Chapter ten

ALPHA BRAN'S POV

“BRAN!”

I turned. 

Froze.

Saskia stood at the entrance, her face drained of color, eyes wide with horror. Behind her were Aric, Bane and Lupin, and a gathering crowd of the pack house staffs who had felt my rage ripple through the bond.

I released Javier.

He dropped to the floor, coughing violently, hands clutching his neck. I didn’t spare him another glance as I stormed past everyone, heading to my office as fury vibrated through my veins.

My office door slammed hard enough to shake the walls. And seconds later, footsteps followed.

“Bran,” Saskia called.

I didn’t answer. Couldn't answer. The rage whirling inside me demanded I stay silent. 

“BRAN!” she shouted.

“What?!” I roared, spinning toward her.

“You almost killed my brother because of a mere human slave!” she yelled back, her voice shaking with anger and disbelief.

Something inside me snapped.

“She’s no slave,” I thundered, stepping into her front. “Don’t you ever call her that again.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Saskia’s face went pale. It pricked my heart. Her lips parted, but no sound came out.

My words echoed back at me. I regretted saying them. Regretted going overboard with Javier. And hated that I took my anger out on my fiancée. 

I turned away. “Get out.”

She didn’t move.

“For this, Bran,” she said quietly, “I’m taking my hands off all matters concerning the handover of Alpha Jace’s pack.”

I turned and faced her. “You don’t get to do that.”

“And you don’t get to stop me!” she screamed.

Then she turned and walked out.

She had never done that before. Never raised her voice at me. Never walked out on me. But she did now.

I watched the door close, and something ugly twisted in my chest.

I lost control.

My glass desk went first—shattering against the wall. Then the lamp. Then the chair. I roared, tearing my office apart as Ryker howled inside me.

‘Check on her.’ he urged.

“Shut it, Ryker,” I snarled aloud. “I almost killed my man today. Saskia is furious because I almost killed her brother. All these happened because of her. That human doesn't deserve the attention she's getting. Doesn't deserve me. I'm ending it now!” 

I yanked the door open. 

My jaw tightened as I forced my wolf down. It was time I reject her and cast her away before she does more harm.

Suddenly, pain exploded behind my eyes. It was violent, like claws ripping through my skull from the inside. A sharp groan tore from my throat as my vision flashed white. I staggered, gripping the door knob with one hand and clutching my head with another. 

‘I won't let you harm our mate, anymore.’ Ryker slammed into my mind. He was attacking me from inside. ‘She's ours to protect.’ he snarled.

“Enough,” I hissed, feeling like my skull was being split open. 

I dropped to one knee.

“She does not belong here,” I forced out, breathing raggedly, “She is human. This bond is—”

I roared, slamming my fist into the floor as the pain spiked so sharply my lungs seized. My heartbeat thundered in my ears, wild and erratic. The room tilted, ceiling spinning. 

Something warm slid down my face. My fingers shook as I brought them up, touching beneath my nose. When I pulled them back, they were smeared with blood. My blood. It dripped onto the floor.

Fear coiled in my gut.

Ryker howled inside my head. I felt his rage and pain. 

My vision blurred as another rush of blood spilled free, staining the front of my shirt.

“You will obey me,” I growled hoarsely. “I am the Alpha.”

The pain worsened. It tore through me like lightning, ripping a cry from my throat. My hands shook violently as I tried to stand, but my legs buckled beneath me. Darkness crept in.

I lost my balance and fell flat on the floor, groaning.

Ryker’s voice echoed through the darkness. ‘Reject her, and you break us.’

I tried to fight. But my wolf was unyielding. I gave up, and surrendered to the enveloping darkness. 

********

I woke up to Saskia’s swollen eyes peering at me.

She was crying.

“Bran,” she sobbed, taking my hand in hers. “Please forgive me. I shouldn’t have spoken to you like that.”

Guilt settled heavy in my chest. I pulled her into my arms, holding her as she cried.

“It's okay,” I muttered.

My hands slipped down to her elbow and noticed the rough patch. I brought her elbow to my face to see what it was. A bandage. Her elbow was bandaged.

“What happened?” I asked sharply.

She pulled away from my embrace. Her hesitant eyes studied me.

“Tell me,” I urged, “What happened to your elbow?”

“It's her.” She said simply.

I leaned in. “Who?” 

“Serafine or whatever she's called. The human…girl. When I confronted her about my brother, she fought me.”

My jaw grinded as something vicious spread through my veins.

“Bring her to me. Now." I ordered my guard.

The girl was dragged in moments later. She lowered her head at the sight of me.

“You dare raise your hand to your future Luna?” I snarled at her.

She didn’t answer.

“Answer me!” I roared.

She jolted in fear, and dropped to her knees without saying a word.

“Fine. You will receive fifty strokes of cane for disrespecting your future Luna. But first you must apologize,” I said coldly. “Apologize to your future Luna now.”

She remained on her knees in silence. Then her eyes flicked to the side. She moved fast. Lunged for the knife lying on the table.

“Stop!” I roared. It was too late.

She lifted it towards herself.

“Don’t!” Saskia screamed, rushing forward. She hugged the girl. And the blade pierced through her back.