Burn
Adea
I hear my mates knuckles crack across the table in front of me, but don’t show signs of hearing. Still, I show no reaction, I don’t so much as breathe until he drops his hand from my face to his side. He turns to the conversation at hand an I take in a slow steadying breath. I refuse to show how much I don’t want to do that. I don’t think I could stomach him seeing that in me. I don’t want him to know, but now that he’s heard what Alpha said, I know he does.
I refuse to hide from him, or show him that I’m scared. I look at him, our eyes lock as we stare at each other. The promise there is clear and the letter feels as if it is burning a hole in my pocket. My mate stares at me so intensely, he doesn’t blink, doesn’t look away. I feel as if all of the air has been sucked out of the room. It’s replaced with a passion I haven’t felt in so long, unsaid words, gentle kisses and electricity. Lots of electricity. It feels as if the current whips through the air. It burns so hot, I swear it could burn the world to the ground.
Everyone disappears and the sound of a fist pounding against the table jolts me back to the present. I’m forced to look around and see that everyone is staring at me. I look up to Alpha Rich and I don’t miss the pity in his eyes.
“I was just saying that I know things have changed for you recently. I’m sure you will be a fine Luna,” Alpha Rich said.
I know his words are meant to be kind, to be a comfort, but they have the opposite effect. I don’t want to be his Luna, or be a good one. I was forced into this position and before I knew what my mate’s position was, I didn’t think I would have to be one. I knew it was picked out for me, but once upon a time, I had hoped to live a happier life. One I had chosen for myself. I thought he had wanted the same thing, but my mate made it clear he chose his birthright, and I couldn’t fault him for that.
“Your kindness knows no bounds,” I said with a bow of my head.
When I lifted my head and met his eyes, I knew he knew I didn’t mean what I said one bit. He sighed, nodded, and turned to face the Table. Now that I wasn’t looking at my mate. I was surprised by all of the people in attendance. I should have noticed as soon as the doors opened, but my thoughts were preoccupied. There were at least two dozen alpha’s in attendance with their Beta, their Gamma, and some with their Luna’s. I noted that some were placed on the left and some on the left. One side glared at the other and the other glared back. Although there were alliances between the packs in attendance, there was also some tension.
“I think I’ve taken up enough of your time. I have had a meal prepared for everyone, will anyone be staying?” Alpha Rich asked. There was a collective no that went around the table and some shook their heads in response. “I didn’t think so. The sun has already begun to set. It would be best for everyone to head out before the sun fully sets. It’s easier going down the mountain with sunlight,” Alpha Rich said.
All at once, people start to get to their feet. My father is not in attendance, his Beta is in attendance. He walks up to us and reaches out to grab my arm. I’m on high alert as I turn to look at Alpha. He isn’t looking at me, he’s glaring at the hand on my arm. I open my mouth to say something, to explain, to ask him to spare his life, but it’s too late.
There’s nothing I can do. Everything happens so quickly, that I’m unable to follow it. I turn from Alpha and turn to look at him. One moment, my father’s beta is standing by my side smiling down at me and the next his eyes are wide with shock. Then there’s pain, so much pain and blood drips down from his neck like a rushing waterfall.
The hilt of a dagger sticks out from the bottom of his chin. Blood oozes from his eyes and drips from his mouth. There’s a gurgling sound as he tries to speak and then there’s nothing. A scream dies in my throat, I’m frozen in fear as I stare up at him. His eyes go distant, he stops talking, stops breathing. Everything stops.
His head goes slack and drops forward as his body crumbles to the floor. Blood sprays and drips on the sleeve of my dress. His fingers still clasping the material of my dress as he smashes his nose on the armrest. His face slides down the side of the chair and blood oozes out slowly around him.
My jaw drops and I can’t look away from him. He didn’t let me speak, he didn’t hesitate, he didn’t care. A rule of his was broken and he acted. He wasn’t just a Beta, he was a son, he was a father. I was too shocked to feel guilt, but I knew I would feel it soon.When I was able to tear my eyes from the body on the floor, I found several sets of eyes staring at us. I turned to look at Alpha, but he wasn’t looking at me. Anger leaked from every pore in his body, hostility came off of him in waves, but for once it wasn’t aimed at me. It wasn’t me he had his green eyes set on. He stared at my mate across the table, who didn’t look the least bit afraid. If anything, he looked amused.
This was a warning and I heard it loud and clear.
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