Just as a confused look overtook my features, Felix emerged from amongst the forest trees with his army behind him, a leering smirk on his lips and a bow in hand.
“Damon, before anything else, let me ask you this….” He dropped the bow and cocked his head slyly. “Why do you think I wiped out the Black Moon and the Blood War pack?”
I didn’t answer, well I couldn’t. The thing is, shock had rendered me speechless. My brother; Felix, just shot the fucking arrow! This must be a misunderstanding. His hand must’ve slipped, right? Or maybe there was some other perpetrator lurking within the forest?
“Those two Alphas were too strong for their own good.” Felix scratched his head, hard enough for the skin to rip and for blood to flow from the wound. But the wound closed just seconds after opening. “Their strength in battle made them a threat to me and my throne. Wouldn’t want them to team up against me, would I?” He laughed and my face literally paled within a single second. I couldn’t believe my own ears. “So I made sure to get rid of them before they did any damage…. and now I’m here to get rid of you too. Do you know why? I gave you hints so take a guess, brother.”
I knew exactly what he was insituating, but why say anything when you already know that it’s a joke?… A sick joke that made me want ram my fist down my own brother’s throat. How dare he joke about such things when Jason’s battling for life? How dare he even smile?!
“I don’t know what the hell was happening out there,” I balled my fist. “… but your arrow hit Jason. Apologize before I make you!”
My demand was laced with anger and I know for sure that he could decipher that, yet he completely ignored my words and continued on. “I nearly died during those two battles… remember? You were the one who took them both out for me. And truthfully, I was grateful, very grateful… until people started whispering.” His grin suddenly dropped from his lips and his eyes slitted with oncoming fury. “You know how people are… as soon as you lose a battle they call you weak and try to replace you? Yup that was how it is.”
“Of course, they wanted to replace me with the man who saved the day… Damon Kalesto!” He encircled me, eyes running up and down my figure. “You’re smart enough to gather why I’m here, right? I need you out of the picture in order to continue my reign as the unmatchable Alpha King. Thankfully, I’m just a few steps away from my goal since little Miss Katie decided to lean over to my side.”
At the mention of my mate’s name, all else became trivial and both shock and worry simultaneously overrode my being. “Katie? Where is she?” I took steps forward and swiftly grasped him by the collar, shaking him vigorously. “WHERE IS SHE?!”
“Are you not getting what I’m saying? She betrayed you, Damon.” He grasped my wrist in a tight bone-crushing hold that forced my fingers to release his collar and curl inwards in pain. Warning growls came from my pack wolves, but I held up my free hand to silence them. I need to hear more, I need to know what is happening.
“Everybody knows that rejection takes a toll on both parties. That is why I told her to reject you…. so you wouldn’t be able to beat me in a battle.” He tsked as he sent a pitiful look my way. “She’s the very reason why you’re so weak and easy to kill.”
My face twisted in confusion. “W-what?”
Nothing that he was saying made sense, nothing at all. Katie betrayed me? Unbelievable!
‘That’s what you said about Felix,’ my subconsciousness ruthlessly reminded me. Yes, that was exactly what I said about him and now, it seemed as if I was wrong, dead wrong. But Katie? I can never be wrong about her… never.
My inner turmoil added weight to the pain that devoured my chest and within seconds, I suddenly felt as if a large boulder had been thrown at my head. And pretty soon, it would hit, but for now, my mind was too huddled up to believe something so ridiculously unbelievable. Katie is nothing but an angel. She’s sweet, kind and easygoing. Betrayal isn’t even in her vocabulary.
“So let me get this straight,” I started, “you want me dead so that you’ll be free of all your rivals?”
He tightened his hold on my arm to the point where I was sure I heard my bones break. “It’s not only me, it’s us. Me, them and Katie.” He pointed to himself, then to his army behind him and then finally towards his left. My eyes hesitantly followed his finger and ended up landing on a black haired woman in a red cloak…. that woman is Katie.
“Make this quick, Felix. Then give me what you owe.” Her lips barely moved when she spoke, but my werewolf ears heard every word, and I couldn’t be any more surprised. My whole body was seconds away from crumbling in agony but before it did, Felix had sent me to the floor. He released my wrist and then he pummelled his fist into my gut, immediately causing blood to rise to my throat as my body surged through the air and landed me a few feet away.
“I won’t kill you for the sake of our relationship, but I will make sure that you can’t lift a finger against me… ever.” I could hear the grin in his voice, but I didn’t pay that any mind nor the pain that coursed through my body like wildfire. My mind and gaze were focused on one person alone and that was Katie; my mate.
… or should I say ex-mate?
She was staring hard at my battered form, but not even an ounce of worry flashed through her eyes, no guilt, no remorse, nothing. She didn’t feel guilty for what she had obviously done, but even so, she could’ve faked it, she could’ve forced herself to show some sort of emotion. But she didn’t… and I guess that was what it took for me to finally understand… I was betrayed by two persons in one day: my brother whom I trusted more than myself and my mate; whom I would die for any day.
I clenched my fist and tore my gaze away from her, head lifting so I could stare at my brother with eyes that had now become golden due to rage. When he saw my eyes, I saw him waver for a moment there, but I barely acknowledged it.
In that moment, I disregarded any and everything…. I only have one goal and that is to kill him and that woman. The pain… I’ll bear it, the feelings… I’ll discard it and these people… I’ll make them pay!
From this moment on, I will trust no one but myself.