Chapter Sixty Hers

Finn parked the SUV in the parking lot out back. He made me wait in the car until he walked around the building. His gait was slow and stiff, which made me wonder if he was injured. The winter temperatures had created a frost around other parked car windows. I loved having a parking area in the back because it made deliveries easy. Now, with the quiet cold of winter and the events of my life, this lot felt eerily. Finn's face appeared outside my window, causing me to jump. He opened my door with a sympathetic look and helped me out of the car. From the moment my foot touched the concrete, Finn was hot on my heels, giving me no personal space. I rolled my eyes. "I'm safe, Finn! You can be two steps behind me, please!" 

He was taken aback. Our breaths clouded around us as Finn's eyes darted aggressively from me to the surroundings, then back. He slowly nodded and took two very small steps back. I laughed and headed toward my shop. I unlocked the back door and punched in the security code to disarm it. Stepping into my shop felt like coming home. It was so tranquil in the way only a collection of books and bookshelves can be. I took a moment to revel in the quiet calm. This store was all mine. No one could interfere with it as It belonged solely to me. This had been my first step toward my freedom, and it would be the foundation for my next step. Even if Ollie and I didn't work out, I could still move forward with my life. Without all the appointments taking up my time and Sophie's help, I could keep the shop open and raise a child independently. Finn nodded toward the sitting area, "I'll be right here for when you are done." 

I smiled and nodded, going straight for the mail drop box area. I pulled out all the packages, locating the one I wanted, and set it aside. I go through the motions of opening the store, trying to make everything seem normal so Finn won't ask any questions. After a half hour, I'm ready to open the shop with 20 minutes to spare. I casually turned toward Finn, "I have to grab some stuff from my apartment before I open; you can wait down here as I'll just be 10 minutes." 

Finn nodded slightly. The corner of his eyes showed signs of pain, but he was constantly alert, scanning the front walk area. I grabbed the package from earlier and headed toward the door and stairs that connect both floors, taking them two at a time. I quickly open the package, rushing toward the bathroom. I read through the instructions, following each step carefully. Then, I set the stick down on the counter and leaned against the opposite wall. Two minutes. That is how long I had to wait. Two minutes until I knew for sure what my future held. The lie I'd told Ollie still felt like a lump in my throat, threatening to choke the life out of me the second the results were known. Panic erupted in my chest, and the whole world tilted. I needed a glass of water. I looked around the bathroom counter, careful to avoid the stick, and found nothing to drink water from. I felt my fingertips start to tingle as hyperventilation began to consume me. Ollie's voice echoed in that soothing tone I'd grown reliant on. Breath for me, goddess. Slow and steady. I needed to get out of here for a second.

I threw open the bathroom door, intent on getting some fresh air, collecting myself, and reading the results in that order. I marched over to the kitchen, yanked open the cupboard, grabbed a glass, and filled it with water. I let out a huge breath and then chugged the entire 8 ounces, which effectively gave me the moment I needed to force my panicked thoughts deep down. I set the glass on the counter and turned around. 

"Wow, my brother really did a number on your shoulder." 

My head whipped toward the voice, and I found a man resembling Ollie and Finn. But he was older and held dark eyes. He wore a smugly cruel half grin. It took me only a moment to figure out who this man was based on everything I knew about Ollie's family. I tilted my head and with more confidence than I felt. “Callum Conri, I presume?” 

His eyes danced with a sadistic joy. "Very clever, sweet goddess. But I prefer the title Alpha."

The instant realization that I was in extreme danger slapped me in the face. I tried to mask my panic to get to where Finn was. I stepped toward the halfway-closed door, keeping my eyes trained on Callum. His grin parted on one side to reveal unnaturally large razor-sharp teeth. Terror clutched my heart, and I stumbled to the top step, asking loudly, "How did you get in here, Callum." 

Within the time it took to take a breath, Finn was in front of me, his body shielding mine as an outraged Chad lunged out of the dark bedroom and stabbed his massive claws toward me. Finn grunted painfully as the claws dug deep into his arm. I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing came out. 

"Seriously, Chad? You are so fucking useless." Callum growled. He sauntered around my couch and sat down. Callum's dead eyes stared directly at us. Finn slumped slightly against me as Chad violently removed his clawed hand. I grabbed Finn's upper body to steady both of us. 

"Luna, this is not good," Finn whispered in my ear so low I wondered if I heard correctly. My fingers gripped my arrowhead necklace just like Ollie showed me. Finn stood at full height, fiddled with his front pocket, stealthily pulling out a phone. He barely clicked two spots before Chad punched the phone from his hand. Chad pulled his hand back when the phone shattered against the wall and aimed to punch Finn again. I reached out and sliced with the arrowhead, making a tiny scratch on the back of Chad's hand. He chuckled at my attempt to defend myself. So I used all my strength and threw my uninjured fist at him. Chad easily pushed my hand aside, but not before the bladed edge scrapped his forearm again. 

"Do you really think you can keep me from my prize with a necklace?" Chad cackled like a villain from a Disney movie. I flinched when Finn's hand grasped my hip, turning me slightly and pushing me behind his back. From this point, I could see how deep the wound on his upper arm/shoulder truly was. I bite my cheek to push back the tears that threatened to spill over. I would be no use to Finn as a blubbering mess. I wished my dress had pockets, but my phone was downstairs on the counter. 

"Your majesty. Your grace, you are running short on time. I did my part, now, if you would be so kind as to get her out of here." My mother said in a bored tone as she ascended the staircase. I looked over Finn's shoulder at her and realized how fucked this whole situation was. She was working with Chad and Cal. The gears in my head started turning, and a light bulb went off in my mind. My mother had always worked with Cal. She believed Callum to be the true Alpha King. She wanted my power to put him on the throne. 

Finn stared at his eldest brother with an unreadable expression, "Alpha King will kill you this time, Cal." 

Cal laughed darkly, unrestrained, "I don't give a fuck what that sack of shit will do. He stole what was rightfully mine and murdered our father." 

"I'm not disagreeing with you, brother, but you are making a grave mistake right now." Finn's grip on my arm tightened, and I felt his body shaking. "I don't want to fight you, but if you continue to try to come at Luna, I will fight you until my dying breath." 

There was a quiet pause before all three burst out laughing. I knew we were outnumbered, out-muscled, and out-skilled. I could feel how terrified Finn was. I looked at Chad's hand, seeing the small cut still bleeding. That meant the poison was working slowly. It also meant we had time to get out of this. I needed to protect Finn. I took one step to the side so I could see Cal fully. His darkly murderous gaze landed on me, and I held it directly, "Before anyone starts fighting, what are your plans for me, Cal?" 

A silent rage washed over Cal's face for a moment before returning to that messed-up half-smile, "You will address me as Alpha." 

I raised my eyes and blew out a breathy scoff, "What are your plans for me, *Alpha*?" 

His face fell in sadistic fury. "I need that power inside of you. I can't take it, transfer it, or channel it now that you have unlocked it. I can, however, breed it out of you and train the child from birth to obey its King." 

Chad stepped forward with a greedy desire, "That is my prize. See, the true Alpha King cannot mix his pure blood with a half-breed. But I certainly don't mind getting a little dirty. It's all for the moon goddess." 

I couldn't keep the vomit that was crawling up my throat down and threw up all over the floor, making sure to project it in Chad's direction. As my breakfast erupts all over the floor and Chad's leather shoes, his face twists into disgust. I glare up at him with a small satisfied look, "I hope that's dirty enough for you because you will never touch me, you disgusting asshole." 

Finn weakly chuckled, pushing me back behind him fully seconds before all hell broke loose. Chad lunged at Finn, who swiftly countered every move he made. I did my best to stay behind Finn while looking for an opportunity to strike again with my necklace. This was all I could do as I had no fighting skills. Finn picked up Chad and slammed him into my recliner chair, successfully splitting it in half. Chad kicked the coffee table, shoving it across the floor and smashing it into Finn's legs. Finn fell over a second before Cal stepped over the table and pressed his foot down hard against Finn's chest. 

I could hear the snap as a rib broke. I leapt at Cal's back. My necklace stuck on my dress, so I dug my fingernails into his eye sockets. He howled, stumbling back and slamming me against the far wall. I toppled to the ground and tried to crawl my way down the hall. Finn was suddenly in front of me, pulling me up to my feet and shoving me toward the hallway. I had a fleeting thought about the pregnancy test and its results. 

Suddenly an annoyed, "This is taking too fucking long, Alpha!" sounded next to me as Mother appeared, stabbing Finn's neck with a needle. I screamed, stabbing my arrowhead into Mother's leg before Chad lifted and threw me against the nearest wall. A second later, the back of his hand connected with my face, throwing me to the ground again. My chain had broken, and my arrowhead pendent lay before me. I clutched it with my broken hand. Chad's fist connected with my skull again and again. I raised my arms to defend myself. Chad crouched before me with that sadistic grin and said, "You are going to be so fun to break." 

The last thing I saw before I passed out was the bottom of Chad's foot.