Guardian - 14. Chapter 14

The messenger stumbled into the house that his alpha owned, blood spilling from his still open wounds. He panted and gave a whimper when he heard the echo of footsteps walking down the spiral staircase. His eyes dared to look up at his alpha. Scott stood before the injured male, staring down at him.

“Alpha, he saw us coming, and he had the Jarkla on his back, we didn’t know how to react. He killed everyone but me. He’s moving the pack.” His words were breathless but Scott saw no need for urgency to get the subordinate help. He circled the bloody form, others eyeing their leader and the messenger.

“So you didn’t attack him because the Jarkla just happened to be on his back?” His tone was like venom, spat from his lips with a curl that sent shivers down the man’s spine. His eyes were glued to the ground where he saw Scott’s feet before him. “How disappointing,” Scott murmured. With fast reflexes, his calm face went into a snarling expression and his leg came up, slamming down on the injured wolf’s back. “YOU IMBECILE!” He exclaimed, receiving a yelping surprise from his subordinate. Continuously he kicked the man until he writhed beneath his boot.

“I-I’m sorry A-alpha!” the male stammered out, struggling to stay conscious.

“Oh I know you are!” Scott screamed at him, lifting his boot high before slamming it down on the man’s head, killing him with the blow. The others cowered before their ruthless leader as he glared at them, his eyes turning to a dark amber red. “I want him NOW! Every able body! I want my brother dead and the Jarkla! Hurt or not I want it now!” He stalked off, leaving the dead body of his subordinate as the others were quick to follow, few looking at their dead comrade. Scott had stalked out of his home, glaring straight ahead. He wasn’t going to let his brother take what was rightfully his. Smirking rather cruelly, he broke into a run and morphed in mid run, his large and sleek black wolf form landing and high tailing it to his brother’s territory. Following him, his pack morphed into their forms. They raced into the streets, running faster than most wolves. Leading them, Scott dwarfed all his subordinates. His sight was set on getting his brother and killing anyone that dared to get in his way. Jumping well over a few cars, he drifted to the shelter of the woods and continued on. He wouldn’t stop until he got there. It was becoming an all out war between the two brothers, and more was sure to follow.

*A few days earlier, back with Tristan*

Tristan walked into the living room after speaking to his father, Emily and James behind their eldest brother.

“I should stay behind,” James finally spoke, breaking the silence that fell. Tristan went to the kitchen to get some water, not answering just yet. Emily plopped herself down on the couch.

“You couldn’t last in battle anyway,” she muttered under her breath, earning a growl from James who even stuck his tongue out at her.

“Stop teasing him Em. It’s not a bad idea. Father and I can lead the party. Besides Em, you should also stay behind.” His sister frowned and folded her arms.

“That’s not fun. Why do I have to stay with party pooper?” James scoffed and grabbed the glass he’d left on the coffee table.

“It’s our responsibility to stay here with the others Emily. Hasn’t Mother told you that?” Emily kicked her foot out just to knock the glass in James’ hand, making him pour it all over himself. Tristan gave a sigh, watching his younger brother tackle their sister down as both morphed and began fighting. It was hardly bloody since neither of them where really biting each other hard. Gareth walked in seeing the two wrestling and looked up to see Tristan just watching, sipping his water. Tristan looked back at his father.

“Emily kicked his glass.” Gareth gave a soft chuckled sigh and walked over to stand over the two, both stopping to look up at their father. Morphing back, little pink marks over their nude bodies to show their bites on each other.

“When will you two grow up?” Gareth asked his pups. James folded his arms, as did Emily as she included her tongue in the picture, sticking it out at him. “And Tristan, you just enjoy watching it don’t you.” Tristan gave a hidden smile to his father.

“I can’t help it. It is funny to watch.” The elder alpha gave a shake of his head and sighed.

“You kids…come now. Let’s gather the group we’re taking then. We are travelling light and in our wolven forms.” Tristan placed his glass down, following his father out of the house as Emily and James continued to bicker.

“Father, James had vouched to stay behind. I think Emily should too, with Mother of course.” Gareth looked to his son, seeing the hidden reason on why Tristan would suggest it.

“Are you afraid of dying son?” It was an odd question, but one Tristan knew he was going to be asked sooner or later.

“No, but I’m afraid for Gabriel.” Gareth studied his son; their movements forward had stopped when the conversation had continued to that point.

“I can’t help but wonder, if Gabriel is what Orion needs to see the world as we do.” Gareth watched the features of his son’s expression change from worried to furious.

“You can’t honestly think that can you Father? Orion is just as ruthless as his brother in the Moon Pack.” Gareth held his hand up, silencing his son.

“When we get there, I do not want to start a war. We will see with our own eyes if perhaps it’s different. You are never too old to change my son. Remember that.” Tristan shut his mouth before more words came out that he would regret later. Bowing his head he replied.

“Yes Father. I will remember.” Gareth rested his hand on his son’s shoulder.

“I know you will. Come, let’s begin.” Tristan followed his father to the members of the pack’s houses, gathering the warriors that would accompany them to Orion’s territory. Getting a good majority of the pack, Gareth morphed into his large rusted red and white form. Tristan followed suit as did the others. Still being dwarfed by his father, Tristan had no white on his fur but was the second largest out of all the others. Letting a howl escape his muzzle, Gareth called for the trip to start, all joining in as they ran off.

The pack moved mostly during the night, travelling and taking back roads to stay away from main inhabited places. Gareth led the pack swiftly, only stopping for a few hours rest and food. Hunting was abundant until their crossed over through Idaho’s borders. Gareth knew they were going to be hitting farm lands and needed to be sure to keep his pack orderly. It took about four days to get near Orion’s borders, but something wasn’t right. Gareth warned his pack as they entered the territory to stay hidden. Tristan took in the scent, noticing that it was stale and old. Orion hadn’t marked his territory lately. Once they hit the barn, things grew all too eerie. With the almost full moon in the sky, it lit up the grass surrounding the barn. Gareth’s keen eyes looked around, seeing nothing and not even hearing the nestled grunts of sleeping pups. He knew Orion had pups in his pack after seeing the pregnant females about a year prior. Turning to his son, he opened his maw to say something but suddenly figures jumped from the shadows and snarls entered the sky.

Scott, having found his brother’s territory truly abandoned like the messenger had said, could smell the scent of Gareth as the winds changed. Knowing he could get rid of another alpha who probably sought his Jarkla, he laid low with his pack and waited for them to come. When he saw the larger alpha come, he could already feel the victory when Gareth’s neck was exposed with the head turn; it was that moment he attacked.

Gareth was quick to react, though Scott had gotten his neck and tore at the skin there. The battle began and ruthlessly Scott’s followers slammed and slashed at the warriors of Gareth’s pack. Tristan was quick to tackle down another wolf that was going to attack his father from behind while he scrimmaged with Scott. Were they waiting for them? Tristan yelped when he was tackled by two others. They were completely outnumbered! Tristan looked to his father, seeing the older alpha struggle against the quick footed Scott who bounded around him, snapping and biting the male’s legs. Tristan was angered and moved to attack the other alpha but once again was trapped by three others. All around him the dying cries of the pack rose to the moon that soon cried over the loss of her children. The cry that made Tristan’s whole body snap was when he heard the gurgling yelp from his father. After dropping the three around him, he saw Scott standing over his father’s body, blood coating his muzzle. His eyes widen as he looked at the dead form of his father. Everything around him was slowing and Scott’s eyes bore into his mind. He gave a howling cry to retreat. Turning and scampering off as quickly as he could, he only turned back to see two others following him. Out of the twenty or so that came, there were only three survivors.

Scott stood over the dead body of Gareth, smirking at the three figures running through the grass. Before his pack could follow, he gave a snarl.

“Forget them! We head south now to Arizona!” He bounded off the body and raced in the direction toward Arizona.

Gabriel had been sleeping and gasped as he shot up in the bed in a sweat. His hand went to his chest as he gave a soft whimper. He looked around, not seeing Orion at all. He got out of the bed and walked into the bathroom, turning on the light and walking to the sink. His hair was matted with sweat and his face was slightly red. He frowned and bent down, turning on the faucet and splashing some water on his face. He looked back up after wiping his face and stopped when he saw red marks all over his body.

“What the…” He placed his fingers gently on them and looked at the forms, most looking like bite marks and scratches. He felt panic rising as he bolted out of the bathroom and out of the bedroom. The house was empty when he went in search of Orion. Why? Well he wanted help. Despite how he slightly despised the man, he knew he gave him straight answers. He searched the whole house and saw no one. Walking out, he peered around and wrapped his arms around himself. Where was everyone? When he felt hot breath on his neck, he turned slowly then gave a yelp. A dark brown wolf was right behind him. It tilted its head at him and was almost as big as Orion’s form. He looked up at the moon, seeing only a smidge of it still dark. Tomorrow had to be a full moon. He backed away from the wolf and felt him stop when he felt fur against his back. He looked up at the face of Orion’s wolf form. He turned and gripped the fur of the alpha, Orion leaning down and giving a lick on the teen’s shoulder. Orion even noticed the soft pink hues on the boy’s skin and slowly morphed. Gabriel’s hands moved away when the wolf changed to a man. Orion’s fingers touched Gabriel’s markings and he narrowed his eyes at them.

“Your guardian was in a battle,” he murmured to the teen. Gabriel brought his hand up to his shoulder, trying not to look below Orion’s waist.

“Is that what these markings are?” Gabriel whispered. Orion turned him around to look at the different bites and scratch marks on the boy’s skin.

“Yes. Even with a small bond every time he’s wounded, your body will show it. Comes in handy actually when you need to know where he’s hurt. You can’t die however even if he’s killed. Granted you’ll feel it but that’s about it.” Gabriel turned when Orion said that, glaring at the man. To keep the boy from running off he grabbed Gabriel’s arm. “I’m just making a statement, not saying I’m going to do anything. Why don’t you go take a shower and go back to bed?” Gabriel’s arms folded and he stood there. Orion raised a brow at him then pointed behind the boy. “That’s Tasha by the way.” Gabriel turned to see Tasha in her wolf form sitting there. Beside her, two others walked in and then sat beside her. “And that’s Jason on the left, Jake on the right.” Jason had a white spot right above his left eye while Jake had a white soul patch on his chin. Both had dark fur like Orion, minus the grey streaks on the tip of his fur. Gabriel turned back around, staring up at the man.

“Can’t you just come up?” Orion raised a curious brow.

“Gabe, it’s almost a full moon and I’m restless. Besides, I thought you hated when I slept with you,” he said, wondering if Gabriel was going through one of his weird phases or he actually missed him being next to him.

“.I hated when you didn’t let me leave the bed.” Orion’s arms folded, looking at the teen. Gabriel felt his face getting hot. “Can I just stay up then?” Orion gave a chuckle.

“If you want to.” Orion ended the conversation by morphing again, walking over and being greeted by the three. Gabriel watched as he noticed more showing up in the back yard, all in their forms. He frowned and sat down on one of the lawn chairs, watching as Jason and Jake wagged their tails and began to play with Orion who had no problem complying with his sons. In the cool desert air, Gabriel watched the pack mingle, the pups from Orion’s play with the others in Tasha’s pack. He observed how Tasha would lower herself to Orion and even slowly her wolf form began to grow smaller with each bow she took to him. What exactly was happening?

After a few hours of watching the wolves, Gabriel had fallen asleep on the lawn chair. Orion noticed the sleeping form and walked over, lying down beside it and resting his head on the boy’s lap. He felt him move just a bit, his hand moving to rest on top of his muzzle, the fingers scratching his fur there. Seeing a smile form on Gabriel’s lips, he couldn’t help but smile himself. Tasha, Jason and Jake joined their new alpha beside the Jarkla, all four resting and calling it a night as sleep pulled them away from the living.