Shadow Attack

"Beware my darling. Trouble is brewing. Your brother is misguided." Eileen Gilhoughley visited her husband in dreams often. Usually, the dreams are pleasant - visions of previous dates before and during their 56 year marriage. This is the first time she came to him with a warning - especially about his brother.

Senan Earl Gilhoughley was getting on in years. He loved his full life with his beloved Eileen. They had met in high school when she had started dating his older brother, Joe. Senan Earl was the youngest of seven children.

At 92-years-old he was still active with a mind as sharp as a pin. Most of his brothers had passed, except for two - Joe, his senior by two years and Sloane, the second born, who was 9 years older. Earl, as he was called by his friends, was not worried about Joe, who had such a happy-go-lucky attitude that some people called him a giant leprechaun.

Sloane, however, told Earl and his brothers not to trust magical beings because of what he had seen in World War II and the Korean War. Sloane never went into detail. Earl had always hoped that Sloane could open up and release the anger inside. To watch the darkness build up was painful for the whole family. Earl believed it was the main reason Sloane never married. The darkness from his experiences brought an inescapable depression. The saying was, "You can't find love if you can't find yourself."

When Earl had his family, Sloane had begun to open up and smile more. The kids brought him some joy. When Earl and Eileen named their second born Sloane Anthony, Sloane latched onto his second nephew like a life line. When Sloane Anthony went into the Navy, just like his uncle, and then was accepted into the SEALs , Sloane Michael bragged as if he were the father, not the uncle. To this day, Sloane Michael and Sloane Anthony are very close.

Earl could not see either Joe or Sloane Michael doing anything to hurt the family. After all, "Blood Before Others, God Above All" had been the family credo taught to them by their own grandparents.

....

"Beware my darling. Trouble is brewing. Your brother is misguided." His Mom had come to him in his sleep often. Usually, it was pleasant, happy birthdays and summer picnics, but never before had it been ominous. Cautionary, yes, but never ominous. Senan Douglas Gilhoughley woke with a start.

Doug, as he is called by his friends and family, was moved by the warning from his mother, but had no idea which brother she could be talking about. He felt that all of them were a little misguided in some way or another. As the oldest, at 70-years-old, Doug was supposed to help the younger siblings. He felt that he had failed Seamus, the youngest. His heart and the heart of his family may not survive the violent loss of another of his siblings.

It felt really good getting together to go to his niece's wedding with his siblings. They all have their own lives, and children, and grandchildren. It was nice to get together as a family. Perhaps he should ask Karen about setting up a family reunion. He could get his brothers drunk and find out what Mom is so worried about.

....

"If you continue on this journey, it will break your heart. It has already broken mine." His Mom has been haunting his dreams for over a week. She was crying for him now. "Your family can help you. You don't have to be alone anymore. Come back to them. We love you! Save your soul!"

He woke, two hours early and showered before getting into his uniform for work. His mother always mentioned how his eyes looked bluer when wearing his dress uniform. She was proud of the military service of all her boys, and Siobhan, too. Sarah was always a princess, but still married a military man. It was not unusual when they grew up in Falls Church, Virginia, that they had met and befriended many military families. The Gilhoughley family knew the meaning of hard work and did not flinch from a righteous fight.

He checked his image in the mirror one more time. He looked tired and he had lost some weight, but he would stop in at the diner for breakfast with a coffee to go. Then he could hit the gym before the dreaded paperwork that came with the job. Perhaps the workout and the tedium would help him sleep later - he hoped.

....

I was restless. Edward had not let me out of his sight for three days. I mean, I love him, but three days??? I told him that I wanted to go get a maternity dress or two just to get out of the house.

I told Claudia that I was going and I promised to show her pictures, since she had an order of dresses for an 18th birthday coming up for a few girls in the pack. Five girls had been born in the same week and they loved (probably hated but their parents forced them) celebrating together. So, Claudia had to make five individual, but equally fabulous, dresses for the girls that spend way too much time together.

I told Blaire, but she was running an etiquette class for the upcoming party. I told her that I would call her at every stop and one more time from the bakery to find out what she and Andrew would like.

I asked Natalie and Madison if they could come with me, but they had classes. I had to go alone, if I was to go at all. Edward had traded in my older Chevy Malibu for a Chevy Equinox. It was small enough, but four-wheel drive - necessary for the West Virginia mountains. I started her up and started down the driveway. 'Keep your 'link open. I want to know everything!' Blaire reprimanded me. 'There are a couple of pack members in town if you need help with anything, including loading the truck.'

'If I don't get out of this house, I'm going to go crazy on someone. Not a good look for a Luna.' I let her feel my frustration.

I'm surrounded in a mental hug and I can hear her chuckle in my head. 'I've been there. Go. Have fun. Just keep me 'linked, and Edward, too.'

'Thank you!' I feel like a small part of my tension has broken away. I'm out of the house and free to have some me time. To be honest, I have been overwhelmed with everything that has happened in a few short months. Natalie met Leo in mid-September and their family went from the two of us to almost one thousand people to care for us, about us and us for them. Add to that all that I have found out about my background. Anyone would be overwhelmed.

This is why I need time to myself. Well, myself and my wolf, Tia. I realize now that she has been my subconscious, my strength and my reinforcement when I have to make a tough decision. I'm glad that I am Lycan. I like the ability to change into my wolf and let Tia run free. I have not explored my Druid side, and I will have to find time to look into that. I'm sure there is training for that as well.

My musings and the music on the radio keep me company until I reach the Fayette Town Center. I shop at Factory Connection first, since it's a new store to me. I enjoy getting bargain prices on my clothes and that will never change. I get lost in the racks of clothes, getting something for Natalie and for Madison. It helps that they are the same exact size, although worlds apart in style.

I buy something for Edward, if he'll ever wear it. It's not often I see him jeans and a t-shirt. His idea of casual wear usually involves collars on the shirts. I don't find much for myself, but a couple of big dresses will help in a few months, when I'm bigger. I can go to Walmart for stretch pants and oversized sweaters.

I load up the car before heading to Walmart. I decide to walk to shake the blues that suddenly surround me. Hormonal blues irritate me. 'That's not hormones!' Tia warns me, but she's too late. I feel myself lifted off my feet before I can scream. I have a hand over my mouth and an awful smell gags me. I manage a feeble 'Help!' through the mindlink to Blaire and Edward before I'm dragged into a van and I fall into unconsciousness.

....

"What the HELL was THAT?" Edward roars. "Why is Brianna asking for HELP?!"

"I'm getting reports." Brianna finished her class just as she got the alert from Tia. "Black van, muddy plates, last three numbers are 8VY. They think it's a Virginia plate. Police have a BOLO out. You are not the only one with connections to the outside world, my Alpha."

If Brianna hadn't bowed with the acknowledgment of his status, Edward feels that he would have ripped her to pieces for her insubordination, Gamma or not. 'Not again! cries Cain. I can't feel her! We can't lose our Mate again!' Edward paces in his office. Finding it too small, he walks out and calls to everyone he trusts. Keith with Claudia, Leo with a crying Natalie, Kevin with a crying Madison, Andrew and Blaire gather in the dining room with twenty other warriors - male and female.

"This is a call to arms. We need information. We need to find who would dare take our Luna and kill them as an example to anyone who would THINK to try again." Edward pauses, controlling his wolf, somewhat. His eyes shine golden with a power seldom seen. "She WILL be found, alive and safe," he growls out with conviction. 'Goddess protect her!' his heart howls.