Blessing of Luna (Wolfgods Book 1) by Blaise Ramsay (best books for 20 year olds TXT) 📕

“Damien.” Kain bowed his head as Damien walked over to them.

“Morning Kain. What’d I miss?”

Kain’s eyes narrowed, almost appearing to study him. “Nothing. We were just going over the strategy one more time.”

“It looks like we’re going to have to try and push things a bit. Luckily for us, the vampires won’t be able to appear until sundown. We just have to make sure to keep morale up until we’re able to actually meet the bloodsuckers.” Holt said as he went over the rough map again with the other leaders.

“My lord, perhaps if you spoke to them. They may be inclined to keep their spirits high if they heard you encourage them.” Yuna addressed Damien who focused intently on the map in front of him.

Kain’s gaze never left Damien’s eyes.

“I will but for now, let them spend time with their families.” Damien replied, his voice devoid of the fear and uncertainty of the day before.

The leaders all nodded their agreement, dispersing to spend some time with their family and friends.

“Damien, a minute?” Kain’s voice had Damien stopping in his tracks.

“What’s up?”

“Not here. Come with me, please.” Kain led Damien to his tent. “Have a seat. I’ll make us some coffee.”

Damien sat down, puzzled as to why Kain was acting more strange than usual. When the alpha returned he sat down across from his friend.

“Damien, your eyes. I can see the change in them. Did something happen?”

“I had a word with Tenebris, Kain. I asked him for some help.”

“Regarding what?”

“Peace. I’ve been so full of doubt and confusion recently. Jill told me I would never know what it was like to be a true lycan if I didn’t clear my heart and soul of regret, revenge and doubt. I asked for help with that.” Damien focused on the floor in front of him. He’d begun to feel lighter after the god took the negative feelings from him.

“That would explain your eyes. I take it that your mind feels clearer, now?” Kain smiled.

“Yeah. It feels nice. I feel lighter. Tenebris wasn’t thrilled but he did what I asked of him.”

“That’s understandable. He doesn’t usually like to influence the feelings of his children but he has been known to do things for us he otherwise wouldn’t want to.”

The pain on Kain’s face made Damien tilt his head in question.

Kain grinned. “It’s nothing. Go be with Jillian. We start packing to leave in the morning. It will be at least a half a day’s travel with supplies on our backs.”

“Alright. Thanks, Kain. Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you but the offer for help extends both ways. If you ever need anything, ask.” Damien reached out his hand which Kain took with a warm smile.

“I will. Thank you, my friend.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Jill held onto Damien’s waist, her face buried into his chest. “I don’t like this. I don’t like you going somewhere I can’t watch over you.”

“Jill, I have to. They’re all counting on me. If we don’t end this now, we’re all going to die.” Damien guided her face to look up at him. “Trust me. I promised you last night while we were making love, remember?”

He dropped to his haunches, kissing Jill’s stomach. His hand rubbed soft, reassuring circles over her womb. “I am coming back. To both of you. Stay here, wait for me.”

Hesitantly, Jill let her lover’s hand go, watching him as he walked away.

“Damien!” Gabriel came running up to Damien, panting. “He won’t listen. I’ve tried and tried.”

“Whoa, whoa. Gabriel, who won’t listen? About what?”

“Kain, he’s not doing well. He’s not fit to fight but he won’t listen to me. Please, I need you to talk some sense into him.”

Damien set his bag down, walking with Gabriel to where Kain stood using a tree to support his weight. His breath was labored, his body covered with the fresh gashes Damien hadn’t seen in a while. They were angry, as if whatever made them tried to keep Kain from fighting.

“You can save your breath. I am fighting. No one is going to tell me otherwise.” Kain snapped at Damien before he even had a chance to speak.

“Good, I wasn’t going to. Can you even walk, Kain?”

“Hell yes, I can still walk.”

Damien threw a bag at the alpha. “Then carry that. Whatever you do, asshole, don’t die on the field or I’ll kick your ass myself. Deal?”

For the first time in their history together, Kain actually burst out laughing. “Alright. Deal. Same goes for you by the way.”

They shook hands in agreement.

“This was not what I hoped you would do!” Gabriel spat at Damien who just shrugged.

“What? Did you actually think I could stop him from going?  If you did, you’re more insane than he is.” Damien replied, chuckling.

Gabriel stood visually dumbfounded as Damien turned on his heel.

Holt, Kain and even Lune all fought back laughs at their fellow alpha’s embarrassment.

Upon arriving at the Circle of Stones, the lycans started setting up fires to prepare the food for an early dinner before the sun started setting just inside the ridges of the forest.

Yuna and Galeck positioned their packs as planned.

“Damien, talk to them. They need some encouragement.” Holt pleaded.

“Holt, I’m not much of a public speaker. I wouldn’t know what to say. They need to have faith for their families and friends who need them. Not for a single person. Besides, I have a friend in need of help. He’s not doing well and I can’t be both places at once.” Damien walked off, leaving Holt who seemed satisfied with his answer.

****

Kain lay on his side, his body hot to the touch from a fever trying to manifest itself