Alpha Jack
un
The scent of my mate still clings to me as I force myself to walk away from the black hole of misery.
56%
-20)
My wolf howls in frustration, barely restrained, desperate to claim what is his. Every instinct in me screams to run to the Mating Room, to find her waiting -ready—to complete the bond and start the future we were destined for–bearing strong male pups.
I have waited long enough. I will not waste another second.
But duty calls.
I was supposed to meet with a messenger from the royals—sent by the Alpha King himself–when I caught her scent. In that instant, nothing else had mattered. Not even the damn Alpha King. I had run to her like my life depended on it, unwilling to risk losing her before I even knew her.
And what did I find?
My mate, locked away in the most dangerous part of my pack. The very place I had forbidden my warriors from using to imprison women. And yet, my
own cousin–my trusted commander–had dared to put her there.
Another reason why he had to die.
I stalk through the pack house, my boots striking hard against the stone floors. Warriors step aside as I pass, some lowering their heads in submission,
others stiffening under the weight of my fury. They know better than to cross me when I’m like this.
By the time I reach my office, my muscles are wound tight with barely restrained rage. I push open the door, my voice low and rough.
“I’m late.”
Then I freeze.
Sitting in my chair, with his useless leg stretched out before him and his hands resting on that damned walking stick, is the one man I despise more than anyone. My uncle.
His twisted smirk ignites my fury all over again. The bastard looks too comfortable, as if he owns the damn place.
A scowl twists my face as I step inside, shutting the door with more force than necessary. “What the hell are you doing here?”
My body is tense, ready to rip him apart if necessary. He doesn’t bother hiding the hatred in his eyes. Good. The feeling is mutual.
“Now, now, Jack. Is that any way to greet family?” His fingers tighten around the handle of his cane.“I’m here on behalf of the Alpha King,” he continues smoothly, his tone laced with venom. “I serve as the King’s messenger now, assigned to various packs–including yours. That’s the Alpha King’s message for you.”
A harsh laugh escapes me as I shake my head in disgust. “That’s a fucking lie. What use does the Alpha King have for a crippled old man?” My gaze drops pointedly to his leg–the one I shattered when I ripped his position from him. “You’re useless.”
“Is that so?” he muses, tilting his head. “You think the Alpha King would waste his time on a cripple?” He taps his cane against the floor, the sound echoing through the room. His lips twitch into something like a smile, but his eyes remain calculating. “You may have destroyed my legs, but my mind remains sharp. And knowledge, dear nephew, is far more powerful than brute strength.”
I step closer, my fingers twitching with the urge to wrap around his throat. “So what? You got on your knees and kissed the Alpha King’s ass for a scrap of authority? A sliver of power? Hoping you could crawl your way back here and try to challenge me again?”
His smile falters—just for a fraction of a second–before twisting into something more menacing. “Oh, Jack. Still the same arrogant little boy.” His voice is almost pitying, but his eyes gleam with malice. “But let me be the first to congratulate you on finding your mate again.”
1/2
16:36 Thu, 19 Jun
Chapter 14
My jaw tightens involuntarily at the mention of her. I don’t respond, and that only encourages him.
56%
“I hear she’s different this time. A wild beast that needs taming. That must be why you killed my son–your own cousin just because he insulted her. Called her a stupid bitch, wasn’t it?” He leans forward his eyes dark with satisfaction. “But I think that wasn’t the only reason you killed him. Was it revenge, Jack? For your father? Because we both know your pathetic mate wasn’t worth that much blood.”
20
A growl rips from my throat before I can stop it. My vision darkens at the edges, my wolf clawing to the surface. I slam my hands onto the desk, the wood creaking under the force.
“If you’re so eager to join your son, keep talking,” I snarl. “I’ll make sure you both rot in the same grave.”
He chuckles. “Tsk, tsk. You can’t kill me so easily anymore. I belong to the royals now. Lay a finger on me, and you challenge the Alpha King himself.”
Igrit my teeth. That bastard knows exactly what he’s doing. And worse? He’s right. The Alpha King is the only man I respect–the direct descendant of the Moon Goddess–the only one I wouldn’t challenge without cause. But that doesn’t mean I won’t find a way to crush this piece of shit.
My uncle watches me, savoring my silence like a man sipping fine wine. “You may think you’re the most ruthless Alpha,” he muses, “but the Alpha King? He’s something else entirely.”
I tilt my head, studying him. “What kind of deal did you make to get in his good graces?”
A smirk pulls at his lips. “Worry about taming your little mate first. And if you can’t handle her…” He pauses, his gaze darkening with something vile. “Then hand her over to me. I’ve always been good at taming bitches like her. Just like I did with your first.”
The next thing I know, my hand is around his throat, lifting him from the chair. His cane clatters to the floor as he chokes, his fingers clawing at my wrist. I savor the panic that flickers across his face, my wolf howling in approval, urging me to snap his neck like a twig.
“If you ever lay eyes on my mate–if you so much as breathe in her direction–I will rip your fucking tongue out and feed it to the crows.” My voice is deadly quiet, but the promise in it is undeniable.”
His throat bobs as he swallows, but the smugness returns too quickly. “Ah, so the great Alpha Jack is already whipped,” he taunts, his voice strained from my grip. “How cute.”
I shove him back into the chair with a growl, my jaw tightening. “Get out of my sight before I stop giving a damn about royal consequences.”
He picks up his cane slowly, adjusting his clothes with deliberate arrogance. “I’ll take my leave,” he says, smirking. “But remember, nephew–mates are weaknesses. If you don’t break her like you did to your first, she will break you.”
I don’t respond.
I just watch as he limps out of my office, my hands still trembling with the urge to snap his neck.
Mates are weaknesses?
No.
My mate will be my greatest strength–once I tame her into the perfect, submissive Luna.
2/2
