Chapter Seventeen

Beast

Killing Nigel is the highlight of my day. I have watched him for years and all he has done is keep his pack in chains. It’s time for the alpha to be replaced, though his son is not what I had in mind.

I watch from the woods to judge their reactions and most are not taking his demise well. Corbin, who I figured might be a little distraught, is far from it.

Instead, he is yelling careless threats at me, which causes my rage to boil over. One day, my teeth will sink into his throat and I will rip his head from his shoulders, just as I did to his father.

I glance at Nigel’s head resting near Lily’s feet. I hope she loves my gift and understands that there is nothing I won’t do for her. She needs to see my raw power and know that I’m worthy of her.

That and I have been waiting for her to be here for so long. The white wolf is the key to breaking my curse and the last one who was here was Emily, two hundred years ago.

"Do you hear that beast?" He shouts again. “Show me that you can hear me.”

His father’s blood drips from my jaws onto the ground. It’s a sour taste I don’t like, but it will take a bit to get rid of.

Lily rolls her eyes and looks toward the woods longingly. Oh, how I wish I could come to her side and tear that man to shreds, but alas, it's not time yet.

"Corbin, will you stop? He doesn't answer me." Lily sighs as she yanks her arms free. "I'm not a witch and he doesn't answer me."

I take a step back, appalled at how disgruntled she's acting. Of course, I answer to her. However, I can only do so much because of this curse. How could she not know?

Corbin grabs her arm again, and a snarl escapes my lips. How dare he touch what is mine.

Lily seems to notice my raging emotions and turns to look at me. I'm well hidden, though, and she looks so disappointed. I hear her silent plea to save her from this mess.

Suddenly, her Grandmother comes down the path with her cane in hand. She looks on both sides of the path, which I assume is because of me, but she doesn't look too concerned.

"You better be good, beasty, or I'll whack you with my cane," she mutters, her voice mostly a whisper. “Try to remember whose side of the bread you are buttered on.”

I try to stifle a laugh, but it comes out as a short bark. She stops and stares in my direction before walking again.

Though she denies my existence to Lily, she knows exactly what and who I am since she carries the other part of this curse, the one Natalia cast to keep me from gaining my freedom. Until now.

Once she is finally off the path and in the village, she stares at the people gathered. "What is the meaning of this?"

Corbin shoves Lily behind him, and another growl escapes me. I get as close as I can to the edge of the woods without revealing myself.

"I am the new alpha, so we are sorting things out. Go back to your cottage.”

Grandmother cuts her eyes to the headless body of his father. "I see. Why is my granddaughter being manhandled?"

"She is being held responsible for my father's death. I will do as my father wished and join the bloodlines." Corbin holds his head high as he looks at Lily's grandmother with a straight face.

Like that will save you from her or me. Grandmother is just as bloodthirsty as I am.

"So, you are telling me that my granddaughter tore that man's head from his shoulders and made his body look like that?" She points at his body, and I can't help but smile proudly at myself over my handiwork. “Lillian would never do such a thing.”

I did a good job.

"Well, no, but she controls the beast who did this for her,” Corbin retorts.

I scoff, but Grandmother is ahead of me. "She does no such thing. That beast is his own thing and makes his own choices.”

I roll my eyes at how true her words are. Lily doesn’t technically control me as in commanding. What I do is for her and I’d do anything to keep her safe. We also share a fated mate’s connection, and I look forward to exploring that for the rest of our lives.