Chapter 53

HECTOR POV

I never thought, that in just a blink of an eye, I will lose two of my trusted men. They've been poisoned. My hands balled into a fist. Ryan told me that it was poison. Ryan has been staying in the mansion since Luna went missing. Ryan did some tests with the wine Francis gave me, and he confirmed that the wine was mixed with poison.

I ordered my men not to tell anyone that Philip and Carlito were dead. I need to catch the culprit and use his bait against him.

I closed my eyes. I can feel a burning pain in my chest. I never thought Francis could betray me. Why?

I treated him as my best friend, as my brother. He and Stefan were by my side for years. We fought together and protected one another.

I could never think of a reason why he did this to me.

"Hector, I have a plan," Ryan spoke on my side.

"What's your plan?"

"I've invented a certain kind of medicine that could make a person look dead. You know, I tried it before with one of my assistants and it was effective,"

I raised my eyebrow. So my cousin wants me to play like dead in the next few hours.

"Alright, I know you would not trust me on this. We can try it first with one of your men. What do you think?" he suggested.

"Ok, but before that, I need to prepare a plan. Francis and Stefan will be back soon." I told him.

"Don't worry, the medicine will only make your skin look pale. You can still breathe, hear and lastly, you will still be awake. You will just pretend and just close your eyes," he explained.

I nodded. I immediately prepared the plan before sunset.

Ryan tested the medicine with one of my men and it worked. He looks dead but still alive of course.

They prepared the coffin where I will lay to rest for a while. I saw my cousin even preparing his script for the night.

Ryan already sent a message to my men, including Stefan and Francis, that their alpha is dead.

I suggested placing my coffin outside the garden. The mansion and the area surrounding me were full of a werewolf.

We need to get this done. I'm sure Francis knows the location of my mate.

It was already dark. I can hear some werewolves murmuring and talking.

Ryan was left standing in front of the coffin to talk to another pack member.

I was able to smell the scent of Francis and Stefan. They are finally here.

"Ryan, what happens? I can't believe this! How could he be dead?" I heard Stefan's voice.

"He has poisoned Stefan. The attendant said he was just drinking wine in the living room. After a few minutes, they came back and saw that the alpha was lying dead on the floor," my cousin told them.

"You were here in the mansion Ryan, you could have saved the alpha! You are capable!" Stefan continued.

"I'm sorry Stefan. The poison was very strong. The poison penetrated his veins before I came!" my cousin was really good. He can be the best actor. I told myself.

"What will happen to us now? Who did this to the alpha?" Stefan was worried as hell. I can hear his voice. But Francis on the other side was left speechless. I wonder what he was thinking.

I felt Francis' scent getting closer. He was closer to my coffin. I can feel his stare, he was scanning my dead body.

"Stefan, we need to give Hector a decent funeral. We also need to inform his uncle and the rest of the pack. Let's wait until dawn." Francis finally spoke.

His tone was different. Is it as if I am listening to another person. I still can't believe that one of my closest friends is my enemy.

"We need to find the person responsible for his death. I will kill him!" I felt the anger in Stefan's voice.

"Calm down Stefan. We will get there. First, we need to prepare the alpha's funeral," Ryan interrupted.

I heard more men coming into the center of the garden. They were in great panic.

"Stefan, we were being attacked by rogues. They are trying to get into the perimeter," I heard someone speak.

"I think someone brought the news outside that the alpha was dead," Ryan said in a serious tone.

From where they are standing, I heard commotions on the opposite side of the garden.

"Francis, what the hell! Your wolves were attacking my men!" Stefan said.

So this is it, Francis will show his true colors now.

"Francis, can you hear me. Stop your wolves!" Stefan shouted.

"Sorry, Stefan. Now that the alpha is dead, I think it's also time for all his pack members to die with him!" from that, I heard cracking sounds and I know Francis shifted to his wolf form.

The cracking sound continued and there were growls all around me. The attack just started and I heard Stefan and Francis fighting.

I opened my eyes and inhaled the fresh air. I stood up and shifted to my wolf form to help my men.

I saw Francis turn to me. His expression was a mix of shock and anger.

I let my growl escape as my wolf takes full control of me. I am ready to kill my best friend.

"How could you do this to me?" my wolf spoke to his wolf.

"My loyalty is always with my brother. Not with you Hector," he replied.

I was confused. Brother? What does he mean?

"Brother? What are you saying?"

"I didn't lie when I said that my mother died when I was 10-years old. But I lied when I told you that I don't have a family anymore. That I am an orphan," he revealed.

His wolf pounced on me but I'm definitely ready for his attack. Our wolves rolled on the grass. I fought him back with all my strength. He was a good fighter. We both trained and improved our fighting skills for years. I've never thought that this time would come, wherein we will be fighting each other to death.

The other wolves including Ryan and Stefan were fighting the enemies. I've never thought Francis was able to build his own allies and let them blend among my men. This is the biggest betrayal that had happened to me.

Our wolves broke apart and we circled each other. My wolf is furious. I cannot accept his betrayal.

"Why are you doing this to me, Francis? Tell me, what did I do for you to betray me this way? Who's your brother?"

"Lucas, he is my half-brother. We have the same mother. We might have a different father but our mother did everything for us to get along with each other. I am his older brother. It is a secret we kept since our mother died. He asked for help from me. I need to get close to you, and be his eyes in this pack of yours," he told me.

I felt a stabbing pain in my chest as I listen to his revelations. Everything he did for me was part of his plan to get my trust.

"Where is Lucas? Where is my mate?" I asked him.

"I don't have any idea. My mission is just to kill you Hector and let his men come to the mansion on the day of your wedding to get your mate," he replied.

My wolf lunged toward him. My vision went red. I want to rip out his throat.

Most of his wolves died. They can't take my men down. Stefan joined forces with me.

"Francis, stop this bullshit. I can't kill you. I treated you like a brother,"

"But sad to say, I didn't treat anyone of you as my brother. Lucas is my only brother," Francis said as he jumped toward Stefan and tried to sink his sharp teeth into his skin.

I helped Stefan and attacked Francis. He moves quickly. I tried to avoid his every attack until he was able to leap toward me and I fell to the ground. Stefan jumped at his back but Francis was able to shoo him away.

Francis was very brave, he is a different person now. I saw how he penetrated his teeth on Stefan's skin causing Stefan to howl in agony.

Anger rose in me seeing my friend suffering. I ran towards Francis and attacked him. I pushed him down on the ground as I exposed my teeth and claw. With my determination to kill him, I sank my teeth into his neck and ripped his throat. I tasted his blood and I saw how he fall to the ground, lifeless.