Order (Blood Moon Covenant)

by R L Medina

Wisely, he shut up and averted his gaze. The rest of the wolves followed his lead.

  I adjusted my pack and lifted my chin. “Time to go. Fall back, Jay. You and Tati can bring up the rear.”

  “Yes, Alpha,” he answered in a clipped tone.

  Guilt needled me. There was still hurt in his voice, but he was too proud to bring it back up. Tati, on the other hand, still looked like she wanted to tear me apart.

  At least they’d be in the back, so I didn’t have to face them. Motioning Drew and Becca to follow, I led everyone through the forest.

  The witches watched as we left and the injustice of it burned inside me. I wasn’t going to give up that easily. Once we were safe and settled, I’d find a witch who could tell me what this resurrection was about and then I could come up with something that would destroy them.

  Make them pay for hurting my pack.

  Morning was coming soon and the thought of sleeping in our old neighborhood made me nauseous. I didn’t think I could bring myself to walk in my old house where they’d died one after another. There were too many horrific memories.

  Would Elijah come? He would sense us as soon as we came into range. My wolf practically leapt at the thought. What would he say about the wolves we’d lost? I glanced around at the injured ones Cruz had healed. Some were carried on makeshift cots and would need more time to heal and some… I wasn’t sure would make it.

  Dismissing the dark thoughts, I continued through the woods. Our footsteps bounced off the trees, the snaps and crunch of the underbrush beneath us made the animals scurry out of our path.

  Flashlights bounced around and whispers flew back and forth as we went. Drew and Becca exchanged hushed words beside me, thankfully not trying to draw me into their conversation.

  My mind raced with worried thoughts and possible solutions. Before long, we made it to the lonely road that led into the city. A gas station stood in the distance. The scent of pine and yarrow faded as we left the woods behind.

  Ahead, shadows stood stark against the night sky. Houses. My heart twisted. Our old neighborhood. Everyone grew silent as we passed through the large sign: Shadow Oak Subdivision.

  Steeling myself, I strode forward, ignoring my racing heart. Inside, my wolf whimpered. The memories of the past were too vivid. Houses stretched before us on the looping streets and cul-de-sacs. There were more houses left than people in our pack and that realization rattled me.

  We were the last of the Shadow Wolves.

  Overgrown grass and weeds replaced the once manicured park. My eyes fell on the playground and sorrow gripped me. All the kids that had played there before were gone now. Before all the depressing thoughts could overwhelm me, I turned away.

  My gaze swept the area for any signs of intruders. I sent two scouts ahead to make sure it was safe to approach. Humans had broken through our defenses in the earlier months. Stolen our food and shot Felix dead. A chill crept up my spine as the image of his unseeing eyes and bloody wounds flashed in my mind.

  Elijah caught the human responsible, just a boy, barely older than my brother had been. That boy was Elijah’s first kill, and I remembered it so clearly. The shock on his young face, Elijah’s shifting, and the wolf’s merciless revenge.

  Someone sniffled behind me, pulling me out of the dark memories. I glanced back at my pack. Mixed reactions of fear, sorrow, and anger showed on their faces. The scouts returned and gave me the okay.

  Sucking in a breath, I mustered all the strength I had left and continued walking.

  Drew and Becca followed me in silence with grim expressions of their own. I stopped at the corner and stared at the sign. Early morning light illuminated the words written on it: River Run Circle.

  Our old street. Two abandoned bicycles in one of the yards caught my eye. My chest tightened. I could still remember Tessa and Hunter, the little boy and girl who lived there. They’d been among the first to die from the mysterious sickness.

  My wolf tensed inside me. We could all feel it—the heaviness and darkness of the place. It wasn’t home anymore. Without the people we’d lost, it was just empty buildings, hollow and bare like our battered hearts.

  I stopped at the corner. A tall, brick house stood with overgrown grass. The shutters were splattered with dried blood. Something had happened to the humans who’d pushed us out.

  Mom’s old car was parked in the driveway, windows smashed.

  Numbness filled me. It felt like another life. I scoffed. It was another life ago. A happy one. The others milled around behind me, reminding me I wasn’t alone.

  Forcing the grief away, I squared my shoulders and headed for the clubhouse. The others followed.

  Jay met my strides. “We shouldn’t be here.”

  I didn’t look at him. “It’s our home.”

  A snort sounded from him, making my head turn.

  “No, it’s not. Not anymore.”

  Ignoring him, I continued along the sidewalk. The hushed voices of the pack filled my ears. No one was happy to be back.

  My heart hammered against my ribs. Did I make a mistake?

  No, I was doing what I had to do.

  Then why did I feel like I was screwing up—again?

  I stepped into the large brick building and waited for everyone to enter. Some slunk into the seats while others remained on foot, throwing nervous glances around.

  For the most part, the clubhouse looked untouched. Nothing hinted at the tragedies that had played out in the last six months. Clusters of chairs and sofas crowded the area along with the glass coffee tables. In the back were the bathrooms and the small gym. A pool table stood against the wall and images of the weekend parties Elijah used to host flashed in my mind

  There were too many memories of the clubhouse. Even I could barely tolerate it, but we had no other choice.

  Voices grew around me.

  I held up a hand to silence them. “I know you don’t want to be here. You think I do? But this is the only place we have. Bitching and moaning about it isn’t going to change reality.”

  Eyes studied me.

  “We will stay here until we can figure out a way to defeat those witches and take back our forest.”

  They murmured their agreement.

  “Our alpha is right. What does it matter where we live, anyway? We’re all cursed. Going to die eventually. Might as well die here where we came from,” Leah spoke up.

  I winced at the bitterness in her tone.

  “You don’t know that. The witches might find a way to stop it,” another argued.

  Angry voices echoed. Those who still believed in the queen and those who didn’t voiced their opinions.

  Moving to the middle of the room, I silenced them all.

  “Whatever happens, we will remain strong. We will get through this together.”

  My eyes met Jay’s. His gaze was steel and the guilt of what I’d said to him earlier rushed over me.

  I would have to apologize sooner or later. More than ever we needed to show a united front.

  “Now—”

  The sound of an engine cut me off. Everyone fell silent. Jay, not waiting for my order, disappeared out the door, with Tati following.

  Wolves. Red Wolves. My wolf confirmed my fear.

  Diego.

  I looked to Drew and Becca. “Hide. Now.”

  They didn’t hesitate.

  Sunlight streamed in through the windows as the humans ran for the supply closet. My wolves shuffled nervously and looked to me. A surge of protectiveness filled me. They were so vulnerable and after our fight with the witches and no sleep, they needed rest—not another fight.

  I headed for the door and motioned for the others to fan out in the room. The stronger ones stood in front of the injured, eyes flashing silver.

  Throwing the door open, I pushed down my weariness and fear.

  Jay and Tati glanced at me.

  “If he wants the humans?” Jay asked.

  “There are no humans here.”

  His nostr
ils flared, but he didn’t argue.

  They came from the city, the back-gate entrance to our neighborhood. My heart skipped as an old truck pulled up. It was a battered one they’d probably stolen from somewhere. Only the outdated cars still in decent shape could run without technology.

  Diego sat in the front passenger seat with the window down. His eyes landed on me.

  “I’m going to go meet him. You two stay here with the others. Do not give up the humans.”

  Jay and Tati nodded.

  I walked toward the rusted truck, my own wolf’s warning ringing in my ears.

  The Red Wolves were known for their violence, the cliché name they’d chosen portrayed their penchant for blood, but they’d never been a big enough threat to my pack.

  My heart thundered as I stood waiting.

  Protect the pack. My wolf urged.

  Diego and his mate, Sylvie, jumped down first, three more members of their pack trailing them.

  An easy smile spread on Diego’s face, but there was a sharpness in his dark eyes. Just like I remembered him. Quick to scheme, and expert at reading a room. Sylvie stood by his side, looking thinner than I’d last seen her. Her blue-green eyes stared straight ahead, no emotion visible on her face. I didn’t know much about her, but with a mate like Diego, I couldn’t dismiss her strength.

  They approached me, their wolves fanning out.

  “Valeria.” Diego spoke first.

  I turned to him. “Why are you here, Diego?”

  His smile didn’t falter. “Just welcoming you back home. We got rid of the humans.”

  One of his wolves chuckled. My stomach churned. The splattered blood. I didn’t want to know how he’d done it.

  He continued to watch me, eyebrow arched in expectation.

  “Thanks,” I muttered.

  “Of course. We wolves have to stick together. I’m glad to see you finally took my advice and moved back. Though I’m surprised it took you so long.”

  I didn’t respond.

  My mind raced with questions. What was he really doing? Did he think we owed him? Fire stirred in my belly. We were not his Red Wolves and if he thought he could order my pack around, he would find I wasn’t some weak alpha.

  “Elijah here?”

  I bristled. “Elijah is busy. You can talk to me.”

  His lips pulled back in a smirk. “Of course. I just wanted to see if he’d left the witches yet.”

  My eyebrows lifted. “Witches?”

  Diego watched me with narrowed eyes. Waiting to see what I would do?

  I drew myself up. “What would Elijah be doing with witches?”

  “Isn’t that why you’re here? To get him? The queen is holding him prisoner.”

  My heart dropped. Prisoner? Inside, my wolf snarled, ready to tear off after this queen.

  I pushed the emotions away, hating that Diego could read me so easily.

  “You’ve seen him?” Jay’s voice caught my ear.

  I shot him a cool look. Instead of listening to my order, he was walking up to us.

  He stared at Diego and ignored me. “You’ve seen Elijah?”

  My wolf bristled at my beta’s defiance. Later, he would pay for it.

  Diego’s gaze slid to him. “Yes. Last I saw, he needed a doctor.”

  His words cut through me like a knife. My wolf howled, urging me to go.

  Our mate is in trouble.

  I forced her back down, trying to remain in control. Running after him without a plan was stupid. My wolf whined. Her pitiful cry made my skin flush. Wolves were strong creatures, but one without their mate could turn volatile, a slave to their own emotions.

  Diego’s eyes scanned the clubhouse and playground behind us. Looking for the humans? I stiffened, ready for any threat.

  This was still my pack. I was still the alpha and he would respect that.

  “Why did Elijah leave?”

  His question made my hackles rise. It was none of his business. If he thought our pack was an easy target with only one alpha, my wolf would show him he was wrong.

  My wolf snarled her agreement.

  The burly alpha studied me, his inner wolf neutral.

  “What do you want, Diego?”

  His taunts had gone on long enough. It was time for him to leave.

  “Something is happening in the city. It’s the humans. They won’t stop until they’re back in control. Until every one of us is dead.”

  “We’ll all be dead soon enough with the curse,” I muttered.

  “Sooner if we let them wriggle their way back on top.”

  “So, what is it you want, Diego? Why are you here? What happens in the city isn’t my concern.”

  He flashed me a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “It will be. They won’t be content with ruining what we have in the city. They’ll be here too. For you.”

  My lip curled. “And what is it we have in the city?”

  His chest jutted out. “Power. Control. The humans serve us. Like it should be.”

  I fought the urge to shudder under his cold gaze. There was a wolf that had all but shed his humanity completely, but even wolves could be empathetic. Not him. He was all ice.

  “Slavery? Is that what we’ve resorted back to?” I shook my head.

  “Would you rather they hunt us like animals? We can’t trust any humans unless they have a collar around their throat.”

  Nausea rolled in my gut. Slave collars. It’s what the vampires used to keep their victims under their compulsion. How could Diego stoop to using them?

  “You want me to join you, is that it? You came to ask me for support?”

  “I didn’t think I’d have to ask.” He frowned. “I thought I already had your support.”

  My heart raced. Dangerous. This wolf was dangerous, and my inner wolf and I could both sense it.

  “I won’t risk the lives of my pack to help you with your vendetta against the humans, Diego. We’ve seen enough death.”

  His feral smile returned. He didn’t look anything like the senior high kid I remembered. There was a darkness that hadn’t been there before, or maybe it had, and I never noticed.

  “You’ll see more if the humans get their way, Valeria. You know that.”

  I turned away, keeping my chin raised. I would not be bullied into submission.

  “When Elijah returns—”

  His harsh laugh cut me off. “He’s not coming back, Valeria. He told me he left you.”

  Anger rolled in my gut. “He would never betray his pack.”

  Diego leaned toward my ear. “He already has.”

  My wolf rose to the surface, a deep growl escaping me.

  His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t back up. He towered over me.

  “Diego.” One of his wolves interrupted us.

  She marched toward us, her gaze flickering to me and back to him. “There are humans here. Two. I can smell them.”

  Drew and Becca. My pulse quickened. I couldn’t let him take them.

  Jay glanced at me, but wisely, he said nothing.

  “I see the humans have already come.” Diego’s brown eyes drilled into mine.

  I didn’t respond.

  “My guess is it’s those two that got away with that girl,” another wolf added.

  Jen. A fresh wave of anger stirred inside me. So, his pack was involved in the poor girl’s torture. How could someone like Jen be a threat to him?

  Diego watched me—studied me and I couldn’t hide the disgust on my face.

  “I don’t think she would have survived the turn. Not with her injuries.” Sylvie spoke up and glanced away.

  My eyes darted to her. “What did you to her?”

  I inwardly cursed at myself as the question escaped.

  Diego smirked, his eyes lighting up at my confession. “Everything. Anything we wanted. Payback for what her friends did to us.”

  The cruelty in his voice made me shudder. Maybe he’d been a monster all along and I’d never seen it, but I could see it now
.

  Sylvie rubbed her arms, her eyes on her alpha. Worry swam in their blue depths and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She saw him for what he’d become too, but she was bonded to him and a wolf’s bond was unbreakable.

  Noticing my stare, she turned to me and scowled.

  “Where are the others, Valeria?” Diego’s voice hardened.

  “What I do is my business, Diego. I think it’s time for you to leave.” I lifted my chin.

  He blew out a breath. “I’m disappointed, Valeria. I always thought you were the stronger alpha over Elijah.”

  I glared at him. My wolf growled.

  Diego shrugged and motioned his pack to retreat. His eyes shot to me. “We are not your enemies. But I will take down any threat to my pack and all wolves.”

  “So will I.”

  He stared at me and I met his gaze with a steely look of my own.

  After a tense minute, he finally turned away and led the others back. I watched him retreat, my heart still pounding in my ears.

  He’ll be back, my wolf warned.

  Once I was sure they were really leaving and not playing some trick, I turned on Jay.

  “You were told to stay with the others.”

  He tensed, anger flashing on his face. “If my alpha is in trouble, it’s my duty to help.”

  My eyes narrowed. I wasn’t sure if he meant me or Elijah, but I was pretty sure he was being vague on purpose.

  “Elijah needs us.” His face was like stone.

  I bristled. “We can’t just walk into the coven and break him out.”

  Jay grunted. “Why not?”

  My wolf snarled.

  I leapt toward him, striking him hard and fast. He winced as my fist connected with his jaw.

  Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm myself. “Do not question me again, Jay. You are my beta and you will listen.”

  His lip curled. “Yes, Alpha.” He said the last word as if it pained him.

  Voices murmured behind us. Everyone poured out of the clubhouse to gawk, eyes wide. Heat spread across my face.

  “I want guards posted at the city entrance and back entrance. The rest of the pack can get some sleep and then we’ll do a sweep and recount of all our resources.”

  They moved at my orders. Ignoring their questioning glances, I marched inside to tell Drew and Becca it was safe. I’d let them stay one more night to make sure Diego and his pack weren’t waiting for them then they could go home, and I could figure out what to do about Elijah.