She shook her head, her lip trembling for a second. “Can you do me a favor?”
I reached for her hand. “Of course. Anything.”
She swallowed and nodded towards the grave. “Can you get his necklace and ring?” She turned to me with watery eyes. “I would, but…” She trailed off as she rubbed her stomach.
“Of course.” I smiled as I rubbed her arm. Then I touched her stomach, and I felt the skin stretched tight over rock-hard muscles. I knew instantly something was wrong. I turned to look at my mom. She caught my worried glance and walked over.
“I’ll stand with her when you go down.” My mother wrapped her arm around her back, her hand coming to rest on the side of Alannah’s swollen belly.
“It’s okay.” Alannah said, but she leaned into my mother’s side.
“We know it is okay. But I would rather have someone with you while we do all this.” I jumped into the grave, doing my best to ignore the niggling feeling I had in the back of my mind. “Hello friend.” I whispered as I knelt next to Ternen’s side. I gently took his hand in mine and slid the simple band from his stiffening fingers. I placed his hands on his stomach and moved to his neck. The chain was a little harder to remove, but I got it. “I think you pups are coming faster than we are prepared for.” I brushed the bangs from his eyes and then I stood.
I slipped the ring onto the necklace and then I climbed back up. Alannah walked over to me. “What were you saying to him?” Her lips trembled as she looked down at her mate.
I slipped around her back and slid the necklace around her neck, letting the ring settle on her chest. “Just that I will take care of you so he can rest well.” I clasped the necklace and stepped back around her and faced the grave. “Lay well, Ternen Omega by rank Alpha in spirit. May you rest well knowing that your sacrifice saved the lives of three of the most important people.” I grabbed a shovel and went to stand at the pile of dirt. We had to move fast now.
Rowan grabbed the second shovel. “Rest well, Ternen, and know that your children will be warriors, regardless of rank. We will ensure that they get the best out of life.” Allanah cried as everyone said their goodbyes.
She stepped close to the edge of the grave. “Goodbye, my love. I will raise our pups to know everything you did for us. Second chance or not, I will meet you when I cross over. I will love youforever, and you are who I will spend the rest of eternity with.” Then she dropped another flower onto his chest.
There was a flash, and a crescent moon glowed from Ternen’s forehead as a scream ripped through the clearing.
Everyone spun from the grave to see Alannah bent over in pain. Her hands were clutching her heavy belly as she stared down at the barely filled grave. “No…it’s too soon. They aren’t ready.” She turned to look at me, and I could see the panic there.
My mother grasped her side. “I don’t think they agree with you, Momma.” She wrapped her arm around her back, and Wendy stepped up to my side, taking my place. “Baby?” My mother looked at me over her shoulder as she spun the groaning Alannah back towards the cabin.
“Yeah?” I felt my stomach clench as I watched as my friend was herded away.
“Finish here. Then come upstairs.” She turned away as Rowan stepped up next to me.
“I don’t think we have the time to stay for the birth.” His voice was soft, but Toya came back to our side.
She closed her eyes for a second and she shook her head. “All the mindlinks from my pack were severed.” Her voice was soft but filled with worry. “I’ve been trying to reach my father since the battle.”
I reached for her hand, and she shuddered as the skin of our hands brushed each other, and another flash happened. “What is happening?”
Rowan shook his head. “I don’t know. But the fact that the Moon Goddess is showing her favor so much right now doesn’t sit well with me.” He grabbed for the shovel he dropped. “Let’s finish here so we can talk to your mother.”
Rick stepped closer, catching me off guard. He gestured with his thumb over his shoulder. “Shelly took the girls inside, but I feel something too.” Everyone turned to me. “What do you feel?”
I took a deep breath and cleared my mind as I closed my eyes. I felt a steadying hand on my back and I thought it was Rowan, but then I felt power rush through me.
Open yourself.That voice sounded familiar, but it wasn’t my mate or my grandmother. I shifted, and I felt her tsk at me.Don’t worry about looking at me, child. You have seen me before; take what I am giving you. You will need it before the end of the night.
What will I have to do?
You will know.The Moon Goddess pressed against my back.The twins will be born under the light of tonight’s moon, and I will watch over them for you, for the male in that cold dark hole. But you, and your trusted here, will need to take the pathway.
The pathway?As the power filled me, I felt the Goddess mark on my brow light up, and Rowan stepped closer. Whether chasing the draw of the power, or just trying to keep me close, I didn’t know for sure.
“What’s happening?” His voice held a hint of wonder and worry in equal measure as his eyes danced over my face.
You know the way. Your pack needs you. The kingdom needs you. Darkness is creeping in around the edges, and it needs to be stopped.The power rushed in faster.You need to be full, or all will be lost. The power needs to be a last resort. If you abuse it, if you waste this gift, then you will lose everything.
Everything?My mind started to race as the power filled every inch of my body. The power flowed to my toes and slowly filled me. My feet filled quickly, and I knew I could run faster than anyone alive. Then my knees, and jumping became something I could do between breaths. High walls meant nothing to the power coursing through me. But my body slammed to a dead cold when the power reached my core.
Two howls ripped through my body, twining together, until they ripped from my lips in a terrifyingly protective display. Rowan reared back from me, fear creeping in as he whipped around to stare out into the trees.
