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Word got around the packs of the war that was to come. Even though they didn't want to involve the other wolves, some remained loyal to Maximus. He had received their support and confirmation of them sending warriors to Ironblood. This would increase their number and give him more chances of winning. Maximus laid back into his office chair, thinking. He smelt her before she even touched the handle of the door. He sensed her distress.

"Moon?" he heard her sigh. Stepping inside, he looked at her tired face. He was worried about her and the fact that she was constantly connected to the wall she built up, the magic taking a toll on her health.

"Come sit love." She gladly went to him. "Are you feeling ok? I don't want you to tire yourself."

"I'm fine, stop worrying so much." She smiled at him.

"You know I can't just stop worrying moon."

"I know." She kissed his cheek and went to their room. It was late and she was exhausted from the last days of training and strategizing.

Looking out the window, into the woods, she could feel her longing for the freedom she used to have. Of course, she loved Maximus and the pack, and her new life and duties, but she couldn't deny that the forest was and will always be a part of her. They were connected. She could feel its magic, every tree's root, spreading within the ground. She sensed the moon watching her, enveloping her face with her silver glow. A tear fell on her cheek.

"Please protect them. Protect my pack. Protect my Maximus." She reached her hand on her belly. "Protect him." A lone star shone brightly in front of her eyes and she understood the message. He will watch over them. Selene smiled and turned around at the sound of the door opening. Maximus's gaze fell on her. He approached her, embracing her from behind. He leaned to kiss his mark on her neck.

"Let's go to bed moon. We have a hard day tomorrow too." She nodded and got under the soft covers, putting her hand around Maximus's abdomen. Her head resting on his shoulder, she closed her eyes, wishing tomorrow was not the day they will come.

They both woke up to the ringing sound of an alarm. It was so loud, Selene saw crows departing from the trees through the window. She gave Maximus a look of worry.

"Whatever happens today, know that I love you and I will forever be with you, even if you can not see me." His brows scrunched together with a look of confusion.

"Nothing will happen to you moon. I will make sure of it." She gave him a crooked smile, hugging him like never before, as if she wanted to attach herself to him. They both got up and got dressed. Selene chose to wear her dress, a feeling of calming enveloping her at the touch of the soft material.

Getting out of the house, all they saw was people rushing around, desperate. The royal couple looked at each other.

"Quiet!" His Alpha voice was heard everywhere and all commotion stopped. They all turned to look at their King, his command too powerful to ignore. "You are the wolves of the royal pack. Act like it! I know you are scared, but we have to stand together. We are family."

The wolves listened to his words of ecouragement, feeling more confident.

"Yes Alpha!"

Selene, holding Maximus's hand, walked forward, her eyes searching for their close friends. Gen was directing the children and non-fighting females to the entry of the tunnels. Troy was shouting orders at the Nighshades, who seemed to be longing to kill their enemy. As they reached him, all saluted the pair in respect.

"Alpha, Luna." they bowed their heads.

"Where's your Beta?" The warriors looked at each other.

"We don't know Alpha. Last I saw him, he went to the border, make sure it was still secure." At hearing this, Selene started running in the direction of the oaks. As she reached them, she saw Ben crouching, with his hand on the ground.

"What is it?" He turned to look at her.

"They're here already." Her eyes widened.

"We're not ready. The warriors from the other packs haven't arrived yet."

Suddenly, all they could hear was growling. The roots Selene placed shook. A small dent could be seen, a grey haired woman looking at her. She realized it was the witch, chanting. Selene summoned all her magic, to hold the roots in place.

"Selene!" Maximus was next to her in a second. "Let go, you'll only strain yourself."

"I can buy us more time until the wolves arrive." She pleaded with him. He saw that they were not yet ready and as King, could not deny she could give them more time to prepare.

"Ok. Please be careful." He kissed the side of her head and ran to the Nighshades.

"Ben, go make sure Genevieve managed to get everybody inside."

"I won't just leave.."

"Now, Ben." He couldn't resist her command. She felt sorry for doing that to him, knowing his intentions were pure, but she could handle it.

Alone, Selene put all her power together to close the gap. The witch was looking straight into her eyes and threw her an evil smirk. They were battling each other, showing the strength of their magic. Selene knew she was old and had a dark magic at her fingertips, but didn't back down. With all her determination, she stood her ground, not allowing her to open the roots further.

It felt like hours, but mere minutes pasted. Selene knew she couldn't use all her energy on keeping the border closed because she had to fight too. Her confidence started to falter, but the Goddess was on her side. Hearing thuddering running, she turned her head towards the sound of the aiding wolves. She smiled, relieved they managed to arrive in time. With all her might, she brought more roots from the ground to cover the entrance made by the witch, turned and sprinted back to Maximus.

Now, standing next to him, she took his hand and he squeezed hers, a reassuring gesture. Their eyes never left the border. In an instant, the roots crumbled to the ground, spread across the territory by the force of the impact. Slowly, the woman stepped over the border. Rogues could be seen coming in behind her, more than they could count. They weren't expecting such a number. Selene could feel the pack's emotions. Scared, confused, worried. But they didn't let it show.

"Ohh, my darling, I have been waiting to meet you for such a long time now." The old woman smiled at Selene. She took short steps, moving in front of the army of rogues. "I have heard all about you. What you can do...your power...your magic!" She looked at Selene with an icy glare. "But don't worry, sweety, I will make your death quick." she heard snarles behind her.

The pack was angry at the words, the urge to protect their Queen high. The witch chuckled.

"I know, I know. She is, after all, your Queen." She stopped her movements and looked straight into Maximus's eyes.

"Not for long."

Maximus's rage was heard by all of Erebus, letting out the most powerful growl. He jumped in the air, and his wolf surfaced. It reached the height of Selene. His fur was dark, black as shadows and his canines were out, waiting to taste blood. He took his stance next to Selene. The time has come.

Unfortunately, not everything goes as planned. She heard what she dreaded most in the world, in times like this.

"Mate." Troy took some steps forward, his eyes locked on a she-wolf among the rogues. She was small and petite, with a light brown coat. She didn't recognize him and Selene knew that. She reached her hand on his shoulder in a comforting manner. A laugh could be heard, loud and scrutinizing. They saw the monster stand next to Iolanda.

"Acheron" His brothers growled from behind Selene.

"I can't believe this is happening. It's entertaining really. The gamma mated to my rogue." he chuckled again. "It would have made for a really sweet love story. Unfortunately for you, she was made to kill and nothing, not even the mate-bond you so highly cherish, will stop her."

Selene watched the female wolf snarl and get ready to run towards them, ready for battle. She knew this would destroy Troy. The witch went along with Acheron's amusement.

"You know what's more funny?" She made a pause, as if waiting for someone to answer her rhetorical question, but her pack only got angrier at her stupid attempts. Maximus was getting impatient next to her.

When the witch's eyes fell on Selene's belly, her face fell entirely. Selene could only shut her eyes closed, waiting for the words she was afraid to speak.

"You're with the King's child." Maximus jerked his head to Selene. "And it seems he didn't know".

Opening her eyes, Selene has never felt so much rage. Her eyes glowed silver without her knowing. She looked terrifying. Acheron and the witch took two steps back without realizing.

"The Goddess doesn't want you here anymore. Your time on Earth has ended. You will pay for ll your sins."

With those words, all hell broke loose.