36. Planning for a battle

Returning back to my den I flew inside shifting back to human form.

"Have fun?!"

I snapped around to find Zeld waiting for me.

I sighed I didn't need this right now throwing some clothes on I snapped.

"What do you want Zeld?"

"I came to tell you that the patrols were set up except you were already gone."

He approached me til he was mere inches away as he leaned in smelling the air around me he growled.

My heart pounded at what I knew he smelt on me.

"Smells to me like you had more fun then I thought."

I pushed him away.

"I was saying good bye."

He growled as he grabbed my arm.

"You don't need to sleep with him to say good bye Rav!"

"I didn't plan for it to happen!"

"What and his cock just happened to fall inside you?! I can't believe you Rav you've been alpha for a day and you've already slept with the enemy."

I scowled at him.

"Your right Zeld I am alpha and as alpha I don't have to explain myself to you."

He roughly let me go stepping back.

"Yes Rav you are alpha and as your beta I have a right to be concerned when you sneak off in the middle of the night to go fuck the enemy."

"It wasn't like that! We were mated you were right a few words and a little wolfsbane could never erase that bond."

The hurt in his eyes hit my heart.

"You still love him?"

It was a rhetorical question but I answered anyway.

"Yes part of me will always love him."

Zeld stepped back putting more distance between us. He started to leave but I grabbed his hand.

"Zeld!"

Not looking at me he whispered.

"Don't Rav."

He tried to pull away but I held on, I couldn't lie to him any more. I knew I would regret it but he had to know my true feelings even if He never wanted to be with me after everything I'd done to him and was still to do to him.

"You don't understand yes I still love him but I need you to know that I love you more."

His head snapped around to gaze into my eyes.

"What?"

I sighed letting go of his hand.

"I love you more then anyone in this world Zeld your my best friend and don't know what I'd do if you weren't by my side in this."

He turned back to face me as he stepped closer I stepped away, he eyebrow knitted in confusion.

"If that's true then what's the problem Rav why are you still pushing me away?"

I felt the tears come to my eyes as I tried to blink them back. 

"Because of what I must do."

He shook his head.

"What are you talking about?"

I turned my back on him not being able to stand the look in his eyes.

"I can't save them. I can't save any of them."

Once the words were out it was like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Zeld gently spun me around as he cupped my face.

"Rav tell me what's going on? What do you mean you can't save them? Do you mean the pack?"

The tears I had been holding back started to fall as he wiped them away with his thumb.

"I mean all the wolves."

Zeld shook his head in confusion.

"I don't understand."

"I know and I can't explain it. all I can tell you is that when all is done you like all the others will hate me for what I've done. Everyone I've ever known has turned against me I couldn't handle it from you. If I start something with you and we survive what I must do I'll never forgive myself for hurting you and you will never forgive me."

Staring into his eyes I said.

"I recede my last order."

I kissed him deeply on the lips then stepped away from him.

"I'm trusting you to respect my wishes if when all is done you still want me then I will be with you gladly but until then as my beta and my friend stop trying to force something I can not give."

His hands dropped to his sides as the weight of my words washed over him. I could tell he was fighting his warring emotions. I had already revealed too much I hoped I had not made the wrong decision in telling him what I did. 

Finally he stood straighter seeming to come to a decision.

"Even though I don't know all the details I understand why you can't reveal more and while I don't agree with your decision about us I will respect it."

Quickly he wrapped his arms around me kissing me again only deeper.

"I hate that you must carry this burden alone Rav but I will always be here for you as your beta and as your friend."

Stepping away slowly he paused at the door looking back.

"I don't care what you think Rav no matter what you must do I would never hate you and I will hold you to your promise. I know with all my heart that we were always meant to be together and we always will be."

I watched him go as I took a deep breath.

'He took that better then I thought.'

'Yes.'

I went to lay down to get a few more hours before morning came and with it the start of a very long month of preparation.

The next morning the whole pack stood at the edge of the ravine facing the tree line as those that weren't fighting headed out with the young. 

"Go as far south as you can the others will find you when all is done."

Exon was among those that were leaving turned to me.

"Do you really think we will win this?"

I shared a knowing look with Zeld and put on what I hoped looked like a genuine smile.

"I will do all that I can to get us through this."

He smiled joining the others as they made their way south.

Zeld leaned in to whisper.

"At least they will survive."

My smile disappeared as I remained quiet knowing that even though they will not be here for the battle they will not escape unscathed.

Turning I faced those that remained.

"I need five volunteers to make their way to Upernavik to keep an eye on the packs. We need to know the exact moment they start moving."

Five wolves stepped forward I nodded in recognition of their choice, facing Keyon I ordered.

"Keyon you will be In charge of them gather whatever information you can while your there."

Keyon nodded.

"Yes alpha."

"You leave tonight and be carful they are well aware that we know their here they will be looking out for you."

Keyon smiled.

"They can try to catch us but it will be like trying to catch the wind."

"Good don't take any unnecessary risks our numbers are fewer then theirs already let's not make it easier for them."

Next I faced Talieus.

"Talieus I want you to set traps in the caves if we can limit how many attack us at once we stand a better chance. We will use the caves to herd them to a location of our choosing."

My grandfather smiled.

"Excellent plan Raven."

"Take as many as you can to help."

He nodded.

"The rest of you set more traps from the caves all the way to the mountain of the trails."

Zeld snapped his head around to stare at me but said nothing as Talieus beat him to it.

"Why there?"

"Because that is where we want them, it is at the base of the mountain where the northern lights met its peak that the final battle must be fought. Zeld will oversee that part."

One look at Zeld and he nodded his face blank once more though I knew he would have more questions later.

"Now we have a month. If one part of this doesn't work all will be lost. The moon goddess herself has given me this plan know that she is doing what is best for the pack that she created."

All that stood before me went to do as they had been ordered. Zeld stayed next to me waiting for the last of the pack to disappear.

"The trails?"

I nodded.

"Yes that mountain is where it all happens. It must be there...."

I let my voice trail off as I started to walk away, Zeld reached out to grab my hand.

"Rav.."

I placed my hand on his.

"I know I can count on you Zeld."

He inclined his head as he left to do as I'd ordered.

The rest of the day was spent working out which tunnels to weaken so that when they passed they would collapse on top of Shiyas army. Talieus was an expert at knowing how to put just enough pressure so that it would only collapse when we needed them to. There was still a lot of work to do since there were so many different passages through the mountain but having a plan was a start.

The ravine was the easiest part since it was already surrounded on both sides by cliffs that lead all the way to the forest at the end.  The hardest part was the forest itself then the expanse between the forest and the mountain since it was just a blanket of snow stretching from where the forest ends to where the mountain begins.

It also had to be done in a way that they wouldn't realise what we were doing til it was too late or that if they did they would have no choice but to push forwards regardless.

By the end of the day we had a plan set all we had to do was set it up then execute it. The good news was that we had plenty of time at least I hoped. The moon goddess had told me when they would attack but any number of things could change that time frame. 

There was also one thing that plagued me while I had said to Talieus that Loki could fend for himself I was worried about him.

So when it was time for Keyon and the five volunteers to leave I pulled Keyon aside.

"If you see Loki.."

Keyon put a hand on my shoulder.

"Don't worry if we find an opening we will see if we can free him."

I smiled.

"Thank you but I don't want you going on a suicide mission but please if the chance arises tell him I forgive him."

Keyon stared at me seeming to read my thoughts.

"Something is going to happen isn't it? Something worse then what's in the vision."

I remained silent, he nodded.

"You are far stronger then I gave you credit for young alpha. No matter what happens I'm glad it was you that passed the trials."

"I thank you Keyon coming from you it means a lot."

Keyon looked to where Zeld stood staring at us curiously.

"Don't live your life with regret Raven no matter what's going to happen even if it's just one night of happiness allow yourself to spend it with the ones you love. There are some of us that would give anything to have just one more night with them."

I watched him rejoin the others as they set off towards our enemies. I didn't know if any of them would return but I hoped that they would be safe as we watched them head towards the caves.

Zeld moved closer as he asked.

"What was that about?"

I shook my head.

"Just talking about regrets."

Zeld narrowed his eyes but said nothing as he silently held my hand as the group of six disappeared.