That's not who you are

Edwards pov

The trek has been hard. Much harder than we anticipated, not all who joined us managed to carry on, and a number of the pack had stayed behind. Due to this, only a small number of us continued over the freezing mountains. We managed but by no means were we used to these conditions. "Ed, do you really believe we should be here? This is not our war." I look upon my beautiful mate, she is always the picture of perfection. "What choice do we have? The packs agreed to this long before I became Alpha." There's not much I disagree with when it came to my father's rule, but this, this was something I couldn't comprehend. "It's just a baby Edward. A newborn pup. How can any of us even consider what they are suggesting?" It's monstrous. She knows it and so do I. My hope is we are heading in the wrong direction to take this situation out of our hands entirely.

Each pack has set out on a different course to find and eliminate the threat. How much of a threat could a little baby be? My mind wanders to our newest addition, so small, so perfect, just like her mother. My little Katerina. She's so brand new, Blair should have stayed home with her, recovering and safe with our own pups. Stubborn, that's what she is, 'we'll be home in no time.' she would say, and I knew she wasn't taking no for an answer. When we get home, I plan to make many more children with this woman, should the moon goddess grant us the blessing to us.

"I don't know dear. I hope it doesn't come to that." What were these wolves thinking? Why would they risk their child, their mates, to prove a point? What that we should expand our pools. For myself, I see no problem in it, but my father would spit fire at the thought. They've been raised to keep the packs pure 'we control the earth, ain't nothing purer than that' he would tell me, drilling it into me for as long as I can remember. Rumor has it this tiny pack started about 50 years ago with four omegas, one from each pack left with the sole goal of creating a wolf with the power to control all four elements, and, in turn, all 4 kingdoms. We all know it isn't possible. We've all read the histories, even wolves created from two powerful wolves with different elements still only got one themselves. If it wasn't for the blood mages' involvement, we would probably have turned a blind eye. Suddenly, a warrior from our pack missteps, causing rocks and loose debris to fall down the side of the mountain. That's when we heard it, the ground vibrated intensively and the scent was so strong nobody could deny it - rogues. "Defend each other!" I barked out my order as I quickly shifted, Blair, landing right by my side where she always was. We spare each other a quick glance, a brief moment of love before the battle commences, before moving out to protect our pack. Now more than ever I wish Blair had stayed home with our pups. It is that much harder to concentrate on a battle when I know she's involved, out there fighting and risking her own life too.

With precision, I move through the rogues, defending my pack the only way I can by putting a swift end to the attacking rogues. Things must be more dangerous than I ever believed to have an army of rogues ready to attack. They aren't known for defending outsiders. Perhaps this child really does need to be terminated. The thought consumes me as I rip through the throat of another wolf and let out an echoing howl to the pack. Most of the pack respond with howls of their own to let me know they are OK, but not all, and this does not sit well with me.

The loss of any wolf is a waste, the c*****e around me feels just like that. A waste of life. A waste of potential. My black fur looks like I've been painted with tar as it sticks to my skin. Rocks tumble down from the mountain which we dodge, most likely due to the commotion knocking debris loose. The battle doesn't last long. Searching the mountain tops I see many dead wolves. Too many. Some were warriors from my pack and some were rogues. A victory howl escapes me naturally, but although we won the battle, the consequence is not something I consider a win. The alpha in me mourns the loss while simultaneously celebrating the victory. The pack's howls bounce back to me. Among them, I do not hear Blair. My temperature spikes and my heart beats violently. The pack could sense my unease as I darted around trying to find her scent. The amount of blood pouring down the mountain makes it difficult to pinpoint. A large shadow begins creeping over the land as a large grey cloud passes in front of the sun. The mountain has many ledges to check, she could be anywhere amongst the dirt and blood. Calling out to her, I howled. No answer. My mind is racing. Could they have taken her? Did she get lost or hurt? Can she hear me? My inner wolf is on the edge, desperate to reconnect with its mate. Howling again did not get a response and with each unanswered call, I grew closer to losing my cool.

Farrow, a member of the pack, mind-linked me, telling me to "hurry", and I knew it wasn't good. Without a second thought, I ran to her. The closer I got, I heard a tiny feeble howl calling me. She sat on a ledge just outside of a cave. My heart broke seeing the blood pool growing around her. She had been trying to hide, I was sure, and I failed her. Dropping to my knees beside her, I instantly shifted back and held her head on my naked lap. She didn't shift back, she didn't have the strength, tears filled my eyes, but I refused to cry. Today would not be the day my pack saw me crumble. Her small body convulsed, shifting back to her human form, something I'm sure must have taken too much out of her. Having shifted, I could see the damage all too well now and I knew the truth- anyone who looked would know it too. There was nothing we could do. Without healers, her regeneration wouldn't work fast enough to save her.

My body shook gently as I tried to control myself. She looked deep into my soul as she had so many times before, "We cannot hurt the child Edward..." She coughed, struggling with her words, "Promise me. This is not the way. It is not our way. Remove the threat if you must, but that doesn't need to mean death. That's not who you are."

How could she ask me to spare anyone? Looking at her now, my body wanted to tear them all apart, every last wolf in my path. She didn't deserve this, she was kind and loving, our pack failed her. I failed her. With my eyes closed, I dug deep for some restraint. She needed me right now and I needed to stay with her, "Promise me Ed. Teach our children kindness, raise them the way we would have together. Please promise me..." She looked so desperate, the one thing she needed and I was unsure if I could deliver. Blood oozed fast through my fingers as I tried to stop the flow, I could feel her pulse slowing with every struggled breath. The light in her eyes grew dimmer.

"I promise." She needed to hear this, whether true or not, for now, she needed to hear it. She reached out to touch my face and smiled peacefully. As her hand dropped and her eyes closed, I knew she was gone. My body sobbed as I held her in my arms, kissing her forehead. "Alpha?" My body contorted, shifting as if programmed at the name, and a loud guttural howl shook the mountains. I couldn't control the wolf in me, my primal instincts took over, teeth bared, growling a warning at anyone who dared get close to her. The pack watched from a distance, only Rob daring to creep closer, but still not close enough. I was ready to strike. Anyone who dared to come near my beautiful mate I would obliviate. Part of me dared them to try, to give me a reason. My jaws frothed as saliva dripped onto the ground beneath me, as I circled Blair, the pack watching the show from the ledges above.

That's when I heard it. From inside the cave the sound of a baby crying. The reason Blair had died. The monster we had been warned about. It was time to end it...