Wolf-less Omega Luna novel Chapter 70

Alana’s POV


We had one hour and one hour only. The drive back to Crescent Moon pack was fast unlike anything I’d ever experienced. We had one hour ahead of Derek to get back to the pack, get as many as possible to safety, and be prepared for his attack.

“This way, everyone. To the safe houses under the tunnels,” I led as many people as I could find away from the center of the pack and toward the end, where our impenetrable safe houses were built.

Immediately we crossed the gates to the pack, alarms were sent off, informing people of the threat. It was way past midnight already, so people were practically being pulled from their sleep into panic mode.

It had to be the adrenaline rush, but I handled the situation with courage and determination when I had initially thought fear was going to rule me.

Coral, myself, and a few of the pack warriors led the women and kids to the safe houses. Tyler, followed by my dad, was in the pack’s armory, fishing whatever they could for the attack.

“What’s happening?” A sleepy-eyed-looking Britney stopped at the entrance of the pack’s main building —where we had moved to,— where more than half of the pack members resided, asking whoever cared to listen. When she got no response, she turned to me and repeated the question. “What’s happening, Alana?”

“Now's not the time, Britney. Not today.”

“Are we being attacked?” She was now sober. Wide-eyed even, trailing the line of werewolves heading to the safe house.

“Thanks to you, yes.”

I felt a little bit guilty for throwing it right in her face but it was the bitter truth. There was only one explanation as to why Derek and Britney were deep in a conversation the only time he was here and why she had all the formation she did that sent me away. How else could we also explain how Derek got the intel he did?

Whether the lies were from her end or not, I didn’t know or care. She had a hand in it and that was final.

I wasn’t even thinking about what was going to become of Britney when this was finally over.

As haphazardly as she came, she exited to goddess know where.

My dad soon came into view from my peripheral. “I want to help, Alana.”

I stopped right in my tracks. “What?”

“I want to help. I can’t sit and watch my baby girl fight for her pack and do nothing. I need a weapon.”

“No, Dad, you’re not in good condition. Go stay with the rest. This will be over before you know it.”

“I could say the same thing for you but that does not stop you from fighting. I’m staying, Alana.”

I dropped the weapons in my hand, turned fully to him, and held him by the shoulders.

“Dad, I just found out I lost mom a few days ago. The pain is unbearable as it is. My pack is hanging by a thin thread. My mate too. You’re not fit to fight and I don’t think I’d be able to live with myself if you get hurt because of me.”

“I promised your mate I’d take care of you.”

“And you did. I’m safe. In the pack. You’ve done your part, now let me do mine.”

“Fine
Reluctantly, he muttered a “fine.” He turned to head towards the safe house before stopping in his tracks. “What if we’re attacked there? Give me a weapon. I know you want to say the safe house is as safe as it can get, but we cannot be over-prepared, child.”

I nodded and passed him some weapons before he left and I heaved a sigh of relief.

The next thing I knew, I was everywhere. Checking on everything, doing whatever I could.

The borders had been reinforced against the Marauders. Now that we had established that they worked for Derek, an attack from them tonight of all nights was inevitable.

“How much longer do you think we have?” Tyler asked as he fished out more and more weapons from the armory that was designed to be hidden in the walls of the training area.

Everyone had dead serious looks on their faces, ready to defend the pack. Even if Derek hadn’t spelled it out that he was coming here to fight, he had laid claim to our pack and that indirectly meant war.

“Twenty minutes at most.” Derek said an hour, but I wouldn’t judge it past him to cut the time short.

The pack was now totally different from what it had been when I arrived just a few minutes ago. It was now the complete opposite of what it usually was on other days. Erie, quiet, dead. 

If a pin was dropped on the sand, it would be heard. The warriors were on edge, waiting and watching from where Derek would show up. Coral was a shadow of her former self. Face taut and determined, ready to take on whoever she laid eyes on.

We exited the armory as quickly as possible with whatever weapons we could carry. Tranquilizer guns, bullets, claws, fangs, name it. Some took bows, arrows, explosives, and more.

I tucked a few blades in my back pocket, hoping to use them just as Coral had taught me. Two tranquilizer guns with enough bullets in my pockets.

We all headed to the center of the pack, got in position, and began the wait.

We stood to watch for minutes that felt like hours with tension zipping through the midnight air. My body was stiff with anxiety until a familiar figure appeared from a distance.

On a normal day, whatever tension chilled my bones would have been washed away at the sight of Axel. But with the sight before me today, Derek and his army walking beside Axel, it only caused more tension to flicker to life.

This was going to be a long night and one thing I had in place was my determination to get through it and come out on top, with Derek's spot at Axel’s side, replaced by me. 

“This night will be filled more with action than words,” Derek began in his mockingly-serious voice as soon as they were at eyesight. “I would implore you to do exactly as I say if you value your pack.”

His voice boiled me to my bones. “I would implore you to shut the fuck up, Derek,” I spat.

“Let them all go, Derek, and I'll revoke my claim to the pack.”

He resounded a teasing laugh before he spoke again. “Your pack isn't the only thing you'll be losing today. You, my dear friend, will watch your pack members die. Your Luna will burn in front of your eyes, and you will beg for your death.”

“You wish.”

His eyes held a dare to be fulfilled. “Let's start with those women you locked under the tunnels, shall we.”

What was he talking about? How did he know about the safe houses? 

The change in expression must have been evident on all our faces to explain the smug one on Derek’s face. 

“You thought dear old Dad wanted nothing but a cute reunion party right? I'm sorry to shock you, Alana. Now, you all, slowly put your fucking weapons down!”