Xander

I looked down at the pathetic group of traitors as they whimpered in fear. They had put up a little fight but it ended once I appeared. They were surrounded by the dead bodies of those that tried to run.


'Please Alpha…we will do anything you want, any punishment you give…but please, spare our lives" the priestess said.

'It is only fair that someone willing to end lives for their personal gain should be ready to loose theirs."

'Please Alpha…you can take my life but spare hers" Marv begged. It repulsed me. His betrayal was unexpected, I would have preferred him dead. At least that way, the memories I had of him won't be tainted.


But now…I wanted to cut his head off. I will cut his head off. I wasn't even aware of the fact that the priestess was his fucking mate. Apparently, she was the one who convinced him that he would be a better Alpha, a kind one.

'Was it worth it?" I asked, looking at the miserable pair. 'You sacrificed the lives of omegas that trusted you, you set your brothers in arms way and left them to die only to end up ostracized by the very pack you wanted to rule. Was it worth it?"


They sunk lower, their heads touching the floor, trying to silence their whimpers.

'I should have known. The fact that they were able to know the exact place your omegas were was a glaring fucking clue. But, like everyone in the pack, I thought you were really dedicated to the goddess."

I sighed, looking at the man I brought with me from my uncle's pack. The man I thought had my back in his silent way. His betrayal hurt.

'Kill them" I said, stepping aside. He wasn't worthy enough to die by my blade.

'Alpha…" they wailed looking up, their eyes wide with panic. My men pulled out theirs swords.

Marv stared at me, ignoring his mate's frantic pleas beside him. His eyes full of regret and wet with tears, he didn't say anything.

Our eyes remained connected, I'm sure he's having the same thoughts that ran through my head. Thoughts of a time before now, of two young men growing together.

Damien lowered his sword and his head fell. I felt a single tear run down my left cheek in honor of the man I knew.

Gathering myself, I opened the link.

'Hera."

'Alpha?"

'Antonio has gathered a small army of sorcerers. Some of them specialize in mental magic, the rest is unclear."

'Thank you Alpha. I will protect Grey."

'I'm sure you will, we are done with things on this end. Hurry up and don't forget to ask for help in case of an emergency."

'Yes Alpha."

The link went quiet. I took a last look at Marv's head and left, leaving Damien in charge of cleaning up.

****

The pack was beginning to get lively, which was good. It was eerily quiet when we came.

'Alpha Xander…"

'Alpha…"

'Thank the goddess…"

The pack members murmured as I walked past, they bowed with happy relieve smiles. These people were mine, I nodded and smiled back. The numbers had reduced noticably but it will grow back.

I made a mental note to visit the families that had lost a member.

'Alpha" Liam said jogging to meet me. I paused and waited for me to catch up.

'It went well?" I asked once he was by my side.

'Yes Alpha, none of ours was killed. We had some injuries but they have been tended to."

'Good. I'm heading to your sister."

'I'll direct you Alpha" Liam said, nodding to a particular woman that waved at him. I was glad that everyone seemed to be warming up to each other.

'They just missed a famine…" Liam said, beginning his report, '... Leila's stepmother has been the one in charge, they respect her. So, I guess she was doing a good job with managing the situation."

'Oh?" I was surprised. I didn't expect Sonia to step up like this.

'Yes. Although, the pack members are not aware of the fact that she was once with Antonio."

Hmm… it was risky to keep such a secret from the pack. It gave Antonio something to hold over her head.

'Does she know that Amelia is dead?"

'I am not sure but she has an air of sorrow around her" Liam replied.

'Is she aware of my presence?"

'Yes Alpha."

So, she was hiding from me.

'For now, let's rest. Hera should be back by evening and everyone needs to be full of energy when we attack. We need plans for farming and food generation, try to get the total number of able members we have. I want to create groups responsible for different things. We'll fine-tune the plans in the evening."

'Yes Alpha."

'Don't forget to rest."

Liam smiled, 'of course. We will Alpha."

'Damien should be rounding up with his task. I'm sure that Leila gave you a place to stay."

'Yes Alpha."

'Let Damien stay with you. We will sort out a proper housing arrangement when everything is over."

'Yes Alpha."

I tapped his shoulders and walked to the door, Liam left.

Marenza opened the door when I knocked. She looked tired but happy. Tears filled her eyes and she wrapped here arms around me.

'Xander…thank the goddess…"

I hugged her back, grateful to the goddess that she kept Marenza alive.

'I'm here now."

She leaned back, smiling with her flushed wet face. 'Good. Come in, Regan just woke up."

I smiled and followed her inside. She led me straight to the bedroom where Leila sat on the bed holding Regan's hand.

'Xander" Leila said, getting up. Marenza shifted, going to take Leila's spot beside her mate.

My mate pulled me into her warm embrace.

'You okay?" I asked, cupping her cheeks.

She nodded, 'you?"

'I'm okay my mate."

Marenza gasped, 'Leila, you didn't tell me about this!"

Leila broke away from our hug, smiling sheepishly 'I was going to."

'Whatever, I'm happy for you two…I didn't expect this at all, no wonder you were up in her business Xander."

I chuckled then focused on Regan. His eyes were glazed and filled with relief.

'Alpha."

I crossed the room and gently grabbed his neck, resting my forehead against his.

'Regan…I'm happy that you're alive, although you look like shit."

He laughed, his tears falling.