Imperial Army

Chapter Two - Luna

Kat stalked out into the trees, needing breathing space. Her head swam, as bile rose in her throat. Dropping to her knees, she dry-heaved into the grass. The frost crunched beneath her hands, blades of green splintering along her palm. She lifted them up, taking in their vibrance. Underneath the cold, hard ice that blanketed the ground, nature resisted. Just crack the surface and the world comes to life. That is how she felt. Vibrant life, encased in ice, unfeeling. 

Only a few hours ago, she felt everything. She felt the breeze prickle her skin, blistering pain across her heart because it was not Cal's warmth that brushed up against her. She felt the air choke her lungs, instead of breathing life into her, as his scent did. 

And now? Nothing.

Well, she felt something. She felt normal. She felt the way she used to, before she knew Cal walked this Earth. Which was unnatural to her now.

Something is wrong.

Before she had a chance to delve further into her bond, Vilkas led the warriors around the corner of the pack house. His eyes widened as he saw her, clearly he had been expecting her to be in the office. He adjusted his route seamlessly, lining the wolves up in front of her. She rose to stand tall in front of them.

Kat looked at each in turn, assessing their physical and mental health. She breathed in their eagerness, their blood-lust. She could smell their determination to succeed. She could hear their frantic hearts, betraying their fear. All of them were afraid.

Good.

"Thank you, Warriors, for agreeing to accompany me on this recruitment mission. I do not imagine it will be easy but if we aim to keep the bloodshed to a minimum, we should be successful."

"Are ten of us enough, Luna?" Blaez stepped forward to ask.

"Yes, I believe so. We will be treating them as hostile, but we will not pick fights. If anyone notices anything... despicable happening, you are to notify me immediately."

The eight warriors nodded their consent.

"Two cars of warriors, one car for you and I, Vilkas." Kat murmured, turning to her First-Beta.

Vilkas indicated for the warriors to follow him to the garage as Kat lagged behind, bracing herself against the nearest tree.

"Cal. Cal, Cal, Cal. CAL!" she began in a whisper, ending in a scream.

Nothing.

He can't be dead. He can't be.

Pushing aside her grief, she raised her chin and joined her warriors.

"Are you okay?" Vilkas asked quietly, as Kat climbed into the passenger seat of a sleek purple sports car.

Kat looked at Vilkas, remembering their recent pact of complete transparency. After so many secrets and betrayals, they needed it.

"No. Something has changed and I'm not dealing with it well." She buried her face in her hands.

"You said his name." Vilkas whispered, as he pulled out of the garage.

"Exactly."

"You haven't been able to do that for days. You've passed out every time." The shock in his voice was evident, it set Kat's nerves on edge.

"I know. Why now, Vilkas? What's different? He can't be-" She caught herself. It was one thing to think it, another to say it aloud. 

"You died." Vilkas stated, simply. Kat looked up at him in surprise.