Midnight Luna
Chapter Forty One

Zach’s POV

The pathway was small and narrow. The air smelt of sea water and was humid. I had exactly 260 warriors with me. The rest I had left back at the pack house in case of a surprise attack. Hena showed as an underground passage that connected to the island from the main coast. It was an ancient service tunnel used by the castle servants and then later to smuggle slaves in the early years of the civil war. Rusted and broken candle stands along with old furniture were just left there to rot. The place itself told every story that happened here. We quietly walked, each of us going over the plan. We were going to infiltrate the fortress from the left; Hena said that’s where Logan kept his prisoners. I knew trusting her might be risky but I had no other option. She was the only one right now who could bring me closure to Hailey.

“I can’t wait to see this Logan. I have a few things I’d love to do to him.” Ethan said grinning at Kevin. I chuckled at their enthusiasm. Being around them could lift up everyone’s spirit. They were so optimistic that sometimes even I wondered if I was just over thinking. I could finally understand the reason why Hailey held them so close to her heart; they were indeed friends worth having. Liam was adamant to come along and so was Nate, Ethan, Kevin and Tyler. They were very stubborn and wanted to join, I couldn’t say otherwise. Liam’s pack was very well protected by his warriors so he wasn’t at all hesitant. After the incident he had with Hena I hadn’t seen them together. He had a blank face on, but something told me he came along to be close to her. I hope she understands she was making a huge mistake. Rejecting her mate was not the right decision, especially someone as great as him. Hailey always wanted him to have his happy ending and I genuinely wished he did too. I was sure his feelings for Hailey was still present but he was finally moving on and Hena was the only one who could help him do that.

“Liam,” I kept pace with him. He nodded at me and sent a smile my way. “Are you ok man?” I asked, watching his shoulders lift up in a shrug and a dejected look on his face. “I don’t know Zach. Right now all I know is we need to rescue Hailey. I may not be in the state of mind to think of anything else.” He said nonchalantly. I felt horrible for him; in the time we spent together he was one of the few guys I knew who deserved every bit of happiness in the world. Nate sent me a knowing look, sadness on his face. He knew the pain of rejection and he didn’t want the same for his best friend. I wished Hailey was here, she’d handle this mess in a second. She always knew what to say.

“Zach, we are here.” Hena said from ahead. She sent Liam a quick glance and I swear I saw love in them. But she quickly covered it and turned back to me. I had many things I wanted to say to her, but I knew I would be stepping over my boundaries. I was no one to judge her. I only hoped she’d wake up sooner. I saw a small opening ahead and the sounds of waves clashing against rocks filled our ears. Slowly we filed out from the tunnel, and stood facing a huge black structure. The castle was a massive structure, with walls of black stone. There was a thick layer of moss that grew on them giving it a very gloomy look. Four towers stood on all four corners, like watch towers. I would have been cautious; bringing hundreds of wolves here but Hena and Esmeralda had placed a spell on us so we could mask our scent. But something told me no matter what Logan knew we were coming. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was watching us right now. Whatever the case was, we had to stick to the plan. And that was first get Hailey out from there safely.

“This tunnel was made underground when the castle was joined to the coast. But due to a quake a couple hundred years back, the water came in surrounding the castle. But surprisingly the tunnel was not harmed. I had come across this when I was snooping around trying to escape.” Hena said to Nate. I turned and faced the castle trying to figure out where she was. My wolf could sense her, but she didn’t respond. I knew she was alive but what was she going through sent fear surging into my bones. A cold wind hit me and an involuntary shiver crossed my body, the hair on my back stoop up, as i felt we were being watched.

“Let’s spread out, surround the place from all sides and try to find spots where we can sneak in. Look for unguarded entrances and count the number of guards in this place. He may have increased the security, so do keep an eye out. Also these wolves are trained to kill and trust me when I say they sure aren’t like normal wolves. They are wolves you may have never come across, they are bred to kill for him and they will do so without hesitant.” Hena warned us. Everyone nodded and looked at me to give the order. I nodded and watched as everyone jogged to their places, all the while making sure to make no sound.

“You guys follow me; I know where he might have Hailey.” She said and started walking into the dense forest on the left. Keeping the castle in sight we walked behind her. Something felt wrong; there was neither patrol nor any rogue in sight. He couldn’t be so careless would he? This had to be intentional. “Something doesn’t feel right.” I said out loud. Liam turned to me and I knew he felt it to. We walked for some time and reached a small path leading to the back entrance of the castle. At the door stood a large man wearing a black t shirt and smoking a cigar. He didn’t smell like a wolf. I took a whiff of his scent and so did Liam. “Vampire.” We seethed together our canines extended. Vampires had always been a nuisance, poking their noses into wolves business. They were a virus which just wouldn’t stop growing. “Yes vampires, and there are many other creatures in there. Some on his side some not.” Hena said, looking at me. She avoided Liam and his face flashed with hurt and dejection. She ignored him and went back to scanning the perimeter. Liam sent me a forced smile, and I patted his back, letting him know I was there. Nate wrapped an arm around his shoulder and the rest huddled near him, punching him lightly bring a smile on his face. I laughed at their antics, but knew it was actually helping.

Suddenly I heard a scream from inside. My wolf jolted up when we recognized it as Hailey’s voice. She screamed again and I went crazy, letting him out. I saw only red, wanting to reach her now. I extended my fangs, pushed my wolf to the surface but didn’t transform. My mind was in mayhem and nothing but following her screams was my aim. I sprinted towards the entrance but Liam and Nate held me back. I growled loudly, “Let me go.” I yelled. “No Zach, please think. This is his plan. He wants to lure you in.” Hena said rationally but my mind didn’t register it. “There are harming my mate, let me go.” I ordered lowly, snarling at them. Fear crossed their faces but didn’t let go. I pushed them off in one swift motion and charged forward. The vampire didn’t notice me until it was too late. I jumped in the air and landed on him, holding he head and snapped it to the left. I heard that satisfying crack as his limp body fell to the ground. Her screamed filled the air and let out a deep, rumbling growl. Following the screams I ran into a long passage that led to a staircase going down. Two wolves came in front of me and snapped their claws at me. As they charged, I held my stance and when they neared I pounced on the one to the right and threw him into the wall, he grunted and fell on his back, blood coming from his head. The other wolf wrapped his hand around my neck; I felt his claws dig into my skin. I held his hand and pulled him above me, twisting it. He yelled but I cut him by scratching his neck deeply, watching the blood pour out on his shirt. Kicking him aside I ran to the only door in the corridor.

When I opened it, the sight in front of me made my heart break. Hailey was strapped to a vertical bed, her hands and legs were wrapped with thick leather belts. Her head hung down and her hair fell on her face. There were tubes connected to her arm and blood flowed from it into two huge canisters. My mind went numb seeing her in this state. I ran to her and pushed aside her hair. “Hailey baby. Please wake up. Please Hailey say something.” I begged, slowing slapping her cheeks, but her eyes remained shut. Beads of sweat fell from her forehead and a ragged slow breath came from her.

“Zach, how kind of you to join us.” a smooth voice said from behind me. I turned and came face to face with a muscular man. He was wearing a torn jeans and a rolling stones t-shirt. His brown hair was styled to perfection and his grey eyes looked sinister. A cunning smile formed on his lips, his crow’s feet deepening giving him a devilish look. His attire made him look like he was in his late twenties. “What have you done to her?” I ordered. He chuckled and stepped up to me. “Well I recently found out your mate is both a werewolf and a witch. Well you see her uniqueness fascinates me and I would like to understand her so this is just a small experiment to know how she is who she is.” He shrugged, walking to the canisters and dipping his finger in her blood raising it his lips. “Ummm she tastes delicious.” He exclaimed. I growled and sprinted towards him with an intention to separate his head from his body. He was not going to be able to torture my mate and get away with it.

Just then the room filled with 20 huge wolves, as they stepped between him and me. I didn’t stop and charged, slamming my body into three of them. They grunted and fell back. I fought back, scratching and biting their limbs off. I lifted them easily and flung them across the room. I watched in content as they fell to the ground with no chance of ever getting up. I was nearing Logan and was glad to see terror I his eyes. Suddenly I felt a small jab on my back. After a few seconds another one hit my back but I kept advancing towards Logan. Two other pokes pierced me, that’s when I felt my heart rate slow down and a sudden numbness spread in my body. I couldn’t move my legs and in shock I fell to the round. Logan came up to me and smirked down. “Well too bad. I really did enjoy watching you fight.” He faked sadness. My eyes move along with him but I couldn’t lift myself from the ground. I growled but that just made him laugh louder.

“Nice one Colin.” He said to someone behind. “He is strong; it took four huge doses to bring him down.” A high pitched voice replied. I saw two pair of arms lift me up and in helplessness I watched them strap me on an identical vertical stand right opposite Hailey. My heart broke seeing her broken figure and I felt so useless and resented myself. A thin, small boy walked up to her and held her face, examining it. I grunted not liking him holding her like that. He looked at me with blue eyes and I knew he was a human. A snide smile crossed his features and suddenly he looked more evil and sinister than Logan. Why was a human associated with Logan?

“Colin here is a mad genius in recreating blood from different creatures and mixing it to form new blood which can enhance a person. So for that I am sad to inform you Zach, we need every last drop of Hailey’s blood. I am indeed very kind; you get a front seat to this awesome experiment.” He said clapping his hands together in excitement. Bile rose in my mouth, this was not how it was supposed to be. Hailey didn’t deserve to suffer so much. She didn’t ask for all this, she earned a life filled with happiness and love, not this horror. I wished I could swap places with her. “Hailey” I whispered. “Can you hear me?” I begged. I saw her eyes flutter but she didn’t open them. I could hear her faint heart beat but it was slowing down at a fast rate. “We’ll leave you two to catch up.” He said I exited the room followed by Colin.

“Hailey. Listen to my voice. Please you have to fight it. I need you to fight it. You are so strong baby.” I whispered. My voice was horse and I felt my throat dry up. She shifted her head slightly and groaned. “Open your eyes baby.” I cooed, a smile forming on my lips. “Zach.” She barely whispered. Her eyes slowly opened and focused on me. They were bloodshot and tired but the light in there was still evident. “What are you doing here?” She mumbled with half opened eyes. “Well I came to rescue you but.” I joked, sending her a sheepish smile. Her lips twitched but she didn’t have the strength to do even that. “Zach.” She said, a little louder. “Yeah baby.” I willed her to continue.

“Logan isn’t the only one.” She whispered

I was puzzled. What did she mean by that? But before I could ask her, she closed her eyes and I felt her letting go. The blood loss was making her too weak. “Hailey please hold on. Baby please.” I yelled, trying to twist my hand through the numbness. I felt the sensation in my finger slowly return and I pulled at the constraints, but they wouldn’t budge. I grunted and pulled it with all my strength, watching in triumph as the belt on my left hand tore apart. Still feeling a little dizzy I worked on freeing myself. Reaching Hailey I slowly withdrew the needle from her hand and put pressure to stop the bleeding. Gently, I removed her from the standand I sat down on the ground cradling her limp body.

“Hailey baby. Wake up.” I slapped her face lightly. I rubbed her palms to bring the heat back in them as they were freezing up. I could sense the healing in her body but it was too slow. She needed to heal faster, so I did the only thing I knew. I bit into my palm and placed the open wound on her lips. “Drink Hailey. It will help.” I whispered and sighed in relief when her lips moved sucking the blood. Her lips felt soft against my skin as I could feel her heart beat stabilize. She retreated and laid back into me, her breathing was coming back to normal. “I am so sorry Zach. This life of ours is so messed up.” She said in sadness. “Hey you know I like messed up.” I said, watching her lips spread into that beautiful smile. I leaned in and placed my lips slowly on hers; she responded and gently kissed me back. It felt like I had not kissed her for a very long time. Felling her lips against mine calmed me down.

“Well now is not the time to make out guys.” Ethan exclaimed in fake annoyance as they entered the room. Hailey giggled lightly and opened her eyes to send him a fake glare. She smiled at Liam and the rest, happiness filling in her eyes. Everyone had relief spread on their faces when they saw she was okay. “Zach we need to move. Logan may be on his way” Hena urged us, walking up to Hailey and holding her hand. “I am so sorry Hailey.” She whispered. Hailey nodded quietly but didn’t respond. “Let’s get out of here” I said and lifted her up. She held me as she steadied herself. She was healing rapidly and her strength was slowly returning. After a second she nodded and we exited the room. All five of the boys surrounded us as we walked to the door.

But as soon as we came out of the castle we saw Logan standing there with over two hundred wolves and vampire standing in our way. “Did you really think I was going to just let you walk free? How stupid do you think I am?” He questioned watching our group with questioning look. “If you really want to know, well then I’d say you are very stupid.” Tyler said out loudly. Ethan and Kevin sniggered behind him and Liam smiled in amusement. They really had a very bad timing when it came to cracking jokes. I shook my head but couldn’t stop the smile forming in my lips and saw Hailey also found it amusing. “You find it very funny Hailey?” He pointed her and then them. “Let’s see how funny it is when you witness everyone you hold dear die because of you.” I knew his words stung her as the truth behind them had always been her worst fear. I squeezed her hand letting her know I was right beside her. She glared at him with so much hatred and rage.

"Zach, we are all here and ready. Give us the order.” Hayden voice floated into my head. I looked carefully and could make out my pack hiding behind the deep forest just behind Logan’s army. I noticed Logan’s men closing on us. I knew I war was inevitable. I glanced at Hailey and she understood, silently telling me to do it. ”Attack" I yelled to every member and watched as they jumped out from behind the trees and charged at the surprised enemy. I sent her a smile, making sure she was ready. She nodded and ran along with me towards the fight, both of us desperately wanting to tear their limps and watch them bleed.

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