7

Alpha Rowan's POV

"You aren't really thinking of going there, are you?"

Beta Cole's voice cut through the hallway stopping me cold.

My wolf growled before I did and my eyes glowed red as I paused in my tracks.

"Go on. I'll be with you shortly." I told Talia, she bowed and hurriedly walked away, obviously sensing the danger to come.

I turned to face Cole then. He had signalled my guards to move away to give us privacy and they were all distant now.

My eyes met his in a struggle as I was well aware that the human eyes were the most vulnerable as it held true emotion.

"Alpha Rowan, you barely escaped death the other day and yet you want to try fate again, after it gave you another chance at life? I can't believe it." He barked a laugh in obvious disbelief and I flared.

"Cole. Remind me who you are talking to again?" My sharp tone split the tension.

I watched him struggle to keep his resilient spirit as no one dared to look at me in the eyes and challenge me.

Then he shrugged, his eyes darted around and he cleared his throat, realizing my anger.

"There's no need to get angry, Alpha. We both know I'm telling you the truth. Going to meet that girl will only cause more harm than good. You saw that for yourself the other day." His tone softened but bitterness laced every word.

"If I was meant to die, I would've done so that day. If not, how do you explain still standing in front of you?" I didn't care, despite the guilt was ripping my heart apart.

"We both know this is a second chance. I never fancied the idea of bringing this girl into this palace, we should've turned back after seeing where she came from." He muttered thoughtfully and I sneered in response.

"Cole, maintain your role and Beta and stay out of my way, okay? I won't have you talking to me like that because of silly reasons." My eyes glowed in warning.

"My role as Beta is to advise you when you want to make wrong decisions. Just like you are about to do. You shouldn't go see that girl, she is cursed and Luna Rachel would not be happy."

I laughed bitterly at the irony of his words.

"The same Luna who has sent me to check up on her?" 

Cole was surprised for a moment but he recovered almost immediately.

"And that's because she didn't see what transpired the other day at the throne room. Or maybe, we should tell her."

In a heartbeat, my wolf did the talking. Cole's back slammed on the wall. My fingers closed in around his throat; nails bit skin.

My claws pressed just enough for his pulse to quicken. One slice and Draevyn would need a new Beta.

"Don't you dare.... threaten me, Cole. Don't ever. I am Alpha and I can do whatever I want in this pack. Do you understand me?"

Cole shrugged, hands up in surrender. He ignored the pressure on his throat as if I weren't close to cutting him.

He was the only one stubborn enough to survive as my Beta after a long list of others I either killed or mercifully sent to prison.

"Whatever you say, Alpha." He surrendered reluctantly and I dropped him.

"Get out of my way." He stared at me for a second, assessing me.

"Get.... out." My voice was louder with gritted teeth, he smirked and left.

I saw the determination in his eyes, and I knew Cole more than anyone. He would not let me perish. Not without a fight.

He was the only one who could still look into my eyes and I allowed it because I needed someone to always tell me the truth without fear of death, and Cole was that man.

Suddenly, I had lost the urge to see my mate. My wolf was angry and there was no need to go there. It would scare her.

For a moment, I wondered.

If she saw me like this, she'd only run farther. Maybe that was safer... for her, not for me.

But I immediately thought against it, the young she-wolf was already shaken up by my near death experience.

I recalled the joy in her eyes when I recovered that day.

Just as it had come, I suddenly felt relief and sat up very slowly. The Royal Physician who had just finished mixing his medicine for me, held back his prescription and watched me sit up.

"How are you feeling? Do you feel pain?" The questions went on and on, each time the answer was the same. "I'm okay." And that was it.

Lilith slumped to the ground in relief and I watched Rachel run to hold her.

"Hey, are you okay?" Rachel seemed really considerate as she nodded and began crying again, whimpering as Rachel consoled her. One would be surprised who the wife was.

My eyebrows which were raised in surprise came down when she began to speak.

"Thank you. Thank you, Moon Goddess. There's no way I would've survived going back there." She whimpered and Rachel held her tighter.

"Alpha. Alpha." My head guard, Darion called and my angry eyes- calmed by that memory- snapped to him.

"The mole has been found, Alpha. I've just been mind linked by the team." He told me and my anger returned in full.

"More details."

"He is Festus of the Information Team, they found out he was working for Denver, the leader of the rogues."

My wolf snarled for blood. Festus was mine. Only mine. The Moon Goddess had sent me a meal to pacify my anger.

"Where is he?"

"They took him to the warehouse and are awaiting your instructions."

"No one touches him till I get there."

"Yes, Alpha." Darion bowed and stepped back.

I beckoned to one of the guards and he rushed forward.

"Find Beta Cole and send him to Lilith. He should listen to Talia and make sure she is okay." I ordered and the guard bowed.

I turned to leave but that order didn't seem complete so I changed course and moved towards the guards whispering in his ear.

"Tell him: one scratch on her, and he'll pay for it."

And I walked to the warehouse smiling; my prey was waiting.

I am the don of the Draevyn family. A terror by night, and famous for my unforgiving spirit.

I am the Life Reaper.

I am Rowan Draevyn.

Finding my second mate didn't make me weak - I would prove I was stronger than the seven before me.

Inside the warehouse was a handcuffed Festus, when his eyes met mine he began screaming.