Chapter 54

Jade I couldn't believe what Hunter had just said. He was the rightful alpha of Phoenix's pack and he wanted to take it back. That would put Ruby in danger. It was her pack now as well. Even though Ruby could be stubborn at times I had no doubt in my mind that she had feelings for her mate somewhere deep down. Even after what he did to her. I was conflicted. Part of me understood why Hunter felt so strongly. It was what he had wanted for so long. He had suffered so much. I could see the pain in his eyes, he wasn't a rogue. He was broken because of all he had lost. That pack belonged to him. He couldn't just forget about it. His family had been the leaders of that pack. They had lost their lives and he had to grow up without them because of greed, it wasn't fair. The blood of an alpha ran through his veins. He was born to lead. The other side of me also understood why it was wrong for him to seek vengeance. Innocent lives would be lost. There was no doubt about it. Phoenix would not take kindly to being ambushed, bloodshed was inevitable. And then there was my sister. Had she grown attached to the pack already? Started making friends? This was a disaster waiting to happen.

"You don't have to say anything," he said bringing me out of my thoughts. "I told you it would be dangerous. I know Ruby is like a sister to you. I see how close the six of you are. I couldn't ask you to go against them. They will try to stop me if they feel she is danger, which she will be. I'm sorry about that. I wish it wasn't the case. But there is nothing either of us can do to change who her mate is. You don't have to stand with me on this, I understand. Just know that either way Phoenix will be killed by my hands." I heard the determination in his tone. He was completely serious about killing Phoenix. He was going to kill my sister’s mate. No matter what anyone else said, I knew killing Phoenix would in turn kill Ruby. He may be a psychotic asshole, but they were made for one another.

"Hunter please you can't. It'll destroy her." I had to reason with him. I couldn't let this happen.

"I have to do this. I need to do this. I'm sorry beauty. There is nothing you can say or do to stop me. I told you I was wrong for you, that I would only cause you pain. You should have listened. You should have accepted my rejection." Suddenly I couldn't breathe. Hearing those two words in the same sentence was almost enough to bring me to my knees. They kept playing in my mind like a broken record. 'Accept' and 'rejection' were the only words that registered.

"How could you say that? After all we've been through. You know I love you Hunter. I always have."

"I know. You don't understand how deep my love is for you. You could never understand what you've done to me, how you've changed me in just this short time. I never wanted to hurt you. It has always been my biggest fear next to you leaving me. Looking at you now I see how conflicted you are. How much pain I'm causing you. I wish there was another way, but there isn't. This is the way it has to be." He was about to walk away when I stopped him.

"What about my biggest fear? Did you think about what would happen to me if you died during this? Phoenix's pack is strong and there is a chance that you won't come back to me. I could lose two of the most important people in my life in one battle. Or did that not occur to you?" His expression hardened and I knew that the thought of being defeated angered him.

"I won't lose. I won't fail. I can't."

"You know it's a possibility as well as I do. This a war. Death will occur and there is no way of knowing whose lives will be lost. This is why war is pointless. It only brings pain and destruction. Nothing good can come from this. Just please let it go. We can start our own pack, have a fresh start together. You can be the alpha you were meant to be without all of this." I know he said that there was nothing I could say or do, but I wouldn't just give up.

"I'm sorry" was the last thing he said before he walked away. What was I going to do?