Maya's Point of View.

So far things are going pretty well, with the information I've gathered the pack leadership seems to have relaxed. Thank Goddess, because the fact I was the cause and reason for their stress only made me stress more… it's a vicious cycle that had – for now come to an end. It is currently 9 o'clock and Josh was running patrols with a few warriors and Lucas, I'm thinking Jax wanted to go out for a run. Farkle had finished setting up the sensors around 5 miles out, we didn't have time to wait for the more expensive ones to come in that he had ordered so we worked with what we had.

It's been one week since I had my vision and we've all been training non-stop. Like, really non-stop. I love training with my man, I love when he's on top of me all hot and sweaty but damn it I get tired too. I'm able to hold my own with him for roughly 14 minutes before he pins me and I'm tapping out. Granted, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't tap out with my father. I would take the pain just so he knows I won't submit. Amber growls lowly, 'he should be kissing our feet and begging for forgiveness'

'He won't get forgiveness. Don't get your fur in a knot, that's not going to happen.'

She both agrees and growls with my statement but I end up blocking her out. "Good evening Luna."

Amber's in her cage, ready to pounce with the squeaky voice we just heard. "Katie." I grunt out, in my defense I truly tried to keep my voice even and polite but I have a feeling that didn't work. "What can I do for you?"

I feel her stand beside me, her eyes boring into the side of my face as I continue to cook my tilapia and veggies. YUM! "I was just curious, the entire pack besides pups have been training like crazy here lately. Is everything okay?"

Dropping my spatula, my head is furiously thrown towards her. "I do believe we already gave you and the entire pack our reasoning. Is there a reason you don't trust us Katie?" I growl out, my power unknowingly pushing off of me. "Do you have a problem trusting your leadership?" The fact she's having to remind herself to submit is another sign her loyalties don't lie with us.

However, survival instincts are always there. A more powerful wolf is questioning you, so she cowers down. "No Luna."

"I believe you know that I died once already because of my father's hands, we declared war. We have no idea when he's going to attack but we aren't going to just sit here and wait we will be prepared." Flipping my focus back to my food, because we can't let anything ruin that, I continue – I have to make this convincing. "He abused my mother and myself for years Katie. He doesn't love, he doesn't follow through with any promises, I'd be surprised if he actually does hand me over to Alpha Thomas. At least not before he deals out the appropriate punishment." I stare at her directly into her orbs, "He's sneaky. He gets what he wants, no matter the consequences or who has helped him. And he wants me."

I'm knowingly scaring the shit out of her.

But, that's what I want.

She needs to be scared. She got into bed with the wrong wolf and she's going to pay for it later. If not from us then from him, "But safety first. I couldn't live with myself if we didn't do something to help the pack." I explain, my tone going back to cheerful and light. "I'm sorry about that. My wolf and I, our father is a sensitive subject. We can't wait to tear into his flesh." I knowingly flash her my canines, hurriedly she bows and I hear the faint slam of the front door before I start to laugh.

Pulling out a plate, I hear light clapping from the hall. "You can be utterly terrifying even while smiling."

I glare at my mate before taking a bite of tilapia, stifling a moan in the process. "Well if she wasn't scared of myself or my father before she spoke with me, she is now. And rightfully so. One of us is going to kill her and she knows it."

Lifting me off of the chair, he sets me in his lap before taking my fork away. Bringing it to my plate, he cuts off a bit of the meat and places it at my lips. I wrap my mouth around the warm metal and sigh in content. "I haven't fed you in a while my Luna. I've been a terrible mate and I am sorry."

"You've been a wonderful mate." I retort while he rests a carrot at my lips. "And it's not like we have a lot of time to spoil one another. But as soon as this war is over –

"I will spoil you like the queen you are." Smiling I press my lips to his, my fingers raking through his long locks. "Now eat, and we'll go to bed. I figured tomorrow we'd train in our wolves."

"Got it coach." I retort and take another bite of tilapia.

15 minutes later, my belly is full, my mate is carrying me to bed. His scent enveloping me, his touch comforting me and his heart beat lulling me to sleep. Snuggling into his embrace I sigh in complete content at the position I am in. "Goodnight baby girl. Sweet dreams."

I feel his lips press against my temple before muttering a goodnight.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGWMGMW

"PINNED YOU AGAIN! ALPHA!" I smile widely as I roll off and lay beside him on the grass. My chest heaving as I try to regain my breath.

He smiles, taking my hand in his he gently presses my knuckles against his lips. "Only took 22 minutes of fighting." My mate chuckles, even covered in bruises and blood he's sexy. "Let's get you cleaned up baby girl, I did a number on you today."

Ass.

Sighing I stand up and wrap my arms around his waist. "Josh." He hums, his fingers running through my hair. He loves doing that, "Do you think I can beat my father?"

I figured he'd tense up or freeze, or get nervous but he continues petting me and even kisses my head. Odd, but I'll definitely take it. "I know you can Maya. I know you can beat your father, and when you do we'll take your pack back and we can live our lives normally baby girl. You'll be carrying my pups soon." His hand runs over my stomach and sighs in happiness, "You'll be an amazing mother."

I can't lie and say that it doesn't sound incredible to carry his pups. Even though we are only 18, it doesn't really matter. Mates are for life, and our wolves seriously live to breed. We are more than anxious for it, "You'll be an amazing dad." Standing up on my tip toes I peck his lips and saunter inside.

Well I'm about to go inside but I catch notice of Riley training… well she's extremely frustrated right now and I hate that for her. She's not a fighter, but she's going to have to get over that. We need all hands on deck, quickly changing direction I meander towards her. She looks cute, I'll give her that. Matching spandex and top with her hair in a cute top bun. We need to fix that, "Lucas let me in. You're going too easy." She had barely broken a sweat and my white tee shirt was practically see through. It's freaking humid out here.

He stifles a growl, he knows I'm right. But doing what I asked he steps aside and I get into the round circle. "You look beautiful Riley."

Her smile widens, matching mine. "Thanks Maya."

"You shouldn't look beautiful right now, do you know that?" Her eyes widen, and her face pales while my smile falls. "I know your limits Riley. I will stop if I think you can't handle it, let your wolf loose and get dirty."

Sprinting full force towards her, I tackle her tiny frame to the ground. Before I can get in position to throw a punch she barrel rolls away and stands back up on her feet. "Good job. You're tiny so you used your size to your advantage." Taking a few steps towards her she beams proudly from my compliment, "There's one problem." Sweeping her feet out from underneath her, I hear her back making contact with the ground. "You keep attacking. Don't give them a chance to get back up. You'll use your speed Riles. You snap a neck the second you can, if you would have rolled and jumped on top of me – I would be gone."

I stick my hand out to help her and she takes it… have I taught her nothing. Lifting her up, I push her back down. She glares at me, "Come on Riley you know better than to take the hand of an enemy."

Taking a few steps back, Riley stands back up. Dirt covering her back, I can't help but smirk when I see her red tinted face. "I thought you were my friend."

"Hey Jexica." Good, I wanted her wolf to come out. "No I was never your friend. I was always having to protect Riley because you were too weak do it yourself."

Jexica growls, along with her mate. I stand there with a smirk on my face as she begins to shake. "You're lying!"

"AM I?! HOW MANY LASHES HAVE I TAKEN BECAUSE YOU WERE GETTING PICKED ON AND DIDN'T DO A DAMN THING TO STOP IT!" Dirt kicks up from behind me as I sprint her direction, lowering myself into a tackling position she takes the blunt force but elbows me in my temple. "There you go, get mad Jexica! Actually do something for once!"

Her arm is thrown towards my face, catching it in my hand I debate ending it now. But, I want her to boost her confidence. Getting her feet underneath me, I'm thrown a few feet back. This time she's already heading my direction before I am on my feet. "Fast learner." Throwing a right hook I make contact with her cheek. Her face snapping back towards mine almost instantly. My hand grips her throat, as I'm lifting her in the air to throw her on the ground she kicks me in the face. I don't loosen my grip but I start to laugh, licking the blood off of my lip.

Lowering her back down, her feet touching the ground I smile proudly at her. "When you're grabbed by the throat, take your right arm and wrap it around the junction of my forearm and bicep and take your body with it." She furrows her brows but does as I say, "use the speed and momentum and put your elbow in the attackers chin. Over and over again until you can get free."

She nods and stares at me, her eyes reflecting so much pain. "Was what you said true?"

I shake my head and pull her in for a hug. "I love you more than life itself Riley. Almost as much as Josh, I would go through all of that again. I would go through every lash, starving day and punishment just so I could meet you." Her amber orbs flicker back to her chocolate brown before embracing me in a hug. "I love you Riles, you and Jexica. I am so sorry that you're having to learn how to fight and that I hurt you but I need you to train. You may not have to worry about it because you'll be in the safe room but if anything were to happen to you – just please for me throw everything you have into this training."

She sobs into my shoulder for a few minutes, when I open my eyes Josh and Lucas are staring at us with smiles on their faces. "Lucas, push her." That's all I say before pulling away and sauntering inside without waiting for Josh. Guilt is starting to eat me alive.

4 days.

That's how long I have till they attack.

4 short days. I'm putting everyone in so much danger. "Stop."

Spinning around towards the pack house entrance Josh stands there with his arms crossed. "Stop what?"

He shakes his head and crosses his arms. "You forget to put your wall up."

"Well I have so many. One for you, one for the pack, one for my –"I trail off knowing he knows what I'm talking about.

He growls lowly, "Stop blaming yourself. It isn't your fault that we are in this mess, it is your father's and the obsessive Alpha Thomas. They want you, you didn't ask for this. They attacked us first, successfully killing you in the process so stop blaming yourself. Me, and the entire pack will and would stand by you through any war that involves you. You are my mate, you are our Luna and the best thing to ever happen to me. Yes, we are going to war. Yes, we are going to lose some lives but I will not just hand you over. So if not go to war for you, what would you have me do?"

His words hit home, a reality I didn't want to face. There is no negotiating, there's no treaty to be had. It's either Josh dies and I get taken away – if I don't die in the process, or my father dies and quite possibly Alpha Thomas. This really is the only way. His calloused hands cup my face, forcing me to stare into his eyes. They exude so much safety, he is my safe place in this world. With all this shit going on, all I have to do is stare into his eyes and I'm home, I'm safe. "I love you Maya." Resting his head against mine he sighs in complete and utter content. "We will do this with as little lives lost as possible. That's why we're training."

I nod and peck his lips. "I love you too Josh. I think I want to go for a run."

Smiling he takes my hand and leads us towards the door. I give him a sympathetic look, his shoulders drop and he opens the door. "I'll be waiting for you when you come back beautiful. Please don't be gone long."

I kiss him again, Amber feeling the need to have him a little closer. Our tongues dancing together as my fingers grip his hair. He groans into the kiss and makes an effort to close the door but I stop him with a smile. "I'll be back."

Scurrying behind a tree I shift into my wolf after stripping my clothes. We start off slow and trot Goddess only knows where. I know that this will probably be the last time I can actually run before the fight. I know Amber will need to rest.

'I'm fine. You underestimate me.'

'Sorry I care.'

Huffing we take off into a jog, the pads of our paws hitting the forest floor. Leaping carelessly over logs, I find myself heading towards the open field where Josh took us on our first date. The grass is to the middle of our legs, the sun beaming brightly on our fur that the wind is rustling. A butterfly lands on our nose, the little feelers tickling our snout. Sneezing from the feeling, the beautiful yellow wings flutter and take off to their next adventure. It would be really cool to fly.

'You can turn into a wolf, I think we're plenty cool.'

'So sassy today.'

She snorts and lies on her back so she can sunbathe. Right when I feel us dozing off I feel someone pushing at my mind block. Letting it down, John the previous Beta invades my mind. 'I just tripped past a sensor. False alarm, sorry leadership.'

Amber growls, we don't like that. Why would he be that close to the sensors that are 5 miles out from our territory? Standing on our paws, I open my link to Josh. 'You hear John?'

'Yeah, we're going to investigate. I don't trust him. Go back to the pack house beautiful just in case, I'll meet you there.'

After reluctantly agreeing we stretch out our back legs, our chest hoisting towards the sky. That's when I hear the breaking of leaves. Before I can even turn around to investigate the noise I'm tackled to the ground. My teeth instantly sink into a paw and I'm bucking off the wolf. I don't smell anything.

Shit.

Masking spray.

'Amber. Kill.'

'With pleasure.'

Standing back up she sprints towards the wolf. Our head connecting to the center of his stomach, a light crack is heard in the process. Swiping her paw across his muzzle, we feel another wolf tackling into our side. Another crack resounding in the process. Amber stands up as if we didn't just crack a rib, spit and blood dripping from her canines as she snarls at the intruders. I recognize these wolves, from the rescue mission. Amber releases a wolfy smile, she's showing them her intentions. They flash their sharp teeth our direction, she cocks her head to the side to further piss them off.

'Quit playing. There's gotta be more coming.'

She huffs and takes off into a full sprint towards one wolf before switching her victim to the sandy blonde. Rolling several yards backward, our teeth sink into his neck feeling the blood saturate our taste buds. She growls menacingly when we hear the other wolf behind us ready to attack. Swinging the body behind us it lands on top of the other wolf, both whimpering in the process. "Well, well, well my daughter has definitely gotten stronger."

Growling, I snap my head in the direction of the voice.

My father's voice.

"I knew it was you Maya. Only you would use sedatives, you'd hate to tarnish your reputation when you thought you'd foolishly challenge me." Amber barks and growls menacingly. Foolish my ass, natural instinct has us circling our prey. That's when more wolves break out from the forest, our heart beat races but we continue to eye the leader. Once we take them out we have the power.

How did so many get onto our land.

"Now, we must hurry. Alpha Thomas seems to be struggling with that pathetic excuse of an Alpha. Stupid pup." I feel the dirt underneath my claws, launching myself towards our father. How dare he insult our mate?

Before I reach him I'm hit in the neck with a dart. It has me dropping to the ground.

'Amber get up. Mate's in trouble.'

She stands back up on her paws at the sound of her mate. Our teeth snapping in the direction of Kermit, everything is starting to become hazy and I can feel Amber drifting off into my conscious, she can't hold on. "Wow, haven't had to use more than 1 wolfsbane sedative in at least 30 years. Alpha Thomas, your betrothed will be proud." His fingers gesture for someone else to shoot again, my teeth nip his finger at the last minute, I smile at the taste of his blood before he backhands me.

'Josh'

'Maya, baby girl, we're coming! I have my warriors we're coming. Please hold on, don't leave me baby girl.'

'It's Kermit.'

'I know baby girl, we captured Thomas. I'm on my way.'

'I love you.'

'NO! Don't you do that! Don't, you fight! Do you understand me?! YOU FIGHT!'

Opening my eyes, everything is hazy and I'm incredibly dizzy. "Don't worry, there's not enough wolfsbane to hurt you. Just to sedate you and your wolf."

"I'm-"I start to cough, I didn't even realize I had shifted. "I'm going to kill you, I will love every minute of it." With every bit of strength left in me, I elongate my claws and swipe his face a wide smirk covering my face. "Fuck. You."

He growls, his fist connecting to my face, effectively knocking me unconscious.

GMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMWGMW

So… that happened.

I'm going to go hide now.

Thanks guys!