*Trigger warning. Very violent.*
We have no proper plan. All we have is knowledge and maybe the element of surprise. The atmosphere in the car is solemn as we drive towards our possible deaths.
After feeling the deaths of ten more pack members, I recounted what I saw to Alexei as we walked through the trailer. Liam was the first wolf I saw before I barrelled my way outside. Two trucks still sat and my warriors lounged around. While I was out, they tried to find more lone wolves who would be willing to join our ranks. They were unlucky, and now it was too late. Perhaps if they had more time, we could be larger.
Now, we're going thirty over the speed limit to reach the pack. Once the events of my 'dream' were recounted, we all figured this may be the last time we see each other. Unfortunately, Rory is still unconscious. Whatever spell is still in his body is strong. Alexei sits on the outside, her gaze facing out of the window. Occasionally, she clenches her fists and shakes her head. I'd give anything to really know what she's thinking.
Elijah sits in the driver's seat, Liam to his right. They speak in whispered tones, but it's never quiet enough for any of us to hear in the quiet truck. Each word that leaves their lips is a possible strategy. They haven't come up with anything solid, but I can't blame them. Not when this is all so last minute.
"You guys are stupid," Ingrid hisses from the back. She's been with us this whole time, still tied up. Apparently, they gave her breaks while I was out. "You know these trucks have trackers, right? Do you think our coven is dumb? Alexei should have already known that."
Alexei nods, her face blank, not revealing anything. "Yes, I knew. But do you know why I don't care?"
Ingrid sneers. "Why is that?"
"Because—" Alexei turns in her seat to face the vampire who was once her protege. "If Ameri wanted to come for us, she would have. Your queen has an agenda, and unfortunately, you and Cal were sacrificed to fulfil that plan."
"Untrue—"
"Really? And you think you know my sister better than I?"
"Wait just a damn minute?" Liam speaks up, interrupting the two vampires. He turns to face us, contempt in his eyes. "How was that bit of information lost in everything you guys have told me? This vampire queen is your sister?"
"Correct." Alexei nods, not bothering to deny or make excuses for herself. "The queen of my previous coven is my sister."
"Right, damn secrets," Liam mutters, turning back to face the front. "Always adding shit along the way."
The rest of the ride is quiet. Liam and Elijah no longer share strategies with each other. Ingrid is even silent, but sadness and despair radiate off of her. It's logical that she thinks she won't live to see another day. What she doesn't know is that I'd never kill her because of her loyalty to her coven.
The drive takes another thirty minutes. The SUV gets put into park outside of the entrance. Before us is a long dirt road that leads people to the packhouse. It's the official entrance into the Amster pack.
Elijah and Liam turn to us, sighing in resignation. We have to plan and I can see that it's physically hurting them to not be able to have something to hold onto.
"Goddess, I don't think it's logical for you to fight this battle," Elijah finally speaks, pinning me with his worried brown eyes.
"I won't sit this out. Not when you guys and my pack need me," I disagree, my tone firm and sure. "I know you guys think I'm weak, but I can hold my own."
"I would never let anything happen to her," Alexei says, shaking her head. "You guys have not seen Sophia-Grace in her prime. I have, and I know that she'll be fine."
Elijah sighs and nods his head. He wouldn't have been able to stop me even if he wanted to. My alpha command would have been too strong. "Okay." He rubs his jaw. "I believe in you, Goddess."
We file out of the car, leaving Rory and Ingrid behind after making sure the vampire's restraints are tight. Standing in a circle, we watch each other silently, memorizing faces and remembering what we have.
"We'll travel in wolf form," Elijah states, breaking the silence. "We'll surround the front of the packhouse and wait for the word of our goddess."
Those words take a moment to register before I feel confusion. Why would he place that responsibility on me? Elijah is the seasoned warrior, a good man who has fought many battles in his lifetime. Alexei was a leader before this also. Both are much better suited to call the shots than I am. They should be the ones leading us to victory. I have no idea what I'm doing.
Shaking my head, I pull myself from Alexei's hold. "I don't think that's–"
"You can do it," Alexei cuts me off, pulling me back into her side. "This is your battle, Sophia-Grace, you're the leader. You need to lead us."
I want to tell her that I'm afraid, that I don't actually know what to do. But I don't. We don't have any time for that. With a nod, I allow Elijah to continue this abrupt plan which he seems to have just thought of.
Taking a deep breath, I nod my head. "Okay," I mumble. "Let's do this."
My warriors remove their clothes, not caring if eyes are on them. Quickly, they shift into their wolves, shaking their fur out with the freedom. With nods to me, they turn and run off, one after the other. I jump on Alexei's back when they become too small to make out. She hoists me up, her hands gripping my thighs tightly.
Liam remains by us and I turn to look at him. Somehow, I can tell he's deterred. There was no longer a wolf for Liam to call part of him. I don't know what happened and I won't ask, but the loss is a great one. Seeing his old buddy must be causing him a great deal of sadness.
He turns, catching my eyes. "I think I'll just stay back, keep an eye on the female vampire and your mate."
"Liam," I whisper, frowning. "It'll all be okay. There's more to it than you know."
Aware my words are ominous, I tap Alexei's shoulder. At my command, she takes off in her vampire speed. My hair whips and slaps my face as we pass by in a blur. Colors of green and brown fade together to create flashes of black and white. I don't feel when we stop because my body still needs to catch up. When will I learn to close my eyes?
The front door of the pack house sits open with wolves crowding the doorway. They stare wide eyed and confused at the warriors before them. They recognize them and are putting faces to the wolves they see and feel. When Alexei sets me down on my feet, eyes shift to me and widen even more. Just as I can feel them, they can feel me. Since I'm their alpha, they can sense the power that comes with the title. I'm sure it also has to do with the vampire standing next to me.
"Timothy Johnston." My voice booms through the air, sounding more deep and confident than I thought it would. "I don't want a fight."
Pack members are cast aside as the man in question pushes through them. He remains somewhat shifted, his face still the beastly picture it was in my dream. Only now, his eyes are more red and his breathing is more intense.
"Sophia-Grace," he huffs, taking long strides towards me.
The warriors with me all growl in unison, stepping forward. Their stand is defensive, ready for a fight at any given moment. Timothy glances around him, tensing. His scarlet eyes reflect anger and malice as he returns his gaze to me.
"You're nothing but a dirty whore, Sophia-Grace Amster," he growls before lunging.
Before he can sink his claws into me, Alexei is there, stopping him. She stands in front of me, one of her legs behind the other, keeping their weight balanced. Timothy snaps at her, trying to aim for her neck. Each time, she dodges him. Their bodies twist until they become a swirling ball of attacks. From the corner of my eye, I see movement. In a matter of seconds, the rest of the warriors have shifted and are now coming for us.
Glancing behind me, Elijah meets my eyes. This is the call. His dark brown wolf springs forward into action. Jumping into the air, he meets a black wolf head on. They tumble to the ground in a fit of growls and biting. Elijah dominates the wolf quickly, showing off his skill as a fighter. Soon, my other warriors become preoccupied with the battle.
With everyone distracted, I run towards the packhouse. Those who aren't fighters shift away from me in fright. It makes my heart ache to see them afraid as if I'll decide to kill them. For now, I need everyone to leave the area. Accidental deaths are not anything I want to see because a wolf was too wrapped up in the fight.
"I'm so sorry," I whisper, shaking my head. I'm their alpha, but I haven't been there for them like I should. "But please, get to the panic rooms."
The panic rooms are located under the house, just as the cells are. They're in the opposite direction, luckily, so prisoners won't hassle us if we ever have to hide. Like now. I begin ushering everyone towards the door that leads to the basement. That's until a tug on my hair causes my head to jerk back, pain spreading through my scalp.
Hissing, I turn to see a man. He's no fighter, but he is part of the pack. This man is none other than Duke Johnston, Timothy's father. An ugly sneer takes over his face while he stares at me in disgust. Yanking me towards him, he uses one hand to grab at my throat.
"You, this is all your fault," he hisses into my ear. "Your pussy must be better than I thought if you've got him fucked up like this."
"That's our alpha!" a small voice yells. From my peripheral vision, I can just make out a man scooping a little boy up and fleeing the scene. The basement door echoes with the slam left behind.
Duke pulls me by my hair with a hold so tight, I fear he'll rip the tendrils out. Dragging me through the doors, he throws me to the ground. The fight before us still rages on, only two dead bodies now litter the front yard. The sight makes me sad, though I can't feel their loss. That could only mean that they had pledged loyalty to Timothy.
Not having time to mull over the two losses, Duke flips me onto my back. His hand rears back and he lets his fist loose. My head turns to the side as knuckles dig into my cheek. It burns worse than stubbing a toe or twisting an ankle. Another comes, this time meeting my other cheek. My tongue throbs as I accidentally bite down on it. My jaw feels like it can break at any moment.
Why can't I do anything? Where are those special powers that pop up every once in a while?
Duke's hands go to my neck and he wraps his fingers around it. My windpipe is crushed, causing my eyes to bulge. From what I can see, he's enjoying my suffering. A deranged smile sits on his face, his eyes wide and crazed.
"Your father should have killed you a long time ago. You don't deserve to be alpha!" His hands tighten around my throat and black spots dance in my eyes. This is it, this is how I end.
But the end doesn't come. Air is sucked into my lungs as my passageways open up. Turning to my side, I cough in a desperate attempt to regain normal breathing. A cry leaves my lips when I'm able to breathe properly. Growling sounds next to me and I turn to see who my savior is.
Upon seeing who it is, my mind clouds with confusion. Timothy is sitting on top of his father now, his claws extended. There's no hesitation as he begins clawing at his father's face. The man below him screams in despair and pain. Timothy doesn't stop, even when his father resorts to pleading. He growls, raking his nails across Duke's eye and down to his chin. My stomach churns at seeing the blood leak from his now damaged orifice. Because Timothy's legs are blocking him, he can't even lift a hand to cover it.
Fighting the urge to vomit, I climb to my feet. It's chaos everywhere, not just with the Johnston's. There are more fighters around, people from the pack. I can't tell who is who at this point. Some fight in human form while others as their wolves. Alexei is nowhere to be found, at least not in the mass of fur and flesh.
"Stay away from her!" my mate yells, but I can't see from where. Suddenly, she drops down behind me.
"She's mine, I deserve her body." It's Timothy, but he was just preoccupied with his dad. Turning, I see his father's body lying motionless. A puddle of blood sits under his head, growing by the second. That wouldn't have killed him though. What did him in is the slice across his neck, no doubt done by a claw.
"Sophia-Grace is my chosen mate, mine," Timothy growls, prowling forward like a wild animal. "She belongs to me, I had her before anyone else."
I grimace at the reminder that Timothy had taken me forcefully. With everything that has happened, I haven't had time to think of that. Before the reminder, it was a distant memory. Now, it's something I have to think about and deal with. But that can come after this.
"Nobody has me," I mutter loud enough for him to hear. Stepping around Alexei, I come face to face with my rapist. "I'm my own person, not an object."
This makes Timothy mad. He rounds on me, removing his gaze from Alexei and baring his monstrous teeth at me. But I don't let him intimidate me. The red of his eyes do nothing as I picture a can of Coke. His foaming mouth translates to toothpaste for me. His sharp teeth are nothing but puppy teeth. Timothy can't hurt me, not if I don't let him.
With this new resolve, I meet him halfway. The surprise in his eyes doesn't go unnoticed. Taking his distraction as an opening, I slam my fist into his face. It hurts me more than him, but I force the pain to the back of my mind. It's a risky move on my part.
"You've been nothing but a thorn in my side since we were children," I tell him, shaking my head. "You're nothing but a scared little boy who uses intimidation for validation from others. You're a coward!"
Each word darkens his crimson eyes. His breathing becomes labored and his body trembles with the force of his anger. His fists twitch at his sides, but somehow, he's keeping himself in check. I think of the guy he was before. While an asshole, he was still a person. People make bad decisions and Timothy's was letting power, greed, and anger consume him. He turned himself into a rogue, going too far to ever return.
"You're nothing," I whisper, meeting his gaze with my own.
When he lunges, a tingling sensation runs down my arms. It feels like electricity is wrapping me in its hold, preparing for the force coming towards me. Once Timothy is close enough, I lift my hands, connecting them with his chest. The sensation turns into power as I push him away. Sparks light up my fingers before beams of light appear from my palms. My push causes Timothy's body to fly away from me as the beams grow to create a circle around us. His body connects with a tree thirty feet away. Around me, the rustling and growling stops. I've caught the attention of everyone.
With leisure steps, I walk towards Timothy's crumpled body. He lays, moaning and groaning, twisting his body about. Standing over him, I stare down at the monster he's become. A murderer is what he is now, a dirty rogue. Leaning down, I press my hand to his chest. Two holes remain where my hands had pushed him. The hair is seared off of his chest to reveal red and blistered skin from the light beams.
"Your life is over, Timothy Johnston. May your next be better." Lifting my hand, I move it to where his heart lay.
For a split second, his eyes appear normal, the red washing away to reveal chocolate. Then they return to the blood color and I know that he's too lost. Pressing down, I close my eyes and feel his life draining. His heart slows until it gives one final beat.
When I open my eyes, Timothy has returned to his human form, no longer resembling a beast. His eyes are closed and his face appears calm. At peace.
We've crossed one hurdle, but my journey isn't over.