The pain was excruciating. I felt every single movement as my child ripped it's way out of me.
"Last push and you're there Alpha!"
In the distance I could hear the battle raging on. My guilt was overpowered by pain and excitement. I wanted to be fighting with Rex and our pack. The pup's timing could have been better... I was barely aware I screamed a profanity when I heard the loud cry of our child.
"He's beautiful Regina!" Doc said, cleaning him and checking him over.
The minutes seemed like hours before she finally handed me Augur.
His beautiful silver eyes looked up into mine and he instantly stopped crying.
"Hey kid." I said softly. "You've got impeccable timing."
I swear he smiled at that. His eyes closed and he went right to sleep.
"Take him." I hand him to Doc.
"Alpha, please rest, your people need you."
I looked around the tunnel. One of the many safety precautions we'd taken in building our new home. The tunnel went on for a few miles and let up near a dirt road. It was an escape in case things ever went awry. Many faces of women and children stared back at me. The voices hushed as they looked for guidance.
"Stay put. I'll be back for you all shortly." I paused. "Niveus, you're in charge."
She nodded solemnly.
"As your doctor I must advise you -"
"Save it. Take care of Augur."
I took one of the secret passageways back to the surface. Then followed the foul stench of vampires to a clearing. It was an all out war.
Quickly, I discarded my bloodied clothes and went to shift but nothing happened.
*Praesul? Come one, I need you!*
*Too weak...*
*How?*
*Absorbed birthing pain...*
That surprised me, I still felt a lot of the pain. I was only just starting to heal. Realizing I was naked, I put my clothes back on. I headed back toward the pack house. There didn't seem to be any fighting happening in there. Once I entered, I saw everything in disarray. Were they searching for something?
I made my way to my office and grabbed my sword. The fox and hummingbird glinted in the pale light. I could sense a presence and turned, brandishing my sword.
"Is that any way to treat your ally?" Malefica leaned against the door frame.
"Ironic, you came back into my life and the chaos descended." I smirk.
"I had an inkling I'd be needed." She drew in a breath, "Like old times?"
I nodded and we grinning to one another. She opened a portal and I jumped in. We landed in the middle of the battle field. I could see Rex in the distance battling four creatures at once.
A blur passed my face and then another. Damn vampires. I breathed calmly and heightened my senses so I could focus on their movement. I went after them. In no time, I sliced their heads off.
"We knew..."
"...you couldn't..."
"...resist."
Not these three again.
"How weak..."
"...you look..."
"...your highness."
"Shut the fuck up and fight me."
"There's no need..."
"...to fight you..."
"...yet."
A ferocious growl escaped me. I lunged toward them but before my sword could make contact, they disappeared. Thinking I'd seen the last of them for now, I turned to find them behind me.
"I think..."
"...that's enough fighting..."
"...for one day."
Their army starts disappearing into thin air. I scan the wolves left for Rex.
Before they leave they all turn back toward me.
"He's not here..."
"...he's dead..."
"...we'll give you.."
"...his body..."
"...when we're done..."
"...with him."
I throw a dagger but they disappear. I notice it disappears with them. I hope it's hit it's mark.
*Rex!* I call through our mind link. *BASILEUS!*
I collapse on the ground. A feral growl erupts from my very being and the werewolves closest to be cower away in fear.
*Alpha...* Niveus' voice comes through faint in my head. *Hurry...*
Setting my grief aside I sheath my sword and run back to the underground hideaway.
When I get there a sour stench hits my nostrils and then the blood.
"Niveus!" I call out among the people.
Some bodies lay dead, while other severely wounded.
It took me a moment to differentiate her smell and track her. She was sitting upright against the wall.
"You made it." She coughed, blood trickling out of her mouth.
"What happened?" Moments later Aether is by my side pulling her into his arms.
"They waited for you to leave." Her eyes were beginning to shut.
"Niveus!" I cried, "Hang in there! Tell me what happened."
"Damn it Niveus, I told you to mind link me if you needed help!" Aether growls.
"Watch your mouth." I sniffle and he glares at me.
"I survive, in case you're wondering." She smirks.
I feel the air stir around me. Aether is using it to put pressure on Niveus' wounds and fill her lungs. She smiles at him.
"They came for Augur." She said. "I didn't know they would come. They're using something to create a barrier in my visions."
"The witches." I growl.
"They're more than witches they're fates and apparently their magic is weak." She says still in clear pain. "They took Augur because he's like me. Stronger actually. He's a Seer."
I gasp aloud and then narrow my eyes at Aether. He didn't react at the news.
"What else aren't you telling me?" I eye them both suspiciously.
Niveus opens her mouth but I cry out in agony. It feels as though a stake has been driven through my heart. Did Rex really die? No! I reach for Praesul but she doesn't respond. I feel my stomach that has only just healed. Not only do I feel hollow; I feel absolutely devastated.
"Regina, I -"
"Take her to the hospital." Aether nods at my command.
*Everyone left, help the wounded on the battlefield and the tunnel. Await my orders in the morning.*
A liquid ice courses through my veins. I can feel myself hardening. I held Augur for a total of 5 minutes before he was taken from me. Rex never got to meet his son. The ice turns to fire as rage like never before threatens to spill out of every pore.
I will get my son back if it's the last thing I do.
~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
"She thinks he's dead."
"He will be when we're finished with him."
"Look! The stars shifted. We are back on track with our reign!"
The three witches smiled to one another. Rex was caged in a room surrounded by silver and injected with wolfsbane. They cast a spell that would deny the mate bond as long as they were separated.
One witch rocked the baby, sound asleep in her arms.
"We will make excellent mothers."
"Agreed."
"Absolutely."
They placed Augur in the adjoining cell. However, his was decorated as a nursery.
"Sleep well little one."
"We will see you soon."
"Our Seer."