I was dreaming.

I had to be.

No.

I was having a nightmare, a living nightmare where I was tortured by the prospect that I could never wake up from it.

Trevor was crying in front of me.

It was a scene I never thought possible. This great burly lion who had been so hard on me for months during my training was now reduced to a whimpering leaf. He seemed to have aged buy almost ten years in the space of a week.

A broken werewolf.

It was painful observing the pitiful sap he had now become. I drowned out his crying and that of the other pack members. Brad appeared to have lost his own brother during the attack he was also consumed in his own grief. My face was emotionless as I stood to take in the scene around me and to also absorb the story of how Bloodstone had met its end.

How Anya met her end.

I was mute.

Speechless.

Just over a week ago my friend was still alive. My bestest friend who was more like the sister I never had. A woman who had taken pity on a lone rejected shewolf. A woman who gave all of herself and expected nothing in return. Offered her time and shelter to those most in need. A woman who was most deserving of becoming a mother, only to have it all stripped away from her. My jaw clenched as my nails dug deep into my palms producing cuts. My blood dripped to the forest floor but I felt nothing. Any emotion I thought I had was gone. Someone could have ran a blade right through me and I wouldn't have felt it. It was like I was floating and not even really here.

She can't be dead.

Alec promised me he would protect her.

Had he perished too?

Was he also dead?

I closed my eyes for a moment to try and quell the tears which were just beginning to form and saw Anya's face flash in my mind. I was reminded of her laugh and all of the good times we had shared together these past few months. No one deserved to die that way. And no one deserved to get away with it.

"Goddess help me". I said to myself as I felt my blood begin to boil.

Layla pushed her muzzle against my mind. A silent gesture of comfort. She too had nothing to say. After the flow of tears had ceased I came to the conclusion that I had failed to protect her in life, but I would not fail to honour her memory in death.

"I forgive you Anya". I whispered to myself.

Raising my head I wiped away my tears forcefully from my cheek. My gut instinct had been right all along about the 'Siblings' and Miriam especially. My memory recalled that day I had fought with Anya and the words I had spoken to Miriam as a warning..

"You hurt her, and there will be no place on earth where I won't find you".

It was time to make good on that promise!

My mouth turned up into a feral smile of retribution which was surely to come. A smile that I knew was absolutely terrifying. Turning around I rounded on Trevor who remained hunched over at the base of a tree. I quickly grabbed his shoulders and hauled him to his feet roughly. The other remaining 5 warriors jumped to their feet, startled by my action. Not quite sure if I was attacking their Gamma. Trevor's face was one of surprise but he remained quiet. Putting all of my Alpha command behind my voice I said...

"On your feet Gamma Trevor. The dead cannot hear your tears. What they need is for those who put them there to join them". I said with absolute conviction.

The men around me straightened themselves and Trevor's face of anguish changed as he listened intently.

"You want revenge, so do I. We cannot win unless we work together. I need to know you will join me in this fight". I was barely a few inches away from his face as I said it.

He nodded at my words and I released him to look at the women on the floor who had also stopped to hear our conversation.

"The same goes for the rest of you here too. You lost your men during the fight. You lost because you are weak. Because our society says that women should always be that way. You could have fought alongside your men but you couldn't. So, I ask you now. Will you remain weak or will learn to fight like them and bring honour to them and your children".

Silence filled the clearing as the women looked to one another, unsure of what to do.

"Women have just as much power as men. WE cannot be reliant on them to defend our young. WE must also take ownership and responsibility to protect our families and pack. If Gamma Trevor trains you... will you fight"?

I waited whilst they contemplated my words. My question hung in the air between us. When there was no response I sighed and began to turn around when a young woman stood up..

"I watched my son die right in front of me and I was helpless to do anything about it. I hated that feeling and I never want to feel it again". She said. Her tears streamed down her face but her voice was firm and unyielding.

Another stood...

"Me too. My father died protecting me. If I can learn, I want to fight for him".

Before long all of the women were standing as the children remained seated staring up at their mothers in awe.

"This is who we should be. Who we can be. Let's not let them down". I said.

Turning to Gamma Trevor..

"Can you train them"?

He smiled with pride.

"Yes Luna Violet. I't won't be easy though".

I was momentarily taken back by his use of my title. A title which until this point had not really entered my mind. This role as a Luna was not one that I wanted. My own pack and Mate rejected me as their Luna so if I could be a Luna to these women.. that would be enough.

"Be as hard on them as you were on me. They need to be prepared for what is to come".

Walking away I found myself a secluded area where I could decompartmentalise the events of a few moments ago. I was actively going against our people's laws by encouraging those women to fight. But who had those laws been created by in the first place? Those who wished to suppress and if it was now up to me to deal with the 'Rogue King' I should also put the council on that list too.

Kill two birds with one stone.

Looking towards the sky I vowed to Anya that I would avenge her, Noah, Liam and Bloodstone pack.

I heard movements in the trees to my left and stood to attention waiting for any threat they posed to our group. I sniffed the space and noted that only one wolf was approaching....

But who?

When they finally revealed themselves I was shocked to see who it was.

The man before me was an older version of the man the "Goddess" had shown me in her vision of my mothers past. My father it would seem. He looked weathered, like the years had not truly been kind to him. His look of relief when he saw me showed that he was truly pleased to see me. But is he aware of who I am?

"There is no need to fear me. I am Alpha Kiron of the Moonstone pack. I am on my way to a meeting that Alpha Demitri of RedFang has summoned. I mean you no harm".

I smiled.

"I know that you are of no threat to me". I reassure him.

He smiled again and looked behind my shoulder.

"I have not heard of another pack living in this area. Are you Rogues"?

"We are currently protecting refugees. Women and children who escaped the attack on Bloodstone pack last week" I explained.

His face turned solemn.

"I had heard of the attack. It was terrible news. If your members need refuge, my pack can accommodate you all. Women should not be left alone without protection".

I brushed off his chivalrous comment with a waving hand.

"We can defend ourselves, but I thank you for your concern and offer Alpha Kiron".

I took a moment to really take in and absorb his features. We did look very alike. Same hair and high cheekbones. I felt upset knowing that I had missed out on knowing him all of my life. What kind of Alpha was he? Was he just? Was he fair? Was he anything like my mother was?

He walked over to me and I watched in silent fascination as he sniffed the space between us. He paused and looked directly into my eyes.

"My camp site where my warriors are based is about a mile from here. If you want to collect the rest of your women we can offer food and a place to rest for the night".

"Thank you, that would be great". I responded. The children would need food and a place to sleep so I jumped at his offer readily.

"You will need to take better care of yourself too now that you are with child".

I chocked.

"I'm what"?! I said as my mouth hung low in shock.

He nodded towards my stomach.

"You have conceived quite recently but the smell is still there, you will need to take care of yourself during these uncertain times"

My eyes went wide and my hand automatically went to my stomach on reflex and with fear.

No.

I can't be pregnant, can I? It was impossible. Well.. not completely.

Shit!

If I was then my child's grandfather had just sniffed them out before their mother even did. What kind of mother would I be? Either way. I had a long way to go and many things that I needed to accomplish before I could think about this little bump in the road.

Bump.

Ughhhh