Chapter 7: The Burned Crest

At an instant, Carlos walked into the opening, bathed in moonlight, it was like he was late for a show or something. He was calm, composed, but there was this disturbing dark energy radiating off him. It was bad. Bad.

Then I saw it. Blood. Soaking the sleeves of his shirt. But it wasn't his.

My eyes darted past him, and I saw them. Two rogue alphas. Lying lifeless on the ground. Their necks? Snapped. Chests? Ripped to shreds. Their strength... gone. You didn't even need to have super smell to know Carlos had taken their power for himself.

"Carlos?" I said, croaked out, and walked forward by a step.

He looked at me like I was some stranger he had never seen before. Then smiled and spoke.

"You owe me some gratitude, Liosha. I just saved your skins."

My dad, who was trying to get up beside me, chest heaving, glared hard at Carlos. You weren't even fighting. You were just watching.

Watching, Carlos repeated, a smirk playing on his lips. Just looking for the perfect opportunity.

"You planned this whole thing", I whispered, the realization hits me like a punch to the gut.

Carlos just shrugged, like it was nothing. 

"Planned? That's giving me too much credit. Calculated? Absolutely. I’ve been patient, loyal, and I've done my part, but you", he pointed back and forth between me and my father. 

You never saw me as anything more than a tool.

Because that's all you are! I shot back, anger flowing through my veins.

But Carlos's smile didn’t even twitch. "Not anymore, princess".

Behind us, Jon groaned. He was still alive, but barely, covered in blood.

I took a glance at my father. He was struggling to stay on his feet. Carlos could probably take us all down, right there, right now. That dark energy he absorbed was making him way stronger. His aura pressed down on the whole opening, like a thick, suffocating fog.

"Liosha", my father breathed, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder, not to comfort me. Get ready. He's gone too far.

Carlos laughed. You think I came here looking for a fight?

Then what do you want? I growled, shifting back, getting ready to defend myself.

I'm offering you two a way out, he said, his voice smooth and dangerous. Step aside and let me take over. I've got the power now. The pack needs strength.”

You're out of your mind, I shot back. This isn't about the pack. This is about you wanting control.

He acted like I hadn't even spoken. With those rogue alphas gone, there's no one to question me. No outside threats. Just you two standing in my way.

Jon, using all his strength, pushed himself up onto one elbow. You've completely lost it. If you think the pack would ever follow you.

Carlos tilted his head up, a look of arrogance plastered on his face. Oh, they will. Once they see you two fall.

Suddenly, a heavy silence fell over the clearing.

My father took a deep, long breath. You're not walking out here alive, Carlos.

Carlos's smirk finally faltered, just a tiny bit, but pride remained. Then let's end this now.

He took a step forward, and we stood prepared, bracing ourselves for what was coming.

Then, BAAM!

The trees bordering the opening west side exploded outwards.

A massive impact hit Carlos, knocking him off his feet and sending him crashing into a tree. The air crackled with raw energy.

I turned sharply, my heart pounding nonstop.

A figure stepped out of the smoke and mess.

He was shirtless, muscles rippling, covered in dirt and blood. Looked dirty but flaming hot to me. His eyes, silver and fierce, locked onto mine. It was like he'd known me forever.

In a split second, the whole world paused.

I felt my knees give way.

Certainly not because I was scared.

But, because I knew exactly who he was.

"Mate". I whispered.