“Do you understand what I’m saying?” Odis asked.
I couldn’t find the words to speak, so I nodded.
“Good,” Odis said as his grip on me loosened.
“Why don’t you let her go?” A voice called out to us.
Looking up, I searched for the source of the voice. My eyes widened as I found Devin watching up. His gaze locked around Odis’ arms that were still wrapped around me to his hands that gripped my arms.
“I promise I’m more fun,” Devin teased.
I know what it looked like. It looked like I was being held back from moving. It looked like Odis was stopping me from helping Shane. It looked like I was stuck between two packs, two men. The situation I found myself in was precarious. I was now stuck between two Betas who were supposed to protect me, despite their conflicting thoughts regarding me.
I hadn’t had much time with Devin since I’d been back. He hadn’t been the nicest, shit, I don’t think he even liked me. That didn’t change the fact that Devin was Beta of Half Moon pack. Shane was his Alpha and he made it very clear that I was to be his Luna. Being Half Moon’s Beta, Devin was bound to protect me and keep men off of me. Even if he wanted to harass and bully me himself, it didn’t change his role. From what I’ve learned from Devin while being here, Devin took his role very seriously.
It didn’t matter that I was Luna of Desert Moon or that Odis was my Beta there. From their point of view, I was their Luna and they were going to do whatever they needed to keep me safe. Odis saw this new male, this new Beta that was talking to me was a threat. He would protect me as he always had. There was a tinge of pain in my chest and I bit my lip. He wasn’t wrong. Fuck. He was wrong because I was officially the Luna of the Desert Moon pack. He stepped in front of me and stared at Devin.
“Are you coveting something that isn’t yours?” Odis asked. His tone was low and threatening.
“Can it be coveting if she was always ours?” Devin spat back.
There was a cocky smirk on his face and his eye flared. I knew he was getting enjoyment out of this. He was enjoying pushing Odis’ buttons. Could I have prevented this? What could have prevented this? The answer was clear. If I had rejected Ethan when I left Desert Moon this wouldn’t have happened, or would it have? Wouldn’t Ethan have come after me anyway? Even if his heart was shattered by my decision? Even if it brought us both close to death? My life was made up of what-ifs and it was starting to drive me insane.
“Fuck you,” Odis said. “You’re as deranged as your fucking Alpha,” Odis spit. I gasped as Devin came at Odis. I moved out of the way and Odis dodged, narrowly missing Devin’s extended claws.
“I’m going to enjoy breaking you,” Devin hissed.
“It’s not going to be as easy as you think,” Odis said.
He loosened his tie. Of course, he was wearing a tie. There wasn’t a speck of dirt on it but I had a feeling he wouldn’t leave this fight unscathed. Devin turned and reached for Odis. He was fast and if I hadn’t been watching him I would have missed it, I would have missed him. Odis kicked Devin in the chest and he stumbled backward before finding his balance. Devin dropped his head low and put his arms up in front of his face to protect his head.
“Come at me, you little bitch,” Devin taunted.
Odis roared and cocked his hand back for extra extension, he delivered a punch in a wide semi-circular looping fashion, just like you would normally deliver a hook but with more force, putting all of his weight behind it. It connected and Devin’s head jerked backward with the force. With a hit like that, I wouldn’t be surprised if he knocked Devin out and he crumbled to the floor. It’s what I was expecting. I didn’t think Devin would be able to remain standing but somehow he recovered and send a jab into Odis’ face. Odis dodged but Devin jabbed him again and Odis couldn’t dodge it this time. He hit him square in the cheek. A couple of Odis’ bottom teeth flew out. I inhaled sharply. That had to hurt. Goddess, this fight at me on the tips of my toes. Odis stumbled back a step and his back hunched forward but he didn’t groan, hell he didn’t flinch. He didn’t hesitate to come up on Devin, a hook coming in low, it came up and connected with Devin’s jaw. It was Devin’s turn to stumble back as Odis recovered. He shifted forward and jabbed Devin in the nose.
Next, Odis kicked Devin in the chest. He fell backward and almost didn’t catch himself. Odis kicked him in the chest a second time and this time Devin started to fall but Odis didn’t wait, he lifted his foot again to finish him off. In a flash, Odis was on the ground. What the fuck had happened? What did I miss? How had I missed that?
Devin took Odis’ hits, he had been waiting for Odis to let his guard down, and when he lifted his foot up to kick him the third time, Devin tripped him. He was standing above Odis, staring down his nose at him like he were nothing. Odis cried out as Devin stomped Odis into the ground. His heel connected with Odis’ ribs over and over again.
I couldn’t help the cry that escaped past my lips. I knew that someone would be dying today, I knew they both couldn’t make it but I wasn’t expecting this. I couldn’t pick sides with the Alphas but with the Betas I wanted Odis to win. He was quiet, yes but he was family. He was a great Beta and he took care of Desert Moon as best he could. He was also Gabe’s person. I couldn’t let him die. I couldn’t let this happen.