Silent Strength: The Female Alpha Leads the Purge

Chapter 8

Sam

Betrayal.

It felt as if lava had replaced the blood pumping through my heart. My hand shook as I grasped my chest pleading for the pain to stop.

“We will get through this son.” My dad’s strong voice reassured me. It reminded me of the times our old Alpha would tear me apart during training in order to keep me in my place. It was the voice that really meant, ‘we will get our revenge.’

It brought me comfort then, but the idea of that mentality being directed toward my mate was a mistake on his part.

The pain stopped abruptly. It had only lasted a minute and though I was sure It was possible to only last that long with a female like her, I felt fairly certain intercourse was not the cause of my strife. My attention returned to my father’s words and tone and I threw him off me with one arm, growling as I stood from my stooped position over the dining room table. My mother jumped back, covering her mouth in surprise before running to my father who now sat on the floor with a serious expression, eyes glued to me as he rubbed his head where it hurt from impact against the breakfast counter.

Joshua remained rather calm and quiet as he took a step back and waited for my next move. I straightened to my full height and made my way to the front door. I didn’t even bother closing it behind me before giving way to the shift and running straight for the territory line between her pack and this one.

“Tell me if you need me.” Joshua’s voice echoed in my mind. I couldn’t even feel appreciation. I was too focused on finding her and ripping apart whatever asshole had his hands on what was MINE.

Why even give me a list of things to do to prove myself if you were just going to slowly rip my heart from my body, Kristi? I was about to be a bloody caveman and I didn’t care. If I had to kidnap her and lock the two of us in a damn prison cell, I would so we could figure this out.

My pads fell repeatedly on the damp forest floor as I unintentionally slowed my pace, no longer sure what to say, or how to say it considering we had two different languages. I stopped at the top of the ridge, trying to mentally prepare myself before invading her territory when I saw her wolf making her way up to the exact position in which I stood. Anger once again ran through me as I remembered that she had a physical connection with someone other than me. That was the only explanation for that pain. My anger dissipated though when I saw the thick red fluid covering her wolf’s mouth and body.

“I want a name!” Noah roared.

He was craving murder. I always thought I was lucky to have such a level-headed wolf, but it was becoming apparent that wasn’t the case around our mate.

I shifted as she came nearer and struggled to maintain an expression of anger to cover the pain and worry I felt. She no longer seemed concerned with proximity to me, and I found myself within arms reach. I wiped the blood from her wolf’s muzzle with my thumb and held it out to her, questioningly. In response, her wolf turned, allowing me to see that she was unharmed. I nodded in response before leaning up against a tree, wishing for a moment I had brought any type of clothes. I crossed my arms at my chest and kept my eyes locked on her, trying to figure out how we were going to communicate and if we could, what I would even say. Then it dawned on me…

“Did she kill whatever f***er dared to touch her and that’s why she’s here?” I asked Noah.

“I think that’s exactly what happened.” He replied as Kristi shifted and her muscular body made its way to mine.

The females in the Crescent pack had suffered so many years of hunger and abuse, that they were all thin and looked timid most of the time. Damien’s pack was different, he even had female warriors, but none matched the strength of the female standing before me. If I thought her years of training as a warrior benefitted her before, the last several hours of being an Alpha seemed to have accentuated her years of effort. She damn near stood at eye level in front of me.

I stared at her, not sure what she wanted or would allow me to do. I felt better realizing she had ripped apart whatever as*hole decided to touch her, but I still wanted evidence of his death. Or at least to piss on his corpse. Maybe even challenge his sons in his place if he has any.

I looked into her eyes, knowing the pain was evident in mine, but not caring. She had to know how I felt. Momentarily, I saw a flash of something cross hers as well. Sadness maybe? Regret? Hurt? I wasn’t sure, and at that moment, didn’t care. I grabbed her, wrapping her in my arms as if I was trying to block out the rest of the world. Like some psychotic mother bird, hiding her baby in its wings. She stiffened and I worried she would pull away.

“Please, please don’t go.”

I knew she couldn’t hear, but the vibration of my chest as I made the request seemed to have an effect and she relaxed against me, bringing her hands up and placing them on my chest, resting her face on my shoulder, and breathing in my scent. I relaxed as well. My perfect mate was here, finding comfort in my arms. It was apparent then, the role I would have in her life. She didn’t necessarily need me to protect her, though I would with my life. She needed me to comfort her, to encourage her. I would be there as her support.

I didn’t move, and neither did she. I remained leaning against the tree, knowing its bark was embedding its pattern into my back, but not caring. It had been almost an hour and her breathing was so slow, I thought she was asleep. That is, until she lifted her head from my shoulder, her eyes locking onto mine and the corner of her mouth curving up slightly. F*ck I would do anything to see that expression every day. I started leaning forward to remove myself from the pine trying to merge itself with me, but she placed her hand on my chest, her expression returning to a serious one as she shook her head no.

I wanted to plead with her not to run. I could see it in her face, that was her next move, and all I wanted to do was avoid it. There was no stopping her though. She quickly gave way to the shift and took off deeper and deeper into her territory leaving me alone at the top of the ridge.

I allowed myself a moment to smile and chuckle at the fact I had gone from a wolf about to challenge an Alpha for his title to a wolf completely owned by the alpha who could command me with a simple touch and shake of her head.

I turned, starting the walk back towards the packhouse. Kristi had restored my hope and determination to prove myself.