CALIFF
I was surrounded by growling, snarling, whimpering, but that asshole just waited there like a coward to finish off what his men started. That was not what a character of an Alpha. Clearly, he wasn’t one.
Prowling in his direction, I bared my teeth and zeroed my attention only to him. I wanted to put an end to this. If he thought he would win in this attack, he was mistaken. He didn’t move, he just stood there watching my movement, making his point of dominance and intimidation.
When I was close enough, he rushed toward me, ending us slamming on the ground. His anger filled his eyes, but he also underestimated my strength since I had already fought and killed a few of his wolves.
Our claws and teeth lashed. I snarled as his claws raked through my shoulder, and damn, it fucking hurt.
Overpowered by his little victory, I bit his leg, yanking it hard, finding himself slammed on the ground.
Keane’s wolf rose to his paws, circling me, growling in anger, following my movements, and lunged into me. The impact dragged our bodies through the ground. Dust flew everywhere. Just about an inch to snap his teeth into my neck, an enormous, angry white wolf slammed into him, knocking him on his back.
Now he saw what we got. We were not that helpless, and he came all the way here to show us what little pack we had. He was wrong. He should have done his research before undermining our lives.
Furious about the interruption, I growled. I could have handled Keane. At the same time, I was grateful for saving my hairy ass.
The Lycan Alpha King certainly knew how to make an entrance. In wolf-killing mode, the angry, large white wolf slashed the gray wolf’s jaw open, bit the throat in a sharp yank, tearing out Keane’s wolf and shaking it like a rag doll before dropping it to the floor. He expounded his presence.
“Lycan,” he muttered, just enough to shift to a human before death took over him.
The big white wolf ran back, leaving me standing before the lifeless body of Keane, now in human form.
In an Alpha voice, I growled, calling everyone’s attention. The fight stopped. Lifeless wolves, human bodies, and injured scattered and blood bathed the ground.
I shifted to my human form. Shadow’s wolf joined by my side, rubbing her head against my arm. Aside from the blood on her fur, I was glad she wasn’t injured. I heard footsteps and paws approaching.
“Your Alpha is dead. I could end your life for killing one of my pack, betraying me, and attacking my territory, or you submit-your choice. Keane, the Alpha you followed, just watched you to death. Look at your friends lying dead. Is that the kind of Alpha you want to serve and respect?” My wound hadn’t healed, and blood was dripping from my shoulder.
My allies shifted to their human forms, surrounding what was left of Keane’s pack. They all shifted, including wounded Everlee. Gasping from my enemy erupted. Their faces blanched. I turned around-lycans, still in their massive wolf forms, strolled in my direction.
I thought they abandoned us and left us to be shredded to death. I was wrong. Sebastien kept his words, and so did the witches. We could have been slaughtered with that amount of werewolves earlier. But with the help from my allies, witches, and Lycans, I was still standing and watching the bloody aftermath.
“Your Alpha left a few details. He also left a few details to his allies and led you to your deaths. Surrender now, and I will spare your worthless lives.”
They bowed before me, including Everlee.
“Lyon, let your enforcers do the headcount.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Duke was wounded. “I’ll be fine.”
“Go, get help.”
“You are butt-naked,” he said, chuckling.
“Where’s Shadow?” I asked when I couldn’t find my mate beside me.
“She ran inside, probably getting clothes for your butt.”
Just right on time, she came with my mother carrying many clothes.
“Are you okay? Let me heal that.” She offered me sweatpants.
“I’m fine. I won’t risk you. Zarah can heal it but it will heal in a few hours.”
“What are you gonna do to them?”
“If they decide to join me, they must go through witch’s binding. If they betray me, the consequences would be fatal.”
“Really? They’re such things like that?”
“Yeah. You still have a lot to learn on your witch side, Luna.”
“True.” She pursed her lips.
“Like a mating bond, but it won’t affect me, just them.”
“Zack?” I looked around.
“A-alpha.” He managed to crawl before he fell to the ground. Blood oozed on his torn neck.
“Zack! Oh, no.” Shadow rushed towards him. “You can’t die.”
“Hey, I’ll be fine.” His face was as white as a sheet as Shadow placed his head on his thigh.
“Let me heal you.” She wiped the tears from her face.
“Shadow,” I called her name and gripped her shoulder.
“No. You can’t stop me!” She jerked off my hand.
“Don’t risk-” Zack shook his head.
“Shut up. You’re my best friend. I can’t let you die. I won’t accept it.” She kept shaking her head, and I felt the turmoil of her emotions.
“Let me do it.”
Shadow’s back stiffened. Her eyes lit as she looked at Zarah. “You’ll do it?”
“He might not fully heal because I lost a lot of energy, but I will do my best.”
“Please?” She put Zack’s weak body on the ground but didn’t let go of his hand.
“Take from me.” Aira offered her hand.
“And mine,” another witch came to help. My guess- is that unity was happening. Werewolves, Lycans, and witches together in one place was just a dream until today.
Goosebumps erupted all over my skin as I watched them help Zack.
As Zarah placed the palm of her hand on Zack’s torn neck, they held hand in hand and began chanting. A sudden gush of wind blasted around us as I watched the magic happen.
“Tor, Kairo?”
“We’re here, Alpha,” Tor answered before stealing a glance at Aira, confirming my suspicion. “Lycans cleaned up the wolves that entered the compound.”
I turned to my side. They were wounded, but not fatal. “You need to rest.”
“We’re not done here, Alpha. We will help clean up. Is Zack going to be okay?”
“I hope so, Tor. I hope so.”
“You guys, okay?” Kairo asked as Homer and Rocket came with blood all over their naked body.
“It’s not ours. We’re fine, but those assholes are not so.”
“Glad you both are okay.” Her voice still cracked as she talked to the boys.
“Thanks, Luna.”
“You might have to train harder. It looks like we need more enforcers and scouts.”
“Really?” Homer’s eyes lit up.
“Yeah.” Shadow smiled. “Now, put some pants on. You don’t have to be naked in front of me.”
They laughed as they walked away.
“You’re natural in dealing with those kids.”
“I feel like I grew fifty years older, a mother and grandmother of those boys.” She sniffled as she wiped her tears from her face.
Zack was brought to the infirmary when Zarah came. “He’s going to be fine, but he needs rest.”
Shadow threw herself to Zarah for a hug. “Thank you so much.” She also pulled Aira. “Thank you, too, and the new girl.”
“She’s as old as I am, Shadow.”
“Oh. Sorry.” She grinned sheepishly. “I’m Shadow.”
“Violet. On behalf of The West Coven, we have accepted the treaty between your pack, Lycans, and Witches. The formal seats will be held in two weeks.”
“Wow. I don’t know what to say. Thanks.” Shadow seemed wasn’t sure. She was still probably wrapping her head around the fact that her dream had just become a reality.
“You’re welcome. Since my presence is not needed anymore, I have to get back.”
“Thank you, Violet.”
“You’re welcome, Alpha. It looks like your pack needs a lot of cleaning to do. Have a nice day.” That was it. She’s gone in the wind, literally.
“How did she do that?”
“She’s an assistant to the high witch,” Zarah confirmed.
“And I just called her a new girl.” She giggled.
“Wait. Where’s Dad?” I looked around, but I couldn’t find him. “Dad?”
“Alpha, you need to see this.” Lyon came in a rush from the gate.
“What’s wrong?” Before Lyon could reply, a feral snarl from the compound reached my ear.
I rushed inside, only to halt as I watched my father being tackled by the Alpha King in an impressive hybrid form. I growled in anger, but I couldn’t do anything without risking killing my father and everyone in the compound, given that Lycans were still here to protect their Alpha King. I left no choice but to stand aside like a worthless Alpha.
“Sebastien!” Shadow rushed to be in front of her father. “Don’t hurt him.”
“Give me one reason why he’s still alive after being bitten by my brother.” And just like that, our secret was out.
“I healed him, okay? Now let him go.”
“Hence the white strand. And why on the mother earth did you do that?”
“Because I can’t let him die.”
“After killing my brother, your mom, and your entire pack?” His claw dug into my father’s neck, blood dripping from it.
My defense rose. My claws and fangs itched to come out. My wolf almost took over me until I realized something. So this was his plan- to infiltrate my compound and kill my father.
“He’s my mate’s father, Sebastien. If I didn’t give him a second chance to live, I wouldn’t have given you a chance to be my father for risking my mate’s life. Now, please let him go.”
Everyone around us gasped as they figured out the Alpha King was Shadow’s father.
“I can’t do that, Shadow.” He exposed his fangs toward my mate, snarling. His eyes glowed red.
“Then I can’t be your daughter. You and I are over once you take his life, and I will consider you my enemy.”
“Please, don’t hurt my father.” I raised my hand. “Let me fight for his life.”
“Califf! We’ve talked about it. Not again.” Shadow growled at me.
“It’s okay, son.” Dad shut his eyes close, ready for his fate.
“You’re in my territory, father.” Shadow’s eyes began glowing. “We just fought side by side against our real enemy. You can’t be this heartless, claiming lives as you please. We just unite everyone with The West Coven. I’m taking it as a win. That’s enough bloodshed for today. We have enough death for today. We haven’t cleaned up the aftermath. Take me, instead. Just let Waylon go.”
“Shadow! I’m not letting you go without a fight. Over my dead body, Shadow. You’re my mate.”
“I will fight your mate, then-”
“Stop!” Shadow just slammed her fist on the ground. The impact blasted into the air. “You and I will fight to the death.”
“Shadow!” I growled in frustration. “Don’t do this to me. I’m the Alpha, and that’s my father.”
“Tell me when and where.”
Sebastien let go of my father and placed his palm on the wound where he sank his claw. The wound healed. He was back to his human form with ease. It was magical and terrifying at the same time. But the words that would come from his mouth would determine the fate of my mate.
“I suppose there’s a meal waiting?” He offered his hand to my father, helping him to his feet.
Everyone sighed, including me. I let go of a shaky breath and let the tension in my body ease.
“I’m so sorry about your brother. I’ve paid the price for a decade, but my actions didn’t excuse for what I’ve done.”
“We both do the unthinkable to our family.” He turned to Shadow. “If you really care about him, I respect your decision.”
“Thank you, Sebastien.”
“You’re my daughter, Shadow.”