Dane's POV.
The thought of being in a coma for a few weeks, escaping the heartache and the gaping void in my soul, seemed almost like a relief.
Eventually, I pulled over by the pack archery building, the familiar sight offering peace. I stepped out of the car, the cool night air doing little to ease the searing pain within me.
I hastened my steps into the archery building, my frustration mounting with every stride. I needed to channel my anger somewhere, or I might end up making a rash decision I’d regret later.
As I stormed through the door, a female attendant immediately looked up and bowed her head respectfully. “Alpha Dane,” she greeted, her voice steady but tinged with apprehension.
“Is anyone else here?” I demanded curtly, my tone leaving no room for error.
“Yes, Alpha,” she replied, her voice steady but her eyes betraying her nervousness. “A few people are still around.”
“Clear the grounds,” I ordered with a sharp edge in my voice. “I want everyone gone, including the staff, except for you.”
“Understood, Alpha,” she said quickly, nodding before hurrying away to relay my instructions. As she moved swiftly to clear the area, I made my way to the archery grounds, my mind seething with rage.
I grabbed a bow and a quiver of arrows, my movements tense and deliberate.
With my anger bubbling over, I selected an arrow and notched it, my grip tightening as I aimed at the target board.
My emotions were raw, the sense of betrayal fueling my actions. I drew back the bowstring and released the arrow with a fierce thrust, watching as it struck the bullseye with a satisfying thud.
I reached for another arrow, the swift motion almost therapeutic. I took aim and released it, the arrow slicing through the air and embedding itself directly into the first arrow, splitting it cleanly.
Determined to let out all my frustration, I notched a third arrow and shot it with force, watching it pierce through the second arrow with precision.
I reached for a fourth arrow, ready to continue my release of pent-up emotions.
Suddenly, a voice interrupted my concentration. “I didn’t know you’d be here, Alpha Dane,” came a voice that made me tense. I turned sharply to see Edmond walking in, accompanied by the female attendant I had instructed to stay behind while the others left.
“My orders were clear, weren’t they?” I snapped, my irritation unmistakable. “I specifically asked you not to let anyone in.”
The female attendant’s eyes widened in alarm, and she quickly bowed her head in apology.
“I’m sorry, Alpha. I did warn him and pleaded with him not to come in, but he didn’t listen,” she said, her voice trembling with concern.
Edmond shifted uncomfortably, his eyes avoiding mine.
The attendant’s apology did little to soothe my anger, which was now heightened by the intrusion.
I turned my gaze back to the archery board, frustration still simmering beneath the surface.
“Leave!” I barked, my voice echoing with authority.
The attendant quickly retreated, her steps hurried as she exited the room, leaving Edmond and me alone.
My gaze shifted back to Edmond, who stood there, an expression of faint amusement on his face.
“It’s not like I’m just anyone, you know?” Edmond said, his hands clasped behind his back as he approached me with a measured gait.
“What do you want, Edmond?” I demanded, my tone sharp and unforgiving.
“It seems you’ve been keeping spies on me lately.”
“Keeping tabs? You flatter me, Dane,” Edmond replied, his tone casual and his smirk ever-present.
“Relax. I’m just here to shoot arrows, just like you are.”
I knew better than to take his words at face value. Edmond was always scheming, his intentions rarely as straightforward as they seemed. His presence here was no coincidence.
“Oh, is that so? Fine, then have the entire room to yourself,” I said dismissively, turning on my heel to leave.
“Wait!” Edmond called out, his hand reaching out and grabbing mine.
I frowned and glanced at his hand on my wrist. He quickly let go, realising how annoyed I was.
“I didn’t mean to grab your hand like that,” he said, his voice laced with feigned innocence.
“I’m sorry about what happened. Besides, what’s better than two men shooting arrows together?” He added with a smug grin.
I studied him for a moment, my anger simmering but my curiosity piqued. After a brief silence, I nodded slowly in acceptance.
“Fine,” I said curtly. I walked over to the archery stand and picked up a fresh apple from the small table nearby. I handed it to Edmond with a smirk.
“What’s this for?” he asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.
“You said you wanted to shoot arrows like real men, right?” I said, my smirk widening. “Take the apple and stand by the target board.”
“That’s not what I meant, Alpha Dane,” Edmond started to protest, but I cut him off.
“Oh, please, Edmond,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. “Just do as I said!” I shoved the apple into his hands, my frustration barely contained.
“You want to shoot arrows like real men?” I continued with a harsh edge in my voice.
“Then go ahead, but don’t you dare defy my orders. I’m as angry as I can be right now. Make one wrong move or say one wrong word, and I’ll aim for your heart right here and now.”
Edmond’s smirk faltered slightly as he took the apple and walked over to the target board, his demeanour showing a mix of apprehension and reluctant amusement.
Edmond swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing nervously. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words caught in his throat as he saw the steely determination in my eyes.
“Go on, stand by the board,” I said with an edge of menace in my voice.
“Don’t delay me. I could just kill you here, and no one would ever know. Or you could follow my orders. Who knows, maybe my aim will miss the apple, or maybe it won’t.”
Edmond’s face drained of colour, his previously confident demeanour replaced by a pallor of fear and desperation.
He hesitated for a moment before slowly walking to the target board, his steps unsteady.
With trembling hands, he carefully placed the apple on his head, his eyes wide with apprehension.
I watched him with cold focus, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. I reached for my bow, my movements deliberate and precise.
The bow felt heavy in my hands as I notched an arrow and drew it back, my muscles taut with concentration.
I took a deep breath, my eyes narrowing as I aimed at the apple balanced precariously on Edmond’s head.
The tension was evident, every sound amplified in the silence. My mind was a whirl of conflicted emotions—rage, betrayal, and a grim sense of resolve.
With a slow, steady exhale, I released the arrow. It sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, heading straight toward its target; Ex beta Edmond.