Chapter 131 We’ll See
Chapter 131 We’ll See
Aphrodite
“It just seems too… I don’t know. Weird, mate!”
Valdus’s voice rose as he stepped out of the bathroom and crossed the room toward the bed. I was already lying on my side, and the sheer frustration on his face pulled a smile from me.
“No,” I laughed softly. “How does that seem weird?”
He climbed onto the mattress and sat facing me, elbows on his knees. “Mate, it’s weird.”
“Valdus. How is putting Ekon as Beta right now weird?”
“He’s already going to be the next Alpha. I’m not switching Liam out for Ekon. It’s not going to happen. I’m sorry, but Liam has been my Beta for a long time. I’m not handing the title over just because the kid turns fifteen tomorrow.” The last words came out in a low growl.
“He’s going to learn more if he—”
“No.” His eyes caught the moonlight and began to glow faintly gold. “You want him to be the next Alpha? Then that’s exactly what he’ll be. He is not being raised to become Beta. If that’s what you want, go talk to Liam yourself and I’ll start looking for a different heir.”
I held his stare until the glow faded. He exhaled hard, the fight leaving his shoulders, and stretched out beside me. One strong arm slid around my waist and pulled me in until our legs tangled and our hips pressed together.
“Why would you even want that?” he asked, voice quieter now. “When I was fifteen I went on my first conquest. I helped my father take a pack, and I was the one who killed the Alpha—not some Beta in training. My father never raised me to stand behind anyone. That was his job as a parent, even though he hated almost every part of it and failed at most of the rest.”
I closed my eyes and let out a long breath. “I just don’t know how to do this, Valdus. It’s hard. I thought maybe giving him the Beta title for a while would—”
“Hey.” His thumb stroked slow circles against my back. “One thing I learned from spending half my childhood at Liam’s house is that his parents never assumed. They didn’t decide what he needed in advance. If he asked for something they let him try it, and if it was a bad idea they explained why. So stop deciding what’s good for Ekon before he even asks. Tomorrow I’ll take him to a pack that’s been testing my borders for months. Let him do what I did at his age. He’s been training with Zeke, Cadmar, and Helmer. He knows enough techniques to survive it.”
A small smile tugged at his mouth.
I lifted my hand and rested it against his cheek, searching his eyes in the dim light. “How are you better at this than me?”
“I’m trying,” he said simply.
Morning arrived too quickly.
Excitement and nerves twisted together under my ribs until I could barely breathe. This would be the first time Valdus and Ekon were alone together on a real mission—both of them intending to kill. The thought stopped me halfway down the stairs. What if Valdus’s temper finally snapped? What if Ekon’s own violence toward packmates spilled over when no one was there to pull him back?
I forced my feet to move and pushed through the front doors.
Warriors and families filled the open ground in front of the pack house, voices low as parents murmured last instructions to sons and daughters. Heads dipped and soft “Luna”s followed me as I threaded through the crowd, but I did not stop to answer. I found Valdus near the front speaking with Liam and planted myself at Liam’s side.
“You can’t go, Valdus.”
His eyebrows drew together. “What? Why?”
“I have a feeling—well, not exactly a feeling, just thoughts—”
“Aphrodite.” He smiled, the expression gentle and certain. “It’s going to be fine. I swear. You don’t have to worry.” He took my hand and rubbed his thumb slowly across the back of it. “I promise.”
I made a soft, wordless sound of protest.
Liam’s voice was calm beside me. “Luna, I believe nothing is going to happen.”
I glanced at him, then back to Valdus. “It’s not that. I just—”
“Mate.” Valdus’s tone left no room for further argument. “We have to leave right now. I promise he’ll be safe.” He pulled me against his chest, kissed me once, thoroughly, and smiled against my mouth. “Promise.”
He stepped away with Liam and moved to the head of the gathered warriors. I turned and found Ekon standing a few paces apart from the others, spine straight, gaze fixed on the treeline as though the wolves around him did not exist. I crossed to him and wrapped my fingers around his forearm. He had grown so tall that I had to tip my head back to meet his eyes.
“Hey, Mom,” he said, the smile he offered clearly forced.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Ek—”
“Look, I have to go.” He gave me a quick, stiff hug and walked straight to Valdus’s left side. Liam already stood on the right. A moment later Valdus shifted, and the entire column of warriors followed. They vanished into the trees in a dark, fast-moving river of fur.
I had kept a solid number of warriors behind, and Helmer had chosen to remain as well. Still, the sudden emptiness of the clearing left a hollow feeling in my chest. I stood staring at the woods long after the last tail disappeared. Five full minutes passed before I finally turned and walked back to the estate alone.
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Valdus
We surrounded the target pack under cover of the trees. Ekon moved at my shoulder, muscles coiled tight, fur standing along his spine. Mind-links confirmed the border patrol was already down. Ahead, the enemy’s training grounds opened under the last light of sundown. Warriors drilled in ragged lines while their Alpha paced among them, shouting corrections.
I let my claws slide free and felt the soft earth give beneath them. One low, deep growl rolled from my chest—the signal—and I launched forward.
The Alpha’s head snapped toward the sound. His eyes went wide. Around him wolves shifted in panicked bursts of bone and fur, but my own warriors were already among them, following the single order I had given.
Destroy.
I fixed on the Alpha and drove straight for him. Before I could close the distance Ekon shot past me and slammed into the larger male. Frustration ripped a snarl from my throat. That kill was mine first.
Barking, screaming, and the heavy thud of bodies filled the clearing, but my focus narrowed to the fight in front of me. Ekon and I both tore at the Alpha, teeth and claws seeking soft places. It was an unfair match and Ekon needed to stand down. When the enemy lunged for the younger wolf’s neck I clamped my jaws on Ekon’s back, hauled him off, and flung him aside.
Then I was on the Alpha.
My teeth found the thick muscle of his throat and sank deep. Bone and tendon gave under the pressure. I shook my head once, hard, and tore free a ragged chunk of flesh. The Alpha collapsed, mouth open, eyes still wide, blood pouring into the dirt in a dark, spreading pool. The copper taste flooded my mouth and dripped from my chin fur.
I turned on Ekon.
He was already on his feet, fur fully bristled, lips peeled back in a snarl of pure challenge. Disrespect burned hot in my chest. I stepped forward and snapped my teeth a hand’s breadth from his muzzle. He tried to leap; I twisted aside, slammed my shoulder into his ribs, and drove him onto his side. One heavy paw pinned his jaw, the other pressed hard against his ribs. I lowered my head until our eyes locked and released a growl that vibrated through both of us.
He growled back.
I increased the pressure.
Another warning rumble left my chest. This time the sound he gave was weaker. His body went limp and he tilted his head, exposing the vulnerable line of his throat.
I stepped off him and scanned the clearing. Every one of my warriors stood watching, eyes moving between Ekon and me. A single growl from me sent their gazes to the ground. The enemy pack lay still. Not one remained breathing.
I had no use for more territory.
I turned and started the long walk home.
When we emerged from the trees, families surged forward, searching the returning ranks for their own. Ekon kept pace at my left flank the entire way, head low, silent. The moment I saw Aphrodite I shifted and closed the distance, pulling her against me and claiming her mouth in a long, deep kiss.
“How’d it go?” she whispered when I finally eased back.
“Fine.” I smiled.
Her gaze slid past me to Ekon, who walked straight by us without a word and continued toward the estate.
“What happened?”
“Nothing really. He did fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
I don’t know about him.
But we’ll see.
We’ll see.