killed was a human. Not that that matters. Human, wolf, witch or a f*****g fairy if they existed, I’d have a problem with it,” I boom.

“Well, it’s unfortunate, I guess. I can promise you though, you don’t want to be involved in this fight, Zac. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll pack your warriors up, and head home,” he smirks. “You might win this singular fight, but you won’t win the battle. Go home. Cut your losses. Hell, maybe you could even join our ranks,” he says seriously.

“LIKE f**k! I’d never associate myself or my pack with rapists and murderers. Do you think I’m going to let sick f***s like you live because you talk a big game? You think I’ll let you gain power, so what? You can do it again. Your sins will be atoned with every ounce of your blood. Today,” I say, lowering my voice, and narrowing my eyes.

“If we end up dead, mark my words, more will come in our place to seek revenge. Many more,” he says. One last-ditch effort for me to spare his life. Not going to work. 

I let a loud growl rip from me, and I force myself to shift. I hear the growls from behind me signalling my men are shifting as well. 

Jacques turns before my eyes. His body taking shape of a large wolf, mostly grey with some black patches. He’s large, but nothing bigger than Malcolm, my Gamma, or even one of my stronger warriors.

 Like the snap of a finger, the field went from quiet to chaos. I lunged straight for Jacques, who was just 10 feet in front of me. He charged me too, and soon our bodies crash into each other. We scuffle a little, but he wasn't that hard to take down. Within 10 seconds, Jacques' body lay dead at my feet. I look around at the gory, gruesome field. It’s loud and the smell of blood is thick in the air. I scan the field for someone to attack, but there’s no need. We outnumbered them, and the fight seems to be over as quickly as it began. We took no prisoners, and there were no survivors.