Chapter 45: Alpha John

“When did he take over exactly?” I ask in an agitated tone, because now I realize that I must take back my throne besides worrying about Arabella.

“Yesterday afternoon. There had been whispers of your death running around the castle, and I suppose he must have been fueling them. Just afterwards, he declared that he was the rightful ruler now. No one stood in his way, so now he is wearing the crown and sitting in your spot.” She pauses while staring at me and the blood covering my hands before saying, “You look like you ran into some trouble. Did someone try to take you out like they said?”

Clearing my throat, I state, “Yes, I did. Apparently Alpha John has decided to take me out, but it didn’t work so well.” I hesitate before asking, “Have you seen Arabella by chance?”

“Yes. She had stopped by just a bit ago with someone else, but then they left. She looked in pain, but the minute they heard what was going on they left in a hurry. They went that way.” She points to the west as I gaze off that way.

I shake my full mane of hair before closing my eyes for a second. This time I ask, “Do you think I could trouble you for something before I go after them?”

Saying quickly, but in a whisper, “Anything, my king. You have always had my allegiance and always will. I don’t agree with everyone here that the Luna should be killed just because she is human.”

I nod and then say, “Thank you, but what I need is in my bedroom, which I assume is his now. My set of keys to the Ferrari are in the desk by the bed. Can you fetch them for me quickly?”

“Yes, of course. Just give me a few minutes. I am sure I can get in undetected.” She smiles at me before shutting the door behind her.

As I wait in the car with Beta Daniel and Richard, a million things run through my mind. First of all, is Arabella in the middle of having my pups? And now where did they go? All I know is the fact that I must find them as soon as possible.

When the door opens again, I see her shining face with a huge smile on it. She then says proudly, “I have them.” As she produces them from her pocket and then dangles them in front of my face.

Snatching them out of midair, I say, “Thank you.” And then lean forward to give her a warm hug.

After releasing my hold on her, I ask quietly while looking around to make sure no one hears us or sees me, “Can you please make sure that if Arabella comes home, that you let her know I was here and I am looking for her.”

She nods and then smiles before I turn around and head to the garage with the keys in my hand. Knowing that I have at least 3 of my people still on my side, brings a smile to my face and lets me know that I can trust them. When I get to the car, they look at me before Daniel asks, “Is everything O.K.?”

I shake my head and then say softly almost in a whisper, “No, I think Arabella is in labor and on the run. She came back here with Eric only to find out that Alpha John has taken over. Now I have to find her and then take back the throne.”

“Oh man.” Richard says as he shakes his head.

“That’s just not right.” Daniel states with a furrowed brow as I stand there and look at him.

“Well, thank you guys, but this is where we part. I must find Arabella now and I am going to take the fastest thing around. Then hopefully I will catch up to them and find out if she has had my pups yet. After all, the last time I saw her, she was screaming that it hurt, and she thought for sure that they were coming out.” They both glance between themselves and then to me before nodding and apologizing.

“No worries. I will find her and if she has had them, I will protect them too. Then I will come back here and drag that asshole to the ground before beheading him.” I snarl with that last remark and then I say, “I have to go. I will see you soon and thank you both again.” They nod right before I turn to leave and then I head to the garage to get my Ferrari and put some space between me and this place.

As soon as I step foot in the garage, I notice something strange. Several of the cars are gone and my motorcycle is missing. “What on earth?” I ask myself shortly before I reach the Ferrari. “At least this is still here.” I murmur under my breath and then produce the keys to open it.

When I hit the button, I hear the telltale sign of it unlocking and then something else from behind me. Beta Julia is standing there, and she has an odd look about her. She rushes up to me and then whispers, “You have to hurry, he saw us together and now he is looking for you. Please, get out of here quickly.”

Hugging her again before I open the door, I hurry to get settled in before turning on the engine and hearing it purr. Once the lights are on, I put it in gear and drive out before he can stop me. On the way out of the garage, I spot Alpha John out of the corner of my vision yelling and screaming, “Get back here.”

Having to leave Beta Julia behind, I regret it as soon as I leave because I see her in the rearview mirror just shortly before Alpha John grabs her and pushes her down on her knees. As I speed off, I know that she will probably be dead when I get back, so I make a hasty choice and stop before turning back. I can’t leave it this way, she helped me, and she is on my side. I wouldn’t be a man or a good leader if I ran away from my problems.

Turning around, I speed back to where he was a few minutes before and then stop on a dime before opening the door and getting out. “Let go of her, now!” I demand and then lung at him with my claws out and my fangs protruding.

When I connect with him, he lets out a cry of shock before he realizes that I am on him. Then and only then does he turn on me and try to attack me in return. Watching him in close quarters, I slash at his face and manage to strike first time. He closes his eyes in defense and then realizes too late that it is what I was waiting for when I struck in the first place. Now, I strike a fatal wound to his throat and rip out his larynx with my claws.

Blood sprays everywhere, with the scent of metal in the air. It covers the ground where Alpha John lies and everything around it. Turning to see if anyone else is coming to attack, I watch as the rest of them stand back and then retreat. I stand there and dare them to come at me, but when they don’t I state loudly, “When I come back with my Luna, you will pay for your betrayal. So, if you are smart you will leave while I am gone with your head intact.”

After I announce this, I turn back to the car and get in before driving off to find Eric, Arabella and the pups.