When All Else Fails

Murder On the Mind

Cory

I caught a whiff of Kat, right before Alpha Shane shifted and lunged towards the house. I shifted back to my wolf and lunged him before he could reach the window. Fur and blood flew everywhere, coving the grass and splattering onto the side of the house.

The big black wolf was relentless, chomping for my legs, trying to break them so he could get past me to Kat. I did the same, hearing him yelp when I grabbed his back left leg felt like a small victory. Our wolves are equal in size, and strength, my bloodline was also that of an Alpha, but my brother took that position and I came here to be Shanes Beta. I believed in him when I made that decision.

He jumped back, clearly keeping his weight off the foot I was able to injure. I lunged him before he could move this time, straight for his throat. I was able to wrap my teeth around it before he could react, cutting off his air supply. I could feel his claws from his front legs digging into my sides, but I didn’t care. It was over now. He passed out within seconds and I released him as soon he went limp.

I took a few steps back and looked at Kat. She was ghost white and looked like she was about to pass out. Just seeing her alive was all I needed. My wolf pranced over to her and let out a bone chilling howl that sent waves of dominance over all the surrounding pack members, forcing them to their knees. It was a howl of victory. It was a howl that showed I left the Alpha alive out of respect, that I could have killed him, and I will kill him if he ever goes after my mate again.

The crowd of pack members started murmuring amongst themselves as soon as my howl subsided and they could stand. They seemed shocked by the display of power I showed. I guess that’s because they have only known me as Beta and had no clue where I came from.

“You’re supposed to kill the Alpha when you challenge him for his title.” Alpha Tristan spoke, authority oozing from his tone. I shifted back, one of the warriors that had been standing by run up to me holding out a pair of shorts. I put them on before turning to the old Alpha.

“ I wasn’t challenging him for his title. I was protecting my mate. As you know any wolf would give his own life, to save his mate.”

“So you’re not after his title?” Alpha Tristan seemed intrigued. Probably because its very rare for a Beta to overpower his Alpha, and its very rare for one of Alpha blood to take a position less than. I don’t want the responsibility. Being the Alpha’s Beta gives me a nice cover to not have the weight of an entire pack on my shoulders.

“No. You clearly see he isn’t in his right mind. He attacked my mate, if he does it again I will kill him.” Alpha Tristan seem to think this over.

“Why does he want to kill her so bad?” I took a deep breath and let out a long drawn out sigh.

“She turned eighteen today, he was her mate first. He rejected her without hesitation, I didn’t even realize what happen til it was too late.” I took another deep breath. “I’m her second chance mate.”

“So why does he want her dead?” His tone stayed neutral, but I could tell something was bothering him.

“I don’t know. Maybe rejecting her broke something within him?” I wasn’t even sure myself why he wanted her dead, I just knew I was going to keep that from happening.

“Hmm, interesting.” His hand started to stroke his beard, clearly lost in thought. “Come out here girl.” His voice suddenly booming with his Alpha command. Kat and Luke both quickly made their way outside, holding hands, they came to stand beside me to face the old man.

Kat

I was holding onto Lukes hand like my life depended on it. I’ve never in my life had this much attention drawn to me, and now I’m suddenly a hot topic. I take Cory’s hand into my free one when I walk up beside him.

“So you’re the one that’s got all the boys fighting over you.” He kept his hand stroking his beard.

“It would appear so Alpha.” I kept my eyes focused on the ground like it was the most interesting thing I’ve ever seen in my life.

“How do you feel about all this?” I shuffled my feet.

“I, I haven’t had time to process all that’s happened honestly Alpha. It’s been a lot.” Cory squeezed my hand.

“I see. What do you want out of all this?

“I don’t know Alpha. I wanted my mate and always dreamed of finding him, and how much my life would change when I did find him. I didn’t think it would be like this.”

“Well it seems there’s something more to this, but we will have to figure it out later. Let’s get Alpha Shane off the ground and to a doctor. We can try and work this out when he wakes up.” He motions for some of the warriors to go pick up Alpha Shane.

They rush over to him, still a massive big black wolf and start to pick him up. He surprised us all when he jumped up growling and clawing at everything in front of him. Ripping up some of the warriors trying to help him.

His eyes lock with mine as Cory starts to push me behind him to keep me safe. My hand is ripped away from Luke as Cory shields me with his body. All I hear is feral growling and screams of pain from the warriors. Cory is shoved back and I fall to the ground. Catching a glimpse at the large black wolf barreling towards me.

The wolf gets a few feet away from us and jumps straight at me, snarling the entire time. I see someone jump in front of it just before it reaches me.

“Luke!” I scream at the top of my lungs.

The wolf pulls him back away from us and shifts back into his human form.

“Reject her and you can stay Beta. I won’t kill you. Reject her and show me who you are loyal to.” Cory shakes his head no.

“You know that’s not going to happen.”

“Well if I can’t kill her, I’ll kill this kid she seems so fond of.” His fingers turn into claws on his free hand and he holds them up to Luke’s throat.

“NO!” I scream so loud it hurts my throat. “Don’t hurt him!” The Alpha takes one claw and draws a thin line on Luke’s neck, making it bleed just a little.

“Reject her and I won’t kill the boy.” I’m frantic, he can’t die because of me. I look towards Cory for any sign of an answer. He is shaking his head no. Alpha Shane starts to dig his claws into Luke’s neck cutting off circulation “Reject the pathetic Omega, and he can live.”

“Stop! Please stop! He’ll do it!” I scramble to get off the ground while I can barely breath from panicking. Cory’s head snaps around to me, a look of shock on his face.

“No, I won’t. I just got you I’m not going to reject you.”

“You made a promise to me remember! You said you’d protect him!” I screamed at him, tears forming in my eyes. He winced when I said that.

“But I just go you.” Tears started forming in his eyes.

“I know, but you have to let me go. He is innocent.” I’m starting to hyperventilate.

“But Kat.”

“No buts, you made a promise, now keep it!”

I could hear Luke start to struggle for breath because the Alpha was strangling him. I started to walk towards him, ready to throw my life out the window to save Luke.

“Fine.”

Cory grabs my hands and pulls me to him. Hugging me tightly. I heard him sniffle as he loosened his grip and pulled his hand to my face, cupping my cheek. He leaned in and kissed me deeply. Sparks tingling where our lips touched. I was almost in a daze when he finally stopped and bumped his forehead against mine.

“I felt the sparks.” I whispered, and silent tears started pouring from my eyes.

“I’m don’t want to do this.” He whispered just as quietly.

“I know.” I stepped back. “Do it.” He looks at Alpha Shane.

“Alpha I want your word that the boy and Kat will remain safe after i do this.” Alpha Shane tilted his head thinking.

“I give you. my word the boy will remain safe here, and I give you my word Kat will remain safe as long as she leaves and never comes back.”

“You will not pursue her off pack grounds?”

“No, I will not stoop that low to go hunt down an omega.” He growls out with his town filled with hate.

Cory looks at me, giving me a look, pleading for me to change my mind. I give him a nod to go ahead and do it, and brace myself for the pain.

“I Cory Summers of the Hidden Moon Pack reject you Kat Peterson as my true mate.”

“I Kat Peterson accept your rejection.”

Tears streamed down both of our faces as we both doubled over and screamed. The sounds of true heartbreak ripping through the night.