30. Chapter 30

Chapter 30

J ackson stopped at the start of one of the trails into the woods and clenched his fists. Why the fuck was he even bothering?

It had been just over a month since a mob had set on her daughter, and that fucking woman hadn't even bothered to make an appearance. He ran through the woods every morning with the same result. What kind of mother did that? Why did she show up at all if she wasn't there to help?

Layla needed to know who she was. He needed to know. She'd picked up the things he had taught her so quickly as if it had been her nature all along, and she was getting stronger. Every morning, when she was asleep and not guarding her mind, he sensed the presence of something greater within her.

How would he teach her to hide it if he didn't know what it was? Her mother was still in his woods, hiding under their noses. Couldn't she teach her how to do the same? Without that, Layla would get caught before his body was cold.

He growled and turned away from the trail to head for the gates. Though the warriors still patrolled the boundary, there was no one within the walls of the packhouse, not even in the gatehouse.

The message was clear. They'd given him and Layla more time because of the baby, but they still didn't want him around. He'd been a fool to think they would accept his child after this.

As he approached the gate, he caught the scent that had brought out all his fury lately. Cain growled in his head as Zach stepped out from behind the pillar of the gate. For him to even come near him after what he had done was just another power play for him. Just another challenge.

"You can't continue to do this, Jackson," Zach said.

"Alpha," he growled. "You call me Alpha. You don't have the right to speak my name."

"Do you have any idea what you've done to the pack?" Zach growled back. "They take turns sleeping so we can evacuate quickly when we get attacked. You've got little pups clinging to their parents, asking if they will die. You've ruined us."

Zach was right about that one thing. He'd ruined them all. But he would make sure they were all safe before he died, even if it meant leaving them.

"Go home, Zach. Unless you truly want me to accept your challenge for my position."

Fear flashed in Zach's eyes, making him step back from the gate.

"Oh, that's right. You're not so brave when you don't have grieving wolves to do the fighting for you."

Zach stepped forward and slammed the gate. A wave of anger hit him, mixed in with all the hatred Zach had tried to hide from him all his life.

"You shouldn't be here," Zach snarled. "Do the decent thing and leave. It doesn't matter if they don't want me as their Alpha, but I won't allow you to ruin us just for the sake of that human garbage—"

He moved quickly and grabbed Zach by the neck through the bars. His eyes bled red, and his claws lengthened without him noticing it until he caught the scent of Zach's blood dripping. It was happening a lot lately because he and Cain had been on the same page since they almost lost their baby.

How easy it would be to snap the bastard's neck. He would have done it if he thought it would end the stupid uprising, but all his pack would see was another wolf dead by his hand.

He growled as he pulled Zach up, bringing him an inch from his face. The older man had fear in his eyes, and his body started to shake.

"Please, Alpha. Put me down," Zach spluttered.

So he was the Alpha now? He snarled in the bastard's face before he shoved him away from the gate. All of Zach's bravado disappeared when he faced his king. He even lowered his gaze before he started to back away.

It was only when Zach had disappeared down the street and all of the pack's whispers and emotions reached him that he made up his mind. There was only one thing he could do for Layla now. But first, he had to be sure his pack would be protected.

He sighed and manually slid the gate open before heading to the main entrance. He was still half-shifted as he jogged down the main street. His forefathers had built the town and made sure it remained hidden. He had protected their legacy since he'd been eighteen, but he knew it had only remained safe because Cain had been there. What would become of it when he was gone?

The warriors on duty at the main gates kept their gazes lowered when he approached but did not acknowledge him as they used to. The very people he had once been sure would always have his back. That hurt almost as much as his mate wanting to leave him.

He shoved the gate open and took his clothes off. Once he shifted, he headed towards Chase's territory. Dylan would be pissed off when he found out, but he had run out of time, and there were no other options. Cain ran through the forest with the same aim: to do anything to protect their pup. He was by Alpha Chase's gates in record time.

He shifted back to his human form when the gates were opened for him.

No, not for him. Chase came out instead of inviting him in as if he didn't want him on his land. Everyone had heard of what he had done already, and like his pack, they were all waiting for the other shoe to drop.

"Your Majesty," Chase said with a bow when he stopped in front of him. "To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure."

Chase's scouts and guards were hidden in the trees as usual. This meeting would have been better if they'd let him into one of their soundproofed rooms. But he knew he had fucked up, so he couldn't blame the Dark Moon pack for being cautious.

"Run with me. We need to talk."

He didn't need his senses to tell him that Chase and all the warriors around them didn't like that idea.

"I need to ask for a favour," he explained.

Chase looked back at his gates, probably communicating with his warriors or advisors. His desire to have nothing to do with him was no longer subtle.

"I know that as my ally, you have to give me aid when we require it, but I'm absolving you of that duty as of today. Whatever move the Circle or any other enemy makes against me is mine alone to deal with until the day I die," he swore.

Chase looked back at him with wide eyes.

"But I will still aid you should you need it," he added.

"Until the day you die? After what you did, that may not be too far away," Chase snorted.

He hadn't seen the arrogant side of the Alpha since the day he killed Kendrick.

"That's true," he admitted. "So you can see why I'm eager to get my affairs in order."

Chase lifted his gaze to look him directly in the eyes, also something he hadn't done since the Kendrick affair. And then he started to take his clothes off.

"I've never run with a King before," Chase said once he stood naked in front of him.

"First and last time. Treasure the memory," he said, turning into a trail next to the gates. "We need privacy."

He shifted quickly and started to run, keeping his pace slow so Chase could keep up. He was surprised that Cain didn't try to challenge the Alpha. But then again, he knew Cain would bear anything for Layla.

Deep in the forest, he came to a watering hole. The animals drinking there had already scurried away when they sensed his presence. He shifted and sat on a grassy patch in front of it, keeping his senses alert for intruders. They were far enough away for their conversation to remain private but he had to be extra sure.

Chase's large brown wolf walked up to have a drink before he shifted and sat, too. Chase had put some distance between them as if that would stop Cain if anything happened. But he let the Alpha do whatever he needed to feel safe.

"I hear congratulations are in order," Chase started.

"Yes. Thank you."

"I suppose that's why you've been so protective of the human," he continued, playing with a blade of grass.

"I was protective of her even before she got pregnant. I won't take up too much of your time because I need to get back to her."

"Okay. So how can I help?"

"First, you won't tell a soul what I'm about to tell you."

Cain made that order. His voice echoed through the little clearing, making Chase frown as it bound him. Alphas were supposed to be at the top of the food chain, so they never took well to being ordered.

"I'm sorry. I just need to make sure you keep it to yourself. The decision to accept or decline my offer will be yours alone. And if you accept, I will need you to make a blood oath."

"Hey, wait a minute—"

"Please hear me out."

A blood oath was a dangerous thing. If Chase ever broke his promise, his death would be quick and painful.

"Okay, fine. What do you need?"

"I need you to watch over Layla and my child. With everything that's going on in my pack, I don't think they will be safe there without you. My Beta can do the job, but he's not as strong as you. I need you to protect them as if they are part of your pack, including my witch, Beta, and Gamma."

"Why are you speaking as if certain things won't end well for you."

"Because I am certain. I was cursed to die on my next birthday."

Chase stopped playing with the grass and looked up at him. That was the first time he had ever managed to shock the Alpha speechless.