We need to get dad

We need to get dad

Solan’s POV

Jace jumps to his feet, glaring at me through his tears. “I never want to be your beta!”
I inhale, immediately realizing he's still very, very hurt.
“I’ve always known you don’t think I’m worthy,” he spits. “Even when you pretend to care, you don’t believe in me.”
I part my lips to say something but close them again.
Jace turns away, wiping his teary face.
Releasing a heavy breath, I slowly crouch down before him, forcing him to look at me.
“I’m sorry,” I say in a whisper.
His brown eyes widen in disbelief and I fight the urge to roll my eyes.
He's so dramatic sometimes… it's not like this is the first time I'm apologizing.
Okay, maybe the first time this year, but I do apologize when the need arises.

“Swear it,” he says sharply, watching me through his glassy eyes.
“What?”
“Swear by the moon that you’ll never use your aura on me again.” His voice cracks, but his jaw tightens. “Swear it, Solan.”

“I can’t,” I mutter softly.
“Can’t our you won’t,” he scoffs.
“No, I can’t,” I repeat firmly. “Sometimes it leaks out on its own, mostly when I’m angry. I can’t promise it will never happen again because I can barely control it.”

Jace glares at me. “So you did do it to humiliate me.”
“Are you listening at all?” I frown at the infuriating boy in front of me as I stand tall.

“But you've never used it on me before.” He snaps.

“I didn't like the things you kept saying and I wanted you to stop so I got mad. But I’ll get better,” I tell him truthfully.

“Don't make it sound like you have a disease.” Jace hisses and my brows furrow.
“Can you pick one, either you are mad with me, or you are worried about me.” I mutter with a frown.

“Who says I'm worried about you?” He grumbles, folding his hands across his chest.
“I promise I'll try and control myself better.” I say. “But we need to return to the pack house. It's really late.”

“You are only saying that so you can go sleep.” He mutters, studying me.

“Goddess, Jace. Do you really have to be this stubborn?”
“How am I supposed to believe you won't use your aura on me again if I follow you?”

“Well I could cause that's not the only thing I can do with it.” I say, watching how he tries to hide his curiosity.

“W..what do you mean?”

“You uh… you have to stay silent for this to work. I haven't mastered it yet.” I say gently.
“Well get on with it. It's probably not even cool.”
I draw in a slow breath, closing my eyes as the tightness in my chest loosens. Like the early morning cool breeze, a soothing chill spreads inside me.
I allow it build up for a while, before releasing it.
“W..wow,” Jace whispers.
When I open my eyes, he is indeed standing closer. I smile as pride fills my heart, knowing I'd gotten it right.
With a heavy sigh, his shoulders drop. I watch silently as those brown eyes flutter close and he exhales like he's just let go of a burden.
Never have I felt so pleased with my ability.
“Woah…this feels so cool. Can I… can I hug you.” he whispers, his eyes fluttering open.
I nod, opening my arms. The moment he steps into them, I drop my head on his.

“I’m sorry too,” he mutters softly.
“No,” I whisper into his hair. “I’m sorry, I shouldn't have treated you like that.”

“Well, I knew I sensed the aura of a white Alpha.” A cold voice slices through the night.

My body freezes up as a man strides lazily in front of us.
The atmosphere suddenly grows toxic as three other men follow him, their cold gaze fixed on us.

I hastily push Jace behind me, keeping my eyes on them, my heart pounding.
How did they get past the border?
“Stay back,” I snarl my fear doubling when I smell blood. It doesn't take long for my eyes to find the source. Their swords.

We need to get Dad.

I swiftly take a sweep of my surrounding but except I want to risk my time and Jace’s safety by snapping off a branch, I have no weapon.
This is bad.

When one of them steps forward, I take a step back, pushing Jace further behind me. I need to ensure we don't get circled. There's only four of them.

“I said stay back!” I growl, my hands tightening into fists as I take a firm stance, preparing myself for the inevitable.
“Little Alpha thinks he’s grown.” Someone hisses and the next thing I know is I'm being punched right in the throat by a fifth person I hadn't seen earlier.

“HELP!” Jace screams, picking up a stone and hurling it at the man's head as I stumble back in pain.

My mouth is suddenly filled with the taste of iron as I choke, grabbing my burning throat.

“Solan!” Jace cries when two of them grab him.
Without caring the consequences, I throw myself at them, breaking their brief contact with him by crashing into them.
One of them swings his sword but I don't flinch, instead I grab it, the way Dad thought.
Pain tears through my hand but I pull it free with a growl.
The moment I have it, I swing.

“Solan duck!” Jace yells and without asking, I do as told, impressed when a huge rock slams into the head of one of them.
The man staggers, but quickly rises with rage.

Every strike I make is countered, every thrust, averted. It's at this moment I realize these aren't rogues. These are well trained warriors.
I cry out when a sword cuts through my shoulder.
What's more terrifying is that I can't tell who struck me as all five of them close in on me.

Goddess, I'm the one they want…

“Run!” I shout at Jace who's got tears running down his eyes. “Go! Get help!” I scream when he still doesn't move.

Someone grabs my arm, forcing it behind me before kicking my spine. The moment I crash into the dirt, I try to roll away but another foot rams into my head.

“Run! Jace RUN!” I yell, relieved when Jace obeys.
I groan, scratching at the hand locked around my throat.
“Kill the fucking kid. We certainly don't need the king hot on our tails.” I faintly hear one of them grunt.

“Where's my stupid wolf when I need it!” I grit out through my bloody teeth.

“Come on, let's pull him out.”
“We need to knock him out first.”
“Well what are you waiting for?”
“Guys I lost the kid, he runs too fast.”
“No, you run like a damn pussy, that's why you lost em.”

“Come on, pull him out!”

That's the last thing I hear before I'm dragged through the dry leaves, my eyes falling shut.

Who are these men? And what do they want from me?