Page 145 of Awakened
Sarah smiled sadly, shaking her head. “They’re praying.”
“I hope someone’s listening.” My chest tightened. These women never deserved to be in this situation.
I made my way closer to Marie. Her hands were lifted, her palms facing Stewart. Neither moved—they just stood there like the shittiest art exhibit I’d ever seen. My destroyer alpha was trapped in a snow globe when we needed her most.
The tension in the yard grew by the second. Cold, sharp rain beat down on us, the wind forcing it into our eyes and noses, making it difficult to get our bearings. The heat from the protective ring drove the air temperature up.
The women moved in circles, scanning the darkness for our enemy. It was a chaotic mess.
My gaze landed on a lone figure standing on the porch.
Grandma Rose.
As I got closer, I saw her eyes were glowing white as her mouth quickly moved through some kind of chant. Small blue flames licked at her fingertips, and symbols I didn’t understand lit her skin.
A force pushed me down the closer I got to her. She slowly turned toward me as I fell to my knees.
In an otherworldly voice, she addressed me, “Celeste Spencer.”
I had a hard time maintaining eye contact with her unnatural stare. “Uh, yes, Grandma Rose?”
The corners of her lips pulled up. “Honey, now’s not the time for fear. Save it for later.”
Easier said than done. She’s not looking at the same freaky, sci-fi shit I am.
“They’re nearly out of their poisoned ammunition. When they are, I’ll lift the barrier surrounding the yard. I can’t keep both up, and Marie must stay frozen. She’s not prepared for what she wants to do.” Rose’s white gaze flickered to Marie, a slight frown settling between her eyebrows.
Turning back to me, her features hardened further. “We will be outnumbered to begin with, but reinforcements will be here soon. You need to lead these women. It’s your place.”
My stomach dropped. She wanted me to act as alpha. Pushing wet hair from my eyes, I nodded. “I’ll do my best.”
Her small smile returned. “I know you will. You’re ready to assume your destiny, Celeste. This is just the start for you.”
I crawled away until I was able to stand again. When I glanced at Grandma Rose, she was quietly chanting, her focus back on Marie.
Taking a minute to assess the group before me, I sorted the women—warriors, betas, and gammas to the front, lunas, and civilians to the back. The prayer circle took shape in the middle of it all. I didn’t have the strongest faith, but knowing an SOS was going out to a higher power was oddly comforting.
Lifting my chin to the sky, I let out a strangled howl, and all conversations ceased.
“Listen up.” I pointed to the edge of the yard. “In a few minutes, that barrier will fall, and we will be face-to-face with the enemy. These men want us on our knees. They think we are weak and incapable. They underestimate us. Let’s make them pay for that mistake. They’ve brought this brutal storm. Let’s show them what a real force of nature looks like!”
Howls tore through the air, rivaling the thunder clapping around us.
“Warriors, betas, and gammas on the perimeter. Lunas on the edge of the house. Untrained wolves on the porch behind Grandma Rose. We have reinforcements on the way, but we have to make it until they arrive.” Looking at my troops, a sense of calm washed over me. “I have no doubts we will. Fight hard, fight fast. No mercy. Now get in place!”
Everyone snapped into action.
I jogged to the outer edge, and Bonnie grabbed me by the shoulders. “Goddess, I feel like I should bow down to you or something.”
Startled, I laughed. “That’ll be the day.” I hugged her tightly and whispered in her ear. “Love you, Bon Bon.”
She whispered back, “Fuck you, Les.” Kissing my cheek, she pulled away.
All around us, women were hugging and patting each other’s backs.
Sarah and Emily threw themselves at me. Shaking with tears, Sarah said, “I love you guys more than anything.”
Emily was uncharacteristically somber, her breathing uneven on my neck. “I will protect you both until the end. I love you.”
