The Pack Rejects

Zidane

" A lpha, Scarlett got there before the plan could go through," Alaric says. Even his attempt at a steady voice is pathetic; I can hear the slight tremble in it. He bows his head to me as I sit behind my desk.

There's a crack of light that is coming through the gap in the curtain and it is only making me angrier.

Oh, how I hate the sunshine .

I sit on my leather chair as if it is a throne. Leaning against the left armrest, a cold smirk is on my face, one that does not reach my eyes. My chilling aura rolls off me in waves.

I saw what happened, and I saw her run from him.

"Oh, it worked; it worked well enough," I say coldly. "But I do agree that you failed."

"Alpha, I didn't think Scarlett would get there. I did as you asked-" He's cut off when my hand wraps around his throat and I pin him against the wall behind him, his body hitting with the wall with brute force, making him cough up blood. I tighten my hand around his throat.

"Are you blaming me ?" I hiss, my blood burning with rage.

"No, no, I would never!"

I want him dead.

Snarling, I rip his head from his body, blood splattering across the walls, the floor, my face and my white suit. I roar in rage, licking my lips as I relish in the taste of blood.

I step back, letting the body fall to the floor, kicking it roughly.

"That's what happens if you dare answer back!" I slam my foot on his chest, making the body jump from the impact, and I keep kicking him, my heart thundering loudly in my ears.

Only when I'm breathing hard do I stop stomping on his chest, looking down at the hole I've made in his chest. Some of his organs can be seen and he's ruined my shoes.

I wipe my bloody hands on my jacket, the smell of metallic blood strong in the air.

"Now look what you made me do. She may have been gone for eight years, but I know exactly how to get to her," I murmur, a cruel smile crossing my lips. I will break her strong resolve. Does she really think she is powerful enough to face me?

Did she really think she could come here and attain anything? What a foolish mistake… I planned this. I know how she works, making her come here. I knew she would. I know what will break her – what will destroy her.

She might think she's smart, both her and that Alpha, but they have walked right into my trap and now, once she pushes that Alpha away on her own accord, it will leave her unprotected and alone. And then, then she will be mine to destroy, to control, and to abuse.

I walk to my seat, unbothered that the dead body of one of my men is still lying there. I should hang him on the wall of the pack hall as a reminder to the rest of the pack.

Now, Scarlett pushed him away, so I can play my next card.

Cade, I mind-link my Beta.

Yes, Alpha?

Make sure you show Scarlett the entire pack, every part of it.

Understood.

I want her to see the rules I govern this pack with, so it will guilt-trip her into wanting to help them. After all, she is so predictable. Smiling, I slowly rock my chair from side to side.

My plan really is unfolding, oh so perfectly.

Scarlett

I'm glad to be out in the air, especially when it feels like I'm suffocating. I'm giving him the cold shoulder, although I know he's trying to squeeze his way past my defences.

That image isn't leaving my mind. I know Elijah. He is a total fuckboy, he's had so many women that a few more is nothing for him. A girl can easily win him over if it means he gets some pussy.

I take a deep breath as we follow Cade, and I look out across the Desert Storm Pack. The territory is huge, with dense forestry surrounding most of the borders. The patrol is heavy, and they are all on alert, and all the wolves look muscular and rough. Most have some sort of scars on their bodies as they walk around shirtless.

I can see the packhouse from here. It is a stunning building, second only to the Alpha's mansion. The training ground is also huge, sectioned into different areas and full of wolves of all ages, training according to their levels.

Whereas the Blood Moon Pack encourages pups to start to train from as young as 6 years of age, it is not mandatory. Here, it seems that it is compulsory as soon as the pup can talk and walk.

I pause at the fence, watching the little three and four-year-olds do their training. They are made to lift heavy weights and carry them across the field. If any of them stop or drop it, they have to restart. Many are silently crying, but fear has been instilled in them, none daring to utter a sound.

I feel a wave of sadness wash over me, thinking how brutal Zidane is. Even thinking of him as ‘my father' now makes me sick. These children are being deprived of their childhoods.

I can sense Elijah watching me, but I don't bother looking at him. As I watch the pre-teens train, they are incredible, with years of skill behind them. I glance over at Cade, who is observing us. I don't know what his game plan is, but I don't like the way he's occasionally looking me over.

"What is this place?" I ask, stopping when a large building comes into view; it's as if it is about to fall apart. The gaps in the roof are covered with planks of wood, several windows are broken and there are two large cracks in the architecture of the building, which makes it even more dangerous.

"Oh, that's just where the trash of the pack lives," Cade says.

I frown at him, not missing the flash of reluctance or is it guilt in his eyes?

"And what exactly does that mean?" I ask sharply, my green eyes cold.

"Omegas of course, those who aren't good enough to be part of our pack, well they are demoted to omegas, and of course, the rest of the low-life omegas live here," Cade says, shrugging. Elijah and I both frown seeing a six-year-old girl step out of the front door of that derelict building, holding a bucket with both hands. She's severely malnourished and her eyes look sunken.

"Why is a child there? Shouldn't she be training?" I ask sharply. "Or be at school?"

"Omega children aren't allowed to train, and neither are discarded trash like her. She should be dead, but she's lucky we let her breathe the same air as us," Cade says.

Something inside of me snaps. My wolf surges forward as our anger intertwines. My eyes flash silver and I growl as my aura surges forward. Cade steps back, his eyes widening.

"Red…" Elijah warns, walking over to me and placing a hand on my back.

Don't show your power, he mind-links. I cast him a dirty look. Although I know he's right, it's not that easy. I try to rein it in, but one glance at Cade tells me the damage has already been done. Cade's eyes glint with curiosity.

"I just meant that they're children born of rape. Their mothers are omegas anyway, so they fit in well here," Cade says with another shrug. "Some are killed, and some are left here if their mother is compassionate enough to tolerate them."

"Why the fuck does it sound like rape is a fucking common occurrence?" Elijah growls.

"Obviously it is. As werewolves, we have extremely high libidos. Sometimes, if our mates aren't around or whatnot, we will fuck other she-wolves. But of course, we don't want the kids, so if that she-wolf happens to be an omega, then yeah, there might be a fucking kid born," Cade explains, his voice laced with scorn.

Every word he says only makes the rising rage that is bubbling inside of me get stronger.

"So it's simple, kill the mutts or dump them here so they can grow to be more whores for us-"

A loud menacing growl tears from my throat, ringing through the air and I'm no longer in control. All I want is to kill him. I slam Cade against the nearest wall, my hand tight around his throat.

"Speak like that again and I swear I will fucking punish you!" I hiss menacingly, my Alpha aura rolling off me in waves.

"Y-yes, Alpha," Cade stammers, his face pale, the weight of my command hitting him hard and with it a glint of realisation.

Careful, Red.

I ignore Elijah as Cade lowers his eyes in respect and I let go of him, kicking him hard.

"This place is so fucking messed up," I spit, running a hand through my hair.

Fuck, Red, you scratched him! Elijah growls through the mind-link.

I don't give a fuck; he deserved it! I shoot back, irritated at his concern.

I know, but your ability is now out too, Elijah says, irritation and worry laced in his throat. I don't reply, simply walking to the entrance of the battered building. I glance back at Cade, who has now stood up and massages his neck.

Elijah's right, I have scratched him. Fuck.

His eyes glaze and I wonder if he's already reporting to Zidane.

He then turns to Elijah. " You're free to roam around on your own. I have work to attend to."

"Sure, but one thing before you go, Cade. I know you would want to report that to the Alpha, but I wouldn't if I were you," Elijah advises him quietly.

Cade nods, but if he hasn't already, he definitely will be reporting. But I really don't give a fuck. All of them need a lesson taught and I'm willing to be the one to teach them it.