Chapter 308
[ 1,070 words ]
~Samantha~
“Everyone still breathing? Can we get going now?” Lila was the only one who looked fine and seemed eager to leave. “Or do we have to wait till Alpha Dominic says so?” She shot him a side eye.
“Good enough to walk for a couple of minutes.” I managed.
“As long as my curse doesn’t take over, I’m good.” Killian coughed.
“We can leave now.” Dominic grimaced as he pressed his hand harder against his side.
“I thought you’d never say that.” Lila started moving through the bodies. Checking pockets. Looking for something.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Seeing if they have identification. Orders. Anything useful.” She rolled one body over. Searched his jacket. “Nothing. These guys travel light.”
“Professional.” Dominic watched her work. “Black Moon doesn’t hire amateurs.”
“Clearly.” Lila moved to the next body. “Though they died like amateurs. Purification magic is a hell of a thing.”
“The twins shouldn’t have had to use it. We need to find another way in case of next time.” I looked at Devon and Diana.
“They were born to make good use of their powers so allow them.” Lila didn’t look up from her searching. “The more they use it, the stronger they become even though you are scared of them being weak.”
“Maybe, when they are older but not now.”
“Found something.” Lila stood up. Held out a piece of paper. “It was on that body. Pinned to his chest.”
I took it. Unfolded it.
A message. Written in black ink. Neat handwriting.
To the Alpha Luna:
You fight well. It’s no doubt that the apple doesn’t fall so far from the tree but it does fall, just like your mother. Your children fight even better. I need them.
Three days. Blood moon rises. The shadow array activates. Your twins will be the keys that open it.
Bring them willingly and I’ll let you live. Fight and I’ll take them over your bloody corpse. Don’t make the same mistake your mother did.
The choice is yours.
– Black Moon
The paper shook in my hands.
“What does it say?” Dominic moved beside me. Read over my shoulder. His countenance changed. “No. Where do they get their audacity from?! I am going to kill then before they get the chance.”
“What?” Killian tried to stand. Failed. “What does it say?”
“Black Moon wants the twins.” Dominic took the letter from me. Read it again like he couldn’t believe it the first time. “In three days. For the shadow array.”
“That’s bullshit, he’s just bluffing.” Killian’s voice was rough. “Nobody takes the twins under my watch.”
“He says he’ll take them by force if we don’t comply.”
“Again with the empty threats.”
“Black Moon doesn’t seem like the type that backs away from their words.” Dominic crumpled the paper in his fist. “We saw what happened today and that was just a tiny drop in the Ocean of what they might do next.”
“So what’s your plan? Hand over the kids?” Lila crossed her arms. “Because that’s not happening.”
“Of course not!” Dominic’s voice rose. “I’m sending them back to the pack house . Right now. With heavy guard. Get them somewhere Black Moon can’t reach.”
“Dad, no!” Devon jumped up. “We’re not leaving!”
“This isn’t a discussion, young man.”
“You can’t keep sending us away every time!” Diana was on her feet too. “We can’t hide forever and we want to help!”
“Yes, you can and I’ll make sure you stay safe till all of this is over for good.” Dominic pointed at Diana’s bloody nose, at Devon’s exhausted face. “You’re children! You shouldn’t be fighting at all!”
“But we can! We have powers! We can protect Mom!” Devon’s voice cracked. “We’re not useless!”
“I never said you were useless!” Dominic’s control was slipping. I could hear it. “I said you’re in danger! Pay more attention to what I say!”
“We’re always in danger!” Diana shouted back. “That’s how our life is now! Hiding won’t change that!”
“It’ll keep you alive!”
“What’s the point of being alive if we have to hide all the time!” Devon was crying now.
“You don’t get to decide what you want! I am the parent here!”
“That’s not fair! You’ll let us stay with you if you truly love us.” Both twins yelled it together.
“Nothing is fair in love and war. You’ll grow to understand that later.” Dominic turned away from them. Looked at me. “Back me up here. Tell them they’re going back.”
I looked at the twins. At their stubborn faces. Their tears. Their anger.
Then at Dominic. At his fear barely hidden under anger. At the way his hands shook even as he tried to seem in control.
“I think…” I started. Stopped. Didn’t know how to finish.
“You think what?” Dominic immediately sounded irritated. “You think we should let our children stay in danger? You think that’s good parenting?”
“I think they have a point.” The words came out muffled. “About hiding not helping.”
“Sam, you’re supposed to be on my side. You are their mother for crying out loud!”
“Black Moon knows where the pack is. I won’t feel good knowing that my kids are away from me.”
“You’re indirectly insinuating that I can’t protect my own children or my pack’s defense is too weak.” Dominic argued.
“I never said that. Try to get my point here. Black Moon wants the twins, which means anywhere they are.” I looked at the twins again. “He will definitely follow like a magnet. He’s not after us.”
“Oh, yes he is and he’s using these kids as a distraction. You are his main target here.” Dominic’s voice broke. “It doesn’t even matter. I don’t want them away from us but sometimes, we have to take tough decisions over our emotions.”
“I know.” I touched his arm. “But there has to be another way aside that. We can map out a plan or something.”
“We don’t have that time! Not when they could strike at anytime.”
“And we will always win them.” I squeezed his arm. “Why do you have so much doubts and fears?”
“Is that what you call it? I can no longer be concerned for my kid’s safety without being called a loser.”
“Twisting my words won’t solve the problem and I really don’t want to argue with you. As their mother, I say they stay with us.”
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