Dolór

Alistair's POV

I couldn't hear anything. See anything. Nothing around me mattered nor did any sound register and reach my ears as I watched Noir get struck down.

In that moment, the only thing I could feel, see, comprehend, was my partner.

When the mark on my neck came to life, the grief I felt caused me to grab it and drop to my knees, screaming at the heavens to Máni... Odin... any God that would listen.

I stain the earth with my pain. It runs from my mouth and I choke on the air. It bleeds from my ears and drips from my chin.

My head hangs low, heavy with thoughts of mo grá.

What was once whole is shattered; where once was peace is emptiness, echoes of a love I wanted to put my everything into.

Gasping, I look to the woman motionless of the earth's floor, her small body riddled with arrows. Others begin to surround her; 'human', wolf, lycan and other creature alike until I could no longer see her anymore.

Panic engulfed me.

Trying to stand, a hand reached down and grasped my arm. Looking up, I saw Nebo.

"Come, Alpha. I've already summoned that gahe."

With this, I nodded and stumbled towards the small group, weakly pushing my way aside until I became impatient and slung a fae out of my path.

Then a more aggressive panic set in as the group parted.

When I reached Noir, I immediately dropped.

"Noir," I wheezed, scooping her up in my arms.

Based off of her breathing, one of the arrows punctured a lung.

I could see the light in her eyes flickering to stay ignited but even I knew that was a losing battle.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, rocking her to my chest.

"Hush now grá, it could be worse," she gargled, coughing up blood.

"Bullshit it could."

When a moist hand touched my cheek, my heart clenched.

"You need to finish this."

I didn't want to leave her alone, not now, not ever.

"No, I promised to stay with you until the end and this isn't the end," I protested, brushing hair from her face.

"That you did. I'm tired, Alistair..."

Without hesitation, I shouted at one of my warriors for a cloak and wrapped her in it knowing all too well it wouldn't help.

I held her for what felt like an eternity.

"I'm so sorry."

When she didn't respond, I leaned back to notice her eyes closed. Panic once more washed over me.

"Noir."

I gently shook her.

Nothing.

"Noir... grá," I called out to her again and once again, nothing.

Tapping her cheek softly, my voice broke, "Wake up, woman... Come on... please."

And still, nothing.

My eyes began to burn and my chest rattled with pain. A pain so fierce that it caused bile to rise in my throat forcing me to hunch over and release the contents of my stomach until there was nothing left the offer except dry heaves and barbaric sobs.

"Alpha."

I heard the voice speak but I couldn't register it as I spun, crouched, Noir tucked protectively against me.

"Alpha. I need you the leave the Luna there. I need to try healing what I can," Eira spoke, Ama by her side.

When I didn't move, two sets of hands grabbed me while Eira and Ama pried Noir our of my grasp.

Turning on the two that grabbed me, I saw Nebo and Gavrill, arms now crossed.

"Alpha, Noir isn't dead but if you want to save her, you're going to have to let the Gahe do their job and stabilize her otherwise she is going to die," Nebo said calmly.

"He's right, brother. Also, we have another issue," Gavrill said as he waved his arm around.

Following his gesture, I noticed the clearing was now surround by lycans of every size and color. Some where still shredding apart their targets while others stood stationary either where they took a life or behind the man that approached earlier to a collapsed Noir.

In the mist of broken emotions, I had completely overlooked him.

Looking around once more, his lycans only seemed to attack the remaining skelmar and pack members of Moon Rock, leaving any member of my pack untouched.

Passing one final look at Noir, I watched as the gahe had removed the arrows and began their work before turning my attention to the man who was also watching Noir, a pained expression on his face.

"Who are you," I questioned as I stepped in front of him.

"Alpha Haaken Renouf of Crest Valley."

"What business do you have here, Haaken?"

"I came with my son to retrieve my daughter. We caught word of the skelmar attack and also the intentions of that Alpha from Moon Rock. I wanted to pull my daughter out of the situation before something like this," he pointed to Noir, "happened."

Looking between my partner and this man, I crossed my arms.

"Noir is the daughter of Alpha Khinn. You must have her mistaken with someone else."

"No she isn't. Rúna is my daughter. Second born Alpha to Crest Valley. First born is her brother, Bjarke. Her mother was my late betrothed, Desha."

I watched the man for a minute, sizing him up but before I could question him further, a voice stole my attention.

"Alpha."

Turning, the gahe already had Noir on a makeshift field-cot.

"We are ready to transport the Luna with your permission, Alpha."

Looking back at Haaken, I grunted.

"I would like to speak to you and Khinn once Noir is recovering in a proper location."

Turning, I look to Nebo, Cuyler and Valenner.

"I do not have the time nor the patience to go through the proper procedures. I leave Haaken and his pack to you three until I call upon you all again."

With this, I turned and followed the gahe.