In The Beginning, Chapter 59

“That’s actually, a really good idea...” I mumbled as I grabbed my phone and emailed everything Charlie had suggested to Ben, Bailey, Alex and Robert, who were each approaching the problem from different angles. Ben was using his business connections to quietly find anyone who had worked with the companies we already had names of. Bailey was using his confidential informants to run down every hacker he could find to try and break into the companies’ systems to gain information. Alex was leading our wolves, both on pack grounds and at Appletree, running down everything they could find on each company and trying to find new leads, so far no one in the pack had the skills to hack into the surveillance company. Robert was handling the police investigation, which involved both covering up the real crime, and funnelling any information to us via pack members on the force. The cops had been called to the store, after my mother and Maria had left, but were having no better luck than us. Unfortunately, the store’s owner, knowing the human police would have to investigate, deleted the footage before the cops arrived, and we had hit a wall retrieving it. I drained the last of the coffee in my cup and got out of bed. I went downstairs to make more, leaving Charlie some privacy, and to psych myself up, for the difficult day ahead. By the time I got back, with two steaming cups, Charlie was back in the bed, and smiling at me softly. “I made you a latte.” I smiled, moving to the bed, and handing her the cup.
“Thank you... are you ready to talk about Owen a little more? Don’t think I didn’t notice, you keep changing the subject, and are avoiding telling me everything.” She gently prodded, as I climbed into bed next to her. I gave myself a moment, pulling her closer before I began.
“I don’t want you to come to the execution. I know you have the right, as one of the people he would’ve hurt had his plan succeeded, but-" I began, before she interrupted me, placing her fingers on my cheek.
“It’s fine, I won’t go, you don’t have to explain. I didn’t think I’d be able to anyway, not being a member of the pack yet. The only reason I would go, is to support you, but if you don’t want me there, I understand.” She explained with a sad smile.
“I don’t want you to see me...” I couldn’t finish the sentence, but she just nodded, before placing her lips on mine, giving me a reassuring kiss.
“I understand.” She breathed against my skin, her nose stroking mine gently.
“Do you want me to ask Maria if she could stay with you?” I asked as she relaxed onto my chest.
“No, I think she needs to go, maybe put some of the demons that have followed her since she was a baby to rest, now that her father, and the man that manipulated him will both be gone.” She replied thoughtfully. “Besides, I invited a few of the non-Lycan pack members here for coffee.” She smiled sheepishly, but something in my mind clicked.
“The non-Lycans!” I gasped, realising my error.
“Yeah, I thought I could get to know them a little, why?” She asked, picking up on my mood.
“Theia said that Apollo or Zeus might have a spy here at Applewood, but she also said she activated the bond the pack shares through me, to protect you. It's been bothering me, how could both statements be true. The non-Lycan members, the bond wouldn’t be as strong, and we don’t have access to any of their family histories. One of them could be the spy! Maybe even part vampire!” I explained. “What time are they coming?”
“Three, I was gonna ask you to pick up some of those donuts Ben brought before... and maybe get some tips on how to get around my lack of a wolf?” She hesitantly admitted.
“The execution is at noon, I should be back by two at the latest, I’ll pick them up on the way, because there is no way in hell you are walking into a room with a possible spy without me.” I warned, ready to fight about it.
“I don’t know if they will open up to me with their Alpha breathing down their necks. But what if we ask Theia to leave a spy of our own? You could be nearby, I will link you if anything goes wrong, and we might be able to smoke them out?” She smiled deviously.
“No. I’m not leaving you alone with someone who could let the vampires know exactly where you are.” I shook my head, determined not to have her in danger, again.
“I won’t be, you would be close, as would Theia. They’re not Lycans, so they shouldn’t be able to tell if you were in your office, would they?” She smiled, kissing me again.
“Probably not.” I replied through gritted teeth, partly because her plan had merit, and partly because her body against mine was, once again, causing a reaction. Her fingers moved over my stomach as she continued.
“And you would be able to hear everything? Even their increased heart rates if they lie or get spooked.” She breathed as her hand dipped below the sheets. “We could even use a safe word, something I could say out loud without tipping them off?” She suggested as she began to slowly massage my throbbing cock. “I will take any and all precautions you want.” She whispered against my lips.
“I don’t want you endangering yourself.” I groaned as her lips moved down my chest.
“I won’t be.” She whispered back, before I caught her hand and lips simultaneously, pushing her back onto her pillows as I moved on top of her. My lips moved down her throat, as I pushed her legs apart with my knees, she moaned delightfully, as I sucked on her mark, her fingers in my hair. Her arousal was perfuming the room, making my mouth water, as she pulled my face to hers, kissing me deeply.
“I’m afraid of something happening to you.” I admitted, breaking our heated kiss, looking deeply into her eyes.
“I know, but I can’t live like a prisoner either, trust me, please?” She asked, pulling me closer, her fingers entwined with mine, as our lips met. We made love, it was tender, and emotional, as our bodies moved together, both of us crying out the other’s name as we came together.

I was stood on the stone platform, beside the prison, my father, mother, brother and Maria beside me, waiting for the last of the pack members to arrive. Executions were open to anyone from the pack, but mostly, only those affected by the crime come to witness it. However, the execution of a former Beta, Epsilon, and elder had drawn a crowd. Robert gave me the nod, it was time to bring out the prisoner, I nodded my agreement, and three wolves brought him out. He climbed the steps, aided by my men, his knees still damaged from his interrogation, his head hung low, and looking much older than his 57 years. His skin was pale and dull, his hair, which had a little salt and pepper look only above his ears previously, was now a lifeless grey everywhere. The men brought him to the centre of the platform, placing him at the front, while the pack looked at him in disgust.
“Owen Summer, former Epsilon of Applewood pack, you have been found guilty of treachery. You conspired with rogues and vampires to kill your fellow pack members, and your Alpha. All so you could be Alpha. Do you have any final words before you are released back to our moon goddess for her judgement?” Robert asked him.
“Yes...” He croaked, clearing his throat painfully. “Yes, I do. I wish to apologise to my family before I die, to apologise to my pack. I was blinded by hate, jealousy, and resentment, and I am so profoundly sorry. I pray our moon goddess takes pity on me, and allows my...” He started weeping. “And allows my wolf to find a Lycan worthy of him, as I am not.” The crowd started mumbling, questioning if he had lost his wolf. “On Monday night, my wolf left me, after we felt the blessing of the moon goddess over this pack, but were not blessed ourselves because of my actions, showing me how twisted my mind had become.” He turned to look at us, looking truly broken. “I am so sorry, but I do not ask for your forgiveness, just the knowledge that I accept my punishment, and whatever comes next, I will spend every second of it regretting my choices.” I felt my father stiffen, but no one said a word. I retrieved the sister blade to the one I had used on Eric, and stepped forward, while Owen gave me a sad smile of understanding.
“Owen Summer, you have been sentenced to death, may you find forgiveness in the arms of our goddess.” I slowly recited the words used at every execution, as I tried to find the courage to stab my uncle through his heart. Quicker than I thought possible from the old man, he grabbed my shoulders, plunging the blade into himself, as I stared into his eyes, in shock.
“You are my Alpha.” He whispered before dropping to the ground, the blade embedded in his chest. I heard the chaos erupt around me, but it felt muffled as I watched the light die in my uncles’ eyes. I heard my father behind me, his hand on my arm as he tried to talk to me, but I couldn’t make sense of what he was saying.
“Alpha? DANIEL? SON?” His voice suddenly made sense as my surrounds snapped into focus, and my hearing returned to normal.
“Yeah, I’m okay, I’m fine.” I muttered, as I walked off the platform, leaving the body and blade where they fell. I walked behind the raised stone stage, away from the pack, needing a moment.
“Daniel?” My mother called me softly, as I sat on the ground, staring at the treeline.
“Yeah, mom, what do you want?” I sighed, not sure how I felt.
“It was the only kindness left to him.” She whispered, as she crouched beside me.
“What?” I asked, slightly lost on what we were talking about.
“Owen, it was the only option to spare you from being the one... I think, he was truly sorry, and killing himself was the only thing he could do for you.” She explained.
“I know.” I stated bluntly. “Before I stepped up, I told him I didn’t know if I was the right choice for Alpha. That I didn’t want the responsibility of ending another wolf’s life, even if it was justified. He told me that the first was the worst, but it would never be something I got used to, even if it is rare.” I confessed, unable to meet my mother’s eyes.
“And he didn’t want you carrying that he was your first.” She sighed in understanding. “He seemed like the old Owen today. Not the bitter twisted creature that replaced him. I think he will find forgiveness.” She said as she stood, I watched her retreating back as she walked to my father. Maria gave Ben a kiss, and left with my parents, as he made his way over to me.
“Wanna talk about it?” He asked as he plopped down next to me on the ground.
“Nope.” I replied, my eyes travelling back to the trees.
“Wanna go punch something?” He asked, without his usual cheer.
“Not really.” I stated.
“Then you should go home to Charlie, we were kinda surprised when you showed up alone.” He commented, waiting for me to explain.
“I didn’t want her to see me...” I still couldn’t finish the sentence, but for different reasons this time. Owen’s lifeless body flashing behind my eyelids whenever I closed them.
“Hmm.” He nodded in agreement, I picked up the action in periphery vision. “Yeah, I thought as much, but... didn’t you want her here to support you?” He asked quietly.
“No.” I replied, my eyes still on the trees.
“You plan on staying here long?” He asked, and I looked up to the sky. The reason executions are performed during the day, comes from an old superstition, our ancestors believed to kill a wolf, unless in self-defence, in view of the goddess was an affront. And despite the fact that his wolf had abandoned him, I found myself questioning if the goddess would forgive me. Ultimately, I was responsible for his death, I ordered it, regardless of who dealt the final blow, and his intention was to hurt Charlie.
“No, I have to get back. Charlie has invited the non-Lycan pack members to coffee, pick their brains about how to get around her not having a wolf. And we think one of them might be the spy her aunt believes is in the pack.” I replied.
“And you didn’t let your beta know because...?” He prompted.
“You and Maria had enough to deal with today.” I said bluntly, he snorted in derision.
“She’s gonna kick your ass when she finds out.” He teased, as Maria was often the only one to tell me when to pull my head out of my ass, before and after I became Alpha. I got up, brushing the dirt from my clothes.
“I’m gonna head home, I’ll let you know if we get any leads. Prepare half a dozen surveillance teams, and see what you can find on the families, I don’t want any of them slipping past us.” I instructed as he got to his feet.
“Yes Alpha.” He replied, immediately moving to Beta mode. I left him at our cars, picked up a few dozen donuts, and went back to Charlie.