In all her years as the Luna of Winter, even as a nomad, Corrine had never seen anything like the fallen.
These monsters moved with speed, intelligence, and ferocity.
When the group had erged from the trees, she knew they were different. But it wasn't until they worked together and killed two of her Valkyrie that she understood how different.
She ordered her remaining forces to stay together, to work as pairs to fight off the new threat. It was a sound strategy but one the fallen had prepared for.
As the Valkyrie split into pairs and engaged their targets, the particular fallen who seed to lead the rest lifted its head and gave a loud howl. Within monts, a wave of feral wolves poured from the trees, running past the already distracted Valkyrie and heading straight for the gates of the Safe Zone.
Corrine's eyes widened, and she turned to go after them. The fallen took advantage of her concern, swiping at her back with enormous claws.
Her layered armor protected her from the claws but not from the force of the impact. Corrine was flung forward into the snow. The fallen jumped onto her back, pinning her to the ground, not giving her a chance to recover.
It raised its hands into the air and brought down a heavy swing onto her back. Corrine scread as she felt the pain spread through her spine.
Corrine struggled to breathe as it continued to claw and tear at her back, trying to pull away her armor. She wasn't sure what damage it had done, but she knew sothing was wrong. She could feel her strength leaving her.
Corrine struggled to right herself. But, unfortunately, the weight of the beast, combined with its attack and her own fatigue, made it difficult for her to do anything to help herself.
She could hear the tearing of the straps that held her plate. It wouldn't be long before the monster could remove her armor and tear into her flesh.
The sounds of the feral wolves running ahead, the Valkyrie around her fighting for their lives against the fallen. Her failure to defeat the enemy.
It was all hitting her at once. All of it crashed down on her as she felt the deep disappointnt of helplessness.
'I am asking you to protect our people because the Valkyrie are the only ones I know can do it. The victory is in saving the people, not defeating the enemy.'
Axel's voice haunted her thoughts.
'There is no one in this world I would trust more than you to protect her,' he whispered in her mory, '…and your grandchildren.'
There was a painful, tight grip in her chest as she heard those words and the mory they triggered.
***
[Several Months Ago]
"Why are you doing this?" Corrine demanded, her arms crossed over her chest. "You have retired. By definition, that ans that you should be staying ho! Not running off to scout the enemy like so young pup seeking adventure!"
Wyatt turned with a warm smile and a chuckle.
He approached his wife and mate, placing his large warm hands on her shoulders and gently squeezing them.
"You know better than anyone on this earth ever could," he whispered. "So, tell , why am I doing this?"
Corrine tried to hold to her anger and keep her jaw clenched but couldn't. Finally, she took a deep breath, relaxing her jaw and closing her eyes.
She did know. She knew the mont he had said it, probably even before that.
"Because our children aren't safe," she whispered.
Wyatt smiled warmly with a gentle nod.
She understood, but it was still upsetting. Corrine hoped his retirent would be the start of their second life together.
Wyatt lifted her chin to look at him. His warm hazel eyes looked at her with love and appreciation.
"I know you are disappointed," he whispered. "I'm sorry."
She tried to look away, to pull away, but he brought her into his arms, and she naturally lay her head on his chest.
"I have failed our children in many ways," he continued. "They know the truth now and have mostly moved forward in their lives. Bell and Ashleigh have found good n that love them. And Axel…."
Wyatt paused, taking a deep breath.
"He has found a hard road," he sighed. "I want to do what I can to help him on that road."
Corrine understood and wanted to help Axel find his happiness, but she was still Luna of Winter.
"The only way I can help him is by being a scout. In preparing Winter for the coming war."
Corrine turned, placing her chin on Wyatt's chest and looking at him. He looked at her, bringing his hand to her cheek and smiling.
"You could do that here," she whispered. "Training the soldiers."
Wyatt laughed.
"I have never had the patience for teaching new soldiers," he scoffed.
Corrine smiled; it was true.
"Corrine," he whispered. "I have to do this."
"I know," she replied with a gentle sigh. "I would do it too."
Wyatt grinned.
"A peaceful world for our children and grandchildren," he said.
Corrine smiled and nodded.
"That's the dream."
Wyatt leaned forward.
"That's our dream, my Luna," he whispered before placing a soft kiss on Corrine's lips.
***
[Present]
Fresh, hot tears filled Corrine's eyes as she thought of Wyatt. She clenched her jaw, knowing that no matter the day's result, he never saw Axel happy. He would never know their grandchildren.
Corrine felt a surge of emotion as she dug her fingers into the dirt and snow beneath her.
'I have to keep going….' She told herself. 'I will keep our dream alive, Wyatt. I promise.'
Letting out a low growl, Corrine shoved away from the ground with all the strength she had left in her body. She burned, ached, she was exhausted. But she would not give up.
Again, she pushed. This ti, she could move enough to shake the monster's footing but not sufficient to shake it loose.
One final push, she cried out as she used all she had left to shove the beast off her back. Luckily, she was able to do just that. The fallen fell back, and Corrine was able to roll onto her back, taking in deep breaths as the pain of doing so flooded her body.
She heard it moving and the strange clicking growl it let out. It was coming back.
"My Luna!" she heard a shout from beside her.
Corrine could not turn her head to see who it was, but above her, the beast ca into view, snapping its jaws and coming straight for her. And just as it did, so did the spear that pierced its throat.
The Valkyrie holding the spear followed the montum and pushed the beast away from Corrine while another quickly moved to her side.
"Luna Corrine!" the woman cried as she appeared beside her.
"Get up…" Corrine said. "We need to stop the others…."
The Valkyrie tried to help her up, and Corrine cried out as they attempted to move her.
"My Luna…." The Valkyrie whispered. "I don't think we should move you."
Corrine closed her eyes and clenched her jaw.
"It's not broken," she said in a pained whisper. "Just help to stand."
Both of the Valkyrie hesitated, but Corrine let out a growl that made them both reconsider. They each took an arm and supported her as they pulled her to her feet.
It was excruciating, but Corrine did not cry out. Instead, she clenched her teeth and swallowed the pain.
"Now…" she whispered. "The feral wolves… we have to–"
"My Luna! Look!" The Valkyrie to her left shouted, pointing up the hill toward the Safe Zone.
Corrine lifted her eyes to see three feral wolves running back toward the Valkyrie. Directly behind them, giving chase, were at least twenty red wolves. Leading the pack was a wolf she recognized imdiately.
"Fiona…?" she whispered with a smile as the dark corners of her vision spread until she saw nothing.
"My Luna!" The Valkyrie scread as Corrine went limp in their arms.
***
Axel fought hard alongside a group of the Broken Crag wolves. They were reclaiming more and more ground with each victory.
As they finished off the rotted bear and the hybrid they had been fighting, a sound from the trees drew Axel's attention. A low growling howl.
Axel turned, tilting his head to look into the shadowed growth. He saw a slight shifting movent, and then he recognized the outline of a black wolf. The wolf raised its head, and Axel recognized it imdiately. The fire in the wolf's eyes.
The black wolf bared its teeth and then turned back into the darkness of the trees.
With an angry snarl, Axel shifted, and he alone chased after it into the dark.
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