The Runaway Breeder

Chapter 27

"Is that rogues?" Someone asked, and I shake my head, turning to look at Tate with fear.

"Pine Paw," I whisper, picking Julia up and clutching her to my body, careful not to wake her.

"CHRIS! JACK!" He yells as I feel two pairs of hands grab me, with my cousin and his mate on either side, ready to protect Julia and me.

"All pregnant wolves, pups and mothers to the shelter. Ten warriors go to protect them and my mate and pup. Chris and Jack stay with her. Any able-bodied wolf ready to fight, follow me. Anyone who cannot fight is expected to head into the shelters as well. Stay safe, everyone." My mate orders before taking my face in his hands and kissing me. This one is different than before. It is needy and filled with emotion, but it ended too quickly before I am whisked away by my family while Tate and other wolves rushing towards the sounds of the howls.

[I love you!] His voice fills my head, the first time we have linked since meeting before it is cut short. He cut the pack link from me no matter how many times I reached out to him, I could not hear his voice. He is in Alpha mode, and only the battle to protect his pack and family matters right now.

Before I know it, I find myself in the pack house being led into the kitchen where the large pantry is wide open. A section of the back wall is pulled away, revealing a secret passage that many wolves rush down. Warriors guide the pack down carefully, mothers carrying pups and holding onto the hands of their older children. Chris and Jack stay next to me with Eeva and her boys behind us. I feel the tension in the air as we are led into a large room with couches and mattresses scattered around. Everyone finds a place to sit comfortably, my family and friends taking two large mattresses and pressing them together to huddle on. Finally, the last she-wolf with a small toddler in her arms enters the large room with the last of the Warriors filing in. The Warriors shut the large doors that can only be opened from inside this room. We were trapped but we were safe.

"Everything will be fine. We will all be safe, so please stay calm.” Eeva states from our spot in the farthest corner of the room. The wolves who were either family or close with one another form small groups and converse. A bassinet is placed beside me, courtesy of one of the Warriors, and I thank him as I place Julia inside and wrapping a warm blanket around her. I feel a blanket being draped over my shoulders as Eeva smiles at me.

“It can get cold in here. Tate will kill me if you get sick.” She jokes, nudging my shoulders as her boys go off to find their friends.

“Thank you,” I whisper, leaning into my friend. The two of us talk for a bit, my tired body now alert and waiting for news on Tate and the warriors.

"Luna?" I look up to see a group of pups walking over tentatively - their wide eyes staring at me with hopeful gazes. I quickly mask my emotions, putting on a brave face in front of these pups. It would be bad to show my own fear during my first crisis as Luna.

"Yes?" I ask with a friendly smile, feeling Eeva squeeze my hand reassuringly.

"Will you tell us a story?" A little girl about ten years old asks, and I smile a little more genuinely.

"Of course, that’s not a problem. How about I tell you a legend my own mother taught me?" They all jump with excitement before taking a seat in front of me. More blankets are passed around to the children as other young pups come to hear the story.

"Long ago, before Werewolves and Vampires lived, Gods and Goddesses ruled the earth. They walked like us, talked like us, and ruled the humans. Some could change into animals, some lived in the forest, and others held dark secrets. There was this one goddess who was called Luna Dea, the moon goddess." I paused as their eyes twinkle.

"Luna Dea was happy. She was one with wolves that walked with her. The people loved her, and the Gods adored her, but she wanted something. She wanted a child. For years, she walked the earth, watching humans raise their young and wishing for her own, but she knew that she needed a soulmate. One day, she came across a house in the woods. A man was cutting down fallen logs with wolves by his side. She was intrigued, and for days she stayed by his side. Little did Luna Dea know that Sat Dei, the Sun God, had been following her, wishing that she knew just how much he loved her-"

"What a stalker." Jack cuts me off, and I glare at him, watching as Chris smacks him upside the head and causing everyone to laugh. I roll my eyes at my cousin-in-law, enjoying this relaxed moment before turning to look back at the kids.

"-But Luna Dea was already in love. Sat Dei had an idea, and he left to the heavens to find a gift that Luna Dea would love, but it took years. When he returned, he found Luna Dea in the human man's arms, her belly round with children that would come any day.

“Furious, Sat Dei attacked, turning his gift of the stars into silver. For fear of her soulmate, Luna Dea bit the human, transferring her wolf power to him, a future Alpha, while the silver was stabbed through her heart.”

“This stopped Sat Dei in his tracks. He looked on in horror at what he had done to his true love, who was now in the arms of the human. She turned to the father of her children, begging him to cut them out before she died, and he did. As she laid with her three children in her arms, the first werewolves born, she turned to Sat Dei and said with conviction, 'Your Children will be slaves of the night, your beautiful Sun their curse, while mine will know the loving embrace of the Moon." With those last sounds of her soft voice, she turns to her love, her soulmate, and says, ‘May our children find their true half and know a love as strong as ours.’ And at the highest peak of the full moon, her soul became one with her place in the sky. Stricken with grief, Sat Dei went to the nearest village and found a woman. For nights, he used her until she stood her belly round with child.”

“He was overjoyed, his memory of Luna Dea and her last words a haze.”

“Soon, the day came when three children were placed in his arms, and with joy, he took them out to see his sun. But they screamed as their skin burned. Quickly, he rushes inside, holding his babies as their mother came to help, picking one up only to scream in pain as the infant bites into her, draining her of blood. Sat Dei didn't know what to do other than to lure young women to his house to feed his babies. They aged faster than usual, and as they reached a month old, they were already the height of a four-year-old and could venture out at night.”

“On a full moon night, Sat Dei looked up at the starry sky to see the moon looking down. He cried. It was Luna Dea, and he remembered her last words, realizing his children were slaves to the sun because of his actions.”

“Grief coming into his soul faster than the day he killed Luna Dea, he did something no one thought would happen. He took a branch with a sharp end from an oak tree and stabbed his arms, legs, and stomach. Drawn by the blood, his children rush over to where he lays bleeding in their small house, and they began feeding on their father’s body. As the sun rose, he took his place in the sky, forever chasing after Luna Dea. Today, we call their Children werewolves and vampires. When Luna Dea was stabbed with silver, it caused our weakness to the substance, and when Sat Dei stabbed himself with wood, he caused vampires to be weak to wooden stakes." I finish the story explaining our origins. It is a historical tale I memorized that my mother would tell me on long cold nights in front of our fireplace. The children clap and thank me for taking the time to tell this story as the older ones process my words. I could see some inquisitive minds that stayed behind to ask me about the legend, and I answer as best as I could. Some mothers nod at me in respect, admiration in their eyes while they usher their pups to comfortable spots trying to get them to sleep.

Once all the pups fell asleep, the adults huddle together too anxious to sleep. The thoughts of what is happening outside swirl inside my mind. Is Tate safe? I wonder, looking at Julia, who sleeps peacefully.

"What does Pine Paw want with us?"

"Why are they here?"

"Will our pack be alright?" The other wolves voice their questions, causing a small pit of guilt to seep into my heart. I know why Pine Paw was here. I turn my head to see Jack looking at me, sending me a reassuring smile while Chris leans against him, eyes closed.

‘Open the link for me and Chris.’ Jack mouths, and I nod, letting my mind focus on the two men I trusted.

[Are you okay?] Jack asks as soon as our link is opened. I sigh and send a weary smile his way.

[No, I want this to be over, and I want Tate.] I could feel tears forming in my eyes, and I shake my head. I couldn’t cry right now when these wolves rely on me as their Luna to be strong for them.

[The only explanation is that they want you and Julia, Ross must have told them.] Chris speculates. I felt that something was off the moment Ross left the table when the Elders came to my house. It made sense that Pinepaw would attack now, but it is a suicide mission doing so. Bloodsvain is feared by many packs in the country.

[Get some rest. If something happens, we will wake you.] Jack suggests, pulling Chris closer to him. I know he is right and that I need sleep, but as I lay down, sleep decides to evade me as worry gnaws at my mind. I just hoped that Tate is safe.