Everywhere you looked, wolves lay on the ground, dead or dying, howling in pain. The sun beat down mercilessly overhead, adding to the discomfort.
It was a scene of pure carnage.
I groaned in pain as I hoisted myself unsteadily to my feet. My wolf was sleeping, wounded almost beyond hope of recovery. Luckily she was tough, so she'd survive, but there were others who weren't so fortunate, and tears stung my eyes as I limped over to where Dad and Dorothy lay. It was a gruesome sight, and I shivered as I knelt down to close their eyes. They'd died almost together; Dad had had his throat sliced wide open, and Dorothy had lost half her insides when she'd gone to defend him. The smell of blood and death almost made me throw up, but I held it together, long enough at least to whisper goodbye.
"Get up, half-breed."
I growled as I stood up, wavering as bloodloss took its toll. But I was damned if I'd faint in front of my enemies.
And there were plenty.
Almost all our allies were dead, with a small handful fleeing deeper into Wiltshire. Enemy trackers had been sent to hunt them down, for Doreah was one of the fugitives. But I knew she'd get away; once they crossed the border into Berkshire, they'd come under the protection of the packs who lived there, including the Silver Stones. Crossing into another county on a vengeance mission was bad news, and Berkshiremen packs were very territorial. Doreah would be in safe paws once she'd reached the border, and I could already tell from my sibling link with her that she was already well on her way to freedom. Brayden was also still alive, much to my relief, and I knew Doreah would be safe with him. He'd make it his life's mission to get her to Reading, where her mother's relatives lived, and he'd stop at nothing to ensure her safety.
But sadly, for her safety and mine, I had to disown her. It was a painful process, and while it didn't erase our relationship, it did erase our mindlink. I knew, though, that she'd understand, and that helped me through the pain as I went through the uncomfortable process. Fortunately it only took a few moments, but even so, it hurt like all hell. Nevertheless, I took pride in knowing that I'd done the right thing for my sister, and as I turned to confront the man who had almost singlehandedly destroyed my pack, I made a silent vow to bring him down and avenge all those who had died for us today.
But as I looked into the eyes of the man who was now my sworn enemy, I felt a chill go down my spine. He'd grown stronger, for killing another Alpha granted him that Alpha's power. And my father had been a very influential Alpha. It was why he'd been chosen to succeed his grandfather against all custom, and why I'd been groomed to succeed him when the time came. We came from a long line of good Alphas, so no one really protested when Dad took over. In fact, they were relieved when he became Alpha, knowing they were in good hands, rather than the hands of an unknown.
Simon's victory had just thrust us all into those same unknown hands.
I shivered again as I drew myself up to my full height, wincing as my body protested at the action. "What is your will?" I asked through gritted teeth. It wasn't a show of defiance, but intense pain finally making itself known. Simon's eyes narrowed nevertheless.
"For you to lose your attitude," he said coldly. "Were you not half dead, I'd strike you down and teach you your place."
I grimaced. "Forgive me," I said. "I am in pain, and I forget myself."
Simon grunted. "Cut the subservient bullshit," he said. "I can see right through you, half-breed." He snapped his fingers and two of his pack came to join him. I did not like the look of them at all.
"Get the half-breed settled," Simon commanded them. "Make sure she heals. If she refuses, kill her wolf."
I shuddered as the two men took me by the arms and dragged me away, ignoring my attempts to try and walk on my own. In hindsight, though, as my body once more threatened to give out, I figured it was just as well I had them to drag me. I'd have fainted dead away otherwise.
Even so, as they took me to the spot where other captives waited, I felt dread rise in my stomach. It was clear Simon had something nefarious in mind, and he needed us healed in order to accomplish it. I wanted to refuse, but since my wolf was still alive, she'd start the process whether I liked it or not. I knew I could tell her to stop, since I didn't want to help Simon in whatever scheme he had planned, but then she'd be killed. And a werewolf without a wolf was just a human, good for one thing only; providing sex to those pack members who had no mates.
And I didn't want to join the long list of women who'd suffered a similar fate after losing their wolves.
But neither did I want to heal. I didn't want to be used by the man who'd killed my parents.
These thoughts followed me into the uneasy sleep which claimed me when the two men dumped me on the ground, impervious to my groans of pain, and I wished my wolf were awake so I could get an idea of what to do. She was still sleeping, though, so I had no choice but to follow. And hope that tomorrow would bring some clarity to the mess I was now in.137Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvHYgefNMg
