The Alpha's Sacrifice

Worthless

Killian’s POV

Conner stepped out of the trees and into the clearing where I was sitting with Nuala on the picnic blanket. His large frame gave him an intimidating edge, as he was quite tall and had muscles that were very similar to his father's. Conner was no doubt very strong and I was not looking to cause problems with him. Conner did not share his sister's green eyes. Instead, Conner had ice blue eyes and had features that matched Alpha Oran.

“Nuala, get back to the castle,” Conner ordered.

Nuala seemed unsure of what to do. I had no idea the thoughts racing through her when she looked at me. She glanced back at her brother.

“Conner, I-”

“I didn’t ask you to speak, Nuala,” Conner interrupted.

Nuala got up and looked back at me with a worried expression.

“I would say you two are made for each other, the pathetic girl and the invalid boy, but Nuala has a reputation to uphold and you are worthless Killian,” Conner said to me.

“I am not worthless,” I mumbled, maybe too loud because Conner leaned closer to my face to threaten me.

“Stay away from my sister, you don’t need anything from her anymore. If I see you anywhere near her ever again, I will make sure that no one ever sees you again,” he warned.

“Leave him alone, Conner,” I heard Nuala say.

“Someone has to teach this guy a lesson,” Conner said with a menacing grin.

“NO!” Nuala shouted and tried to run back to me.

“Sean, grab her and get her out of here while I give Killian here a little taste of what will happen if he goes near Nuala again.” Conner demanded.

Nuala was grabbed quickly by one of Conner's friends and pulled back. She pulled her arm away trying to escape the guy's grasp and I looked on helplessly from the ground where I sat. Nuala dug her nails into Sean’s hand, trying to get him to release her, but it was no use.

“Let go of me!” Nuala shrieked in panic. “Conner, leave him alone.”

I could see tears starting to form in Nuala’s eyes as she continued to beg Conner to stop.

“Get away from me, Conner. I get the idea,”

“No, I don’t think you do. Which is why I am going to make sure you understand completely.” Conner growled low and reached for the collar of my shirt.

My heart dropped and I curled my fingers into a fist even though I wasn’t sure how this would go. Maybe I could defend myself a little. While Conner was inches from my face sneering at me, I swung my fist into his temple. A resounding smack echoed from the hit; his grip loosened on my shirt for a moment before he recovered. My fingers throbbed and one knuckle was smeared with blood. I must have scuffed it on Conner’s face.

“That was very stupid.” Conner spat the words at me.

I tried to free myself from Conner’s grip as I watched him pull back his own arm to punch me. I heard the thud of flesh colliding and my body went limp for a second and a white flash crossed my vision. My face burned with pain. I tried to recover from the shock, but before I could, I was pummeled with another fist to my lower lip. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth when I ran my tongue across my bottom lip.

“Stop it, Conner!” I heard another scream come from Nuala.

Conner released his grip on my shirt and I thought he was done with his torture, but I was wrong. The searing pain of a foot in my ribs, knocked the wind out of me. I wheezed and gasped for air that wouldn’t fill my lungs. Another kick landed in the middle of my gut and I tried to protect my stomach by holding my hands over it, but the kicks kept coming.

I heard some more screaming before the beating finally came to a stop. I laid on the ground not moving. If I moved, I might get hit again. So, I just stayed still, face down on the blue picnic blanket.

“No, No. Let me go!” I heard Nuala screaming again and I watched through blurry eyes as they dragged her away.

For the first time, I wished that I could be more than what I was. I hoped that when I was united with my wolf tonight that my wolf would make me stronger. Odds were that wouldn’t be the case, but it could happen, right?

I’m not sure how long I lay there on the ground, but I was in too much pain to move. How ironic would it be if I died before ever getting my wolf, or learning who I was. Why had Sinead sent me here? Shouldn’t she have known this pack wasn’t what it was cracked up to be? I thought things were supposed to be better in a pack, but I do not see the benefit of any of it. The only good thing I have seen is Nuala and I can’t even see her now. What was I going to do?

Tonight, I am turning eighteen. If I didn’t die before midnight, I would gain a voice in my head. My wolf, who is supposed to understand me and make me stronger. At least I hoped that was the case. The worst-case scenario was that my wolf didn’t bother coming to me at all because of the curse. Or that I was a curse to my wolf and made him weak. That was more likely. I would make my wolf weak too. I groaned and tried to move. I could tell it was getting darker, but I was still taking in raspy breaths.

I waited and waited, hoping that either death would take me or my wolf would actually come to me. My vision stayed blurry and started fading in and out. I guess my wolf didn’t want me either. How could I blame him? I closed my eyes, preparing for death to overcome me, for the pain to stop.

Just then, I heard some rustling in the trees. This was just great! It must be Conner and his cronies coming back to finish me. It would at least be quicker. I had suffered long enough.

“There you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” I heard the voice say before my vision faded again to blackness and I just couldn’t hang on to consciousness anymore.