Chapter 15

"Where is he?!" I hollered. My eyes glowering over Gabriel's calm status as I crossed the Pack boundaries only to be welcomed by my Beta.

"You need some rest Kevin. Demonstrating fierceness at this stage is not needed." Gabriel calmly stated. Remaining firm in his position but my rage only worsened. I was almost beaten to death and my Beta had the audacity to tell me to relax?!

"That bastard and his two idiots he calls friends almost killed me last night!" I barked causing the guards meters away to quiver and the little birds to storm into the air.

"I know!" He answered. I could clearly see gloominess imprinted over his face, but I cared less.

"Walker informed me about the attack and we arrested them yesterday."

I huffed and was about to brush past him when he held me back with his hand. Holding my gaze so I found it impossible to waver.

"I understand you're hurt and angry." He said in a calm voice again. "I also know that you're planning to kill them this moment, but you need to calm down. Think carefully before you start making rash decisions."

"My rash decision is final." The corner of my lips lifted into a devilish smile before brushing past him. Yet again, he held me back. His right hand was clutched to my right wrist. My eyes flashed for a brief moment a dazzling shade of threatening yellow as I glared at him.

"Let go of me." I bellowed in the most devilish voice. At this point, my head were completely void of thinking except clusters of fury and vengeance.

"Kevin, I won't let you do something stupid to your family."

"Gabriel!" I yelled while my left fingers elongated into black claws as I raised it towards my Beta. Surprisingly, someone held me back. My breaths ceased whilst realization struck me as my eyes caught glimpse of Uncle Walker. Standing in my front, with his right hand effortlessly holding my left-hand midair. And for the first time in years, his strength overpowered mine.

"Let go of me old man!" I ordered icily to his stern expression, but he didn't bulge just like Gabriel.

"Your body is still recuperating so you might wanna rethink fighting." He responded. I glanced between both of them, holding my hands regardless of my struggle but soon I gave up. I was indeed still weak from my injuries.

My breaths reverted back to normal and the rage once lit in my eyes vanished. I only managed to subdue the burning thirst within me to a point.

"Just because you're Alpha doesn't mean you're supreme." Uncle Walker said as he quietly let me go alongside Gabriel.

"Alphas are supposed to be wise. There's a time for love, a time for hatred, a time for peace and a time for war. And in this case this is the time for peace."

"Peace? Are you even hearing yourself old man!" I growled, the fire within me rekindling again from his atrocious words.

"You killed his Father—"

"It was a fair fight!" I briskly raised my voice against his.

"A duel to death. I asked the idiot to yield but he didn't, so stop blaming me!"

"I'm not blaming you; I'm just stating the facts. He is your step cousin and your family whether you like it or not. If you kill him now, it will forever be written in Greenville's history that you wiped out your own family bloodline."

"Quick question, wise man. What if I had died last night?" I queried sharply, glancing between Gabriel's face and Uncle Walker. Both of them were obviously taken aback with uneasy silence.

I frowned at the old man.

"The next time you mention family around me, don't ever dare to mention any other Manchester apart from my Mother." I inched towards him like a predator stalking its prey. "Get that into your old skull." I stated icily.

"And I have decided!" My voice arose on a higher note as I turned to Gabriel who continued to watch dumbfounded. "As the Alpha of Greenville, I hereby order you, Gabriel, my Beta. To gather every member of this Pack to Greenville square and arraign those criminals for public execution."

I declared with so much pride and anger blaring in my voice. Gabriel's eyes twitched in horrific awe, but they only lasted for a second.

"As you wish, Alpha." He answered coldly with his head bowed so he could hide his pained expression.

"Kevin this is madness!" Uncle Walker hollered but I brushed past them.

"You've known me for long, Uncle Walker. By now, you should know I'm full of madness." I retorted as my legs continued to trail hurriedly to the Pack House.

And after several minutes of walking past Pack members, some who were obviously murmuring and others carrying displeased looks, I finally arrived. Apart from the beautiful gardens and the magnificent view of my mansion, my eyes caught glimpse of seven guards rooted firmly in front.

As I approached their leader, standing before my door. I could sense the level of fear reeking off them. Their bodies were rigid, but their eyes said otherwise.

"What are you all doing here?" I finally broke the tensioned silence.

"Beta Gabriel asked us to guard your home after last night's incident." The guard stuttered. His eyes weren't even meeting mine. They were fixated to the floor and his head slightly lowered.

"So now I'm a weak puppy who needs protection huh?" I bellowed and immediately he started shivering. His head lowering further.

"I am very sorry, Alpha. I didn't intend to pass the wrong message."

"You stay here." I ordered before glancing at the rest. They briskly peeled their gaze off me. "The rest of you should leave. Now."

"Yes Alpha." They chorused at the same time but by then I had already sauntered into the building. I stormed up the stairs and trotted into my room like a restless dog. I needed a cigarette; it was the only logical thing that could calm me down. I opened my wardrobe, tossing every clothes out in search of a cigarette. And when I couldn't find any, in anger I smashed the furniture till one door fell off.

I paced hurriedly to my bed side. Checking the locker in high hopes. A smile sprung to life on my face as I found a wrap beside a lighter. Without thoughts, my lips locked on the wrap while I lighted it.

The relief which travelled through me as I let out a smoky puff was enough to lessen my nerves. Unfortunately, that euphoria soon ended abruptly.

"Kevin Manchester!" I heard the all too familiar voice scream downstairs. None other than Claire. I heaved a sigh before walking towards the door, across the hallway and down the stairs where she was. Matching one heel relentlessly against the marble floor. Her gaze sharp and furious and her chest heaving up and down.

"What do you want now?" I muttered in a cold voice as we stood inches apart.

"Kevin that decision you just proclaimed is outright madness!" She instantly flared up.

"Oh, so you heard already." I answered in nonchalance as another puff escaped. Her disgust deepened, she neared me and pulled out my Cigarette in a blink. My eyes widened in awe as she stepped on it ruthlessly with her heel.

"How dare you, that was my last cigarette!" I growled in disbelief.

She inched further so only needle space was left.

"I will not tolerate my mate smoking like a fool right in my presence." She boldly declared.

"Well, you haven't accepted this mate yet!" I retorted.

"Why don't we push our mate bond issues aside and focus on the subject matter?"

"Which is?

"The part where you ordered the public execution of Jerry alongside his friends."

"They tried to kill me last night. That is treason!"

She heaved a heavy sigh before looking me in the eye.

"You killed his Father. Someone he loves." She stated softly and surprisingly all my rage and pain vanished. Not from her words but from the softness her tone carried.

"He simply did this out of pain and anger. Anybody in his shoes will do the same too."

I gulped down the saliva on my tongue, slowly digesting her words. She was right. Anybody in his shoes would have done the same. But I had my reasons too. I've been in this situation before. How my Father died in the hands of the Lycan. The same quest for revenge burning in my soul is the same thing Jerry was probably facing now. And this quest wouldn't die down just like mine. If I spared him, he would keep on hunting after me till I'm dead.

"My decision is final." I mumbled with lack of conviction. Her countenance morphed into extreme sadness upon hearing those words.

"He's your family, Kevin. I'm sure the moon goddess didn't save your life just to kill your Step cousin."

She persisted.

"Let me guess, my mother already filled you in about my life and family." I rolled my eyes.

"No. Words are flying about here in Greenville."

"Hmm that's good. At least this would serve as a warning." I flashed her a sinister smile.

"Ke—"

"Alpha, everyone's awaiting your presence." Gabriel's voice cut her off as he sauntered in. I nodded before he exited quietly.

"Now if you will excuse me, I have some idiots to execute." I muttered before reaching towards the door.

"Kevin," her voice held me back. Even though her lips didn't move after my name, her eyes expressed a lot. In those beautiful honey irises, I could see hidden tears begging for mercy. Lupus easily fell but my resolve didn't waiver. Jerry is a threat that must be eliminated.

And so, without further thoughts, I slammed the door behind my back.

"Get me a pack of cigarettes." I ordered to the guard rooted by my door before pacing in a hurriedly fashion.

Once I arrived in Greenville Square, already crowded with people. Their murmurs all stopped. Except some members who were sobbing in silence. Obviously, parents of Jerry's friends. I walked amidst the crowd till I arrived the gory scenery. The three of them bound in silver chains to the ground. Their body's laced with long marks of bruises and injuries that refused to heal up. Traces of dry blood imprinted across their face and bare chest. They were indeed tortured and very weak.

I glanced across the crowds. Apart from the parents, I noticed Rose in tears. Claire too had joined the crowd looking extremely sad. And then my eyes fell on Gabriel, who was standing by my side. Cold.

"For those of you that doesn't know why we are gathered here," I announced as I encircled around the three criminals. "These three idiots committed treason. They tried to kill me last night."

I heard the crowd burst into another horde of inaudible chatter.

"And for this heinous crime, it is hereby punishable by death!" Silence instantly descended.

"As long as I'm alive, you shall never be my Alpha!" The middle one blared. Jerry. His face still retained those ferocious glare even when his friends were silently pleading for mercy.

"I know." I flashed him a cunning smile as I towered over him. "That is why I'm going to put you out of your misery."

"Pour the oil!" I announced and immediately, guards quickly joined us. Carefully offloading the buckets of black oil over their heads so it flowed across their bodies. Gabriel handed me a long stick already lit with fire at the tip. Once again, inaudible chatters sprung up. As I directed the tip inches towards Jerry oil coated body, my eyes fell on Gabriel and Rose gloomy countenances. My eyes darted to Claire and hers wasn't any different either.

If I killed them, then it certainly meant I was going to lose my mate. She was already disappointed in me, doing this would only make it worse. My mind trailed to my mother too, she obviously would disown me at this point. And that means losing two precious people in my life for eternity.

I closed my eyes, took deep breaths whilst wavering between listening to my rage or to my loved ones.

"But Jerry is my cousin after all!" I announced as I immediately retracted the flames. Handing it back to Gabriel whose shock were clearly expressed. Even Jerry's fierce look had morphed into surprise awe.

"He's my Family. I killed his Father, someone he loves." I muttered as I gazed deeply at Claire. Repeating the same words, she had said to me.

"He simply did this out of pain and anger. Anybody in his shoes will do the same too." I continued.

"I'm sure the moon goddess didn't save my life just to kill my step cousin." I asserted and then a tiny smile of admiration carved on her lips.

"I hereby sentence the three of you to hundred years imprisonment." I declared with a frown.

"But let this be a warning to all of you because you might not be lucky for my mercy." I proclaimed and the crowd burst into a cheerful chatter.

"Take them to the caves." I whispered to Gabriel before leaving the area. I ran as far as my legs could take across the west.

And soon I arrived Greenville's west region boundary. The same place, I had jumped and the same place I used to visit with my Father. A smile found its way to my lips. For the first time I chose forgiveness and it felt so good.

I heard the gentle sound of a twig crushing behind my back and a familiar honey scent entertain my nostrils.

"Thank you." Claire mentioned as she joined me by the side. Her smile as bright as the sun.

"For what?" I questioned, trying to resist the fact I had actually been nice.

"For listening to your heart." She glanced at me briefly before turning but I briskly held her back. My left hand clutching to her left wrist. I immediately felt series of sparks and excitement rush through me. They overwhelmed me too much that it felt like I was in a beautiful dimension.

"Thanks for saving me last night." I mumbled hoping she won't yank her wrist off my grasp.

"You're my mate after all." She answered with a smile and my heart skipped a bit. At least she was beginning to acknowledge me a little.

"Will you let go now, I have school duties to attend to." She chuckled causing me to giggle nervously while I gradually let go.

"Saving you doesn't mean I've accepted you yet. You still have to pass my test." She added with a cunning expression before exiting into the woods.

My smile was still retained. At least she was beginning to consider me now. All I needed to do was to pass her test and make her mine finally. To enjoy that sweet feeling that blessed my black heart.