CALIFF
“Is this really happening?” The perks of the pack link. Our parents didn’t have to hear what we were saying.
Most of us were lucky enough to have shared this dinner, but some who were not didn’t make it tonight.
Watching my parents at the same table with Sebastien was still pinch-worthy. He would have almost ripped my father’s throat if Shadow didn’t intervene. Seeing them in a light conversation over dinner was still like a dream.
“Excuse me. I hope you all don’t mind if I go ahead and check those in the infirmary, still healing.” Shadow rose from her seat. She barely touched her food.
I wasn’t worried about her because we all had been through a lot. We lost a few but still lost members, no matter the number. And it still hurt.
“Of course, Luna,” my mother said. Dad nodded.
“Please, father. May I excuse?”
“Go ahead.” His gaze shifted to me when I also stood up.
“I’m joining Shadow.”
“I know how you feel. Losing a pack member is like losing a part of you. I’ll stay here for a while with my men,” Sebastien expressed.
“Please, let me know if you need anything. If you decide to stay, the house has enough room, and my enforcers are at your disposal.”
“Thank you, Alpha.”
“We’re staying until you bury the fallen members, Cal.”
“Thank you. Dad, Mom.”
When they smiled, it didn’t reach their eyes, nor did I. I still couldn’t believe we lost seven of our pack members. We could have lost more if the help didn’t arrive on time.
I took Shadow’s hand as we walked out of the dining. We went to the infirmary where our fallen members lay.
“I’m so sorry, Alpha.”
“We could have lost more if it wasn’t for Lorcan, who risked his life to blow himself with those bastards,” Jonas said.
The rest died during the fight, defending the compound. A lot were wounded, but they were healing now. Unlike those bastards, we burned half of them. The rest were still stuck in the cell under close watch.
It wasn’t fun taking lives, but they didn’t give us a choice but to fight for our lives. Either we died first, and they ended up taking over our compound, or we defended our compound. I was responsible for protecting my pack, and that was what I did. They started it, and we were ending this tonight.
“Their family were here. Earlier,” Dr. Sallie informed us. “They’ve seen them, and all wished to bury them.”
I nodded. “Then that’s what we’ll do tomorrow.”
Shadow hugged Kindra. “I’m grateful to Raiden the attacker didn’t make it inside.”
“Me too.” Kindra looked at me. “Is your wound healing?”
“Yeah. It’s good.” I should tell her where that bastard slashed me. It already healed, but not completely. “How are they?”
“They’re stable. Zack woke up a little bit, but I told him to get some rest.”
“With his wound, he could be dead by now with blood lost. Thankfully, the witches were still here.” Shadow held Zack’s hand, squeezing it.
“He’s lucky.” She smiled at Shadow.
“Don’t let him get up until morning. He needs to rest. And no job for him until I told him so.”
“Oh, I won’t let him. I’ll sedate him even if he tries.”
“Do you need rest? I’ll call someone to sub for you.”
Dr. Sallie swatted her hand. “We’ll be fine. What we did here is nothing compared to what you all did back there. You all need a week off if it’s possible,”
“We’ll live. At least it’s over for now.” I placed my hand on Shadow’s back. “Let’s go see our prisoners.”
“Are you okay? I know I shouldn’t ask. I can feel you’re not okay, but I’m still asking.” Shadow held my hand as we walked toward the cell.
“I’m not. Thanks for asking and not letting me sit there and enjoy the food.”
“That’s why I walked away. I couldn’t stomach the food. I’m hungry, but I feel like I will just throw up. We have dead pack members- all I could think of was their families. And we just lost Lorcan. What if their family demands deaths from those who are locked up.”
“That’s why we’re giving them choices tonight. As much I want to let them suffer, I need to hear what they want to say.”
The guards opened the door for us. The cell was too small for them despite separating the female prisoners.
“Who wants to speak for the group?”
A bulky black man raised his hand. “I’m representing them.”
“What’s your name?”
“I’m Grady Matisse. The Beta of the Black Arrow Pack.”
I turned to the guards. “Let him out.”
“The rest step back, or I will shoot you,” the guard said.
Once Grady was out, the other guard wanted to cuff him.
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll kill him myself if he makes a wrong move.”
Once we reached the interrogation room, I allowed him to sit.
“Bring him food and water,” Shadow asked one of the guards.
Shadow and I entered the room. Grady was already sitting across the table.
“How are you still alive?”
“Call me a coward, but seven of us chose not to fight.”
“Why? You’re the Beta, and you left your Alpha to die?”
“Keane was a good friend of mine. When he won the challenge three days ago, I thought he would be an honorable Alpha, but I was wrong. He abused his power to take control, slept with women, our women in the pack, and if they refused, either he took advantage of them or treated them like slaves. We had a lot of disagreements. I didn’t like how he ran the pack when it was supposed to be our family.”
“What happened to the previous Beta?” Shadow asked. I could feel her anger.
“He died in a pack raid.”
“But you came with him, taking over those packs under his command.”
He shook his head. “I told him I need to stay behind to run the pack while he was away conquering packs, killing everyone who didn’t want to be a part of his grand plan.”
“Why didn’t you challenge him?”
“He played dirty. He would use my family against me if I did. How do you think he got a lot of followers fast? Do you think everyone joined him out of goodness or respect? No. Get killed or feared him, and they chose to be alive.”
“How many packs became his allies?” Shadow asked.
“Four. The last one was your old ally, Midnight Storm. The last two Alphas were killed.”
“So those members became a part of his pack.”
“Yes.”
“Did Alpha Mason make a deal with him?”
“He told us everything about your pack. The blueprint of the pack house, the compound, and he wanted protection from you.”
“If I will let you go, do you think the rest of them will follow you?”
I watched his eyes light up with hope. “Not all, but most of them. Are you letting me go?”
“I’m thinking. How many families do you have left in your pack?”
“Not everyone is loyal because of how Alpha Keane dealt with them.”
“I want you to challenge Alpha Mason?”
Shadow stiffened next to me. “A minute?”
I stood up and went outside the room.
“Why?”
“He betrayed me. I’m afraid he’s already escaping when the pack hadn’t returned with his daughter.”
“Then who will run Black Arrow?”
“I’m giving Grady a chance, but after the witch binding. I wanna make sure he won’t betray me.”
“It’s too risky.”
“Yes, or he dies. If anyone wishes not to join him, they can stay with me. The rest will go with Grady.”
“Fine.”
We went back inside.
“Tomorrow, the witch will make a binding spell. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.”
“I do.”
“If you disagree with the idea, I will kill you, and everyone opposes it. But if you are with me, you will return to your back, be my ally, and start a new pack with your members who follow and respect you. And you will protect those victims from anyone who wishes them harm. You will challenge Alpha Mason. Again, if the members choose to stay, they’re your pack. If they wish to go, you will banish them so they can join another pack.”
The food arrived.
I stood up with Shadow. “Enjoy your meal. I will make sure the rest of them will get their dinner.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“My mate gave my father a second chance. She healed him, and again, she saved him from getting killed by her father. I’m giving you a second chance. Prove me you deserve it and the rest of your pack. You have the whole night to decide. After your meal, you will join them and tell them about my offer.”
“Keane didn’t tell us your mate is a Lycan.”
“He didn’t know. Alpha Mason doesn’t know, either. And that was our advantage. And my mate is not just a Lycan. She’s a hybrid.”
***
We put those fallen to rest. After a short ceremony, I extended my condolences to the families. Lycans left back for Italy. Some of the enforcers helped Marcus and Jonas fix the destroyed walls. The rest were with us to witness and guard our prisoners as we began the binding. So far, everyone has had the same decision, even Everlee, joining the binding with us.
“How does this work?” Shadow asked.
“Zarah will explain to them.”
“Gather around,” Zarah said.
I chose a ground that had not shed with blood from yesterday’s war, and it was near the cliff.
“This binding is sacred. You will be tied to Alpha Califf. If any of you will betray the bind, the consequence is lethal. Each cup is chanted with a spell. You will drink this, and the binding is done. If you decide not to drink, the decision is up to the Alpha.”
“I’ll go first.” Grady stepped forward, grabbed a cup, and drank it empty. Nothing happened to him. “If you doubted that this is poison. I’m still alive unless you will betray Alpha Califf.”
Eighteen of them grabbed a cup one by one and drank it.
“What’s next?”
“If they decide to join you, you can go home. The vehicles are still outside the compound. I will call a meeting once the challenge is done.”
“Yeah, about that. Five of them decided to stay. Aaron, Roy, Chester, Jamie, and Jackson, but they must inform their family first.”
“Of course. If you need help, I can send some of my enforcers to your pack.”
“I’ll brief everyone first about the arrangement. If I see opposition, I will inform you.” He looked down before he met my gaze again. “I’m sorry for your loss. I will make sure this won’t happen again. And thank you for giving us a chance.” He turned to Shadow. “Luna.”
We went back to the compound. Once they left and the gate shut closed before us, Zarah joined us.
“How do I know if that works?” Shadow asked.
“If you heard a werewolf just throw up maggots and blood, then that’s him betraying Alpha Califf.”
Shadow’s face contorted. “Ew. And I watched one of them explode yesterday.”
“I need a drink.”
“I’m coming with you,” she replied excitedly.
“To Italy?”
“Wait, you accepted my father’s offer?” Her eyes widened in surprise.
“No. I won’t be working with anyone, but he can ask a favor like you. The West Coven won’t work for Alpha Califf either.”
“I’m still wrapping my head around it. I totally get it, but mutual benefits apply, right?”
“Exactly.”