Chapter 37: Beast

Peter stood with his arms folded, a smile on his face like he already won. His voice carried across the empty Vegas Corner street.

“So tell me, Damien. Are you really ready to give up your power as a true Alpha, just to save Cole?”

Everyone went still. The night air was cold, but the weight of Peter’s words made it feel even heavier.

Damien’s eyes narrowed. His chest rose and fell fast, but his voice was steady. “Cole isn’t just someone to me. He’s my friend, even though we have differences, I won’t let him stay like this.”

Peter let out a laugh that echoed against the broken walls around them. “Your friend? He’s nothing but a broken boy. You are the strongest Alpha alive, and you’d throw that away for him? You could lead packs, defeats supernaturals, crush enemies but instead you choose this?” He pointed at Cole, who was standing stiffly by the wall, his eyes red and empty.

Cole shook his head slowly, guilt swimming in his face. “I never taught you cared about me but don’t risk everything for me.” His voice cracked.

Maya stepped forward quickly, shaking her head. “No, Cole. You are worth it. You’ve always been part of us. You belong here.”

Peter rolled his eyes. “How touching but let me explain what Damien’s really facing. If he bites Cole, then yes… Cole will return to being human but Damien will lose all his Alpha power. He won’t shift again. He won’t lead again. He’ll be weaker than the human boy standing there.” His eyes flicked to Jack.

Jack frowned, trying to stand tall even though his stomach twisted. “Hey, leave me out of this.” His voice shook a little.

Peter smirked. “You see? Is that what you want, Damien? To fall so low that even Jack could stand above you?”

Neo growled from the side, his golden eyes glowing. His claws slid out, ready for a fight. “Don’t let him get in your head, Damien. That’s what he wants. He wants you confused.”

Bryce stepped forward too, his muscles tense. “Say the word, Alpha, and we’ll tear him apart. You don’t have to listen to this.”

But Damien lifted a hand, stopping them. His gaze never left Peter. “I’m not making my choice because of you, Peter. I’ll make it because it’s the right thing to do.”

Lyra’s bow was raised, an arrow already fitted, but her voice was calm. “Whatever choice you make, Damien, we’re with you but decide fast. Cole’s running out of time.”

Cole’s breathing was heavy now, his body shaking like he was fighting something inside him. His claws twitched, and he leaned against the wall, eyes glowing faintly. “I can’t… hold it back much longer.”

Peter tilted his head, smiling wide. “Yes, give in, Cole. Let the hybrid side finish what I started.”

Maya’s heart pounded as she looked at Damien. “Please, do something. If we wait, we’ll lose him.”

Damien stepped closer to Cole, his hand hovering in the air like he was reaching for him but afraid to touch. He turned his head slightly, looking at his friends. “If I bite him, I’ll lose my power. Everything I am… gone.”

Everywhere went silent again.

Nate’s deep voice broke it. “Power isn’t who you are. You’re Damien before you’re Alpha. You’ve always been our friend first.”

Neo nodded. “We’ll fight for you, no matter what. Alpha or not.”

Jack stepped closer too, though his voice shook. “Yeah… and I’ll fight too. Even if I’m just human, I’m not letting you stand alone.”

Lyra lowered her bow slightly, her eyes soft but firm. “We’ll keep fighting, Damien. All of us but you have to make the choice only you can make.”

Peter clapped his hands slowly, mocking them. “So much loyalty. So much stupidity. You’re all ready to throw away everything for a boy who doesn’t even want to be saved.”

Cole’s voice broke through, trembling. “I do want to be saved… but not at this price. Damien, please. Don’t do it. Don’t lose yourself because of me.”

Damien turned back to Cole. His chest was heavy, his heart beating like drums inside him. He thought about the battles he fought, the power that marked him as Alpha, the responsibility that came with it. He thought about the nights they spent as friends, Cole always at his side, always laughing even when life was hard.

He couldn’t let Peter win. He couldn’t let Cole stay trapped.

Damien reached forward, gripping Cole’s shoulders firmly. Cole’s eyes widened, panic and hope colliding.

“No…” Cole whispered, shaking his head. “Don’t do this.”

“I have to,” Damien said, his voice low but certain. “You’re my friend. I won’t let you go.”

Peter’s eyes shone with sick joy as he leaned back, watching. “Yes. Do it. Destroy yourself.”

Cole struggled weakly against Damien’s grip, but he was too tired, too broken to resist. Tears slid down his face as he whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Damien closed his eyes, his fangs sliding out as he leaned closer. He could feel Cole trembling beneath him. Others stood frozen, watching the choice that would change everything.

Then Damien sang his teeth into him, His fangs sank into Cole’s shoulder, and Cole gasped, his claws scraping against the wall. A rush of energy pulsed between them, sharp and burning. Cole’s glow flickered, then began to fade.

Damien pulled back, his lips stained red. Cole’s eyes fluttered, the hybrid glow leaving him. He collapsed to his knees, breathing hard but human again.

Everyone gasped in shock and relief.

But before they could move, Damien staggered back, his body trembling. His vision blurred, his chest heavy like the air itself was crushing him. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground.

“Damien!” Maya screamed, rushing forward.

Peter’s laughter echoed through the night, cold and cruel. “And so the Alpha falls.”

Damien’s eyes fluttered weakly as the world spun, and then he went still.