Broken Alpha

by Paulina Vasquez

  “YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE, STEFANOS. WE'RE THE IN-LAWS!” Diesel grinned back and walked closer to us. I sure am happy to have them on my side.

  “CHARGE!” Stefanos yelled, ordering the warriors to attack.

  Hades shifted back and his Alpha voice boomed out, “MOON WARRIORS, YOU WILL STAND DOWN. THIS IS NOT YOUR FIGHT AND HE IS NOT YOUR ALPHA!”

  “I AM YOUR ALPHA!” Stefanos called back with his Alpha voice, but the warriors didn’t move.

  “Yeah, I don't think it works that way Stefanos. Now that they know their true Alpha is alive, they are compelled to follow his orders.” Diesel told him.

  “Your fight is with me. You brought rogues onto my land, you've used silver bullets against my pack, you tried to steal a dead Alpha's pack by drugging his heir, you've threatened my mate and now you're trying to claim my pack! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE STEFANOS!” I growled.

  “When I beat you, I expect your in-laws will leave.” Stefanos growled.

  Hades stepped forward and roared, “I ALSO ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE STEFANOS. IT SEEMS YOU HAVE TRIED TO STAKE A CLAIM ON MY PACK TOO!” I was starting to like Hades more and more.

  “I believe you also threatened to take Zeus's Howlers from my mate’s parents. You don't have a problem facing off with a female Alpha do you father?” I asked.

  “I should also warn you; the golden wolf is not only the strongest of our kind, but also the fastest. You won't be able to outrun her, though you’re welcome to try.” Diesel smiled proudly.

  “YOU CAN KEEP YOUR PACKS! I ONLY WANT WHAT WAS MINE. OLYMPUS BLOOD MOON IS MINE!” He growled.

  “BECAUSE YOU WERE SUCH A GOOD ALPHA?” A deep voice echoed from the door of the pack house. I turned my head to the voice and saw Kosta stalking forward with his fists clenched ready to jump at my father.

  “Kosta? You're alive!” My father sneered.

  “It took a dozen of your thugs and a silver bullet to bring me down because you were too much of a coward to face me! Look at the disgusting fowl creature you've become, your father would turn over in his grave Stefanos.” Kosta said with a lethal tone.

  “I will deal with you after I deal with my ungrateful son!” Stefanos said.

  Lucy's golden wolf walked over to Kosta and sniffed him, as if making sure he was okay. She greeted Kosta by rubbing her head against him and he smiled. It was clear that she was fond of her friend and angry that he had been attacked. She turned her gaze to my father and released an angry growl that emanated a power that was out of this world.

  “You won't make it passed Dimitri. It will be a pleasure to watch him rip your shriveled little black heart out of your chest!” Kosta growled and gave me a nod of approval. I knew what needed to be done.

  “ANYONE WHO TRIES TO INTERFERE OR CHEAT WILL BE MET WITH THE WRATH OF THE GODS! MAY THE BEST ALPHA WIN!” Diesel called out.

  “You're going to use your gift and cheat!” Stefanos growled.

  “Relax old man, I don't need to use my gift, I'm going to kill you with my own hands.” I said and we both shifted.

  A growl came out of Stefanos wolf Silus, who was just as mad and crazy as my father. He lunged at me with teeth bared and Dom got low to claw the exposed underbelly of Silus. I rolled to his left side which was his blind side and jumped on his back. Silus spun in circles and bucked me off sending me flying into a tree. Dom quickly jumped up and locked up with Silus, snarling and nipping at each other. He bit down on my back leg and Dom let out a yelp.

  “Dimitri.” Raven whisper my name faintly through the mind link.

  “Something is wrong with mate.” Dom looked up to the bird’s nest to make sure no one had breached it.

  “Alec, go check on Raven.” I quickly linked him.

  Silus took advantage of my distracted moment and jumped on my back trying to sink his teeth deep into my neck and dug his claws deep into my sides. I stepped back into a tree and reared up on my hind legs to smash Silus against the tree, over and over again. He drop to the ground and I turned around to dig my claws into his chest. His hind legs came up and kicked me off sending me stumbling backwards.

  Silus lunged at me and Dom ducked to the side and bit down on Silus' neck. Silus rolled onto the ground in circles and we separated. We continued to trade blows and bites. Silus was snarling and determined to kill me. Dom was faster and stronger. Silus charged with his head low and Dom rolled out of the way. Dom quickly stood up and dug his right claw into Silus' right eye blinding him completely.

  Silus howled in pain and Dom knew we had won. Silus started snarling and snapping trying to feel for Dom and fight without vision. Dom charged into Silus and dropped him to the ground. I shifted back to human form but kept my wolf claws shifted. I kicked Silus in the head several times.

  “SHIFT!” I yelled at him. My sides were dripping blood, but it didn't stop me. “SHIFT!” I growled and continued to kick him.

  Silus shifted back and Stefanos laid before me panting on the ground, blinded and groaning. “IT'S TIME TO MEET YOUR MAKER IN HELL.” I said and plunged my claw into his chest.

  “This is for everyone you ever hurt, you heartless bastard!” I ripped out his heart and held it up. The nightmare was finally over, and his lifeless body laid on the ground. Howls and cheers erupted. I’d like to say that I wished he would find peace in the afterlife, and finally be reunited with my mother. But I’m not even sure he deserved that. He was so cruel and monstrous, he deserved to rot in hell. I tossed his heart into a burning fire pit and moved to go check on Raven.

  The remaining rogues started running back through the woods trying to escape. Lucy let out a roar and chased after them, Diesel shifted into his wolf and I gave my pack the approval to join the hunt for the rogues.

  “MOON WARRIORS JOIN THE HUNT, NO ROGUE LIVES!” Hades called out.

  “YES ALPHA!” They responded and joined the hunt.

  “Alec, how's Raven?” I linked him and ran up the southern stairs of the pack house to the roof.

  “She's not responding.” He replied.

  I arrived on the rooftop and ran to the bird’s nest. “RAVEN, open the door.” I called out. “RAVEN?” I pulled the door open and the nest was empty.

  I tried to mind link her and got nothing. I linked Alec “are you with Raven?”

  “Yes Alpha, I found her on the northern stairs, she's not responding.”

  I raced to the other end of the roof and pulled the door open to the northern stairs. Raven was laying on the floor and Alec was trying to wake her up. “There doesn't seem to be a physical injury to her, I think she passed out.” Alec said.

  I picked her up and ran to the clinic. Dr. Vovos directed us into a room and started examining her.

  “Alpha you're bleeding on my floor, please let my nurse wrap those wounds for you.” Dr. Vovos said.

  “Attend to my mate first.” I told her.

  “Your mate will be fine. I just need to run a few tests on her. I understand she has two elemental gifts that she used tonight?” She asked.

  “Yes, we kept her safe in the bird’s nest and she was able to use her gifts from the roof.” I explained.

  “Alec, make yourself useful. Wrap these around the Alpha so he stops bleeding on the floors.” She tossed some large bandages at Alec and pulled the curtain back between Raven and us, so she could continue examining her.

  The nurse entered the room and stepped behind the curtain to help Dr. Vovos. Alec helped me roll the bandages around my waist to help stop the bleeding from Silus' claws that dug into me. I could hear them removing Raven's clothes and Dr. Vovos speaking to the nurse who was taking notes. “Heart rate is steady, temperature is good, pressure is normal, keep her on the monitor until she wakes up, here’s the order for the blood work. If she's not awake in a few hours we'll start her on an I.V.”

  “Alpha, she's just resting. The usage of too much elemental power, too soon, could have exhausted her. There's never been a wolf with two gifts so her energy and strength may have just been depleted. I'll sta
rt the Luna's blood work now; it should take about an hour.” Dr. Vovos told me.

  “I'll leave you two alone and go check on things. Let me know if you need anything.” Alec said.

  “Fresh clothes would be great.” I said.

  “I'll have Spiro run some over in a few minutes.” Alec told me and stepped out.

  I sat with Raven watching her sleep. She looked pale and exhausted. Maybe it was too much, too soon. I should have sent her to the safety shelter with the others. I took her hand in mine and laid my head on the edge of her bed. I heard Dom let out a whimper, he was worried about our mate too.

  A while later, I felt Raven's hand running through my hair and looked up to find her beautiful blue eyes staring back at me. “Raven, do you remember what happened?”

  “I started feeling weak after using my element so much. I could hardly stand and managed to make my way to the stairs, I sat down for a moment and that was it.” She told me.

  “You nearly gave me a heart attack. Didn't I tell you not to set foot out of the bird’s nest?” I said.

  “Does this mean you owe me a spanking?” She grinned back at me and my heart fluttered.

  “Luna you're awake! How are you feeling?” Dr. Vovos entered the room and asked.

  “I'm feeling much better thank you. I guess I just need some rest and maybe endurance training with my elements. I've only had the gifts for a few months and probably need to spend more time developing them.” Raven told us.

  “Well, you're going to have to put off training for a few months, because it will drain your energy while you're pregnant.”

  “Pregnant?” Raven asked. My heart swelled with pride a Dom was yipping with excitement.

  “Yes. It takes a lot of energy to grow an Alpha pup, so nothing strenuous with your gifts until our future Alpha is safely delivered.” She smiled.

  Chapter 42 – News

  “Wake up little bird, the plane just landed.” Dimitri stroked my back to wake me up. I had fallen asleep in his lap on our flight from Greece to Canada.

  My father had sent the LaRue Enterprises jet for us. We have two mating ceremonies to attend this week. Knox and Rocky's ceremony is tomorrow. Then we will travel to Dark Moon for Peter and Mandi's ceremony. I was excited to show Dimitri where I had grown up, have some Chinese food in the village, show him Crescent Point. I’ve also missed my younger brothers and couldn’t wait to see them.

  It’s been two weeks since Dimitri and I found out about the pup. We haven't told anyone and wanted to do it when we were all together. My parents had returned back to Crescent Moon with Knox and Rocky last week to get ready for the mating ceremony. They would officially become Alpha and Luna of Crescent Moon after the ceremony.

  My parents plan to travel back and forth between packs; but will spend the majority of their time in Greece getting Zeus's Howlers ready for my brother Roman and training him. Kosta has also agreed to help my parents manage affairs while they go back and forth. My father even started looking for buildings to purchase in Athens for the new LaRue Enterprises branch. My two youngest brothers, Seth and Levi couldn't wait to come spend some time in Greece. Seth just turned sixteen and Levi is thirteen.

  Uncle Ranger will be turning over Dark Moon pack to my brother Peter and his mate Mandi after their mating ceremony. This will leave my Uncle more time to travel between packs and help my brothers. Last week, my brother Peter announced they were expecting a pup. My parents seemed excited about grand pups so I'm hoping my father doesn't freak out when he hears our news.

  We stepped off the plane, which landed on a private airfield about twenty minutes away from Crescent Castle. A caravan of black Escalades lined up to transport us and our luggage to Crescent Moon. Rocky's parents and younger sister, Kiki, got in the first car. Clair, Niko and Kosta took the second car. Odessa, Hades and Alec filled the third car, while Dimitri and I sat in the last car.

  Dimitri was looking out the window admiring the scenery. “The mountains are so beautiful here! Raven, is that a real castle?”

  “It is, it was built over two centuries ago by my LaRue ancestors. That's Crescent Castle.”

  “You grew up in a castle?” He asked astonished.

  “It's also the pack house. The east and west wing are primarily pack rooms, the south wing is the biggest with all the common areas, there's a dining hall, ballroom, theater, game room, lounge, parlor, infirmary, offices and more. But there's also a north tower, which is the private family quarters.”

  “Wow! You're like modern day royalty.” Dimitri said still shocked.

  Our vehicles pulled up to the castle and we stepped out. Niko was looking up at the castle with his mouth open. “A real freaking castle!” He was just as shocked as Dimitri.

  “A massive castle!” Hades said in awe.

  “THEY'RE HERE!” My Aunt Payton squealed as she ran down the stairs to hug Clair. Uncle Max followed and gave me a warm hug. After everyone was introduced, we made our way into the castle and my parents greeted us. Uncle Ranger and Athena stood with all my brothers and cousins. Gamma Zeke and Vannica stood with Delta Elliot and Aunt Megan. My parents took us all through another round of introductions, handshakes and hugs.

  “I’m so happy to have everyone here. Let's get you to your rooms and situated, lunch will be served in the private family quarters in an hour.” My mother said.

  I took Dimitri up to my room and everything was just as I left it. Seems strange, how so much has changed so quickly. I went from being daddy's little princess, to an expecting Luna and I was anxious about breaking the news. Maybe I should wait until after the ceremonies? In case my father doesn't take it well.

  “We'll tell them whenever you feel the time is right.” Dimitri was obviously reading my thoughts. He stood behind me and wrapped his arms around my waste. “So, are you going to give me the tour? Lock me in a dungeon or take me to a secret passage to make out with me.” He joked.

  “All of the above!” I smiled back. “After lunch I want to take you to Crescent Point, it's my favorite spot in the territory. Dom will enjoy the run too.”

  “Sounds wonderful.”

  Rae yipped with joy, she was excited to show Dom around.

  Lunch was a chaotic mess of energy with nearly two dozen of us around a big table talking and getting to know each other. Niko was seated between Aunt Payton and Clair, Uncle Max, Alec and Kosta sat with my father discussing the training grounds and arena, they were planning on joining my father this afternoon to observe Crescent Moon training. Uncle Ranger, Hades and Peter were engrossed in conversations with Dimitri. I was catching up with my younger brothers Seth and Levi. Roman was discussing his future pack with Rocky's parents, he seemed to have an instant connection with Rocky's little sister Kiki. My mother was gushing about her future Grand pup with Mandi. Odessa, Vannica and Aunt Megan discussed mating ceremony details; Odessa was listening intently because we would need to plan ours for next month as well.

  After lunch, Dimitri and I took the wolves out for a run to Crescent point alone. “This is a beautiful location. I can see why it's your favorite spot.” Dimitri mind linked me.

  “This is also my families favorite picnic spot.” I linked back.

  Rae was enjoying her run with Dom, she kept nipping at his tail and jumping up to nip at his ears. Dom was a gentle giant with her and protective of her condition, though it didn't stop Rae from trying to seduce her mate. She had Dom wrapped around her paw always trying to please her.

  Later that evening we all gathered at the village for Dinner. Knox and Rocky had selected Chinese Chopsticks for dinner, which was excellent because I was craving Chinese food. The entire restaurant was reserved to accommodate all of us.

  “The first time I took your mother out on a date, this is where we came for dinner.” My father told us.

  “WE KNOW DAD!” My siblings and I chimed in unison. He told us every time we came to eat here about their first dinner date. Their love was timeless, my parents would still come here for sle
igh rides and dinner dates.

  “When your mother was pregnant with Raven, we practically ate here every night.” My father joked. At least, I think he was joking. “I sure hope you have good Chinese food in Greece.”

  “Where's the food, I'm starving!” I practically growled.

  “I caution you now Dimitri, my little Raven has always been demanding. Gets it from her Aunt Payton.” My father laughed.

  “Payton was the worst when she was pregnant.” Uncle Max chuckled and got a playful elbow to his side from Aunt Payton. Dimitri and I just exchanged nervous looks and a giggle escaped me.

  Platters of food were placed on the table and it looked like everything on the menu was being served. The platters were being shuffled back and forth across the table as everyone tried a little bit of everything. Niko looked like he was in heaven forking mouthfuls of food into his mouth and I realized, I looked just as bad as him wolfing down my food.