Discarded

The voice from the doorway was hard and filled with authority. Raine turned toward the sound to find her father's beta, Beta Drago, Tyrion's father.

Atticus released his father's wrist abruptly and stepped back, as if he had been burnt.. Fear flittered across his face for a brief moment.

It was unheard of that a member of the pack stood against the Alpha or even challenged him unless in a duel. This did not bode well. Not at all.

Her father's eyes were dark with anger and hurt as they followed the movement of his son away. Raine could hear Atticus cursing under his breath. She could only imagine the punishment that would follow such a dreadful act.

No doubt it would be one of great shame. Her heart clenched in empathy for him, knowing that once again, she had orchestrated a downfall for her brother.

Beta Drago stalked towards Atticus. His eyes held no hint of mercy. There was only justice and punishment.

"Do you challenge the alpha to a duel?" He asked, peering into Atticus' eyes. Raine sucked in some air at the determination in Atticus' eyes. She willed him not to do something stupid for her sake and for his life. His eyes darted towards her for a second and he turned back to the Beta.

"No." He answered. Raine let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding.

Atticus continued. "I do not challenge the alpha to a duel. I will not fight." Drago continued to stare into his eyes, as if waiting to hear more words.

"I apologise for my bizarre actions. It will not happen again."

Raine knew those words were not enough. She could see the wheels turning in Drago's head. She could only pray that whatever punishment he was calculating would not amount to exile or execution. Finally, Drago spoke.

"Sentry duty, two weeks." Raine squeezed her eyes in relief.

"Yes, sir," Atticus agreed. Even he looked relieved to be getting away with just a sentry duty. Although two weeks was a ridiculous amount of time.

“Meet with the pack outside,” Drago announced, “while Alpha Tiki and I make an announcement based on the just concluded expedition.”

There was some hooting and howling from the wolves present. Drago nodded slightly to tiki, and together, they left the large sitting room. As the door slid shut, the tension melted away like oil on water.

"I'm sorry I got you into this. I'm always putting you in trouble." Raine apologized to Atticus.

"It's okay. Sentry duty is not so bad."

"It's for two weeks." She reminded him. Atticus winked at her and linked his arms through hers. He started to lead her out but their steps were interrupted.

"You know, Atticus," Shania began. "She is manipulating you. You are my son and I hate to see you throw your life away just for her. Look at you! You just put your hands on your father! Your Alpha!"

"I was stopping my father from committing a vicious act against his own daughter." Atticus countered.

"He is your father, Atticus. But remember, before being your father, he is the alpha of the night pack. And you should accord him his respect in the presence of his pack mates." She harrumphed and went out with Bellona, who kept shooting lasers at Raine.

"Let's go, Raine." Atticus led her towards the door.

Once outside, Raine took a deep breath and exhaled it slowly. She could see the judgey little eyes staring her down, and she could hear the murmurs about her failure, and how much they hated her. She shook her head. She was going to prove them wrong.

Atticus must have sensed her discomfort, because he tugged her closer and put an arm around her shoulders before speaking up.

"Don't worry. You're just really special." He reassured her. Raine couldn't help but smile. He always said the same thing to her whenever someone made fun of her defect. She held him closer and breathed in his scent.

They soon got to the clearing. Everyone stood together in a close-knit circle. Some held hands while some leaned on each other, simply enjoying the physical touch and the comfort that came with being together.

Some of the wolves gathered around the Alpha and his Beta. Raine recognized them as being part of the expedition. They still had on their bloody jeans and ripped shirts. Smiles stretched across their faces.

Beta Drago started to howl. Soon, the entire pack had joined in, even the pups. The noise was loud. It drowned out everything, including her own thoughts. The wolves began to shake with excitement. The Alpha looked around at his pack members, clearly pleased with what the pack was doing. It was one of the few times she had ever seen her father truly happy.

"Why aren't you with them? And when did you change out of your clothes?" Raine quizzed Atticus.

"I changed as soon as I got back. I didn't want to stand here oozing blood. It would ruin my chances of finding a mate."

"Really?" Raine asked with mock horror. I thought the blood was supposed to make you hotter.

"Are you saying I'm hot?" Atticus asked.

"I'm your sister. I'm not allowed to think such thoughts."

"Half sister." He mocked.

"Ass." She threw back. Atticus threw his head back and laughed. "I knew there was a reason I liked you. I chose to stay with my girl right here instead of there with them. Clearly, I didn't make any mistakes."

"Careful, you almost complimented me. And don't let Bellona hear you. I don't want to starve tonight." They snickered and continued to banter until Drago stepped forward. A hush fell over the crowd.

"Wolves of the night pack," Drago hailed. "It is my honor to stand before you on behalf of your mighty alpha and to bring the good news of our hunt to you all."

The wolves cheered and stomped on the ground.

"I wouldn't bore you with the details. I'll leave Tiki to do that." Everyone laughed at the joke while Drago took a step back.

Tiki stepped up and, just on cue, everyone quieted down.

"It was exhilarating to fight alongside one of the greatest alphas to walk the earth. Most of you know him. He's none other than my dear friend, Alpha Nikolai. To my warriors, it was a hunt to show solidarity to me. To me, it was a support and an act of loyalty. To Nikolai, it was a matter of life and death. It was a war worth winning. Your warriors have returned victoriously and are in great spirits. This all calls for a celebration and an offering to the great goddess."

Drago howled in response. A cheer went up among the pack. Atticus grinned widely, looking extremely proud. Raine elbowed him lightly and gave him a questioning look.

"You should have seen us out there, baby sister. The sight of us sent the enemies running." He whispered.

She laughed softly. "I am glad. It's always nice to see you guys get excited about hunting." She replied quietly. "I just wish I could experience it, too."

Atticus sighed. "You know it's not just about you, right? Dad doesn't usually allow his women to go into battlefields."

"I can fight, and you know it," Raine bit back.

"Easy there, tiger." Tyrion chuckled next to her. Raine turned to him and snarled. Tyrion raised his hands placatingly. "Sorry, I was only teasing."

Atticus narrowed his eyes at him. "You are no longer wanted around us," He growled in a low voice.

"You should know I regret what I did," Tyrion implored.

"It's not about what you did. It's about how you betrayed my trust and broke my sister's heart!" Atticus whispered fiercely.

"I had no choice in the matter. It's what my father wanted. And you should know, Raine. You can't get out of it either." Tyrion replied. "I'm sorry if I hurt you, but this is the way things have to be."

"There's no way we're going to be mates, Tyrion. That show in there was just my father exerting his authority for everyone to see. I know my dad, he hates liars and he most especially hates cheaters. And I'll have you know that he hates them more than he hates me. That has to count for something. So I'm standing here telling you that we would never get betrothed and we would never become mates. I was stupid enough to fall in love with you. You were my friend, Tyrion. Thank you for teaching me never to trust anyone."

Atticus touched her shoulder, urging her to calm down. She continued to glare at Tyrion. Her mind was set. She would never mate with him.

"You know, Raine, if you had a wolf, you would definitely be alpha. Your dominant vibes almost knocked me flat on my ass." Atticus joked, trying to diffuse the tension.

"Good thing I don't have a wolf, right?" He winked at her. They went back to ignoring Tyrion and tuned back to the speech Tiki was giving.

"And just before we go in to our homes, know this!" Tiki bellowed. "Drago and I will seal our alpha beta relationship with blood ties."

Raine froze at those words. "No." She whispered.

"A betrothal ceremony will hold tonight. Between Drago's youngest Tyrion, and my youngest, Raine!” At his words, the earth gave out underneath Raine and she shattered.