Chapter 63
“Father! Stop this! Tell them to stop!” Bella’s voice cracked, her face twisting in horror as two of the pack soldiers held her back, her arms flailing as she fought against them.
Marcus hesitated, his eyes flicking from his daughter’s tearful face to the brutal scene before him, uncertainty rippling through his otherwise steely demeanor. He appeared torn, as if he might call an end to the chaos himself, but he was Marcus—Alpha of the Red Moon pack, a leader who could not afford to show any weakness. He clenched his jaw, trying to ignore the blood that painted the snow beneath them and the cries of his men as they fell, one after another, under the relentless assault.
Jake moved through the carnage like a creature possessed, a grin spreading across his face as he tossed a severed limb aside, blood dripping from his mouth. “Say the word, Marcus,” he growled, his voice carrying over the groans and snarls, “and maybe I’ll let you live.”
Another wolf lunged at him, teeth bared, but Jake was faster. He caught it by the neck, twisted, and let it drop limply at his feet. He locked eyes with Marcus, his gaze predatory, reveling in his opponent’s powerlessness.
Marcus exhaled sharply, his bravado dissipating as he stepped forward, shoulders slumped in defeat. He lowered himself to his knees, his head bowed. “Stop!” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “You win, Jake. Just… don’t kill any more of my men.”
For a heartbeat, the world seemed to go silent. The snow around them was splattered red, and the remaining fighters, Marcus’s men, watched in stunned disbelief as their Alpha knelt in submission. Jake’s smirk deepened. His hold on the large werewolf he’d just punched twice loosened, and he let it drop heavily to the ground.
“Good choice,” Jake said, his tone mocking. He tilted his head, assessing Marcus with a cruel smile. “But, truthfully, I was hoping to kill you, too. Maybe that’s a mercy I should’ve indulged.” His grip shot out like lightning, fingers wrapping around Marcus’s throat, squeezing.
“No! Please, don’t kill him, Jake!” Bella’s voice was desperate as she tore free of her captors, rushing to Jake’s side. Her hands clutched at his arm, eyes wide and pleading. “Please… for my sake, spare him.”
Jake looked down at her, eyes glinting. After a long pause, he sighed, his grip loosening just slightly. “For your sake, Bella, I’ll let him live.” He cast a contemptuous glance at Marcus, who was struggling for breath, his face pale. “But remember this, Marcus. For your betrayal, you are hereby banished from my territory. If you show your face here again, I will make you watch as I skin your wife alive before I tear your head from your shoulders.”
Horror flashed across Marcus’s face, followed by a burning rage, but he held his tongue, his pride shattered. Bella’s relief was palpable as she turned to Jake, eyes brimming with gratitude. “Thank you,” she whispered, glancing at her father, who was slumped and defeated, a shadow of his once-fearsome self.
Jake stood tall, casting a hard, sweeping gaze across the pack members who had gathered, transfixed by the brutal display. “This is a lesson for all of you,” he declared, his voice booming. “You are either with me, your Alpha, or you are against me. And I promise you,” he added, the menace in his voice unmistakable, “I will kill every one of my enemies if they dare stand in my way.”
The silence that followed was heavy, the tension thick enough to cut. Faces in the crowd shifted, some fearful, others awe-stricken. His power had never been more evident.
“Well, that was intense,” Fatima muttered as we moved back from the window, her voice betraying a hint of unease.
I nodded, trying to settle the roiling nausea in my stomach. “You think?”
Fatima rolled her eyes, feigning nonchalance. “Well, at least it’s over. Honestly, I’m just glad we don’t have to see that red-headed family around anymore. They were a pain in everyone’s—”
“Baby daddy’s here,” she whispered with a grin, nudging me as she caught sight of Jake striding across the courtyard. I felt my cheeks burn as I mentally scolded her—werewolves had impeccable hearing.
Sure enough, Jake raised an eyebrow at me as he wiped his hands with a towel, the motion so casual despite the blood that still clung to him. I knew he’d heard.
“Oh, my God,” Fatima squeaked, her hand clamping over her mouth in horror. “He totally heard that…”
“Yeah, and he still can,” Sophie chuckled, nudging her in the ribs.
Jake smirked, strolling over to us with an easy, predatory grace. “So… ‘baby daddy’?” He cocked an eyebrow, obviously amused.
I gave a small, embarrassed smile. “It’s just a silly joke…”
He took my hand, his expression softening just a fraction as he looked down at me. “Come. All of you.”
Without another word, we followed him to the meeting hall, where a few council members were already seated, their faces tense as they waited for Jake to begin. Jake took his seat at the head of the long wooden table, exuding an air of authority that was impossible to ignore. I sat at his right, feeling the curious glances from the council members as they sized me up. Sophie and Fatima slipped into seats on the opposite side of the table.
“I take it you’ve all heard about what happened tonight.” Jake’s voice was calm, yet every word carried a weight that silenced the room. “A trusted member of this pack, Marcus, attempted to defy me, and in his arrogance, he thought he could remove me from power. His actions led to the deaths of many loyal men—a consequence that could have been avoided if he’d simply respected the balance of power in Avalon.”
A murmur of agreement swept through the room, though some looked uneasy, glancing at each other as if unsure whether to approve of his decision. One of the older councilwomen, her face lined with age and wisdom, clasped her hands in front of her.
“My lord,” she said carefully, her tone respectful yet probing. “Was it truly wise to sever our alliance with Marcus? His pack was strong, and their loyalty once brought Avalon great strength…”
Jake’s gaze darkened, his tone turning steely. “Loyalty? Marcus tried to have me killed. I will not keep enemies close, no matter how beneficial an alliance might seem. Avalon is already stronger under my rule—true strength does not come from alliances but from a united pack that understands loyalty.”
He scanned the room, his eyes sharp, observing the subtle shifts in their expressions, reading every flicker of emotion that passed across their faces.
The old woman’s face hardened, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at me. “Then tell me, is it true that… that witch is pregnant?” Her voice was disdainful, her expression filled with thinly veiled contempt.
Jake’s response was swift, his voice like a whip. “Yes,” he replied, his tone hardening, “it is true. And that ‘witch’ is my mate. She carries my child, and I swear, if any harm befalls her while she’s on my territory, I will personally ensure that everyone responsible pays dearly.” His gaze settled on each council member in turn, his voice steady and unforgiving. “This child is Avalon’s future. I expect every member of this pack to ensure that both my mate and my heir are protected.”
A silence settled over the room as his words sank in. The woman who had questioned him looked visibly shaken, but she inclined her head, acknowledging his command. Around the table, others nodded in understanding, though I could see uncertainty and questions flickering in their eyes.
Jake rose from his seat, signaling the end of the meeting. “Remember what I said,” he warned, his voice laced with authority. “You all know where your loyalties should lie. With me, Avalon will grow stronger, and our enemies will fall. But betray me, and you’ll find no mercy.”
He extended his hand, helping me up from my seat, and with a gentle nod to Sophie and Fatima, he guided me out of the meeting hall. The cool night air was a relief after the heavy atmosphere inside, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly, his voice different from the one he’d used with the council—gentler, more considerate.
I nodded, feeling the tension start to ease. “Yes, I think so. That was… a lot.”
He chuckled softly. “You’ll get used to it. One day, they’ll all respect you as much as they respect me. Until then, stay strong.” His eyes softened, and he ran a thumb over my hand, reassuringly.
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