133

Dickson

I could still taste blood in my mouth. The sting of the former Beta’s punches throbbed in my jaw, but it was nothing compared to the satisfaction burning inside me.

I had won.

Not in the way I expected, my hands weren’t drenched in Lucas’s blood, and I hadn’t torn apart the wolves who had ruined my mate, but I had still won.

That bastard of an Acting Alpha was humiliated.

The pack he longed to rule didn’t even acknowledge him. The former Beta had dismissed him like an annoying pup.

Lucas’s rage had been almost tangible, thick in the air like a storm waiting to break, but he was powerless.

His pride had been stepped on by his friend’s father, and his weakness was laid bare. And that, more than anything, made my wolf purr in satisfaction.

Scar’s fingers tightened slightly around my arm as we left, her touch grounding me. She was still shaking, but her eyes gleamed with something I had never seen before, revenge.

She had stood her ground, unleashed her fury, and made Lucas taste the consequences of his actions. The bastard deserved worse. My wolf wanted to turn back and rip him apart piece by piece, but I knew it wouldn’t be possible, not now, at least.

“Let it go,” Scar murmured, as if sensing my violent urges. “The former Beta is still there.” It was as if she was trying to console me.

I let out a low breath, forcing myself to focus. I had to be smart about this. Killing Lucas now would be too easy. No, he needed to suffer the way he had made her suffer, slowly, painfully, until he had nothing left.

I could annihilate him and his entire pack. The thought of ruling over all werewolves, crowning myself king, sent a thrill through me. An evil smile curved my lips. Soon, everyone would bow before me in respect.

Scar turned her gaze up at me, her expression unreadable. “We will leave today, but not in the future.”

I exhaled sharply. “Not by choice. I only let him go today because of that bastard. He destroyed my plan.”

I wasn’t a fool. Fighting the former Beta wasn’t a battle I would win easily. Not yet. The old wolf was still stronger than me, experienced in ways that mattered.

But one day, I would surpass him. I had already clawed my way to the top once, I could do it again.

Scar let out a soft, humorless laugh. “You still won, though.”

I turned to her, curiosity flickering in my chest. “Why do you say that?”

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes dark with something dangerous. “Because you destroyed him without even touching him.”

My eyes wandered over her, my wolf stirring at the sight. She was so much like me, and I silently thanked the goddess for mating me to someone so perfect. We complemented each other in every possible way.

“You’re beautiful,” I told her again, watching her cheeks flush.

“Thank you,” she whispered, glancing away shyly. “You’re handsome as well.”

I longed to kiss her right there, but the moment wasn’t right.

“My beta is waiting outside,” I informed her.

“Okay. I can’t wait to meet your people.”

I wished I had known her when I still commanded my people. I could have given her everything, treated her like the queen she was meant to be, loved and cherished her properly. But now, that wasn’t possible.

I couldn’t provide the life she deserved. She could only remain with me in that depressing place.

“Alpha,” my beta called as he spotted us. He rushed to my side, offering support. His gaze met Scar’s. “Who is she, sir?”

“That is my Luna,” I announced. “I’m fine. You can release me.”

My wolf had been healing me steadily, and I felt completely restored now.

“Luna,” he said in surprise.

I smirked, a cold satisfaction filling me at his reaction. “Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

“Ha. No...” He trailed off, his eyes wide with disbelief. “I’m just surprised.”

“Surprised that I have a Luna, or what?” I challenged, straightening my clothes before possessively clasping Scar’s hand. The touch of her skin against mine sent a wave of fierce protectiveness through me.

“I…”

“Shut up,” I howled, rage boiling inside me as I cut him off. My patience had faded completely. “Let’s start going.”

“What about your request?” Henry asked tentatively. “Did the Alpha accept?”

“No,” I muttered, bitter disappointment and resentment honing my words. “That bastard refused.”

I arrived here full of hope, believing he would accept and assist me. However, I was once again overwhelmed by the weight of rejection.

I recalled the first time I came here to ask for his help and the sharp sting of his immediate refusal. His blunt response felt like a slap in the face.

On that fateful day, my beta and I arrived at Stone Ridge Pack.

“Are you the one that requested me?” he asked as soon as he walked inside. His eyes darted around disdainfully, searching for something that wasn’t there.

Was I too insignificant for him to see? Rage burned through me. When I was commanding and governing my pack, he was still breastfeeding, and this worthless creature dared to be arrogant in my presence.

“Yes, Lucas,” I said, rising to my feet with forced politeness. “Nice to meet you.”

We never had any business before. In fact, I had never exchanged a single word with him. All my dealings had been with his father, not this insolent pup. If not for the strange illness the Alpha had, who would bother with trash like him?

I extended my hand, a gesture of goodwill that cost me my pride, but he rejected it, strutting to his chair. Fury simmered beneath my skin as I watched him sit down before he spoke again.

“Lucas,” he repeated, watching me like I was prey, attempting to force his Alpha tone on me. My wolf snarled within. Like, seriously?

He is such an idiot. Acting like an Alpha, he thought he was truly one. Does he even know what comes with that title?

“Alpha Lucas,” I corrected myself, the words almost choking me. I needed his help, and I could swallow my pride until then.

“Good. So tell me.” He paused, his eyes roaming all over me with contempt that made my blood boil. “How did a dead person rise from the dead?”

His question shocked me to my bones, cold fear instantly replacing my anger, but I pushed it aside.

“I’m not here for that. Let’s leave that for another day,” I replied.

“Okay. As you wish. So tell me, why are you here in my pack, Alpha Dickson?”

“I’m here to seek your help," I started, outlining my revenge plot against Crescent Pack. Hope surged within me as I spoke of the long-awaited justice.

I needed his assistance to make it happen, holding onto the slim chance of success. However, my hope shattered when he swiftly turned me down, not even acknowledging my past help when his father was in need.

“Let’s leave that, Henry. We need to leave this place.”

“Yes, sir.”

I masked my scent before turning into my wolf.

“Here,” I told Scar, my voice gentler than usual. “Climb on me.” I slowly bent down, making it possible for her to climb onto me. When she was comfortable, a strange sense of rightness settled over me. I began running.

My wolf purred with deep satisfaction as Scar rubbed its fur. This was new.

This feeling was new to me - a warm, protective joy that spread through my chest, making my heart race not with anger but with something sweeter.

After hours of running, we finally reached our home. I let Scar down before shifting back into my human form, shame crawling up my spine as I faced the reality of what I was offering her.

“We’re here,” I announced, unable to meet her eyes, my voice hollow with embarrassment.

“Here?” Scar said. I turned around to face her, my stomach dropping at her expression. The shock and disgust in her eyes pierced deep into my soul.

I had expected disappointment, but the horror on her face crushed something fragile inside me; hope I hadn’t realized I still possessed.

“You mean this rotten and creepy place, Dickson?”