83. Empty

83. Empty
Torin’s pov

“We can’t have a human running our pack.”

“You’re distracted!”

“What if she reveals our secrets to her kind?!”

“You’re risking everyone’s safety for love!”

“How can someone like her protect us if something happens!”

“She’s not even here right now to stand by your side. What kind of Luna is she?”

I let their words run over me, fueling my anger. But Dad taught me to never make a decision in anger.

If I turned on my people now, I would prove everyone right.

As much as I wanted to walk away, I still felt responsible for my people, and I couldn’t let Alpha Felix lead them into a life filled with hardship and poverty. I had helped this pack become great, and to just throw it away… it felt wrong.

But I wasn’t sure I wanted to lead them anymore.

My people succumbed to fear so easily. Instead of trusting me, their leader, they trusted the fearmongering of the council.
And it wasn’t just me they didn’t trust. Even the Moon Goddess, who chose Raelyn as my mate, wasn’t trusted, apparently.

They didn’t want Raelyn when she was human, so they didn’t deserve her as a werewolf.

I cleared my throat, waiting for everyone to calm down.

“It is clear my leadership has been under scrutiny. And perhaps rightly so. The council has given me the choice of rejecting my mate or giving up my title. Do you agree with their assessment?”

The crowd began to murmur as someone shouted yes; others seemed unsure.

“I do wonder if my mate were a werewolf, would you still feel I was distracted? Would you still doubt my leadership capabilities?” I asked my people. “How would rejecting my mate somehow earn that trust back?”

I don’t think they expected me to be so calm. I don’t think they expected me to ask them in-depth questions.

Dad had always said running a pack is like running a business, so I chose to treat this pack meeting as a business meeting. Although it felt a lot more like they were personally attacking me, it was easier not to get emotional if I ignored my feelings and made my decision based on logic.

Raelyn’s therapist probably had some opinions about this, but, well, she’s not here right now.

There wasn’t a clear response, so I motioned for everyone to be quiet once more.

“It seems you don’t just think Raelyn lacks the capability of being your Luna, but that I, too, am unworthy of the title? If that is the case, the decision is clear.”

Alpha Felix stood to the side, smirking at my words.

There were some people who were shaking their heads, urging me to reconsider. This wasn’t a unanimous decision.

“For this reason, I, Alpha Torin, hereby relinquish the title of Alpha. Henceforth, my beta, Colton, will lead the pack.”

Colton looked at me with wide eyes, “um, what?”

“Beta Colton, do you accept the title of Alpha and all the responsibilities that come with it?” I asked.

Colton walked towards me while he mindlinked me, ‘what the hell, man?’

“No!” Alpha Felix shouted. “This pack is mine!”

“Isn’t it the beta’s responsibility to step up when the alpha is incapable of leading?” I smirked at the fool.

“I challenge you to a duel for the title!” He growled.

“Who, me or the new alpha Colton?” I teased. I hope he chooses me. Felix’s face would be a great outlet to release my anger on.

“Colton,” Felix quickly shouted. I guess Felix isn't as stupid as he looks.

Colton stood next to me, and I grabbed his hand; my index finger shifted to a claw, and I sliced his palm open and then that of my own.

“Do you accept?”

“Yes.” Colton said. I placed my hand against Colton, our blood mingling as the leadership of the pack transferred to my beta.

My title didn’t just transfer to Colton; so did some of my power. My ability to mindlink everyone at once, my connection to all my people, and some of my strength. It felt very strange. I felt empty.

All that responsibility, gone…

I took a deep breath and another, letting myself really feel my body.

I never realized how much that responsibility to the pack weighed.

Maybe empty wasn’t the right word. I felt lighter.

Felix walked towards Colton, anger clear on his face. “Do you accept my challenge, or are you scared?”

I began to chuckle, which turned into a loud laugh. Everyone looked at me like I was crazy, but who cares? I’m not their leader anymore.

“What is so damn funny?!” Felix growled at me.

“You came here as some hero, ready to save the pack from a human Luna. But my former beta, Alpha Colton here, is happily mated to a werewolf. He’s responsible, trusted, and well-loved by the pack. He is the perfect candidate for an alpha, wouldn’t you agree?”I looked at the crowd. Most of them nodded, although they still seemed surprised by the chain of events.

“So?” Felix growled. I could see the council nearby already realizing what I was going to say.

“If you challenge Colton to a duel, you will not be seen as a hero, but as an aggressor, and all my, sorry, the pack’s allies will see this as an attack.” I said, “you are clearly not here to help this pack; you are just here to claim the land. I wonder if this pack wants to join yours and all that your leadership entails or if they'd rather keep everything mostly as it was.”

People in the crowd stared at Felix. Their so-called savior… But who was he saving them from now?

The scary human Luna was gone, and so was I. So to try and take over our pack now could lead to a war not just between our two packs, but all our allies.

Richard spoke before Felix could, “um, perhaps…”

“You fucking promised! You and that bitch told me this would be easy. That he’d never choose the pack over his human slut.”

“Now… now…” Colton said. “Torin isn’t the alpha anymore, but he still packs quite a punch, so to insult his mate isn’t the best idea.”

“You…” Felix growled.

“I think that you've overstayed your welcome, Alpha Felix. Now, leave, or I and my soldiers will make you leave.”Colton said, motioning for the soldiers near the stage to come closer.

Felix stormed off, “this isn’t over!”

I was sure it wasn’t. But for now, the crisis has been averted.

‘So, you want the title back or what?’ Colton asked.

I shook my head, ‘no. It's yours. But don't get cocky. This is just a band-aid. A quick fix. Richard and the council aren't done with their plans. And I'm sure Felix will come back, probably with an army. You need to get ready. I'm sorry to leave you with this mess.’

‘It's fine. But what are you going to do?’

‘I need a break.’ I looked behind Colton to see the council staring at me. ‘And I don’t trust Richard or Felix to just let me and my family go this easily. My bloodline has ruled this pack for decades. We’ll always have a claim, and Richard knows you’re still loyal to me.’

‘So what is your plan?’ Colton asked.

‘Kick me out.’

‘What?!’

I smiled at my friend, ‘if you need me, I’ll come running. But you can’t be the alpha you need to be if I’m around. And while I hate my pack for what they did to me and Raelyn, I still care about them. If it’s not me to lead them, then I’m happy it’s you.’

Colton nodded and then turned his attention to the pack, “my first act as Alpha will be to ban all humans from the Midnight Moon pack.”

“Then you are banishing me as well. I will never leave Raelyn behind,” I growled at my best friend.

“So be it. You have made your choice,” Colton replied. “Escort former Alpha Torin to the border.”

‘Oh, by the way, Willow is with my family as well.’ I quickly told Colton.

‘Will her spells be intact while she’s gone?’ Colton asked as he motioned a few guards to come to the stage. Nice performance.

“I don’t need an escort. I’ll leave on my own,” I growled and winked at my friend. ‘They should be, but I’ll ask her to head back soon.’

‘Thanks, man. See you soon.’ Colton replied.

I stormed off, shifting into my wolf, and jumped through the glass window of our town hall. ‘Sorry for the damages. You can put it on my account.’

Colton just laughed, ‘enjoy your break.’

‘Thanks, Alpha Colton.’ And I was gone. I ran to the border, not looking back.

I didn’t just leave because of Colton. I left because I had insulted Felix’s pride and messed with his plan. A guy like that will want revenge.

And a guy like that doesn’t play fair. He won’t just go after me; he’ll go after the people I love.

If we stay, it could cause even more problems for Colton and the pack. Besides, Raelyn has been asking me to spend some time away from the pack, and now she finally has her wish.