Alex and Marcus spent the entire walk over to the arena discussing patrols and safety. Alex's mind was racing, trying to determine what Dax's plan could be. East River were the least strong of the packs currently but they still had a fantastic army and were supported by other packs who were close, relatively speaking, in distance to their boundaries. The thinking was illogical. Dax's army would be wiped out and then what? Luckily she had training to distract her from her thoughts.

Marcus left her to check on all of the patrols and boundary lines. Nothing would be left to chance. Alex spent the next hour watching some excellent sparring matches between her female fighters. Some of them were absolutely savage and they reminded her of herself when she first starting her training. The eagerness to prove themselves was all too evident and Alex was sure it wouldn't be long before Lunar Ridge joined the 21st century and had mixed gender warrior squadrons.

They had broken up for dinner when the terrible moment occurred. Marcus linked to the entire pack; 'Rogues. Emergency procedures now'.

Any male warriors who had been taking their evening break in the dining hall sprang into action, shifting before they had even reached the door. There was chaos in the dining hall as people began to scream in terror and run haphazardly towards the exit. Alex needed to calm the fear immediately before there was any harm caused.

′Lunar Ridge,′ she addressed the group herself through the link, ′this is your Luna. We have practiced for this. You are all ready to look after each other and get one another to safety. Remember your training and the evacuation measures.′

The people in the dining hall had certainly calmed at her words.

'What do you need Luna?' Laura was beside her awaiting instruction.

'We need to get everyone evacuated into the tunnels. Our trainees need to assist now while I get more information on the attack.'

She nodded and left without another word. Alex saw her conversing with some of the female trainees and the weapons experts before the groups jogged outside to start directing people to safety.

Alex transformed into the huge white wolf and took off towards the patrols.

′Marcus, what's the update?′ Alex linked him as she thundered through the forest.

′They're everywhere Alex,′ came Marcus' reply. ′They're attacking from everywhere. They're along the entire perimeter and they're just pouring in in waves. At least another thousand from what I can gather. They've already overwhelmed two of the patrols.′

Alex pushed herself onwards, starting to pick up scents that she didn't recognise. She came into a clearing to a sight of terrible mayhem. The Lunar Ridge warriors were being swarmed by savage wolves. More than she could count. She set to work, putting her new found Lycan body to good use. She jumped into a crowd of wolves that had pinned a warrior, scattering them into the oncoming wave. She broke neck after neck, using her huge body to ram rogues from the patrols as much as she could. If this was happening across the entire perimeter, she thought, they'll break into second line of patrol in no time. Then it's a straight shot into town. Bodies of the rogues were piling up, but so too, to her absolute dismay, were the bodies of her pack. It was a blood bath.

As she continued ripping apart as many wolves as she could, she started formulating a plan. Her new trainees would have to join the fight.

'Laura, Team, the patrols are getting hit hard out here and we are vastly outnumbered. It looks like five to one. The warriors are not in good shape. It will come down to us to protect the pack. You are all ready for this fight. Just like our practice patrols. Snipers, I need you to get to your posts now. Laura, organise teams across the entire inner perimeter. If the second line is breached, we'll be the only defence. If they get through us, they will kill our children and our families. They are looking to take everything from us. The pack needs you. It is us or it is no one.′ Alex took a look around the dead on the forest floor; so many families would be getting bad news tonight. She had to do what she could to save the rest.

′No surrender. No prisoners. No mercy. Get to your posts now.′

′Yes Luna', they chorused.

Alex ran on, trying to get a sense of the numbers coming, and where the patrol lines had been broken. She was furious. Furious that they would come after her home; her community. The rogues had pushed past the patrol line and were well into their territory now. Much closer than she had anticipated. She hear howls to her east and west. Rogues and warriors crying out their last breaths.

Ahead she saw Marcus being taken down by four rogues. He was terribly injured. Blood covered every part of his thick grey fur. She caught the first rogue by surprise as he went for Marcus' neck. She was able to toss him easily aside as she lunged at one of the females. Although she seemed to be a good fighter, she was ill prepared for her to lunge directly for her throat, tearing it out. The other female was upon her now and they grappled on the forest floor. The male rogue was up now and looking to re-join the fight, eyes fixed on her, his new target. She closed her jaws around the snout of the female and crushed it. She whimpered loudly and Alex released her, focusing now on the male as he launched himself at her. She disarmed him easily. He was too focused on her throat and didn't seem to have real combat experience. She dodged his attack, caught one of his legs, tearing it off. He fell painfully to the ground. She was able to bowl him over easily, landing on top of him and ripping his throat from his body.

Marcus stirred and looked over at her.

′Shift Marcus', Alex commanded him, ′and climb on my back.′

Marcus whimpered as he shifted. His human body looked even worse than his wolf. His skin was torn on his arms and legs and he was covered in bite marks and blood. Alex listened intently for rogues as she lay down beside him and nudged him onto her back. His grip was strong, despite his injuries and she ran as fast as she could to deliver him to aid. She linked Laura for updates. So far no breach towards their teams but they were set up and ready to fight.

′Assign a team to protect the hospital,′ Alex said as she ran onwards, ′we'll need to start bringing in the injured.′

She linked the hospital staff now, ′Save as many as you can, but the fight is first priority. If we don't kill every last rogue, there will be nothing left to fight for.′

Laura met her at the last perimeter before the hospital and Alex deposited Marcus with her. He grabbed her fur and uttered a hoarse 'thank you' before Laura turned and ran on to the hospital.

Suddenly Alex could hear gunshots from all around her. ′Luna, the second line is breached. We're east of the school,′ it was Nora speaking, Kit's mate.

′South east is breached too,′ one of Marcus' sister's screeched through the link.

′I'm on my way. You're all prepared for this. You know what to do. You know the cost if we fail. No surrender. No prisoners. No mercy.′ Alex didn't feel as steady as she sounded. They had to believe in her especially if they were having their own doubts. She hoped the team from the war room had gotten word to Aidan and the warriors at East River by now but even if they had, she had no idea when they could return and what the body count would be by that time. All she knew was that all around her, rogues were gaining the advantage.