Ethan was withering in our grip and I knew we would have to wait until it passed. Like wolf’s bane, the pain through the bond was slowing down the healing process and there was nothing we could do. Darci ran forward.
“What happened? What’s wrong with Alpha?” She asked.
“He’s okay. Let’s get him somewhere he can lay down. I’ll explain everything after. A few of them put down their jackets and Leo and I lowered Ethan to the ground. When we got up, we stared into the other’s eyes until I exhaled a deep breath.
It was pointless to start this now. We would have to wait until we got home to question him. Right now, we had the battle in front of us, we had a war at hand. We needed to be ready and we needed everyone who could fight. He proved his loyalty when he helped me bring Ethan out. I started by filling in Darci about what had happened and what Ethan was going through. She nodded her head and took in every detail. When I was done updating her, it was her turn.
“Fill me in. Is the other group stationed near the front?” I asked.
“Yes, Beta. We have been waiting for your command. You’ve been gone for a few hours. Had you not returned, we were going to strike.”
I knew there was a possibility that we’d I’d been in that dungeon for hours but I couldn’t believe it. The time had flown but the only thing that mattered was that our presence and positions were still secret. The pack didn’t know what was about to hit them. Sure, they would find the blonde and Alpha Ethan missing but I was hoping that by the time they found out, we would have already attacked them unawares.
“Who is in charge of the front?” I asked.
“Gabe,” Darci said.
I froze, and so did Leo. We stared at Darci before I shook off my shock. I was beyond confused. I don’t remember him joining the ranks before we headed out and I don’t remember seeing him at all. He wasn’t supposed to be here. I only remember allowing Leo to join us. How did he… no, when did he?
“What?” I asked.
“It was between Delta James and Gabe. Delta James said he would go around the pack with a few of his warriors. I’ve seen Gabe fight and I knew he would be someone we could trust with leading the front,” Darci answered.
“He isn’t a Delta, why would you put him? First of all, how did he, when did he join us?” I asked.
“Right before we left Desert Moon, Beta,” Darci said. “I wasn’t under the impression he had to be watched or that he couldn’t come. He’s a capable warrior and we need all the fighters we can get, Beta.”
Fuck. Gabriel.
I gritted my teeth as I tried to calm myself and my wolf down. Swallowing down my anger was another thing. Why couldn’t he stay home? Why did he have to come? Why couldn’t he trust me to do this? Didn’t he tell me to prove it to him? Did he not trust me or my skill?
I wanted nothing more than to mind-link him and tell him to take his sweet ass home. Fuck. I hated this. It wasn’t sitting well with me and it was hard not to reach out to him now that I knew he was here.
“It’s nothing. Forget I said anything,” I said through clenched teeth.
Darci gave me a look but didn’t say anything more. A cough came from behind me. I turned around and my gaze landed on Ethan. Alpha had awoken. He groaned in pain as I walked over to him. He tried to sit up and I took a knee by his side. I helped him until he was sitting upright. His hand gripped a fistful of grass as he fought the urge to grip his chest. There would be no relief from the pain he was feeling. There was a sheen of sweat on his forehead. His hair was damp and when he looked at me, I knew Elijah was at the front of his mind in case Ethan needed him to take over. Tears filled his eyes.
“I’m going to fucking kill him.”
I sighed. He was conscious at least but I was more thankful knowing that Elijah had retreated. Ethan was in control. I didn’t have any problems with Elijah but his temper was hard to predict. It was helpful when we were fighting but not when we were planning. He would get his chance. Sunrise was coming.
“We will,” I promised. He growled in agreement.
***
Adea
I don’t know how much time had passed since I’d thrust the sword into his chest. Do I remove it? Do I leave it? I couldn’t bring myself to do anything as I stared down at Shane. My chest felt empty and my thoughts were quiet for the first time in a very long time. My breathing, my sobs, and the occasional whimper were the only sounds that could be heard in the quiet room.
My fingers twitched as I stared at his blurry face. The need to run my fingers through his hair and along his face was hard to ignore. I wanted to wrap a curl around my finger, I wanted to touch how soft it felt as I twirled it between my thumb and index finger. I wanted to touch him but at the same time, I didn’t.
Despite the need to, I couldn’t bring myself to touch him. No matter how much I wanted to, no matter how badly my heart needed to. It turned out this way because of me. I killed him. I did it. I killed Shane. It was done. I got the revenge for Gabe, I got justice for Olivia, and I protected Desert Moon from him. I did what I came here to do. I committed to the plan and executed it.