Iris ran through the woods, jumping over fallen trees and roots with ease. Although, this wasn"t stopping Lucius from gaining momentum as he was hot on her tail. They ran into a clearing, the waterfall to be exact. Lucius jumped onto Iris, knocking her into the water, and they started clawing and biting at one another. The once clear blue water was a murky red from the dirt and blood on their fur as they fought. Iris was having the upper hand in the fight, using her smaller form against his larger one. With one lean swipe, Iris clawed down his stomach and side, critically injuring Lucius. Lucius growled but fell into the water since he was becoming weak from the rapid blood loss. "You w-will never be happy," Lucius said weakly.
"That"s where you"re wrong. I am happy with my mate and son," Iris said. "Any last words?"
Lucius growled and started laughing like a madman before Iris broke his neck and skull when she slammed him into the boulder. Lucius laid in the water, now completely lifeless. Iris panted as she was trying to catch her breath before being swallowed by complete darkness.
***
Back at the battlefield, all the rogues were either dead or injured to they could only submit in defeat to remain alive longer. Max was helping all the remainder wolves with their injuries and getting himself fixed as well. He had sent a search party to find Iris and Lucius, only for them to come back with Lucius" dead body and no Iris.
"What do you mean her body wasn"t there? Did you check downstream?" Max exclaimed.
"Alpha, we checked everywhere. She"s gone," one of the wolves said.
Max growled loudly, not liking that his mate has gone missing once again.
"Well go check again!" he demanded.
The wolves bowed and quickly left the room, only for him to burst into tears on the floor of his bedroom.
If Iris had only listened to him, she would"ve still been here, he thought.
A knock on the door was heard as Aiden walked in with the elder wolf that was in the safe room with Iris, as well as Derek whom was carrying Zephyr. Derek brought Zephyr over to max before sitting down next to him on the floor. Zephyr cooed at his father, making Max feel less stressed out. What confused Max the most was the small omega boy sitting next to him.
"Not trying to sound rude, but what"s with the kid?" Max asked.
"He is who your mate has blessed your son with. To guide him with through the darkness of this world and be with him through his reign as alpha," the elder wolf said.
Max nodded and handed Zephyr back to Derek so Aiden could clean his wounds.
"And who are you?" Max asked the elder wolf.
"I am the one who brings wisdom to the world. I am everything yet nothing at the same time," he said.
"Do you have a name?" Max asked.
"I go by many names. But you may call me Brother Zachariah," the elder, Zachariah, said.
"Do you think.... do you think Iris will come back?" Max asked Zachariah with hope in his heart.
"I can"t tell you that because I don"t have an answer to give. But only time will tell. For now my child, be the alpha your pack needs. Raise your boy with lots of love so when it"s his turn, he may take lead with a proud father. The Moon G.o.ddess works in mysterious ways, but she"s always watching her children. Iris would be happy to see you alive," Brother Zachariah said before leaving the room.