Chapter 6:- Aftermath of the vision

Jessica's heart pounded like a warfare drum as she clung to James, her frame shaking uncontrollably. The scary snapshots from her vision flashed via her thoughts on repeat - the cult chief's scarred face, her friends' decapitated bodies, and the sickening altar of bones. She squeezed her eyes close, but it did not do anything to dampen the terror.

"Shh, I've been given you," James murmured, his strong fingers tightening around her trembling shape. His familiar scent - pine and musk - helped floor her, however, panic still clawed at her throat.

"It has become awful," she choked out between sobs. "I saw... I saw you all die. They killed you and then they... They..."

She could not end the sentence, dissolving into sparkling tears. James growled low in his chest, the sound both protecting and enraged. The different alphas crowded closer, their faces etched with worry and fury.

"What exactly did you see, Jessica?" Michael requested, his voice gentle but organized. Always the strategist, he knew they wished facts to face something chance changed into coming.

Jessica took a shuddering breath, forcing herself to recount the nightmarish details. With every phrase, the alphas' expressions grew darker. By the time she completed, the air crackled with barely contained rage.

"Those bastards might not lay a finger on you," Andrew twisted up, his muscle tissue coiled tight as though geared up to combat properly then and there.

"We need a plan," David said, even the voice of purpose. "If this vision is a warning of what is to come back, we need to be organized."

Jessica felt a surge of gratitude for her buddies, whilst fear persisted to gnaw at her insides. She became so new to this world of werewolves and magic - how should she probably face such a terrifying enemy?

James seemed to sense her doubts. He tilted her chin up, his emerald eyes blazing with dedication. "Listen to me Luna. You are stronger than you understand. We will face this chance together, and we will win."

His confidence ought to have been reassuring, but Jessica couldn't shake the dread that had settled in her bones. "But what if the vision comes properly? What if I lose you all?"

"Not gonna occur, darlin'," Matthew drawled, flashing her a roguish grin that failed to quite attain his eyes. "We're too stubborn to die that easily."

Despite the whole thing, Jessica felt a tiny smile tug at her lips. Leave it to Matthew to try to lighten the mood, even now.

"First things first," Michael said, his tactical mind already whirring. "We need to grow safety around the compound. No one gets in or out without us knowing."

The others nodded in agreement, and Jessica marveled at how speedy they shifted into action mode. She nonetheless felt weak and shaken, however, their strength buoyed her.

As the alphas mentioned defending rotations and fortifications, Jessica's gaze drifted to the wooded area beyond. The trees that had once appeared so peaceful now loomed ominously, probably hiding untold threats. A shiver ran down her backbone.

"Hey." Christopher's gentle voice drew her interest. The youngest alpha crouched beside her, his standard mischievous expression replaced by the proper situation. "You okay?"

Jessica began to nod mechanically, then stopped herself. "No," she admitted in a small voice. "I'm scared."

Christopher took her hand, his touch warm and comforting. "That's ok. Being scared does not make you susceptible. It makes you human."

His phrases hit her like a punch to the intestine. Humans. That's what she became, wasn't it? Just an ordinary girl thrust into this global of supernatural beings and ancient prophecies. How ought she likely be the Luna they all believed in?

As if studying her thoughts, Christopher squeezed her hand. "You're so much greater than you realize, Jess. We all see it, even if you do not buy it."

Before she could reply, a howl echoed via the trees - lengthy, mournful, and packed with caution. The alpha's right now tensed, heads swiveling towards the sound.

"Perimeter breach," James growled, already shifting towards the forest's side. "Stay here with Jessica," he ordered Christopher and David.

The others followed James, transferring into their wolf paperwork as they ran. Jessica watched them pass, her heart in her throat. The howl came once more, closer this time, underscored by way of the sounds of snarling and snapping jaws.

"What's taking place?" she requested, hating how small and afraid she sounded.

David's expression became grim. "Sounds like we have got uninvited visitors."

Minutes stretched like hours as they waited for information. Jessica paced restlessly, jumping at every distant crash or howl. She felt so useless, stuck here at the same time as her associates fought who knew what the woods were.

Finally, the sound of drawing near footsteps made them all spin around. James emerged from the bushes, his garments torn and splattered with blood. Jessica's heart leaped into her throat.

"Are you in harm?" she cried, dashing to him.

James shook his head, pulling her close. "Not mine," he stated gruffly. His next phrases chilled her to the bone: "It became a scouting party. Humans. They had silver guns and wolf's bane."

Jessica's blood ran bloodless as the implications sank in. This was no random attack. Someone knew exactly what they had been coping with - and how to harm them.

"The others?" David requested sharply.

"Handling the bodies," James spoke back, his voice hard. "We cannot risk them being determined."

Jessica felt sick. She knew it became essential, but the casual manner they discussed casting off human remains horrified her. This was the fact of the sector she now belonged to - kill or be killed.

"Did you recognize them?" Christopher requested. "Any sign of... ." He glanced meaningfully at Jessica, definitely referring to the cult from her imagination prescient.

James's jaw clenched. "No obvious cult markings, however that doesn't suggest a great deal. Could be hired guns."

A heavy silence fell over the group. Jessica's thoughts raced with terrifying possibilities. How long before the next attack? How ought to they combat an enemy they couldn't even pick out?

"We need to move," James said suddenly. "The compound isn't safe anymore. They observed us once, they may discover us again."

"Move wherein?" Jessica requested, panic growing in her chest. The concept of leaving the only location she'd felt secure on account of this complete ordeal began to become terrifying.

James met her gaze, his eyes softening barely. "I recognize a place. A vintage k. Stronghold, deep within the mountains. It's properly hidden and without problems defensible."

"When do we go away?" David asked, already shifting to collect resources.

"As soon as the others get back," James responded. "We'll journey light and speedy. Jessica..." He turned to her, his expression grave. "I understand this is a lot. But I want you to agree with me. Can you do that?"

Jessica regarded him, taking in the strength and determination radiating from each line of his frame. Despite her fear, despite the chaos swirling around them, she felt a surge of... Something. Not quite confident, however a spark of hope.

She nodded, squaring her shoulders. "I accept as true with you."

James's answering smile turned into fierce and proud. He leaned down, pressing a kiss to her brow that sent warm temperature spreading through her whole frame.

"That's my Luna," he murmured.

As the other's back and arrangements for her hasty departure began, Jessica tried to quell the storm of feelings raging inside her. She was nevertheless afraid - terrified, fife honest. But below that fear, a tiny seed of willpower had taken root.

She is probably susceptible now, a human lady out of her intensity in a world of monsters and magic. But she was additionally the luna, chosen by using fate and bonded to seven of the most powerful werewolves alive. Whatever came subsequent, anything horrors awaited them, she could face it.

For her friends. For herself. For destiny, they all desperately fought to shield.

As sunrise broke over the mountains, painting the sky in shades of crimson and gold, the percent slipped far from the handiest home Jessica had regarded in this new life. The journey in advance became fraught with chance, however as she looked at the determined faces of her alphas, she felt a flicker of desire.

They might continue to exist. They needed to.

Little did Jessica understand, the genuine look at her electricity - and the intensity of her bond with the alphas - became starting.