by Tamara White
His eyes fade back to blue with my words and he has the grace to look ashamed but not good enough. No one treats me like that and gets away with it! Not even my mates! He wants an answer, so I’ll give him one. “You asked about Tim and Laura and my answer is yes, I still want them in charge. Not because I don’t want to be the Alpha Queen, but because I feel like I barely know anything about life as a wolf. How the hell am I supposed to lead the packs in one united front when I can’t even tell you everything about the packs. We visited each pack as part of the trials and while I know you all a little better, I still feel like I would fail everyone,” I admit, baring my darkest fears.
“You are all so in tune with each pack and have your own problems to handle so it wouldn’t be fair to take you as mates when you have other things that are more important.”
I take deep breaths trying to gain control but I feel like I’m unravelling. Nate steps away from the bed and at first, I think he’s going to say something comforting until I see his eyes, flinting with flecks of amber. “You’re so selfish,” he whispers into the quiet room.
My heart stops, and I feel frozen to the spot as he stands in front of me, an anger I’ve never seen, surfacing. “You want my parents to be Alpha Pair because you can’t handle it. We are your mates and each of us would die for you. We’d help you lead but you won’t even give us the chance. You’re more concerned with getting as far away from us as you can. If you make my parents lead the pack as Alpha Pair, then I withdraw my claim as your mate. I don’t want to be with someone who gives up so easy,” he scoffs, leaving the room and slamming the door behind him.
Jonnie and Pete run off after him, leaving me with Mitchell, Cam and Jason. I close my eyes holding back the tears as my heart breaks.
“He didn’t mean it, you know that right? Tensions are just high and we’re all holding on by a thread. He’ll come back later and apologize then everything will be all better again, you’ll see,” Mitch says, wrapping me in his arms.
I hold still, shutting myself off. “Everything won’t be ok. You think he didn’t mean it but I felt it through the link. He meant every word. I think I need to take a walk and think through some things.” Cam opens his mouth to say something but I just shake my head. “I’m not in the mood. I’ll take James, Jake or Rick with me but right now, I need some space from you guys.”
I walk in a haze, my mind filled with images of being alone, no mates by my side as I rule a society of wolves that hate me. Maybe I was better off not coming to the pack. Dad would still be alive if we had stayed hidden away. We could have been living in blissful ignorance while Luke led the pack like he was before. No one would be dead. My mates wouldn’t hate me. And I wouldn’t be dealing with this stupid heat!
I run down the stairs, not looking where I’m going, only hoping to get as far away from everyone as I can. My wolf is raging inside, desperate to be free and release her pain. I run straight into James as he steps in front of the door, blocking my way. “Move,” I growl, my wolf close to the edge of insanity.
“Ok, just let me come with you. Even with Cam as Alpha, I wouldn’t trust any of this pack as far as I could throw them. Luke has brainwashed most of them. I just have this feeling I need to be with you,” he pleads, a look so sincere that I nod. He moves aside, following me out of the house and past the onlooking wolves. They all stare at us as we go by, most of them steering clear of me.
We get into the woods and I waste no time stripping down to my underwear and shifting. My wolf lets out a mournful howl, before taking off into the dark forest, James hot on my heels.
The rush of running through the forest is just what I needed. James and I play like two young wolves, chasing a few rabbits through the underbrush. We herd a group of deer through a large paddock and over a small hill, coming across a beautiful open field filled with wild daisies. It’s breathtaking. The sun shines off the flowers as it hits its peak at midday. My wolf lies down basking in the warmth. You can see the surrounding hills and valleys across the area, and the smattering of the first snow that fell through the night.
I shift back, using the long grass to hide my nudity. James does the same and we sit among the grass watching the breeze sway the grass, sending a few of the dying daisies up in the air.
James breaks the silence, “You ready to talk about it?” he asks facing me, his eyes sympathetic.
“Ugh, not really but I suppose I should. I just don’t get it. Should I just leave and let them do what they want with the pack? I don’t know what I’m doing yet they all expect me to know straight away!” I vent angrily. “The information is still slowly settling in my mind. I get bursts of clarity about what I should do but most of the time it’s still gibberish.”
I stare out at the field, trying to distract myself with the beauty of the wild flowers among the wild grass but even then, it’s barely keeping my attention. All these questions are going through my mind, giving me a migraine.
James is silently watching me a few feet away. He joins my side, looking out at the flowers as he speaks, “Dani, they love you. Each of them want to protect you and it kills them knowing that you don’t need it. All the males in these packs grow up knowing that when their mate comes along, they will provide for her, support her and protect her against any and all threats. It’s been twenty years since your mother left and no-one thought they would have another Alpha Queen which is why they weren’t raised to expect you. A girl, sorry woman,” he corrects when I throw him an angry glare. “Anyway, they didn’t expect a woman like you to come into their lives and love each of them equally. You show it every day in the little ways you play with Pete. The conversation you have with Jason. The bond between you and Cam. Nate is the one you go to when you are in pain. Jonnie is the one you go to when you want to talk with someone about something you feel is insignificant and Mitchell is the peacemaker. He always calms the rest of you down when you all want to bite each other’s heads off. His presence alone, can stop many arguments before they even start.”
I nod, a lot of what he’s saying is making a lot of sense. I’d never really stopped to think about what each of them does for our relationship. “Ok, then what does that make me? What’s my role? And what about Eli?” I ask facing him, curiosity getting the better of me. None of my mates were happy when I told them Eli and I had the same connection. I can’t seem to get him out of my mind. Vivienne’s promise that I’d meet him again, always at the forefront.
“That’s easy. You make them whole. You already saw each of them is missing something from their life, and you fill that, making your unit complete. That will inevitably be what makes you the strongest Alpha Queen. You have a harem of men to help you lead your society into the future, whether you choose to revert back to the original powers, become human or continue as wolves. That’s something only you can decide for us,” he tells me sombrely. “And as for Eli? That’s your choice. If you feel the connection with him, then you have to talk to your other mates to make sure you could work as a cohesive unit with him on board. You also need to make it clear to Eli that he would have to share you.”
We sit in silence for a while longer until I finally get the courage to go back and face my mates. I need them to understand that they are everything to me. I can’t lose them over something so petty. I need to tell Nate that I won’t let his parents take up the role of Alpha Pair. If they will have me, I want to be Alpha Queen with my mates by my side. I also have to talk to them about Eli and see where they stand.
“Alright, I made my decision. Let’s head back so I can tell the pack and my mates I’m their new Alpha Queen,” I announce getting to my feet. A wave of pride goes through my wolf and for once, I feel like we’re one entity. James smiles full of pride, “That’s my girl. If your father was here, he would be so proud of you, stepping up and taking on your responsibility. Let’s go back so you can make up with those mates of yours,” he winks before shifting back into his wolf. The amber eyes on his wolf’s face, sparkling with happine
ss.
I smile, shifting into my wolf, pouncing onto James’s back and making us topple over, squashing the grass and wildflowers around us. He springs up, yipping at me and bolting off through the forest. I give chase, urging my wolf to go faster. We fly through the forest going faster than ever before. I see a sloped rock and make a run, leaping from the top and landing on James who was hiding on the other side.
He gets to his feet, huffing indignantly at being surprised by me. He prances off, tail in the air when a wolf flies out of nowhere tackling him. My wolf goes on the offensive, jumping over to rip the wolf off James. We both go into an offensive position, our backs against each other as twenty wolves seep from between the trees towards us, led by none other than Adam. I growl, baring my teeth threateningly. James lets loose a howl so loud, it echoes among the forest. If my mates didn’t hear that then we’re doomed.
Chapter 20
Four wolves are holding James down, while I’m surrounded by at least twelve. I guess it says something that they knew they needed big numbers to take me. Adam steps forward, holding out silver shackles. His amber eyes scream evil and I know I don’t want this brute touching me.
“Come with us calmly, and we won’t hurt your protector. If you don’t, well then, pain will be all you feel for days,” he grins maliciously as the wolves shift around me uneasily. I should have been more prepared but no, I thought we had finally won Cam’s pack over. James had offered to take me for a walk as my guard so I could relax. Let’s just say, all the women excited by heat cycles and asking when I would have children, was getting a bit too much for me. Especially when the guys were just as excited. I still hadn’t told them I didn’t want kids, even though James kept telling me to, I just didn’t want to upset them.
I weigh the odds, deciding if James is free, then we could take them. I nod at the wolf, waiting until he’s within striking distance before kicking out, sending him and the shackles, flying. I move lighting fast, knocking two of the guys away from James giving him the advantage we need.
He sends the remaining two flying and turns to face me as the brute gets back to his feet. I try to negotiate our way out, hoping the guys would have heard me, “Look, you can leave unharmed, or you can wait until my mates get here and destroy you,” I smirk, waiting for them to back down.
Adam however grins at me, taking a step towards me. James grabs me, pulling me back a couple of steps so he is the one who would get the attack.
“Oh James, you can’t protect her,” he grins, pulling a gun from his back pocket and firing it at me. James moves at the last second, taking the bullet intended for me. I stare down at the ground, shocked. James is lying there, unmoving and my body is numb.
I drop to my knees, grief taking over me. “James?” I shake him as if expecting him to get straight back up again, forgetting everything that goes on around me.
“Dani,” he gurgles, blood spilling from his mouth. “You need to run. Find somewhere safe.”
I shake my head in defiance, “I won’t leave you, I can heal you.”
He smiles up at me, pain in his eyes. “It’s my time. This is how I’m meant to die. I saved you and have guided you as best I can. You are going to be a great Queen and I’m sorry I won’t see how amazing you will be.”
As the last words leave his mouth, his eyes dull, the light extinguished. I can’t believe it. He’s gone. Dead. I slowly get to my feet, my body barely containing my pain and anger.
Adam is still talking but it’s barely filtering in, “As for you ‘princess,” he spits at me, “Your mates aren’t coming. You must be stupid to think any of our pack would follow you, the woman who killed our Alpha’s mate, while she was pregnant no less. We know what you are, you’re a deceiver. You say things to get your way but we are still true to our king!” he booms, for the first time scaring me.
“Carrie’s dead?” I ask, my voice barely a whisper, the blood draining from my face. Cam hated his father but thought his mother could be redeemed.
He looks slightly confused by my question before a hard mask falls back in place, “Don’t try and pretend you don’t know. Now last chance, come with us willingly, or we make you.”
I weigh my options, sure that my mates won’t be far behind. Hell, even Jake and Rick barely leave me alone since I was taken at the first pack. This was my first time I could walk off because we thought all the packs were on our side. They aren’t going to let me go anywhere alone after this.
“She’s not going anywhere with you.” At first, I’m surprised by the voice, honestly thinking no one could come but when Erick steps from the trees, my heart soars knowing my chances of getting out of this alive just vastly increased.
My would-be captor grins, “Oh I beg to differ, Elder. You see, you didn’t come alone, did you?” He smirks as another shot rings out. What the hell is happening? I look at Erick, shocked to see blood appear on his chest.
His body crumbles and he lies gasping as I run to his side. I cover his wound, trying to staunch the flow of blood but he’s bleeding out faster than possible.
Footsteps sound from around us, and I look up to see Sonja appear from the woods holding a gun, a wicked smirk on her face. She looks so proud of herself.
“Oh, hello Dani, fancy seeing you here. You know, you deserved this. The moment you challenged me, it sealed your fate. Now you are going to get up, and let Adam put the shackles on you. If you fight, I’ll start putting bullets wherever I think they’d look good. Personally, I think silver would look fantastic in your heart but my orders are not to, that doesn’t mean I can’t play a little though,” she grins maliciously as if this is the best game of her life. “What the hell is wrong with you? I am your future Queen, Erick was your friend and fellow Elder, do you really think you will get away with this?” I ask outraged.
Both her and Adam laugh. Once she sobers, she looks down at me with a sneer, “Dani, don’t you get it yet? I won’t be blamed, you will! I caught you, while you were in a heat cycle with Eli.” I try to mask the shock at Eli’s name but mustn’t have hidden it well.
“You didn’t think I knew about your new mate hidden among the rogues? I know everything,” she drawls, letting the gun hang at her side. I try to make a plan to get away. They’ve obviously gone crazy. I guess working with Luke does that to a person. Maybe I can use my will to have them submit to me?
I let my wolf rise to the surface and Adam and Sonja both raise their guns, “Stop! If we even get a whiff of you trying to use your powers, your mate will die,” Adam growls, gesturing at another wolf at the back of their group. He moves away and reappears, dragging a body wrapped in silver chains.
Oh god! “Eli!” I shout, taking a step forward only to be grabbed from behind. I lash out and send the wolf flying into a tree, hearing the crack as his neck snaps.
Sonja pulls the trigger, the bullet whizzing past my ear, halting me from moving. I stare at them, fury boiling my blood. Adam bends down holding his gun directly over Eli’s heart.
“You finished? Or would prefer me to kill your mate and take your chance on your own, though I guarantee, we’d kill you before you could attack,” she says, gesturing one of the men forward. He’s got gloves on and is holding out a pair of silver cuffs, ready to restrain me.
God damn it! The guys are going to kill me for this! I nod, slumping my shoulders and holding my hands out for him to step forward and cuff me.
Sonja smirks at my show of defeat, “Good girl. Now, where was I? Oh, that’s right you running off. Erick came here and saw you in the middle of the heat cycle but your mate wanted you to himself and shot Erick as he tried to save you from yourself. I was on my way into the pack lands, ready to apologize when I saw your new mate here,” she kicks Eli in the side, waking him out of unconsciousness.
He looks up at her, letting a growl slip through his lips, “I’m going to kill you.” His eyes flash amber, his wolf projecting power even though he’s chained. Sonja looks down at him with disgust, “Filthy mutt,” sh
e spits, lifting her gun and shooting him in the thigh.
Eli screams as the pain rips through his body, the silver burning him from the inside out. Sonja continues her tirade, waving the gun around maniacally, “Your mate was fucking you and so I had no choice but to try and help but I was no match for the Alpha Queen who demanded I leave her alone to be with her mate. I walked back to the pack and after a day of not hearing from you, I had to let your mates know what I saw. You had left them for a filthy mutt.”
How fucking sick! I know my boys won’t believe her shit but if she tells other pack members, they may. After all, she is supposed to be an Elder, and her fellow Elder has supposedly been killed so, there’s no-one to back up her story.
I look at the wolves around me, “I won’t forget this. Each of you here think I’ve done something I haven’t and for that you have all become traitors to your pack. I will remember. I will burn it into my brain, each and every image of you, then once I’m free, I will rip your throats out, one by one in front of your mates so they know the shame you have brought onto your pack.”
I turn my gaze on Sonja, a fire burning in my soul, “I’m going to take great pleasure in your death,” I grin at her, letting her see the wolf in my eyes. I see the flicker of fear, but she hides it before any of the others notice it.
I look at each of the wolves around us, “If any of you wish to survive, your only option is to tell my mates what has happened. I pray for all of you that they don’t find out what you’ve done before I escape,” I smirk, watching a few of them pale considerably.
As we’ve visited each of the packs, word has grown of our strength and relationship. I imagine some of them are realising that you mess with one of us, you mess with all of us.
“I’m sick of hearing your pathetic voice,” Sonja says, gesturing behind me as something hard hits the back of my head. The first hit doesn’t knock me out but the second does.