Savior of the Wolves

Emma’s POV continued

And I had seen what I needed to know. Jess’s thoughts were an open book to me now, but I no longer wanted to see the pain that was there. The memories would soon come rushing back to her also. I was devastated for myself and for this dear girl that lost her mother.

I finally knew what had happened to my dear friend and I began to sob.

My hands were covering my mouth as Ethan moved closer to cradle me, “What is it, Emma?” he begged.

All I could think about was Lilly. She was my dearest friend. Only her death would have separated us, and I never knew what happened. I could see now why no one could ever tell me. The only people that knew died that day.

I had heard that her mate sacrificed himself to save her and their pack from one of the bloodiest scourge attacks in history. Now I also knew that her daughter was a survivor because of her mother’s sacrifice.

Jess’s eyes opened and looked right at me, tears streaming down her face as the memories that had been sealed came flooding back in. “Did you know my mom?” she asked.

I couldn’t speak. My tears soaked my cheeks as I held out my arms to her, nodding my head. I held her and she felt so much like my old friend.

I felt a hand on my back, “We need to get inside. It’s not safe here,” Ethan urged.

“Yes, and as quickly as possible,” I added. I took Jess’s hand and began to walk toward the door as I began to explain, “Your mother controlled time and the spell’s release is delayed, you may shift any minute. The scourges will definitely be coming now.”

“We knew that right?” Jess asked with some confusion. The witches already told us that the release of the black magic would serve as a beacon to them. All of our safety measures were in place for just that.

But now, without a mate, they’ll be coming to kill her.

I let my thoughts drift for just a second. I saw my dear friend’s fear as her life was taken from her. I was distracted when I heard Ethan growl.

He had shifted before I realized that in the distance, sounds were coming right this way.

Every wolf in our group followed their Alpha and shifted.

“Stay beside me,” I instructed Jess as I shifted and took my place by my mate. He held my glance as he often did.

Ethan looked back at the pack just before stepping out in front of us. His expression was confusing as he looked back ahead at the scourges running straight towards us, their teeth making an eerie slicing noise.

I hesitated but knew it was the right thing to do, “Let the boys loose, we’re being attacked,” I linked to the wolves that were holding my sons.

I could sense that Ethan was unstable. He had been absorbing power for a while now and hadn’t released it. I knew when he looked back at me, he didn’t have to tell me to prepare myself. His eyes were still completely white.

He stepped forward and lowered his head. His wolf glared at our enemies as the energy shot out of him like an explosion as every scourge fell to the ground.

I had to bite at two younger wolves who almost stepped in front of him. They could’ve been killed. Why didn’t he give the pack a warning?

I of course knew what he was doing, but most of the younger wolves couldn’t have known what to expect. They had never fought alongside him before.

Maybe it was the power he had contained.

As the scourges fell and instantly vanished like dust in the wind, more sounds could be heard in the distance.

“Where were the boys?” I thought. “And why hadn’t other wolves joined the fight?”

I looked toward Ethan who was staring at me, then his eyes deepened into shock.

I was in shock as he began to run toward the house, shifting back to human form just before reaching the door.

“Get inside!” He yelled.

Wolves began to shift while running for the door. “Why didn’t you answer me?” “Where’s everyone at?” The questions continued as the door slammed behind us.

Ethan turned with a force, glaring at the two young wolves who were almost killed by his surge of power. “Why the hell didn’t you listen when I commanded that you all stay behind me?”

The youngest one, took a step back with fear as the older one cleared his throat, afraid to speak his truth, “Alpha, we never heard your command.”

“You have to pay attention. Do you realize what I could’ve done to you?” Ethan stormed.

I saw the confusion on the boys’ faces and remembered some of the talks with Aiden about attacks killing groups that shouldn’t have been so easily defeated. I began to look around, “Where are our boys? I told them to be released a long time ago.” My eyes widened, “Jeb, run to the dungeon and see why they didn’t release Aiden and Josh. Quickly.”

“Ethan,” I said with some hesitation at my speculation, “I don’t think they heard you. What other commands did you give out there?”

He looked at the boys then back at me. His voice lowered, “Did you hear me call more wolves out?”

I began shaking my head slowly, “No. I didn’t hear a word.”

We stopped, staring with wide eyes at each other, “They’re preventing our links!” I growled.

Ethan began to give instructions with military precision. It felt like we were going back to the basics as the pack began to shift back to their wolves and howled loudly for those who hadn’t yet congregated with the group.

More of the pack arrived as Ethan told them what we knew.

Somehow...the scourges were preventing our links. We had to have our plans before we ever shifted to our wolves again.

“Jess, you need to get downstairs with Sophie, now,” Ethan warned.