NOVPUB
Chapter 108: _ Vampires!
We left the police station behind, but the situation had settled heavily upon us. It was already so dark by the time we were out, making me feel a little more guilty about leaving my boy home – hungry.
The usual bustle of pack life unfolded around us but was limited, unlike the daylight. It was a few days to the full moon, and everyone was outside more as from today. It was said that playing under the moonlight a few nights before the full moon would allow one the full glory of the Moon Goddess’s blessings during the full moon.
A myth I had no belief in.
"These children should be in bed," I commented as we passed by a group of children chasing each other through the streets under the moonlight.
Their playful shriek was a contrast to the worry I harbored in my heart for them.
Lupe, who was clung to my arm shrugged. "You know why everyone’s out, Isleen. I think we should go get Cullen and Liam too. We all need to be part of this ritual." She said.
Argh.
Lupe was more educated than this statement she had just uttered; at least, that was what I thought.
Kylo, who had been stealing worried glances at me, whistled at Lupe. "You two have been through a lot today. You mostly, Lupe. Yet, you want to be a part of this RITUAL. Why? Because of some myth?"
"What? Don’t commit such a blasphemy to the Moon Goddess, Kylo. Don’t question her ways either. This most certainly is not a myth!" Lupe firmly stated.
Kylo scoffed. "Yes, don’t question her, I concur with that. But coming outside when the pack’s not safe and the sensible thing to do is stay indoors, what do you call that?"
As though to answer his question, a bloodcurdling scream rippled through the night. It came with such an urgency that sent a jolt of fear through me.
The playful shouts of the children died down abruptly, replaced by a panicked scramble. People surged forward, then back again, running up and down as confusion turned into terror around us.
What the hell was going on?
Could this day end already?!
"Vampires!" A voice bellowed from amidst the crowd running towards us. "They’re here! Protect yourselves!"
What the–?
Vampires were here again? To attack us? Had they no fear for our order anymore? What was going on?
I thought Gamma Rhett and the rest of the military were working hard to protect us.
Before I could even process the words, Kylo grabbed my arm with a firm grip. "Isleen, hide! Behind me!" He barked, shoving me behind his broad frame.
Hide behind him?
Tch. I’d rather fight too.
Around us, the pack was coming alive. Wolves began to snarl, their eyes glowing as they all shifted into their wolf forms, everyone bracing themselves to save themselves.
The Fey beings around had raised their hands, channeling their magic and ready to fight. Too sad they wouldn’t be killing our enemies, but they sure did know how to injure. Since it was what they did for defense, they’d perfected the art.
Kylo’s human form began to ripple and distort. I could hear his bones cracking beside me as his human shell gave way to his powerful wolf form. A magnificent silver wolf stood beside me after the shift. Kylo’s fur was bristling and his teeth bared in a snarl.
Lupe too, started her transformation. I could her whimper morphing into a deep growl. Panic surged through me, and the urge to join the fight did too. I too had to protect myself, to protect them.
But—my body refused to cooperate.
Fuck THIS!
The fear choked me, making it impossible to concentrate on the shift. I fumbled, feeling the familiar heat bloom beneath my skin, but it wouldn’t progress. My wolf remained stubbornly trapped.
These were the times when I always felt the inferiority of being an omega. There were days when changing into my wolf form would be easy, but at other times, it was the hardest thing to achieve.
Could this be the Moon Goddess punishing me? Punishing me for saying shit about the ritual just now?
Punishing me for daring to reject Gamma Rhett when she had sent him to me?
The first wave of vampires materialized from the shadows, their pale skin glistening under the moonlight, and eyes burning with an unnatural hunger.
Their... their numbers. I stumbled backward.
Those sons of bitches came prepared. They outnumbered every one of us on the street. Both wolves and fey.
A deep snarl ripped from Kylo’s throat as he launched himself at the nearest one with his teeth bared. It was so unexpected that it stole a yelp from me.
I had no idea why I was bathed in fear. I had faced vampires at the restaurant back then when they first attacked us. Even though I wasn’t able to fight any of them, I was able to move, to shift.
But now, I remained rooted to the spot, fear paralyzing me. At this rate, I’d get myself killed had Kylo and Lupe not been with me.
"Moon Goddess, please." I silently begged but nothing happened.
I could not shift.
Worse, a pile of dust got in my eye. It was the result of Kylo tearing into a vampire with savage efficiency while the latter fought to defend himself.
The scene that unfolded before me was a horrific ballet of violence. Blood splattered onto the once-peaceful ground, screams mingled with the growls of wolves and the chilling hisses of vampires. The air itself sizzled with raw power as Fae unleashed spells of blinding light and incapacitating illusions.
At least, the fey were here. About three of them created a shield. "Kids, get in here!" they shouted.
Finally, something I could help with. I dodged, kicked, and snuck my way until I got to the two kids with blonde hair close to me. They seemed like twins.
Their parents must be worried sick about them right now. Speaking of which, my boy. I hoped to hell that he was safe. Cullen better safeguards my Liam with his life, or I’d feed him to the crazy killer in the pack myself.
I swear it!
