Our Luna, Our Mate Chapter 143

**Ares POV**

~4Hrs Prior~

When approaching the setup for Athena's birthday party, I couldn't help but feel blown away. Mom having gotten really good at what she did when it came down to decorating for pack events and Athena's birthday was no exception, because when decorating for Athena, mom pulled out all the bells and whistles.

'Our mother did really well. Mate is going to love it' purrs Zeus, admiring the scenery all around us from within my eyes. Eros and the others all slowly arriving as well.

'That she did, pal' I say with a chuckle, only to pause, a sense of dread beginning to wash over me as if something bad was about to happen. Deciding on shoving the thought away momentarily, I try to keep my cool as I try and figure out where it suddenly came from.

'Are you okay?' asks Zeus, having sensed my recent behavior.

'Yeah, nothing to worry about' I admitted. Not wanting nor needing Zeus to worry or my brother, for that matter, when it was supposed to be Athena's big day.

Eros slowly moving to approach us along with Kai, Seth and Sam, the four of us ready to help mom with whatever she needed help with should she need the extra set of hands.

"Need any help there mom?" asks Eros, once he was close enough to speak up.

"No, thank you dear. I'm almost finished with everything. Why don't you two go and check in with your father over at the house though. He's currently with Adrian and the triplets." suggests mom, her eyes giving us a knowing look.

Amused by the idea of our father trying to handle four children, Eros and I reluctantly move to nod our heads, Kai and the others chuckling as they move to bid us good luck before turning to leave as they went about pack duties until the start of the party. Eros and I each kissing our mother on the cheek before gently moving to reply to her.

"Sure mom. We can do that for you. After all, the triplets sure know how to make anyone run for their money."

Laughing as well, she nods. "Oh don't I know it. Pretty sure Ryder and Nathan get their little rebellion side from the two of you. After all, you two always did know how to cause trouble for your father and I."

Laughing ourselves, Eros and I move to hug and kiss our mother once more for good luck before slowly moving to head for where our father was. The house. Most likely trying to get Adrian and the triplets ready for the birthday party while mom finished helping with the party setup.

"Mom never changes, does she?" chuckles Eros, only to pause when we reach the clearing for the tree line. A scent lingering within the air the closer we get.

Sniffing the air as well, Zeus begins to growl, Deimos growling as well. Eros and I freezing as we try and locate the scent, my teeth clenched at the smell.

"She wouldn't dare" growls Eros, having finally picked up on the scent as well.

"Oh, she would alright. Pretty sure she's expecting us too" I say, my mind reaching out towards Kai, Seth and Sam in the process.

'Kai, Seth, Sam. Eros and I need you, NOW!' I ordered through the link. The time still early enough that hopefully we would be able to handle this before Athena and the others arrived, as we had been wanting to see her reaction on this big day of hers.

'What's wrong, Alpha?' asks Kai, the first of three to respond, followed by Seth and Sam.

'Ya, what he said'

'We have an unwanted guest within our mists. Meet us near the forest. NOW'

Not one to be told twice, Kai along with Seth and Sam are quick to respond, each of them slowly approaching like asked as we all continue to stand just outside the treeline of the forest.

"She must be crazy if she didn't think we wouldn't notice that scent" growls Kai softly, having picked up on her scent the moment he had arrived.

"Clearly. The only question I have for her is why? Why show up and randomly? Is she hoping to get the drop on us or something?" asks Seth, a bit confused like the rest of us.

"Maybe. But with Lily, I wouldn't put anything past her. She may have been the pack whore but she wasn't stupid. There's a reason as to why she wants us to know" replies Eros, his words suddenly sparking an afterthought to his words.

The children!

With panic now rushing through my veins, I subconsciously make a run into the forest. The need to reach Adrian, the triplets and our father each consuming me until I'm finally followed by Eros as well as Kai, Seth and Sam.

"What's wrong?" yells Sam, each of them still chasing me in the process.

"The children! If Lily is indeed here she'll most likely target the children first."

Hearing collective growls, we each continue to run, only to run smack-dab into something solid and hard, our bodies hitting the ground as we try to find the sudden source of the impact.

"What the-" begins Kai, clearly not happy with whatever we just hit.

"You're telling me" grumbles Seth, just as the sound of laughter begins filling the air, the hair along our necks rising at the source.

"You fell for it. You honestly fell for it."

At the sound of her voice, the five of us slowly begin to turn, only to see the person in question. Her appearance unhinged as her eyes gleamed dangerously low, as if one wrong move would suddenly change the situation, and giving her the opening she would need to pounce on you.

"Lily" growls Eros, his eyes narrow as are my own. Anger rising as we continue to stare at the woman who suddenly became the bane of our existence, the woman who sold her soul to the devil to get the power she needed to carry out her plans.

"Lovely to see you too, Eros" cooed Lily, her voice still annoying even if she was slightly unhinged.

"Why are you here Lily?" I demanded, resisting the urge to march myself straight over to her and ripping off her head straight from her body.

"Why? Why I'm here for you... Ares" smirks Lily, her eyes carefully guarded.

"Like that'll ever happen" I grunt.

"You sound like you have a choice in the matter. A choice in which you don't"

Growling at her response, we each try to move our bodies only to realize that we suddenly can't. Our bodies magically frozen in place. My eyes now back on Lily, as if demanding her to tell us what she just did to us.

"What have you done?"

"Me? Why nothing, of course. They, on the other hand? They are what keep you from moving. They are the ones who momentarily bind you so you do not move nor get access to those within your pack. Not even to your darling little Athena" grins Lily, her fingers snapping, and 5 Witches slowly begin to appear before us.

Eyes black like onyx as each of them move to slowly circle us. Their aura's strong. Aura's that were probably stronger than Rosalyn's just by comparison alone.

"Meet my Dark Witches. Witches more powerful than my ex-best friend. Meet the High Priestesses. The High Priestesses of Shadowmoon."