Klepto POV

"Klepto!" The call of my name through the long hallway draws my attention like a beacon. I rush forward on the solid concrete, my heels dangling from my fingertips as I run. They clack together along with the echoing of my bare feet hitting the ground.

"Over here!" My eyes bounce around the people filling up the bunker. When I spot the small cluster that is my family, I abandon Stacey and go to them immediately.

Daniel is in my arms and I let out a distressed sob, tears already leaking down my cheeks. I don't care about my makeup, my dress, I just need to know they are alright.

All of them.

Tressa watches me with her troubled blue eyes, warry as I near. Felix is clutched strictly in her arms. Tabitha sits still as stone. Her spine is stiff and she won't look at anyone.

They all radiate the same thing I'm feeling.

Anxiety.

"We stick together." I say, sitting down on the hard floor and snuggling Daniel to my chest, kissing his messy, blonde locks.

"Of course." Tressa says quietly. It's bizzare to see her this way. She's so soft spoken and almost gentle. It is such a stark contrast to what I'm used to with her. My whole life she's paraded around me calling me names, rolling her eyes, and acting the part of a sassy bitch.

Now she is like a lost little lamb. I can't help feeling as if she's more genuine this way. Like her whole life she's been putting on a show for us all.

Hearing of the abuse my mother put her through, I wouldn't be shocked if that's the reason behind it.

"Did you not finish the ceremony?" Martha asks, and I blink. Is she talking to me?

Well, she is looking straight at me, so I guess she is.

"No. Just when we were about to mark each other, the alarm went off." I explain, squeezing Daniel when he stirs in my arms.

We sit there in silence for quite some time. The bunker isn't exactly teeming with life, in fact everyone is silent as we all listen to the ringing of the pack sirens still blaring.

My gaze shifts to Stacey. She sits with her back to the wall, knees drawn up to her chest as she stares into nothingness, lost in her own mind.

"Are you alright?" I ask it very suddenly, and Tressa is obviously surprised by this. Her nostrils flare, thin eyebrows drawing near each other like a magnet.

"Why do you ask?" She wonders and I shrug, running my hand up and down Daniel's back.

"You seem.... different." I decide on after a moment. She stares at me openly, her gaze never wavering. I notice her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, which she never does, she's also wearing no makeup. It's a bizarre sight.

"I am." She whispers, sorrow brimming in her expression, "I'm sorry for the way I've treated you, Klepto. I'm very sorry." She apologizes and I nod slowly, then I'm leaning into her for a hug.

"It's alright." I say, and she stiffens when I wrap my arm around her. After a few moments she returns the hug and sighs.

It's the first time we've ever hugged.

"I feel so restless today." She says as we pull away from each other. A small bit of excitement lights up inside me when I realize she's confiding in me. We are already growing closer.

I can't count the times I've wished to have a sisterly relationship. I mean, I have 4 of them, you'd think one of them would want to be my friend.

"It's probably just from the attack." Supplies Penelope, I didn't even know she was listening to what we're talking about.

"Or you're still not used to Mom being gone, you might be anxious thinking she's still around. I told you before, she's locked up. She can't hurt you anymore, she can't pit us against each other." The comment comes from Tabitha. I'm shocked at her statement and feel a shift inside of me.

Pitting us against each other? It clicks, everything makes sense. I wouldn't put it past my Mother to create drama and hatred in the household we grew up in. She is psychopath after all.

"No, no. It's not that. I've had it like all day, forget it. It's not important." She brushes it off, but I can tell something really is bothering her.

"Hey," I touch her shoulder gently, reassuringly, "it'll be alright, Tressa."

She gives me a strange look, and then a small, grief filled smile.

"Tressandra." She says, a little unsure and wobbly as she speaks. I raise my eyebrows at her. She's going by her name now?

"Tressandra?" I ask, and she nods, gaining a bit more confidence as she goes.

"Yeah. I've always liked my whole name, it's pretty. Mom always said people would like me more if my name was Tressa, and she refused to actually call me Tressandra. Like it embarrassed her." Fury bubbles up under my skin at the revelation. How dare that monster? She was involved in everything, mettling with anything she could get her hands on. It all had to be her way.

Well, not anymore. The bitch is locked up like she's meant to be.

"Well, okay Tressandra." I reply slowly after a while, waiting until my fury has dwindled a bit before speaking.

Tressandra beams from ear to ear hearing her real name, and it burns my heart knowing how long she must've waited for it.

My mother deserves to rot in her cell while wrapped head to toe in silver chains.

There is a sudden, jolting bang that goes through the bunker. With it screams ensue as my terrified pack members freak out. There are rogues right outside trying to break their way in.

There is another dull bang, and as if to add to the ominous noise a long, drawn out howl fills the air.

I don't know how I know, but that howl came from Ezra. A tingle of fear rushes done my spine in a hurry. I pray he's alright.

He can take care of himself. After all, you can only kill a lycan with silver to the heart.

Somehow I doubt that someone could reach his heart when he's shifted into his much furrier self.

"Breach! Breach!" I glance up to see one of the pack warriors running down the hallway into the deep part of the bunker, the part where the weak found refuge.

There is another wave of murmuring and worried words spreading through our small crowd at his words. Everyone is panicking. Some are so afraid from the news they remain deadly quite

The bunker has been breached.

The guy seems to realize that what he just said has caused chaos so he shuts his mouth. His eyes grow twice their size and brim with terror as the third bang ensues.

I climb up to my legs, depositing Daniel on the ground. He fusses a bit but quickly quiets down. I clear my throat as I step forward.

"Everyone listen up!" I call, and then dozens of eyes are fixed on me. I stare at the many faces of my pack mates, fear so tangible you can taste it. They need help. They need someone to lead them.

"If you can fight, you will fight. Our pack has been attacked, our homes raided, our pups traumatized, our mates slaughtered. We will not stand by and watch from the sidelines. Just because we are female does not mean we can't fight for our pack. If you want to fight for our freedom, join the battle. Those who cannot will stay here to guard and comfort the pups. But, if you believe you can do your part, follow me." The words flow from my lips so naturally that I'm shocked.

Who knew I was such a boss at giving inspirational speeches?

As my call to action sinks into the hearts of many, I wait and watch patiently. Some of them have to be brave, right? I take a deep breath. Just when I think I'll be fighting alone, the females of my pack begin to stand. They get off their butts even as the shelter we hide in fills with more ruckus from the front doors being barged in.

One by one they stand, their fretful gazes attached to me as if I'm their life preserver ready to keep them afloat from drowning in their own fright.

It takes a couple of minutes, but within that time many of them have gotten to their feet. It's a wordless display of bravery and dedication. These girls are ready to stand by their pack.

One look at my siblings shows me that each of my sisters stand with me. They watch me silently and when I turn to Tressandra, she gives me a small, short nod.

They're ready.

With a few kisses and hugs given to my little siblings, I brush back tears as I entrust them to the ones staying behind. I say goodbye for now, hoping I'll be alive to see them again.

I will fight as hard as I can to get back to them.

Once everything is settled, we all strip and shift. Each of us in fur as we pace towards the doors that are ready to burst open. The banging keeps going, along with an endless stream of snarls and growls.

The rogues are excited to receive us.

The guard from before stands at the front, his hands shaking as he grips the door handles. It's clear he will not fight alongside us. I shoot him a growl. The coward.

We wait patiently as he undoes the latches, the banging and scratching going on all the while. I brace myself. My muscles tense and my mind focuses.

I remember the anger that I felt earlier tonight at the thought of being shut away in the bunker without the ability to help. Knowing now that I can make a difference to protect my pack from rogues here, I feel proud.

Then, the doors swung right open.

I dart out quick as a fox. My lightening speed doesn't help me much though, because as soon as I'm out I'm tackled to the ground.

I let out a strangled whimper and then a growl. My body rolls as I counter attack the rogue. He furiously snaps at my neck, trying to grab ahold of me but not getting a good grip.

My body ducks under him and I go for his under belly like the last rogue I killed, but this guy outsmarts me. His weight drops. His whole body comes crashing down onto mine and I yelp in distress.

His teeth sink into my tail and I thrash again. He won't budge. This smelly rogue is not getting off of me anytime soon.

Just then, he tenses sharply, pinning me more firmly underneath him, and I can tell he's about to end my life. I go limp. I pray it won't hurt. I pray it will be quick. And I pray Ezra won't be the one to find me when I'm gone.

When I'm sure he'll strike me, end me, he's gone. My brain can't comprehend what's happening as I lay there. I slowly come back. I'm realizing I'm not dead. The sounds of war wage on as wolves fight and battle. Death and blood permeate the air like a thick smog.

My body is lethargic as I cautiously stand, I look around, trying to see where the rogue went. Did he just decide to spare me all of the sudden? Or did someone else take care of him for me?

My question is answered in one horrifying moment when I see a black wolf with gray eyes, one that looks so much like my own.

It's my Dad.

He has the rogue by the throat, dragging it away from me. The evil wolf thrashes and howls. It's claws desperately kick out, trying to hit something to break free.

My frame shudders at the blood spilling from the rogue, the glinting dark liquid streaming into the snow.

Dad has him tight, but I scream when a larger rogue tackles him. My Dad is caught off guard. He goes down hard and has no chance.

The first rogue that attacked me is on him instantly. I watch on in horror as he tears my Father apart. The gore is too much to handle.

A grief filled howl launches into the air, and then another one. The noises is deafening and steeped in sorrow. The howls rage on again and again, over and over, and once my throat starts to burn I realize the sounds are coming from me.

My ears ring as I draw closer to get a better look. All my eyes can focus on is the body on the icy ground. The body that's not moving.

He walked me down the aisle less than an hour ago, and now he's gone. My Daddy is dead.

Tears stream down my face.

He died to protect me.

I set my jaw and glare at the rogues with a snarl. I will not let his sacrifice be in vain.

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