Rash Decision
London
My lips were tightly pressed together, and my teeth clenched as I attempted to visualise the scenario from Freya's hurried explanation. I was silently hoping that it wouldn't confirm the fears a small voice in my head was suggesting. With the pack's unstable condition, the near loss of my wolf, Blaire's unexpected disappearance, and Alphas engaging in treacherous politics by playing a dirty game to prove my fall from grace so they could claim my position and sit on my throne, I already had more than enough to contend with.
Amidst this turmoil, the last thing I needed was for Freya's news to add to my already heavy burden. The weight of leadership and the constant threat to my authority were wearing me down, making every new challenge feel like an insurmountable mountain. Yet, I couldn't show any weakness. To the outside world, I had to remain the unshakeable Alpha, the leader who could navigate through any storm.
A shaky sigh escaped my lips as I ran my good hand through my hair in utter frustration. With everything going on with me, Mathias being under Hayes' manipulation would fucking make me snap. And I fucking meant it because, inasmuch as I was created to be a killing machine, I was still half-human. I wasn't completely immune to reaching my limit or experiencing pain. I was at risk of reaching a breaking point.
My eyes twitched as Freya led me down the noisy hallway that led to a makeshift infirmary that was being used to treat the injured from the ugly battle. I could hear the sound of things crashing and clattering on the floor and the loud thudding of weights on the ground. Fuck!
Fuck…
Fuck…
Fuck!
Freya glanced back to ensure I was still behind her, and the moment she saw my blank expression, sunken eyes that had dulled to red, dishevelled hair, and my hand held in restraint, I observed her quickly look away with worry-stricken eyes.
The sharp flicker of my eyes noticed how she paused, hesitation rippling through her. She was contemplating something—something that I could clearly tell from her countenance.
Turning, she sighed, “How are you coping, London?”
It was a simple question but it encompassed a vast spread of concerns.
I looked a mess, having fought against a maniac that almost took me to my grave, and of course, the lingering concern of my children's wellbeing and the whereabouts of their mother, a drastic search for a full-proof counterattack that would nip that fucking menace at the bud, the search for a worthy new gamma, my slowed healing properly, people's faith in me...
Honestly, it was a lot at the moment, and I discovered that I had no answer to her question. Of course, we were yet to have a proper discussion about her sudden mate and all, and I knew that was also one of the things she was inquiring about through one damned-to-hell question!
I had no plans to discuss her new life with her. She found her mate.... good for her. She's happy... terrific! She's a lovely person, and I was certain she'd make Miller happy. But sometimes, when I found the both of them together, being all in love with themselves, I actually found myself a little concerned for Miller.
I found myself wondering how he was able to still stand high and proud before me with her despite knowing that I had tasted his mate. For goodness sake, I was her first, and I hated to brag, but I sure left a woman utterly satisfied in bed.
Did she ever compare him to me when they made love?
“Well enough.” I moved past her, taking a step closer to the door before pausing to ask without turning to face her, "And you? How are you holding up?"
She lowered her head, playing with her fingers as she let out a shaky breath. She glanced upwards, struggling to muster her words before finally saying, “Yeah, awesomely, actually.”
Her response struck my ear, and I didn't bother wasting a second to end the unwanted conversation. “Mm.”
A loud crash followed by a pain-filled groan had my neck snapping in the direction of the commotion. I could hear shrieks followed by loud grunts and voices screaming, “Hold him down!”
My legs moved on their own. I pushed open the door and immediately had to duck because a flying chair came my way. I gently raised myself to my full height, and my jaw dropped at the sight I was witnessing.
Standing in the corner of the room was a half-transformed person with a curly mop of thick black hair.
“Mathias!”
He turned in my direction, and my breaths seized for a nanosecond because, in place of his orbs, there was rich obsidian that connected to angry black veins that pulsated on his face. His nose was scrunched in irritation, the black veins travelling down to his hind legs.
Veins grew on his neck; his hairy skin caught my attention, as did the way he bared his canines at me before letting out a menacing growl. He looked terrifying and menacing. His bulky size was double what he used to be, and a small thought crossed my mind.
It wasn't normal for a kid his age to have a wolf this big, much less in a half-transformed state. Perhaps his genes had been mutated? Had Hayes worked on him?
I removed my eyes from him to scan the amount of destruction he had caused, and I nearly lost my balance at the sight of blood and collapsed bodies, along with tools that had been scattered around. The room looked like a very nasty fight had gone on, and from the looks of everything, Mathias appeared to be winning.
“Alpha…”
I turned to the person who had touched my arm, and my face twisted into an expression that said, ‘you-have-got to-be-kidding-me’. What on earth happened here in such little time?
The glare I directed towards Miller had him gulping in fear. He had assured me that he had drained the poison from Mathias and that he was fine enough. So what the hell was all this?
The corner of my lips curled upward, and an extended canine flashed dangerously at the doctor that I was trying so hard not to harm at the moment.
“I came with my team of nurses to run the daily check-up on him, and-uh, he was okay… co-operating fine… and then the next thing I know, he just went still… Then he just started attacking people, screaming things in the old tongue… and his transformation felt like something induced…” He was breathless by the time he was done talking, clutching the corner of his stomach that appeared to have blood seeping out of it.
My eyes lowered to glance at the injured men that were resting by the wall. Their eyes rose upon my gaze, and they instantly lowered their eyes.
“We're sorry, Alpha... he's just insanely strong–”
“How many were lost?” Returning my eyes to the mauled, collapsed bodies lying on the floor, my anger broke all limits.
Millers was one to answer after an awfully long minute of silence, “three.”
A low, terrifying growl resounded in the room, and my fists balled as angry veins bulged on my hands, neck, and forehead. Three men! Three fucking men! How much more loss was Hayes going to cause me?
Stepping forward, I called out his name. “Mathias!”
The authority rang in the room, bringing jolts of fear down everybody’s spine. My pheromones were out of control, and with how livid I was, I cared little to nothing about them becoming poison for those around me.
His eyes met mine. “London... I have been waiting for you… you kept me waiting.” His grin had my teeth grinding dangerously because wedged in his teeth were pieces of flesh. The fucking flesh of my men!
“Hayes, drop the act!” I snarled.
He cackled before moving closer to a wall to drag his extended, sharp claws down the shiny surface, making a sharp sound echo in the room.
“Me’r out me’r ay ces ani, White Wolf. Give me what's mine!” He growled, nearly shaking the floor.
“Never!” I growled back with equal ferociousness.
He paused, impressed by my powerful growl. “Then perhaps we'll strike a deal…” His big feet moved closer, his clawed paw scratching the floor a little. “Give me what I want, and I'll give you that which you're searching for.”
My war stance fell the moment his last line of words registered in my head. What was I searching for? It couldn't be...
