Chapter Info

Title: The price of war.

Number: 19/?

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 -

Her head leans against Paul's shoulder as she listens to her uncle tell the tales of the Quileute warriors. Emmie-Jo listening with rapt attention from her spot in Paul's lap, that level of attention from a two-year-old was surprising and yet she couldn't give it the same credence as she'd once done when she was younger. She was fidgety, her hands clammy with the need to move, the need to fight. But it wasn't time yet.

She'd sent Peter asking him when her timeline was and she had five hours before it was time for her to move. And that was only an hour ago, meaning she had two more to waste before the two hours run back to Colorado. Or she could do it in one if she truly felt like pushing herself once more. She'd admit her timeframe was slowly shrinking the more she did the runs, which was good if her future rested in La Push, as she'd still have to return to do her patrols.

But right now, all she wanted to do was to take off and protect her pack, her family, from whatever was coming. She knew Paul and Emmie-Jo would be safe. Paul would be safe with his pack brethren and her daughter would be safe with the two protectors she'd claimed - Paul and Leah - both of them unable to deny the child anything. One of the two reasons she was currently wrapped in Paul's arms with Leah beside her fiddling with Emmie-Jo's small fingers.

But the others wouldn't be.

It was still weird to her, how she often thought of the safety of others over herself, she hadn't been that way as a kid or a teenager. Okay, she always put her little brother before herself, but everyone else she didn't give a shit about. Sometimes it would be her mom and dad, and her cousin if she was in the mood. But she'd never truly cared and always made sure that she was the lone survivor of the group as it were. She only cared for herself.

But now, her every conscious decision was made with others in mind. Her pack, her family, her teammates. She was constantly worried about the future and survival of others. She wasn't sure if that was the alpha in her preparing her for the daunting task of leading, or if it was something the military graced her with. Teaching her that true strength came from the pack, be it one filled with wolves or one filled with humans. True strength reigned supreme when you had others watching your back.

She's ripped from her musings by heated hands, blinking away the surprise that was clouding her features; she lets her whiskey orbs land on Paul. A quick glance behind him showed that the bonfire had come to an end and that her daughter was currently in Leah's arms as the she-wolf stood off to the side with Sonny and talked about something. No doubt discussing the legends and their sexism - she had to agree there - and gave her and Paul some space.

One day she's going to have to reevaluate her parenting given in the last few weeks, her daughter has been with others more than her.

" Earth to Skylar ! " Paul states, a bite to his voice showing he'd been working to gain her attention for a while. " Shit babe, where did you go ? "

" Sorry. Thoughts ran away from me. "

It was safe to assume the look on her face was a sheepish one as Paul's face contorted straight into worry as his head inclined to the side in a lupine gesture that has her smiling weakly. His hands shifting from her shoulders to settle on her hips as he kneels between her knees. His eyes penetrating deep into her soul and begging her to unburden herself.

" What's going on babe. You've been off since you came back, hell you snapped at Bella and from what Sonny said you've never done that. No matter how many times she's pushed your buttons over the years. "

Had she become truly transparent over the years that everyone just knew what was wrong with her. No, she hadn't - Paul just knew her well - Sonny too. And it was easy for the two of them to translate the issues currently riding her skin and distracting her thoughts.

Sighing she sinks her teeth into her bottom lip in a gesture she'd borrowed from her best friend as she looks into Paul's deep gaze. His eyes pleading with her to answer him, to carry on the truthful path the two of them were walking down. And she does.

There on a piece of driftwood, around the bonfire with her mate kneeling between her knees, she lets all of her burdens loose. She tells him of the scents, how she'd been tracking them to the bodies they'd found when she left. She tells him about Peter's warning - finding a flicker of amusement in his response about the leech - and to the worries now rattling alongside her heartbeat. The worry that was slamming into her ribs and stealing her breath.

It's easy for her to see the worry that caresses his frame and causes him to grow rigid, his grip tightening on her hips for a moment as he thinks about the danger she is in. Especially after the knowledge that if she was to die, so was he. If she knew any part of him still, it was the part she knew that wanted to lock her up somewhere so she wasn't involved. Yet he knew her, knew her stubbornness and knew the commitments a wolf makes when they phase.

They were forever bound.

" I'll be okay. I've got a reason to survive, that's what Peter told me. I gotta remember the reason I have to win and carry it with me. And you and Emmie-Jo are my reason. You are always my reason. "

His face contorts in a way that shows her he didn't truly believe her, and she didn't blame him. This between them was so delicate that a twist in the wrong direction and it would all fall apart. They were still walking on thin ice and the only thing keeping them from drowning was the marks they had on their necks. The mark that showed their futures were together, and a love that burned inside. But even with that love, there was still a lot of trepidation.

As he kneels in the sand more firmly, she slips off the driftwood and straddles his legs, her hands coming to frame his face, forcing her to look at him.

" I will always come home to you. No war is going to fucking prevent that okay. I'm a bitch, I'm a soldier and I will kill anyone who fucking dreams of keeping me away from you ! " Her words are set in stone, forged on the wind. " I promise ! "

She didn't make promises often, it was who she was because she knew they could be broken too easily. Her father had made her many when she was a child and then broke every single one when he left, her uncle and mother had made promises too and callously broke them. So she never made them - but when she did, she did everything she could to live up to it.

" Trust me, Paul. I'm going to be okay. This isn't my first war, I've survived nearly dying before and I will do it again. I promise. "

Some part of her wondered if she was trying to convince him or if she was trying to convince herself as in that moment, both were viable options. Either way, she sighs in relief as she sees some of his usual fire return to his eyes, his large arms wrapping around her frame and holding her close as she buries her face into the curve of his neck.

They spend the next two hours laughing and joking with the others as she finally makes the conscious decision to get to know Paul's pack, to know the people she hadn't seen in over a decade and had always been separated due to age. Not once does she speak to Jacob nor Bella and she makes sure that the two of them are aware she's pissed. Not so much at Bella but she needed the brunette to think with a clear head. And her cousin, well picturing ripping him to shreds had slowly become her secondary form of distraction.

Soon though her internal clock chimes telling her it was time to go. So with a resigned sigh, she hugs Emmie-Jo close before handing her off to Paul. Her mate promised to patrol around the house that night with Sonny to make sure she was safe. And from the rich cadence of his voice - she trusted him.

After her goodbyes and before she can break through the barrier of the trees she feels a grip to her wrist, following the tanned arm her eyes land on Sam's stern face, his appearance causing an eyebrow to hitch slightly in question.

" Thank you for earlier. For, not saying anything to Bella. "

She hums deep in the back of her throat. " Look, I ain't happy that you destroyed another imprint. This time your own. But knowing the shit that girl has been through, I also know it isn't going to be an easy road for you and I do have a small shred of sympathy for you in that regard. But no matter my feelings, it wasn't my place. That is your bond, and some part of me is still Quileute thus binding me to the pack laws. "

She wasn't about to admit the whole alpha thing. She guessed that didn't sit well with him.

" Just take it easy with her okay. Cullen did a fucking number on her. Emotionally and mentally. "

He nods softly and releases his hold of her wrist as he brings a hand up to rub down his face. He was tired, she could see the emotions being screamed from every one of his pores. It was a strange sight to see on someone who she still hated, and yet could sympathise with. But her and Sam's history was something to think about another day. Not right now.

" Be safe Sky ! "

Surprise blooms over her features at Sam's words but she nods in gratitude. " I will. Just, look after them for me. "

His eyes regard her for a moment before he nods, the moment passing between them as a vow between brethren. That and she had a feeling Sam knew, if anything happened to Emmie-Jo or Paul, she'd raise fucking hell and kill everyone in her way. And that included the alpha before her.

Sighing quietly through her nose, she turns and disappears into the foliage, her face changing with each passing second. Gone was the easy-going girl that had been around the bonfire, now in its place stood a cold-hearted killer, a warrior trained for death.

She was ready for war.

- ʚɞ -

A growl rips its way out of her snout, drool dripping from her canines as lips peel back exposing every curve and edge of her dangerous teeth. The fur on her back matted with the blood that was still slowly seeping out of the wound she carried there. Her shoulder also looked off due to the dislocation a few hours ago - she'd have to rebreak it - and yet she was still standing. Albeit she was standing and in a shit load of pain, but it took more than what these shitheads had handed out to take her off her feet.

The deep gouge on her back she could just tell was going to end up scarring, the deepness of it due to a cheap shot from the panther shifter in front of her. It's feline eyes watching every move she made. It was almost ironic that the scents she had been hunting were from the fucking cats, it gave a whole new meaning to the saying 'fight like cats and dogs'.

And she finally understood the war she was waging. Given it wasn't just the panthers that were here, but also another wolf pack from down south that was trying to encroach on their territory. It was one of the oldest wars in shifter lore, the war for territory. And if they could knock off half the pack and hopefully the alpha, then the territory was theirs. It was almost like the vampire wars Peter had told her about, the only difference was in this case, there were bodies to be found afterwards. And families left with nothing but pain and loss.

She had heard it was done some time in the pack's history, her great grandfather being the alpha who led the last successful protection. But given the fucking run around they'd had so far, as well as Peter's warning. She really couldn't say if she thought this one would be successful or not.

She fucking hoped it was.

Her eyes slant briefly to the side as she sees Ryker's form slink from the shadows to stand beside her. Markus coming up on her left and doing the same. The panthers had been after her for a while, she guessed they'd figured she was the one hunting their scents. Or they were clued in that she was the alpha in waiting. But right now she wanted the fucking kitty in front of her for even daring to claw the shit out of her. She was in pain and she was tired, not the best outcome for most, but the best one to defeat the kitty.

" Easy boss, this bitch is sneaky. "

Her eyes roll briefly as she cuts an iridescent lupine gaze to Markus before levelling it back on the bitch in front of her. She would never be able to look at a house cat the same again, not unless it was a male one. Given she'd learnt in just the last few hours alone that feline shifters were primarily female.

" She might be. But she ain't me ! "

Wiping her mind completely, letting all of her thoughts completely drift away. She can hear her father's parting thought of encouragement, his pride filtering down the link and wrapping around her like a steel blanket. She wasn't afraid to admit that whenever her father told her that he was proud, she wished she could burst. She was a daddy's girl and it would always be that way.

But right now, she was out for blood.

Lowering down on her front legs, her head lowered with her snout to the ground as she stared straight forward. Her pack was like white noise in her head, her complete and utter focus being on the shifter in front of her. 'Remember you're a soldier too'. Peter's words ring out inside of her head like gospel. The words she was clinging to as she prepared her attack. She was the best tracker of the pack, but she was also a sneaky fighter. She never portrayed her moves, and it was rare someone could get a cheap shot on her. So the fact that 'kitty' had, meant she had some payback to deal out.

She sees it, a fraction of a second where the panther contorts before shifting into a leap, her huge frame meeting them halfway as her teeth sink into the flesh of the cat's shoulder. Crashing to the floor she throws the panther off to the side before starting a slow predatory walk. Her eyes not once leaving her intended target as she sees the panther struggle to rise, its black fur matting with blood as it works to fight through the wound she'd just given it.

A breath releases out the side of her mouth as she sees it move slower than it previously had. Her teeth having sliced deep and she fucking knew it for it was what she was aiming for. Behind her she could sense her packmates prowling, their eyes flickering from her to the surrounding area. Making sure no one got too close but leaving her space to deal with her kill.

She's quick, her frame a blur despite her size as the panther lunges once more, her haunches only just escaping the sharp claws aiming towards it. Her teeth snapping on nothing but air as she turned, a red haze clouded her vision as she waited for the opportune moment. One that the panther walked straight into.

Shifting low once more, she waits, letting the kitty think she was winning as the two lunged, clawed and bit with nothing but air as the reward. Yet, just as a howl breaks out across the air, the white and black wolf executes a well-placed lunge, her teeth sinking deep into the panther's neck and with a sharp tug, she hears the unmistakable sound of breaking bone. The panther in her lap grows limp as she drops it. Her eyes barely noticed as the animal form melted away to reveal the human that lived inside.

It was rather her than me, she thinks idly. This was war.

Her large form collapses as the weight of everything crashes into her. Her paws folded underneath her in a way that was clearly not plausible for such a huge animal. A nudge to her side has her eyes flicking over as she sees Markus standing beside her, Ryker flanking her too as the two wolves push their fallen sister back to their feet. Her form leaning against them as she once more fights through the pain making her head swim and to get back in the game.

They'd won a battle but the war was still raging.

She zones back into the pack mind, watching and observing as they all chatter, as her fellow brethren took off in different directions chasing both wolves and panthers. Through about thirty different sets of eyes, she watched the night bleed away into the early morning, each pair of eyes colouring the sky with different shades but together painted a glorious picture. But it wasn't the images she was cataloguing, it was the pack. She wanted to know who was still in the fight.

That was when it happened, darkness seeping in as a voice went quiet. Grief ripping its way through every member of the pack as they registered just what that meant. One of them was dead. Skylar's feet slip against the mud as she comes to a slow stop, her mind whirling as she works through everyone she was connected to, naming them, and as she registers the one she couldn't hear anymore, there was nothing she had ever felt that could top that.

A howl filled with sorrow, anger and pain rips its way free of her lips as she takes off, pushing her body in a burst of speed as she heads in the direction she had last seen the one that was now missing. She prayed, with every fucking molecule inside of her, that they'd just shifted back. And that was why they were silent, prayed that the pain had gotten too much and it forced the shift back to human skin. Prayed that they were okay, they fucking had to be okay.

Every nerve in her body was protesting the fast movements she was partaking in, her injured back and shoulder shooting pain across her body and making her head swim. Yet she never stopped running, she couldn't stop running. A part of her knew if she stopped, then it would just be worse. Everything would be worse. Yet it would never top what greeted her as she broke through the treeline, her paws skidding along the wet grass as she shifted back. Her human form collapsing to the green ground with a crash due to the crushing weight of the pain she was ignoring.

" DADDY ! "

She'd admit much later that she really did sound like a child that had gotten lost and simply wanted the one person who could chase the monsters away. She was a little girl who wanted her daddy. But instead, she was a little girl who watched the light fade from his eyes.

She wasn't a daughter or second in command no more, she was one pissed off alpha.

- ʚɞ -

A / N : Reviews are love and highly appreciated- So here comes the true drama they have to fight through. And don't worry, Sky's not going to be pushing Paul away. I promise. Instead, this should hopefully make them stronger.

So were you expecting that? I know a few of you were, as you kept messaging me and asking if she'd step up to Alpha. But did any of you expect it to be this way?