3: Death

CARLOS

I watched as my mate's lips opened and closed a couple of times, but for the life of me, I didn't hear a word that he said. I stopped listening when he asked me to help him disappear forever. His careless words cut deep, more than I would like to admit. My wolf was hauling insults at me for my inconsideration towards our mate. I looked at his knitted eyebrows as he stared at me expectantly, but I couldn't even tell him what he wanted to hear. “Absolutely not!” I growled haphazardly. He seemed taken aback by my outburst. He took an innate step back, narrowing his gorgeous hazel eyes on me. He had already condemned me in his mind. It was blatantly displayed on his face for me to see.

“What do you want from me, Carlos?” He questioned exasperatedly, and I would be lying if I said hearing my name roll from his plump lips didn't jolt my cock awake. I took in a rushed breath and held his gaze. For his size, he was damn spirited. My wolf loved the fact that he wasn't intimidated by overbearing and instead held his ground. I doubt anyone else, having gone through all the hardships he has, would have the courage to face an Alpha and demand an explanation. My demeanor alone is enough to send a weaker wolf scurrying out of view. But not my stubborn mate. He is glaring at me murderously and if looks can kill, and I would be rotting away in hell.

“You are mine little one,” I used my wolf's words on him and got the desired effect. His breathless sigh was enough evidence.

“Please stop toying with me,” he groaned, running his slender fingers through his cropped brown hair. The action made me want to run my fingers through the soft-looking tresses, too. But I knew he wouldn't like that.

“My wolf needs you around,” I told him honestly. “That means you will stay around and out of my way.” I saw his face fall and kicked myself internally. Unknown to him, I was actually saving him from the pack's wrath. If anyone caught a whiff he was my mate, they would pick on him more than they already do. Not just because he is a male, but for his unfortunate birth status. Omegas are a rare, lowly breed of werewolves. They are basically the size of a dog and rarely make it to adulthood. In most packs, they are killed immediately after birth but my mother, the great Luna of Green Hill pack, stopped the archaic tradition in our pack. But I am not powerful enough to protect him or to fight centuries of well-kept rules which govern us. I just took over, for crying out loud! And working against the pack's interest won't be favorable for me right now. Maybe after a year or two, I can try to fight for him. But for now, I want him to remain who he has always been. The pack's scum. It will save me from a worse fate of being forced to choose a girl from one of the noble families so that I could produce an heir. Because I am confident that is what will happen if anyone finds out about me and Cam.

Something in my expression must have told him I was serious because he slightly dipped his head respectfully with a faint, 'yes Alpha' and left. I was left staring at his retreating back fighting hard to hold my ground and not go after his desirable ass.

Earlier on when my wolf took over, I was pleasantly surprised when I came to find him wrapped tightly in my arms. His slender frame fits perfectly in my toned one. It felt heavenly to inhale his irresistible scent, which I don't doubt will drive me insane soon. But for the sake of his safety and his sister's I can't claim him.

****

A few minutes after he had closed the door, I turned and headed back to my room. Pleasantly, his scent clung to my hood, which calmed my agitated wolf and lured us back to sleep. When I woke up again, it was to find my stepbrother glaring at me and his mouth moving at a rapid speed.

“… now that you are the Alpha.” Is all I heard. Of course. Why am I not surprised? He has been gunning for the position since we were kids. My father stepped outside his mating and fathered a bastard son who for some reason feels he is better than me. He hasn't missed an opportunity to show our old man why he is better suited to take after him, but our father chose me for some reason.

“What is it now George?” I grumbled, giving an icy glare. I didn't appreciate him budging into my room unannounced.

“I said rogues were sighted on the eastern border, and we are awaiting your instructions now that you are the Alpha.” He spat the last part bitterly. It was still a sour spot I guess.

“I will be right there,” I informed jumping off the bed and directly to my attached bathroom but not before I saw George scenting the air. He must have picked Cam's scent on me. I acted nonchalantly to ensure he doesn't have anything against me. I was quick to refresh myself before joining the ready warriors in the arena. My father and the council of elders had already arrived. “Sorry, I am late,” I whispered for my father's hearing.

“It's okay, but next…”

“I know,” I cut him off softly. “I am never oversleeping again.” He smiled, patting my head. I took my place on the podium after my father caught me up with the situation. All the eyes were staring at me expectantly. I gulped. This is what my life will forever be. Being depended on by every soul in the pack to guide them, yet I didn't even have the courage to protect my own mate. I flinched internally, but still held my head high and faced my expectant subjects.

“I want the crisis squad ready to march at my command.” I began firmly. This is a few-person squad who are trained vigorously and ruthlessly to handle just any threat thrown our way. May it be supernatural or even human interference. “George," I turned to my half-brother who is the head warrior, “divide your team into a group of twenty each. They will scout the other directions, leaving forty strong warriors here to defend the civilians in case of a breach.” George nodded. “I turned to the six pack's witches. “If you sense a disturbance on the shield, don't hesitate to let me know.” My father had taken in a family of witches who had been exiled from their coven because their tremendous power was feared. They have to date proven to be a great ally. The protective shield protecting our pack is their doing.

“Yes, Alpha,” Elijah, the head witch answered with a respectful nod. I dismissed them to do as I had instructed. When I turned to face my father, he was smiling. An honest satisfied smile.

“I am proud of you, my son,” he said, taking my hand for a firm handshake. “You will be a great leader for our people.”

If only I had known that would be the last conversation between us, I would have told him how proud I was to be his son. But I didn't.

Ever since he first took over as the Alpha, my father has led the crisis squad, and I wanted to avoid taking that from him just because I am the Alpha now. So, I let him lead, and I took charge of the group, which was heading south to scout the land. We had barely made it to the southern border when we heard the unmistakable howl, followed by many others. I turned abruptly and sprinted, following the howls. The crisis squad had walked right into an ambush. Though they managed to fight diligently and kill most of the rogues, they lost six souls. My father being one of them.

I busted through the clearing and the scent of his blood assaulted my nostrils. I pushed my legs faster and materialized in front of him stark naked. I couldn't stop the tears which pushed forth upon touching his lifeless body. A wave of immense anger took over my entire being and I started trembling. After questioning the other warriors, I was informed a few of the rogues had run off. I immediately shifted and sprinted towards the direction they had taken, scenting the ground for their stench. There was no way I was letting them live. I swore, pushing forward. I heard heavy thudding behind me and I knew my warriors had followed. They would follow me to death as their Alpha, and for the first time, I appreciated it.

It took us around thirty minutes before we tracked the damn rogues down. I can assure you that none lived to tell the tale. I tore more throats than I could care to tell. But none of it brought my father back to life. I dreaded breaking the news to my poor mother. I didn't have the courage to tell her that on my first day as the Alpha, I failed by sending my father and her mate to his untimely death. I guess that's why I let the warriors precede me, in hopes that somehow, someone will tell her before I face her.

I heard my mother's distressed howl from miles away. She had with no doubt heard the news. My wolf berated my cowardice for not being the one to break the devastating news to our mother. He kept grunting about how much she needed us and I knew it was true, but I didn't trust myself to keep calm. If I see her crying, I will break down too. And in front of subjects, I would definitely appear weak, which would grant George the opportunity he needs to rile the pack against me. I am already aware that his grandfather from his mother's side, Douglas Adams, favored his grandson's ruling. It didn't help that he was the head of the council of elders. He had begun to oppose my taking over openly even when my father was alive. I wonder how bad it will get now that he is dead.

****

I arrived back in the pack a few hours later, and it had quietened. I headed directly to my mother's sleeping chambers. I was certain that's where I will find her. I raised my hand to knock when the door was ripped open, and she grabbed me tightly into her arms, rocking me like she would a child. “I am so glad you are safe,” she whispered brokenly, and my heart tore. I hadn't realized the worry I would put her through for not coming home directly. “I was so worried,” she whimpered, multiplying my guilt ten folds.

I wrapped my hands around her shoulders and tightened my hold on her, soothingly. “I am so sorry, Ma.” I breathed shakily. “I should have been the one to tell you.” Regret hit harder than a tornado wave. She shook her head, assuring me I had nothing to be sorry about. She led me to her bedroom sofa, where we talked about potential threats now that my father was dead. As it turns out, I wasn't the only one worried about George and Douglas. Their greed knew no bounds and more than ever, I needed to be vigilant.

As per our customs, we burn our dead before nightfall to help them find their way to the ancestral land on time. I left my mother to get ready and went to do the same. I had to wash away the rogue stench and blood before saying goodbye to my old man.

********

I braced myself and stomached my emotions as I led the funeral rites. I began by talking good of the dead as expected, before putting the pyre on fire as I chanted the last rites. “May the Moon goddess light their way and may our ancestors accept them in the next life.”

“Isê…” The crowd murmured in unison, meaning, may it be so.

We all stood silently and watched as the bodies burned to ashes. The somber moment comprised of wailing, and sniffing, and reminiscing.

I moved to my mother's side, pulled her into my arms, and just held her as she sobbed for her life mate.

I felt my Beta's presence and turned to face the older man. “I am sorry for your loss son,”

“It's your loss too,” I argued. He was my father's friend and Beta since they turned of age. His son Atlas is supposed to be my Beta once he turns eighteen in a month. He moved to my mother and kissed the back of her palm. “Take heart Marina,”

Once everyone began dispersing I led my mother back to her chambers and disappeared into mine as well. I slumped on the bed face down and exhaled deeply. It had been a long day of unexpected turns. My wolf was restless after the loss of our father, and I knew just one person who could calm him. I waited until I was sure everyone had gone to bed before I tiptoed my way to the basement. I was surprised when I bumped into my mate and his sister. They were surprised to see me, just as I was to see them carrying each small luggage. From their heavily dressed form, there was no doubt they intended to step into the cold night. Cameron couldn't even hold my gaze. His eyes darted around, possibly looking for an escape, but I had blocked their only way out.

“Were you going somewhere?” I asked I asked wiling him to give a logical explanation, but the truth was starting at me. He swallowed hard, offering no verbal response, but there was no mistaking the guilt etched on his gorgeous face. “You were leaving me?” I croaked in disbelief, feeling a physical pain in my chest, as my heart shattered painfully.