Alphas United: The Battle Before the War

Chapter 13

Lexi’s Point of View

Lauren, her kids, her mom - Joan, Cora, her kids and Sadie are over. I haven’t spoken to the men in an hour. Jack called to tell me when they were going to start heading out, but for all I know, they aren’t even fighting yet. Who knows? It’s getting late for the kids, but they’re having a great time. They’re all on the couch, watching a movie with treats while we ladies just moved to the kitchen to talk away from the kids. 

“Wine? Coffee? It might be a late one? Soda? What do you ladies want to drink?” I ask.

“Wine,” Lauren answers solemnly, and Joan nods. 

“I can have 1 very small glass,” Cora says because she’s breastfeeding. Baby Remi is just 2 months old, and he’s sleeping soundly in a playpen in Jack’s office. 

“I’ll just have water,” Sadie says, and everyone looks at her. She’s the biggest wino of the whole group. 

“What?” She asks, and I see the corners of her lips curl up. 

“Are you…” Lauren starts, narrowing her eyes, and Sadie pauses. Nothing is said, but a look is shared between them. Suddenly, Lauren is up hugging her. They're both crying, and Joan is soon pulling her in too

“I’m pregnant. We’re keeping it quiet for a little, but I can't hide it from you guys,” she says with the widest smile and a sniffle. Cora and I congratulate her as well. I know she’s been wanting a baby with Kyle for years, so I’m happy for them. 

After a brief moment of excitement for Sadie, we all sit with our drinks and none of us seem to have very much to say anymore. We know at this point our men are most likely in battle and that is never a fun feeling. We don’t know much about this pack, and that only adds to this uneasy feeling in the pit of our stomachs. After we finish our drinks, I task Lauren with refills while I check on the kids. 

When I walk into the living room, six of the eight kids are sleeping on the big comfy sectionals. Molly is searching through Netflix while Enzo’s attention is completely on Alivia. Enzo has a pillow on his lap, while Alivia is fast asleep on it. Her little hands tucked under her cheek, as she lay on her side make her look like a perfect little doll. And of course, her face is facing Enzo and not the TV.

Enzo’s little hands gently play with her hair. He’s 4 ½ and, and it’s adorable but also weird to see him with Alivia. As they get older, their bond only strengthens. If they’re not mates, they’ll be devastated, especially Enzo. Alivia loves Enzo, and she’s drawn to him, but I think the fact that Enzo is going to be an Alpha, and a strong one, I think the bond is a little stronger for him.

“What are you doing, Enzo?” I whisper. 

“Her hair is so soft Mom,” he sighs as he looks over her with a small smile. I move my hand to her hair, and his little hand stops mine and his eyes meet mine. 

“Don’t wake her,” he reminds me, and I try to bite back my smile. He's so protective.

“I won't wake her,” I whisper with a nod, and he lets me move in to touch her hair. 

“It’s very soft,” I smile and agree. 

“Do you want me to move her off of you?” I ask, but I know the answer. He shakes his head, and I give him a little kiss on the forehead. 

When I make it back to the kitchen, I tell Lauren and the girls about Alivia and Enzo. They all ‘aww’ in appreciation.

“Can you imagine how nice it would be to grow up with your mate? Be close to them from such a young age?” Cora says.

“I’d be shocked if they weren't, and honestly… even if they weren’t… I can’t imagine them not choosing each other. They are so drawn to each other. When Livy gets hurt or upset about something when we’re together, Enzo’s on it. He’s so tender with her, and she just adores him. She’s always thinking of him,” Lauren says.

“They can’t go more than 2 days without talking,” I point out. 

“That’s true. They have to facetime every few days. And if you listen to their conversation, they really care about each other. They’re four. Four-year-olds don’t usually care if their friends have had a bad day. Those four-year-olds though,” Lauren says, pointing towards the living room.

“Oh, they totally care,” I finish. She smiles, then a small chuckle escapes her and she nods.

“Poor Zac,” Cora giggles.

“Oh, he’s actually coming around. He’s realized how lucky we would be to have Enzo as a son-in-law one day. I made that point one day, and all of a sudden, it didn't bother him so much. He legitimately hopes they are mates now,” Lauren says. Jack and I hope they are too. We feel like family already, making it official would be great.

“Oh, my leg. I felt a pain in my leg for a second. Do you think?” Joan starts, and then the realization hits us all. Brian. The small bit of lightness that had entered the air while talking about Enzo and Alivia is gone. 

“Ugh, I just had a weird… something through the back of my shoulder,” Lauren says, and I can see it all over her face that she's worried.

Zac’s Point of View

We move towards each other, Hogan in his human form, me in wolf. He’s huge. I’m 6’2”, Jack is 6’5”, and this guy is around Jack’s height, maybe a little taller. He looks similar to Jack in size, although he looks harder. Unnaturally so. His veins bulge everywhere, and he looks like he takes all the steroids. 

I shift back into my human form and start walking towards him. In the 20 feet that separates us, the fighting has stopped. We’re the eye of the storm because everything is calm around us while the battle still rages on throughout the forest. This guy is huge, but is he used to just scaring people off with his size? I'll soon find out because I’m not walking away from this. I stalk over to him, and when just a few feet separate us, he starts.

“You attacked and destroyed a part of my pack. Killed them all, I assume? Or do you have any in your dungeons? “ He growls and narrows his eyes. His longer dark blonde wavy hair falls in front of his face and he swiftly pulls it back with one hand. 

“That group of rogues murdered and raped innocent girls. I don’t allow that type of behavior, not on anyone’s territory, but sure as f**k not on mine,” I growl.  

“Did they touch our kind?” he rasps. 

“That’s irrelevant,” I scoff, and a sharp deep growl rumbles from his chest. 

“Your actions have consequences,” he yells, and spit comes flying from his mouth. “My brother was one of the men you killed, did you know that?” He asks slowly and I shrug. 

“And his actions had consequences too,” I seethe.

“You will pay for what you did, but I’ll tell you what, tell me where you put the bodies, and I’ll make it quick,” he smirks, and I want to wipe that smug as f**k smile off his face.

“Never,” I smile. His smirk falters, and all I see is pure hatred and rage directed at me.

 “I’ll track down every person you care about, and it won’t be quick,” he hisses. “You have a mate? I’ll find her, and do worse than my guys did to those witches,” he says, and his smirk returns. A growl rips from me, and I feel myself starting to shift, but I’m stopped. I look down at my human body. What the f**k?

Hogan looks smug, and he chuckles. 

“Thank you doll,” he cackles, and I see a girl maybe 17-19 years old behind him. She’s a witch. f**k. I can’t shift. 

“I’ll kill you, and I’ll find someone smart enough to take me up on my offer. Someone here will cave, and tell me where you put the bodies,” he smirks, and his claws elongate. 

“Then, I’ll come for her. I’ll find her, and by the time I’m done with her, she’ll be begging for death… and then I’ll give that to her too,” he adds. The thought of him hurting Lauren, my everything… The rage builds, and I try shifting again. This time, I feel myself starting to turn more. 

“Stop him,” he yells.

“Lori,” she calls, and another girl her age rushes to her side.

“Help me,” she cries out. “He’s too strong,” she huffs.

The other girl lifts her hands, and I feel myself losing all progress in shifting. The fur disappears, and I can feel myself having a hard time moving at all.

I see some of my wolves rushing to attack the witches, but they’re stopped and thrown to the ground harshly by other wolves. 

“You’re a coward! Do you need 2 witches to fight me? What kind of Alpha are you? And you want to be a king,” I seethe, and an angry chuckle pours out of me.

I see the rage and anger multiply by that comment. Maybe it’s a bad idea to piss him off, even more, when I can’t move, but it’s the only idea I have. I’m hoping his pride will override his need to try and torture information out of me.

I see a flash beside me, and then I see Paul in his wolf form jump Hogan from the side. Paul’s teeth are in Hogan’s side, and with one swift movement from Hogan, Paul is slammed to the ground hard. A loud yelp escapes him and I see his ribs caved in. f**k!