Blue Shaded Moon

Chapter 2

Connor's POV:

Rage pulsed around every wolf in scent. I could feel it. Tank was ready to give the signal to calm down, but it wasn't my call. It was Alpha Berkhardt's.

"When?" I pressed, my fists on either side of me. I faced the man who offered me a pair of jeans once I shifted back. I couldn't refuse. Our packs always got along!

"Coroner said late last night," the alpha of the Silver Lane River pack said. He shook his head. "I'm so sorry, Connor. I know how good of friends you were with Lincoln. He was going to be your gamma to keep peace between our packs."

I growled before my fist met the tree next to me. "No one can replace him!"

Alpha Berkhardt nodded. "Tell your father. We'll find a replacement in time for the ceremony." He shook his head. "We won't let Raya slip through our fingers. We'll get her."

I nodded briefly. "Thank you. But Lincoln was the best gamma there ever was."

Sadness and remorse crept over Alpha's face. "He truly was," he mumbled. He looked down as silence took over all of us.

I snapped a glare at the tree next to me, like it was the reason Lincoln was dead. I was pissed. Ready for revenge. I went to school with Lincoln! You think we would've already taken over my pack as the next in line, but really, it was when the current Alpha felt as though it was time for him to step down.

I shook my head before looking at Alpha Berkhardt. "You'll hunt her down? Tonight?"

"She's the vampire's problem as of now," he replied. He looked over my shoulder. "We can't cross over without the king's permission."

I shook my head vigorously, growling in frustration. "King Raphael needs to let us in. She's ours to kill!"

"I agree." Alpha looked at me. "But. We. Can't. Cross. Over."

I sighed with frustrated defeat. I nodded, knowing there was nothing I could do. Even once I'm alpha I couldn't make irrational decisions.

We made it back to the barbecue, but everyone was cleaning up by time we were back. Kade slipped away to sneak more food since Adrian and I never got any. My little brother was the best at sneaking. It was why he would be my delta. Deltas were the sneakiest ones, able to persuade anyone for anything. They're also the ones with the most unique skills.

Tess looked at me as I approached her, my hand on the small of her back.

"Hey," she said in a soft, sweet tone. She turned to me.

"Hey," I mumbled.

"Everything okay?"

I shook my head. "No."

"What's going on?"

"Remember Lincoln?"

Tess nodded her head, worry setting over her features.

"He was found dead. This morning."

Tess gasped, tears in her eyes. "No," she whispered, sounding more concerned than scared.

I nodded. "I'm afraid so," I grumbled. I looked over at Kade as he pressed into my mind. I shook my head at him, telling him not now.

His hands were full with plates of food for Adrian and me. I was sure one of those plates was his when he abandoned it.

"Murder," Tess asked, distracting me. "Or accident?"

I looked at her. "Accident."

"What happened?"

I shook my head. "I don't know yet. I haven't gotten the details yet. My dad just called me to let me know and he needed me home."

Tess nodded before setting her hand on my arm. "Please... Be careful. Whatever it was, we don't want it to happen to you or..." She hesitated, letting me know she knew something. Shit... "Anyone else."

I nodded. "Don't worry. If it was an animal, we'll hunt it down and kill it."

"Good," Tess whispered before looking down.

I grabbed her elbow, noticing something was up. "Are you okay?"

She nodded, looking up at me. "Just peachy." She said softly. Her eyes were soft with sadness and regret.

I leaned in and kissed Tess's cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Yeah." Tess leaned in towards me, her cheek brushing against my lips.

I pulled back to look at her. "Don't forget William. He wanted to join."

Tess shook her head. "He can't come. His dad needs his help with the garden."

I nodded. "Will you be okay with us then? Kade and Adrian were bringing their girlfriends."

Tess nodded for what seemed the tenth time. "I'll be fine. It's nothing new."

I pulled Tess into a hug and she buried her face in my chest. I wanted to comfort her in levels I knew I couldn't. It wasn't right since she was with someone else. I loved Tess. It was more than just a crush for me. But I knew I couldn't have her for more than one reason. Even though she was my fated mate, I couldn't tell her. That was a secret I would take to my grave...