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My instincts screamed. I jerked to my feet and whirled around. Too late. A man dressed in black clothing lunged at me, swinging his claws. I dove and punched his stomach… nearly breaking my hand in the process. Was this guy made of steel?!
He chuckled as he lurched again, serving me a powerful jab that sent me down on my ass. I spat out blood and barely managed to roll to the side, avoiding his fist by a hair’s breadth. He stomped toward me, his claws extending, a feral smile stretching his lips.
Sucking in a sharp breath, I grabbed a chair beside me and threw it at him. He stumbled back, punch–drunk. I knew this might be my only chance. Claws prepared, I jerked to my feet and lunged, drawing a deep cut across his throat.
He gurgled, choking on his blood before he fell motionlessly to the floor. Panting, I stepped over him and examined his face. Shivers skidded down my spine as I realized I knew him. He was one of our warriors—one of Uncle Cyril’s bodyguards.
Before I could process what had just happened, a powerful hand clenched around my throat, lifting me a few inches above the ground. “Un…cle?” I choked out, struggling to free myself.
He tightened his grip, a devilish smile curving his lips. I tried to fight him, but my strength seemed nonexistent. A peal of sickening laughter tore through his throat. “You should have listened to your father, niece.”
He lifted me another inch and sent me flying across the room. My body crashed against the wall, rattling my insides. I heard my bones cracking, and agonizing pain followed.
My world turned black.
***
Harsh laughter assaulted my ears, forcefully dragging me to awareness. A sharp intake of air triggered a violent wave of pain. I clenched my teeth, slowly recalling what had happened. The blood, my father, his wounds, the betrayal…
Another cold laugh rang in my ears, and my eyes slowly opened. I was still in my father’s study, sitting in a chair, or rather, tied to it. The chair was placed in front of my father’s desk, now occupied by my uncle.
The sole sight of him there cracked me open, bringing more pain. He was my father’s brother, his flesh and blood. How could he betray him like that?
I lowered my head and saw dried blood staining the floor–my father’s blood. I heard my wolf howl but knew I couldn’t let myself drown in sorrow. I was tied up, wounded, and surrounded by enemies. Most of my broken bones had healed already, but I couldn’t fight. I was too weak to even free myself. But I would wait for my chance, and I would make those who plotted against my father pay.
Drawing another painful breath, I cautiously scanned the rest of the room. A few more men were comfortably splayed on my father’s sofa and chairs. I recognized two of them. They were my uncle’s loyal supporters: the bald man with a deep bronze complexion and a man with long brown hair and a scar on his left cheek. The remaining four men must have come from another pack. Fucking traitors.
7:58 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 3
:.
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“Oh! Look who’s woken up,” my uncle crooned. The bastard smiled as he leaned back in my father’s seat. He even wore my father’s mantle–the Alpha’s red mantle.
I wanted to tear it off of him. That piece of shit didn’t deserve it. My hands jerked on their own, but as I pulled the thick ropes, my skin began to burn. I hissed in pain, and all the men in the room burst into laughter.
“Careful, niece.” My uncle leaned forward, locking his eyes on mine. “The ropes were soaked in wolfsbane and silver. You will only hurt yourself if you pull.”
My claws came out, digging into the armrests. “That mantle belongs to my father!” I growled.
The men laughed again. My uncle rose to his feet and stepped toward me. “This mantle belongs to an alpha… and after your father’s tragic death, I’m the Alpha of Silver River Pack.”
“You’re no Alpha, you’re a killer!” I spat.
I barely registered a bronze–skinned warrior on my right lurching at me before a brutal punch knocked the air out of my lungs. “As the new Beta, I will not tolerate disrespect!” he roared.
I ground my teeth as another wave of pain spread throughout my body. It took me a moment before I could draw another breath. My stomach roiled as I realized what the man’s words meant. “What about… Beta Rase?” My eyes flickered between him and my uncle.
“I already informed our pack of the recent events, but guess you’re still not aware…” Uncle Cyril let out a dramatic sigh and leaned against the front of his desk. “Last night, those disgusting rebels attacked the Solamen castle. The great Alpha Eamon fought against the notorious rebel assassin known as the Shadow. Unfortunately, he failed. His Beta, Gamma, their mates, and a few ranked warriors died in that attack, too. So now I, Alpha Cyril, am taking over the pack.”
More fury rose within me. “The rebels didn’t attack the castle,” I hissed. “No one in Silver River Pack will believe it was some rebels‘ doing!”
“Oh, but you’re wrong, niece. They already believed everything I said.” Uncle’s blue eyes darkened, his lips curving into a feral grin. “We were lucky, you know? Last night, the Shadow killed the King’s nephew. It happened just outside our borders. It was easy to make everyone believe he killed your father and others,
too.”
My rage erupted. “There were no rebels in this castle, you sick bastard! You did this! The King will learn about this! The imperial warriors will come, and-”
The men in the room laughed again. One of those I didn’t recognize rose from the sofa and slowly walked toward me. “There’s no need to inform the King.” A menacing grin stretched across his face. “His warriors are already here.”
My eyes widened in terror. “W–what?”
“Oh, Orelia… you still don’t get it, do you?” A dark smirk tugged at my uncle’s lips. “I wasn’t the only one who wanted to get rid of the great Alpha Eamon… King Zyran wanted it just as badly.” Uncle smoothed his short blond hair with his fingers. “You see, my brother talked too much and opposed the King too often. The King didn’t like that, so I had to do what was best for the pack…” He leaned over me and purred, “I fixed the problem.”
7:58 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 3
87
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I jerked in my seat, ignoring the searing pain as I growled, “He wasn’t a problem! He was your brother! Your Alpha!”
“He was a fool!” Uncle thundered, and his supporters extended their claws, pointing them at me.
Their eyes burned, and I was wise enough to know that the fury inside me might get me killed. I clamped my mouth shut and drew a deep breath through my nostrils. Finally, I lowered my head and whispered, “How…? How did you do it?”
He must have raised a false alarm to make our army leave the castle and chase after the alleged rebels. That was how only a few ranked wolves had remained inside. But my father, Beta Rase, and Gamma Tyrian were all powerful warriors. Defeating them couldn’t have been that easy, unless…
“The poison,” I breathed out, recalling my father’s words. “The wine you gave us…‘
“9″
His grim smile was my response. “Clever, wasn’t it? Of course… I could have challenged my brother without it, but defeating all the rank wolves…. That would have been bothersome.”
“Coward,” I gritted out.
A cold chuckle escaped him. “No, dear niece. I merely spared myself additional trouble. Besides, I wanted it all to be done quickly.”
My claws extended further, piercing the wooden armrests. “And what about me?”
His brows rose. “You’re asking why you’re still alive?”
I slowly nodded. “You poisoned me, too, which means you were afraid I’d interfere.”
Uncle glanced at his newly appointed Beta, then at the imperial warriors. Iey laughter escaped a few of them as Uncle Cyril said, “We have plans for you.”
My insides twisted. “What… plans?”
He folded his arms across his chest and smirked. “You will marry Alpha Varian Bretomosa.”
I
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