Chapter Info

Title: There's a war on the horizon.

Number: 18/?

Warnings: Language, mentions of violence, and my usual doses of angst here and there.

Author's Note: Found at the end!

- ʚɞ -

- La Push, Washington -

- Skylar -

- October -

A sigh of frustration peels it's way off her lips as she leans against the unforgiving bark of a tree, her eyes cutting over to observe the bonfire currently taking place on third beach. Her view unobstructed and yet at the same time her position completely hid her from those that were attending, her scent disappearing on the wind before anyone could even scent she was there.

She wasn't hiding, she was thinking. Her body taut and stressed as her mind replays the last twenty-four hours in fucking technicolour and perfect precision. How had her day gone from the most stressful talk she'd ever had, to a result she never saw coming - to one of the worst afternoons in her fucking history. Honestly, it was as though fate was just sitting there spinning a web and throwing as much fucking chaos in the mix as she could.

Fucking bitch, she thinks idly as she thinks over the scene that met her when she'd left Paul, pushing her wolf form to the max and cutting down the run time from her usual two hours - to an hour - gods she was going to pay for that. But any discomfort she'd caused herself had disappeared the moment Ryker led her to what he'd wanted her to see, his mind a jumbled mess of grief and pain and giving her more questions than answers. That was until she saw why.

Three dead bodies.

Not just any dead bodies, but parents of some of the pack members. Slashed and torn apart without a fucking care in the world, the elusive scents of the other shifters drifting around them like a god damn fucking tease. Before they'd been hunting the shifters for simply entering their territory - now it was an all-out war and the pack wanted their heads. No one touched a shifters family and lived to fucking speak about it. Not in her pack.

The growl that had ripped free of her chest was rich and feral, her wolf rearing up and wanting blood and the soldier and human side of her was in complete and utter agreement. Yet once more, the scents slipped past them and no amount of hunting could pin them down. Not even her, the best tracker of the pack could locate them, which was not the answers she wanted.

Something was coming, she could taste it on the breeze. And she wasn't sure if the pack was going to survive whatever it was. The gut feeling clinched and twisted, making her far more alert than she'd been before as her eyes once more scanned and catalogued everyone on the beach. She cared about these people, she fucking loved some of them, and she wasn't going to bring them into this war she found herself in the middle of.

A part of her wondered if this was her alpha side, preparing her to do whatever was needed. Or maybe it was the fact that she now had much more to lose than she did before. Either way, she knew better than to ignore it, something was coming, but she wouldn't let it anywhere fucking near those that she loved. She was a fighter, and she'd fucking fight till there was nothing left inside of her.

Of course, that came with its own fucked up set of complications but she'd think on that another day.

Pushing off the bark she pads through the foliage and into the light, a smile settling on her face that anyone who knew her well enough would be able to see it for what it truly was. A bold-faced lie. A shout of her name drags her eyes to Mina who stands and waves from what looks to be a drink table, her own hand raising in a wave in return.

Yet it's the shrill shout of her name that has her eyes widening and snapping towards the brunette that was currently stomping her way over, hair flying behind her wildly as a fire burned deep within chocolate orbs. To say she was pissed was an understatement, at that moment Bella Swan looked ready to go ten rounds with Satan for the opportunity to rip Skylar's ass apart. And the she-wolf was at a loss for why.

But Bella didn't leave her hanging.

" DID. YOU. KNOW ? " each word was punctuated by a rather impressive growl that would put a shifter to shame.

Her eyes briefly dip to Bella's hands as they clenched at her sides, the bluntness of her nails digging into the palm deep enough to leave crescent-shaped marks behind. And for a fraction of a second, she was scared, she'd taught Bella the proper way to throw a punch and the only thing currently saving her from being on the receiving end of it, was the fact it would cause Bella more pain than her.

" Bella, I might be a highly trained soldier. But sometimes sweetheart, I need a few more details than that. "

If she thought Bella was angry before. It was nothing after those words slipped past her lips. Because Bella blew the fuck up, Bella's small body rocking forward and attempting to hit any exposed flesh on her frame. Shifting quickly she grabs her friend by the arms, spins her around and pins her against her chest, her fingers tightening around her wrists but not enough to cause any damage.

" Look sweetheart. " she croons, eyes briefly flicking upwards to see the whole pack watching them. " After the fucking day I had, I ain't in the mood for taking you to the ER. so how's about we calm the fuck down and you tell me why you're pissed. Before we end up in a shithole we can't climb out of. "

She waits a moment till Bella nods lightly before releasing her and turning the brunette forwards once more, chocolate eyes locking on slowly darkening whiskey ones. She would forgive Bella a lot, but being pissed and trying to attack her was not one of them. Especially with no fucking rhyme nor reason.

" Did you know about the imprint ? "

Well, she wasn't expecting that answer.

" Who told you ? " it wasn't a confirmation, nor was it a denial. She simply needed more answers.

" Jacob. He told me you knew. "

Her eyes cut to her cousin, his tall frame shrinking back from the look in her eyes and the deep growl that filters from her chest. Another growl soon mixes with hers and for once in probably never, she was firmly on team sam, because Jacob had just fucked up beyond all belief. Honestly, she was related to a fucking idiot. Sighing she brings her hand up to rub over her face, her thumb and forefinger pinching the bridge of her nose as she battles down the flare of anger that curls around her chest.

" Yes, I knew. Leah told me not long after I returned. But listen before you fucking blow up. Paul is my imprint Bella, my mate, which means I am bound by his pack's laws. And those laws state that no one interferes in a wolf's relationship with their imprint. " she growls, her eyes slicing the air as they return to pin Bella beneath the weight of them.

" Only the fucking wolf is supposed to tell his imprint what is going on. So if you want to get pissed. Get pissed at the wolf who has his fucking cock in a tizzy because he's pissed Sam imprinted on you and not him. Even though he has a fucking amazing imprint himself. He's still in love with you Bella. "

She can hear Jacob's growl ring out and once more lifts her heated glare to her cousin, her own growl building in tempo and curling with a power that her cousin would never carry. The weight of an alpha. She knew what was bugging the pack, the knowledge she phased first, she was older than Jacob meant she was the true alpha of the pack. One of it's deepest laws claiming it as such. She'd heard her father's complaints about Billy's treatment of that knowledge, stating that it was still Jacob's due to him being male. Fucking sexist asshole.

She didn't want the position, yet she couldn't change her DNA. After all, she was an alpha on her father's side, she was one on her mothers. She was who she was, and nothing, not her fucking childish cousin or anyone was going to change that small fact.

" Think on that Bells, before you blame the wrong wolf. The one trying to protect you. " she growls " Because that was what it was, I didn't tell you shit because I knew it would mess with your head. And only Sam could fucking rectify the stupid decisions he'd made. No one else. "

She moves past Bella with a soft growl, she hadn't ever been truly angry with her friend. Never had a reason too and maybe it was just the fucked up day that was causing her to lose the reigns on her legendary inferno, or maybe she really was just fucking done with cleaning up the messes left by other packs.

Her eyes lock on Jacob as he sneers at her, her lips curling backwards over her teeth as her growl rumbles richly in her chest. Stalking in front of her cousin, her eyes drifting over each deep contour of his face and with a small blink as her only warning, she rears back and slams her fist into his face. Watching in deep satisfaction as blood bursts over his face from the now broken nose he was sporting.

Gripping his throat, her nails threatening to pierce the soft flesh of his neck she goes nose to nose with him. Her lips still peeled back in a sneer as her eyes burned with the fire that was raging inside. A sign that right now the control she had, was slowly slipping away. Her wolf was too close to the surface and her cousin really didn't want to test the lengths she'd go too, to put the stupid pup back in his rightful place.

" You ever interfere in shit that you have no fucking right too again. I swear on the blood in my veins Jacob, I will fucking kill you. You have a fucking imprint, get over your schoolboy crush and grow the fuck up. You can't have your cake and eat it, not in this situation. Bella isn't yours so move the fuck on. "

Letting her cousin go and watching him collapse to the sand, she congeals to her full frame. Her eyes drank in each member of his pack and wondered if any of them were going to step up and defend him. A sick shot of pleasure running through her as she watches them all back down, their eyes averted in every direction but at her. Even her uncle lowers his gaze as she levels heated eyes on him, daring him to step up for the golden boy and call her nothing more than a bitch for touching him. Yet he refuses to meet her gaze. The only ones who meet her gaze are Sonny, Leah and Paul. The three of them fight to contain the grins that wanted to brighten their faces, Leah holding a sleeping Emmie-Jo close to her heated frame.

Smiling at them softly, she turns and walks down the beach and towards a lone piece of driftwood. Knowing her daughter was safe at that moment meant she had a moment to cage the fire burning within her. To once more put the leashes on her legendary temper and bury it beneath the facade she wore every day. She would never let her daughter see that side of her, the darkness that brewed beneath the surface.

Settling on the driftwood she lets her mind wander as she stares out over the water. Her supernatural eyes catch every glint of the evening sun as it shines on the surface of the water. The way the air seemed to swirl around her, both caressing and guiding. Yet none of it helped with her inner turmoil, with the stress that rattled deep within her bones and plagued her every thought.

Her phone ringing breaks the chill of the air as she brings the device out of her pocket, a frown puckering her forehead as she looks at the number. She sure as shit didn't recognize it but then again that many people had her number, it was a surprise she remembered half of who they were.

" Ragnulf – "

So military technique it is then.

A snort of laughter wrapped in a rich southern twang rattles down the phone and she can't help the sigh, the laugh alone telling her who it was. Her eyes cut over her shoulder for a moment to see the others all milling around and giving her the required space she desired. Bella was sitting off to the side with a pissed look on her face but she'd deal with that later - once the fucking spitfire calmed the hell down and thought rationally.

" Captain Peter Whitlock, what fucking unpleasure do I have of this call ? " she growls, her own sarcasm dripping from each syllable.

" Oh put ya damn claws away Major. I got some'at big for 'ya. "

If there was one vampire she really wished she took a chunk out of, it would be this one. Instead, she struck up the unlikeliest of friendships with the bastard when she was stationed in Texas. Though god knows how many times she'd pictured sinking her teeth into his sparkly ass, but she had to admit. He'd bailed her out of some nasty shit and she owed him. Way more than she could ever repay.

" What's that ? " she was rightfully dubious and yet, she did trust him. Somewhat.

" Nah I don' know wha' form of hell has been comin' your way Sugar. But whateva it is, it ain't gone an' is gonna come back tonight. "

There was something in his tone that didn't sit right with her, her back growing more rigid with each passing second.

" An' when they come back Sugar, it ain't gonna be pretty – "

" Fuck. "

The word is growled, covered in each ounce of lupine power as she shoots off the driftwood and begins to pace. Her clipped steps taking her further away from the other gathered wolves and into the realm of privacy. She knew how they all saw vampires and knew even her mate wouldn't take too kindly to the fact she had a weird friendship with one. Even she didn't most days.

" Pete, how bad is it going to get ? "

Normally she'd have dealt with the situation as it hit, but Peter's weird-ass gift of just knowing shit meant at this moment he could give her more facts than she had. He would be the only one who could help her formulate a plan on how the fuck to move forward. That or she was just giving his sparkly ass way too much credit.

" I can't tell ya tha' Sugar, the voices ain't got tha' far into the explaining. All I know is yer not gonna wanna be caught wit' ya pants down any more. If ya do, the outcome ain't any good – " She was wondering if vampires got migraines, and the sigh, Peter let out nearly solidified the thought in her mind.

" Look Major, your good, one of the fuckin' best mutts I ever met, but ya need to think like a soldier righ' now too. If not, ya pack is dead and so are you. "

She just murmurs deep in her throat as her steps continue to grow in their clipped pace. She could feel it, every part of her rearing up and wanting to fight. All of it geared forward and burning bright at Peter's words. She was a soldier, something she could never forget but she was curious as to how the hell she was supposed to do that in this situation. But she wasn't about to tell sparkles that.

" Cheers Pete – "

" Any time Sugar, you jus' look afta ya'self and the little lady a'ight. Everythin' else will work itself out. But rememba you're a soldier. Use ya damn head. And call me if ya need help. Ya know I'll be there. "

And weirdly she knew he would be. She had met Peter over seven years ago, and he was always there to bail her out due to the 'voices in his head'. She just thought he had been dropped on his head too many times when he was human, but when things worked out as he said. She learnt to trust him, and whenever she was in Texas or home in Colorado. The two had become friends.

She owed his ass, and despite a part of her wanting to hate the fact that she was in debt to a leech, her natural enemy. Something told her she was safe with Peter. And maybe that was why she hung out, of course, she was not a fan of his food source and many arguments were raised about it. He would also make fun of her scent - though he'd admitted she smelled better than most - yet he was her friend.

Begrudgingly.

He had also taken her hand to hand combat to new levels, once he found out she could go toe to toe with a vampire and potentially survive. He'd helped her get the skills to do just that, taking her military and street fighting and turning her into one dirty ass fighter. Something she was forever glad for. As it was because of him she survived being stabbed in the damn heart and his training on how to use a good cheap shot.

" I need to gear up for war, don't I ? "

She whispers the words but knows that the sentence trails down the small speak and to the vampire on the other side. Any other time he'd have teased the shit out of her for appearing so weak but since becoming a mom he had somewhat eased back. Some part of him knew that now she was allowed to have that fear, because it wasn't about her anymore. Of course, he still teased her about her sex life, something that was very him.

" Yeah ya do Sug, and it ain't gonna be pretty. But if ya remember all ya trainin' and remember ya've got shit to live for. Ya might just make it. "

Clicking her tongue she nods even though Peter couldn't see it down the phone and with a hushed goodbye and a promise to call him if she needed him. She slips the phone back in her pocket. Her eyes trailing over to where her daughter was now awake and sitting in Paul's lap. That right there was her family, and if Peter and her gut feeling from earlier was right. She had a war coming her way, and she was going to have to fight to survive.

She had a promise to keep, she said she'd always come back to Paul. And she would, she had to live so he could. She wouldn't be the one who stole his life because of the marks they bore. But whilst everything inside of her was churning and fighting, she knew one thing was set in stone. Immovable and unchangeable.

Paul was her strength, her true north. And she would always come home to him.

Always.

- ʚɞ -

A / N : Reviews are love and highly appreciated- Sorry my personal life got a little hectic so hence the replies got delayed. But I hope this makes up for it - even if it's sort of a filler chapter. I was going to give Sky drama with the la push pack but figured there was enough with hers and trying to navigate that and her mating bond. So how was it?

And the vampire part is a gift to a friend of mine. I'm trying to tempt her to bring her Demetri and Embry stories over here. So I featured her favourite vampire 'Peter' in this story. He might make a few more appearances, who knows given Sky has a lot of friends and a lot of shit coming her way. Forgive me if I killed his accent - I'm English so southern accents are not my thing.

And don't worry, the other updates are slowly coming. I'm halfway through a chapter for twin hearts and then for the girl in the mirror.