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.

••••• ••••• ••••• ••••• •••••

Ava's POV

I searched the training field for Fernandez but I couldn't find him. I asked my uncle and a few warriors about him but no one had seen him.

I blamed myself. Maybe I was too harsh on him that's why he skipped training.

I walked towards the river giving up hope of seeing him for the rest of the day, till I saw him throwing rocks into the river.

"Fernandez, "I called out hurrying towards him. "Fernandez," I called him again.

He turned in my direction. "At your service my queen," he said so formally and I hated myself more.

I punched him lightly on his arm. "Why the formality?"I asked. He looked away.

"Nothing," he said.

"C'mon Fernandez, I'm sorry." I apologized.

He shook his head. "You shouldn't apologize, you're the queen and have every right to yell at someone inconveniencing your space."

"Stop that Fernandez, what I did was wrong. You've been my best friend for so long and I shouldn't have reacted that way to you. I'm just so tensed up."I said and shrugged at the last part.

"Maybe you should take a break from the men's world. You know, the training, fighting, and war," he suggested.

I raised a brow. "And do what?"

"Be the queen, Ava. The queen you ought to be," he said.

"Smiling gracefully and barking orders? letting my people fight and die for the pack while I sit in the protective walls of my chambers?" I scoffed. "A fat chance of that happening."

He smiled. "You really are an enigma, Ava and an inspiration to all," he said.

I smiled wondering what good I had done in my life to get such a friend.

"Forgiven?"I asked.

He held my hand in his. "I never held a grudge,"he said.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I found uncle Phil handing a piece of paper to Daniel, the messenger of the pack.

"What are you giving to him uncle?"I asked.

He turned to me. "Oh, Ava, we've run out of supplies and he's going to get them," he said.

"I'll accompany him,"I said. There was no need to hide here anymore since the blood moon now knew where we were.

"No," he replied sternly.

"Why?"I raised my brow in question.

"You're to stay right here where you'll be protected," he answered.

"I'm no longer a child that needs protection uncle. I cannot stay confined anymore to this forest."I argued.

"Yes you can handle situations but in a few weeks you'll be the alpha of this pack and if anything happens to you, it will be on my neck," he explained.

I understood his point of view but he should understand mine. I should have been dead long ago on the battlefield if really it was my time to.

"If you don't allow me to take decisions while I'm not yet alpha, there's no guarantee you'll let me take one when I become the leader," I said and I hit a spot on him.

"But," he still wanted to protest. I kissed his cheek. "I love you uncle." and with that, I was gone.

Daniel drove us to the store in uncle's old pickup truck and we engaged in little conversations, especially about the weather.

Every now and then, color rose to his cheek and I had this thought he felt delighted being in the same truck as me.

We arrived at the store and I inhaled the air and felt peaceful as a mixture of cinnamon, cilantro and onions waft into my nose.

People were walking down the streets going about their business like nothing was happening. Like there was no supernatural amongst them.

It felt good to be in the midst of humans again. It made me forget momentarily the beastly environment I grew up in.

Not that I didn't love them, I love my pack with everything I own, they were the only family I know.

Daniel and I walked into the store. One of the two stores in town he told me, that knew wolves lived among them.

"Hey Daniel," the storekeeper greeted. Daniel flashed a smile and went over to him. "Who's the young lady with you?" he asked as Daniel handed over the paper to him.

"Oh," Daniel looked in my direction. "She's the alpha of our pack," he said.

The man looked amazed. "Wow, a female alpha?"

I flashed a smile, surprise surprise.

Daniel nodded. "Yeah, long story. Could you get those stuff for me, I'm in a hurry," he said.

"I'll do so immediately," he said walking away.

Daniel stood waiting for him while I wandered off from the counter into the display area.

My eyes caught hold of a teddy bear that was placed on the shelf, which reminded me of the one my mother got for me on my fifth birthday.

My eyes watered as the memories came flooding in.

"Permit me to ask, who do you wanna get that for?"

I heard an awful yet husky familiar voice behind me. The silky, masculine voice made the hairs at the back of my neck stand to a still.

Skye's POV

I was at the other end of the store when I noticed her walking toward the display area. I totally ignored her but my wolf took control.

I had no way of taming him when he likes something badly especially since this one thing is his mate.

I couldn't hold myself anymore from walking towards her. I told my wolf countless of times she was an enemy but he wouldn't listen.

A descendant from the lineage of the crescent, an enemy for over a century but he disagreed.

I did not want to be nice, in fact, I wanted to be the most hostile man she has ever met, but my wolf took the better part of me.

She stared at me with those silvery eyes of hers before narrowing them at me.

"And if a thought crosses your mind that it is you then wake up from that thought." she fired at me.

I smirked. "I wasn't thinking of me but of you. It's nice and cuddly," I said touching the bear. "I could get it for you if you want it."

Her defiance that I've come to love, builds up again.

"And what makes you think I'll accept anything that comes from those bloody hands of yours?"

"Because you'll have no choice in the matter," I said.

She eyed me with disdain and turned to walk away. I held her back grabbing her arm.

"Let go of me," she said through clenched teeth.

"I recall clearly telling you, I was letting go of you that one time,"I said.

She turned to jab me in the chest but I caught her in time forcing her to lay back on me. With her perfumed hair under my chin, I was forced not to bury my face in the silkiness of her hair.

"Let go of me you vulgar barbarian, you have no rights over me," she said struggling.

"I believe I have a few over you."

"What?!" she sounded shocked.

"You're mine," I said with my wolf finally having total control of me.

Her struggling ceased as I got hit on the back.

"Let go of the Queen!"

I turned to see a brown head holding a tool he had hit me with and attempting to do it again. I caught his wrist in a painful grasp as he winced.

Had she not stood between us to intervene, he would have been thrown through the shelves in the store. My wolf was ready to make sure that happens.

"That's enough," she said in an authorization. "Let go of Daniel," she said looking over at him. I let go of his wrist and

I watched in anger as they left the store.