Skye's POV

Walking down the street of the town, my mind wandered through a lot of things. The death of my father and Natasha leaving for New York a few weeks ago and I couldn't get it off my mind. Maybe Natasha leaving for New York was a good thing. At least I'll get to concentrate on things like my role as the Alpha since the passing away of Father. Father's death had occurred right after he banished Andrew from the pack. Andrew was my best friend but still yet betrayed the pack. His loyalty was to someone else whom we did not know. Andrew joined the rogue pack and it looked like he was the leader of the pack. Since then, the rogue pack has made us know no peace. They were quite undefeatable. My mind wandered off course, going into the long hatred between my pack and the crescents.

Centuries ago, the son of a blood moon alpha was trying to take advantage of a girl from the crescent pack in a drunken state. The said girl already had a mate and in an attempt to save her, her mate ended up murdering the blood moon. Ever since then we've been on hate with the crescents. This happened centuries ago and I still wondered why it hasn't been resolved. The people to which the event happened to were long gone but still, the hatred spread through their generations like wildfire. At least for me, I wouldn't want to have anything to do with a crescent especially not after the death of my mother. I also have a grudge against the crescent. There was no need resolving the enmity. ••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

Ava's POV.

The scorching sun blazed from the sky onto my back. It was blinding as I shielded my eyes with my hand heading towards the river. Fernandez grinned when he laid his eyes on me. "The mighty warrior has been defeated by the sun." he teased. I rolled my eyes at him. Not only was Fernandez my opponent on the training field, but he was also my best friend. "I must tell you my good friend, the weather in time of history, has not been said to be battled with, "I said taking off my shirt and leaving with a tan top. I saw his eyes travel down my body and I could swear he had eyes on me. "You're looking too intensely at me Fernandez," I said as a matter of fact. "Hell no," he laughed uneasily. "I do as much love my head on my body." A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. "Scared of my uncle uh?"I asked. "Beta Phil?" he asked raising a brow. "Far from that," he said and I dived into the water. I swam towards him feeling the water soothe my skin. "Then who?"I asked, a few inches from where he was. "You," he said plainly. I raised a brow in curiosity. "Me?" He nodded. "It will take not less than a second for you to behead me." He said throwing me into peals of laughter. "You're such a coward," I said splashing him with some water in the process and he chuckled.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Seated side by side at the bank of the river, we watched the sunset. The atmosphere was still between us until he broke the silence. "How do you want to meet your mate?" he asked.

The question threw me off guard as I looked at him. "What do you mean?"I asked.

"Your mate, Ava, have you met him?" he asked. I was still dumbfounded by the question. Honestly, I haven't thought of that since I turned a teenager. My life has been filled with anger, war, and vengeance that I haven't given my girlish fantasy a thought anymore.

I shook my head. "Haven't met him and I don't think I would," I said.

"Why do you say so?" he questioned. It was very simple. I don't think I'll ever have a mate. I just did not have the time for such things and besides, no one from my pack interests me.

"It's obvious. If I was to meet him, I should have a long time ago. Besides, I really don't have the luxury of time to spare for someone that barely exists." I said.

He objected. "How would you know that?"

"Not everyone gets a mate, Fernandez."I pointed out flatly.

"Everyone has a mate, it just takes some time to find one," he said. I shook my head in disagreement. "Not everyone gets a mate, not at all. Take uncle Phil for example, he has been alone all the years I've known him." "Maybe you don't know much about him," he said.

"I do,"I argued.

"You think you do but you don't," he argued with reasoning. "That could be one thing you don't know about him and he doesn't want to discuss it," he said.

"All I know is I've got no mate in this universe," I said standing firm on my previous statement. "Well I can't say," he shrugged. "All I know is, he's gonna be one hell of a lucky guy," he said. I gave him a playful punch on his biceps and chuckled. "You teaser." He laughed. "I'm serious, Ava," he said.

"Tell me, why all these questions? have you found your mate?"I asked.

He looked over at me and smiled. "Ayy, I think I might be in love," he said. I laughed. "Are you serious?" He nodded still smiling. "Who the bloody hell is that girl who wants to take my best friend away from me? Is she in this pack?"I asked.

"Yes," he said rising to his feet. "I better get going now. We'll meet tomorrow," he said.

I held him back. "Hell no. You're going nowhere till you tell me who this love of yours is." He laughed walking away and pulling me along. "It's a mystery."

"I wanna know this mystery love of yours, "I said not giving up. He stopped in his tracks. "Alright," he said giving up. "I'll tell you soon enough I promise," he said. "On your word Fernandez, "I said and he nodded. "On my word."

Ava's POV

The next morning, Fernandez and I trained together.

Swords clashing against each other.

"You've gotten better, "I said jeering at him.

"I must say,training with her Queen has definitely rubbed off qualities,"he said grinning and swinging his sword side to side.

He swung his sword to my waistline and I jabbed him in his ribs with my elbow.

"Still not as good as me."I grinned as he held his side in a mocking defeat and suddenly charged toward me.

I missed the slash of his sword by the tiniest chance.

The bloody hell of a friend almost had me wounded.

"Swords up!"uncle Phil's voice rang out in the field as every person lowered their swords.

I gave Fernandez a hard glare and he smirked. I felt my cheek, what if the bastard had given me a cut?

"I'll so get you,"I said through gritted teeth.

He rolled his eyes, the smirk still plastered on his face.

Uncle cleared his throat. "News has come to me that a few members of the blood moon pack have been spotted behind the river bank. It's time we do to those rascals what they did to us all those years back," he said.

"We are done hiding.

The crescent pack is fearless enough to take out the blood moon."he added.

At the mention of the blood moon pack, my blood ran hot. The urge to kill went through my head,my hand tightened around the hilt of my sword.

I turned from the pack walking towards the direction of the river.

"Ava."uncle's voice sounded very condescending stopping me in my tracks.

I turned to look at him and he saw the raw passion to kill in my eyes.

I was sure he also could see that fire that burnt down our house ten years ago. He felt my pain too, more than anyone.

"We strike at sunset," he said.

••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

The wind rustled through the tree branches and whistled in the air. The pale orange sky is a reminder of the sun at it horizon.

Stealthily, I and the few warriors of the pack crept through the woods. My sword was stashed at my back.

A wolf was sighted and I could smell him out as a blood moon. Before I could give the signal 'go' Fernandez charged towards the wolf slaughtering it with his sword and its whines and howls echoed through the forest.

"Damn you, Fernandez,"I muttered under my breath.

Out of nowhere, blood moon wolves charged towards us from every corner of the woods.

They attacked and the pack followed up with a defense, protecting themselves and their new land.

My wolf was struggling to be released to tear every piece of these barbarians but I kept her in.

In all my years of fighting, I had never transformed. This,uncle warned me about and I paid heed to.

With my sword unsheathed and in my hand I sprung towards them slashing every bloody blood moon wolf I came across.

Blood dripped from my sword. Blood of fallen wolves. We had executed some of the blood moons but still a few of the blood moon wolves managed to escape and retreated.

"One down! One down!"I heard Fernandez repeatedly say.

I ran towards the scene and saw a member of the pack with a bad cut on her rib. She was in her wolf form. She whined and howled.

"Take her to the camp now!"I ordered and she was immediately carried away.

Uncle Phil came hurriedly for me. "Are you okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "They'll be back for retaliation," I said looking at the far end of the forest.

"And as long as you still remain in this pack,we'll be ready for them," he said in a definite tone.

Skye's POV

The moonlight made it way down the forest. It tricky light gesturing on the pane of the roof.

Beta Robin barged into the house panting like he ran a race.

I turned my back from the window,not before noticing the thunder that rumbled in the sky accompanied by a flash of lightning.

"We've been attacked by the crescent pack," he said in one breath. My eyes widened in surprise.

"How?"I questioned. I've heard tales about the crescent and the wars they've won and usually wondered how they got tough but definitely didn't think they'll be stronger or out best us.

"We went out to take a look over the territory and noticed on the other side of the river,other wolves had moved in."

My brows furrowed in annoyance.

An inferior pack could never defeat the blood moon pack. It was unheard in centuries.

I had ensured our parts do not cross to avoid another battle between us,but no,they had to prove they were crescents and now they have stepped on the tail of a blood wolf and will pay.

"Ready the best of the warriors, we attack the crescents tonight, "I said in an authoritative voice that has made me alpha of the pack for three years since the passing away of my father.

Robin give a nod and left immediately.

Ava's POV

I could feel it in the air they were coming. The birds in the trees fluttered in the air quickly.

Their smell was stronger with each passing second but we were ready and in position.

The young and olds of the pack have been kept safe in the cabin with a few warriors guarding it on alert.

All my life I had waited for this day,to retaliate what was done to me,what was taken from me and the time was now.

They came in hard on us. Archers fired into the domain we were and a few of our warriors fell. The pack began shape shift into their form and attack the adversaries.

My wolf was begging free again but with all sheer power, I held her in attacking all blood moons.

In a blink of an eye, I was flung aside by a pair of strong hands.

The floodgate opened and heaven broke free, sending droplets of hard rain upon the earth.

I heaved as I tried recollecting myself. The rain was clouding my eyes. I felt a sword coming down on my shoulders and I swung mine in defense.

The downpour turned my hair into a tiny wet mess.

I stared into the eyes of this man who had the tenacity and audacity to lay his hands on me.

The swords still clashed against each other, I felt my heartbeat increase as my knees weakened. My wolf danced in delight as she echoed in my head.

I saw his eyes turn crimson red as he let out a rough growl.

"Mate, "we said in unison.

Skye's POV

She is the one. The most feared that I had often heard about and I had no idea she was in the crescent pack.

Her beauty was no denial and way more exquisite than I have heard.

The raindrops on her clothes clung to every contour of her body.

When my wolf had taken charge, I knew I was in trouble.

"Mate." he echoed in my head.

Unwillingly, I found myself lowering my sword. My wolf didn't want to go heads with her, he wanted her close.

But she felt different. She swung her sword sharply but I was able to averse from the cut in a nick of time.

She fought well but wasn't making proper calculations of her moves. Having scolded and kept my wolf in check, I had control of myself again and could tell her next move.

She had this fire to kill in her. Something raw was driving her to that point.

In an attempt to behead me, I flung her sword aside and trapped her to a tree, both hands held tightly in mine and my sword placed underneath her jawline.

"Let go of me." her voice came out coarse but still soft in the ears of my wolf as he leaped in my head in excitement.

"Just this one time, "I said close enough to her ear.

With a howl, I made a signal for the pack to retreat.

Ava's POV

"Just this one time." It came to me like a soft caress that tingled my senses.

In all my years of fighting and living with men, I had forgotten I was a woman and tonight I was reminded of that.

I was reminded I was weak, my emotions were weak, and getting the better part of me tonight, in a battle I'd been waiting for, I felt truly disgusted at myself.

I was in my room when uncle Phil came in.

"Are you alright?" he asked.

I pressed my hair smoothly behind my head and nodded.

"I saw you fighting the alpha of the blood moon pack," he said.

I stared into an open space. He was an alpha?! he fought very well and was no weakling like other alphas I've slayed.

I shrugged. "What does it matter? I've fought alphas before."

Uncle Phil stared at me, long enough for me to avert my eyes.

"Did he say something to you?" he asked.

I looked at him and then away. How could I tell him?

So uncle, the alpha of the blood moon pack is my mate and I am his. What a glorious union right?

I shook my head. "No, he did not."

He patted my shoulder and had a relieved look on his face.

"I'll leave you to rest," he said and I nodded watching him leave.

Sooner than he left, Fernandez walked in.

"How are the people doing?"I asked. I was worried about my people. Many were badly hurt.

"We've lost two of the warriors already alongside those who fell at the hands of the archers. We've lost a total of ten today." he said.

I shook my head in remorse. If only there was a way to make us stronger than ever.

If this continues, we'll be outnumbered in no time.

In a few weeks to come, I was to be ordained as Queen of the pack. I hoped to have a better judgment of my people and their interests at heart.

"You're bleeding," Fernandez said drawing my attention to my hand.

I shrugged it off. "It's just a scratch."

He walked to the cabinet searching for the first aid kit.

"It's not just a scratch, Ava, it could get an infection," he said.

"It will heal,"I assured him. He disagreed with me despite knowing we could heal ourselves.

He found the kit and reached for my hand.

"It's fine," I said rather impatiently, I wanted to be alone.

"No." he insisted taking my hand forcefully.

"It's fine!"I said more loudly than I wanted. He let go of my hand.

"I was only trying to help," he said walking away.

I sighed in regret. I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. He was only trying to be a good friend.

"Fernandez, "I called after him.

He turned and smiled. "Goodnight my Queen."and with that, he was gone. He addressed me so formally and I felt terrible.

I have never yelled at him before, I groaned and fell on the bed hoping this night could fade away but all I could think and see were a pair of hazelnut eyes.

Skye's POV

I had heard tales of her conquest but I didn't imagine her being from the crescent pack.

I wasn't about to let the tale of her slaying my people to reach any inferior pack.

Robin stood in front of me disapproving of my actions of letting her go.

"You should have killed her Skye, this will put the crescent and other packs in their place!" he vents out.

I ignored him hoping he would go away.

I didn't have a reasonable explanation to give him about sparing the enemy's life. I couldn't possibly tell him she's my mate.

"You're becoming weak!" he yelled out which annoyed me and in a flash without him noticing, I flung the pocket knife that lay on the table at him, aiming above his head.

He stared at me in shock.

"That's to let you know who still remains the alpha," I said in a condescending tone.

"I'm sorry." he bowed slightly and walked away.

I was angry at myself, angry at the fact that I couldn't stop recalling the events of earlier on in my head.

I was also very angry at the universe for making her, my mate. It was just the other day, when I said I didn't want to have anything to do with a crescent, and now, the ancestors have decided to punish me by granting a wish I didn't ask for.

I could reject her, of course, I was going to reject her. I wasn't and wouldn't be the first or last to do so, but my wolf screamed no!

He wanted her more badly than I did.

"She's the enemy," I said to him.

"I don't care. I want her." he lashed out at me.

I groaned. I hoped and pray I didn't have to meet her again but I spoke too soon.

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