34. Alphas orders

I woke with a start as my dreams sent me back to the nightmare that was that cave. I used my wind to push Zeld back as I flipped away from him shifting back to wolf midair. I was surrounded by a portion of the pack I knew them all by name and that they were loyal to Keyon. I narrowed my eyes at them no not Keyon any more but Zeld. 

I snapped my head to look at Zeld growling.

"Rav!"

I snapped at him.

'Are you my enemy?'

I mind linked to him. He looked at me sideways.

"Of corse not!"

I looked around me Grits body still lay on the snow where I had ripped his throat out. 

"Raven?"

I snapped my head around at the sound of Talieus's voice.

"Raven are you, yourself?"

I knew what he was asking the moon goddess had told me everything about those caves.

"Yes."

"You said they are here?"

I turned to Keyon who I sensed was also loyal to Zeld. 

'He has been busy.'

'Indeed though his own loyalty lies with us, therefore the rest are loyal to us.'

'Yes we should allow him to keep to his word as our beta.'

'Are you sure that's wise considering?'

'If he can inspire this much loyalty in such short a time he may be the only one for beta.'

'You are right and since our time has run out he will have to do.'

Keeping my eyes on Zeld i growled as I answered.

"Yes Shiya is in Greenland."

I looked to Talieus.

"They have Loki as their prisoner."

Talieus snarled. 

"What do we do?"

I held my head up high.

"We prepare they will be here within the month since it will take them that long to assemble their packs. we have until then to lessen their numbers."

Zeld still in human form raised his eyes in confusion.

"Lessen their numbers?"

"Yes."

I knew he wanted more information but I could not give him any. 

"What about Loki?"

"What about him?"

Talieus stared at me.

"What's the plan to save him?"

I chuckled.

"Save him? There is no plan to save him. Loki can look after himself."

Talieus's shock was instant.

"He's your father!"

"I'm aware."

Talieus growled.

"You can't sacrifice him like that!"

"I'm not sacrificing anyone I will not risk the pack to save one wolf a wolf who abandoned the pack to begin with. He made his bed now he must lay in it."

Talieus made to argue more but I cut him off. 

"My decision is final now we must get back to the pack the sooner we start the better."

Zeld put a hand on Talieus silencing any more arguments.

"Your alpha is right lets get back to the pack we can talk about all this in more detail when we get there."

I knew he was still judging whether I was of sound mind what he didn't realise was that my mind had never been clearer. The moon goddess herself had told us everything. We knew what needed to be done and the consequences. 

"Good I will keep watch from the skies Shiya has sent some ahead to watch us."

Before they could question me further I shifted again only this time I shifted into a white tailed eagle. Grit was right the caves granted me with the return of all my powers and with it was the power to change into any animal I deemed fit. 

All eyes were on me shocked as I lifted into the air circling once I headed back to the pack leaving them to catch up.

'Did you have to be so dramatic?'

I laughed at Caryi's words.

'The look on Zeld's face Was definitely worth it.'

'Im glad you maintained your sense of humour after what we just went through.'

My mind darkened.

'Don't remind me.'

'It is a great burden the moon goddess has given us.'

'Yes she has.'

'Zeld will not like it.'

'Zeld is not my concern the pack is. If we do not do this all will be lost.'

'I know but couldn't we-'

'No Caryi we can't I couldn't do that to him.'

'Very well small one if that is your wish.'

'It is.'

She remained silent the rest of the way back to the pack. We glided above the others as they ran in wolf form.

"Rav?"

Zeld was trying to mind link me so that the others could not hear. I ignored his voice.

'You have to talk to him at some point.'

'I know but there's too much to be done right now he can wait.'

After awhile he stopped trying.

I circled above the pack til I saw Exon as he was leaving his den. Flying down I landed in from of him as I shifted back to wolf form almost scaring the life out of him. 

"What the-"

He stared up at me in awe.

"Raven?"

The rest of the pack gathered round as the others caught up to me. Upon seeing me and the crescent on my brow Exon bowed. I turned to rest of the pack as they followed Exon's example.

"Get up all of you. you are forest lakes wolves you bow to no one not even me."

The pack all stood up as they stared towards me.

"The war we have been waiting for is here if you do not wish to fight pack your things and leave this place. Get as far away as you can all those who are not of shifting age will go with you. No matter what happens they are our future and this pack will survive as long as they do. Those who choose to stay be prepared to die for your pack, for I can not guarantee all of you will live."

They stood staring at me.

Zeld turned to them when they didn't move.

"Listen to your alpha pack everything you will need."

The younger ones were ushered away by their parents as they went back to their dens to pack those that were staying to fight remained where they were. I faced them holding my head high as I studied each one. 

"The rest of you take this time to say your good byes to those that are leaving the others will be here soon til then start posting sentries around the ravine mountain and caves Shiya may have sent spies ahead capture them alive if you can."

As the remaining wolves left to do as I'd asked I turned to the last left.

"Talieus, Keyon, Zeld and Exon met me in the main pavilion there is a lot to plan for."

I started to leave towards my den to change leaving the others to do the same.

Inside my den i waited for Zeld who I knew had followed me.

"Rav?"

I shifted back to human form not even caring the he saw me naked not like it was the first time today.

"What do you want Zeld?"

He shifted as well as he watched me. my back was to him while I looked for something to wear.

Stepping closer he reached around stilling my hands. I could feel his bare chest against my back making my heart beat wildly.

'You need to hide your reactions to him better if you are to spare his feelings.'

I growled at her inside my head.

'It's not like I can help it.'

I stood refusing to look around for fear that he would see what I could not let him see.

"Talk to me Rav what happened in those caves?"

My mind flashed as horrors beyond measure entered my mind causing me to shiver. 

Taking a deep breath I turned around while stepping away from him.

"The horrors In that cave are my burden alone you should heed Talieus's words stop trying to save me for I can not be saved."

He grabbed my shoulders.

"What does that mean? If you plan on sacrificing yourself to save this pack I won't let you!"

I chuckled at his words.

"Don't be ridiculous Zeld I have no intention of sacrificing myself."

No what we had to do was far worse the death.

'He will figure it out eventually.'

'Well let's hope when he does it's too late.'

He stared down at me suspiciously.

"If you don't plan on sacrificing yourself then what are you hiding?"

I sighed.

"Zeld I'm not hiding anything now will you let me change or am I to go to the main den completely naked?"

He blinked as if he had only just realised we were both still without clothes. I heard his heart suddenly beat faster as his body responded to our closeness. I expected him to leave however he merely stepped closer til there was no space between our bodies. 

I struggled to remain unfazed by his touch which was proving very difficult.

"Zeld nothing has changed what was between us is gone."

His hand travelled from my arm to cup my face.

"Then why is your heart beating faster at my touch?"

I scowled annoyed with my own body for responding to his. 

"Just because my body responds to your touch does not mean anything any females heart would beat faster in this situation."

His lips neared my own but he didn't connect as he changed direction to whisper in my ear.

"If that's the case then why not just give in to your urges?"

He other hand gently grazed my breast as he passed along my skin towards my abdomen. I grabbed his hand stopping him as I pushed him away staring into his eyes.

"Because it wouldn't be fair to you. While your no longer my mate you are still my friend and I don't want to give you false hope."

I got dressed as he watched in silence. I couldn't tell by his face what he was thinking but I didn't have time to analyse it as I offered some clothes to him that were still in my bag from our journey here.

"Are you coming?"

He stood frozen for a fraction of a second before he took the clothes from my hands.

I started towards the exit when he stopped me.

"I wasn't lying before when I said I will prove that your love for me is just as strong. Even if it means breaking down the walls inside that mind of yours I will find out why you keep pushing me away."

My expression serious I answered.

"There are more important things for you to worry about right now. As my beta you don't have time to worry about me the pack should be your priority."

He tucked a stray hair behind my ear.

"As alpha your are the most important part of the pack, I could think of nothing more important then you."

"As I have said my love life is none of your concern nor is it important to the pack right now."

He leaned in closer.

"Your love life will always be my concern no matter what is happening around us."

I growled.

"I could order you."

Doubt crossed his eyes as he stared down at me.

"I know you Rav you wouldn't do that to me."

I took a deep breath if this was the only way to make him move on then so be it.

I stared at him my eyes glowing the fear in his eyes was instant as he realised I wasn't bluffing.

"As your alpha I order you to stop pursuing me as your mate."

He growled as he punched the wall of the den, glaring at me. 

"How could you do that?!"

"You gave me no choice."

I turned my back on him.

"I am your alpha nothing more if that's not good enough for you then leave the pack otherwise come on the others are waiting."

I left the den after awhile I heard him follow his eyes boring into my back as I lead the way to the main den. 

'Was that really necessary?'

'You know it was.'

Caryi sighed. 

'He will never forgive you for that.'

'I wouldn't expect him too at least now he will concentrate on the matter at hand.'

As I walked through the dens, those that were leaving had started gathering everything they owned. Some of them smiled at me as I passed hope in their eyes that I would save the pack. 

This was the hardest part as I watched the young wolves sadness in their faces as they realised they were leaving all they had ever known. Their faith in me to save their home almost broke my heart. How could I tell them that they would never again return? That in a months time this place will never see a werewolf ever again. That I would not save the pack, I would not save any of the packs. We were all destined to suffer the worst fate and none of them will ever forgive me for what I must do.