Chapter 6: The Alpha’s Oath

Carlos' smirk just sends chills down my spine.

We're all dodging claws, teeth, and flying steel out here, fighting for our lives. Yet, all I can think about is Carlos. Up there, playing safe, just watching us like it's some sort of show. There wasn't even a flicker of worry in those golden eyes; he just stood there with his arms crossed. Like whatever, you know?

What is his deal?

"Carlos!" I shout to him using our pack link. I kick a rogue's butt and slice his leg. No answer. 

"Carlos, get your butt down here now!"

Still nothing.

My wolf is growling. I’m so ticked off. What a chicken.

Beta Jon gets knocked down, and I rush to cover him. I jump between him and the other alpha who’s coming in for the kill. I bite down hard on the alpha's arm, ripping the skin and drawing blood. The guy screams.

Giving Jon enough time to stand.

"Thanks", Jon says, panting.

"We're being watched", I say, my eyes flicking back to where Carlos was standing. The spot is empty.

"He's gone", I whisper, baffled.

Jon is confused. "Who?"

I can't answer him here. Not now.

The mutant alpha comes in, getting beaten up, but still dangerous. My dad steps up to face him like he doesn’t have a care in the world. They are going at it now, teeth, claws, and muscle, with the ground cracking under their feet. This guy just will not go down.

"We need to finish this now!" Jon shouts.

"I have got a plan!" I yell back. Just keep them busy!

I sprint into the woods, weaving through trees and pushing past discomfort, the pain in my side. I'm off to the ridge, the spot we hid the red wolfsbane. My dad warned me not to use it. It's too unpredictable and dangerous, he said.

Well, enough is enough. I dig under the rock, bruising my knuckles and roughening my fingertips, until I find a glass bottle. It's glowing red, like hot lava. One drop can stop a normal wolf. But this monster? I'll need a lot more than a bottle.

I run back, and I am just in time.

The mutant has my father pinned, claws about to slice his throat.

I am so mad, I scream, and then I inject the whole bottle of poison into the monster's back. He lets out this earsplitting scream that shakes the trees and throws me back. My head smacks a tree, and everything blurs. My vision gets all swimmy.

The mutant sways and stumbles and then falls like a building crumbling to the ground.

I look up, and everything is spinning. My father is kneeling. Liosha! he yells, crawling to me.

“I’m okay…” I say weakly. “We did it…”

Except I’m wrong.

Because out of the shadows, someone appears.

At first, I think it's another alpha..

It’s Carlos.

Something is wrong. It almost feels like dread. He’s surrounded by darkness, as if he's carrying hundreds of souls. Black blood is dripping from his hands, and his eyes are red, not gold.

Behind him are the bodies of two alphas.

"No", I gasp.

"Surprised?" he says casually, stepping into the clearing like he owns the place.

My father growls. "Carlos… what did you do?"

Carlos smiles.

"Just claiming what's mine".