34. MATEO

34

MATEO

Addressing and convincing our pack to fight alongside us takes minutes. Readying ourselves for the short journey north, however, takes more time than we had planned. Two days later and we are still traveling in stealth to reach the pack of the Forbidden. Nepheline urged those who wanted to stay to do so, to protect our lands from lingering wolves trying to escape their ultimate demise.

It's been just over a week since she stepped into her position as Luna and she has grown exponentially. She's always been my fierce Omega, traveling through the crystal forest to visit me and find comfort in my presence. However, with her mates surrounding her, her confidence has strengthened and her resolve is unbreakable.

Despite that, she's a stubborn little flower that refuses breaks, wanting to meet Silas head-on as soon as possible. Unfortunately, her body isn't made to withstand the pressure she's putting on it, Darius having to coax her to bed before she ultimately chooses one of us to sleep next to. Maverick, River, and Remi generally find themselves wrapped around her more often than not, nursing their bites as the rest of us guard them from onlookers while nursing blue balls.

I fucking love my Omega but I am going to fuck her into the mattress the moment we get home. Or maybe I'll fuck her over my brother's lifeless body after she slits his throat.

We're minutes from the edge of their territory, keeping low to refrain from alerting any of their members. According to Darius, though, they don't have a structure like any other normal pack. They don't have guards and duties spread across the members. Most of what is left is Alphas and Betas trying to grow their strength through a serum that isn't the original concoction Asani put together.

A few of our members are on foot, non-shifters who wanted to support the end of Silas' terror. Years ago, I should have killed him in a fight to the death but I exiled him instead. I want to believe that none of this would have happened if I had followed through.

"Fate has a funny way of putting things together," Maverick says as he places a firm hand on my shoulder, walking beside me. "We think that there is only one path but fate gives us pieces and we must fit them together. Our decisions shape and mold that path until it comes to the end that we are already destined for."

He's right. Silas had been bigger than me and stronger than me. I would have never won, despite my training and my need to overcome that obstacle. I keep pushing forward, making sure to catch Nepheline's gaze as she slinks through the tall grass. It's nearly tall enough to cover her white coat, her Alphas circled around her so that the moonlight won't reflect off her coat.

The numerous colors running through her fur tell me just how far we've come and the packs she has pulled together. This fight will be bloody and horrific but it will be worth it.

Ready, princess?

This time when I push words through the mindlink, I know that every one of our pack members here can hear it. The magic has strengthened to the point that it is not just my mates who can hear my words but everyone who wears our crest.

Ready, Alpha.

A round of howls and hoots erupt into the darkness as we race forward to take down a threat that's been looming for years. My only hope is that I get to watch the life drain from my brother's eyes, the same way I did my mother's.

Call me sick but it'll heal a piece of my broken heart so that I can return to Gael's grave and mourn him properly. Mourn them both properly.

The pack of the Forbidden is not ready for our descent but I keep Nepheline's words in mind—the ones Victoria gave her a few days prior.

There are innocents in that pack. Honor your original mission but do not let your rage overtake your actions. Kill those who deserve it. Let the others be.

I intend to honor that, which is an easy enough agreement when I catch a certain scent that should absolutely not be here.

Pierson.

A fucking coward.

No doubt, the man ran the moment Calista's death was announced. Well, I'll enjoy ripping an elder apart, especially one that had a hand in all this mess.