A Blood-Red Moon Ch. 03

And if he were honest with himself, it wasn't just that she'd found her mate. It was that he hadn't found his, and it was weighing on his mind. What if he didn't have one? What if she'd been killed? What if she was with someone else?

Shaking off his nagging thoughts, he snarled and batted his attacker away with barely a thought. This fight was a little too easy now. These leopards were nowhere near his equal. He sighed, this wasn't about him. It was about his sister's friend and her mate. He laughed to himself. No matter how much Sean tried to hide it, Abby was his mate. He couldn't figure out why she couldn't sense it, and he also couldn't figure out why Sean couldn't sense she was of Were ancestry. Whatever. Hopefully they would work their shit out soon. All of Sean's moping was getting old.

The fighting around him suddenly stopped and he realized with a start that Sean and Abby were behind him. His distraction allowed the new leopard he was toying with to get away. He took that as his cue to slink to a spot off to the side, seeing Chris do the same on the other side of the clearing.

Conn's eyes were drawn to the man striding towards the powerful group of wolves. He had a murderous glint in his eye and a dagger clenched in his fist. He recognized this man. This was Arthur Johnson, the man that had disappeared from the Were community after an infamous disagreement with the Alexander Alphas. They'd all assumed him dead, especially after the deaths of the Alexander Alphas.

"How kind of you to keep the girls here for me, wolf," he said, looking at Sean. "This would have been so much harder, especially after you left me to bleed to death."

Sean growled, hackles raised and teeth bared. The two black, well one was only almost-black, wolves were silent in their hatred, but no less intimidating. Conn looked over to see Chris slowly inching forward, moving to flank Arthur. Conn stayed where he was, in the perfect position should anything unexpected happen.

"You know, girls," Arthur suddenly spoke. "You look nothing like either of your parents. They were both larger, like normal Werewolves," he taunted. "And their coloring was the color of their hair, like normal wolves. Although, you do have your father's eyes. They never changed when he shifted either."

This caused one of the girls to growl. Livvy, he realized with a start. She had black gems in her necklace where the other girl had blue. Weird. It was then that he realized he felt just as protective of the other little white wolf. He supposed she was his sister by proxy, since he claimed Livvy as his sister and they were twins.

All of his distracted thoughts had caused him to miss what was going on. Before he could react, Livvy's twin lunged forward, heading straight for Arthur. He watched in slow motion as Arthur drew back his hand with the dagger, preparing to throw. One of the wolves barely had time to whimper before Connor was launching himself in front of the little wolf.

He felt the cold slice of a blade entering his chest, then spreading outwards. Poison. He stumbled when he landed, and had enough time to see Chris fighting with a leopard in the same place Arthur had been. He tried to go help his brother when he saw the vicious claws rake down his face, but blackness overcame him.

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Livvy howled and shifted back to human form. Her scream echoed as she dropped to Connor's side. He can't be dead. He can't be dead! She shook him and leaned closer to his chest. A heartbeat! He was still alive, but barely. He needed a healer now.

"Somebody help me move him," she demanded.

Luke ran up, his face ashen. He motioned for Nick's help and they hefted Connor between them. It wasn't easy, she could see their strain. But she could still hear Conn's heart beating. It seemed a little slow, even in leopard form, but it was there. She latched onto that sound and prayed.

He'll be okay, babe. Luke whispered in her mind.

He better be, or I'm going to kick his ass, then your's.

A small chuckle was all the answer she got.

They had started heading for the trucks when she heard a terrifying scream. She whipped around and realized it had been that horrible man's death. Chris had not gone easy on him, and other than savage claw marks down his own face, he only had minor injuries himself. Livvy looked away from the sight of the savaged body. There was barely anything left.

He quickly shifted and helped take his brother's weight. Even though the wounds were fresh, Livvy knew they would leave scars.

"I'm so sorry, Liv," Tasha sobbed coming up next to her. "I lost control. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt."

Livvy pulled her sister into a hug. "Shhh. I know. If you wouldn't have gone after him, I was a second behind you. Connor was doing what Connor does. He'll pull through," I hope, she silently added.

Dani pulled her away in a hug so Livvy could clear the trail to the trucks. The scent of blood was heavy in the air and was adding to her stress. She could hear Tasha sniffling still. She really didn't blame her. Tasha had only reacted a fraction of a second faster than herself. Threatening their mates. What a stupid fucking man. She glanced back at her brother and fought back tears. Stupid fucking leopard. She'd seen the throw and it would've gone high of Tasha, but Conn had reacted on pure instinct.

After what seemed like days, they made it back to the trucks. Only there were three more than what they'd left. She could see the vampire they'd met standing next to one, and two other men sitting in the others.

"I figured you and maybe some others might need a ride out of this hell-hole," he said. "After all, you did help my mate and me in a time of need." He gestured towards the blue vehicle and Livvy could see the girl from before, still pale, but conscious.

"We appreciate it," she said. "But we're the only ones-" she broke off.

A group of about fifteen women burst through the trees. They were in little better than rags, and covered in evidence of their abuse. Livvy vaguely remembered seeing them on the outskirts. They were all a little wild eyed and looked suspiciously at the vehicles. One woman's hands started crackling with small flames.

"We're escaping, too," Sean was the first to regain composure. He was trying to reassure them. "They were holding my mate and I back there and these people saved us."

The women slowly relaxed, but kept a suspicious eye on the men. That's when Livvy noticed one girl was being carried. She looked too weak to even lift her head. Suddenly the door to the blue truck burst open, startling her.

"Put her down!" the woman cried. Everyone jumped and looked at her like she was nuts.

"Kyra?" the weak girl croaked.

"Garnet, it's me. I'm here," she answered softly before grabbing her from the woman holding her. "Thanks, witch. I've got it from here."

"What are you going to do for her? She's too weak," the woman, apparently a witch, asked. "Nothing we tried helped her, and you're just a human."

"She needs to be in contact with the earth," Kyra replied distractedly. She was laying the girl on the cold ground against a tree. Was this Kyra girl crazy?

Livvy looked around at everyone else. They all wore the same confused expressions. Except Chris. He had a look of wonderment on his face and he wasn't watching Kyra and Garnet. Had he found his mate among these women? She was drawn from her thoughts when everyone gasped.

Kyra began muttering softly under her breath, one hand on the tree and the other on Garnet. Livvy could literally see the color and strength coming back to the girl. But at the same time, the tree seemed to be losing some of its vitality. Needles were fading and falling to the ground. She thought she heard Kyra mutter "Thank you for your sacrifice" before the witches moved forward. Kyra exchanged a look with the one that seemed to be in charge.

They quickly chanted something that sounded almost like a prayer and the tree stopped dropping its needles. Everyone stared in awe as Garnet stood. After a second of regaining her composure she stepped away from Kyra and the witches.

She looked at the men carefully loading Conn into the backseat and gasped. Before anyone could react, she was racing forward and pushing Nick out of the way. Tasha growled and received a growl in return, the girl's eyes glowing; like sun dancing through the leaves in autumn. Tasha quickly stepped back when Nick wrapped an arm around her.

The strange girl was whispering to Conn. Livvy had no idea what she was saying, but her hands over his chest wound began to glow. The bleeding slowed to a trickle and his breathing was no longer quite as harsh. Even his heartbeat sounded stronger. Livvy watched as Kyra approached their truck.

"Please come back with me Garnet. We can get you settled," she broke off as Garnet hissed at her.

"I'm staying. This male is mine," she stated. Kyra looked taken aback.

Livvy was a little confused. She had no idea what this girl was, but she was claiming her brother. She had healed her brother almost completely and she appeared to be simply human. What was she? And more importantly, was she his mate?

She was broken out of her thoughts yet again. Man, why do I keep getting distracted? The witches had apparently decided to trust them while she'd been lost in her thoughts, and Luke was in the middle of making plans to meet back at the pack house to get everyone healed and fed.

These were the only witches that had survived long enough to get free. Arthur had been forcing them to keep up shields, but not allowing them to recharge their energy. No one mentioned anything about Garnet and Kyra. But there was definitely something odd about them, and the witches seemed to know something.

She heard a small commotion just as she was about to get in the truck. Chris was pushing two of the witches out of his way to grab one already seated. He dragged her out and placed her in the other truck with Nick and Tasha, right next to him. The witches glanced at each other, confused, but the Weres and the vamp -she still didn't know his name- exchanged amused glances.

"I'm glad everyone else thinks this is so funny," she snapped. "But I would really like to get away from here."

"Livvy, what's the deal?" Tasha asked.

Livvy just shook her head and looked towards Luke. She was still on the tail end of her heat, and after the adrenaline had started to wear down, she was feeling the effects.

I know, Livvy. We just need to get everyone back, and then I'll take care of you, Luke assured her.

She growled a little at him, annoyed that he was so calm through all this. Easy for you to say.

Actually, not really. Your scent is driving me mad, but we have an audience and we have a responsibility to these people.

I know, she sighed. It didn't get rid of the need for her mate though.

Tasha's voice rang through her head. You're not the only one. This is driving me nuts! I'm ready to just jump Nick while he's driving and take advantage...mmm, maybe...

Livvy burst out laughing and almost everyone looked at her like she was insane. "Thanks, Tash. I guess if you can suffer through it, so can I."

Luke hustled her into the passenger seat. "The faster we get home, the faster I can take care of you."

"Alright, but I'm holding you to that promise," she stated. He leaned in and gave her a scorching kiss before stepping back and closing the door.

"Everyone just follow me," he said loudly. "We'll meet back at the pack house, and everyone can be fed and seen by the healers."

After everyone voiced their approval of this plan, Luke climbed into the truck. He pulled onto the road, going well over the speed limit, but thankfully everyone else kept up. Livvy smiled to herself. He was just as eager as her. In spite of all of the terrible things that had happened, and everything they had discovered, she had no doubt of her mate's love.

He smiled at her and reached out to take her hand, twining their fingers together. I will always love you, no matter what. But you kicking so much ass today just proved how lucky I am to have you. She could hear the smile in his voice and closed her eyes contentedly.

She let out a huge yawn and let herself drift, listening to the sounds of Garnet humming softly to her wounded brother. While grateful the girl had healed her brother, she knew there was something different about that girl. She just couldn't put her finger on it. But, mate or not, if this Garnet harmed her brother, no force on earth could keep Livvy from giving it back to her ten-fold.

The fighting had used up so much of her energy; not to mention using that strange power she'd instinctively known how to use. She succumbed to slumber, dreaming about witches and strange creatures with glowing eyes that drew energy from trees.