Adan
“Oh, I’d be glad to do the honors and marry the two you if you like!” Darius was enjoying this way too much.
“So, it was you, after all. Huh, Mason?” I asked, ignoring Darius as I pulled Brenna behind me.
Mason shrugged. “What can I say? He pays better.”
“And you, Dominic?” I let out a deep breath, shaking my head in disbelief. “Of all the people I know, you were the last person I thought would betray me.”
A small smile curled his lips. “I’m sorry it came down to this, but I have to go where Laura goes.”
“I see.” I bit my lower lip, shaking my head. “I’m just glad my father wasn’t here to see your betrayal.”
Dominic’s lips curled into a snarl. “He was a better king than you’ll ever be!”
“Probably so.” I nodded. “But there are a few things I have to know first.”
“Which is?” Dominic asked.
I narrowed my eyes. “Did you have anything to do with his death last year?”
Dominic gritted his teeth but said nothing.
“That… would be me.” Mason smiled, letting out a deep breath.
“Why? After all these years, why did you betray him like that? He trusted you!”
Mason lifted one shoulder. “It was time for a change.”
“Well, I’m glad he isn’t alive to see what you’ve both become.” I raised my chin toward Darius. “To be in league with the likes of him.”
Darius shrugged. “Adan, if you had just recognized me as the Alpha Supreme, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Oh, I’m sure it would have.” I tilted my head to the side. “So, Dominic, Mason, did you also aid in the attack on the High Claw Pack?”
Brenna’s head snapped up.
“Brenna’s Pack?” Mason chuckled.
Dominic let out a deep breath. “Anyone that wasn’t with us was against us.”
“So, you supported this idiot’s claim as the Alpha Supreme, even though he was an outsider and new to this area?”
“Idiot?” Darius growled. “I have you know that in just a few short hours, I will be in control of this Pack, too.”
I laughed without humor. “So, if anyone stands against you, you’ll just take over their Pack?”
He shrugged. “Sure! Why not? Once I take over a Pack, then I’ll appoint the new Alpha, and they will answer to me.”
“Slaves,” I snarled. “You intend to create a nation of slaves.”
Darius’s smile faded as he looked straight into my eyes. “If you won’t comply peacefully, then it’s my right to unite this area and create my kingdom.”
“Your right?” Brenna demanded, stepping around me. “It was your right to slaughter my Pack and my family?”
Darius narrowed his eyes. “Your father was one of my biggest opponents. If he would have complied, then I wouldn’t have attacked. It’s as simple as that.” He shrugged. “Since he was one of the greatest Alphas in this land, I thought the rest of the Packs would fall like dominoes once he went down.”
“You thought wrong,” I growled. “The Packs are more than just one man.”
Darius laughed. “Well, either way, by nightfall, this castle will be mine.” He looked around the auditorium, then glanced over at Brenna. “And don’t think that I have forgotten what you did!”
Brenna raised her head, a true Queen. “Your Mate died bravely in battle. She was a good warrior but not good enough. She came up against me, and she lost. It could just as easily been me to die instead.”
“You should have!” His voice boomed throughout the room.
“Enough!” I yelled, having heard all I could stand. “Darius, would you like to do this here, or shall we take it outside? Just you and me. No one interferes. Winner takes all.”
“No!” Another warrior with white hair stepped forward. “The Snow Warrior Pack is my legacy! Father, you can’t give it away! It’s mine by birthright!”
“Quiet!” Darius yelled, glaring at him. “Conner, my Pack will be yours one day, but today is not that day. Therefore, it is mine to wager or to do with as I see fit.”
Conner took a step back, clenching his jaw.
“You have a deal.” Darius chuckled as he glanced over at me, then his eyes went back to Brenna. “By tonight, you will be mine to do with as I please.” He rubbed the stubble on his chin. “Oh, I personally wouldn’t touch you with a ten-foot pole after what you did to my Mate. But I’ll let my men have their way with you, and then I’ll kill whatever’s left. That is, if you’re still alive.”
“Over my dead body!” I gritted my teeth. “Let’s do this!”
Magenta stepped close and slipped something into my pocket inconspicuously. “You may need this when the time comes.” Her eyes bored into mine as she slowly backed away.
I nodded once. “I need my sword, Darius!”
Darius burst out laughing. “A warrior has his sword with him at all times!”
“Well, I was in the middle of getting married.” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Until we were rudely interrupted.”
“Here, sire.” Knox drew his sword as he stepped forward and offered it to me. “You may use mine.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
He nodded once and then stepped away.
“Adan, no.” Brenna stepped close, keeping her voice low. “You can’t wager your father’s Pack on this. You’re in this because of me—”
“No, Darius approached me before he attacked your Compound,” I cut her off. “This has nothing to do with you.” Then I pressed my lips firmly to hers, and she opened for me, deepening the kiss. “I love you, Adan.”
A thrill ran through my body at her words. “I love you, too.” Then I looked up at Darius. “Are you ready?"
“Absolutely.” A sinister smile spread across his lips.
***
Brenna
I stopped one of the young warriors as we headed toward the practice field. “Go upstairs and get King Adan’s sword and sheath.”
“Aye!” he ran off as fast as his feet could carry him.
“Don’t worry,” Magenta whispered, slipping her arm into mine. “He’ll be fine. Trust me.”
I nodded. “I’m just scared for him. I have no doubt he’ll win.”
“He’s much stronger than you think. Adan’s probably the most powerful Alpha around.” Magenta smiled, nodding. “Also, Darius admitted to launching the attack on his father, so there’s no way Adan will let that go unpunished.”
I nodded. “I hope you’re right.”
On the practice field, Adan and Darius walked to the center, and the young warrior walked to the center of the field, held Adan's sword out to him, and bowed.
“Thank you, boy,” Adan said, taking the sword.
The young warrior bowed and then backed away.
Adan unsheathed his sword, and the polished steel glimmered in the bright sunlight. Then he pointed it at everyone present. “No one interferes. Capisci?”
“Aye!” the Moon Shadow Pack yelled in unison.
“And the same goes for the Snow Warriors Pack!” Darius yelled. “I’ve waited a long time for this, and no one will rob me of my victory! Understand?”
“Aye!”
Adan looked over at Darius, a smile lighting his lips. “Let’s dance.”