Page 11 of The Dark War

“There have been small groups of vampires attacking smaller prides and packs that prefer the more traditional lifestyle of living. You know, without electricity or what not, living more like their ancestors. This means they are late to be warned of any potential attacks. Your father and I are going to meet with some of the alphas, the Thorn Paw tribe, a panther shifter tribe was almost wiped clean. Vampires drained them completely, and some just left to die for no reason. Those that survived said the vampires had incredible speed. Only five took out a pack of sixty.”

Kane growled, pulling me close to him. “Is it just those five? Or are there more?” Mother looked at Elijah; sadness in his eyes glanced to the ground before us.

“More,” he grumbled. “We have contacted Taliyah. Vermillion is in complete disarray. No fields and crops to barter for blood, three-quarters of the nation has gone rogue. Those that are pledging their allegiance with Taliyah are still skeptical because of her mixed genealogy.”

“That’s right, she’s half-witch and vampire.” Father nodded. “And we have a theory for why that is.” Father walked to the large bay windows. “Darius’s father, Hugo, was originally mated to someone that was not his true mate, Nicholette. She was chosen. Once she died, he met his true mate, Simone, a powerful sorceress that hid in the shadows. She got pregnant. Darius was furious, believing his mother was his father’s true mate.”

“This is so complicated,” I whispered.

“It is, but the gods allowed their genes to mix. It’s never happened before. This means Taliyah is destined to do something, something powerful,” Father spoke quietly.

“So, we have some work to do.” My head automatically leaned into Kane, no longer hungry for the food he tried to feed me. Kissing my forehead, he nuzzled contentedly, feeling Torin growl within.

“Yes, we do, and that means, my lovely daughter, the past months of your training to be a queen will be put to the test, especially since…” Mother trailed off, rubbing her belly. “If you can heal the sick and afflicted, it would better our chances, give hope to the warriors because even numbers aren’t going to help with this. Proper planning, strategic training and the right defenses will help us battle this new evil.”

“Our peace will come.” Kane growled in my ear. I shivered. It had only been a few days since we made love last. I could feel his desire through our bond. My body was physically ready, but my mind sure wasn’t right now. Now I had to worry about not just my newborn daughter, but a nation going down a dark path and fast.

“I’ll speak with Jasper. We will have donations of werewolf blood sent to Taliyah and Jasper. Having their soldiers prepped to help defend what is left.” Kane’s eyes glazed over as we waited.

“We leave in the morning, asking the smaller tribes to set up a basic camp around the Cerulean Moon Kingdom. Don’t be surprised if some decide to gather around the Crimson Shadows pack. They are eager to meet you, as well as Evelyn.” Mother kissed Evelyn’s forehead.

“I’ll be back in time to have your brother or sister, Clara.” Mother smiled. My heart flipped in my chest. I was excited to have a sibling, even if we were twenty-some-odd years apart. I’d love them with all my heart.

Once Mother and Father left, I sighed in relief how the room was now holding just our little family. We had visitor after visitor the past few days, and now we could rest comfortably.

“Would a walk or run do you some good, love?” my wolf, Giana, yipped in my head. Naomi had become the unofficial nanny since being luna was going to take a lot of my time. I was going to be there for each feed, however. That was something I was not going to give up.

“Yes, that would be great.” I giggled at Kane, who jumped excitedly off the bed. “I’ll get mom!” He ran out the door like an overly excited puppy. Snorting, I swung my legs off the bed, placing Evelyn in the cot next to the bed.

“That won’t be necessary.” Naomi picked her up gently. “I’ll rock this precious little thing.” Her nose rubbed on Evelyn’s. “She and I will become such wonderful friends, huh? Yes, we will!” As she cooed at my daughter, Kane pulled me down the stairs.

“A run will take the stress away, love.” I was hoping so, because the weight of the news that my mother dropped before me was now tenfold.

“Torin hears Giana howling. How can you stand it?” He laughed at me.

“Oh, I’ve just learned to block out the annoying things.” I pushed him playfully. Growling, he tried to throw his arms around me until I took off into a sprint. Kane was fast, but he was bulky. He had almost doubled in size since we had mated, constantly lifting when he was upset instead of taking his emotions out on a poor unknowing warrior.

Not that they would spar with him willingly, anyway.

I ducked into the trees, flinging my bare feet across the dirt. The tiny shorts I wore fit just like I had never been pregnant. Thank the gods for that. As I ran, I stripped my clothes, not wanting to ruin them, but Kane had already shifted, his large paws almost touching my heels.

Jumping over a large log, Giana sprung forth, our red fur covering our body and the white underbody now looking like lightning.

“It’s on now.”I laughed through the mind-link to my mate.

“I’ll catch you, Little Fox.” His voice sounded sultry, even while chasing me.

Chapter Five

Clara

Theredfibersofmy fur bristled on my back, Giana feeling the soft touches of Kane trying to grip onto our footing, only to have me laugh. Giana shook her head, springing forth new life into her step. Jumping over the pack’s nearby stream, we headed south, jumping through overgrown trees and trampling the beautiful purple moss I had fallen in love with. The white lights that hid inside the moss bounced around us.

Whisps flew through our fur, howling as we jumped in several puddles along the way. My wolf did not know where we were going, just that staying away from Kane and Torin was our goal. Springing through several heaps of leaves, the rabbits and deer that lay close in the underbrush of purple bushes lifted their heads in amusement.

Roars from Kane’s beast had me smiling inside. His frustration with being the largest beast meant he could not run as quickly as my small foxlike body. Zooming past the largest tree, I turned to face the wind and sat directly behind it. The bark, smooth and cool to the touch, had me leaning against the welcoming branches. The branches stood out far and wide; the entire diameter of the tree was massive in the middle of this wooded area. Thick vines trickled down that I could only describe as that of a willow tree. Small flowers, white with hints of yellow, glowed. Petals from the flowers would easily fall to the ground if disturbed.

Kane stood tall in his form, standing on the other side of the vines that circled the trunk that I had used to hide. Kane had certainly bulked up since the last time I saw him in his form. Being pregnant had me holding my animalistic form and not enough time to frolic with Torin. My nose rose into the air, sniffing for his scent. The warm woodsy pine had me licking my teeth.

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