The Gamma's Dark Witch

2 - Out of Control

(Cam)

I didn’t like being out of control, I rarely turned to anything that wasn’t physical activity to let off steam. But tonight I needed something strong, I didn't want to feel, to think of how I just found my mate and I didn't want to think about that at all.

Sure, we had a few too many drinks sometimes at The Doctors' cottage, where we would spend many nights by their open fire with our ranked members and our Luna’s adoptive parents, our head Doctor, Dr. Lockheart, and his mate Abigail.

Tonight was different, though.

My pack was safe, the threat was nullified, and most of their dead burned. I had already checked in with the warriors on duty and everything was quiet, calm, just how I needed it to be.

The dining room was transformed, the massive wooden table that ran the entire length of this enormous hall was pushed to the side. Food and drinks were piled high, and everyone around us was charged. There were mostly naked bodies everywhere, covered in blood and lots of shallow wounds, nothing that wouldn't heal by the end of the night.

The room was alight with adrenaline.

We had to respect those that lost some lives. The other packs that lent warriors to our cause; but we needed to honor them in a way that didn’t feel morbid. Everyone here did a d.amn good job, and they should be proud of themselves. This was what they all needed, what I needed.

“I feel like we just won some medieval battle,” Lucas, our Beta, and my closest friend, and massive pain in my b.utt took in the scenery. He grabbed a bottle of whiskey and opened it, taking a long drink. He held it out to me, his blue eyes bright after that long sip.

“No glasses?” I frowned.

“Look around.” Lucas spread his arms wide, his signature broad smile on his face. “People are n.aked, covered in blood. H.ell that guy is missing an ear.”

I looked at where he was pointing. Dave, one of our warriors tilted his glass towards us, and my eyes widened at his casual stance.

“I can still hear.” Dave smiled. “Thank the Goddess I already have a mate, so she can’t leave me for my looks." He laughed turning back to the group he was talking to.

“We have just won an epic battle, the minstrels will be singing about it for centuries, I’ll have a tapestry commissioned for us.” Lucas slung an arm around me and faced me towards the open dining room. “The world is our oyster. Take the d.amn bottle.” I grabbed it from him and took a few long swigs.

Dawn, our lead omega, appeared out of nowhere. She was bustling about faster than I thought she could move. I had never seen her so happy. She handed us each a plate of food that smelled delicious. My stomach rumbled at the scent alone.

She winked at Lucas. “This isn’t the first battle I’ve been around for.”

“Thank you, Dawn.” I dug in as soon as she turned away.

We ate in silence. Every time Lucas handed the bottle to me I took a long sip. We were almost done with it when we finished our second helping of food.

The room went silent, and I tensed, looking around for the threat. Jackson, our Alpha, and Isla, our Luna walked into the room, freshly showered, and looked every bit at the powerful couple that they were. Lucas and I stood up, taking our places behind them as Beta and Gamma. My head was starting to swim, but I locked my jaw and kept my gaze forward.

“I never know what to say after these things. I can say that I have never before seen so many people come together and work so incredibly well with each other. You are a credit to your Alpha, your packs, and yourselves.” Jackson started.

Even though the rogue army was against us, we knew that the man leading it would stop at nothing, even after our downfall. He had shown us many times that he cared about nothing but power, even sacrificing his family for it. Thankfully, we had the help of neighboring packs that loaned some warriors to the cause. With them, we kept our losses minimal. With the extra numbers and the element of surprise, we were able to take them down relatively easily.

“I could not be more proud to have fought alongside you.” Jackson was finishing his speech, “Don’t tell your Alphas, but they're seriously is a place at Silver MoonStone for any of you that want it.” Everyone cheered.

Jackson turned to us, lowering his voice. “Enjoy the party, guys.”

Isla nodded and smiled, but her eyes were drooping, she had been through a lot tonight, and she was pregnant. She always amazed me with her sheer strength.

“You’ve both more than earned it. Thank you for all your help and hard work tonight.” Jackson tugged his mate close.

“Thank you, Alpha.” I nodded my head.

“I’m exhausted, but I can’t sleep. My body is buzzing,” Lucas said as we rejoined the crowd.

“That’s how I always feel before or after a fight.”

We grabbed more food from the endless pile, and Lucas grabbed a bottle of wine, pretending to look at the label. I rolled my eyes and grabbed one off the table, and found a seat on the floor near one of the walls.

Lucas looked far away. He stopped eating and smiled into the distance. It freaked me out a bit. “What’s up?” I asked.

“Just thinking of Isabella.” His mate, another complication.

He found his true mate, and she unknowingly helped snowball a series of events that ultimately lead to our success. She was human and in a relationship, but I had no doubt that Lucas could charm her. Besides, who could resist the mate bond, werewolf or not?

Apparently, you - my wolf, Axel, growled at me.

I pushed him away. We could have this conversation later.

“Oh.” I went back to my food.

“I’m going to step out for a second. I might give her a call actually.” He stood up taking his bottle of wine, and left with a stupid broad grin.

I didn’t see him for the rest of the night, and I moved to the fireplace and finished another bottle. My thoughts kept creeping to her, to Nisha, and it twisted my stomach.

The rejection would hurt, but I prayed The Moon Goddess would grant me a rare second-chance mate after she messed up with my first.

A dark witch, one that tried to steal what was ours, one that was against us before even knowing us.

Until she learned the truth - Axel cut in - Our Luna trusted her. We should too,

People aren’t infallible - I shot back.

And neither is our Goddess, I thought dryly.

I found my mate, and I didn’t want her. I was repulsed by the thought of her and repulsed at myself for what it meant that I was mated to someone capable of that much darkness.

I pulled myself up and trudged to the fourth floor I shared with Lucas. I somehow made it to my room and landed on my bed

I thought I was out cold, but I woke up with a memory of starlight and shadows.